Andrew opened his eyes and sat up. Another day had started, but today was different. Today he turned six. He smiled despite the fact that he knew there would be no party, no celebration, but maybe they would let him out of the attic today. He kneeled on the floor and said his prayers.
He stood and looked around his tiny room, he could hear the other kids downstairs. They already said he was strange. The few times he had cried, things had flown around the room. They had tried to exorcise him and he had cried a lot when the priest kept yelling .at him. It had made more thing float and the priest yelled more, until he fell asleep.
He started making his bed, asking the sheet nicely to go into place when he couldn’t reach to tuck in the corner.
Outside the orphanage which was located in the Italian countryside stood the American couple.
“Are you sure its here?” Keith asks.
“Yes,” Tomas says remembering to the vivid dream visit from his father.
“But this place seems very religious.”
Tomas laughs, “it is a convent.”
“You know what I mean what if they won’t give us a kid?”
“They will give us this one.”
“But we’re two Americans on Italy trying to get a child we have never seem from a convent.”
”You forgot gay. Don’t worry.”
Tomas knocked on the door and a typical old nun opened the door and looked at them. Tomas let out a stream of Italian that stunned Keith. He winked at his husband then took his hand. Keith thought it was a kind gesture until the nun started making sense.
“…no gay boys.”
“Sister, I didn’t say gay I said strange like me.” And to prove his point he dripped a statue from inside the convent into his hand.
The nun looked taken aback for a moment but after a sign of the cross and a glory be she lead them through the old house. All the while muttering to herself about the devil claiming his own. She climbs the stairs to the attic.
A much too skinny and much too pale Italian boy sat there. Andrew looked at the two men who came in with the nun. One smiled and pulled out a surprise out from behind him.
A little cake. “Happy Birthday.”
Keith stared at Tomas in shock. He knew he was more then human, hell he was the same, but at times it was too much for even him to take.
Keith stared at the little boy as he ate his cupcake and then he smiled at him, the little black curls falling into his eyes. He offered Keith a piece of cupcake and he shook his head but the little boy insisted.
Keith smiled as he ate the bit of the sugary treat. He would be such a heart breaker, Keith thought. Tomas had kneeled beside him and was whispering softly to the little boy. Would he like to come with them? Andrew nodded his head vigorously and Tomas opened his arms for a hug. Andrew hugged him then turned to Keith who bent down to hug Andrew as well. He stood up adjusting Andrew on his hip as he walked out of the stifling attic with the little boy who looked like he could use a lot of time in the sun.
He stared at his “son’s” gray eyes and smiled. He was too engrossed to remember Tomas or the Nun as he sat down outside under a tree.
Even though he had just woken up Andrew suddenly felt very tired. He snuggled up to Keith and before falling asleep whispered ‘Daddy’.
When Tomas emerged with all the proper papers and a small suitcase full of Andrew’s few belongings. He smiled at the picture his husband and ‘son’ made.
Life was going to be different after this, “Thank you dad,” he whispered silently to the air.