Chapter 7: Abigail
On reaching the children’s shelter, they both came down from Serena’s car and entered the gate to the Children’s shelter.
"Good day Miss Serena and Miss Kathy." The gatekeeper greeted the both of them smiling boldly at them.
"Good day to you sir, How’s Maria doing now?" Serena greeted him back,his wife Maria had just recently gave birth through Caesarean Section, Serena was told she would be staying at the hospital for a few more days to recover completely.
She had been so worried about her since she last saw her at the hospital where she was admitted.
"Oh Maria is doing quite alright now and the baby is lovely, she started walking around the hospital just yesterday night." the gatekeeper said happily.
"That’s such a relief to hear." Serena sighed as she released the breath she did not know she had been holding in.
"Congratulations on your baby sir." Kathy politely interjected as she congratulate the man.
"Thanks Ma’am Kathy, and thank you for all that you have been doing for us since the operation."
"Come on now, I’ve told you countless time to stop thanking me it is nothing and you know it, we are all family here." She told the man.
The gatekeeper smiled at her, as they made their way into the building of the children shelter.
"Renie, I just got a text from Ethan, apparently there is a trouble maker client that refuse to give her measurements without seeing me." Kathy said apologetically, she gave her a little pout showing how sorry she was.
"That’s not a problem, you can always come help out some other time... but how will you go back when we came with my car."
"Don’t be silly, there’s always a cab waiting." Kathy said as she hurriedly kissed Serena cheeks before rushing out.
"Bye girl and please, no over speeding okay? Tell the driver." Serena shouted after her, but all she got in return was a loud chuckling from Kathy.
"Hehehe..." and with that she was long gone. Kathy had a thing where she loves driving in high speed and always ends up getting in trouble with the cops, reasons why she does not bring her car around all the time, Serena thought as she shake her head "Silly girl." She said before finally entering the foster care shelter for kids
On entering she heard a loud joyful cry "REE!!!"
Serena turned to the direction of the voice,
"ABI!!!" She called back as she watched the most precious person in her life, well apart from her grandparents and Kathy, dashed to her beeming happily at her."
"Ree... "Cough, cough!" The little girl gave a wet, phlegmy cough that bubbled from her lungs before she could finish her statement, "I’ve missed you so much Ree... Cough, Cough!"
"I’ve missed you more my little angel, How’s my little pumpkin doing? Serena asked her as she squatted to the girl’s level to brush the lose strands of hair that had fallen to cover her adorable face
"I’m not fine... Cough! You said you missed me yet you did not come for my appointment on Thursday." the girl said pouting as she huffed at Serena and turned away from her angrily.
If anything Serena hates to see this girl angry or be the cause of her sadness,
"I’m so sorry pumpkin but I was so busy, you know my nasty boss I told you about he wouldn’t let me go home on time that very day." Serena explained, she turned her to her so she could properly see her face.
"Oh I hate him so much." Abi said.
"No don’t say that, you know I told you that hate is a strong word and should not be use on people as long as you can’t create them, okay?" Serena cautioned the little girl.
"Yes, I’m sorry Ree I don’t hate him I despise him so much."
"Oh my you are so sweet, well I also despise him a lot." Serena made a funny face as the both of them bursted out with laughter.
Suddenly the other kids rushed to her on seeing her "Serena, we missed you!" They all said the words together, the place that was once quiet and dull became rowdy and scattered with children in the children’s shelter as they all rushed to her.
"Okay, calm down all of you." One of the caregivers reprimanded them.
Serena turned to the kids gathered around her "who is ready for their snacks and treaties?"
All the children chorused "ME!!!" Serena started distributing the candies she had earlier bought for the kids.
"Miss Serena, I told you candies are no good for the kids." One of the caregivers told her.
"I know Miss Mia, but it just for today I promise."
"You said so the last time." Miss Mia grumbled.
"I know I did Miss Mia." Serena said again, Miss Mia eventually gave up as she muttered to herself "you are really insufferable."
"I heard that Miss Mia." Serena said jokingly as Miss Mia and the other caregivers smiled at her playfulness.
Serena turned to the kids "are y’all ready for today games?"
"Yes Serena." They all chorused.
"Very well then, like we always do I need you all to head to the field on a single file." The children formed a line amongst themselves ranging from youngest to oldest as they all marched down to the field singing a song happily.
Serena turned around and head to the Manager’s office, she had previously received a text message from her informing her to come to her office regarding Abigail’s appointment on Thursday.
She was very nervous as she anticipated the news, hoping to hear a positive feedback. She walked to the manager’s office and knocked on the door with her heart racing vigorously in her chest, she waited patiently by the door.
Serena heard a soft " Come in." and immediately turned the door knob to enter the office, the manager looked at her as she walked into the office before she waved for her to come closer to her.