The Orphanage: A Short Story

Dan takes a deep-anxious breath. "Hannah," his voice cracks, "Dear, we 're at the Orphanage." A puddle of drool ran down her seat cover. "Hannah," he repeats. Disoriented, she wakes up: "What, what 's going on?" "We 're here." "At the Orphanage?" She questioned. "Yes, dear, we 're at the Franklin Orphanage." She looks at her watch: "How long did I sleep?" "You mean, how long did you snore?" "Okay, cut the crap. Seriously, how long?" He rolls into an empty parking space. "I guess about an hour." She shrugs her shoulder. "I have a knot in my left shoulder. Will you please rub it out?" "Of course, I will." "Uh," she quivers, "that feels good." After about three minutes, "Dan, you ready?" "I don 't know, but I guess we 'll find out, won 't …show more content…
"That we will." Slam. The car doors lock shut. "Hold my hand, Dan." She continues: "Your hand is cold, why?" After a few sighs, he said: "I just can 't believe we 're going to be parents." His breath escapes like a vapor in the thin mountain air, "I know, right?" As they walk, she leans her head on his shoulder. Opening the office door unleashed a barrage of warm air saturating their skin. "The heater works well." Hannah quietly remarked. A friendly voice at the front counter greeted Hannah and Dan with enthusiasm. "Hi, you must be Dan and Hannah Jane, right?" Dan reaches out his hand to shake hers. "Yes, that 's us." "Here. Sign in," Martha, the office worker 's name. "Oh, okay," Hannah …show more content…
"Who is that," Hannah pointed. "Which one?" Martha asked. Hannah points again: "The one playing the piano, what 's her name?" "Oh, that 's Nicole. Isn 't that an angelic melody she 's playing?" "I 'll say so," Dan remarked. Hannah fixed her eyes on Nicole. "She is the one. Nicole is the girl we 're taking home;" Hannah made up her mind. "Can we talk with her?" Hannah asked. "Uhm, sure. I don 't mean to be rude, but how do you know she 's the one you want?" Dan 's chewing on a piece of nicotine gum intensely listening for Hannah 's reply. "I just do. I know she 's the one." Somewhat bewildered, the Martha said, "I see." "Nicole," Martha called out. She called louder, "Nicole, come here please." Nicole turned around. "What did I do this time," she asked. She had the brightest ocean blue eyes, long curly brunette hair with a fake red rose placed beside her burette which pulled her hair behind her ears. Hannah interrupts, "You didn 't do anything wrong, honey." Hannah reaches out her hand: "Hi, my name is Hannah, and this is my husband Dan," Hannah pointed. Nicole touches Hannah 's sweaty palms. "Do I call you Ms. or Hannah?" Nicole