Adoption

"And fire!!!"Linda yelled loudly as I swung my arm, shooting the baseball across the room to her.

"Oof!" she cried as the ball punched her helmet, making her fall back on the wall. "Oh my!" she smiled, trying to balance herself.

"Sorry", I waved my hand feeling sorry.

"It's okay, let's try again", she tossed the ball back to me, getting back into position for me to shoot.

I giggled rubbing the ball on my palms, "Okay Linda". I stretched my hand backwards, gathering momentum to shoot.

My arm froze halfway in the air as the door swung open. The couple I saw the first day in the hospital walked in, with the doctor in front of them.

I immediately dropped the ball, as Linda slammed her palms behind her, in an attempt to hide the Baseball gloves.

"Miss Linda?" The doctor called walking closer to my bed giving Linda a shocked then disapproving stare.

"Um, good evening, Doctor Frederick, I um... I didn't know you were looking for me".

The doctor turned to my timid self with my face down, then back at Linda, "I'm not here to see you, they are".

I shot my head up to see him pointing at the couple. "Sir?" Linda stepped closer.

"They're here for the little girl".

"Lola?" Linda stared seeming like she'd just seen a ghost.

"No, you", the Doctor shook his head turning to me.

"Lola, dear, your new parents are here to see you".

"What?" I whispered subtly beneath my breath.

"But Doctor?" Linda stepped forward, dropping the gloves. "Did the court approve?".

Dr Frederick sighed loudly, pinching his forehead, "No, Linda", he started sarcastically, "They didn't, we've just come here to forcefully take her without the hospital and court's consent".

Linda dropped her head feeling stupid. The doctor turned to me with his hands on his waist, "Okay Lola, meet your new parents, Mr and Mrs Robinson".

I turned to the couple as they slowly stepped forward. The woman gradually squatted down, pulling down her handbag.

"Hello Lola, how are you?" I blinked my eyes staring at her, I slowly dragged my eyes to Linda, whose head was still down. I turned back to Mrs Robinson.

She noticed my disapproving stare and turned to turn her husband. "Um..." She slowly got up, "Honey?"

He moved forward wrapping his hands around her, "It's okay, honey. Doctor?" He turned.

Dr Frederick responded, "Oh um, Miss Linda, pack up all of Lola's belongings, the ones Mr Robinson brought here with her. They are her parents now, and that'll like to take her home".

"But, sir..." Linda moved closer, "We're still yet to know what happened to her. She's yet to speak up about where she came from and what happened to her before they found her?"

"Linda, that's none of our problems", he rose his hand. Linda gave him a shocked look.

He looked down clearing his throat, "I mean um, her parents have promised to take care of all that and get her the help she needs, after all, we have tried three different therapists on her, now let her parents try and help".

"But she can get it all right here", Linda said.

"Linda, this is a hospital, not an orphanage. Besides the Court has agreed and her parents live in another state, so they'll probably get the help she needs somewhere nearby".

He turned to the couple hen at me. "So em... Lola, your parents", he anchored his chin at them.

"Linda?" He signalled his eyes at her, turning to the door. Linda who completely understood, dropped her head down as she followed him behind. I stared at her back as she reached the door.

"Linda!" I called out her name, running to her. I wrapped my arms around her lap, I looked up to her, "No..." I whispered staring at her with teary eyes.

I could see the shock and surprise in her eyes, realizing I had just called her name for the first time in the past four days. I could see her eyes get watery as she stroked my hair gently.

"Linda?" The doctor interrupted, stretching his neck forward. Linda ignored, with her eyes locked on me, Dr Frederick cleared his throat loudly. Linda snapped out, blinking her eyes repeatedly, "Uh?... Sir?"

Mrs Robinson slowly walked forward, placing my hand on my shoulder, "Lola?" I tightened my grip on Linda, "No!!!" I screamed spooking everyone.

Mrs Robinson hopped back stunned. I pulled my head away and stared at their shocked faces, even Linda seemed amazed. She slowly moved back, going down on her knees, "Lola, It's okay".

I wrapped my arms around her neck, shutting my eyes tight not ready to let go. She froze before stretching out to hug me.

We walked to the car park outside the hospital, with me in Linda's arm. I dug my face into her shoulder the closer we got to the car.

Mr Robinson opened the door, giving way for me. Linda squatted, gently pulling me away. I resisted.

"Lola? Please", she whispered. I sighed, slowly pulling myself off. She lifted me, placing me in the passenger's backseat then held the door, I stared at her.

I could see her eyes begging at me helplessly. Mrs Robinson stepped forward, "Thank you", she pushed the door shut, stepping in front of Linda, "Goodbye".

She smiled pulling the front passenger seat door open, as her husband stepped into the driver's seat.

I glued my eyes to the window, locking stares with Linda, refusing to look away. The car started, slowly reversing.

I watched as we moved further away from Linda, with her standing there like a fixed pole. Finally, she disappeared from my sight.

I slowly turned to the couple in the front seats, who seemed to have not noticed my existence in the vehicle. Mr Robinson's eyes were locked on the windscreen, Mrs Robinson on her phone screen.

I turned back to the window, staring at the passing buildings, then back at the car floor, folding my legs, hugging them against my chest. I let out a sigh as tears began running down my eyes.

I hid my eyes on my knees sobbing sightly.