Chapter 12: Special guest

His hands trembled for a moment, but he tries to calm down and continues to unwrap the remaining bandages. However, Bradley doesn't feel anything strange about his wound.

"Well, I feel like everything is fine, or maybe it is just my feelings."

He sighs and puts back the bandage on his wound. His mind recently keeps thinking about the fluid that came out of his wound.

"Never mind. Maybe, I'm thinking too much about weird things. It makes me paranoid for a while."

Bradley shakes his head repeatedly and tries to ignore all of it and get back to work. After a while, everything is much better than before. Dust on the floor is gone, the handrail is shiny, and the windows are clean now. At least he can breathe a sigh of relief now.

"Fortunately, we finish this prematurely," he said glancing at the only clock on the wall in the house. "Ok, kids now we just …."

The sound of the door is heard, followed by several steps of people entering. Caden and Madam Nigera are done buying the necessary groceries, so they both rush to the kitchen and start to prepare everything.

"Bradley, have you cleaned all this place?"

"Yes, Madam. We've all cleaned up this place." Bradley nodded quickly.

"Madam, I'll take these ingredients to the kitchen first." Caden was seen running carrying a plastic bag that is quite heavy.

"Cad, let me help you," Bradley helped Caden carry the plastic bag too.

They take out all the ingredients from plastic bags and prepare the cooking utensils and materials needed. A few minutes later, Madam Nigera comes into the kitchen and they start cooking.

"I think both of you better go back to your rooms and prepare yourself," Madam Nigera said as she is stirring the soup in the large pot.

"Madam, but it is okay to leave you now?" Caden asks Madam Theresa.

"Nah, it's fine. The soup is almost finished."

"All right, Madam," they said in parallel.

Bradley and Caden immediately return to their rooms and get prepared. They must dress neatly because there will be special guests arriving. When Bradley opens his wardrobe, he sees a light brown shirt that is given by a previous donor and seems to be still inside. It still looks good, yet the color has become dull and a bit dusty.

"Ok, I think, it looks pretty good." Bradley turned his body. "But, wait a minute. I think I see something on my clothes." He stopped moving and saw there was a hole in the sleeve of his shirt.

He takes a pin and yarn not far from his bed. Luckily, the color of the yarn is the same as the color of the shirt so the hole is not visible. His hands quickly sew the torn part until a perfect seam is formed. Even though he is a man, his hand is very skillful in moving the sewing needle because Mr. Eugene's wife had taught him how to do it.

"All right, now it's much more perfect." Bradley turned his body in front of the mirror for once, he wants to make sure there are no other holes.

"Brad, are you done yet?" Caden's shouted from outside the room are followed by a knock on the door.

"Yes, wait for a moment." Bradley walks to her bedroom door and opens it.

"Hey, come on we have to hurry up. Other kids are already gathering downstairs."

They both walk down the stairs and their faces are very happy followed by smiles that don't fade in the slightest. It feels so good to be able to wear this nice outfit even if it's just for one day.

Bradley and Caden finally get together with the children. All of them stand near the door, waiting for the family to come in. Not long after, someone opens the door. It turns out to be Madam Theresa, along with a married couple.

"Children, let me introduce. There are Mr. and Mrs. Zwalinski," she said happily.

"It's pleasure to meet you."," said Madam Nigera with widens smile. "Please, follow me. We have prepared dinner for you." Madam Nigera walks in front of them.

The two married couples followed Madam Nigera from behind with all the children smiling and seeing their presence. Madam Nigera invites Mr. and Mrs. Zwalinski for seats and a simple supper begins.

"Mr. and Mrs. Zwalinski, we are very pleased to have visited this humble place," Madam Theresa said in a low voice.

"We are also happy to meet these children." Mrs. Zwalinski sees every face of the children in the orphanage. "I suddenly remembered my son at home," she said, sipping Madam Nigera's soup. "Gosh, this soup is so delicious. I like the texture and also the taste." Mrs. Zwalinski smiles as she enjoys every spoonful of soup that comes down to her throat.

"Why you don't bring your son here?" Madam Theresa asked. "We are very sorry if this place maybe is not suitable for you."

"Oh, no at all. We like this place. It feels so cozy." said Mr. Zwalinski looking around. "However, my son is not getting used to meeting many people. He is a shy person." Mr. Zwalinski tried to make everything clear.

Mr. and Mrs. Zwalinski said the reason they come here is they want to meet someone. They receive a message from their son that one of the orphanage children had helped him from bullying.

"Good gracious, that's good news." Madam Theresa started to smile and her eyes are burning. "Yes, at this orphanage we always teach each child to help and care for others." Madam Theresa proudly said that.

"Mr. and Mrs. Zwalinski, if we may know. Who is the orphanage name that helps your child?" said Madam Nigera, interrupting him.

Mrs. Zwalinski rolls her eyes as she taps the surface of the table with her fingers. A few minutes later, she snaps her fingers followed by dilated pupils.

"Oh yes. I remember now. Her name is Tedley," said Mrs. Zwalinski confidently.

Mr. Zwalinski grips his wife's hand tightly and looks into his wife's eyes. "Honey, her name is Bradley. You said it wrong name."

"Oh, yes that's it." Mrs. Zwalinksi smiles. "That's the name."

Instantly the atmosphere became tense, and Bradley is silent for a moment. He does not think that the child he was helping before is the child of this couple. Madam Theresa who is engrossed in slurping her soup suddenly fell silent. She puts down her spoon and furrows her brows when she mentions the name.

"Mrs. Zwalinski, do you not mispronounce the name?"

Mrs. Zwalinski quickly shakes her head. "I'm sure I get the name right, Is that right, dear?" Mrs. Zwalinski's eyes turn to look at her husband.

"Yes honey, we're pretty sure of that." Mr. Zwalinski's face nods. "Is there something wrong with that?" asked Mr. Zwalinski, furrowing his brows.

"I'm sorry for what Madam Theresa said. Maybe she just shocks to hear the name." Madam Nigera tries to explain Madam Theresa's intentions. "Yeah, there is a child named Bradley, but…."

"Nigera, please let me do the rest," said Madam Theresa interrupting Nigera's words.

Madam Theresa explained that Bradley is a rebellious and evil child. She said Bradley always denied every word and is rude to her.

"That child doesn't deserve any credit because he is just a burden."

Madam Theresa's words make everyone speechless and suddenly, the atmosphere is quiet for a moment. Bradley hears those words and only shows his smiles but cries inside.

"Am I really bad?"

***