The car pulls up to a massive brick building surrounded by large trees. The front of the building has a beautiful flower bed stretched across the entire building. The large blue front doors are in the middle of the building with large mosaic windows across either side of them. Marie steps out and reads the sign ‘Clover Green Girls Orphanage’ in large, blue cursive letters. Sean helped her take her belongings out of the trunk and walked her to the doors. As they near the building a tall dark-skinned woman opens the doors and steps out. She is wearing a green and tan pantsuit. Her dreadlocks are up in a bun and the light makeup she’s wearing accentuates her model-like features. Sean greets her and hands her the paperwork he received from Ms. Lillith earlier. He turns back to Marie and bends down to grab the heaviest bags.

“Marie this is Mrs. Leane Walters. She will welcome you in and take over from here. I am going to bring your bags to your new room, so don’t worry about them.” Sean states as he lifts up the bags he bent down to grab prior and heads inside. Marie thanks him and then focuses on the slightly intimating woman in front of her.

“Hello, Marie as Sean said my name is Mrs. Leane Walters. But you can call me Mrs. Leane.” She says holding out her hand. Marie shakes her hand and Mrs. Leane ushers her inside. “I am the head caretaker here and I want to welcome you to Clover Green. I hope you will enjoy it here. It is a beautiful city.” Mrs. Leane gives Marie a gentle smile. “Why don’t you follow me to my office, so we can discuss some things.” Marie follows behind Mrs. Leane and takes in her new surroundings. This place is much bigger than Little Peaks Orphanage. The hallways seem wider and the ceilings feel higher. They pass several closed blue doors on their way. The walls of the corridor are a pale yellow, with pictures of various landscapes. The two reach the head caretaker’s office. Mrs. Leane opens the door and gestures for Marie to walk in and take a seat. Once they both are sat Mrs. Leane clears her throat.

“As you probably know, Clover Green Girls Orphanage is for teenage girls 13 to 19 years of age. Considering you will be turning 16 soon, you will be joining our little family here. Being an orphan or in the foster system is not easy but we hope to be a safe transitionary place for young girls here. Whether you are here temporarily until you find a home or until you age out and embark on adulthood. ” Mrs Leane explains, then takes a short break to allow her words to settle. Marie never thought of an orphanage in that manner. She likes the way Mrs. Leane describes it better than the place where parentless children go. Her bullies at her old school used to taunt her with that. “I am aware of your situation regarding foster families. So my job here is to watch over you and make sure you have the resources you need to make it on your own when the time comes.” She takes another pause before saying “I know I am talking a lot but do you have any questions for me, Marie?”

“Yes. I wanted to know the rules and where I will be staying.” Marie asks, wanting to get a better understanding of what life will be like here.

“Great question. There aren’t too many rules here. Everyone has assigned chores that rotate monthly. Everyone has a curfew at 10 pm. Which means you have to be in the building by 10 pm. After that, the doors are locked. It is for everyone’s safety.” Mrs. Leane iterates “Other than that you just have to be respectful of everyone. And no fighting or stealing. Also, no visitors unless they were approved to be here.” Mrs. Leane explains. “As for where you will be staying. Fortunately, you will be getting your own room. Which I will show you too after this.”

“We are lenient here when it comes to having your own room. All you need to do is keep your space clean. You have the freedom to decorate how you want. Just no painting the walls.” Mrs. Leane ends off with a little laugh.

Marie smiles at this. She is feeling less nervous about the move since meeting Mrs. Leane. “That is all great to hear. You answered all of my questions.” she takes a beat before she adds “I was really worried, but you made me feel hopeful about all this. I just want to thank you.”

“I am glad. I hope you feel comfortable and like it here. My first mission with you is to make this move as stressless as possible.” Mrs. Leane gives a big smile. “Since you are settling in, you won’t have any chores this weekend or next week. You will just focus on getting your bearings and hopefully making friends. All the girls here are sweet and welcoming. Some may be shy to stand-offish to you at first but that is just cause you are new. ” Mrs. Leane adds as she stands up. “Come with me. I will take you to your room.”

The two walk out of her office and back into the corridors. While navigating through the orphanage Mrs. Leane says “Oh! Almost forgot, you will be starting Clover High on Monday.” They reach her room and walk inside. Marie’s belongings are all there waiting for her. “I will give you some time to unpack and settle in. In two hours I will come back to give you a tour of the Orphanage.”

“That sounds great thank Mrs. Leane,” Maries says.

“You are welcome, honey.” Mrs. Leane walks out and closes the door. She leaves Marie to unpack and get acquainted with her new room. This change is starting to look promising. Marie walks over to her stuff and picks up the card from her going away party. She must find the perfect place to display it.