Chapter 2 A Brief History

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I stretch my hand beyond my bed and I slam the alarm clock. I sit up and wipe my face with my hands, rubbing the sleep off. I slept pretty well last night. Stretching my body, I glimpse at the clock to read 8:34 am. Well, I have no idea when that orphanage opens, but a quick search on the internet will help. But first, I need to get ready. I walk out of my bedroom, passing through the main hallway leading to the bathroom. I look in the mirror in the bathroom to reveal my same old black scrubby face. A good shave wouldn’t look too bad, but this beard took me too long to grow to just get rid of it. I’ll just trim it.

I grab my electric razor that my mother gave me when I graduated high school and trim my month-old beard. It looks rather decent now, just some 3-millimeter hairs sticking from my chin and upper lip. I take my pajamas off and step inside of the shower. The water started off cold, but I didn’t mind it. Cold water tends to wake me up quicker. Continuing, I proceed to the obvious steps of washing my body.

During the shower, I thought about Ashima’s words about the orphanage. About visiting her friend that works there. Will she really help my ethnic stumble, or will it just show me to be more against them? I shouldn’t doubt myself about these things. Getting over my pessimistic behavior, I step out the shower and dry off. I finish off my grooming by brushing my teeth and brushing my very short, and almost non-existent hair. People say it’s bald, I say it means I don’t have to get haircuts every weekend.

Leaving my bathroom, I head back to my room and change into some casual clothes. A black duffle coat, a gray scarf, and some gray slacks. Though I’m not going on a date, I feel it is necessary to dress somewhat nice and to look at least a little respectful. I put on some black shoes and head to my kitchen. I go to the pantry to get some wheat cereal. It gets me thinking; do anthros have limited diets because most of them are either herbivores or carnivores? Almost makes me feel lucky to be an omnivore. Some of them can’t eat certain foods like us humans. Chocolate is basically rat poison to the canines. I turn on the tv as I pour my cereal into a marble bowl.

The news was talking about anthros again. Crime in the downtown areas of Chicago, how the police do a bad job with the riots and protest about the anthros’ pay being cut. People would think the 28th amendment to the US constitution would demand all states to require equal pay and service to all people. Then again, it never said anything about rights for anthros, and the laws of this country are based on Adolian principles.

I pour the milk into my bowl and start devouring my breakfast. I change the channel to sports to see if my favorite basketball team, the Grovesworth Hyenas, are in the lead yet for the playoffs. To my surprise, they are dominating the playoff's rack, beating the Lansing team. I almost lost hope this year for them since one of the players got arrested for possession of drugs. It’s still a remarkable recovery though. They made one of the biggest comebacks I’ve ever seen for basketball.

I turn off the tv and finish up my breakfast. I check my wristwatch and the time reads 10:30 am. That orphanage should definitely be opened up now. I put my bowl in the sink and put some water in the bowl and let it sit. I leave my apartment, this time bringing my car keys. I pull up my phone and grabbed the paper that Ashima gave me and called her.

“Hello?” said the voice on the other line. “Hey, is this Ashima?” I asked. “Yes, is this the young man from the park?” she replied. “Yeah, Zach. I uh… I’d like to visit that friend you were talking about. Do you know how to get to the orphanage?”. “Ah, good to hear back from you, Zach. I’m glad you’re giving it a shot. The orphanage is just south along the highway closest to the park. You’ll come across a road sign saying ‘Mixed Species Orphanage’, then go down that road and stop when you see a dormitory looking building. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you very much, Ash. I’m glad you can help.” I said. I heard a slight purr on the other line and heard her say “You’re more than welcome anytime, Zach.”. We exchanged goodbyes and hung up. I walk to the parking lot and unlock my Lincoln LS. Nice car, but the stereotype people make about these cars are quite unfair. I’m pretty sure I’m not a retired 67-year-old man. I enter my car and drive to the highway Ashima told me about.

I keep driving until I finally come across that sign. “Mixed Species Orphanage”. I turn on my indicator and being to turn into the road. I keep driving until I see a building with a sign that said “Hope’s Foster Care”. That must be it. I indicate once more and turn into the driveway. There are only a couple of cars there, although I shouldn’t expect more. I lock my car up and head inside.

I open the door with a somewhat foreboding creek. At the front desk, there is a possum wearing dark glasses. I can’t tell if she’s a young adult or an elder... I step through the door and hear a bell. Turns out there’s an infrared sensor on the ground. Probably to alert the receptionist of visitors. The possum lady looks up at me and smiles as if she hasn’t seen anyone new for a while.

“Welcome to Hope’s Foster Care! I see you didn’t bring in a child. Does that mean you bear good news?” said the possum with a glow. “Uh. Um, sorry but.. I’m actually looking for someone.” I replied hesitantly. “Oh well, that’s a shame. Usually, when someone walks through that door without a tear in their eye, they’re searching for an addition to the family. Otherwise, you get the point. Who are you looking for? Staff?” she said. “Um, do you know an Ashima? A tall lioness woman?” I asked. “Oh I’ve met her, but I don’t know her personally. She always comes to see Hope. They sometimes meet to enjoy tea with each other.”.

“Yes, that’ll be her. Can I please see Hope?” I said with haste. “Of course, I’ll go get her for you.” Said the possum as she walked through the door. I was standing at the desk for a while until I decided to sit down in the waiting area. There were about 7 rather comfortable chairs and paintings of feral birds on the wall. One of the paintings actually depicted an anthropomorphic bird family. I found it rather nice. There were some self-help brochures, family advice magazines, and a couple kids books sitting on the coffee table next to me. I find you can tell a lot about a place by what they have in the waiting room.

I could hear kids playing outside in the back garden. There was talking, occasional laughter, and a lot of tiny footsteps. I couldn’t make out anything that was going on out there. All I heard was simply children. I also heard a baby crying down one of the hallways, and a human nurse walking into a room before the crying stopped. This place seems good so far. Not like the orphanages depicted in movies like Annie. Or worse yet, the Annie remake.

“Hello, sir?” My thoughts were interrupted by a voice. I looked over my shoulder and saw a human woman in a very casual suit. “Are you Hope?” I asked. “Yes, and you are..?” she said. “Zach. I met Ashima, your friend?” I said while holding my hand out for a handshake. She grasped my hand gently and said “Ah yes, she's a good friend of mine. Did ash tell you about us? Are you looking to adopt?” She said with a smile growing on her face.

“Uh… actually, I’m in a bit of a pickle. I… was in the war in Pakistan against radical beasts. And I find it hard living amongst anthros knowing what’s going on in terms of terrorism and discrimination.” I said. Hope’s smile turned into a rather disappointed frown “I’m so sorry you had to experience that. But I must thank you dearly for protecting our country, however many flaws there may be. Would you like to come up to my office for tea?”. “Yes, please.” I replied. Hope looked over at the receptionist and said “Thank you, Possum. While I’m here, may I ask if you could read those emails I forwarded to you?”. Possum, a suiting name for… well, a possum. Possum nodded and started clicking away at her computer.

Hope walked up the staircase behind reception and I followed. There was pink and green striped wallpaper and pictures of happy children of all varieties with parents. “Are these pictures of kids you had here?” I asked. Hope sighed “Yes, they were darlings. I like to think of how much we did for them and that they may now lead a happy life.”. We continued up the stairs and reached a door with a blurred window with golden letters on the glass that read “HOPE”. Hope opened the door and gestured that I come in.

It was the friendliest looking office I had ever seen. The decor was very clean and professional. There was a plush red couch and 4 seats set around a short rounded rectangular table. The table was set with a platter with a tea pot and a few cups, along with some milk in a tiny porcelain jug. On the desk were various desk toys, ranging from a dipping bird to a stress ball. On the corner edge of the desk sat an antique Raggedy Ross doll. In the corner were some simple toys like a truck and some scattered building blocks.

There was a clear arched window and balcony that looked over the play area where all the kids were. I could quite clearly hear a silenced ambiance of the kids playing. “Take a seat, Zach. Would you like some tea?” Hope said while pulling out one of the sofa chairs. I said, “Umm, no thank you, do you happen to have any water?” “Of course.” Hope took a cup and walked over to the cooler next to the office sink and filled it up before placing it in front of me. “Thanks”. I take a sip from the cup of very cold and refreshing water.

“So, Hope. Ashima told me you did social work with families and children. How long have you been doing this?” I asked to start the conversation. “Well, It ought to be about… 7 years now. I started as a counselor's apprentice when I was 19 and then got a job here when I was 21, then about 2 years ago, I became the headmistress. Though, I don’t do the real work here. That title goes to Possum, Olivia, and Jenny. Olivia does all the health work. Check-ups on the kids, dietary plans and so on. And Jenny organises activities for the children to partake in. Whether it be excursions to the museum or incursions like painting classes. You already met Possum, she takes care of adoptions and incoming children. I did, and still do, the social work.” Hope explained.

“I think I saw Olivia tending to a baby down the hall from reception,” I said, again making small talk. “Yes, she has a lot on her hands. She’s such a darling, our Olivia. She’d make such a wonderful mother, but instead, she wants to help those in need.” Hope said while drifting into somewhat of a gaze. This place is extraordinary. I have been to only a few places that have beasts and humans working together perfectly.

“Hope, from the amount of time, actually taking care of different types of families, particularly the anthros; what did you learn about the way discrimination affects them?” I asked as I took another sip of the cold water. “Ah, so that’s what you’re here for? Are you trying to settle an argument with a friend?” Hope said thinking she was starting to catch on. “No, actually. I’m pretty much settling an argument with… myself…” I said looking down at myself.

“Ah. I see. That’s quite troubling, especially in this kind of world. Well, I’m not allowed to talk about clients directly, but most of the worst stories you will hear from me, are actually of the children in the photos in the hall and stairs.” Hope paused. “Most anthro families get along very well with each other… but then they move into the wrong neighborhood and get bullied out. The families that come here to… drop off their children; they want the best for their child, but can’t find it.”

“I knew a kid, he was a wolf, about 8 or 9 when he came here. His mother and father were wonderful people, but they got a lot of… flak… from their neighbors. That poor boy was tormented by the neighbors. No-one but his parents trusted him. All the humans in the area treated him as if he was a villain. Throwing slurs his way and calling him a beast. The parents just didn’t want him to have to deal with something like that. So they turned to me. They were tired of protecting him from the figurative bullets that were sent their way. They couldn’t find a life for their son, so they hoped that I could.”

“Oh,” I say with a tremble in my voice. I couldn’t help but look down in sorrow and pain. I didn’t know that the children suffered this much just from a hateful belief. Damn. I don’t want to imagine this for any child. Yet, the anthro children go through this much, for their own parents to give them away. So that they can live better lives.

I mutter “Poor kid. for us humans to torment them because they are different.”. “Oh, believe me, it gets worse. Some of the hybrid children were forced to be here because of the human side of the family.” Hope said, not looking too hopeful, might I add. “There was one case where two people, an Asian-looking human, and a feline man, they had a child. They showed their families, but…” Hope sighed and I could see a tear building up in her eye.

“The Lady came from an Adolian family, and she had altered beliefs. Much to her parents’ disappointment, she didn’t care for what The Origin said about anthros. When her parents found out she had just given birth to a hybrid, they actually tried to murder her. She fled to her husband, and her husband offered her sanctuary at his parent’s house. But then his family were… very unhappy about her being adolian. With the woman homeless, the husband was left to care for the child. But without a female to feed it, he went broke fast. He then handed the child to us. Still barely past infancy.” Hope had a whimper in her voice and was starting to cry.

My heart felt like it had dropped to my stomach, and was being eaten away by my gastric acid. Her stories about the worst case scenarios were beyond horrifying. They were nightmares turned into reality. I can’t help but put a hand on Hope’s shoulder. It’s the least I can do. Hope wiped the tears off her face and my hand on her shoulder. “It’s ok. I know how to bear a weight. I’m required to by law and my own morality anyway. I think we should stop dwelling on the depressing things and focus on the positives.”

“And what positives come to mind?” I ask, concerned. “Well, there are the photos on the wall for example. Children that have found the perfect family, where they are loved and respected as they deserve to be. And there are also the children who have found their family here, with us. Like- well I won’t name names, but one of the nurses. Would you like to meet some of the kids?”

“Meet… the kids.” I hesitated at first. All that comes to mind after hearing those stories are a bunch of sad little animals that have been tormented their entire life. Arg, Zach. Hope just said that the children are happy here. Willing up strength, I answer “Yes, I would love to”. “Wonderful! Come on down, you’ll have to sign the visitor roster.” Hope takes my empty cup and puts it over next to the kettle and sink. She opens the door and we both walk down the stair.

We walk past those photos again. I look at them and think about what she just said about the children. They look so happy. They look like they really did find the perfect family. Hope gives me a pen and directs me to the roster.

Name: Zachary Tyro Reeves

DOB: 19/10/1990

Occupation: Computer Scientist

Signature: ZaTyRe