Rules are Rules

"They were sent from the gates_______"

RULES CAN BE BROKEN

They were sent from the gates of the Forever Children's Home for no other reason than rules are rules, according to Mr. Klieve. Those rules specify that an adult must bring the children to us and fill out, what seemed like, a ream of paper. We weren't allowed to just accept anyone off the street, especially those who could not fill out the forms.

But those poor little ones were ragged, dirty, and looked very hungry. How could I not help them? They were half way down the block when I called out to them, "Children, please come back!"

The oldest boy had his protective arms around the shoulders of the two little ones. Their faces were tear-stained and so dirty that it melted my heart and I felt I had to help them. "How old are all of you?" I asked.

"I am James, sir, and nine years old. These are the twins, Jimmy and Judy. They are three years old. Mary is five, and Ellie is seven,"

"Where is your mother, father, or some other family member?"

"We have no one, sir. A reckless driver killed our mother last week, but she managed to push the twins out of the way so they wouldn't get hit too. We are all we have, sir."

"Who took your mother away and why didn't they take care of you children?" I asked.

With tears streaming down their faces, James replied, "The police came and took her away in an ambulance, but we hid because mother taught us to always stay away from strangers."

"But, yet, you come to this place?"

"Yes sir. My brother and sisters' need help."

"Where have you been living since your mother was taken away?" I wanted to know.

James hugged his siblings closer as he explained how they were living in an alley behind a restaurant under some cardboard boxes because their dad had deserted them when the twins were only 1½ years old. Some people tried to find him, but they couldn't, so their mother had to move them out of their apartment.

"My gosh, boy, what have you kids been eating?"

"Mom cleaned the restaurant after it closed and we got the left-overs," James replied. "Since mom was hit by that car, we have eaten whatever the restaurant owner threw out to us."

I hit my forehead with my open palm and thought, 'rules be dammed.' I unlocked the gate and invited the children to come inside while I checked with the police about their mother.

We entered the big hall and I called out, "Mrs. Roberts, I need your help!"

Upon seeing these dirty, ragged little ones, she cried, "Oh Lord, what will Mr. Klieve say when he hears about this?"

"Now, now, Mrs. Roberts, I am only going to try to find out what happened to their mother. Please take the girls in and clean them up while I help the boys. Then get them something to eat while I get on the phone."

"Come, come, children, let me help you," she said as she herded the girls into the bathroom.

Soon Mrs. Roberts had a bowl of cereal, peaches, milk, and juice setting in front of each child. Their eyes grew big and Judy asked, "Is that all for me?"

Mrs. Roberts laughed, hugged Judy and said, "You bet it is, honey. Now eat up, all of you."

I immediately called the police station, asking about the woman they had taken to the hospital last week. I darted a quick look at the children when the detective said the woman was alive but had both legs and one arm broken. She would be in the hospital quite a while. She was also asking about her five children but they couldn't find them. The detective asked, "Do you know anything about them?"

"I just might. Can you tell me what hospital the woman is in?"

When the detective said she was in St. Dominicas, my heart raced. That was only three blocks from the Home. I glanced at the children and saw James watching me intently, so I motioned for him to come by my side. "Please do not say anything to the others, as I want to make sure this woman really is your mother before we tell them she is alive."

I explained everything the detective had told me. James face lit up like a Christmas tree and he asked, "Can we please go see her?"

I explained that I wanted to go see her first and ask her questions to make sure she really was their mother. He understood and held back tears as he gathered the children around him.

"Mrs. Roberts, I am going out for a while. Please give the children baths and clean clothes. I'll be back as soon as I have some information." I shook hands with James and said, "Pray it is her."

Jimmy was pulling on Mrs. Roberts dress as he asked, "Are we to be the only ones here?"

Mrs. Roberts explained there were six other children, but it was naptime and by the time their baths were finished, the children would be up and they could all get to know each other.

Within an hour I returned, grabbed each of those five children in turn and swung them high. They looked startled but laughed. I took them into the front room and said, "Guess what? I have found your mother!"

The tears flowed and they didn't know whether to cry or laugh. They clapped their hands and hugged each other. I wiped the tears from my eyes as Mrs. Roberts entered, wanting to know what all the noise was about. I was so happy, that I grabbed her and swung her around, then told her the news. She lifted her apron to her eyes and we all cried with happiness for the children.

Finally James asked, "When can we go to see our mother?"

I explained that after dinner, I would take them all to the hospital to see her. The little ones couldn't contain their happiness and were jumping up and down with joy, when Mrs. Roberts said they should go back and play with the other children.

Mrs. Roberts said, "You know, I don't care what Mr. Klieve says. We are keeping these children here until their mother is well enough to take care of them."

"Not only that, Mrs. Roberts, but we must get a room ready for Mrs. Willis. She can come live with us while she is recuperating and learning to walk again. Won't the children be surprised?"

"Oh mercy me," cried Mrs. Roberts as she fanned herself with her apron. "This will be so much more fun that running a stuffy old Home by his rules."