Section I, Next Section

Posted on Saturday, 2 June 2001

From the moment the telephone woke her up, Elizabeth Bennet knew it was going to be one of those days. You know, the ones where nothing goes right and you don't get a chance to sit down from dawn to midnight. But Elizabeth was used to those kinds of days.

"Hello?" she said, sleepily.

"Elizabeth, could you possibly come over ASAP to pick up a child?"

"What happened?"

"Foster father was beating him when the mother called the police. The mother is in intensive care and the child just needs your loving, tender care and some minor medical aid."

Elizabeth paused for a second. "How old? Girl? Boy? How long has he been in the system?"

"He's 7 years old and has been in the foster care system for three years."

"I'll be right over."

Elizabeth hung up and got out of bed. Groggily, she managed to pull on a pair of jeans, a turtleneck and a sweatshirt. She crept downstairs and scribbled a note to her sister before grabbing the van keys and leaving the house.

On the way, Elizabeth worked with her thoughts. Too often she came into the situation with a hot head. The twenty-minute drive to the police station was always one she used to calm herself down.

When she reached the station, Elizabeth trotted inside and nodded to the officer on duty at the desk.

"They're in the first room."

"Thanks, Fred."

"You're real good, Miss Elizabeth."

She flashed a smile at him and entered the office. There stood a man in disarray as if he, too, had just woken up, and a police sergeant. Elizabeth looked to a sofa against the wall to see a young boy huddled in the corner looking at her with wide eyes.

Elizabeth winked at him. "Good morning? Or is it still good evening?"

"It's 4:45."

"Just in time to catch Burger King's breakfast!"

"Elizabeth, before you go, you know you have to fill out this paperwork."

Elizabeth pouted. "I was hoping to get out of it this time," she grumbled, and snatched the clipboard out of the sergeant's hands. She picked a pen out of the collection in a coffee mug sporting "World's Greatest Dad" on the side.

Standing in front of the open door, she quickly filled out the forms and handed the clipboard back to the men. "Anything else?"

"No, ma'am."

"Keep me informed and I will see you both later on- when it's actually daylight outside, I hope."

The two men left her alone in the room with child. "Hello, my name is Elizabeth. What's yours?"

The boy didn't reply. Elizabeth, not a bit fazed said, "Well, when you have picked out a name you like, you let me know. Until then... I think I'll call you Maxwell because that's my favourite coffee. I guess you're hungry, so why don't we go out and see if there are any restaurants open, okay?"

Elizabeth walked out of the office and started to talk small-talk to Fred. About a minute later, a small face poked around the door, then the boy stepped out of the office.

Elizabeth quickly finished talking to Fred and said, "Are you ready to go, Maxwell? My van's outside."

They walked out and Elizabeth opened the passenger door for him. She got in the driver's seat and pretended to busy herself with moving the paperwork around while the boy decided whether or not he was going to trust this stranger enough to get in the van.

When he finally did get in, she turned on the car and said, "Seat belt, please."

Maxwell did as she said and cowered as far back in the corner as he could.

Elizabeth hummed along to the radio while driving. "Is Burger King okay for you? I don't think anything else will be open at this time in the morning."

Maxwell didn't reply. Elizabeth turned in and went through the drive-through. "What do you want?" she asked.

He shrugged.

"Well if you don't tell me I'll get you what I like."

He shrugged again.

She leaned out the window and said, "I'd like two number ones with fries, and Sprites."

The lady repeated the order and asked if that was all. "Yes," said Elizabeth.

She drove up to the second window and paid the girl. Five minutes later they got their food. Elizabeth checked to make sure everything was there.

"All right. That's one burger for you and one for me. One fries for you, and one for me. Sprite for you and a Sprite for me. No, don't put it down there, it'll spill. You can put it in the holder under the radio. That's it. Now, here are the napkins, and I'm going to have to eat while I drive, so if I call out 'Napkin!', your job is to give me a napkin to wipe up whatever mess I've made, got it? Are we all set? Well let's get you home and into bed then!"

While they drove Elizabeth ate and warbled along with the radio. Once she thought she heard a stifled giggle. She glanced over at Maxwell but his face was turned away looking out the window. She spilled some ketchup on her lap.

"Napkin!" she called out.

A napkin was promptly produced and she used it to wipe up her mess as best she could. "You're pretty good at this aren't you?"

Five minutes later, she heard him say, "Fries."

"You want more fries?" she asked.

"My name is Fries," he said.

Elizabeth grinned. "Fries, I am very pleased to meet you. My name is Elizabeth. The others call me all sorts of variations of that name so you can pick one of theirs or make up your own, it doesn't bother me."

After a few minutes, Elizabeth pulled into the driveway of a large mansion. It was old and looked a little run-down, but one could still see remnants of its majestic heyday. Fries eyed the building warily.

Elizabeth said, "I'm sure you're exhausted, so I'll show you to your bedroom right away. I have to work today; I'm afraid you'll have to introduce yourself to Jane, my sister. She's very sweet and she'll feed you whatever you want that we have in the kitchen. Over time you'll get to know the other kids."

Fries wondered what she meant by 'other kids'. Didn't this Elizabeth lady have a husband to beat him? Just a sister?

Elizabeth pulled up to the front door and got out. She had already gotten the front door open by the time Fries got out of the car. Elizabeth guided him down the hall to the bottom of a huge staircase. She led him up three flights and then down a hall to a room. It was definitely bigger than any room he had ever lived in before, but it was not a gigantic room. Normal sized for an average boy's bedroom. There was a bed in the corner, a desk in front of one window, a seat in a bay window to the right and a bookshelf next to the closet door. The walls were bare and the bedspread was a navy blue with red pillows.

Elizabeth looked around herself. "This is your room. You can start decorating it like you want it, but I'm afraid I will not allow pictures of half-naked women, all right? This was all really short notice, so I don't know what kind of books you like or sports or anything like that. But you know what? I am so looking forward to getting to know you better! What more fun way to do that than to walk in your room and see what you like? The computer is downstairs. We share it lovingly, so I don't want any fighting or unfairness over time spent on it. The kids can show you how to use it and where it is etc. There should be clothes for you in the closet and chest of drawers. Wear clean underwear and everything else is up to you, ok? Ask Jane if you need anything else today, all right? Oh! And one more thing. The bathroom is right over here, let me show you."

Elizabeth showed Fries down the hall. He passed three doors each with names on them. One said, "Babe Ruth", another said "Dragonball" and the last said, "Darth Maul".

"Here's the bathroom. Shampoo, soap and toothpaste are all there for you to use. You get the green toothbrush and towels, okay? Anything else?"

Fries did not reply.

"Great! Let's get you into bed. I know I envy you so much! To be able to crawl into the nice, soft, warm bed...."

Fries followed her. Elizabeth pulled out his pajamas from under the pillows. "These should fit. Maybe a bit big, but we'll get you some better ones if you want."

Elizabeth paused and then said, "Sleep tight! I'll see you when I get back from work. That is, if you don't sleep through the day!"

Elizabeth kissed the top of Fries' head and then gently closed the door. She paused, listening for a second, and then walked down to Babe Ruth's bedroom. She walked in the dark bedroom and pulled the covers up closer over the small boy. She kissed his rosy cheek and then walked out. Dragonball had one leg over the covers and one in. He always slept like that. Elizabeth chuckled and kissed his cheek. She didn't bother fixing his covers. Five minutes later, one leg was back out again. Darth Maul never seemed to move during the night at all. He always lay in the exact same, stiff position he went to sleep in. She kissed his head and then was about to close the door when she heard him murmur, "Bethie?"

"Hey, sweetie," she said, coming back in to sit on the edge of his bed.

"You're goin'?" he said, sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

"Yeah, just for a few hours. You know I have to work."

He nodded.

"There's a new boy who's come."

He seemed more interested. "A new boy?"

Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "His name is Fries and I want you to be the man of the house and show him around, all right?"

"I will!" he said.

"Good." She kissed his cheek. "I knew I could count on you."

"Come back soon."

"You know I will. I love you, DM."

"Luv ya, too, Bethie."

William heard the buzzer in his half-asleep daze. He reached over and hit the release button. Two minutes later the front door opened and a feminine voice called, "Hello? Anyone at home?"

"Of course someone's home! Did you expect me to just get up and walk out to the store?"

A young woman entered his room. William gave her an obvious good look from head to toe and then back again. "You're the lady Fitz bribed to bring me food?"

Elizabeth rocked back on her heels a bit and chewed the inside of her cheek. "I'm Elizabeth Bennet," she finally replied.

"I obviously don't need to introduce myself since Fitz has probably told you all about me."

"Actually, Mr. Darcy, your cousin only talked with my sister. I'm afraid I have the pleasure of only knowing your name."

"You mean you're glad my name is all you know?"

"No, sir, I mean I have the privilege of knowing your name but no other privilege of intimate knowledge of you."

"Hmph."

"My sister made you some stew with some mashed potatoes and green beans. She understood from Mr. Fitzwilliam that you did not dislike these foods."

"Doesn't go to say I like them," he grumbled.

Elizabeth looked at him and said in an innocent voice, "I can leave if you like."

"No, I'll eat whatever slop you brought."

Elizabeth ignored his rude manner and took the tray out of her bag. She set it up over his lap and put down a napkin, a knife, fork, spoon, cup and finally a plate. Then she put the stew, mashed potatoes and beans on the plate. Lastly, she filled the glass with water.

"That's it? Water?"

"If you tell me what you prefer to drink, I'll bring it."

"I prefer orange juice with my meals."

"With lots of pulp, no pulp?"

"No pulp."

William began eating. He paused after two bites. "Do you normally hover over invalids like a vulture while their eating?"

"No. Do you like the food?"

"It's okay."

"Is there anything else you want me to do while I'm here?"

"No. I have a maid who cleans the place."

"Well I meant errands. Did you want anything that's out of your reach?"

William didn't even reply, he just glared at her.

Elizabeth shrugged and turned away to look around the room while he ate. It was an elegant, pleasing room. William had had it expressly decorated to be tolerable after many weeks of sitting in it. The window provided the prime source of light. Original paintings adorned the pale blue walls.

William eyed her warily. She was about his age, had a mass of unruly brown curls, and an average build. She was dressed in jeans, a turtleneck and sweater. She wore sandals on her feet despite the cold temperatures outside.

When he had finished, Elizabeth asked, "May I use your sink to wash these dishes."

William nodded.

He stared at the wall listening to her humming as she washed the dishes in his kitchen.

She came back and put the things in her bag. She handed him a sheet of paper and a pencil. "If you could fill this questionnaire out it would help us make food you like. I'll be back later on tonight. Is there anything in particular you would like?"

"No."

"All right. Is there anything I can get you before I go?"

"That book over there."

She handed it to him, picked up her bag and then walked out of his apartment.

"What kind of a name is Fries?"

"Yeah."

"I mean, is that what your mamma named you?"

"Yeah. Is that what your mamma named you?"

"Hey! Leave him be!"

"You're so bossy, Matilda!"

"No, I'm not!"

"And you think you're so smart just because you picked the name of a book character who is smart."

"Well I read a lot better than you!"

"So? I haven't been to first grade, yet. Duh!"

"Shut up."

"Hey! What did I say about using those two words in this house?"

"Lizzy!!!"

Elizabeth crouched down to the ground as a crowd of children came running towards her. She hugged as many as she could, kissing tousled heads and cheeks.

"Izzy?"

"What is it sweetie?"

"I hurt my fumb."

"You did? Where? I don't see anything."

"Right dere."

"Aw, it's all right. Izzy will kiss it and it won't hurt anymore." Elizabeth kissed her thumb once. "Hmmm. Tastes good! Do you mind if I take a bite of your thumb?"

Tania giggled. "You can't bite my fumb!"

"I can't? Watch me."

Tania squealed and hid her thumb inside her other hand. Elizabeth laughed at her and kissed her cheek loudly. "You're such a silly girl!"

"Bethie!"

"Here's my big man! My, you've grown since I left!"

"Nuh aw. That was only this morning!"

"No, no, I do believe you have grown. See, I can tell by the way your hair sticks up. Do you know what that means?"

"No."

"It means that you didn't brush your hair. Go on. Go brush your hair, young man." Elizabeth asked Matilda, "Where's Jane?"

Matilda pointed to the kitchen.

"Thank you very much my darling Matilda."

Elizabeth walked into the kitchen and dumped the bag on the island in the centre. Jane smiled at her and asked, "How was our new client?"

"Very, very rude and grumpy."

"What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know. He looked healthy except he couldn't get out of bed.

"Oh. Did he like the meal?"

"I think so. As far as I could tell. He's not exactly complimentary. He didn't eat it all, though. I just don't think he is as active and therefore will not require that much food."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"How has Fries been?"

"He's a darling boy, but has yet to say a word, I'm afraid."

"Oh dear. At least he named himself."

"What, did you give him the usual start-off?"

"Maxwell? Yeah. Jane, I don't see what's wrong with that name! I think Maxwell is a much better name than they usually end up picking anyway. Why do they all feel the urge to change it?"

Jane chuckled and shrugged. "I'll have lunch on the table a lot faster if you would make three PB&J sandwiches."

Elizabeth got the peanut butter and grape jelly out of the fridge and began spreading the stuff on the white bread.

"Don't forget to cut the crusts off of one of them."

"Things been going all right so far?"

"Yes, fine. Just the usual squabbles every now and then."

"We need to get Fries enrolled in school as soon as he is ready."

"I know. How long do you think it'll take?"

"I don't know. Hopefully not more than two weeks."

"I took the liberty of taking Tinkerbell down to the Hiatt's to play with Charlotte."

"That's nice. Did she enjoy it?"

"She's still there. I said I would pick her up after you came home."

"Do you want me to go pick her up?"

"No, I'll go after lunch."

"She's eating there?"

Jane nodded.

"Rosie has her dance lesson at two."

"Oh shoot! I forgot! Do you have time to take her?"

"I can drop her off on my way to Mr. James' house."

"Wonderful. Any other appointments today?"

"Check the calendar. I rarely remember them all."

Jane looked at the calendar covered in writing. "We have a meeting with Dragonball's teacher tomorrow morning."

"How early?"

"Seven."

Elizabeth groaned.

"Elizabeth, can I do Tae Kwon Do?"

Elizabeth looked at Storm. "Why do you want to do it?"

"Because I think it would be fun."

"I'll see if there are any classes nearby you can enter."

"Kathy says that there is a place over on North Monroe that gives lessons."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Does Kathy take these lessons?"

Storm looked at her feet. "Yeah, kind of."

"Storm, is this something you really want to do, or are just doing it because it will make you more accepted?"

"No, Elizabeth, I really want to give it a try!"

"All right. You look up the number and write it down for me. I'll see if I can work something out."

"Thanks, Elizabeth."

"Call the others down for lunch," she called out after the retreating adolescent.

Jane looked at her sister. "Do you think she should?"

"What? Do Tae Kwon Do? I guess. It does seem like the kind of thing she would enjoy. And I know it releases a lot of anger."

"You think Storm still has bottled resentment and anger?"

"Definitely. No girl goes through what she did and comes out normal. I'm proud of her for how far she's come, but I think these classes might allow her to release more."

"And you know she's obsessed with X-Men, Spiderman and Batman comics."

"Does seem to click, doesn't it? I'm not about to discourage her and say she should be reading stupid fairy tales!"

"I know, I know. You never do limit the children to gender roles, do you?"

"Of course not! That's the first step to sexism which is often what has troubled these kids. Men think that women and girls are subhuman and can treat them so! Like toys!"

"Hush, Elizabeth! They'll be here any minute."

A sound like an elephant herd on the stampede rumbled through the old mansion as three boys and two girls ran down the stairs and into the kitchen as fast as they could.

Elizabeth called out over the racket. "Have you washed your hands? Go wash your hands!" She caught Babe Ruth's hands. "No, Babe, not in the kitchen. In the bathroom, like I always tell you. Go on. In the bathroom."

Ten minutes later, four boys, five girls, and two women sat down at the large kitchen table. They all bowed their heads as Jane said grace. Well...Elizabeth had to bow Dragonball's snickering head.

While they ate, Elizabeth listened to stories and orchestrated the conversation so that not one child dominated and every child had the opportunity to speak. Jane was the quieter one, who took care of any needs and wants with no fuss or circumstance.

After the meal, each child cleared their own dishes away and one more thing from the table. Elizabeth and Jane finished the rest.

"Do you know where Fries went?" Elizabeth asked her sister.

"No. He didn't say a word at lunch."

"I know. I'm going to go and try and have a word with him. I have an inkling."

"What's your inkling?" Jane asked with an amused look on her face.

"I think he is confused and a little bit in the dark. I'm guessing those idiots at the police station didn't explain to him what was going to happen."

"I'm on my way to pick up Tinkerbell."

"When are you going to start cooking the evening meals?"

"After you take Rosie to her dance lesson."

"Oh, that's right."

Elizabeth walked upstairs in search of her new foster child. "Dragonball have you seen Fries?"

"No. He's strange, Liz. He don't say nothing."

"He doesn't say anything. Dragonball, my precious, give him some time to get used to this house. It's a big, noisy place and he may have lived in a very small quiet house only yesterday, okay? Give him some friendship, some happiness, some fun, and some love, and I think he will be a nice addition to our family of 11, don't you think?"

"You mean we have twelve now?"

"You bet. A full dozen."

"What's a dozen?"

"A dozen is what people say for the number twelve. So if you want 12 pencils, you say you want a dozen pencils."

"Oh. So we have a dozen peoples in this house?"

"A dozen people, yes."

"Cool!"

"Why don't you go play a game of Twister with Babe Ruth?"

"Naw, that's too hard. My legs don't reach, Liz."

"Well why don't you go find a nice picture book to look at? And then tonight you can come sit on my bed and tell me all about it, okay?"

"Okay."

Elizabeth kissed his cheek and patted him on the bottom in the direction of the library. She turned and went into Fries' new room. He sat in the window seat looking at some of the children playing in the backyard. The room hadn't changed since she had left it this morning except for the bed looking like it had been slept in.

Elizabeth shut the door gently behind her, walked over to the window seat and sat opposite him, looking at the children two stories below them.

"Why don't you go join them?"

Fries shrugged.

"Did you get enough to eat at lunch?"

He nodded.

Elizabeth remained silent for a few moments. "Do you want to talk to me about anything?"

Fries shook his head.

"Did the men at the police station tell you who I am?"

Fries shook his head.

"Did they tell you anything?"

He shook his head once more.

Elizabeth sighed. "I'm sorry they didn't think to tell you what would happen. From what I know, your previous foster father is in prison, and your foster mother is in the hospital. She's going to be all right, though. You are going to stay with Jane and I for a while, all right? Jane is my sister. We take in kids like you who need a loving home, and we provide all the love and happiness we can. Then sometimes parents come to take the child back home and sometimes new parents come to take the child to a new loving, happy home."

Fries finally spoke. "I've been in three different homes."

He said it matter-of-factly, as if it was nothing unusual. Elizabeth's face furrowed in sorrow. She did not enjoy the first few days of a new child. They were invariably filled with sadness and bitterness.

"A few of your new friends have been in more than that. But you know what? Jane and I make sure that when you leave our house, you leave to go to good families. We have not failed yet. If you want, I can find a few kids in some new families and you can ask them if they like their new parents."

He didn't say anything.

"Fries... I will never attempt to excuse people who do bad things or say everything will be perfect from now on. But you have to know that not everyone is like that and not every family will be mean. While you are here, I hope you will learn that. We enjoy being together and having fun. Jane and I love each and every child that comes to live in this house. And when they go on to better families, we don't stop loving them. They often come back to visit. You don't have to leave unless you want to. And if after two weeks of living here, you still don't like it and you want to leave, I will make the arrangements. All right?"

Fries shrugged.

"Will you go down and play with the others now?"

Fries cowered into the corner of the window seat and shook his head.

"Come on," Elizabeth coaxed. "Will you give them a try?"

Fries shook his head again, shyly.

"Well what are you going to do for the rest of the day?"

Fries shrugged.

"Do you like to read?"

He shook his head.

"What do you like then?"

"Can I come with you?"

"Come with me? Sure. I'm taking Rosie to her dance lesson."

Fries got up and walked to the door. Elizabeth said, "Why don't you put some shoes on? It's a little cold to go walking around barefoot, yet."

He turned and put his shoes on, patting the velcro down carefully.

Elizabeth walked out behind him and fetched Rosie. "Go put your leotard and tutu on. We have to leave in ten minutes." They actually had to leave in twenty minutes, but Elizabeth hoped that if she said ten, Rosie would be ready in twenty.

In the car, Rosie chattered on about the game she was playing with Tania. Fries sat silently in the seat behind Elizabeth, staring out of the window. When they reached the dance studio, Elizabeth walked with Rosie into the building, with Fries following her, hands deep in his pockets, his keen eyes looking about him.

Elizabeth sat down with Fries beside her and Rosie on her lap, still chattering away. They waited until the previous class had ended. Elizabeth helped Rosie put her shoes on and pulled her fine, blonde hair into a ponytail. Then Elizabeth gently pushed her in the direction of the other little girls and watched as Rosie carefully sidled up to them and kept her mouth closed the entire time while the girls talked amongst themselves before the teacher brought them in order at the bar.

Elizabeth sighed, sadly. She got up to go and walked out of the studio. She was nearly to the car when she realized that she had left Fries behind. She walked back to the studio and saw Fries still sitting where she'd left him. He sat there; swinging his legs and intently watching the little girls do ballet exercises.

Elizabeth knelt beside him and whispered, "Do you want to come with me or sit here and watch until I come back?"

Without taking his eyes away from the class, he said, "Watch."

"All right, be good." She kissed his cheek and left.

Part 2

Elizabeth delivered meals to three more people before returning to the dance studio. Fries was exactly where she had left him, still swinging his legs, watching the girls dance about to music in the centre of the studio. She quietly sat beside him, took his hand and gave it a loving squeeze.

"Did you like watching the class?"

Fries nodded.

When Rosie, Fries and Elizabeth were on their way home, Rosie said, "Why was Fries there the whole time, Lizzy?"

"He wanted to watch."

"But dancing is a girls thing, Lizzy."

"Not necessarily. Besides, Storm wants to do Tae Kwon Do, which people say is a boy's thing. So if Storm can do that, why can't a boy do dancing? Many boys do, you know."

"But still, all the other girls were talking about him."

"Let them. They're being silly. And you know better than they. Haven't I always told you to do what you want to do, not what people say you should do?"

Once they were home, Elizabeth asked Fries privately, "Do you want to take ballet lessons? You can, you know. There's nothing stopping you."

Fries just shrugged. Elizabeth didn't push for an answer. She just said, "Well, if you do, just let me know, all right?"

Elizabeth walked into the kitchen to find Jane pulling a dish full of chicken baked in a sauce.

"Do you need any help, mademoiselle?"

"No, I think I have everything under control."

"When will it be ready for delivery?"

"In about ten minutes."

"Is there anything you want me to do?"

"No, everything's fine."

"I think I'll go and give Belle another lesson on the piano if she's interested."

"She should be in the playroom."

Elizabeth went in search of Belle and found her playing My Little Ponies with Tania. "Belle, do want to play on the piano with me?"

Belle looked up at her, conflict playing across her face. "Can I do it after I finish with Tania?"

"I'm going on my rounds in a few minutes, so I'll catch you another time, all right?"

Belle nodded.

Elizabeth went to the piano by herself in the living room and began to play Chopin's Nocturne in E minor. It took only two seconds for her to become totally involved in the music. It was one of her favourite pieces. Five minutes later, she finished. Movement caught her eye and she turned to see Fries backing away.

"Wait. Were you listening?" asked Elizabeth.

Fries nodded.

"Did you like it?"

He nodded more emphatically.

"Well come here and try a couple of notes."

Fries hesitantly came forward and Elizabeth pulled him over to sit next to her on the piano bench.

"Have you ever seen a piano before?"

He shrugged.

"Just from a distance?"

He nodded.

"Well this is the keyboard. Hit the keys to produce sounds. It's organized in what is called octaves. Every set of eight notes is an octave. The notes are named from A to G. And the black keys are called sharps and flats considering whether you're up or down. Got that?"

Fries paused and then shook his head. Elizabeth sighed. "Never mind. Let's play chopsticks."

"Hello!"

Darcy woke up to the sound of her voice calling from the door. She walked in briskly carrying the same bag she had earlier.

"How are you this evening, Mr. Darcy?"

"How do you expect?" he retorted, irately.

"I'm glad you're in a good mood, today," she said just as sarcastically as he spoke.

She set up the tray on his lap and laid it out with a table setting. Next she poured a glass of orange juice. "One hundred percent pure Florida orange juice with no pulp."

Finally, she dished out some baked chicken on his plate with sauce on top. He only grunted before picking up his fork and beginning to eat.

Elizabeth turned away and sat Indian style on the floor a few yards from his bed. He watched her with concealed curiosity as she pulled out a magazine and some scissors. He continued to watch as she proceeded to flip through the magazine and cut out bits she liked.

Three minutes later she looked up at him and noticed him staring. "Do you need something?" she asked, pleasantly.

"No." After a pause he couldn't resist asking, "What are you doing?"

"I'm making a birthday card for one of my kids."

"Kids? You have children?"

"Ten, in fact."

"Ten?"

She nodded and turned back to her task.

After a longer silence, he asked, "How old are you?"

She laughed cheerfully and replied, "25."

"Did you have six at once or something?"

She laughed again and he blushed. She was laughing at him!

"I run a foster home. I am not even married, Mr. Darcy."

"Oh."

He turned to his meal and finished it as quickly as he could.

"Would you like some dessert?" she asked. "I have some cheesecake if you'd like."

"No."

"Fine. I will see you tomorrow, then."

Within minutes she was packed up and gone.

"Hey, Fries."

Elizabeth watched as DM put on his boots. "Do you want to come with us?" she asked.

He shrugged.

"Go put on some warmer clothes and you can sit next to me. We'll watch DM's game together."

Fries turned and walked up the stairs to his room.

Thirty minutes later, Elizabeth was sitting next to Fries watching DM's Saturday morning football game. She cheered as loud as any other parent there. Shouting advice and encouragement. She enjoyed these times. She watched with eagerness and anticipation as DM got the ball and started to dribble it up the field.

"Come on, come on!" she yelled enthusiastically.

DM took a shot but it was deflected by the keeper. Elizabeth sighed and sat down, still clapping. "Good try, DM! Do it again!"

Elizabeth glanced at Fries. He wasn't watching the game at all. Instead he was facing the woods behind them. Just looking. "What are you looking at?" she asked him.

He shrugged, but continued to look around at the forest. "Do you want to go and play in the woods for a bit?"

He nodded.

"All right, but I want to be able to see you at all times, understood?"

He nodded again and began to climb down the bleachers. Elizabeth turned her attention back to the game.

No other parent could be more proud than Elizabeth when DM finally scored a goal. She jumped up and clapped and yelled the loudest. She may have been the youngest 'parent' there, but it didn't matter. She may not have been DM's mother, or known him four years ago, but that didn't matter. She loved him just as much as any parent loved their child. And she boasted about him just like any other parent boasted about their child.

After the game was over, Elizabeth walked over to the team's bench. She watched as the boys gathered around the cooler to drink Capri Suns and eat orange slices. She went up to the coach and said, "Thank you so much, Mr. Grier. I appreciate all the time you give up to coach these boys."

"It's my pleasure, Miss Bennet. DM has improved so much this season."

Elizabeth smiled, proudly.

"I have tremendous respect for you, Miss Bennet. I don't know how you do it, but I do respect you."

"It's not all my doing, Mr. Grier. Other people influence DM to improve and overcome the past. You're a big influence on him, too. Bringing up these children is always a collaborative effort."

"I'm proud to know that I've influenced him even a little."

DM ran over to her, his face sticky with orange. "Hey, sweetie!" Elizabeth kissed his face despite its grubbiness. "That was an awesome game! I'm so proud of you!"

DM beamed. "Did you see my goal?"

"I sure did. Right to the back of the net. I think it'll be on the next tape of 100 Greatest Goals."

"You think?"

"Why not? Come on, shall we go get some pizza for lunch?"

"Yeah!!"

"Well go and get your things and I'll find Fries."

"Aw man. Fries has to come?"

"Why don't you want Fries to come? He watched your game, didn't he?"

"I know, but I wanted it to just be you."

"I promise I'll take you alone for pizza next time, okay? We can't leave Fries out right now, can we? You don't want to be mean like that, do you?"

"No..."

"All right then. Go and get your things and meet me by the van."

Elizabeth ruffled his head and walked towards the woods to find Fries. At first she couldn't see him. For a second she panicked. Calming herself, she walked into the woods looking around. A minute later she spotted something moving and found Fries sitting behind a bush. Elizabeth paused to watch as he wiped the sand in front of him to be smooth. Picking up a stick he proceeded to draw pictures in the sand.

Elizabeth took a step forward and squatted beside him. "Hey, sweetie. What are you drawing?"

He shrugged.

"DM's game is over. We're going to go have pizza for lunch. Are you coming?"

Fries shook his head.

"You're not? Why?"

He didn't respond. "Fries, we have to be going, now."

He shook his head again.

Elizabeth paused. "Do you like drawing in the sand?"

He paused before nodding.

"Would you like to draw on paper instead?"

He nodded.

"If you come with us to pizza, I promise to give you paper and crayons when we get home. Would you like that?"

He nodded, put down his stick and stood up.

"Wonderful," Elizabeth said.

They began to walk back. Nothing could compare to the feeling Elizabeth felt when Fries slipped his small hand into hers.

As soon as they were home again, Elizabeth set Fries up with some blank paper and a box of crayons. She kissed his head and left him alone.

Elizabeth stocked up her bags and left to deliver the midday meals.

William heard her come in. He put his book down.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy.

"Afternoon."

Without delay, she set up the tray with his meal. When he was fully supplied, she sat down cross-legged again and took out some papers. William watched her as he ate.

Some of her dark curls were escaping their tie. She would patiently keep tucking them behind her ear as she filled in the paperwork before her.

As soon as he had finished, she washed the dishes and put them in her bag. Before she left, she said, "Have a nice afternoon. I will be back about 8."

When Elizabeth returned home, she found Fries still at the table drawing a picture of a cat. "Hey sweetie. Are you having fun?"

He didn't reply, but began to shuffle through the many drawings he had done. Finding the one he wanted, he handed it to her.

"Thank you! Is this for me?"

He nodded.

The drawing was of a dog by a tree with puffy white clouds in a blue sky.

"It's beautiful. I'll go and put it on the fridge so the others can see it, too, okay?"

Elizabeth put the picture on the fridge with a couple of magnets among the other drawings, good grades on tests, and photographs.

Elizabeth went back to Fries. "Can I see the rest of your pictures?"

He nodded. She looked at each of them. They started out peacefully, with trees, animals, a house and a flower. Then she came across a couple of disturbing ones. One was of a belt with a red end to it. The next was a picture of a woman with blue and black around her eye and red on her cheek and arms. The last one was violently scribbled black.

Elizabeth sat down beside Fries. "Can you explain these to me?"

He shook his head.

"Please?" she asked.

He didn't respond. Finally, he spoke. "That's my mother." He pointed to the woman.

"Your foster mother before you came here?"

He nodded. "That's a belt."

"What's the red?"

"Blood."

"Is it your blood?"

He nodded.

"Did someone hit you with it?"

He nodded.

"Your foster father?"

He nodded again.

"What is the black picture?"

"That's the closet."

"Are you inside the closet?"

He nodded.

"Can you get out of the closet?"

He shook his head.

Elizabeth didn't say anything for a while. "Can I keep these?"

He nodded.

"Thank you. We're having supper in a few minutes. So finish this drawing and then put your things away. You can keep the crayons and paper in your desk."

When Elizabeth had the opportunity, she took the drawings down to the station and explained them to the social worker on Fries' case. The social worker kept the drawings and promised to deal with it.

Monday came and Elizabeth still did not feel comfortable with sending Fries to school. So she decided to do some schooling of her own. With the kids not at home and Jane working, Elizabeth didn't feel happy about leaving Fries on his own at home. She had no choice but to take him with her on her rounds.

Elizabeth knew that most of her clients would not mind a bit, but she was nervous about bringing Fries to Mr. Darcy's place. She decided to leave him in the van.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth seemed different today. She looked flustered and hurried as she set his tray. She dropped the fork and then the knife. Blushing she muttered an apology and went into the kitchen to wipe them clean. After he had everything he needed, she fidgeted for two minutes and then said, "Excuse me, I'm just going to go down to the van for a few minutes. I'll be back."

"Why?" he asked.

Elizabeth looked taken aback that he asked her. Eventually she replied, "One of my children is in the van and I don't like leaving him alone for so long. I'm just going to check on him."

"Why don't you bring him in? It must be cold outside."

"Oh. Well, if you wouldn't mind."

She left and a few minutes later returned with a small boy holding tightly onto her hand. "Mr. Darcy, I'd like you to meet Fries. Fries, this is Mr. Darcy."

"His name is Fries?"

"Yes, sir. He picked the name out himself."

"What's his real name?"

"That is his real name."

William did not understand but decided not to pursue it. He had come to the verdict that Elizabeth was insane.

Elizabeth told Fries to sit in the corner and mind himself. William was surprised when Fries did as he was told. William watched as he sat down with a notebook and crayons.

William took his time eating so he could keep watching Fries. In spite of himself, William was fascinated with the child. He rarely ever came in contact with any children, and since he was bedridden, he never saw anyone besides the maid, his cousin, his best friend, and Elizabeth.

When he had finished, Elizabeth washed the dishes, packed them up and hurried out the door with Fries holding onto her hand. William was sorry to see them go.

Elizabeth woke in the middle of the night. She glanced over at the row of baby monitors sitting on her bedstand. The crying came from Belle's monitor. Elizabeth got up and put her robe and slippers on. She silently walked down the hall to Belle's room.

Belle was huddled in the corner of her room, whimpering and sniffling. Elizabeth instantly went over and enveloped her in her arms.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Elizabeth asked.

Belle didn't talk for several minutes. Elizabeth waited patiently while she stroked, kissed and soothed the child.

Finally, Elizabeth asked her again to explain what was wrong.

Hesitantly, Belle asked, "Am I the Devil's child?"

"What?" exclaimed Elizabeth. "Wherever did you get that idea?"

Belle sniffled. "Some of the kids at school said that black people were the Devil's children."

Elizabeth hugged her closer, thinking through in her mind how she was going to explain this. "Baby... sometimes people are afraid of things they don't understand. Your classmates don't understand why you look different. You don't look uglier or worse, you are just different, special and unique from the others. So when people are afraid of different things or people, they say mean things that aren't true."

"They're scared of me?"

"In a way, yes. They don't know why your skin is brown and theirs is a peachy color."

"If they're peachy and I'm brown, why are they called 'white' and I'm called 'black'?"

Elizabeth gave a short laugh. "I don't know. To simplify things, I guess."

"Simpfy?"

"Simplify. To make things simple or easy. Those names go back a long time. It's just what people say. It's not always a mean thing."

"But calling me the Devil's child is."

"Yes, it is. But you know what? You can be happy in knowing that you are God's child. Each and every one of us is a son or daughter of God. Blacks and whites."

"If God is my daddy then who is your daddy?"

"God is my daddy, too. He made each and every one of us, so we all have the same father."

"Oh."

"And you can keep that thought to yourself all the time. When kids say mean things, you just remember that you are God's special daughter and those mean words don't have any power at all to hurt you. You turn the other cheek."

"Turn my cheek?"

"You love them back when they try to hurt you."

"I have to love mean people?"

"Of course. Because they are also God's children. So they are your brothers and sisters."

Belle sighed. "It's hard loving them back."

"I know, sweetie, but when you do, it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Will you try it for me?"

Belle nodded.

"Now! Are you ready to get back into bed?"

Belle nodded and scrambled under the covers. Elizabeth leaned down and kissed her. "I love you, Belle."

"I love you, Lizzy."

"Do you mind if I use your phone? I have an important phone call to make."

"Sure."

William couldn't help eavesdropping on her conversation.

"Hello? This is Elizabeth Bennet. I want to speak to Mrs. Saunders. I'll hold."

A couple of minutes later, she continued. "Hello, Mrs. Saunders, this is Elizabeth Bennet. ...I'm doing fine, thank you. ...Last night I had a talk with Belle. ...It seems some of her classmates are calling her the Devil's child because she is black. ...I understand you might not have heard it, but I was hoping you could make sure nothing of this kind ever happens again. I don't exactly want to have another conversation about why kids hate black people. ...I'm not sure if you understand Belle. She was abused physically and mentally before I took her under my care. It is my goal to make sure she grows up to be a strong young woman unafraid of the world and her role in it. This will not be helped by a feeling of inferiority due to her skin color because kids in her second grade class said she was the Devil's child! ...Thank you. ...Have a nice day."

Elizabeth slammed down the phone, stood there with her hands on her hips, holding her breath for a few seconds, before letting it out in a long, frustrated sigh. She looked over at William, who guiltily looked away.

"Are you finished?" she asked, putting a false smile on her face.

William nodded.

"Sorry about that. I won't make those kind of phone calls here again. I didn't know she could be so... so..."

"Racist?"

Elizabeth stopped and looked at him blankly for a minute. William looked away.

"Yes," she said in a dreamy voice. She laughed a short laugh. "I suppose that might have been it." She paused for a long moment, holding his plate above his head. Then she asked, "Do you think I should transfer Belle out of that class then?"

William, shocked to have been asked such a question, gave his opinion anyway. She asked for it. "If something of the sort happens again, then you should move Belle."

Elizabeth seemed to regain herself. "Yes. Yes, you're right. If there is a second occurrence, I'll transfer her." She moved away to wash the dishes.

William watched her keenly.

The following day Elizabeth had to bring Fries in once again. "I'm sorry, Mr. Darcy, do you mind if he waits while I'm here?"

"No," replied William, glad to see the child once more.

He enjoyed the opportunity to watch the lad again. Elizabeth had cleaned up his things when her pager rang. She looked at it and immediately asked him, "May I use your phone again? I'm terribly sorry. I wouldn't ask if it weren't an emergency."

"Yes."

William eavesdropped again while watching Fries draw his pictures.

"Elizabeth Bennet. What's up? ...Well I can't very well come while I have Fries with me. ...Yes, he's in the next room. ...No, I can't. Jane's not home today. ...He's not ready to go to school, yet. ...Can't this wait? ...You tell me what to do."

At this point, William decided he could step in. "Elizabeth," he called.

Irritated, she put a hand over the receiver and asked, "What?"

"Fries can stay here with me if it would help."

"Here? With you?"

William lifted an eye indicating he did not approve of her tone of voice.

She must have been desperate because she schooled her face and said, "That would be a tremendous help. Are you sure you wouldn't mind?"

William shook his head.

She spoke to the person on the other end of the line. "Never mind. I can leave Fries with one of my clients. I'll be there in about twenty-five minutes."

She hung up and grabbed her things.

"Fries, I have some important business to take care of. Will you be good and stay here until I get back?"

Fries looked at her with clear brown eyes and nodded.

"Don't give Mr. Darcy any trouble. I love you," she kissed his cheek and then left the apartment.

William watched awkwardly as Fries turned back to his drawings. After five minutes of silence, William's curiosity got the better of him.

"C-can I see what you're drawing?"

Fries stood up and carried his drawing book over to the bed. Without any warning, Fries climbed onto the bed and sat next to William's torso, offering the book to him.

Hesitantly, William took the book from him, flipped it to the beginning. He began looking at each drawing. They weren't any good from an artist's standpoint, but for all William knew, this could be really good for a child his age. As he looked at the picture, William began to like it more and more. It had a sense of simplicity and honesty he felt he couldn't find in a true work of 'art'.

Fries suddenly took the book from him and turned it longways.

Hmmm, well that put it into perspective. William asked him, "Will you explain them to me?"

"It's a ladybug in a garden."

"Is this a flower, then?"

Fries nodded and then turned the page and righted the book. "This is Rosie."

"Is Rosie a ballerina?"

Fries nodded.

"Does she live in the same house as you?"

He nodded.

One by one, they went over each picture. By the end, Fries was talking more. When William had seen each drawing, Fries proceeded to start a new one.

"What are you drawing now?"

"You."

"Me?"

Fries nodded. William was flattered. He couldn't remember ever having his likeness taken before. It didn't take but about ten minutes to finish the drawing. By then, Fries had exhausted the entertainment out of that amusement. He turned to William for subsequent fun.

"What do you want to do now?"

"I don't know."

"Do you want to play a game?"

"Sure."

"It's called I Spy. You say 'I Spy with my little eye something blue.' And then I have to guess what it is. Okay?"

"Okay. I Spy with my little eye something yellow."

"It's inside this room, right?"

"Oh, no it isn't. Does it have to be in this room?"

"Well if you see it, it has to be in this room."

"You're absolutely right. I'm sorry. I'll try again. I Spy with my little eye something brown."

"The bed?"

"Nope."

"The frame?"

"Nope."

"That thing over there?"

"That's my file drawer. No, that's not it."

Fries frowned thoughtfully and looked around the room. "Umm, I give up."

"You give up? Already? You haven't started to fight yet, my lad!"

A small smile appeared on Fries' face. William was surprised. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen him smile before.

"Give me a clue."

"Fine, I'll give you a clue. You can't see it yourself."

"I can't? Is it in this room?"

"Yep. I can see it plainly, but you can't."

This really puzzled Fries. He looked around and then stopped, realizing he wouldn't be able to see it anyway. He thought hard, the frown of concentration appearing again. Finally he said, "I give up."

William reached over and ruffled Fries' hair.

"My hair!"

"You got it."

"That's not fair."

"Why not? I Spy it with my little eye, don't I?"

"You're rhyming."

"Didn't you know I was a poet?"

"A po-wit?"

"Sure."

"What's a poet?"

"Tell you what, go over to the bookshelf, and you see that red book with the gold on it?" Fries nodded. "Bring that over to me."

Fries scrambled off the bed and returned cradling the beautiful book in his hands. William took the book and waited for Fries to scramble back up onto the bed beside him.

"This is a book of poetry written by old classical poets like Cowper, Donne and Wordsworth. But you don't know who they are yet. Poetry takes words and rhymes them, gives them rhythm and patterns. It makes words beautiful."

"Are you going to read me some?"

"Don't you want to read them yourself?"

"No."

"...Okay. I'll read you a few. Let's see. Here's one that rhymes.

'Something inspires the only cow of late
To make no more of a wall than an open gate,
And think no more of wall-builders than fools.
Her face is flecked with pomace and she drools
A cider syrup. Having tasted fruit,
She scorns a pasture withering to the root.
She runs from tree to tree where lie and sweeten
The windfalls spiked with stubble and worm-eaten.
She leaves them bitten when she has to fly.
She bellows on a knoll against the sky.
Her udder shrivels and the milk goes dry.'"*

"I don't understand it," said Fries, after William had finished reading the Frost poem.

"Hmm. I think it may be a bit beyond your age. We should have started with The Cat in the Hat."

William put the book down and turned again to Fries for amusement.

"It's my turn to Spy."

"All right."

"I Spy with my little eye... something white."

"The ceiling."

Fries shook his head.

"Your eyes? My eyes?"

Again, Fries shook his head.

"The pages in the book? The sheets? The door? The painting? The clouds outside?"

"No, it has to be inside."

"I give up."

Fries giggled. "Your pillow!"

"Oh no! You won."

After minute of Fries laughing at William, William asked, "Where did you get your name from?"

"I picked it?"

"Why did you pick Fries?"

"Because I like French Fries."

"Me too. But I haven't had them in a very long time."

"Why?"

"No one has brought me any."

"I'll bring you some."

"You will?"

"I'll ask 'Lizbeth to let me bring you some."

"Do you like Elizabeth?"

Fries nodded vigorously.

"What kind of things do you do with her?"

"Umm... she plays with me. On the piano. She lets me draw. ...She hugs me a lot and... she lets me go with her."

"Elizabeth plays the piano?"

Fries nodded. "She's beautiful."

William smiled slightly as his unintentional meaning.

"She reads to me a lot."

"What kind of books does she read to you?"

"Big books. About things."

"What kind of things?"

"Umm. About animals and people and the sea."

A movement caught his eye. There stood Elizabeth by the door to his room. How long had she been standing there? The look on her face was one of amazement.

Fries looked at her with obvious delight at seeing her again. Elizabeth walked over to the bed and kissed the top of Fries' head. "We're going now. Thanks for being so patient with me. Were you good for Mr. Darcy?"

Fries nodded.

"Run and get into the van. I'll come in a couple of minutes."

Fries gathered his things. He tore out his drawing of William and gave it to him. "Thank you, so much," William said, feeling more awkward with Elizabeth watching. "Good-bye."

Fries waved and then went down to the van, leaving the room in silence. Elizabeth just stood staring at the door Fries left through. She looked dazed and astonished. Finally, she slowly turned and looked down at the bed.

"I don't believe it. He... he was talking to you."

"Oh yes. Quite."

"He never talks to anyone."

"Really?"

Elizabeth slowly sank down onto the edge of William's bed. "How did you do it?"

"I didn't do anything."

Elizabeth just shook her head in bewilderment. Pulling herself back together, she asked him, "Do you want me to come back in a couple of hours or do you want me to just make something here and leave it for you?"

"A sandwich is fine. I don't want to keep Fries waiting."

*"Cow in The Field" by Robert Frost