Chapter 209: Chapter 209

T-Vino Island Orphanage, a little later...

"Madam Ruby!" Shelby called out fondly and walked briskly, and almost running, into the embrace of a plump, homey-looking woman.

Gabriel and Ingrid, alighting from the car behind their mother, smiled. That was the first they had seen their Mama Shelby acting almost like a child in a mother’s embrace.

That was precisely how Shelby felt when she was with this woman. Suzie reached out for the hands of the two kids, keeping them close. As for Suzie, she was used to scenes , and it no longer surprised her.

Shelby," Madam Ruby responded fondly and wrapped her arms around Shelby affectionately.

"Why did you come again? Won’t your husband and your family need you -"

"Come on, Ruby, what age are we in? hahaha hahaha!" Shelby rubbed Ruby’s back fondly. It may have been true that Shelby lacked a warm embrace of a mother growing up, but Madam Ruby had made up for what Clara had lacked.

Ruby was the person in charge of the only orphanage on T-Vino Island, and she had been for as long as anyone could remember. She was a warm and homey woman who welcomed everyone, including the emotionally deprived Shelby, when Shelby arrived at her doorstep some years back.

Shelby had gone to the orphanage that day because she felt the surrounding scenery was inspiring enough, to motivate her to paint.

Shelby was sponsoring herself through a short art school program then and could not afford to be part of all the trips they took for scenery paintings, however as that was still part of her curriculum, she took advantage of the various places she could tap in, to get her school tasks done.

With Shelby’s talent for the arts, she really did not need any such beautiful place to capture, as she could transform the simplest of things into exquisite artworks that made people clamour for it.

Shelby had been motivated by this reason for her first visit, but Ruby had seen a girl who needed a shoulder to lean on, and the older woman had offered one.

From that day onwards, Shelby became a big sister to the children there, and they became her joy and anchor.

Shelby’s conversation with Ava and about Avril had long since been forgotten the minute Shelby stepped foot on the ’sacred grounds’ of the T-Vino Island orphanage. This was a pseudo-pact she had made with Ruby.

’Leave all stressors behind and at the gate!’ That had been Ruby’s way of getting Shelby to liven up when she visited them.

"Hahahaha, Shelby, you were only here a few days ago. You need to get settled in your new family."

"I know Ruby! Today, I brought my children to meet you."

"Oh really?" Ruby beamed, especially at the way Shelby referred to the kids. Shelby had already filled Ruby in on all that had gone on with her, including her new loving family.

"Come over." Shelby stepped out of Ruby’s embrace and beckoned to the two. Gabriel stormed forward with a bright smile but stayed close to Shelby.

"Hello! I am Gabriel.... Just like the angel! Pleased to meet you!"

"Oh my! Who is this cutie!" Ruby teared up at the way Gabriel introduced himself. She laughed until she teared up but stretched out her hand to meet Gabriel’s outstretched ones. Then she added,

"You grew up really well, Gabriel...."

"You know me?" Gabriel widened his eyes at the older woman and then at his mama, Shelby.

"Yes, you were very little the last time I saw you. I am so happy to meet you again."

"So, you know my other mother too?"

Ruby nodded thoughtfully. Just as Gabriel was about to ask other questions, Shelby held him back.

"Let’s reserve our questions for later, Gabriel. We are going to be here for a while, so you can ask all the questions you like."

"Of course! Why can’t you?"

"Yay! Did you hear that, Ingrid? She’ll tell me more about Mother, who has left us!"

Shelby and Ruby shook their heads.

Ingrid, on the other hand, remained by Shelby, not speaking. She had slipped her hands into that of Shelby and just remained by her side. Shelby had somewhat already suspected that this would happen, so she turned to Ingrid with a re-assuring smile,

".... And this here is our second, Ingrid. Ingrid is a little shy, so pardon us for that."

"Don’t be silly, Shelby."

Ruby lowered herself to look directly at Ingrid.

"Aren’t you a pretty one? I am glad you have Shelby as your mother."

"Me too," Ingrid whispered and buried her face against Shelby to hide herself more. This two words and gesture gained a broad smile from Ruby.

"Well, let’s not remain standing here. Let’s go inside." Ruby said and straightened up.

Shelby turned to Albert, who had remained by the car.

"Albert, can you help me take them out, please?"

"Of course, Miss Shelby!"

Albert responded promptly and then opened the car boot.

"Come on, Shelby! What did you bring again? The last time, it was toys. The time before that, it was books. Before that, it was a check that could feed us for months, then painting easels and ..."

Ruby dropped her plump arms helplessly.

"You don’t have to continue doing this. We are very okay here." Despite her words, the older woman’s eyes shone with curiosity. She knew that Shelby’s giving was coming from a good place because Shelby had brought little things to the place even when she did not have anything.

Shelby smiled helplessly, also knowing that Ruby was just being modest, "It’s just a little gift of treats. The children here also need that periodic reminder from time to time that people care!"

Ruby dabbed at her eye as Albert picked out large shopping bags, with handles covering his shoulders, arms and even in his hands. He balanced them expertly and started towards the wide-open doors.

During all these, some of the resident children were peeking out of windows, and others pretended to be playing while keeping an eye on them.

"Sister Shelby looks like a fairy! I want to be like her when I grow up!"

A youngster whispered to her friend. The rest gazed on in awe at the goddess-looking woman before them. As children with pure, innocent souls and mentalities, they even appreciated Shelby’s looks more.

"I’ll take them through our lessons today in the open fields behind us."

Shelby added, and Ruby nodded. Sometimes, Shelby would take some of the children through art lessons, which was why she had already brought art supplies for them. The children loved her for that. When she volunteered there, she did all activities that warranted her attention, and this had never changed even as her societal status changed.

She cleaned, helped wash and then taught the children. At least Ruby knew enough not to let Shelby near any kitchen or food-making process in the facility. Sadly, Ruby also learned the hard way.

"I’ll wait in the car."

Albert said and then left them after leaving the shopping bags in one of the rooms.

As they walked into the building, Ruby asked,

"Where is the oldest?"

Shelby pursed her lips and sighed, thinking of Samantha again.

Just as they entered the building, they saw Gabriel already there looking very much at home. He went around meticulously introducing himself to as many people as he could.

The orphanage housed many children, but there were under fifty of them at that time. Gabriel was so happy to see many kids his age as his school lessons were only limited to himself, so he made himself right at him. From the doorway, they could hear him...

"..... and Mama Shelby did ...."

Shelby shook her head with a smile.

"How’s he settling in with you?" Ruby asked, thinking back to the fact that Gabriel’s new father had taken out his records only a few weeks ago.

"As you can see, Gabriel does not need to settle in anywhere!" The two laughed.

Shelby went back and noticed that Suzie had already picked out their supplies with a few children, and they were heading out to set up for the lesson. After following Shelby around a few times, Suzie knew what to do without being told, and Shelby loved that about her.

"Ingrid, would you like to play with them?"

Ingrid shook her head, and her hand tightened on Shelby’s.

"That’s okay" Shelby rubbed her hand fondly.

"How about helping Suzie set up, then?" Shelby knew that Ingrid was okay with Suzy, but she did not expect another ’no.’

Shelby continued smiling patiently, never showing any exasperation with Ingrid.

"Don’t worry. Keep me company then," Ingrid leaned closer to Shelby, and sighed.

’Looks like we must work on Ingrid’s social skills a little more.’

Gabriel was at home while Ingrid was stuck to her like glue, but Shelby did not mind one bit.

Shelby sat down and talked with Ruby for a little while before Ruby left to attend to other duties. She could see from the corner of her eye the happy Gabriel running all around with the others, which made her content.

Immediately, Ruby left, and the kids swarmed around Shelby.

"Sister Shelby, you came back like you promised!"

"Did you bring my gift?"

"Will you let me paint today?"

"What of me! I have been a good girl like I promised!"

Loud voices surrounded her, and Ingrid shrunk more to her side. Shelby pulled Ingrid closer and rubbed her hair fondly while she patiently answered all their questions. She left the gift in Ruby’s hands to do the distribution, though.

"Miss Shelby, the setup is all ready for the lesson." Suzie chipped in a little while later.

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