Kyle was walking down the long hallway past the head office, the door was ajar and he could hear the sound of two kids crying and the director and the head nurse trying to calm the two. This sound was all too familiar to him as he had lived in this orphanage for as long as he could remember. Kyle never had much luck with either finding parents or even foster parents. Kyle was a nice kid, was helpful to a fault but a bit shy, some might even say painfully shy.
The shyness came from his stature, you see he was only four foot- eight and around 90 pounds if he was soaking wet, adding to his ever-lasting announce he truly had a baby face. The problem wasn’t so much genetics, it was more due to his parents being on every drug known to man, he still had a few minor health problems but the orphanage took as good of care of him as they could and with the nurses and doctors he had seen as an infant helping out they managed to bring him back from the brink of death more than a few times. This had stunted his growth and as far as the doctors could tell it had stunted his hormonal levels as well. Keep in mind though Kyle was not mentally challenged, as the head nurse liked to tease him kindly, he was just growth challenged.
Kyle stopped to listen, knowing he shouldn’t but he thought maybe he could try and help cheer up the two kids that were crying when he overheard the head nurse. “We know you two have been though a lot already but we just don’t have the room for the both of you to sleep in the same room. Don’t worry you two will still be together but just in a different part of the building.” She said in her most calm voice, the one she always used when Kyle or any of the other kids were upset or sick. “Are you sure there are no beds that we can just put together Martha?” the director asked as she stood there hugging both kids, letting them cry on her shoulder.
“Well as you know Director the co-ed dorm has one empty bed and the older kids’ dorm is full up. Besides you know how rough they can get with the new kids; some of them are right insensitive jerks.” Kyle nodded his head as he knew just how much a jerk most of the older kids could be, its why he was moved out of the main dorm and put in the co-ed dorm with the younger kids, as he was teased unmercifully by the kids, not only for his size but for the way he helped out, and the classes he took at school. You see Kyle didn’t do any of the sports that a lot of the guys liked to do. He actually took home-ec and enjoyed the class. He knew that he was alone in the world and he would have to learn to fend for himself so he figured learning to cook and even sew was a good idea. It didn’t hurt that he was the only guy in the class and the girls just seemed to adore him. Even if they thought of him as a little brother they were still a blast to be around.
“I think the only option is to split them up, I’m sure we can find a place that is close by that they can easily visit each other. There is only one bed left in co-ed dorm. I know hon that you want to stay with your little sister but I just don’t see how we can arrange it.” Martha said as she looked heartbroken, she truly hated to break up a family because she knew how easily they could lose each other in the system.
Kyle could hear both of the kids sobbing even louder at the thought to being split up. He slid into the office and wondered how to get someone’s attention when Martha looked up and saw Kyle. “I’m sorry hon but we are kind of busy if you are not feeling well you can go tell one of the nurses they will help you.” “ Um that’s not why I came in, I’m sorry I couldn’t help but over hear the problem and they shouldn’t be split up like that, my bed is right next to the empty bed in the co-ed dorm one of them can have my bed.” Kyle said shyly as he bit his bottom lip. “That is nice of you dear but where would you sleep?” Martha had asked. “I...I could sleep on the floor you know I don’t take up much room, I could get a sleeping bag and sleep towards the back.” Kyle stammered out a little. “That’s nice dear but we can’t have you sleeping on the floor for more than a day it’s against the regulations Martha said with the first real smile on her face for the day.
“Well how about you move me to another orphanage instead of splitting these two up?” Kyle looked at the two kids and found that both were girls that he had never met not before, one was his age and the other couldn’t be more than eight or nine. “Well we can’t move you either, you have been here to long once again it comes down to regulations and you know that most of the places around here before to take the younger ones in hon.” Martha said then sighed as she couldn’t think of away to keep the two kids together.
“Well Martha you know…there might be just away to keep the two girls here and let Kyle give ups his bed, we could simply move Kyle in with the bed wetter.” Kyle’s face went six shades of red; he could even feel his chest burning from the thought of being put in with the bed wetters. “As you know there are a couple of empty cribs in the nursery. And he looks small enough. How about you stay with the girls here while Kyle and I go find out how well he might fit.” The director said as she slowly untangled herself from the girls and looked at Kyle.
“You know April that might just work thought we might have to bend one or two rules for Kyle since he has never really wet the bed and he is being a true little gentleman by giving up his bed.” Martha said trying not to laugh at how red Kyle’s face was, he looked so adorable standing there blushing such a dark red that it went even up into his hairline. “Well we can bend one or two rules we will see, come on Kyle why don’t we go have a peek into the nursery.” April said as she reached out and took Kyle’s hand and simply pulled him towards the door. “Don’t worry girls we can make this work so you two can stay together!” The director’s voice had a happy ring to it as she pulled Kyle out of the office and down the hallway.
She stopped once they were half way down the hallway and turned to look at Kyle. Before Kyle could say anything she got down on one knee and pulled him close nearly crushing him in a tight hug. “Thank you Kyle for doing this, I know you are embarrassed but to give up your bed for those two is just amazing little one!” April had to wipe a tear out of her eyes as she was truly worried about having to split the two girls up. With that she got up and straightened her business suit then simply gripped Kyle’s hand a little tighter and headed down to the nursery.
Kyle was still blushing and wondering if there was another way to help out but he felt his hand trapped inside the Director’s warm hand, though he tried to slow his steps she simply continued to pull him down towards the nursery. He tried not to groan as they went in; he did try to dig his heels in one last time more out of dread then actually wanting to help out. April just smiled and tugged him into the room.
“Well hello Director, and hey there Kyle what’s up?” “We are just checking something out real quick Alexis.” Kyle waved a little shyly at Alexis, he was well known already in the nursery as he liked to play with a couple of the two year olds that were here, he even helped out in here, taking out the trash and once in a while helping with the little ones baths or whatever help they needed as it did give him some pocket money. Alexis was in charge of the nursery, along with the bedwetters and was known to be nice to any of the kids that came to help out. She was a little curious as to why the Director and Kyle showed up together as so she got up and followed them towards the back.
“Can I help in any way Director? Most of the little ones are in day care right now I was just using the time to get a few things set especially since I was informed I have a new bed wetter to deal with!” It was a half groan half glee full sound that came from Alexis. “Well actually can you point out which cribs are empty at the moment we need to check something out.” Sure this one over here is empty though it is next to the bed wetting cribs.” Alexis said as she stepped forward to point out one of the small cribs.
Next to the normal crib was a crib about twice the size of a normal crib. The bars were metal and the mattress was a little thicker. In the larger crib were several mobiles. There were four straps as well, each tied to a corner of the crib. Kyle blushed knowing full well that any kid no matter the age wet the bed more than twice a week would end up in here sleeping in the crib and wearing a diaper and a few other babyish clothes for everyone to see and laugh at. The only expectation that Kyle knew of was if it was a medical problem but even then if it was a medical problem the kids still wore diapers and the older kids were a little rough on them, only if no adults were around.
Kyle stood staring at the crib in dread when he felt the Directors hands on his waist. She simply picked up and placed him easily into the normal crib. His legs dangling over the edge as she simply removed his shoes. “Um Director that’s a normal crib is Kyle the new bed wetter, I haven’t checked my list to see who it was…though I guess it was only a matter of time with his size.” Alexis half asked half snickered as she reached past the Director to ruffle Kyle’s hair. “No actually he is willing to give up his bed so two sisters can stay together and I think this is going to be the only way it’s going to work. We have more cribs then we have little ones, which is always the case and he is small enough so I thought this might work. “
Kyle just sat there feeling the room truly heat up, even his ears felt like they were on fire as the Director took his shoes off. “Ok sweetie lay down for me and we will see how well you fit, or if we simply move you over one crib.” Kyle blushed and a soft whimper came out of his mouth as the Director gently but firmly pushed him down onto the crib, swinging his legs out of the way of the bars and simply slide the bars up in place. “Hmm it looks like a bit of a tight fit for him Director.” Alexis said as she stood back to look critically at Kyle. His knees were slightly bent , his feet pressed firmly against the end of the crib, he didn’t have much room to move about either, he felt rather silly as he looked at the two adults.
“Hmm your right Alexis looks like we will just have to put him in one of the bed wetter’s crib, sorry sweetie but this is really the only option we have.” Alice said as she smiled down at Kyle and simply lowered the crib bars and pulled him out of the crib. She actually slide him around her waist, her arm sliding under his bottom, he automatically wrapped his legs around her waist blushing crimson, trying very hard not to cry as he stammered out. “B.b.but I have never wet the bed!” “Shh its ok little one this is not a punishment I think it’s a great thing that you are doing for someone you don’t even know, we can bend some of the rules.” Alexis said as she reached over to stroke Kyle’s back as the Director simply carried him over to another crib, this one was actually a lot closer to the main nursery. “Is this one free Alexis?” “Yes Ma`am that one is free, I only have three wetters in here currently so that will do nicely I think.” Alexis said as she simply leaned down and pressed several latches, allowing the bars of the crib to slide down. Alice simply put Kyle into the crib, standing him up on his feet then grabbed the bars of the crib and slide them back into position, the sound of the bars of the crib locking in place sounded very loud to Kyle.
Kyle stood there; he had to put his hands on the top of the bars to steady him as the mattress was a bit slick from being covered in plastic. He could easily rest his chin on the bars and he knew he would not be able to get out of the crib without someone’s help. He bit his bottom lip to stop it from trembling as he looked at the two adults, the crib made him even feel smaller.
“Yes he will have a bit more room in there then most of the bedwetters so that will help him get a little comfy. “ Alexis nodded her head and then reached out and ruffled his hair. “No need to cry sugar what you are doing is a good thing trust us! Now about the rules when it comes to him?” Alexis turned and looked at the Director. April stood there taping her foot and looking at Kyle then reached out and ruffled his hair as well. “How about we let him out of the crib and let him run back to the room. Kyle get your stuff and bring it in here would you. While he is doing that we will talk about the rules. “ April smiled as she lowered the crib down and pulled Kyle out and set him on his feet and swatted his bottom playfully. “Kyle before you go and get your stuff swing into the head office and let Martha know that your bed is free and she can start moving the girls in.” Kyle nodded and with a noticeably lack of spring into his step he left the nursery and headed down to the office, wondering if his helpful nature has back fired on him or not.
He sighed and shrugged figured at least the girls could stay together, having no family he understood the value in having someone to lean on, he was jealous of the girls at least they still had each other. He poked his head into the main office and saw Martha. “Ma`am the Director said it was ok to start to get the girls moved in. I’m just going to collect my stuff and they can move in.” “Oh Kyle!! Thank you so much dear!” Martha said and walked over and hugged the boy then noticed he was not wearing his shoes. “Where are you shoes hon? One of the older kids didn’t steal them again did they?” “Umm no Ma`am they are in the nursery.” Kyle said his voice coming out as a little squeak as he felt himself blushing again.
Martha did her best not to laugh at the look on Kyle’s face; she just gave him one more squeeze, then turned him and swats his bottom lightly as she pushed him out the door. “Be quick about it sugar so I can try and get these girls set up so they can get some sleep they have had a really rough day.” Kyle jumped a little at the swat to his rear and nodded his head then did as he was told and made a bee line for the co-ed dorm. He waved at a couple of kids he knew on his way to the dorm. He did his best to avoid the main hall ways, cutting though a few rooms to avoid the “big kids” as he knew they would give him grief any time they could.
He did not have a lot of things, just a few shirts, pants and underwear, as well as six books that were his. He put everything he had into the small suitcase he had. As he was zipping up the bag one of the kids, asked if he was moving out, he shook his head with a bit of a blush and just mumbled he was changing rooms then quickly left before anyone could question him more. He slowly trudged his way back to the nursery. He bit his bottom lip again as he stood out front of the nursery, he winced as he saw one of the kids that was about to be punished for wetting his bed being dragged into the nursery. Kyle felt a little sorry for him knowing that the kid was about to start his evening humiliation.
