Affinity House

by Ruth Hay

  There was another more surprising person in her corner. Faith Jeffries had expressed interest in helping to orient the foster children.

  “Look, Mrs. Ridley, I have been through the foster mill and I know what it is like for kids who are trying to keep their heads above water. Mavis may have mentioned I am thinking of specializing in social work with children and young adults. I would like the chance to work with you and your husband, if you think I can be of any help?”

  Louise was overjoyed to accept this offer. The one thing that still bothered her about fostering was the lack of experience in her background. As an only child, she had once had a small group of carefully-selected children with whom she was allowed to play. That was many years ago and she felt out of touch with today’s youngsters. Faith would definitely fill that gap for her and for Dennis.

  Although her Social Services’ supervisor had assured her she possessed the prime attributes of compassion and caring, she badly wanted to succeed with this most important project and she decided she would leave no resource untapped.

  When the phone summons arrived for Louise to come to the offices downtown, she was thrilled and scared in equal measure.

  She breathed deeply for a minute then phoned Mavis first.

  Mavis expressed her delight to Louise. She did not, however, reveal that she had already been contacted by a former colleague, who knew her connection to Louise and Dennis Ridley.

  “Mavis, give me your honest opinion. Do you think your neighbour can tackle a difficult case? I know it’s too soon, but we are desperate here. There are three youngsters involved. It’s a horrendous situation that was high profile in the local news when the case first came to the attention of the courts. The parents will be in prison for several years, most likely. The entire story is sad beyond belief and there will be a possible future separation since one of the girls may go to live with her biological father.”

  Mavis easily recalled the case as it had occupied several columns in the local newspaper. She knew it would be a challenge for Louise and Dennis but she also knew the depth of love in Louise’s heart.

  A heart that had been broken and mended again knew all about pain, and loss, and recovery.

  “Shannon, I thank you for contacting me about this. I know social services will be watching and helping. We both know there were mistakes made in the original case and the foster situation must repair some of that damage. I can assure you of my help. I live right next door to the Ridleys. I believe Louise Ridley will be exactly what these children need at the present moment. Beyond that, neither of us can see.”

  Mavis accompanied Louise downtown where they sat in an office and listened to the official version of the events leading up to the death of the youngest child in the family.

  The physical and psychological profiles of the remaining three siblings were produced, with recommendations as to schooling for the older girl and preschool attendance for the middle child, a boy.

  “Of course, future plans may be put aside for now. What is vital is that these children feel safe and cared for in the short term. You can expect broken nights and tantrums. Consistent rules and careful listening are crucial, as you will soon realize.

  It is our policy to leave you unmonitored for the first week but you must contact us immediately if any situation arises in which you feel yourself to be inadequate.”

  Louise listened to this fairly-impersonal description of the children’s former lives and her heart quailed inside her. The pressure of Mavis’s hand on her arm kept her from blurting out something to the effect that the children had not yet been named to her as individuals. They were still case numbers; objects to be dealt with.

  She was handed a sheaf of paperwork and soon left the office to be conducted to a playroom where several children were occupied with games and dress-up clothes in a mock theatre set up.

  Louise could not identify the children for whom she was about to be responsible until Mavis found the relevant page of the paperwork and pointed out the name tags.

  Shania was one of the older children in the playroom. At twelve years of age she was tall and thin, with a head of thick brown curls cascading down her back. Her brother Tyrone was four. He was building a tower of blocks with his big sister watching his every move. He had darker skin and black hair and was competing for blocks with his baby sister, named Betsy, who looked very much like him, with a similar ‘bowl-cut’ hairstyle.

  Anyone watching the scene would know these three belonged together. Louise’s heart went out to them immediately.

  “What do we do now?” she whispered to Mavis.

  “Just watch for a few minutes. See how they interact. Shania is looking over here already. If she approaches, tell her the truth, otherwise smile in a friendly manner if she catches your eye.”

  Many things were racing through Louise’s head as she followed Mavis’s instructions but she refused to be intimidated by the task ahead of her. She focussed on the way Shania protected the little ones. When Tyrone grabbed a block from Betsy’s hand, she quickly found another similar block and offered it to her sister before she could break into tears.

  Shania will be a real asset to me and to the children. She is a born carer. I must try to get her on my side without seeming to replace her influence with her little family.

  Mavis was assembling in her head all the information she had gathered from sources, formal and informal. This was going to be a challenge, all right. The older girl would be in school and the two younger ones would behave much like babies, regressing into earlier stages of their development.

  Two babies at once!

  She was sure Louise and Dennis had been chosen because they had more than enough space, no other children to care for, and the time to devote to these three.

  She ran over in her mind the preparations Louise had made. The nursery was very well equipped. The toy baskets were full of all kinds of educational toys recommended by experts. There were four available bedrooms on one floor close to the master bedroom. Shania could have her choice of bedroom styles. There was a family room or playroom with television and a kitchen table big enough for five or six. She made note of the need to purchase a second high chair.

  Beyond all these material elements, was the overriding knowledge that what these children needed most was not things. They needed love and protection, and understanding.

  One look at Louise Ridley’s face told her she need not worry on that score.

  Mavis’s car was stuffed full. When she drove into the Ridley’s driveway she was pleased to see that Dennis had received her messages and reached home in time to greet his new family.

  She had cautioned Dennis to stay in the background at first. The children had enough to adjust to and their experiences with men had not been positive of late. He helped Louise out of the car and then stayed back to unload the small amount of luggage that came with the children. The two younger ones were already gripping their favourite soft toys as if they were a lifeline.

  Dennis knew Louise was nervous. He intended to support her in every way possible but he was reassured by the presence of Mavis. This was a new venture for him also. He had seen how Louise recovered from her mental issues and became, once again, the woman he first married. He was keenly aware of the role he played in her breakdown and was determined to make up for his past neglect.

  At work, he made it clear he would require time off for family matters, sometimes at a moment’s notice. He did not reveal the reasons for this unusual request but his superiors valued his contributions sufficiently that they did not immediately ask for further information.

  While Mavis and Louise took the younger pair to the main floor playroom and washroom, Dennis introduced himself to the older girl and asked if she would like to choose her own bedroom upstairs.

  She waited to see where her siblings were being taken, and by whom, then followed Dennis making sure she kept well away from close contact with him.

  Shania was distracted by the beauti
ful rooms she was shown. Each was nicer than the one before. She loved the lilac room the best but did not say so until she ascertained where her brother and sister would sleep. Louise and Dennis had decided to place Betsy in the small nursery, once an extra clothes storage room, close to their master suite. It had an adjoining door to a second room. This was where Tyrone would sleep. Louise intended to leave the door open in case one or the other woke up and needed comfort in the night.

  The lilac room with a side window looking out on the property next door was recently re-decorated and included a desk with chair and computer, as well as pretty drapes matching the bedding. The built-in closet was huge, far bigger than anything Shania had ever known and inside it were several hangers holding outfits she thought must be there by mistake, as they were clearly new.

  Dennis stood by the open door and watched her explore, but when she spent minutes making sure the closet doors opened and shut easily and had no locks, he began to wonder if the girl had once been imprisoned in a similar small space as a punishment.

  This one realization did more to prepare him for foster fatherhood than anything written on a psychological profile ever could. He burned with anger that a child could be mistreated in such a way and also cautioned himself to be prepared for further revelations. He made a mental note to install a sliding lock on the inside of Shania’s bedroom door once she was settled in.

  Leaving Shania to make herself at home, he returned to the playroom and found Louise comforting a sobbing Betsy while Mavis rocked Tyrone in her arms.

  What had gone wrong so soon?

  “What can I do to help?”

  Mavis turned to him and calmly asked him to bring the tray of milk and cookies from the kitchen countertop.

  Louise had bought sippy cups with funny animal antics on the outside that appeared only when the liquid inside was consumed. He carried the tray carefully to the playroom and placed it on a low table near his wife. Mavis, with Tyrone in her arms, and using a happy, light tone of voice he had never heard from her before, explained in a sing-song way that the little girl was calling for her mama. Obviously, she had expected to be taken to her mother and not to this strange house with people she did not know.

  “It’s part of the adjustment period, Dennis. You can expect much more of this. Don’t give them any false information and break their trust. Try to distract them. I think Shania will be the one to interpret matters in a way they will eventually understand.”

  He thought back to the girl testing the closet doors and a shiver ran over him as he imagined what life would be like for Shania who would be required to act as a mother to two little ones before she was out of childhood herself.

  Milk and cookies had their timely effect. Tears stopped and Tyrone was soon distracted by a box of colourful building blocks. The three adults looked at each other in turn.

  This was real. These children were now their responsibility. There was no turning back.

  Chapter 16

  Shania Devereux woke from a nightmare in which she was being chased down a dark alley by an unknown person, dressed all in black.

  She sat up abruptly, and shook her head to dismiss the terrifying images and then found out more frightening things surrounded her. She was in some place she barely recognized in the early morning light coming through a window.

  Where was she? Where were the children?

  She looked around and gradually remembered the pretty lilac room with the desk and dressing table. The mirror hanging above the dressing table showed a thin, pale girl with disordered hair that seemed to overwhelm her face, clutching the bedclothes to her chest and looking as if she had seen a ghost.

  With a shock, she recognized herself.

  Is this what I look like? They call it looking like a deer in the headlights. I saw mom looking like this once or twice when things were going badly with him. She must have felt scared like I feel right now.

  Is she ever coming back? What will happen to us?

  Suddenly she noticed how quiet this house was. There was none of the hustle and bustle of the Children’s Home. No feet rushing down the hallway. No children crying.

  No children crying!

  She was on her feet and grabbing for a sweater. Where were her brother and sister? She rushed out of the room and was faced by a corridor with a bewildering number of doors. She listened and heard nothing.

  Did all the people go and leave me here alone?

  She did not dare to open doors in case she upset someone. The stepdad hated to be disturbed when he was sleeping off something or other.

  She would try the kitchen. Her mom was usually to be found there. The woman ………Louise? She might be there. Hopefully, the man who showed her the lilac room would not be there. She was wary of men, especially when she was alone with one. This man was a stranger.

  Tiptoeing down the stairs was interesting. She noticed the huge chandelier light hanging down from the high ceiling and the soft carpet underfoot. This place was like a movie set.

  What do these rich folk want with a passel of little kids like us?

  It was easy to find the kitchen. She smelled the coffee first. The Louise woman was standing looking out at the back yard with a big mug of steaming coffee in her hand.

  Shania moved forward on bare feet and was almost right behind the woman before she sensed something and turned.

  “Oh, there you are, Shania! Did you sleep well? The children are still asleep. I’m afraid it was a long night and they did not settle for ages. Perhaps they needed you? But I am glad you had a chance to rest.

  There have been a lot of changes lately for all of us.”

  Louise did not give Shania a chance to answer, so instead she watched.

  Very posh dressing gowny thing. Quilted and long. No makeup. Pretty hair. Nervous, but talking to me as if I am a grownup. That’s OK. Where’s the older lady at? She seemed to know what was what.

  “I don’t suppose you drink coffee. Would you like hot chocolate instead? Or tea perhaps?”

  “Chocolate would be nice.”

  The woman bustled around the kitchen, opening a cupboard and displaying an array of cans and packets of all kinds from which she extracted a tub of Cadbury’s. It was Shania’s favourite.

  She added boiling water to a large mug and topped it off with cream and a handful of small marshmallows.

  Hmmm! She has some idea about what kids like. Good.

  “We’ll have breakfast shortly, Shania. My husband, Dennis, goes off to work soon. He usually has cereal and coffee. He’s not a big eater in the mornings. Would you like cereal now or later? Perhaps you want to have a shower first? You can take your drink with you if you like.”

  Again with the talking, and no chance to answer or ask any questions of my own. She’ll learn soon enough. That’s if we are here for a while.

  She took the option of leaving the kitchen, mug in hand and climbed the stairs again. She found a lovely washroom near her room and went in, locking the door behind her and running the water in the shower before anyone else could say ‘me first!’ and claim it.

  She let the steaming heat run over her from head to toe and hoped it would wash away the nightmare and the uncertainty and the fear. If they could all stay here for a little time, it would be very nice. It was a big house in a quiet place. She would ask her questions and get answers but for now, it was good to rest in safety.

  * * *

  Mavis arrived at the Ridleys as soon as she saw Dennis’s car depart for the day. He must be working shorter hours which was a good idea.

  She found Louise in the kitchen, dressed and combed and immediately asked how the first night had gone.

  “It was pretty bad, Mavis. You were right about regression. The little ones behaved like babies, thumbs in mouths and all. Dennis helped me rock them to sleep and we finally put them together in the ante room where we could watch them sleep. They were exhausted, poor lambs!”

  “What about you? Did you get any rest?”


  “Yes, I did, after a lot of thinking. If you can see me through the morning routine, Mavis, I will feel more prepared for the day.”

  “Of course, I will. What about Shania?”

  “I spoke to her earlier. She’s not saying much, but no outright issues. She’s in her room. I guess she needed time to herself. I imagine she has been with the young ones all the time since they left their home.”

  “Of course! Good decision to let her have a bit of space but she will be your best source of advice as to what Tyrone and Betsy like. You will all need routines established as quickly as possible. Let’s see how the little ones are doing.”

  They met Shania on the upper hallway. She was very quietly opening doors and obviously looking for her brother and sister.

  “Don’t you look nice, Shania. That colour of blue really suits you. I am glad you found the new clothes. The children are in here. Come with us.”

  Tyrone was curled up on the floor around his teddy bear and just waking up. Betsy was in the bed tangled up in bedclothes, showing she was a light sleeper. She opened her eyes and saw strangers and was about to bellow when Shania surged forward and took her up in her arms.

  “Hello, my little girlie! Come with Shanny, now. Everything is all right. The nice ladies are here with us. We’ll get you dressed and then we can eat and play.”

  Louise went to Tyrone, and Mavis showed Shania the change table in the corner. It had been her advice to Louise to dress both youngsters in diaper pants in case of accidents. Shania knew what to do and talked away to her sister while she was washed and dressed. Louise watched and waited for her turn with Tyrone.

  Mavis stood back and watched the scene. It was important that Louise cope with everything as soon as possible. She was ready with any advice that might be required, but it was going to be Louise’s show and she had to run it.