Little Ones - First Steps free porn video

AUTHOR'S NOTES: this article is based on real people and on real events. My contact with this family is in fact professional: they are part of a group of families that are taking part in a development project that my university is assisting in. indeed, I struggled with wither or not I should write this for FM at all. I have changed the names of all individuals, avoided the use of any last names, and used letter codes to refer to public individuals. All of this was done solely to protect people's privacy, and the integrity of the project. While American followers of FM may place these people somewhere in the US south or in Kentucky, they in fact live near Guelph, Ontario. As well, given the references to my 'spelling mistakes' in the past, I use British spelling- there are differences between it and American spelling. Americans will say 'A to Zee' while Canadians (and over one billion residents of the commonwealth) will say 'A to Zed'. You get the picture. As for other changes, they are few. I used the generic term 'pre-school and head start' to avoid using a regional, and possibly confusing reference. Individuals with genuine, provable interest in the actual educational approach in use may contact me on either the review page or on the hyperboard page. Their actual re-location to Guelph was carried out by an agriculture relocation program, which is run by our federal government. They where given targeted financial, material, and practical assistance to re-locate from a very desperate rural community (which is being removed, as it consisted of squatters, etc and services there where few) to the community of Guelph, where it is thought that they'll have better opportunities and services. I will explain more about Uncle Tom and his situation as I expand this writing project. Everything I related to here was gathered from written reports, log book entries, taped items, and actual contact I've had with this family. The events referred to here cover a time period running from middle of August 2012 to mid-September 2012. If there is enough interest, I will, every few months, write an update. I decided to tell this through the eyes of the youngest daughter, as she seemed to have the most to say about the issue. As well, there is no equivalent of this, on any TS/TG site, as far as I know. I found that, by using her eyes and her interest, the actual article flowed out easily. I plan to use this same approach for my peer reviewed works relating to this project! Dedicated to my great aunt IDA CATHERINE, who passed away September 28th, 2012, at the age of 93 years. May your spirit, and your belief in equality, fairness, and humans rights, and your love of family, be with Helena and her family as they move forward. THE LITTLE ONE-FIRST STEPS BY STEELHEAD2 ©2012-all rights reserved. Any unauthorized copying, mass storage on any electronic media, printing, re-use on any website save Fictionmania, electronic transmission over any system, or re-use is expressly forbidden. Users of electronic readers may download one copy for their express personal use solely on their personal device. Such users will keep the title, author, and copyright block fully intact. Any removal or alteration of such information will be seen as an attempt to void the given license. They had been planning to move for a while. Then, they had found their new home-a larger house that had once been a duplex. After planning out their move, they got started. As there where 15 of them, this indeed took them some time. It took three moves, using their large rented truck, to transport their meagre belongings to their new home- but soon, they had completely relocated. Next, it was time to settle in. Into one room went the youngest three-baby earl, age 9 months; his brother bobby, who was two and ?, and their sister Helena, who was approaching four. While they did live in a big family, they had things pretty good-they where well fed, clean, loved, and healthy. And while they didn't have much in a material sense, they did have each other. "This new room is so much nicer then before, mama." said Helena, as they unpacked. "Yes, it is, honey-and you'll even have a bed of your own from now on! That old cot you shared with bobby was falling apart. Now you have to treat this new bed with care-no jumping on it! So be careful, honey!" explained her mother. Helena beamed as she looked over her new bed. She took her few toys and placed them carefully in her storage cupboard. She hung her laundry bag on a hook her dad had placed on the wall near her bed. Her clothes came next-and she carefully placed them on the upper shelves of her cupboard. She looked in her mirror, and an interesting little person looked back. She was tubby, but not overly fat. She wore her hair in a short 'pixie' cut that her mama gave her once a month-the same as all her sisters got. She wore round, wire rimmed glasses, and she was now getting her first adult teeth. She wore an oversized, cream coloured cardigan which she had found in a second hand shop, and her trousers and top had been sewn by her mother. But she was clean, and she had bright eyes, quick wit, and a warm little heart. She smiled at her image. Her bigger, 17 year old brother then entered the room. "These are yours, so I brought them up." he explained. She smiled as she claimed her wooden rocking chair and footlocker. "All I need now is a TV up here!" she said with childish delight. She opened her locker, and into it went her valuables-a photo album, her good doll, a teddy bear, and her supply of soap, toothpaste, extra underwear, and snacks. She flipped through a collection of old birthday cards and the like, noting some still had gift money in them. They went at the bottom of the locker. Once everything was inside, she closed it, and applied a small tin lock to the clasp. While no one had ever stolen anything from her, she still liked to keep her prizes locked. Her parents had encouraged this, but only as part of growing up. Her mother then reappeared; bring up clean sheets, a fresh blanket, her green wool blanket, and a new pillow. She 'helped' her mother to make the bed. Next she 'helped' as they made up bobby's new bed. Helena frowned as she watched her mother clean the large old dresser drawer that baby earl slept in. "Why didn't he get a bed, mama?" she asked. Her mother replied, "He doesn't need one yet, kiddo. This old drawer works every bit as good. But as soon as he's ready, he'll get a bed! Don't worry about it, honey!" Her smile calmed her inquisitive daughter, and the two of them laughed. Over the next while, the family settled in. Mom took her father, and started to show him the neighbourhood. As he had Alzheimer's, that was no easy job. As well, the family has developed a plan for him, and for the young ones, as well. Once everyone had settling in, it was time to implant that, as well. Two days after they had arrived, the three small ones where rounded up by their father. "We are going out on this lovely afternoon, and I'm going to show you around. This area is lovely, and we're going to a couple of parks, the rec centre, and I'm going to show you all your new preschool and head start school. Now let's go!" he explained. Helena picked up her tiny brother and headed to the door. Stopping there to get her flip flops, and to make sure bobby was with them, she marched out the door. "Oh, boy!" she exclaimed as she entered the big, open park down the street, before continuing with, "This is so very nice! Look at the swings and that big fort!" Her father led her down through the playground, and he took the baby while his other two children played. After a brief time, he led them on, pointing out the large soccer pitch, wooded area, and pathway. After they left the park, they walked up a big hill. At the top was the rec centre. They had a tour there. Looking at the pool, Helena commented, "They have a pool, daddy! Will we still go swimming with mama?" He replied, "Oh, yes, you'll still go swimming and to swimming lessons. That's already been arranged!" Both youngsters drooled as they saw, for the first time, the centre's big playroom. The final stop was near the rec centre-a large new preschool. "You'll get a tour on Monday of this place. You'll bus out to the head start centre three part days a week, just as before. And on Friday, you'll spend the day with grandpa and with mama, same as before." their father explained. Everything sounded very good. The four of them then went for a nice long walk. The kids returned home tired and hungry. As she waited in line for her supper, Helena smiled to herself. Once she reached the front of the line, she got her meal. The heavy plate was faded and plastic, but it held a lovely supper consisting of a thick bed of noodles covered by a large piece of pork covered in gravy. Mama then cut the pork up into bite sized pieces, and added a nice piece of corn on the cob to complete the offering Her mother placed Helena's favourite yellow plastic spork on the side of the plate. Helena took the plate with a smile, and then moved down to get a plastic mug and carefully fill it with fruit juice. She placed the mug on her plate, moved a little further down the large family serving table, and picked up a paper carton of milk, before heading off to her seat. Now, she didn't have a table to sit at-not yet at least. The adults-her parents, grandpa, uncle tom, and her oldest brother all sat at the table. The middle ones all sat around two card tables, while the smallest family members sat, on pieces of carpet, at a low bench like table. She wiggled herself into place, looked over her supper, and commented, "Delightful!" Her mother, helped by an older sister, placed Bobby down at the table and placed his own plate in front of him. Baby earl was strapped into an old baby seat, and he looked the scene over. The family then offered grace, and began to eat. Helena enjoyed her meal, as she was hungry. "Now you little ones best eat all your supper, and drink your milk! We have a nice cherry pie for dessert and I know you will want some!" but their father's warning was not needed. Hunger, pure and simple drove the little ones to eat. Soon, all Helena had to offer was a bare corn stalk and some gravy dribbles. She finished her milk, and picked up her mug, using two hands to cradle the cup like she had always observed her mama doing. She was just finishing drinking when she heard mama give a loud order to "Clear!" At that word, she got up, gathered the dishes, and took them up. Getting in line, she scrapped her dish into the food waste bin, and placed her cup, spork, and plate in the dishpan. "There's my good girl!" offered mama, mama was right behind her, helping bobby scrape his own plate. Next they all received dessert. The two tiny ones had returned to their places, and mama came around with a tray. She placed two small plastic plates, each holding a nice slice of pie, on the table. She then gave each child a plastic spoon that had yellowed with age. Both Helena and bobby took their pie, and started to eat. "Err...mama; will we still make pies here?" Helena asked her mother. "Yes, little one, we will! There is a big farmer's market here as well. We'll still be making lots of pies!" mama replied. Helena glanced up at the adult table: her father and oldest brother where discussing something, while grandpa drank his juice. But Uncle Tom just sat there, looking sad. Helena remembered how he had arrived-it hadn't been that long ago. He was very dirty, and he had bugs. In fact, daddy had to wash him with a hose, and pour a foul smelling shampoo on him before he could even enter their home. He was also very sick-he was thin and sickly-he still was-and he often appeared to be very sad. He also dressed in a strange way. But he was with them, and in Helena's little mind, he was one of them. After supper, the group broke up. But Helena remained in the kitchen. She helped her sisters clean the kitchen and do the dishes. Helena got her stool, and pushed it over to the sink. She got up on it, and after washing her hands, started to dry the dishes. She took pride in doing a good job, and the work made her feel needed. It took a while, but soon, everything was washed, dried, and put away. Now dear reader, I must stop and explain a few points about their meal. The lineup method was used simply because the family is so large. Read nothing into the way the little ones where fed-they were comfortable on their carpet swatches, and quite settled. The family buys milk from a local commercial provider of dairy, as their needs are so large-the milk is stored in an older separate refrigerator, and using paper cartons is simply more hygienic and less wasteful. The juice is mixed at meal times and then offered to all. As for the china, plastic is stronger, less hazardous, and easier to clean. In time, Helena will start to use adult utensils, as well. But for now her spork works just fine. After cleaning, the girls retired to a common area. They laughed at talked about their new home. All seemed to like it. But soon, Helena started to feel tired. She went down and found mama with her baby brother. "So, how do you like it here, honey? How was your walk?" her mother asked. "It was fine! This is a nice place. And the playground..." Helena replied. Her big toothy grin explained more about her feelings then words could. The two of them talked while mama fed her infant son his bottle. "The three of you are quite tired. I think it's time for bed." mother commented. She then gathered up bobby, and marched then up to their room. After toileting and changing, all three of them went to bed. With baby earl settled in his place, and Helena and bobby in their beds, mama turned off the lights. Soon all three where sound asleep. After a good night's sleep-baby earl had awoken once through the night, and during his diaper change mama had made both of the other two toilet- they were awoken by their mother at the door. "Everyone else is downstairs. Time for you all to get up and get moving." Helena woke up, cleared her eyes, and got up. After going to the bathroom, she returned to her room. "It's a bit chilly out there, honey. Best to get a sweater on!" mama instructed. After a quick 'OK!' she moved to her cupboard. She picked out black tights, a pink coloured blouse, and an old knit sweater. After gathering underwear, she dressed herself, with some help from her mother, of course. Then it was time for breakfast. They followed mama downstairs to the kitchen. There was some leftover sausage, and mama made them French toast. Mama filled two plates with the sausage, an apple, and the hot French toast. She then filled two small bowls with corn flakes, and added one to each plate. "Now you know to pour some milk on the cereal before you eat it, don't you?" mama asked as she handed over the plates. Helena and little bobby both nodded their heads in unison. They took their plates and went and sat down. Mama then brought over paper cartons on milk, and two tetrapak containers of orange juice. The two kids ate while their mother fed the baby. After eating, and cleaning up, they were ready to go. They stopped downstairs, and she watched mama wrap baby earl up in thick swaddling wraps. She then used an old blanket to loosely cover her son. She then placed the baby in a carrier, swung him over her broad, strong back, and gathered her other children. The four of them then left the house, and headed out. "Do you want to go and check out the park again?" mama asked. "Sure!" Helena offered. And off they went. This time however, there were other kids at the park. Helena smiled and waved to them, as she had been taught. But the other kids just stopped and looked at her. As mama took earl off her back and sat on an empty bench, Helena heard loud whispers from two other mothers seated nearby. "I'm not sure how many of them there are! But there's a lot of them in that big old house!" one said to the other. "I wonder...how do they eat? If they eat! And doesn't one of the men from there run around in woman's clothes? How do they exist? I mean, I could never do that!" Helena knew they were talking about someone, but whom? She remembered that Uncle Tom was 'changing' as daddy had explained it, and that he needed a place to live. He did wear dresses occasionally, and he always wore woman's clothes, but she also remembered the big plate of food she had eaten that very morning. So if she wasn't hungry, then who where they talking about? The whispers continued, and where getting louder and more desperate. "I wonder if the little one will talk to my daughter here!" one said, and the reply was, "Just count up Alexandria's belongings if she's around- that dirty little beast is probably a thief! Or worse! Heaven knows what those people do to survive!" Helena looked around. Why where they looking at her as they talked? If she ever stole anything, she knew her father would get very, very mad. She had seen him mad. And she knew stealing was wrong. She was more puzzled then ever! Then her mama spoke up, directing her conversation at the other women. "There are fifteen, I repeat fifteen people living in that house, which is now my house! And no one there is hungry or desperate for anything! And my daughter is not a thief! The nerve of some people! God!" Helena then noticed the other two women blush and look at the ground. They stopped talking. Helena went and climbed on the big play fort, but it didn't feel fun. She smiled at some of the other kids as they played, but they just looked at her. In fact, one little boy ran away! Helena then noticed bobby roaming around. She went and took him and played in the sandbox. After a while, she went to mama and asked her, "Can we go now? I don't feel good." Mama replied with, "Sure. We'll go to the store, and you can get a treat. After the past few days, you both deserve a small reward." With that, they packed up and left. The small variety store offered a lot of nice things. "Now you can get yourself something. I'll wait here until you decide what you want." Mama offered. "Ice cream", bobby said. Helena meanwhile, was thirsty and went to get a rare treat: a can of coke-a-cola. She went to the back, and after getting on her tip-toes, got herself the red coloured can she wanted. Pop of any kind was a rare treat for her, and she would enjoy her choice. Meanwhile, bobby and mama had picked out their ice cream, and after collecting Helena, they headed for the check out. They then went and found themselves a deserted bench, down in park near a small foot bridge. Baby earl had a bottle, and the others enjoyed their treat. "So, what is wrong with uncle Tom? Is he doing something bad?" Helena asked her mother. Her mother thought for a minute, and then offered this reply, "Uncle Tom has a problem. He is a man, but he is starting to live as a woman. This problem has made him sick. He almost did what auntie Joan did. And you remember how hard that was on everybody, don't you? In the process, he lost his home and his job. So we took him in. but I know, and I want you to know, that he will never hurt you. And if he ever does, I will...kill him." Mama had a funny grin then, and she had playfully started to pretend to squeeze her throat. Helena thought for a minute, and then she went quiet. That evening, as supper was being served, Helena hung back. She looked at Uncle Tom carefully. Yes, he had longer hair, and he was wearing a pink sweater with yellow thin pants. But he still looked and sounded like a man-and didn't men have different parts down there? In such tight quarters, she had often seen her father and brothers bare-so she knew they had extra parts. How would this work? Helena decided that, after her meal, she'd just go and ask. Helena then felt better. She took her plate and looked at the lovely fried chicken and mashed potatoes that had been drizzled with gravy. "Goody!" she thought as she discovered the green beans on her plate, which where one of her favourites. Her older sister, who was serving, then placed a spoonful of salad on Helena's plate. Helena then got her milk, and went and sat down. After eating, she again helped clean up. Later that evening, she headed down into the basement. Her grandfather and her uncle both lived down there, and she carefully went down the steps. Two small 'apartments had been built out of scrap lumber and gypsum: Helena walked past the freezers and locked refrigerators that held the family's food supply, and a few seconds later, she was standing at the tattered yellow blanket that served as her uncle's door.. She shoved her little hand under the covering and waved her hand. Her uncle then appeared, and he opened the blanket. Helena asked him: "Can I come in, please?" Uncle then waved her in, and she entered the room. She looked around. The small enclosure held a large TV, a dresser, a wardrobe, and an old chair. The hammock that uncle used to sleep in hung at the far end of the space. "Strange for you to come down here. Now what can I do for you, kiddo?" uncle said. "I have a question for you, uncle. I know you are a man, but mama said today that you are becoming a woman. How does that work? And there where women in the park who sounded scared of you! You're not in trouble, are you, uncle?" Helena asked. Her uncle then looked at the floor, and then at the ceiling. "I knew this day would come." He whispered. He had a surprised look on his face, and he then sat in his chair. After taking a breath, he looked his niece in the eye, and started to talk, saying,: "It's a long, hard process. I lost everything I had before I came here to live. But I haven't done anything wrong, and no, I don't intend to every do anything criminal. As for the process: first I have to get a job and save some money. Then I have to start taking special pills to make me look like a girl. Those are called hormones, and they are what you and your mommy, as women, will produce naturally. And then there's a parts problem. If I go all the way, I'll need a massive, very expensive operation to fit me with a proper woman's parts. And even then, I'll never be able to have children of my own. It's all very complicated, and even I don't fully understand this." He then paused for a minute, before continuing with, "As for outside people: yes they will say things. And while I hope they stop, if it gets to be too much, your father has already said that I will have to go. And as this is your house, and not mine, that would be very hard. All I can ask for is patience. And I'm very, very sorry you had to go through that today. You have enough problems to deal with!" Helena then thought for a minute, and said, "Mama also mentioned Auntie Joan. I don't want it to come to that! Not here, in our new house. And you can't go back to that trash can you came from. As for them, they also told a lot of lies! So I'm just not sure...but I'll have to think about it!" Her uncle replied with a quiet, "You just do that! Is there anything else you need to know?" Helena looked puzzled, but she shook her head and left. Grandpa lived on the other side of the plywood wall. Helena rapped gently on the chipboard door, and grandpa appeared a minute later. He smiled, and said, "How are you?" Helena then offered, "I'm fine, but can I come in?" Grandpa replied, "Sure! I like visits!" and with that, he waved her in. grandpa had more furniture-his large TV, his bed, wardrobe, and two large chairs that he had taken from his old home. Helena noticed the pregnant weather girl on the TV, and she commented, "Is she one of your favourites?" Grandpa looked sad, and he replied with, "Yes, she is. But soon, she'll be gone too. I just know it!" Helena then looked at the girl, and saw her big belly. "But she's like V-mama says she'll be back. Mama even went on a computer, and asked her! So she'll just go and then come back! Why would she lie? Look, you and mama have even been counting on the calendar! So just be patient and everything will be OK!" Helena offered, using the phrase that she knew would calm him. "We'll see if you are right, honey." Grandpa replied. With that cleared up, Helena sat in a chair, and smiled at the old man. He sat down as well, and clasped his hands. "Can I ask you a question, grandpa?" she asked. Grandpa looked over, and replied, "Sure! I only hope I can answer. Sometimes, these days, I can't, but I'll try!" Helena thought for a minute, and then asked, "Do you like uncle Tom? I mean, what do you think of him?" Grandpa thought for moment, and said, "He is strange, but I don't think he's a bad person. I mean, I haven't seen or heard anything that would tell me otherwise. Did something happen, honey?" Helena then said, "No, Grandpa. But I'm trying to think things through. We were mentioned today on the playground, and uncle was mentioned almost by name!" Grandpa then shook his head, and told her, "People will talk about us regardless. You are one of eleven kids. That will bring talk. I have an illness, and people will see me in a bad light. I think it comes down to how people think and react. But until something happens, we must just move on. If you start to worry, you'll start to prejudge-and that, my dear, is every bit as bad!" Helena then pondered his words, before asking him, "Can you tell me anything about Auntie Joan? Exactly what did happen to her? I know it was something bad, but exactly what?" The old man then pursed his lips, and went over and got an old file folder out of the bottom of his dresser. He invited Helena to come and sit in his lap. He gently hugged his granddaughter, and said, "If you're old enough to ask, you're old enough to be told the truth." He then opened the folder, and a picture of a tall, very thin woman was the first item. "This was your aunt Joan before she died. She was married to this man here." Grandpa explained as he flipped the page to show an ugly, strange photo of a man's face. "This would be your uncle Andy. You must understand that he drank a lot of alcohol, and it affected his brain. He often beat your auntie. Once he broke both of her arms. And your aunt also drank a lot of alcohol. After a time, it just became too much, and she picked up a gun and shot herself. She died then. As for your uncle Andy, two months later, he robbed a store and a bank and he shot a man. He is now in prison, which is where this photo came from. And you know what? He'll never get out. But why did you ask about her? I'm curious!" "It's just that mama mentioned her today. She said that Uncle Tom tried to go like Auntie Joan. Now that I know what happened, I don't ever want him to even try that! I always knew Aunt Joan did something very bad, and now I know just how bad! Thank you, grandpa!" she then held the old man close, in a big hug. Then her father poked his head around grandpa's door, and he spoke, saying, "So this is where you are! We were starting to wonder where you had gotten too!" he then turned to the old man, and asked, "She's not bothering you, is she?" grandpa just smiled, and replied, "No, no she's not. We were just talking about things. And it was an important and private conversation, so don't go asking questions, son!" Her father then looked puzzled, and said, "O...K. I get it! It's not important-I was just wondering where Helena had gone too! No rush at all!" He then turned to leave, and as he did so, he was joined by his daughter. The two of them then climbed the stairs together. "Daddy, are you going out to the garage now?" Helena asked. "Not now, honey." her father replied. Helena pressed him with, "Well, when will you be going out there?" Her father looked at her, and offered, "From the sound of that, I'd better take you somewhere...will the old shed do?" Helena nodded her head in agreement. Her father then took her hand, and after they both donned shoes, walked out to the old, falling apart shed. "So what's going on, honey? You seem to have something on your mind!" her dad asked. "Well, daddy...I'm wondering about uncle Tom. Some things don't seem right with him, and no one seems to have a straight answer." Helena offered, before giggling and adding, "Not even uncle Tom himself seems to understand. He told me just now that he hasn't, and will not, do anything bad. You know, daddy, the only person that seems to hurt is himself! But those ladies in the park, they're afraid of him. And he told me that's he's afraid he'll have to leave her. What's really going on daddy? I need to know!" Her little voice had grown surprisingly loud and firm. Her father then offered, "If he was any other man with that problem, I wouldn't let him within 50 miles of this house and you. But he is my brother, and that does count for something. He looks different, and people see that. And while he is very much a deviant, and a disgrace in both god's eyes and my eyes, we can't get let him rot out in the street. He was almost dead when he first came to us, and if we let him die, god will hold that against us. So I keep a roof over his head and food in his tummy. And that's ALL I'll do! Everything else is up to him, and he knows what I expect of him! As for you, you have to tolerate him and not harass him. And that's ALL I ask of you, honey! And if he ever, ever touches you, I will break his neck!" Her father then realized what he was saying, and he stopped his train of speech. Helena then spoke, saying, "No daddy, I'm not afraid of him. In fact, I asked because I'm sorta worried about him. And I don't want him to go like aunt Joan did! That would just be awful!" Her dad, now shocked, finally replied, "Err...no, I don't think he'll try that. And if he ever does, it will not be your fault-in fact; the only person at fault will be Tom." He then added, "Now why don't we go back in the house? I think we can play cards. How does cribbage sound?" Helena agreed, and the two of them then went back into the house. Soon, it was Monday, and Helena, bobby, and baby Earl would be starting preschool and head start. The night before, mama had given all three of them a bath, and she had washed their hair. While all her siblings had already started school (or started that same Monday) the three youngest had the most nerves. Mama woke all three early and got them dressed. They then went down to breakfast, and ate ham steak, eggs, and fried Bologna with fried leftover potatoes and tomato slices. There was hot oatmeal that morning as well, in addition to the usual carton of milk and serving of juice. After breakfast, Helena helped her sisters to clean up and do the dishes. She kissed her sisters' good bye as they headed out. Mama then helped her three youngest get ready to go. Soon, a small school bus arrived and the horn honked. Mama gave the now swaddled Earl to Helena, handed her a cardboard box with their lunch in it, and took them out. After a short ride, the three of them arrived at their school. A nice woman met the three at the door, and she led them in. "My name is Mrs. Tusk, but you can call be Glen if you want. I'm your new caseworker, and if you need anything, you can come and she me!" she smiled at the threesome before her: bobby was trying to hide behind his sister, while Helena stood there, stone faced and standing her ground. She had her suspicions about this new woman. She knew that there where bad kids in these programs, and she felt protective of herself and her younger brothers. Glen then went over and looked them over. "Now, aren't there three of you? And what's in the box?" she asked. Helena then answered, "The box holds our lunch! And baby earl is right here!" She then turned around, and showed Glen her baby brother, who was strapped to Helena's back, and very contented, bundled up in his papoose. Glen then got down on her knee, and smiled at the three some. "Very nice. I've been told that dividing you three will be hard on everyone, so during your days here, you'll be together sometimes. And I know all three of you are good kids! Now why don't I show you all around? Then we can sit and talk!" Helena then agreed, and Glen led then down the corridor. Their first stop was a big room filled with cubbyholes. Glen showed them a large one. "You can put your things in here. I'll show you where to put your food, and the baby's milk next. And don't worry-you can all eat together, and eat whatever food you've brought. Of course, we will give you snacks and we offer lunch. But you can eat your own food, as well." Glen explained. After shedding their jackets and sweaters, Helena removed the baby's wraps. She then took him in her arms and picked him up. She had seen, in past programs, babies taken, so she knew she had to keep a close eye on Earl. But as Earl was chubby, and had never been hurt, she didn't think he'd be taken. But she just wanted to be sure. After placing their lunch and supplies in the central kitchen, Glen led them around. She showed them their respective classrooms, the big common playroom, the outside area, the therapy room, and the bathrooms. She then led them into her office, and after getting them settled, they talked. Glen filled out some forms, and then she led them to the nursery. A large woman took baby Earl, and Glen said, "You two, either singularly or together, can come down her at any time to visit your baby brother! And I'll bring you down here with me twice a week so you can play with the baby. How does that sound?" Helena answered, "That sounds good, ma'am." Next, they took Bobby to his classroom, and then finally, Helena was dropped off in her room. "This is Miss Gordon, and Miss Gordon, this is Helena." Glen said as she introduced them. "Pleased to meet you." Helena offered as she had heard her father say so many times. Helena then settled down for her morning. She coloured a picture, played with the doll house, and observed the classroom's pet guinea pig, fluffy. As she was playing with the doll house, her teacher came over and started talking to Helena: "So how many people live in your house? Can you use the dolls to show me your family?" she asked. Helena counted out the dolls, and replied, "I don't have enough people here- there is mama, and daddy, and all my brothers and sisters." She counted on her hands, and finally offered, "I'll need fifteen dolls to show you my family. "Goodness gracious! That's a lot of people! Is everybody nice to you?" asked the teacher. "Yes, everyone is very nice. It's just there are a lot of people there!" Helena replied. The teacher continued with, "Do you get a good sleep at night?" and Helena replied, "Yes, I do. Well sometimes the baby wakes up, but mama always comes quick." the teacher pressed on with, "Does anybody else come into your room at night? Does your father or older brother ever come into your room at night? Do any strange people ever sleep over? And if so, do they ever come into your room when everyone else is sleeping?" Helena thought for a moment, and responded with, "No, no one else sleeps in our house but us! There is no room! And daddy and john spend the night sound asleep, in their beds. Mama says it would take an earthquake to wake them from their sleep." The teacher then pulled up a chair, and said, "So does anyone in your house drink anything that makes them act strange? Or smoke anything? Have you ever seen a family member use a needle or take lots of pills at once?" Helena then had to giggle. "Why are you giggling?" asked the teacher. "That's just funny! Everyone in my family just drinks milk and juice and water! And no one smokes anything! Well, Uncle Tom smoked, but mama made him quit! And no needles or lots of pills. Well, mama takes one pill a day so she won't have any more babies for a while. Grandpa takes one for his stomach, so he can eat. But that's it!" As the conversation ended, Helena remembered those questions from before. She looked around the room and noted that many of her classmates where thin and many looked listless. She knew that many of them lived with families that they didn't belong too. Helena then left the doll house and moved on to the block corner. She was actually happy with her situation. After a while, Glen appeared, and told Helena it was time for her to get their lunch ready. Helena then moved to the kitchen, and put the lunch together. She made the sandwiches and, with Glen's help, warmed the soup. The two of them rounded up bobby and earl, and after Helena found an empty corner, the three of them settled in for lunch. Glen gave Earl his bottle while the other two ate. "You know, after lunch, you will go outside and play for an hour with all the other children. By then Tammy should be here, and she'll take you-she works for head start. I'll introduce you to her then." Helena remembered the playground from before. "So ma'am, how far out can we go? I think we'll just take a walk." she asked. "Well, you can cover the whole park, but you can't leave it. You must stay within the fence. In fact, most kids just stay in the small area just outside the door. Oh, I need to get you a small stroller! I almost forgot!" Glen explained. She moved quickly, and soon Earl was seated and strapped into the stroller. Helena found the stroller awkward. She wanted Earl cradled and on her back, where he belonged! But still, they had their walk. The large park was indeed nice. Some leaves had started to change colour, and they climbed the hill and surveyed their domain. They could see the large, tall buildings of the nearby city in one direction, while the other direction was a series of rolling green fields and farms. They watched some birds fly over, and squirrels play. After a while, they went back down, and checked out the playground. Bobby enjoyed a swing, while Helena tried the climbing set. A teacher held and sang to Earl while the other two played. All in all it was fun, but Helena still had things on her mind. That evening, after supper Helena excitedly told her family about her day. "Good, good! But you must never leave the park, honey. The people that live north of that park are quite rich, and would not take kindly to you three. So stay within the fence line. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, I really am!" but as Helena cleaned up, she looked very, very hard at Uncle Tom. Maybe she shouldn't mention him at school. Maybe he could get her into trouble. But even he had good news-he had been referred by his worker to something called a 'job-readiness' project. Helena thought to herself, "Maybe if he can get a job, people will like him better". A few days passed as the three small ones settled in to their new day. On Wednesday, mama came to the school, and she played with them in the playroom. Glen told them all, "Next week all of you start swimming lessons. I'll be going in the pool with you, and so will Jessie." Helena had been waiting for that news, as she had enjoyed swimming before. The three didn't go to school on Friday-they went with mama to the farmer's market. After getting all their fruits and vegetables, they went for ice cream. "We'll be starting up pie production soon! We'll finish up cherry and peach this week, and then we'll move on to apple and pumpkin." Mama declared. Pie making was a family activity, as some pies where sold to make money. Helena enjoyed mixing, pouring, and the nice smells that came from the baking. As they enjoyed their ice cream, Helena asked her mother, "So, did uncle tom get into that thing?" "Yes, he did. He'll take some classes and do some unpaid work, and hopefully then he'll get some kind of paid job-it won't be much, but it will help him out!" Helena liked the sound of that indeed. On Sunday, the whole family went off to church. Helena liked church, and she enjoyed the singing and the praying and her bible. She also liked Sunday school. She wondered about the title, 'united Pentecostal assembly' but she had never figured that out. She just knew she loved church, and she knew god and Jesus loved her. She eagerly awaited thanksgiving and Christmas, two of her favourite church holidays. While she and her family enjoyed church, and had gone every Sunday since Helena could remember, Uncle Tom had to be dragged along. "Forgive my brother, pastor. We are trying hard to help him, and he is trying hard to help himself." Daddy explained to the new pastor. "These things happen, my friend. I'll explain your situation to the other brothers here. We'll try to be tolerant, as Jesus preached we should." The pastor replied. Uncle Tom was sobbing as that conversation took place. The next week started out grey and drizzly. But after a day or two, the skies cleared. That day, Helena had a lot of energy, and the three of them went for a nice long walk. They had learned the hard way about kids from beyond the north fence. They noticed that they had expensive toys and fancy clothes, and that they looked nervously at kids from the preschool. The rich group would hang back until the preschool kids went in for class, and then they would use the playground, with their mommies and nannies in tow. But on this day, they had lots of energy, and they headed down the hill. Some people seemed to be looking at Helena-and asking questions. "Why is that baby strapped on that poor wretch's back?", "Why is he wearing that old rag?" Helena heard them, but she pressed on. Then she noticed two women sitting on a nearby bench. She knew that she had to talk to them! She bravely marched over, looked the two women in the eye, and spoke, "Hi, V! Hi, B!" she offered. Emily had been tending to a tiny baby who was sitting in an expensive stroller. She looked the girl over, and asked, "So how do you know us?" Helena was excited, and she answered, "Mama knows you both! She talked to you on the computer about Grandpa! That's how I know you!" B then whispered something in V's ear, and after a quick giggle, V said, "So now I know who you are! I remember those tweets now! So, how is grandpa?" Helena looked up at the two women contentedly, and replied, "He is fine! He misses you terribly, but what you said made him kind of happy. You both make all of us happy." Bobby then came out from behind his sister and smiled. The two of them talked with the two women for a while. Helena finished the chat with, "Grandpa will be 75 in two years. He wants all of you to come to his birthday party! I hope you'll all come!" B and V both laughed at that. Helena returned to class, wondering about her discovery. She decided not to mention it to anyone, as it just might just cause more trouble. The three of them had also started seeing Tammy. She always had fun things to do-drawing, games, songs, and books. "You know, soon I'll take you two to the big library. They have lots of books, and I'll show you how to take them home, read them, and bring them back. How does that sound?" Helena excitedly replied, "Sounds very good!" and a plan was made for them to go. Meanwhile, Uncle Tom had started his training. He seemed happy to have hope, and Helena picked up on that. Mama had cut his long, stringy hair, and now he had a short pixie cut. He had gained some weight, and he now looked better. Helena smiled at him as her sister swept up the hair, and said, "Now you look like me! And you look better now!" But she wondered about the haircut-her brothers and father had short brush cuts. So what was mama doing? But still, as Helena pondered things, the pixie cut looked much better with Tom's pink cords and flowered shirt. Helena decided this was for the best. Time continued to move on. They had settled in, but one morning Helena got a very rude shock. She had been making her way to Glen's office when she heard very loud, angry yelling. "You stupid little shit, how could you disgrace me like this?! I should leave you her for good!" screamed a woman's voice. "Now Mrs. Rodgers, can you please calm down? Any child can have problems. And your screaming isn't helping anyone." said Glen. Helena stopped moving, and went over to the wall. "Now you look here-my father is the president of CMX bank in town. We have money-we have everything! So why can't she just fit in and learn? I've been forced to send my daughter to this place-why?" said the woman's voice again. Helena then heard a child crying, and offering, "Please mom, don't leave me here! I'll be good!" Then a woman, who looked very angry, stormed out of Glen's office and out the door. Helena then moved to the open door, and she saw Glen holding a crying girl. She went to back away, but Glen motioned for her to enter. Glen whispered to the girl, "Everything will be alright, and I'm here to help you. Now stop crying, and we'll talk. And this," Glen then pointed to Helena before she resumed talking, "is Helena. She's a nice girl who will soon be your friend. You are both the same age, so why don't we go and we'll show you around?" Helena looked the newcomer over: she had a nice haircut and was wearing an expensive looking outfit. So why was she here? And why was everyone so upset? But Helena knew that, if Glen was involved, something must be wrong. And she knew she had to obey Glen. Soon the other child seemed to calm down. She looked up at Helena, and sobbed. "It can't be that bad, is it?" Helena asked no one in particular. Glen then said, "No, no it isn't. But for some, coming here is traumatic!" she then stood the other girl up, and took her hand. She then pulled the girl until she walked, and Glen used her other hand to reach out to Helena. Helena took Glen's free hand, and the three of them moved out. They showed the new girl the whole place, but she never seemed happy. Not even the playroom, with all its lovely new toys, made her happy. As they moved through, snack was called. Glen then got down on her knee, and spoke, saying, "Now Helena, you will round up Bobby and Earl and take Kristina here and go for snack." Glen then whispered in Helena's ear, "Something is very wrong. Do not let her out of your sight until I get back, OK? We'll talk about this later." Helena sensed the problem, and nodded her agreement. As Glen left, Helena smiled and said, "We now get snack. Today it's buns with cheese spread and milk. I just have to get my brothers, and then we'll go and eat." Kristina looked at Helena with a terrified look on her face, but meekly followed her new classmate. Helena got bobby, who looked at the newcomer with surprise. They then moved on and picked up earl. "This room is for the babies. And this is Francesca, and the other one there is Dorothy. They run this room." Raven haired, brown skinned Francesca and tall, willowy, blonde Dorothy looked up at smiled at the children. Dorothy spoke up and said, "Today, I'm coming with you-I'll feed earl while you two help the new one adjust." Helena looked puzzled-she had always fed her baby brother. But she didn't say anything. Soon all were seated at a small, round table. Dorothy started to give Earl his bottle and a plate of buns, along with plastic knives and a small pile of cheese spread packages where placed on their table. Bobby asked innocently, "Who are you?" and with that, the new one started to weep again. "Oh no-I don't belong here!" she said as she grabbed hold of Dorothy's sleeve, before adding, "Let me go back to St. Thomas! I belong there! I'll be good, I promise! I'll try harder, I promise!" Dorothy tugged her sleeve free, and said, "Afraid not, honey. You have problems, and only we can help you." She then turned to Bobby and smiled, before offering, "That was not your fault, sweetie. You did nothing to rate that outburst. Now eat your snack, please." Ignoring the useless plastic knives, Helena and Bobby ripped into their share. They started to eat. The new girl just sat there looking around. And she ate nothing at all. Later that afternoon, Glen came and got Helena. "We need to talk-how are you doing, kiddo?" Glen asked. "That was weird! She looks around as if someone's going to beat her or something. And if she upsets Bobby like that again, I'm going to teach her a lesson! And by god, she will get a real beating then!" Helena blurted out. Glen then gestured for Helena to sit on the couch. "I know how you feel. But you see, you've been here for a while-you three are little pros in here. But Kristina is new, and nothing here makes sense to her. And she is scared of you and of all of us. Tomorrow, I'll get someone else to sit with her. I'll talk to Bobby next. And Dorothy fed Earl today because I asked her too. I'm sure you'll learn more as time goes by about our new arrival. Any questions?" "Yes, I have a question-why do some people, like me and bobby who are different-but I don't know why-just live as we do, but others-like Kristina and Uncle Tom, have such trouble? I mean, no one here goes hungry, or gets beatings, or gets overly sick. So what's the problem?" blurted out Helena. Glen then thought for a moment, and offered, "You were born into this. When you live for a long time a certain way, you get very used to it. Kristina has problems, but she's never had to come to a place like this. Now you and I both know that this is a good place, but for someone that's never been here, and hear a long of rumors and stories about us, we, and by that I mean both of us, are very scary. As for Uncle Tom, I was wondering when he'd come up. I do know all about him. So don't be afraid to talk about him, what he's doing, or how you feel about him with me. Do you want to talk about him now?" Helena then looked puzzled, and replied, "There's not much to talk about really. He's just kind of there. I think things with him are getting better, but I know it will take a long time to fully get better-if ever! But how do you know about him-he doesn't come here!" Glen giggled, and said, "I guess that's an honest question! My employer, family support services, is also trying to help him out. I also have a friend, Maxine, who been through all of that-she used to be one of my teachers, back when she was a he. She has been given the job of helping Tom link up with medical and mental health help. But the mental health part will not do anything for him until Tom gets a job and proves he can live, successfully, as a woman. And with his home at stake, he may be in more trouble. So I need to ask you a question...and I'll tell no one about this, and certainly not Tom or your mother, or your father...do you think he'll be able to stay there? Is there a lot of fighting or arguing between him and mama or daddy? How are things going?" Helena quickly replied, "There is little fighting in our house period. Sometimes daddy asks uncle some questions, like 'Will you ever do anything right?' or 'Why me?' or complain about all the hot water he uses, but there's never any fighting. I worry more about Uncle Tom as Uncle Tom then I do about daddy. I don't think he'll leave us any time soon-he has no place to go anyway!" Glen nodded her approval. She then ushered Helena back to her classroom. That evening, Helena talked with her mother about the new girl. "I'm sure there's a good reason for her joining your ranks, honey. In time everything will be revealed." Mama explained as the two of them pitted the last of the cherry crop for pie production. Mama then continued with, "I should have explained to you just how big and how involved with all of us family support services is. But now you know. But I do have good news about Tom-he is going to work at the supermarket one and ? days a week from now on. It is hoped that this will help him get back on his feet. It a small step, but hey, at least it's a step!" mama laughed at the last part. "We'll have to go and see him there, mama!" Helena said. Mama nodded her agreement. END PART ONE. PART TWO TO FOLLOW. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: -Speculate on why Kristina arrived at the preschool, and discuss what you think she may need in terms of the centre's help. -The father seems to falter between helping his brother and his beliefs. Which do you think is stronger? What advice would you offer either party, if a question relating to strengthening their bond came up? -What sort of future do you see for Helena? For her Uncle Tom?