The Orphans Series Vol. 1: The Orphans Read Free

ourselves!"             
                  "Well, I guess that wouldn't really be much different than being home by ourselves all day except for having the freedom to leave if we chose to. It's not like our parents would be there. The mighty corporation would have a meltdown if their employees tried to enjoy a full weekend," she joked.
                  Shaun nodded thinking about his dad and how infrequently he was home. "Hey, think of the valuable skills we're learning like self-reliance, cooking, and making sure we go to bed before three in the morning. Kids who have their parents' attention don't learn those things. It's a shame really."
                  Ellie punched him lightly in the shoulder. "Hey, your dad does things with you! What about your annual hunting trips?"
                  Shaun sighed. "Nothing says 'I love you' like teaching your son to walk into the woods, kill an innocent animal and then cut the meat off its dead carcass.... I think if my mom was still around maybe he wouldn't feel quite so compelled to try to save the world. I'm pretty sure that's why he works trying to design drugs. I think he's got some delusional hang up that he could be the one person in the world to cure cancer. He feels guilty about not being there for me and mom."
                  Ellie nodded slowly and let out a big breath. "Dude, you just went from deer hunting, to cutting apart venison, to your father's career and then to your mother dying ... that's an impressive progression! At least you have a reason for your mother to be gone. My dad's been gone for years and it's only because my mom says he couldn't keep his lips off his favorite guy."
                  Shaun shivered a little at the thought of two men kissing. "Ellie, you never told me that your dad was gay!"             
                  Ellie laughed. "Oh, he couldn't keep his mouth off of Jack Daniels bottles! He loved the ladies so much he couldn't stay home ... or, for that matter, stay faithful to my mom. It's why my mom went back to school and to work at E&T Corp."             
                  The door opened and Mr. Peterson leaned in. He looked disappointed, shaking his head at the two. "You do know that if you'd like to actually write the essay it will require the use of a pen and a piece of paper, right?"             
                  Ellie smacked her forehead. "Crap! I totally forgot about that, Mr. Peterson! Thank you! You see, this is really our pre-planning stage, we want to make sure we write the absolute best essays we can for you."
                  Mr. Peterson nodded. "I can't wait to fill your mother in on how delightfully witty her daughter is, Ms. Randall. I hope neither of you have plans because you'll be spending Saturday together with a few of your fellow classmates here."             
    ****
                  At three-o'clock, the school secretary accompanied them to the main detention hall with the other kids. The seventh graders looked like they were on the verge of crying. It was somewhat like a scared-straight program since all in attendance in Adel between the grades of seven to twelve had to share one school and one detention room. It was in no way a hundred percent effective method but it did tend to keep the kids who weren't sure what path they felt they should take going down the straight and narrow.
                  They signed the clipboard with Mr. Smith, the teacher on detention duty. He was the freshman math teacher and both of them were current students of his. He looked a little surprised to see them. "Just between us jailbirds, what are you in for? Did you shank someone?"
                  Shaun held back a grin and shook his head. "Assault with a loaded backpack, hip throw, and not yet being a member of the varsity sports