A Child's Haven - 12. Chapter 12

As we approached Sanctuary, a police car pulled up in front of our building. We walked a little faster as one of the officers went and rang the bell. Pat answered, and I guess they ask to see the manager. Pat saw us and pointed us out to the officer.

“How may we help you, Officer?”

“I’m looking for a person who is in charge of this building.”

“I’m that person, Brad Williams. Has someone complained, or are one of my kids in trouble?”

“No sir, nothing like that. My partner and I picked up two kids who were stealing to eat. I was going to run them in when we saw a kid with a Sanctuary shirt. We decided to bring them here. It seemed the more humane thing rather than throw them into the juvenile system.”

“I thank you for being so concerned. I have a lot of kids here who had to do some awful things to eat. Your two are no different. We’ll gladly take them.”

“Hey, Brad, what’s up.”

“Hi Jeff, you are just the man I’m looking for. Officer, this is Jeff. I think he may have been the kid you saw with the Sanctuary shirt.”

His partner got out of the car. I’m sorry this dufus didn’t introduce us. I’m Officer Murray, and this is my partner O’Shea. Take a look at our convicts.”

I didn’t like his reference to the two kids. They weren’t convicts by choice. They had to eat. “Pat, go and set two places at the table for these boys.”

Officer Murray opens the doors, and two boys got out. They couldn’t have been more than 12 years old and were very dirty. The clothing they had on were nothing but rags, pants tied at the waist with string to keep them from falling. I looked at Jeff and nodded.

Jeff took the boys by the hand and led them into the dining hall and straight to the showers.

“I want to thank you for bringing the boys here. Would you like a tour, and maybe with your understanding, you’ll bring more children here.”

The police officers followed us into the dining hall. They looked astonished at the size of the hall. “Do they pay for the stuff in the vending machines?”

“No, it’s all free. They don’t have any money, and if you see what’s in the machines, it’s all healthy. Come, I’ll show you where the boys went. I led them down to the shower level; their eyes were big.

“I have never seen anything like this. How many people work here?”

“Just 1, and she is our cook. Everyone else is a volunteer.” I heard the showers stopped, and I led them to the second floor.

“This is the sleeping quarters; there are two more floors just like this one.”

“How does this work?”

“The cubicles are wide and deep enough to provide a comfortable space for the kids to sleep. The units are designed for the flow of fresh air and are completely private and safe. The idea is quite prevalent in Japan.” I opened one of the empty cocoons and let them see the inside. I think they were impressed.

Going back down to the dining hall, I saw the two boys sitting with Pat, clean, dressed nicely, and eating some leftover pizza. Officer Murray looked around. “Where are the two boys we brought here? I don’t see them.”

“They are here, and they are eating pizza right now. They are smiling and talking to some of the kids who live here. You still don’t see them?”

“No, I’m sorry, but the only kids eating pizza are those two blond kids. And the kids we brought here weren’t blond.”

“Jeff, would you please introduce our new brothers to these police officers.”

Jeff nodded his head and went and spoke to the two blond kids. They turned, and when they saw the police officers, they became alarmed. Jeff talked to them in a low voice, and I’m not sure what he said but their expression change. Jeff took them by the hand and walked over to the police officers.

“I can’t believe it. Jeff, where did my two criminals go? I need to take them in. These two kids never came with us, did they, O’Shea.”

O’Shea just shook his head, “I never saw these kids. They must have run out the back door while we were on tour. Let’s go, Murray, and maybe we’ll catch them again.”

“Thanks, Brad, you guys are doing an outstanding service here. If we pick up any more kids who are stealing food or being coerced into doing something for food, we’ll bring them here.”

“Thank you, officer. We have the room, so pass the information on to your fellow officers. With your help, we can help a lot of kids.”

The officers left. I waved Beth over and pointed out the two kids. She knew what to do. Looking around the hall, I noticed that we had only one girl. “Tony, look around and tell me what you see?”

Tony looked around, “I see happy kids. Why?

“There’s only one girl. Are the street kids only boys?

“Your right. I overlooked that until now. There must be girls out there as well; unless they have been coerced into prostitution.”

“Brad, I know some police officers beside Murray and O’Shea. Let me see what I can dig up.”

“Good idea, and I think I’ll ask Grace at the Board meeting as well.