By K.T. Leone
(Little Katie)
 
Part XI: The Best Intentions

“So, after we go to court I’ll be yours for good?” Danny asked as he sat down on the couch in between Carol and Peter.

“That’s right princess, and it’s only two days away.” Carol put her arm around the little girl and drew her near.

Danny was eager and anxious for the event to finally take place. She didn’t know that the court hearing was more of a formality than anything else. The day that was coming was one Danny had all but given up hope in seeing and a little voice in back of her head warned of not getting hopes up high, counting her chickens before they hatched and a bunch of other clichés that made even less sense. She sighed softly and rested her head against Carols arm as she watched the remainder of the Disney DVD that provided the much needed distraction.

Mr. Pritchard pulled into the driveway behind the white Mercedes. Though his Honda Accord was a reliable machine, he couldn’t help but wonder if he could’ve been driving such a luxury vehicle if he put his talents to use in the business sector instead of working in his more charitable field. He though this way briefly, but often, whenever he came across things of value. His mind would quickly return to the boys at the orphanage and he knew they would be in a much worse situation if it hadn’t been for his budgeting skills and ability to make a hard sell for donations. In fact, on three separate occasions he saved the orphanage from closing, whether due to budgetary cutbacks, or meeting the new state regulations that seem to be polar opposites to the old state policies. His only hope, that he would live long enough to receive the cheap gold watch that would eventually be his reward for twenty long and grueling years of service, sacrifice, and heartache.

“She was good enough to pay for the roof to be fixed and good enough to fund an upcoming trip to the zoo,” Mr. Pritchard mused loudly to himself. “Let’s see if we can convince her to be good enough to volunteer to be on the board of members and the ten grand donation that comes with that position every year.”

Though it was summer, Mr. Pritchard put on his heavy gray tweed sport coat. It was one of two suit jackets that he had and he was sure Mrs. Adams already saw him in the other one. The one thing he wanted to make sure of was that he wasn’t mistaken for the charity case, even though he figured his meager salary would qualify him as such.

The door bell rang throughout the house and interrupted the movie he two adults and one child were watching. Carol hit the pause button on the remote. “I wonder who that could be?”

The group all went to the foyer and Carol opened the door. “Why Mr. Pritchard, what an unexpected surprise,” Carol said cordially.

“Sorry to bother you at home. I know the court date is a few days away and I wanted to check on Danny’s new environment. You know, procedure and all.” Mr. Pritchard wanted to hide the real reason for his visit. Most people get defensive when they are asked for money up front and he liked to back door into that conversation.

“Hi Mr. Pritchard,” the little girl said happily as she gave a friendly wave and stood one step behind Carol.

Mr. Pritchard looked at the little child. There was something vaguely familiar about her, as if he’d seen her someplace. The big dimples looked out of place and the cream colored dress and white tights confused the man about why he associated this child with the orphanage. It suddenly hit him like a thunder bolt. “Danny!?!” he said in shock and awe. “Is that really you?”

“Yeppers. It’s me through and through,” the child replied in a sing song voice as she exuded the happiness of a little child.

Mr. Pritchard’s mouth dropped open as he looked at the boy. He simply couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “It certainly is a good thing that I decided to stop bye tonight or I would never have known this was going on,” he said in a stern tone as his face turned red with anger.

Danny took two steps back, well aware what was going on.

“Mr. Pritchard, please, allow me to explain,” Carol said in a calming voice.

“Explain? Explain! How can you possibly think you can explain this away?” Mr. Pritchard screamed. “I know for damn well sure this isn’t October 31st and this isn’t Halloween. You might think that because you have money to throw around that you can take a boy and turn him into some kind of fairy, but you can’t. Not one of my boys, you sick freaks.”

“Mr. Pritchard!” Carol cut off the rant. “You, sir, are out of line.”

No! It’s you madam who are out of line,” Mr. Pritchard responded snidely. It’s about time I collected this particular child and we will be on our way. You can
forget about adopting also, once the judge hears about this I wouldn’t be too surprised if criminal charges follow. Let’s go Danny.” Mr. Pritchard lunged for Danny, but the child cowered behind the leg of Carol’s boyfriend.

Mr. Pritchard lunged at the terrified child once again and this time having his neck caught in the very capable grasp of Peter’s hand.

“You are scaring the girl half to death. Calm down, or I’ll calm you down.”

“Listen you child molesting freak, you don’t scare me,” Mr. Pritchard said in a shaky voice. “I’m a court appointed officer and if you don’t feel like spending the night in jail I suggest you release me and this child immediately. But, then again, maybe you two would like jail, spend some time with the other pedophiles and the like.”

Peter cocked his arm back and looked squarely at Carol.

“Peter, don’t! It’ll only make things worst. We’ll settle this in court,” Carol pleaded.

“Wise choice,” Mr. Pritchard said coldly. You, young man, come with me.” The man harshly grabbed the child by the arm.

“Ouch!” Danny said in pain as he was being pulled.

“Stop being such a sissy,” Mr. Pritchard reprimanded.

Peter blocked the door. “You hurt one hair on that child’s body and I swear, court officer or not, I’ll hunt you down like a dog.”

Mr. Pritchard lightened his grip as he pulled the child through the door. “Let’s get you out of this place.”

Danny looked back at the entrance of the house, at the two adults who stood there, watching him leave. A tear came to her eye.

“Don’t worry Danny,” Carol called out. “I’ll figure a way to get you back soon. Worst case is you’ll be there just until we go to court. Be Brave! I love you!

Danny paused at hearing the last three words. She wanted to bolt back to the house and to the life where she thought she belonged, but wasn’t strong enough to break free from Mr. Pritchard’s grasp. Instead she found herself traveling in the opposite direction that she wanted to go.

“Get in,” Mr. Prichard commanded as he opened the car door.

Reluctantly the child obeyed and got into the front seat.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Mr. Pritchard said as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “We didn’t know what was going on there.”

“But I want to be there. I liked it,” Danny whined.

“I can see some brainwashing was going on as well. Don’t worry though, we’ll straighten you out and get you out of those girl’s clothes.”

“But I am a girl,” Danny stated with conviction.

The sound of Mr. Pritchard’s hand striking the child’s face filled the car. “I don’t know what kind of shit that monster has been filling your head with, but you do not repeat such lies in my presence. I’ll make a real boy out of you yet. If I have to kill you in the process then so be it.”

Danny took a deep gulp and sat the rest of the trip in silence.

The small child felt self conscious as she was led into Father O’Leary’s orphanage. The boys all gawked at her and whispered things amongst themselves as they realized who had returned. Danny’s hand was firmly tugged as she was led down the hall towards Mr. Pritchard’s office. The only sound was that of the child’s hard soled Mary Jane’s striking the old tile floor.

“First things first, young man,” Mr. Pritchard started as he closed the door to his office. “Let’s get you out of that ridiculous get-up and back into proper attire for a young man.”

“No!” Danny said firmly as she stood her ground.

“Excuse me?” Mr. Pritchard was taken aback. “What did you just say?”

“I said no,” Danny repeated. I’m not wearing that yucky suit.”
“Listen, Danny,” Mr. Pritchard spoke calm and evenly. “I know that you’ve been traumatized by that woman and God only knows what kind of nonsense she brainwashed you with. It’s okay now though, she can’t hurt you here. I know you’re a smart lad and you probably thought you were doing what was in everyone’s best interest so we could get the much needed money for this place. I should’ve kept a closer eye on things. I’m sorry you had to go through what that woman put you though. It’s over now. It’s time to return back to normal and that mans putting on the clothes that you’re suppose to wear.”

“I am wearing the clothes I’m supposed to. Aunt Carol didn’t traumatize me or make me do anything. I’m a girl and girls don’t wear suits.”

“Listen you prissy little sissy,” Mr. Pritchard responded in anger. “Do you know what those boys will do to you out there? They’ll tear you limb from precious little limb. Do you want that? Now you will change out of that ridiculous getup or I’ll tear it off your body and force you to go around naked. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”

“You touch me and I’ll tell the first cop I see that you tried to have sex with me and touched me in ways that you’re not suppose to,” Danny said so strongly that even she believed that was exactly what she’d do.

Mr. Pritchard relented. “Have it your way, but I warned you. There’s one thing left and that’s to give you the proper hair cut. A nice crew cut and that you are not getting out of,” he added with an evil joy in his voice.

“No!” Danny ran and hid under the desk as Mr. Pritchard retrieved an electronic razor from a large green metal locker.

“You want to do this the hard way, then so be it,” Mr. Pritchard yelled and then reached under the desk to get a hold of the little child. This was not the first time he had to force a haircut on a misbehaving child and he was quite proficient despite the protest.

Danny saw the big hand coming at her and took the only course of action that she felt prudent. She bit down between the thumb and index finger as hard as she could. Though it seemed hardly ladylike, desperate times do call for desperate measures.

“You stupid son of a bitch,” Mr. Pritchard yelled as he yanked back his hand and held it in pain. “You’ll pay for that one.”

Danny, sensing a brief opening in time, crawled out from the back of the desk and made her way to the door. Before Mr. Pritchard could make it to the child, she was out the door and running down the hall towards the front entrance. Ms. Lewis came into view.

“Help!” Danny shouted.

“Stop him!” Mr. Pritchard yelled at the same time.

“What in the world is going on? Danny what are you doing here?”

Before Danny had a chance to answer, Mr. Pritchard spoke up. “I made a surprise visit to Mrs. Adams house and I guess she had us both fooled. Look at what that freak decided to do with one of our boys.”

“She’s not a freak,” Danny said defiantly in protest.

“And what’s going on between you two?” Ms. Lewis tried to gain control of the situation.

“This one refuses to wear proper clothing and when I set up to give him a hair cut, he bit me.” Mr. Pritchard regained some composure.

“Danny?” Ms. Lewis sat the child down by the door. “Please remain here while Mr. Pritchard and I have a quick chat. Okay?”

“Yes ma’am,” Danny said somberly.

The two adults walked half way down the hall, far enough to be out of earshot of the child.

“I didn’t think that woman would abuse him,” Mr. Pritchard said in a hushed voice. “The trauma that poor boy must’ve went through.”

“Do you think terrorizing him will make matters any better?”

“Um, no. I See your point, but these boys here will tear him apart dressed the way he is. It wouldn’t be good to let him be killed before going to court.”

“If him being in a dress was forced on him, then him being out of a dress could be just as easily accomplished,” Ms. Lewis offered. “All we have to do is let peer pressure run its course and if what you believe is true, than viola, we’ll have our old Danny boy back good as new.”

“I see your point, but what do we do with him until then?”

“Tim has the only single room. Let’s put Danny in with him for the time being, at least until the court hearing. After that we can decide on a more permanent placing.”

“I’m too frustrated and angry to deal with things now.” Mr. Pritchard took a heavy sigh. “Can you make the arrangements? I think I’ll just go to my apartment and have a good, strong, stiff drink of something.”

“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry a bit.”

Mr. Pritchard walked towards Danny, sneered at the child in the dress briefly, and then walked out the door.

“Danny,” Ms. Lewis called the child. “Tonight I’m going to have you spend the night with Tim, you’ll be safe in there for the time being.”

“Am I in trouble,” Danny asked as he slowly walked up the stairs.

“No. I don’t think any one is in trouble,” Ms. Lewis comforted. “It’s just that yours is a very unique case and some people can be easily confused by things. All you need to do is when you go to court, the day after tomorrow, is tell the truth and trust that the judge will do what’s best for you.”

“Yes ma’am,” Danny said as he stood before the door to Tim’s room.

Ms. Lewis knocked on the teens door and explained the situation to the muscular youth without giving too many particulars. Danny stood back and looked at the boy’s unpleased reaction. Danny remembered how many times the bigger boy would tease her and call her names. The prospect of spending two nights in the room with Tim was probably equally unenjoyable to both.

“Come on squirt,” Tim finally said to the smaller child. “Let’s get you in here before the other guys figure out I have a girl in my room.”

Danny looked up at Ms. Lewis, hoping for a reprieve.

“Its okay sweetie,” Ms. Lewis reassured. “Tim’s not going to bite.”

“But I may nibble just a little,” Tim said jokingly as he ushered the smaller child into his room.

“Tim,” Ms. Lewis reprimanded. “You behave and treat Danny with respect.”

“I will,” Tim huffed in the annoyed teen fashion.

Danny sat on the floor in the corner, brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. The orphanage now seemed like such a scarier place.

Tim looked at the child and smiled smugly. “You know, when you sit like that I can see your little panties,” he teased.

“So what,” Danny spat as she turned her body so the boy couldn’t see anything.

“Look, I know you’re upset and all and I’m cool with that. I mean you got a raw deal and all. But, you don’t need to take it out on me.”

“I’m not taking that out on you,” Danny replied nastily.

“Then what are you taking out on me?” Tim asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Because you always make fun of me and try to make the other boys laugh and that’s not very nice,” Danny replied.

“How do I make fun of you?” Tim turned his attention fully to the little child.

“You call me sissy all the time.”

Tim laughed. “Is it me or are you the one in a dress?”

“See!” Danny whined. “That’s what I mean. There’s a reason I’m in a dress.”

“Yeah, I know. Because you’re a sissy and think that you’re a girl.”

“I don’t think I’m a girl,” Danny hissed back. “I know I’m a girl.”

“Okay, okay. Don’t get your panties in a bunch.” Tim chuckled. “How else do I make fun of you, other than calling you sissy?”

“You call me Danielle, that’s how.”

“What name do you ho by now that you ‘know that you’re a girl’?” Tim asked.

“Danielle,” the small child whispered as she figured out how dumb her previous statement sounded.

“So I made fun of you by using your name, hmm, interesting.”

“You used my name to make fun.” Danny stuck her tongue out at the boy.

“Danielle, can I tell you something and you not get mad,” Tim asked tenderly.

“I guess so,” Danny answered while still in the corner.

“I figured you was either a girl or gay a long time ago. But it’s cool with me.”

“You did,” Danny answered in surprise. “It is?”

“Of course. And I know another secret too,” Tim teased.

“What other secret.” Danny released her lock on her legs.

“I think you’re very pretty as the girl you are.”

“You do?” Danny blushed.

“Yes. I do. Now can we kiss and make up?”

Danny slowly stood up. “I guess so,” she said as she walked over to the boy.”

Tim softly kissed the child on the cheek and pulled her on the bed.

“Oh,” Danny said in disappointment. “I thought you was gonna boyfriend/girlfriend kiss me.”

“Sorry squirt, but you’re kind of too young for me. Beside you’re kind of like the little sister that I never had.” Tim put his arm around Danny. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, it’s okay.” Danny put her head on Tim’s chest. “Being a little sister feels nice too.”

“Come on sis,” Tim lay down and pulled Danny with him. “It’s been a long day and I got to get up early for football practice.

“Okay,” Danny answered in half a whine but quickly fell asleep.

AUTHORS NOTE: Ah, drama, Finally!!!! I figured if this story happened in the real world, this would eventually happened. Here's the good news... the drama only last one more chapter... because that's how long the story last. How do I end this one... a daring rescue, a runaway attempt, does Danny join the circus? Tune in boys and girls and boys that want to be girls.