Phoebe

Bill didn't know how to respond to the child.
"Phoebe. Can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah." The little girl looked up at Bill.
"Why did you run to me in that whole crowd of people?"
"Safe." Was all Phoebe said.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Man not safe." She shrugged. "You're safe."
"Okay." Was all Bill said.
He held the child and rubbed her back.
Bill had to leave soon. There was an emergency at the office and they needed him back asap.
"Why do you have to go?" Phoebe looked hurt.
"I'll come back when I can. I promise."
"Okay." She said quietly.
Bill carried her back to the room he met her in and set her down.
"I'll see you soon."
She didn't say anything.
Bill left and returned to work.

-

The next day Bill was called and Phoebe's small voice was on the other end.
"Hi."
"Hey, kiddo."
"Can you come back?"
"Now?" He asked. He had just left work only ten minutes ago and hadn't been planning on leaving again.
He still had his work clothes on and didn't want to go anywhere.
"This place is scary an-and they turned off all the lights last night." She sniffled.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Can you come get me?"
"I can't take you out of there."
"Oh." She sounded hurt.
"I'm really sorry." He really was. "I have to go, kid. I'm getting another call."
"Okay bye." She hung up the phone instantly.
The call was from Director Frances.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mr. Sutton. I was wondering if you could come on down to the station so I could show you a few things."
"Yeah. Sure. I'll be there in a few minutes.

-

"So we figured out that the reason she clung to you was because you maybe look something like her father."
Bill picked up the photo that was slid to him and examined the man's face.
"This was her father?" He asked.
"Yes." Director Frances shook her head. "We think that's why she clung to you."
"Wow. Uh. I-I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. We just wanted you to know why she may be so attached to you."
"Thanks. Uh. Okay." Bill handed the photo back. "Do you know how they- uh. How they passed?"
"Phoebe's parents were assassinated within their home. She was in the next room sleeping when she heard the gunshots."
"Okay. And did she go to a different family after that?"
"Yes. She was with her grandmother."
"Okay and what's with the man?"
"She was kidnapped from her grandmother's home and never found. Her grandmother continued to search for her, but she eventually passed."
"Does she having any other living relatives?"
"Not that we know of. Both of her parents are only children and we haven't found any other relatives."
"Okay." Bill sighed. "Can I foster the child?"
"You'll need to take the required classes before you're able to become a foster parent."
"I've taken the classes. Me and my aunt took them together. She always wanted kids, but she couldn't have any." He rambled on.
"Okay. Well yes then. You can take her under your care after we file some paperwork."
"How long will that take?"
"You should be able to take her home tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Bill sputtered a little bit.
"Yes. Tomorrow."
"Um okay." Bill shook his head.
"You may go if there's no further questions."
"Uh okay. Thanks."
Bill left the office and went to his small apartment.
He still had a guest room in case any relatives came to visit. Which happened very rarely.
He could turn the guest room into a child's room.
He got to work making the bed and fluffing the pillows then cleaned his room.
He looked out the window at the big city below him.
It was getting darker and more lights were noticable.
He was up pretty high in his apartment. He liked it here.

-

Then next morning a knock came to his door and he looked out the peep hole.
"Uh hello." Jake shook Director Frances' hand.
"Hi. I brought Phoebe. I thought she might want a familiar face to take her here then some random social worker."
"Yeah. It's nice to see you again."
Phoebe shuffled behind her.
"Hey." Bill smiled to her and knelt down so he was more at her level.
"Hi." She looked scared.
"What's wrong?"
Phoebe looked from Bill to Director Frances. She looked terrified and maybe like she was gonna cry.
Bill stood back up and held his arms out.
She quickly lifted her arms up and he held her close.
He rubbed her back and rocked her slowly.
"Okay. I just need you to sign a few things then I can leave you be." Director Frances smiled and handed him a few papers.
He walked over to the small dining table and sat down with Phoebe.
"You can sit down if you'd like."
Director Frances took a seat and looked out the window.
He looked over the papers and read them carefully.
He signed them after reading them and handed them back to Director Frances.
"Thank you." He said to her.
"No problem, Bill." She smiled and stood back up.
"That's a nice view." The woman smiled as she looked out the window again.
"Yeah." Bill smiled back.
He stood back up with Phoebe still in his arms and looked out the window.
"I've thought about moving, but every time I look out the window-" Bill just stopped speaking and let the view explain itself.
"Okay. Well I better be getting back."
"Okay. Well we'll see you around. I guess."
"Yeah. Tell her I said goodbye." She smiled.
Bill looked down at the child, he didn't realize she had been sleeping.
"Yeah. Yeah uh I'll tell her." He smiled down at the child.
He heard the door click and went over to lock it.
He brought Phoebe to the guest room and laid her onto the bed.
He left the door open and went to his own room.