Love and Hate

Chapter 17

Adoption

April and Casey sat across from Sarah in the Orphanage. They were there to see what her interests were and what things she wanted to do in her life. They were getting to know her better before determining wether or not they wanted to adopt her.

" So Sarah.....what things do you like to do?" The little girl just shrugged. April knew that she was scared and that she wasn't used to this. Her parents had been killed in a car accident and her grandparents refused to take her. It had happened only a year ago and April felt that she and Casey could give her a nice loving home.

" Well Sarah.....what is your favorite animal?" She was hoping it was a puppy so she might be able to get her one, but Sarah's answer was not at all what she was thinking.

" Horse."

" Really? Well....did you ever have one?" The little girl nodded solemnly.

" What happened to it?" Casey asked.

" We had to sell her. After my mom and dad died, I was not able to take care of her cause it costs too much." April and Casey felt so sorry for the little girl. She had tears in her eyes as she remembered when the Child Protection Services had sold her horse for her. She had cried so much after that. The mare had been a gift from her parents on her birthday and it was given away like it was nothing. After a little more talk, April and Casey got up and went to talk to the lady that would be helping them.

" We would like to adopt her."

Don sat at Mike's cabin and relaxed. It had been three days since he had seen Angel and he was trying his best not to think about her. He didn't think he would be as lucky as Mike and he didn't want to try. He hadn't talked to her either. He stayed at Mike's cabin and watched TV or went through the computer he had brought with him.

" Boy this sucks!" He grumbled. He got up and paced the cabin, trying to think of something to do. Then the phone rang.

" Hey Donny. Come down to the stable. Me, Cam, Vic and Angel are setting up the wedding plans and we'd like you to come down and help out."

" Mike, I don't know if I want to....."

" Please? It will give you something to do." Don sighed and realized he was right. He had to do something and sitting around the house wasn't doing much.

" All right. I'll be there in a few."

" Cool!" They hung up and Don went out to his car.

Angel pulled the lacy drapes over the entrance. Vicky set roses all over the place and Cam set up some chairs. Not very many since it was going to be a private wedding. Mike checked off the list as they went, when a violet car began to pull into the driveway. Angel stopped what she was doing to look over at it. Donatello jumped out and went over to Mike. He didn't say hello to anyone; just did what he was told to do.

Raphael stood at Vicky's trophy room window and watched in silence. He silently wished that he could come down and greet his brothers and bother Mike. He wanted to tease him about everything and be the pain in the ass that he used to be. But he didn't want to go and show them that he was alive. For the first time, he really felt afraid. He turned away from the window and went to sit on a stool that Vicky kept in that room. As he sat alone in the room, he looked around to see many trophy's and pictures. There was a saddle on a saddle rack that had the nameplate that read: Silver Brook Champ. It was the saddle used when he ran the Triple Crown and after that, never to run again. He got up to look at her pictures. So many were there with all the Silver brook champions. He looked at a picture of her mother and her standing in the winner's circle. He remembered when he and Splinter used to talk and have fun. Well, not exactly the kind of fun he usually had, but he missed the old rat.

Donatello did the last of the things he was told to do and talked with Mike after that. Angel watched him curiously and wondered if he was so withdrawn from them because of her. She watched him, hoping for something, but not exactly knowing what. But he didn't react at all, he just turned and went to his car. He jumped in quickly and without even a glance, he turned and left the stable. She looked at Mike who walked by her to go to Cam.

" Mike, where is Don going?"

" Probably back to the cabin."

" Where's that?" Mike knew what she was getting at.

" It's the one close to the woods about a mile from here. It's to the east."

" The one with a Mercedes in the front? The beige one?"

" Yep! That's it." Angel nodded and Mike went to Cam who was in the stallion barn. Angel turned and went to her truck. She got in and drove to the cabin where Don was staying. She pulled into the driveway and got out. Slowly and cautiously, she passed by his car and went to the door and knocked. Don answered it and was surprised to see Angel there.

" Um...Don I'm sorry to bother you. I know you just came from Silver Brook and all, but I was wondering if you'd be interested in having dinner with us." Don looked at her and saw the nervousness in her eyes.

" No." She flinched at his answer.

" Why not?"

" Because I have work to do. I'm sorry, but I have to finish."

" Oh....ok." He backed away from the door and shut it. She turned and went back to her truck. She quickly got into it and started the engine. She put the truck into reverse and slammed on the gas pedal. Don watched in shock as the truck backed out and skid when she turned it. She put it back on drive and drove away.

Angel had tears in her eyes. She hadn't meant to scream at them and then be so rude. Now she felt horrible for doing it and regretted it. He wouldn't even hang out with his brother at the barn any more because of her and she knew that it might cause some problems. She headed back to her house to relax from her stress. She wanted to be far away from them all.

April led the little girl into the house and she looked around uncertainly. But her eyes went to a figure in the dark. Casey looked at Leo who just sat at the table and said nothing. He wouldn't even look their way.

" Sarah...this is going to be strange for you, but remember that he will do nothing to hurt you. His name is Leonardo and he is a big turtle. I know that sounds weird and all, but it's true." She turned on the light and Sarah's green eyes went to the turtle before her. She looked at the swirly patterns on his shell and the large muscles that bulged from his arms and legs. She didn't scream or say anything, she just looked at him. April tapped his shoulder lightly, but Leo merely looked at her. He didn't turn to the little girl who was now standing next to him. Sarah looked at his face and his eyes. Leo turned them to look at her. His eyes were soft and kind, but still he said nothing. Sarah looked at him a moment longer and then put her head down as she walked to the living room where Casey was. April looked at Leo strangely, but he made no motion. She didn't understand what was with him. Maybe he had killed someone else and it was starting to set in.

" Sarah.....why don't you go a head and set your stuff in that room..." April pointed to her new room and she went to it without a word. April looked after her sadly.

" Poor girl." She whispered.

" This isn't the place for her." Casey said.

" She needs to get away from New York and to some place where there are country and horses. She might be a lot happier there." April nodded in agreement, but she didn't know where to go. If Mike were there right then, she knew that he could cheer her up in no time. April turned back to see Leo now standing by the window. He was silent and wouldn't speak to anyone. So much pain in all their hearts and no one to make it stop.