Old People ((Nathaniel))

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

I like sunshine. I like the way the rays lick my face and engulf me in warmth. I like the way everything is lit up when the sun shines. And I like the way it makes people smile because it's so beautiful out. Mummy used to tell me that I was her little sunshine, because no matter rain or shine I was always bubbly and glowing. Mummy has lots of pet names for me. I miss Mummy so much. Mummy and I get along great together, we never argue,and we always know what each other is thinking. Daddy and I get along too, but not as well as me and Mummy. I miss my entire family, I miss them all the same. But, I have to do this on my own. I have to prove to myself and to Sally that I can stay away from home. Although it means hurting Janine.

I never intentionally hurt my little sister, Janine is too sweet for me to intentionally hurt. Intentionally means on purpose. In case you didn't know. Kirsty says I tend to use big words that lots of little kids don't understand because I'm such a smart girl, so I try hard to use words that little kids will understand. And if I do use a big word that not a lot of kids understand, I will tell tehm teh definition because I'm a nice girl like that. I'm a well spoken eleven year old, Mummy claims it's because I read so much and because I have a wild imagination; but Daddy says it's because how many people we have in our family. We have nine people in our family. 7 children, and 2 adults. My oldest sibling is Andrea. Andrea is 18, and she's Valedictorian. She has a wide vocabulary, and likes to talk a lot. Mark is 17, and he's in Advanced Placement classes. He's so smart he gets to skip his Senior year and go straight to college! He says he's going to Yale or Harvard in the United States, but Mummy and Daddy don't want him to. Only one person can make Mummy cry, and that person is Jason. Jason's 16 and he's not a good kid. He used to be, but then he met Jarred and he turned bad. Mummy cries a lot because of what Jason does and says to her. Daddy doesn't like Jason much either. Kirsty is 14, and she's the odd ball of the family. She even looks different than the rest of us. It doesn't bother her. Sally's 12, and she's the tomboy. I don't know exactly what a tomboy is, but it can't be all that bad if Sally's one. Then there's me. I'm eleven. My name is Ingrid. I'm the jokester of the family. I like to trick people and pull jokes on them. Mostly Kirsty though because she gets so mad! It's funny! The youngest in our family is Janine. She looks up to me, she wants to be just like me, and she's my partner in crime.

With how many people we have in our family, you can see why my Daddy says that's how I am such a good speaker. We have so many varities, different, characteristics; attitudes, in our family. Sometimes I wonder how we all live in the house, but we do, and who am I to complain? I like my life as much as I like the sunshine, even much more. My philosophy (what I believe), is life is so pretty; why would you want to waste it by sitting indoors and being pessimistic (always looking to the sad side of things), when you can be outdoors and optimistic (always looking to the happy side of things)? Mummy calls me her little Optimist, told you she had a lot of pet names for me, she says I always make everyone smile with my energy. I don't think I have too much energy, just enough for twenty million soldiers in a war. And even if I did have so much energy, I don't know why that would make people smile. But, Mummy said so; and Mummy's smart so I believe her. Mummy told me I should use my talent for good, so that's what I am on my way to do. I am on my way to the old peoples home, to make them smile and enjoy life a little bit more. Janine is walking by me, and I think she's gong to be the only one with me the entire day. I was mistaken. I'm mistaken a lot.

"Hello?" Ingrid called ahead of her, she let go of Janine's hand and darted forward to meet someone new. I like meeting new people. There isn't anything I can do about it, that's the way I was raised. A polite young lady. "Hi! Are you going to the old people home too?! I want to visit Mrs. McGhee, she's very grouchy and says things three times, but that doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy company. Would you like to come with me?! It'll be super super super fun!" Ingrid greeted in a cheery tone of voice. Janine caught up with them and waved at the boy. Janine is shy to most people, she isn't shy to me though. Actually, I'm the only person in the whole family she isn't shy to. I think I'm the only person who has heard Janine speak. She speaks really quietly and I have to bend down to hear her, but I understand why she doesn't talk a lot. I was once shy myself, I grew out of that phase.

[nathaniel]

Nathaniel walked down the streets of London, alone, and rather bored. It was completely quiet, except for the sound of chirping birds and other small animals, and the sole of his sneakers hitting the hard, concrete street. He had left his father, and his two younger sisters, alone at home, and he was starting to feel a bit guilty about leaving his father with the two younger girls. They could be a bit of a handful at times, especially Chloe, and Nathaniel was usually there to help his father out, but then again, during the school year, his father had to watch over the girls himself, anyway. Nathaniel shrugged off his pointless thoughts, as he rounded a corner.

Nathaniel soon found himself walking in front of two younger girls, holding hands with one another, and by the strong resemblance, Nathaniel figured them to be sisters. He smiled. The older one looked older than both Britney and Chloe, but the younger one seemed to be about Chloe's age. He was soon greeted rather suddenly by the older girl. Nathaniel was kind of a quiet, and a bit shy boy, so this was a little odd for him, but he shrugged.

The girl asked if he was going to the 'old people home' as well, and Nathaniel laughed slightly. "Umm... not really." he replied. "I'm Nathaniel, by the way. Nathaniel Benson." he said as he smiled down at the girl.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

Ingrid grinned, "I'm Ingrid Lewis. And this is my sister, Janine. I'm eleven and she's 9. It's nice to meet you, Nat-Nat-Nathanyole..." Ingrid bit her lip in concentration. She was having trouble pronouncing his name, but she shrugged it off. If anything, she would end up giving him a nick name by the end of the day. Ingrid smiled and stood on her tip-toes, her hands clenched behind her back and an innocent look upon her face.

"So," Ingrid said, stressing the 'oh' in 'so.' She twirled around twice before landing with her hands on her hips, and her feet spread apart at least shoulder width, "Do you want to come with us to the old people home? I am sure they won't mind a new person there. They could use as much help as they can get. When Janine and I first started working there, we were welcomed with open arms. Mrs. McGhee is our favourite old person. She's mean to most people, but to us she's nice." Ingrid grinned again before prouncing off one way and then the next.

Janine stood in silence, her head lowered and her feet shuffling back and forth. Finally, Ingrid calmed down a bit and stood next to her sister. Janine started to say something, and Ingrid inclined her head toward her sister's that way she could get what she was saying. When Ingrid understood her, she stood up straight, put her hands on her head and looked at Natha-"Nattie. I am going to call you Nattie. It's easier to remember. Anyway, Nattie, my sister says she wants you to come. It will be much more fun."

[nathaniel]

Nathaniel laughed slightly as the younger girl, Ingrid, tried to pronounce his name. "Hello Ingrid. It's very nice to meet you as well." he said down at the girl, with a smile. Ingrid repeated the question that she had asked him earlier, and Nathaniel realized that he had accidentally forgotten to answer her question. "Umm... sure." he replied. "I'll go to the 'old people home' with you and your sister...?" he said, but of asked the last part, since Ingrid hadn't really told him if the girl next to her was her sister, or just a friend that they were going to the 'old people home' with.

Nathaniel sighed when Ingrid called 'Nattie'. He really hated it when people called him that, since that was the only thing that his sisters would screech at him. He grinned down at the girl, however. It was OK with him, because, obviously, she couldn't pronounce his name, but his sisters could good and well. Nathaniel smiled down at the other girl, Janie, which Ingrid had just established was her sister.

Her sister seemed very shy, and Nathaniel remembered when that used to be him. He was still a bit shy, but not most of the time. "So... which way is the old folks home?" he asked, changing around Ingrid's phrase, by putting in a different word.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

"Wooh!" Ingrid squealed as Nattie agreed to go to the old people's home with them. She grabbed his hand with her right, and Janine's with her left, and pulled them down the hill. The wind whipped her blond hair behind her, and she grinned wildly. She loved when people decided to join her in her little adventures. Even if it was to the old people's home. She looked at Nattie and smiled even more.

"Now. We always always always eat lunch with Mrs. McGhee. If she is mean to you, don't worry- just smile, call her ma'am and kiss her cheek and she'll be nice to you. After lunch we play chess with Mr. Sordino. He's real old and knows a lot of smart things. You might like him. He was in the war. I don't know which war, but he was in one. He likes to tell stories. Stories about," She let go and spread out her arms, tilting left as if she were an aircraft, "blasting people with guns from the sky. Boosh boosh boosh!"

Ingrid calmed down and stopped two feet in front of a building. She looked up and tapped her chin with her finger. Then she whirled around and looked at Nattie and Janine, "OK! We're ready!" She pushed open the door and waved, "Morning George!" She called as she hopped up on the chair and peered over the counter. She put her thumb over her shoulder and grinned, "That's Nattie. He's gonna make the rounds with us today. Is Mrs. McGhee already in the eating room?"

George nodded, and Ingrid hopped down, grabbed Nattie and Janine's hand. Pulled them down the hall and into the eating room. Ingrid threw open the door and pranced over to Mrs. McGhee. She had grey hair, that contrasted with her dark skin, and she was covered in an emerald robe. Ingrid stood on foot, and kissed Mrs. McGhee on the cheek, "Afternoon Mrs. McGhee. How is your lunch? This is Nattie. He's new. Nattie this is Mrs. Charlotte McGhee." Ingrid fluttered her eyelashes at Nattie dramatically.

[nathaniel]

As Ingrid grabbed Nathaniel's hand and brought carried him to wherever they were going, Nathaniel had quite a hard time keeping up with the small, but rather quick and hyper girl. He listened carefully to Ingrid, as she explained what the normal routine was, when they went to the home, while trying to keep up with her, and not trying to trip at the same time. he laughed and smile down at Ingrid, when she told he about Mr. Sordio, and did an imitation of him blasting out guns and what not, by an airplane.

Nathaniel sighed with relief when Ingrid finally stopped, in front of the building. However, she grabbed his hand again, and carried him inside the home. Nathaniel was glad that this time she wasn't going as fast, as she had been before. They reached the eating room, where they were to meet Mrs. McGhee, and Nathaniel sighed as he watched Ingrid kiss Mrs. McGhee on the cheek, and he remembered what she had told him to do.

He didn't quite feel up to kissing a woman on the cheek, since he hadn't done that since the day before his mother passed away, in the hospital, when he was only seven years old. He smiled slightly, and a bit awkwardly at the woman, and bent down slightly, and pecked her hand quickly. He stepped back, and a quick blush rose to his cheeks, as he stood back with Ingrid. The blush was soon erased by a smile, as he laughed slightly to himself, waiting for Ingrid's next instruction.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

Ingrid watched with satisfactory as Nattie kissed Mrs. McGhee's hand. Janine didn't kiss anything. What she did after Nattie backed away, was what she always did. She crawled into Mrs. McGhee's lap and curled into a small ball. Mrs. McGhee rocked back and forth in her rocking chair as Ingrid took a seat, pulling Nattie down with her. Mrs. McGhee stroked Janine's hair, as the nine year old closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Ingrid leaned over to whisper to Nattie; "Janine's awfully tired. She didn't get much sleep last night. Something about nightmares." Ingrid looked at Mrs. McGhee and crossed her arms.

"I do believe you owe Nattie a welcome, Mrs. McGhee. It was awfully rude rude rude of you to not say hello." Ingrid raised her eyebrow slowly and waited for the older woman to look at her with that deadly glare. It didn't come. Instead Mrs. McGhee looked at Nattie and breathed in. If Ingrid didn't know any better she would have said Mrs. McGhee was dying, but Mrs. McGhee was the strongest person in the world. She couldn't be dying. Mrs. McGhee finally cleared her throat and began to speak to Nattie:

"You come in here, with little Ingrid and Janine. Kiss my hand like a proper young man should. And then is silent? Back in my day, that was the best thing to do when greeting an elder. You was raised proper young man. You was raised proper." Mrs. McGhee smacked her lips and fiddled with her hair a bit before continuing; "My momma used to make the best apple pie," she lifted her frail arm and pointed to the plate, "Ingrid, dear, pick that up and taste it- then let Nattie boy taste it as well. It's good. But it ain't the best. No sir. No sirree. My momma made the best. This place is nothin' compared to my momma's cookin'."

Ingrid did as she was told, and then handed it to Nattie- sending him a wink as well. She hoped he could see why Mrs. McGhee was her favourite old person. She was so much like Ingrid in so many ways. Ingrid looked back at Mrs. McGhee and said cheerily: "What was read to you today? Was it the same story as before? I love love love that story. The one about the little girl living in the hotel." Ingrid's eyes danced with joy. Mrs. McGhee chuckled and shook her head: "No child, I wasn't read to today. Nos I wasn't."

[nathaniel]

Nathaniel was pulled down, into a chair by Ingrid. She began talking to him, about Janie, and something about how she was tired, because she had been having nightmares. Nathaniel frowned. he couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl. He shrugged and laughed slightly as he watched Ingrid talk to Mrs. McGhee, about how she hadn't said anything to him yet.

Nathaniel patientally listened to the woman talk. He was quite pleased that she was pleased with him, and not very grouchy, as Ingrid said she would have been. He smiled at the woman, keeping rather quiet, not wanting to upset the woman, since he didn't have very good memories of elders.

He watched as Ingrid took a bitr of the pie, that Mrs. McGhee had told himself and Ingrid to try, and then she handed it to him. He picked up a fork, and took a quick bite of the pie. It was good, and Nathaniel smiled. This was all a bit odd for him. He had just met Ingrid, and they were acting as if they had known each other for about three years. Ingrid just seemed very hyper, and upfront, but Nathaniel liked the small girl. It was much different than he was used to. He just thought that it was a shame, that he would probably never meet the girl again, since he had to board the Hogwarts Express, and go back to school in only a few days.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

"You know what other book I like, Mrs. McGhee? I like the witch one. The one with the stories of dragons, and witches, and warlocks. And the evil guy trying to take over the world." Ingrid spoke again her arms outstretched, she collapsed backward- resting against the seat. She liked it so much because she could relate to it. She was a witch and she was going to Hogwarts. Mrs. McGhee chuckled lightly, and pat Janine's head as the little girl stirred to hide her face from the world. MRs. McGhee closed her eyes and rested her head on the back of the chair. Ingrid looked at Nattie and shrugged.

"Would you like to hear a story, young man?" Mrs. McGhee said this without opening her eyes. Ingrid grinned. She knew what was coming next. Whether Nattie agreed to a story or not, Mrs. McGhee was going to tell it. And Ingrid wouldn't object. She knew the story just as well as the old woman did, and could recite just as grandly. Ingrid crossed her legs and hugged her knees as she waited for Mrs. McGhee to begin. The fairy tale of sleeping beauty was one that Mrs. McGhee told with heart. And the version she told was the best. Ingrid shot Nattie a look that said only a few more minutes then they would visit Mr. Sordino.

"Once upon a time, which is all times and no times, but not the very best of times..." Mrs. McGhee began. And she dove into the story. Her annunciation of the story so beautiful that Ingrid was awake through out the whole thing. When she was finished, Ingrid sprung up and kissed MRs. McGhee's cheek again. Janine climbed off her lap and headed toward the door. Ingrid then grabbed Nattie's hand and pulled him after Janine.

"You don't talk much do you?" She asked with an upraised eyebrow. They made their way out into the courtyard where Mr. Sordino could be found with the chess boards. His grand daughter Melinda was with him today. Ingrid grinned, she liked Melinda. Melinda was 14, and she was very quiet. Hardly ever talked. But she would write things to Ingrid every time they met. And Ingrid couldn't wait for her letter today.

[nathaniel]

Nathaniel listened to Ingrid talk about another story that she liked, that Mrs. McGhee told. The story sounded oddly familiar to him. It actually sounded just like the wizarding world, with the man who tries to take over the world, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Nathaniel shivered mentally at the thought of the 'Dark Lord'. He never enjoyed talking about the subject, so he tried his best to stay away from it.

Mrs. McGhee asked Nathaniel if he would like to hear a story, and Nathaniel nodded shortly. The woman then went into a long, and detailed story, that was actually somewhat enjoyable for the boy. It seemed as though Ingrid was enjoying this, which made Nathaniel smile. Once Mrs. McGhee was finished telling her story, Nathaniel watched as Janie started to walk on, and Ingrid followed her, pulled Nathaniel along with her. Nathaniel didn't feel very comfortable kissing the woman on the cheek, such as Ingrid did, so he gave her a quick, awkward, but respectful wave goodbye, as he was pulled someplace else by Ingrid.

Nathaniel figured that this must have been quite a sight to see: A fourteen year old boy, being pulled to and fro by a young girl, about the age of eleven or so. Nathaniel laughed mentally at the thought of what people would have thought of the small group, but Nathaniel simply smiled as he continued to follow Ingrid outside. Ingrid asked him if he talked much, while they were still walking, and Nathaniel raised her eyebrows as well, as he looked down at the girl. "Well... I do... just not around a 'grouchy old woman'." he said with a smile.

They reached a courtyard, where an old man sat, with a girl that looked to be about Nathaniel's age. Since Nathaniel knew nobody at the home, or knew anything about this, he chose not to do anything, unless Ingrid told him to. This thought sounded a bit odd to Nathaniel. Usually, this would only apply to a child that was following instruction from an older child or parent. Nathaniel laughed mentally again at that thought, as he quietly stood beside Ingrid, waiting for the next thing they were to do.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

"Right. So, if we were to leave after this last visit, you would talk a lot more?" Ingrid asked with a twitch of her eyebrow toward Nattie's statement. She didn't fully believe him, but she wasn't going to tell him that. Especially since she liked him enough to put up with his quietness. Normally, if someone was that quiet she would throw a fit and make them talk or at least give them some sugar so they were hyper with her. But Nattie's quietness didn't bother Ingrid, which was odd. Maybe it was because Nattie was different than all the other quiet people she knew. Ingrid sighed and stood in front of Mr. Sordino and Melinda, who already had a letter in her hand for Ingrid. She handed it to the little girl, knelt down on one knee, and pulled Ingrid into a tight hug.

When Ingrid was released, she pranced over to be beside Nattie. She was sticking to him like glue. She didn't know what was coming over her. He just seemed to appeal to her as the type of person she wanted to hold onto. Ingrid never felt this way toward someone she just met, she was like this with Sita and her brothers and sisters. But not someone she just met. Ingrid grinned inside at this, she was becoming better at making friends and growing attached to them. She would have to watch who she grew attached to though, she was leaving for Hogwarts after all.

"Ingrid! Sit, sit, sit! You, her friend, sit too! We don't bite. I was in the army after all, I don't bite just anyone. Melinda was just talking to me about how she liked these meetings we get from you Ingrid, and you too Janine." Ingrid giggled at what Mr. Sordino said as she took a seat. He very well knew that Melinda didn't talk, even to him. She smiled and pulled Nattie down next to her, swinging her feet back and forth because they had yet to touch the ground. She was short for her age, but that didn't bother her.

"Mr. Sordino, Melinda, this is Nattie. He's my new friend. We just came from seeing Mrs. McGhee. She's having lots of flashbacks. She told us Sleeping Beauty. I wonder if you can do better than her...any stories for us today?" Ingrid gripped the edge of the seat she was sitting in, feeling a bit light headed- but brushing it aside. She had been feeling light headed lately, but it wasn't anything to worry about. Just all the excitement wearing her down, or at least; that's what she passed it off to be. Janine cast Ingrid a worried look, but then turned her attention to Mr. Sordino who was going off into one of his war stories.

[nathaniel]

Nathaniel watched as the girl, that was his age, handed Ingrid a letter, of some sort, without saying a word. Nathaniel thought it a bit strange, but he shrugged. Something probably happened, to where the girl didn't talk anymore, or she was deaf. Nathaniel smiled, as Ingrid's happiness, as she went to get herself seated, and, of course, Nathaniel was promptly dragged down beside her.

Nathaniel listened to the old man talk for a couple of moments, and upon hearing himself being introduced, he turned up, toward the man, and said, "Hello.", with a smile, holding out his hand, for the man to shake. Normally, upon being introduced, he would have corrected the younger girl, by telling the man, that his real name was Nathaniel, but he decided to let the girl have her way, since Nathaniel figured that he would, sadly, never see her again, since he would be going off to Hogwarts soon, actually, in only a few weeks.

As he leaned himself back, against his chair, he ran a hand through his scruffy, light brown hair, making his bangs flip right back over, just above his eyes. He turned down to Ingrid, raised his eyebrows, and asked, in a semi-low voice, "So... boss, what are to do here?" The man then started to go into a story, so Nathaniel leaned back up, and went right back into the position that he was in earlier, as he listened to the man speak.

[Ingrid Lewis H4]

Ingrid sent a slight glare at Nattie. She wasn't bossy. If he wanted, he could choose who they visited. Although, Mr. Sordino and Mrs. McGhee would be awfully disappointed that the little girl hadn't stopped by. She let her mind travel. This story had already been told before, there was no use listening to it again. Melinda seemed to be very interested in it, though, which was odd to Ingrid- wouldn't Melinda have heard it more than Ingrid had? She looked at the clouds, giving each one a name and thinking about what they looked like. One looked like an upside down heart. Another looked like a monkey. Ingrid stifled a giggle. She didn't want to laugh at a very serious part of Mr. Sordino's story.

Finally, it ended. Ingrid had to be jolted out of her reverie by Janine to realise that Mr. Sordino had gone away for his nap. Melinda had followed. Ingrid stood up and shrugged; "I had heard that story before. I decided to name clouds instead. Alright, then. I suppose we can go somewhere you want to now, Nattie." Ingrid hopped from onto a stone which was in a sea of sand. She didn't want the lines on the sand to get ruined. Someone had to draw them perfectly, or else they would mess up- and then they would have to start all over. And she didn't think it kind to mess up someone's art.

Ingrid hopped off, then looked at Nattie with upraised eyebrows; "So where to, boss?"

[nathaniel]

Nathaniel listened to the man's story, as he watched Ingrid, who didn't exactly seem to be paying much attention, but then again, neither was Nathaniel. He shrugged at the girl, looking back to man, to at least look as if he were paying attention to the story. He was really thinking about other things, like his family, the new school year, his old friends, and what not.

Once the man and the girl had left, Ingrid told him that they were done for the day, and Nathaniel smiled brightly. At least now he wouldn't have to worry about saying something wrong to any of the elders, and he could show the girl more of his talkative side, since she didn't seem too found of his quietness. "Well..." he mused, after Ingrid had said that Nathaniel could pick where they went next. "I don't pacticually mind, as long as it's not another elders' home. Ice cream, sounds good though, what about you?" he asked with a smile.

However, it seemed that Ingrid didn't like being called the 'boss', very much. He sighed, and replied, "Well, you are the one that is dragging me from here and there, are you not?" he asked with a quired eyebrow, but the way he said it, was in a teasing matter. He really didn't care very much. "Besides, I don't know much about these parts, so that's why you are the boss here. Don't take it personally, kay?" he assured her with another smile.