The Playground

The playground is just out back of the Orphanage. Its mostly sand and dirt, with bits of grass, and surrounded by bushes and the adjacent gardens.

IC: After having been forcefully dragged out of the orphanage, the kids told him they were gonna play a game, They decided to play baseball. Considering he didn't want to burn up out in the sun, Edward removed his cassock and white collar, leaving behind his button-up black t-shirt that he wore underneath. And, not wanting them to get broken, he removed his glasses and placed them on top of his discarded clothes. The kids fought over who's team he was gonna be on. "Hey, why don't we toss a coin? That way both teams have a fair shot." The kids agreed, and a little girl named Sally found a quarter, tossed it, caught it, and flipped it. Heads. That meant he was up for the batting team. They opted to have him go first. So he stepped up to the plate, raised the bat, and signaled for the boy on the pitchers mound to give it his all. The kid whipped it at him. Without even a moment to think, the ball impacted on the catchers mit behind him. He smiled. "Nice pitch. Didn't expect that. Don't worry, I won't miss again." The boy chuckled and pitched it again. This time, Edward sent it flying into a net they had erected to keep the ball from flying out of the playground. The kids were in awe. Edward jogged around the bases, scored and sat down on a bench, cheering on both teams, while helping Vince keep score.

As they sat there, Vince spoke up. "So how you been, Eddy?" Edward smiled and looked at him. It'd been so long since they had a chance to talk casually like this. "Not too shabby, Vince. Maxwell's been keeping me pretty busy lately. Sorry, I havn't been home to see ya." Vince seemed to be thinking about something. "It's alright. I know your work keeps you away alot. You don't have alot of time to spend here." Man, it tore at Edwards heart to hear that. He reached over and put his hand on Vincent's head, and smiled. Vincent had this look of shock on his face. "Don't let physical distance burden ya. We're brothers. Ain't nothin' gonna change that." Vincent seemed to light up with joy at that. And in a flash, he was off to bat. "This one's for Brother Eddy!" Edward watched with excitement as Vincent basically copied his movements and sent the ball flying into the net, nearly tearing straight through it. It had been so long since he had the joy of spending time with the children. And he'd savor every minute of it.

Timmy had a ball.  It was blue and bouncy and fit in his fist just so.  When he threw it on the grassy ground, it rebounded right into his hand. It didn't thump flat and it didn't fly too high. "It is a good ball," he muttered to Wolfie, the husky shaped furry hat perched upon his head.  Its glass blue rimmed eyes seemed to twinkle in agreement as Timmy swayed back and forth on his rear, legs stuck out straight in front of him.  A purplish spot on his shirt sticking out over his not insubstantial tummy distracts the full grown man, and he picks at it curiously.

But soon the bearded man grows bored of the spot and flops onto his back.  Pulling at the tails of his Wolfie hat, he gazes up at the clouds slowly marching across the sky.  They were so fluffy and white.  He threw his ball in the air.  It went high, but not high enough to touch the clouds. They continue to scutt by without bother.  With a hollow thunk, it lands back in his hand.  With a grunt, Timmy heaves it up again, higher and farther than ever before! It seemed like maybe, just maybe, it pushed into the cottony white before plummeting back to earth.  As the ball lands in his hand, Timmy grins widely, bushy beard crowding his lips.  It was a good day to play with his ball.

-------> Front grounds