Sam watches Lucy and feels a sharp pang of jealousy. Lucy is being taken from the Manchester orphanage. Her new mother and father are already signing papers, and she will soon have a family of her own. Lucy chatters about the day she spent with her prospective parentsabout the zoo she has never visited, the puppet theatre where she saw a real witch, and the apricot jam she smears on toast, pits and all.
Sam is five. As far back as he can remember, he has lived in the orphanage. New children drift in and out. When Alex disappears, Sam asks Mrs. Margaret, Mrs. Margaret, wheres Alex? She sighs, Hes gone home to his family. Whats a family? Sam presses. A family is a place where youre always welcome and loved, she replies gently. And wheres mine? Sam asks again. Mrs. Margaret looks at him sadly, sighs, and says nothing.
From that moment Sam stops asking anyone about families; he understands that a family is something precious and necessary.
One afternoon Lucy vanishes for two days, then returns wearing a beautiful dress, a fresh haircut, and clutching a new doll. Sam bursts into tears, feeling abandoned and convinced that no one will ever take him.
Mrs. Margaret bursts in with a warm jumper and trousers, saying, Sam, get changedguests are coming. Guests? Whos coming? Sam wonders. People who want to meet you. He quickly dresses, sits on the garden bench, and waits. Mrs. Margaret appears, takes his hand, and leads him into the sitting room where a tall, bearded uncle and a petite, slender aunt are waiting. The aunt smells of fresh flowers; Sam thinks she resembles a rose. Her eyes are large, lashes thick.
Hello, the aunt says, Im Alice. And you are?
Im Sam, he replies, who are you?
Wed like to be your friends, and we need a favor, Alice adds.
What kind of favor? Sam asks, glancing at the uncle.
The uncle crouches down, smiling, Im Ben. We heard youre an excellent artist. Could you draw a robot for us?
Sure, Sam says earnestly. What kind of robot do you need? I can draw all sorts.
Ben stands, fetches a box from the bench, and pulls out a sketchpad, crayons, and a huge, newlypackaged robot toy. Its bright, glossy parts glint in the sunlight streaming through the window. Sams breath catcheshes never seen a robot that big.
Whoa, thats Optimus Prime, Sam exclaims. Did you know hes the leader of the Transformers?
Do you like him? Ben asks.
Absolutely, Sam answers, eyes shining.
Take the robot and the crayons, and draw it for us. While you work, well chat as friends.
Sam spends the next hour with Ben and Alice, talking about everything he loves and dislikes. He tells them about his toys, his creaky bed, and the boots that make his feet freeze in the yard. Alice holds his hand the whole time; Ben gently rubs his head.
Mrs. Margaret peeks in, Sam, its time for dinner.
Ben shakes Sams hand, Well be back in a week; will you have the picture ready?
Yeswill you really come? Sam asks.
Of course, Alice replies, embracing him tightly until Sam feels his bones crack. Tears well up in her eyes.
Im not crying, love, she whispers, I just got a speck of dust in my eye.
Mrs. Margaret leads Sam to the kitchen. He gobbles his dinner, then darts to the room where the robot box sits. He opens it, marveling at the moving arms and rotating head. He pulls out the sketchpad and begins to draw.
Suddenly older boys from the senior group burst in.
Hey, Dave! one shouts, grabbing the robot and tossing it up.
Give it back! Sam yells, Its not mine!
Its ours now, mate, the boy laughs. Everyone shares.
Sam lunges, trying to wrest the robot away. The struggle ends with the robots leg snapping off in Sams hands. He cries, his face wet with tears, as the other boy hurls the broken pieces at him. Blood streams from Sams nose. Mrs. Margaret rushes in, takes him to the bathroom, rinses his face, and plugs his nose with a cotton pad.
Youre not ashamed, are you? she asks gently. These toys are communal. The robots broken now.
It wasnt my robot, Sam sobs, I only borrowed it to draw.
Mrs. Margaret smiles, Then go on and draw.
Sam wonders how to sketch a broken robot. He props the remaining piece against the wall, secures it with a cardboard box, and begins copying its shape.
When bedtime comes, Sam already has one drawing finished. The next day he adds two more, then another, filling the entire sketchpad with robots.
He asks Mrs. Margaret, When will the week be over? When will Alice and Ben come?
She looks at him sadly, Sam, the weeks passed, and Alice and Ben probably wont be back.
Sam breaks down, convinced his broken robot caused their absence. He stays awake most of the night, thinking of the robot, Ben, and Alice, tears soaking his pillow.
The following morning Mrs. Margaret enters the room, beaming, Get dressed, Samsomeones arrived.
Who? Sam asks.
Youll see.
Sam opens the door and sees Ben and Alice standing there.
Hello, Alice says, weve come for you.
Come for me? Sam is confused. You mentioned a zoodo you want to go?
Id love that, Sam replies, tears sliding down his cheeks.
Ben and Alice rush to him. Whats wrong? Ben asks worriedly.
Ill be right back, Sam says, heading to the hallway with his sketchpad and the broken robot.
Its yours, he hands the limp leg to Ben, Sorry.
Dont worry, Sam, Ben laughs, well fix it.
Sam hands Ben the sketchpad, Look, I drew it.
Brilliant, Ben says, admiring the pictures, exactly what we needed. Youre a talented artist. Ill repair the robot for you.
Now lets head to the zoo, Alice says, helping Sam into his coat.
At the London Zoo Sam is dazzled by the variety of animals and birds. He cant decide where to look first, but the mischievous monkeys stealing bananas make him burst out laughing.
Sam, would you like to come stay with us? Alice asks.
Yes, Sam answers.
When they reach Bens house, Sam steps inside cautiously.
Dont be shy, come in, Ben says.
Alice takes his hand and leads him to a bedroom wallpapered with planets, a carshaped bed, and shelves full of toys.
Who lives here? Sam wonders.
Ben and Alice sit on the floor, each taking one of Sams hands. Ben says, Sam, wed love for you to live with us. This is your room, all the toys are yours, the bed is yoursstay forever if you like.
Forever? Sam asks, You mean youre taking me into your family?
Yes, Alice replies, were adopting you.
But Im an outsider, I broke the robot.
Youre not an outsider, Alice whispers, youre our son.
Sams eyes fill with tears; he nods, overwhelmed by the warmth of his new home.
Do you agree? Ben asks.
Yes, Ill behave well.
Ben and Alice lift Sam into their arms, hugging and kissing him.
At last Sam feels truly happy; for the first time he has a family of his own, real and loving.
