Chapter Text
Abby Yates was looking forward to visiting the Graham Windham orphanage today. She always liked telling real ghost stories to little kids, and now that they were legitimate, they were laughed at a little less.
The kids were indeed excited to see them. Patty and Holtz were describing the proton packs in great detail to a small group of little boys, and Erin was telling the story of how she and Abby actually got to enter the portal to a bunch of other kids.
Abby found all her time occupied by one little girl.
“Hi! I’m Agnes! I know you! You’re Abby!”
Abby smiles. “That’s right! How did you know?”
“Are you kidding? I saw you on TV! You’re my favorite ghostbuster! I love ghosts! I want to be just like you when I grow up!”
Abby couldn’t help but be touched. “Really? Well... that’s nice of you to say. So you like ghosts, huh? You’re not afraid of them?”
Agnes shakes her head. Abby then realizes that she, too has glasses, a ponytail, and what appeared to be an imitation jumpsuit on. “I like your look, kid.”
Agnes’ eyes light up. “Thanks! I like yours, too!”
Abby laughs. “How old are you?”
“Eleven. But I’ll be 12 in a couple of months. Science is my favorite subject in school but.... I wish I could learn more. We can only get to the library once a week around here.”
“Really? Well... I could bring you some workbooks if you want?”
Agnes nods enthusiastically. “Really? Thank you! I want to learn everything I can so I can be a ghostbuster too!”
Abby’s heart melts. “Well, with that attitude I’m sure you will be one in no time!”
Agnes gives her a thumbs up. “I’ll try!”
Abby and Agnes chat some more, about ghosts and ghost hunting, and even just about general scientific theories. Abby found herself positively smitten with this girl, and the time flew by due to the ease of their conversation.
Abby was sitting on the floor with Agnes, in a corner away from the other kids and her three friends. Erin noticed that Abby appeared to be hitting it off with that girl, since she was the only one Abby spoke to the entire time they were there. She hated to break up the fun, but they had been there for over two hours and it was almost dinner time for the kids.
She went over and tapped Abby on the shoulder. “Abby? I’m sorry but it’s time for us to go.”
Agnes’ shoulders slump in disappointment. “Already?”
Abby looks up at Erin. “Erin! This is Agnes! She wants to be a ghostbuster someday!”
Agnes gets up and extends her hand out.
“Nice to meet you, Erin! Abby is who I want to be when I grow up!”
Erin smiles as she shakes her hand. “Nice to meet you too. You couldn’t have picked a better person to want to be.”
Abby blushes at that. “Well... I guess it’s time for us to go.” She swallows hard when she sees Agnes’ shoulders sag and her head bow in defeat. “Hey.... I’ll be back. I promise.”
Agnes looks up at her. “Really?”
Abby nods. “Of course! I have workbooks to bring and we still have so much to chat about!”
Agnes smiles. For the first time in her short life, she felt like she had a friend. “Okay.”
Abby gets up and then grabs Agnes’ hand to help her up. Agnes throws her arms around her waist and squeezes tight. “Thank you for coming to visit. This has been the best day ever.”
Abby returns the embrace and rests her head on top of hers. “It was my pleasure. And it was a lot of fun for me, too.” She pulls back from the embrace and looks at the groups of kids scattered around the room, all gathered together in separate conversations or activities. “Go talk to your friends. I’ll be back in a couple days.”
Agnes shrugs. “I don’t have any friends. I had one. Emma. But she was adopted a few months ago and I don’t hear from her anymore. It’s okay. I have my books. And now I have you!”
Abby’s heart breaks for her. She and Agnes had more in common than she realized. She swallows hard again. “You sure do, sweetie.”
Agnes smiles and hugs her one last time. “I’ll see you in a couple days?”
Abby just nods. She lets her go and waves on her way out. She felt a pang inside at leaving her, which kind of scared her.