“Jimi,” he hissed as he nervously looked about as though he expected an adult to suddenly appear and catch them, “come on!”

The dark-haired youth did not look around, his electric blue eyes transfixed upon the double viole Lady Rima had taught him to play. He failed to notice as his friend came up beside him, and jumped when a hand touched his shoulder. “Dink! Don’t scare me like that!”

“We have to go!”

“I know!” On their own volition, Jimi’s eyes returned to the stringed instrument. Reaching up, the boy lovingly stroked the neck of the viole. “I won’t be able to play her anymore.”

A lump formed in Dink’s throat at the sheer sadness in his friend’s voice. He could not understand why this meant so much to Jimi, but since it was important to him, he sympathized. “We can take it with us.” The words were out of his mouth almost before he was aware of thinking them. Guilt immediately welled up inside him. Lady Rima had always been kind to them… to all the orphans within her care. To steal from her was the largest sin he could think of.

A look of newfound hope entered Jimi’s eyes when Dink spoke, but was immediately replaced by the same guilt the latter had experienced. Regret filled his voice as he shook his head, “No, that’s beyond wrong.” Almost as though he were in a trance, Jimi removed his backpack and put it down by his feet before he reached up and took the viole off the rack. Putting the strap around his neck, the boy cradled the instrument.

“What are you doing, Jim, if we aren’t taking it? We gotta get out of here!”

“I have to say goodbye to her.” Jimi fingered the chords as he lightly strummed. He closed his eyes and a peaceful smile played upon his lips. Soon a melody sang in the air. At first, the boy hummed along softly before he started singing softly.

Dink’s eyes darted nervously around the room. His tongue slid across his dry lips.

“Calm down,” Jimi’s antennae-palps swiveled as he assured him as he still played the viole, “everyone’s asleep, and we aren’t being loud enough to wake even Buttons.” He referred to the orphanage’s adopted pet golecker, who normally slept so lightly, it would wake at the drop of a feather. “You did give him the sedative, right?”

“Yeah,” Dink relaxed a little, even though he still strained to hear any sign that someone was coming.

“Jimi, do you think we should be doing this?”

“You want to stay together, don’t you?” The young musician looked at his friend with narrowed eyes.

“Yes!” The affirmation was made more vehemently than intended, and Dink looked around to make sure the empty room did not suddenly sprout unwanted ears. Looking back at Jimi, he lowered his voice once more, “You know I’ll never break our brother pact.”

“Then we have to leave. They won’t let us stay together… remember, I got reamed bigtime for turning down the Gynder family’s offer to adopt me when they wouldn’t take you too. If we try that again, they’ll move one of us to another orphanage. We can’t allow that to happen.”

“I know!” Dink swallowed. “Jim, I’m sorry, perhaps you should have taken their offer. It isn’t so bad here, and I don’t want to hold you back.”

“You’re not holding me back.” Jimi stopped playing and put a hand on the other boy’s shoulder. “From now on, we’re two peas outside the pod. We’re in this together, for better or worse.”

Dink chuckled, “Does this mean we’re married?”

“You ought to be commited.” Jimi grinned as they both laughed.

Suddenly the door to the hallway opened. “What are you two doing down here?”

“Lady Rima!” The boys exclaimed in unison as the turned toward the voice with startled expressions.

“I’m glad you both remember my name if not the house rules,” the portly woman said dryly as she turned on the lights. Seeing the boy’s backpacks, she raised an eyebrow. “Planning a trip?”

Both Jimi and Dink hung their heads.

Lady Rima crossed the room to them. “And stealing as well.” Her voice was cold as she indicated the viole. “I’m disappointed in you both. I thought you thought better of me than that.”

Jimi looked up with his eyes wide in both terror and innocence. “No, Lady Rima! I wasn’t going to take this, I was just saying goodbye! I-I’d never steal from you.” His chest expanded and contracted quickly as his breathing became panicked. “You have to believe me.”

The woman studied the boy’s eyes for what seemed an eternity. Finally, she sighed, “Okay, I believe you.” The corners of her mouth curved up slightly as Jimi blew out his breath in obvious relief. Coming between both boys, she gently laid her hands on their shoulder as she started guiding them toward the exit. “Come, let us go sit and we can talk about this.”

“Oh, wait!” Jimi turned back to the instrument rack and carefully placed the viole in its proper place. He then joined the other two as they went out into the hallway.

The next day, Lady Rima called both boys into her office. Mr. and Mrs. Gynder were sitting across the desk from her when Jimi and Dink came into the room. “I have good news for both of you. The Gynders have decided to adopt you both.”

As one, Jimi and Dink looked over at the wealthy couple as though they needed confirmation.

Mr. Gynder chuckled, “Lady Rima, you didn’t tell us they were twins.”

Mrs. Gynder smiled at the boys, “Come here, please.”

Jimi and Dink looked at each other. The young Balosar shrugged and they took the few steps it took to stand in front of the woman.

Taking each of their hands in hers, she looked first into Dink’s, then into Jimi’s eyes. “You took us by surprise when you refused to come with us when we wouldn’t adopt your friend as well. If you had been brothers, we would not have hesitated. But, I couldn’t sleep last night as I thought of the two of you.”

“Yes,” Mr. Gryndor interjected dryly, “and when she can’t sleep, neither can I.” He grinned when his wife elbowed him in the ribs. “Well it’s the truth!”

Rolling her eyes, she returned her attention to the boys. “Anyway, we see now the two of you are closer brothers than the ties of blood allow.” She gently squeezed their hands as she asked, “Could the two of you give us another chance?”

Once more, the boys looked to each other. Though they spoke no words, they seemed to see into each other’s heart. It was Jimi who grinned before turning back to their potential new parents, a mischievious glint in his eyes. “It depends on what’s for dinner tonight.”

At first, Mrs. Gryndor’s mouth dropped open in surprise, then laughter bubbled up from deep inside before she gathered the boys in a hug.

After Dink and Jimi packed their few belongings, Lady Rima presented both boys with going away presents. Dink received a datapad journal because he wanted to become a professional writer. “When you first came here, you wouldn’t speak a word. You’re still the quiet one… well of course, in comparison to Jimi, a flock of corruscantiBirds in mating season is quiet.” She smiled fondly at the blond boy as he blushed and laughed at the same time. She reached out to caress his cheek. “Promise me you’ll keep up your stories and poems, okay?”

Dink hugged her as he promised, “Yes ma’am.”

“I know I’ll be buying one of your novels or a collection of poems one day.” The orphanage matron wrapped her fleshy arms around him and kissed the top of his head. “Be happy, little one, and don’t let anyone take away your words.”

The two parted, and as Dink joined the Gyndors near the door, Lady Rima turned to Jimi. For the first time in young Balosar’s life, he was struck speechless as Lady Rima handed him the prized viole in its case. “You were meant to have this, Jim.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” he whispered reverently as he cradled the instrument as though it were a newborn infant. “I’ll take care of her.”

“I know you will.” She reached out to tossle his already mussed up hair. “Do try not to give the Gyndors too much trouble, eh?”

Jimi’s eyes gleamed with his characteristic mischief. “I’ll not make any promises I can’t keep, ma’am.”

Lady Rima laughed as she embraced him. “You little scamp. I’ll miss you. When you came to me, you were so bruised and had so many injuries to your young body that it was a miracle you were still alive. Yet, your spirit remained unbroken.” She pulled away just enough to cup his cheeks in her beefy hands and looked into his eyes. “Underneath all your wisecracks and jocular attitude, lies a soul sensitive to others’ feelings. You’re a sweet, loving boy who hides it to protect yourself from being hurt. Let your music show what’s inside, honey and I’ll be seeing you someday performing on stage.”

“Hopefully with lots and lots of adoring, screaming young ladies who want to rip my shirt off,” Jimi added with a smirk.

Her eyes widened in surprise even as she chortled. “Get going, you rascal. I don’t want to see you in these walls again unless you’re full grown and coming to adopt a little imp who’s as much a trouble maker as you are.”