As the following years passed, the baby who would later be named Ethan would grow up and be raised at an orphanage were his parents relatives dumped him at. And since then those family members never contacted or visited Ethan once. However a silver lining appeared. Being born blind as a result of an accident just before his birth, Ethan often received extra love and attention from the orphanage's staff and caregivers.
This normally took the form of getting extra treats and gifts in from the staff, without his fellow orphans knowing, in order to prevent a since of favoritism from being felt among the children.
But contrary to the adults attempts at secrecy however, many of the other children did notice Ethan's special privileges. And the difference in treatment caused resentment to develop, making it difficult for Ethan to naturally connect with many of the other children and form friendships.
The fact that he was the only blind child there as well as, making him different from the others did not help matters.
He was often the main chose for bullying, especially from the older orphans as he was the easiest target, and they took delight in using Ethan's disability to abuse him. They'd stick their feet out to trip him, hide and steal the gifts or possessions he receive from orphanage staff, one time they even kindly offered Ethan a piece of what they claimed to be rock candy, as an apology for wrong things they did to him. At first all was find, when he put it in his mouth and suckled all he tasted was sweetness, but a second later when Ethan tried to bit into it he felt a intense pain from his molars.
The supposed piece of candy had actually turned out be a pebble from the orphanage front yard that the older kids covered lightly in honey from the kitchen.
Such acts of cruelty continued for much of Ethan's childhood. And the reason for this stream of unchecked, uninterrupted malice, stemmed from two key factors. One, the bullies only ever acted whenever they were 100 percent sure none of the caretakers were nearby to catch them in the act. And two, because Ethan himself always kept quit about it.
That's right. Never once did Ethan complain to any adult, get visibly mad or sad, or even raised his voice in protest to his bullies. The reason why you might ask? it was simple. Its because to Ethan, such a way of living, such harassment was just his norm in life, no different than breathing. Just as he saw the kindness and love from the caretakers as normal, he in turn saw the hate he faced at the hands of the other children as normal. Never once did he doubt this mindset.
His lack of response to their torment which bordered on near doll like behavior, eventually causing his bullies to develop a subtle but undeniable unease when he was nearby. They often pondered how could someone be so unfazed after all the many painful pranks and hits they delivered, all the insults they had hurled at him, and still be so normal, almost empty.
Eventually the unease that Ethan gave them caused not only his bullies but also the other kids at the orphanage simply keep their distant and ignore him.
But the freedom from daily harassment brought little comfort to the blind boy and his days continued on, filled with a numb hollow feeling.
That is until one day when a seven year old Ethan was sitting alone in a corner of the orphanage common room reading a book in brail that he had recently received, as a gift for successfully learning to read brail, he heard a particular phrase from a show that a group of children were watching on the room television.
This phrase for some unknown reason would strike a cored with his very mind and soul, and what he would learn would become the new driving force of his life. And what was that phrase you wonder? it would be "May the Force be with you".
*******
Two years later
location: orphanage common room
One morning in the orphanage's common room Ethan who is now nine years old sat down on one of the large sofas after putting in a CD in the common room DVD player underneath the TV. After spending a good ten minute's fumbling around sofa trying to feel for the remote he finally managed to find it, then turned the DVD player on and was about to listen to the thing him cherished most of all in his life.
"Good morning, Ethan, are you doing alright"
Suddenly just as Ethan was about to press start, he was called out to by a familiar and friendly voice. Ms. Jeanna Blake. She was a beautiful slim thirty-one year African American with long dreadlocks that run down her back reaching her waist, who had a very caring nature and viewed all the children of the orphanage as her own. She was also the Director of the orphanage that Ethan lives at, as well as the one who named Ethan on the day that he first arrived.
(Image of Jeanna Blake)
"Yes, I am Ms. Jeanna, just watching Star Wars. Though I guess listening would be truer."
Ethan said smiling without looking in her direction.
"Ha Ha Ha!, watching Stars Wars again I see, I swear whenever I see you your either listening to that series lore on the computer and tv, or asking someone to read you comics and novels related to it. Don't you ever get sick of it".
Jeanna said with a small chuckle while holding her hands on her waist, as she gazed warmly at the boy.
"Not way, listening and learning about all the different species, planets, and stories in the Stars Wars universe is one of the greatest things in the world to me!" "Theres Rodians, Hutts, Hoth, Dagobah, the nihil, jedi, Wookies and I haven't even mention.... aaah!"
Ethan yelped as his enthusiasm had caused he to nearly fall out of his sit and tumble to the floor.
Over the last two years Ethan's passion for Star Wars grow so strong that on the rare occasions he ever ask for anything it was always for books, novels and comics on Star Wars, despite the fact his condition prevents him from actually reading them. But from time to time Jeanna or one of the other caretakers would be free to read them to him.
Some of the adults however expressed fear that he's passion may be developing into an obsession and began considering limiting he access to it. But Jeanna quickly shut down such talks among her staff. She saw what the others couldn't, that Star Wars was the only thing that brought a true and bright expression to the lonely Ethan. And she would not allow anyone to take that from him.
"Wo easy there kiddo you don't want to hurt yourself do you"
Jeanna said with a mix on amusement and panic.
"Haha sorry about that Ms. Jeanna, I'll be more careful."
Ethan shyly mumbled with mock embarrassment as he restabilized his place on the sofa.
"Well, whatever makes you happy kiddo, enjoy"
Jeanna said with a small sigh and a smile as she placed a hand on his head and began to lightly ruffle it playfully, before walking away so that he could enjoy his show. But just as she was about to exit the room her feet paused, and she looked back at Ethan.
("God if you exist please allow this boy to live decent life. If anyone in this place deserves it, it's him, after all his been through")
After that one thoughtful moment Jeanna continued on her way. Jeanna often worried for young Ethan's wellbeing, both in the present and in the future. While currently it was in her power to care for him, give him food, shelter, warm and love that wouldn't always be the case. Sooner or later when Ethan comes of age and grows up, she feared how he would fend for himself. While today's modern governments do have systems in place to help aid people like, as one involved in the social serve business Jeanna know all too well how easily people can slip through the cracks. Especially cases like Ethan.
*******
8 years later
As the next few years continued to pass by, Ethan's life for the most apart remained unchanged. While some children would be adopted every now and then, and new children occasionally would be brought in to take their place, and some kids grow old enough to get jobs and leave the orphanage on their own, Ethan still remained. He personally just chocked it up to people merely not wanting to blind child, and deep down Ethan couldn't blame.
With the cost and time that comes with looking after a blind person, Ethan thought that only someone eccentric or weird would ever want to adopt him. Or someone with very strange tastes. If it were ever the latter, then he would probably bigger problems to deal with. But none of that would ever an issue for him. Why you ask? It's because one day the previous year Jeanna the orphanage director sat down with him for serious heart to heart and offered to adopt him. Though surprised and dazed Ethan did not hesitate for a second and agree with a small tears in his eyes.
********
Location: Ethan's room - Evening
In the late evening as the sun was setting Ethan was in his room finished up on a programming assignment for his online college courses, using a specialized laptop for the visually impared.
After turning seventeen this year and finalizing his adoption to Jeanna, he began taking early college level courses in computer coding, software and electronics.
In much a similar manor as how, he completed all his other previous schooling. Due to his disability, he was permitted to receive all his state mandatory education from elementary to high school all through a combination online class and occasional home visits from specialized teachers to the orphanage, so Ethan never had to a physical public school.
As to why a seventeen year was taking college courses, its because to the surprise of many Ethan had a high intellect which allowed to sore through his classes left and right. Even earning him his high school diploma early.
Which he didn't mind, as it enabled him to spend more time on his Star Wars hobby and working toward his future.
His reason for taking these college classes, was his aim of landing a job in technology and software development. Where he could complete his assignments from his personal computer, working completely out of the home.
Hoping to never burden his now Mother Leanna with worries of juggling the logistic of his transportation going to and from an actual office in a company build. This plan was of major importance to Ethan since Leanna for a while now was strongly pushing for him to move in with her into her actual home located less than a mile from the orphanage.
Nearing the completion of his class assignment Ethan paused from typing and merely stared into blank space pondering his current life.
("To think that I would be able to have such a life like this. A mom, a home to truly call me own, and if all goes well, in two years or so I'll have an online degree and a chance at getting a real job. Then I can finally start Paying Ms. Jeanna back for all the love and kindness she's given me. Though I guess from her point of view there's nothing for me to pay her back for")
As Ethan had these thoughts, he quicky rubbed his eyes in a shy attempt to prevent tears from forming, then resumed working on his laptop. Truly his life, which started out as if reality wanted to stripe him of any possible chance of having a decent existence. Seemed to be finally giving him a break.
That is until life stuck again.
"BOOM!!!!!"
A great loud sound quickly overwhelmed Ethan's senses and powerful blow sent him cross his room slamming his head against the wall. Upon impact Ethan's consciousness slowly faded and with half a second his mind was out like a light.