Long Road To Adulthood

Rosie was sitting at a stop light, Callie was in the passenger seat next to her, and Kara was in the backseat. She was driving them both to dance.

“You two excited for dance today?” Rosie asked.

“Yes, we find out what routines we are going to be part of for the end-of-summer recital. I’m hoping that I get a duet with my bestie Ruthie,” Callie said.

“That’s exciting. Are you hoping for any special dance, KK?” Rosie asked.

“Not expecting anything; it’s the bigger kids who get the special parts. I’m just going to be in a group dance,” Kara said.

“That’s not true; every level has at least a couple of solos,” Callie said.

“I’m just not as good as others in my class,” Kara said. “I wish I was better.”

“Do you try your hardest?” Rosie asked, remembering hearing her parents talking about how Kara kept getting in trouble while talking during dance classes.

Kara shrugged.

“Well, you try your hardest and pay attention to what the teacher is teaching, and I bet you’ll get better in no time,” Rosie said.

Kara nodded.

Rosie pulled into the parking lot at the dance studio and parked. Callie got out as soon as the car was off, grabbed her bag, and ran into the studio.

Rosie got out and made sure Kara got out and grabbed her bag. Rosie walked her into the studio and dropped her off in her class before going and sitting in the viewing area where she could watch both classes. She sat down next to Callie’s friend’s mom.

“Hello, Veronica,” Rosie said

“Hi, Rosie,” the woman said with a smile.

“Ruthie hoping for a duet too?” Rosie asked

“She is,” Veronica said.

She was watching Callie’s class when she saw Callie and Ruthie start jumping up and down and hugging each other.

Rosie and Veronica chuckled.

“I think they got it,” Rosie said.

“I’d agree with that,” Veronica said.

“Um, hi. Sorry, there is nowhere else where I can sit and watch that studio,” a young woman’s voice said to Rosie.

Rosie looked up and saw Paige standing there, pointing out the class next to Callie’s. Rosie was stunned.

“I just really need to be able to see that class,” Paige said, silently begging with her eyes.

Rosie let out a breath; her eighteenth birthday was in three days, and the restraining order was almost up. She knew there was no way Paige would be asking if there was any other option.

“You can sit,” Rosie said

Paige sat and watched the class next to Callie’s, which was a toddler class.

Rosie went back to watching Callie and Kara’s classes and talking with Veronica.

At one point, Veronica left the viewing area for a few minutes, and Rosie looked at Paige.

“I feel wrong not at least asking how you are doing,” Rosie said.

Paige smiled a little. “Yeah. I’m okay. You?”

“I’m good,” Rosie said.

“Who are you here watching?” Paige asked.

“Two of my sisters,” Rosie said. “You?”

“My daughter,” Paige said.

Rosie’s eyes went wide. “What?”

“Yeah, she’s two,” Paige said.

“Two, were you pregnant. . . the last time I saw you?” Rosie asked

“Barely, but yeah,” Paige said.

“Wow,” Rosie said.

“Which two are your sisters?” Paige asked.

“Callie is in the teen class,” Rosie said, pointing out who she was. “And Kara is in the other class; she is six,” Rosie said, pointing her out as well.

“That’s cool,” Paige said. “They are half-siblings?”

 “Technically step, my step-father had six daughters with his ex,” Rosie said

 “He was who was with you the last time I saw you?” Paige asked

“Yeah. He is my Papa. And my sisters are my sisters. I don’t usually say step-siblings or what have you.”

“I get it,” Paige said.

 Rosie looked over at the toddler class. “I think I can guess which one is yours. She looks just like you.”

 Paige smiled, “Yeah, she is my mini-me. Her name is Quinn.”

“I’m guessing since she is in dance classes here, you live in the area now?” Rosie asked

“Yeah, after the court case and being pregnant, my mother didn’t handle it well and kicked me out. My sister was already in this area. She invited me to come live with her, so I’ve been here since then,” Paige said. “But I knew I couldn’t contact you.”

Rosie nodded

“Rosie. I can not apologize enough for how everything went down and my role in it,” Paige said.

Rosie nodded again. Not sure what to say.

“I was just so . . . confused and hurting and scared, and you took the brunt of those feelings,” Paige said. “Which was unbelievably unfair of me to do for any reason. But even more so because I’m guessing you were feeling all those same things.”

Rosie let out a breath. “Yeah. I was and more.”

“And when things went down with Lexi, I had no one to turn to, I was so unbelievably hurt because I honestly did not believe it happened, and I couldn’t understand. And when you said you believed Lexi, I was just so angry with you that you would make that up. I know that it’s true now. I just could not believe that he would do that, and I wanted to take that anger out on you,” Paige said.

“I understand not wanting to believe he would do that. I couldn’t imagine if mine were accused of that,” Rosie said. “But yeah. It was true.”

Paige nodded, and the two were quiet for a few minutes.

“So, in case it’s not obvious, I left the religion,” Paige said.

 Rosie let out a breath. “Good. I’m glad.”

“My mother is still in it, but my sister and I left,” Paige said.

“Your mom still talks to you?” Rosie asked

Paige shook her head. “You talk to Lexi?”

“Yup,” Rosie said

“She’s okay?” Paige asked.

“I don’t think it’s fair for me to talk to you about her,” Rosie said.

Paige let out a breath and nodded.

“I will let her know I ran into you and that you want to talk. She can find you on social media if she wants to,” Rosie said.

“Okay,” Paige said.

Rosie let out a breath. “This does not mean things are going to go back to what they were.”

“I know,” Paige said.

The dance classes finished, and Rosie got up and went and met her sisters.

“You both did good today,” Rosie said to them as they headed out to the car.

When they got home, Callie and Kara went upstairs, and Rosie went into the kitchen where Hunter was cooking.

“Hello,” Rosie said.

“Hey, sweetpea,” Hunter said. “How was dance?”

“Fine, Callie got some exciting news,” Rosie said.

“She got the duet?” Hunter asked

“I’ll let her tell you,” Rosie said.

Hunter smiled and nodded. “You have to listen to the moms complain about things?”

Rosie chuckled, “No, I’ve learned to tune them out. Talked to Mrs. Ellis a little.”

“That’s good,” Hunter said.

“Dad home yet?” Rosie asked.

“No, still at the office doing paperwork,” Hunter said.

“You sure he didn’t go on a case?” Rosie asked.

“He always tells me when he does, and he’s not cleared for it yet. You know that,” Hunter said.

“I know, but I also know he is stubborn,” Rosie said.

“You know Uncle Aaron won’t let him before he is medically cleared,” Hunter said.

“I know. I’m just worried,” Rosie said.

“I know, sweetpea,” Hunter said.

“Need any help?” Rosie asked

“No, it’s pretty much ready,” Hunter said.

Rosie nodded and fidgeted a little.

“Rosie, is everything okay?” Hunter asked.

“Hrm? Yeah, everything is fine,” Rosie said, pulling at her lip with her teeth. “I’m going to go do something,” she turned to go.

“Stop,” Hunter said. “Turn around and look at me.”

Rosie turned around and looked at him.

“I know when you are lying. What’s wrong?” Hunter asked

“I’m not lying,” Rosie said, pulling at her lip.

“I do not care that you’re eighteen in three days; I don’t care how old you are. You lie to me, there will be consequences. You have one more chance. What is going on?” Hunter asked.

“I said it was nothing. It’s nothing,” she snapped before she turned around and went upstairs to her room.

Hunter shook his head, he could deal with it later. He finished dinner and called everyone down as Dave came through the door.

They all sat down to eat.

“How was everyone’s day?” Dave asked.

“I got the duet with Ruthie,” Callie said with a big smile.

“That’s great,” Dave said

“Any other dances?” Hunter asked.

“Group dance,” Callie said.

“What about you, Kara?” Hunter asked.

“Just the group dance,” Kara said.

Everyone else talked about their days.

“Who was that you were talking to in the viewing area?” Callie asked Rosie.

“Ruthie’s mom. You know her,” Rosie said.

“No, that other girl about your age, she looks familiar, but I don’t know how,” Callie said.

“A mother of a kid in the toddler class,” Rosie said. “Probably seen her watching before.”

“I don’t think so,” Callie said.

“Well, how do you think you know her then?” Dave asked.

“I dunno,” Callie said

Hunter was watching Rosie, who was avoiding eye contact with him.

Once everyone had eaten, and the table was cleared, Hunter spoke.

“Rosie, stay please, you’ll want to stay too, Dave,” Hunter said.

Dave looked at his husband with a questioning look but sat down.

Everyone else went.

“Rosie, who was the woman at the dance studio?” Hunter asked.

“I already said, a woman whose kid is in the toddler class,” Rosie said.

“Why does Callie recognize her?” Hunter asked

“How am I supposed to know?” Rosie asked snippily

“Hey, what’s with the attitude?” Dave asked confused

“He has been on my case since I got home about how I’m lying to him about something,” Rosie said.

“Because when I asked you what was wrong and you said nothing your tell was showing, And when Callie was talking about this woman you could not look me in the eyes,” Hunter said. “You are lying, and I don’t know why, which worries me.”

“I’m not lying,” she said, pulling at her lip with her teeth.

Dave let out a breath. “Yes, you are.”

Rosie looked up at her dad.

“I was almost convinced that maybe Papa was mistaken, but you are lying,” Dave said.

Rosie crossed her arms and shook her head. “Do I need a lawyer?”

“Rosie, the fact that you are going to this extreme to keep whatever this is secret worries me,” Dave said.

“You know, I’m an adult in three days. I’m allowed to keep things to myself. Get used to it,” Rosie said.

“True, but if you didn’t feel guilty, your tell wouldn’t be showing when lying, and you would just say it's private,” Dave said.

Rosie let out a breath. “I have nothing else to say.”

Dave shook his head before looking at his husband.

Hunter let out a breath. “Go,” he said to their daughter.

Rosie got up and went to her room.

Dave and Hunter looked at each other again.

“It’s been a while since she lied to us,” Hunter said.

“I believe so, yes,” Dave said. “We both know whatever it is will come out.”

 “Yeah, I know. But before or after she ends up in trouble or hurt?” Hunter asked.

 “She’s right. She’s pretty much an adult, we have to let her make her mistakes,” Dave said.

 Hunter nodded.

 As much as they both hated it, Dave was right. It would come out in time, and they just needed to wait.

Rosie went to her room, closing the door behind her. She picked up the book she was reading from her bedside table before going to sit on her window seat. She tried to read, but she had too much on her mind. She put her book down and went and pulled out a photo album from the hutch above her desk before going back to sit on her window seat and looking through the pictures of her with Lexi and Paige. They were so close, and she couldn’t fault Paige for the choices of her parents. She was a kid, too. But she could fault her for texting her the nasty things she did. Rosie also felt bad having lied to her parents but she didn’t know what they would think and she didn’t want to let them down or piss them off.