Long Road To Adulthood

Dave stuck his head into Rosie’s room where she was packing a suitcase.

“You almost ready?” Dave asked his daughter. She was going to California to visit her grandfather and cousin.

“Yes,” Rosie said as she closed the suitcase and zipped it up. She picked up a small backpack on the floor and slipped in her laptop and a few other things she would need on the plane.

Dave grabbed her suitcase, and the two went downstairs.

Rosie said bye to everyone before she and Dave drove to the airport. Dave made sure she was checked in and walked with her to security.

Rosie smiled and hugged her dad. “I will be okay. I will text you when I’ve landed.”

Dave hugged her and smiled, “I know you’ll be okay. I also know you are an adult, so go.”

Rosie went through security and waited at her gate.

When she got to California, she grabbed her suitcase from the carousel and went to find her grandfather.

“Hey, Grandpa,” Rosie said, hugging him

“Hello, Nizhoni. How was the flight?” he asked as he hugged her.

“It was good,” Rosie said.

The two went to Kele’s truck, where he put her suitcase in the back. Rosie texted her dad

<dl><dd>Rose: “I have landed, with Grandpa.”</dd></dl>

<dl><dd>Dad: “Good, have a good time.”</dd></dl>

“Becca didn’t come?” Rosie asked.

“She is working,” Kele said.

Rosie remembered that her cousin had a job she had been working part-time during the school year and was working more over the summer.

“Are you excited for university?” Kele asked.

“I am. Nervous, too,” Rosie said.

“That is normal, but I’m sure you will be great and do great,” Kele said

Rosie smiled. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

“I did not know Harvard was where you wanted to go,” Kele said.

“Yes, as long as I can remember, the plan originally was to get as far away from home as possible, but now it’s just a really good school,” Rosie said.

“When your mom was young, it was where she wanted to go,” Kele said.

Rosie looked up at him. “Really?”

“Yes, she wanted to go to Harvard to study teaching,” Kele said.

“I knew she wanted to be a teacher, just didn’t know Harvard,” Rosie said.

Kele nodded.

“Do you know if she got in and went?” Rosie asked

“I do not, it’s a question you can ask her best friend or maybe find in her journals,” Kele suggested.

Rosie nodded

“Have you two talked much?” Kele asked.

“No,” Rosie said

“How come?” Kele asked

Rosie shrugged

“You sure you don’t know the reason?” Kele asked

Rosie let out a breath. “I think she should have gotten over herself, gotten over the fact that my dad gave her name as a possible suspect. She should have pushed more for the police to look into Beatrice.”

Kele nodded slightly.

“Beatrice is her sister, and Kathleen was her best friend. Two people who should have protected me instead played a role in my hurt. No, I do not think what Kathleen did can compare in awfulness, but she knew about Beatrice, and she did tell the police about her, but she didn’t push on it, she didn’t tell my dad, and she let her anger keep her from actually helping me,” Rosie said

“Rosie, you know if the police looked into Beatrice, they would have found her with a little girl who looked like their daughter and not giving it a second thought,” Kele said.

“Did we really look that alike that if the police showed up they wouldn’t be able to tell I was not their daughter?” Rosie asked.

“I have seen pictures of you at that age, and I do admit sometimes I wondered who I am looking at,” Kele said. “You two looked so much like your mothers when you were young. You have grown to look a lot more like your father, but yes, when you were young, you looked like twins.”

Rosie nodded slightly.

Kele pulled in at home, and they both went inside.

Rosie took her bags to her bedroom and sat on the bed. She looked around the room. It had been her mom’s room, and she knew so little about her.

Becca knocked on the door of the room.

“Yes?” Rosie said.

Becca went in, and the two embraced and started talking, eventually being called out for dinner. They both went and sat at the table to eat.

“What did you two want to do this week?” Kele asked.

“I was thinking about visiting someone,” Rosie said.

“Who?” Kele asked.

“Beatrice,” Rosie said.

“Would your dads be okay with that?” Kele asked.

“I’m an adult,” Rosie pointed out

“Yes, but barely,” Kele said.

“Grandpa!” Rosie said

“You ask them. If they agree you are an adult I won’t stand in your way,” Kele said.

“Okay,” Rosie said with a sigh

“Good,” Kele said. “Why do you want to see her?”

“I have questions only she can answer,” Rosie said.

“About your mother?” Kele asked.

“No,” Rosie said.

“Why are you so opposed to it?” Becca asked.

“That woman has done enough damage to both of you. I don’t think you need to give her the chance to do more,” Kele said.

Rosie nodded slightly.

They finished eating, and Rosie and Becca cleared the table and the dinner mess. After Becca went to take a shower.

Rosie went and found Kele in the living room, reading a book.

“Grandpa, will you be upset with me if I go?” Rosie asked

“No, Nizhoni, I just don’t want you to get hurt,” Kele said.

Rosie nodded.

“If your dads are okay with it. I will take you,” Kele said.

“Was your plan to go in with me?” Rosie asked.

“I will let you talk to her alone,” Kele said.

“Okay. I will call and ask my dads.” Rosie went to her room and closed the door. She sat on her bed and called her dad.

“Hey, Rosie,” Dave said, answering the phone.

“Hey Dad, I was planning on going to visit the prison. I have a few questions for Beatrice, and even though I’m an adult, Grandpa wants me to make sure you and Papa are okay with it,” Rosie said

“What did you want to ask her?” Dave asked.

“I’d rather not say,” Rosie said

“She might not give you the answers without some sort of incentive,” Dave said.

“I know, but I want to try,” Rosie said.

“Kele is okay with it?” Dave asked.

“He said he’d rather I didn’t. He’s worried about Beatrice doing more harm to me, but he said he would take me if you and Papa are okay with it,” Rosie said.

“I think I have to agree with him. You have worked very hard to get to a place where you are okay mentally, and I’m worried about what seeing Beatrice will do to you. I’m sorry, but my answer is no,” Dave said.

“Dad, come on, I can handle it. I’ve seen her before and been fine. And I’m eighteen,” Rosie said.

“No, you weren’t fine. Every time you come out of seeing either of them, a piece of you is taken. I see it in your eyes,” Dave said.

Rosie let out a breath.

“My answer is no, end of discussion,” Dave said.

“Dad. What good is being an adult if you won’t let me make these decisions myself?” Rosie asked.

“You are barely an adult, Rosie,” Dave said. “You will not go. End of discussion.”

Rosie let out a breath. “Fine. I don’t like it, but fine.”

“Good, I love you, Bambina,” Dave said.

“Love you too, Dad,” she said before they hung up.

Rosie sighed and went back to the living room. “Dad said he’s fine with it.”

“Okay,” Kele said. “I will take you.”

“I can take her,” Becca said. “Please let me.”

Kele let out a breath. “Okay. If you two are going together. I will allow you to go.”

“Can I ask you what you are planning on asking Beatrice?” Kele asked

“I don’t want to say,” Rosie said.

“Okay,” Kele said.

The two sat silently for a while before bed.

*****

Rosie got up the following day and got dressed, going out to the kitchen where Becca was sitting at the table eating.

“Breakfast first,” Kele said to Rosie.

She sat down and had breakfast with Becca before leaving and starting the drive.

They drove to the prison, and both got out to go inside.

“You okay with me being there when you ask your questions?” Becca asked

“Yes, I don’t know if you’re going to want to, though, and don’t repeat them to anyone,” Rosie said.

“I’ll be fine and okay,” Becca said.

The two were let in, and they both went inside and were brought to the visiting area and sat down at a table and waited until Beatrice came.

“Wow, you two used to look so alike, but now you two don’t look all that similar,” Beatrice said.

“I think we look alike, but not like twins,” Becca said.

“Why did you come?” Beatrice asked Rosie.

“I have a few questions, things that I have come to know and want you to explain,” Rosie said.

“Fine, what?” Beatrice asked.

“When I was with you, I was cutting, you knew and said nothing. Why?” Rosie asked.

“Because I didn’t care about you,” Beatrice said.

Rosie let out a breath. “You sure it has nothing to do with you trying to keep me safe from. . . him?”

Beatrice let out a breath.

“Tell me the truth. Why did you kidnap me? You could have gone and been with Becca, Grandpa would have welcomed you with open arms,” Rosie said.

“He was my husband, I married him, I took a vow,” Beatrice said.

“Okay, but why did you marry him? I’ve seen your wedding photos, the way you looked at him. You weren’t in love. Not like you were with that woman,” Rosie said.

Beatrice narrowed her eyes.

“Believe it or not, I’m not trying to make you angry or hurt you. I’m honestly just curious. You were in love, and Grandpa doesn’t know what happened. One day you were with her, the next you were with Darrel, and when he asked, you wouldn’t give an answer as to what happened,” Rosie said. “And you never were in love with Darrel.”

Beatrice let out a breath.

“Is she wrong?” Becca asked.

“I did what I had to,” Beatrice said.

“Why?” Rosie asked.

“Because I did,” Beatrice said.

“I just don’t understand. Did she hurt you?” Rosie asked.

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answer to,” Beatrice said.

“But I do want to know,” Rosie said. “Or I wouldn’t be asking.”

“No, you don’t,” Beatrice said.

Rosie tilted her head. “Who are you protecting? Or who were you protecting?”

“Doesn’t matter. It didn’t end the way I had hoped,” Beatrice said.

“How did you want it to end?” Becca asked.

“I wanted to end up with the woman I loved, but it was not possible,” Beatrice said.

“Why not?” Rosie said.

“Because her family didn’t approve,” Beatrice said.

“Okay, that sucks, but how did you end up with someone you didn’t love?” Rosie asked.

“Because he was a good cover,” Beatrice said.

Rosie sighed, “Stop giving things in drips and drabs.”

“I fell in love with a woman who is a Jehovah’s Witness. We kept our relationship very secret, but her family and the high-ups in the religion found out and pulled her away from me, I was spoken to by a couple of witnesses and in my mind, if I joined the religion I could stay close to the woman as a friend and it worked and we continued to be involved behind closed doors. But unfortunately, she got sucked in and eventually, she and her family moved away and she did not tell me where. During that time, your father,” she said, looking at Becca. “Was falling in love with me, and he saw what was going on with me and the woman. He used that to his advantage to get me to go on a date with him and to manipulate me into staying. We ended up pregnant before we got married. We didn’t tell anyone; we just went and eloped. That is when I called your mother,” she said, looking at Rosie. “I told her everything. She offered to help me get away. Then we got into an argument about your name, and she called me some nasty names, and we stopped talking. We never talked again. I did not find out she had died until you two were almost two. I did not know how abusive Darrel was until it was almost too late. Becca, I don’t know if you remember, but he almost killed you,” Beatrice said in tears.

“I remember being in the hospital before living with Grandpa,” Becca said. “And when I asked Grandpa why when I was older, he told me the truth.”

“I made sure you got somewhere safe because no matter what, I love you above anyone else,” Beatrice said.

“But why did you then take another child and put her in that same situation? I don’t care what happened between you and your sister. She was just a little girl who needed to be protected too,” Becca said, shaking her head.

“When Darrel came home and found out you were gone, he was angry. He told me I needed to get you back. I refused; I was going to leave him. I was going to go be with you and Grandpa. Darrel somehow knew my plans, and he locked me in a room. He knew about you, Rosie. He arranged for you to be kidnapped. When he finally let me out of the room I was locked in, you were there. He told me if I left, he would kill you, Rosie. And he would track me down and kill me and Becca and Grandpa. And if I tried to leave with you, he would do the same. About a month later, the police showed up. I thought for sure they would realize that you were not our real daughter and that would be it. But they didn’t,” Beatrice said.

“So the police did look into you two,” Rosie said.

Beatrice nodded.

“Why didn’t you just tell them the truth? They could have protected you,” Rosie said.

“Darrel has a lot more pull than you realize. He has friends in high places,” Beatrice said.

“Who was this woman? Anyone I have ever come in contact with?” Rosie asked.

“I don’t think so, no,” Beatrice said. “But you have had contact with some of her family.”

“Who?” Rosie asked.

“Paige and her parents,” Beatrice said.

“Not Paige’s aunt?” Rosie asked

Beatrice nodded

“Wow,” Rosie said, shaking her head slightly. “How much did Paige’s parents know?”

“Everything, absolutely everything,” Beatrice said. “I told them everything because I hoped that they would help me. But they took Darrel’s side. And helped him keep me where they wanted me.”

Rosie let out a breath. “You need to tell the police. Everything. And I mean everything.”

“I have. they know everything. Doesn’t change what I did and what I allowed to happen to you,” Beatrice said.

“You’re right, it doesn’t. And if they knew, why aren’t Paige’s mother and her family arrested?” Rosie asked.

“I don’t know,” Beatrice said. “You’d need to ask the police about that.”

Rosie nodded

“Why didn’t you tell me about the genetic link with eating disorders? Why didn’t you call me on the cutting? Why didn’t you at least act like you gave a shit about me behind Darrel’s back?” Rosie asked

“Knowing there was a genetic link wouldn’t have helped you. I didn’t call you on it because I didn’t know what to say, and you were in therapy with someone who I know helped you. And yes, if Darrel found out what you were doing. . . I don’t even know what he would have done, but it wouldn’t have been good. And I did every time I brought you to the family property,” Beatrice said.

“So, for four days a year, and you think that’s enough? That’s less than two percent of the year,” Rosie asked.

“I’m sorry,” Beatrice said. “I should have done more.”

“Yeah, you should have,” Rosie said.

Rosie looked at Becca, who had gone pretty quiet. “You good?”

“Yeah. But I think I’m going to wait outside,” Becca said

“Okay,” Rosie said.

“Come back and visit again?” Beatrice asked her daughter

Becca got up. “I don’t know,” She said before she left.

Rosie looked back at Beatrice. “You know why I decided to attempt to break into that amusement park that night?”

“Because you were a teenager testing boundaries,” Beatrice said.

“No. I knew that there was a high probability we would get caught. And I wanted to. Because I needed to be so scared of you and him so that I would admit something to you,” Rosie said.

“Oh?” Beatrice said.

“That day, you went with Paige’s mother to the next town, and you weren’t getting home until late. I came home after school to see Darrell. With someone else,” Rosie said.

Beatrice narrowed her eyes.

“I’m not lying,” Rosie said. “If you believe me or not doesn’t affect me but its true.”

Beatrice said a name.

“So you knew. . . “ Rosie said.

“I didn’t know, but I kind of suspected,” Beatrice said.

Rosie nodded. “You ever confront him about it?”

“Of course not. You were not the only one afraid of him,” Beatrice said.

“But you were an adult who could leave. I was a child,” Rosie said. “Anyway. I am done with this conversation,” she said, getting up.

“Will you come to see me again?” Beatrice asked

“No,” Rosie said. “Answering my questions now doesn’t excuse what you let happen. I was a little girl I needed someone to love me not protect their own ass,” she said as she went out and found Becca and the both left.

Rosie looked at her phone and sighed.

“What?” Becca asked.

“I have a dozen missed calls from my dad and three from grandpa,” Rosie said

“Oh. Why?” Becca asked.

“My dad did not say I could go,” Rosie said.

“Oh shit. Grandpa is going to kick your ass,” Becca said. “Can you see if I have any missed calls?”

Rosie picked up Becca’s phone from the console between the seats and checked. “Yeah, seventeen missed texts and half a dozen calls.”

“And . . . he thinks I knew,” Becca said with a sigh.

“I will make sure he knows you had no idea,” Rosie said

Becca pushed a couple of buttons on the wheel, and her car started to dial Grandpa’s number.

Grandpa answered, “Rabecca Nowak, you are in big trouble.”

“She didn’t know grandpa,” Rosie said

“I just saw the missed calls and texts when I got my phone back,” Becca said. “She just told me.”

“Rosie Bianca Rossi,” Kele said.

“Sorry, Grandpa,” Rosie said.

“I’m really disappointed in you, Rosie. Call your father,” he said before he hung up.

Rosie looked out the window and let tears fall.

“If it makes you feel any better, he has been this angry with me before, and he forgave me,” Becca said

Rosie nodded as her phone rang

She sighed and answered it.

“Rosie Bianca Rossi,” Dave said

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” she said softly.

“Was I not clear when I said no?” Dave asked

“You were clear,” Rosie said

“I’m disappointed in you, Rosie. I thought we were past you doing what you were told not to,” Dave said.

“And I thought I was an adult who got to make her own decisions,” Rosie snapped before hanging up the phone.

Becca opened her mouth to say something but then decided against it and closed her mouth.

“What?” Rosie asked.

“Just. . . Based on the fact that your dad is a lot like grandpa. Hanging up on him might have been stupid,” Becca said.

“Oh. It was stupid. No doubt about that,” Rosie said. She let out a breath before she dialed her dad’s number.

“Rosie,” Hunter said, answering it.

Rosie let out a breath. “Hi, Papa,” she said softly.

“I seriously hope you are calling to say the line cut off somehow, not that you hung up on him,” Hunter said.

“I wish I could say that, but it wouldn’t be the truth,” Rosie said.

“Rosie Bianca Rossi. I’m incredibly disappointed in you,” Hunter said.

“I’m sorry, Papa,” Rosie said.

“Okay,” Hunter said.

“Is Dad so angry he won’t talk to me?” Rosie asked.

“I’m here, Rosie,” Dave said. “The call is on speaker.”

“I’m sorry I hung up on you. And I’m sorry I disobeyed you,” Rosie said

“Why?” Dave asked.

“I just needed the closure. And I got it,” Rosie said.

Dave let out a breath. “Well, I hope it was worth it. Because you are in big trouble when you get home. And I hope it was worth lying to your grandfather.”

“Yes, Sir,” Rosie said.

“I love you, Rosie. That hasn’t changed,” Dave said.

“Ditto,” Hunter said.

“I love you both too,” Rosie said.

They said their goodbyes and hung up.

The two girls were quiet for the rest of the ride, and when they got back to the house, they both went inside.

Kele came to meet them at the door. “Are either of you hurt?”

“No,” they both said.

“Rosie, go to your room,” Kele said.

Rosie went

“Rabecca, look me in the eyes and tell me you had no idea,” Kele said.

“I promise I had no idea until we were on the way back and she told me,” Becca said, looking him in the eyes.

“Okay. You can go do whatever you want,” Kele said.

About ten minutes later, he knocked on Rosie’s door.

“Yes,” Rosie said softly.

Kele went in and saw his granddaughter sitting on the bed, hugging her knees.

“You lied to me,” Kele said.

Rosie nodded

“Look at me,” he said sharply.

Rosie’s eyes darted up to meet his as she flinched.

Kele softened a little as she flinched.

He sat next to her. “I am not going to hurt you.”

“I know. I’m sorry. It was just a reflex reaction,” Rosie said softly.

“You do not need to apologize for a reflex,” Kele said.

Rosie nodded. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

“I appreciate the apology,” he said

Rosie started to crack her knuckles.

“You should not do that,” he said.

Rosie stopped. “Sorry.”

“Why did you lie to me?” Kele asked.

“I wanted to go, and he told me no. I knew if I told you that I never would have been able to go,” Rosie said

“You are right,” Kele said.

“I don’t like that I had to lie to you. I just really needed the closure,” Rosie said.

“Did you get it?” Kele asked.

“Yes,” Rosie said.

“Okay. Regardless, you lied to me,” Kele said.

“I know. I know you are going to punish me,” she said as she started to fidget.

“Are you scared or nervous?” Kele asked

“A little of both,” she said softly. “I’ve never been in trouble with you.”

“I know,” Kele said.

Rosie let a few tears fall.

“Come here,” he said, opening his arms.

Rosie stood in front of him, and he pulled her in a tight hug.

Rosie hugged him.

“No matter what, Nizhoni, you are safe here. I will never hurt you,” Kele said.

“I know,” Rosie said. “I know that. I just. . . “

“You just what?” Kele asked.

“I thought I was over the trauma,” Rosie said.

“I do not know if you will ever be able to get fully over that. But do you think going and seeing Beatrice made that worse?” Kele asked.

“No. I really don’t think it did,” Rosie said.

“Okay,” Kele said.

“Can we please just get to the part where you spank me?” Rosie asked. “Waiting is making it worse.”

Kele nodded and released her from the hug and helped her over his lap and started to spank her.

Rosie did her best to stay as still as possible. She knew going into this if she were to get caught this would happen so, she didn’t fight it. But she did start to whimper pretty quickly.

Kele’s swats gradually got harder until she started to cry. He continued at a steady pace until she was sobbing. He helped her to stand up and wrapped her in a hug.

Rosie sobbed into her grandfather's shoulder for a couple of minutes

Once she was calm, he looked at her. “Are you okay?” Kele asked

“Yes,” Rosie said softly

“Are you sure?” Kele asked.

“Becca is annoyed with me. I could feel it on the way home. I hate that I can feel everything others feel,” Rosie said.

“She will get over it. Trust me. And your mother had a hard time with it, too. There is someone I can get to talk to you to maybe help you with it,” Kele said.

“I’d appreciate that,” Rosie said.

“But for right now. Why don’t we go start on dinner?” Kele asked

“Okay,” Rosie said.

The two went out and started dinner. After they had eaten, Becca helped Kele clean up, and Rosie went to her room and texted Noel.

<dl><dd> Rose: “So I went to see Beatrice today and got all my questions answered.”</dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Noel: “That’s great. How are you doing?”</dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Rose: “Well, I’m okay with everything that happened at the prison., I was told I wasn’t allowed to go, but I did anyway. ”</dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Noel: “Why weren’t you allowed to go?” </dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Rose: “My dad was worried about her hurting me, same thing for Grandpa.” </dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Noel: “Did she hurt you?” </dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Rose: “No, it was the first time we had a conversation where I think she was fully honest with me.” </dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Noel: “I’m glad. How pissed is your grandfather and dad?” </dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Rose: “They both were pretty pissed. Grandpa has already spoken to me. I’m sure I’ll hear it from my dads when I get home.” </dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Noel: “You always find a way to get into some sort of trouble when you're away, don’t you?” </dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Rose: “Hey! No, not always.” She added a sad emoji to the end of the text</dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Noel: “Okay, I’m sorry,” he sent a heart emoji with his text.</dd></dl>

<dl><dd> Rose: “It’s fine. </dd></dl>

There was a knock on the bedroom door.

“Yes?” Rosie said.

Grandpa went in, “You were serious about wanting to talk to someone who could help you with feeling everyone else’s feelings?”

“Yes,” Rosie said

“Okay, I will make the call,” Kele said.

“Thanks,” Rosie said.

*****

The next morning, Rosie woke up early and went into the kitchen and started to make coffee and start breakfast. Kele was awake shortly after and went into the kitchen and took a breath when he saw Rosie making breakfast in the kitchen. One of the last memories he had with his older daughter was very similar.

Rosie looked up at him and saw a look on his face. It was similar to a look she occasionally would see on Beatrice’s face when she was upset. And Rosie learned pretty quickly growing up that when she had the look to tread lightly.

“Good Morning, Nizhoni,” Kele said.

“Morning,” she responded hesitantly

“What’s wrong?” Kele asked his granddaughter

“I-“ she started before she took a breath, reminding herself that he was not Beatrice and had never been anything but kind to her. “You have a look on your face. I used to see it on Beatrice sometimes when she was upset, and I knew if I did even the smallest thing wrong she would lose it on me. . .” she told him, looking down at the frying pan where she was making an omelet.

“Oh, I promise you that will not happen. I came into the kitchen and saw you, and it makes me so happy that you feel comfortable in this kitchen. Because you are always allowed to use this kitchen as your own. But when I came into the kitchen, I saw your mom, and it makes me a little sad that you will never know her the way you should and that she passed before she could see you grow into the wonderful young woman you are,” Kele told her.

“Oh,” Rosie said. “I really look that much like her?”

“Yes, especially when you have your hair braided like that,” Kele said with a smile.

Rosie touched her hair and smiled, “Yeah. In a lot of the pictures I’ve seen of her, her hair is braided.”

Kele smiled and kissed his granddaughter on the head.

Rosie finished cooking breakfast and served up her and Kele’s breakfasts. There was enough for Becca, but she would leave it in the warm pan so it would stay warm for as long as possible.

“Thank you for making breakfast,” Kele said.

“I like cooking,” Rosie said with a smile.

“You do not get that from your mother,” he said with a chuckle.

“She didn’t like cooking?” Rosie asked.

“No, she hated it. She couldn’t make much. She could make eggs. But that was about it,” Kele said.

Rosie chuckled, “My dad loves cooking, so it must come from him.”

Kele smiled. “I have spoken to the woman who I think can help you with your empathic ability. She is expecting you this afternoon.”

Rosie smiled. “Okay.”

“I can take you, or I can give you the address and you can borrow my truck and take yourself, it has a GPS. The decision is yours,” Kele said.

“You’d let me drive your truck?” Rosie asked.

“Yes, I know you’re a responsible driver,” Kele said with a smile.

Rosie smiled. She was glad that he trusted her. “I appreciate that, but I’ve never driven a vehicle as big as yours. I wouldn’t be comfortable with it.”

“See, you are responsible. You know where your limits are when it comes to driving. And if you want, I can teach you how to drive a larger vehicle,” Kele said

“I’d like that,” Rosie said with a smile

Becca came into the kitchen.

“Rosie made breakfast. There is some on the stove for you,” Kele said

“Thanks,” Becca said as she grabbed a plate out of a cupboard and plated up her food before she sat down at the table to eat.

“Sleep well?” Kele asked Becca

“Yeah,” Becca said.

As they finished breakfast, Kele looked at Becca.

“Rosie and I are going down to Minda Bernard’s this afternoon,” Kele said.

“Okay. I have to head into town anyway,” Becca said.

“What are you doing in town?” Kele asked.

“My truck is due for its inspection. I have until the end of summer, but I want to get it done now so I’m not worrying about it when I’m getting ready for university,” Becca said.

“Yes, that is smart,” Kele said.

“You were debating between living on campus or staying here. Which did you decide?” Rosie asked.

“Staying here, it's too expensive on campus,” Becca said.

“Do you not qualify for some scholarships or grants?” Rosie asked.

“I do, and I got some for the tuition, but I’d have to take out a student loan for housing. And I don’t want to be drowning in debt when I graduate,” Becca said.

“I told you I could help you with that,” Kele said

“And I appreciate that, but it’s okay. It’s not that far of a drive, and I like the idea of staying here,” Becca said with a smile.

Kele smiled and nodded.

“Yeah, if I was going locally, I would be living at home. But I got into Harvard, and I can not throw that offer away. Not after I worked so hard to get there,” Rosie said.

“And you shouldn’t. It is amazing you got into Harvard,” Kele said.

“Yeah. I get it if I had gotten into NYU I would be going there and living on campus,” Becca said.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get into your first choice,” Rosie said.

“It’s okay. If it was meant to be, I would have,” Becca said.

Rosie nodded.

“How many schools did you apply to and get into?” Kele asked Rosie.

“Applied to eight, West Virginia University, Maryland University, Penn State, University of Florida, University of California, New York University, Stanford, and of course Harvard. Got acceptances to four, Harvard, West Virginia, Penn, and Maryland University,” Rosie answered.

“Wow, you got into Harvard but not NYU. UOC or Stanford?” Becca asked.

“Yeah, I guess Harvard liked my essay or something. I had opened Stanford first and was convinced I didn’t get into Harvard,” Rosie said.

“What did you do your essay on?” Kele asked.

“About my life,” Rosie said. “I figured I dealt with so much trauma I might as well use it for something good.”

“Yeah, I tried to write something about my life, but nothing seemed quite right. I did mine on Grandpa,” Becca said.

Rosie smiled. “How many schools did you apply to and get accepted to?”

“Applied to three. NYU, Simpson University, and Stanford, only got accepted to Simpson,” Becca said as she started to clean up the dishes from breakfast.

“If you are okay with it, I’d like to read your essay,” Rosie said.

Becca smiled, “If you let me read yours?”

“Sure,” Rosie said.

“I’d like to read yours too, Rosie,” Kele said. He had already read Becca’s.

“Okay,” Rosie said. “But to be fair to both of you. I did not hold back some details, and it was hard for my Dad and Papa to read.”

“Okay. I still would like to read it if you are okay with it,” Kele said.

“I don’t mind you reading it,” Rosie said. “I’m not ashamed of my trauma.”

“And you shouldn’t be,” Kele said.

“You seem to be so at peace with everything you have been through,” Becca said.

“A lot of therapy,” Rosie said with a chuckle. “And honestly, as much as I don’t like that I got in trouble for it. Going to see Beatrice yesterday was. . . I think it was the last chapter of that part of my book of life. I got answers to questions I have wondered for a very long time.”

“I’m glad you were able to get your closure, and it’s forgiven at this point,” Kele said.

“I know,” Rosie said. “Anyway. I’m going to go get dressed for the day,” she said before she went back to her room.

*****

That afternoon, Rosie and Kele went out to his truck, and Kele held out his keys to her. “First lesson in my truck?”

“Sure,” Rosie said, taking them, going and climbing into the driver’s seat, and putting her seatbelt on before starting up the truck.

Kele climbed in the passenger seat and did up his seatbelt as well. “I do not think there is much difference between a car and a pickup truck unless you get it on icy or wet roads. Steering is slightly different, and you need to make wider turns, but the only way you will know is to do it.”

Rosie nodded and slowly backed out of the driveway and into the street. Kele directed her to where to drive.

“Who is this woman, exactly?” Rosie asked about halfway there.

“She is a woman I lived next to when I was very young,” Kele said. “When we were sent away to school, we went to different schools. When we both finished school and when we moved back home, we reconnected. She was good friends with your grandmother, and she introduced us.”

Rosie smiled. “So a friend.”

“She is, and she helped your mother when she was trying to figure out the very thing you are,” Kele said.

“How long after school did she introduce you to grandma?” Rosie asked.

“About a year,” Kele said.

“Was there ever anything between you and this woman?” she asked, trying not to smirk.

Kele chuckled, “No.”

“But you would have liked something to?” Rosie asked.

Kele let out a breath. “I was interested in her before I met your grandmother. She was not interested in me. When I met your grandmother, it was an instant connection, and I was quickly over Mindi,” Kele said.

“Those feelings never came back?” Rosie asked.

“No, I had my soulmate in your grandmother. No one could ever compare to her,” Kele said.

“I think I can understand that. I know I have not been with Nolan for long in comparison, but I don’t think I could love someone romantically as much as I love him,” Rosie said.

Kele smiled. “I have seen the way you two look at each other. I know you two are very much in love, and the fact that you were willing to donate a kidney to his sister tells me that you are very serious about a future with him.”

Rosie shrugged, “I would have donated my kidney to any of my friends, and his sister is my friend too. Also, I know what it’s like to not get to know my mother. I was not going to let Lillian grow up without her mom if I could help it.”

“You are an incredibly selfless person,” Kele said

Rosie smiled and shrugged again.

“No, you are Rosie,” Kele said.

“Thank you,” Rosie said.

“You have had no complications from the donation of your kidney, I take it?” Kele asked

“Correct. I was given the all-clear a few months after,” Rosie said. “After a very thorough exam and lots of tests.”

“I’m assuming they do that for every transplant donor?” Kele asked.

“I’m thinking there was a little more done because the doctor found out I had done something pretty stupid while still recovering,” Rosie said.

“What did you do?” Kele asked.

“Drank to the point of getting drunk,” Rosie admitted.

“Your parents know about this?” Kele asked.

“They do. Someone at the party I was at is a former friend of the group, and he called and got someone to come get me, so one of my friends came and got me out of there before I drank anymore, and he drove me home, but I did tell my parents that night. I knew they would find out one way or another anyway, and if they found out after the fact, I would have been in a lot more trouble,” Rosie told him. “But I did not get away with it in the slightest.”

“I assumed as much. Your dad would not be one to tolerate that kind of behavior,” Kele said.

“Nope, neither would nor did my Papa,” Rosie said. “Apparently, he is similar to my mother in personality.”

“I can see that. Yes, who told you this?” Kele asked.

“Kathleen, she told my dad that after she met Hunter,” Rosie said.

Kele smiled and nodded.

“I would say my dad has a type, but I met his first ex-wife, and she is very different from Hunter,” Rosie said.

Kele chuckled, “How many times has your father been married?”

“Four, including Hunter,” Rosie said.

“And you are his only biological child?” Kele asked, surprised.

“Nope, actually I’m not,” Rosie said. “With his first wife, they had a son who died at a few days old from some health complications. He told me that was what led to their divorce, not being there for each other through it enough,” Rosie said. “And with his second wife, it wasn’t a long marriage, and she was pregnant when they divorced, but she didn’t tell him. He didn’t find out until pretty recently when his daughter tracked him down. She is thirty-one. Her name is Joy,” Rosie said. “She lives in California. San Francisco, specifically.”

“Oh wow,” Kele said.

“Yeah, that was a surprise,” Rosie said.

“You’ve met her, I take it?” Kele asked.

“Yeah, while my dad was missing, she came and visited. That was the first time I met her in person. But I had spoken to her on video chat. My parents had come to LA to visit her and her husband and son,” Rosie said.

“So you are an aunt,” Kele said.

Rosie smiled and nodded, “Yes. I have yet to meet him, though. Joy came with her husband only when my dad was missing. If it wasn’t such a long drive from here, I’d probably have asked if you would take me.”

“It’s not even a four-hour drive. I drove you further to Rocklin,” Kele said. “If you arrange something and are comfortable, you can take my truck. Or I can take you.”

Rosie pulled into the driveway of the place her grandfather had directed her to. She parked and turned off the truck.

The two got out of the truck, and Rosie made sure it was locked before they headed to the door and knocked. The door was opened, and they were welcomed in. A few hours later, they were heading out with Rosie understanding so much more about her empathic abilities. She thanked Minda profusely and said goodbye before they went and got into Kele’s truck. Kele drove the way home, knowing his granddaughter had a lot on her mind.

“What do you think about what you were told?” Kele asked.

“I understand things much better,” Rosie said.

“Good,” Kele said.

Rosie was still pretty quiet.

“Anything you want to talk about?” Kele asked

“No,” Rosie said. “Just digesting the information.”

“Okay,” Kele said.

When they got back home, they both went inside.

*****

That night, Rosie offered to take the garbage out to the road for her grandfather, and when she was taking the bag out, the knot came undone, and some of the contents spilled out. “Shit.” She said, bending down to pick up the stuff and shoving it back into the bag. While she was doing that, she saw an envelope from NYU University, and she wasn’t trying to read it, but her eyes noticed the word accepted. She was confused. Becca had said she didn’t get accepted.

Rosie knew she should just throw it out and pretend she didn’t see it, but she couldn’t. She folded up the paper the best she could. She was grateful it was all paper garbage. She slipped the folding paper into the waistband of her pants and made sure her shirt covered it before she retied the bag up and put it where it belonged. She went inside and straight to Becca’s room and knocked.

“Yeah?” Becca said.

Rosie went in and closed the door behind her. “Okay. Um. I promise I wasn’t trying to snoop. But I was taking the garbage out, and the bag wasn’t tied properly, and stuff spilled out,” she started before taking the paper out from where she had hidden it. “And I wasn’t trying to read it, but my eyes didn’t cooperate with that, I guess you can say.” She said, holding the paper out to her.

Becca sighed, “That’s bullshit. You read it.”

“I swear I saw it was NYU and saw the word accepted. Maybe I should have just thrown it back out, but I couldn’t. You got in,” Rosie said.

Becca took the paper from her. “Don’t. Tell grandpa.”

“I won’t,” Rosie said. “Promise. But why?”

“I couldn’t afford it if I wanted to. I didn’t get any financial aid. Grandpa would go into debt to pay for it,” Becca said.

“I don’t understand. Almost everyone gets financial aid at NYU. At least some. Harvard is the same. Even I get some financial aid,” Rosie said.

“For first year, yeah. But after that,” Becca said.

Rosie nodded slowly. She did understand. “I can't believe I’m saying this. But the day you turn eighteen. The house is yours.”

“Are you seriously suggesting I sell their house?” Becca asked.

“I am,” Rosie said.

“Even if I did that, half that money should be yours,” Becca said.

“No, it shouldn’t. I’m not their kid,” Rosie said.

“Yeah, but for damages and shit they put you through,” Becca said.

“I don’t want money from them,” Rosie said. “Take what is yours and use it.”

Becca shook her head. “You ever consider I don’t want anything from them either?”

“I didn’t. I’m sorry. You’re right,” Rosie said.

Becca sighed.

“Becca. This is your choice. And I will support whatever you decide but NYU is in the top twenty of schools in the states,” Rosie said.

“I know. I know Simpson isn’t on the list. But it’s what I have to do,” Becca said.

“Okay,” Rosie said. “Did you get into Stanford too?”

“You think you didn’t get into Stanford, but I did. You are so much smarter than I am,” Becca said.

“That is not true,” Rosie said. “You got into NYU, and I didn’t.”

“Really? Cause I’ve heard grandpa on the phone boasting about the grades you get,” Becca said.

“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t do the same for you,” Rosie said, resisting the urge to get too excited.

“He doesn’t,” Becca said softly.

“Just because you have never heard it doesn’t mean he doesn’t,” Rosie said. “And I thought we got pretty similar grades.”

“Nope,” Becca said.

“You got into a really good school,” Rosie said. “You had to have good grades.”

“Wasn’t the grades that got me in,” Becca said.

“Well, maybe not the whole reason, but you had to have good grades,” Rosie said.

“I got in because I’m native, and they have to fill their quota,” Becca said.

“You don’t think I selected native on mine when asked?” Rosie asked.

“But you don’t look native the way I do,” Becca said, getting a little annoyed.

“No, but it’s not like they know what you look like and more than they do me,” Rosie said.

“You don’t think they look us up on social media?” Becca asked

“No. I don’t. They look at grades, extracurriculars, essays, the stuff we send in,” Rosie said.

“I thought you were the smart one,” Becca said snarkily.

“Wow,” Rosie said, shaking her head, leaving the bedroom and going to her own. She flopped and curled up on the bed in tears. Was she really that small-minded? Was Becca right?

*****

She didn’t sleep very well that night, so when she felt it was reasonable for her to be awake, she got up and went into the kitchen to make herself some coffee. As the coffee was being made, Kele came into the kitchen.

“Good Morning,” he said.

“Morning,” Rosie said.

“You sound tired,” Kele said.

Rosie shrugged.

“Didn’t sleep well?” Kele asked

“I slept fine,” she lied.

Kele raised an eyebrow. “I know you are not lying to me, Nizhoni.”

Rosie let out a breath and mumbled something.

Kele went over to her and gave her a hard smack to her butt.

Rosie yelped.

“You will not be disrespectful,” Kele said, having heard what she said.

“Sorry,” she said, her voice cracking as her eyes filled with tears.

Kele gently pulled her into a hug. “What’s wrong?”

Rosie buried her face in him and sobbed.

“Did you sleep well?” Kele asked.

Rosie shook her head.

“Is there a reason?” Kele asked.

Rosie nodded, still sobbing.

“Will you tell me what it is?” Kele asked

Rosie shook her head.

“Okay. I won't try and make you. But I think you need to go back to bed,” Kele said.

“I can’t sleep,” she said as she slowly calmed down.

“Go try,” Kele ordered gently.

“I have tried, Grandpa. All night,” Rosie whined.

Kele resisted the urge to chuckle at the whine. “You did not sleep at all?”

Rosie shook her head.

“Okay, well, coffee is not going to help that,” he said, reaching into a cupboard and pulling out some tea. “I will make you a cup of tea. You will drink it and try again.”

Rosie sighed. “But.”

“Go sit,” he said.

Rosie did as she was told, sitting at the table.

Kele made her the cup of tea and brought it to her. “You are sure you do not want to tell me why you could not sleep?”

Rosie nodded as she picked up the cup of tea and sipped it slowly.

Kele went and started to make breakfast and when he turned around he saw Rosie asleep with her head rested on her arms on the table. He smiled and went over and took the tea cup that was almost empty which woke her up a little.

“Sorry, did not mean to wake you up, go, back to bed,” he said.

Rosie got up and went back to the bedroom, where she curled up under the blankets and fell asleep.

When she woke up a few hours later she looked at her phone and responded to the few missed texts she had before she dragged herself out of bed and went out and found her cousin watching TV.

“Where is Grandpa?” Rosie asked

“Went to the store to pick up a few things,” Becca said.

“Oh,” Rosie said before she went into the kitchen to find coffee and something to eat.

Becca came into the kitchen. “He mentioned you didn’t sleep last night.”

“I didn’t,” Rosie said in agreement.

“Anything to do with what I said?” Becca asked.

“Doesn’t matter,” Rosie said

“Are you going to tell him about what we discussed?” Becca said.

“I promised you I wouldn’t tell him about NYU. Can’t tell him anything without telling him that so no,” Rosie said.

Becca let out a breath.

“But let me get one thing clear. While I know I have white privilege that you don’t have. What you said last night implied that I’m less Indigenous than you are which unless you know something that I don’t we are both half Indigenous so if you want to claim you got into NYU because of it then I have the same right to claim I got into Harvard because of it too,” Rosie said before she pushed down on the toaster lever to start her toast.

“I never said you were less Indigenous than I am; I simply said, based on looks, I look more so,” Becca said.

“And if applications included photos, I could see why that would matter, but they don’t. And no admissions person is going to bother wasting time looking at the social media of every person who applied,” Rosie said.

“Whatever,” Becca said snarkily before she left the kitchen and went to her room.

Rosie sighed and waited for her toast to pop up before she added peanut butter to it. She grabbed the plate and her cup of coffee and went and sat at the table and ate it slowly.

Kele came into the house, carrying a few bags into the kitchen. “Get any sleep?” he asked.

“Yes,” Rosie said as she got up and put her plate and cup into the sink before helping him put away the groceries.

“Thank you,” Kele said as they finished.

“You want to tell me why you could not sleep last night now?” Kele asked.

Rosie let out a breath. “I would. But I have made a promise to someone not to.”

Kele tilted his head.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa, but I made a promise, and I don’t break my promises,” Rosie said.

“I understand. That is a very good standard to live by,” Kele said. “Can I ask who it is about?”

Rosie let out a breath. “You can ask. But I won’t tell you.”

Kele nodded slowly. “Would not happen to be Becca, would it?”

Rosie let out a breath but didn’t answer.

“I will take the lack of answer as a yes,” Kele said.

“I didn’t say that,” Rosie said quickly.

“No. You said nothing. Which to me means you can not answer without breaking the promise you made,” Kele said.

“Then why did you ask me?” Rosie sniped before leaving the kitchen, went to her room, and closed the door a little harder than necessary.

Kele sighed. Maybe he should not have asked but he was concerned about Rosie and he knew Becca had been acting very unlike herself the last few weeks and he was wondering if that had been turned on Rosie.

Kele went and knocked on Becca’s door.

“Yeah?” Becca said.

Kele went in. “Rosie seems a little upset. Do you know why?”

Becca shrugged, “No.”

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you, Rabecca?” Kele asked.

“Of course not,” Becca said.

“Rabecca. I know when you are lying,” Kele said.

“No, you don’t, and even if you did, I’m not lying,” Becca said.

Kele shook his head, “I know you are getting very close to reaching the age that you think will make you an adult, but I do not care how old you get if you lie to me I will spank you. So, this is the last chance to tell me the truth without consequence for lying.”

“Why do you think I would have any idea?” Becca snapped.

“Because I know when you are lying, Rabecca,” he said. It was clear in his voice that he was done with this back and forth.

“I have no idea why she is upset,” Becca said.

Kele shook his head. “Okay,” he said. He was just going to wait until one of the girls broke and told him. He left Becca’s room and went and knocked on Rosie’s bedroom door.

“Yeah?” Rosie said softly.

Kele went in.

“I’m sorry I slammed the door,” she said.

“It is forgiven. I just wanted to say I am sorry for pushing it. I know you are keeping a promise, and I will not push anymore. But if it becomes too much, you will talk to someone about it?” Kele asked, sitting on her bed.

“Yes, I can talk to Noel if I need to,” Rosie said.

“Good,” Kele said.

“You’re not angry with me?” Rosie asked.

“No,” Kele said, opening his arms.

Rosie moved and hugged him.

Kele hugged her tight. “I know you would not be keeping a promise if you were worried about her being in trouble or hurt. I am proud of you for keeping your promise.”

Rosie let out a breath.

Kele pulled away gently and looked her in the eyes. “She isn’t in trouble or at risk of being hurt or anything like that, right?”

“Yes. No. She is not in trouble or anything like that,” Rosie said.

“Okay. I am sure whatever it is will come out in time,” Kele said.

Rosie nodded a little.

“You do not think so?” Kele asked.

“I don’t know. But I just hope if it does, it is not too late,” Rosie said.

Kele tilted his head.

“I’ve already said too much,” Rosie said quickly

“Okay. I am not going to push it anymore,” Kele said.

“Thank you,” Rosie said.

Kele gave her another hug. “Would you like to play cards?”

“Sure,” Rosie said with a smile.

The two went into the kitchen and Kele grabbed a deck of playing cards and sat at the table with his granddaughter and the two played.

*****

The next day, Kele was doing some general upkeep on his truck, and Rosie was helping him.

“Your dad taught you anything about keeping your car in good shape?” Kele asked.

Rosie chuckled, “Not hands-on like this, no. Both my parents make sure I take it to the shop when it needs to be taken in.”

Kele resisted the urge to chuckle with the girl. He realized that her dad had made a lot of money from his books and would likely not need to do the repairs himself. “Well, as long as your car is kept in good, safe working order, which is all that matters.”

“I like learning how to do it myself, though,” she said with a smile.

“Good,” Kele said. “Did you happen to call the sister you have in San Francisco?”

“I texted her. She said I could come whenever,” Rosie said. “She told me I was ridiculous for even asking and not just showing up that we are family.”

Kele chuckled, “That is how I feel about family, too.”

Rosie smiled and nodded.

“So, do you feel comfortable driving my truck, or do you want me to take you?” Kele asked.

“You sure you don’t mind me taking your truck you don’t have anything you will need to do?” Rosie asked.

“I am sure,” Kele said.

“Okay. Thank you,” Rosie said.

They finished by changing the oil in the truck before her grandfather closed the lid of the truck.

“Thank you for your help Nizhoni,” he said with a smile as they put the tools and such they used away.

“You’re welcome,” Rosie said with a smile.

The two went inside and cleaned themselves up.

Rosie went into the kitchen and got herself some water. She closed the fridge door. Becca was standing on the other side.

“Shit! Becca, you scared me!” Rosie said.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” Becca said.

Rosie took a breath and let her heart return to normal rhythm. “What’s up?”

“I just want to make sure you didn’t tell him,” Becca said softly.

“Becca, you don’t have to worry about that. I made a promise, and even though you were a jerk to me, I don’t break promises,” Rosie responded quietly.

“I wasn’t a jerk. I was just telling the truth,” Becca said.

“What you were saying is that you got special treatment because of the color of your skin. That is no better than people who would exclude you because of the color of your skin,” Rosie said.

“Have you never heard of the affirmative action policy?” Becca asked mockingly

“That policy doesn’t mean that they are going to purposely go out of their way to hire or accept people in minorities in universities, it means that they will take the most qualified person regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation,” Rosie said.

As the conversation continued, they both got louder, leading to Grandpa coming into the room. “What is going on here?”

Rosie let out a breath and went to walk away.

“Do not walk away from me, Rosie,” Kele said sternly.

“I can’t tell you what happened without breaking a promise,” Rosie said as she left the kitchen and went to her room, closing the door hard.

Kele let out a breath and looked at his other granddaughter. “Explain. Now.”

“I don’t want to,” Becca said.

“Well, I am not giving you a choice,” Kele said

“Go force it out of her,” Becca said.

“I can not. Because she has made you a promise. I know there has been something going on between you two for days. And you will tell me what it is, or you can be grounded for the rest of the summer,” Kele said.

“That’s not fair!” Becca said.

“What is not fair is that whatever this problem between the two of you is, it is causing Rosie to lose sleep and you two to fight for days. I have seen how you two have been acting. I have tried to find out from her, and because she has made a promise, I will not get it out of her, so you will tell me,” Kele said.

“Well, maybe you should threaten to ground her for the rest of the summer. If you think that will work on me, maybe it will work on her,” Becca said condescendingly.

Kele took a breath. He didn’t take well to being spoken to like this from anyone, much less one of his granddaughters. “Go to your room. And when you are ready to talk to me with the same respect that I show you, we will try this conversation again,” he said, his voice low but stern.

Becca swallowed. It was not often that her grandfather spoke to her like that.

“Now, Rabecca,” he said a little louder.

Becca went quickly to her room.

Kele let out a breath and knocked on Rosie’s bedroom door.

“Yes,” she said softly.

Kele went in, “Okay, you do not slam doors in this house. I let it go last time because you apologized right away. But if you do it again we will have a problem. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir, I’m sorry,” Rosie said, wiping her eyes.

“Okay,” Kele said, sitting on her bed and opening his arms.

Rosie went over, and Kele wrapped her in a tight hug. “Are you sure you can not tell me anything?”

“We have a difference of opinion on something. And it has been making her a real jerk to me,” Rosie said softly as she hugged her grandfather back.

“Well, it is okay to have a difference of opinion on things, but it should not make her nasty to you. Can you tell me what the topic of disagreement is?” Kele asked.

“I know you must have heard something,” Rosie said.

“Something about the affirmative action policy is what I got out of that. I would think you would both be for inclusion of everyone,” Kele said.

“I honestly don’t know what she is thinking that policy is about, but I do think it is a good thing,” Rosie said.

Kele nodded.

The two were quiet for a moment, and Rosie broke the hug.

“How did you get into this conversation?” Kele asked.

Rosie let out a breath. “Answering that would break my promise.”

“Do you think she is being treated unfairly somewhere because of the color of her skin, causing the argument?” Kele asked.

Rosie shook her head.

“Does she think she is?” Kele asked.

“Not exactly,” Rosie said. “Please, Grandpa, can you stop asking questions?”

Kele sighed. “Rosie. I can not help you if you do not tell me.”

“I know. And I want to tell you, but I also want to keep my promise. Even if I think she doesn’t deserve it right now,” Rosie said, her eyes filling with tears again.

Kele pulled her back into the hug. “I am very proud of you, Nizhoni.”

Rosie took a breath, relaxing slightly in the embrace. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

“You say you would tell me if you could. You think this is something I should know?” Kele asked.

“I can kind of understand why she doesn’t want you to know. But I do think she has options for this situation to work out the way she wants that she can utilize without you,” Rosie said. “If it’s not too late.”

Kele was a little confused.

“Yeah, I know, it’s confusing without the full information,” Rosie said, looking down.

“Look at me, Nizhoni,” Kele said.

Rosie looked up.

“If I know, will it help?” Kele asked.

“I don’t know,” Rosie said. “It might be too late for anyone to help at this point. She is not in any danger or anything like that.”

“I trust you would tell me if she was in danger,” Kele said.

“I would,” Rosie agreed.

“Okay, well, I am going to try talking to your cousin again,” Kele said.

Rosie nodded and moved back to laying on the bed.

Kele got up and left the room. He went and knocked on Becca’s door.

“What?” she said.

Kele went in. “I am not asking anymore. I am telling you. You need to tell me what is going on. Rosie will not tell me, but what she did tell me is that she would tell me if she had not made you a promise. She said you are not in any danger, which is good. But I need to know what is going on. Because whatever it is has led to the two of you fighting about a topic I would hope you both would be on the same side of.”

Becca let out a breath. “I don’t disagree with the affirmative action policy exactly.”

“Oh?” Kele asked.

“I just think because of it, sometimes people give extra to people of color because of the past where we weren’t treated fairly,” Becca said.

“So you think you are being given something extra to make up for people who did not have the same opportunities?” Kele asked.

Becca shrugged.

“Rosie did say whatever is going on, it might be too late for anyone to help you. Is this true?” Kele asked.

“I do not need help. But it is too late for anything to be changed, yes,” Becca said.

“Well, if it is too late, why don’t you tell me then?” Kele asked.

Becca shook her head.

“Okay. I will not make you. But you need to work things out with Rosie. Because while I know it takes two to fight, I do think you are the one making things harder,” Kele said.

Becca shook her head. “She just doesn’t understand what it means to be a visible person of color.”

“She would not understand in the way you and I do. No. But that does not mean she does not understand that we are sometimes treated unfairly. But she is also a woman, I am sure she has faced some hardships that men do not face. She is not a visible person of color. But she is part of a minority group,” Kele said.

“Yes. And I fit in both of those minorities,” Becca said.

“Yes, you do. But unless there is something you have seen that I have not, your cousin does not treat you any differently than anyone else because you are a person of color,” Kele said.

“No, she hasn’t. I’m not saying she has,” Becca said. “She just doesn’t understand that I know when I have been given something more simply to fill a quota.”

Kele tilted his head, confused. “What are you talking about?”

Becca shook her head.

Kele let out a breath, he was getting very frustrated. “Rabecca. Talk to me.”

“I can’t,” Becca said.

“Why?” Kele asked.

“Because you are going to be angry and hurt,” Becca said.

“Angry at you?” Kele asked.

Becca nodded.

“I promise I will not be angry,” Kele said.

“But you will be hurt, even if you don’t act it. I know you, Grandpa,” Becca said.

“Well. I am already sad that you do not feel you can talk to me about anything. And I am already frustrated that whatever this is has caused a rift between you and Rosie,” Kele said.

Becca sighed. “It’s about my university acceptance.”

“Oh?” Kele asked.

“I’m pretty sure I only got accepted to fill their quota of people of color,” Becca said.

“Why would you think that? Your grades are above the expected to be accepted to Simpson University, and you have a lot of volunteering and were part of a few different clubs building that application. And your essay was very good. I am more surprised you did not get accepted at the other two schools,” Kele said.

“I’m not as smart as Rosie, and she didn’t get accepted by those schools,” Becca said.

“And I am surprised by that too,” Kele said. “And you are just as smart as Rosie.”

“Then why have I never heard you talking me up when you are talking to your friends the way you do Rosie?” Becca mumbled.

“Rabecca. Look at me,” he said sternly.

Becca looked at him.

“When have you heard me talking her up and not you at the same time?” Kele asked. It was true. He bragged about both his Granddaughters. Often. But he never once spoke positively about one over the other.

“I’ve heard you on the phone, talking about how you were so proud of how hard Rosie has worked. How she has overcome so much and still is so smart and driven,” Becca said.

“That is all true. I am sure I have said that. But that does not mean I do not say that I am proud of how hard you have worked. The way you have always been there for the people in our community at the drop of a hat. How you, too, have overcome a lot of things. The way you took the leadership role in the clubs you were in school. And about how smart you are, you maintained the grades you did while you were working a part-time job as well,” Kele said.

“My grades are not as good as Rosie’s,” Becca said.

“Your GPA is slightly lower. Yes. But that does not mean you are not very intelligent,” Kele said.

“Then why did I get into a school she didn’t?” Becca asked.

“Rosie did not apply to Simpson University,” Kele said.

Becca let out a breath.

“Becca, did you lie to me?” Kele asked.

Becca nodded.

“New York University or Stanford?” Kele asked.

“NYU,” Becca said.

“Rabecca, why did you not tell me?” Kele asked.

“See you are upset,” Becca said.

“Yes. I am. I did not promise not to be upset. I promised not to be angry. I am not angry,” Kele said. “Why did you not tell me?”

Becca let out a breath. “It is too expensive.”

“I would have help. . .” Kele started, and it clicked. “You would rather give up an amazing opportunity than let me help you?” Kele asked.

“You have already done so much more than any Grandfather is supposed to have to do for me,” Becca said.

“Rabecca Nowak, I have done nothing that I would not do for any child that I love as much as I do you and your cousin. If Rosie needed help for university, I would help her the same,” Kele said.

Becca let out a breath. “You should not have had to raise me.”

“Rabecca, have I ever once made you feel like I did not want to? That I felt that it was not something I should have to do?” Kele asked

Becca shook her head.

“Rabecca. I did not get to raise your mother the way I should have been able to. By getting to raise her daughter. Getting her daughter away from the abuse. I got to raise a child the way I should have with your mother and aunt,” Kele said.

“Yeah, and my cousin was brought in to replace me,” Becca said.

“But that is not your fault, Rabecca,” Kele said.

Rabecca wiped her eyes.

“Have you felt like it is your fault?” Kele asked, concern clear in his voice.

Becca nodded a little.

“Why?” Kele asked.

“Cause it is,” Becca said.

“You were a child, you did not know what was going on. I was an adult, and I did not know my daughter had a child that was even available to replace you,” Kele said.

“That is because your daughters were turned against you,” Becca said.

“Yes, but you do not think I have ever thought I should have done more to protect them?” Kele asked.

Becca shrugged. “I know you Grandpa you probably did things you shouldn’t have to get them back here.”

Kele chuckled, “I definitely did. Becca, is it really too late to go to NYU?”

“Yes. I declined the offer,” Becca said.

Kele nodded. He was so disappointed. That would have been an amazing opportunity for her.

“I’m sorry I let you down,” Becca said.

“Come here,” he said, opening his arms.

Becca moved into his arms.

“Rebecca Nowak, you did not let me down. I am so proud of you. While I wish you had not declined the offer. You did so because you have always put others’ needs above your own. I want you to stop doing that when it leads to you giving up chances like this. But I am incredibly proud of the woman you are,” Kele said.

Becca nodded.

“If there was a way. Would you go to NYU?” Kele asked.

“Yeah. That was my top pick. I was hoping for a scholarship. I would have first-year financial aid, but after that, it is not guaranteed, ” Becca said.

Kele nodded.

“But I gave up my spot and I’m sure someone else took it already,” Becca said.

“That is very likely yes,” Kele said.

“And I already accepted my offer to Simpson University too,” Becca said.

“You have not paid anything yet right?” Kele asked.

“Not yet,” Becca said. “I will be doing so in a couple of weeks.”

“Okay,” Kele said and kissed her head. “So what did you say to Rosie that led to her being so upset that she couldn’t sleep the other night?”

“I’d rather not say, but I will talk to her,” Becca said. “I will apologize.”

“Okay,” Kele said. “Go do that now.”

Becca got up and went and knocked on Rosie’s door.

“Yeah?” Rosie said.

Becca went in, “I’m sorry for what I said.”

“Are you sorry you said it because you know you were wrong or because you are trying to make Grandpa happy by apologizing?” Rosie asked.

“That’s not fair,” Becca said.

“How is that not fair? I don’t want some fake ass apology to get Grandpa off your back about it,” Rosie said.

“You won’t ever understand the struggles of being a person of color,” Becca said.

“No, I won’t. I’m not denying that. I didn’t deny that then. I know I look white. And I use that white privilege to stand up for the people of color in my life. I have had to watch one of my best friends deal with racial discrimination since the day I met him and I’m always the first person to use my voice to stand up for him when I see it. I’m the one who did a report in the school newspaper on the diversity in my school. And it won an award from the State for how well it showed what amazing things diversity in schools does for the student body,” Rosie said.

Becca let out a breath.

“No, I will never know firsthand the discrimination a person of color deals with. But it was unfair to you to think that the only reason you got into a school I didn’t is because of the color of your skin,” Rosie said.

“Oh,” Becca said. She hadn’t realized the reason Rosie was so annoyed with the conversation was because she didn’t like that she was implying she wasn’t good enough to get into a good school on her merits.

Rosie shook her head. “I was angry at you for talking down about yourself like that.”

Becca nodded.

“I take you caved and told Grandpa?” Rosie asked

“Yeah, I did,” Becca said.

“Becca, why did you really think you are not good enough to get into NYU on your merits?” Rosie asked.

Becca let out a breath.

“You’ve visited your father pretty recently, right?” Rosie asked.

“Fuck, I hate that you figure these things out,” Becca mumbled.

“I spent more years in that house listening to him talk down to me. Tell me I was worthless. I was good for nothing. That I was a stupid girl who would never amount to anything,” Rosie said. “I know the things he says.”

Becca nodded.

“But they aren’t true about me and aren’t true about you,” Rosie said.

Becca nodded.

“Don’t let him get to you,” Rosie said. “And my suggestion. Don’t go see him again. He does not deserve your attention when he hurts you.”

“I could say the same about you and Beatrice,” Becca said.

“I just needed closure there. I’m not going to visit her again,” Rosie said.

“Oh. Okay,” Becca said.

“How pissed is Grandpa at you?” Rosie asked.

“He is not angry, disappointed I gave up the offer because of not wanting him to pay,” Becca said. “I think he thinks he can still get me in. He asked me if I could, and I would go to NYU instead. He had that look of I can fix this.”

Rosie chuckled, “Yeah. My dad gets the look a lot. Even when there is nothing he can do.”

Becca nodded.

“You are already regretting declining the offer,” Rosie said.

“Part of me is,” Becca said. “But I still don’t want Grandpa to have to help pay for it.”

“I’ve already given you an idea for a way you won’t need his help,” Rosie said.

“I know,” Becca said. “I feel like he won’t let me do that.”

“You are eighteen. You don’t need his permission,” Rosie said.

“Yeah. Won’t stop him busting my butt when he finds out,” Becca said.

“Fair, but sometimes it’s better to seek forgiveness than ask permission,” Rosie said.

Becca nodded.

There was a knock on Rosie’s bedroom door.

“Yeah?” Rosie said.

Grandpa went in. “You two work things out?”

“Yes,” Rosie said.

“Good, dinner will be ready in about half an hour,” Kele said.

“Okay, thank you,” both girls said.

Kele left the room for them to continue talking.

*****

The next day Rosie woke up at six. She was going to be driving out to San Fransico to see her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. She was excited so when she woke up that she jumped out of bed right away. She went into the kitchen and started to make herself some coffee and breakfast. Kele came out at seven as she was just finishing up washing her breakfast dishes.

“You are leaving shortly?” Kele asked.

“Yeah, just need to get dressed and such,” Rosie said.

“Okay,” Kele said. “When you are ready, I’ll give you the keys.”

“Okay, thank you,” Rosie said with a smile before she went to her bedroom and got dressed. She went into the bathroom and did her skin care and hair as well as brushed her teeth before she went back to her room and grabbed her bag. She went back out to the kitchen where her Grandfather held out the keys and tried to hand her cash.

“The gas tank is full, but you will need to fill it likely once,” Kele said

Rosie took the keys, “if you think I’m going to borrow your truck and not pay to refill the tank myself then you don’t know me very well,” Rosie said with a smirk.

Kele chuckled, “Take the cash just in case.”

Rosie sighed and took it. She would just leave it in his truck. She was not going to need it she had her own card with a large amount of savings as well as the emergency credit card her dad had given her years ago.

“Let me know when you get there and when you are heading back this way,” Kele said.

“I will,” Rosie said before she put on her shoes and headed out the door. She set up the GPS on her phone and attached it to one of the vents with the gadget she always kept on her.

She started the drive to San Fransisco. When she got there, she parked in the driveway of her sister's place and sent a quick text to her grandfather that she got there before she put her phone in her bag got out of the car and went and knocked on the door.

Her brother-in-law, Shawn, opened the door with a smile. “Hi, Rosie. Come on in.”

Rosie smiled. “Hi,” she said as she went inside and kicked off her shoes before she was led into the living room.

“Joy is just getting Kai dressed. They will both be down in a few minutes. Can I get you something to drink?” Shawn asked.

“No, I’m okay right now. Thank you,” Rosie said as she went to sit, but Joy came in a minute later, carrying a little boy who had his face buried in his mother’s neck.

“Hi, Rosie,” Joy said as the two embraced.

“Hi, Joy, hi Kai,” Rosie said, smiling at the little boy

“Kai, you remember your Auntie Rosie? We have spoken to her on the computer,” Joy said.

He nodded and said hi, it was mumbled as his face was still buried in Joy’s neck.

“He will warm up to you, I’m sure,” Joy said. “Please sit. Make yourself at home.”

Rosie smiled and sat down.

“How was the drive?” Shawn asked as he and Joy sat down. The little boy stayed in his mom’s lap.

“Yeah, you were a little nervous about driving your grandfather’s truck,” Joy said

“It was okay, some traffic at points but no problems,” Rosie said. “I would not drive his truck in the winter without a lot more practice, but it was okay today.”

“Good,” Joy said.

The little boy peeked out a little at Rosie.

Rosie smiled at him but didn’t push for more. She looked back up at Joy, “How is the writing coming? Working on anything new?”

“Always working on something, but nothing too exciting at the moment. Did I hear correctly you were considering getting into journalism but changed your mind?” Joy asked.

“Yes, I had wanted to be a journalist from a young age, but after working for my school paper and also realizing what I wanted to do was not write about the bad guys but help catch the bad guys,” Rosie said.

Joy chuckled, “So I got the writing gene, you got the crime-fighting gene.”

Rosie chuckled. “I guess that is somewhat accurate. I don’t want to be a police officer or FBI agent. My focus at Harvard is going to be forensic science and law.”

“So behind the scenes stuff,” Shawn said. “Still, very much can help law enforcement doing that.”

“That is the plan. I did tell Dad I was planning on becoming an FBI agent as a joke. That got a flat-out ‘no you are not,’” Rosie said with a smirk.

Joy chuckled.

“He just probably doesn’t want to see you get hurt,” Shawn said.

“Oh, I know, that’s the reason,” Rosie said smiling

“Dad and the rest of the family are good?” Joy asked.

“Yes,” Rosie said. “Well, Dad is still recovering. Even though he says otherwise. I can still see he is moving not the same as before. But everyone else is good.”

“Good,” Joy said. “Tell him I said this, and I’ll deny it, but the moving slower could be due to years of work as an FBI agent and his age catching up with him.”

Rosie chuckled, “Yeah. He is sixty. Papa is trying to get him to retire. Or at least get out of the fieldwork aspect of the job.”

“I have a feeling that is not going well,” Shawn said with a smirk.

“It is not,” Rosie said, smirking.

“You are going to Harvard; that is exciting,” Joy said. “Not as good of a school as NYU, but still good.” She said with a smirk.

“Well, NYU didn’t accept me,” Rosie said, sticking her tongue out at her sister.

“You got into Harvard but not NYU?” Shawn asked.

“Yeah. And my cousin technically got into NYU but decided to go to school locally to where she lives,” Rosie said.

“Did you want to go to NYU? I would have put in a good word for you if you asked. I have friends in admissions,” Joy said.

“No, yes, NYU is a good school. But Harvard was my top choice. Always has been,” Rosie said.

“Well, then I’m glad you got in there. I was just teasing. Harvard is an amazing school,” Joy said.

“I know,” Rosie said with a smile.

Kai squirmed a little, and Joy let him down. He went over to Rosie.

“Hi,” Rosie said to the little guy.

He looked carefully at her.

“What is it?” Rosie asked him.

“You don’t look the same as on the puter,” he said.

Rosie smiled, “Through a computer screen yes, I would look a little different. But I promise I’m Rosie.”

“Auntie Rosie,” he said with a big grin and held up his arms to her.

Rosie’s smile grew, and she picked up the little boy and set him in her lap, “Yes. That’s right.”

They continued talking. Rosie getting to know this part of her family better.

Joy took a picture of Rosie and Kai together.

Rosie noticed and smiled.

“I can send it to Dad?” Joy asked.

“Yes,” Rosie said

Joy pressed send. And Rosie’s phone started to ring five minutes later.

Rosie took it out of her pocket and answered it on speaker. “Hi, Dad, you’re on speaker.”

“You’re still with Joy and Kai?” Dave asked.

“Yes, and Shawn is here too,” Rosie said.

“Hi all,” Dave said.

“Hi, Dad,” Joy said.

“Hello Dave,” Shawn said.

“Grandpa!” Kai said.

Dave smiled, he loved being a grandpa. “Rosie, can you take the phone off speaker?”

Rosie did so, “Done, what is it?”

“You never mentioned you were going to visit Joy,” Dave said sounding a little annoyed.

“I told Papa,” Rosie said slight panic in her voice. “I figured he would tell you.”

“Oh. When did you tell him?” Dave asked.

“Yesterday,” Rosie said. “It was a kind of a last-minute decision.”

“Ah, I worked late last night and he was already gone when I woke up this morning,” Dave said.

“Sorry. I should have told you too,” Rosie said.

“It’s okay Rosie,” Dave said. “Your grandfather drove you?”

“No, he offered that or for me to borrow his truck, which I had already practiced driving, which I know I mentioned,” Rosie said the last part of her sentence coming out a little quicker.

“Yes, you did,” Dave said. “Rosie. You told Papa. I’m not upset with you.”

“Okay,” she said.

“I’m going to let you go. Give them all a hug for me,” Dave said.

“Will do,” Rosie said with a smile before they both said goodbye and hung up the call.

“Everything okay?” Joy asked.

“Yeah. I mentioned to Papa I was coming when I called home last night, dad was working and I guess Papa never got the message to him,” Rosie said.

“So when he got the picture he was annoyed you were here?” Joy asked head tilted.

“No!” Rosie said quickly. “I just knew he would expect to know. And I’m already in a little trouble for doing something I wasn’t supposed to do while I was here so I think he just assumed I chose not to tell him I was coming.”

Joy smiled and nodded.

“He does not have any issue with me coming and visiting you three,” Rosie said.

“He is just a Dad worried about his kid,” Shawn said.

“Wish he would start to worry a little less as I get older,” Rosie said.

Joy and Shawn chuckled.

She spent the rest of the day with her sister and family. At around six, she started to head out. She hugged the three of them before she texted her grandpa to let him know she was on her way.

She filled up the gas tank before she started on the road officially. When she was stopped at a stop light she put her headset on and when she was on the highway called her dad.

Dave answered. “Hey, Rose you back at Grandpa’s?”

“Not yet, calling you on my headset, I’m on the highway,” Rosie said. “I just wanted to let you know Joy might have gotten the wrong impression of why you were annoyed with me. I told her it was not the problem but she seemed to think you maybe didn’t want me visiting her.”

“Damn. Okay, I will call her and make sure she knows,” Dave said.

“I’m sorry Dad,” Rosie said.

“You have nothing to apologize for. I did talk to Papa and he said he intended to tell me but he was asleep before I got in and up before I was gone,” Dave said.

“Okay,” Rosie said a little doubt in her voice.

“Rosie, you okay?” Dave asked.

“Dad, you and Papa. Everything okay there?” Rosie asked.

“Of course. Why do you seem to think otherwise?” Dave asked confused.

“I just. . .” Rosie started. “I don’t know.”

“Rosie, I think you do know,” Dave said.

“I just know he has been annoyed with you for not agreeing to retire or to give up the field work and I’m worried,” Rosie said.

“Papa and I will have disagreements. You know that it’s normal,” Dave said.

“Yes. I do know that. But this just. . . seems like more,” Rosie said.

“Can you be specific about how it seems different?” Dave asked

“I don’t know. Just what I feel,” Rosie said.

“I will talk to Papa okay? I will make sure we are as solid as I think we are,” Dave said.

“Okay,” Rosie said.

“Bambina. No matter what Papa and I love you,” Dave said.

“I know. I love you both too,” Rosie said.

“Good,” Dave said. “Text me when you get back to your grandfathers.”

“I will,” Rosie said before they ended the call. She then called Nolan and talked to him for the rest of the drive. She filled the tank again before she finished the drive. When she pulled up at her grandfather's she sent a quick text to her dad and papa letting them both know she was back at grandpa’s before she went inside.

“In the living room,” Kele called out.

Rosie went in. “Hi,” she said holding out the keys.

Kele took them, “you had a good time?”

“Yes,” Rosie said with a smile.

“No problems on the drive?” Kele asked.

“Nope,” Rosie said.

“Good,” Kele said.

“Something wrong Grandpa?” Rosie asked.

“Sit please,” Kele said.

Rosie sat, “Becca okay?”

“Yes, she is in bed,” Kele said.

“I understand it can be hard for teenagers to talk to their parents or grandparents about personal things. But I want to make sure you know if you are in some kind of trouble you can tell me,” Kele said.

Rosie looked very confused, “Okay,” she said slowly.

“Your face tells me you have no idea what I’m talking about,” Kele said.

“I really don’t,” Rosie said.

Kele sighed and reached into a side table and pulled out a pregnancy test. “Becca says it is not her’s.”

“It is not mine Grandpa. I promise,” Rosie said.

Kele nodded.

“Is it positive?” Rosie asked.

“Yes,” Kele said. “And there have been no other women here outside of you and Becca.”

“I don’t know what to say. But it is not mine,” Rosie said.

“Rosie, I will not be angry with you,” Kele said.

“Why do you believe Becca and not me?” Rosie asked.

“Becca does not have a boyfriend and as far as I know, she has not spent any time alone with any boys,” Kele said. “You do not hide the medications you take. One of which being birth control.”

Rosie let out a breath, “Okay. Yes. I do take birth control. Which just means if I’m having sex I’m protected.”

“Birth control doesn’t always work,” Kele said.

“Okay, true. But Grandpa I haven’t taken any pregnancy tests. I do not think I’m pregnant,” Rosie said.

“Okay,” Kele said.

“Grandpa. I promise,” Rosie said.

“I believe you Nizhoni,” Kele said. “You hungry?”

“No. I was very well fed,” Rosie said with a smile.

Kele chuckled, “Good.”

“I’m going to go to bed,” Rosie said. “If there isn’t anything else?”

“You can go,” Kele said.

Rosie got up and went and hugged him, “Goodnight Grandpa.”

“Goodnight Nizhoni,” Kele said hugging her back.

Rosie went and flopped on the bed. She felt awful. She had just lied so hard to her grandfather. But when she took the test it showed negative. Had she not waited long enough? And she thought she had buried the test far enough in the garbage that it wouldn’t be seen.

Rosie laid awake. She could not sleep. At three in the morning. She picked up her phone and sent a text to Nolan. She knew it was seven in Virginia.

Rose: “Hey. You awake?”

Noel was just waking up when his phone went off with a text. He looked at it.

Noel: “Just waking up. Why aren’t you asleep?”

Rose: “Can’t sleep. Too much on my mind.”

Noel: “Tell me.”

Noel: “Well if telling me will help you sleep I don’t mind you telling me over text. I won’t get upset with you

Rose: “I was supposed to start my period the day I came here. I’m late. I’ve never been late.”

Noel: “Oh.”

Rose: “I took a test it was negative. Sorry, I should have included that.”

Noel let out the breath he was holding.

Noel: “Okay. Good. Why can’t you sleep then?”

Rose: “I thought I had hidden the test well in the garbage. But Grandpa found it. I denied it being mine. But I don’t know if he believes me. I’ve never gone out of my way to hide my birth control. So he knows I’m on it.

Noel: “You feel bad for lying.”

Rose: “I feel awful for lying”

Noel: “Are you worried he is going to be angry?”

Rose: “He said he wouldn’t be. More worried he will be disappointed.”

Noel: “I’m sorry you are dealing with this alone. I wish I were there with you.”

Rose: “What would you have done if it was positive?”

Noel: “Rosie. You know the answer. Whatever you decide I would support. If you choose to have and keep the baby I would be there helping you raise him or her.”

Rose: “What about school?”

Noel: “We would figure it out. Together.”

Rose: “Okay.”

Noel: “I love you Rosie. Always”

Rose: “I love you too. Forever”

Noel: “Feel better?”

Rose: “Somewhat but still lied to him.”

Noel: “Do you think telling him the truth will help?”

Rose: “I don’t know.”

Noel: “If it makes you feel better. You are not obligated to tell anyone. Not even me. Even if you were pregnant and decided to terminate the pregnancy you would not be obligated to tell anyone outside of medical professionals.”

Rose: “I know. But I also know I want us to be able to have open and honest conversations. About everything.”

Noel: “I’m glad that you feel like you can be honest with me”

Rose: “In continuing being honest. When I took the test it was negative. But when my grandfather asked me about it he said it was positive. I’m wondering if I didn’t wait long enough”

Noel: “So you might be pregnant?”

Rose: “I don’t know. Maybe

Noel took a breath.

Noel: “Okay. Do you want to do another test there or wait until you get home?”

Rose: “I’m coming home tomorrow anyway. I’ll wait.”

Noel: “I will get you a test and we can do it together?”

Rose: “Please.”

Noel: “Why don’t you try to sleep again?”

Rose: “Okay. I’ll try. Love you.”

Noel: “Love you too. Sleep well.”

Rosie put her phone back on the charger before she turned over and closed her eyes trying to sleep again.

Rosie’s last day in California was uneventful. She spent time with her cousin and grandfather as well as packed and got ready to leave.