ROSE AND EMILY

Sam Pembroke

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Emily looked like an exact mirror image of Rose; they were identical twins in appearance only, personality wise, they were two different people. Emily loved to be amongst the public, being shown off like some prize child while Rose just wanted to be herself. Emily had arrived a mere three weeks prior, and at first Rose didn't get along with her very well; she thought Emily was somewhat spoiled and worse… a brat. Emily had no idea what she had gotten into when she met Rose for the first time. For all Emily cared about was being accepted by the Bukater family, often times this frightened her. Her adoptive mother, Victoria Langdon comforted Emily the morning she left, assuring her that "They will accept you darling, I know they will. You have nothing to fear." Each subsequent day that Emily was in the house she grew more and more into liking her real family. She never regarded Ruth as her mother; she would rather just call her Mrs. Bukater.

Rose on the other hand was terrified that Emily was coming to visit "What if she's a horrid child?" she asked Sadie, her nanny/governess. "Mother assures me that she is a girl of calm disposition, how can I be sure that she's telling me the truth?" she would ask Sadie. Two days before Emily arrived, Rose got into trouble for going across the street without telling her mother. As punishment she wasn't allowed to go the park until the day Emily had arrived. The afternoon that the girl did arrive in the house with her multitude of trunks and boxes; Rose was afraid to talk to her. "Hi, my name is Rose Elizabeth Bukater, you must Emily?" Rose said as she introduced herself. Emily simply curtsied and said "Yes, my name is Emily Lovejoy Langdon, and I have heard so much about you Rose." Emily said in reply. Rose left Emily in the guest room to get settled in. "Oh god, I do hope that she isn't one of THOSE children." She thought to herself. Rose went into her room where her younger sister, Elizabeth was sitting on Rose's bed. "Who is SHE?" Elizabeth asked. "Don't get me started Elizabeth." Rose answered.

Rose walked into Emily's room again, only this time she noticed that the girl was sitting on her bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "What's wrong Emily?" Rose asked. "I miss her. We've only been separated for a few hours, but I feel like its been years." Rose knew what she meant. "You miss your mother don't you?" she asked, lending a comforting hand. Emily nodded yes and the tears continued to fall. Just then, Ruth entered Emily's room to find the two twelve year olds together. "Rose, I'd like to be alone with Emily for a moment." She said. Rose complied with her mother's request. Ruth moved over towards the sniveling child and sat on the bed. "I see that you're homesick, Emily it's alright. I phoned your mother to let her know that you have arrived." Ruth said to her in a comforting tone, lending a hand to stroke her hair, bringing the tears to a stop. "Do you wish to change clothes?" Ruth asked, being nice. Emily nodded, and soon Emily stood there in her underclothes. "I see that you wear a corset. My Rose doesn't wear one yet, but when you and she go off to boarding school this fall, she will be wearing one." Ruth said as she kissed Emily on the cheek. Ruth picked out a cream colored dress for Emily to wear. She looked beautiful in the dress, and Ruth told her this.

Ruth Bukater with her emerald green eyes and auburn hair may seem like an austere woman; in reality she is very close to Rose and Elizabeth. She talks very highly of them whenever she is out making social calls to the neighbors, or even further within the state. Whenever someone mentioned Ruth it was always a good thing, she was the ideal mother for the ideal child, and Rose was ideal, every parent wanted a daughter like her. Many would comment to Ruth regarding Rose. What people hadn't known was that twelve years prior, she gave birth to twins. This had all of Philadelphia in a frenzy because one month later she had put one of her twins up for adoption. The reason for this was that Ruth had put one of her twins up for adoption: Emily. It turns out that Ruth was not psychologically capable of handling two babies at once. Luckily, Ruth knew the person who would adopt the baby; her friend Victoria Langdon of Brattleboro. Ruth had hoped to see Emily again, and Victoria made sure to write Ruth monthly, updating her on Emily. Often, the letters brought sadness, for Emily was often sick.

As Emily was finishing up changing her clothes, Rose entered the room again. Ruth was still in the room, and she brought both girls to her attention; "Emily, Rose why don't you go outside? It's a wonderful day out there. Elizabeth will join you later; she needs to take her nap first." Ruth said in a cheerful tone. Emily put on her hat and walked down the hall and finally, down the stairs. Rose joined her a few seconds later. "Cone on let's go across the street. I'll show you the park" said Rose. Emily didn't know if she was to be excited or not. As they crossed the street, it was like they were in another world; for the park was full of trees and vibrant greenery still dripping after the morning's rain. "This park is one of the best. I come here to get peace and quiet." Rose told Emily. Rose continued to walk ahead, paying little attention to Emily who was trailing behind her, rather quickly. "Wait a minute Rose! I can't keep up with you." Emily said almost exhausted. Rose stopped and waited for Emily to catch up to her. "God, she's not going to get along with me at all if she keeps THIS up." Rose thought to herself. Emily finally caught up.

They came to a bench and sat. "Rose, you don't like me do you? You can say that you don't." "Emily, what makes you say that I don't like you? You're just…different." "How Rose how am I different? Is it my mannerisms?" Rose shook her head. "No Emily, it's just that I thought that you would enjoy going outside and walking around in the park. I just see someone who's unhappy. Why are you unhappy Emily?" "Rose, I have no friends. No one would want o be my friend anyways. I have behavioral issues. I have to take this stupid medication." Now it became clear. Tears began to roll down Emily's cheeks. "Emily, don't cry. I didn't know about that. Is your home life good?" "No Rose, it isn't. Mama is very, very protective of me. I can't go into town alone. I wish I could. She says that 'you're too young for such things Emily.'" "Why don't you defy her?" "Rose if I did that, mama would have Amy watching me day and night. I'd have no freedom." "Emily, who's Amy?" "Rose, Amy is my governess and nanny. I like her, but sometimes she sides with my mother over trivial things." "Oh. I see you have one of those as well. Sadie is ours. She takes care of us. She can take care of you too. All you have to do is just ask." By now, it was getting time to head back to the house and see if Elizabeth was up from her nap.