Chapter 1
Rose never knew when she got her gift. There never was a time she could remember that she couldn't see people walking through walls, partially transparent, or with parts of them missing. No one ever reacted to them or mentioned them so she naturally thought they were suppose to be there. It was one day when she tried to talk a particularly sad transparent girl into playing with her that her parents realized that something was wrong.
"Rose, who are you talking to?" Her mother asked in a honeyed over voice.
"The little, sad, transparent girl." Rose replied. Her mother took her to a councilor after that. During their sessions, Rose revealed that she'd been seeing these people all along.
"How are you today Rose?"
"I'm good... why do you keep that baby in there corner?"
"What baby?"
"The one in the corner."
"Rose, there are no babies in here."
"Yes there is, it's crying so loudly. But it's making choking sounds." Rose scooted to the edge of the scratchy couch and hopped off, her dress flapping up quickly before she flattened it down again. She trotted over to the corner and crouched down.
"It's okay, baby. It's okay." Rose held out a finger for the invisable baby to grab.
"Mrs. Why did you put this baby over here? It's filthy, I think it's blood. And theres a thing wrapped around it's neck. Oh, it can't breath, thats why its choking." Rose reached out as if to grab something but suddenly looked puzzled.
"Mrs. I can't touch the baby. I knew they could go through things but I thought I could touch them," Rose held out her finger again. "They can touch me but I cant touch them. Mrs. Why does the baby have a paper on it's foot?" The councilor looked like she was suddenly brought back to attention by the question.
"I... I don't know Rose. What does it say?" The councilor asked. Rose shook her head.
"I can't read.... But mommy says I cans talk really good." Roses smiled wide.
"Can you copy the letters, Rose?" The councilor got up and returned with a piece of paper and a crayon. Rose took the offered items and began trying hard to copy the words.
The whole ordeal took about ten minutes. She smiled at the sight Rose made. She sat of her knees, leaned over so her stomach was pressed to her thighs. Her tiny fist was clenched around the crayon and her toung was stuck out and pressed to the corner of her mouth in determination. Every few moments she would turn her head at a strange angle as if reading something.
"Done!" Rose cried happily. She stood and rushed over to the councilor, paper held high with pride. She quickly shoved it into her hands and turned back to the 'baby'. The councilor gave one last look at the girl Rose before looking down at the paper.
The handwriting was terrible and hard to make out but what was on the paper shook her to the core. Written on the paper was the following:
Infant: Freston
Date and Time of Death: November 5, 1998 7:34 AM
Cause of Death: Suffacation by Abblilical Cord around neck
The coucilor, Mrs. Jeniffer Freston stiflled a gasp and placed a shakey hand on her stomach.
"Mrs? Did it help? Do you know why the baby is here?" Rose looked up with wide expectant eyes.
"I wanted to forget."
The councilor had not explination for it. She told Rose's parents about what happened. She'd kept no recordes of ever losing her child during birth. She'd wanted to forget. Yet somehow this girl knew somehow. The councilor wanted to continue sessions but her parents discontnued them, fearing the councilor would want her there for her own sake of not their daughter's.
Roses strange ability was kept a close family secret for fear that someone would become to interested in Rose. The possiblity of Rose being take away was always at the fore front of Rose's parent's minds. They were always near while Rose played with friends. They were always ready to interviene if the need arose.
When Rose was six she went to 1st grade. Thats where she met Effen. He was shy little boy with black hair and the most beautiful blue eyes you will ever see. The first time she saw him he was being teased by a group of kids that looked big enough to be 3rd graders. In other words, they looked like they could squish you like a pop can.
"Hey pretty boy. Do you wear make up or it that just your face?" They all laughed like it was then most clever any of them had ever heard.
"I bet he's not even a boy. No boy is that pretty." They cackled again. Rose looked over from where she was swinging. The black haired boy, Effen, was sitting, or more, curled up aginst the chain link fence, the group of guys standing just a few feet away. Behind them, just beyond the fence, was an old man, slightly transparent, watching them with a sad expression that reminded Rose of when she fell and she cried to her mother, and her mother held her with that same look.
She turned her attention back to the boys. They pratically towered over his small shrunken frame. Rose felt angery. No one should be pushed around and called names, no matter what they looked like. She swung a couple more times, knowing it'd be gone by the time she got back, and jumped off. A couple small pebbles found their way into her shoe. She stuck a finger into the side of her shoe to dig out the pebbles before she comfronted these bullies. Then she stomped over. Just as she reached them, one of the boys bent down and shooped up a handful of pebbles before throwing them at the victimized boy.
"Hey!" Rose yelled. One of the boys turned around and Rose socked him as hard as she could. It was enough to send him crashing into the chain link fence holding his face with one hand while the other flailed around, trying to grab something. The other boys turned around.
"Aww, look. A girl has come to save you." One sneered. Rose drew up her hands, curled angerly in fists infront of her.
"No one saving you after I'm done with you." Rose said, a deep frown of her face.
"Guys! I think she broke my nose!" Said the guy she'd punched. The group glanced at the boy. Sure enough there was a thick trail of blood that had rapidly made it's way down over his lips, down his chin and was dribbling down his front and neck.
"Whatever. This is boring, lets go." Said one of the boys, trying to salvage their pride by a little. They walked away, as quickly as they could with out looking like they were scared Rose would run after them and slug another one of them. Rose watched them then turned to the boy. He was still curled up but was risking a glance up to see if his bulliers had really gone. Rose crouched down next to him.
"Hey, you okay?" She asked. He gave her a quick glance before looking back down. His answer was a quick nod. She giggled. She lifted a hand to brush the pebbles from his hair and he flinched.
"It's okay," She said soothingly, "I won't hurt you." She reached a little bit further the brushed the pebbles and little bits of dirt out of his hair. He tensed up... then slowly relaxed as she continued to pet down his mussed hair.
"See? It's okay. I'm Rose. Whats your name?" She asked resting her hand on his shoulder. She could feel the muscules shaking under his thin sweater. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He coughed a little then tried again.
"Effen." His voice was so quiet and small Rose almost missed it. It seemed almost as if he expected her to laugh and walk away.
"Effen. Hmm. I like it. It's like Evan... but different. I like it. I like you too. We should be friends, okay?" Rose said . Effen looked up at her as if he didn't dare it be true. "It's okay. If you stay with me, those boys won't dare come after you again. Come on. Friends." She held out her hand to him. He looked at it with wide eyes before carefully taking it. Rose smiled and pulled him to his feet. He inhaled in a gasp. Rose could see his clothes were filthy like he'd wore them for an entire week.
"Do you like you swing? I love it cause you can go high and fall without getting hurt. Come on, lets go get a swing. Just one. And we push eachother. You can go first if you want." Rose rambled. She gave a glance over her shoulder towards the old man. He looked a lot happier as he waved. She smiled back at him then concentrated on getting a swing.
Rose drew Effen out of his shell slowly. It was difficult since Effen thought every move was meant to hurt. Rose learned to be slow and patient with him. They settled with calm activities such as card or board games, drawing in the sand, or swinging. The first time they swung, Effen was afraid of Rose pushing him and Effen pushed too softly. Rose settled with pushing from the from the front, using his outstretched feet to, as softly as she could, send him in the other direction. Rose discovered that Effen's shoes were too big and she had to push the bottom and not the top. She did this accidently and Effen's shoe flipped off his foot.
"I'll get it!" Rose cried and bent to get it. Effen was shaking as Rose walked towards him, shoe at hand.
"Here, hold out a foot. I'll put it on for you. I'm really good at tieing shoes." Rose dropped to her knees infront of him. Hesitantly, Effen held out his foot drapped in a sock too big for him. Rose guided the foot inside with one hand around his ankle. Then she propped the large shoe on her thigh so she could squint at the brown laces as she concentrated on making the best bow she could. This was her friend after all. She had to make in perfect. First wrap one under the other. Then make two rabbit ears and wrap those one around the other. Rose pulled them tight then tied it in a double knot, just in case. Then she noticed the other was lose so she tied that one too. First wrap one under the other. Then make two rabbit ears and wrap those one around the other. After the double knot, Rose look up at Effen.
"Is that okay?" She asked cause that's what her mom asked too. Effen looked like he was about to cry. He bit his lip and nodded. He held the tears in. Rose grinned at the approval.
"Hold on to the chains okay. And look up. You'll feel like your flying." Rose took a gentle hold on Effen's ankles and took a few big steps backwards.
"Are you looking up?" Rose asked leaning back as she kept a hold on his ankles. He nodded and Rose pulled a little more before letting go. It was like magic. It's like everything slowed down. Effen's hair flew around his head as he stared wide eyed up at the sky as it came nearer then fell away. He got closer again and as he came back down Rose push on the heels of his feet to keep him going. Rose pushed him for ten minutes before she stepped out of the way and slowly let his momentum go down. Effen stood and looked up at the same time, falling to the ground from dizzyness.
"Was that fun?" Rose asked, plopping down next to him. Effen nodded, eyes wide in amazement. Rose grinned her big happy grin.
Rose and Effen became best friends. They were inseperipable. They were always seen together, talking quietly, though this rarely happened, and swinging and drawing in the sand. During reading time they always sat in the same place, in the corner between the small cubbies and the wall. Some times, they read the same book, one holding, the other nodding when they were finished reading that page. Some times, they read different books, switching half way through to read what the other had.
Rose told her parents about Effen. They told Rose to invite Effen over to play or for dinner, but when ever Rose asked, he never could. It made Rose sad and worried Rose's parents. They called the school. Effen was taken out of class in the middle of art time. They were finger painting and they were working on a project together. One side of the paper was night and the other was day but right in the middle, all the same, was a swing. Effen left, and Rose refused to continue without him cause he had to finish his night side cause it was his side, not hers. Miss Anderson hung it up to dry none the less.
Effen came back an hour later. His eyes were puffy and tear trails on his cheeks were evident. Rose ran to him and stood a foot away, her arms raised in waiting. Waiting to give the comfort she knew she could give. But not take the final step because, if forced into it, Effen would be even more scared. He stepped forward and buried himself in her arms as if to hide. He was shivering. Mrs. Harold, the princible, walked to the front of the classroom and whispered in Miss. Anderson's ear. As Mrs. Harold whispered, Miss Anderson's hand shot to her mouth, as if to stiffle a gasp or to have the pressure there to remind herself not to speak. Rose placed her jaw on top of Effen's head to cover him more. Teachers only whispered when something bad happened.
Mrs. Harold pulled away with a look that only adults can really inturpret. The she began walking towards the two children. Rose tightened her hold on him. Mrs. Harold couldn't take Effen away. Rose would punch her like those bullies. But Mrs. Harold simply crouched next to them, somehow not showing her underwear under her knee high skirt.
"Effen, after school you need to come to the office, okay?" She said in a soft voice. Effen held on tighter to the front of Rose's shirt and nodded into her chest. His head bumped Rose's jaw a couple time and his hair, which was getting long, tickled her throat and chin. Mrs. Harold reached out to pat his back but Effen stiffened and Rose held him tighter and slightly away from her. Mrs. Harold's hand stopped, then dropped in defeat. She stood and walked out of the classroom.
The rest of the day was lost cause trying to get the two children to seperate, so Miss. Anderson put them in their story time corner so they were got of the way. They sat, side by side, not hugging cause sitting that was very uncomfortable.
"Effen, I... I don't know what is happening... we're best friends, I want to help."
"Can't tell. I'd get in trouble if I told." Effen mumbled. Rose turned her entire body to face him, now shifted to sit on her knees.
"I won't tell. Pinky promise. I won't tell if you don't tell." Rose said holding out her pinky. Effen was confused.
"Don't tell what?"
"You tell me why your sad and I'll tell you my biggest secret. Mom and Dad don't want me to tell. But I'll tell you cause your my best friend." Rose continued holding up her pinky. It started aching from holding it up there, but she was determined to know and to help.
Effen looked down at the pinky slowly, then back up to Roses face, then down again. Slowly he raised his hand, pinky outstretched, elbow crooked at an angle. His pinky brushed hers then hooked around hers, barely holding on, but still there. Rose smiled her happy smile and held his pinky as she leaned forward.
"I can see dead people. At least thats what mom and dad say. They look ordinary to me except sometimes they're look through. Or only half of them are there. It's not scary really. But mom and dad don't want me to tell." Rose whispered. Her shoulders felt better as she said this. It's like a burden was lifted. Rose continued to look at Effen, his face never changing. Then he looked dead on into her face.
"Really? For truth?" He asked. Rose gently squeezed Effen's with her's.
"Truths." Effen's eyes were down again, staring at the ground in between them.
"My mom and dad don't like me. They call me names and I get punished if I do something wrong. The school found out. They had a something worker here. They made me take off my clothes and they saw my bruises and stuff. The nurse said I don't have anything broken so they didn't take me right away. They're taking me away, Rose. They're taking me away." His silent tears started to flow again and and Rose pulled him to her, not caring if he tried to get away, though he didn't. He needed her. He sobbed like he had never been aloud to. He was never going to leave. If they tired to take him away, she'd go to.
After school, Rose and Effen walked to the office. They both sat in on of the uncomfortable waiting chairs. Rose looked determined. Effen kept his head down.
After fifteen minutes, Rose's mom walked in.
"Rose! I was just going to have to school page you over the intercom. Why didn't you come to the car?"
"They're gonna try and take Effen away, but they can't cause I'm not gonna let them." Rose said firmly, her jaw set.
The reseptionist called Rose's mom over and spoke to her in a low tone. Rose didn't bother to try and listen. Instead she slipped a protective arm around Effen. They could seperate them, not matter what.
Rose's mother finished talking to the reseptionist and walked into the next room. Rose could hear her making a phone call. After a while there was a long silence. Then Rose's mother came back and sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs next to Rose and Effen.
"Rose, Effen. I know you two don't ever want to be seperated. I'm going to stay with you and talk to the social working. My husband and I agree that'd we would love to be your foster home. Is that okay? Would to like to come live with us?" Rose's mother said softly. Effen bit him lip as tears welled up in his eyes and he gave a couple quick nods. Rose smiled her happy smile.
Rose skipped from the school to the car. Effen followed close behind, walking fast to keep arrived at the car and had to wait for Rose's mother to unlock it so they could crawl in. Rose's mother chuckled at her daughter. She dug her keys from her purse. It took her a minute. She finally found them stuck between her lip stick and her big thick wallet. By this time, Rose was bouncing around. Effen stood quietly, head down, not speaking. Rose's mother frowned at this and unlocked the car. Rose scrambled into the back and strapped herself in. Effen climbed in too but didn't put on his seat belt.
Rose's mother reached over to to fasten the boy in and the boy flinched. He flinch! Rose's mother's heart ached.
"It's okay sweety. I'm just gonna buckle in so your safe." Rose's mother said in a soft voice. She reached towards him again. This time he held fast though he still shook. Rose's mother drew around the belt and clicked it into place. It was then, as the belt tightened around his form that Rose's mother realized how thin he was.
Rose's mother drew away and shut the door. She stood outside the car for a moment, trying to still her aching heart. Then, she took a deep breath and move to the driver's door. She slid in smoothly and slid the key into the ignition. The car rumbled to live as they made the journey home.
In the back seat, Rose talked on and on about living with them, with their big back yard and the kitchen with the breakfast bar, with chairs so tall that her mother or father had to lift her, and her room, painted blue cause it reminded her of water cause she loves water. The descriptions went on and on for about fifteen minutes. As soon as they hit the speed bump that announced the arrival of their neighborhood, Rose started pointing out the different houses and talking about the people who lived there, based on the halloween candy they gave out, of course. They finally bumped into their drive way and Rose hurriedly unbuckled and bounced in her seat.
Rose's mother gave a final glance at the children before unlocking the car door. Rose flung open the door before coaxing Effen out as well. Rose's mother watched her daughter as she did this with gentleness and care, probably knowing how to deal with the boy from the months they'd spent together. Rose's Mother could see around Effen she calmed more and became a mentor and helper to Effen.
Rose held out her hand slightly. Rose's Mother thought Effen would flinch away like he had her. Instead, Rose didn't get close enough to scare him. She waited, and then, Effen reached out his hand to gently grasp hers.
"I'll give you a tour, okay? And you have to stay close, cause you always have to stay close to the tour guide." Rose said. Effen nodded and Rose lead the way, their back packs bobbing as they walked.
"Now this is the porch..." Squeek, Thudum. Rose had made quick progress getting inside. Rose's mother stood another minute before locking the car and moving inside. She could heard Rose's voice echoing off the walls from the kitchen. Rose's mother made her was there. When she got in, she saw Effen's eyes go wide and he dropped his head as if he was caught doing something he shouldn't.
"Would you two like something to eat? I'll make some Macaroni and cheese while you finish your tour, Rose." Rose's mother said. Effen's head popped up as if shocked not to be in trouble.
"Okay, come one Effen. I'm gonna show you the living room and the back yard, and downstair and upstairs and my room, and..." Rose's voice trailed off as they traveled out of ear range.
Rose's mother once more squashed the urge to run after them and scoop up the boy and hug his and tell him he was safe now. She then turned. Time to fatten that boy up. She, without looking, turned on the radio and began pulling out the stuff she needed. Two comercial Macanori and Cheese boxes. Check. Milk. Check. Hot Dogs. Check. She began boiling the water as newer song came on. She'd only heard it a few times but it was beautiful.
You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare
She added the noddles and gave a delicate spin on the ball of her foot.
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance
Rose's mother stirred the noddles till they were soft and drained them. Then she added the milk, then the artifical cheese powder. She took out a couple hot dogs and put them on a plate in the microwave for one minute.
A fox trot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep
She stirred to gether the noodles and milk and cheddar powder till they were a solid mass of shiny yellow. The microwave beeped and she took out the plate with the sizzling hotdogs.
Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep
To ten million fireflies
I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell
She cut the hot dogs into round pieces and stirred them into the warm mass of creamy goodness.
But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep
"Kids! Macaroni is ready! Wash your hands!" Rose's mother heard the thumping of feet over head and they headed towards the bathroom. She could hear water running and giggling as Rose taught Effen how to make big bubbles with her hands.
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams
Rose's mother dished up two bowls of the Macaroni and Cheese and set it at the low table, thinking Effen wouldn't appreciate being picked up. The kids came into the kitchen again, Rose looking for the food, Effen keeping his head down as if he was in a place he shouldn't be.
"Your food is on the table over there. Go on, eat it. You must be hungery after such a long day." Rose's Mother said from her spot in the kitchen, cleaning and putting away the mess she'd made dancing around the kitchen.
The kids scuttled over to the table. Rose pulled out Effen's chair and helped him up. Then she climbed into her own chair.
"Lookie! Mom put hot dogs in it too! Mmm. Tastey." Roses exclaimed as she began shoveling food into her mouth. Effen looked at the food and quickly began to eat as if it would disappear any moment. Rose's mother watched sadly, but happy the child was eatting.
"Would you like some juice?" Rose's mother asked.
"Yes, please." Rose said through a mouth full.
"Now, Rose, we know we don't talk with our mouth full. How about you, Effen?" Rose's mother held up two plastic bottles with different colored liquid in them. "We only have apple and sunny D I'm afraid." Effen whispered something and Rose relayed it.
"He said apple please." Roses grinned.
"Sure thing, Effen. You too, Rose. Same?"
Rose's hair bobbed around her haed as she nodded.
"Ya hu." Rose's mother got a couple small cups out and filled each with the Apple juice. She then went around the table so Effen could see her putting down the cups.
"Here you go. Hows the Macaroni and Cheese?" Rose's Mother asked.
"Great!" Rose said after she gulped down a mouth full of Apple Juice and noodle mixture. Effen tensivly took his cup in both hands and brought it towards him. He sniffed it before taking a small he began to sip it, looking to savor every drop.
Rose's mother went back to the kitchen, putting the Apple Juice away, knowing it would be back out again soon. She stayed next to the sink the rest of the time, staring hard at the tiled wall and assortment of spices behind it. Who could have done this to a child. And what would it take to make Effen feel safe in this home?
"Mom, Mom!" Rose cried. Rose's mother went to the table. "We're done!" Rose presented the empty bowl with smears of cheese sause. Rose's mother looked at Effen's bowl. It was only half eatten and he was still nursing the cup of juice.
"Would it be alright if I saved this for you for later? Incase you get hungery again?" Rose's mother asked. Effen looked at her like she was an alien. Then he gave a slow nod.
"How about you two watch a movie and I'll clean up a bit more?" Rose's mother said taking the bowls.
"Yeah. Effen hasn't seen very many movies. Come on, lets go pick one!" Rose said scooting off her chair and helping Effen off his. Rose's mother gazed in pride at the softness and care Rose took with Effen. Even when it was evident in her voice that she was wound up like a ball of yarn. They waddled off to go pick a movie and Rose's mother saved Effen's leftovers in a plastic container. Then she washed the bowls and put them away.
"Mom, mom, we want to watch this one." Rose presented a movie case. The title was simply 'Bambi'. Seemed awfully fimiliar to her.
"I'm not so sur-"
"Mom," Rose said in an iritated voice, "Hes never seen it. Everyone has to see Bambi." Rose's mother sighed.
"Alright." Rose gave a whoop of glee and took Effen's hand once more as the three of them journyed to the den. Rose and Effen crawled on to the large couch while Rose's mother put in the movie. Turning from the previews, Rose's mother took a warm blanket from near by and tucked it around them. Then, she headed upstairs to call her swept into her shared bedroom and delicatly picked up the phone. She pressed the numbers quickly, her fingers not needing to be told where to go. The she leaned against the side table and listened to the ring.
And waited. And waited. The voice mail answered.
"You have reached the voice mail of ... 'Jeff Rumman'. Please leave you message after the tone. You may hang up, or press 9 for more options. To leave a call back number, press 5... BEEP!"
"Jeff, it me. I fed the kids and now their watching a movie. Things are going good so far. I think I'll keep the kids home from school tommorow. With whats happened and all. God, Jeff. You so much as raise a finger and the child flinches. It hurts to watch. Anyway, call me back before you head home. I'm craving chinese food right now. Love ya. Bye." Rose's mother put the phone down. She rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hands and headed back down stairs.
Quietly she patted over to the entery way to the living room. The two small children were now leaning against each other, they're eyes shut softly in slumber. They're arm nearest the other was wrapped around the other's arms. They're heads were rested against each other and they're breath slow and even. Bambi hopped through a field with his female friend and dodged the full grown males running around and prancing like they were princes themselves.
Rose's mother went back up stairs to Rose's room. She had a pull out bed, just incase one of her friends slept over. Rose's mother gave the iron frame a hard tug and it slid out from under Rose's green cover. The sheets on the pull out bed were also green, the sheets pretty much the same. She folded back the covers on both beds then went back down stairs. First she gathered her daughter, seeing as her bed was the furthest from reach, and trudged up stairs. Her daughter was becoming heavy and difficult to lift. She layed Rose down on the bed and slipped off her shoes. Then she pulled the covers over and placed a good night kiss on her fore head.
Next was Effen. This one would be tricky. Hopefully he was dead enough asleep that he wouldn't notice that someone was touching him. Rose's mother slowly slid her arms under the tramatised boy's knees and back. She made sure to lean his head against her heart as to, hopefully soothe him further. She walked as gently and smoothly as possible. It was difficult, but Rose's mother made it up the stairs and into the bedroom without waking Effen. Rose's mother sighed.
'Thank goodness.' She thought. Then she slipped off his shoes and tucked him in. Then, after a hesitant moment, she placed a good night kiss on his forehead. He stirred a little but didn't wake. Rose's mother breathed a sigh of relief before standing and walking over to Rose's froggy night light and turning it on with a flip of the switch. Then she left the room, glancing back once upon the beautiful children in her she closed the door till there was just a crack.
Effen opened his eyes. The nice lady, Rose's mother, was gone. She'd said before that he'd be able to live here. She'd fed him and given him juice, and a choice in juice for that matter. Then she let them watch a movie. A Movie! Oh how exciting. The first movie he'd ever seen. He'd passed by the living room when his father... when his father had been watching WTF or something of the sort. But Effen had never been allowed to watch TV... in fact, he wasn't allowed much of anything. And when he'd fallen asleep, which he wasn't suppose to do till he was told, she carried him up to a soft comfortable bed, another thing he wasn't allowed. She'd even taken off his shoes and tucked him in. And then, the most suprising thing. She'd kissed him! On the forehead. He felt a feeling rise in his chest as the thought. It'd been so affectionate, so caring. Went so unexpected. He'd practicly flinched but managed not to move too much.
For the first time, Effen felt live there was a little hope left for him. A hope that someone cared. And he planned to hold on to that hope for as long as he could.