The Year 1915…
I often think back to the day that Tasha kissed me. Not because of the kiss, but of what came after. That night I held Rosemarie in my arms and thought about everything I ever felt towards her. I knew that I was starting to feel romantically towards her and I tried to shut down those feelings as soon as possible. It just isn't right. I raised Rosemarie. No, I've never considered myself a father to her, nor do I want her to consider me that way, but it just shouldn't be. When Rosemarie woke up she instantly went to her room and when she came back out we acted as if the events from the day before never happened.
It is now two years later. Rosemarie is now fifteen and as beautiful as ever. Every day is a battle that I don't always win. I attempt to not see her as a person of interest for me, but, when I see her I can't help but imagine her in my arms, her lips against mine.
"Rose, I'm going to go grab a bag to put the apples in," I tell her. She acknowledges my words with a nod and I leave the produce section of the little grocery store we're in. After getting the bag, I walk back to the section, only to find that Rose has vanished. A small amount of fear runs through me. It's not like Rosemarie to go somewhere without telling me, but this is a store, so hopefully she's just gone to another area inside.
Without getting the apples, I leave the section once again and start looking for Rose. After a few minutes of looking, I stop walking and take a deep breath. I focus my hearing and begin to search for Rose's voice. I find her almost instantly. I go to where I heard her voice, which is back through one of the doors in the back. When I walk through, I see Rose sitting on a crate besides a red headed boy who is wearing an apron. They don't realize that I'm watching and continue speaking with one another.
"I can't believe you haven't been going to school anymore, Mason." Rose tells him, taking his hands in her own. "I'm so sorry that you had to stop."
"It's alright, Rose, I did what I had to do. My mothers' condition has gotten worse and my father can't afford to take care of the family by himself anymore. My family comes before my education. But anyway, why did you stop going? You left before I did."
"Oh, I'm still getting schooling. Dimitri just decided that I should be tutored privately." After she says my name, I speak up.
"Rosemarie,"
The two teenagers quickly separate and rise from the crates. Rose brushes down the purple fabric of her dress and smiles at me. "Dimitri, this is Mason, we used to go to school together."
"Hello," I say, voice emotionless.
"Hello Dimitri," Mason says, hands wrapping over his chest. "You look like you haven't aged a day. When did we last see each other? Two, three years ago?"
"Two," I answer, remembering the last time I ever took Rose to school before starting her tutoring at him.
"Huh. Actually, you look like you haven't aged since we were kids…" Rose furrows her eyebrows, looking down at the ground.
"Rosemarie, I think it's time we go. Say goodbye to your friend." She looks back up and nods before turning to Mason and hugging him.
"It was great seeing you, Mason."
"The same to you, Rose," Mason leans towards her and presses his lips against her cheek. "I hope to see you again."
"Maybe you will," she responds before walking over to me. Without removing my eyes from Mason, I take Rose's hand and lead her from the store. We both stay silent during the drive back home, but, the moment we walk into the house, Rosemarie speaks up. "Why haven't you aged?"
"That doesn't matter Rosemarie,"
"Yes, it does! Why do you still look the way you do? You look like you did in the paintings that were done when I was a child. It doesn't make any sense!"
"Rosemarie! Stop this, go to your room, we'll speak later." I remove my coat and start making my way to my bedroom.
"Why?" She questions. "Why are you punishing me? Is it because I'm questioning you or because I spoke with Mason? We weren't doing anything!"
"No, you weren't, but you didn't see the way he looked at you!" I shout, losing my temper. Rose's eyes grow large and she takes a step back. The moment I see the shocked look upon her face, I lose the anger that filled me. Before I can speak, apologize to her, she rushes past me. I run my hands through my hair, wondering what the hell I'm going to do now.