Authors Note: Contains some thing about the native american culture. I hope that I got things accurate. I apologize if I got things wrong and know that I mean no disrespect to the culture or the people who are part of it.
/\/\/\
Rosie got up the next morning and went downstairs. Dave was already down there and making her breakfast. Rosie sat down and they ate while the rest of the house slept.
"How was the party last night?" Dave asked
"It was okay. I'm glad I'm getting away from everything." Rosie said
"How much does your grandfather know about what's been going on?" Dave asked
"You mean the pictures?" Rosie asked
"And Nolan. And the eating disorder." Dave said
Rosie nodded. "Becca saw the pictures before I could shut it down. She did what most people did saw one picture and texted me. She thought I posted them at first and my god she went at me." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "You weren't upset with her for assuming?"
"No. She doesn't know me well enough. It looked like I had posted them. When I told her what happened she apologized profusely for assuming. She didn't tell grandpa because I asked her not to. About Nolan Becca told him we broke up because he wasn't there for me the way he should have been. The eating disorder neither of them know." Rosie said
Dave took a breath.
"Dad I will be okay." Rosie said
"Bambina. I need your grandpa to know." Dave said
"Okay. I get that. I'll tell him. Promise." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "Okay."
They finished breakfast and Rosie went and grabbed her bag and brought it down and they went to the airport.
"Okay. So I have changed the limit on the credit card. Its higher. Do not let your grandfather pay for everything." Dave said
Rosie chuckled. "Why do I feel like that will be easier said than done?"
"It might be. But do your best." Dave said
Rosie nodded. "I'll try."
"Okay. Call me when you land. Text me everyday. Don't forget to take your medication everyday. Do you need me to text you every day and remind you?" Dave asked
"I will call you when I land. Text you multiple times a day and I have set an alarm on my phone to remind me to take them. But if you feel better about it you can text me every day to remember." Rosie said
Dave smiled. "Okay."
Dave walked her into the airport and made sure she got checked into the flight and walked with her till they got to security.
"This is as far as I can go." Dave said looking nervous.
"Dad. You know I have done this flight alone before." She said
Dave looked at her and than remembered "Yes. Well I would never have let you do that then."
Rosie chuckled. "And I would never take off like that again."
"I know. We have come a long way since than." Dave said. "Go. Have fun. Behave."
Rosie nodded. "Thank you. I will."
She went through security and went to the gate. She grabbed herself salted caramel cold brew from starbucks and sat and waited till it was time to board. She got on the plane and took a seat in her seat. She pulled out the book she was currently reading code talk by Joseph Bruchac. Since finding out more about her heritage she had been reading books that she felt might help connect her to that part of her heritage. She realized of course that her life would never be anything like the lives of her mother and aunt or grandparents and not even like her cousin Becca. She knew that while she did look like her mother some that no one looking at her would never guess she was native american. She understood the white privilege she had, and she wasn't above using that privilege to help her family if she needed to. But she also wanted to learn all she could so she could better understand what her ancestors went through to fight so she got to live the life she had and would continue to live.
She read the entire flight. When she landed she went to baggage claim and got her bag before going and finding her cousin and grandfather waiting for her. She smiled and hugged them both tight.
"So glad to see you both." Rosie said
"Good to see you too." Becca said hugging her
Her grandfather said hello and gave her a hug. He took her bag and the three of them went out to the truck and Becca climbed into the back before Rosie could.
Rosie climbed into the front with grandpa. And texted her dad. 'Landed and am in the truck with them. Flight was good. Read the entire time.'
"How was the flight Nizhoni?" Kele asked
"It was good. What does that mean?" Rosie asked
"Beautiful. It's a nickname." Becca said
Rosie smiled and nodded. "I like it."
Grandpa smiled. "Good." He said
He drove to their place. It was a bit of a drive. They all talked about random things.
"I heard you and your fellow are no longer together?" Kele asked
"Yes. There has been a bit of a rift between me and my friends back home and unfortunately Nolan didn't handle the situation the way I think he should have as my boyfriend, and I choose to end it." Rosie said.
Kele nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Its okay. I'm dealing with it and just going to focus on myself for awhile." Rosie said
"That is a great thing to do." Kele said
"Has he accepted the break up?" Becca asked
"Yes but its weird for both of us. We were best friends for awhile before we dated. Talked everyday and now. While we both still want to be friends it's a little weird trying to just be friends. I don't feel like I can talk to him the way I did before." Rosie said
"That sucks." Becca said
"I hope we can get back to being friends. I told him everything." Rosie said
"Well I hope so too than." Becca said
"What about you? Anyone special in your life?" Rosie asked her cousin.
"Ha. No. I scared the boys." Becca said
Rosie chuckled. "I'm sure that isn't true."
"No it is." Grandpa said and he and Becca chuckled
"There is a story?" Rosie asked
"I was talking to the father of one of her school mates. And he was mentioning his daughter was going on a date. I said I was glad that Becca hadn't seemed to show much interest as of yet. Because frankly I think you are all to young to get serious with anyone. But I got informed that was probably because Becca scared a lot of the boys because she is he used the word bossy. But I think its more because she is head strong and independent." Kele said
Rosie looked at Becca. "That piss you off?"
"No." Becca said laughing. "If these boys cant handle who I am why would I give them that kind of attention."
Rosie nodded and smiled. "Damn right."
"How is it now that you have six younger siblings?" Becca asked
"Loud." Rosie said with a chuckle
Becca chuckled
"But its good. They are all great. And Hunter has not once made me feel like I was any less his daughter than his girls." Rosie said
"Good." Kele said. "Becca has shown me some pictures and I can see you all look very happy."
Rosie nodded. "I don't think I have seen my dad this happy. Ever. So I'm so thrilled."
"You going to be in the wedding?" Becca asked
"Yes. Bridesmaid." Rosie said
They pulled in at the house.
"So just so you know. Make yourself at home. You need anything you let me know and the kitchen is always opened." Kele told her
Rosie smiled. "Okay."
The three went inside and Becca took Rosie's bag to the spare room. "This was your mom's room. I don't think he has touched it much."
Rosie took a breath and nodded looking around.
"He hadn't touched my room much either. It had been my mother's" Becca said
Rosie nodded. "You mentioned that you might want to go see her and your father. Have you?"
Becca nodded. "I did. I didn't want to tell you because I know the hell you went through with them."
Rosie looked at her. "I didn't tell you details."
"Grandpa asked your dad. He didn't hold back the details. And I asked grandpa if he knew details. He told me." Becca said
Rosie nodded. "Sorry. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to talk bad about them to you."
"Its okay. I don't care. They weren't good to me either. My mother didn't even really recognize me. I think she was expecting me to look more like you. Because we looked so similar when we were younger." Becca said. "My father recognized me but refused to talk to me. Wouldn't even look at me."
"I'm so sorry Becca." Rosie said
"No. Its fine. I was angry and hurt. But I have a dad. I call him grandpa, but he is my dad." Becca said
"Did your mother talk to you?" Rosie asked
"She did. She tried to tell me she did what she did because she loved me and wanted to protect me. That you do what you have to do to protect the people you love. But I could tell it was just to cover her ass. The next sentence she asked me to put money on her books." Becca said. "I got the closure I needed."
Rosie nodded.
"Well lets change the subject. Because it hurts us both." Becca said
"Sounds good." Rosie said. They talked about a few other things
Kele was in the kitchen starting to prepare dinner when his phone rang. He looked and saw it was Dave.
"Hello. Did she not let you know she got here?" Kele asked
"She did. She texted me when she was in the truck with you. But I wanted to call and let you know something. She told me she would tell you, but I don't know if I trust she will because I know she hasn't wanted to tell you and I didn't push it but because she is with you this week you need to know." Dave said.
"Is she okay?" Kele asked
"That's a question I don't know the real answer to because I don't even think she knows with all she has been going through but I'll let you ask her about that. The only thing I think you need to know is when she was with Beatrice she developed and was diagnosed with anorexia. She went through treatment there and went into remission. But about seven months ago it got triggered and she has been getting treatment. She is doing better but it's still a battle everyday for her." Dave said
"Damn. Okay. I'll keep an eye on it." Kele said
"Do you need to know what to look out for?" Dave asked
"Nope. Unfortunately not my first time having to deal with it." Kele said
"Bianca or Beatrice?" Dave asked
"Both." Kele said
Dave sighed. "I wish I had known."
"It was worse for Beatrice. I think Bianca fought harder to beat it." Kele said "I have worked very hard with Becca to make sure it doesn't get triggered in her too."
"So its genetic for sure?" Dave asked
"Yes." Kele said. "I can see as an adult that my mother dealt with it too. And wouldn't be surprised if my grandmother did too."
"Wow. Well I admit it helps me feel better knowing that she is with someone who knows what to look for." Dave said
"Your daughter is in good hands with me David. Promise." Kele said
"Thank you." Dave said
The two of them hung up soon after.
Kele barbequed dinner and called the girls to come eat.
The girls came and ate. Laughing and talking with grandpa.
When dinner was done Rosie insisted on helping with dishes. Which Becca and her did together.
Kele listened to them talk while they did the dishes and smiled. The sound made him remember his daughter and how they were always together when they were home.
Kele texted Dave. 'Thought it would bring you peace to know that she ate dinner and didn't seem to even be thinking about it.'
Dave got the text and showed Hunter before texting the older man back 'Great. Thank you!'
The next couple days Rosie got to know her cousin and grandfather better.
Meanwhile at home Dave finally got a call from his lawyer about where Bianca's ashes ended up. Turns out it had been Beatrice who got them. And if she had followed instructions and done what she said she had spread them on the family property by the tree. Dave thanked him over and over again before calling Kele again.
Kele was out with the girls at a local farmers market. Becca was telling her what all these fruits and vegetables that Rosie had never seen before were.
"Hello Dave. How are you doing?" Kele asked
Rosie didn't even noticed she was to busy with her cousin.
"I know we have both been waiting to find out what happened with Bianca's ashes. Well I have found out some details." Dave said
Kele took a breath. "Okay. What?"
"They were given to Beatrice and if she did what she was supposed to and what she said she did. She spread them on the family land by the tree." Dave said
"Okay. Well I'm going to tell myself she did. Because despite everything she did I think she would have honored her sister's wishes." Kele said
"I will do the same." Dave said. "I don't know if you want to tell Rosie. I can call her later and do it. I think she will be pretty upset if she doesn't know before she comes home. Give her a chance to go there again if she wants."
"I can tell her. I will tell both girls." Kele said
"Okay." Dave said. "How has she been?"
"Happy. The girls have been laughing basically all day everyday." Kele said "Everything has been good."
Dave let out a breath. "Good. I'm glad."
"Has she been keeping you updated?" Kele asked
"Not as much as I would like but she has sent me a text everyday telling me she is good." Dave said
"I can make sure she gives you better updates if you would like." Kele said
"That's okay. I know she is having a good time and I trust that if something happened I would be told." Dave said
"Absolutely. I have been taking pictures of the girls. I will be sure to send them to you." Kele said
"Thank you." Dave said
They hung up after saying bye and Kele caught up with the girls.
"Rosie. Why don't you pick something you have never had before. We can have it with dinner." Kele said
Rosie's eyes lit up. "Yes I would love that." She looked at everything again and picked up something called Achocha. It kinda looked like a cucumber. Becca had told her it tasted like a cross between a minty cucumber and a green pepper.
"Good choice." Kele said with a smile. "Anything else you want to try?"
"I mean all of it looks and seems so interesting." Rosie said
"You like strawberries?" Kele asked
Rosie nodded.
He went and picked up a carton of Alpine strawberries.
"These are a type of strawberry. They are sweeter." He said. "We can have them with ice cream for desert if you would like." Kele said "They were your mom's favorites."
Rosie smiled and nodded. "I would love that."
Kele paid for the produce and the three of them left and went home. The three made dinner together that night and Rosie enjoyed trying the new produce. She too loved the strawberries.
When they were done, and dishes cleaned up he looked at the girls who were sitting in the living room sipping tea and talking. "I need to tell you both something." He said
They both looked at him.
"What's wrong?" Becca asked
"What makes you think something is wrong?" Kele asked
"Your face." Becca said
Kele sat down.
"Your dad called me." He said to Rosie.
"Is everything okay at home?" Rosie asked concerned.
"Yes. Its nothing like that. Everyone is fine." Kele said
Rosie nodded. "Okay."
"But you know that he was trying to figure out what happened to your mother ashes after she was cremated." Kele said
Rosie nodded. "Yes."
"What did he find out?" Becca asked
"Her will had stated that they go to Beatrice, and she told whomever that she did what Bianca wanted and that was to spread them at the property by the tree." Kele said
Rosie let out a breath.
"Your dad wanted you to know while you are here so if you want to go back there. We can." Kele said
Rosie nodded. "Do we believe Beatrice?"
"I know she didn't treat either of you well at all. But I do believe that she would have respected you mom's wishes." Kele said
"Do you?" Becca asked Rosie.
"I don't know. I don't know what to think. I cant imagine that my mom's wishes would for me to be kidnapped and abused the way I was." Rosie said
"No. She would not have been happy with that at all." Kele said. "And I completely understand why you have your doubts."
"I'm sorry. I know she was your daughter." Rosie said
"Doesn't matter. I am incredibly angry with her for what she did to both of you. I don't know that I will ever be able to forgive that. You are allowed to feel whatever you feel when it comes to her." Kele said
Rosie nodded.
"I can probably get her to tell me the truth for sure." Becca said
"How?" Rosie asked looking at her.
"Give her what she wants." Becca said
"What does she want?" Rosie asked
"For me to visit her semi regularly." Becca said
"You don't have to do that." Rosie said. "I don't want you to do that unless its what you really want to do."
"I want to do it for you." Becca said
"No." Rosie said "I don't want you to. Its not worth it. Would I like to know for sure? Yes. But even if you agree to do that she might just lie to you anyways." Rosie said "When I went to try and get some answers. Find out what really happened to you. I told her I would put money on her books but only if she told me the truth. She told me you were dead. I don't know if she even knows how to tell the truth."
Becca let out a breath.
"I'm not sure I like the idea of you going to see her regularly anyways." Kele said
"I thought you said you would never stop me." Becca said
"That was before I saw the way you were after you saw her a couple months ago. I can not allow her to continue to hurt you. I will find out. She will not lie to me. She doesn't know how." Kele said
"Grandpa. You said you never wanted to see her again after everything that happened with Rosie." Becca said
"Its my job as your girls grandfather to do this. I can see her once. It will be fine." Kele said
"Are you sure?" Rosie asked
"I'm sure Nizhoni." He said
Rosie nodded.
"I'm going to take you that way anyways tomorrow to see your friend Lexi. I can go to the prison at the same time." Kele said
Rosie nodded. "Oh. By the way Becca. Lexi would like to see you. I know you remember her. She knows that you were the girl she was friends with first. I have told her everything. She wants to see you if you want."
"Really?" Becca asked smiling abit.
Rosie nodded and smiled
"I would like that." She looked at grandpa.
"Not a problem. I can take you both. As long as her mother is okay with it." Kele said
Rosie nodded. "She is. She know everything at this point too."
Becca nodded and smiled.
They all went to bed early that night because they would be leaving early the next morning.
/\/\
The next morning they were up and out the door before 8am. They had a quick breakfast and started the drive.
When they got to Lexi's house. Lexi came running out and almost tackled Rosie to the ground with a hug before she was fully out of the car.
Rosie hugged her tight and both girls started to cry. Kele got a picture knowing both girls would appreciate it when they are older.
Once the girls broke the hug Rosie looked at Lexi and Becca.
"This is Becca. Becca this is Lexi." Rosie said
The both hugged as well.
Kele introduced himself to Mrs. Bender.
"As long as its okay with you I can leave the girls? I have some business to attend to in the city." He said
"Not a problem." Mrs. Bender said with a smile as she hugged an excited Rosie.
Rosie hugged Mrs. Bender before the girls made their way inside to Lexi's room.
"Wow. This hasn't changed at all." Rosie said
"Yeah. I know. I hate it. I want to change it." Lexi said
"I love your room." Rosie said.
"I used to." Lexi said
"Do you have any ideas of what you want to change it to?" Becca asked
"So many ideas. Only to convince my parents." Lexi said
"They saying no?" Rosie asked
"I haven't really asked." Lexi said.
"You should I bet they would let you change somethings maybe not everything" Rosie said. She looked at the picture board on her wall smiling at some of the memories that included her. She noticed an old picture she had never seen before and smiled. "Hey. I don't think this is me and you." She said to Lexi before smiling at Becca.
Becca tilted her head
Lexi smiled. "We were under two so cant be you and me." She said to Rosie.
Rosie looked at Becca. "Has to be you."
Becca went over and looked. "We were so tiny."
"Yeah. You were." Mrs. Bender said with a smile.
The three girls looked up.
"Don't mean to interrupt." She said
They all smiled.
"I have made Coxinha's when you are all hungry." Mrs. Bender said.
Rosie's eyes lit up.
"I remember they are your favorite." Mrs. Bender said smiling
"What are they?" Becca asked
"The most delicious thing in the world." Rosie said
Lexi chuckled. "They are a Brazilian street food. They are a chicken croquette. Its basically chicken and some chopped veggies in a dough ball and fried."
"Mrs. Bender is from Brazil." Rosie said smiling
"Ooh." Becca said with a smile. "They sound delicious."
Mr. Bender came into the room. "Hello girls." He said with a smile.
Rosie smiled. "Hello Mr. Bender."
"Hello Rosie. And Becca right?" He said
Becca nodded and smiled at him. "Yes. Hello."
"Come eat when your hungry. We will leave you girls alone to girl talk." Mrs. Bender said leaving the room dragging her husband out of the room as well.
Rosie smiled.
Lexi looked at her. "How is your boyfriend? Nolan right?"
Rosie sighed. "We broke up."
"Why?" Lexi asked
"Wasn't there for me when he should have been." Rosie said
"Ouch." Lexi said, "That's okay you will find your right person." She said with a smile
Rosie nodded. "You said person. Does that mean you?" she asked carefully
Lexi let out a breath. "Yes. I am done being ignorant."
Rosie hugged her tight. "Thank you."
Lexi hugged her.
"And you were only doing what you knew. I understood." Rosie said
Lexi nodded.
"How are you doing anyways you have been through a lot." Rosie said
"Court case is in a couple months. Paige has been texting me every day. I don't even know what to say to her." Lexi said
Rosie nodded.
"Have you been talking to her?" Lexi asked
"Um. No. There is a restraining order." Rosie said
"I though that was up?" Lexi said
"Not till we are eighteen." Rosie said
Lexi nodded.
"Didn't you say she has been texting you?" Becca asked
Rosie let out a sigh.
"Shouldn't have said that?" Becca asked
"No. Its okay." Rosie said
"What has she been saying?" Lexi asked
"I can show you." Rosie offered
Lexi nodded.
Rosie took out her phone and opened the text conversation and showed her.
Lexi read them. "Oh my gosh. She has been being really awful to you."
"Yeah. She has." Rosie said. "Her number is now blocked."
Lexi nodded.
"I'm supposed to ask. Can you come to the court case? Testify on what you saw?" Lexi asked
Rosie nodded. "Let me check with my dad. What's the date?"
Lexi gave her the date.
Rosie texted her dad. 'Court case for Lexi. This is the date. Can I come and be a witness to what I saw?' she sent
"But for now. I have to ask. What happened on Insta?" Lexi asked
"What did you see?" Rosie asked with a sigh.
"Nothing. I just noticed your Instagram is gone." Lexi said
"Um. Last year. I was abducted. I was drugged and pictures were taken of me. I don't remember that. Didn't even know it happened. Till someone hacked my Instagram. And put those pictures up…. I had to shut down my Instagram and changed the password till the investigation is complete." Rosie said.
"Do you get a break?" Lexi asked
"That is the universal question I get asked." Rosie said
"She really doesn't." Becca said
"Okay. Well lets focus on you now." Lexi smiled at Becca and started to ask her questions. An hour later the girls went into the kitchen where Lexi got them out what her mom made and some vinegar.
"Ah you remember." Rosie said with a smile
"Of course. I thinks its weird, but I remember." Lexi said
Becca looked between the two.
"She adds vinegar to them." Lexi said. "Its weird."
"Well than me and your dad are weird." Rosie said with a smile.
Lexi got them plates and they all ate.
"Wow. These are really good." Becca said
Rosie smiled and enjoyed them slowly.
"I really need to get the recipe." Rosie said
"Ask my mom. She will give you it." Lexi said
Mr. Bender came in. "Ah. The only other person who likes it with vinegar he said taking one from the plate in the middle of the table and putting vinegar inside."
"See. Its better." Rosie told Lexi.
Lexi shook her head and smiled at her friend.
"Becca you need to try it with the vinegar." Rosie said
Becca did so and shook her head. "Sorry Lexi is right."
Rosie faked a gasp. And all three girls started to laugh.
"Oh. I have something to show you!" Lexi said to Becca. "Rosie we will be right back."
Rosie nodded and smiled
Lexi and Becca went downstairs.
Mr. Bender sat down with her.
Rosie smiled. "How have you been?"
"Okay." He said
Mrs. Bender came and sat as well.
"Lexi took Becca knowing you two wanted to talk to me?" Rosie asked
Mrs. Bender smiled and nodded. "Yes."
"We both owe you a big apology." Mr. Bender said
Rosie took a breath.
"The whole situation. You are a child. And you have always had more of a head on your shoulders than a lot of the adults we know. So its not a surprise that you had figured out what we are just starting to realize." Mrs. Bender said
Rosie smiled abit.
"We should not have treated you the way we did." Mrs. Bender said.
"And we should have done more to help you when you were in that situation. We really didn't know how bad it was. But regardless we should have done more to protect you." Mr. Bender said
Rosie nodded. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
"We understand that you were very hurt by the things that we played a part in. But we want to make that up to you. So things are as they were. In that you are always welcome here." Mrs. Bender said
Rosie smiled and nodded. "I have to ask. You said I figured out things that you are just starting to. What do you mean?"
"The religion we have been apart of. Being very toxic and manipulative and not right in their teachings." Mr. Bender said
Rosie let out a breath. "Okay. Well. We were all part of this religion, and we did what we thought was right. Lets just move on."
Mr. and Mrs. Bender nodded "Agreed."
Rosie smiled.
Lexi and Becca came upstairs laughing.
"Rosie come on we are going to go for a walk in the field out back." Lexi said
Rosie looked at Mr. and Mrs. Bender.
"We're done you can go." Mrs. Bender said with a smile.
Rosie got up and went with her friend and cousin and went to the field out back and started to walk through it.
They talked about everything and anything. Rosie telling Lexi everything that has happened in the last couple years to her and Lexi the same. And Becca telling Lexi everything about herself too.
"So you two are part native that is so cool." Lexi said
"She is more in touch with that part of her than I am." Rosie said
"Well I have grown up being taught about it." Becca said. "But it's a part of who you are and will always be in you."
Rosie smiled and nodded.
"That necklace keeps you connected." Becca said
Rosie touched the necklace.
"You have worn that for along time. You had it before I though your….um." Lexi said
"Beatrice. She gave it to me yes. I'm not sure what her exact thoughts were. She told me that it was a family heirloom that its given from oldest daughter to oldest daughter. Which is 100% the truth. And my mom. My real mom was the oldest and I am her only daughter so yes its technically mine. But I don't know if Beatrice was giving it to me for that reason. Its hard to know what was real and just an act with her." Rosie said
Lexi nodded.
They started to walk back to the house as the sun started to set.
"I can see why you wanted to walk in this field." Becca said. "Its so peaceful"
Rosie nodded. "We used to sneak out here at night as kids. Climb the trees. And just looked at the stars."
"You didn't get caught?" Becca asked
"No." Rosie said
"Wellll. Apparently my parents knew." Lexi said
"Wait what?" Rosie asked a smile on her face.
"They knew. They didn't sleep till they knew we were back inside." Lexi said
"Damn. And that was like every other weekend." Rosie said
"Yeah." Lexi said
"I think we were actually a little crazy to think they didn't know." Rosie said
Lexi chuckled and nodded.
They went inside as the street lights were coming on.
"Dinner is ready girls." Mrs. Bender called
The girls went and sat down and ate.
Becca's phone went off. She looked at it. "Grandpa is coming. Be here in about half an hour."
"Okay." Mrs. Bender said with a smile. "Now eat."
Becca put her phone away and they all ate.
Kele showed up soon after. Mr. Bender let him in.
"I'm sorry. It took longer than I expected." Kele said
"That's okay. The girls are both welcome here as much as they want." Mr. Bender said.
"Come sit. You must be hungry." Mrs. Bender said
"Thank you for the invite but I have eaten." Kele said.
"Grandpa are you okay?" Becca asked
"Yes." He said with a smile. "But it's a long drive." He said
The girls got up and all said their goodbyes and hugs all around and they went and got into the car and started back for home.
Becca fell asleep soon after the drive started.
Grandpa noticed and smiled. "You two have a good day?"
"It was amazing." Rosie said, "I take it things didn't go well with Beatrice."
"They went fine." He said
"Grandpa. Was my mom an empath?" Rosie asked
Grandpa smiled and nodded. "Yes. She got it from her mother."
"I have it too." Rosie said
He nodded.
"So. Things didn't go well with Beatrice today huh?" Rosie asked
Kele smiled abit. "That's not fair you know."
Rosie shrugged and chuckled. "What is fair?"
They were quiet for a bit.
"She wouldn't tell you?" Rosie asked
"She told me. But its not the answer I was hoping for." Kele said
Rosie took a breath. "Where are the ashes?"
"In a box at her house." Kele said
Rosie looked out the window to hide her tears. "I was in that house with my mom the whole time?"
"Apparently." Kele said
"Can we go get it?" Rosie asked
"Don't have a key." Kele said
Rosie dug in her purse and pulled out a key. "I do."
"You kept a key? I don't know if its legal to go in." Kele said
Rosie took out her phone and looked through the contacts till she found the number she was looking for and called.
Captain Franklin was just about to head out when his phone rang. He answered it. "Captain Franklin." He said
"Hello, Captain Franklin. This is Rosie Rossi. I have a legal question." She said
"Miss Rossi. You're not breaking into any more amusement parks are you?" He asked with amusement in his voice.
"No sir. Never again." Rosie said with a chuckle in her voice.
"Glad to hear it. What's your question?" He asked
"Am I legally allowed to go into Beatrice's and Darrell's house to get something?" She asked
"Is it something that is yours?" He asked
"Kind of." Rosie said
"Okay. Need more." Captain Franklin asked
"When my mother passed away. Her will said for her to be cremated and her remains to be given to Beatrice and that Beatrice was supposed to scatter those ashes in a special place. Actually that property that belongs to my family." Rosie said. "Beatrice got the ashes but did not spread them."
"Okay. That is a lot." Captain Franklin said
"What is my legal right? And if not me what about my grandfather? Or even Beatrice's daughter?" Rosie asked
"Do you have a copy of the will that requested this?" Captain Franklin asked
"I don't. My dad might be able to get." Rosie said
"Okay. Get him to get it to me. He can email or fax it to me. Have him call me. We will figure this out." Captain Franklin said.
"Okay. Thank you sir." Rosie said
"Of course. You have a good night." He said
"You too." She said before she hung up and texted her dad what was going on hoping he would see it in the morning.
They drove the rest of the way home in silence. When they got home Kele woke up his other grand daughter and they all went inside and went straight to bed.
/\/\/\/\/\
The next morning they woke up. Rosie had not slept well but she had a text from her dad. He had already started to try and get a copy of the will.
Rosie went into the kitchen and got a cup of coffee from the pot.
"Breakfast is ready." Kele said
"Not hungry" Rosie said. "Maybe in a bit."
Kele nodded. "Okay." He was going to give her some time to wake up.
She sat and sipped her coffee while the other two ate.
"My dad is trying to get the will." Rosie said
"Good." Kele said
Becca finished eating. "I need to get finished my summer reading list." She said
"How many more do you need to read?" Grandpa asked
"A few…" Becca said
"Mhm." Grandpa said.
Becca went before grandpa could say anything else.
"You have a summer reading list?" Grandpa asked
"I was done it in two weeks." Rosie said with a smile
"You two are so similar. Yet so different." Kele said
Rosie smiled and nodded.
"You hungry yet?" He asked
"No." She said
Kele took a breath. "Rose." He said
Rosie looked at him and sighed and put her head in her hands. "Dad told you."
"He did." Kele said. "He didn't think you would like you promised. Why didn't you?"
She shrugged.
"That's not an answer." Kele said to his granddaughter
"I was worried. That you would judge. Think less of me." Rosie said
"Never." Kele said. "You are my granddaughter. I would never think less of or judge you for something that you have very little control over." He said
Rosie looked at him. "Most people think it's a choice."
"I used to." Kele said. "Than both my daughters fought anorexia."
"My mom had anorexia?" Rosie asked
Kele nodded. "And Beatrice. And I think your great grandmother too."
"I didn't know…" Rosie said
"I realize. You could have if you had been honest with me from the beginning." He said
"Sorry grandpa." She said
"Its okay." He said. "But its not okay that you don't eat." He said
"I'm really not hungry…" She said
Kele took a breath. "I know every trick in the book."
Rosie looked down.
He stood up. "Come." He said
Rosie looked nervous but did so.
"You're not in trouble." He said.
Rosie went with him. He took her to the full-length mirror in the bedroom she was staying in. Positing her in front of it and he stood behind her hands on her shoulder.
"I want you to be honest with yourself and me. What do you see when you look in the mirror?" Kele asked
"I see me and you." Rosie said
"Okay. Yes. But you obviously have an opinion on what you see when you look at yourself." He said
Rosie shrugged.
"I see. My beautiful granddaughter. I see the eyes that have seen some of the most beautiful things in this world and know they are beautiful because she takes pictures of it." He said
Rosie smiled abit.
"In those eyes I also see sadness because of the horrible things you have seen and experienced."
Rosie looked down.
"Nope. Look at yourself." He said
Rosie looked back up.
"But in spite of that I see the kindness in those eyes. The kindness that I saw in your mom. Who would do anything to everyone else before she would do anything for herself." Kele said
Rosie looked down again.
"Rose. I need you to keep looking." He said
Rosie looked back up.
"I see so much strength and resilience." He said, "And all that I see in just your eyes." He said "Now what do you see. As much as I don't like it. Even if its things you don't like. What do you see?" He said
"I see the scars." She said touching a few.
Kele nodded. "Those scars are part of what got you to where you are. They are part of what makes you so strong." He said. "Keep going."
"I see my lips that are so uneven." She said
"Those lips allow you talk, eat, smile." He said "And kiss the people you love."
"You going to argue every negative thing I see?" Rosie asked
"Yup. You know why?" He asked
"Because you think I'm perfect." She said
"Well I do think you are perfect. But because I want you to see. That those flaws that you see. Are the things that make you who you are. You don't need to stop eating to try and be thinner. Or try and change anything about what you look like. Because everything that you are. The things you like about yourself and the things you don't make you unique." He said "And the things we hate most about ourselves. Is the things that someone is going to love the most about you." He said
Rosie nodded.
"And you know. Your dad sent me some baby pictures of you." He said
Rosie nodded.
"Inside every person is their inner child. Depending on what a person goes through that inner child can be happy or sad. I think yours is probably a mix of both because you have both been in very bad situations but also you have seen so much love. Even if the time you have seen that is so small in the time you have been alive." He said
Rosie nodded.
"Would you say the things you are saying about yourself to a child? Or to anyone for that matter?" He asked
"No." Rosie said
"So when you look in the mirror. See that inner child who so badly just wants to be loved and accepted for who she is." Kele said
Rosie let a tear fall looking away from the mirror.
"Look up." Kele said a little sterner.
Rosie looked up
"Because I know that although you have so much love in your life. You cant bring yourself to really trust it. Because for so many years you were told that you were nothing. That you weren't worth loving and protecting. But Nizhoni you are worth all that and so much more. You need to take care of this body so that it can grow to be whatever it is you want to be. To go to university. Meet the true love of your life. Get the career you want. And if you want. To grow how ever many children you want." He said
Rosie started to sob softly.
Kele turned her around and wrapped her in a hug. He had gotten his point across. Now was the time to hold her. Rosie sobbed herself to sleep.
Kele laid her down on the bed and covered her up. He left the room closing the door. He went and sat in his recliner and shaking his head.
A few hours later Rosie came into the living room. "Hey…" She said
"Hi." He said
"I'm kinda hungry." She said
He got up. "Come." He said. He went into the kitchen and made her something to eat. They sat and she ate. When she was done she looked up at him.
"You have seen my pictures?" She asked
"I follow your Instagram." He said
"You're on Instagram?" Rosie asked surprised "Wait. Did you see anything… recently?" she asked
"I'm only following you and Becca. And what do you mean?" He asked
"Okay. So no you didn't." Rosie said letting out the breath she was holding.
"What didn't I see?" He asked
"Trust me. Its better you don't know." Rosie said
"Does your dad know whatever it is?" Kele asked
"Yes." Rosie said
"Okay. I can let it go than." Kele said
"Thank you." She said finishing her food. "And thank you for the food."
"Of course." He said
Rosie's phone started to ring. She answered it. "Hey dad your on speaker."
"I have the will. I have sent it Captain Franklin." Dave said
"It says what we thought?" Rosie asked
"Yes." Dave said.
"Dad. If we get the ashes. We are going to go spread them where they are supposed to be." Rosie said
"I figured." Dave said
"Daddy. I cant do it without you." She said softly
"Okay. I'll be there bambina." Dave said
Rosie's phone started to buzz with an incoming call. "Dad. Captain Franklin is calling. I have to go."
"Okay. I can be out there once you let me know." He said
"Okay." She hung up and answered. "Captain Franklin. Hello."
"Hello. Miss Rossi. So I got the will. I also got a hold of power of attorney for Beatrice and Darrel." He said
"Okay." Rosie said
"So. The house will go to Rosie Long when she turns eighteen. Until than whomever has legal guardianship of her has access." Captain Franklin said
"There is no Rosie Long anymore. I was never legally that. And their daughter who was at one point. Her name was legally changed." Rosie said
"As long as there is documents proving at one point she was Rosie Long its legal. She can go in and your grandfather can as well. And well they can decide if you can too." Captain Franklin said. "You can use a locksmith if need be to get in." he said
"I have a key." Rosie said
"I thought your dad said you left your key behind." Captain Franklin said
"Yeah. Well. He thinks I did. And yes. I'm sure I'm going to be in trouble for that." Rosie said
Captain Franklin chucked.
"Thank you." Rosie said to him.
"Of course. You stay out of trouble." He said
"Yes sir." Rosie said before they hung up.
"Go. Get your cousin." Kele said.
Rosie went and did so and the three of them got in the car. She called her dad and told him they can get in.
"Okay. I will get a flight. How are you getting in? Locksmith?" Dave asked
"Um. Well. I might have led you to believe that I left the key behind…" Rosie said
Dave sighed.
"Sorry daddy." She said
"We will talk about it later." He said
"Yes sir." She said
The ended the call and drove back to Rocklin. And to the house.
"You don't need to go inside." Kele told his girls.
"Yes I do." Rosie said.
"I don't want to." Becca said
"Okay." Kele said
Rosie and Kele got out of the car and went to the door. Rosie unlocked it and opened the door. Like she had done so many times before. She stepped inside. Dust covered everything. There were dishes in the sink covered in mold.
Kele shook his head.
"Its like time has stood still." Rosie said
"It has." He said
"The last time someone was in this house. I guess was me. When I packed up my stuff." She said
Kele said
"I'll get the ashes. If there is anything you want to take. Do it." He said
Rosie took a breath and nodded.
Kele went into the basement where he was told the box was.
Rosie walked around the house. She went up to the room that had been hers. Everything she didn't want still there. She went into the master bedroom. The bed unmade. She went into the closet and pulled a box off the shelf. It was full of photo albums. She dug through the box. Looking for the only photos she knew existed of her growing up. Her dad had missed out on seeing her grow up in person. She could give him this. She could also give herself a picture of that inner child. She was done being negative about anything about herself.
She went to the jewellery box that had belonged to Beatrice. She had remembered seeing her wearing something occasionally. It had the same kind of charm that was on her own necklace. She took it out. She thought it might be something that would belong to Becca.
She went downstairs and grandpa was coming up from the basement box in his hands.
"What did you get?" Kele asked her
"Album. Only pictures of me I know exist of the time in the house." Rosie said "And this." She said holding up the watch. "I remember Beatrice wearing it sometimes. The charm is the same as my necklace. I didn't know if it meant something and should be Becca's?"
Kele shook his head. "No. It belonged to me. She stole it. I knew she had. She denied it. But I always knew when she was lying. I honestly thought she must have sold it."
Rosie nodded.
"Anything else you want?" Kele asked
Rosie shook her head.
"Lets go." Kele said
They left. Rosie locked up and got into the truck. Kele put the box in the back seat next to Becca.
"You sure that's what we think?" Rosie asked
"I checked. Yes." He said.
Rosie handed him the watch and the key to the house. She didn't need it anymore and he might.
He smiled and put it on. He reached into the pocket of his coat and handed her a letter.
"It was in the box. It's your mom's writing." He said
Rosie looked at the envelope it said 'for my daughter' she nodded. "I cant."
"You don't have to read it now." Kele said
They started the drive back home.
"What was my mom like?" Rosie asked
"She was full of life and love. She was kind to a fault. She put everyone's needs before her own. When she was really young she would pull pranks. Nothing mean. Just silly things. To make her sister laugh. She took care of her sister. And she took care of me more than I should have let her." Kele said. "She took things people said to heart. And it caused her to not think she was worthy of everything good in life."
Rosie looked down and nodded.
"She took the blame for everything her sister did. And unlike Beatrice she learned how to lie to me. So I didn't know for along time." Kele said
Rosie let out a breath.
"How many times have you taken the blame for something one of your new sisters has done?" Kele asked
Rosie looked out the window.
"Don't do that anymore. I punished Bianca for things that Beatrice did, and I think that is part of the reason Beatrice thought she was able to get away with everything. Her sister. While she was trying to be the good big sister was making it, so Beatrice didn't learn from her mistakes. And learning from mistakes is part of what makes us grow up to be better people." Kele said
"Okay." Rosie said
"So how many times?" Kele asked
"Just once." Rosie said
"Okay." Kele said
"What did she want to be when she was a kid?" Rosie asked
Kele smiled. "A teacher. And a mom."
Rosie smiled and nodded
"Did she go to collage?" Rosie asked
"I'm not sure." Kele said. "When she left when she was eighteen. She never spoke to me again."
Rosie let out a breath. "I'm so sorry grandpa."
"Not your fault Nizhoni." He said
"I know. I just wish I could some how give you more time with her." Rosie said
"But you do Nizhoni. You are -everything your mom was. I look at you and I see her. In the best way. I think your mom is with you every moment of every day. So you give me my daughter and my granddaughter all in one." Kele said
He looked in the mirror at his other granddaughter. "And your mother. Yes. Was not good to you or Rosie. But there was good in her. And you are everything good that she was and so much more. You girls are everything to me." He said
"Love you too grandpa." Becca said with a smile
Kele smiled.
Rosie smiled abit.
She texted her dad. 'Found what we were looking for.'
'Good. I will be getting on a flight in a couple hours.' He texted back
At home Dave was quickly packing a bag. Hunter had been out with one of the girls getting ice cream and when he came home he found Dave packing.
"New go bag?" Hunter asked
"No. We found out Rosie's mother's sister didn't do what she was supposed to with her ashes. Rosie went with her grandfather and got the ashes at Beatrice's house. They are doing what Bianca wanted. Rosie needs me to be there." Dave said
"Okay." Hunter said. "You okay?"
"I'm fine." Dave said
"You sure? I mean I get it. I have no romantic feelings left for Helen, but she is still the mother of my children." Hunter said
"I've made peace with her death along time ago." Dave said looking up at him
"Okay. I get that." Hunter said he knew he was lying but wasn't going to push it now.
"I'm angry with Beatrice but I've been angry with her for awhile now." Dave said sitting on the bed.
Hunter climbed behind him on the bed and started to rub his shoulders.
"Beatrice is in prison. And from my understanding will be for a very long time. What she did to Rosie is unforgivable. I don't think anyone will ever expect you to forgive that. What she did not honoring her sister's wishes. Was wrong. And I didn't know Bianca. But based on everything you have told me about her and how much you say Rosie is like her. I think she would appreciate that what she wanted is being done. And be thankful to her father and Rosie and you for doing this. But would want you to let that go." Hunter said
Dave took a breath.
"And where were the ashes found?" Hunter asked
"In Beatrice's and Darrel's house." Dave said
"So. She was with Rosie all those years. Even if no one knew it." Hunter said
Dave nodded. "I suppose yes."
"So be there for your daughter. Be there to get the closure you need. And don't bother trying to pull the I'm over it routine any longer. And I will be here when you get home." Hunter said
Dave let out a small chuckle and nodded.
"You have a flight booked?" Hunter asked
"Yes." Dave said, "And I need to get going."
Hunter released his hands from his shoulders. "Give Rosie a hug for me."
Dave got up and smiled. He kissed his fiancé. "I will do that."
Dave went downstairs gave the girls all hugs before heading out to the airport.
/\/\/\/\
Rosie went on to social media and found the message she had sent to her mom's best friend.
'Just want to send you another message. I don't know if you have seen my last one or not. Long story short we found out that mom's sister did not spread her ashes the way she wanted. My grandfather and I now have the ashes and we are going to spread them. I don't know where you are but if you have any interest in being part of it we are doing it tomorrow.' She told her the address where they would be doing it. And pressed send.
They got back to the house, and they went inside. They put together a quick dinner and all sat and ate.
Becca was the one poking at her food tonight.
"You okay?" Kele asked
"Just. Wish my mother was a better person." Becca said
"You be the person you wish she was. We cant control the people our parents or any of our loved ones are. We can just be better." Kele said
Becca nodded.
"Now eat." He said
Becca nodded and ate abit
They finished eating.
"Is it okay if I go for a walk?" Rosie asked
Kele nodded. "Sure."
Rosie went for a walk. She found a small lake not far and sat down next to it and texted Nolan.
She told him everything that had happened in the last few weeks. Everything with Paige. Seeing Lexi again and how good it was. Finding out about everything with her mom. Finding the ashes. And what they were doing tomorrow. She missed him so much.
Nolan was in bed. When his phone went off. He looked at it. He turned his lamp on and sat up and called her.
Rosie answered "Hey." she said softly
"Roe. I am so sorry. I should have been there for you. I am now. What do you need?" Nolan asked
"I need a Nolan hug." She said softly.
"Do you want me to come to California?" Nolan asked he would make it happen.
"No. Its okay. Just be there when I get home." Rosie said
"I will be there." Nolan said
"Thanks." She said
They were quiet.
"I should probably let you get back to bed." Rosie said
"I'm okay just staying on the phone with you as long as you need." Nolan said
"No its okay." Rosie said
"Okay. Well call me whenever you need." He said
"Okay. Bye." Rosie said she hung up.
Someone sat next to her. Rosie looked up. "Hi." She said cautiously she didn't know the man
"Hi. I'm Wyatt." He said
"I'm Rosie." She said
"So. I know you don't know me, but cant stand to see a pretty thing like you crying." He said
Rosie rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Okay. Bye." She said
"What did I say?" He asked
"Pretty thing like me? Really? Who even says that anymore." Rosie said
"Okay. So you don't like complements. Got it." He said
"No. What you said was not a complement." Rosie said. "You're implying that all I am is pretty girl. And buddy I am so much fucking more."
"A pretty woman. Yes you are. But that mouth of yours. Is not." He said
Rosie stood up and started to walk away.
Wyatt got up and grabbed her arm "Okay. Sorry. What is a complement to you?" he asked laughing
Rosie dug her nails in the hand that was on her arm. "Don't ever fucking touch a women without explicated permission. And buddy no woman is going to want that from you." When he let go she shoved him into the water. He grabbed her again out of reaction to stop from falling in the water and they both went in.
They both shrieked at the coldest of the water.
"I was just trying to be nice!" Wyatt yelled.
Rosie punched him before getting out of the water.
"Damn, you have a mean right hook." He said getting out as well.
"You want to see my left one. Keep bothering me." She said before picking up her phone that thankfully had been on the dock not in her pocket when she went into the water. She walked towards grandpa's place. It was more like stomping she was so angry.
When she got home. "Grandpa." She said
Kele came over and tilted his head. "What happened?"
"A stupid guy named Wyatt." Rosie said
Grandpa looked confused. "Wyatt? Tall? Hair half way down his back?"
"Yes." Rosie said. "Can I get a towel please."
Grandpa went and got it and gave it to her. Rosie dried off enough to not track water through the house before she went to take a shower.
When she came out grandpa called her to the living room. Rosie went and sat.
"What happened?" Kele asked
"I was sitting by that lake about a fifteen-minute walk from here. This guy came and sat next to me. Told me his name. Started attempting to hit on me but he needs to improve his game if he thinks any woman will want him." Rosie said. "I got up to walk away from him because he was being really misogynistic. He had the audacity to grab my arm. I dug my nails into his hand to make me let go and some how we both ended up in the water." She said. She didn't know how he would feel about her pushing someone into the water.
Kele nodded. "Some how?"
Rosie tilted her head.
"I have known Wyatt's father many years. I called his father. Did you push him in the water and than punch him?" Kele asked
Rosie let out a breath. "Okay. When he let go of my arm. I pushed him. He grabbed me again this time I think on reflex and we both ended up in the water… when I was getting out yes. I punched him…" she said looking down.
Kele nodded. "Next time tell the whole truth up front."
Rosie nodded abit. "Yes sir. Sorry."
"I believe you. Wyatt is…." Kele said
"An ass." Rosie finished for him.
"Needs to learn how to treat women." Kele said he actually agreed with his granddaughter but something he would never do is swear in front of a woman less so his granddaughters
"Am I in trouble?" Rosie asked
"No." Kele said. "You defended yourself."
Rosie nodded abit.
"Right?" he asked
"Yes." She said. "I mean. If I'm being honest…I don't know that I really needed to punch him in the end…"
Kele smirked. "Its fine. He deserved it. You did it for your cousin."
Rosie tilted her head.
"He has tried his routine with every teenage girl around here." He said
Rosie shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"For the record I will never be upset with you for defending yourself." Kele said
Rosie nodded and smiled.
"You okay?" He asked
"Annoyed but yes I'm okay." Rosie said
"You should go to bed. Its late and we are going to have a long day tomorrow." He said
Rosie nodded. "Okay. Good night." She said
"Good night Nizhoni." He said
Rosie went and got to bed.
Dave got into the airport early morning. He had already spoken to Kele but insisted he was going to get a rental car. He drove all the way to Kele's place getting in at 4:30am. Kele had set up the couch for the man to get a few hours of sleep.
Rosie and Becca woke up about 8am and went into the kitchen. Becca started the coffee. Rosie saw her dad and smiled but decided to let him sleep knowing he couldn't have been there very long. Kele came into the kitchen shortly after and the girls were making breakfast.
"What time did my dad get in?" Rosie asked
"4:30." Kele told her.
Rosie nodded and poured him a cup of coffee and went over to him. "Morning daddy." She said softly.
Dave woke up slowly. His eyes opened and he saw his daughter with a cup in her hand.
"For you." She said
Dave smiled and took the cup putting it on the table before hugging his daughter. "Hug from me and Hunter." He said
Rosie hugged him tight.
"You okay?" he asked
"I'm. Okay yeah." She said
He kissed her head. "You haven't given your grandpa a hard time I hope?"
"No more than I do you." She said with a smirk.
"You better had been even better behaved than you are with me." He said
Rosie chuckled. "You can ask him. I've stayed out of trouble." She said "For the most part. She added as she walked into the kitchen.
Dave shook his head. He would get the details later. He took his cup and took a sip before getting up and going into the kitchen with it.
Becca was serving up breakfast. They all sat and ate. When they finished Dave looked at his daughter. "What does for the most part you behaved mean?"
Rosie smirked.
Dave looked at Kele. "What did she do?"
"She was good. There was an incident last night, but she was just defending herself." Kele said
"Defending herself?" Becca and Dave asked at the same time.
"Tell your dad what happened." Kele told Rosie.
"I was sitting by a little lake not far from here and this guy came up and sat next to me. Told me his name. Started attempting to hit on me but he needs to improve his game if he thinks any woman will want him." Rosie said. "I got up to walk away from him because he was being really misogynistic. He had the audacity to grab my arm. I dug my nails into his hand to make him let go. He let go and I pushed him. He grabbed me again probably on instinct and we both ended up in the water. As I was getting out of the water. I might have also punched him…" Rosie said
"Wyatt right?" Becca asked shaking her head
Rosie nodded. "Yeah. Grandpa told me I was just the latest target of his misogyny."
"I know his father. I called him and we talked. His father knows what he is like and said he would talk to him." Kele said. "But I doubt that is going to change much."
Dave nodded he looked at Rosie. "You didn't get hurt?"
"No." She said
"No bruise on your arm or anything?" he asked
Rosie lifted up the sleeve of her sleep shirt and showed him. "Nope."
"Okay." He said.
"He deserved everything you gave him." Becca said.
Rosie smirked.
"He shouldn't have done what he did and shouldn't be the way he is but violence if can be avoided is never the answer." Kele told Becca and Rosie "In this situation you needed to defend yourself but don't go out looking to add to it." He told them both.
"I wont." Rosie said
"I make no promises." Becca said
"Rabecca." Kele said in a warning tone.
"Okay. Okay. I wont." Becca said
Dave shook his head. Teenagers were a handful. "Otherwise no issues?"
Kele shook his head. "She gave me no trouble. Now you two we are heading out in about an hour. Go get ready." He told the girls.
The girls went to get dressed.
"No issues with her eating?" Dave asked
"There was one breakfast that was a bit of a struggle. But after we talked. She ate." Kele said
"I really wish I knew what to do to get through to her." Dave said
"I might have. I know what worked with Bianca the last summer she was here. I don't know if it continued to work when I didn't see her anymore. But it made a difference that summer. I tried with Rosie. I think I saw her realizing what she was really doing to herself." Kele said
Dave nodded. "Okay. I really hope it did. Thank you."
"I'm more than happy to help. Oh and she never did tell me. She caught on to the fact I knew when I was pushing her to eat." Kele said
Dave sighed and nodded. "Okay." He got up and helped clear up from breakfast before he went and got himself ready. Kele went and got himself ready too.
When the four of them were ready they went out to Kele's truck. The girls both got into the back. They started the drive. Rosie had her hand on the small box between her and Becca.
"Was she excited when she found out she was pregnant?" Kele asked Dave
"Incredibly. She insisted on finding out the gender. When we found out we were having a girl. We went to the store. She bought everything pink and frilly." Dave said. "She was incredibly insistent on giving her everything and anything that she could ever need and want."
Kele smiled abit.
"Did she ever talk about Beatrice?" Becca asked
"Not much. I'm sorry. I knew she had a sister. But there was never more than that talked about." Dave said
Becca nodded.
"What about grandpa?" Becca asked
Dave took a breath. "She told me a couple things. But I think they are things you heard have been said before."
"Oh. The drinking thing. Yeah. When I visited Beatrice recently she asked if he was still a drunkard." Becca said.
"What did you tell her?" Rosie asked
"That he never was. That whoever told her that was blatantly lying to her." Becca said
"You didn't tell me any of this." Kele said
"I didn't want to upset you." Becca said. "She told me I was the one lying and that's when I got up to leave." Becca said
Kele nodded.
"I know that I don't usually have good things to say about her. But she did have her moments where she showed she cared." Rosie said. There weren't many but Rosie would exaggerate to give her cousin something good if she could.
"Oh?" Becca asked
"We would come to the property a few times a year. With a picnic lunch. It was just her and I. And it was pretty peaceful. She seemed to be in a better mood those days." Rosie said
Becca nodded.
"And your father as well had his moments." Rosie said. That was a blatant lie but again she would lie to bring her cousin some peace.
Dave looked at her in the rear-view mirror. He knew what she was doing. And he wasn't going to stop her.
Becca smiled abit.
They got to the property, and all got out. Rosie went to take the box.
"Let me." Kele said
Rosie nodded and moved out of the way. Dave put a hand on Rosie's shoulder and whispered. "That was a very kind thing you did for your cousin. Your mom would be very proud of you."
Rosie smiled and looked up at him. "Are you?"
"Yes. Very much so." Dave said
They went over to clearing. Rosie went to the tree and ran her hand over her mom's initials.
"Rose. Its time." Dave said
Rosie went over to the other three.
Kele opened the box and took out the urn that was holding the ashes and started to say something in his mother tongue. Rosie teared up a bit. She didn't know what he was saying but she could tell it was something beautiful.
When Kele was done with what he was saying they all took turns spreading some of the ashes. When the urn was empty Rosie's tears started to fall a little more. Dave put an arm around he shoulders from behind and kissed her head. Rosie closed her eyes. She could feel the same thing she always felt when coming here. That there was someone else there. Someone who brought her so much peace.
"Mom?" She said softly. She didn't know what she was hearing but she heard a voice telling her everything was going to be okay. That she was going to be okay. That she needed to be the strong woman that she was. That it was okay to hurt, and it was okay to be angry at those who hurt her for some time but that it was okay to let it go. That she had let herself hate her dad for too long and for no reason. That she lost so much time with him because she just couldn't let things go. That she didn't believe in regret but there was one thing in life she regretted and that was not letting it go and knowing her dad as an adult. And that she would never leave her side. That she was always with her. No matter what no matter when no matter where I love you.
And as quickly as she went into that trance like state she came out of it when her grandfather started to say something else in the native american language that he spoke. When it was done they all stood there in silence for a few minutes.
"You girls okay?" Kele asked
"Mhm." Becca said
Rosie nodded.
Dave let her go at this point.
Rosie looked around.
"You hear something?" Dave asked
"I don't know… I felt something." Rosie said
"You felt her second soul?" Kele asked
"What do you mean?" Rosie asked
"It is within our beliefs have we have two souls. One that goes with us when we pass. And one that stays and goes around with our loved ones and will move on at a later day when that soul is ready." Kele said
Rosie nodded. "I kind of felt like I heard her talking to me."
"What did she say?" Kele asked
"A few things but that I was going to be okay. And that its okay to be angry with people who have hurt me but that I cant hold onto the anger for ever. To let things go. She said that she held on to her anger with you to long and missed out on getting to know you as an adult. She said that she would always be with me and than she said some expression I have never heard." Rosie said
"No matter what." Rosie started
"No matter where." Dave said
"No matter when." Kele said
"I love you.." Rosie finished
"She used to say that to you when she was pregnant." Dave said
"My mother said that to both my girls growing up." Kele said
Rosie took a breath.
"She said it to me too when I was really little before she passed." Becca said
Kele smiled and nodded pulling Becca in for a hug.
Becca hugged him.
"What do you girls say we should do for lunch?" Kele asked
Rosie and Becca looked at each other and smiled and shrugged.
"What was mom's favorite meal?" Rosie asked
"Steak and potatoes." Dave and Kele said at the same time.
Rosie smiled. "Apparently that didn't change."
"That's what you want to do?" Kele asked
Rosie nodded. "If that's okay?"
"Of course." Kele said
The four of them left and headed to get what they needed to make lunch and then went home and started to cook. Dave offered to grill and Kele told him not a chance. Which led to a small disagreement.
Rosie and Becca giggled.
"Something funny girls?" Kele asked his granddaughters
"No." They both said quickly
Dave gave in and let the older man grill and worked on helping the girls making the potatoes and some veggies.
"What is your best memory with mom?" Rosie asked her dad.
Dave smiled. "A lot of my memories with her involve things to do with you. The pregnancy. I told you about how she loved to rock climb and that I had tried to stop her from continuing after she fell when she was six months pregnant?" he said
Kele laughed. "Bet that went well."
"She told me she would stop. But she didn't." Dave said. "I found out and tried to be upset with her. But she had this way of making me forgive her so easily."
"Her innocent smile?" Kele asked
"Yes." Dave said
"Yeah. That worked on me when she was very young. But I had to get over that because after her sister was born and I became a single dad to two girls I couldn't let her get away with things anymore." Kele said
Rosie smirked. "Do I have this smile?"
Dave sighed. "No."
"Lie." Becca said laughing
Rosie laughed. "Oh I know."
"You go easy on your dad little lady. He's a good dad." Kele said
Rosie smiled. "The best dad. And I'll try."
Dave smiled.
"So is that your favorite memory?" Rosie asked
"One of them." Dave said
"What about you grandpa?" Becca asked
"She was about ten. It was the summer, and it raining. Which is a rarity around here and because of this she was out playing in the rain. I had been working in the garage fixing one of the girls bikes. And she came into the garage and practically dragged me in the rain and made me play with her." Kele said
Becca smiled.
Rosie took a breath and looked at her dad.
"Just another way you are like your mom. Love the rain. She loved the snow too." Dave said
Rosie smiled and nodded.
"Do you have any pictures of the time you two spent together?" Kele asked
"Lots." Dave said, "I brought you an envelope of copies of all of them."
"Thank you." Kele said
Rosie smiled a bit
"You okay?" Kele asked
"Just. I can get lots of stories from you from when she was a kid. And some from dad from the time they spent together but there are so many years where I don't know if I will ever know." Rosie said
"You haven't heard from her best friend?" Dave asked
Rosie shook her head. "I even messaged her about the spreading of the ashes but no response."
"I'm sorry bambina." Dave said
"She did have her best friend around here. I don't know if they stayed in contact, but I can find out." Kele said
"Please." Rosie said
"What was her name?" Dave asked
"Kathleen Buck." Kele said
"That's the same friend." Dave said
Rosie let out a sigh.
"Does she live around here now?" Dave asked
"Honestly not sure. But her parents are in the same place I have their number I assume is the same." Kele said
"What's the address?" Rosie asked
"I will call after lunch." Kele told her.
Rosie nodded abit.
"Rose you can just show up at their door." Dave said
"Fine." Rosie said clearly upset.
"Rose. We will find someone who can tell you about her during that time." Kele said
"Whatever." Rosie said
"Rosie." Dave said warningly.
"What do you want?" Rosie asked
"For you to change the tone." Dave said
"Cant always get what you want." She mumbled.
Dave ran a hand over his face. "Rosie. I know this is really hard for you. But it doesn't mean you can be disrespectful."
She didn't say anything. Just wiped at her tears.
Dave put a hand on her shoulder.
Rosie shrugged it off. "Excuse me." She said before she left the room and went to the room she was staying in and sat on the bed and hugged her knees.
Dave sighed.
"Becca can you go get a table cloth in the basement?" Kele asked
"Yes." Becca said leaving the room quickly.
"What happened to cause a rift between Bianca and Kathleen?" Kele asked
"Nothing. She was around even after Bianca passed when Rosie was a baby. Till just a few months before Rosie was taken. She started dating this new guy and I could see he was trouble. Didn't say anything till she showed up with bruises on her face. I offered to help her get away from him and she didn't take well to it. She stopped coming. Than when Rosie was taken. She and her boyfriend were at the top of my list of suspects. I told the police this of course. She found out why she was a suspect and she lost it on me. She never spoke to me again." Dave said
Kele nodded.
"I did try to contact her a few months after I got Rosie back, but she never got back to me. I gave her name to Rosie thinking maybe she would talk directly to her but apparently not." Dave said
Kele nodded again.
"I just want to give her every connection to her mom as possible. People who knew her at every stage in her life. And actually knew her. I didn't know much because she was so guarded so outside of the things I observed and how she was with me I cant give her much." Dave said
"And I didn't know her past the age of eighteen. I get it." Kele said "I will make the call after lunch and see if we can figure it out."
Dave nodded "Thank you."
Becca came back into the kitchen with the table cloth, and they put it on the table and finished making food.
Dave went and knocked on the bedroom door of the room Rosie was in.
"Yea?" She said
"Lunch is ready. Come eat." Dave said
Rosie took a breath and got up and went with him. They all sat down and ate. Rosie ate slowly but she did eat.
When they were all finished, and the kitchen was cleaned. Kele went and made the call. He was on the phone for about half an hour when he hung up he came into the living room where Rosie was sitting scrolling through her phone and Dave was reading. Becca was also reading in the room.
"I spoke to Kathleen's mother. She would not have seen either of your messages." Kele said
Rosie and Dave looked at him.
"She is volunteering in a very remote part of Africa for over two years. She has limited access to the internet only once every few months. And she is really only able to check emails and send emails. She wouldn't be on social media at all. Her mother is going to send her an email and let her know what has been going on and if she wants to contact you. I gave your email so her mother can give it to her." Kele said
Rosie smiled abit and nodded. "Thank you."
"Of course." Kele said
"Grandpa…" Rosie said
"Yes?" He asked
"I'm sorry." She said
"For?" Kele asked
"Being rude." She said
"It'd forgiven Nizhoni." He said
Rosie looked at her dad. "Sorry to you too."
Dave nodded. "Its forgiven." he handed Kele a large manilla envelope. "The pictures." He said
Kele smiled. "Thank you." He said
"Can I see?" Becca asked
Kele grabbed an album from a shelf and handed it to Rosie. "Pictures of her when she was your age and younger" He told her before he sat down with Becca, and they looked through the pictures that Dave had brought..
Rosie sat with her dad and looked through the album.
The room was quiet while they all looked at the photos.
Dave pointed to one. "You could be her twin." He said to his daughter.
Rosie smiled abit shrugged. "She was so beautiful."
"Just like you." Dave said smiling.
Rosie smiled. There were some pictures with Beatrice.
"They looked like they were best friends." Rosie said
"Who?" Kele asked
"Mom and Beatrice." Rosie said
"They were." Kele said.
"How can someone do what she did to me to her best friends daughter?" Rosie asked
"I don't know Nizhoni." Kele said
Rosie let out a breath and nodded.
Dave put an arm around her and pulled her in for a side hug kissing her head.
Once all the pictures were looked through. Kele went and put on some home videos of Bianca and Beatrice growing up.
They all enjoyed them. Chuckling at times. There was video of Bianca climbing up the tree. All the way up.
Kele shook his head. "You know how many time I told that girl not to climb that high?"
Dave chuckled. "She did love to climb."
Rosie and Becca looked at each other and smirked.
"I think I might want to try rock climbing." Rosie said
Dave smiled and nodded. "As long as you are careful I'm okay with it."
The finished the videos and spend the rest of the day just talking.
At the end of the day when everyone was getting ready for bed Rosie went to her dad. "Can we go to the prison before we go home?"
Dave looked at her. "You sure?"
Rosie nodded. "I just have something I want to say to both of them."
"Okay." Dave said
The went to bed. They were leaving the next day. Rosie's flight was that next day anyways and Dave had managed to book on the same flight. It was later in the day so going to the prison in the morning was possible.
When they woke up the next day everyone got up and ate breakfast. Afterwards Dave and Rosie packed up their stuff.
Rosie looked at her grandpa. "Thank you for having me."
"You are welcome here anytime. I mean that. You don't even have to ask. You can just come." Kele told her giving her a hug.
Rosie hugged him tight.
She looked at her cousin. "I had so much fun with you. Next you need to come to DC. You both need to." She hugged her cousin tight.
Becca hugged her. "Yes. I will." Becca said with a smile.
Dave thanked Kele for everything as well before the two went out to the rental car and started the drive.
Dave tried to keep a conversation going but Rosie was really quiet.
"You okay?" He asked
"Just thinking." Rosie said
"About?" Dave asked
"I had never heard mom's voice before." Rosie said
Dave nodded.
"So when I had that experience when we were spreading the ashes. And I had that connection with her. I didn't realize that it was her real voice I was hearing. Till I heard her in the videos. That voice is so unique." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "She did have a very distinctive voice."
"It was beautiful and so calming." Rosie said
Dave smiled and nodded.
They rode in silence till they got to the prison. They went inside to the male prison first. Darrel was brought to a room.
He narrowed his eyes at her. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"What? You don't want to see me? You must have wanted me in your life to kidnap me." Rosie said
"I didn't want you. I wanted my real daughter back but that wasn't an option." Darrel said
Rosie smirked. "To bad. I get to know her, and you don't."
Darrell growled. When he use to do that it terrified Rosie but not anymore.
"Anyways I just wanted to come here and tell you that I forgive you." Rosie said
"Excuse me?" He asked
"I forgive you. I'm not holding on to the anger anymore. You no longer have -any affect on me." Rosie said. "I get to live this amazing life. With my family who loves me and would die before they let anything happen to me. And you are stuck here. For the rest of your life. So I won. So I am moving on and that means letting go. So I forgive you." Rosie said before she got up.
"You do not get to just move on!" He screamed. "I will be in your nightmares forever!" he screamed
Rosie smiled and shook her head. "No. You aren't in them anymore." She left the room ignoring his screaming. Dave followed
They went to the woman's prison next, and Rosie sat down with Beatrice.
"Can we just have a normal conversation. I ask you questions and you for once just tell me the truth? Can you that for your sister's daughter? Please." Rosie asked
"Fine." Beatrice said
"Why didn't you do what you were supposed to with her ashes?" Rosie asked
"It hurt to much. I wanted her with me forever." Beatrice said
Rosie took a breath and nodded. "I can understand that."
"Really?" Beatrice asked
"Yes. You loved your sister. I saw videos this week of your childhood. Home videos that grandpa had." Rosie said. "And I could tell you two were best friends. So I get why you didn't want to let her go."
Beatrice nodded.
"What I cant understand though. Is you loved your sister. Why would you put her child in danger after going through making sure your own was away from the abuse? Why you took me and brought me into that environment." Rosie said
"Like I told you it was to protect our friends from knowing what was really going on." Beatrice said
"If the roles had been reversed and it was you that had passed, and my mom took Becca and brought her into that situation?" Rosie asked
"I wouldn't know." Beatrice said. "Its not like she knows."
"Except she does. She has come to me in my dreams and in this amazing experience when we spread her ashes yesterday. She has always been with me. She has been watching from wherever she is. She knows what you did to her daughter. And I don't know about you but if it was me. I would -never be able to forgive you." Rosie said
Beatrice narrowed her eyes. "You come here to hurt me?"
"No. I just wanted to know how you thought doing what you did was honoring the sister who protected you from everything. She used to take the blame for you and get punished for it. And you thank her by doing what you did?" Rosie said before shaking her head. "And also wanted to tell you. That I do forgive you. I have an amazing family who love me and would die before anything happened to me. And your stuck here for a very long time. So I forgive you." She said before getting up and walking out.
Dave put a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"
Rosie looked up at him and smiled. "Yes. Ready to go home. Hug my sisters tight."
Dave smiled and they went to the airport they sat at the gate sipping their coffees.
"So what did you take the blame for with one of your sisters?" Dave asked
Rosie bit her lip and didn't say anything.
"Come on. Tell me." Dave said
"She going to be in trouble?" Rosie asked
"Hunter and I will talk to whomever. Did you get punished for it?" Dave asked
"I did." Rosie said
"That's not fair to you." Dave said
"It was a one-time thing. Hunter wasn't there. She was afraid of being in trouble with you for the first time." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "I would have handled it the same way as Hunter would have."
"I believe that. But she was still scared." Rosie said
"Do you realize by not allowing me to handle it that she could be more scared of being in trouble with me in the future." Dave said
Rosie nodded. "I just don't want her to be in trouble…"
Dave sighed. "We will talk to her. Depending on what it was will determine if she is punished."
Rosie nodded. "The lamp that got broken because of the ball being thrown in the house. Wasn't me throwing it."
Dave nodded. "Okay. Who was it?"
"Is she going to be punished?" Rosie asked
"Yes. You had all been told numerous times not to play with a ball in the house." Dave said
"Not telling you than." Rosie said
"Yes. You are or you will be in trouble." Dave said
Rosie sighed. "Isn't there some statute of limitation on crimes."
Dave smirked. His daughter was to smart for her own good. "Fine. Hunter and I will talk to her but no punishment."
"Promise?" Rosie asked
"Promise." Dave said
"Callie." Rosie said
"Okay." Dave said, "No more taking blame for things they or anyone else does."
Rosie nodded. "I wont."
"Okay." Dave said
Soon they got on the flight and went home.