This one's kinda sad… but hey, im bored
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Rosalina smiled as she stepped delicately into the bedroom of the boys.They were all sleeping soundly but it didn't stop her on her mission. Riley was snoring loudly, his head had fallen off his pillow and half of his body was hanging out of the bed. Giggling silently, she picked up his tiny body and lay it down gently in the center of the bed, pulling the covers up to his chin and placing another blanket on top to keep him snug.
She tiptoed over to Caesar and brushed the hair out of his eyes before placing a little kiss on his head and tucking him in. When she made her way to Huey, she noticed he was sleeping flat on his back. Odd for a child.
His brow was furrowed, as it always was. Poor kid.
Gently, she reached out her hand and gently made the sign of the cross on his forehead and kissed it, saying a silent prayer for him before turning to the dresser.
She had went in there to put up some clean clothes but brought up some blankets for them, again. She didn't realize that her touchings caused the older Freeman to stir. The feeling of her thumb running over his head vertically and then over it again horizontally made his eyes slowly slit open. The feeling felt so ancient... but familiar
He turned his head to see a young woman messing with his dresser.
"Mom...?" His voice was dripping the sleepiness but desperation. Rosalina jumped slightly, turning her head slowly and blinking in confusion, but sadness.
"Huey?"
His eyes popped open with realization; he blinked a few times himself as the picture came into view, his eyes fully adjusted to the dark. He could see that it was just his babysitter. Her hair was pulled back and she was wearing a strapless shirt, a scar visible on her upper shoulder.
"Oh... Sorry,"
"Oh no. I'm sorry, Shah. I didn't mean to wake you," She spoke in hushed whispers, "Just bringing you some clean clothes,"
"I think I'm wide awake now," Huey stated, sitting up in his bed. For some reason he always had trouble going back to sleep whenever he was prematurely awoken.
"Oh. Well, then, how's about I whip us up a midnight snack?"
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Huey found himself sitting on his roof with a blanket wrapped tightly around him. He was sitting next to Rosalina who was also sporting the blanket wrap. Both had steaming cups of some orange liquid, that Huey had never seen before.
"What is it?"
"Spice tea. My Momma made it for me whenever I had trouble sleeping," Rosalina smiled, "Or when I was sad,"
"Oh," Huey muttered, the drink smelled like citrus and cinnomin. He took a careful sip... it was sweet. Very sweet... but soothing in a way. A sudden taste struck his mouth, making his tongue recoil. He put the mug down and wiped his lips, "What's in this?"
A smile played on her lips, "Tang, cinnamon, sugar... and Amaretta,"
"Amer...How ya gonna give a kid liquor?"
"It's a tiny, tiny bit," Rosalina gestured with her thumb and index finger how tiny it was, laughing a little, "It wont hurt you. I promise. It'll help you sleep, honest. My momma wouldn't gimmie something that'd mess me up,"
Huey waited until he saw her take a sip of her own drink, keeping her eyes closed and relishing the warmth in her mouth. He wasn't sure how it happened, but it was if it just blurted out of him, un able to stop himself, he just said
"My Mom's dead,"
Her eyes popped open. He had said it so casually, almost as if he was saying The sky is blue. It rung in her ears, hurting her deeply as she cleared her throat and set her mug down on her knees, and giving her most honest look as she waited to say something to reply.
Huey bit the inside of his mouth. He did not want to hear another, "I'm sorry,". He hated it when people said, "I'm sorry," about his mother's death. It wasn't THEIR fault she was dead. How could they say that they were sorry? They didn't feel the pain he did from losing her. They didn't fall asleep wondering how they could make it through the next day. They didn't know so how could they be sorry?
"I'm sorry," She said clearly, making Huey's anger swell.
"You didn't kill her," He muttered, glaring into his cup, "How can you be sorry?"
"Because I know what it's like to lose someone you love," She smiled sadly, "He wasn't my mom... but... I really loved him... And he loved me,"
Huey's eyes rose to stare at her, wondering the story behind it, but he was really hoping she wouldn't ask about the story behind his mom so… if he didn't wanna tell then she probably didn't either. He blinked twice, were those tears in her eyes? She lifted her arm up and wrapped it around him, pulling him into her side so she could hug him. She placed a hand on his head and sighed deeply.
"I'm... sorry,"
"It's okay," She smiled gently, opening her eyes slowly and looking out. It was strange. Huey hated to be touched... but for some reason... being in her embrace made him feel secure. It also reminded him of his mother... and how much he really missed her.
"Rosalina? You believe in angels, right?" He asked carefully, "Do you think my mom's an angel?"
"No, shah,"
His head snapped up to stare up at her. She had her gaze up at the brilliant stars above her, "No?"
"You don't become an angel in heaven, Huey," she explained, "When you die you are freed from your body and you go to heaven as a perfect spirit. Angels are servants of the lord. They help him get us to heaven,"
There was a pause as Huey deliberated what she was saying. He felt her squeeze him gently as she continued, "But sometimes, people act as angels and help us get to heaven, too. Kinda like how your Grandad makes you say grace at supper,"
"So... My mom is..."
"Probably telling your guardian angel off for all the bruises and scraped knees you ever got," Rosalina smiled, giving him an honest look, "But you should know this, Huey Freeman, even though you her body gave out, her love wont never go away. People die, Huey, but the love they had for us is eternal and it will last even longer than when you, yourself die.
"She's watching you and can't wait to see you again. She misses you just as much as you miss her,"
"How can someone be sad in heaven if everyone says it's such a perfect place?" His words were almost mocking, but her tone was never changing.
"She's not sad, Huey, cos she knows she'll be with you again and she's taking care of you everyday," Rosalina explained, "Would you... like to speak with her, Huey?"
He popped his eyebrow up questioningly, "How?"
"I'm Catholic, Huey," she smiled knowingly, "Praying doesn't equal worship,"
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Rosalina had awoken all of the kids, tossed them in some coats and drove them all over to the big church in town. No one was too happy with the arrangement, but she promised they could sleep in the chapel if they needed to. They wouldn't get in trouble for it.
"It's 12:45 at night," Huey pointed out, "The doors are probably locked,"
But to everyone's surprise, the door opened with ease as Rosalina tugged on them and proudly strutted inside. The kids followed, a bit confused by the whole thing.
The large room was built like a gothic cathedral and was obviously very old. The smell of oil and incense hinting the cold noses and the dimly lit areas were slightly creepy. It was if there were some presence in the room as they copied Rosalina dipping her hand into the holy water and making the sign of the cross, the excess water running off her forehead.
She lead them to the center pew and genuflected before the alter and slid in. The children repeated, not really sure what they were doing. It wasn't until she pulled down a beam of wood from under the row in front of them that they really got confused. She placed her knees down on the beam and tucked her head. No one else kneeled.
Huey's eyes traced around the room, not sure of what to make of all the statues and elaborate stained glass windows. The gold box on the alter puzzled him, however.
"Look," Caesar whispered, pointing at a statue Huey was shocked he had missed. It was... Jesus. He was crucified. He was right there hanging from the ceiling on a wooden cross. It was an eye opener. Sure, Huey knew what had happened to ol' JC but.. it was so in your face. The blood running down his wrists and feet. The crown of thorns leaving pin thin trails of blood over his pained face. The bible didn't do the image justice.
"C'mon, Huey," Rosalina whispered to him, taking him to the front of the room before a small table full of blue and red glass covered candles.
"What is this?" He asked curiously. She dropped to her knees on the cushioned board before the table and he followed suit.
"We light a candle and pray as it burns,"
"Pray?"
"You can speak to your mother this way," She explained. Noticing his uneasy face, he tried to do what he had seen in movies and magazines and such. He awkwardly folded his hands together and tried to prop his elbows up to rest on the table. He looked so very awkward. She chuckled, "You don't have to do that. Praying involves no particular position… just talk,"
He didn't understand. It was obvious by his facial expression and posture. Taking a hint she leaned in, "Kay. I'll go first," He watched as she took a long, elegant match, dipping it into a blue cup, letting it touch the clear candle's fire. It ignited and she then trailed it over to a red candle, dropping it just as slowly to let it light. Once it was burning, she made the sign of the cross and dipped her head.
"Craig… sorry it's been awhile since we've had a chance to talk," She started slowly, "How ya been? You'd think I would have gotten used to you being gone by now. Heh. I don't think it's funny that you keep running me into your mother but she's always happy to see me so I guess it's okay. I got a little boy here, Craig, who really misses his mom. Now, I know you're new to the joint but if ya could, let her know how much he misses her. Thanks,"
Huey had watched her the whole time. She stopped her prayer and smiled at Huey who suddenly felt like he was in the hot seat. She handed him a match and nodded her head gently. He sighed, figuring he was in too deep to back at out now, and let his match light before letting that fire light another candle.
"You don't have to do it outloud," Rosalina added quickly, "If you feel more comfortable just thinking it, it's okay,"
Huey sighed and looked up at the ceiling. So many beautiful stone and bricks coming together. How could they keep a place full of such expensive things open 24/7? There were no police. No Guards! No anything. It just seemed so odd. He'd ask her about it later… now was time for his mother.
"Uh… Mom…" He started shakily, "I… I'm sorry I couldn't help you… but if Rosalina's right then… you're okay now, right? Uh… Riley misses you, and he's still annoying. Grandad's doing okay… he still eats way too much pork, though and…"
Rosalina smiled as his gaze fell on her, almost not sure what else to say. She nodded and he turned back to look at the ceiling.
"I'm trying really hard to make the world a better place… it's hard though,"
"You can ask her for help, Huey," Rosalina muttered.
"Mom could you help me… Oh! This is dumb!" Huey snapped, still speaking in whispers. He stood up and stormed off down the aisle, passing each row of pews and not stopping until he had nearly reached the exit, where he was stopped by a tall figure dressed in black, stumbling out of a door from the wall.
"Who's there?"
Huey stumbled back, a bit uneasy of a man popping out of the wall.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Father," Rosalina exclaimed, speed walking over to them, "I was just…"
"Rosalina, what on earth are doing up at this hour?" The priest asked in shock. His eyes widened at the sight of the other children, all just waking up and ushering themselves wobbly out of their pew, "Are they all with you?"
"Uh… yessir," She muttered quickly, "We won't be much longer. Sorry to have woken you, Fr. Dean,"
"It's all good and well, my dear," The old wrinkled man replied. Huey surveyed him quickly. He was portly and round, balding at the top of his head, but he withered face was pleasant and friendly. Must have been a Catholic thing, "Just be careful wondering about the streets at this hour, especially with these little cherubs with you,"
Caesar and Riley gave each other glances where as Jazmine giggled and nodded assent.
"Yes sir. Thank you," Rosalina said quickly, watching the man leave the chapel to go back to sleep in his quarters. Rosalina heaved a breath of relief and smiled at Huey happily who just continued walking out the door. She took hold of the other kids and helped them all outside, not forgetting to genuflect on her way out.
Huey stopped one last time to glance at the crucifix. Such a horrible way to die…
And all for a belief too.
Hm. Jesus was a revolutionary, he supposed.
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"Rosalina?"
"Yes?"
They were driving back with Huey riding shotgun and the other children dozing peacefully in the back. Rosalina had her eyes fixated on the road, the rain pittering on the windshield and the wipers pulling them off to keep her from losing her vision completely.
"Aren't they afraid someone will steal something in there?"
"What?"
"The church. Why don't they have like… people to guard all that stuff. I mean, I know there's plenty of people who'd steal that big gold box in there and wouldn't even care about what it was or where it came from. People with no moral stature,"
"Well, Huey," Rosalina shrugged, "No uniforms are allowed inside the church. That was established many, many years ago when the church was considered a place of rest and safety. Knights and soldiers were forbade entry when they were on duty. They had to remove their armor or go home. The rule kinda followed down to now- the Vatican frowns upon police officers walking about inside in their uniforms but it isn't such a strict rule,"
"But don't they care about their stuff being stolen?"
"Sure they care," Rosalina shrugged, "But the only thing they would probably freak out about would probably be the tabernacle… but that's only if they took what was inside, too. Most thieves wouldn't want a bowl of flat bread,"
It was all Greek to Huey, but he was too tired to ask any questions. He was grateful that she wasn't lecturing him about running out in the middle of a prayer, but he supposed that she was a real Christian and not the, "YO GOIN TA HELL COS YA DON'T BELIEVE THE SAME STUFF I DO!!" type Christian.
Setting his head on the window, he looked up at the stars. Everything was getting to be far too confusing for him. He just…needed to sleep.
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Ahh! Talk about spiritual! XD again, I talk too much.
Oh yeah- everything that Rosalina says about the Catholic church is 100 pure Catholic doctrine and dogma. I made sure to check myself before posting it (which is why this chapter took awhile) I had to reread it all in the catechism so if ur Catholic and don't believe this…well… u can put bunny ears on a snake but that aint gonna make it give u easter eggs, now will it?
XD hope it wasn't too preachy. This is all just what I find to be true… bugs you? Well, u can do w/e u want. U don't have to listen to a fanfic (in fact… if u do then I suggest immediate therapeutic attention)