Rosalina goes public

After Rosalina was discharged from the hospital she knew that she wouldn't be able to hide her illness from the press and her fans anymore. She talked to Nat again about going to the press. Nat asked his father who the reporter was who wrote the story on his mom.

Mr. Wolf said "the reporter's name was Kelly Smith. She almost became your new mother but we got into a fight. She didn't approve of me playing the song that you wrote for your mom before you went to bed. That's why I put it away."

Nat said "dad do you remember where she lives or anything? Rosalina is willing to talk to her and go public with this."

Mr. Wolf said "I'll drive both of you over there now. She lives about four blocks away from here."

Rosalina said "Nat put your arm around me please. I have to put these drops in and they hurt."

Nat put his arm around Rosalina and said "just squeeze my hand it'll be ok."

Mr. Wolf stopped the car in front of a large house. He said "she lives here Nat she might not remember you. Don't mention me at all either one of you. If you do she might refuse to do the interview."

Rosalina said "it happened years ago why is she still angry?"

Mr. Wolf said "Kelly is very sensitive. She takes things harder then most people. I was trying to find Mr. Rock bear for Nat and she kept yapping at me about the tape. I finally yelled at her to get the heck out of my house and my life."

Nat said "dad is it my fault that you and Kelly didn't get married? If it is I'm sorry she must have made you very happy."

Mr. Wolf said "Nat I don't ever want you to think that. The fight wasn't your fault we didn't see eye to eye on a lot more than that tape. She hated dogs and that didn't sit well with me. She tried to give E.T and Lucky flea baths and she called them flea bitten mongrels."

Rosalina said "well we should go talk to her. Thanks for the warning Mr. Wolf. We'll call you when we're ready to be picked up."

Nat and Rosalina walked up the driveway and knocked on the door. A pretty thirty year old woman answered the door. Nat politely said "are you Kelly Smith? My girlfriend and I would like to have an interview with you."

The woman studied Nat's face. Then she said "maybe I am maybe I'm not. It depends on who's looking for her and why."

Nat said "I'm Nat a member of the Naked Brothers Band. My girlfriend and I want to do a private interview."

The woman smiled and said "why didn't you just find another reporter? I quit doing interviews with your band after I dated the leader's father. I made mistakes and now I'm done. I gave that man the best year of my life and he chose those dumb dogs over me."

Nat said "please my dad said that you were an honest reporter. My girlfriend has cancer and wants to let the fans know. She won't talk to anyone else because they will get into her personal life. If you do the interview I'll tell you who my father is."

The woman said "get in here kid before I change my mind. You found the right house my name is Kelly Smith. I swore to myself that I'd never do an interview with the Naked Brothers Band again. However what you said about your little girlfriend has touched my heart."

Rosalina said "this is very kind of you Miss. Smith. Thank you for opening your lovely home to us."

Nat sat down in a chair and said "I promise that this won't take long. I always keep my word as soon as you cover Rosalina's story I will tell you who my father is."

Kelly Smith said "how much info do you want the public to have? It's all up to you Rosalina. Like Nat said you didn't go to any other reporter because you didn't want your personal life becoming involved."

Rosalina said "just get me a camera and Nat and I will record what we want the fans to know."

Kelly Smith got out the camera and said "I've hit record you guys just let me know when you're done talking."

Rosalina blinked back tears. Talking about this wasn't easy for her but Nat held he hand. She took a deep breath and said "Nat and I have a message for all of our fans. We don't want to scare you but I'm very sick. I have cancer I'm expected to live for another year at least. I'm also going blind and won't be able to read the wonderful fan letters that you guys write me everyday. I told one fan that I'm not afraid of anything expect for flying. I was wrong because now I'm afraid of not having enough time."

Nat said "now there is a way for you to help Rosalina. Our band is having a concert in Florida next month. The money from that concert will help pay for her treatments. Thank you for taking the time to listen to us. Have a great night everyone and don't forget about the concert. Rosalina and I will also be drawing names for three backstage passes. The tickets will be given out for three dollars a person."

Rosalina burst into tears after Kelly turned off the camera. Nat ran to her and whispered "it'll be ok Rosie hush it'll be ok."

Kelly said "Nat who is your father? You and I had a deal and you said you always keep your word."

Nat said "I'll tell you just let me comfort Rosalina first."

Rosalina said "Nat just tell her what she wants to know. It'll be so much easier she was very kind to help us."

Nat said "my father is John Wolf. You dated him when I was four years old. He never meant to hurt you Miss Smith. If you would just go to dinner with him tonight you'll see it."

Rosalina said "Nat you know darn well that your father is going to refuse to have dinner with her. After all that Miss Smith did for us we can't lie to her."

Kelly smiled at Nat and said "I knew who you were as soon as you knocked on my door. I never thought I see you again Nat. How's your little brother? I haven't seen him since he was just three. Oh god I've missed you kids so much. I'll take your father up on that dinner offer thank you Nat for being pushy about the interview. If you hadn't I would have spent the rest of my life waiting for a second chance."

Rosalina said "wait if you and Mr. Wolf were in love why did you give it up? This doesn't make any since Miss Smith."

Kelly said "well young lady Mr. Wolf and I just didn't see eye to eye on things. That tape that he kept playing for Nat broke my heart. Every time I heard him cry I wanted to hold him close. One night I didn't realize that he was doing something and asked him to put the tape away for good. He got mad and told me to move out. I became a rich and fancy reporter but I still wasn't happy. I missed you kids dearly and tried everything to be able to see you."

Nat said "dad told me something else. He said that you wouldn't remember me."

Kelly's smile faded and said "everyday I prayed that I'd be able to forget you. That was just wishful thinking on my part because the longer that I was away from you and Alex the more I loved and missed you."

Nat said "I'll call dad and see if he's willing to take you out to dinner. He never really meant to hurt you. I know my father his temper just got out of control."

Rosalina called Mr. Wolf and said "Nat did something that's a little crazy. He told Miss Smith who you are and said that you wanted to have dinner with her."

Mr. Wolf said "he did what? Oh my god! I haven't had a date in years. What do I wear? What do I say?"

Rosalina said "just be you. She already said that she adores Nat and Alex. That means all you have to do is make her fall in love with you."

Mr. Wolf said "that's the problem Rosalina. I'm not exactly her type she's a rich woman and I help my wife's friend manage the band."

Rosalina said "just come down and meet her and you'll see that money isn't what she wants. Relax and act natural that's how you told Nat to act around me."

Nat breathed out a sigh of relief when he saw Rosalina give him the thumbs up sign. He knew that he shouldn't have set his father up on a date without talking to him first. Rosalina got off the phone and said "Nat your father is really nervous what was running through your head? Setting those two up could really be dangerous for the band. If things don't go right she can write a really bad review about the band."

Nat said "she won't do that because Alex and I will make sure everything goes perfectly. Rosalina you're looking at the master of love. Trust me I promise that everything will be perfect."

Kelly smiled when she saw Mr. Wolf's car pull into the driveway. She opened the door and shook his hand when he got out of the car. She said "John it's been such a long time. How have you been? Nat has grown so tall and handsome. He must have a hard time keeping the ladies off him."

Mr. Wolf said "he has those fans that send those crazy love letters every once in a while. All he wants is Rosalina. Well Kelly Copper will take the kids home and you and I can have a nice dinner."

Kelly said "John please sit down we have a lot to talk about. Nat and Rosalina can wait for a few minutes."

Mr. Wolf said "Nat can you and Rosalina call Copper so he can take you guys home? I plan on taking Miss Smith out for a nice dinner. Here use my phone and invite the band to spend the night so you and Alex aren't alone."

Nat called the Copper and the rest of the band. When Copper came to pick up Nat and Rosalina Nat said "wait until I tell Alex that we might have a new mother. I know that I was against anyone replacing mom but Alex needs a mom."

Copper sighed and said "don't say anything to Alex about this date. He doesn't hear the word maybe. If he hears you and Rosalina talking about your dad's date he'll assume that he's getting a new mother."

When they got to the house Alex ran to Nat and said "is Rosalina ok? Dad didn't tell me anything. I was so worried about you guys that I got sick."

Nat said "easy little brother. Rosalina is fine something was just a little wrong with her eyes."

Rosalina said "I should call my dad and let him know what the doctors said. Can I use the phone Nat?"

Nat said "sure then you're having dinner with us. I'll walk you home it can be a group date."

Rosalina said "Nat I'll get my own dinner at home. I really can't face the guys right now. It's going to be hard enough telling my dad."

Nat said "Rosie I love you. The guys will understand we all want to help you. That's why we want to perform this concert for you."

Rosalina said "that's just it Nat. I've always done everything for myself. Cancer has changed me. It's forcing me to rely on my friends and family. I hate doing this to you Nat."

Alex said "Rosalina you ok? Jesse and I are worried about you. Please tell me the truth Nat."

Jesse came into the room and said "Alex come over here. Sit with me ok. Nat and Rosalina need to talk alone for a minute lets go upstairs."

Alex took Jesse's hand and the two of them went upstairs. Jesse hugged Alex and said "I love you Al. I'm going to tell you the truth. Nat is going to kill me."

Alex said "Jesse you're scaring me. Why would Nat want to kill you? What's wrong with Rosalina?"

Jesse said "Al Rosalina is going blind. She has to put drops in her eyes so she can preserve a small amount of her vision."

Alex buried his face in his pillow and grabbed Mr. Rock bear out from inside the case. Jesse hugged him and said "hush Alex Nat will freak if he knew that I told you. I need you to just pretend that nothing happened. I think I know something that'll cheer you up."

Jesse leaned over and kissed Alex on the lips softly. Alex said "what the heck was that! I love you but this is too fast. Can we please slow down Jesse?"

Jesse said "what is this bear? Did your mom give it to you? You miss her very much don't you Al. This must be very hard for you and Nat. I don't know what I'd do without my mom. She's always there for me in ways that my dad can't be."

Alex said "Jesse I'm serious please slow down. I'm only ten years old I'm not ready for a kiss on the lips. Yes Nat had his first kiss when he was six but that was different. I don't want you to kiss me because I depressed. I want you to kiss me because you love me. Do we have a deal Jesse?"

Jesse said "Alex yes if that's how you want it. Come here so I can mess up your hair. That's the sort of thing that Juanita did isn't it? Oh how could I be so stupid you still love her don't you Alex."

Alex sobbed "no I hate her! She used me and cheated on me! I could have dealt with her doing one of those things to me but not both. You would never do this to me would you Jesse."

Jesse hugged Alex and started to tell him that she would never dream of hurting him when Nat came upstairs and said "alright you two dad just came back from his date. I sorry I didn't tell you Al. Please don't over react that'll upset Rosalina."

Jesse asked "Nat how did it go?"

Nat said "well I'm not sure. He brought her home so the band could meet her. I think that it went well. He's never brought anyone of his dates home before."

Alex asked "Nat is dad going to marry her? I hope he does because I miss having a mom around."

Nat said "I don't know Alex. I hope he does to. It'll make things so much better at home."

Jesse said "we won't find out unless we go downstairs and meet her. Alex what ever happens between your dad and this woman it won't replace your mom. No one can ever replace her. She did so much for the band what she did is something that no one can ever take away."

Nat said "Al I set dad up with this woman. Dad dated her before a short time after mom died. She's a reporter and she remembers us. She missed us after dad forced her to move out.

Alex, Nat and Jesse walked downstairs and saw their father and the rest of the band sitting next to Kelly Smith. She smiled at Alex and motioned for him to come closer to her. Alex slowly walked into the kitchen and sat down next to his father.

Kelly said "you've gotten so big Alex. The last time I saw you, you were so short."

Alex said "excuse me but I don't know you. Dad I think she's a little off her nut."

Kelly said "oh I'm so sorry. You were so little when I left you wouldn't remember."

Mr. Wolf said "we can talk more in the morning. It's late and I should drive you home."

Kelly said "thank you John I had a wonderful time tonight. I hope that we can have more nights like this. I'll take the kids to school on Monday. That way Alex can get to know me."

Mr. Wolf said "I usually take them to school. I work so much that it's really the only time I get to spend with them."

Kelly said "alright but I pick them up from school. That might be better because we'll have more time to talk."

Nat sighed as he watched Kelly and his dad leave. Tomas's voice broke the silence she seems nice. I hope that your dad stays with her she a lot nicer then that dumb maid your dad hired a short time after your mom died."

No one but Jesse noticed that Alex had gone upstairs. Jesse was concerned and followed him to his dad's bed room. The door was locked and Jesse heard him sobbing. Jesse knocked on the door and said "Alex you ok? I'll go get us some milk and we can talk about this."

Alex opened the door and said "Jesse dad's going to marry this woman. I don't even know her I don't want someone I don't know to be who I see as my mom. Jesse said "it doesn't have to be that way. She really makes your dad happy you have to admit that she's better than that dumb maid."

Alex buried his face in Jesse's shirt and she rubbed his back. Jesse wanted to take his pain away but she didn't know how. Then she saw Alex holding a small box with a ring inside it. Jesse said "that was your mom's wedding ring. You think that your dad wants to give that ring to Miss Kelly don't you."

Alex said "he showed it to Nat and Rosalina and asked if he should by a new one. He wouldn't buy a new ring unless he was getting married again. He just met this woman again today. I don't understand Jesse why does he need to get married again anyway. We have all the family we need right here."

Jesse said "your dad thinks that you and Nat need a motherly hand to guide you. I don't really understand grownups either. I just trust that they know what's best for me."

Alex hugged Jesse and she rubbed his back until he fell asleep. Then she carried him into his bed room and lied down beside him and fell asleep herself.