Pink Roses [[Part 1]]

The 17 year old girl breathed in the crisp cold air.


"It’s now or never." She whispered to herself as she raised her small pointer finger to ring the little doorbell.


She gently pressed the small button. Her heartbeat was fast as she waited. For something. Anything.

Thump. Thump. Thump.


Then the quiet sound of footsteps.

Thud. Thud. Thud.


The two noises blended, barely burying the silence of waiting.
Thump. Thud. Thump. Thud.


The doorknob twisted. The girl considered turning around and running. Running away. Anywhere.

She didn’t. No. She stood up straight and smiled at the older woman who was leaning on the wooden door.


The woman, had an angry look on her slightly wrinkled face. Her hair, was a dark, dirty, brown, with strands of gray clearly visible at the roots of her hair. It was tied back in a stiff, tight bun. Her lips were pink, thin, and stone like. She was clothed in a light pink turtleneck and a pair of light blue jeans. Her feet were covered in white socks. Her striking eyes were last noticed by the girl. Her eyes were so dark, they were so…haunting.


The woman’s face softened as she saw the young girl. Her hair was dull, wet, and tangled. Her deep chocolate brown eyes held pain and grief. Her full dark pink lips were in a pout like formation. Her cheeks were paler than their usual rosy color. Her face held no freckles or blemishes. Her teeth were straight and white. She was gorgeous. Completely and utterly beautiful.


"Hello. Can I help you?" The older woman snapped.


"Um…yes…you see, my-my name…it’s" The teen began.


"Today please."


"My name is…Belle Stewart…" The girl called Belle spoke, just above a whisper.


The woman’s face darkened, "Look, I don’t have time for this."


The older woman began to close the door and something snapped inside Belle.


"Make time." Belle said through gritted teeth.


The woman sighed, "Come in."


The woman opened the door and Belle walked inside. The walls were a light neutral beige. The couch was a dark brown with turquoise pillows. A turquoise throw blanket was unfolded and covered the seats of the couch. It looked as if someone had just been laying in that exact spot. There was a large bookcase on one wall. A fireplace parallel to it on the opposite wall. The fireplace was made of dark brick. A fire was currently warming the room. Every few seconds a crack from the fire could be heard. A dark brown coffee table was in front of the couch. There was a glass of water placed on a coaster on the table. There were two end tables placed on either end of the couch on both tables was a vase. The vase was turquoise and as filled with 5 white lilies. The house was tidy and inviting.


The woman sat on the couch and Belle followed suit and sat on the cushion beside her.


"So…" The older woman began. "Should you go first or should I?"


"Well, because you abandoned me. I think I’ll do the talking. Both of my real parents just died. A drunk driver crashed into my parents’ car when they were coming home to give me my birthday present." At this point Belle pointed to her silver locket that was in the shape of a heart, the picture was of the woman in front of her. "They were going to tell me that I was adopted. I was adopted because you were too busy to care." Tears were falling from Belle’s eyes now. "How could you? How could you?"


As Belle tried to catch her breath, the woman tried to hug her.


"I’m so-" The woman began.


"DON’T say you’re sorry." Belle interrupted, pushing the sympathetic woman away from her.


The woman raised her voice, "I am SICK of that tone. This is MY house, and either you will let me explain or you will get out!"


Belle glared at the woman, but did not move.


"Well then, I’ll explain. You see, I was 22 when you were born. Three months after you were born you and I were inseparable. I loved you with all of my heart. I lost my job. So I got a job as being a waitress and a small fast food restaurant in the more…dangerous part of town. I was on my way home one night and I was…raped. After I told your father he left me. He blamed me for being raped. He tried to take you but I wouldn’t let him. That was the first time he hit me. It was also the last. I grabbed you and called the police. He was not convicted of Domestic Violence like I would have hoped. But, I did get full custody of you, and a restraining order. I became an alcoholic. I did not treat you like a mother should. DSS(department of social services) came. They took you away from me. I went through so many rehab centers." Her eyes became glazy as she spoke. "But I’m better now."


After a long silence Belle’s mother spoke, "You are welcome to stay here. There is plenty of room."


Belle smiled, "Thank you."


The door opened and a boy who looked 17 entered.


"Sup mom?"