Page 12 of Rose
She already knew the answer. Today wasn’t just another day. Today was Willow’s birthday. The day her baby girl would’ve turned one. But instead of balloons and cake, there was only silence and gravestones.
Ahzii had spent the last year buried in recovery, too broken to face the reality waiting for her. Watching William and Willow take their last breaths was one kind of hell, but seeing their names carved into cold stone... that was a whole different kind of cruel.
But today, she couldn’t run anymore. Her baby deserved to be celebrated, even if it was beneath the earth.
“Yeah,” Ahzii whispered, her voice flat and hollow. “Can’t keep avoiding her... them.”
Kyre nodded, her throat tight, sadness heavy in her eyes.
She remembered who Ahzii used to be—soft, goofy, lighthearted even in her shy moments. That girl was gone. Burned away. Now all that remained was someone cold, distant, numb. A ghost trapped inside her own body. Kyre prayed every single day that somehow, someway, the woman she grew up with would fight her way back. That life’s hell hadn’t killed her completely.
“Let’s go,” Kyre said gently, her voice cracking despite her best effort to stay strong.
She wouldn’t let her best friend face this day alone. Never.
Ahzii made her way to Ace’s room, Ace padding behind her, his head tilted like he knew today wasn’t an ordinary day.
She knelt down, rubbing his head before setting out his food and filling his water bowl.
“Bluey, huh?” she whispered with the faintest smile, turning on his favorite show before kissing the top of his head.
Ace wagged his tail softly, watching her leave like he was standing guard over her broken heart.
She walked out of the apartment, Kyre trailing close behind like always.
“Riding with me or taking your bike?” Kyre asked as they reached the garage.
Ahzii grabbed her black helmet, slipping it on without hesitation. “Bike. I’m going to the shop after.”
Kyre gave her a look, one that saidreally?but she didn’t push.
What was the point?
All Ahzii did these days was work. The shop, the gun of the tattoo machine, the hum of her art—those were the only things that numbed the pain. Kyre wished—begged—that just for today, Ahzii would stop. Rest. Grieve.Feel.
But instead, she chose the only comfort she knew: art.
Ahzii threw her leg over the sleek black motorcycle A’Mazi had gifted her after teaching her how to ride. The AMG sat untouched in the garage, polished and waiting. But she preferred the bike. The wind, the speed—it drowned out the noise in her head.
Kyre slid into her G-Wagon, leading the way out of the garage as Ahzii followed close behind. And together, they headed to the one place Ahzii had avoided for a year.
The place where the love of her life and their daughter rested beneath the earth. She didn’t know how she was supposed to feel when she got there.
All she knew was, the numbness couldn’t protect her forever.
???
Ahzii walked slowly along the paved path of the cemetery, the blazing Miami heat pressing down on her skin, yet a cold chill ran down her spine with every step she took. No breeze, no shade—just heat and silence. But the closer Kyre led her to the graves, the colder she felt. Goosebumps broke out across her arms, despite the sun burning overhead.
And then she saw them. Two tombstones side by side. Kyre stopped in front of them, stepping aside to give her space.
The first stone read:
William Davis — Loving Father & Husband.
Her heart clenched. The tears stung, but she blinked them back... until her eyes landed on the one beside his.
Soft pink. Covered in roses. Tiny baby footprints carved gently beside the name.
