Page 76 of A Touch of Rose

I can’t get a hold of the girl I love, but my mother is here? What the fuck is in the water…

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE

“Run Away to Mars” by TALK

REN

“I’ve been sober for six weeks,” Kelly says, smiling up at me. I look from her to the small blonde dashing across the playground. Her clothes and hair are clean, and her smile looks real.

“That's great.” I nod.

“Why did you call?” Kelly asks, but I don’t answer. Can’t.

“Just checking on you,” I lie, and she smiles brightly, holding her arms out as she does a twirl.

“Surprise,” she giggles, and I take a step back.

“You look good, Kelly. I hope you keep it up. You deserve it,” I say honestly.

“Leaving already?” she asks, and I nod. I need to get the fuck away from her before I ruin her life again. I can’t tell her the real reason I sought her out was for drugs…

Jesus, what the fuck am I thinking?

That Rose is gone…that I don’t deserve to know where she is…that I fucking need her.

Fuck!

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

“Wrecked” by Imagine Dragons

ROSE-TWELVE WEEKS SINCE NEW YEAR’S

I close my journal and smile. I feel good. Better.

I’ve been here for twelve weeks now, and I’m ready to get back to my life. Things are different now, but it’s time.

“Rose?” a soothing voice says as she knocks on my open door. I turn to see Denise poking her head in.

“Are they here?” I ask, jumping off my bed as she smiles brightly at me. Nerves flutter in my tummy, but I haven’t felt this good in years.

“They are!” She nods excitedly, and I rush her, pulling her in for a hug.

“Thank you, for everything! I know it's your job to help me, but seriously, thank you!” Tears fill my eyes because I’m so grateful for the time she spent helping me get better. I learned how to live with the guilt and accept that even though I shouldn’t feel it, I do, and that's okay.

I’ve learned to live with the grief as well. That was harder to accept. Harder to work through, but I discovered that grief isn’t just one thing, it’s many. And if you let it, it’ll pile up on your soul and weigh you down.

So I learned how to expel the pain in a healthy way. I’m not done here. My healing journey has only begun, but it’s time for me to return to my life, so I can put what I’ve learned to use.

“Of course! Oh, Rose, I’m just so proud of you!” Denise praises, and I sniff, pulling away. I take one last look at the room I once hated and sigh.

“You saved my life, Denise,” I admit, but she grabs my shoulders, shaking her head.

“No, Rose. You saved yourself. I just taught you how to be your own hero,” she declares, making me tear up even more.

“You’re right. But that doesn’t change how much you helped, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. Whatever they pay you, it’s not enough,” I tease, and she chuckles.

“Now that, we can agree on!” She sucks in a breath, straightens her shoulders, and says, “Let's go.” I follow her out of the room, ready to face my mother. I’ve already apologized to her as part of my recovery.

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