Roses Are Blue

The Rose Dies

The airport was crowded as usual. Emily watched as her daughter waved her one last goodbye before following Mr and Mrs Martins to the security gates leading to the departure hall. She wiped the tears that slid down her cheeks and gave one last fake smile.
Holding her second daughter's hand she turned to leave then she heard Mavis's voice again. She ran to meet them holding a sheet of paper.

"What are you doing mavis? The plane is leaving soon. " Emily stroked her hair gently.

"I want to give this to Mabel." She stretched the paper to Mabel. It was a drawing of a rose flower.
Mabel collected it and stared at it " You painted it blue. Roses are red Mavis."
 
"I can only paint it blue, My favourite colour is blue. It's my best drawing, I spent many days trying to make it perfect. I love it very much and I want you to have it."

she smiled warmly "keep it safe."

"Thank you. I don't have a gift to give you, I'm sorry I didn't make one."
 
  Emily smiled, deeply proud of the love her daughters had for each other.

  "It's okay, I am your elder sister. Mother said the elder must always take care of the younger ."
 
"I am eight years old and you are eight too. You are not my elder sister," Mabel said protestingly.

  "Mother said I am older. I came out first. I am.."

  "Girls!" Emily interjected. "There's no time for this." Emily hugged Mavis. "Be a good girl. And always listen to Mr and Mrs Martin they are your parents now okay?."

Mavis nodded "mummy, why can't Mabel follow us to the U.S.A and you too?" 

Emily wiped a tear from the corner of her eye "Because Mrs Martin can only take one person."

"Mom... I want to go with Mavis."

"You can't go with Mavis now and leave all your dolls behind can you?"
Mabel shook her head.

"let's go home and take the dolls then. Wait Mavis we will be right back." 
Mabel hugged her sister and pulled Emily's hand.

Emily fought back tears as she went home with her daughter. Will these girls hate her for separating them? Mr and Mrs Martin had grown so fond of the girls and Mrs Martin had no child of her own. She couldn't decline when she talked to her about adopting one of the girls. Mrs Martin was very generous and kind to her and her daughters, she never hesitated to render help when needed.

Mr Martin was just the same, even when he got a job abroad he always sends gifts to the girls every month. He loved them very much.
 
She worked for the couple for many years even before she married James, she had no doubts that mavis was in safe hands. Mr Martin would protect Mavis.

"They are nice people. The martins love you very much." That was all the explanation she was able to give. How could she explain to her eight-year-olds the real reason why Mavis should live with Mr and Mrs Martin?  She sighed and squeezed the edge of her jacket nervously. Mrs Martin promised to keep in touch, one day her daughters would be reunited.

                           ~~~~~

The room was designed to Mavis's taste. It had plenty of toys, books, a large bed, a blue bedspread and blue curtains. Elizabeth even bought her new daughter a grand piano because Mavis wanted it. She made sure Mavis was comfortable in her new house. She bought her many beautiful clothes, and expensive toys and promised to take her to see many places in Atlanta. She also told Mavis to call her mother as she was going to be her mother forever.
 
Elizabeth stroked Mavis's hair as she slept. She had fallen asleep while her favourite book was being read to her. She carried Mavis and laid her on the bed.