Heavy

Chapter 13

            Isobel woke up with the light of the sun coming to bathe her room. No noise echoed in the house, suggesting that Rose was still sleeping. The brunette couldn't resist sending a message to Jubal: "Your daughter is at my house, you are welcome to see her. She would be happy."

And he was not long in answering, but unfortunately not what Isobel was hoping for: "I don't care. I never asked you for anything. You ruined my life trying to help me. Keep her; put her in foster care, I don't care."

"I no longer recognize you; you are no longer the Jubal we know."

"Whose fault is it to dwell on the past?"

"I saved your daughter! Fuck it!" Isobel put her cell phone down angrily. What was going through his head?! He should be happy to find her...

She got up; the irresistible urge to go see Rose. But her protege was no longer in her room. Heart pounding Isobel rushed downstairs, thinking that Rose had run away. The reality was perhaps worse... Rose was lying curled up on the hall carpet. Isobel's heart shattered into a million pieces. He had broken and conditioned her so much that she didn't realize she was free and able to do what she wanted... Gently, Isobel caressed her cheek, tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, wanting to wake her up as gently as possible. Rose slowly opened her eyes, taking a moment to adjust to the light, and spotted Isobel.

"Sorry! I'm sorry, your breakfast isn't ready. Please don't punish me!" Rose exclaimed, sitting up far too quickly for her ribs.

"Calm down, calm down! It's okay sweetie! You don't have to make my breakfast. I don't want you to do it, or do anything other than what you like or want okay? Like read, or to draw, or to listen to music, or to sew...It's my job to take care of you, cooking, or cleaning. Not yours. Are we agreeing?"

Rose nodded, smiling shyly at Isobel.

"Go and sit on the couch while I look at your ribs and your back, I saw you wince in pain."

Isobel led her to the sofa, and pulled up her top. One of the bandages was bleeding; she cleaned it gently, so gently that Rose hardly felt a thing.

"Thank you" she whispers.

"Of course sweetheart. Can you tell me why you were sleeping there?"

"Because...because it's my place..." Rose cry.

Isobel take her in a hug, stroking her hair in the hope of soothing her. A long discussion ensued in which Isobel explained to her that she was no longer a prisoner, that a normal life was resuming... A great conversation that did Rose good, who came to nest again and by herself in Isobel's arms. After their breakfast the two girls, get ready, they went to a mall. Isobel encouraged Rose to choose clothes, but also books, decoration... Isobel ordered them a bubble tea each, and took Rose for a walk in Central Park. They were enjoying the moment, Rose watching the bright sky, the birds singing and the people enjoying. Isobel ran a hand through the girl's hair, smiling warmly at her. Smile that quickly disappeared seeing Jubal a few meters from them, in the company of Tyler and Abby. Isobel was furious, he dares do that... Anger rising in her veins, Isobel takes Rose hand, wanting to leave quickly. But Rose had seen it.

"Who...who are the children with him?"

Isobel's throat tightened, she didn't answer, and dragged Rose towards the car. Once home, and the groceries get out of the car, Isobel sat on Rose's bed inviting her to do the same. She took the girl's hands in hers, explaining who Tyler and Abby are, apologizing for hurting her.

"Why are you helping me then if my father doesn't want me?"

Isobel told her part of her story, that her father had also abandoned her, like Jubal was doing right now with Rose. But that unlike her, Isobel had been lucky to have her mother to overcome that, recover and move on with her life. Telling her that her father had broken her heart, and that she didn't want Rose to go through the same thing, especially after what she had just been through. And that Isobel wanted to be that person there for Rose, to help her get better, overcome hardships and live the life she wants and happily. Rose had listened carefully, and realized that Isobel understood her, understood what she felt, the loneliness and the questions that plagued her. And knowing that she is not alone, that she can count on Isobel reassured her and touched her enormously. A beautiful smile, the first in so long stretched her face. Isobel couldn't help but smile as well when she saw it.

"The two of us against the world?" muttered Isobel, raising her little finger.

Rose looked at her amused before linking her little finger to the brunette's.

"The two of us against the world."