The Hope of Eden

A Path

Rosalie sat at the dining room table, munching on carrots and kicking her feet.

The day had been boring, but Eden told her to find something to do.

She didn't like having to find something to do.

She wished something to do would find her.

Sighing long and dramatically, she lay her head on the cold table.

Eden took the tablecloth away to wash.

A giggle left her.

It was her fault it needed to be washed.

Not only had she wiped her snot on it, but she accidentally wasted syrup on it.

Eden panicked, as did she, but Mr. Carmen only lifted his hand and waved it a little.

"Te tableh es fine," He said calmly.

She liked him a lot.

He didn't yell and throw things. He just liked being nice and friendly.

He prayed sometimes. She liked listening to him pray.

He loved Jesus.

She liked that a lot.

She just liked Mr. Carmen a lot.

He was her friend.

She wished that Eden liked him too.

Eden was afraid of him and she understood.

Father targeted Eden. Mother targeted Eden.

They hated her.

Rosalie knew that well.

They didn't like her either and called her a hybrid and other mean names, but their meanness was far less than it was to Eden.

Some people liked Eden.

The man from evil home liked her.

He held her hand, called her bunny, and he even kissed her before!

But it confused Rosalie.

Mr. Naid liked Eden, but Eden didn't smile with him. She looked uncomfortable with him.

Mr. Naid was nice to her too. He gave her gifts when he came and looked at her kindly.

She didn't understand why he came or why Father and Mother were afraid of him, but she liked that part.

When they were afraid, they didn't hurt Eden.

Rosalie hummed lifting her head. "I'm just happy to be away," She threw another carrot in her mouth and munched loudly.

She liked the sound of crunching.

It was weird and nice.

"Little Rose,"

She heard Mr. Carmen call as the front door opened.

She jumped up from the table and ran to the foyer.

"Mr. Carmen!"

She went to hug him, but a brown-wrapped something stood in her way.

Carmen chuckled as her brow raised at the sight of her gift. "Hello, dear girl." He gently patted her head, admiring her braided pigtails.

Eden always had the little girl looking adorable.

"Hello, Mr. Carmen! What's this?"

He placed it on the floor and tilted his head feigning confusion. "You know, now that you ask, I don't know. Can you open it for me?"