1921
Lynchburg, Virginia
Rosalie sat on the counter watching Mr. Carmen flip their pancakes.
It was her first time ever sitting on a counter.
Mr. Carmen put her up there and told her to be careful.
She would be extra careful if it meant seeing the pancakes so closely.
"Flip!" She shouted as the bubbles began to appear on the pancake.
Carmen chuckled at her keen eye and obedience. "You are right, Rose. We flip now,"
The pancake was golden brown on the other side.
"It's beautiful, Mr. Carmen," She beamed, wishing to take it from the pan and eat it now.
She couldn't and wouldn't.
Mr. Carmen told her the first time he showed her how to make pancakes to let them cool down after they were finished. If they cooled down, she wouldn't get hurt.
He was really nice.
He liked making sure she was safe.
Everything about him was wonderful.
"You're wonderful, Mr. Carmen," She sighed happily.
His heart jumped.
"Oh, thank you, dear girl. You are wonderful as well," He gently tapped her cheek and removed the pancake from the pan. "I am blessed to have you as my cooking partner,"
Rosalie's cheeks turned pink as she smiled. "And I am blessed to have you as my Mr. Carmen." Reaching over quickly, she hugged his shoulders and kissed his cheek. "I love you."
My Lord.
Rosalie loved him.
What a dear.
What an honor.
He turned to the little girl, who'd taken to staring at the new pancake on the plate as if her words hadn't delighted his soul.
"Und du, meine Liebe, bist ein erhörtes Gebet von Gott. Wie auch immer, ich werde mich um dich kümmern, so ich kann." (And you, my dear, are an answered prayer from God. However this goes, I will care for you as I am able.)
Her brows furrowed as he spoke, and she tapped his mouth lightly.
"It's not coming out in English, Mr. Carmen. Does your brain forget to tell your mouth to speak right?" She asked seriously, making him chuckle.
Her ways were refreshing.
"It was purposeful, child. But I will make it short in English," He explained and she nodded. "I love you, Rosalie."
She squealed and covered her mouth as she smiled.
Adorable.
"Will you wake your mother for me? I will set the table,"
She nodded. "Yes! I know she'll be happy to have food." Her legs kicked as she hummed. "Father sometimes didn't let her eat. He would make her choose. Let the hybrid eat or you. And she would always let me eat,"
Her voice was somber, but her legs steadily kicked as if she were happy.
"I didn't like him, Mr. Carmen. He was so mean and evil. I only ever knew mean people like him and Mother. Mr. Naid was nice, he liked Mommy, but I know she didn't like him. I didn't know then, but I know now. She never talks about him. You talk about people you like."
Mother
Mommy
Father
Mr. Naid
YOU ARE READING
The Hope of Eden
ChickLitSet in 1921, Virginia. - After almost losing her life, Eden leaves everything she knows behind with the promise of a better tomorrow. With her younger sister in tow, in the name of her daughter, Eden finds herself working for a wealthy much older Do...
