The Hope of Eden

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1921
Lynchburg, Virginia

"Mommy,"

Rosalie crept up behind Eden and kissed her cheek. "Where did Mr. Carmen go? I wanted him to see my painting," She preened cutely, easing Eden's anxiety with her joy.

"Inside, baby," Eden told her, leaving out the sudden shift that left her guilty.

She should've spoken sooner.

But it was too late.

"Tell him."

Her breath hitched.

It was the voice.

The familiar voice.

God.

She shook her head, causing Rosalie to tap her cheek.

"What's no?"

Eden grimaced. "I was thinking, Rosa."

Rosalie sat beside her and held her hand. "Is it a happy thought? You don't look sad, but you don't look happy." She paused. "Did Mr. Carmen make you upset?"

She shook her head immediately, not even wanting her to think ill of him for a moment. "No. He's a good man, Rosa. He's done thing wrong," She patted her hand but Rosalie eyed her unconvinced.

"But you were talking to Mr. Carmen and then he left, and now you look upset, but not like he was mean, but like you just don't know," Rosalie explained, using her nine-year-old, and unfortunately, spot-on logic.

Rosalie knew her well.

She gasped, lowering her head. "I-is he trying to take you away like Mr. Naid?" Her voice was small and fearful. "D-did he?"

"No, baby. He would never do that," Eden reassured her, kissing her cheek. "You don't have to be afraid, Rosalie. Carmen is a good man, you said so. Jesus told you," She reminded her anxious child, wishing what she knew could be erased.

She never breathed a word about what happened when William came to take her, but Rosalie sensed the panic and unease Eden felt when the man arrived.

And worst of all, the emotional void she suffered the morning after.

"But, you don't look happy, Mommy. Neither did Mr. Carmen," Rosalie confessed, meddling with her fingers. "I don't like it when you're like this. I-it's not loud, but it still makes me sad and my heart hurts so bad," She sniffed, squeezing her eyes shut. "I-i just want you to be happy,"

Oh, Lord.

Eden sighed, taking Rosalie in her arms. "Rosalie," She kissed her temple, feeling tears coming. "I will be happy. One day. It will last, but for now, some things will make me really upset. To feel better, I have to be a little sad and understand what happened to me." She explained the best she could. "Mr. Carmen said something and it reminded me of a really bad time. So bad, it made me feel uncomfortable, but it wasn't his fault."

Rosalie sniffed, pulling away as baby Eden purred beside her. "T-that's why he was sad too? He thought he did it?"

Eden nodded, wiping her tears.

Her baby was flushed and precious.

She had such a tender heart.

"Yes, baby. But it wasn't his fault."

Rosalie hiccuped, making her heart jump.

She was adorable.

"Did you tell him? H-he won't ever never feel so bad if you tell him,"