The Hope of Eden

Exhale

1921
Lynchburg, Virginia

Carmen chuckled lightly, stepping forward as Rosalie stepped on the back of his shoe.

Again.

The little girl had become a closer shadow since he reprimanded her the night before.

When the morning came, she was at his door in tears.

"I-i'm still so so sorry, Mr. Carmen. I don't want you never ever mad at me, I won't be mean again,"

Her tears moved him and he took the weeping child in his arms.

His sweet Rose was beside herself with fear and guilt.

"I love you, Rose. There is no need for tears, but if your heart is still heavy, I will hold you."

And he did until her tears and labored breathing ceased.

With rosy cheeks and slight hiccups, she sat with him during his Bible reading and tea.

"Rose, won't you lead the way? I will be right behind you," Carmen suggested as they walked to the kitchen.

Rosalie shook her head in disapproval. "I want to follow you. I like seeing you and your grey hair." She giggled and stood on her toes to try to touch his hair.

Carmen blanked at the little girl and her nods at his aging appearance.

Rosalie was an honest girl.

Still, he knelt to her height and allowed her to meddle with his hair as she desired.

Her joy was his delight.

"It's soft and like," She paused, pursing her lips in thought, steadily touching his hair. "Saucy," She decided with a nod.

He raised a brow. "Saucy?"

Again, she nodded and then gasped. "Mr. Carmen! I just remembered something," She covered her mouth and giggled.

"What is it, child?"

She blushed, averting her eyes, with one hand still in his hair. "Remember when I told you Mommy was talking about you?" She asked shyly and he nodded. "Yesterday, she was looking at you!"

Carmen's heart sank.

Rosalie's honesty was appalling and appealing.

He looked over his shoulder at the hall, checking if Eden's door was closed.

It was opened.

"Oh,"

Rosalie smiled cutely. "And you were staring at her. Remember? With the ice cream," She explained. "Can I tell you something?" She whispered, motioning for him to come closer.

He eyed the bedroom door once more before nodding.

"I know you like my Mommy, Mr. Carmen." She whispered knowingly.

He swallowed.

Appalling, appealing, and terribly observant.

"I know because Mommy would read me stories at evil home. Good stories with love," She giggled. "And the Bible too! Johncob loved Rachel soooo much he did stuff for fourteen years for her!"

Johncob.

Carmen held back a chuckle at her cuteness.

"Did you know Mommy likes you too?" She asked nonchalantly as if her confession wasn't everything he wanted to hear.

His heart danced as his stomach flopped.

"Rose, how do you figure this? Did your Mother tell you?" He had to ask.