The Final Rose

Chapter Six: Obstacles

The next evening came, and with it, was the rose ceremony. The same nervous energy as our first night in the house filled the hours prior to the next round of eliminations.

Despite my better judgment, I sat at the kitchen island in my blue evening gown, doodling on a cocktail napkin. I still worried that telling Jacob about my father's death had been a mistake, but there was nothing I could do about it now. Candace had encouraged me to let sleeping dogs lay. If I didn't make a big deal out of it, she had reasoned, neither would Jacob. But if I hunted him down at the pre-ceremony cocktail party and elaborated on my story, I risked coming across as paranoid or clingy, which wasn't a good look on anyone. There was nothing more I could do to convince Jacob to give me a second rose without looking desperate.

When I'd woken up that morning, Candace had practically pounced on me with her unaddressed questions from the previous night. I had been temporarily spared any prodding about Lee because of the story about my father's death, but I knew it was only a matter of time before my nosy roommate confronted me about the pretty kindergarten teacher.

The woman in question sat on a couch across the room, talking with one of her roommates. She looked amazing in a red cocktail dress with matching lipstick. The rich color of her dress offset the still painful-looking sunburn splashed across her shoulders. Our eyes met and she waved at me with a wiggle of her fingers. I quickly averted my eyes, embarrassed to have been caught staring. Instead of looking back up, I pretended to be distracted by my napkin art.

I only looked away from my drawing when I heard the sound of a utensil striking the side of a drinking glass. The quiet chime brought an end to all side conversations and drew attention to the reality show's host, a man who periodically appeared to wreak havoc on our nervous systems.

"Ladies," he said somberly, "if you'll please follow me, it's time for the rose ceremony."

Following the host's instructions, we quietly filed into the rose ceremony room and routinely took our spots on the risers, which had become noticeably emptier since the week before. Seven women had already gone home, and two more contestants would be leaving that night, dropping our numbers to eighteen.

Lee was already standing on the highest riser. She held the rose Jacob had given her on their one-on-one date. She and Patience were the only ones in the group who were in no danger of going home.

Jacob stood in his designated spot, looking at ease in a dark grey suit. His black hair was slicked back, and his face clean-shaven. He retrieved the first rose from the small wooden table beside him and exhaled. One-by-one, he called out the names of the other contestants. As he announced each name I quizzed myself to test how much I knew about each woman, but also to maintain my focus. It wouldn't look good to get caught not paying attention two rose ceremonies in a row.

Tara – a bartender from Boston. One of Lee's roommates.

Jade – from Austin, Texas. Didn't know how to shoot a gun.

Heidi – the woman from the limousine ride who'd told everyone how my mom had volunteered me to be on the show.

Brittany – esthetician from Kansas who'd offered to do my makeup whenever I needed help.

Irene – one of the heavier drinkers in the house. Most nights she could be found at the bar with Patience and Monica.

Gwen – a redhead from Montana. She had a daughter back home: Veronica, age 3.

Jasmine – botanist from California. She also had the distinction of being the only other woman of color in the house.

Stephie – the personal chef who made perfect French toast. Besides Candace and Lee, she was the only other person with whom I'd really bonded.