Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Chapter Twenty Four

Rose woke at four with panic in her chest.  Aunt Bea had used her phone to call Rose, signaling she needed something.  Rose threw the covers off of her bed and ran into the room.  Aunt Bea was gasping for breath and her body was shaking.

Rose turned on the light and ran to her side.  "Aunt Bea, what's wrong?  We need to get you to the hospital!"

Aunt Bea simply nodded and started to cough.  Rose ran back to her room and changed out of her pajamas in record time.  She threw on a pair of jeans, a sweater, and some boots.  She grabbed her phone, keys and purse before running back to Aunt Bea's room.  She ran inside and wrapped her arms around her.

Aunt Bea had lost some weight from being sick, and it made it easier for Rose to carry her to the car.  She didn't bother locking the door because she was too much in a rush.  She set Aunt Bea in the front seat and ran around to the driver's side.  She almost slipped but caught herself.  It took only a moment for her to regain her composure before she threw the car in reverse and was off to the hospital.

The doctors rushed Aunt Bea into the emergency room, leaving Rose behind.  She walked to the waiting area and slumped down in a seat.  Silent tears rolled down her cheeks.  Hopefully Aunt Bea would be okay, Rose thought.  But she knew deep down in her heart it was time to let her go.

It was only four thirty and Rose debated on whether to call Andrew or not.  She didn't want to wake him, but she didn't want him angry for not calling.  Finally deciding it was better to call then wait, Rose dialed his number.

Three rings later and his voice said, "Hello."  

"Andrew, I'm sorry to wake you.  I just wanted to tell you tha-" her voice cracked a little and more tears began to fall.  She took a deep breath and forced herself to continue, "that I rushed Aunt Bea to the hospital and she is in the OR right now."

"Rose, I'll be there in a few minutes, alright?" Andrew said.  She could hear the evident concern that filled his voice. 

"You don't have to, Andr-" she said but was cut off by his serious voice.

"I want to.  I'll be there soon," Andrew replied sternly.  He ended the call and left Rose to stare at her phone.  She held it in her hands and sat still, only her brain functioning.

This was really it.  Aunt Bea was finally losing the battle.  Rose didn't want to have to admit it, but she knew this was the end for Aunt Bea.  She didn't know if her aunt had days or hours, but Bea's time to leave was coming soon.  Aunt Beatrice was such an amazing woman.  She was tall, beautiful and brilliant.  She knew what she wanted in life and she worked towards it.  She made good money and was only one step away from being a CEO.

She didn't deserve any of this, Rose thought.  She didn't deserve to lose everything she had worked for in a short few months.  Bea didn't deserve to be sick when she kept herself healthy.  Aunt Bea and done everything right.  She worked hard, ate right and slept decent hours.  She took days off and wasn't a complete workaholic.  She was the only family Rose had left and she was nice enough to take Rose in.  Aunt Bea didn't deserve to die.  She hadn't even been married yet.  She was young, had a good life.  She didn't deserve cancer.  Rose clenched her fists as her chest started to tighten.

How could this happen to Aunt Bea?  She couldn't leave Rose, too.  What made Rose deserve all of this?  Why did all the family she had have to be taken from her?  Was she doing something wrong?  Angry tears fell from Rose's eyes as she continued to think.  Rose didn't deserve it, her parents didn't deserve it, her brothers didn't, her aunt and uncle didn't, her grandparents didn't.  No one deserved it.  It wasn't their fault.  It wasn't Rose's fault.  Or was it?