Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Chapter Twenty Nine

Rose's hour with Dr. Tund was spent well.  He asked her several questions and listened to everything Rose had to say.  Rose ended up telling him how each of her family members died, and how she couldn't get over it.  She told him about how she moved from place to place and was unstable.

She explained that she was fine until recently when her aunt passed away.  Rose explained how she had been lashing out and that she was going through drastic mood swings.  Rose told him the thoughts and feelings she was having, and Dr. Tund listened to it all.  As the session was drawing to an end, Dr. Tund wrote out a prescription.

"It looks like you are suffering from depression.  I'm going to give you a prescription, and you need to take it to your local pharmacy.  It will be two different pills.  One with be blue and the other is going to be white.  You need to take both twice a day, and I'll see you back here in two weeks.  This is going to help you Aurora, I promise.  I'd imagine you'd be back to your normal self within six months.  I appreciate you coming in and I'll see you in two weeks," Dr. Tund said.  He handed the paper to Rose and she took it.

She shook Dr. Tund's hand before walking back the way she came.  When she walked back out, Andrew immediately stood up.  He helped her into her coat and grabbed her hand.  He remained silent until the got into the car.  He let out a breath as he turned to Rose.  "How did it go?"

"It went well.  Every other week I'll be going back to see him, and I have to take two pills twice a day.  We need to stop by the pharmacy and pick them up," Rose replied.

Andrew nodded and questioned, "Do you think it will help?"

Rose nodded and said, "I honestly do.  It felt good to get it off my chest.  Dr. Tund said within six months I'll be better.  I'm excited.  I'm finally getting help so I can finally move on."

"That's good, I'm really glad," Andrew said. He squeezed Rose's thigh before pulling out of the parking lot and heading to the pharmacy.

6 Months Later

Andrew's POV

Andrew walked in the kitchen and saw Aunt Cynthia doing work, like usually. Uncle Seth was in the other room watching TV. Andrew opened the fridge and pulled out the leftover mac and cheese from last night's dinner.

He put it in the microwave and pressed rewarm. "How was work?" Aunt Cynthia asked.

"It was fine," Andrew replied.

Cynthia looked at him, "Are you going to see Rose tonight?"

"No, not tonight," Andrew responded.

"Have you told her yet?" Cynthia questioned.

Andrew put his palms on the counter and leaned forward. "No, I have not told her yet."

"Andrew, you need to tell her now. You've waited too long," Aunt Cynthia lectured.

He ran a hand through his hair as he turned to Cynthia. "Yes I know! But how do I tell the girl I love I'm leaving her and going to school across the country?"

Cynthia looked at him, frustration in her eyes. "It's simple Andrew! Just explain to her!"

"That's easy for you to say! I don't just want to leave her Aunt Cynthia. Is this even the right thing to do?" Andrew asked softly.

"She's a good girl, Andrew" Aunt Cynthia told him. "But don't let her get in the way of your dream."

Andrew snorted. Funny, his aunt was telling him to follow his dream rather than keep his girl. Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around? Andrew didn't want to hear anymore, so he turned to leave the kitchen.

Before he could make his way out Aunt Cynthia said, "You have a lot of tough decisions to make, don't choose wrong."

Andrew said nothing. Instead, he felt a pit growing in his stomach. He felt uneasy and let out a sigh. He had received an acceptance letter to his dream school, the University of New York, today. It was always his dream school, because his father went there. His aunt constantly encouraged him to go there and she wanted him to go to no other school. It was important to him and a dream he'd always had. But he wasn't so sure if he wanted to go anymore, because of Rose.

"All I'm saying is that girl Rose is sweet, but is she worth giving up going to the University of New York?" Aunt Cynthia pressed. Andrew felt frustration coming on. She was always pushing him to go to that school, and now that he was accepted she wouldn't stop telling him to make the right choice.

"Andrew, just don't do anything stupid, alright? You have a month to think long and hard about your decision. I hope you make the right one," Aunt Cynthia said. She gathered her things up and left the kitchen, leaving Andrew to his own thoughts.

He ate his mac and cheese while trying to push the matter from his mind. He spent the whole night thinking about what he really wanted. He wanted to go where his dad went. It meant a lot to him. And it was a good school, it had a good program for mechanical engineering. However, did he really want to leave Rose behind?

Andrew was torn between love and education, and was thankful when Rose called. Now, an hour later, the only thing that could be heard was Rose's breathing. She had fallen asleep a half hour ago, but Andrew couldn't bring himself to hang up. She sounded so peaceful. How could Andrew give that up so easily?

Rose was everything he ever wanted and needed. She was the perfect girl. How was he supposed to leave her to go to school? But Rose would also understand if he left for a few years, wouldn't she? She could just come with him. Andrew got excited at the thought but instantly frowned. He couldn't force his dream onto someone else.

Andrew let out a desperate sigh as he turned onto his side. He listened to Rose peacefully sleeping for a minute longer before ending the call. He let out another sigh as he grabbed the picture on his nightstand and whispered, "What do I do, mom?" Andrew was torn between two things and he didn't want to make the wrong decision.

Did he give up the love of his life for his education or did he give up his education for the love of his life?