The Rose

Chapter 9

I wake up with a weight on my heart. Today is the anniversary of my mother’s death. It’s been 9 years and it is still an open wound. Those who think there is a time limit when grieving, have never lost a piece of their heart.

I get up dragging myself towards the bathroom to take a shower and to get ready for work. I don’t have the energy to continue with my own little investigation. I’m tired physically and emotionally. I get my phone and text my sister:

Hey sis. I love you and I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you today xoxox

The ride to work went by slowly and traitorous tears slip out of my eyes. Now I’m sitting in front of the police station bawling my eyes out. I miss my mother and it breaks my heart that I forgot how her voice sounded like. My sobbing is interrupted by a knock on the window. I quickly dry my eyes and put on a fake smile, something I’ve mastered.

“Hey, were you crying?” Erin asks giving me sympathetic look.

“Yes, I hit a bird with my car” I lie, another thing I’ve mastered. “It just came out of nowhere, I tried to swerve out of the way, but it all just happened so quickly.”

“Ahh Kate. Don’t cry, come I bought us some doughnuts” she says giving me a tight hug.

“If you don’t mind I would just rather start with my work” I ask and she gives me a nod. I walk to the captain’s office and I start working through the paperwork.

I’ve probably worked through mountains of paperwork and I haven’t found anything of importance, so I’ve decided to call it a day and just head home. Capt. Benson won’t mind, he has repeatedly told me how he impressed he is with my work. I walk out of the office and bump into Kai. I look up at his smiling face and I bolt outside towards my car. I don’t have the energy to deal with him.

● ● ●

I stop outside of the house and walk towards the porch. Shakily I knock on the door and a few seconds later I’m greeted by a pair of blue eyes. I look down and I meet the owner of the blue eyes, a little girl dressed in a tutu, with her curly blonde hair tied into two ponytails on either side of her head.

“Hi sweetie. Is Lexi here?” I ask.

“Let me call her” she says before shouting,”Wexi! Someone’s hewe to see you.” I hear a scurry and then Lexi appears. She looks just like our mother. Beautiful brown eyes, short brown hair that frames her face, a smile that lights up the room and completely unaware of her beauty.

“Emma, what have we told you? Don’t just open the door” she says bending down to the little girl giving her a stern look before turning her attention back to me. ”Hey sis, what are you doing here?”

“Oh uhh sorry if I’m intruding. I just drove past and wanted to check on you. I can go if you’re busy” I say pointing to my car with my thumb.

“No, don’t. Lilian made way too much food, please come and join us” she says with pleading eyes.

“Sorry, Lex, I can’t. I just wanted to check up on you and see how you’re doing.”

“I’m fine. I’m dealing. Lillian made me stay at home today, but really I’m okay. How are you doing?” she says tears rolling down her cheeks.