WIshing Away Curve Balls

More than a Rose

I blinked with confusion as I opened the front door

There stood my only friend in the world. Steven. He was cute in a boyish way: warm hazel eyes, short blond hair, black round glasses, and dressed in jeans with his favorite wrestler "the Rock" t-shirt. He was deaf, so he didn't have many friends himself. He did read lips exceptionally well, but due to being unable to hear how he spoke aloud: couldn't discover just how strong of a lisp he had.

I remember how strong he was, and even then I thought he could easily wrestle anyone who tried to pick on us to the ground in under three seconds. No one messed with Steven. He wasn't a bully, or mean. Just most people wouldn't associate with him because he was deaf, and that he made me his friend.

He smiled and handed me a beautiful peach colored rose. My favorite color.

I blushed and smiled. I went outside and shut the door behind me. I could hear my mother snoring, and hear my brother playing safely in his play area. 

We were only 10, but I smiled. No one had ever given me a present before- other then my family that is. I smelled it. It was radiant.

"I picked that for you because I have to tell you something." 

"ok..."

"My mom and dad are getting a divorce and I am moving away with my dad today. I love you and wanted you to know that. I hope you will always remember that I gave you a rose. You are amazing and I hope I find you when we grow up so I can marry you."

I didn't know what to think or say, but for the first time ever: I cried. And I let Steven hug me. I didn't want him to go. Why did he like me this much? I was dirty, smelly, and no body wanted me. My family was broken...

"I know your mama hurts you and your daddy doesn't care to help. Please tell someone before you hurt too much... The teacher says that you have to tell her: that I can't count.."

I shook my head. Even at ten I was responsible and felt an overwhelming need to be a parent. "I have to be there for my brother. He needs me"

Steven started to cry too. I had never seen him cry. He hugged me one more time before I hear the car parallel parked next to the drive way honk its horn. 

"I have to go... I love you..."

He turned and ran to the car.

I stood there with the rose in my hand and watched the car drive away.  

I heard rambling inside and hid the rose beside the cement steps before returning inside. Every time I could I went outside to smell my rose until it dried up. When I couldn't smell it any more I went to the back yard and buried the rose next to the lone pine tree. I wanted to be able to look down from my bedroom window and see the tree and be able to think of the rose.