It Takes Time

Chapter 4

I wake up in Rosalind's ginormous bed, her sheets feel like silk and the pillows were like sleeping on a marshmallows. I look outside and it's late evening.

"R-Rosalind?" I call out weakly, my body aching all over.

No answer. I hear laughter and talking coming from downstairs, I get up and begin to walk downstairs. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, another bruise is forming on my cheek, my eyes are bloodshot and puffy, my curly hair has matted together. I find a hair tie and put my hair into a french braid to the best of my ability. I walk downstairs and I see Rosalind, her younger brother, and her parents, all sitting around a lavish dinner.

"Kim! I was worried you were going to sleep through dinner. Come, sit," her mother smile at me and gestures towards an empty chair next to Rosalind. I nod and sit down, they make a plate for me and begin to eat. I eat too, pork roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, with gravy drizzled on both the meat and the potatoes. It's delicious. Once everyone finishes her brother begins to wash the silverware while her mother washes the plates. Rosalind takes some sort of cake out of the freezer and cuts a slice for everyone. Her dad smiles at me,

"So Kim, are you and Rosie in any classes together?"

"Only one, French."

"You didn't take Spanish?"

"Well Cuban Spanish is different than Mexican spanish."

"Kim is really good at French," Rosalind pipes up.

"Well they're both Romantic Languages," I say with a small smile.

"Are you fluent in Spanish?" Her dad looks at me with kind eyes.

"I am, though I haven't gotten much of a chance to practice it. I still watch Telenovelas to keep my spanish fresh."

"Eat up," Rosalind says placing, what I now know as ice cream cake, in front of me.

"Rosie made this yesterday, it's cookies and cream," her mother says taking a bite, "delicious honey."

I eat, and her mother is right, it is delicious.

After we finish eating, Rosalind's parents go into the living room to watch the TV; her brother sits at the computer and blast KIDZ BOP covers while playing minecraft. Rosalind looks at me with stern eyes,

"Kim, you know you gotta quit all this drinking and smoking. Especially here, my parents are super strict about that kind of stuff. And if you decide to break their rules, you're not allowed here anymore"

I nod solemnly, "I'll go clean, cold turkey, no more, no más."

She smiles, "Thank you Kimmy, I just want what's best for you. You know that right?"

I nod again, "Yes, I do. Thank you Rosalind."

She stands and hugs me tightly, my immediate reaction is to tense up and hide. But I feel her warmth, her cheek on my neck, her slim fingers twirling my braid. I take a deep breath and hug her back,

"Thank you," I whisper.

She nods and then pulls away,

"Let go upstairs and plan tomorrow."

I nod and smile softly before following her upstairs. She sits on her bed and motions for me to sit next to her.

"Okay so, is there anything you want to do that you haven't had done in awhile?"

"A haircut...?"

"OOH!!" Rosalind squeals, "You should cut it chin length."

I laugh and shake my head, "Would that even look good?"