Eastern District School

Chapter 68 - Red or White

"Rose, you have to trust me, if you go down there blowing off steam, it is going to backfire. If she wants to go straight away she can. But you are safe here!"

They were standing within the cramped walls of the library, a clear bell then chimed throughout the house. 

"I can't...I can't face her. She must hate me!" she shivered, not from cold but every other emotion there was out there, she thought. 

Rich's hands came to her shoulders once again, but now they were facing each other, she had no where to look except up into his eyes. "Listen to me Rose. You are Rose Johnstone!" he began, as if that meant anything right now, she thought. "You can do anything. You were born to be a leader, to stand firm for what you believe. Your father knew that before you even went to school. Heck, he probably knew it the moment you were born and he looked down into those amazing chocolate brown eyes or yours." For a moment his hand came from her shoulder up to her face, the back of his hand brushing against her cheek. "So you can go down there and face them throughout dinner. Your mother and grandmother who love you. You are their world, Rose. That's easy to see."

A moment's pause and then Rich's hands fell, and he just gently took her hand. "Come on, I'm right here." he said as he led her out of the library door. 

As she stood at the top of the stairs, hand in hand with Rich, although for a completely different reason than what her open mouthed mother and Nan probably had in mind. She knew that if she let go of his hand she probably wouldn't have the courage to stand let alone sit down to a meal together. Rich probably just thought if he let go, she would run away.

"Rose?" her mother's voice riddled with the essence of shock came out clear. 

Sarah had let them in and was helping them with their jackets, and both her mother and Nan took off their shoes, as they caught sight of Rose and Rich coming down the stairs. Only their handbags accompanied them. 

"Shall I fetch your luggage?" Rich asked kindly, and instantly Sylvia's smile lit up her face. 

"Why thank you, Richard that is most kind of you." She patted him on the arm, being the only part of him that she could reach given her petite height. 

Rich let go of her hand, much to her reluctance. His eyebrows burrowed with a flash of his eyes, telling her she would be okay. 

How am I okay? A voice in her head asked. But then, how was he okay, he just lost his grandmother? She marvelled at unbelievable man and his many talents and constant reassuring aura of confidence he gave.

Rich left the front door open as he headed towards her mother's car in the intention of bringing in all the luggage, however much they had decided to pack, or not pack, she thought. 

"Rose, you're wearing a dress?" came the repeated startled voice of her mother. 

"Yes, and she looks very nice in it too!" Said her Nan evidently in a more defensive voice.  "It's beautiful. Did Richard buy it for you?"

Rose blinked at her, but she had not enough energy for the raising of eyebrows, so her intentions might not be so readable. 

"I can't remember the last time you wore a dress." came Shirley's voice. No compliment came, it just seemed that she was trying to remember something. 

"I bet you can't remember the last time she brought home a man either!" Sylvia said bluntly, much to the shock of Rose as her mouth flew open in as much a protest as a complaint. 

"That's enough mother! I was just trying to remember is all. Of course she looks beautiful." she smiled at Rose, but still not offering a compliment of any kind.