Desert-Rose

Part 3

We were walking down the narrow hall to Molly's room where I had last left my mom. She was still there but Serena's shoulder stopped me from bursting into the room

Serena- Miz Rose you cant tell your mama that I read, ya hear?

Desert-Rose- why?

Serena- she was raised to think that all those with money deserve to read not people like m. ok? So if your mama knows I read ill be on the street so this will be between us. you hear?

Desert-Rose- Yes I understand but only on one condition you teach me to read.

she agreed and we walked into my mom sitting in a corner crying.

Serena-Miz Vandervile what's the matter? why are you on the floor?

mama-I lost it, Serena, I don't know where it is. And well the baby she won't stop crying without it.

My mama wasn't making any sense but Serena understood 100%. She calmed my mother down enough to get a whole story out of her.

mama- I had just sent Desert-Rose to fetch you so you could fire someone who was being lazy in the garden when suddenly Molly started to cry she was crying and crying and well I tried to find her pacifier but there was no luck then I just broke down and started crying. Desert-Rose is that dust on your afternoon dress? Anyway then I found it and she fell asleep but I broke down I couldn't control myself.

Serena told me to go get my papa and then she helped my mama off the floor. My papa and I had the best of relationships. I mean we would talk for hours about pure nonsense and he would read to me and everything. We are still the best of friends but when I told him that Serena needed you and that mama was on the floor he rushed to her aid. I was left in the dark that day and I've never felt more alone.

A month later mama and papa went on a couple's cruise for a week and that's when the learning began. Serena woke me up really early the day after they left and put the comic page of the Sunday paper in front of me.

Desert-Rose- whats this I thought you were going to teach me to read?

Serena- yes I am we gonna start with this page and move up.

We read comic after comic for two days straight then she put the page in front of me and said

Serena- Read it out loud.

Desert-Rose- The Peenuts: I shure lik Charlie Brune's little sister...

Serena- no let's start again ok.

she took the comic and st next to me

Serena- this word is sure and this is brown like the color

We worked on that piece of paper until my parents returned. and then I did something very stupid. I read to them.

Serena was changing Molly's diaper and I was reading the same comic to her when I heard the door open and my father's voice yelling

Papa- HELLO WERE HOME!

I ran downstairs and gave him a big hug, my mama pointed out the paper as she took Molly into her arms.

Desert-Rose- oh ya you want to see what Serena taught me?

mama-Serena did what know?

She gave Serena a weird stare and Serena was pleading no with her eyes but it was too late I started to read.

Desert-Rose- The peanuts: I sure like Charlie Brown's little sister...

My mom took the paper and with Molly in one hand and the paper in the other, she started screaming, which never happened.

mama-You taught my five-year-old to read. And how dare you go against God and learn to read yourself I want you out of here now!!

papa- Elenor stop yelling and let's talk about this.

they went into the other room and there was a lot of yelling I could not make out a single word. Serena was also giving me a talking to.

Serena- you got me in trouble and your mama always gets her way... How could you do that after you promised... Are you even listening to me...

I was only half listening since I was still confused about why My mama was so mad. When they came out of that room my mama was red in the face and my papa was crying. my mama took me to my room and my papa started talking to Serena. of what I could hear was my papa saying to Serena was

papa- please go get your things.