Married to a firefly • Completed

(4) Excellent advise

Poppy

Apparently the Lawson's had not only taken care of Rosie but the funeral as well. The caskets had been overflowing with pretty flowers and in front of each one was a huge framed picture of my mom and dad. They looked happy in those pictures und had smiled for the camera. I couldn't hold back the tears that were pooling in my eyes again. Damn.

While I tried to listen to the words the clergy had picked out for my parents' service the girl next to me squirmed in her seat as if she had fleas.

It was one thing to wear a ruby red satin dress that barely held in her boobs and didn't even reach down to her knees for a funeral service. But to sneak into the front row and disturb me, while I was trying to realize that even though my family had gone for good I would somehow survive this, was simply cruel.

I glared at her but she didn't even seem to notice. And then I saw the reason she was all riled up. The guy sitting next to her had put his hand on her lap was drawing lazy circles on the inside of her thighs going higher and higher. I was furious. How could anyone be so disrespectful? Just as I looked up and opened my mouth to reprimand them, I met his gaze. I was shocked to realize it was Levi.

It turned out he didn't give a crap about anyone's feelings for he didn't even blush. How dare he? If I hadn't known before I was certain now. He was an ignorant asshole and I would never be able to forgive this rudeness.

After the burial I stayed in front of their graves, when everyone had said their last goodbyes. I fell to my knees bawling my eyes out. The coldness of the earth took over my body. Despite the long sleeves of my dress I began to shiver.

Of course I knew that children tended to outlive their parents but I surely wasn't supposed to be an orphan at the young age of 17. Luckily I would turn 18 in a few days so I wouldn't have to worry about social workers and CPS. At least not for my case. I just needed to get Rosie home.

A felt a soft hand on my shoulder.
"Get up, sweetie", Shirley Lawson pleaded. "I know it hurts. I miss them so terribly, too."

I doubted she could understand how it felt to be all alone. Or maybe she did. Her marriage wasn't one of pure love. Her sons were being raised by numerous nannies as far as I was informed. And I would bet on my life that this was exactly what lay ahead for Rose, if I let her stay with them.

She'd live in a fancy house, but she wouldn't feel loved. But she was. I loved her deeply. She was the only family I had left and I had every intend to let her know that she owned every inch of my heart.

I got up from my knees and looked into Shirley's worried face. "We need to talk about Rosie."

"Of course we do. But do you really think now is the time?", she asked softly.

Letting my eyes drift back to the graves I felt fresh tears rolling down my cheeks again. Jesus, I was a mess today. If I told them right now, that I wanted to care for Rose, they'd think I wasn't capable for sure. I needed to get my act together.

"Tomorrow", I said with as much strength as I had left.

"Come to our house. You can spend some time with her and then we'll talk."

I nodded already worrying how I was supposed to convince them.

The next day I had dressed up as if I were getting ready for a business meeting. And I kind of was.

Abbi had helped me to pick out my clothes. While I wanted to feel comfortable, I knew I needed to make a good impression.

That's why we decided I would wear a light brown shirt with a white fitted blazer Abbi had found in her own closet. The loose fitting shirt was tucked in the front of my black skinny jeans and matched the camel brown ankle boots I was wearing.