A Black and Red Rose (Revision) [Shadamy]

Author's note

Hello everyone.

You know the drill.

I apologize.

2020 truly, truly, has been wild.

Several family members of mine had Covid. Fortunately, no one in my immediate household, yet still, family. While the news of that is shocking, my whole world rocked and hit rock bottom in March.

Friendship is a beautiful thing. You often don't think of consequences until it is too late. Me, myself, I love all of my friends. They're like family to me, when my actual family isn't much help. I fall in love with their personality and souls. It's beautiful. Delicate, fragile.

I met someone several years ago. She was an amazing, strong woman who had been through a lot. She would tell me stories of when she was young, of her family, husband and children. She taught me a few things, too.

Her name was Mavis.

Some of the problems she had was low blood sugar and a small portion of her heart was functioning. But she was and is the strongest woman I have met.

I... my birthday was in November. None of my friends could celebrate that day with me, so we agreed the next week to get together.

Friday before my birthday, i was outside raking leaves. Strange men came up to the house and struck up a conversation with my dad. I was getting annoyed, I clearly remember, because I was the only one raking leaves.

While I was raking I felt something and looked up. There she was, waving at me and motioning me to come over. I dropped my rake and ran across the street to her house.

I can remember bits of the conversation.

"Hey girl, I see you working hard out there!"

"Hi! Yeah, dad wanted to take the leaves today..."

"Well honey, this is for you," she handed me a cake.

"Oh? Another cake?" I joked. She smiled at me.

"Well, I remembered your birthday is coming up so made you a cake! I wish I could have gotten you something but I wasn't able to..."

My eyes literally widened. "Its tomorrow, I cant believe you remembered," I chuckled. "Thank you so much for the cake, and don't you worry about it. The cake is enough..."

-cCc-

Thing is, the week after my birthday, and just a few days after I saw her again, I got a call from my mom.

Her daughters came from Ohio and they wanted to speak to me as soon as I got home from work. So i get home from work and i go to her house.

Turns out...she was in the hospital on a ventilator. She had fallen and bumped her head on the doorway.  Her lungs, I believe one collapsed and the other filled with liquid.

Recieving the news, I remained calm, but as soon as I walked back to the house, I started to cry.

I was upset. Upset with Mavis, for not telling us she wasn't feeling well, and for driving herself to the hospital, so weak and hurt. I was furious at the doctors that made her go, morning, afternoon and evening to get blood thickener shots. I bet that's why she fell in the first place.

My parents went to visit her first. Then they took me with them.

When I got there she was connected to so many wires and yet she held out her arms... and I went right into them.

She stroked my hair and said "my girl, my girl." After, she wouldn't let go of my hand. She was so cold.

-cCc-

January came and they brought her back to her house- bed and everything. I tried visiting her as much as I could. We gave her a rosary and I put it around her neck.

Then they took her to Ohio, for seven weeks. We kept in touch.

When she came back, it was almost the end of February - Covid was already out of control.

She was so skinny.

Mavis told me how happy she was to be back. I told her we had missed her so much. I missed her. When I left her house I told her I loved her.

I never imagined that would be the last time I would tell her that.

Her passing was on March 16, 2020. I found out the next morning. Quarantine had just started that day, which we were going to go grocery shopping. I found out... and I cried. I didnt want to believe it.

She couldn't be gone. Not like this...but she was. She is.

I miss her and it's been so empty without her. Months later and i think of her everyday. I miss her everyday.

You guys probably didnt need all that... but I wanted you to know why.

I will try my best to give you guys chapters. I love you all so much, thank you for not giving up on me.

You guys are wonderful and the best. Thank you for reading until the end too. I will see you guys on the next update.