The Sin of Love

Chapter 15

Ever since she was able to see Sam, after the evening was over, Rosalie would go and get some rest, in her big bed. She knew Sam wouldn't authorize himself to get in now that she could see him. Usually he stayed in the living room. She allowed the TV to be left on for his entertainment. But sometimes, she just wished he was near her. To reassure her. Sleep had become a time when she felt vulnerable. Still, it was difficult for Rosalie to ask him. First, because she didn't want to bother him: Standing guard towards a non-existent threat wouldn't offer him the most exciting activity. But also and above all because she did not want to show her weaknesses. Not in front of him. She closes her eyes as best as she can, thinking over and over again of this stranger, in her living room, totally invisible to the majority, if not to all of the people on the planet.

***

- Are you ok, mom?

- Hm... Yes, why?

Julian was on the bathroom doorstep watching Rosalie draw a pencil line under her eyes.

- You are going out tonight? - the little boy asked anxiously.

Rosalie noticed Julian's scared look. Since the incident with his father, he was even more introverted than before. She immediately let go of her pencil and went to him.

- I will never let anyone hurt you again, Julian.

- Hm ...

- He'll be arrested soon,- Rosalie said, running her hand through the boy's blond hair.- And I will never leave you alone again.

- I'm afraid to leave school... - stammered the boy.

Rosalie hesitated a moment then tried to strike up a discussion she wanted to have with Julian.

- Sam is always watching over you my angel, -she explained.- I know you don't see him anymore, but-

- He left me, mom... He left me with him...

- Julian... is that really what you thought? That Sam had abandoned you?

The little boy nodded with a sad pout and Rosalie could only hug him to calm his pain. She sat on the edge of the tub, the boy on her knees.

- My angel... I'm going to tell you what happened... When Sam saw that you had problems, and that he couldn't defend you, he immediately came to see me. Thanks to your magnetic letters on the fridge, he was able to tell me that it was your father who took you ...

- It is true ?

- Yes of course.

- He didn't abandon me?- the boy sniffled.

- Not at all, you mean a lot to him, -said Rosalie gently, smiling.

- How do you know that ?

Ever since Julian woke up in the hospital, Rosalie had avoided talking about that night or even about Sam. She didn't know what Julian would think and, just like Sam thought, didn't want to upset him too much. But seeing her son's sad look, she knew he missed Sam, and that he would be reassured to know the truth.

- I know because he told me, - she smiles softly.

- You're joking... -sulked the little boy.

- I swear, -she said sincerely.- I-... I don't know why but I see him now.

- You're kidding me, mom.

- No I promise, he... He's good-looking, dark-haired, he wears a long khaki coat and long boots... He's... rather tall, young and handsome and he has this little beauty spot on his nose, right here...