The House of Roses by Holden Robinson Read Free Book Online

favorite brew.
    “ Morning, Doc,” Cliff Hurd said with familiarity.
    “ Morning, Cliff,” Colin replied to the proprietor of the cart.
    “ Beautiful day.”
    “ Yup.”
    “ Won't be too many more of these. We'll be kickin' up slush instead of leaves here any time.”
    “ Always happens too fast,” Colin said thoughtfully, knowing how true it was.
    Colin handed Cliff a five-dollar bill and got a few coins in return. Ridiculous price for coffee, but he'd have paid twenty bucks for it if asked. He needed it that badly. He took a greedy sip and winced as the steaming liquid burned the inside of his mouth.
    “ Have a good day, Doc.”
    “ Yeah, you too, Cliff. Coffee's good today.”
    “ Coffee's always good, Doc.”
    Colin strolled away with the coffee in his hand. Cliff was right. Soon fall would pass, the skies would turn gray, and gray they'd stay, seemingly until spring. The days would be shorter, but his without Cate in them, would only grow longer. He was a first class ass, and she'd be a fool to take him back. Still, he had to try. What was the worst thing that could happen?  He knew what it was. He'd call her, or go see her, bare his soul to her, and she'd tell him to piss off, and worst of all, he'd deserve it. She'd never take him back, not after how he'd treated her.
    Colin checked his watch again, and picked up the pace as he approached the hospital. He tossed the empty coffee cup into the trash can in front of the lobby and made a bee line for the fifth floor.
    When the elevator door opened, he saw Mia before he saw her mother.
    “ Hi, Doctor Colin,” the little girl said, as they walked toward his office. Colin instinctively smiled. He loved children, was amazed by them, although he hated the reason his patients were in his life. He was committed to them with a passion, each one equally needful of his expertise. But this one was different. Mia Mariposa was one of the most beautiful children he'd ever seen, with skin the color of the perfect latte and huge cocoa-colored eyes. Her jet-black hair hung nearly to her waist, and despite the ugliness of HIV that lay in wait inside her like a ticking time bomb, she was the picture of good health.
    “ Howdy, gorgeous,” Colin said, and Mia responded with giggles. “How's Mom this morning?” he inquired, although once he'd made eye contact with Rosario, he knew he didn't need to ask. “Come on in,” he said, opening the door to his office.
    Rosario took a seat across from his massive desk, and Mia sat in a child-size chair tucked neatly into the corner.
    “ How's Mia?” Colin asked, looking at the child, who had already become engrossed in a large picture book.
    “ I'm not here about Mia.........,” Rosario said softly, “well, not really,” she barely whispered.
    “ What's going on?” Colin asked, although given Rosario's pallor, he suspected he knew.
    “ I saw Doctor Burns on Friday.”  Rosario looked at him, her grief-filled eyes hinting at the story with which she was struggling. Colin stood, circled the desk and sat beside her. Instinctively he reached for her hand.
    “ What's happening, Rosario?” he asked, his voice so filled with compassion that the woman who sat beside him simply sobbed in response.
    “ Mama had a bad dream,” Mia said from the corner. “I think she wants to tell you about it.”
    Colin looked at Mia, who smiled at him. He winked back at her, and she returned her attention to the book in her lap.
    “ Did you, Rosario?  Did you have a bad dream?” Colin asked softly.
    “ It's not a dream,” Rosario whispered. “It's coming, Dr. Thomas. It's coming faster than we thought. I've prayed for a miracle, but I don't think that's what's coming. Dr. Burns said the end is coming. I need to know about Mia. I know her prognosis is good now, that she doesn't have AIDS, but I need to know everything you can tell me so I can plan for her. I don't have much time. My baby, Doctor, my own blood, will be left behind with no