The House of Roses by Holden Robinson Read Free Book Online Page A

one, nothing, nothing but this shameful, murdering disease I've given her.”  Rosario's shoulders shook as she sobbed, and Colin felt his heart being ripped apart. What could he say to this beautiful dying woman, whose only living legacy would be abandoned when the Grim Reaper stepped in and stole the one person who'd cared for her?  He turned away, his gaze falling on the beautiful child who sat quietly watching them.
    “ Told ya,” Mia said. “Musta been a doozer, huh, Doc?” she asked, and Colin nodded, fighting back tears of his own.
    “ Musta been,” he agreed, forcing a smile for the child, a smile he didn't feel. “Mia, would you like to color a picture for Mom?”
    “ You want a picture, Mama?” Mia asked, and Rosario, who could not speak, nodded back.
    Colin crossed the room, and set two coloring books and an enormous box of crayons in front of the little girl. He gently touched her hair, and returned to his seat beside her mother.  Once Colin was certain Mia's attention was diverted elsewhere, he turned to Rosario. Again he took her hand before speaking. 
    “ Every day there are advancements in treating HIV. Mia could live a healthy life, but I can't give you a guarantee, Rosario. I wish I could.”
    “ I know. I just don't know what to do, or how to do it.”
    “ There are organizations, Rosario, organizations I can refer you to for help. They can give you advice about planning,” he said, and his words sounded ridiculous even to him.
    “ Right. Organizations that will help me get my affairs in order...........,” Rosario replied, and although her words were softly spoken, Colin felt as though he'd been struck. This woman needed something, and he doubted it was something any organization could give her. Suddenly he had an idea.
    “ Rosario, how much time do you have?” he asked, looking at his own watch. When she said nothing, he looked up at her. “Oh, dear God, I'm sorry,” Colin said, recognizing his heartlessness. “How much time do you have this morning?”
    “ Well, I've done nothing but cry since Friday, and today was looking similar. I suppose I could fit something else into that busy schedule,” she replied, forcing a smile.
    “ Hey, kiddo, you hungry?” Colin asked the child.
    “ Yup,” Mia answered.
    “ Rosario, I'd like to take the two of you to lunch. I'd like to take you out of this just for a little while. Sometimes stepping away from things allows us to think clearly. It's impossible to see beyond the grief you're feeling right now. I need some time to think about things, too. I'd like to see if there's anything I can do to help you with this...... transition.”
    Rosario smiled at him, with a smile that looked nearly genuine. He wasn't sure how to help her, but he knew he had to try. His expertise was in matters of the body. It had never been in matters of the heart. He knew her heart was breaking, but what she didn't know was his was as well. Perhaps over sandwiches and coffee, two broken hearted people could find a way to help each other.
     
    ***
     
    Rita Hollings returned to find Caitlin in her room in the birthing center. The nurses had just flitted past, promising to bring her son and daughter to her shortly, when Rita stuck her head in the room.
    “ Did I miss anything?” Rita asked, and Caitlin shook her head.
    “ I walked back,” Caitlin said, sounding distant.
    “ The exercise is good for you.”
    “ I'm hungry, Mom. Can you get something for lunch, something you'll have to smuggle in?”
    “ Are you trying to get rid of me?” Rita asked.
    “ No. I just couldn't eat that slop they brought me for breakfast. And they won't bring me any coffee because I'm nursing,” Caitlin whined. “Oh, Mom, one cup, please.........,” Caitlin pleaded, and Rita was reminded of her daughter as a young girl. The older woman smiled in response.
    “ All right, one cup. From where?”  Rita asked.
    “ There's a coffee cart on the corner. It's the best. If you fly,