Rose Cut

Skeletons

2 weeks later . . .

It was November 3rd and me and Dorian were finishing breakfast at Waffle House. We've been dating since that night at Eclipse, and things have been going great. He prefers the finer things and has been showing me a whole new world in Detroit.

Dorian makes me happy and these last few weeks has been amazing but, I can't help the thoughts of Jamir creeping into my mind. I haven't seen him nor Priscilla and it hurt to see we were back to being strangers.

It was OK though, since Dorian is more than enough. Not to mention speaking in Spanish with him has made the nightmares less graphic.

I Think of my father and the Spanish helps me remember him more. I had thirteen days til my birthday, and Dorian had something nice planned. I could tell he wasn't telling me everything about him but, I knew enough to know he cared for me. I wish more than anything to talk with Dorinda about this new found relationship.

She knows I haven't been dating and this is kinda new to me. Getting close enough to expose parts of yourself that you tend to keep hidden. Unfortunately she's been too " busy " doing whatever to talk to me. Truthfully, I know she's avoiding me because, Dorian sees her all the time.

" I don't why you insist on coming here. " spoke Dorian breaking me out of my thoughts. He reached over and made me put my fork down demanding my attention.

" I like it here, and I use to come here all the time in Atlanta. " I answered while he caressed my hand in his. Looking around for the waiter, becoming more impatient. I sighed, I wasn't even finished yet.

" Don't worry Rose, were leaving now." He told me, misinterpreting my words. Dorian dropped a hundred dollar bill on the the table. I rolled my eyes at his extra-ness but, cheered up at the thought of the tip for the waitress. We walked out hand in hand, as Dorian unlocked the doors to his R8 spyder and walked around to the drivers side. I got in and put on my seatbelt and he pulled off smoothly.

" What do you have planned for today? " he asked getting on the highway going towards my place.

" I thought we were going to the Belle Isle Aquarium today? Remember, I told you I've never been to one before. " I said slightly upset he forgot. Lately, all we've done is go to the club events and dinners at fancy restaurants. It was nice and everything but, I rather just spend time together.

" You were serious about that? " He questioned me. I snapped my head to look at him like he was crazy. " Of course. I don't talk for you to respond. Listen and understand me Dorian."

" Alright Mi Amour, I get it. You wanna find Dory and s**t I got you. " He cut me off and rubbed my hand. We were pulling up to my loft and I was ready to get out.

" Got business to handle, so I'll take you another time. " he told me as we stopped. I snatched my hand away and unclipped the seatbelt as I reached for the door.

" ROSALINA STOP! " he snapped, grabbing my face to look at him. I jumped at how menacing he looked. In that moment I thought of no other than Andre touching me. I chased away the memories trying to move out of his reach. His face softened at my discomfort.

" Never be afraid of me. " He spoke finally. " Understand?" He questioned as I stared.

" entender!" he repeated more forcefully in Spanish, when i didn't answer. I searched his face for what I saw earlier. Finally, I nodded and he leaned in to kiss me sweetly.

" I care about you Rose and I have plans for us. " he said as his smile reached his eyes. This hot tempered man just does something to me. I returned his smile and pecked his lips before getting out of the car.

" I will call you." I told him, shutting the door and stepping back to watch him pull off. Once he was out of sight. I relaxed as if I was holding in a breath. I had this unnerving feeling and I really needed a friend. Instead of going in through the lobby, I went around to the garage.

Once I found my car I got in, and headed to Dorinda's place. She was going to face me today weather or not she wants to. I sped down the highway faster than usual. I felt like I've missed something in Dorian.

Yes he's successful and sweet but, I know there's danger shouting out at me when I'm with him. Like my brain knows more than I do. But then again it could just be silly thoughts.

I crept up around the corner to her apartment complex. I parked finding a spot where I could watch the door, since I would need someone to get buzzed in, so I could walk in with them.

Finally after 30mins I rushed inside behind a white lady and walked upstairs to the 3rd floor. I stopped in front of her door and covered the peep hole as I knocked.

" Who is it? " she shouted from inside. I knocked again and put my shoulder against the door. I heard her begin to unlock the door and I felt it begin to open. I pushed my shoulder against the door, causing her to stubble back enough for me to get inside. I closed the door behind me and locked it.

" Well hello there stranger. " I taunted, sitting my MK red clutch down with my keys. I walked towards an irritated Dorinda. She wore a cute white lacey top with some silk colored parachute type pants.

It was cute but, her hair looked a mess. It was just wild but pushed back. I had on a gray skirt and crop set, with my red peep toe wedges.

" Wassup Rose' " she finally spoke when I stopped in front of her. " Nice entrance. I guess your use to breaking and entering." She tossed over her shoulder bumping past me toward her living room.

" What the f**k Dorinda! Cut the bullshit and talk to me. " I finally snapped walking on her heels.

" Talk about what THOUGH! " She stressed stopping in her tracks. " You don't tell me everything. I'm not bouta bare my soul to someone who won't do the same." She huffed.

I stood there for a minute calming myself. I was two seconds from spazing on the only person in this world I call friend. I let out a breath and walked around her to sit down on her plush long creme couch. I looked up at her still standing where I left her.

" Come sit. " I offered patting the cushion next to me. She raised her eyebrow but, came to sit anyway.

" Look. I love you like family. " I began holding my hand up to stop her from interrupting. She closed her mouth and waited.

" You know I don't have family, so that's a lot for me to even admit. I have a ruff past Dorinda and I don't like reliving it. I want to talk to someone about everything but it takes time for me. " I went on.

" How can I feel comfortable being honest when you can decide to leave at any moment. " I paused looking at her seriously. I had her full attention now. " I was raped." I admitted testing the waters. Her face changed but she said nothing. Allowing me to continue.

" It was hard for me shaking back from that. With my mother being absent I had to grow up the hard way. " I paused feeling my tears come. I was gonna tell her as much as I could bear but, I knew I had to edit some of my past. I wasn't ready to reveal everything.

She rubbed my knee in support. I looked in her eyes and she gave me a smile as she wiped the fresh tears pouring down my face.

" I was pregnant and excited despite it all but, the man came back and took that too. " I sniffed.

" I ended up in the hospital for a minute fighting so hard to get back to myself. " I stopped to gather my thoughts.

" Is that when Cora saved you?" She asked. I could tell she was eager to know more. I sucked my teeth shifting on the couch.

" Save is an understatement. That woman molded me into a tool for her use. " I corrected. "Yes she helped me heal but, my memories with her weren't nice." I grabbed her shoulders, and looked her dead on. " Dorinda I have killed. " I confessed with tears in my voice. She gasped but nodded for me to go on.

" Cora ran a in house hospital. That's why you could never come over. The patients in her care remained anonymous. I don't even know how many, or who I stitched up under her supervision. She never paid me though. She said I owed her for giving me purpose." I spoke inbetween breathes.

" Damn. What the f**k Rose. And your just now speaking up. I could have helped. " Dorinda reasoned.

" No. You couldn't. " I answered her. " I was her property. I had no one to claim me and I was stuck. So, when I hit 18 I made a plan to rob her blind and leave no witnesses. And that's exactly what I did. " I finished, wiping away my lasts tears over that situation. I would not allow my past decisions to destroy me.

" So that night you told me to pack everything and be ready?.." Dorinda began.

" I was collecting. " I stated proudly. " every person in there deserved death. Cora was out of town so I took my chance. I just I killed 3 people that night but, it was my choice alone. It wasn't close to easy but, no one will ever use or take anything from me anymore. I took the duffle bag and ran and never looked back."

" Damn, Rose. Your more gangster than I thought. " chuckled Rinda trying to lighten the mood after a pregnant paused. I laughed with her too.

" No I'm not. I'm just strong and you can never EVER tell no one. " I stressed to my bestfriend.

" Ni you know I got you Rosae'" she said with a wink.

" I can't tell by how you've been acting." I spoke, as I rolled my eyes. " and what the f**k is going on with your hair. " I snapped.

" We missed you b***h! " she said, as we burst out laughing getting back in our Grove of things. We talked and talked as she started telling me about her relationship with Apollo as I did her hair.

It was hours later and we had eaten already. I jumped back into doing her hair before she had to go to work. Just a simple press but, with Dorinda's hair it took forever. She said he treats her nice and spoils her at every turn. He hit her once and that's why she had all that money that day.

I was pissed but, she calmed me telling me not to worry. I'm no messy b***h but, I had to tell her how I felt about Apollo so I did.

" I know, I know." She retorted. " but it's so good. He gets upset sometimes but, we get through it. We've been dating for two months and I think I love him.

Shit you know how it is. Look at you and Dorian. " she said turning it on me. " Just because we haven't been chopping it up. Doesn't mean I don't check up on you. " she laughed.

" I wouldn't call it love tho. " I corrected. " I like where it's going but, it feels empty like there's something missing. But when I'm with Jamir I feel safe and whole. " I beamed.

" Who's Jamir? " questioned Dorinda.

" What now? " I asked frozen.

" Unt un b***h you said JAMIR, don't play dumb. " she snapped. I finished her press and stepped back.

" He's just a guy in my building." I said nonchalantly.

" Gurl please, your suppose to be talking about your new man and his name just magically pops in your head. Nawh b***h Ya f*****g him. " she retorted. I mushed her head and laughed.

" No we didn't. " I said with a chuckle.

" mmhmm tell me anything. What time is it? " she asked as I grabbed my things.

" time for me to go. " I said as I walked to the door. " Be safe at work tonight." I asked as she let me out.

" You know it but, ill call you as soon as I can. " she said as she bear hugged me and kissed my cheek. " I love you. "

" yo también te amo (I love you more) " I told her blowing a kiss. I walked to my car feeling lighter than when I came. It was now 11:30 which meant I spent my whole day over here. I didn't mind though, since it turned out so well.

I sung at the top of my lungs on my cruise home. I was pulling into my parking spot rapping the hell out of " Fake Love " by Drake, when I noticed Jamir's car parked weird. I shook it off and called the elevator.

It smelled like copper in there so I made a mental note to tell the lobby person to clean up in here. I arrived on my floor and searched my key ring for my keys. I heard a bang as I put my key in the lock. I paused for a minute and looked up and down the hall.

" Hello? " I called out confused. No one answered so I opened my door and I heard a louder boom. I paused again, this time listening hard.

"MIND YOUR BUSINESS ROSE". I said to myself. I know I heard something though. I sighed and walked back towards the elevator. Once I rounded the corner I heard someone swear, mostly to themselves.

" Excuse me... " I called out, before recognizing Jamir's tall figure on the ground trying to stand. I rushed over and dropped to my knees.

" f**k!" Jamir snapped as he struggled.

" Oh my gawd Jamir! Are you okay? " I panicked, as I fussed over him kicking into nurse mode. It does come in handy I guess.

" Do I f*****g look okay." He snapped back. I sucked my teeth and mugged him.

" Nigga do you want my help or not. " I was over his nice nasty ass but, just then he moved his hand from his side. I didn't notice him holding it but his hand was now a bright crimson red. My heart jumped at the thought of his wound being deadly. All I could think was not him and not now.

" f**k that! Stand up. " I demanded, pulling his weight on me, and tossing his arm around my neck. He hissed in pain at the movement.

" I'ma help you regardless. " I told him.