Black Roses

Bridget Cohen's sighs got lost in the frigid wind on a sunny Monday morning. Her father's hand gripped hers tightly as they walked away from her mother's grave. The rest of the Cohen brothers followed. Fourteen year old Jordan led the pack, followed by the eight year old twins Ethan and Devon and lastly at the back was six year old Logan Cohen. Her eyes roamed as she scanned the crowd. Her father tugged at her hand, wanting her to hurry. Jeffrey Cohen didn't want his only daughter to find his first son in the crowd, knowing that four-year-old Bridget would want to run into his arms. Too late. She had spotted him. Bridget jerked her hand out of her father's vice grip and ran to Anthony Cohen, the first born in the Cohen siblings. 'Bridget!' Anthony picked her up off the ground easily and held on to her tightly. 'Come back home Anthony, please.' Bridget said in a soft tone of voice. The only girl in the Cohen family bit her lower lip as tears rushed down her pink cheeks. They were cold from the rough winds. 'I can't, you know I can't.' Anthony said as he placed her on the ground. Just as her feet touched the grass, Jeffrey Cohen snatched her hand and pulled her back, much to her dismay. 'Leave us alone, Anthony. You've done enough damage in this family without bringing Bridget along.' Jeffrey's voice was rough and his words were harsh but Anthony remained calm and cool, save his eyes. His dark green eyes grew even darker as his father blamed him for every wrong thing that happened in the family. 'Save your breath, dad. I'm out of here anyway. The only reason I left Jeremy alone at home was to pay due respect to mom. God rest her soul.' Before he could get in another word, a slap came down on his left cheek. Anthony nearly fell from the impact and the shock. The other Cohen brothers looked away from the scene. They were smart enough to know that if they stepped in between the fight, they would be in deep trouble. 'That's enough, daddy!' she said softly. Jeffrey turned and saw the cold look on Bridget's face and he knew he had gone too far. He staggered back and turned to walk away, forgetting Bridget. Bridget walked to Anthony and tugged him down to her height. She stroked his cheeks softly. 'Come back Anthony…just come back.' She whispered before walking away. (Sixteen years later) ‘One café latte, please. With extra whip.' 'Miss, one decaf mocha, please,' 'Blueberry muffin and those grainy scones.' 'Hot chocolate with caramel macchiato?' 'Two caramel macchiato to go, please.' Bridget was on overdrive as she flitted behind the counter of the coffee shop she had been working at for the past couple of years, trying to keep track of the orders and remaining calm with added politeness, but it was getting on her last nerve. The orders kept pouring in and she was this close to screaming out but she, being the patient employee, just kept quiet, asking them to be patient as their orders were being rung up. She kept reminding herself in five more minutes, the morning rush would be over and she would be able to get out of there. So there she was, running around and getting everyone their orders when the tinkle of the door opening and a whiff of perfume which she never forgot came into her smelling radar. She stopped in the middle of pouring coffee and it was as though time stopped too. The only mobility in the scene came from the person who had just entered the café. 'Bridget.' The handsome grey-eyed, honey colour haired young man said in a voice so soft she could hardly hear. Then, everything went back to normal. The shouting and screaming of the customers rang in ears. 'I've been waiting for ten minutes for my order, miss!' One aggravated customer almost received a sucker punch from the mild-mannered Bridget but instead, he got his order. 'You go Bridget. I'll handle this lot.' Her co-worker, James, came to her rescue. Bridget's eyes didn't divert from the man who had called her name. She untied her apron as she walked out of the counter, running into his arms. 'Jeremy!' she whispered, remembering her brother's boyfriend. 'Oh God…you are like…oh God…Jeremy.' The thirty-four year old film producer smiled as he hugged Bridget tightly. 'Anthony's out in the car. He's double parking again.' Bridget smiled as she followed Jeremy. Her light green eyes shone and her cheeks flushed as she stepped into the cold weather, catching sight of her brother, Anthony in a Chevrolet. 'Go to the front. I'll go to the back.' Jeremy whispered into her ear. Bridget went inside the passenger's seat and was mauled by her older brother. 'Bee,' Anthony said softly as he stroked his sister's soft dark hair. 'Anthony...' Bridget smiled as tears made their way down her cheeks. 'I'm so sorry I didn't come any sooner. I've been so caught up at work and what with dad hounding my footsteps…I wish I could just walk up to you and kidnap you.' 'Dad's gone.' Bridget sighed softly as she let her oldest brother go. 'Come again?' Anthony asked, looking at Bridget. A knock came at the window and a police officer asked Bridget to roll the window down to which she happily obliged. 'Yes officer?' 'You're parking on a double yellow line sir.' He had a deep gruff voice. 'Yes officer. I'll move. I just needed to see my sister.' Anthony started the car and Bridget got out of the car, Jeremy taking her place immediately. Bridget pushed the door of the passenger seat gently and kissed Jeremy's temple. 'Take care of him.' 'Don't I always?' Jeremy grinned wickedly. The police officer raised an eyebrow before walking away with a tip of his hat. Bridget smiled. 'Give me your house number so I can contact you.' Bridget said, pulling out her tiny silver cell phone. Although she hated the noisy bugger, she had it on her in case any of her brothers ever called, which they did almost every single hour. 'Cool phone.' Jeremy commented. Bridget scoffed. 'Shut it or I'll sic my fingernails on you.' She fumbled with the phone and soon enough Jeremy gave their apartment contact number and they zoomed off with a wave. Bridget pushed a stray strand of hair in her face with a smile. 'He's back…he's finally back.'