When I arrived at Rose’s house, her mother, Mrs. Greene, greeted me at the door. Her eyes were red from crying, and she looked exhausted. I felt a pang of guilt in my heart because I was somehow part of her pain.
“Thank you for coming, Leon,” she said, her voice trembling. “She’s upstairs in her room.”
I nodded. My heart was heavy with guilt. “I’ll go talk to her.”
I made my way upstairs, each step I felt like there was a dead weight on my shoulders. When I reached Rose’s bedroom door, I took a deep breath and knocked softly.
“Rose, it’s Leon,” I said, I tried to make my voice gentle. “Can I come in?”
There was no response, only the sound of muffled sobs from the other side of the door. My heart ached for her. I gently pushed the door open and stepped inside. I know my way here becaus
