CHAPTER TWELVE – MOVING ON
…Rosalie opened her eyes to the morning sky peaking through the window in Michael’s bedroom. This time she felt more aware and much more comfortable in her surroundings. Michael’s bedroom was feeling more like home to her now… Michael was still asleep, facing in the opposite direction. Intentionally placing her back against his, Rosalie playfully pressed her bare feet upon his legs, moving them up and down while enjoying the feel of his course hairs and strong muscles on the soles of her feet. Michael woke up with a grin on his face. He quickly turned and wrapped his strong arms around Rosalie as they remained in a spooning position until Edgar jumped into the bed with the “wake-up call”. Yes, it was time for Michael to take Edgar for his morning walk. Good old Edgar, as cute as he was, simply needed to work on his poor timing, bless his canine heart. Despite all the rukus, however, Michael jumped into his clothes, stepped into his sneakers, put the leash on Edgar, and ran out the door as quickly as possible in order to avert a peeing accident. As usual, Edgar’s ears were swiftly flapping in the wind while his tail danced side to side. Rosalie chuckled at the rhythm in Edgar’s tail and the speed in which both he and Michael left the bedroom. She then turned flat on her back, pushed her loose hair away from her face, and tried to recapture in her mind’s eye that special moment between her and Michael that was so cutely interrupted by a red cocker spaniel. She shook her head and laughed in delight, since every moment she now shared with Michael – and Edgar – was special…
Rosalie went into the kitchen to put up a fresh pot of coffee. She searched the fridge for some breakfast foods so she could put a quick meal on the table before Michael got back. She located the eggs in the bottom corner of the refrigerator and found an unopened box of breakfast sausages in the freezer. As she searched for a frying pan, jumping from one cabinet to the next, Rosalie decided to look under the sink where she usually kept all of her pots and pans at her house…Voila! So she buttered the pan, scrambled up some eggs, then cooked up the breakfast sausages on a small stove-top grill she found that looked as old as the hills. “Bread,” she said to herself, “I need some bread.” Suddenly, as if by magic, her eyes came across a loaf of whole wheat bread just sitting and waiting for her on top of the kitchen counter. She grabbed a couple of slices from the plastic bag and placed them in the toaster near the microwave. She then looked through the cabinets again for coffee mugs and breakfast plates, then through the many drawers for some utensils, as she set the table with pride. Rosalie chuckled at the thought of how tidy and organized Michael kept his kitchen. She chuckled even more at the condition of his worn-out pots and pans, many of them charred from overuse and in need of a good scrubbing.
…and yes, oh yes - they were back! Edgar ran into the kitchen with his snout up in the air, taking in the aromas of fresh eggs and sausage. It almost seemed like Michael was doing the same thing. As Edgar began dancing around on his paws, Michael ran over to the stove to take a short whiff. He told Rosalie he could smell the sausage from outside and was hoping it was coming from his apartment. Rosalie laughed as they sat down to breakfast. Edgar of course joined them from under the kitchen table patiently waiting for a few scraps to fall to the floor, which somehow often did. Edgar was smiling in a doggie sort of way, happy and content, just waiting for that next drop of food.
As Rosalie and Michael shared breakfast together, making “goo goo eyes” at each other from across the kitchen table, Rosalie asked, “Now what Michael? Where do we go from here my love?” Michael replied, “Now we need to move on Rosalie. You need to talk to Franco and then we need to plan our life together. Maybe you should think about selling that big old house of yours and come share my apartment. Edgar would love it. I would love it. What do you say Rosalie?” Rosalie didn’t need much coaxing. She quickly agreed with a giant smile upon her lips. She responded, “That’s a wonderful idea Michael. Thank you…I think it’s time for me to leave my house behind and make some new memories with you and Edgar.”
…After breakfast and a warm shower together, they both got dressed; then Rosalie phoned Franco and asked him if he could come by Michael’s apartment so they could all sit and talk. Franco accepted and Rosalie gave him the address. Rosalie and Michael sat in the living room with Edgar at their feet, waiting for Franco to arrive.
Rosalie was nervously flipping through a sports magazine she found on Michael’s end table, while Michael calmly sat back on the sofa reaching down to pet Edgar’s head. Rosalie was jittery, not knowing what to expect from this “meeting of the minds” between her, Franco and Michael. Michael, on the other hand, was as relaxed as could be waiting for Franco’s arrival. Rosalie admired Michael’s tranquil nature, but also realized that she is actually the one who would have to confront Franco about ending their relationship. There was nothing calm about that, and hurting Franco was the last thing that she would ever want to do. However, matters of the heart are never easy. In the grand scheme of things, Franco is very much at fault for the destruction of their relationship because of his lack of trust and lack of confidence in Rosalie. He got tangled up in Maria’s web of lies and deceit, then ultimately fell victim to her psychotic mind, hurting Rosalie in the process. That was his choice. Rosalie thought to herself, “Franco pushed me right into Michael’s arms, and this is where I really want to be now. Even if Franco didn’t realize what was happening - it happened.” She lovingly glanced over at Michael and caught him studying her with tender eyes as she remained lost in thought. They exchanged smiles…then both jumped as the sound of the doorbell broke the silence in the room. Edgar jumped too. He eagerly followed Michael to the front door to see who it was.
…Michael greeted Franco at the door with a friendly handshake, then quickly invited him into his apartment. Edgar of course had to check Franco out to be sure he was friend and not foe, so he did what all dogs would do - he diligently sniffed around Franco until Michael commanded, “Settle down boy. Settle down.” Michael then said, “Franco, my man, meet Edgar.” Franco, trying hard to be polite, gently patted Edgar’s head but stayed mindful of what he was actually there for. So as Edgar retreated to a corner of the living room, Franco uncomfortably stood in the center of the room, looking over at Rosalie. As their eyes met, he simply said, “Hello Rosalie.” Rosalie replied, “Hi Franco. Thanks for coming.” She motioned with her hand for Franco to take a seat on the sofa, to which he did. Rosalie sat next to him while Michael took a seat on the recliner. Michael offered Franco some coffee, but Franco said he already had coffee and that he was good for now. So the three of them sat in the living room silently waiting for someone to start the conversation. That someone turned out to be Rosalie.
Rosalie, first and foremost, asked about Maria. Franco replied that Maria was being well taken care of at the psychiatric hospital under the direct supervision of Rosalie’s psychiatrist, Dr. Whitman. Franco stressed that he explained to Dr. Whitman what had transpired with Maria and commented to him how dangerous things were getting. He added that Dr. Whitman became so empathetic towards the entire situation that he offered to help in any way he could. He expressed genuine concern for Rosalie and suggested that Rosalie feel free to contact him if she needed to discuss the issue further for her own well-being. Rosalie nodded and conveyed her true gratitude towards Franco for accompanying Maria to the psychiatric facility and for stepping up and handling the situation with Dr. Whitman. Franco admitted it wasn’t an easy task but someone had to do it, especially since Rosalie had been through enough of an ordeal with Maria. Franco then asked about Millie. Rosalie and Michael looked at each other with concern, prompting Franco to ask if Millie was okay. Rosalie said, “Millie is fine Franco. Now I need to share something with you about Maria.” Franco leaned forward, ready to listen with all ears. After a few seconds of quiet, Rosalie rolled her eyes and said, “You’re not going to believe this Franco, but it came right from the horse’s mouth.” Franco in a slightly raised voice anxiously asked, “What? What won’t I believe Rosalie?”
His facial expressions were that of curiosity and fright, not knowing what he was going to hear next.
Rosalie, sympathetic to Franco’s reaction, put it all out on the line for him; everything Millie told her and Michael about what she endured in her home while under Maria’s control, and then some…She explained to Franco that she and Michael visited Millie in the hospital yesterday and Millie confessed everything. The most important thing Millie admitted was that Maria was her niece! She went on to explain that Maria was the biological child of Millie’s younger sister Eve, and was put up for adoption at an early age since Eve was unfit to care for her. She added that Eve suffered from multiple personality disorder and was eventually committed to an institution until she died. Rosalie continued that mental illness ran in the family and it seemed that Maria succumbed to it as well. She further commented to Franco that this is also why Millie is not pressing charges. She won’t do that to her sick niece. Rosalie then stated, “That’s the story in a nutshell Franco.”
Franco was left dumbfounded. He was in total shock as he tried to wrap his mind around this unspeakable bit of information that destroyed so many lives. He took both hands and placed them behind his neck as he looked down at his feet and at the floor. He was eerily silent. Michael interjected by saying, “I know Franco. Rosalie and I had the same reaction.” Rosalie then quickly apologized if she upset him by this news, but she felt he deserved to know the truth as well. Franco lifted up his head and stated that he is really glad for Rosalie’s sake that the truth came out. He added that now everyone learned who was behind all the madness, and everyone also learned why and how Maria was able to pull this off. Franco said that it might be “too little, too late”, but he thanked God that no one was seriously hurt by any of this, especially Rosalie. It was evident that this information Rosalie set out before Franco today, easily destroyed him. The truth of the entire matter was too much for him to handle. He just sat there nervously, with a blank stare, unable to focus on anything or anyone. He felt totally responsible for this sad turn of events in their lives, and the pain on his face clearly revealed that.
Franco felt terribly hurt for Rosalie, and sick to his stomach for himself. All he said to Rosalie was, “I’m so sorry. I unknowingly let this happen to you…and to poor old Millie.” He claimed that he felt disgusted with himself because it was almost too late now, when he could have stopped things from escalating if he only took the time to see things clearly. He admitted that the signs were there concerning Maria, but he was too blind to notice, too close to question anything…Franco further commented that there may be some awful emotional scars for everyone to deal with in the future - and he apologized for that too; but everyone survived Maria, he added, and that’s all that mattered to him. He is forever grateful for that…Rosalie gently placed her hand on Franco’s shoulder to comfort him, but deep down inside she blamed him as well.
…Rosalie continued on that Millie kept silent about this family secret because she didn’t want to destroy a friendship that seemed to be working between Maria and Rosalie since they were children. Millie was always watching out with a careful eye, however, to be sure Maria didn’t hurt Rosalie or anyone else. Rosalie then sadly admitted that she also learned from Millie that Rosalie’s own Mom, and Millie’s very best friend, took this information to the grave with her in order to protect Rosalie’s friendship with Maria, but stated that her mom made Millie promise that she would always stay on top of things to be sure they didn’t blow up into something horrific. Apparently, after all that transpired with Maria, it was now time for Millie to reveal the truth; which she did yesterday with a heavy heart. Rosalie further explained that Millie confessed to her that Maria was the main reason why she stayed here in Brooklyn. This was the only way she could keep an eye on Maria and the relationship Maria and Rosalie shared, while still being able to protect Rosalie at the same time. Millie sacrificed her life because of Maria, even keeping this family secret from her own daughter in order to protect her daughter and her daughter’s family as well. Rosalie then happily stated that she is very glad that Millie can now move on with her life. She told Franco that Millie plans on telling her daughter and the family all about Maria and this terrible family secret once she gets out of the hospital; then she will be traveling back to North Carolina with them to live out the rest of her life in peace.
Franco, still in disbelief, shook his head back and forth and said to both Rosalie and Michael that they were all victims of Maria’s mental illness and he’s glad this is behind them now, adding that everyone concerned needs to find a way to move on. Franco admitted it’s quite a story and almost unbelievable that it went on as long as it did before it came out. Rosalie responded that many families have secrets that are hidden for many years and, unfortunately, Millie’s secret severely affected all of them to include Rosalie, Franco, Millie, and even Michael – indirectly. Rosalie added that her own mother was a victim by having to carry this secret to the grave with her. This brought tears to Rosalie’s eyes…then she thought for a moment, and stated that even poor Maria was a victim trapped in her own sick mind; adding that her only hope for Maria is that Dr. Whitman and God can help her now.
Franco readily agreed, apologizing once again to Rosalie for allowing things to go as far as they did by not seeing through Maria and not believing in Rosalie. Rosalie looked Franco straight in the eye and said, “Yes, Franco. I’m sorry for that too. You almost had me thinking I was crazy. We have much more to discuss regarding that Franco. Much more.” With that, Michael politely excused himself and said that he would be taking Edgar to the doggie playground in order to give Rosalie and Franco some privacy so they could talk. Rosalie grabbed Michael’s hand and said, “Thank you Michael.” She then gave Edgar a pat on his back and watched as Michael and Edgar headed towards the door. Franco yelled over to Michael, “Thank you man. Appreciate it.” Michael gave a thumbs up and disappeared from the apartment with Edgar.
…Now it was just Rosalie and Franco sitting together, yet alone, in a room so quiet you can hear a pin drop. Franco was crossing and uncrossing his legs, looking terribly hyper and ill at ease. This made Rosalie antsy and uncommunicative. She thought she would be able to talk to Franco about ending their relationship like two adults, but the lump in her throat and the pounding of her heart were holding her back. Rosalie was fighting to find the right words but she knew there were no right words for what she had to tell Franco. He would be so hurt by what she had to say, and she would be doubly hurt by saying it. How would she start this conversation? Trying to gather her thoughts, Rosalie couldn’t help but notice how Franco was terribly unshaven and his hair unkempt. It also seemed as if he pulled his shirt right out of the dryer and put it on without ironing it. The wrinkles were powerfully visible. This was not Franco at all. Rosalie could sense that this whole ordeal has taken its toll on Franco. She was heartbroken to see him in such a state. He just sat there looking sad and meek like a little lost lamb, waiting for her to save him and waiting for her to speak. Rosalie guessed that Franco already knew what she was about to say. He was just waiting to hear it. This made Rosalie even more uncomfortable, however, as she thought to herself, “Imagine me and Franco ending up like this – hurting one another, at a loss for words and a loss for each other.” Rosalie couldn’t stand the pain and guilt she was feeling at this moment. “How could I tell Franco about me and Michael?” she cried to herself. She was paralyzed by her own sorrow, her own gloom.
Then, from out of nowhere, Franco came in and saved Rosalie from her own thoughts. He initiated the inevitable by asking, “So what about us Rosalie? ” - That question rang in Rosalie’s ears. She could hear it over and over again in her mind – “So what about us Rosalie?” …Rosalie took a deep breath and replied, “So what about us Franco? I don’t want to hurt you, but you must know that we are not the same anymore. You, me…this entire experience has changed us.” Franco looked at Rosalie with piercingly melancholy eyes and asked if Michael was actually the reason w
hy they are not the same anymore. Rosalie offered a quick response in defense of Michael, by stating, “Michael was an old friend who offered his full support to me while mentally ill Maria was scheming against me with you unwittingly by her side, leaving me alone in my own agony and personal torment.” She continued, “You and Maria made me question my own sanity. I was suffering terribly at the hands of Maria; and then your lack of support just destroyed me. Your lack of trust and belief in me are the reasons why we are not the same anymore Franco. Please don’t blame Michael. Unfortunately, Maria destroyed us and you allowed it to happen by not accepting my explanation of things. You assumed I was losing my mind, didn’t you? Michael was the only one there to catch me when I fell. His belief in me and his determination to help me solve the mystery of the “voices” has set me free. He trusted me at my word Franco. At my word. Why couldn’t you do that too? Why Franco? Now, as fate would have it, we fell in love with each other. I am so sorry for you and for us Franco, and I would never want to hurt you; but it’s time for me to move on and I’m going to do that with Michael. I truly hope you find your way in this life and that you meet someone special who you can move on with as well. It’s too late for us Franco.”
Franco was flabbergasted by what he just heard. It hit him hard, like a ton of bricks. He walked over to Rosalie and grabbed both of her arms, pressing them against the sides of her body, in order to get her full and undivided attention. He looked into her eyes and into her soul, reminding her that they both had a history together. He then asked her how she could and why she would toss it all away so easily. He just couldn’t believe that…Rosalie asked Franco to release her, that he was holding her too tightly and hurting her arms. Franco immediately stepped back and apologized. He took his seat on the sofa, hung his head low and remained silent. Rosalie went on to say that life is all about choices. She stressed that sometimes the choices people make, in this case the choices they both made during their ordeal with Maria, reveal who they really are. She further stated that those choices have moved them both in a direction where they never planned on going. Rosalie said that she was in love with Michael now and that she was so very sorry, but she just can’t move backwards; she needs to move forward. She approached Franco and put her hand up against his cheek and told him she was so grateful for having him in her life and she will always have a special place in her heart for him, but their history he refers to is just that – history. She will cherish the memories, but their time is over.
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