Franco, with tears in his eyes, pushed Rosalie’s hand away from his cheek, and apologized for causing her so much pain. He admitted that, although he wanted to believe Rosalie about the voices she was hearing, Maria had a way of convincing him that Rosalie needed help and that she was mentally deteriorating. He explained to Rosalie that since he never heard those voices in the apartment or the cellar, it became more difficult for him to believe Rosalie and it became much easier to believe Maria. He stressed that he only sided with Maria because he thought that they both would work together to help Rosalie. Franco begged Rosalie to try to understand that he had only her best interests and well-being at heart. He asked Rosalie what she would have done if the roles were reversed and he was hearing voices. Rosalie stared deep into Franco’s eyes and replied, “I would have believed you Franco, and supported you every step of the way. That I would have done based on two things, the love we shared and the history we made together. Just those two things would have been enough for me to know that you were telling the truth and you desperately needed my help to figure it out. I would never have abandoned you and no one could have swayed me otherwise. I would have trusted in our love Franco, and your good judgment of the situation would have convinced me without question.” Rosalie added that she did believe that Franco had her best interests at heart, but his total lack of belief in her is what ultimately destroyed them.
Franco, feeling quite upset and agitated, stated that Maria destroyed them, not him. He pleaded with Rosalie to try to put things in perspective and try to understand that they were both victims of Maria’s insanity. He went on to explain that this was never a trust issue between them. It turned into an issue of concern for him, however, because his number one goal was to get Rosalie the help she needed and, at the time, it seemed evident that Rosalie was in dire need of this help. He truly thought Maria, being Rosalie’s best friend, had the same goal in mind, and that working together with her would have been the best thing for Rosalie. Franco stressed that he didn’t have an inkling that he was dealing with a mentally disturbed woman. Maria seemed genuinely normal to him and flawless in her thinking. Franco stated, “Either I’m a total idiot who can’t recognize a psychopath, or Maria is just so damn crazy that she can make herself seem absolutely sane, if that makes any sense to you Rosalie. Because it makes perfect sense to me.” Franco continued, “You have to understand, Rosalie, that my thoughts during that time were who would be better than your boyfriend and your best friend to help in this situation Rosalie? No one, right? So I was glad to know we were both there for you, Maria and I. You have to realize that I had absolutely no idea Maria was a lunatic who was fabricating everything that happened to you. You were hearing voices Rosalie and Maria seemed to know how to help you, because loving you the way I did, and still do, put me in a position where I couldn’t think clearly anymore. Watching you suffer was killing me inside. I needed rescuing too, Rosalie; and Maria seemed to be the one to do that, not only for you, but for me as well. I was so desperate to help you that I allowed Maria to run the show. Now I know how dangerous that was…I’m sorry Rosalie, but she didn’t seem crazy to me. She seemed like an angel from heaven that you and I both needed, and I allowed her to work her magic. I had no idea that she was working devil’s magic. Come on Rosalie, be reasonable here. You didn’t consider that Maria was unstable until Millie put you wise to Maria in her own special way. Now isn’t that true Rosalie? You and Maria were friends for years and you didn’t see anything wrong with her. Maria was a pro at hiding it, wasn’t she? Crazy people are gifted that way Rosalie. Can’t you try to understand this and find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Rosalie looked at how hopeless Franco was at this moment as he stood before her. She felt so sorry for him. The tears in his eyes were heartwrenching to Rosalie. She had to fight those emotions, however, and stand her ground. Rosalie did admit to Franco that she does understand how he fell victim to Maria because he was right, she had too. She then emphasized to Franco that she had already forgiven him but the relationship has been strained far worse than they could ever imagine, because of everything that happened and because of the way it all happened. She added that Franco’s poor judgment when it came to Maria and his blatant lack of trust and support for Rosalie were more than she could bear, and she was deeply hurt by this. She cried, “You were ready to have me committed on Maria’s word! How can I forget that Franco? I’ve now lost the emotional connection that kept us tied to each other; and once that connection is broken, the relationship dies. We died with it Franco! We died with it!”
Franco was clearly shaken by Rosalie’s words. He felt a deep sense of loss which cut through his heart like a knife. He also felt remorse, as he anticipated the end of their life together. He would do anything to keep Rosalie by his side. He realized, however, that “they” were really over now, but he just wasn’t ready to accept it. He wanted the chance to make this up to Rosalie. He needed to make things right again. Rosalie could no longer consider that an option though, even if she wanted to. She was in love with Michael, and that bond could not be broken; not even by Franco. Franco was completely devastated. He cried like a baby, wiping his tears on his shirt sleeve. Rosalie couldn’t stand watching him cry. He was so rugged and so strong, that this picture of a broken man sitting before her was something she couldn’t stomach. It pained her to watch Franco cry. She cried with him. Her tears were flowing in silence, however; and Franco may not have even noticed. He was just too distraught, drowning in his own pain.
Rosalie handed him some tissues and pleaded with him to take hold of himself. She promised that in time he will move on and their relationship will be a thing of the past. She explained to Franco that once he meets someone new to share his life with, he will be able to look back at their relationship with a smile and realize that things happened for the best. She stressed that he will then know that they are both where they should be in life, and all will be well. She begged Franco to have an open mind about this, and admitted to him that saying good-bye is killing her too. She told him that it hurts her deeply to know that today she is not only losing her boyfriend and her lover, but she is losing her best friend. However, she explained to Franco that sometimes in life we have to lose the people we love in order to welcome the future. “It’s bitter-sweet and so very difficult to do,” she added, “but what hurts us today will prove to bring us comfort in the long run. Please embrace that thought Franco. You will find happiness again. Our time just ran its course. Circumstances have changed us.”
Franco looked at Rosalie like a wounded boy. This broke her heart. However, Franco somehow managed to admit that Michael seemed like a good man. He stated that if Michael is who she wants to be with, then he will step aside and just wish her well with him. He refused to stand in the way of her happiness. Franco told Rosalie that he still loves her very much and that if Michael ever hurt her, even in the smallest way, then Michael would have Franco to answer to. Still sniffling and wiping away tears, Franco told Rosalie that he will always be a phone call away. Rosalie smiled and kissed Franco’s cheek. She whispered, “I still love you too Franco, in a different way now, but still a special way, just not the way you want me to.” Franco sadly nodded, yet seemed to understand that parting was the inevitable. It came to him like a thief in the night and robbed him of his one true love.
Franco got up from his seat and rushed toward the door; wanting to leave before Michael got back. There was nothing more to say and, more importantly, he didn’t want Michael to see a grown man cry. After all, Michael was the competition and Franco was not willing to admit defeat. That would be his and Rosalie’s little secret, because only Rosalie saw him cry today.
Before Franco reached the door to leave Michael’s apartment, Rosalie called him back. She felt the need to let Franco know exactly what her plans were going to be with Michael. She owed it to Franco. So Rosalie explained that she was thinking about selling her house and moving into Michael’s apartment. Franco nodded and
, after a minute of thought, responded that he would then like first crack at purchasing Rosalie’s house. He said through his tears, “After all, I put so much darn work into that house Rosalie. Wouldn’t you say?” Rosalie smiled and replied, “Absolutely Franco. You deserve to have first crack at the house and I trust that you would take great care of it too.” Franco, on a very serious note, stated that he can now see how quickly Rosalie planned to move on with Michael. Although that saddened him, he gave them his blessing, adding, “Not that my blessing means anything, but you both may have it anyway.” He joked with a partial grin that since Rosalie and Michael now have his blessing to move on while he gets to walk away with the house, he’ll consider that to be either a fair deal or an unplanned consolation prize, stating that he hasn’t figured out which yet, but will learn to live with either. Rosalie chuckled. This made Franco chuckle as well; a sad chuckle, but a chuckle nonetheless. Franco admitted that he’d have to redo most of the house, however, in order to hide the history and memories they made together, but he would also love to redo it in order to get rid of the nightmare of Maria and the horror in the cellar. Rosalie yelled, “Touché Franco! Touché!”
Franco then left Rosalie with a quick kiss upon her lips, a gentle stroke of her long brown hair and a light pinch of her elbow. They shared a tender embrace and a few more tears while they said their last “good-bye”. As Franco walked out of the apartment, he looked back and gave Rosalie a wink. She blew him a platonic kiss and said, “We’ll talk.” As soon as Franco was out of sight, Rosalie rolled herself up in a ball at the end of Michael’s sofa and cried some more.
Rosalie was grief-stricken, more so than she ever expected over ending her relationship with Franco. However, she was also very much in love with Michael now so there was no turning back. Rosalie was a prisoner of that love, but a happy and willing one bound by her passion, affection and devotion to Michael. It was the thought of actually saying “good-bye” to Franco that hurt her the most. Rosalie hated that it was so final. Despite all that’s happened, Franco was always there. He was her rock, her protector, her friend and her lover for so long. Cutting those ties proved difficult for Rosalie, but moving on with Michael was easy and felt so right.
Just as Rosalie came to terms with her decision and wiped away her last tear, Edgar excitedly came through the door with ears flapping and tail wagging, carrying a long-stemmed red rose in between his teeth. He dropped it at Rosalie’s feet with some guidance from Michael. Rosalie felt such joy at the sight of this amazing dog that she got down on the floor and threw her arms around sweet Edgar, cuddling him and massaging his stomach to no end. Edgar was in heaven.
Michael took a seat on the sofa, watching and grinning as Rosalie and Edgar shared this precious moment. Then suddenly Edgar realized he was terribly thirsty from his walk with Michael, so he picked himself up and trotted over to his water bowl looking back at Rosalie as if to say, “Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but I need a drink.”
Rosalie, playfully smirking at Michael, picked up the rose that Edgar dropped at her feet and walked into the kitchen to place it in a large glass which she filled with tap water. She then approached Michael who was still seated on the sofa and said, “Thank you Michael. I needed that.” She planted a great big kiss on Michael’s lips. Michael took a good look at Rosalie’s face and asked her if she had been crying. She admitted that she had been, because it was very difficult for her to say good-bye to Franco. They had a long history together and she couldn’t bear the thought of hurting him as she had just done. This prompted Michael to ask Rosalie if those tears were tears of regret. Rosalie held both Michael’s hands in hers and looked deep into his eyes and said, “Absolutely not Michael. Those were simply sad tears of good-bye, yet happy tears of love for you.” They both then embraced and held each other for a few short moments, until Edgar came back to beg for a treat.
As Michael got up to get a treat for Edgar, he handed Rosalie a white envelope. He explained that he and Edgar took a walk past Rosalie’s house after visiting the doggie playground to check her mail. There was only that one letter he found in the box. He thought stopping by her house would serve two purposes. It would give her and Franco enough private time while also saving Rosalie the worry from not checking her mail while she spent the night with Michael again. Rosalie laughed and said, “You think of everything Michael, don’t you? I just love you. I truly do.” Michael laughed and headed off to the kitchen to get Edgar his treat. Rosalie said, “Your timing was perfect Michael. Franco had just left a little while before you and Edgar came back.” Michael responded that his timing wasn’t quite that perfect. He said that he and Edgar decided to stand at the corner for about fifteen minutes with a bird’s-eye view of the front door. Michael admitted he actually waited for Franco to leave. Rosalie jokingly asked what Michael and Edgar would have done if they had missed Franco’s exit. Michael replied with a hearty laugh, “That’s what cell phones are for Rosalie. I would have made a quick call or sent a quick text to you if I hadn’t seen Franco leave yet, because loitering on a street corner isn’t exactly my favorite way to kill time, although Edgar loved it. All the kids passing by were playing with his ears while I was twiddling my thumbs.”
Rosalie smiled and thanked Michael sincerely for being such a great sport about things, especially since she and Franco were having their private time in Michael’s apartment. She told Michael that is what sets him apart from other men, adding that he is a true gentleman with a touch of class. Michael gave Rosalie a light peck on the cheek and assured her it wasn’t a problem. He understood the situation completely.
Michael then asked Rosalie how everything went with Franco. She explained that everything went as well as could be expected. Michael was so relieved to hear that Franco accepted that he and Rosalie would be moving on together, although he felt strong compassion for Franco, as did Rosalie. Neither Michael nor Rosalie ever set out to hurt Franco. They were all victims of circumstance. Rosalie explained further that she told Franco that she would be moving in with Michael and Edgar. “Not surprisingly,” she added, “Franco offered to buy the house. He loved that house and he did so much work in it over the years that I feel he deserves to have it.” Michael agreed. He thought that would be a terrific idea since the house belonged in Rosalie’s family and it seemed that Franco would take good care of it. Rosalie nodded, sharing the exact same sentiments.
Michael then mentioned Maria. He stated that he was so happy that Maria would remain in the psychiatric facility under the care of Rosalie’s psychiatrist, Dr. Whitman, commenting that he truly hopes it’s not too late for Maria to be treated and to get her life back on track if possible. He would hate for her to be confined to an institution like her mother. That would be devastating. Rosalie sadly nodded saying, “We can only pray for her Michael. Maria needs that right now. Until she is properly evaluated, no one truly knows the severity of her mental illness, not even Dr. Whitman. Let’s hope for the best and pray that with treatment Maria can live a productive life. Worst case scenario, she will remain institutionalized like her mother with people who will skillfully care for her and give her the help she needs on a daily basis.” Michael concurred and gave his usual thumbs up. He then added that he felt Franco was a genuinely good man for taking responsibility for Maria the evening the paramedics attended to her, further stating that it couldn’t have been easy for him accompanying Maria to the hospital after all that had happened that night down the cellar. No one was prepared for that, especially not Franco. Rosalie, with eyes watering, responded to Michael that she felt the same way about Franco. She added that Franco always had a good heart and, despite what happened between her and Franco, that is definitely one thing that will never change about him. She said, “That’s what saddens me. Unfortunately he was fooled by Maria, used poor judgment in trusting her, and fell victim to her game. In hindsight we’ve all suffered in one way or another as a result of Maria.”
Michael, sensing a deep sadness in the air by
the heaviness of his conversation with Rosalie, chose to change the subject. So he blurted out, “Well open your mail! Edgar and I went out of our way to get it for you.” Rosalie smiled and proceeded to open the white envelope… she took a look at the return address and noticed that it was from one of her publishers. As she read in silence, Michael studied her face for the smallest clue as to what was in that letter. After another minute of silence, Rosalie jumped to her feet and said, “They want to meet with me Michael! They like the manuscript on my last submission – the mystery novel! The one about the two friends that lived in the Victorian Mansion! My God, they want to discuss the manuscript with me!” Michael responded, “You go girl!” Then he lifted Rosalie up in his arms and twirled her around the living room as if they were dancing. They were laughing like children, overjoyed at Rosalie’s success. Edgar joined in too by jumping up and down, circling around and in between Rosalie and Michael, wagging his tail uncontrollably. Edgar had no idea what they were so happy about, but he was thrilled to share this moment with them. When they decided it was time to settle down, they breathlessly plopped themselves on the sofa and wallowed in Rosalie’s newfound bliss. Rosalie was ecstatic, Michael was proud, and sweet Edgar ran off to sleep…Michael went into the kitchen and grabbed two champagne glasses, then walked over to the pantry and took out a bottle of sparkling wine. He popped the cork, poured the wine and shared this moment of love and success with Rosalie. Their eyes were beaming and their hearts were pounding as they tapped their glasses together, sipping their wine in merriment.
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