Page 68 of Rosie
Sometimes, disappointment existed to pave the way for something better. “God never closes a door that he doesn’t open a window,” Gram used to tell her growing up. But she couldn’t see opening a window, or even another door, that didn’t lead her to Matt. Maybe, eventually, she could move on. But right now, she wanted to stay right where she was.
As Grandad wrapped up his rendition of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” he turned around on the bench and put his hands on his knees. “What’s got my Rosie-girl so sad?”
She could blame it on work. But she’d never been able to lie to her grandparents. “Matt and I broke up.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. He seemed like a nice fellow.” Gram patted her leg. “Did something happen?”
“I don’t understand it, myself. Olivia wasn’t happy we were dating. Then just as she came around, he dumps me saying he’d hold me back.”
“What on Earth could he mean by that?” asked Gram.
Rosie sighed. “He was born with transposition of the great arteries. It’s a condition that requires heart surgery as an infant, and there’s several long-term side effects that can catch up with them in adulthood. One such side effect did, and he decided I was better off without him.”
“And why would Olivia care who you dated?” Grandad huffed.
A blush rose to Rosie’s cheeks. “He’s her little brother, remember?”
Gram sipped at her tea. “That’s just silly. Do you remember Aunt Eileen?”
Her great-aunt? “Yeah, that was Grandad's sister.”
“Correct. She wasmybest friend growing up.”
“Really?” Rosie leaned forward in her seat.
“Indeed.” Grandad chuckled. “I was the silly younger brother that always tagged along and wouldn’t leave them alone when we were kids.”
She’d forgotten for a moment that Gram had a few years on Grandad. “How did she take it?”
“It was a bit awkward at first. I asked your gram to the high school dance my junior year and I’m sure Eileen thought she was just doing me a favor.”
“Meanwhile, I was flattered. I hadn’t told her I thought he’d grown up into a handsome man. I thought maybe she’d find that inappropriate.”
“Of course.” Rosie thought back to when she first noticed Matt as a man, back when they were in college. And the conversation they’d had about his girlfriend at the time.
“She came over to help me get ready, like girls do. And I was so nervous! She said, ‘Rose, it’s just my brother!’ And I told her, ‘Well your brother’s a man that makes girls nervous now, Eileen. Get used to it.’ And then he showed up with the loveliest corsage and I think she saw how serious he was.”
Rosie stole a look at Grandad, and she could see the young man underneath that still looked at her Gram like she hung the moon and stars. She smiled.
“I never realized you were friends with Aunt Eileen before all that. I didn’t get much time with her before the cancer took her.”
“Yes, you were still a wee thing when we lost her. But shewasmy best friend, before I fell in love with your Grandad.”
Fifty-some years later and her grandparents were still so obviously in love. Rosie sighed inwardly. She’d thought she’d have that with Matt. Now, she didn’t know if she wanted it at all. Did people even fall in love like that anymore? Where it lasted forever?
She knew she didn’t want to feel like this ever again. It was better to be alone and focus on her career and her squad. Speaking of which, she should take on some extra shifts at work. Someone had recently transferred units and they were a bit short-staffed. The NICU wasn’t for everyone, and some nurses couldn’t hack it. She’d seen this coming weeks ago with that particular nurse. In the end, it would be better for their patients to make an opening for a nurse that truly belonged and cared. The other nurses in her unit had picked up the slack before, and they’d do it again until the right candidate was found.
Her heart sank. They could replace her coworker. But she couldn’t replace Matt.
Friday evening had rolled around again, and the girls were due at six o’clock for game night. Rosie had just finished putting away all her laundry, and she was vacuuming the carpet that she hadn’t touched in weeks. She’d read online that cleaning your space helped you think better. She hoped it was true. It did make her feel more accomplished, at least. She couldn’t wait for game night with the girls and their guys. Rosie desperately needed some normalcy back in her life.
When the knock on the door sounded, she didn’t even bother checking the peephole. She threw back the chain and swung the door wide open — to reveal Matt in a dress shirt and slacks, carrying what appeared to be containers of food.
“What … what areyoudoing here? It’s game night …” Rosie’s brain spun in circles as she struggled with confusion.
“Um, so Olivia said to tell you game night has been canceled. Check your phone.”
Leaving the door open, she went into her bedroom where her phone sat on the charger. There was a text from just a minute ago.
