Sold?

My time at grandma's was reduced, I had to come back home earlier since father, for some reason staring coming home, everyday and early. I couldn't afford to get beaten up, because in that state I can't go over to grandma's. She'd worry too much and I don't want Rosalie to know this kind of stuff.

But still, It was okay since I got to see them daily.

Time passed like that and came the 4th winter for Rosalie. On the morning of 27th December I got up early and made my way to a engraving store. I had been saving up for it long enough, I had already bought a ring, the only thing left was to get the same engraving for Rosalie as her mother had on her ring.

My idea was simply to give her something that would bind her to her mother.

After the engraving was done,I took a good look at it. It was something I had got made from what I remembered, but I was sure it looked the same, just smaller in size. A silver ring with an engraving 'mi tesoro' meaning, 'my treasure' on the inner side, although her mother had a platinum ring, it's not really something I can afford… But well, maybe in the future. For now, I'm happy with this.

***

Grandma was making a cake and somehow Rosalie was still asleep.

"You're here? How about doing some decorations? We'll wake Rose up after that."

"Sure."

I started blowing up some balloons and did some birthday decorations, by the time I was done, grandma had finished her cake too. I then went to the bedroom and woke Rosalie up.

I sat down on her bed, "Wake up Rosalie." She didn't move, "Rosalie~" I tickled her and she laughed as she woke up, "Come on, go to grandma, she has your dress ready."

Grandma dressed her up and we had our little birthday party. Time seemed to pass by so fast when I'm with them, I frankly didn't like it. After cutting the cake, I gave her the ring.

"Happy birthday Rosalie."

"What's dis?"

"It's a special ring, like your mama's."

"Mama's?"

"Yes."

"From mama?"

For some reason, I just decided to go with that and nodded, "From mama." Because after all it was meant as a bond between them.

It was a bit big for her since I wanted her to be able to wear it for a long time. It fit on her thumb for now, eventually it will fit her middle finger, her ring finger and for a short whiler, her pinky.

After clearing up the dishes I went to grandma, I was hesitating to ask her but in the end I managed.

"Grandma?"

She had started washing the dishes, "Yes?"

"I-is it okay, if I use that piano in the other room?"

"You want to use the piano?"

"Yes. In our music class, we were allowed to choose whatever piece we want to perform for the festival but the Piano in school is always occupied. I barely got to practise on it."

She thought about it for a bit, "Why not? My husband loved playing it but I guess the piano is lonely now that he's gone. It would be a good idea if it had a new partner." She smiled at me.

I beamed, "Thankyou!"

I ran to the music room where the big black piano was placed, right in the center of the square shaped white room. I sat down on the cushioned bench and opened the lid, then stared at the keys. Even though it hasn't been used in so long, grandma always kept it clean.

I placed my fingers on the keys, took a deep breath and began playing, it was a melody I had come to like very much, 'The name of life.'

Mid-way through I noticed something, a pair of big eyes shining wide staring from the side of the Piano.

I giggled and stopped playing. Rosalie glared at me and I laughed more, "Come here." I made her sit by my side.

"Do you like this melody Rosalie?" She nodded, "The name of life." I said, "This melody has a special meaning. It sort of describes the struggle we all go through life but in the end everything makes us stronger and eventually and surely we reach a point of salvation. A place of peace." I looked at her and she stared back, not saying anything, She probably didn't even understand it, but-, "I'm glad you liked it."

"Un." She nodded again.

"Do you want me to play it for you often?"

"Un!" She nodded vigorously and I smiled. Guess, I'll be playing this even after the school festival.

***

As I reached home, dead tired, probably because I woke up too early and did a lot of work today I ended up sleeping on the lounge sofa. I didn't think anything could go wrong with sleeping here, it was until I was awoken by the sizzling pain on my back.

I woke up with a scream, for a moment I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or if I was up, my mind was a mess but then my vision cleared up and I saw my father and his friends, drunk, with big cigars between their fingers.

"Oh~" One of the drunk men spoke, "You were here? Soeey soeery." He hiccuped, "We thought there was an ashtray there." The other men laughed as tears slipped down my cheeks. True, they did place an ashtray on the couch, but they were so drunk, they couldn't even see where they placed it and ended up sizzling it on my back. I didn't make a sound and got up. It hurt so much but I didn't want to stay there. I left the house, right outside I saw mom, sitting in the lawn leaning against the shed. I turned to her, then stopped, deciding to let her sleep, I left.

It was a dark night with no moon, the streets were completely silent as I made my way over to grandma's. I was quiet as I entered the place, it was way past midnight now. The cold had numbed the pain a bit but I felt really tired as I reached the guest bedroom.

"Lex?"

I looked at the owner of the voice, "Rosalie…" I whispered, "Why are you up?" My voice was very weak.

I then noticed drops of water trickling down her mouth. She must have woken up for water.

She walked to me,"Are you in pwain?"

I shook my head,"No," I gulped, "I'm fine." I Hugged her as I slumped on the floor, "Just tired…"

I wonder what crossed her mind or who even taught her that, but she began to stroke my head with her small hands.

"Hush~ Hush~ It's going to be okay."

I didn't really expect it to work that well, but it made me fall asleep peacefully.