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4.

Rosaline

Our stay at St. Catherine's have improved a lot, sister Raphael insisted that we make use of the spare room as she has been pleading with us over a year now. Eva and I didn't want to impose and didn't know the outcome if the owner of the shelter found out about our living arrangements.

"This shelter is to provide a home for the homeless. Though the others move on to living arrangements elsewhere with family we consider you two like family. Please stay. We won't be comfortable knowing y'all are at some rundown place all the way across town." She pleaded with us as we were about to leave for our jobs.

Eva and I looked at each other she did have a point. The shelter was just one bus ride of the new jobs we got a week ago so it was a good opportunity. "How bout we stay until we get enough money to get a decent apartment?" I suggested.

She rolled her eyes at me, Eva snickered behind me as I tried to hold back my laughter. The sight of a strict nun rolling her eyes at us sure was funny.

"Fine. You stubborn girl," she huffed biting back a smile.

"You won't like me any other way," I said to her.

She was like a mother to us and we appreciated everything she had done for us, keeping us alive and safe. I can't remember how or who my real mother was and I never felt the urge to go looking for her. If she wanted me, she would have found me already. I was in foster care for so long that it was home.

"Dinner is at eight. Be on time girls" she said over her shoulder as she returned to her office.

"Come on. Don't want to be late for work" Eva said grinning at me.

We both found jobs at a coffee shop four blocks away from the shelter as suggested by sister Raphael. I guess she put in a word for us because they took both of us in. We were truly surprised as many shop owners were skeptical about hiring us. They were very welcoming and Eva was pretty comfortable working alongside them also, it was the first time I saw her at ease.

We made our way to the bus stop just in time. Sitting at the back of the bus, I looked at the other passengers, getting lost in my thoughts.

Sometimes my mind seems to wander off to questions of 'what ifs'. What if I was never a foster child, would I have a loving family? What if Sister Raphael didn't take us in that night would we be sleeping in alleyways till now.

Life has many curveballs but I am thankful for where I'm at. With Eva as my only family, I was happy.

"Rosa. Snap out of it. " Eva shouted rushing out of the bus.

"Oops" I giggled running behind her. We rushed into the store and quickly went behind the counter to the staff room.

"Hi" we chorused to our boss.

"Hello, girls. You're early" she said smiling warmly at us.

I checked the clock behind her. It was just 6.30 am; the store opened at 7.30 am. Eva shrugged and went to start her morning duties.

"Have you girls eaten? I just pulled some fresh croissants out of the oven. Come let's have some and kill some time" she said leading us to the break room.

Mrs. Winchester was an elderly lady with a very kind face and heart. Her husband died a year ago and left the business in her name. They both opened the shop when they got married and it has been a very popular spot since then.

As we learned from her, she had no kids of her own only nieces and nephews who helped out now and then at the shop. They helped her in modernizing the shop with computer stations and free WiFi; a book club area and a normal area for patrons who just want to have a cup of coffee and relax. Mrs. Winchester was tech-savvy for a woman at her age and was always up to date with the latest celebrity gossip. She was a joy to work with.

Eva and I worked as servers and baristas when the time calls for it. She taught us how to make the different kind of coffees in which we learned on our third day at the shop.

"Oh. Have you girls heard of the Saville brothers? If I was as young as you two I would go all out to have those two hotties all to myself," she said in a hushed tone even though it was only us in the room.

Eva rolled her eyes and laughed while I simply shook my head. This woman is impossible.

Mrs. Winchester filled us in on the hottest couple and the latest drama that filled their lives she briefly told us of the Saville brothers. We learned that the eldest was Caiden and he now controls his father's company. He was single and dangerously handsome, in the words of our reporter. Angelo the younger brother was a very seclusive one but said to be as handsome as his brother. No one has had any close picture of him and he avoids the public as best as he can.

"Sounds like spoil brats to me," I commented.

"But sexy spoil brats," Mrs. Winchester said grinning at me.

Eva simply smiled and said, "Don't judge a book by its cover Rosaline"

"Yeah. Yeah. Come on people, time to open up" I said ignoring her words and went to the front of the store.

Fifteen minutes after the store was opened, one of the regulars came in.

"Two French vanilla lattes one with cinnamon no foam the other with all the works and two mochachino one iced, one hot with two sugars" I quickly stated her order.

"Yes. Thank You" she said warmly paying ahead of the orders.

"Anything for you?" I asked giving her the drinks when they were finished. She confided in me that they were all for her bosses who always like their coffee on time and in one particular way.

"Not today. Gotta go. Thanks, Rosa" she said rushing out.

"Strict bosses" I muttered to myself before I tended to the other customers.


The day flew by with so many characters filling the cozy shop that I was surprised when it was time to close up.

On our way home, it was filled with silence as we walked towards the bus stop. Eva kept close to her side but was lost in her own thoughts which I found she did often. I didn't ask why she did this. I’m afraid she will blow the top on that red-headed temper.

It was better this way. Whatever it is she wanted to tell me will come in due time.

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