Chapter 17: Rose's Parents Again

It took a threat to Rose for her parents to relent and call her.

She’d been back in her office most of the day, her nerves finally calming down. She’d offered Brandy a chance to go home, but she wasn’t so easily frightened. “We’ve never had that happen before today, so what are the chances that it would happen again today? I’m staying.”

Rose had hoped that word didn’t get out, but she knew it had when her phone lit up with her mother’s name on it. She debated not answering, but her mother would just keep calling. They might even get in the car and drive here and that was the last thing that Rose wanted.

“Mom.”

Rose pretended that she had no idea why her mother was calling.

“Rose. Are you okay?”

“Of course I’m okay. Why would you ask?”

Her mother sounded frantic. Well, maybe they did love her in their way.

“Rose,” her father said.

“I have us on speaker,” her mother said.

Whatever. “I’m fine. I’m not sure why you’re concerned.”