quickly that I nearly became dizzy.
For one reckless second, I believed he had come for me.
“Can I speak to Rosie?” he asked.
I stared at him.
“Rosie?”
“Yes.”
He looked nervous.
More nervous than I had ever seen him.
I stepped aside without answering.
Rosie was in the backyard helping Mom with the tomato plants.
From the kitchen window, I watched Ben approach her.
He spoke for several minutes.
Then he lowered himself onto one knee.
Rosie’s hands flew to her mouth.
Ben opened the velvet box.
She nodded so hard that her curls bounced around her face.
When she threw her arms around him, he laughed and held her tightly.
I walked upstairs before anyone could see me cry.
That night, I pressed my face into my pillow and allowed terrible thoughts to fill my mind.
Ben could not possibly be attracted to Rosie.
He could not
