Keren Joel's five-year-old son is having a difficult day, and all she wants is to help him through it. This heartfelt scene captures the challenges, patience, and love that come with motherhood.
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Excerpt from Orchids For Roses: "graduation night aftermath"
Amy suddenly towered over Deborah.
‘You seem to collect male friends, don’t you? Well, Victor isn’t part of your collection anymore. He’s going to be a busy man. A very. Busy. Man.’
‘He’d make time for me,’ Deborah said, even as she wondered if that was true.
‘Whatever makes you feel better.’
Without warning, Amy tore the corsage from Deborah’s dress.
‘It’s fitting that you like parasites, being one yourself.’
She held it above her face out of Deborah’s reach.
‘Give it back!’
Deborah made a valiant effort to reclaim her corsage, but her heel caught in the ankle-length hem of her dress. The sound of ripping fabric gave her pause.
‘Victor is on his way to a brilliant political career,’ Amy said, suddenly closing her fingers over the corsage.
Deborah cried out in protest, making another grab for the corsage.
And failed.
‘So stop trying to hold on to him.’
Amy hurled the orchid to the cement and ground it beneath her heel.
‘You don’t belong in his world any more.’
‘No!’
Deborah gasped with horror. She dropped to her knees and reached for the ruined orchid.
‘How could you?’
Sobs choked off her words as she cradled her grandmother’s precious gift to her chest.
‘That’s how all parasites should be treated.’
Anger surged through Deborah.
She fastened a furious glare on Amy, ignoring the other woman’s triumphant smile.
‘You’ll never make Victor be anything he doesn’t want to be,’ she said. Her voice grew stronger with each forceful syllable. ‘He survived his mother’s death, and he’ll get over you when he sees you’ve got nothing to offer him.’
She stood up and advanced on Amy.
‘And someday, when he looks back at all of his accomplishments, he’ll realize it’s because of his hard work. Not yours!’
Green eyes flickered before Amy leaned closer to Deborah.
‘A word of advice, “Debs,”’ she hissed. ‘Stay out of the sunlight. It’s not for people like you.’
Kyle found her minutes later, alone and cradling her corsage to her chest, tears spilling down her cheeks.
‘What happened?’ he demanded.
‘Amy,’ she choked out. ‘Spiteful, hateful Amy.’
His arm went around her.
‘Let’s get you home,’ he said, pulling her against his side. ‘Your mascara is running down your face.’
She suddenly laughed, the sound bitter.
‘My corsage is ruined and all you’re worried about is my makeup?’
‘I’m always worried about you, Deborah,’ he said as he led her from the basketball court. ‘You and how much you love those flowers.’
Neither of them noticed the young man standing in the shadows watching them leave together.
Regret in his blue eyes.
