Rose chapter 1

I am Rose. I am Rose Danielle Hathaway. My mother says my name has always been Rose. I don't believe her. Freddie doesn't believe her either. I sway my hand back and forth in the cold water of the creek. I think of me, or what others see me as. They think I am Rose. They think I am seven. They think I can't hear Freddie. I don't believe them. Freddie is seen as a frog. I don't see him as a frog. Freddie is my best friend, my only friend, besides Hillary. Hillary is seven. Hillary has always been Hillary. I believe that. Hillary doesn't believe that I am not Rose. I am not Rose, or at least I haven't always been.



My fingers are numb in the frigid water of the creek beside my house. I lay on the flat rocks on the shore. I bend my knees and lay Freddie on my hip. Freddie talks to me. "Julie, my friend, why do you come out of the house this early in the middle of autumn in only your pajamas?" Freddie worries about me. My friend has only my heath in his reasoning. "Oh, Freddie, you are such a worry toad! I have my jacket with me!" I said to him as I pull on my sleeves in example. Freddie sighs and decides not to fuss. I turn from my friend the frog and look to the fish. "Freddie, why do you think, do the fish not talk to me?" He must have caught the depression in my voice. "Oh, Julie," I did not flinch when he called me this. I knew very well that my name wasn't Rose. It shouldn't matter what people called me. "The fish and the other animals do not speak because they are clearly what they appear to be. The squirrels are squirrels, the coy are coy, the chipmunks are chipmunks, and the snakes are snakes. They do not have thoughts as I do, Julie. Therefore they do not have the opportunity to associate with humans!" I laughed at him. "You say that like you aren't human, Freddie! If any soul was more human than yours, I would surely die." He laughed at me. Then I noticed a sharp pain in my stomach. "Breakfast time, Freddie!" I scooped him up and ran toward the house, slinging water all over my bleached blond hair. I ran faster, loving the wind in my face. Freddie held for dear life onto my finger. I slammed the door open wide. "Mother, I demand nourishment!" Freddie giggled and I felt superior.