The House of Roses by Holden Robinson

him. He'd spent the majority of the flight rewriting his presentation for the convention the following day, and while he was happy with what he'd  written, it was completely different from what he usually talked about, and he was momentarily unsure of himself. Instead of taking a taxi, he slung his bag over his shoulder and started the six block walk to his hotel.
    He grabbed a coffee from a cart he passed along the way, and grimaced as he pulled the cup from his lips. It wasn't Cliff's coffee, not by a long shot, but it was hot, and it delivered the caffeine he desperately needed. He had the makings of a hell of a headache, and although he was anxious to get to the hotel, he sat on a bench and sipped the bitter brew, hoping the simple moment would ease his tension.
    It didn't. He reached into his left pocket and took out the cell phone he sometimes hated. He hit the appropriate button and the phone blinked to life. He hadn't missed any calls, and while he was grateful there were no emergencies, the teenage boy in him always hoped she might call. Another day was almost over, and she hadn't called. He scrolled through the saved numbers, and selected one toward the end of the list. His call was  answered on the first ring.
    “ Rosario, it's Colin. How are you?”  She replied in a soft voice, and he frowned. “I'm sorry to hear that. How's Mia?” he asked, and only then did Rosario become animated. He smiled as he listened, and he was surprised when his eyes filled with tears.
    “ Rosario, I've come up with something, and I'd like to talk to you about it. I have some time now, or perhaps I can see you on Wednesday when I return to the city?” he asked, summoning the courage to go on if she invited him to. She did. “I'd like to adopt Mia,” he said softly, and when Rosario started to cry on the other end of the phone, his tears spilled over and slowly ran down his face.
    Although he was inclined, he didn't wipe them away. There was something symbolic about allowing them to course down his cheeks, and the world around him seemed to pause as he waited for Rosario's response. It came quickly, and the one word fell upon his ears and reached deep into his heart, to a place he hardly knew existed.
    “ Yes,” she said softly, as Colin's tears continued to fall.
    “ I don't know what to say, Rosario,” Colin said softly. “What do I say now?” he asked, feeling frightened and small.
    “ You've said all I needed to hear,” Rosario said in little more than a whisper. “I'm honored you would consider doing this. I know she'll be safe with you.”
    Colin heard the sharp inhale, and he knew she was crying. Rosario sobbed softly and his heart broke as he listened to her. He chose his words carefully.
    “ It's me who's honored, Rosario. I'm honored that you have placed this kind of trust in me, and I'm honored to be your friend.”
    “ You're more than my friend, Colin. You're the miracle I prayed for,” she offered, and Colin sighed deeply.
    “ I don't know if I'm that,” he said.
    “ I do.”
    Colin held the phone for several long moments, unsure of what to say or do. “Would you like to have dinner with me on Wednesday?” he asked. He'd planned to stay several days on the west coast, but had already decided to leave after the convention.
    “ I'd like that. I'll tell Mia. She'll be excited.”
    “ Have you told her anything else?” he asked gently.
    “ No.”
    “ Would you like to tell her together?” he offered, feeling the heartbreak again.
    “ I'd like that,” she said. “Thank you.”
    “ I'll call you Wednesday.”
    “ All right.”
    “ Take care of yourself, Rosario,” he said into the phone.
    “ You, too. And, Doctor......., remember when you told me you wished you could save my life?”
    “ I remember,” Colin said softly.
    “ You just did.”
    He heard a soft click as the connection was broken, and for a moment Dr. Colin Thomas sat holding the phone. He knew there were a million things he