Aunt Rosette

First I was walking, then I picked up the pace until I was nearly running.

I had nothing with me except my clothes and my wits, and the latter was decreasing.

I mean, honestly, what was I thinking? Abandoning home after home?

But if I could just make it into Aunt Rosette's house, and hide myself when her caretaker came, I would have a chance. Rosette might call the police on me, not knowing she has a family, but if I play my cards right, I thought she'd welcome me.

I reached her mansion, panting and gasping. I remembered the elegant mansion, with its tall columns and Greek statues. I gave the crumbling fountain a pat as I walked by, something I'd been doing ever since I was introduced to Aunt Rosette's house.

The thorny rosebushes seemed to wave in the moonlight just for me, and my face split into a grin. I loved Aunt Rosette's house so much.

I clambered up the stone steps and knocked using her rusty knocker. I saw a light click on through an enormous window, and a limping shadow hobble closer to the front door.

A short woman with short white hair answered, with papery white skin and a heavily lined face. Her eyes were brilliant blue, and she was wearing a long white nightgown. "Hello?"

"Rosette Cheryl Kirsten?" It felt strange as I said her full name.

"That'll be me." Rosette smiled. "Did Arnold finally write back?"

"Erm...." Arnold was her dead husband. I had to think fast. "No, but...." Aunt Rosette's face fell. "He's been... injured."

Aunt Rosette gasped, her eyes wide with terror. "Is he--"

"He's all right," I said quickly, wincing in guilt as I saw her exhale in relief. "It's just... his wrist, yes, he broke it in... in the war."

"Thank the Lord," she said, crossing herself. I stood there awkwardly; my parents raised me an atheist.

"I'm his... sister," I lied, my gut churning with guilt.

"Oh," Rosette frowned. "Arnie never mentioned any siblings."

"Oh yes," I said, feeling myself get absorbed into the fib, "he has loads. Two sisters and three brothers. I'm Marietta." I held out my hand, which she shook curiously. "He sent me, so we can get to know each other."

"If I'd known he had siblings, I would've invited you all to our wedding!" Rosette said, bemused, waving her ring finger. There was no ring; my parents told the caretaker to make sure it was kept in a safe place.

"Oh, Arn told me all about it, of course!" I exclaimed, really getting into character. "He said you looked beautiful, and that it was the happiest day of his life, even better than the day I was born."

Rosette blushed, putting a hand to her chest. "He said that?"

I nodded my head vigorously, and Aunt Rosette smiled goofily.

Her eyes lost their dreamy haze and she snapped to attention. "Goodness, where are my manners? Come in, come in, Maria!"

I was so relieved I didn't even remind her my name was Marietta.