Rosemary and Ben

By Stephanie Yatko

Rosemary is cherishing her last summer before she leaves for school. She is longing for a summer full of adventuring and relaxation. At a hospital she meets Ben, a cheerful English doctor who she quickly befriends. Rosemary soon hears of a haunted asylum nearby and travels there to explore in no time. What she discovers and who she meets will soon change her life for the worse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796061383

Stephanie Yatko

Stephanie Yatko lives in Pennsylvania. She is in sixth grade at Our Lady of Peace. She loves to type stories up on her computer and is inspired by art.

Book preview

Chapter 1

You guys are not going to believe this! said one of Rosemary’s friends.

It was the last day of classes, and Rosemary’s summer was only two bells away. She looked at her friend, Beth who talked obnoxiously. Rosemary was not really paying any attention to what she was saying.

What’s going on with your summer, Beth? asked someone.

I have a budget free vacation trip to anywhere in Europe! I can’t wait! she screamed. Her smile unveiled an expensive set of white teeth. Rosemary cringed just looking at them.

I can’t wait another night! I’ll finally put my German to good use. Beth screamed even louder causing the whole class to briefly stop talking.

Rosemary jolted upwards and let out a small yelp. After years of going to school with Beth, she could never get used to her.

Man, that’s sick. I’m only going to Cali for half of the summer. My old guy wants me to do some type of baseball camp there. I only agreed if I could have my own house for the time being, someone else said.

His arrogant tone was common among the students at her school.

What about you, Rosemary? Got any plans for the summer? he asked.

Rosemary, now alert, smiled at him and said, Well, I-.

Oh wait, don’t tell me more of your exploration adventuring nonsense, he interrupted her. As soon as he said this, the whole group burst out laughing. Rosemary had enough. It was the last time she’d talk to anyone here; It didn’t matter. Rosemary stood up and left, ignoring the call from her teacher to wait until the bell. She ignored it and entered dreaded hallway to her locker. Why she even bothered to talk to these people, she didn’t know. Suddenly her phone buzzed. She took it out. It was her friend, Anastasia.

It couldn’t be

Rosemary picked up the phone and pressed it tightly against her ear, then heard her voice.

Rosemary!

Rosemary was so overwhelmed that she struggled for words. Anastasia was studying abroad in France and rarely got to talk with her schedule. Only once in a while she would be able to text Rosemary.

I can’t believe it’s you! Rosemary was not even certain what to ask her. There were so many things were racing through her mind. She was sad thinking about her. Half of Rosemary’s childhood included memorable moments spent with Anastasia. She was distraught when she left.

How is Europe? But more importantly, when are you coming home? It’s our last summer here! She spat out everything.

Rosemary could hear her sigh through the phone.

Only a few more weeks. I wish I told you this earlier, Rosemary, but you know how busy this is.

Rosemary thought Anastasia was joking. If she comes back in a few weeks then they can spend the entire summer together, just like their old times.

She pressed the phone tighter against her ear and her smile widened. She really had something that she loved to look forward to.

I hear it’s your last day of school, I know you’re happy to leave, she said.

I am. I can’t wait a few weeks, she told her.

You’re the most creative person I know. Break into an abandoned shack in the middle of the forest for me. You like that stuff, remember?

How could she forget? Exploring was a favorite hobby of Rosemary.

I’ll see you soon, okay? Be good till then, I have to go for now! she quickly concluded.

Rosemary wished her much love and practically begged for her to stay on the phone.

Anastasia left for France in the beginning of the year. She was certain of starting her life there and finishing her academic career in France as well.

She grabbed her old notebooks from her locker and rammed them into the large trash bin nearby. After that, she quickly cleaned her locker and emptied out the sack on her shoulders that she called a backpack. Her friends were still in the classroom basking in their shallowness and making small talk to each other. Her teacher didn’t even come to retrieve Rosemary.

A few kids huddled together at the end of the hallway near the doors. They were students of Rosemary’s fifth period history class. She smiled at them and they waved at her. Rosemary walked outside and the warm air immediately hit her. The birds’ glorious chirping could be finally heard and enjoyed. She walked to the parking lot and spotted Tyler, a skinny blonde with freckles. He was sitting on the ground, leaning on a pole, and reading a book.

As Rosemary walked nearer to him, he looked up.

Rosemary! Leaving already? he laughed as he put down his book.

Tyler was used to Rosemary bending every rule professionally. How else could he be outside at this time?

Of course! Rosemary answered him, noticing a sunburn slowly appearing on his face. I missed you during classes.

I was out here the whole morning. I left after they took attendance, he said, laughing.

It’s fine. I’m convinced you wouldn’t like it anyway, she said.

What can I say. It’s the people. Tyler shrugged. It was true. Most of the people in their school were pro snobs. Tyler was one of the different people in school. He was always reading and playing various sports in his free times.

Football and boat rides again this summer! You’re, down right?

Rosemary had no skill in football, but she enjoyed talking with her friend and seeing him happy.

You bet I am. I’ll see you a lot this summer, she said and walked away.

She pedaled quickly as she approached nearer to her house. The sun beat down on her harshly, and small beads of sweat appeared on her hairline. She slowed down as she approached her driveway. She threw her bike on the grass and lifted her backpack on her arm while walking clumsily inside.

Hello? Is anyone home? Rosemary’s voice echoed through her house. Her phone dinged as if it was answering her. It was a message from her father. He wanted her to come down to the hospital.

There goes my evening.

Both of Rosemary’s parents were doctors and worked in the same hospital in town. Because of their tedious schedules she rarely saw them at home. It was an even rarer occurrence for all three of them to be home the same time. Having to adapt to being alone most of the time, Rosemary made the best of it and grew into an independent person through the years.

She turned back to retrieve her bike for another ride into the town. There were more students walking around at this time through the town and the last bell hadn’t even rang yet. She laughed and passed a bunch of people from her classes and waved at them. It was almost as if no one cared anymore, but for a good reason.

The hospital was a tall grand building that lay right in the center of town. The unique beaming white color of it distinguished itself from all of the old dark town buildings. Rosemary’s parents worked here for longer than she could remember, but they always talked about how much they loved it. She walked with her bike and snuck behind the bushes near the front sliding door and lied it on the dirt.

The sliding doors opened, revealing a quiet and calm lobby. The usual hustle and bustle of the staff wasn’t here today.

Rosemary smiled at the Martha, the lady at the front desk who was currently on the phone and proceeded to walk along. There were many doctors and nurses who passed her and shared a smile with a few kind words. Rosemary was almost like a staff member here, she went anywhere, and no one even questioned it, but it was at least a few weeks since she’d last been here.

Rosemary was soon reaching her father’s office when a doctor came out of a room close by and saw her. He ran to embrace Rosemary in a tight hug.

"Rosemary! Last time I saw you was last year! he said.

It was Tim. He was almost like an uncle to Rosemary. Her father was friends with him forever and he was in most of Rosemary’s young childhood memories.

Rosemary, struggling to breathe, managed to answer. I’m doing great! I’m just stopping by to see my father. What about you?

Busy as usual, but doing fantastic, he said energetically. In Rosemary’s whole life she has never seen Tim be down or without energy. She would believe it if he slept ready and on the go every night.

He let her go and Rosemary quickly inhaled. It wasn’t the first time she had been crushed by a hug.

He’s right down there. Tim pointed to his office. Tell him to take a break!

She gave him another hug and left. With an awkward quick run, she reached his office to find him writing on a paper and with a hand on his computer keyboard. When in a multitasking position like this, it was clear he was doing something important. Rosemary