You Rescued Me Rosebud

By P. B. Mesa

A touching and heartwarming story that will melt your heart and touch your soul like no other. A story about a young woman Pamela Teoni who leaves her home in New Jersey to pursue her career as a veterinarian in North Carolina. Pamela along with her siblings grew up in a unhealthy environment where their emo

• Language: English
• Publisher: P. B. Mesa
• Release date: Dec 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781088063231

Book preview

Chapter

One

Pamela stepped back from the trunk of the jeep and tossed in back a duffle bag that said I come in peace if only the people she was going to visit had the same sentiments. She took a deep breathe and continued to mentally prepare herself for the trip to see her folks up north. It was a cool late October morning in Greensboro, North Carolina and the crispness in the air was perfect for a road trip. She ran back into the house to see if she missed anything, and there was Rosie, sitting there looking at her as if to say, Hey, what about me? Rosie was Pamela’s cute little puppy. She had been Pamela’s companion ever since she moved down to North Carolina from Bridgewater, New Jersey, to pursue a veterinarian career. Girl, I didn’t forget you. Mom just has a lot going on in her head.

Pamela picked up Rosie and was just about to walk out the door when she stopped in front of the mirror hanging on the side of door, noticing her shoulder-length, brown, wavy hair. It was a bit messy liked she rolled out of bed which she did. Pamela was a petite and thin young woman with beautiful almond-shaped eyes. Her olive-colored skin made some people think she was of Portuguese descent, but it was her Sicilian heritage that gave her those features. She was wearing a black hoodie with gold-and-silver lines on the front with black yoga pants. Her comfy outfit was perfect for the long car ride to New Jersey.

Pamela sighed. It’s time for a haircut. She continued to leave when her cell phone rang; it was her mother. What now? Pamela thought as the dormant butterflies in her stomach started moving rapidly. Pamela’s family had that effect on her. She normally tried to prepare herself for family interactions by taking a Xanax or drinking a glass of wine, but being that she had a long drive ahead of her, those options were out of the question. Hi, Mom. What’s going on?

Pamela’s mom replied in her quiet, reserved voice she used to keep Pam’s father from overhearing the conversation. Her mother was always wanting to avoid any unnecessary drama with Pam’s father. Pam, you know your dad is still upset at the way you left the last time you came to visit. Just wait a couple more weeks to come, or call him tomorrow.

Pam rolled her eyes and said in an upset voice, Seriously, Mom. I didn’t do anything wrong. He was acting like his normal, difficult, self centered self, and I lost my temper, but I couldn’t help it. Pam knew her mom was in a tough spot, but at the same time, it was not right what her mom was asking of her. Pam’s mom was always trying to keep the peace. It didn’t matter if her dad was wrong or not.

Pamela, you need to be the better person. You know how he is, Pam’s mom replied.

Okay, Mom. I got to go. I will call you another day, Pam said as she angrily hung up the phone. She could have said so much more, but she didn’t want to cause a fight with her mom.

You can continue to play these games and give in to his every whim, but I won’t. Pam had done that for too many years as a kid as she’d had no choice, but now she did. Pam’s mom was also a victim of her dad’s abuse, and still was, unfortunately. However, Pam now knew she needed to do what was right for herself and stop worrying about everyone else. However, it was easier said than done.

Pamela had been living in North Carolina for about three years, and leaving New Jersey was hard, but it had been time for her to be on her own and start fresh somewhere. Pamela enjoyed the veterinarian clinic where she worked, as she had studied hard to get her veterinarian license. She had wanted to be a veterinarian since she had found an injured rabbit in the back yard as a little girl. Pam had tried to help the rabbit. She had put it in a brown box with some grass and water, but the rabbit died from its injuries. Pamela was so upset she went to her parents and, of course, received no sympathy or understanding mainly from her father. Pamela’s dad was not happy with Pamela’s career decision as he felt animals were not deserving of such care. Pamela knew she had to prove him wrong, and she’d done just that. In the end, it hadn’t mattered, though. Her accomplishments were not important to her father because she hadn’t done what he wanted. She should have known better, but following her dreams to help all animals, big and small, was the best decision Pam had ever made.

Rosie came to Pamela on her very first day as a veterinarian. Pam believed it was fate as she was everything to Pam. Rosie needed her as much as Pamela needed Rosie. She was a puppy when she was brought into the office as a stray hit by a car. She was supposedly found underneath a rose bush. Rosie only had some minor injuries. However, she appeared hurting in other ways that were more emotional than medical.

The lady who had brought Rosie in was in rough shape herself, wearing a torn flannel shirt with ripped shorts that looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in a while. Rose was wrapped in a gray towel with a Sears tag still on it. She looked like a small terrier mix with brown-and-black coloring and had the cutest soulful, brown eyes. Pamela knew Rosie was this lady’s dog, and she hadn’t taken good care of Rosie. Besides being injured, her nails were too long, and she needed a bath. Pamela couldn’t fault the woman as she’d done the right thing by bringing her to someone for help instead of letting her run and fend for herself on the street.

Doc, you know… I… pushing back the mop of messy, grayish hair covering her eyes, I can’t afford her treatment. I can’t even take care of myself. I don’t even remember when I ate last.

Pam glanced at the woman and saw sadness in her eyes. It is okay. You did the right thing. Pam had continued examining Rosie. I will take good care of her. Don’t worry. The lady picked up Rosie and gave her a hug.

The woman looked at Rosie with somber eyes. Take care, girl. Then she exited the room.

Pam went to the front desk with Rosie in her arms and said, Wait.

The woman had turned around, and Pam handed her the fifty dollars she took out of her pocket and a card with a phone number on it.

Call them. They will be able to help you. Let me know if I can help too.

Thank you, the woman said as she took the card and money from Pam and proceeded to walk out.

Pamela looked at Rosie. Well, it is me and you, kid. Well, what do I call you?

Her cute brown eyes were the sweetest, looking at Pamela as if saying, Thank you for helping me.

I know. I will call you Rosie. Yes, Rosie it is. Very fitting, I may say, as you were supposedly found in a rose bush.

Pamela then turned her thoughts back to her cancelled trip and where to go now that they are all packed up for a road trip. Pamela picked her little precious pup up and walked out the door thought Hmm where to?

Pamela and Rosie got into the car. Even though the trip to New Jersey wasn’t happening anymore, Pam decided to take Rosie for a ride. She was disappointed with not going to see the family and felt very emotional. She didn’t know if she wanted to cry, scream, or laugh. It was all the craziness she had been a part of for many years, even miles away. It found her like the mob—once you were in, you never got out. Pamela felt bad that her mom was always left having to hear her dad’s nonsense all day long. He couldn’t ever find anything wrong with what he did and liked to take his anger and frustrations out on whoever was near or far in this case. Pamela wanted to see her mom, who she hadn’t seen in a couple of months, and catch up with her sister, Felicia. She could still go, but it would be a disaster she was only too familiar with. Pamela had been in too many situations, when she used to live at home, where the fury of her father could not be avoided.

There was a tap on her passenger-side window. Pam looked over, and it was Marge. Marge owned the house Pam rented her bottom-floor apartment. Throughout the years, she had become a good friend as well as a mother figure. From the day she moved in, Marge had been the type of person who would cheer up anyone with her many stories and dry humor. She was a stocky lady with short spiky red hair who always had her makeup done beautifully and her outfit matched perfectly. She was in her early sixties, but you wouldn’t know it. The energy she had would make you think she was twenty years old. She smelled of roses all the time, a fragrance of a type of perfume she always would wear.

Hey, Pammy. Don’t tell me, Marge exclaimed as she reached into the car to pet Rosie.

Pam looked at Marge with a give-me-a-break face. Yeah. Dad still has a bug up his ass from the last visit. She then rolled her eyes. Come. I have an idea. Marge smiled and ran back into the house.

Uh-oh, thought Pam. When Marge has an idea, anything is possible.

Marge came down from her second-floor apartment and jumped into Pam’s car. Let’s go, she said.

Pam looked at Marge and started the car engine. She didn’t ask anything because going somewhere is better than going nowhere. Besides, Pam was already packed for a trip. They drove to Ashville, North Carolina, where the Blue Ridge Mountains are located. It was a long ride, and they stopped a couple of times to get something to eat and to use the bathroom. Rosie also needed to stop for a drink and go to the bathroom.

They stopped at a quaint little cabin located right off the side of the main road. Pam looked at the cabin and turned to Marge. Nice. Whose is it?

Mine, Marge cheerfully replied . Come on, and practically jumped out of her seat in the car.

Pam always found herself chasing after Marge when they went anywhere.

Follow me, Marge yelled as she walked behind the cabin.

Pam and Rosie followed Marge toward a beautiful pond with a wrought iron bench placed right by the pond so you could sit and see the fishes. There were also some pretty, colored flowers around the pond that looked so wonderful, like a beautiful painting.

Sit, Marge said as she pointed at the wrought iron bench.

Pam sat beside Marge, with Rosie sitting on the ground next to them. The three of them took in the scenery.

Wow. So peaceful, Pam commented, taking in some more of the view. How long have you had this place? Marge had her face looking directly at sun with hands above eyes shielding them from the bright sunlight.

I love to feel the sun on my face and listen to the birds chirping, and the smell of the flowers makes me feel alive. She took a deep breath and continued. I’ve had this place for a long time, but I don’t come up here enough. I stopped coming often after . . .

I’m sorry, Pam said as she put her hand over Marge’s hand.

Too many memories. I know it has been five years, but Ted loved this place. We used to go every other weekend. We would sit out here and talk for hours. Marge looked at Pam and gave a quick smile.

"I know you told me that Ted