Wild Roses Read Online Free PDF

turned to fierce, sharp, whip-cracks of anger that left
permanent marks. At the least, it disappointed you. At most, it damaged you. No,
thank you.
    So I sat down on that floor and grabbed my snow
globe, the one that had a bear inside. I have no idea where I got it; it's just
something I've always liked and have had forever. Just a single bear in the
snow. He used to be anchored to the bottom, but now he just floated aimlessly
around, and maybe that's why I liked him so much. I
    29
    related. I turned it upside down, let him float
and drift as the snow came down, down. Oh shit, I thought. Holy shit. My heart
was actually thumping around in some kind of heaving-bosom movie-version of
love. I could actually hear it. God, I never even came close to experiencing
anything like this for Adam Peterson, and look where that got me. I breathed
deeply, but it was like a magnet had been instantly surgically implanted in my
body, drawing everything inside of me toward that person out there.
    My headache had hit the road, replaced with
some super energy surge. I told myself I was insane and an idiot and a complete
embarrassment to my own self. The snow settled down around the bottom of the
globe as the poor bear just floated, his head hitting the top of the glass as if
in heartfelt but hopeless desire to rise above his limited world. I got back up
and peeked out the blinds. The yellow dog sat on the sidewalk with the most
patient expression I'd ever seen on animal or human--just peace and acceptance
with his waiting, appreciating the chance to enjoy what might pass his way. The
boy had come inside, I guess. And then it finally occurred to me--he'd come
inside. True enough, there were voices downstairs. I opened my door a crack,
heard Dog William being forcibly removed from the house, his toenails sliding
against the wood floor.
    "We'll work in my study." Dino.
    "Can I get you or your dog something to drink?"
Mom asked.
    "That'd be great--my dog would love some
water," the boy said.
    30
    "What's his name?" Mom again. "He's a she.
Rocket."
    "Shall we not waste valuable time?" Dino said.
You should have heard his tone of voice. That's what could really piss you off.
I sent a silent curse his way, that his tongue would turn black and fall out. I
heard my mother fish around in the cupboard, probably for a bowl for the water.
My heart was doing a happy leap, prancing around in a meadow of flowers, tra la
la, without my permission. His dog's name was Rocket. I liked astronomy. It was
that thing you do when you first fall in love. Where you think you must be soul
mates because you each get hungry at lunch time and both blink when a large
object is thrown your way.
    I started to put the pieces together. Boy with
violin, Dino and his study. Maybe Dino was giving him some kind of lesson. But
Dino wasn't a teacher. First, the best music teachers weren't necessarily
virtuoso players. I knew that. Teachers are usually teachers and players are
players. As far as I knew, Dino had never taken a student before. But more
importantly, Dino didn't have the patience instructing would require. He would
get irritated when he couldn't figure out how to turn on the television, for
God's sake. You'd think he of all people could locate a power button.
    I got a little worried for that boy now, alone
with Dino in his office. I went downstairs, caught Mom coming back inside from
giving Rocket her water. She had little gold dog hairs on her black
skirt.
    "What's going on?"
    "Dino's taking a student," she said to
me.
    31
    A student. He was going to be Dino's student. I
thought about what this would mean. He'd be coming back. And back again. I
swallowed. Wished my jeans were a size smaller. Wished my hair was something
other than brown, that I had a better haircut. Shorter, longer. Anything other
than medium length. I forced the casual back into my voice. 'Why's he taking a
student? He's not a teacher."
    "Well, one, because