Monthly Microfiction

Rosie

“The baby’s already asleep. Thanks again for watching him last minute. I really need this shift,” said

Ann as she rushed out.

I sat on the couch, ready for an easy night with Netflix and a baby monitor. A small girl padded her

way into the room.

“I’m cold,” she said and coughed.

“What’s your name?” I asked. Ann had only mentioned the baby.

“Rosie.”

“I’m Leticia. Come sit on the couch, Rosie.”

Rosie climbed up and I hurried around the house collecting all the blankets I could find. Her cough

worsened and no matter how many blankets I brought, she wouldn’t stop shivering. Finally, I climbed

onto the couch and held her tight. I gasped at the iciness of her skin. As I held her, she grew warm, but

my body began to grow cold. By the time Ann came home, I was the one freezing and coughing and

Rosie was sleeping soundly.

I met Ann in the kitchen and through chattering teeth told her how well behaved they both were and

then led her back to the living room and an empty couch.

“Rosie was the daughter of the couple who lived here before me. She went missing one winter night

and they moved away. Sometimes I hear coughing in the night and wake up feeling a chill. Leticia, you

okay? You’re turning blue.”

But I couldn’t answer her. All I could think about was the icy cold that wouldn’t let me go.

by Melody E. McIntyre

Melody Writes