"Red and Black Roses: Vignette 1" by Lauren

(Fourth grader)
Lulu and Leland met when Lulu was in fourth grade at a birthday party for her cousin. Leland was her cousin’s friend. He was tall, medium brown hair and brown eyes. He had a smile brighter than sunshine and he seemed to really love life. They all played cards and made a rainy day seem so sunny. They laughed and had fun and it was the greatest day she had had in a long time. When Lulu left, she didn’t know that she would have a friend in Leland. (As a seventh grader)
Three years older, Lulu has cared for her grandfather since she was nine years old. She has won her first real prize for a pro-life picture she drew and learned of her writing abilities. Her grandfather Hugh, who she had grown so close to, had died. She prayed several nights that he would live through Christmas, but she knew that was too much to ask for. One October morning, the dark, cold air was filled with the brilliant moonlight. It seemed as though nothing could disturb this quiet night. Then the phone rings…it was a message she had wished to send back, but she couldn’t. She heard mumbled voices of hopelessness and put her head back down on her pillow. She slept till morning so she could take care of her mourning mother. She woke up to utter silence besides what she already knew. She had to go to school to tell everyone she wouldn’t be at school the next day. At the wake, she sees the man she has loved for so long… the man she helped and grew up for because she was forced too. This wasn’t the same man though. They tried to make him look as normal as possible, but he was never white and cold.
During the summer, everyone thought it was a good idea for her to go to Lincoln for a new perspective on life. She spent the week with family and they had fun, but it wasn’t the same. Then the sunshine reappeared and moved the clouds away from her that night. Leland said hi to her. She was so amazed that he remembered her name that she finally realized he was on crutches. You would’ve never had guessed by his bright smile though. Leland had sat down by her and asked her how she was like they had been friends for years. The panic attacks of dying had gone away like a summer bird in the Fall. Did he really cure her though? Maybe, but right now she didn’t care. She was happy again and that’s all that mattered.
When she had to leave, she was scared. She didn’t think she would ever see him again. She didn’t want her past thoughts to become actions making her a ghost and not knowing if he may have felt the same way. He didn’t know this, but he was the only thing keeping her alive and that scared her. She hated not being in control of her own life
(Eighth grade year)
Lulu’s getting confirmed this year and she doesn’t even care. She doesn’t have much faith and doubts God a lot. It seems He has abandoned her. Her mom and her went shopping for her special day when she got a call from her cousin. She had told Lulu that Leland was coming to her confirmation. She was so happy that she could barley breathe. Maybe God hasn’t abandoned her completely. After the ceremony, her whole family went out to eat. When she entered the restaurant, everyone clapped for her, but she only saw Leland. He had told her something no one had ever told her… I’m proud of you. Lulu didn’t believe how much her life had turned around. She was truly happy. She looked at her grandfathers wedding ring on her finger and smiled to herself. The only question in her head was, Could Leland be my Guardian Angel sent by my grandpa?
(Freshman year)
Lulu made it to her Freshman year. It was hard at first in choosing schools because she couldn’t ask anyone their opinion without them being biased. She was being watched over by her guardian angel, though. Lulu’s friend Marie and her sisters took her underneath their wings though. None of them knew that she had actually hurt herself. She was too afraid to tell them. She was afraid they would judge her, but she knew she would never do it again because it wasn’t worth it. She wondered if she’ll ever get the courage to tell Leland though. She tried to stay away from him, but it was too hard. He had helped her through a lot of hard times and he made all the pain go away. (Sophomore year)
Lulu hadn’t talked to Leland for nine months and she finally got to see him at her cousin‘s graduation. There were rumors going around that he was going to the seminary. When she confronted him calmly about it, he said he was going. He acted so sad when he said it though. He further explained he was going to find himself… that maybe God would call him to the priest hood. He wanted a family, but he needed to do this. Lulu’s eyes filled with tears, but she waited till he left the room. She ran outside to the swings and let the tears fall down her cheeks. She was scared, again, that she would loose him this time, for good. The last thing he said to her was, “ Goodbye, and Be good.”
…Leland had left to the seminary without even saying goodbye to Lulu. Would they ever end up together or would they just restart their lives from here?

"Red and Black Roses: Vignette 2" by Lauren

　　
　(Middle of Sophomore Year)
It has been almost eight months since Leland has contacted Lulu. On Thanksgiving day, she received a message from him saying Happy Thanksgiving and that he was doing okay. She asked him how he liked the seminary, but there was no reply. Her family didn’t see through her sad eyes even though they thought they knew everything. The holidays weren’t the same without him there. All she could think about was when she could see him again. She was scared because her house had finally sold, but she hasn’t told him yet. Would he be able to find her now?
(Junior Year)
No word from him for over a year. It had never been this long before. She turned to writing sappy love poems about him. She even did something she swore she would never do…she cried over him. She knew she needed to get herself together. Her cousins wedding was coming up so she decided to ask someone to be her date.
(April 14, 2012)
Lulu helped her cousin, Sarah, get ready for her big day, and then she went over to the boys cabin to help the guys tie their ties. She had kept herself abnormally busy, trying to forget Leland. So far it had worked. After she was done doing her part, she went to get ready and get to the church. She had asked a guy named Alex to come with her to the wedding. After the ceremony, they all went to the reception. It was your usual family gathering: loud, lots of food and laughter. Everyone seemed to love Alex and Lulu was thankful for that. They decided to get on the dance floor and have some fun. After a few songs, Justin(the bridegroom) asked Alex if he could have a dance with Lulu. While they danced, Justin proceeded to tell Lulu something she didn’t want to hear. She didn’t exactly seem to mind it thought. She looked up from Justin and saw the sunshine smile she knew and loved. She had never smiled so big in a very long time. She ran over and gave Leland a big hug. She introduced him to Alex and his smile suddenly fell off his face. He said hello and walked away. Around midnight, Lulu went outside, as she always did in the mountains, and walked to the river. She saw Leland on the rock she and him sat on their last trip to Colorado. They sat there all night and talked about everything he had missed. He finally said he was sorry for not being there for her. They stopped talking for awhile to admire the stars they haven’t seen in so long. Out of the blue, he told her he loved her. She said it back and never felt so happy. They went back to their separate cabins and before Lulu knew it, it was morning. She went to the boys’ cabin to go see Leland. When she asked the guys where he was they said he had to leave for Air Force Training.
(A long trail of tears later)
Lulu graduated and went off to college. Her boyfriend Alex went with her. When they arrived, he proposed to her and they decided that after they graduated, they would get married. Word spread like wild fire and everyone was excited except for two people: Justin and Matt(her cousin). They knew she still loved Leland, but she told them she couldn’t love a ghost. Four years went by and she started her wedding plans.
(The Wedding)
She looked out to all of her family and friends, but didn’t see him. The priest said the final blessings and it was done. Lulu was kissed by her new husband. She looked out to the cheering crowd, but saw one lonely face. Her sunshine was finally covered by a dreary cloud. She let Leland walk out of the church and go on with his life.
She had her dream house, dream job and soon had a child. She felt so empty still even though she had a baby inside her. She always told herself she would rather be poor and happy than rich and without Leland. She went to get an ultrasound at the Air base. When she was in the waiting room, Leland had walked in. They did not speak, but he stared at her growing belly. After her appointment, her was gone until she went into the healing garden. She almost turned around, but he begged her to let him explain. He always talked with the women whose husbands had died or whose boyfriends didn’t stick around. She never knew he worked in the same area as her husband. He asked if he could feel the son he wished was his. Lulu shook her head and that’s all it took. Her son kicked when he gently touched her stomach. He smiled and asked his name. Lulu hesitated because she thought Leland would leave her life forever. Once again, he knew her silence as the answer. He wished her well and said goodbye yet again. He always said it, but never meant it. Would this time be different?

"Red and Black Roses: Vignette 3" by Laruen

Vignette 3　
Lulu has not seen Leland for three years. Things were going fine until a letter came in the mail. She had no idea a piece of paper could tear her family apart. When her husband came home, he brought his best friend over for dinner. She heard the front door open and two familiar voices. She thought she was dreaming though. Alex and his friend walked into the kitchen. She turned around and saw Alex and Leland with serious faces. Alex told Lulu to sit down. Alex was being drafted. He showed he the paper and then his will. It said that if he were to die, that Leland was to take care of Lulu and baby Leland. Lulu got up, walked upstairs and slammed her bedroom door. She loved Alex and he took her in and was there for her when Leland wasn’t. If Alex died…what would she do? Is this a sick miracle or a prank from the Heavens?
(The Goodbye)
Lulu and baby Leland went to the airport with all the other soon-to-be-widows. Leland is dressed in his cadet uniform while Alex is in his camouflage. She never let go of Alex’s hand until the last possible moment. Lulu and baby Leland got into the car when Lulu finally broke down. She bawled and screamed to God asking why her. Leland opened the door, pulled her out and hugged her. After she was a little more calm, he drove them home. He left her alone until Alex was suppose to come back and they would go from there.
(8 months later)
Alex came home, but not with the rest of the soldiers. She looked everywhere for him. She thanked God for all the soldiers she knew that were still alive. Then she saw Leland standing with two other soldiers. His face was overwhelmed with gray. Lulu walked over to them like a ghost. Leland hugged her tight, but she shoved him away. She yelled in the other two soldiers faces who had no pity on their faces. Leland contained her until she drowned in her tears. Their deal was final, but she wished that she could have some more time with her husband.
(The Deal)
The deal was this: Leland would marry Lulu after they buried Alex. They would raise baby Leland to think his father was Leland. When he was old enough, they would tell him of his dad, the hero. Even though her life was now complete, she was still empty. She hated herself because she was being so selfish. She later became happier and she got her dream to grow old with Leland. God definitely works in mysterious ways. He gave her everything she asked for and that’s why you have to be careful what you ask for.