Roses and Ruines

d racing. "That's not a good e

uca said, his tone soft bu

r of her easel. Paint smeared her fingers-ev

to be bargained for

gned papers. Papers with my name. I'm offeri

. "And what do yo

n. Someone the press can point to and say

sactional.

uld save

ister's cough echoing in the walls of their small apartment.

ed, her voice b

ee d

days to say goodbye to art, to freedom,

her family

hands and a heart full

I'll ma

ned a business deal. But for Emilia, it was the