"TWELVE ROSES" | Chapter 13: December 24 | Communion

Daily Chapter from December 12- 25 Christmas

Chapter 13: December 24 | Communion

The morning sunlight crept into her room slowly, brushing against the walls with a soft, golden glow. Anna sat on the edge of her bed, her hands resting lightly in her lap. Her heart fluttered with nervous anticipation. Today was the day she would meet her mother. She had agreed to coffee, and though the thought of revealing her secret terrified her, there was also a strange, serene sense of readiness.

Before leaving her room, she peeked out the front door. The mailbox stood empty, its black metal glistening under a light dusting of snow. For the first time in nearly two weeks, there was no rose waiting for her.

Anna stared at the mailbox, her breath misting in the cold air. The absence struck her like a sudden stillness after music fades—a pang of disappointment, sharp and undeniable. But as she stood there, the feeling shifted into something softer, almost reverent. Twelve roses. A dozen. It felt whole, as though the circle had closed.

Twelve months in a year. Twelve apostles. Twelve, a number of perfection and completion.