Camilla's Roses

Camilla's Roses by Bernice L. McFadden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There was a lot of pain in this story. The mother of the girls in the family gave each one a middle name of "Rose." First there was Maggie Rose who never seemed to grow up even after a tragic automobile accident that killed Lloyd, the love of her life. And there was Audrey Rose who could not shake her addiction. The mother, Velma was never able to give Audrey the help she needed and abandoned her emotionally. The father, Chuck tried his hardest to lead Audrey on the right path. Sometimes it's the Dad who loves that child "in spite of."

Audrey got married and bore a baby-girl, Camilla, who should have been the love of Audrey's life. But it was always Velma who did the most for Camilla, while Audrey was doing drugs, stealing anything that could bring a little money, in the street, in prison, while Camilla was watching it all.

Camilla was the smart one, got good grades in school, and went off to a major college. But she could not shake the presence of Audrey from her life. Camilla was fair-skinned to start with, but bleached her skin to remove the presence of Audrey from Camilla's psyche. Camilla married and moved to the suburbs with her husband and baby Zola. When she got cancer, the husband stopped being attentive and cheated on Camilla with one of her best friends.

And then there was the backdrop of September 11, 2001. The whole world was watching. Camilla gathered up her wigs and her baby and went HOME! Home to mother Velma and sister Maggie.

View all my reviews