I remember the first day I saw Marvin. He was smiling from ear to ear holding a bouquet of roses. Every day he had roses; I knew they were his favorite. Upon our first meeting, I knew I wanted him to love me like he loved those delicate, beautiful flowers. I would prove to him, other women around him, and most importantly myself, that I could make a man as spectacular as him love me. I was perfectly normal and perfectly capable of being his dream woman.
Because I didn’t know that much about him, I had to impress him with the one thing I knew he’d connect with me on. Roses. Every day I’d wake up early before he saw me, and take a shower. I had my mother get me the top-of-the-line rose scented body wash, Enchanted Rose Petal Garden. After scrubbing myself till my skin turned bright red, so the scent would become permanently apart of it, I’d wash my hair with a shampoo my dad got me called Summer Rose Breeze. Then after a 45 minute shower, I firmly rubbed my Rose Milk lotion all over my arms, chest, and face which gave my skin a slight reddish tint. I smelled exactly like a rose, and when he got anywhere near me, the scent would instantly fill his nose and make him think about his favorite thing. This would make him want to be around me all the time. Sadly, scent would not get me true love, so I knew I needed something more. I asked my parents to get me a new wardrobe full of clothes that had something rose like on it; whether it was a cartoon rose, a loud rose print, or even simply a rose color. I also made sure they got me new notebooks, hair clips, shoes, blankets, jewelry, pencils, and socks that all had something rose-like on them.
Yesterday, I was just minding my own business when I saw Marvin. He was looking as handsome as usual and was carrying a rose and notebook. He smiled when he saw me, and gave me the rose. I giggled and took it; he always gave me roses.
“How are you feeling today Flannel?” Marvin said as he sat next to me.
“I feel…” I thought for a second searching for the perfect rose-like emotion, “I feel pure and beautiful.”
He laughed, “Well that’s great. You look very nice today.”
“Oh really!” I smiled showing all my teeth. He definitely noticed my perfect rose apparel. “Do you like this” I said pointing to the rose in my hair, “Or this?” I said smoothing out the crinkles in my rose colored shirt, “Or this?” I rubbed my hands on my thighs drawing his attention to the colorful rose print on my pants.
He laughed harder, “I like it all because you like it. I’m happy you’re in good spirits today.” He began scribbling in his little notebook. He always had that book and was always writing in it. Since I met Marvin, I’ve always wondered why he always had that book. I tossed around many ideas as to why someone would write in a notebook all day, and eventually I settled on the conclusion that he was some kind of writer.
  “I’m always happy when I get to wear roses. I just love roses so much!”  I explained keeping a smile plastered on my face.
“Yeah roses are cool. My mom used to grow roses in her garden, and I always thought they were so nice,” he said as he closed his notebook, “So today after lunch would you like to go out with me? I heard the weather is going to be beautiful.”
Without even thinking I shouted, “Yes of course!”
“Ok I’ll see you then!” Marvin shouted back mimicking my enthusiasm which caused us both to bust out laughing. He patted me on my back and left still laughing.
I couldn’t even contain my excitement. I jumped up and down and began singing. All my hard work, had finally started to pay off, Marvin noticed me and my perfect rose qualities and wanted to pursue a relationship. This was the start of an unexplainably amazing future.
During lunch I ate quickly, then ran to the bathroom and reapplied my rose lotion so my scent would be fresh when I saw him. I strutted outside and stood in the sun for a second, soaking up its warmth. I saw Marvin sitting at a table. I stood there in the sunlight waiting until he noticed me.
“Flannel!” He waved me over to his table. I skipped over to him. “I can tell you are enjoying the weather. Maybe I should take you out more often.” My heart beat faster. He wanted to go out more with me. Yes! I sat very close next to him, letting my hand lightly touch the side of his thigh.
“You know I love being outside. I really feel one with nature.” I said as I played with the rose in my hair. 
“That’s nice,” he noticed me playing with my rose, “You really like roses don’t you?”
I tensed up a bit. He’s testing me, to see if I really am a real rose lover like him. “Uh yeah, I love them. They are the best flower ever.” I rubbed the rose petals harder between my fingers.
“I just ask because you get a lot of rose things from your parents. Did you plant them when you were little?”
“Um yes. All the time, I had a whole garden with tons of beautiful red roses just like your mom. I basically lived in my garden. My parents said I was a rose.” My voice sounded so fake, that I became nervous. A petal broke off from the rest of the flower in my hair, and it fell on to my lap. He stared at it. I giggled uncomfortably. Marvin reached for something in his bag on the ground and then pulled out his notebook and began writing. Just as I was going to ask what he was writing, a female’s voice surrounded the air.
“There you are Marvin!”
I whipped around to see a tall, pale, blonde woman walking over to Marvin and I.
“The lady at the front desk said you were outside, but I didn’t know where.” She went and hugged him around the neck, and instantly I felt my stomach drop and a lump form in my throat. I expected him to push her back, but he wrapped his arms around her waist. My face immediately turned as red as my shirt. Marvin looked over to me, and noticed my change in mood.
“Oh Flannel, this is Lily.” Marvin said. She outstretched her hand to me keeping one still latched around Marvin’s neck and smiled.
“I’ve heard so much about you. Glad I can finally meet you, Flannel. I love your outfit.” She said to me as she kept her disgusting hand out towards me. If she was expecting a friendly handshake; she was not getting one.
“Roses are better than Lilies,” I said to Marvin not acknowledging her comments to me. Marvin had a concerned look of his face. “You like Roses more than Lilies. I know you do. And I’m the perfect Rose.” Lily put her hand back around Marvin’s neck and frowned. He swallowed hard.
“Roses are beautiful,” Marvin looked up at Lily then back at me, “but… they have too many thorns for my liking.” Marvin loosened his grip around her waist, and she let go of his neck. Then, she sat down. I was astonished. I shot straight up with fury in my eyes. I was at a loss for words because I felt so betrayed. My eyes filled with tears. What was he saying!? He loves roses! Now all of sudden, he doesn’t. Her. It was her! Until she pranced herself in here, Marvin was himself.
“Please don’t cry Flannel. I know roses are your favorite, and I didn’t mean to offend what you love most. He paused, “You are very much like a rose, for you have all the beauty of one.”
“And what all the thorns of one?” I shouted finally letting the tears stream out from my eyes. “How could you do this to me, I thought what we had was special?”
He looked back at Lily worried, and she looked at him in confusion. “Flannel, I don’t know what you’re talking about. We still have a relationship. I’m your-”
I balled my hands in fists, “No! No! We don’t have a relationship anymore. You and I were in this together until you decided to leave me for her!” My face became hot as my voice got louder.
“Flannel,” Marvin spoke in a soft voice, “You and I weren’t in a relationship, like the one you’re thinking of. I was not your boyfriend, I am your-”
I cut him off with my sharp tone.
“You always brought me flowers, and came to talk with me every day, and, you always gave me compliments, and you said you want to take me out more! You were doing everything a good boyfriend did!”
“The roses,” Marvin sighed, “all those roses are from your parents. I just deliver them since they haven’t been able to see you.” He reached for my hand, but I jerked it away. “And I’m required to see you every day. I must check your progress and make sure you’re getting better.” Marvin picked up his notebook and flipped through some of the pages. “That’s what all these notes are for, I must track your behaviors, moods, emotions, actions, etc.” He set the notebook down. I stood there very confused and shocked.
“What are you talking about?!” I questioned as I sat back down. I felt dizzy.
Marvin inched closer to me and rested his hand on mine, “Flannel I apologize for the fact that you thought my kindness was love and passion, but it’s not. It’s apparent that you have forget again that, you’re a patient here, and I’m your doctor.”
Patient? Doctor?
My face went blank. All feeling had left my body.
Marvin pulled out his notebook. He scribbled several things on the pages.
I looked around.
Marvin squeezed my hand bringing my attention back to him.
“Hey, it’s ok, Flannel. It’s ok,” he said in his calm voice, “We’re going to get through this. I’m here to help you. You’re going to get better. I promise.”
I just stared at him and nodded.
I opened my mouth to speak, letting out a weak, broken sounding voice, “Ok, thank you Marvin.” It took every muscle in my body to muster up a smile. On the outside I looked content and peaceful, but on the inside a felt dead.
I guess Marvin was right. Roses do have too many thorns.
And it was also very right about another thing.
I was just like one.