As they entered the room, the girl's dull eyes met Dr. Brooke's warm gaze. The desk was cluttered with files and papers, but Dr. Brooke's smile was welcoming. "Hello, I'm Dr. Brooke. You must be Avery and her mother, Mrs. Joyce?"
After a brief introduction, Dr. Brooke asked Mrs. Joyce to leave the room so she could assess Avery's condition. The girl's silence was palpable, but Dr. Brooke's gentle demeanor put her at ease.
The assessment revealed that Avery was struggling with depression and PTSD. The bus accident had left her feeling guilty and anxious, and the crowded hospital environment wasn't helping. Dr. Brooke prescribed a regimen of therapy and rehabilitation, hoping to help Avery cope with her emotions.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Avery's progress was slow, but Dr. Brooke remained optimistic. She noticed Avery's fascination with a patch of flowers during their walks and decided to use it as a therapeutic tool.
One day, as they walked through the garden, Avery's gaze lingered on the flowers. Dr. Brooke followed her gaze and noticed the black roses. Avery's expression was a mix of emotions, and Dr. Brooke made a mental note to explore this further.
As the months passed, Avery showed signs of improvement, but Dr. Brooke sensed something was off. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but Avery's behavior seemed guarded.
Finally, the day arrived for Avery's discharge. Dr. Brooke met with Mrs. Joyce and shared her observations. Mrs. Joyce was emotional, grateful for Dr. Brooke's care but worried about her daughter's future.
As Avery prepared to leave, Dr. Brooke handed her a bouquet of white roses. "I wish you a speedy recovery," she said softly. Avery's eyes welled up with tears as she took the flowers.
The white roses symbolized hope and new beginnings, a contrast to the black roses that represented mourning and loss. Avery's gaze drifted to the patch of black roses, and she smiled faintly. "Black also means new beginnings," she whispered, clutching the white roses tighter.