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Chapter Sixteen
Ruby
I slurped the last of my strawberry milkshake through my straw. Mom dragged a french fry through a puddle of ketchup then crammed it into her mouth. Then her phone began to ring, and she sifted through her purse to find it.
“Oh, it’s your dad,” she said, swiping the screen to answer the call. “Hey, honey. Is everything alright? We’ve just finished dinner. Do you want us to bring you anything?”
Mom’s eyes flared with shock, and I could hear the husky rumble of dad’s voice as he bore some kind of bad news.
“We’re on our way home,” Mom told him; her hands were shaking as she ended the call and put her phone away.
“Mom … what’s wrong?” I asked, won
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Little Ruby Red Chapter Seventeen
RubyThe muscles in my legs burned with protest, pushing myself on and on until I put a safe distance between us. I didn’t stop until I reached the parking lot in the center of town. Gasping, panting, and clutching my sides, then eventually breaking down into tears. Nothing could have prevented the floodgates from opening. Tears flowed like rivers and I cried out loud. People were walking past, staring at me like I’d gone insane.“Are you alright? It’s Ruby, isn’t it?” I heard a man’s voice beside me.I whirled around and wiped my tear-soaked cheeks with the backs of my hands. Standing there beside a black SUV, was my Mom’s boss, Mr. Grant.“Um, yeah, sorry.” I gestured at my distressed state. It was way too late to pretend that ever
Little Ruby Red Chapter Eighteen
Ruby“Mom!” I panicked.She breathed through it until the pain eased. “It’s alright. It’s probably just a ...” She cried out again, only this time it seemed like she was in agony.I realized. “Mom, how long have you been like this?”“Can you please call your father?” she asked, breathlessly.I ran towards the phone in the hall, picking it up to dial with shaky fingers. My heart hammered as I listened to the ringtone. “Come on, Dad, pick up!” I yelled, waiting for him to answer his damn cell phone.As soon as I heard his voice, I screamed. “Dad!”“Ruby, why aren’t
Little Ruby Red Chapter Nineteen
Ruby“Darn it. How many scoops of the formula was that again?” I asked, after being side-tracked by my thoughts and lost count.“If you’re not sure, tip it down the sink and start anew,” Mom replied, whilst pacing back and forth with Sam, trying to lull him to slumber.Childbirth had worn Mom out. Even Dad dragged his feet going to work this morning. He had to drink a strong cup of coffee, just so he could function.I finished measuring the formula into the little yellow scoop that came with it, leveling the excess off with the back of a clean knife. My mind kept wandering to Caleb, and how great he’d been the other day. He ran to my rescue like my very own knight in shining Armani.“Ruby, what ar
Little Ruby Red Chapter Twenty
RubyIt took a while for me to calm down. I stormed to my room, heading straight for my cell phone, to do what girls do best. Both my thumbs were moving at the speed of light as I sent my multi-text rant to my three best friends.I sent a text saying, “Need to get out of here for a while. My mom is driving me insane! I swear, and I’ve had like, three hours sleep all night and I require some girl time. You’re not going to believe what just happened here!”Sarah replied, “My house, in fifteen minutes.”Tegan replied, “Hello stranger, come over!”Mia replied, “Yay, Ruby!”I kicked off the slippers that my Gran had given me as a Christmas gift and
Little Ruby Red Chapter Twenty One
CalebI hate arriving late for anything. Aaron said to be there at five sharp and it was now almost half past. Tonight he was going to announce to all our friends and family that his mate, Angie, was pregnant ... again.He had contacted all of our old school buddies and our close family members, asking them to meet up here for a celebratory dinner. Rachel Miller was among the guests. I avoided her like the plague. But tonight, everyone would be seated in couples, which left us as the only two single people in the group. It was awkward, but I could put up with it for Aaron and Angie’s sake.I winced in apology as I approached the table, over half an hour late, leaning down to kiss Angie on the cheek. “I’m sorry, I’m late. Who’s looking after the kids?” I asked, noticing their absence.
Little Ruby Red Chapter Twenty Two
CalebThe last few days before Prom...Over the years, I’ve watched my soul mate, my Little Ruby Red, go through many phases. I was there to witness some of the highest and lowest points in her life.Few mates watched their future spouse grow up. I witnessed Ruby learn to ride her bike without training wheels, lose her first tooth, and place it under her pillow for cash. She would try to wait up for Santa but would fall asleep after eleven.My proudest moment was when she won gold at Regionals. She cried when watching Finding Nemo, even though she claimed to have an eyelash in her eye. The most bizarre times were when she binge-ate chocolate eggs, only to regret it.I witnessed the fear, pain, and despair when she found out that her mom had Canc
Little Ruby Red Chapter Twenty Three
CalebI leaned back in my office chair, having driven all the way here with a goofy smile on my face while singing to the radio. I never do that. After Saturday, I won’t have to hide behind shrubs to spy on Ruby anymore.I better rephrase that.What I meant was, I could hand her a bunch of flowers, instead of leaving them on her doorstep and playing knock and run.I spied on her through the foliage like a sixteen-year-old kid, grinning as she glanced around with confusion. She then looked down at her feet at the floral arrangement of her favorite peach roses.I loved everything about her. The way she closed her eyes whilst she smelled one of the flower heads, and how her face lit up with wonder and surprise as she studied the card.
Little Ruby Red Chapter Twenty Four
Caleb“Are you ready?” I asked Aaron.He had just called home to check in with Angie and the kids before we set off to the bar. We finished our work for the day, and now it was time for us to relax and wind down.“Let’s go,” he replied with enthusiasm.He needed a breather. I had known the man all my life and never had I witnessed him lose his cool like that before. The whole way there, I just let him talk it out, letting him get everything that had all piled up on top of him off his chest.“I just feel taken for granted, that’s all.” It deflated his mood, which was so unlike the fun guy I knew.“Yeah, but Angie loves you, man. You’re
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- Little Ruby Red Epilogue
- Little Ruby Red One Hundred and Twenty Nine
- Little Ruby Red One Hundred and Twenty Eight
- Little Ruby Red One Hundred and Twenty Seven
- Little Ruby Red One hundred and Twenty Six
- Little Ruby Red One Hundred and Twenty Five
- Little Ruby Red One Hundred and Twenty Four
- Little Ruby Red One Hundred and Twenty Three
- Little Ruby Red One Hundred and Twenty Two
