Fraying Edges

| NINETEEN |

Ever since Ruby's mom left, she had been the one in charge of cooking the meals in her house. It was a good distraction from the internal pain, but it was also a reminder that her mom was not around. A reminder that her family was going through a fall–out.

She was so distracted by her never-ending thoughts that she did not notice James walk into the kitchen, his lanky frame hovering at the door. He was clutching a duffel bag and his light brown face had a look of determination.

He spoke up, voice barely above a whisper. "Look, I'm sorry about what is happening. I understand how you feel, but it's not my fault." As she heard James talking behind her, she turned to look at him, pausing the chopping of carrots.

"Why are you talking to me?" She dropped the knife on the chopping board and stood straight to face him. She did not want to do anything drastic with the knife, just in case he riled her up.

"I'm going today," he said, fidgeting with the bag strap.

"Good," came her curt reply. "Its about time."

"But that's not the point."

"Then what is the point?" Her nose flared, her feet tapping on the floor to an absent minded rhythm.

His voice was barely above a whisper when he said, "I never wanted this to happen."

She paused and looked at him. "Big shocker there," she said sarcastically, lips twisted.

He continued, "I know that you don't like me, but I know something that you don't and I know that you're a curious person." He dropped a piece of paper on the counter. "Be sure to contact me if you really want to know more."

"Goodbye." He gave a mock salute, like they were old friends, and left her in the kitchen stunned.

She grabbed the paper when she heard the front door close. As she took in the words in fine cursive, she grudgingly admitted to herself that he had fine handwriting.

The note read:

Not everything is out in the open. No one is who you think they are. The good might actual be bad and the bad might be good.

Call me if you need to know more.

Below that he had written down his phone number.

Ruby held the paper tightly, her mind reeling. What is all this? she thought. But she did not throw the paper away, instead, she squeezed it and shoved it in her jean pocket. She was going to need it later, that she was sure of.

"Goodbye," she whispered. Not to James, but to herself. To the shadow of him walking around the house. A part of her was relieved, the other part was disappointed. She didn't know why she'd expected more to happen. She just had.

She turned and continued chopping the carrot, this time slower than before. She did not failing to think about how odd it was that he'd only stayed for three days.

*****

Standing in front of her mom's catering service, she steeled herself for what was about to come. She was not exactly a brave person. Back in high school, what spurred her on was mainly teenage angst. But Luke had driven her there and literally pushed her towards the door.

She threw a brief look at him. He was sitting inside his blue Camry that was parked at the opposite side of the street. He gave her a thumbs up and smiled, creating a tingle in her belly that she refused to acknowledge. She smiled back at him and braced herself.

You can do this.

She walked inside the quaint building with the perfectly painted white walls. As she walked inside, she could smell the baked goods and she couldn't help but sniff it all in. It reminded her of her mom. She almost always smelt like freshly baked cake.

Walking into the catering service brought back memories that she could never forget. Memories made with her crew. The plans they'd made there, all crumbled, as they'd all gone to college. Scattered across the world, the five of them. But the fun they'd had could never be forgotten. Andrew was the only one who'd fallen out, leaving them with the number four.

"Oh look, It's Ruby." The only woman that had lasted in the service since her high school said with a sweet, motherly smile.

"Hi, uh.." She'd forgotten the woman's name.

"Grace, it is. I can't believe you're all grown up!" She gushed, making Ruby feel self conscious as a few customer's looked her way. "You're no longer the kid who used to walk in here with her crew and order sweet meat buns. Two years is a long time hun." The woman, Grace, chuckled at the memories.

Ruby smiled awkwardly and as usual, it didn't reach her eyes. "Um.. Yeah. Is my mom around?"

"Yes darling. Just go to her office out back." She pointed to the back, to the door that had an 'Office' sign.

"Thanks," she muttered and walked the familiar path to her mom's office, taking her time to muster all the courage she needed.

She sucked in air and knocked on the door twice.

"Grace, I already told you I need to be alone." Her mom yelled in a frustrated voice.

She pushed open the door and said, "Mom? It's me."

As if jolted out of her reverie, her mom looked up, her eyes swollen and red. She had been crying. She stood up from her fancy chair and hugged Ruby, closing the door behind them.

"I missed you so much." Her mom muttered into her hair. Ruby leaned in to her having missed her mom's warmth and hugs - she rarely hugged her.

"I. I .. missed you too?" Came Ruby's awkward reply. She could feel tears gather on her eyelids as she heard her mom sniffle.

They broke apart and she sat down opposite her mom. Her mom was trying her best to control her emotions and look composed in front of her child. Where had all her perfectness gone? Ruby thought as she silently watched her mom.

"How are you Ruby?" Bridget started.

"I'm fine, mom. Really." Even as the words left her lips, she knew it was a flat out lie, but her mom didn't question her. They just sat in tense silence.

Clearing her throat, Ruby began to speak, "Mom, I need you to tell me who Madeline is."

Squaring her shoulders, Mrs Grayson looked at Ruby. "We all go way back," she looked away from Ruby's eyes as if recalling a distant memory, "Your Dad, Bob, your Dad's cousin and Diane used to be best friends."

"Yes.. I know, but how does Diana relate to Madeline?"

"Diane was Madeline's sister. Madeline used to follow her sister to hang out with the rest. I met them," she smiled to herself, "in college. That's when I fell in love with your Dad."

Ruby paused and said, "Diana was her sister?"

"Yes. She's dead."

Ruby sucked in a breath. She had a faint memory of Diana. When she was younger, she used to come to their family gatherings. But Madeline was never part of it.

The question that kept ringing in Ruby's head at that moment was, How did Madeline have a child for her Dad?

A/N
Guess who's back? Me! I'm back with Ruby and her Sob - ish story. Secrets are being revealed everywhere she turns.

Don't be a silent reader, share your thoughts or PM me if you're shy. 😉 And... make me happy by coloring that little star!

Mackenzie the 2nd. . . Out . . .