RUBY

Ruby threw her body down on the bed tired after a exhausting day of work; her feet were stinging, and her back was aching. She pulled the balled-up tips out of her black apron and tossed the balled-up tips onto the empty wooden nightstand; “well, at least we have extra money for pads.”  Ruby said, closing her eyes she rested her head on the pillow. Her phone rang startling her, she looked at her screen. It was an unknown number, so she ignored it, but then it called Again.

“Hello,” I answered crankily. “Hey, ma, don’t get mad at me!”  Valencia said on the other end of the line. I took a deep breath, “what?” I asked. “Well, I am in trouble.” “I went to a party, and” I did not even let her finish. I asked for the address and told her I would be on the next bus.

I wiped my tears; this has been a hard year. I had become a parent overnight, and I can barely deal. I rolled out of bed, falling on the floor, the aches and pains shot through my body. I cracked my neck and my knuckles I grabbed the food that I brought from work and threw it into the microwave I was going to finish it when I got home.

I walked into the bathroom and splashed water on my face to wake me up. I ran the water waiting on the hot water to heat up, but after five minutes, I realized that there wasn’t any hot water. The water heater must be broken again and the landlord wasn’t going to fix it.

 I dragged my body out the door and back to the bus stop, with my same no-slip shoes that curled at the top and split at the bottom. I sat at the bus, stop sweating and sore.

 After 30 minutes, the bus came, and I headed downtown to take another bus to get to my destination.

I dragged my feet down the block to the address. I was almost there when I saw Valencia sitting in the grass with her shirt torn and a bruise on her yellow face. I calmly asked, “what happened.” I felt my anger rising as I waited for a response, I needed to calm down. I changed the subject. “Have you been drinking?” I could smell alcohol on her body. “Just a beer,” she looked away from me. She smelled like an old uncle at a bar. “My feet hurt” she wined I ignored her as we waited at the bus stop. She had some nerve I had just gotten home from an 11-hour shift.

 After an hour and a half, we were finally home. I was so tired I was going to lay where I stood. “Valencia!” “what the hell happened?” I asked, snatching off my scarf! I was livid if anything happened to her I was in huge trouble. “Well...” she started explaining.

“I got into a fight with Jasmine because she is jealous… “ she said. I didn't want to hear anymore, I said, waving her off. My anger was past the point of control. I was supposed to be sleep. Instead, I had to ride the bus for two hours. I am sore and tired, and she was at a party drinking and now has the nerve to complain. If she were at home, there would not have been a fight!

“Is there anything to eat?” She asked. “there’s is a plate in the microwave its mines from work, but go ahead and eat it,” I told her. I was starving and about to throw up. You ever been too tired to eat even though you were hungry my body prioritized sleep over my stomach.

However, there was not any food in the house besides my plate from work, and I could not kill her.

 “What are you going to eat?” she asked, concerned “I will eat tomorrow at work,” my stomach growled at the thought I was starving. “It is okay, just go to bed.” “take a shower in the morning, and I will check your face when I wake up.”

The next morning, I woke up nauseous I was starving, and I had a headache Valencia was still in bed. I knew one of us would be starting our period soon so I could not touch the money maybe that’s why I was so bitchy.

I sat on my bed and looked out the window as the sun shined on my face. I looked at the trees outside, which were bare the leaves had fallen. Everything was great, had my own two-bedroom apartment, and I was in school with a part-time job at the breakfast house. But things quickly went left. My life was not lavish, but it was my own. It all ended so quickly!

“Table five needs their steak recooked,” I said making a face at the cook, he rolled his eyes and went into the freezer to grab a new T-bone unwrapping it then slamming it on the grill. I looked at him because everybody could see what he was doing. I turned around to help the customer that was waving me down.

“Welcome to the breakfast house, what would you like?” I asked him. “Hello, I’m looking for Ruby Stone,” he said. I didn’t know who he was. “she is not in today” I said dismissing him. He made a face then pointed at my nametag. “How much is the bill now?” “I know she didn’t qualify for insurance,” I said. “what?” “I’m not here for debt,” he stated, handing me some papers.

 “Your birth father passed, and he was there to discuss his will.” Really after all this time “I couldn’t get a phone call and now he is dead! “ I popped off, which was something that I usually didn’t do at work. I don’t want what he has to offer, not even in death I told him ignoring him. “MS stone, your father may have left you reparations,” he said, trying to convince me. I ignored the man, so he left his card.

The next day my car was repossessed. I had it hidden in the park a couple of blocks from the house, and for almost a year, I got away with it. My 2009 Honda wasn’t behind the fence when I went to retrieve it for work the next morning, which put me on the bus. I couldn’t afford a cab, and I spent all my money on Car maintenance and Monica’s medical bills. I called the man, but the call went straight to voicemail. It was probably too late, and I had missed the opportunity. I left a voicemail and had a sad walk back to my apartment.

“Aye red,” some guy catcalled me. You new around here, he asked as I walked up to the building. My body cringed. I was scared to speak back. I became a recluse over time, and I didn’t have much social interaction. I sniffed the air before I opened the door to my building; it was about to storm the clouds agreed with my observations.

A couple of hours later I placed the buckets around the house, the rings in the floor showed me where they needed to be set, the wooden floor creaked as I moved around the house putting the buckets catching the leak from the ceiling. I had to toss out the couch and TV last month because the rain flooded the living room while I was at work. The apartment was old, and the walls were peeling, the air-conditioning didn’t work, and a strong sewer smell bullied the rooms.

3 days later

The man came to my house he read the will. The damn deadbeat had the nerve to die before I could get to him. I had many papers to sign one, in particular, was irritating… A little sister. I had to take custody of her, and if I did, I would receive a gift in the mail in 6 months. The will didn’t specify what the gift was just that one would be given if I agree to the terms and conditions. I thought it was a joke, so I said whatever and signed it. He handed me a personal letter and her documents birth certificate and social and other essential forms.

 The letter read: I cannot raise her anymore, Ruby. I’m just too sick! I know you are in your twenties. However, this disease is killing me; this is your stepsister, and you are now her legal guardian. If you are receiving this letter, this means I did not make it. Moreover, you accepted legal custody. I am sorry for leaving you and your mom… but no point in lying or making excuses either. I didn't want a child, but your mother chose to keep you, and I couldn't handle the stress. I was only able to give you 5 years of my time selfish, I know. Her name is Valencia brown; she is 16.  March 29^th is her birthday. These are her legal papers enclosed. She is a senior straight, “A’s.” The food stamps will drop every month on the 13th. Also, a gift will be coming per agreement. Keep her safe for at least 6 months love Daniel.

 I could not believe what I just read; I wanted to scream out and burn the papers. The man in the suit shook hands, and he got on the phone, and my door opened, My neck almost snapped because I swear it was Monica walking through the door. My eyes got watery, and I became emotional until she was in front of me. I stood there looking stupid at this little girl with yellow skin and dark eyes she had short wavy black hair and freckles with braces. She was about 5 feet. The way she spoke felt foreign, I was pissed and confused that was 6 months ago,

 The next day…

“Good morning,” Valencia said, patting my shoulder. “What is wrong?” She asked with puffy eyes and sleep crust. “Nothing,” I replied. To say that I hate her would be messed up I don’t really know her, But if they hadn’t found me, I wouldn’t have asked or looked for them. Seeing her makes me angry, and It's not her fault. After handling my morning bathroom duties, I peered into the fridge with disappointment, An Empty ice tray.

Hot dogs, and sandwich meat, and eggs and noodles were all I could afford lately and without my car I wasn’t able to get a better job in the city. My job was a 45-minute drive in my car before traffic, but on the bus, it's 3 hours. And on top of that my monthly expenses that keep me broke mainly Monica’s medical bills.

“The food stamps should be here today,” Valencia said Holding her stomach. “did you call the card?” I asked her “ I haven’t had the chance,” I said, sighing. Valencia grabbed the card and called it. “I will go check the mail” I said, running outside! A gift is what he promised an award is what I'm looking for. Valencia screamed in excitement with the phone to her ear. Ruby walked back from the mailbox and read the mail, nothing but bill sone  from college One for Monica’s medical bill, as well as Valencia’s expense. “Yay,” Valencia screamed. “We got stamps,”  I smiled because she was starving its hard feeding two people.

 When I told my mom about Valencia, she hung up the phone pissed she did not even care that dad was dead. “Let us go get some food,” she said as she danced.  “Do you want to walk with a cart?” “or try to carry everything on the bus?” I asked her.

Valencia thought about it, then we agreed to steal a cart and push it ten blocks home. “Ruby, what were you going to school for?” She asked, “my masters. I had one more year left.” Truth be told college was my getaway; it kept me out of trouble and kept me busy I didn’t have a major I was just jumping on the quickest degree.

“ I do not want to talk about it,” I told her. It was difficult living with Valencia. I did not like her, but it was not her fault. I had to stop taking it out on her. We co-existed in the same space, I had a hatred for her father not her. He left mom and I and had a happy little family and the result of that is this little girl that’s in my face right now, where is her mother and why didn’t she take her?

“What happened last night?” I asked her as we walked to the store. Looking at her now purple bruise on her cheek. “They jumped me,” she mumbled. I covered my mouth. All I know is I’m always getting phone calls about her from school about somebody messing with her. I thought it was her, but her grades are flawless. I felt terrible for dismissing her. I needed to give her the respect she didn’t ask to be here.

She pointed to the bruise on her face and explained; “After school, Brianna invited me to her house party.” “I told her that I would check it out.” She knew that I couldn't stay late; she agreed, “long story short.” “Guy came up to me. He was interested in me.” “Asking me questions, jasmine got in my face” “she said that he was her boyfriend.” “I told her that I didn’t care” “I obviously didn’t like him”“she poured a drink on me.” “I didn’t like him, so I really didn’t care.” “I smacked her, and she fell,” “she punched me when she got up.” “I choked her, then they jumped me.”

 I looked at her; she had so much anger in her eyes. “Tell me about this boy,” I asked her. “Well... His name is Joseph, and he is always trying to talk to me in class.” “I ignore him, but he always got girls following him I’m not stupid,” “but neither is he I think he is 18 or 19 he graduated and now he just helps there like a volunteer for sex ED. And D.A.R.E”

“I do not pay him any mind, but he will not leave me alone.” Valencia really looked irritated; her fist was balled- up, and her face was turning red. “So, you don't like him at all,” I teased. she looked at me with a mug of disgust, “ma he is a boy.”  She said simply.

I thought about what she said then I realized that she didn't like boys at 16 I felt that it was strange. “So, you like girls?” I asked her seriously. I knew nothing about her, so now was the best time to find out. She busted out with laughter. “Wow, ma, don’t be irritating.” 

“Ma, really?” She laughed harder. “I am just not interested in boys” “so the next thing you think is girls?” she shook her head at me.

“Oh, my bad,” I said awkwardly... “you’re a virgin, right?” I asked her. “Yes, I am and do not have any plans of changing that!” She yelled out, “What about you, ma?” she asked? I coughed out, “yes!” Her eyes got big whoa, but you are so old she frowned in disgust.

 I felt offended, “I am only 21.” She looked me up and down with confusion, “you are not!” “you are 30,” she yelled! I felt ugly at that moment. “I’m only a few years older than you,” I said, hurt. “I’m just now learning of you,” Valencia. “so forgive me if I come off cold I hated our father he left us and went to create you” I explained coldly

“So, you didn't know about me.” “So, he lied?” She whined! “Dad kept telling me that you wanted to meet me and be my big sister how you were buying me stuff and wanted to dress alike, but I guess he lied.”

 “I told everybody at school that I stay with my mom please go with that!” I rolled my eyes the thought of being a mother at my age blew me. “where is your mom?” I asked. Valencia began to cry... “What's wrong?” I asked her. “It's a lot and not an ounce of truth I bet I'm a chore you didn’t ask for me” she snapped “I miss my mom…”

“Valencia chill,” I said. I tried to calm her down, but she started speed walking. “Can we just go shopping now?” She asked, wiping her eyes. “Yes! I hurried my pace feeling bad.  She stopped walking, then turned and hugged me. I froze at first, but I hadn’t hugged somebody in a long time. For a moment, I saw Monica again when I looked at her. I kissed her on the forehead and held her until she felt better. My eyes were watery still at the thought I missed MONI.

 We walked into the store and shopped got fruit and water meats vegetables and pads and soap toothpaste and snacks the cart was full and heavy. We swiped the card at the register and were gone and on the way out of the parking lot.

 We were almost out of the parking lot when a man stopped us. He watched us the whole time we were shopping, which made all types of alarms go off in my head.