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Briar is marrying a dickbag and our whole family knows it. The last thing I feel like doing when I’m exhausted from flying is reading their bitchy back and forth about when my sister is getting to town, because I know my mom is going to make everything Chad’s fault.
I finish off my piece of pizza then flop down on the couch, wondering if I have it in me to get back in the car in a little bit and meet the twins in town.
There are only two options for adult drinks in Cedar Point.
The local townie bar is called The Mitch, originally owned by my dad’s older brother, though he ended up selling to someone else when he moved away a while back. The place is a total dive, complete with half-illuminated neon lights that encourage patrons to Drink Up and an old-ass jukebox that only ever plays Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The tourist bar is called Dock 7, though the locals have nicknamed it Lucky’s since it’s the best place to go if you’re looking for an easy lay who will be heading out of town soon.
Both options sound kind of miserable right now, if I’m honest. I’m pretty sure the twins went to The Mitch, and knowing they’re probably mingling with old friends from high school and, if I go, I’ll also be mingling with old friends from high school, I just can’t seem to muster up the energy to get up and head that way.
There are definitely people in town I will want to see while I’m here, but thinking about facing some of the people I can’t stand exhausts me. So, instead of taking a nap on the couch, I dig out my phone, intending to let the twins know I’m not interested in grabbing a drink.
That’s when I see a message from an unknown number that came through in the middle of the back and forth textapalooza between my mom and sisters.
Unknown: Hey. It’s Ruby.
I smile, glad she decided to send me a message.
I waffled on whether or not to wake Ruby up before I left the plane, feeling oddly like I was sneaking out of the house after a one-night stand, even though it wasn’t close to the same.
I fell asleep, too, and when I woke, I felt stiff and cranky and ready to get off the damn plane. Then I looked over at Ruby and smiled at the way her body was tucked into the corner, her mouth slightly open.
On that plane, I might have started off as distant, but by the time Ruby fell asleep a few hours in, I was charming and friendly—conversational, even. It was a new side of me, and something in my mind wasn’t ready to think that over or try to understand the significance of the way talking to Ruby made me feel.
I left a note instead, making sure to add my number under where I signed my name, the idea of never speaking to her again not something I was prepared to consider. Though it wasn’t something I was prepared to examine, either.
Me: Hey. Did you leave any drool marks on the plane window? I hear they charge extra for that kind of thing.
I don’t know where my teasing behavior is coming from, but I can’t seem to help it. I go into my settings and update her information, putting Ruby Rambles as her name.
Ruby: Did Mr. Serious make a joke? I think I just fell off my chair
I smile at that, stretching my long legs out on the couch and settling in to have a conversation with the beautiful girl from the plane. I try not to focus too much on the fact that we spent all that time talking and I’m already eager for more.
Or on how quickly she’s managed to bring a smile back to my face.
Me: I’ve been known to make a funny here and there
Ruby: Did you get home okay? Is your entire family there waving flags to welcome you home?
Me: Nah. I walked into an empty house. Nobody cares that I’m back. They’re all too busy having fun with their friends.
Ruby: Is somebody feeling neglected?
Me: Hardly. I was just about to take a little nap when you messaged me, try to take advantage of the fact that it’s so quiet.
Ruby: Oh, well I don’t want to keep you if you had plans to get in some rest
I didn’t mean to cut things short by referencing the nap, and I scramble to find something to talk about so she doesn’t put her phone down.
Me: How about you? Did you get home okay?
Ruby: Yeah
That’s all she says, no additional bubbles popping up to indicate that she has more to say. It’s surprising, considering the fact that Ruby is very clearly an over-sharer. I think I can safely assume that if she isn’t giving specifics and details, she’s feeling reluctant to talk about it.
While I might have allowed that to fly by unnoticed with just about everyone else I know, I can’t seem to reconcile it in my mind when it comes to Ruby. I like that she rambles and shares too much.
