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Nora smiled. “We all are. Growing up is when we finally understand that. Remember those strawberry hard candies that used to show up in your Easter basket every year?”
“Yes. ”
“Thats you, Ruby. Youve built a hard shell to protect your soft heart. Only it doesnt work. I know you dont have faith in love, and I know I made you that way, but its a half life, kiddo. Maybe you see that now. Without love, the loneliness just goes on and on. ”
Ruby looked down at her clasped hands. “I was lonely when I lived with Max. ”
Of course you were. You didnt love him. "
“I wanted to. Maybe I could have if Id let myself. ”
"I dont think love is like that. It just . . . strikes.
Like lightning. "
“And fries you to a crisp. ”
And turns your hair white. "
“And stops your heart. ”
Noras smile faded. "You should give Dean a chance. Stick around a while longer, see what happens. Unless you need to get back to your career . . .
“What career?” The moment she said it, Ruby looked up sharply, as if she hadnt meant to say that.
“What do you mean?”
Im not funny. "
The words seemed to take something away from Ruby; she looked young and vulnerable.
Nora didnt know how to respond. Did her daughter want honesty, empathy, or contradiction?
There was no way to know. All Nora could do was speak to the girl shed once known. That girl, the young Ruby, had been honest to a fault and able to look life square in the eye.
“We both know you are funny. Youve always had a great sense of humor. But are you funny enough, and often enough, to make a living at it? Have you taken classes, analyzed people like Robin Williams and Richard Pryor and Jerry Seinfeld? Do you know how they make their material sound funny?”
Ruby looked stunned. "You sound like my agent. Hes always trying to get me to take classes. At least, he used to. Hes kind of given up on me now.
“Why didnt you take his advice?”
“I thought it was about talent. ” The word seemed to make her uncomfortable. She gave Nora a little half smile as if to acknowledge it.
“Most things take more discipline than talent. ” Nora studied her daughter. “Is your material funny?”
“Most of the time. Its my delivery that sucks. And Im not comfortable onstage. ”
Nora smiled. She couldnt help remembering "Mom? Youre spacing out on me.
“Im sorry. I heard your act once. One of my readers sent me a tape of it. ”
Ruby turned pale. “Really?”
“I have to admit it hurt like hell. You compared me to a rabbit-soft and pretty on the outside, and capable of eating her young. ” She laughed. “Anyway, I thought your stuff was funny, and I wasnt surprised by that. I always thought youd be a writer. ”
“Really?”
Your stories were wonderful. You had a way of looking at the world that amazed me. "
