The loudspeaker booms for the audience to hear. "Now, let's welcome Ruby Ann Hale on stage to sing us our next song." Ruby is shaking with excitement as she walks confidently onto the stage and plants herself right in the middle. The judges greet her kindly.
"What an adorable little girl you are! How old are you?" The first judge asks.
"Four. It's my birthday today." Ruby replies shakily.
"Wonderful! Happy birthday." The third judge comments, making notes.
"What song will you be singing?" The second judge asks.
"You got a Friend In Me," Ruby replies. The audience ohs and awes.
"You may begin whenever you're ready," The first judge instructs. Ruby glances backstage and catches her mom's gaze to indicate she's ready to begin. The music plays and Ruby sings nervously at first but becomes more comfortable when the audience cheers. She finishes the last verse Yea you got a friend in me and lowers the microphone. She smiles when the audience thunders their approval. The judges stand to show their appreciation. When the applause dies the judges show their scores and hit the buzzer. A confetti explosion covers the stage and Ruby joyfully runs backstage, willingly accepting her mom's invitation to jump into her arms.
"I won mom! I did it!"
"You did a great job! I'm so proud of you!" Her mom, Alice replies, spinning cheerfully in a circle. Ruby giggles happily as her mother thanks the people backstage. Her husband Andrew, helps her gather their items and carries Cabby, their two-year-old out to the car.
Ruby bounds out of the car when they arrive at the trampoline park, persuading her parents to get inside as quickly as possible. After changing out of her frilly pink dress she darts out of the restroom, bumping into a girl who appears to be Cabby's age and knocking her over. The young girl looks around, trying to figure out what's going on. Then, she opens her mouth widely and wails loudly.
"I'm sorry! Are you okay?" Ruby gasps, acting quickly to help her up. She grasps the girl's arm, leading her over to the girl's worried mother. When the woman reaches her daughter she picks her up and rocks her from side to side.
"Oh, sweetie. It's alright. You're okay."
Ruby isn't sure what to do, run away, which would be rude, or stand there and apologize. She goes with what she knows is right.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bump into her."
The woman ignores her at first. "Oh, shhh shhh shh. It's alright Angie." She hushes her daughter. Ruby waits patiently for Angie to calm down, then repeats herself.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.."
"Oh, no worries," She interrupts. "She's alright. Just a little scared." She turns her daughter around and wipes the tears away, glancing down at Ruby for a moment, then turning back to Angie. Looking up again, she studies Ruby intensely. Ruby squirms, repositioning her feet.
The woman realizes she's staring when Alice comes up behind Ruby.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." "I just feel like I've seen you somewhere before. Maybe on a TV show or something?"
Ruby turns to her mom. "Wait, I was on TV?"
"Yes. You were," Alice replies.
The woman gasps. "That's where I saw you! On The Secrets of Gifted Kids. I love that show! I watch it every Tuesday." The woman smiles. "Congratulations on your win! You sure are a gifted little girl."
"Thanks," Ruby replies confidently. She looks up at her mom, hoping she'll allow her to play now. Angie nods and Ruby runs over to the bench and slips her shoes off. She takes Cabby off her dad's lap and helps her up the stairs to the trampolines. Only half listening to the woman, Angie smiles when she sees Ruby's helpful attitude. She acknowledges how blessed she is to have a sweet daughter like her.
After the girls play for two hours, Ruby requests ice cream. Andrew and Alice both exchange looks. After considering their options, they decide to go out for dinner first, and then get ice cream. Both Ruby and Cabby chow down on their pizza while their parents enjoy their creamy broccoli soup. When they've had their fill they take a trip to the frozen yogurt shop. Each of them orders a small cup, except Cabby, who's too small for a full cup to herself. Ruby willingly shares her ice cream with her sister. Nothing, except singing, makes her happier than benefiting others.
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Early the next morning the family packs up and heads home. Cabby whines the entire three-hour trip. Ruby attempts to comfort her, but quickly realizes it's no use. She colors the whole way home, using her new Fields of Flowers book and new markers she received for her birthday. She dreams of the surprise her parents promised her when they arrive home.
They pull into the garage and Ruby bounces in her seat. She quickly gathers her markers and bounds out of the car. When her parents come inside she's sitting on the loveseat with a big smile. Alice giggles as she goes outside to grab Cabby.
When her mom comes in Ruby asks "Are you ready yet?"
"Almost," Alice replies, handing Cabby over to Andrew and pulling her phone camera and Ruby's first clue from her pocket. Ruby's smile grows much bigger when she unfolds the paper to see a picture of a dryer. She jumps up and sprints down the hall, into the laundry room. Cabby and her parents follow. Ruby finds the next clue taped in the dryer. She studies the picture of the sink intensely.
"There are lots of sinks in the house," she says, handing the clue to her mom and heading upstairs to the bathroom.
She finds three similar clues which lead her to the gift. She pulls it from underneath her parent's bed and rips the wrapping paper. She squeals with excitement.
"A new barbie doll! Yes! Yes! Thank you!" She hugs both of her parents tightly and grabs Cabby's hand to bring her upstairs. She gives Cabby one of her old dolls and plays with her new one. Alice appears in the doorway, adoring her sweet girls for a few minutes before speaking.
"I have one more gift for you," She says, watching Ruby's eyes nearly pop out of her head and her face nearly rip from the huge smile. Ruby jumps up and gladly accepts the gift from her mother. She removes the tissue paper from the top and pulls a large set of Barbie accessories and clothes out.
"Yes! Now I have stuff that's not torn!" She hugs her mom tightly and returns to her place on the floor.
Thanks for reading!
Published: July 31st, 2022
Revised: August 3rd, 2022
Word Count:: 1,113
YOU ARE READING
Hale Family Adventures
General FictionBuckle up and get ready to enjoy this silly, random, and at times weird book about the Hale Family. The family has a talented four-year-old singer named Ruby. How will they react when the popularity gets to this little girl? What will they do to he...
