In the Belly of the Beast

11

There was no oversleeping this morning. 

Ruby felt rested and fresh. In fact, she could honestly say, she felt better than she had in a long, long time. She smiled at the man in the chair.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"Very," she said.

"That's good."

"Don't worry about breakfast," Ruby said. "I'll get to it as soon as I bathe. Won't take but a minute."

"O.K." he said. "I'll start the coffee."

"Fine," she said.

She gathered the clothes from the dresser and closet and went into the bathroom. The man went to the kitchen and fixed the coffee. Ruby smelled the roasted aroma as soon as she stepped into the hall, and her mouth began to water.

I'm getting as bad as Geoffrey, she thought. But it smelled so delicious.

"Will you be fixing biscuits this morning, Ruby?" the man asked as she entered the kitchen.

"From scratch? Sure. If that's what you want. Might be a little rusty though. Haven't fixed them in quite awhile."

"I'm willing to chance it."

She pulled the ingredients she would need from the refrigerator and various cabinets and began the task. The man took his seat at the table, and Sylvester came slinking in to join them. He hopped into the man's lap.

"You're looking pretty today, Ruby."

"Oh my. I haven't looked pretty in decades. But I must admit, I feel real good," she said. "Fine as frog's hair, as we used to say."

She turned her attention to her task and began humming a tune. Light and playful. The song from her dream. The man remained silent, watching her from across the room.

She had not made biscuits in years, not since the canned ones had hit the market, and was amazed that they fell together so easily. Must be like riding a bike, she thought as she formed the velvety smooth dough into biscuits and placed them into the oven.

What else? 

Gravy, fried chicken, eggs, flapjacks, sliced tomatoes, fruit. Before she knew it, she had the makings of a very old fashioned breakfast, one she hadn't since her grandmother was living. 

She piled the food onto the tray, heaping it high in generous portions sure to make Geoffrey happy. She found the largest mug in the cabinet and poured Geoffrey's coffee into it. She placed this on the tray as well.

"Need some help with that?" the man asked.

"Not today," she said.

He followed her down the hall. She lightly rapped upon Geoffrey's door.

"Come in," he said.

***

It was impossible, of course, but Geoffrey appeared to have gained a hundred pounds overnight. He looked bigger than he ever had, but Ruby said nothing. and placed the tray by the bed as usual.

"Made you a special breakfast this morning, Geoffrey. Hope you like it."

"What for?" he asked.

"What do you mean 'what for,' Geoffrey?"

"What's the occasion?"

"Just felt good this morning, that's all," she replied.

Geoffrey looked at her. The old bat did seem different. Must be the light. Damned if she didn't look . . . what? What was different? She looked younger. He snorted in disgust. First his mind and now his eyes. His whole body was falling apart.

And he had no one to blame but himself. 

His doctors had told him a long time ago to drop the excess weight. He dropped his doctors instead.

Ruby turned to go.

"Let me know if you need anything," she said as she exited.

"Right," he said as he inspected the tray before him.

The man was leaning against the wall opposite Geoffrey's door.

"Think we'll have any mishaps?" he asked as they walked up the hall.

"I have no idea. The way that boy's been acting, I wouldn't bet money on it either way."