Together We Stand

CHAPTER EIGHT

all her ghosts

Ruth Harper Everly

extremely undedited

RUTH SLAMMED THE FRONT DOOR of the house open angrily. Venus was behind her, trying to calm her down, but it wasn't working. Her sister was in the emergency room of the goddamn hospital and her mother couldn't be bothered to even show up. Mrs. Hart had covered the bills, and got the hospital to believe she was Blaire's aunt or something. Ruth was too worried to care about the logistics of it all.

"What the fuck, Mom?" Ruth screeched, causing Venus to flinch behind her. "Blaire was in the fucking hospital, she could have died, and you couldn't even show up. I called you a thousand times. You didn't answer any of my calls. Mrs. Hart even called you, she had to cover for you. If you can't show up for your goddamn daughter, why should you call yourself a mom? Why should I call you a mom, Eleanor?"

Her mother seemed shocked when Ruth called her by her name, but she didn't respond. Her eyes flickered with something Ruth couldn't pinpoint, perhaps remorse, or guilt? But Ruth didn't care how sorry she may have felt.

"I'm sorry," her mother muttered.

Ruth looked up at her, surprised. She was careful not to show that on her face. She was rather surprised her mother had apologized, and she seemed to mean it, but it would take a lot more than a simple apology for Ruth to even consider talking to her again.

Venus grabbed Ruth's hand, rubbing it with her thumb gently and giving Ruth an almost-pitying look. At that time, the door opened, with Lucy and Blaire strolling in.

"Blaire, go to your room," Ruth said gently, trying to put on a smile for her sister. Her heart wouldn't slow down, she was extremely anxious. She could have lost her baby sister today. Blaire looked like she was about to protest, but Ruth spoke up sternly. "I swear to god, Blaire, I could have lost you. I already lost Dad, and Eleanor's basically gone. I can't lose you too, Blaire. I can't."

"I'm sorry," Blaire whispered, making Ruth's eyes soften as tears welled in them. "I'm sorry Ruthie."

"Don't apologize," Lucy whispered to her, motioning her towards the stairs. "You have nothing to apologize for."

"Ruth," her mother started, but Ruth cut her off again.

"Just leave! I hate you, I hate you," Ruth screamed as tears streamed down her face. She was shaking with anger and fear. "No wonder Dad left, who would love you? Someone who abandons her children? But I guess Dad did the same too." Ruth broke off, crying once more before whispering, "You told me you'd always love me, but clearly that wasn't true."

Tears were now streaming down her mother's face as well, as she slowly walked her way out of the room.

Ruth gasped, trying to catch a breath. She didn't know why she couldn't breathe. She's fine. She's fine. Ruth screamed, shaking as the lights blurred around her. She felt arms wrap around her, and she sunk into them, sobbing her heart out.

"I don't know where I am," Ruth whispered, clinging onto Venus' sweatshirt. "Help me. Please."

"You're in your house," Venus hummed, rubbing her back in circles.

"I know that. I don't know where I am mentally," she whispered as more sobs fell from her lips. "I don't even know if I hate her. What if I just hate myself?"

"You think if you run around taking care of everyone else, no one will notice you're falling apart, don't you?" Venus murmured, pulling Ruth closer as her heart beat fast.