"Sweetpea, time to wake up"
Ruth's mother, Lana, shook her shoulder gently as gentle green eyes emerged from sleepy eyelids. A tired smile crept up on Ruth's face before jumping out of bed and running towards her closet.
"You pick, Sweetpea. It's your first day of Kindergarten," Lana picked her daughter up, delicate fingertips brushing against the pastel fabrics.
Ruth's arm reached out, pointing to a white dress with pink daisies. Ruth had obviously been thinking about this dress choice for a while. Lana took the dress off the hanger and helped her daughter get dressed, despite her claims that she was big enough to do it herself. The two went to the bathroom and brushed their teeth together before Lana put her daughter's long, brown hair into a french braid. Her baby hairs still stuck out despite Lana's attempt to tame them.
They went to the kitchen, sunlight seeping through white curtains as Ruth sat impatiently at the table, toes barely touching the floor as the bowl of Cheerios was placed in front of her, complete with the Disney Princess bowl and spoon set. Lana sat in front of her daughter, taking in the fact that five years had already gone by. It seemed like yesterday she was taking her first steps, saying her first word- time really does fly by when you're having fun.
It wasn't all fun for them, however. Ruth's father left the second he found out his wife was pregnant, leaving nothing but half a pack of cigarettes and broken promises. Lana worked, and worked, and worked. Finally saving up enough money from her minimum wage job and moving to Ohio, barely making it by in a one bedroom apartment and still working while eight and a half months pregnant.
Every mother says that their child being born was the happiest day of their lives. The same went for Lana. On March 2, after a 30-hour labor, Ruth Caldor was born. Taking the maiden name of her mother, who didn't want Ruth's father associated with any part of her daughter's life. It was bittersweet, having no one there to celebrate a new life. But from that day forward, the two knew that they could, and would, take on whatever the universe may throw at them.
"Done, Mommy!" Ruth's eyes looked up from the pink cereal bowl, taking Lana out of her trance. With a warm smile, Lana tilted her head towards the counter, a brand new Disney Princess lunchbox sitting on the surface. The child jumped up and down, excited screams nearly breaking the sound barrier as she grabbed the tin off the counter and rushed towards her mother. Small arms around Lana's neck as she leaned down to hug Ruth.
"I hope you like peanut butter and jelly"
"With the crusts cut off?"
"With the crusts cut off" Lana smiled. Anyone who knew Lana knew that her smile was the warmest smile in the world. For when you thought of Lana, you thought of her rose-colored lips curling into a grin, wrinkles forming at the corner of her eyes. That smile could change the world. Ruth took after her mother, and that included her smile. Even if it was missing a tooth or two.
The sound of an industrial engine met their ears. But before Ruth could bolt out the door towards the bus, she was halted by her mother's gentle hand resting on her shoulder. Looking back, Lana held Ruth's backpack in one hand and a Polaroid camera in the other. After putting on her backpack, the two went outside, a large yellow school bus parked in front of their duplex.
"Another picture, Mommy?" She whined, eager to get on the bus.
"You'll thank me when you're older" Lana chuckled.
"Smile, Sweetpea!" Lana's face was hidden behind the large camera. Ruth grinned, showing her missing front tooth which she lost 2 days ago. A click and a flash was all it took for the child to bolt towards the bus. Lana shook the photo as she waved goodbye to her daughter. They grow up so fast.
___
Being the last stop on the route, Ruth had no choice but to sit all the way in the back. She sat down, her lunchbox set down on her lap as she looked over at the boy next to her. He was lonely, reserved. Sandy blonde hair matting against the window as he looked out to the passing cars. Ruth thought for a moment before holding out her hand to the boy.
"Hi! I'm Ruth!" She bore the same smile as her mother.
"I'm Leon," He looked over at her, a smile creeping onto his face as he straightened his posture and shook Ruth's hand.
"Like a lion," She giggled. Leon's face twisted in confusion.
"Leon the Lion," She added, puffing out her chest as to imitate a lion's stance.
"Leon the Lion," He repeated. A shy smile replacing confusion.
From that point foward, Ruth and Leon were inseperable.
