Rue

PROLOGUE

Dear Tom,

Rue used to be bright and full of life. She was kind to everyone, and would never hurt anything deliberately, especially her father. She is not, at all, messy. She never felt this indifferent to all of us.

And for all I know, she hates coffee, but now she is at it every morning like she has been drinking it for so long. Stranger things happened, and it all did after the operation. Why do I feel like she has become a different person, Tom? I am not sure why I am asking you. But I do hope I asked the right person.

You see, these things I mentioned are only a few of the countless things I want to discuss with you. I am not sure how I would deal with them. I need your help.

I called the office, and I learned that you are on your vacation with your wife. I hope you could at least tell me what I should do. I don't know what to do anymore.

Have a happy time and enjoy the best of it. I hope you will help us when you get back.

Truly Yours,

John

I sent the letter to Dr. Scott after Rue's father's heart attack. Roger rather took it personally when Rue denied his invitation to this year's Christmas celebration. Although Rue and I love celebrating special holidays together, as other couples would have, the month of December is the only exception. She had always said yes to Roger, and that meant so much for him as Rue is his only child. It is a surprise that Rue turned him down, almost as if she intentionally wanted to cause him pain.

Rue is changing a lot: her attitude, her likeableness, even her appetite and the way she frowns at things that displease her. Rue is not like herself at all. She does not treat us the way she did before. And, these all occurred after the operation.

Our love had passed all those lined challenges for relationships. But, this one which just came in is extremely strange, because it does not just include Rue and I. It also involves science, brains and clues.