I'm Ruth.
I've never said that to anyone before.
Well, I've never said anything to anyone before.
You guessed it
I'm mute
Nobody's ever been able to read me
Nobody... until him...
I haven't seen Ruth since but that's because I've been doing loads of research on selective mutism. Turns out, she's physically able to speak but it's an anxiety disorder therefore something must've happened in her life to trigger it. So, maybe she can speak again at some point? I'm figuring that if I help her get over the event. We're one step closer.
Of course, I need to find out what the event was first.
The first person that comes to mind to ask is Sienna.
"Hello?"
"Hey little bro, what's up?"
"Um, Maggie. Do you know what happened to Ruth? Like why she's mute? I was meaning to ask her sister but maybe you know?
"I guess it was when her dad died, I'm not really sure bro. Ruth's never ever spoken, she was supposed to be a late-speaker but I guess it got cut off when her dad died. Look, I'll ask Sienna. I'll text you."
"Sure, thanks. Bye"
I hang up and think. How to help a grieving friend? I guess the first step is to show her I want to help. And let her know that it's okay to grieve?
Maybe?
I don't have much experience with this so... yeah.
Okay, I'm going to her house and we can start to talk about it. See if she agrees.
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"Come on Ruth, it'll be fine. I swear. It could really help you."
We're in the bedroom of her apartment/my old apartment and Ruth clearly doesn't want to do it. She seems deep in thought and then after a while of silence she looks up with a sort of determination in her eyes. Which I translate to, "Hell yeah"
I grin widely and pull her in over the bed for a hug, at first she's shocked but then she hugs me back.
"Okay, we can start tomorrow. Because I think if you need time for it to sink in."
I got up to leave but then she pulled me back down. I'm guessing she doesn't want me to leave. I guess we could start now then...
Ruth gets dressed and then we go into the living room.
"So, Ruth. I understand that all this started when your dad passed."
I see her beautiful blue eyes shift for bit then they focus back on me
"It's okay if you're uncomfortable about it. I think we need to first focus on becoming comfortable with it. I mean, I guess we can't really talk about it but maybe you can hear other people talk about it."
She raises an eyebrow at me
"I know, but it might still help. Let's start with me, I'm not exactly grieving but I never knew who my parents where. My uncle took me in when I was a baby and he doesn't talk about my parents much. I've lived on the stable pretty much my whole life. I get how you feel past the sadness, it feels like there's something missing. Almost like, you'll never be complete again. But it's not really the same, since I'm not sure if my parents are alive or dead..."
Ruth puts a hand on my shoulder and I smile at her.
"Look, tomorrow morning. Be ready by 10:00am. I'm taking you somewhere. See you later."
I leave the apartment, proud that I'm doing something nice.
I KNOW, I'm doing too many fillers. It's just that I don't have much time anymore to write a whole chapter. So I'm starting the chapter now, and writing the rest tomorrow so I have something full to give to you guys.
