The Long Weekend

Chapter One - To the Hut

It was a time of spring and the weather was as lovely as it gets. Adda heard the door being knocked so she went to see who was knocking. She opened the door and found Steve, her neighbor and a close friend waiting. She asked him to get in, but he said he was in a hurry and just wanted to tell her something. Steve and Heath –Steve’s best friend and a part of a group of close friends- planned the weekend in a remote hut in the woods.

    ‘I have already booked the hut for the weekend.’ Steve said to Adda. ‘Heath is going to call Stacy and Fred to confirm they’re coming with us.’

    ‘Oh yes!’ Adda replied with an overflowing excitement. ‘I have been working hard lately and I wouldn’t mind taking the weekend off.’

    ‘We’ll pick you up then.’ Steve said then turned around and waved. ‘See ya!’

    ‘Bye.’ Adda replied and closed the door.

    Time passed and it was about time they came to pick Adda up. She heard the car engine and got out before they let her know they have arrived. She got into the car and saw Ruth and Ned with the group. Ned is Fred and Stacy’s only son. He is eleven years old. They had been trying to have a kid for a while and had miscarriages along the way. When Ned was finally born, Stacy spoiled him and Fred let her. As for Ruth, she is Steve’s adopted daughter. She is a very small seven year old. She was not informed that she was adopted.

    On the way to the hut, Heath drove the car and sitting next to him was Steve. Fred, Stacy, and Adda sat behind them. Ruth and Ned sat at the very back of the car. It was a silent ride until Adda started talking to Steve.

    ‘Why didn’t you bring Judith and the kids with you?’ Adda asked. ‘And why is it that only Ruth is here with us?’

    ‘She has to work the weekend and the twins have a doctor’s appointment.’ Steve answered. ‘She might catch up with us on the last night.’

    ‘Every time she says she will follow and never comes.’ Heath interrupted while he chuckled.

    Adda gently smiled at Heath and turned to Steve in the passenger seat. She attracted his attention by placing her hand on his shoulder.

    ‘What about Ruth?’ She asked again.

    ‘Ruth insisted to come and I didn’t want her to think daddy doesn’t want her around. Isn’t that right, Ruth?’ Steve said while waiting for an answer from Ruth.

    Ruth put her head between her legs while leaning on the side window. She did not reply to Steve’s question. Adda thought Ruth was shy so she wanted to comfort her.

    ‘Don’t be shy sweetie,’ Said Adda as she looked at Ruth in the back. ’You can feel as comfortable with us as if we’re your family as well.’

    Ruth peeked at Steve and then quickly at Adda. She saw her and smiled at her. Ruth did not know how to react. She quickly put her head between her knees again. Steve turned his head and addressed Ruth with a stronger tone.

    ‘Don’t be rude, honey.’ He said to her. ‘Speak when you’re spoken to.

    ‘Yes,’ she said in an almost silent tone and her head still down. ‘I wanted to come with you all.’