Untying the Knot

chapter 2 part 6 of 6

Ruby’s face darkened. “October 8, a beautiful day. It is the anniversary of my parent’s marriage.”

Charlie put his arm around her shoulder and calmed her. “Who do you think the letter came from?”

Ruby stood up and turned around. Her steady voice began to crackle as she spoke. “I... I don’t know. Nobody knows about me, except… except….. Except Darcy.”

“Darcy?”Charlie sounded hurt.

Ruby kept her back turned. “Yes, Darcy. She has been my first friend. I thought… I thought I could trust her! Even before you came along, Darcy and I were close. We shared secrets, we played together, and she was a great friend! I know I should not have told her! It destroyed our friendship! I destroyed our friendship!” Ruby’s tears were really loud, and they wouldn’t stop coming down. Ruby turned around and faced Charlie before continuing, “I thought she would understand! I thought she was my friend! I didn’t think she wouldn’t want to be my friend just because I’m a slave girl.  But as I said, I have trust issues, just like my dad. I didn’t like lying to you, but I didn’t want to lose another friend. I just wasn’t ready, and I’m still not ready to be friendless, but you have the right to know. You also have the right to know that I was happy to be your friend, and I don’t think I will ever get a better friend than you, Charlie. Goodbye Charlie.”

As Ruby turned to go, she felt Charlie grab her hand and pull her back. “Wait. Darcy and I are two different people. Just because she abandoned you doesn’t mean I will too. Do you think I’m really that cruel? Do you think I would want to crush both of us? Of course not, Rue. I would never do that.”

Ruby felt tears reforming in her eyes, and she whispered, “Thanks Charl. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Just then, a car pulled into the driveway. Ruby gasped and said, “Charlie, you have to go!”

This time, Charlie did not hesitate to go, as he knew his presence was harmful to Ruby. He quickly nodded and began to leave the garden. At the last minute, he turned around and moved towards Ruby. Quietly and quickly, he removed the mouse trap from her toe, and then quickly left. Ruby thanked him quietly, before quickly heading towards her mouse-infested cabin and climbing in through the window. As she lay in bed, Ruby heard the door lock click and the door opened.

Outside, Charlie watched this silently. Then, hearing Ruby’s screams a few minutes later, whispered to himself, “Hang in there Ruby. I’m not going to leave you.”