Ruby's choice

RRRRUUUUUBBBBYYYY, wakey wakey eggs and Bakey!” a voice startles me out of the darkness. “Ow, Ruby, you punched me!”. The voice begins to rant. Every word a curse that would make even the worst pirate blush. Slowly, I open my eyes. Bright sunlight streams in. Covering my eyes and wincing, I adjust to the light. Only to realize it’s my cousin I’ve punched. “Audrey, go away! You should know I get violent when woken up suddenly. It’s only been 18 years.” I chastise my favorite person. “Seriously, you aren’t going to apologize?” “Absolutely not, you need to get better at ducking.” “Annoying Brat” “Dumb Blonde” “I hate you” “Nah, you love me, always have, always will. You would be a bitter hag without me” “Fine, I love you, but one of these days, I swear…” “Yes, Yes, I know you will get even with me.” “Ruby, Audrey! Breakfast is ready, Ruby you gotta get up and get ready for your graduation. I know y’all were out partying last night, but you WILL walk across that stage and make me look good today!” yells my Aunt Brandy. Time to get up and get going, that’s one person that I am afraid of. Aunt Brandy has raised 5 girls and she isn’t one to wait. I shove Audrey off the bed and dart out the door. Only to be slammed into the wall as she glides past to make it to breakfast first. Ever the golden child. Breakfast passes quickly with minimal speaking, and I am able to get ready for the event of the day. My college graduation! It’s something that Aunt Brandy has pushed with each of us but only my eldest sister managed to get it done. Aunt Brandy’s own daughter, Milicent, dropped out to start a family. But I am grateful for that because I got my best friend, Audrey. She was born just before my second birthday. She’s been my sidekick ever since. I wouldn’t have made it without her. Aunt Brandy and I aren’t exactly two peas in a pod. Can’t say I blame her. She did get stuck raising her sister's three daughters. My mom died giving birth to me so I’ve always lived with Aunt Brandy. When I was 8, my two older half-sisters only moved in because their dad felt they needed a woman’s touch while they go through puberty. They’ve moved out but still come by regularly to harass me. Today though it’s my day. I’ve worked hard for this degree even if Aunt Brandy doesn’t see the need for it. We are witches, after all. She expected me to go for an agriculture, medical, or chemistry degree. Why would I need a business degree? The coven can teach me to run a business. I need to get a degree that can be helped by our magic so that it can be prosperous and feed our coven. But I want more, there’s something out there calling my name but I am not sure what it is. Ruby Crimson, Bachelor of Science in Communication and Organizational Leadership, is already on her way to traveling around the world. I can speak three different languages, I studied abroad for two summers, and now I just need to find a job. Which shouldn’t be hard, right? Obviously, you don’t have an Aunt Brandy. She decided I need to spend the summer at home learning coven business and then attend some training with our coven leaders to understand their needs. She’s hoping it’ll make me want to stay, but I’ll do my three months then I’m out of here finally! I am giving her this only because I owe everything to her. If it weren’t for her, I probably would’ve died with my mom. I always get sentimental on these days, I wish my mom could be here. I head out the door to the campus, I’m lucky that I can walk to campus. Today will be way too many cars and people in one tiny area. Our campus is small, tucked in the mountains, and only one way in or out. I make my way to the waterfall at the back of campus, where our ceremony will take place. I’m soon accosted by Petra, my best friend. His 6’3” frame dwarfs me as he snags me in for a hug. Solid muscle, dark brown hair, and a killer grin. He’s a lady killer for sure but he prefers men. He’s a bisexual werebear with golden retriever energy. Whoever ties this one down is going to be spoiled rotten. “So, what are our plans for tonight? Hitting the city or going to the mountains? Personally, I need some city time, I may be graduating, but I didn’t acquire my MRS degree yet.” Petra says as he sets me down gently. I take a moment to readjust to solid ground, I think he might have squeezed all the air from my body. “I think we should go to the city, it’s been a while, and I need away from my family. Let’s book a hotel and do three glorious days away before we get back to reality. We did just graduate in 3 years instead of 4.” “Excellent, I’ll get adjoining rooms. We both know we are bringing something back for the night.” “Oh, we are?” Joins a high-pitched squeal. Only Fiona’s voice gets that high. I turn around to face the red-headed beauty. “I guess we can take you too,” I reply, laughing. “Well, I’ll be DD since you two don’t know how to hook up without being wasted. Besides, I’ll get mine before we get to the room.” “Yes, we know you are a freak. You’d probably get it on the dance floor without anyone knowing.” “Freak, Succubi, horn dog. Look, we all have urges just some of us feed off that energy. What happened to being a liberated woman?” Fiona scolds. “Okay, slow your feminist rant, you know we don’t care. I’ll share a room with you,” I offer hoping to avoid her wrath. She happily pivots the conversation to what we are wearing. “I’ll have to go to the coven party, so we won’t be able to leave until tomorrow. Maybe book a spa for tomorrow afternoon in the city, then we will head to the hotel to eat and dress.” I remind them quickly as the auditorium fills, and we move to get to our places. The event progresses quickly, and soon, I’m being whisked by Aunt Brandy to the tavern she rented for our coven party. As the wine flows, so does the advice and questions from all the Crones even my sisters join in. “Ruby, do you plan to open a business?” “Why are you planning on leaving? Greed is very unbecoming for such a smart girl” “I think you are looking for things that don’t exist. It’s better just to stay here.” “What if you get hurt, how will we know?” “You just can’t be happy with what you have. It’s going to get you into big trouble.” I try my best to set them at ease, reminding them that I am doing this to help build connections to help the coven and further our interests in the supernatural world. I know where I came from, and I’m not ashamed, but something is missing in my life. Besides, I am not ready to settle down and have babies like my older sisters and oldest cousin. One voice of support pulls me from the undercurrent of doubt, “I think you are brave and that this will be an exciting adventure. Just pack me in your bag.” jokes Audrey. “And have me face the wrath of not only Aunt Brandy but your Mama!? I thought you loved me.” “Maybe that’s how I’ll get my payback for all your years of torture.” “Oh, do you not want me to come home? I’d be turned into a pig and skewered over hot coals. Where would that leave our adventure?” “Eh, you’d only have to hide for a century before they forgave you.” “ I’d take the heat only for you cuz. Seriously, if you want a year off before going to college, just come with me.” “Yeah? And how would I support myself.” “I’m sure we could put some of those healing skills to use. Besides, I’m happy to support us both, but we might have to live in a cave.” We both laugh. We are not the ones to miss the finer things in life. As the Crones reminisce about their youth and the Maidens find someone to spend their youthful nights with, I slip out and head home.