Ruby's Rebellion

Chapter One: The affair

In the years since her father's passing Ruby had undergone many changes. The family had moved from their comfortable home she had lived in her whole life to a small, rundown home in the city. Even worse, her mother had married her father's best friend. She understood that it was mostly for financial stability, but it was still hard for the teenager, who had now begun to rebel. She refused to attend school, and had begun to sneak out at night. As the months went on it went from being gone for a few hours, to being gone for days. What Ruby's mom didn't know was that she often went out with much older and married men. One married man in particular had Ruby's attention and affection. She loved the thrill of being with him. She would sneak off to San Antonio, or he would come to Fort Worth, where she lived. However, this time Ruby had been gone for several months and no one had heard from her. Molly was worried. Ruby was not in the usual places. The other kids had heard nothing about their sister. Most of the time when Ruby would run off one of the older siblings would find her. They were unable to this time.

Molly was sure her youngest daughter was no longer alive. A thought that made her heart wrench. She told herself that Ruby was now at peace, and with her father. As comforting as that thought was, Molly would soon find out that wasn't true.

Ruby was avoiding coming back home. At first she was having a blast running the streets with John and his band of friends. For the last three months they had been up and down the West Coast. She had fallen in love with California and wanted to stay there with John forever. Nothing else mattered. With him, she could be herself. He thought she was brilliant, beautiful, and funny. She adored the way he does on her. He was romantic and passionate, but also married. Ruby conveniently pushed that part out of her mind. In her mind he was her John, and they were going to travel the world together.

Something was wrong. Ruby kept getting sick. She was certain she had just eaten some bad food. It would pass. But weeks went by and she was still sick. Ruby confided in a girlfriend who had advised that maybe she was pregnant. No, that couldn't be it. Her sweat turned cold.

Another month had passed and she was still throwing up. However, now it happened less frequently. She noticed her stomach had slightly started to swell, and to make matters worse she couldn't remember her last monthly cycle. Was she pregnant? Whatever it was happening to her, she knew John could tell. He had started to treat her differently. He was acting distant towards her and letters kept coming in from his wife back home, begging him to come back.

One morning Ruby awoke to John dressing and packing his things. She laid there still and quiet, just listening. Tears streamed down the side of her face, soaking the hotel pillow. "You're going back to her." She said, weakly. "Yes, Ruby. She's my wife.." his voice trailed off. She closed her eyes and swallowed back her bile. She was pissed and hurt. She thought they would be together forever. It felt like he had just rammed a knife through her heart, and she choked back sobs. "What about us, John? Don't you love me?" She asked, let the sobs over take her. This was too much. "Look... We've had our fun... okay? You're an amazing woman, but I've got to get back to the real world... and you've got to get back to your folks... Don't you miss them?" She felt betrayed. "No. I'm happy here with you." She said softly. There was nothing for her in Texas. She knew if she returned home her mom and step dad would be mad at her. "I can't just go back, John. I just can't." She said, looking away from him. She couldn't believe this was happening. "I'm truly sorry, Ruby, but I've got to go." He kissed her forehead and then turned and walked out the door. She wrapped herself in her blanket and let her sobs escape her body.

Her whole world had just crashed around her, but luckily for her they had been running with several other couples who had taken Ruby under their wing. Ruby had come to realize her girlfriend was right and she was pregnant, she was almost positive. She was terrified and had no idea what she was going to do.

The last two days her back was really sore, and there was pressure building below her stomach. She woke up in a puddle of water and was having sharp pains. Her friends rushed to her side, as she began screaming in pain. "Ruby.., you're having a baby!" Her friend exclaimed. This couldn't be happening. After hours of pushing Ruby heard a faint cry. "It's a girl!" Ruby was too exhausted to care. She fell into a deep sleep.

Hours later Ruby woke up. "I want to see my daughter." She said. Quickly the small baby was placed on her chest. She looked at the baby. She was absolutely beautiful. She had big blue eyes and small curls. Suddenly Ruby knew exactly what to do. "I need to take her to my mama." Ruby told her friends. The two friends looked at each other and then at Ruby. "It's a long trip and the baby is so small... maybe it's best we wait. I'm not sure she will make such a long trip.." "No," Ruby insisted. "I need my mom. She will take care of us." The next morning the women left for Texas with a small, newborn.

It had taken roughly two days to get to Texas and the little baby was not doing well. Ruby flung herself out of the car and rushed towards the door step, her baby in her arms. She began to bang on the front door. It was the middle of the night and she knew her family was asleep. Anxiety crept up as Ruby tried to picture her mother's reaction to her sudden disappearance and reappearance. Molly opened the door and peeked out. At first, in her state of sleepiness she didn't recognize the woman at the door holding a newborn as her daughter. After all she believed Ruby was most likely dead and didn't have a baby. "Mama.." Ruby said, breaking the silence. Molly looked at Ruby and then the baby. Suddenly it all made sense. She grabbed her daughter and pulled her inside, wrapping her arms around her daughter and who she assumed was her granddaughter. Sobs erupted from her chest. "I-I th-thought you were dead!" She finally was able to choke out. And then she took the baby from Ruby. "Ruby, where did this baby come from?" Ruby bit her lip. Could she tell Molly the truth? How would she react to her daughter having a baby out of wedlock? And with a married man? No. She could never tell her mom about John and the months long affair in which the baby girl had been conceived. "I found her on the way home.. she was so tiny, and I just couldn't bare to leave her." She lied. She tried her best to make it slind convincing. She sincerely hoped her mother believed her.