Unwanted guest
1466 Words
A week later
The morning of Ruth's discharge arrived far sooner than she expected.
A nurse handed her the final paperwork before escorting her downstairs.
Within minutes, she was standing outside Silver Medical Center with nothing but a handbag hanging from her shoulder.
The automatic doors slid shut behind her.
For a few seconds, she simply stood there.
People walked past, cars came and went.
Life continued as though nothing had happened. Yet everything in Ruth's life had changed.
Her mother was gone, her marriage was over.
The child she never got the chance to know was gone too. She felt so alone, throughout her stay in the hospital, no one came for her.
She looked down at her handbag.
Everything she currently owned was inside it.
Her phone had been destroyed, her car was still being repaired.
Even the home she'd lived in for three years no longer belonged to her.
A short laugh escaped her lips. Not because anything was funny.
Because she honestly didn't know what she was supposed to do next.
"Miss Ruth!"
She turned.
One of the nurses from her floor was hurrying toward her.
The woman held a white envelope.
"I almost missed you. Here" she stretched her hands.
Ruth blinked.
"For me?"
The nurse nodded.
"This was left at the front desk."
Ruth accepted the envelope.
"Who left it?"
The nurse smiled.
"Mr. Scott Rowland."
Ruth stared at her.
The stranger who had saved her life.
Slowly, she opened the envelope.
A brand-new phone rested inside.
Her eyes widened.
There was also a small handwritten note.
Your previous device was beyond repair. Your contacts, photos and files have been transferred.
Focus on recovering- Scott Rowland
Ruth read it twice. Then a third time.
Nobody had ever done something like this for her.
Not even Caleb. Especially not Caleb.
Her throat tightened. She now owed him even more, she hated owing people.
"Thank you," she whispered.
The nurse smiled. "You're welcome."
After the nurse left, Ruth powered on the phone.
Everything was there. Her photos, contacts, messages, even the grocery list she had saved weeks ago.
How had he managed all of this?
And more importantly… Why? Why would he do this for her?
The phone suddenly vibrated.
It was her friend Rinna calling.
The moment Ruth answered, Rinna's voice blasted through the speaker.
"RUTH!"
For the first time in days, Ruth smiled.
"Hi."
"Don't 'hi' me. I've been calling for days!"
"I know."
"I just got back into the country and your husband called me saying he couldn't find you."
The smile vanished.
Ruth looked away.
"He called you?"
"Yes."
A pause followed. Then Rinna asked quietly,
"What's going on?" Ruth swallowed.
"A lot has been."
"Where are you?" Rinna asked.
"Outside a hospital."
"What?"
"I'll explain everything."
"Send me the address."
"Rinna.. don’t worry.."
"Stop being stubborn and just send it."
“Ok mom.” Ruth rolled her eyes
The call ended.. Ruth stared at the phone.
A small part of her suddenly felt lighter.
Maybe because she wasn't alone anymore.
******
An hour later.
The moment Rinna stepped out of her car, she froze.
Her eyes immediately landed on the bruise near Ruth's forehead.
"Oh my God Ruth." She rushed forward.
"What happened to you?"
"It's a long story."
“Why didn’t you reach out to me"
Rinna pulled her into an embrace
"You have work, I don't want to bother you."
“I didn’t just give you that emergency number for nothing, what are friends for if we can’t help each other.”
Ruth sniffed.
“Now you’re going to tell me how this happened.”
The ride to the apartment was filled with silence at first.
Then the words started pouring out.
Ruth told her about the funeral, the divorce papers she signed, Caleb’s mistress, the accident.
By the time Ruth finished, Rinna's knuckles were white around the steering wheel.
"Focus on driving, please" Ruth muttered.
"I'm trying."
"No you're not."
"I'm imagining ten different ways to murder Caleb."
Despite everything, Ruth laughed.
A genuine laugh. It surprised both of them.
Rinna glanced sideways.
"I’m sorry you had to go through all of that alone."
Ruth looked away.
“You don’t have to be sorry, I can’t drag you down with me.”
Rinna sighed. “Don’t say that.”
“You just started chasing your dream, so I understand.”
****
Soon they got to Rinna’s apartment, after settling, Rinna started pacing around the living room.
"I'm serious."
She pointed toward the door.
"I'll find him."
"Please don't."
"He deserves it."
"I know."
"No, I don't think you do."
Rinna stopped pacing.
"He divorced you on the day of your mother's funeral."
Ruth looked down.
"He brought another woman into your home."
Rinna shook her head.
"He can do whatever he wants, I just want to move on."
For years she had ignored things she shouldn't have.
Excuses had become a habit. Maybe because the truth hurt too much.
"What are you going to do now?" Rinna asked.
The question lingered between them.
Ruth opened her mouth, then closed it.
She honestly didn't know.
Three years ago, her future had been simple.
Love Caleb, support Caleb, build a family with Caleb. Everything revolved around him and now she just discovered that she wasn’t really living for herself, she had no plan.
Rinna sat beside her.
"You don't have to figure everything out today."
Ruth nodded but after a moment she quietly said,
"I need a job."
Rinna looked surprised.
"What?"
"I need to work."
For the first time since the funeral, determination entered her voice.
"I can't spend the rest of my life depending on people."
She thought of her mother. The sacrifices she'd made, all the warnings she'd given.
Ruth finally understood them now.
"I need something that's mine."
Rinna stared at her and then smiled.
"There she is."
Ruth frowned.
"Who?"
"The Ruth I knew before marriage."
Rinna stood up. “Now it's an operation to find Ruth a job.”
Ruth rolled her eyes. “Stop teasing me.” She said.
“Well.. I just got back and there’s really nothing in this house. I need to go shopping, wanna come?”
“Nah, I’ll be here.” Ruth replied.
“Alright then. And I'm getting you clothes too.”
Before Ruth could contest, the front door was shut.
Ruth sighed.
The apartment became quiet.
For the first time in days, Ruth allowed herself to relax.
Maybe she could rebuild, maybe not today or tomorrow but eventually.
Her eyes drifted toward the phone Scott had given her.
Then toward a notebook lying on the coffee table.
Slowly, she picked it up.
On the first page she wrote:
Things I need to do.
1. Find a job.
2. Find a place to stay.
3. Never go back.
She stared at the final line.
Never go back and then a sharp knock interrupted her thoughts.
Ruth frowned.
Rinna couldn't possibly be back already.
Another knock followed, harder this time.
She stood and walked to the door.
The moment she opened it every muscle in her body tightened.
Caleb stood outside. His eyes immediately landed on her.
Then on the fading bruise near her forehead.
His expression darkened.
For a second neither spoke.
Then he looked past her into the apartment.
"So this is where you've been hiding."
Ruth folded her arms.
"What do you want?"
The question seemed to amuse him.
A faint smirk appeared.
"Interesting."
"What is?"
"You finally learned how to talk back."
Ruth's patience snapped.
"I asked a question."
Caleb's eyes hardened.
Then he stepped closer.
"Pack your things."
Ruth stared at him.
"You must be out of your mind"
"You're coming home with me." He replied
For one second she honestly thought he was joking.
Then she saw he was serious and she laughed. Did he just say ‘home’
Caleb's jaw tightened.
"What's so funny?"
"You."
His expression darkened further.
"Enough games."
"I'm not playing."
Ruth looked directly into his eyes.
The same eyes she had spent years trying to earn affection from.
"I already signed the divorce papers. I’m not your wife."
"We'll deal with that later."
She shook her head.
"We won't."
Something dangerous flashed across Caleb's face.
Then he spoke through clenched teeth.
"You don't understand the situation."
"Then explain it."
A long silence followed.
For the first time since arriving, Caleb looked frustrated.
Not guilty or sorry, just frustrated.
And suddenly Ruth understood.
He wasn't here because he loved her, he wasn't here because he missed her.
He needed something. The realization made her stomach turn.
Caleb took another step forward.
His voice dropped.
"You're coming back with me whether you like it or not."
Ruth's eyes narrowed.
“What if I refuse?”
- Writer
