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Episode 8

“I think you already know the answer to the question you’re asking me.’’ Mrs Ruby gave her daughter a rueful smile and sipped her coffee with satisfaction.

“I’m just a little confused. I mean it’s a job I’ve prayed for, for so long and now it comes and I feel myself withdrawing and…’’
“it’s been years Scarlett Rose Ruby.’’ Her mother sighed and Scarlett could see tears already swimming in her mother’s eyes and she felt sober. Her mother rarely called her full name “you’ve allowed your past to ruin you while others have moved on and yet, this teaching job, something you love so much finally turns up in Naperville where you grew up and you’re hesitating?’’
“I haven’t spoken to Rea in like 10 years.’’ She looked down into her tea cup almost ashamed of herself. ‘’calling her now would make me look like an opportunist.’’
“which you know you are not. If you’re looking for a mediator, I can call her and act as a bridge.’’
She shook her head. ‘’no, I’m 27 years old mum, I don’t need you standing up for me anymore.’’
“what about Gabe, have you called him yet?’’
“no, I wanted to make up my mind before giving him the news.’’
“he’s a good man honey. Don’t let your foolishness drive him away. This is just working out so well, don’t you see. You two have been contemplating on how to sort out your moving issues and now, it’s been solved. When you get married, it makes all things easier and you have a good job of your own right there.

You know I sent you to college for a reason don’t you?’’
“I do.’’
“so make Gabe happy. You two are already engaged and are planning to get married this Summer. Your father and I will gladly come for the wedding and who knows, you’ll make new friends who will help you with your wedding arrangements. I know Rea will be more than willing. You hardly made friends here anyway.’’ Her mother shrugged.
Scarlett nodded.
‘’so, why don’t you pick up the phone and call your sweetheart umm? I have Andrea’s number so you can call her up and tell her to help you go apartment hunting. You have enough cash right?’’
“yes, my savings.’’ She interjected. She didn’t want her mother to offer her any money. They had done enough for her already.
Her mother knew this but decided to play along as usual. ‘’so, when are you leaving?’’
“Tomorrow.’’ She forced a smile. ‘’ I was told to come over as soon as possible.’’ She sighed. ‘’sometimes I find it hard to believe that I’m about to start doing what I’d always loved to do after so many years of working for Mr Becker. He’s a good man y’know.’’
“yeah, he is. But goodness won’t get you food on your table, your clothing and your bills honey. Hard work and prayer does.’’
Scarlett looked at her wristwatch. ‘’I’ve gotta go pack and call Rea. Wish me luck.’’ She stood up and bent low to kiss her mother on the cheeks.

“Wish you much more than luck sweetie.’’
Scarlett picked her purse and hurried off, leaving her mother to stare after her.
She began to have doubts about her daughter leaving for Naperville and she tried as much as possible to bask in the comfort that it was all for good.
Her daughter needed to face her fears and move on, she needed to forget the past and face her future with the man she loved and so she was leaving.
That should keep her mind at rest shoudn’t it?
then why did the other side of her feel so uncertain about the whole thing?

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Rea’s face was on fire and she was unable to say anything when Ryan stood before her looking like a GQ model in a ward coat. He looked much more different than the last time she’d set eyes on him.
And that was about five years ago.
His glasses were perched on his nose and he quickly adjusted them back to his eyes, quite nervously as Rea observed his hands trembling a little while he handled her Chart.
“Rea.’’ He breathed. ‘’hi’’
“hi.’’ She managed with eyes still widened in shock but was able to recover in time. ‘’Ryan, I didn’t know you work here.’’
“I just got a transfer a few weeks ago and it’s been like that ever since.’’
“ohh.’’ Was all she could mumble and looked at her palms. She felt like hitting him with her white palms till he felt the pain she felt years ago when He dumped her over the phone.

Very typical of Him. He was just like what she’d heard from other women about men. They used women and dump them.
She’d give him all and the only way He felt He could repay her was break up with her over the phone.
Such confidence and attitude. It was a surprise she didn’t notice those attributes in him initially.
“so.., how have you been?’’
“you now wear glasses?’’ she didn’t bother answering his questions. To her, they sounded stupid. How else could she have been all these years without him
“yeah.., reading glasses of course.’’
She hated him. right now, she hated the sight of him and the way they talked like strangers. Like they didn’t even know each other so much more than this. He had caused everything. He made her miserable for so long and she hated that He was the one that could see to her.
She made up her mind there and then. ‘’I’ll like to change my doctor.’’
“what?’’
“I don’t want you to operate on me.’’ she made herself clear. ‘’I do not want you to handle anything concerning me in this hospital. I hope I get a different doctor or I pull off the hospital gown and leave’’
“Rea.., please.’’
“don’t you dare ‘Rea’ me.’’ she held back the tears that was rimming in her eyes and looked at him in the eye. ‘’Please leave, right now or I’ll get my lawyer.’’
Ryan looked into her eyes then and stepped back.
And then He was gone.
It was after He was gone she realized how much hatred emanated from her being just on setting eyes on him and yet how much she’d missed him. she thought she had moved on. she thought he didn’t mean anything to her anymore since she gave her life to Christ.
She thought everything was settled.
It was now she realized how wrong she was and she burst into tears
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Ryan closed his eyes to inhale deeply resting on the door which he had just exited a few seconds ago wondering what he could say to make Rea understand why he had to leave her and why he couldn’t bear to see her hurting the way she seemed to be presently.
it had been years, so many years but yet He could remember everything about her. she hadn’t changed much although the spark in her eyes were gone.
the spark that reminded him of their times together.

he thought leaving her would help him get rid of his feelings but how wrong He was. it was like his feelings had been magnified times ten and he just wanted to pull her close, embrace her and kiss her.
But he couldnt. He just couldn’t.
Not after the decision he’d made those years ago during his residency when He gave his life to Christ. He’d been living a sinful life and He knew it. Rea wouldnt understand if he started explaining things to her and that was why He had to do it over the phone for fear that if he had to travel down to see her, he would forget about everything and just take her into his arms, taking no thought for tomorrow.
But now, the old feelings just came rushing back all at once. He accepted the transfer to Naperville hoping that Rea would be long gone by then and since he got some acquired property on the outskirts of Naperville, he found it more as a blessing and moved.
who would have known three weeks after he got the transfer, Rea would be at his doorstep?
He had to inform a different doctor to take care of her present situation. His ex-girlfriend had appendicitis and needed surgery immediately and if Sue in her pregnant state hadnt been able to tell her, then another doctor would have to.

But most definitely not him.

“Dr. Riverstone…” a nurse called his attention and He moved away from the door immediately to attend to another patient that had just been rolled into the hospital.

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Some days after Rea’s surgery, while she lay resting at home since she had been given a few days off, and Susan was on morning shift in the hospital, a call came through and not recognizing the number, she hesitated twice before resigning to whoever it might be.
“hello.’’
“hello…’’ the voice at the other end was low and a little shaky. Was someone trying to pull some sort of prank? She looked at the time.
It was just 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Too early in the day for pranks
“who’s this?’’
“Rea, is that you?’’
“yes.., and may I know who this is?’’
“its Scarlett. Scarlett Ruby.’’
Rea jerked from her seat. ‘’Scar?!! You mean Scar, my best friend in highschool who disappeared ten years ago without saying goodbye?’
She sighed. ‘’l’m sorry. I know I don’t have any right to be calling you…’’
“cut the formality talk girlfriend.’’ Rea laughed full heartedly and exhaled. ‘’I missed you.’’
“I missed you too.’’ She could hear her friend sniffing over the phone and knew she was already starting to cry as usual.

Still the same old Scarlett.

“so, what’s up?’’
“I’m coming over to Naperville.’’ She announced.
“wow!, that’s great. For what? Is everything alright?’’
“yeah, it is. I just got a job at Sunnydale and I was thinking you could help me out.’’
“okay.’’ Rea felt hurt that Scar remembered her because she needed help but swallowed the bile words she was about to spew and asked. ‘’and where do I come in?’’
“I need a place temporarily. A place I can stay for a few days while I go apartment hunting.’’

There was silence for a while and Scarlett began thinking Rea had hung up on her. she asked, ‘’Rea? Are you still there?’’
‘’yeah, of course.’’
“I’m sorry, this was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have..’’ she was about hanging up when Rea further asked. ‘’when are you coming over?’’
“first thing tomorrow.’’
“call me before you leave and give me the details to your present location when you arrive and where you’ll be. You can branch by a restaurant or coffee house and call me to inform me.’’

“I don’t know what to say.’’
“a simple “yes I will” should do the job.’’
Scarlett smiled over the phone and repeated the exact words Rea mentioned.
Rea could only smile and hang up as the tears betrayed the emotions she was feeling. She knew she had a part to play in the whole scenario of Scarlett leaving her and she knew this was the time she had to make it up to her.
She was going to have a new roommate starting from tomorrow.

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“you have a great place Rea.’’ Scarlett acknowledged as she pulled her bags into the house and looked around. This was so far from what she had been living in for years at her little condo in St. Louis. It looked like the kind that could be found only in the country side.

The huge stone house had a lovely charm to it’s construction ad this surprised Scarlett more. She had thought Rea was the kind of girl that zoomed off to city life immediately after college and live with a wonderful roommate just like her but the girl had proved her wrong with this charming house.
She knew there was still so much to talk about but time would tell. Right now, she needed to drink in her temporary accommodation and bask in the soothing smell of spring that was around to stay and the smell seemed to have permeated the whole building enveloping her.
The house even had a sun porch which was furnished with natural wicker tables and chairs and Scar knew this was the kind of home she’s always wished for her new family with Gabe and since she had skills in decorating, she would make it more beautiful and colourful and there would also be a separate room for the nursery. Gabe was doing well in the publishing house for which he worked and they would both work hard to give their kids what they want and live the life they’d dreamed of in their dream house. She already had the picture of everything In her head.

Rea’s house was beautiful but lacked décor but since she knew her friend wasn’t much a decorating person, she didn’t mind. The house was made of glass, adobe, stone and wood and Scarlett mused that her friend was doing pretty well to be able to afford a place like this. It wasn’t that big, but in Scar’s eyes it was, and most importantly, it was comfortable.
It lacked something like flowers. yes! Profusion of flowers In the sun porch and everywhere else to make the place look more homey
Rea led her into the house helping her with her load while she pulled her dog by the collar knowing fully well he was bound to run around excitedly if she didn’t keep him in his reins. Rea showed her the balcony, the garden, and the living room
She wanted to ask her when they would start sharing the bills but decided to take a shower first and off-load all her bags into the room she would be staying. When Rea deposited her into the hallway that led to her room, she was glad with what she saw and told her so before she left to pick her call.

Scarlett was already unpacking when Rea walked in.

“hey.’’
“hey.’’ Scarlett smiled at her and went into her arms when she stood standing with outstretched arms.
“it’s been ten years and I find it hard to believe it’s you, right here in my house.’’
“thank you for taking me in. this all came as a surprise to me. You telling me I would be your new roommate. You don’t know how much this means to me.’’
“you left without even saying goodbye.’’ Rea managed to speak out already choking from tears.
“I’m sorry.’’
“I’m sorry too.’’
They released each other and settled down on the bed together. ‘’you mind telling me about it?’’
Scar looked down. ‘’not yet. I don’t think I can handle the whole thing coming out now but in time, I will.’’
“okay. So how have you been and what’s this new job about?’’
“I’m gonna be a teacher in Sunnydale Elementary school, help with the preschoolers in their social and other activities. Its what I’ve ever dreamed and prayed about.’’
“wow! Just what I thought you’d be.’’ Her gaze went to her left hand and she raised an eyebrow. ‘’so when were you going to tell me about your engagement?’’
Scarlett slapped her hands on her lap nervously. ‘’I’m sorry. I know I should have called you and told you earlier but it all happened so fast..”
“so, who’s the guy and what does he do?’’
“Gabe Morrison. He works for a publishing company and we’re getting married this summer.’’ She beamed excitedly. “he’s an amazing person Rea and I really want you two to meet. We could have dinner sometime.’’
“that would be awesome!’’
“and so do you mind telling me about your hair?’’
“oh…, it was just something I had to do with time. The curly huge hair was getting too much attention and I…,’’ she sighed. ‘’it’s a story for another day.’’
“wow Scar, you’ve really changed. I almost didn’t recognize you sitting down by the coffee house. You looked like a supermodel.’’ Rea confessed.

The truth was that when she’d been looking around for her when she came over to pick her, she’d glanced her way initially but looked away before looking again just to realize Scarlett was the pretty woman who sat by the end of the coffee house. Short and prim red hair that looked like a professional had taken care of. A slight touch of red lipstick that blended so well with her hair and skin and green eyes that looked warm and inviting.
She was slim and her dress didn’t hide the fact that she was. In fact, it was that obvious that she worked out with the curvy body she possessed compared to the Scarlett she’d known ten years ago. Four inched heels that graced beautiful small but smooth feet with a lovely chiffon gown that stopped right above her knees. She didn’t look exotic and her clothing didn’t look expensive or the designer type.

But with the way she looked, with shades on her hair while she sat outside the coffee house with her lovely animal so quiet at her feet, her graceful appearance was enough to make any decent man wonder about her personality or rather, ask her any question at all, just to look into the pretty face with the red hair.
She’d said the curly huge hair called attention, well this wasn’t any better.

The Red hair just had an amazing effect on her, and with it looking primly cut, she looked more like a picture model
Her mind immediately flashed to Josh and she wondered what he’d think of Scar if he saw her now.

Good thing she was engaged. She wanted to ask if she still thought about him but avoided it. she wasn’t going to bring up past memories. She was still dealing with hers
Scar blushed. ‘’yea right!’’
“Gabe must be a lucky guy.’’
“we both are.’’
“its good to have you back’’ Rea stood up
“thanks.’’ She paused. ‘’Rea, I wanted to talk to you about splitting bills and stuff.

Probably when I start working..’’
“and did I ask you to?’’
“No Rea, you cant..’’
“its my house and you’re my friend. When I have difficulty in paying for a place, I’ll tell you umm.’’ She assured. ‘’so, are you hungry?’’
“yea, but I’ll shower first and sort out some things before coming downstairs to join you.’’
“okay then.’’ And she was gone
And all Scar could do was fall on her knees and thanked God. This was more than what she’d asked for.


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