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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2960477" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Fifty-six, “Ruby’s Day“, May 30th, 1882:Ruby sleeps late into Tuesday. When she finally pries her eyes open she does not feel like getting out of bed. She missed Niles and was weary over the events of the past couple of days. She wonders if she made a mistake yesterday not getting on the stage and leaving Promise City. It seemed destiny wanted her here, but why she was unsure. Perhaps for love, perhaps for friendship or adopted family, perhaps to play a cruel joke on her by continuing to take away people she loved and cared about. She lies in bed with her conflicted thoughts running wild. After some time she unhappily drags herself out of bed and wraps her robe around herself. She pads around the house, her house, with a full glass of whiskey in her hand and the growing puppies nipping at her heels. A knock at the door drags her into the present.  She pulls her robe tighter across her chest and answers the door. Western Union telegraph operator Dave Meleny is standing there with a piece of paper in his hand. She smiles at him and accepts it. “Thank you Mr. Meleny. You must be busy now with the ability to send and receive telegraphs,” Ruby comments. She continues to make small talk with him but wonders who could be sending her a telegraph. Just as their conversation finishes Eddie Palmer shows up on her porch with a rather large sized box. “For me?” she asks curiously. “Today must be my lucky day.” Meleny and Palmer exchange good days as Ruby looks over the box. It is addressed to Miss Ruby West of Promise City but has no return address on it. It looks beat up and she guesses it must have traveled far. Now even more curious she thanks the postmaster and returns inside. She places the box down on the front foyer table, next to the small crudely wrapped package Nanuet had given to her last night when he stopped by to say his goodbyes. Things wouldn’t be the same without him around.  The puppies had both whined when he left, as if they knew he might be gone for a while. First she rips open the telegram. She reads it over a few times and a small smile comes to her face. Maybe destiny had some other plans for her after all, that seemed a good a plan as any at this point.  Next she looks over the box. It wasn’t heavy but it was battered. She wondered if she should wait to open it until someone else was safely in the area but something told her it was not harmful. She runs her fingers over the box and her eyes close, trying to imagine the journey of the box. She flips the box over and there is writing, the same as the writing on the front and unknown to her. It says, “To be opened Friday, June 2nd.” The date was important and Ruby knew whoever sent this must know her, and fairly well. She inhales deeply and places the box back on the table next to Nanuet’s gift. She would ponder this and for now she would wait to find out the contents of the box. After more puttering she returns upstairs and works on her bag again. It was still packed from the day before but this time her goal and destination were different. She exchanges some clothes, adding her nicest clothing and shoes and adds all her jewelry and perfume. She also takes the ring from George Eastman out of the safe. She takes a few minutes to slip it on her finger and longingly gaze at its beauty and sparkle before also packing it in the bag. Next she gets dressed and finds some food in the kitchen. She eats lightly as she tries to organize all the things to do before she leaves.   She takes the dogs and makes her first stop the Morand Cartage office where she buys a ticket for first stage to Wilcox leaving the next day.  Next she stops at the El Parador, stopping to speak with her teacher, to explain she doesn’t know when she will be back but he knows where she will be if he needs her. She feels a little better about recent events after speaking with him and she asks him to keep on eye on all her friends while she is gone.  She stops by the bank and takes out most of her money, leaving only $50. The bank seems to have a lot of business this day but Ruby doesn’t stop to think about why. Next she finds Josie at the Gay Lady. She does not mention meeting with Wyatt. She asks Josie to continue casting the play and even starting rehearsals without her. Ruby promises to work on her lines while she is away and insists she will be back soon. She also tells her to speak with Conrad, that he offered to help and has experience, and Judge Lacey, as he was going to put together a list of swordfighters for her. Her next stop finds her looking for Judge Isby. She takes a good amount of time with him, with him explaining the intricacies of the trial to her. She acts interested as he talks to her about current events but is very happy to hear Adair is in prison. Then she informs him she will be gone for an unknown amount of time on personal business but hopes it stays calm for him around town and their dinners can continue when she returns. Finally, late dinner time she arrives at the Lucky Lady. She stands overlong on the porch, staring at the sign with its red painted letters with the Queen of Hearts drawn out. She breathes in deeply and enters the Saloon.   Without looking around too much she finds Harry and approaches him, asking for a moment to speak to him. “I just wanted to let you know, I thought Niles was such a good man. You two were really good friends, we all knew that. But Niles, he was really special. I am glad to have known him.” She sighs, “This kind of stuff, what happened, isn’t easy for me to deal with.” A small blush comes to her cheeks. “I am sure you can easily imagine that. I am glad you are going to take over the liquor business and stick around. We are going to be getting much busier here with the hotel and all, and we’ll be needing your help. Plus, I like having you around,” Ruby smiles at him softly. “Anyway, I am going to be taking a little trip. I know I just got back but with Niles not around…gone...,” she can’t finish her statement. “I need some time to think things through. I would be too upset to sing right now anyway and would probably be walking around with a sour puss on my face, not what any of our business needs,” she tries to joke. “I am going to leave the puppies here, I know Thom will try to take care of them but I hope you will look after them. And please look after the others and look after yourself too. I know this can’t be easy for you.” Ruby pauses, then hugs Harry tightly. “It’ll be ok, I know it will.” She also finds Job and Maria and explains the same to them. Maria seems a bit hysterical about it and Ruby assures her she will be returning. She laughs, “If for nothing else I will be back for my babies,” she says and points to the dogs at her feet but knows that Maria knows better.  She says goodbye to Tony and then with a full plate of food from Maria returns home.Ruby begins the short walk from the Saloon to her home, keeping a close eye on the pups. They would be sad when she left, having spent so little time with them lately. Somehow time had gotten away from her and it had been months since she just did the things she wanted to, sing at the saloon, stay up late, drinking, dancing, playing cards and spending time with the people she cared about. Ruby makes a quick detour and ends up standing outside the El Parador again. She tells the puppies to stay on the porch and she wanders inside. Warm and inviting, the El Parador always was homey and welcoming. She glances around at the crowd enjoying their late dinner, searching for a face. She finds the petite woman sitting with her family, just finishing up dinner. She slowly walks to the table and quietly comes upon them. "Evening Kate, and Kate's family," Ruby says with nod and a smile, although the kind Kate knows isn't 100% genuine. "How is everyone?" The family all greeted Ruby warmly and Kate said, "Quite well. Evan Adair is in jail, and while I would have liked to have seen more of the human children come to school today it went very well." "That's good news Kate. I heard about Adair, that is very good news. So tell me about school." Ruby is genuinely interested but at the same time looks a bit uncomfortable as she stands there. "Well, with the sponsorship of the Committee for Racial Equality, I'm able to have Mrs. O'Hara and Mrs. Caudell as teachers as well. They're both excellent and I don't know how I'd have managed twenty-some children alone. We're going to negotiate salaries tomorrow. I doubt this is what Mrs. King imagined when she and that tutor tried to steal all the human families." "Wow, that's great. It will take some of pressure off you at the school, in case you have to miss. And easier on a regular basis with less kids to keep an eye on. Give it some time, I am sure the other families will come to their senses and the children will show up." Ruby suddenly shakes her head and blurts out, "Oh, I had wanted to ask Mrs. O'Hara if her older girls needed a job working at the Saloon but I forgot after they got sick. We're going to need more help, especially cleaning in the daytime and helping Maria in the kitchen so she can come in and do breakfast instead of clean. And even someone else to cook when Maria has off. Well, some other time I guess. Or maybe you can mention it to her when you see her and ask them to stop by the Lucky Lady if they are interested? We need someone reliable." "I'll mention it to her tomorrow. Why don't you sit down? Is there something else you wanted to ask about? You seem a bit...distracted." "Thanks Kate, that would be great." She pauses and looks around the table at the faces of Kate's family. "Actually, uh, yes, I did have something to talk about. Maybe we could go upstairs?”  "Of course." Kate stood up and kissed her mother's cheek. "I'll be back in a minute." She headed toward the stairs and about halfway up Ruby whispered behind her, "How about our teacher's room?" Kate nodded and led the way to the now familiar door and let them both inside. "What is it?" she asked once they were alone. Ruby looks wide eyed around the grand room. "He redecorated in here," she smiles sadly as she looks around. She takes a seat on the edge of the fountain and peers inside, poking a finger gently into the water sending fish of all size darting away. She stares intently at the fish, watching them trying to be brave and get closer to her. Her long red hair falls over her shoulder as she momentarily gets lost looking deep into the water. When she could stall no longer she says without looking up at Kate, "I'm leaving for a while. Maybe I'll be back in a couple of days.” She pauses and the only noise in the large room is the running water in the fountain. “Maybe it might be longer." "Did something happen beside what I know about? You have seemed distracted since you came back. Maybe some time to clear you head is needed?" She asked, trying not to jump to a panicked conclusion. "I am very upset about Niles, like everyone else." Ruby is quiet for a moment as a particularly large fish swims past her. "Something else, well..." She sighs. "Yes. I danced in a ceremony on Saturday night. For Aphrodite. And I asked her to send me a sign." There is a long stretch of silence. "And she didn't. There was nothing. I mean, there was something special and different between Jake and I, but I’m not sure it was because of her. I don't know." Silence again. "You know I'm not used to getting close to people, not until I came here. And to have them taken away with no control... What happened, it could happen again. And if it happened to you... you said you were there...When we were in Tucson we thought it was Chester... not that Niles is any better..." Ruby shakes her head, sending her fiery hair flying around her face. Her eyes well up with tears as she looks up at Kate, "I can't deal with this. I used to be strong and now that I have all of you I am weak. I am scared and afraid." She wipes her eyes, "Yes, I need to leave and clear my head. And there are some things I need to take care of." "I wasn't in Tucson so I don't know what happened, but I think the gods send messages in their own time and in their own way. Sometimes, if the message doesn't come in the way we expected, we miss it. But you know what, I think you might be right about getting your head clear. It's hard to think clearly in the middle of something. Looking at it from the outside can make everything much clearer, and if you have something you have to do it could give you that chance. Just remember this, having people you care about who love you back doesn't make you weak. You just haven't learned to tap the strength yet. Maybe you can learn that too." Kate paused for a moment. "Dealing with a death is hard, the hardest thing. But you can do it, you just keep living for all the people you've lost." A small laugh escapes Ruby's lips. "Look at the two of us, talking about gods." She rolls her eyes and laughs again, even though the tears keep falling. "Who would have guessed." She is quiet again for a long time, just watching the fish. "I wish I knew the answers. I wish Niles didn't die and I wish we never got involved with the stupid Cowboys." She again looks into the clear fountain water. "I wish I could feel confident about what I should do with my future." She continues quickly without explanation. "I wish a lot of things I guess. I am hoping some time away will help me figure it out." "I wanted to make sure I saw you before I left, it's really important to me." Ruby chokes on her words as she speaks, "You've been my best friend Kate. I never really had that before."  Kate replies, "And the fact that you're here telling me is why I know you'll come back. Even though you think you don't know how, you've been a wonderful friend to me too. One of the reasons I'm still here and sane. I hope you'll find what you're looking for, but I think what you'll really find is that what you're looking for is here." Ruby nods and lets out her tears in a burst. She motions for Kate to come to her and gently grasps her wrists, pulling her down next to her on the edge of the fountain. She hugs her friend tightly for long moments, burying her face into Kate’s supportive shoulder. Finally she pulls away and wipes her eyes. "What's with these stupid fish anyway?" she laughs through the tears, pointing at the water. Kate still had hold of Ruby's other hand and squeezed it. "I don't know. They're easier to take care of than puppies?" she said lightly. "But kind of nice to watch when you just want to be quiet." Ruby keeps her hand gripped tightly in Kate's. She doesn't say any more of the things she wants to, knowing that Kate already knows. "Much easier than puppies," Ruby says, again sticking a finger from her free hand into the water. "There is a really big one in there. Our teacher must be saving it for dinner one night," she half smiles. "We'll have to ask him when that's going to be. I don't want to miss it." "I don't know," Kate said, looking at the monster swimming in the pool. "Somehow I don't think being eaten would be a fitting end for that one. I almost expect to see it jump out of the water and turn into a man or something. Let us hope our teacher has not started some kind of odd experiments. You'll have to make sure you're back for the day it sprouts arms or some such nonsense." A real giggle escapes Ruby's lips. "You're right, it's probably like in the fairy tales, where the prince is really a fish instead of a frog. But just who is Mr. Gonzales keeping him in there for?" She giggles again, releasing some tension. Then she sighs. "You know Nanuet left, right? It didn't sound like he would be back soon. I hope he’ll be ok going off by himself like that." "No, I didn't know that. I'm surprised with his cousin here... Unless it has to do with his cousin? I'm afraid I haven't been as attentive as I ought. Miss Florencia and I have been staying out of each others way for the most part and since they are so much together..." Kate shrugged. "I guess I'll have to start counting the days until both of you return." "He stopped by to see me last night before he left. Gave me a birthday present and said goodbye.. He's sweet like that." She shrugs, "I guess he is going back to his tribe to talk to them about his cousin. His cousin will stay with the priestess while Nanuet is gone." Ruby smiles and squeezes her hand tighter, "Don't worry, you sound so busy you won't even notice either of us are gone." Ruby pauses and pulls her hair over her shoulder. "I am sorry I didn't get to spend more time with your family Kate, I really am." "There will be other chances. They'll be back in December after all. And I will never be too busy to notice that part of what holds me up is missing." Kate blinked tears back from her eyes. "Come back soon, honey. Life will be upside-down without you here." Ruby leans over and hugs Kate tightly again. "I'll try my best Katherine Kale. I will promise that much. Take care of yourself and that little girl too." Ruby pulls her face back and looks at Kate, trying to remember every detail of her friends face. "I should go now, you have your family and I still have some things to do now." Ruby stands and takes one more look at the fountain. "Silly old man," she shakes her head again. "Come on, I'll walk back downstairs with you." "When you reach 800 years old, I think you've earned the right to be silly." Kate put her arm around Ruby's waist, a familiar gesture that they had both used more than once when holding the other up and went with her through the door. "Make sure to write me a letter now and then and tell me what you're up to." "If I'm gone more than a couple of days I will. Take care Kate." Ruby kisses her friends cheek then hurries off, down the stairs and out of the Cantina. She waves at Kate’s family as she walks by but doesn’t stop. She gathers the puppies from the porch and returns home. Nanuet had done a good job taking care of the house while they were away and everything was neat and in its own spot. Ruby walks around the house going room by room, thinking of all the decorating she still wanted to do. She picks at the plate from Maria. Finally she ends up back in her bedroom. Once she double checks that her bags are properly packed she undresses and slips on one of Jake’s shirts. She mindlessly brushes her hair, ending up daydreaming more than brushing. Even though it is early she climbs into bed, curling up under the sheets, and waits.</blockquote>

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