by Lacey Legend
Ruby watched the woman drive away, feeling a spark of sadness that Isaac had so carelessly discarded his one and only relative. She understood grieving and that sometimes it caused people to do things they wouldn’t normally do, but it didn’t change the fact that it hurt the person on the receiving end. Ruby closed the front door and locked it up tight before getting out her cell phone and calling Isaac. It went straight to voice mail.
“Isaac, it’s Ruby. I’d like to talk to you when you have a minute. I want you to remember that both your aunt and I are here for you if you need to talk through what happened.” She hung up then, not knowing what else she could say that would make a difference right now. She went back to her office and made notes on the upcoming chapters, which would be written the following day. Then she saved her work and powered off the machine.
Suddenly she heard loud music coming through the open windows in the house. Confused, she looked out the kitchen window and saw that a bonfire was going in the back yard and all of the lights in the house were on. Ruby sighed and pushed away the frustration at being shut out when Isaac needed to be letting people in. She wasn’t going to go over there though. Ruby was determined to give Isaac his space and not make a scene. If he needed this, then so be it, but he could have told his aunt that instead of pretending he wanted to be alone.
Ruby dug out her ear plugs and went to bed after closing and locking all of the windows in the house. She took her cell phone upstairs with her in case Isaac returned her call. But he didn’t. Ruby slept through the night dreamlessly and woke up, ready for her jog at eight the next morning.
***
When she returned from her jog and before hitting the shower, Ruby called Isaac’s phone again. Again, it went straight to voicemail.
“Isaac, it’s Ruby again. Please call me. I really want to help you through this tough time you’re facing. That’s what couples do: they help each other. Please let me help you.”
Ruby lingered in the shower, letting the hot water cascade over her sore body. She lathered up a loofah sponge with coconut milk-scented body wash and gave herself a good scrub. Afterward, she ran shampoo and cream rinse through her kinky curls and let it sit before rinsing it. Ruby’s mind wandered to the dream she’d had about Isaac and then from there to the steamy session of sex in his large bathtub after their first date. She closed her eyes and recalled what it felt like to feel him inside of her, filling her to the brim with ecstasy and pleasure. Remembering the way it felt to have him cum inside of her, hot and fast, as they both rode the waves of pleasure that rippled through, and around them. Ruby bit her bottom lip as an all too familiar tingle began between her legs and the warmth moved up into her belly. Shivers ran down her spine as her mind continued to play out the scene in his bedroom: his mouth on her clit, rubbing it in slow, achingly sweet circles, before he rode her, thrusting deep inside. Ruby’s breathing was shallow and ragged as her fingers found their way to that same, sweet pink button and she brought herself to climax, still thinking about Isaac’s body against hers and inside of hers.
After her shower, Ruby lay on her bed under the ceiling fan, thinking about the Isaac situation. She looked over at her cell phone, still on the bedside table. There had been no missed calls, no text messages from anybody. Ruby suddenly remembered then that she never told Julia what happened with Genie. Brought out of her reverie, she fired off a text giving Julia the reader’s digest version. Then she got dressed in a simple sun-dress patterned in pink and black swirls. It was a casual dress that Ruby loved wearing as often as possible. As she started the coffee pot and poured a bowl of cereal for herself, Ruby found herself hoping that Isaac would call her back. She missed him, and not just because of the fantastic sex that had her panties moistening at every recollection. Ruby hadn’t felt such genuine affection for anybody in a long time. It would be disappointing to her if one bad apple like Genie Randles could ruin a good thing between the two of them.
Ruby ate her breakfast and drank her coffee in front of her computer as she worked. She was on a deadline, like all writers, but she rarely had difficulty meeting those deadlines. Ruby loved writing so much that she found herself treating it like a regular nine-to-five job. She tried to get in at least eight hours every day and at least three to six hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Her agent gave her about two full months to get the first draft in before the editing process started with less forgiving deadlines. Ruby loved the whole experience though, and was thinking about branching out into other genres. She could write under her own name and self-publish maybe.
***
Around three, Ruby’s stomach started rumbling, protesting its empty state. She rubbed her stomach and looked at the clock. She had been working all morning and most of the afternoon she realized with a start. Her phone hadn’t rung and aside from Julia inviting her out for dinner that night, no text messages had come through. She sighed and carried the phone out to the living room, closing the office door behind her. So far she had put in about six hours. I deserve a short break, she thought as she dialed Julia’s number.
“Hey, kiddo,” Julia’s voice came on the line.
“Hi. I’m accepting your dinner invite,” Ruby said, “I have been working since ten this morning and didn’t eat lunch. I’m running on fumes.”
“Let’s get an early dinner then?” Julia offered.
“Great. I could use a shoulder to whine on anyway,” Ruby said, biting her lower lip.
“What happened?”
“I’ll tell you the whole story over dinner, but basically Isaac kicked his Aunt Amanda out and hasn’t spoken to either of us since yesterday when Genie stormed out.”
“That jerk,” Julia muttered.
“He’s going through a rough patch, but he didn’t have to shut us out completely. His aunt even offered to go to a hotel so he’d have space, but he sent her home. Then threw a huge party last night, which is the most frustrating bit.”
“I’ll be at your place in twenty. I’m leaving a consultation right now and I’m not too far away.”
Ruby hung up the cell phone and went back into her office to save and back up her work. She had an email from her agent, Blanca so she read it in case it was important. Her eyes widened as she read:
Ruby! How’s the book coming along? I like the first chapters you’ve sent me so far. Keep up the amazing work!
Your book launch party is going to be great, and here’s some excellent news:
The rights to do a TV show for your first book: Love and Old Lace have been optioned! Now, don’t get your hopes up. Loads of books are options and never go anywhere, but this could be HUGE! The network who is optioning it is owned by a world-famous talk show hostess, and she loves the idea of a strong, African-American leading lady who can hold her own in a man’s world.
Ruby fanned her face as she read, her smile almost cracking it in two. “Oh, my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, omigosh!” she exclaimed over and over again. She fired off a reply, wondering after hitting the SEND button if it had been at all coherent. Ruby looked at her SENT ITEMS folder and read the email.
Blanca, OH MY GOD! Just tell me what I need to do!
This is amazing news! Invite the network bigwigs to my book launch???
-Ruby
P.S. Considering expanding to another genre under my own name?
“More coherent that I would have guessed,” she said aloud, still laughing over the news. She slid into black flats and picked up her purse, shoving her phone into it. Then she sat on the top step of her porch and waited for Julia to pull up. While Ruby sat there, feeling giddy and light-headed, she happened to look next door in time to see Isaac getting into the driver side of a red sports car. No doubt another rental. Ruby stood up and ran down her steps waving and yelling Isaac’s name. She saw him look at her over his shoulder, but he made no other sign of recognition. Rather, he gunned the motor and peeled away from the curb without another backward glance.
Ruby felt like she had been stabbed in the gut.
She walked back to the porch, her once giddy feeling melting into disappointment and hurt feelings. She wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her chin on her knees until Julia pulled in. Ruby got into the SUV driven by her best friend and buckled her seat belt. Julia was wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a bright pink ribbon tied around the hat band. It trailed down the back of the hat several inches and complemented her pink halter top nicely.
“We match today,” Julia said brightly. Then she put the vehicle in park and turned sideways in her seat. “You look like you’re about to cry, Ruby. What’s wrong?”
“Oh,” Ruby said dashing her hands at her eyes. “Stuff, ya know. I had some really, really amazing news from Blanca, and then a thing happened with Isaac just before you showed up. I’m a mess.”
“Well, let’s figure out where we want to go eat and you can tell me everything on the way.”
“Somewhere with a dark corner booth,” Ruby said.
“Biaggi’s,” Julia responded confidently, and put the vehicle back into Drive before pulling away from the curb.
Ruby sighed and looked out the window, feeling tears threaten to spill over. She was thankful that she wasn’t a woman who needed make up, and had rather been blessed with blemish-free skin. No mascara to run down her face that way. She took another deep breath and began, in a shaking voice.
“Isaac got understandably upset yesterday when the Genie thing blew up.” Ruby proceeded to tell her best friend in detail what had happened, ending with Genie storming out taking Regina with her.
“Wow. That had to be stressful for everyone involved.”
“Yeah, even the nanny didn’t seem to know what was going on,” Ruby responded. She picked at the hem of her dress, where a thread had started to come loose.
“Then today, as I was sitting on the porch waiting for you, I saw Isaac get into a car, so I waved my hands and ran down to the sidewalk thinking maybe now he’ll talk to me. But he just looked at me like he didn’t know me and took off, squealing his tires. Didn’t say boo to me.”
“Oh, Honey. If he’s really as upset as you say he is, then maybe he’s pushing away all the people who love him. You said he threw a big party last night?”
Ruby nodded fiercely. “Yes, after telling his aunt in no uncertain terms that he wanted to be alone.”
Julia blew out a breath and cocked her head to the side, thinking. “I went through a phase when my husband left me. Do you remember? I didn’t talk to you for at least a week, and I was out at bars and night clubs every night for a month.”
Ruby admitted begrudgingly that she did indeed remember. “Do you think he’ll snap out of it? Or have I lost him because of some stupid bimbo and her gold-digging plan gone awry?”
“I can’t honestly answer that question. But if I were you, I’d give him a full week before you decide to cut ties. Like you said, his aunt was against this whole thing and he probably didn’t want to be reminded that she was right and he was taken in.”
“I think too,” Ruby said slowly, “That maybe he realized that he wants kids after all, and he felt like that was ripped away from him.”
“It was, if you think about it.” Julia took Ruby’s hand and held it as she drove. “Now don’t think for a second that I am condoning his actions. I’m only saying that I understand what he’s going through and it sounds like he’s just acting out of a need to forget.”
Ruby nodded. “You’re right. But it still hurts. Patience, I guess, is what’s needed. I’ve already left two messages saying that I love him and am here for him. Can’t do much else.”
Chapter12
They arrived at the restaurant and were seated immediately. The manager came out to greet them personally.
“Hello, Julia. How are you?”
“Oh, Ben! Lovely, thank you. How’s business?”
“Excellent since you planned that grand re-opening for us last year. Profits are up over a hundred percent since that night.”
“I’m glad I could be part of your success then,” Julia said, squeezing Ben’s hand warmly.
“I’ve unfortunately handed out all the business cards you gave me,” Ben laughed.
Julia rummaged in her handbag and came up with a thick stack. She handed them over with a smile and Ben disappeared to do whatever it was managers at restaurants do.
“No wonder you like coming here,” Ruby joked. “You get personal attention from the manager.”
Julia laughed as the waitress approached carrying a pitcher of ice water. Her name tag read: Clarinda. She filled their goblets with ice water and set down a dish of cucumber and lemon slices.
“Hello, Clarinda,” said Julia who always acknowledged wait-staff by name whenever possible.
“Hello again, Miss Gordon. It’s great to see you back here again.” Clarinda pulled two menus out of the back pocket of her long black apron and laid one in front of each of the woman. “I’ll be right back with bread for the table,” she said as she stepped away.
Ruby and Julia perused their menus and soon Clarinda was back to take drink orders. Both girls ordered peach Bellinis.
“I think we’ll have some almond dates as an appetizer also,” Julia said.
They were left alone again to continue perusing the menu. When the appetizers were presented, the two women placed their entree orders: Risotto for Ruby and Butternut Squash Ravioli for Julia.
“So, tell me the good news now,” Julia said, taking a drink of her Bellini. She enjoyed the blood orange flavor and the fizz of the soda water.
“Oh yeah!” Ruby felt excitement bubbling up again. “Blanca emailed me before you showed up and a network wants to option Love and Old Lace as a TV show!”
Julia’s eyes lit up. “That is the most amazing news I’ve heard in months! What network?”
“Well, Blanca doesn’t want me to get my hopes up, but she says the network is owned by a world-famous talk show hostess.”
Julia laughed. “You know who that is right? There’s only one world-famous talk show hostess I know of who owns her own television network.”
“Of course I know who she means, but still. I hope this works out. It could mean huge things for my writing career!” Ruby downed her Bellini in one excited gulp and set the glass down.
“We should invite this network owner to your launch party,” Julia said mentally making a check list already.
“That’s what I said when I replied!” Ruby gushed. Clarinda stepped up to the table to clear the empty glass.
“Another?” She asked quietly.
“Please, Clarinda,” Ruby nodded.
“I bet this will convince Blanca and the editors at the publishing house to move your launch party to somewhere a little swankier too. We don’t want the network owner at the Roach Motel conference center for Pete’s sake.”
“I’m leaving the details to you and Blanca,” Ruby said holding her hands up, “I’m just really, really excited about this. My second book in the Affair trilogy is about half done, so I’m ahead of deadline there. I already have ideas for the third book, too.” Ruby toyed with the stem of her glass, twisting it back and forth.
“Julia,” she said.
“Ruby,” Julia responded, playfully.
“I’m thinking about expanding my genre and self-publishing under my own name. That is, if Blanca doesn’t want to represent me. She’s normally only a romance rep, but I know another writer personally who she represented because of the success in the romance genre.”
“That could do big things for your career too,” Julia said. “Do you have something in mind?”
“Thriller with romantic elements, but not a romance novel per se,” Ruby responded.
“Do it. I think it would be great. Are you going to publish under your own name if you switch genres?”
“I’m still thinking about that. Either my own name or another pseudonym that sounds similar to Ophelia Maddox.”
Their food came and the two women tucked into their dishes with zeal. Ruby was f
eeling a little tipsy from the alcohol she drank on her nearly empty stomach. She savored the flavors of the onion, carrots, and zucchini in the risotto before her. Julia was likewise enamored with her squash ravioli. Ruby didn’t blame her a bit; she’d had the squash ravioli many times and it was a delectable dish.
After finishing their entrees, Ruby leaned back and patted her belly. “Stuffed,” she said simply.
“Hmm,” Julia grunted in response.
Julia paid the check, amid protests from Ruby that she was perfectly capable of picking up the tab. “Nonsense. You’re a women in distress. You shouldn’t have to pay for anything today.”
Ruby relented and promised to pick up the check next time. Then Julia asked how her job at the human resources office was going.
“They haven’t really needed me on the schedule, so I put in my two weeks there as a formality,” she responded. “Besides, if I am going to branch out with my writing, I need to spend as much time as possible doing that.”
“Makes sense. What are you going to do after I drop you off?” Julia had an unmistakable tone in her voice.
“Um, what is the right answer?” Ruby asked, laughing lightly.
“The correct answer is to say that you’re inviting your best friend over to watch movies and stuff our faces with popcorn.”
“Then that’s what I’m doing,” Ruby said, smiling. “I could use something to keep my mind off of Isaac anyway.”
***
Back at Ruby’s house, Julia dug through her friend’s movie collection and came up with an action-adventure-comedy flick and a tear-jerking drama. She waved them both at Ruby, who was mixing lemonade, spiked with homemade Limoncello, a vodka infused with lemon zest.
Ruby thought about it for a moment and opted for the action-adventure. “I don’t need anything to make me cry right now,” she said as she poured two goblets of the spiked lemonade.
