Zack’s fists lightened, like he could squeeze away the pain in his chest.
He lifted his chin, his voice sharp. “I’m not sad. Only weak people get sad.”
Ruby’s big eyes fixed on him, her brow wrinkling with confusion.
Something about Zack’s tight lips and the slight shake in his eyelashes told her he wasn’t being straight with her. He was hurting, bad,
Trying to lift his spirits, Ruby chirped, “Hey, want to come to my place? It’s super close, and get my mom to cook something tasty!”
Zack paused, then squared his shoulders. “Wiright, I’ll drop by. But I’m not staying long”
He was curious about this mom who raised such a happy kid. She had to be warm, kind–everything a
Zack followed Jolie and Ruby out of the hotel lobby.
Their car pulled up to a cozy apartment in a quiet neighborhood.
a mom should be.
“Mom, Little Knight’s here to hang out! Come out!” Ruby shouted, bursting through the front door with uncontainable energy-
Zack
glanced around, wondering what Ruby’s mom was like. He’d never met her, but she had to be way better than THAT WOMAN
But Sylvia didn’t come out. She was in the bathroom, lost in the steam of a hot shower.
The sound of water and the warm mist blocked out the world, giving her a moment of calm.
Jolie went upstairs and knocked softly on the bathroom door. “Ruby brought a friend over.”
Sylvia, enjoying the warm water, called back, “Jolie, can you hang out with Ruby’s friend for me? I’ll be out soon.”
Downstairs, Jolie set a bright fruit platter on the coffee table and smiled at Ruby, “Your mom’s in the shower. She’ll be down in a bit.”
“Got it!” Ruby said, grabbing a shiny red apple and holding it out to Zack. “Here, eat this! Mom says apples are full of vitamins. An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Zack book the apple, but his thoughts drifted. His mom used to say stuff like that, too. So what?
She didn’t care about him. If she did, she wouldn’t have disappeared for three years without a word.
The thought hit hard, sharp and bitter. Compared to Ruby’s warm, caring mom, his own seemed cold and selfish.
Zack wandered to the balcony, his eyes landing on a row of potted plants. He stopped short.
“Mom planted these forever ago!” Ruby said, skipping over to high. “They’re not just plants–they’re herbs!”
She pointed excitedly at each pot. “That’s mind, this is honeysuckle, and that’s basil!”
Zack listened quietly, a weird feeling stirring in his chest.
Deep in his memories, his mom used to grow stuff like this, too.
To his dad and grandma, she was just a nobody from a small town, and her plants were “cheap”
He’d thought the same back then. Why bother growing them? Just buy them with money”
Chapter 9
“What does your mom do?” Ruby alked, her voice cheerful and curfact
Zack’s face went cold. “Nothing. She’s useless. She doesn’t deserve to be my mom.”
His words were harsh, spitting out years of pent-
Ruby blinked, caught off guard, then asked softly, “is your nom. mean to you?
“Mean“” Zack’s voice turned icy, like it was cut from stone. “She’s the worst ninm ever, I don’t want her anymore.”
His words were sharp, but inside, it felt like a heavy weight was crushing his chest, making it hard to breathe.
Ruby looked at his tense face, seeing the pain in his eyes. Her little heart hurt for him.
She reached out, gently tugging his hand. This Little Knight… he seemed so alone, and sad!
“You’ll meet my mom soon!” she said. “She makes the best food ever. I’ll ask her to cook something special for you, okay?”
Her eyes were sparkling, a dimpled smile brightening her face.
Zack sat on the couch, his small body stiff. The idea of meeting Ruby’s mom, a total stranger, had his stomach in knots.
Upstairs, the sound of the shower stopped, replaced by the soft hum of a hairdryer.
Soon, Sylvia came downstairs, wearing comfy loungewear and slippers, her steps light.
But right then, Zack’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
“Zack, where are you? Why didn’t you come back?” Joanna’s voice came through, shaky with worry.
She’d taken Zack to the hotel restaurant, but after he went to the restroom, he never came back.
She’d asked hotel staff to check, but he wasn’t there.
The Blairs loved Zack. If she lost him, it’d be a disaster.
Joanna’s voice broke into tears. “Zack, you scared me! I can’t lose you, honey! Where are you?ll come get you right now!”
Zack hesitated, then mumbled, “I’m on my way back.”
He hung up and looked at Ruby, his voice quick. “Something came up. I got to go. I’ll come by another time, okay?
Ruby watched him hurry out the door. She tugged at Jolie’s sleeve. “Jolie, make sure he gets back safe!”
Jalle nodded, rushing outside. She opened the car door for Zack, and they drove off.
Sylvia reached the living room, her eyes scanning the quiet space.
“Ruby, where’s your friend?” she asked,
“He had to go. Some family stuff,” Ruby said, looking up at her mom with big pleading eyes. “His mom is really mean to him. Can you be his mom, too!”
Sylvia’s heart skipped a beat. She reached out, gently ruffling Ruby’s soft hair, her voice soft but firm. “Oh, sweetie, I can’t. I’m just your mom, forever and always”
Her thoughts drifted to her own son, the one who’d turned away from her Memories hit hard–his small hand holding Joanna’s, his little voice asking for
Joanna to be his new mom
Each memory cut like a dull knife, piercing her heart.
2/3
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Chapter 9
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to hold back the tests.
She’d made her choice long ago. Ruby was her only child, her precious girl.
B
