CHAPTER 2
"Well aren't you two adorable." Ruby set down some crayons and children's menus for the two little girls. "I don't think I've ever seen you before. What brings you here?"
The smaller girl smiled at her and said, "I'm Brissa and this is my sister Jana."
"Shut up Brissa," the older one scolded the other. "How much for a room and what all does it include?"
Ruby's head went back but she answered politely anyway, "Our rooms are $550 if you stay for the month or $145 weekly. Those are the rates for the single rooms. The suites are $700 a month and $185 weekly. They have private en suite bathrooms. That includes a free breakfast with either of those. There's microwaves and small fridges in each room. We also have free wifi," Ruby winked.
"Do you have to have breakfast at a certain time? Can you just have it whenever?" Jana scrunched up her nose.
"Wow, no one's ever asked that before," Ruby laughed. "Well technically we serve breakfast all day. But, we start lunch at 10:30 so I guess that would be the cutoff for your free breakfast." Ruby leaned conspiratorially over and whispered, "But, I have it in with the owner and I'm sure we could work something out," she winked at the children.
"We'll take the suite. And we'll pay cash up front for 6 months. And we need absolute privacy," Jana handed over a stack of cash to Ruby.
"Well, your parents really need to –"
"My dad won't be here until later. And my little sister really needs to eat and go to bed. She has diabetes. If she doesn't get stabilized she could wind up in a hospital."
Ruby was aware she was being played she just had no idea to what end. She bit her lip and looked over to Granny who had her well trained eyes taking in the scene. Granny nodded and Ruby set the room up.
Jana held out her hand, "My receipt?"
Ruby handed her a key and a receipt. "Now, did you want to order? Before your sister goes into shock?"
"We'll have cheeseburgers and fries. With milkshakes. One chocolate, one vanilla, one strawberry, and one cookies and cream. And a glass of water."
"That's for the diabetic?" Ruby smirked. She was given a scathing glare that oddly reminded her of someone though she couldn't quite put her finger on it just yet.
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Emma picked Henry up from school and brought him over to Granny's for their midafternoon snack. They had developed this routine since Henry had moved in with her and her parents a few months ago.
Emma loved any chance to spend time with her son and afterschool time was special to both of them. They would grab a snack and a little gossip at the diner then head over to Henry's castle for some alone time before heading back over to the apartment that was becoming too small for the 4 of them.
They had grabbed their order and were on the way out the door when in strolled two small children.
Ruby called to one, "Brissa," she beckoned. When the little girl walked over, Ruby gave her a cookie, "and here's one for your sister."
Emma stepped back over to Ruby as the two found a seat. "You know them?"
Ruby shook her head, "Never seen them before today. Their names are Jana and Brissa. But, they paid for a suite for 6 months. I still haven't seen any parents though. Since they were paying for a room and seemed to be staying, Granny thought it was a good idea for them to be where she could keep an eye on them."
Henry was waiting by the door, "Henry do you know those kids? Do they go to your school?"
Henry looked, "Nope. Never seen them before. Let's go." And he walked out the diner.
As they drove over to his castle, Emma continued questioning Henry. "Henry, if you've never seen those kids before then where do you think they came from?"
He shrugged in response.
"I mean, no one comes into this town accidentally. Who do you think they are?"
Henry shrugged and dove into his cookie bag. Emma let it go and took the time to enjoy time out with her son. They bundled up and went home to dinner with Snow and David.
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Emma got up early the next morning which in itself was unusual for her. She was definitely not a morning person. But, here she was bright and early and decided to get Henry up early as well. That way they could stop at Granny's for breakfast before school.
They got dressed and walked to the diner. They ate breakfast without incident. Just as they were leaving though Emma asked Ruby, "so, those kids from yesterday, are they still here?"
"Yeah. They've been in their room all night. Granny checked around and there's still no parents. I don't think they should be alone but I'm not sure there's anywhere else for them to go in this town except maybe with the fairies?"
Just the mention of foster care sent shudders through Emma. "No, no. Just keep an eye on them and I'll stop by later and check on the situation, okay? By the way, how did they pay for the room?"
"They paid cash, 6 months in advance. What's wrong?" Ruby asked at Emma's eye roll.
"Regina's wallet was stolen yesterday by two small girls. They got a few thousand dollars."
Ruby's face said it all. She just about died, "Oh my god," she gasped through laughs while holding her sides.
"Hey, you've got to swear not to tell anyone. Regina's on the warpath against anyone who dares to leak a word of that. I think she's embarrassed since they're little kids who used the oldest trick in the book."
Ruby locked her lips and threw away the key.
"I've gotta get Henry to school. Later."