Ruthie sat on the bench, arms folded. With a sigh, she wondered what could be taking Simon so long. It had been about four hours, and still no sign off him.
Glaring impatiently into the crowd, she noticed a regular from her church coming towards her. The old lady was slowly making her scrawny self to where Ruthie was sitting; her large beady eyes focused onto Ruthie's hazel. The lady recognized her, waving with a grin. Abruptly the senior halted. Narrowing her eyes with a gasp, she muttered something incomprehensible under her breath.
Dodging the reproachful glare, Ruthie focused on a large fountain in the middle of the entrance. In the corner of her eyes she could see the lady coming towards her. She happened to be the wonderfully grumpy regular from church- Mrs. Folkner. "Hello," the lady bellowed into Ruthie's ears.
Ruthie drifted her attention grudgingly. "Hi, Mrs. Folkner." The teenager managed with a fake smile.
After examining Ruthie, Mrs. Folkner squeaked, "Are you ok dear?"
"I'm great." Ruthie muttered with a grin. Normally she didn't mind Mrs. Folkner's disapproving comments, but she had been sitting their for such a long time her patience had worn thin. Even more annoying was the fact Simon was taking forever. Ruthie figured she had to have a bit of fun to keep herself busy.
"Are you sure? You look quite awful sweetie." Ruthie could feel her curious star beating into her filthy clothes.
She sighed. "You mean the mud?" Mrs. Folkner nodded, "I just fell into some by accident. No big deal." She shrugged, raising her brows. "To tell you the truth, I find it quite refreshing. I mean, being clean all the time does get old after awhile."
Mrs. Folkner faced turned from aghast to dumbfounded. Suppressing a grunt, she shook her head disapprovingly. "Well it was nice talking to you. See you at church hun." Covering a hand over her mouth, Ruthie attempted to keep herself from laughing hysterically. Immediately, the lady practically ran into the mall with a confused and disgusted expression.
Instantly, Ruthie burst into a fit of laughter. The expression on the lady's face was absolutely priceless.
Ruthie didn't care what Mrs. Folkner or anyone else thought for that matter. Soon enough they would know the truth, and would wind up judging her for that instead. After-all, that's what people are good at! Ruthie thought.
Skimming the road for what felt like the millionth time, she caught sight of Simon heading to her. Standing, Ruthie walked over to him and practically yelled into his face, "What took you so long? I've been sitting here for four hours."
Simon wasn't listening, but staring at her pants. "What happened to your...um?" He pointed.
Ruthie grunted and shrugged. "I fell in mud!" Glancing at Simon's disheveled hair and pajamas, Ruthie grinned. "Your looking...uh, pretty good yourself."
Simon blushed, realizing he was in the middle of the mall in his fashionable pajamas. "Oh..." He scratched his neck. "I...I was worried about you, that's all." Ruthie could feel his eyes glare into hers urging her to drop it, as he started making his way towards his car.
Ruthie followed with a grin. "You were worried about me?" She gasped with a twinkle in her eyes. "You worry to much." She remarked almost with a laugh.
"Ruthie, I do not!" Simon protested, his cheeks turning a brighter shade. He would never admit it, but she was right. Though, he personally believed 'worrying' itself was a family trait, he didn't bother bringing it up. He figured Ruthie would deny it or pointedly remark on how she wasn't really a Camden.
"Yes you do!" She insisted.
"No I don't!" Though, he knew she wasn't listening, because she continued teasing him.
"Seriously Simon," she continued, "I'm sure it would've only taken about 5 minutes for you to put on some clothes." Ruthie snorted, "you must've been really worried."
After a moment, they reached Simon's car. Unlocking it, they entered; Simon silently hoped Ruthie would stop teasing him.
"I wonder..." Ruthie mumbled, shutting the car door.
"What?" He groaned with a huff, turning the ignition.
"I wonder what will get more attention. My pants or your pajamas?" She smiled with a maniacal gleam, as his bright blue eyes pierced daggers. "Hm... this is a tough one."
Simon sulked silently. "Probably you running away." He returned, as he maneuvered his way out of the parking lot. He laughed, his expression changing from annoyed to pleased with himself.
Ruthie immediately went silent, shifting awkwardly. Catching Ruthie's expression, Simon realized he had gone to far. "Sorry." He mumbled, though he wasn't sure if she heard him.
Why did he have to ruin it? She grumbled inwardly. It felt like forever since Ruthie had had such a nice carefree conversation. The past 24 hours had been a nightmare, and thanks to Simon all the memories had come flooding back into her mind.
Ruthie gazed out the window, as slowly they left the populated town, making their way past farmland and forest. The little town of Glenoack long behind them and a new town ahead.
At one point, Ruthie realized that she had no idea where they were going. She knew Simon wasn't driving to his dorm room and she was certain they were not in Glenoack anymore.
After contemplating silently, Ruthie finally felt compelled enough to ask. "Where are we going?" Ruthie muttered distantly.
"Your parents place."
Ruthie's ears perked and her eyes lit up at the mentioning of her parents. She would finally meet her biological family, her real family.
Suddenly, Ruthie's smile turned into disappointment. Staring out the window, she realized a little technicality that was a bit important.
"What's wrong?" Simon questioned, eying her closely.
Ruthie sighed, realizing the entire situation was hopeless. "Well, I don't know where my parents live, and I know you don..."
"I do." He interrupted turning his attention to the road.
Ruthie eyes widened in surprise. "You do?" It didn't make any sense. Simon had just found out she was adopted a few hours ago. How is it possible? She wondered "But... how?" Ruthie managed despite her confusion.
"Dad told me."
Ruthie glared at her brother with newly found distrust. A surge of anger burst within her. "Dad!" Her burst of hope replaced by overwhelming suspicion. "Why did you talk with him?"
Simon had fully expected such a strong reaction, but he was surprised at how strongly Ruthie hated his father. "He called me to tell me about you running away," Simon explained, "and I convinced him to tell me where your parents lived."
"How did you manage that?" She inquired, giving Simon one of her famous eye-brow raised glares.
Simon shook his head. "Are you calling me a liar?"
Ruthie pretended to ponder this for a moment. "Uh...no," she replied indefinitely. "But dad would only agree to it if their were strings attached."
Simon nodded. "Their were..."
"Are you going to bring me back to Glenoak?" She glared with suspicion.
Simon gave out a frustrated sigh. "Ruthie, its not like that," he assured.
"I'm listening." She replied but she wasn't convinced.
Simon cleared his throat. Breathing a relaxing breath, he continued. "Ruthie, I told dad that if I didn't go with you, you would go without me." She nodded, knowing perfectly well that was exactly what she'd do.
"Well, I promised Dad that if I took you I would keep you out of trouble..."
Ruthie eyed him questioningly. He had to be telling the truth. Yet his far away look and tense countenance told her otherwise.
"And...he told me about your parents- the Rollins." He finished.
Ruthie could feel he was uneasy, but she knew he wasn't lying to her. She couldn't even recall a time when he had lied about something. Well...ok, maybe she could, but usually he told the truth.
Why is he so uncomfortable? She wondered.
Ruthie shook her head, it didn't matter. She reasoned she would find out later. Besides, the fact Simon was a terrible liar would make it easier for her to unfold the the lies.
Glancing out the window, she realized the car was coming to a halt. Ruthie felt her heart soar at the thought of seeing her parents- her real parents. She would finally meet them. She would meet the two people who had brought her into the world.
Ruthie wondered what they'd think of her. Would they love her? Hate her? Did they even care about her?
She gulped, they couldn't love her she realized. They left her on the front porch of a strangers home. They abandoned her. Left her forever. They didn't want to see her. If they didn't love her, she knew they were incapable of caring for her which meant the only possibility was hate.
Ruthie a felt a shiver run down her spine. Why did you com here? She asked herself, feeling a sudden urge to run away. She glanced up at the small wooden home. She froze. She couldn't breathe. It was so lonely and barren. Her heart beat faster and faster. Absently, she heard her brother calling for her to continue forward.
She was about to refuse when suddenly she remembered it. The note! It was still lodged in her pocket. Feeling the urge, she pulled it out and read it.
These few words especially stood out. We feel it is better for her if she is given a home that can care for her the way she should be. The words gave warmth to her heart, and that moment Ruthie was sure they loved her. With knew found hope, she continued onwards and straight to the front door of the home. Without a second thought she knocked on the door, awaiting an answer.
The man who came to the door was not exactly who she had expected. An old ragged looking man appeared at the door. Using his cane to swing the door open, the man grumbled, his dilated pupils glaring into hers. "Whatdyawant?"
Simon glanced at Ruthie. This was not what they had expected. "Uh...is this the Rollins residence?" Simon questioned attempting to sound polite. He failed, but he did manage to sound incredibly awkward.
"No!" The man boomed through his crooked teeth. "I know what you're here for..." He almost whispered the next part. "I'm no idiot. Now leave before I call the cops on ya."
At that moment, Ruthie realized finding her parents was going to be far more difficult than she originally thought. She wondered if it was even worth the effort to find them. What if they were across the US? What if they were dead? Or in another country? What if this was all a hopeless attempt?
She didn't know what to say. If this wasn't her parents house, then where were they. And that old man was really getting on her nerves.
Though feeling hopeless, she reasoned she needed some kind of help. Even if the man was rude and irritating. "I'm sorry to intrude sir," she said with the least amount of sarcasm she could find. "But, do you happen to know where they are?"
The little old man stared into her eyes questioning her sanity with the acutest glare. "I told ya ta leave ma house." He roared, pointing his cane ferociously out the door. "Now git out, I say. Git out!"
Ruthie realized to her dismay their was no bargaining with the man. He was old and crazy, and that just about summed up the situation.
They were about to leave, when they heard a woman's voice from inside. "Dad, what are you up to?" The young woman appeared in the doorway, her dirty blond hair tightly knit in a bun. "I'll handle this dad, you go back inside," she ordered.
For the first time Ruthie could recall, the man shrunk back and she realized how completely pitiful he really was. "I'll be watching you," he threatened, entering his house while pointing the cane towards them shakily. After a moment, he disappeared into the house.
"Sorry about that, my dad gets a little to paranoid these days." She explained with a sigh. Ruthie suspected the old man had bigger problems than paranoia, but she didn't push the idea.
"Can I help you two with anything?" Ruthie could tell the young woman was much younger than she looked.
"Well," Simon began, "We are looking for Mr. and Mrs. Rollin's. Do you happen to know them?"
The lady glanced from Ruthie to Simon seeming to contemplate this for a moment. "Yes...I suppose I do," She mused. "They lived here before we moved in, but that was awhile ago."
Ruthie's hope lifted at the very thought of finding them. "Do you know where they went?" She had a sneaking suspicion the lady knew where they were.
The lady eyed Ruthie closely, as if searching for something, but Ruthie couldn't imagine what. "I don't mean to be disrespectful...but I don't like to go around and tell strangers where people live."
Ruthie glanced at Simon searching for brotherly aid, but he didn't seem to be paying attention to anything and was thoughtfully staring into space.
Deciding the only choice she had was to tell the truth and hope for the best, she looked at the woman. "The Rollins are my biological parents," she explained. "I was hoping to meet them."
Ruthie knew the lady believed her because she seemed to relax. "Well...in that case I think can help you uh..."
"Ruthie." Ruthie supplied with a smile.
"Ruthie." The woman finished. "Come on in...and we'll talk."
Glancing at Simon hopefully, Ruthie entered the tiny home wondering what was in store