Ruthie's father tried to make small talk during the trip to Sara's house, but Ruthie wasn't paying attention. She was tired from having been up almost the entire night before and after only 10 minutes she laid her head back and fell asleep, thinking about Sara.
*Ruthie's Dream*
Ruthie took a deep breath and knocked on the door to the large house in front of her. The lawn was perfectly manicured and a small garden held several rose bushes. The door opened to reveal a gorgeous woman wearing designer jeans and an expensive top. She frowned at first and tucked her dark curly hair behind her ears, but then her expression turned to one of shock.
"Ruth!" she gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. "I can't believe it's you! I've missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, Mom." She whispered, tears forming in her eyes. Ruthie entered into the large, beautifully decorated foyer and hugged her mother tightly.
Sara straightened up and smiled through her own tears. "Let me introduce you to my husband, your father. A tall, attractive man walked into the foyer and gasped when he saw Ruthie. "Sara, is this-"
"Yes, this is our baby. She's come back to us!"
"Oh, Ruth, I missed you so much. I have been dreaming of this day!" He bent down to hug her as well. "Please, we would be honored if you would come live with us. We even have a room ready for you."
"Of course I will!" Ruthie beamed. "I love you!"
"We love you too, Honey." They both answered, hugging her again.
"End of Dream*
"Ruthie!" Someone whispered, shaking her arm. "Ruthie we're here!"
Ruthie sat up quickly and glanced out the window, expecting to see the large beautiful house from her dreams. Instead she saw a normal, smallish house with a few shingles missing. "Are you sure this is it?" Ruthie asked, still not quite awake.
"I'm sure." Eric answered. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes. And I want to go by myself" Ruthie said confidently. She didn't need a big house. All she needed was her mother's love. She walked up to the door and knocked loudly. She heard yelling and feet running from inside and then the door flung open. A little boy, about 5 year old stared at her. Ruthie couldn't help noticing that he had dark curly hair like her own.
He stared at her uncertainly, then screamed, "Mommy!" and ran back into the house.
A moment later a women appeared. Ruthie assumed that she was Sara, but she looked hardly anything like her picture. For one thing she looked a lot older, and she was wearing an old sweat suit instead of the stylish outfit Ruthie had expected. "May I help you?" she asked, with a slightly confused smile.
"Sara, it's me." Ruthie said smiling, expecting instant recognition. Instead, Sara just frowned and said, "Excuse me?"
"Me. Ruthie. Your daughter?" With every word Ruthie's smile faded even more until she thought she might burst into tears.
"Ruthie?!" Sara gasped, stepping back. "Wh-what are you doing here?"
"I just found out I was adopted. I wanted to see you." Ruthie explained, trying to fight her disappointment, assuring herself that Sara would welcome her once she understood what was going on.
"I don't understand…did something happen to the Camdens?"
"No, I just wanted to see my real family…" Ruthie trailed off, realizing that Sara wasn't smiling.
"Well, here I am. This is your half-brother, Josh." She gestured toward the little boy who hung back shyly. "My husband, I guess he would be your stepfather, is at work."
"I thought you might want to take me back." Ruthie said in a small voice.
"Oh, Ruthie." Sara sighed. "I didn't keep you for a reason. I thought my letter explained that."
"Well, I just thought that now that you were older…" Ruthie tried to stop the tears from running down her cheeks, but realized in horror that it was too late. The last thing she wanted was for Sara to see her cry, so she mumbled a quick goodbye and ran back to the car before bursting into loud sobs. The realization that no one wanted her was too much for Ruthie to bear. She buried her face in the backseat of the car and refused to talk the whole way home.
When the car finally pulled into the driveway, Eric climbed into the back set with her and rubbed her back until the sobs quieted. "I know you're upset," He said gently, "but you're forgetting that you already have a family that loves you."
"No you don't!" Ruthie cried, her voice muffled by the seat.
"Of course we do. We have from the second we met you. I thought you knew that. You are definitely a big part of this family."
"Thanks, but I think I just want to be alone." Ruthie sniffled, sitting up. She climbed out of the car and made her way to her room. She had been laying there crying for about a half hour when there was a quiet knock.
"Ruthie?" Lucy called. "It's me. Can I come in?" Without waiting for an answer, she opened the door and sat on the bed. "I know this is a hard time for you, but I want you to know that I love you. I really do consider you a sister. I tell you stuff I would never tell anyone else, like my problems with Kevin, and all my old boyfriends. That's because I trust you and love you. I don't discuss my love life with just anyone."
Ruthie sat up and wiped her eyes. "Thanks Lucy." She said, hugging her sister.
"If you're feeling better, I think there are a few more people who want to talk to you."
"Ok." Ruthie agreed reluctantly. After Lucy left, Simon entered and sat next to her.
"I know we haven't been as close lately as we used to be, but I still love you. Remember when we were little and I taught you how to swim? Or when we started a paper route? I don't know about you, but I loved it when we hung out together. I miss it. Maybe we can start doing stuff together more often."
She smiled at him remembering the silly things they used to do together and gave him a hug. "I love you too."
"There are a few more people who want to talk to you." Simon said on his way out.
Ruthie rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
The twins entered next. "We love you, Ruthie" David said.
"Yeah, thanks for making us our birthday hats." Sam added.
"I love you guys too." Ruthie said, bending down to hug each of them. As soon as they had left, Annie entered. "I know, I know. You love me and you consider me a real daughter." Ruthie said before Annie could open her mouth.
"Well, yes." Annie answered. "And also, I'm very proud of you." Ruthie hugged her mother and they talked for a few more minutes.
Finally, Ruthie was alone. She took the picture of Sara and placed it in her desk drawer. She took a recent family picture of the Camden's out of the drawer and tacked it up on her bulletin board before heading downstairs. Sure each of them coming in to tell her they loved her was a little corny, but it was sweet. And it made Ruthie feel like she belonged.
*The End*
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