March 15, 1965
Ruth found herself confined to the sterile walls of the hospital, anticipation running through her veins like an electric current. Today was the day her baby, the fruit of her love for John Rutherford, would finally enter the world. However, her heart ached knowing that John couldn't be by her side, lost in the depths of some dimly lit bar.
Undeterred by her husband's absence, Ruth steeled herself for what lay ahead. She braved the delivery room, determined to bring her child into the embrace of this chaotic yet beautiful world. As the contractions intensified, she drew strength from within, knowing that she alone would guide her baby into existence.
With each agonizing push, the room seemed to hold its breath, until finally, a cry pierced the air. The room erupted in a chorus of hurried footsteps and muffled exclamations as the delivery doctor announced, "It's a boy!"
Exhausted but elated, Ruth gazed at the tiny, squirming bundle in her arms, his rosy cheeks mirroring her own flushed face. The doctor, sensing her joy and exhaustion, gently inquired, "What shall we name him?"
Without hesitation, Ruth knew. "Michael. I'll call him Michael Gary Rutherford," she declared, cradling her newborn son with utmost tenderness. The weight of her decision settled upon her, as if she had just bestowed upon him a destiny intertwined with his name.
But fate had other plans in store for Michael and his family. On that very same day, tragedy struck. John Rutherford, his father, found himself caught up in a catastrophic automobile accident. As sirens wailed and police lights flashed, John was apprehended by the authorities, his freedom abruptly snatched away. He was swiftly sentenced to two years in prison, leaving Ruth and her newborn son to navigate a world suddenly devoid of his presence.
The police stormed John's car, their swift actions sealing the fate of a man once full of life and promise. Handcuffed and escorted away, John was taken to the county jail.
To be continued...
(Note: In this tale, the challenges faced by the Rutherford family begin even on the day of Michael's birth, as John's involvement in the automobile accident leads to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment. The story will delve into the impact of this event on Michael's life and the resilience he will need to navigate the world without his father.)