Dashboard lights, p.12
Dashboard Lights, page 12
part #2 of Gunpowder Series
"Or maybe I could take you out on a Sunday afternoon! It really did help me to have different people to drive with!"
"What are you doing this Sunday afternoon?" Ruby asked.
"Nothing that I know of. Want to go then?" Megan replied. "A girl's afternoon! I will pick you up at one o'clock.”
"I will take you up on that, Megan. I want to get all my driving hours done before the baby comes. I can get my permit when I turn 18, but I will be eight months pregnant then. Can you imagine me trying to reach pedals and a steering wheel at eight or nine months?" Again, both girls laughed.
***
Ruby buttoned her coat as she left the library and headed back towards the court square. Her mind was busy reviewing her conversation with Megan, and she was excited at the prospect of going driving with her friend. Ruby was glad to have a friend in Megan as her social circles were limited. I really do need to get out and make some more friends! Once she got the GED pretest done and was able to start the GED classes, she figured she would meet some new people that way. Also, she had to make more of an effort to go to church. Maybe she and Derek could go to the Sunday evening services. She sometimes attended with Elise and Norman on Sunday mornings, but she really preferred to go with Derek and establish their own habit and tradition.
Ruby rolled the various scenarios and plans in mind as she rounded the corner of the courthouse square. She didn't even notice the parked black Dodge Charger, walking right past it.
"Ruby!"
The voice sounded familiar, but she could not pinpoint it. She stopped. She looked around but saw no one. Then, she saw the open window of the Charger. Kenny. That sick feeling started to grow in her stomach. She stood for a moment, deciding what to do. She would rather keep walking and have nothing to do with him. But. There was the issue of him and Abby. That needed to be addressed. She attempted to swallow the rising bile.
Ruby walked towards the Charger, and as she got to the open window, she leaned down folding her arms on the door frame. Kenny sat in the driver's seat, dressed in plain clothes.
"Not on duty?" Ruby asked. A tremor of anxiety spread through her body.
"No. I'm getting ready to meet Abby," Kenny replied.
Ruby shook her head. "Kenny, what are you doing? Are you trying to get at me through Abby?"
Kenny seemed surprised at Ruby's comment. He was silent for a minute.
"No. Abby really is tutoring me. That's nothing to do with you."
"Abby is working wonders with your speech," Ruby replied. "You do not sound as much like an uneducated hick."
"Would you like to get in so we can talk?" Kenny asked.
"No way, Kenny! I will never get in a vehicle with you again!" The ride in the patrol car was enough. Ruby wondered what his angle was. He was obviously disturbed that she knew about his arrangement with Abby.
"That was official police business," he defended.
"No, I am really quite fine right where I am, Kenny. What are you wanting to talk about?" Ruby knew he had stopped her with a purpose in mind. "Are you still wondering what I am hiding?"
The comment left Kenny speechless for a moment. He had been lectured by Jonah months before about not bringing that up with Ruby again. But here she brought it up.
"According to Jonah, you got quite a bit in your past."
"Yes, unfortunately I do, Kenny. And I would like to keep it in my past. I am done with that life. I was done with it a long time ago. I do not need someone dredging up ghosts, if you know what I mean."
Kenny nodded. "So, what are you planning to say to Jonah about me and Abby?"
"Not a single thing," Ruby replied. "That is purely between you and Abby. And, given that you are of age, the only advice I would give you is that you need to be upfront with Jonah about it. If he thinks you are sneaking around with Abby, he will not be happy."
Kenny nodded again.
"So, Kenny. What is going on with you and Abby? I have noticed quite a change in you. Are you fond of her?" Ruby asked.
Kenny stared at the steering wheel. He was quiet. Then he looked at Ruby.
"Seems like we both got our secrets." he responded. "I'm pretty much... well...sweet on her, if you know what I mean."
"You know she's only fifteen. How do you think she feels about you?" Ruby asked.
"I like to think she kinda feels the same," he replied.
"Have you and Abby talked about this?"
"Not really. But we did kiss."
"Oh! Well, Kenny, you definitely need to have a frank conversation with Jonah. He will want to put some boundaries in place. Just saying. Speaking from experience." Kenny and Abby? Really? Oh, Abby is so young! But she probably thinks she is rescuing Kenny. But who knows? Really, who knows! "Oh! And I would highly suggest you have a conversation about this with Abby before you talk to Jonah. You cannot blind-side her. If you really do care about her, you have to communicate with her and talk about how you really feel about each other. Make sure she feels the same. Otherwise, just tell Jonah it is a tutoring arrangement. But, if it is more, then you and Abby need to let him know."
Kenny nodded. Ruby could not get over how different...almost respectable...he looked with a haircut, shaved and wearing decent clothing. Ruby wondered about his upbringing. She made a mental note to ask Derek about him. She didn't even notice that her anxiety had dissipated.
"Ruby. Thanks. I appreciate the advice," Kenny said. "And, by the way, I'm sorry for my out-of-the-way comments. Derek is really a lucky guy."
"Thank you for saying that Kenny."
Ruby straightened up and continued her journey back towards the stone home. She wondered, does he just sit in his car around the courthouse square, or was he purposely seeking her out? Probably the latter. Why? What is he up to? She didn't trust him. She would never have imagined such a conversation with him. Life definitely had its twists and turns. She just hopped Abby did not get disappointed or hurt along the way. Strangely enough, Kenny seemed pretty serious. Of course, Ruby had to wonder, was Kenny using Abby as a ticket to be the next police chief? But then there was the whole issue that he actually listened to Ruby and was improving his speech abilities. Who knows!
The one thing she did know was the next time she got Abby alone, they would have a frank conversation.
***
Ruby began the habit of rising from bed early on weekends. Derek generally got up about five to be able to open the McDonald's by six o'clock. While he dressed in his uniform, Ruby got up and slipped her robe over the t-shirt she slept in. Passing through the bathroom to get her journal from her room, she stopped briefly watching Derek smear shaving cream over his face and neck. Her glanced at her in the mirror.
"Good morning, love." Words emerged from Derek's white, foamy lips.
Ruby could not resist. She went over to him, and he bent down and kissed her, transferring shaving cream to her lips. They looked themselves in the mirror. Derek's short hair poked up in spikes around his white face, and Ruby’s black curls were a frizzy mess around her full white lips. They giggled at their silliness. Derek took his towel and wiped her lips off.
"Blech!" Ruby said, tasting the shaving cream. "It looks like whip cream, but it certainly does not taste like it!"
She left him to shave and get dressed. Her journal and pen in hand, she headed downstairs, her bare feet luxuriating the feel of the cool buttery wood floors.
In the kitchen, she poured coffee grounds in the basket, filled the reservoir with water and pressed the ‘on’ button. She sat at the table and started a new entry in her journal:
Saturday, March 9. Last night, I received a call from Jonah. He wants to meet with me this morning to discuss something. He is picking me up at nine; however, he gave me no indication of what he wants to discuss. I suspect it will be about Abby and Kenny. I wonder if either of them revealed their activities to Jonah, or if Jonah will be fishing to find out what I know. I prefer to not be involved. Then again, I am involved. Abby is like a sister to me. She is a sister to me. Maybe, if I am lucky, he wants to take me driving. I mentioned that my lesson with Derek had issues.
The coffee pot gurgled. Ruby rose and retrieved a couple mugs from the cabinet. She poured cream in both cups and added two spoons of sugar in each. She poured her cup, knowing Derek wanted to pour his own when he came down. The steam swirling up from her cup, she added a few more lines to her entry. Hearing Derek's footsteps approach, she finished her entry and closed her book. She sipped her coffee as he entered the kitchen.
"Whoo! What a handsome looking dude!" Ruby said.
Derek poured his coffee, glancing over his shoulder as she commented. He sat across from her. Again, a habit they were forming was to spend a few minutes with each other before he headed off for work.
"You're looking mighty good in that t-shirt as well!" he replied. "In fact, I think it looks better on you than on me!"
"Doubtful. I am swimming in it! But it is so soft! So comfy and warm."
"What's your plan for the morning?" Derek asked.
"I guess Jonah is picking me up after a while. He called last evening and said he needed to talk to me about something."
"Do you know what it is?"
"Clueless," Ruby replied. She noticed Derek taking gulps of his coffee. "You are going to scald yourself."
"No. I'll be okay. What do you want to do when I get home?" he asked.
"Could we go up to the cabin and check out the progress?" Ruby asked.
"It hasn't even been a week since we were up there. I doubt much has happened," Derek replied, glancing at his watch. "But, yes, we can drive up and take a look." He downed the remainder of his cup and rose, putting the cup in the sink.
"Leaving already?" Ruby made a pouty face. Derek leaned over and gave her a long kiss, then studied her face and followed with a quick kiss.
"I love you! But, yes, I've got to go! I've got a hot date with about twenty old men!" he laughed, putting on his coat. And then he was gone.
As soon as Derek left, Ruby felt a void. Her world went quiet. The air seemed to stop. Whenever Derek departed, she instantly longed for him. It almost physically hurt. After a few minutes, the feeling would pass, and she would get on with her day. Now that their lives were entangled, Ruby could not imagine life without Derek. He finished her. He filled that empty spot that traveled with her for so many years.
Ruby wondered how the addition of a baby would affect this. Her hand rested on her belly. She felt the internal flutters, but really nothing externally yet. Each flutter was a communication from the little boy inside her, helping her to become acquainted with him and learning his patterns and behaviors. Perhaps the caffeine was causing him to be active. Switching to decaf might be a good idea.
***
Jonah pulled in the driveway at ten past nine and honked the horn. Ruby had been waiting by the back door, her coat already on. Being late was unusual for Jonah, punctuality being one of his stronger characteristics. As Ruby approached the truck, he had already gotten out to help her up into the passenger seat. Still no running boards! By the time Jonah returned to the driver’s seat, Ruby was all buckled in.
"Shoot!" he said.
"What is wrong?" she asked.
"I should have let you drive!"
"That is okay. Maybe I can drive on the way back. Where are we going exactly?"
"I figured we would go have breakfast. Are you up for some biscuits and gravy?" Jonah drove through the intersection and pulled into the Dairy Queen parking lot.
"That sounds great. I have not had that since..." The image of the jail cell popped into Ruby's head. "I might enjoy them better this time."
"Let's hope!" Jonah parked and helped Ruby out of the truck.
"It is a good thing I did not drive! I sure would not have gone far!" The only thing between the Dairy Queen and the Hunt home was a road and the police department.
"True."
They approached the counter, and Jonah ordered their meals, adding coffees to the order.
"Make mine a decaf," Ruby told the boy at the register.
"Go ahead and have a seat," the boy said. "We'll bring it out to you when it's ready!"
Ruby selected a table near the windows. She preferred to sit in regular chairs. When she sat in a booth, her feet generally didn’t touch the floor.
"Amy has taken to decaf these days also," Jonah said.
"How is she doing? I need to go see her," Ruby replied.
"She's mostly tired. When she gets home from school, the only thing she can do is take a nap," Jonah laughed. "It's a good thing we're at Mom's house, or we'd all starve!"
"Does she have any morning sickness?" Ruby asked as the boy set their orders in front of them. The gravy was steaming and the aroma of the bits of sausage caught Ruby's nose.
"Nope. She never had it with Abby and Jackson either. Just tiredness."
Ruby already dug in and had a heap of biscuit drenched with gravy on her fork. As soon as it entered her mouth, she savored the mixture of flavors and textures. She would no longer have to solely associate this fine food with captivity in a cold, dark cell. She washed it down with the decaf. She added her normal fixings to the coffee, but she could still tell a difference between decaf and regular. The decaf seemed watered-down to her. Perhaps she would try making some at home and see if she could get a stronger result. She needed to tell Derek to bring a pack of the decaf McCafé home.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Ruby asked. Jonah was chewing, so he didn’t immediately respond. She sensed that he was deliberately delaying in answering her. Jonah was a lot like Norman and was known to talk with a mouthful of food. Even Jonah's sip of coffee was unusually long.
"First of all, I hope you don't get mad at me," Jonah began. "But you know how we ran your DNA back in October? To see if it was a match to Betsy's?"
Ruby nodded her head while chewing, stabbing at another piece of biscuit.
"Well, I went ahead and sent Betsy's tooth and lock of hair into the state lab for DNA analysis."
The statement gained Ruby's full attention, her fork suspended in mid-air.
"And?" she asked.
Jonah looked Ruby in the eyes, her enchanting pale blue eyes. His silence told her everything. She knew what was coming.
"Ruby, Betsy's was not a match. She was not your biological mother."
Ruby recognized the pain in Jonah's eyes. She contemplated her own reaction. Did this upset her? She expected this outcome. Really, it just confirmed her gut intuition. Confirmation of a nagging feeling she had since a child. Did this really change anything?
"Okay," she replied calmly. Her fork finally found another chunk of biscuit and carried it to her mouth.
"You're not upset?" Jonah asked. Jonah was accustomed to her emotional breakdowns. She knew he had prepared himself for one.
"I am processing."
"Like I said, I hope you're not upset with me doing this and not telling you. But I figured it had to be done. There was no point it just sitting in the fireproof box. We almost lost it once."
"No. Actually, I am very glad you went ahead and sent it off. You are right. We were lucky it did not burn up in the house fire. I am not upset with you, Jonah." Ruby sipped her decaf. "I really do not know how I feel." She didn’t. It was information she didn’t know what to do with. Other than accept it.
Ruby put her left hand on the table. She held it there, studying the ring.
"I had a dream about a week ago," she said.
"You did? What about?"
"About the ring." Ruby held it out to Jonah. She had not shared with Jonah that she had seen the ring before.
"What about the ring?"
"After Derek proposed and put the ring on my finger, I got to looking at the ring and had this feeling that it was familiar to me. I had seen it before. Like an early-childhood memory. Then, last week I had a dream about it. I was a baby sitting on one woman's lap, and then the woman gave the ring to the woman across from her. Then she gave me to the woman. It was very confusing, and the details were fuzzy." She paused taking another sip of decaf. "Then as I started thinking about the dream, a memory came back to me. I was young, and Vanessa...Betsy was upset because she could not find the ring. I remember how mad she was. She said it had been stolen. The woman in my dream must have been my real mother, and she gave me and the ring to Betsy. I remember Betsy taking it out and showing it to me. She never wore it, but she would tell me the ring would be mine someday. And here it is on my finger!"
"That's quite something," Jonah said. "So, do you think your real mother might be out there somewhere?"
"My gut tells me no." Ruby moved her food around with her fork. "The question that keeps coming to me is, why did she give me and the ring to Betsy? She must have known she would never see me again, or why else would she give the ring to Betsy and tell her to save it for me when I got older?"
"True. Did Betsy ever check the local pawn shops, do you know?" Jonah asked.
"Oh, we were in and out of pawn shops all the time. I do not know if it was because she was looking for it or if she was just pawning something." Ruby scooped up a piece of sausage but paused putting it in her mouth. "Do you know that Derek actually bought this ring at a pawn shop in Morehead?" The sausage made it to its destination.
"Really?" Jonah's head tilted and his eyes squinted slightly. "That means the ring somehow made its way from the Corbin area up to Morehead."
Ruby nodded as she finished chewing.
"Yep. Almost like it was searching for me. And here it is…on my finger. So odd." Ruby inspected the ring again. She found herself frequently checking it, feeling as if it was a dream.
"Do you think one of Betsy's friends took the ring?" Jonah asked.
"I think so. I remember that where-ever we were staying at that time, she got into a huge fight with the guy, and we moved on elsewhere. But there really was not anything unusual about that. That was life."
Jonah had abandoned his food and focused on his coffee. He looked to be in deep thought. Ruby watched him for a moment, and then something beyond him—outside—caught her attention. She saw Abby entering the police station. Abby was not going to see her dad, as his truck was not parked in its usual place. She had to be going to see Kenny! She re-focused her attention on Jonah but stayed alert to any further action across the street.
