Chapter 12 #2
Ruby twists her expression; she knows Ellie is right, but the mountain of emotions she's experiencing doesn't allow her to think clearly or give in. She gets up from the chair, massages her neck, and heads for the door.
"I don't have the headspace to talk about this today," she says, "but we'll need to find a solution."
Ellie's heart beats strangely. She's had many arguments throughout her friendship with Ruby, especially when they decided to become partners.
The stress of setting up a place in New Orleans' most famous neighborhood without much knowledge about it caused clashes between them almost daily.
But Ruby never raised her voice, never left her with words hanging in the air, and most importantly, she never perceived that disdain in her eyes.
The day passes so slowly that it seems someone has decided to stop time.
Ruby hasn't stopped doing things, all as far away from Ellie as possible.
If she's at the bar, Ruby is in the patio.
If she moves to the office, Ruby goes to the storage room, and when it's finally time to leave, she says goodbye from afar and heads straight to her car without looking back.
Then, when she's parking in front of her house, she sees her.
Amelia is leaning against the wall checking her phone with two large suitcases beside her and a package of folded cardboard boxes, and Ruby allows herself a few seconds to look at her.
She's beautiful, but above all, she radiates a beautiful energy that captivates everyone.
Amelia looks up and meets Ruby's gaze. She gives her a beautiful smile, and Ruby breaks.
"I got off a bit early today," Amelia says as a greeting and approaches Ruby. Without hesitation, she hugs her with the affection of someone who loved her for a long time.
Ruby returns the hug, and in it, she feels comfortable, safe. She laments, for the first time, loving a woman who doesn't feel the same because that feeling is robbing her of great people like Amelia.
"You should have let me know; you know I could have left earlier."
"Don't worry," Amelia shakes her head, "I didn't mind waiting."
Ruby opens the door, and they both enter the house they shared until recently.
Amelia smiles melancholically, remembering the good moments that home they built together gave her.
They go directly to the bedroom, and Amelia opens the closet to start taking out her clothes first. Ruby begins to feel dizzy, as if they were breaking up all over again.
"Do you need help?" Ruby prays for Amelia to say no.
"No, don't worry," the girl says in a warm tone. "I can manage."
Ruby doesn't say anything, nods, and leaves the hell her bedroom has become.
Two hours pass before Amelia drags the last box to the living room. With a beaded forehead, the girl takes one final look around and, when satisfied, takes a sip from the glass of water Ruby had brought her a while ago.
"I'm done," she announces.
Ruby emerges from her hiding place with a dolly in hand and makes a face that tries to be a smile.
"Let's put the boxes here and take them to your car. You grab the suitcases."
Amelia appreciates the help, and in ten minutes, they have everything between the trunk and the back seat. They return to the house to check she hasn't forgotten anything, and Amelia approaches the woman who was her girlfriend for years.
"Thank you for everything, Ruby," she says, and she's not just referring to the help she just received. Ruby knows she's also talking about everything they experienced together.
"Will you be okay?" asks the bar owner with watery eyes.
Amelia nods and smiles.
"I am and I will be," the girl seems to hesitate for a second but decides to tell her how she feels.
"I will always love you, Ruby, because you always treated me like a queen.
I was happy by your side, I grew up being with you, and we created good memories.
It was hard for me to accept that our relationship had come to an end.
You're an amazing woman, and I didn't want to let go, but now I know I can still have you in my life as a friend, and that feels good.
If you want to, of course," she hurries to clarify.
"I want to," Ruby answers without having to think about it. "I was very happy with you too, and I'm glad you're doing well. Where are you going to live?"
"I'm going to share an apartment with Crystal, remember her?"
Ruby nods. She's a coworker of Amelia's who went through a difficult breakup a couple of years ago.
"The apartment she's renting is quite large, you know, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, balcony.
.." she explains and widens her usual smile.
"It's very close to the supermarket, so I won't have to move my car; plus, it works well for both of us to save money.
I bought a plane ticket to Thailand for the August vacation, and sharing an apartment is perfect for me. "
A tear falls down Ruby's face without being able to stop it.
One of the things she liked about Amelia was her intense desire to live.
She never wanted to study anything after high school and, despite her parents' disapproval, opted for simple jobs with decent salaries because she doesn't need much, just to enjoy life.
She postponed that trip to Thailand for several years because Ruby was swamped with the bar, then her father's death, and her mother's subsequent depression.
Amelia waited all that time, but no more.
"I hope you send me lots of photos from your dream trip," Ruby answers with a broken voice as she wipes away the tears that now flow freely.
Amelia hugs her again while nodding affirmatively. She adores Ruby and is glad that, despite the pain they're both going through from the breakup, they're willing to be friends later on.
When Amelia leaves and Ruby is alone, she sits on the sofa.
Hundreds of thoughts attack her, and it doesn't take long to reach a painful reflection.
Everyone is moving on with their lives, everyone except her.
Jerome got his heart broken, and two weeks later, he was traveling to Los Angeles to hook up with a Puerto Rican model he'd connected with on social media.
Ellie separated from Marcel and is already dating attractive men with fake teeth.
Amelia has found a new place to live, seems very happy, and, finally, will fulfill her dream of visiting Thailand.
All of them have turned the page, and Ruby remains in love with the same girl for over twenty years.
She keeps dancing to Ellie's music and stays alone on the dance floor when her business partner doesn't look at her as someone to love.
She decides, raises her face to the ceiling, and decides.
"This ends here," she affirms. "I'm done with Ellie Trahan; starting today, the plan is to forget her."