Page 7 of Deception and New Direction

Ruthie sighed as though she realizedEllieandIhad made good points, butIcould tell she was reluctant.

“How about we try it for a week and see how it goes?”Ioffered, knowing full wellIhad no intention of moving her back out.

“Fine,” she grunted.

* * *

Two hours later, discharge paperwork in hand and afterRuthiemade sureCatwas okay by going to her room to see for herself, we made it back to her apartment.Ihad watched her struggle the five or six steps from her wheelchair the nurse had her in to get into mySUVat the hospital.She’dbanged her knee on the door-frame and dropped one of her crutches onto the ground.I’dtried helping her into the passenger seat, but she’d just swatted at me, informing me that she “had it under control”.

We had just pulled in to her apartment complex parking lot, andIwas gearing up for another argument whenIoffered to carry her upstairs.

“Ruthie,”Isaid asIpulled into a parking space. “Inan effort to save time and avoid the risk of you injuring yourself further, canIjust carry you up to your place, please, instead of you attempting to climb two flights of stairs in crutches?”

“I’m not an invalid,Jack,” she said, holding up her hand soIcouldn’t counter her statement. “Idon’t like people doing everything for me.Ineed to learn how to do this.Iwant to try.”

I understood her need for independence.Ieven admired her for it.Thatdidn’t lessen my worry.

“Alright, thenI’mwalking behind you in case you fall,”Itold her as my phone buzzed.

It was fromDanesaying he was on his way withDashand would be to the apartment in less than ten.

When everything had gone down earlier,Danehad left the group of people he had been hanging with and gone to see if he could help in some way.AfterCatwas found,Daneoffered to driveDashfromVince’sparents’ house and meet us back atRuthie’sapartment when she was cleared for the night.

I stood close asRuthieexited the vehicle and followed her as she slowly began moving toward the stairs.Ittook what felt like eighty-four years, but we finally made it up to the third floor.Aswe entered her apartment, she moved to the barstools in her kitchen and sat down, presumably to take a break.

I knew better than to ask her if she was okay, soIstuck with something simple. “Doyou want something to drink?”

“I can get it,” the stubborn woman replied.

“Ruthie, just stay put.Danewill be here any second withDash, andIdon’t think it’s wise to be standing just in case he knocks you over in his excitement.I’llget you a drink.”

She gave in, albeit reluctantly. “Okay, fine,” she said with a sigh.

Just asIset the glass down on the counter for her, there was a knock on the door, along with the sound of nails scratching at the wood.

I opened the door to watchDashsprint by me and head toRuthie.

“Hi sweet boy.Mommymissed you so much,” she cooed at him as he began to sniff her up and down and give a little bit of a whine-cry as he did it.

“Hey, man.Ruthie, how you doing?”Daneasked from the doorway.

“Better now thatI’mhome andIhaveDashback.Thankyou for dropping him off,” she replied, continuing to petDash.

“You need me for anything else?” he asked me.

“If you’re not busy,Imight need to borrow your truck tomorrow to move a few things,”Itold him.

“Not a problem.Justtext me in the morning,” he replied as he made his way to the door to leave. “Havea good night, you two.”

“Why don’t you go do what you need to do to get ready for bed whileItake him out real quick,”Isaid to her. “Thisway he won’t be all over you while you do your thing.”

“Okay, yeah.Thatmight be easier.Thanks.”

I grabbed his leash from where it was still attached to him and tried to coax him to the door, but he wouldn’t budge.Hestarted to whine louder asItried to separate him fromRuthie.Shegave me a few treats to try to get his attention.Itworked, but he kept looking back at her until we got out the door.

AsIwalkedDash,IsentArchera few texts to inform him about my plan to moveRuthiein with me tomorrow.Hisresponse had me chuckling.

Archer:

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