Page 10 of No One's Like You
"Jerome gave my number to his neighbor who might have a job for my mom; she'll call me this week."
"Let me know and I'll go with you if you want; maybe together we can make Adele understand that she needs to break out of that isolation once and for all," suggests Ellie,who has witnessed how the woman has lost all her joy after her husband's death.
Ruby smiles, Ellie winks at her and, as happens sometimes—too many to count—they stare at each other for a few seconds, as if they're observing an expensive masterpiece in a famous museum.
"Want coffee?" asks Ruby, breaking the spell. She has Amelia, she can't lose herself in another woman's gaze. "Since I came in early, I thought we could get ahead on the orders and check what's missing for Friday."
"Yes, don't heat the milk too much or it'll be undrinkable," replies Ellie, who sits in front of the computer. "I'll look up the latest order invoices."
For over an hour, both women immerse themselves in orders, payments, and planning. One Friday a month, they typically bring in a DJ or musical group that they set up in the back patio and host a themed celebration. The idea emerged during a girls' night—their "glorious Wednesdays"—when Ruby prepared cocktails and put on a Mexican hat someone had left at the bar and performed a real spectacle. Ellie nearly peed herself from laughing so hard, and they decided that a livelier night at the bar, changing each time it was celebrated, would attract more customers.
"I'll pick up the decorations tomorrow," says Ellie.
"And I'll buy the trays we need," answers Ruby.
"With this, we have the schedule for four months," Ellie's eyes widen impressively. "We just need to review everything a week before."
They high-five like they did when they were nine years old and their plans worked out. They still do it even though more than two decades have passed, but deep down, Ellie and Ruby remain those girls who grew up together with the same dreams to fulfill.
They head to the bar; the two employees have everything under control, but whenever they're at the bar, they work alongside them. Ruby positions herself at the machine to make some coffees while Ellie collects the cups that have accumulated.
"Good morning," a sweet voice calls out. "Hi, Ruby."
Ruby turns and smiles. Ellie transforms.
"What can I get you?" asks Ellie, wiping her hands with a cloth.
The girl, short with very dark skin, white teeth, and a flirtatious smile, doesn't take her eyes off Ruby, despite the fact that it's Ellie who spoke to her. Ellie can't stand this customer; she always comes looking for her business partner with intentions that she considers inappropriate, given that Ruby has a partner.
"The usual?" asks Ruby, and the girl nods. "Ellie, two bagels to go, one with cream cheese."
Ellie hardens her expression but fills the order. She places the bag on the counter, and the girl activates her phone to pay. During the few minutes she's there, she doesn't take her eyes off Ruby; she gives her such a once-over that it should be illegal.
"See you," the girl says flirtatiously and turns, making her curls bounce gracefully.
Ruby notices her friend's furrowed brow, but before she can ask why, Ellie speaks first.
"She's a homewrecker," she spits.
"She's friendly," Ruby replies resolutely and opens the refrigerators to confirm they're stocked.
"She knows you're with Amelia and still comes to flirt with you every time. Hi, Ruby." Ellie's imitation deserves an Oscar. Squeaky voice, playful tongue, and exaggerated shoulder movements.
Ruby laughs and shakes her head. She's never seen Ellie jealous of any of her boyfriends; however, with her, she's very protective, and these are the details that keep her on the tightrope of confusion.
"What's wrong, are you jealous?" Ruby dares to ask and grabs her by the waist, pulling her close.
At this point, Ruby doesn't know if these reactions are invented by her brain or real because now, so close to Ellie, she can see how her friend's pupils darken and her lips part.
"Me?" Ellie asks, pointing to herself. "Always."
The response makes Ruby's chest vibrate, and the kiss Ellie leaves on her cheek makes her core explode. When Ellie disappears into the bar's office, Ruby remains with her thoughts in turmoil. She thinks about Jerome and the conversation they had. She thinks about Amelia and how unfair she's being to her. She decides she needs to make a decision, devise a plan, or at least decide what to do with her life. She feels a slight glimmer of hope that Ellie might be telling her something she can't see because she'sspent so many years settling for having her as a friend that perhaps she's not understanding the signals.
Chapter 7
Girls' Wednesday.
Ruby sits on her living room couch with the phone glued to her ear for two minutes now, since Marisa Bergeron, the neighbor her friend Jerome told her about, called to say she's still interested in finding someone to keep her mother company. Ruby asks what the job entails exactly, and Marisa explains that her mother had a car accident that left her in a wheelchair a little over a year ago, and she's not handling it well at all. They just need someone who can get her out of the house and provide some companionship.
