Page 12 of No One's Like You
"See? She doesn't want us here, we can leave," Adele decides, raising her head with dignity.
"Of course, run away," Odette says, making a disdainful gesture with her head.
Adele stops and presses her lips together as she observes her. Ruby and Ellie exchange an amused glance while Darwin wipes his sweaty palms on his pants.
"Would you like something to drink?" Darwin asks.
"They don't want anything, they're leaving," Odette says.
"I do," Adele retorts, "I'm a little hot, a glass of cold water would be nice."
"This isn't a charity house," Odette insists, but Darwin ignores her and disappears into the kitchen, relieved to escape his mother's presence for a moment. "I don't know what my daughter told you on the phone, but I don't need help from anyone. I manage very well on my own."
"Obviously," Adele says, "it's all joy around here. I thought no one could be more bitter than me."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You should be ashamed to talk to your son like that. It's not his fault you're disabled, just like it's not my daughter's fault that I lost my husband, but here we are, you and I. Two bitter old women who neither live nor let live."
Odette blinks. Ruby does too, surprised by her mother's words.
"I'd rather jump off that balcony than keep you company," Adele continues, "but if that's what my daughter wants, I'll do it."
Darwin returns with a pitcher of water and several glasses.
"You won't do anything," Odette looks her up and down.
Ruby's mother is short and plump, seemingly fragile, but only seemingly.
"How are you going to help me if I fall out of my chair?" Odette narrows her eyes.
"Want me to push you over so we can find out?" Adele challenges her, arching an eyebrow.
Darwin coughs and turns his back to his mother while his mouth twists into a strange grimace as he tries to contain his laughter. Ellie and Ruby don't bother—they smile openly.
"Are you threatening me? Darwin, where did you find this savage?"
Adele pours herself a glass of water and drinks it.
"Let's go, girls," she says to Ruby and Ellie. "Darwin, if it's alright with you, I'll start tomorrow."
"Of course, Mrs. Hebert, I'll open the door for you myself," the man says, convinced that his sister has found the only woman capable of standing up to his mother.
Ruby opens two beers, hands one to Ellie, and sits next to her on the swing in the bar's backyard to finally enjoy their Girls' Wednesday.
"How long do you think your mother will last with that woman before killing her?" Ellie asks with a smile.
"Hmmm," Ruby murmurs, looking at the sky while thinking, "I don't know... Three days, maybe four?"
"I bet five," Ellie laughs, clinking bottles with her.
"Thanks for coming with me, and for helping me get her out of the house. I don't think I could have done it without you, at least not without fighting with her," Ruby says, giving her a gentle nudge with her shoulder.
"You know I'm here for whatever you need, Ruby. Always, and I'd do anything for your mother—she's my family too," Ellie responds, resting her head on Ruby's shoulder.
Ruby's mouth goes dry and her heart stops beating for a moment. She could stay like this forever, sitting next to Ellie in this backyard as night falls. And then she remembers Amelia and feels like the most cruel and selfish person on the face of the earth.
"Are you okay?" Ellie asks, noticing her silence.
