Page 21 of No One's Like You
Ruby pinches the bridge of her nose and rests her elbows on her thighs to cover her face with her hands. The guru enters her head, and she takes another deep breath through her nose and exhales in a controlled manner through her mouth.
"That's not even the biggest problem," the girl speaks up for the first time. "The worst part is that we already have two loans, and the bank won't approve a third."
Ellie bites her lips as she remembers how much they owe. When they opened the bar so many years ago, the place needed a good facelift. They agreed on a decent rental price with the owner, and they took out the firstbank loan to tear down two walls, paint, and buy furniture. The second loan came four years later; the Early Bayou's kitchen was so small that only two people could fit, and with the success they were having, they wanted to enlarge it to expand their menu.
"Well, we have some time to think about what to do," Ellie says positively. "Let's wait for the document with the price to arrive and we'll figure it out."
Ruby raises both eyebrows, incredulous. Her neck has started turning red.
"The place is perfect, and the location is ideal. He's going to sell it for a good price, and we can't afford it. Period," Ruby answers rudely. "If you hadn't insisted on changing the damn kitchen, we could now ask for a loan to buy it."
Ellie frowns. The person speaking isn't Ruby, not her Ruby, the sweet girl who can be in a foul mood with the whole world except with her. Besides, it's true that the idea to enlarge the kitchen was Ellie's, but Ruby agreed and was more than happy with the result. She liked it so much that she spent days in there organizing everything before shifts. That's why she doesn't understand her partner and friend's disdainful comment.
"Rub," she calls her affectionately, "if it hadn't been the kitchen, it surely would have been something else. The Early has been growing, and we've been adapting it."
Ruby twists her expression; she knows Ellie is right, but the mountain of emotions she's experiencing doesn't allowher 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?"
