“Howard is dead, Mom.” Ruth’s hands were wrapped around the stove handle, and her knuckles were white as she said the words.
“Good riddance,” Sara spat out. Anderson could tell it was not the reaction Ruth was expecting by the shock in her face.
“Mom,” Ruth said in way of warning.
“Okay, fine. But I have cried too many tears over that man. I have been done with him for years now.” Sara turned and started to run water to rinse the cup she had been washing.
“I just wanted you to know.” Ruth didn’t move, her voice a little shaky.
“Who told you?” Sara watched the water run.
“Rafferty stopped by.”
“Of course, he did.” She was still watching the water, but Anderson could hear the bitterness in her voice. Without turning, she asked, “Has he told her yet?”
“His mother? I assume he has. They were still married.” Ruth let go of the handle and flexed her fingers.
“You can leave; you told me.” Sara shut off the water, dismissing her daughter, still not turning around.
“If you’re sure? I can stay.” Ruth walked over to the table and pushed in the chair she had taken out.
“No, you go. We will talk about him later.” Sara finally turned around and was trying to ignore Anderson altogether.
“Him as in Anderson?” Ruth pushed. He didn’t know what she wanted her mom to say.
“Your boss,” Sara emphasized.
“He’s more than that, Mom. We can talk about it later.” Ruth walked over to her mom at the sink.
As he watched, her mom pulled her into a hug for the first time since they had been there. The older woman was holding her daughter tight, but neither of them was crying. Sara was whispering into her daughter’s ear. He was unable to see Ruth's face as they had a short conversation that he couldn’t hear.
Ruth pushed herself out of her mother’s embrace, saying, “No, mom. Just no.”
“Angel,” Sara protested.
“No, Mom. We have to go.” Ruth turned and walked away.
“Will I see you anymore?” He heard the pain in Sara’s voice, as if Ruth had to choose between them.
“Yes, Mother. I will come on a weekend.”
“To stay?” Sara demanded.
“No, I live only a short drive away. I don’t need to stay.”
“So, it’s him over me?” Sara didn’t look his way.
Ruth shocked Anderson with her answer. “Yes, Mom.”
“He’ll leave you too, Ruth,”
“I know, Mom. But for now, I get to be with him.” A chill ran down Anderson’s spine. Is that how she saw them? As temporary?
“He is just going to hurt you.” Sara wasn’t mincing words. Anderson understood why everyone called her the dragon. What came from her mouth was as dangerous as fire and hurt a lot more. She made it sound like he was going to hurt Ruth, and that was the last thing he wanted to do.
“I know, Mom. I hope you will be there for me when it happens,” Ruth said, as if he hadn’t heard what she had said, that he was going to hurt her.
Sara looked at her daughter and hesitated a moment as the two stared into each other's eyes. “I am always here for you. Just call.”