Page 63 of Freeing Ruby

She shakes her head. “No one. Just Edward, and he seemed nice enough. Ruby was glad to see him.”

“Good.” I give Charlie a hug. “Thanks for coming. I had a feeling you and Ruby would hit it off.”

“Anytime, pal.” She play punches my arm. “Just holler if you guys need me for anything after you get settled into your new place. You know I’m just down the hall.”

After Charlie’s gone, I close Ruby’s door and return to her bedside. She’s back in bed now, her gown covered by the bedding. I take a seat on her bed.

Ruby reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Thank you, for everything. Especially for taking care of Pumpkin.”

I brush the backs of her fingers with my thumb. “You don’t need to thank me. I’m happy I can help. I just want you to feel safe and happy.”

Chapter 23

Ruby

After I finish eating dinner, I change into the clothes that Miguel brought me. Now I’m just waiting for my doctor to give me my discharge instructions and sign my release papers. I hope it won’t be too much longer.

My mind is dwelling on the fact that I’m not going back to my apartment. I’m going to Miguel’s apartment building. All my stuff is there, so that should help, but it’s the actual trip to the apartment that has me most worried—leaving the hospital and driving across town to the new building.

Other than my recent ambulance ride, I haven’t been in a vehicle in two years. I was unconscious during the trip to the ER, so I didn’t know what was happening. But now, I’ll be fully aware of what’s happening. I’m not sure how I’ll handle being outside and in a car. At least I’ll be with Miguel.

I’m in the bathroom finishing up brushing my teeth and hair when I hear voices coming from the other side of the bathroom door. Especially one particular voice, heated and loud.

I open the bathroom door and step outside. “Dad? What are you doing here?”

My dad is standing at the foot of the bed, glaring at Miguel, who’s sitting on the sofa. As he turns to me, his expression softens. “Sweetheart, I came to ask you nicely to come home with me where you belong.”

I shake my head and look to Miguel, then back at my dad. “I’m sorry, Dad, but no.”

“I’m your father, Ruby. You belong with me, not with this—” he gestures to Miguel— “opportunistic—”

“Stop it, Dad. Miguel’s my friend. You have no right to talk to him like that.”

Miguel steps between us. “Mr. Foster, Ruby has made her wishes clear. She’s not going home with you, and you certainly can’t force her. She’s an adult. She can make her own choices.”

My father’s expression turns glacial. “Do you want me to have you declared mentally incompetent? Is that it? Because I will.”

I suck in a sharp breath, shocked that he’d say such a thing to me. Yes, I have issues, but I’m not mentally incompetent.

“All right, that’s enough,” Miguel says, advancing on my dad. He points to the door. “It’s time for you to leave, Mr. Foster. If you can’t be civil, then you can go.”

I have to admit, Miguel can be rather intimidating when he wants to. He hasn’t even raised his voice, and yet my dad takes a step back, not quite so confident now.

After my father storms out, I collapse onto the bed. “I can’t believe he said that.”

Miguel sits beside me and takes one of my hands in his. “Try not to let him get to you. He’s bluffing.”

The daytime nurse, Rita, pushes a wheelchair into my room. “I’ve come to go over your discharge instructions with you and give you your release papers. You’re free to go.”

Miguel asks Rita if she’ll stay with me while he goes out to the parking lot to bring his vehicle up to the front doors. Then he’ll come inside and escort me out to the car.

It’s not long before Miguel returns.

“Have a seat,” Miguel says to me, gesturing to the wheelchair.

I try not to laugh. “Do I really have to?”

He nods. “Sorry, but it’s hospital policy. I have to wheel you out to the car.”

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