CHAPTER EIGHT

FAMILY



Ruby never thought she’d meet Stokes in the real world; she was still surprised and confused that he was real, all the time they spent in the beyond, she thought it was a very bad dream. Unfortunately, you don’t find characters in your dream in real life, which means what she had wasn’t a dream; it was something she still hadn’t figured out. Thinking too much about it would get her psychologically ill; maybe Stokes would clear things up for her later.

“Hey”

“Hey Baby girl” Stokes mum called at her, Ruby gasped waking up from her deep thoughts.

“Are you okay?” Mrs. Pritchard asked as she laid down the tray she had in her hand on the dining.

Ruby was now seated in Stokes parents dining room, Stokes mum had called them in a while ago after she caught them kissing at the front of the house. They’re had been waiting for breakfast to be ready before Ruby fell into her deep thoughts.

“Of course, I’m perfectly fine” Ruby answered wearing an outstanding smile on her face.

“Alright then” Mrs. Pritchard concluded as she served them hot toasted bread and a cup of warm tea. Perfect combo for breakfast in winter seasons, but this wasn’t winter yet.

Stokes had remained silent since they entered the house, he had noticed the confusion and surprised look on Ruby’s face, she’s probably still baffled by the experience they had in the beyond, he thought.

“So what’s your name baby girl” Stokes's mum continued.

Ruby looked up still wearing that outstanding smile on her face, “My name is Ruby… Ruby Garfield.” She said shyly.

“That’s a very nice name dear, you look like a priceless Ruby yourself” Stokes mum complimented.

“Thank you, Mrs. …… “

“Mrs. Pritchard” Stokes mum completed the sentence with an elegant smile on her face.

The conversation was about to start up again when Annabelle entered the dining with her headset on her ears, she was singing along word for word the hit song Dynamite which the Korean group BTS sang. Ruby was astonished that Annabelle could sing Korean perfectly; she must be a huge fan.

“Did Stokes bring a girl home?” Annabelle yelled without knowing because her headset was still on her ears, Ruby closed her eyes to ease the embarrassment she knew she was about to get.

“You never told me you had a girlfriend” Annabelle continued as she approached the dining.

“She’s not my girlfriend, Anna” Stokes replied disgustedly.

“Did you kiss a girl that isn’t your girlfriend” Mrs. Pritchard chipped in, her voice sounding a little surprised than her looks. Stokes had no words to defend himself from the dilemma he had just put himself into, this was going the wrong way, he shouldn’t have kissed her out there, but it was too late to mend; now he had to settle the matter before him.

Eventually, Ruby bailed him out; “we’re not dating yet Mrs. Pritchard, but we do have feelings for each other.” She said, staring at the brownish liquid inside her mug.

“Oh, I see, if that’s the case, then I’ve no objections,” she replied smiling her normal elegant smile.

Annabelle had joined them on the dining; she was an outspoken and bold teenage girl, typical music and anime lover, she was a beautiful lad, long midnight black hair flowing down to her back, lovely blue eyes which match her blue headset; speaking of the headset, the gadget never leaves her neck. She had small but full lips for a girl who talks a lot; one could describe her in summary as a beautiful and innocent teen.

“When are you gonna ask her out bro” Anna wasn’t giving up, she took a huge bite at her toasted bread waiting for her now irritated brother to answer.

“Just cut the crap Anna” Stokes was almost yelling, there were traces of anger in his voice.

“Okay, okay, you shouldn’t get so angry just because of a simple unanswerable question” Anna replied putting back her headset on. Stokes heaved a sigh of relief, “Anna was a pain in the ass” he said in his mind.

“I should take my leave now Mrs. Pritchard, it was nice meeting with you, and thank you so much for the breakfast, I loved the toasted bread,” Ruby said, standing up from the dining chair and adjusting her dress.

“It’s my pleasure dear, you can stop by anytime” Mrs. Pritchard replied as she took a sip of her tea.

“I’ll see her off mum, will be right back,” Stokes said, rising from his chair, he hadn’t touched his toasted bread neither did he stir the tea.

“You haven’t touched your breakfast yet Stokes” Mrs. Pritchard queried.

“I’m not hungry mum, lost my appetite, I’ll feed the dogs” Stokes replied closing the front door behind him. Mrs. Pritchard sighed, Stokes was a foodie, something was wrong somewhere, she thought.

“I’m sorry about all that,” Stokes said trying to apologize for the inconveniences caused by his sister.

“Don’t say that Stokes, I love your family, they’re nice and jovial” Ruby countered, walking briskly down to where she had packed her truck.

Stokes sighed and looked bowed his head before speaking;

“I know you’re still confused about what happened lately, I think I’m starting to understand all of this”

“I just hope we don’t get to be in that situation ever again, I owe you my life Stokes, I’m forever grateful for what you did,” Ruby replied, staring down at her feet, her hands tucked into her back jean pocket.

Stokes continued;

“This may sound stupid, but I’m starting to think we’ve some kind of power that can take us into the beyond and back at will, something similar to astral projection if we could just figure out what it was maybe….”

“You’re thinking too much Stokes, it might just be a very long dream, it’s all over now and we’re in the real world, let’s face the reality now,” Ruby said interrupting Stokes complicated explanation.

“I think I’ve to figure this out on my own” Stokes thought.

“I’m late for my classes Stokes, I’ll see you around”

“Hold on a sec, which college do you attend?” Stokes asked curiously.

“Great Minds” she answered opening the front door of her old truck.

“Great Minds? It’s a mystery we don’t know each other” Stokes said in surprise

“Many people don’t know me in college, I hardly talk to anyone, so I’m not that popular” Ruby replied.

“I guess that’s the reason, I’ll see you in school then,” Stokes said.

Ruby entered her truck and zoomed off, winter was approaching, Stokes could feel it, and winter in Alaska was always intense, especially on the outskirts that they lived in. Stokes walked back to the front of the house; Spike had already torn the dog food and was devouring everything independently. Lily sat there looking at Stokes with innocent eyes, she knew what Spike would do if she tries eating with him.

“Alright, I’ll make yours special” Stokes said smiling at Lily.

To be continued....