Mentor

"Brunch"

The sounds of clinking plates and cutlery filled the air. We had decided to have brunch in the garden because Ruby had expressed how amazing she thought it was before she went into her room to get her things set up while Angie and I prepared a few snacks, some easy chicken salads and a few drinks to accommodate everyone, including my wine loving self. We hadn’t spoken much but I was not looking forward to being the middle man between Angie and Ruby, although I knew that they would soon be comfortable with each other. Tim had insisted on helping with setting the table because he felt like that was the least he could do for letting him stay but Angie was not impressed. She had expressed that she felt like Tim was not being authentic which made her worry but from what I have seen, he seemed okay.

“I know you were rich but I didn’t know you were more than rich” Ruby commented.

“Ruby” Angie said

“It is okay and this house is deceiving because my father built it for me while they were still trying to get their business to grow but as the years went they tried to modify it based on the standards of architecture” I explained

“That is interesting but also modest” she said

“That is her whole thing” Angie chuckled

“I’ve noticed and I have also noticed how my mother put her style into it” she said

“She wanted the house to be homey” I said with a shrug

“Of course she did” she smiled

After the miniscule conversation, we continued to focus on the food that was on our plates. Tim had been quite the whole time while trying to reduce the noise that could be caused by the plates. Angie was silently eating while taking big gulps of wine, it was as if she was trying to get drunk but I held her hand and told her to slow down simply because Ruby didn’t deserve to experience her mother in a drunken state. Ruby had been eating with one hand while the other hand held on to Tim. If I understood the psychology of relationships in general, I would have concluded that they are in love with each other just from the way they were holding on to each other.

“Are you happy with your new life?” Angie asked Ruby

“It is not too bad but a little bit hectic and I miss everyone” she said

“That is not convincing” Angie said

“Uprooting is never easy especially when it is not on good terms” she said

“I am sorry for putting you through all that but I do not want you to feel like you cannot communicate with your family because of me” Angie said softly

“Mom it is not your fault but in fact it is theirs for not loving you just the way you are. While I was thinking, I wondered how they would receive me if I had told them I loved a woman and it made me realise that they would’ve resented me as well. Nobody needs those kinds of people in their lives even if they are important” she said

“I hear you but I want you to be happy even if it means reconciling with them because they raised you while I couldn’t” Angie said.

“It is okay mom, these things usually take time but you raised me, don’t ever doubt that” Ruby assured Angie.

“May I please have more salad” Tim said suddenly and we all broke out in a fit of laughter.

“Sure” Ruby said while she handed the dish to him.

“How long will you staying?” I asked

“We are here for two weeks and then we will be going back because Tim has something going on with his sister and I was invited” Ruby said cheerfully