unsolved disappearances » otis and ruby

Part 44

Ruby's POV

My body dysmorphia ran at an all-time high after giving birth to my daughter Madison. So in order to get my weight back under control, I enjoyed getting exercise by taking my daughter for a daily walk in her stroller.

As the temperature outside was cooling, I would dress both her and me warmly before I took her into the outdoors. Otis was a big help being a father and providing for us both, even with myself pushing him away romantically, due to the new stresses that came with raising a newborn so young. My old friends were enjoying weekend parties and here I was, pushing a stroller in the park with an infant.

Although Maddy was worth it, she looked absolutely adorable every time she fell asleep in her stroller as I pushed her along the track. I would focus on having a coffee, keeping myself warm against the cool air.

I hear laughter coming from in front of me, seeing Maeve standing there beside her friend Aimee as she laughed bitterly. "Well if it isn't the new teenage mother." Maeve would comment walking closer, trying to get a look at my daughter. "Tell me, does she take after your ugly looks or more like Otis?"

I was sick of Maeve constantly being a bitch. I see Aimee's expression not liking the encounter. Although I hadn't been the nicest to the girl in the past, I felt bad that she was being embarrassed by someone that was meant to be her best friend. "Fuck off Maeve, no one likes rude bitches trying to cause drama all the fucken time." I retort bitterly, swiping her hand away before she can pull the blanket covering the top of the stroller.

Maeve defends herself by looking like I had punched her in the face. "I just wanted to see whether your spawn is actually cute or Otis was just making it up because he feels sorry to have mated with you." 

The comment catches me off guard, as Aimee walks closer trying to pull Maeve away. "Maeve, please just leave Ruby alone." She says quietly, which I was thankful for I wanted to let my daughter rest. 

"No." She shakes Aimee off. "Ruby needs to know her baby daddy prefers the company of me rather than her, maybe it's the extra pounds."

That comment was enough for the old Ruby to rise up in front of me. My anger boils at a terrible rate as I glare at the girl in front of me. "You have no right!" I yell, raising my voice, which causes my daughter to start stirring. "Get the fuck over yourself and stop this pettiness."

"Afraid I'll become your spawn's stepmother?" Maeve challenges with a smirk on her face. I wanted to slap her, but I had to keep my composure. 

"Stop, Maeve!" Aimee becomes sick of the encounter. "You haven't seen Otis in months, just drop it otherwise I am going to drop you."

Maeve turns back to her friend, hurt by her comment. Aimee and I exchange a nod to each other, as I mouth the words 'thank you', before escaping the scene. 

I push my daughter out of there, ignoring the grizzlies that came from her. She was annoyed that she had woken up. I had walked to the other side of the small town, the opposite direction of my home. Although I was stressing myself out due to Maeve, she always made a point to piss me off and my anxiety was making up all these stupid scenarios that she was going to steal my daughter from me.

That's how I ended up in front of Adam Groff's house, I would've gone to Erics but I knew he was busy working with his father to save some money before he went off to university. My hands pound on the door, the noise upsetting Maddy even more, I was shaking from becoming scared that Maeve had followed me.

After a few seconds, I see Adam open the door confused as I wrap my arms around him. I was much shorter than the boy as I let out some sobs from my mouth. It took a few seconds for Adam to register what was going on before he shakily wraps his arms around me, returning the hug. "Do you want to come inside?" He asks.

Not pulling away from the much-needed embrace I nod my head, Adam reaching over to struggle to bring the stroller in. Although he was successful as I hear the door close behind him and all I'm met with is my daughter crying. 

I take a few moments to make my breathing level before picking up my screaming infant from her stroller to soothe her down. Adam stands there awkwardly as Maddy calms down slowly. I look over to see my tears had made his grey sweatshirt wet. "Are you alright Ruby?" He asks.

I shake my head, still feeling myself shaking. "Maeve," I answer simply, placing a pacifier into my daughter's mouth. Her blue eyes identical to Otis look back at me as she settles in my arms. "She said she was...seeing Otis again."

Adam lets out a deep breath. "Maeve is a bitch, she loves to cause drama because her life is shit right now." I look at the boy confused. "She didn't get into her dream school or something and Otis rejected her advances at a party last week."

I nod, taking in this information. I had let Otis let loose for a night so he could have time with Eric at one of the last high school parties with the rest of his classmates. "I'm sorry, I panicked." I utter, struggling with my words. "Sorry about your sweater."

Adam just shrugs his shoulders. "When you're ready, I'll walk with you back to your place." He offers, which I respond with a smile.