CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

“I know this is the seventy-one time I'm going to be saying this, Ruby, but... I'm so happy to finally meet you. I only just heard about you today, but Gabi won't let my ears rest since... You're very welcome.”

Hearing the woman of the house, Mercedes, say these words with a smile on her face and excited gestures made Ruby feel very good and much more comfortable.

“Thank you, Mercedes... I'm happy to meet you, too... I was nervous before coming because I didn't know what to expect, but... Yeah, I'm happy..”

“You were nervous? Of what? We don't bite... Gabi, what did you tell her?” Mercedes turned to her cousin with surprise on her face.

Ruby admired the woman. She was heavily pregnant and looking like she would go into labor any minute but she was still very pretty and agile, too, unlike some women Ruby had seen who would look bloated and inflated and as though they weighted the world inside them. Seeing her made Ruby ache for a family; well, she had seemingly found one, now. And hope