MORE THAN THAT TO SCARE ME OFF

"That's my ma." I said, adjusting my skirts and finding a place to sit beside Ruby on the bed.

"I know. She told me." Ruby replied.

I nodded and swallowed, sensing her discomfort. "Or you're worried she told me something,"I said, "She didn't."

She nodded and then asked, "Why did you come?" Without looking me in the eyes.

"Errrm, I couldn't reach you?" I said, sounding like I wasn't sure it was enough reason and shrugged, "I wanted to check that you're okay. Nobody was telling me anything when I asked after you."

She gulped and said, "thank you."

I squeezed her palms to let her know that it was fine like I'd seen in movie scenes, "Why did you shave your hair?" I asked the most pressing question on my mind.

She smiled and answered, "I've always been like this." And after a while added, "Can you help me open the last closet on your left?"

I got up and strolled over to her closet, opening it as she asked; an auburn wig fell out. Not thinking much about it, I picked it up and was about to