Ruby Makes A Phone Call

Pacing the halls of her single wide, she went over the dialogue once again. It had to sound natural, light, confident and maybe even just a wee bit aloof; as if it wouldn't bother her if he said no. It could not sound like she was reading it from a script, which she would be if she didn't hurry up and get this memorized before she lost her nerve once and for all.


"Hi" she practiced tossing her head, smiling as she produced the words. "I was just thinking about.... no that's not right..... Hi, this is Ruby... allow time for chit chat... how are you blah blah blah.... Cut to the chase Ruby, he's a busy man!" she stopped in front of the bathroom mirror and frowned at her reflection. "Why am I doing this again?"

The conversation from yesterday with her kid brother came floating back. "Guys like it when girls ask 'em out. Just go for it Rube!"

"Yah, right. And I might rather die an old maid." Ruby shook her head. She knew that wasn't true. Life had dealt her more than her share of low blows and disappointments yet she yearned for a companion, a soul mate, someone she could trust, love, laugh with. But was she ready for this? To ask a man she barely knew, to go out with her?

"It's just a movie. Just two people watching a movie together."

The movie was in fact something she had already discussed with Merle a few nights before when they had ended up at the same table after the church volleyball team migrated from the Y to the local coffee house. Nervous about sharing space with the tall thin man with a bad comb-over, Ruby had cast about for something to discuss and came up with the brilliant question about what movies he might have seen recently. Turned out Merle frequented the movies about as often as Ruby did. The saving grace in that had been that neither of them had seen the latest block buster that was winning accolades. And that both of them were interested in seeing this film gave Ruby hope that perhaps he might suggest they go see it together. After all, in the weeks Ruby had been on the volleyball team she'd caught Merle checking out her serve on more than one occasion.

Ruby thought Merle a pleasant enough man. He showed good hygiene, seemed genuinely interested in others and displayed a gentle sense of humor that told Ruby he might be good company. And she was tired of her only adult activity outside of work being the church volleyball team when she didn't even like sports! 

She pressed the wrinkled notebook paper out on the sink vanity and stared at the ridiculous proposal she'd scripted. "How hard can it be to just ask the guy to the movies for heaven sake?" Yet she re-read her words once again, sucking in her breath as she lowered the paper and allowed the truth to sink in.

It was hard because this mattered.

It might just be a two people watching a movie together but what if it was more? What if they liked each other and they went on a second date? And then a third? What if she allowed him to hold her hand. Kiss her. Steal her heart?

"Stop it Ruby!" she leaned in towards the mirror again. Her hazel eyes were mostly green which clued her in to how how anxious she was. Emotions always brought the green flecks to the forefront. She pinched her cheeks for color and then laughed at herself. Merle would not be able to see her, still, knowing she looked perky gave her the confidence she needed to launch herself out of the bathroom, down the hall and into the living room where the phone was.

Hyperventilating, she listened to the phone ring. "One ringy-dingy. Two ringy-dingys." Imitating Ernestine the Operator calmed her and she was breathing almost normally when the phone was answered on his end. At the sound of his baritone voice her pulse sped up and she gulped. And blurted.

"Hi, this is Ruby. Wouldyouliketogotothemovieswithme?" 




dedicated to my 'boyfriend' and the memory of our very first date... 18 years ago today. so glad you said yes.