Chapter 34: Family Ties.

'Mum the thing is, me and Jon...we are seeing each other.'
If her mum was a cartoon character Ruby swore her jaw would have hit the floor the second she finished the sentence.
'Mum?'
'I...i just don't know what to say...' Her mum didn't look at her.'He's older than you.'
'I know mum.'
'A lot older.'
'I know.'
Then it was as if the dam had been broken, the questions just seemed to flow none stop.
'What about your studies? What about Alex? How long has this been going on? What is your father going to say about this?'
Ruby rubbed her face with her hands, she knew she was in trouble now. Your father, her mum only ever said that when she didn't want to be held responsible for a particular character trait.

***

Jon was stood in the hallway. He could hear the mumbling of voices and was wondering how it was going when Ruby's Father appeared.
'Jon. Good to see you again mate.' He said shaking Jon's hand.
'And you Mike.'
'Whats going on here then? Sounds a bit rowdy.'
'Err a bit of a mother - daughter chat i think. Thought i'd keep out of it.'
'Probably for the best. Come through to the lounge?'
'Thanks.'

***

Ruby walked into the lounge to find Jon and her Dad watching a football game.
Jon was sat leant forwards his elbows on his knees, he looked like he was really focusing on the TV, like he was trying to understand the offside rule for he first time or something.
'Hey.'
He looked up into her face, looking for some sort of indication of how it went.
She smiled weakly.
'Jon, Mum wants to know if you'll be eating with us?'
Surely that's a good sign, he thought. 'I'd like that, thanks.'

***

They had finished a meal of salad and were halfway through eating desert.
Ruby could tell her mum was bursting to say something. She had barely spoken the whole time.

'So Jon. Where will you be staying when you are in town?'
Here we go, Ruby thought.
'I mean it's getting a bit late to check in somewhere.'
'Mum, i'm sure Jon will be fine.' Ruby said.
Jon smiled politely and carried on his meal.
'I mean i would offer..but under the circumstances.'
'Mum for god's sake!'
'Does someone want to tell me what's going on?' Her Dad spoke up.
'Nothing Dad.'
Ruby looked at Jon then across to her Mum.
'Ruby he will find out sooner or later.' She said.
'Ruby?' Her Dad asked again.

Just do it fast, like ripping off a plaster. 'Me and Jon are an item.' She blurted out without looking up from her apple pie.
He just laughed, 'You're what?'
'We are dating, going out, courting. Shall i spell it out for you?'
He looked across at Jon then back at Ruby. 'You're joking?'
'Listen Mike I just...' Jon started but he didn't have time to finish.
'I am not having it' Her Dad said. He had put down his spoon and stood from the table.
'I'm twenty years old Dad, you don't have a big say in it.' Ruby responded
'Exactly you're twenty years old. He's taking advantage of you.'
'Excuse me?' Jon couldn't believe the reaction of this man, he had seem so mild mannered.
'You don't get to say who i date.' Ruby protested.
'Fine. But this is my house, i do get a say in my own house. And i'm not having that man in my house.' He said as he pointed at Jon.'
Jon held up his hands, 'Do i get to say anythin' here?'
Ruby cut in, 'Okay, Jon will you wait outside for me?'
'I'm staying with you.'
'How touching.' Her Dad practically spat out.
'Please Jon, i need to speak to my parents alone.'
Getting up from his chair he thanked Ruby's Mum for the meal and reluctantly left.

'Listen, he's not perfect i know. But he's a good man, if you even took the time...'
'Ruby! Have some sense! Do you think he's going to stick around when he could have any model? Any actress? You think he will stick with some groupie? And a kid at that!'
Ruby gritted her teeth, biting down and counting to ten before she responded.
'I love him. And if the man i love isn't welcome here, then i am not welcome either.'
With that she got up from the table and went upstairs.

She came back down stairs, carrying bags.
Looking back through the dining room door she saw her mum in tears. Her Dad was still stood behind his chair, his knuckles white as he held onto the back of the chair.
'Stop her Mike!'
'She's made her decision.' He said. 'Give it a month, she'll be back with a broken heart.'
Ruby looked at them both, and considered his bitter words.
It's not as if i'm even going to miss you, you are more like strangers than parents. She thought. But she didn't say anything just shook her head.
Walking out she didn't close the door behind her, the way she felt now she was never setting foot back in that house.

***

She opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat slamming it behind her.
She was fuming.
'So...' Jon said, wanting to know what had happened after he left. 'I'm guessing it didn't go so well?'
'God! They are unbearable! Jon i'm so sorry.'
'Don't be.'
'You should have heard him when you left....the things he said.' Some groupie?, the memory of his harsh words finally brought on the tears.
Jon reached across to her shoulder and pulled her towards him. She rested her head on his chest, finding comfort once again in his embrace.
'It probably hurts more because you know he's right.'
'What?' she looked up, 'Jon you don't know what he said.'
'I am too old and....'
'Jon! Don't even dare start that again.' She said, she pushed his arm off her and moved back in her seat crossing her arms. 'Not when i'm this angry, i'll do something i'll regret.'
Yikes, Jon had never seen this side of her, the determined look on her face told him he didn't want to be on the receiving end of that temper. 'Listen, do you really want to burn bridges with your parents?'
'No, not at all.'
Jon looked away, out of the windscreen, but she took his chin in her hands and forced it back towards her. Blue met blue as they looked into each other's eyes. She had softened now, the anger leaving her face.
'But i want you Jon, and i want you more. They are part of the past. A past i don't even remember. You...You're my future.'