Ruby Rising Read Free

home do-it-yourself jobs. They never ended without the use of the first aid kit being used at least twice and the jobs were left unfinished. Mum always had to call a professional in after he left for work again. They would usually shake their heads and ask who’d tried to ‘fix’ it.
    I entered the garage last. My mother stood next my father with a funny little smile on her face, not quite a smirk, but something very similar.
    “This is for you, Ruby.” He held a large box in his hands awkwardly and I let out a small gasp as I heard a quiet whimper from inside. “We know this move is particularly hard on you, and we need you to know that we appreciate you understanding that this is really going to be better for us, as a family.”
    I took the box, lowered it slowly to the ground and unravelled the thick red ribbon that held the lid closed. A small golden head popped out and yapped loudly.
    “Oh my god! A dog? Seriously? You’ve never let me have a dog, you hate them!” I picked up the little bundle of happiness and he licked my nose.
    “We thought you needed something to help you settle in. You’re old enough now and definitely responsible enough to look after him.” My father put his arm around me and the little puppy and smiled as the puppy growled at him. “Look he’s protective of you already,” he laughed. “I really am going to be home more, I want you to know that, I want to be a bigger part of your life.”
    “I know that Dad, I do…” my voice trailed off slightly. “It’s just hard, you know…my friends are all there...Jake too. I don’t know anyone here.”
    “Honey, you’ve been here less than twelve hours and you’re starting school tomorrow.” My mother embraced my shoulders and we all stood together for the first time in a long time. “I know you have trouble at first, making friends, but with a little effort I’m sure you’ll make plenty of friends in no time.”
    “I agree with your mother, Ruby,” my father said. “In fact my boss says he has a niece in the same year as you and says she’s constantly out and about with friends. He mentioned something about a youth group too that’s apparently really great for the kids in the town. His niece is quite involved in it too.” For the first time in years, I saw my father really trying to connect with me, he genuinely meant what he was saying.
    “Mum, I’m sorry I’ve been such a cow to you since we left home.” I put the small puppy on the ground so that I could embrace my mother in a full hug. “I really do understand. I’m just still getting used to the idea.” I didn’t wait for her to reply, seeing the relief on her face that the attitude and rudeness might just be over was enough. I turned to my father, “so, Dad, are you trying to bribe me with the dog?”
    “Is it working?” he asked.
    I smiled, looking down at the puppy that was now asleep in front of my feet, “a little,” I admitted.
    “Oh, there is a collar and lead in the box for him too, thought that would kind of seal the deal.” He laughed, and I noticed that he actually did seem more relaxed. “Have you thought of a name yet?”
    “I was thinking Phoenix, I’ve always liked that name.” I replied.
    My mother laughed. “You had a toy dog when you were about three and you named him Phoenix too.”
    “Well then, it was meant to be.” I thanked my parents again, giving them both a firm hug before going back into the house and put the sleeping little bundle on my bed. I couldn’t believe it! They had actually bought me a dog ! Of all the things I expected my father to get me, it certainly wasn’t a dog, a car would have been more likely. Ever since I was little, animals had always been a no go zone, even goldfish were out. Other than a standard ‘no’ I had never been given an explanation.
    I laid the beautiful blue collar and lead on my bed, grabbed a box and started unpacking, a smile plastered on my face the whole time. After an hour,