Their Freefall At Last by Julie Olivia
14
Ruby & Bennett
Eleven through Seven Years Before
Ruby & Bennett are Nineteen through Twenty-Three Years Old
Bennett:How ya holding up?
Ruby:I don’t want to go to orientation.
Bennett:Maybe it’s best you’re getting out of town. Have you talked to him yet?
Ruby:Sort of. Dad swears he didn’t cheat on Miranda.
Bennett:Do you believe him?
Ruby:I don’t know what to believe.
Bennett:Just try to have fun at orientation. Maybe you’ll have a cool roommate.
Ruby:I should take up smoking.
Bennett:How about no?
Ruby:But then my roommate will think I’m cool.
Bennett:Just talk about your robots. They’ll love that.
Ruby:[side-eye emoji]
Bennett:You’re gonna do great, R2-B2.
Ruby:I hope so.
Bennett:I know so. Have fun at college.
* * *
Ruby:I was late to class, and I’m blaming you.
Bennett:LOL. Sure, why not?
Ruby:We talked on the phone too late!
Bennett:Oh, yeah, that’s definitely my fault, Miss Please Don’t Hang Up.
Ruby:It was dark.
Bennett:You aren’t allowed to watch scary movies alone anymore.
Ruby:I thought my roommate was coming home!
Bennett:I’m telling you, you should have watched old cartoons instead. It’ll help you sleep after scary movies.
Ruby:Oh, fun fact: did you know the dorm’s internet will send you a warning if you’re caught watching something bad on their Wi-Fi?
Bennett:And how do you know that?
Ruby:I plead the Fifth.
Bennett:Watching the ol’ porn again?
Ruby:Ye olde porn.
Bennett:You rebel, you.
* * *
Ruby:Dad and Miranda are hosting some big holiday party.
Bennett:How are you feeling about it?
Ruby:I told my mom. She offered to let me stay with her over Christmas break instead.
Bennett:Are you going to?
Ruby:Yeah.
Bennett:Oof. Has their fighting gotten that bad?
Ruby:I don’t know why they’re still married when he’s a serial cheater.
Bennett:You don’t believe him?
Ruby:No. Would you believe your dad?
Bennett:I don’t know.
Ruby:Come on. Where’s my daddy-issues solidarity?
Bennett:Mom actually gave me Dad’s address. I think I’m gonna write him.
Ruby:What?! How old school of you. And how exciting!
Bennett:I didn’t want his cell number. Feels too weird. I’m okay with letters.
Ruby:Proud of you. :)
Bennett:Hey, look at you, sending smiley faces!
Ruby:College is growing on me.
Bennett:You’ve been sounding happier on our calls.
Ruby:I think I might be.
Bennett:So, I won’t see you over Christmas?
Ruby:No. :(
Bennett:No, not the frowning face again!
Ruby:I keep imagining Miranda’s fake happy smile at their ridiculous holiday party. Blegh.
Bennett:Yikes.
Ruby:I’d rather have lasers in my eyeballs.
Bennett:Lasers? Wow.
Ruby:A tiger gnawing off my leg.
Bennett:Not a lion?
Ruby:A lion too. All the big cats.
Bennett:How about seaweed between your toes?
Ruby:I draw the line there.
Bennett:I’ll start stocking up on seaweed then.
Ruby:Why?
Bennett:Isn’t their anniversary coming up?
Ruby:I like where your head is at.
Bennett:Seaweed gift it is.
Ruby:You’re the best.
* * *
Bennett:Tattoo number three complete.
Ruby:Ooh, let me see!
Bennett:[picture message]
Ruby:You didn’t tell me you were getting a tattoo of Moose!
Bennett:I needed something to fill in the arm, and he’s the perfect bear-shaped dog.
Ruby:I miss him.
Bennett:Me too.
Ruby:[picture message]
Bennett:LOL.
Ruby:Professional artist over here. Don’t be jealous.
Bennett:It’s the scribble for the tail that really completes it.
Ruby:It’s the way my pen ran out of ink.
Bennett:I wondered why he wasn’t as fluffy.
Ruby:Well, now, we match.
Bennett:I love it.
* * *
Ruby:You ever heard of Emory Dawson?
Bennett:Should I?
Ruby:He designed The Grizzly. At sixteen.
Bennett:Damn! I feel super dumb now.
Ruby:Right?! What am I doing over here?
Bennett:I bet your coasters will be better.
Ruby:Yeah, but I wasn’t designing them at sixteen.
Bennett:You sort of were.
Ruby:Not ones that actually worked! He’s a prodigy. I’m not.
Bennett:Can’t get hung up on the past.
Ruby:Says the man who started woodworking before he was twelve. How’s the apprenticeship going?
Bennett:It’s really awesome, Rubes. Fred’s lining me up for a manager role at the park.
Ruby:Get out! That’s amazing! So, this means I get free Honeywood entry for life, right?
Bennett:You read my mind.
Ruby:Tell me something I don’t know.
Bennett:I like the attitude.
Ruby:It’s new.
Bennett:Nah, you were always feisty. You just needed somewhere to spread your wings.
Ruby:My flames.
Bennett:Exactly.
* * *
Bennett:Come back. Summer break wasn’t nearly long enough.
Ruby:You worked half the time!
Bennett:But wasn’t hanging out at Honeywood all day a thrill?
Ruby:If I had to ride The Grizzly one more time, I was gonna vomit.
Bennett:There were other coasters.
Ruby:Yeah, but that’s the best one.
Bennett:Because Emory Dawson made it?
Ruby:Aw, you listened!
Bennett:I always listen to you, Parrot.
Ruby:Okay, fine, yes, I’ll miss Honeywood.
Bennett:You’ll miss the pancakes the most, right?
Ruby:Caught me.
* * *
Ruby:hello benny
Bennett:Hello, Amy.
Ruby:i’m a wizard
Bennett:I agree, but why today?
Ruby:i’m a tequila wizard
Bennett:Amelia Ruby, you’re drunk, aren’t you?
Ruby:i’m a drunk wizard.
Bennett:Can I go to your magic show?
Ruby:five dollars please
Bennett:I’ll pay ten.
Ruby:thank u for the tip
Bennett:What type of magic do you do?
Ruby:anything you want
Bennett:Can you pull a rabbit out of your hat?
Ruby:only skunks
Bennett:What a weird skill.
Ruby:ask me about another trick
Bennett:So demanding.
Ruby:next
Bennett:Can you saw a person in half?
Ruby:no
Bennett:Can you guess the card I’m holding?
Ruby:you’re holding cards?
Bennett:Hypothetically.
Ruby:no
Bennett:I’d like my money back.
Ruby:guess what else
Bennett:You can bend spoons?
Ruby:i’m gonna be a sister
Bennett:WHAT?
Ruby:Miranda is pregant.
Ruby:*present
Ruby:**pregent
Ruby:****PREGNANT
Bennett:Oh. Wow.
Ruby:yeah ho
Ruby:*OH
Bennett:You okay?
Ruby:i think so
Bennett:Mind if I call you?
Ruby:i haven’t showered in a week.
Bennett:So?
Ruby:i stink
Bennett:Nah, bet it’s just the magic skunks.
Ruby:true.
Bennett:I promise not to gag on video.
Ruby:only if you promise
* * *
Ruby:I have bad news.
Bennett:Is this “I’m flunking out” bad news or “I’m a drunk wizard” bad news?
Ruby:I like to think being a wizard was good news.
Bennett:True. You’re a funny drunk.
Ruby:Well, I’m sober now.
Bennett:So, you’re flunking out?
Ruby:Worse. I won’t be coming home this summer.
Bennett:Oh. That’s the worst news.
Ruby:Tell me about it. I think my dad is upset the most. No free babysitter for Lucas.
Bennett:Rude. You’re more than that to your brother.
Ruby:[cringe GIF]
Bennett:You are.
Ruby:Anyway, guess why I’m not coming home!
Bennett:You’re joining the circus.
Ruby:I got an internship at Dominion!
Bennett:Ruby! That’s great! That’s not bad news at all!
Ruby:It’s not?
Bennett:You’re achieving your dream! An internship at a top roller coaster construction company? I wouldn’t want anything less for you.
Ruby:But I won’t see you.
Bennett:Then, I’ll come to you.
Ruby:You would?
Bennett:Just say the magic word.
Ruby:Alakazam.
Bennett:That is, in fact, the magic word. How’d you guess?
Ruby:Wizard, remember?
* * *
Ruby:[video of Lucas]
Bennett:He’s crawling already?
Ruby:Crazy, right?
Bennett:How often does he stay with you?
Ruby:Miranda and Dad like their vacations.
Bennett:So, a lot. Next time, let me know. I’ll come over and help.
Ruby:Last time you helped, we played 52-card pickup all night.
Bennett:Kid’s a gambler. What can I say?
Ruby:You’re a terrible influence.
Bennett:The best, you mean.
* * *
Bennett:[link to an article announcing a new roller coaster build]
Bennett:Is this your doing?
Ruby:Yeah. :)
Bennett:Hell yeah. My best friend is killing it in the industry.
Ruby:Your best friend who misses you terribly.
Bennett:Same, Parrot. It’s been too long.
Ruby: Such a softy.
Bennett: Only with you.