Ruby Unscripted (30 page)
Frankie scoffs. “It's not illegal. Rob got permission from the city.”
“He got
permission
for us to jump off a bridge?”
“It's sort of an off-the-record permissionâthe city doesn't want to get sued, you know.”
“Why are we talking about this now? The longer I stand here, the harder this is going to be.” Cass is mesmerized, looking downward.
“Oh my wordâyes, I stole that from you, Rubyâbut anyway, oh my word, women are such wusses,” Frankie says, which elicits enough threats that he apologizes profusely. “Okay, I take it back. But let us all know, this is a rite of passage. My parents did this in high school. I hear about it whenever we drive out here. But their jump wasn't documented and used for a film. We're gonna be stars, girlfriends!”
Frankie waves at Rob, Kaden, and Josef, who stand on the bluff with tripod and video camera. Kaden gives me a thumbs-up and that irresistible smile. The past few nights he's been at my house, and Kate's given her approval even if she agrees he can be a little lost in his thoughts.
Rob yells, “We're rolling, so go when you feel like it.”
Rob apologized the day after Film Disaster Nightâas our team now calls itâsaying it wasn't my fault and he shouldn't have blamed me. There was a series of mishaps that night, starting with SG writing our film's title on the “Making of . . .” version.
But I think Rob would still hold it against me, if not for the surprise from his father. After viewing the movie that might have been, his dad said we would have won the competition, and he'd try to get everyone on our team intern positions on his next film. They're working on the details, but if I can earn enough money for a plane ticket, there's a chance I'll spend part of my summer in Southeast Asia on a major film production and lounging on the beach at night.
And, of course, Kaden will be there as well.
I must admit I've spent a significant amount of daydreaming on that scenario.
The warmth of the sun today is summer's coming promise. My hands grasp the railing behind me as I get ready to jump. I glance at Kate, who gives me her loud happy smile. I see the old Kate in her face and know she's coming back to the girl so full of life and fun. And we're standing on a bridge together.
What it is about me and bridges?
“Let's do this,” Frankie shouts.
“All together?” Cass asks with hesitation.
We lean forward to examine each other's faces, nodding in agreement.
“All together on three!” I shout.
Together we count, yelling and laughing. “One, two . . . three!”
And we jump.
We're in the air, falling and screaming. And for the smallest moment of time, we're each alone and yet also together, suspended in that space between bridge and water, surrounded by air.
And I guess life is just that.
Moments of living on the ground.
And also, great moments completely surrounded with sky.
Ruby is a character who really came to life and brought me along a wonderful journey. So my first thanks goes to her.
To Maddie's best friends and my other “daughters”âCaitlin Clark, Natalie Martinusen (best cousin), and Morgan Holubâfor inspiring the joy, excitement, and angst of being a teenager. I love you girls!
I'm grateful to my husband, Nieldon Coloma, for your solid and pressing belief in me and my writing and for loving me so. Cody Martinusen, my adventurous firstborn, you are always loved and admired, no matter where you roam. Weston Martinusen, you fill my life with wonder, laughter, and love.
My editors see more of me than I often can and guide me well. Thank you, Ami McConnell, for discoveries in my writing and pointing out the gold. Natalie Hanemann, for belief and great guidance, for seeing and encouraging. LB Norton, what fun we had editing
Ruby
, and what a great experience working with you again. And I am always, always grateful to Allen Arnoldâthank you!
Kimberly Carlson, I so appreciate your friendship, our kindred spirits, and your writing support and guidance. This book was greatly enhanced by your thoughts.
To the women in my life: my mother, sister (sister power!), mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, my agent/friend (Janet Kobobel Grant), and my many girlfriendsâyou make me better by knowing each of you. And to Ruby Duvall: how thankful I am to know and be the granddaughter of such a woman of life, love, humor, and strength.
I mostly thank my daughter, Madelyn Rose Martinusen, for being my inspiration. This is to the beautiful, intelligent, kind, dream-filled, sparkly, best girl in the world. I love you so!
1. Ruby is uprooted from her hometown and moves to a town with a very different culture. Have you ever been the “new girl” in school? How did you adjust? What were the hardest things about leaving your old life behind? What were the easiest?
2. How do you cope with being alone? Are you good at making friends? If not, what are some ways to find good friends?
3. When you feel out of place, what do you do to find stability? Do you tend to make more mistakes during these times? What are ways you can overcome instability and loneliness?
4. When Ruby's best friend, Kate, comes down for a visit, Ruby struggles with balancing her old life with her new life. Have you ever experienced this? What did you do?
5. Kate makes a lot of mistakes in a short amount of time. Have you ever had a friend make huge mistakes that damaged her life? How did you treat her afterward? Did you have to get adults involved? Did you help her heal?
6. What are some ways to balance doing your own things, and seeking your own purpose while retaining relationships that aren't going the same direction?
7. In what ways can you cherish the past, work toward the future, but stay focused and grateful in the moment?
8. How solid are your beliefs and faith in God? What are ways you'd like to further explore growth in your spiritual life?
9. If you were surrounded by people who had a different belief structure than you, how would you keep their friendship but stay true to what you believe?
10. Do you believe that you can “script” or make your life what you want it to be? How much is in your control? Do you turn to your faith to help you with areas that are beyond your control?
11. Do you have hobbies, activities, or interests that you feel are your purpose or calling? What do you think is the purpose for your life?
12. If you live in a divorced home, do you have a hard time maintaining your relationships with both parents while living your own life? Do you continue to struggle with the divorce? Is there any part of you that feels guilty about the divorce? What are healthy ways to forgive your parents and to grow from the past?
