Ruby in the Sky

by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo

  But there was more to Abigail’s story than anyone in town knew—certainly not Dakota or the mayor. Not Mom or Cecy or Mr. Saleem. I was the only person who knew how amazing Abigail Jacobs really was.

  Mayor Eton popped out of his seat, his eyebrows knit in an angry frown. He inched toward Abigail, waving at Officer Prattle, who was still out of reach of her.

  That’s when the spotlight hit me.

  The brightness blinded me. I opened my mouth but no sound came out. I felt inside my pocket for the index cards, but my hand dropped when I remembered they were in the garbage at Rucki’s.

  The audience whispered and shifted in their seats. I heard Mr. Andrews’s voice offstage: “Go, Michael Collins! GO!”

  I stood there. Eyes wide, seeing nothing. I clenched my hands. That’s when I felt the moon rock. Tight in my fist. It looked like an ordinary rock but it meant so much more.

  You’re going to have to find your own Ruby-magic.

  “I—um—I—” I began. But the helmet muffled my words.

  I felt a hand on my shoulder and Ahmad was by my side, smiling his goofy smile. He lifted the helmet off my head.

  I squinted into the audience. “My … um … my name…”

  Mayor Eton was next to Abigail now, but when I began speaking, he stopped and stared. Officer Prattle’s hand fell back by his side. People yelled at them to sit down.

  My throat felt tight and dry. I coughed. My heart hammered in my chest.

  Then Abigail smiled her gap-toothed smile, and I knew what I had to do.

  “My name,” I said. “My name is Abigail Jacobs.”

  CHAPTER

  19

  I closed my eyes. All the things I had written down earlier about Abigail swirled in my head like snowflakes in a blizzard. I opened my mouth, then closed it, my mind going crazy trying to figure out how to start.Then, one word flashed across my brain. My eyes popped open.

  “Brave,” I said.

  People shifted in their seats. A man coughed.

  “My name is Abigail Jacobs and I’m brave.”

  I watched the audience watch me. Every bone in my body screamed, Run! Go! Hide! But I didn’t move.

  “Most of you think you know me. You think I’m crazy and scary because I don’t act the way other people do. I live in the woods and I spend more time talking to birds than people.”

  A nervous titter skipped across the room. I gripped the moon rock, smooth and cold. My own Ruby-magic.

  “So I’m here to tell you the truth.” I took a deep breath. “I am a brilliant computer programmer who helped bring the Apollo 11 astronauts to the moon and home again.”

  As if my words were a frozen gust waking everyone up, people shifted in their seats, their hard metal chairs scraping the floor. Foreheads wrinkled. A man in the front row laughed as if I’d told a joke. People hushed him. Then silence.

  I glanced at Abigail, worried she’d retreat. Worried the truth would chase her into the dark winter waiting outside. But instead, we locked eyes, staring so hard that the entire auditorium melted away. Frowning faces and crossed arms disappeared until it felt like it was only the two of us. My eyes asked her a silent question. Abigail nodded and I knew she was giving me permission to share the rest of her story. With a shaking fist I held up the moon rock for everyone to see.

  Arms unfolded. Necks craned. A woman in the front row stood. People hissed at her to sit.

  “I’m holding a piece of the moon. The real moon. Brought to Earth by the Apollo 11 astronauts. It was given to me by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins to thank me for my work.”

  Everyone stared at the moon rock. They stared at me. I felt sweat trickle down the back of my neck. I gulped.

  “I was one of the first women computer programmers in the country. My code … the code that I wrote with the rest of my team, instructed the Eagle to land on the moon.” I nodded. “And later to take off again to rendezvous with Michael Collins in the Columbia.”

  I searched the audience for a reaction, but every eye was glued to the moon rock as though I’d reached into the sky and pulled it down myself.

  “B-but that’s only part of my story. Some of you remember the accident.” I bit my bottom lip to stop its quiver. “There was so much pain. It was a lot easier to disappear than deal with it.” I stared at my feet. “And maybe it was easier for you, too … to make up stories and lies because … well, sometimes facing the truth is a lot harder … Sometimes you have to be really brave to do that.”

  I sucked in a deep breath. “Even though you haven’t seen me in a long time, it doesn’t mean I haven’t been here. It doesn’t mean I haven’t been trying to find my own way to be brave.

  “But now I know. Bravery can be different things to different people.” I turned toward Ahmad. “Being brave can mean coming to a new school when you don’t know the language.” I looked at Melanie. “Being brave can be going into the cafeteria alone and hoping to find a friend.” I blinked. “Being brave can be something as big as flying to the far side of the moon … or something as small as standing up.” I stared at Abigail. “And telling the truth.”

  I took another deep breath. “I have been many things in my life. A wife, a mother, a scientist, a friend … but most importantly”—I raised my chin, stretching myself as tall as a forest tree—“I am brave.” I nodded at the audience. “My name is Abigail Jacobs, and now you know my story.”

  The auditorium was silent as the spotlight stayed on me. I couldn’t believe everything that had come out of my mouth. I took a step back into the darkness and suddenly felt so tired.

  That’s when the applause began. A few claps at first. And then more and more until it became as loud as thunder. I watched Mr. Saleem stand and face Abigail, who was backing down the aisle. She froze. Others followed, standing and clapping. Someone whistled. The applause grew and grew until the whole audience was cheering. I smiled a real smile then. A smile that was bigger than the moon itself. I smiled because Fortin was giving the Bird Lady a standing ovation.

  * * *

  Everything started to go a little crazy then. Parents rushed the stage, kids crowded around me, trying to see the moon rock. Ahmad grabbed my shoulders and guided me away. “You were most awesome, my friend.”

  Kids started jumping off the stage, scrambling to have their pictures taken in their costumes. I scanned the crowd for Abigail, but in the chaos, I’d lost her.

  I followed Ahmad toward Mr. Saleem, who took both of my hands in his. “Ruby, you—how you say—steal the show!”

  People pushed and shoved. I spun, searching. But Abigail was nowhere in sight.

  “Looking for something?” a voice said. And there was Abigail, eyes brimming with tears. I dropped my helmet and hugged her tight.

  “I thought I’d never see you again!” I held out the moon rock. “I am so sorry.”

  Abigail closed my fingers around it. “That’s yours. It’s a gift,” she said. “Ruby, I’m the one who’s sorry. After I left you, I did a lot of thinking. You—making me go into the house—it’s what I needed. You are what I needed, Ruby Moon.”

  “You went in on your own. You did it to save Bob,” I said.

  “Well, I sure needed a good shove.” She looked me square in the eye. “Ruby, I need to tell you that my husband, Charlie, he’s gone.” Her voice trembled. “My Lillian is gone. They—they are never coming home. I can’t lose you, too, Ruby. I can’t.”

  “But what happened to your camp?”

  Abigail clutched the crescent moon necklace sparkling around her neck. “I went … Well, what I want to…” She nodded. “I want to try to move back inside, Ruby.” She took a deep breath. “I think it’s time for me to go home.”

  I hugged her again, because I knew how hard that would be, but I also knew how important it was to find your true forever home.

  We stayed like that, silent and safe inside the commotion of the Wax Museum. I breathed in her scent of black licorice and felt only lightness.r />
  “Ruby! Ruby!” Cecy was pushing through the crowd waving her hands in the air. “I’m here. I saw the whole thing!”

  But what I saw behind her made me completely lose it. Looking a little dazed and pale, Mom wove through the crowd trying to keep up, her eyes big and round, Annie right behind her.

  “Mom! Mom! You’re here! How did you get here?”

  “Oh, Ruby,” Mom said. And she held my face in her hands like she hadn’t seen me in a million years. “Your smile, Ruby.” She hugged me tight.

  “I told you I had a few tricks up my sleeve,” Annie said. “It’s called an appeal bond. Cecy posted it. The judge agreed to let Dahlia out while I challenge the verdict. Turns out, there’s been some witness intimidation going on. This thing’s not over yet.”

  “You mean Mom might not have to go to jail?”

  “I didn’t say that. We’ll see what happens, but some of the ladies at the diner who were too scared to testify … well, when they heard how your mom stood up to Chatty, they were inspired to speak up. They collected notarized statements. Before court adjourned, I made a motion to reopen the case based on newly discovered evidence. The judge is allowing your mom to stay free until he reviews that.”

  “Thank you, Annie,” I said. “Thank you for everything.”

  “Don’t forget our secret.” She winked at me. “Your speech was something else. Sounds to me like you found your Ruby-magic.”

  I smiled, gripping the moon rock in my fist. Mom’s gaze moved beyond me. Her eyes got big and I knew who she’d seen.

  “Mom, I want you to meet my friend Abigail Jacobs,” I said.

  Mom extended her hand. “I’m happy to finally meet you, Mrs. Jacobs.” And then Mom did something crazy. She reached out and gathered Abigail in a giant hug. I watched Abigail’s eyes brim with tears and I realized that sometimes when people cry, it’s out of joy, not sadness, and there’s no way to know that until you know the whole story.

  I remembered how there was a social worker in Annie’s office and how she helped clients with lots of different problems. “Annie,” I said. “This is my friend Abigail Jacobs.”

  Annie took her hand. “It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Jacobs.”

  “Abigail and I need your help, Annie. We need to get her house fixed up so she can live in it again.”

  Abigail stared at her boots. “It’s more than the house that needs help, I’m afraid.”

  “Help is my specialty.” Annie winked at me. “There are a lot of resources I can set you up with. Can I introduce you to some people?”

  Abigail nodded.

  “I can help, too,” I said. But I felt a pang, knowing we were packed and would leave soon for DC.

  Right then, Melanie, still in her black justice robe, walked past me, carrying her sister. I almost didn’t recognize her without her orange coat. Before I could say anything, she disappeared into the crowd. “Mom,” I said. “I’ll be right back. I need to talk to someone.”

  Mom nodded. “Ahmad, I missed your presentation. Tell me about Neil Armstrong.”

  I scanned the audience until I found Melanie moving against the sea of people.

  “Melanie!” I called. But she didn’t turn around.

  I pushed through the crowd until I caught her eye. I waved my hands.

  She spun around to see who I was waving at.

  I grabbed the sleeve of her robe. “Melanie!” I laughed. “I’m waving at you!”

  “Astronaut.” Melanie’s little sister pointed at my costume.

  Melanie put her down, and I gently placed my helmet on her head. It wobbled to the side. She giggled and shot her arms out. “I can fly!”

  “My name is Ruby, by the way,” I said, grinning. “I know you saw me in court and, well, obviously I saw you. I wanted you to know that I was embarrassed and that’s why I ignored you before. I’m sorry.”

  She looked at me, confused.

  I shrugged. “Anyway, if you ever want to talk about stuff, I can be a good listener. Ahmad and I usually eat lunch in Mr. Andrews’s room. Do you want to join us tomorrow?”

  Melanie’s face spread into a large grin. She nodded.

  “Great!” I said, and I don’t know if she thought I was crazy right then, but I reached out and hugged her. “You and me,” I said, “I hope we can be good friends.”

  * * *

  Later, when it was only Mom, Mr. Saleem, Cecy, Ahmad, Abigail, and me left in the auditorium, Mr. Andrews walked over.

  “I had no idea we had a living legend in our midst.” He grinned at Abigail. “You know, I was talking to our Science teacher, Mrs. Connelly, and we were wondering if you would speak at a school assembly. We would love to hear more about the work you did for Apollo 11.”

  Abigail turned toward me. “Maybe someday,” she said. “Maybe if I have a friend by my side.”

  The corners of Mr. Andrews’s eyes crinkled. “Ruby, that was quite a speech you gave. I’m really proud of you.”

  “Thanks for making me do it,” I said.

  “That was all you,” he said. “But I hear you’re leaving us.”

  Ahmad was suddenly by my side. “What is this? You are going somewhere, Ruby?” I thought I heard his voice catch.

  Abigail stopped talking to Annie. “What’s this?” she said.

  Mom turned to face me.

  Everyone was waiting for me to say something, but right then I was thinking about Abigail’s house. I was thinking about how she wouldn’t go inside because it was easier to pretend her family was coming home than accept the truth. Just like it was easier for me to pretend everything would go back to the way it was if we moved back to Washington, DC.

  I didn’t want to pretend anymore.

  My eyes met Mom’s. “We don’t know what we’re doing yet,” I said. “Mom and I have to figure that out.”

  Mom put her arm around me. “Together,” she said.

  We followed Mr. Andrews outside. He locked the auditorium behind us. As we made our way toward Mom’s car, Abigail grabbed my arm and pointed at the sky. There, floating above us like a magic trick, was the full moon in all its glory, bravely shining on us. But right then, it glowed red. Bright red. Like a Valentine heart or a rocket ship. Red like a ruby.

  “I heard there was going to be a lunar eclipse tonight!” Mr. Andrews said. “That is truly spectacular!”

  “Oh, Ruby, it’s just like the night you were born,” Mom said.

  “I’ll see you on the moon tonight,” I said.

  Mom smiled and I knew she was trying not to cry. “We’re going to be okay, Ruby. You and me.” She squeezed my shoulder. “My forever home is wherever you are, Ruby Moon.”

  Mr. Saleem pointed at the bright red moon. “It is a Ruby in the Sky!” he said.

  “Unpredictable, rare, and spectacular,” Abigail said. “Like our Ruby.”

  CHAPTER

  20

  Sometimes people disappear. One minute they’re there, then poof, like a magic trick, they’re gone.

  On that April afternoon, when Annie called to say the charges against Mom had been dismissed, and Mom and I took Bob for his first big walk since his accident, that is what I thought about. People disappearing.

  As we made our way down Specter Hill Road, I thought about how I’d never be able to stop bad stuff from happening. The only power I had was choosing what to do if it did. I could choose to disappear. Or I could choose to stand up.

  When we reached the NO TRESPASSING sign, I showed Mom the pine tree where I’d last seen Scrappy. Her nest was still empty, but the veggies were gone, and I knew in my heart that she’d left the safety of her pine tree to share her lettuce and carrot tops with some new bunnies.

  Mom stared down Abigail’s driveway. I linked arms with her and gave her a tug. When we reached the place where her campfire had been, I stopped to stare at the house. Its paint was still faded and chipped, but Ahmad and Mr. Saleem had removed the boards from its windows and replaced the broken panes. Now they were clean and bright, lettin
g the spring sunshine inside. Lighting the darkness.

  The warm breeze blew the recycled feeders together like wind chimes and I wondered if the chickadees were still around or if they had moved on as they did in spring.

  I walked over to the seed can and opened it. I filled the scoop and brought it to where Mom stood.

  “Hold out your hands, Mom. It’s your turn to hand-feed the chickadees,” I said.

  “Oh—I don’t know, Ruby. I can’t—”

  “I’ll show you. Please. Put your hands together.” I poured the seeds into them.

  Bob and I moved near the can.

  “Stand still, like a statue,” I whispered.

  Mom smiled and suddenly I felt so light, watching her. I felt like a bird released from a cage it had been stuck in for a long time—eager to go fly and be free.

  And that feeling—being free to do whatever I wanted and not knowing what was next … well, that was scary, too, and it hit me that maybe the scary part was what made the rest of it worthwhile. I knew then that I would never go back inside that cage even if it meant I’d have to be brave over and over and over again.

  Right then, a chickadee flew toward my mom. Its flight wasn’t smooth, but all crazy, up and down, like the way I felt when I had to talk sometimes. I watched it land squarely on her fingertips and take a seed in its beak.

  I touched my own fingertips, remembering the feeling of being close to something so wild, and I thought how brave that little bird was to take a chance on Mom—to take a chance on me.

  The bird flew away as suddenly as it had come and Mom’s face broke into a giant smile. I heard a tapping. Abigail was at the window, waving and smiling and holding up her red teapot. She motioned for us to come inside.

  I looked at Mom. She was scanning the darkening sky and I knew what she was looking for. But the sky was clear and empty.