A Telephone Conversation: Ruby and Adrien

"Hello, Adrien?" Ruby needed to make this call. Not only had it been a long time since she’d spoken to her best friend, but she needed his help.

"Hey Muffin."

Ruby had to smile..Muffin. It was a disgustingly cute nickname. But only Adrien could use it. See, they'd been best friends since high school. Relatively speaking, Ruby disliked nicknames like that. But at least it wasn't "sweetheart" or something.

"Hey. Happy New Year!" The volume to the stereo was turned down so that she could hear him, knowing this conversation would be a lengthy one. Ruby flung her feet up onto the couch and slid down, laying completely flat.

"Happy New Year to you too baby. What happened?"

"What happened with what?"

"The party." Damn.

"Adrien, I couldn't find a date. I tried though! I met a couple new friends, but everyone had plans. It was a little last minute you know." Perhaps that little dig about him springing the event on her would help her plead the case.

"Ruby that's bullshit. You're a beautiful woman, I'm sure there are tons of men in that town who would have taken you out and shown you a good time."

"Adrien stop stroking my ego. How “beautiful” you may think I am, I think the point is moot. I did try. I met these two guys the other night, and they are both really nice, and they were both *really* truly, and honestly busy. So I gave the tickets to Rein. I hope he got a chance to use them."

"What the hell kind of name is that?" Ruby snickered after that. Adrien had a special..sense of humor, if you will.

"I don't know, I thought it was nice. It was different."

"And the other guy?"

"Nikki. He was busy too. I curled up on my couch, watched the stupid ball drop in New York from my TV, and had a glass of champagne at midnight. What's wrong with that?"

"I just hate seeing you alone, Muffin. It's been over two years since Scott left, you know."

Ruby was silent. She knew Adrien meant well, but she didn't need his lecture, not at the moment. It had actually been two years and five months since her divorce. But it had been over a year since her last date.

"Yeah, lets not talk about that, okay? I had a date a couple of days ago. It was awful. Lila set me up with this guy named George. He was a complete ass. I got so mad I almost tasered him." That made her smile. The guy was a complete slimeball, even if Lila couldn't see it.

"Ruby Lee Barrett you didn't?!" Adrien sounded scandalized. But he knew how she could be. She didn't take crap like unwanted touches or advances pretty well. And she felt no woman should! It was one of her principles.

"Yes, I did. I wore that dress that you bought me last year for New Years, the red one? It was my own fault, I looked too damn good for him." Another snicker. She could only be like this with Adrien. Damn she missed him.

"Yes you do look delicious in red. Even I wanted to ravage you when you wore it that first night."

"You're a complete dolt. Enough about me, what did you do for New Years?"

There was a long pause. A really really long pause.

"I..came out."

Ruby bolted up on the couch! "No way! Did you really?" She sounded quite excited.

"Yeah. I took Niles with me to the New Years Eve ball. He was really happy."

"Well its about time, Adrien!" One of the reasons Ruby and he were such close friends, was that she was one of the few (up until now, apparently) that knew Adrien was gay. "Congratulations sweetie!"

"Thanks. Everyone asked about you, though." Ruby was Adrien's coverup. The reason that she always went out on New Years Eve is because Adrien always needed a date. She didn't mind being his arm candy once a year.

"Oh. Well, that's nice of them I guess. Though they never seemed to pay me much mind when I'm there. Maybe my absence was a conversation piece."

"Perhaps. It seems that half of Washington wasn't surprised about me and Niles."

"See? I told you it wouldn't be that bad! Does your boss know?"

"He has to, he saw me that night. And I haven't been fired yet.."

“I had another date, though Adrien. That’s two in one week. I wonder what’s going on with me.” Ruby had to chuckle. She just didn’t like the whole “dating” scene. But this had been one great date.

“Really? Well, spill it Miss Barrett. As awful as the last one?”

“No, it was actually quite pleasant. I met this guy at a bar here in town, called the Medieval Tavern.”

Silence.

Well, Ruby just kept going then.

“His name is Devin. I got really drunk the night I went out with George. After the date, of course. I needed a damn drink after having to waste my time with that loser. I met Rein, and his girlfriend Ava and her friend Eden, and her friend Keon. We were all drinking shots of tequila. It had been so long since I let loose like that, Adrien! It was a lot of fun.”

“My Ruby..my Muffin..got drunk at a bar? And met a guy there?” He seemed shocked, floored even.

“Yes, she did. I winked at him, he bought us a round of shots, then we danced. He’s a pretty good dancer.”

“You…winked?” Cue the breathlessness!

“Yeah. I was pretty trashed when I did it. But then I saw him again, and we got to chatting. I was pretty forward with him, but men in this town are demeaning. I was going to be straight and to the point and if he didn’t like it, he could be on his way without another thought.”

“…you sound like a teenager, Ruby.”

She had to catch herself when Adrien said that. She did sound simpering, at least to herself, anyway.

“Yeah, you’re right. Lets talk about something else.”

“Oh no you don’t!” Adrien was chuckling on the other end. “No ma’am. A guy to get you that excited had to be worth a little bit more than that. I want details!”

“There’s nothing else to tell!” She countered, feeling her cheeks flare up.

“Yes there is, or you wouldn’t be blushing.” Damn him! He always knew.

“You’re a horrible best friend, Adrien. You know that? Horrible.”

“Come on Ruby I just want to see you happy, baby! So he’s a good dancer. Are you sure he’s not gay?”

“I’m pretty sure he’s not gay, Adrien.” Ruby rolled her eyes.

“Okay. Well, what did the two of you do? On your date?”

“Me and Devin? He took me to this awesome Middle Eastern restaurant. Really upscale place, with Arabian techno music and dancers. Even hookahs. I don’t know of a place like that in DC.”

“Hm.” That’s all Ruby heard. So she was silent for a moment.

“Well, anything else?”

“What do you mean anything else?”

“Did he kiss you?”

“Adrien McDonald! I don’t kiss and tell, you know that.”

“So he did kiss you?!”

“You’re an incorrigable retard sometimes. Exactly how did you get that job with the State Department?” Irritation laced in her voice.

“Oh ho! Touchy subject. Well, when are you seeing him again?”

“Well, that’s one of the reasons I was calling..” One of the reasons? It was the primary reason. But Ruby wasn’t going to tell him that. “.. It’s been a couple of days and I hadn’t heard from him. So..I called him and invited him over for dinner.”

“Did you now?”

“Yeah. Was that wrong?” Ruby had no idea. She wasn’t used to this role, the chaser and not the chased. Not really chasing..it was just complicated. Ruby had lots of self-confidence when it came to her job. Socially, however, she wasn’t so confident. She wasn’t awkward, or inexperienced. She lacked the self-esteem to really take charge.

“Well, I don’t know Muffin. What did you say?”

Ruby bit her lip, pausing another moment.

“Well, I told him that I had a nice time, and thanked him for the evening. Then I told him that I was making a lasagna and that he should come over.”

“You said it just like that?”

“Well, no..”
“How did you say it?” Adrien’s voice was impatient, like he needed to know. Ruby thought hard. It hadn’t been that long ago since she left the message, but for some reason her exact words were escaping her.

“Um..lemme think..I said ‘Speaking of food, I have a lasagna that I’ve been meaning to make..but it’s a little much for me to have by myself..so bring a bottle of wine and meet me at my place at eight.’ Then I gave him directions, and said ‘I’ll be waiting with two glasses and some jazz music.”

“Jesus Christ, Ruby! Talk about being bossy!” Adrien cackled in her ear. Then, to her mortification, repeated her words to Niles. And she heard him bust up over it as well, which brought a frown to her lips.

“Should I try and delete the voicemail message?”

“I don’t think you can do that, baby.” Unbeknownst to Ruby, Adrien was wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.

“I just messed it up didn’t I?” She said mournfully, the palm of her hand slapping her forehead hard.

“Well, I don’t know. I can’t say that for sure, since it wasn’t me who you left the message for. But it was rather assertive.”

Ruby just..groaned.

“I’m going to go.”

“Aw, I’m sorry baby. You’ll be okay! If he liked you he’ll stop by. Or maybe he’ll call. Who knows?”

Ruby just grunted.

“I’m glad you’re taking the initiative though. I’ll be happy to see you happy.”

“Yeah, well, thanks Adrien.”

“Goodbye Ruby Lee!”

“See ya Adrien. Thanks for the chat.” Though it didn’t have the effect that she had hoped.