The first time Ruby leaves (drabble-outdated)

In the very back of the second Gublenn estate was a spacious office with sleek redwood planks running up the walls and burned orange carpet for flooring. Mahogany shelves held books, thick stacks of paper, a radio, a record, and framed family pictures. A pen was clicking in increments of three.

Warm light came from a single lamp at the wide desk. Cole was hunched over with his chin in his hand and a cigarette between his lips. He studied a long contract and toyed with the pen in his hand. Behind him loomed an impressively sized family portrait framed in thick swirling wood.

Ruby stood to the left holding Anthony, and Cole stood to the right with his hand on Sonya’s shoulder.

Cole’s tie was loosened with the knot hanging low on his chest. His button up was three buttons undone, and his sleeves were rolled up each forearm.

A pair of shoes clicked against the floorboards towards Cole’s office. When they came to a stop, Cole looked up with his eyes to see Ruby standing fully dressed with two suitcases in either hand. She was angry.

Cole stared at her through his brows.

“I’m leaving,” she said.

Cole’s brows furrowed, and he leaned back in his chair. He said nothing.

“I’m leaving you,” she said.

Cole said nothing.

“You don’t care.”

“I care, Ruby.”

“You don’t”

Cole threw his hand up and let it fall

“Well,” Cole said, scoffing. He swiveled left and right in his chair with his fingers intertwined over his stomach. “I’m sorry, Ruby, I cannot divide what I want to say as neatly as you can.”

“Just tell me how you feel.”

“I’m not a woman.”

He cleared his throat, then leaned forward and looked down at his contract, but he did not read it. The clock beside Cole’s desk ticked as neither said anything.

“All you care about is your work.” Ruby said, her voice breaking.

“Stop that, Ruby.”

“You care about Jareth more than you own children.”

Cole looked up at her, frowning.

“I care deeply for our children,” he said, darkly.

“You never even see them.”

“Yes, I do Ruby! Do you realize how often I make time for them?”

“They don’t even know you!”

“Oh- but they know you? You have never been motherly.”

“Is that what you wanted me to be? A mommy?”

“Ruby,” Cole said, and his face flushed. He began to stand.

“There was never any room for me, Cole! You never made room for us. We will only ever be second to your brother.”

“Don’t you dare say that to me. I put everything I have into this family, what I do for Jareth is always for this family!”

“God, I hate you. Why didn’t you just be my manager.”

“Why did you marry me?”

“I dont know!” she said, beginning to cry. “You shouldn’t have a family,” she said.

Cole’s face went pale, and he immediately came around his desk, nearing her.

“Don’t you ever say that to me- I have given my entire life for this family! All I have ever done is provide! We are broken because of you,”

“No-”

“Because you’re fucking insane just like your family!”

From within the home came the distant wailing of Anthony. He was fussy in the nights, and only recently had he begun to settle into a schedule.

Cole’s body steadied, and he looked away from Ruby. Their baby cried, Ruby wept silently, and Cole let his shoulders drop. He sighed through his nose and rubbed the side of his face, placing his other hand on his hip.

For a very long time, he said nothing.

“How long will you be gone?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

“... Okay.”