"Mom."
"What, huh?"
"Are you sure Ruby woke up on the right side of the bed?"
"What makes you say that?"
"She shoved past me when we were passing each other in the hall. I mean the hall is big enough for two, if not three."
"She's probably just tired. Came home late."
"You noticed too? What about the Curfew?"
"Well, technically this is her house now, not her Ghost parents."
"Still."
"And this is her town. I'll let it slide tonight. Probably just wanted to walk the streets of her old town alone just to bring back memories; that's all. I don't blame her."
"Yea…I take it you might be right. So, what's on the agenda today?"
"After we all eat our breakfast, I was thinking we should spread the word?"
"Yeah. That firefighter has been going around spreading rumours about Ruby. If he's not careful, he'll be another Braemos."
"So? Why should we care about other people's actions? Ruby can just present herself and clear it up."
"DARIUS OBASI HEARTCHILD, you take that back right now or no Sausages for you. I'll give you Bagels instead."
"But I don't want Bagels."
"Then say you're sorry. Not only is Ruby a part of this family but other people's actions don't just affect themselves. They affect everyone around them whether you're aware of it or not."
"Hi, what did I miss?"
"Nothing."
"Darius!!!!"
".......Sorry Ruby."
"For what? I didn't do anything."
"I know, but I did. Sorry for yelling at you for not being home on time. Sorry for acting out when you bumped me in the hall; and sorry for thinking that your problems were just your own."
"Umm….ok
By the way, are you going to eat the rest of your pancakes?"
"Ruby?"
"What?"
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Like what? I washed my hands, brushed my hair, and….oh. I accept your apology, Darius."
"Phew. Now I can finally eat again. Thank you."