Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Personal Peace (06/01/06)
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TITLE: Richard and Ruth | Previous Challenge Entry
By naomi thomas
06/06/06 -
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2.06.06
Richard and Ruth
“This is outrageous. Where do I get a thousand pounds by Tuesday? Who do these people think they are?” screamed Richard banging his fist on the coffee table. “I’m going out to the pub Ruth, I need a drink, don’t wait up,” he said grabbing his car keys and slamming the kitchen door behind him.
Ruth looked up at the closed door wondering when the picture behind it will eventually fall and break. God knows Richard has banged that door a million times. Shaking her head, she walked over to the kitchen table and carefully re read the letter which he had thrown over the sugar bowl. A thousand pounds by Tuesday or the bank would begin foreclosure on their house. Placing the letter in her apron pocket, Ruth walked into her bedroom and shut the door. Kneeling besides her bed she began to pray pleading with God for His intervention in this situation.
Much later that night, Richard stumbled into the lounge back from his drunken escapade. Knocking over the coffee table and almost stepping on Cindy the cat, he collapsed on the sofa dozing off immediately.
The aroma of fried eggs and bacon woke Richard up the next morning. Nauseated by the smell he dashed to the bathroom and threw up. Shuffling his disheveled body into the kitchen he slummed down on the chair holding his head between his hands.
“What are we going to do Ruth? Where are we going to get all that money from?” cried Richard desperately.
“I don’t know dear, but I know that everything will be alright.” said Ruth.
“How can you say that?” screamed Richard banging his fists again on the table. “Do you honestly think that the money will just miraculously appear?” yelled Richard waving his hands in the air.
“Yes dear I do,” whispered Ruth placing his breakfast in front of him “I most certainly do.”
All day Saturday Richard sat in front of the TV ranting and raving about the injustice of this world, remote in one hand, beer in the other and a never ending cigarette balancing from his lips. Ruth was used to his outbursts but this time it seemed as though he was coming undone at the seams. Six beers later and three ashtrays filled with cigarette butts, Richard turned to Ruth and said “How’s it dat you’re err always so em… calm, hey! What’s yourr err secret woman, what?”
Ruth knew better not to answer him because it would only lead to another argument. Clearing away the dinner plates she kissed her husband good night knowing he wouldn’t make it upstairs, and headed off to bed. Early the next morning she made her way to church then hurried home to prepare lunch for Richard.
“We’re going to have to move back to my parents Ruth, I just don’t know what else to do,” shouted Richard from the kitchen as he heard Ruth coming through the front door.
“Hello dear,” said Ruth, placing her Bible and hand bag down, “I see you’ve gotten an early start on the beers.”
“I said, we will…”
“I heard you Richard,” Ruth interrupted “but that won’t be necessary,” she calmly replied.
“So I suppose you have a plan hey!” Richard laughed shaking his head and draining the bottle of its contents.
“I don’t but I know someone who does,” said Ruth as she placed the chicken in the oven.
“Oh yeah, well I have news for you. Next month we will be homeless,” Richard said, automatically reaching for another beer.
“Ruth honey where are you?” shouted Richard as he came through the kitchen door after work Monday evening. “Ruth where are you?”
“In the bedroom,” replied Ruth.
Running up the stairs two at a time he anxiously said, “I phoned my dad today…Ruth, err… hey! honey what’s wrong. Why are you crying?”
Handing him the letter she was reading Richard sat on the edge of the bed and read it.
“But this is impossible. I err… how, when… I don’t understand?” stuttered Richard, reading the letter they had just received from the insurance company informing them of a policy which had just matured to the value of thousand pounds.
“This is incredible Ruth. Do you know what this means, we can pay off for the house,” screamed Richard.
“Yes dear we can,” said Ruth.
“But I don’t understand… err… how…?” stammered Richard in confusion.
“His name is Jesus dear,” whispered Ruth.
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