A Year and A Half Later

They almost always kept their windows open, even with the AC on in the summertime. Sather normally wouldn't mind it, save for the steamy, humid air of the permeating fog that drifted into the apartment that was left over from the rain the night before.

He called out to the living room, "Ruby, is the air O.K.?"

"It's perfect, darling. Is it bothering you? I know the fog must be sticky and humid today. Do you mind?"

He looked out from the archway into the bedroom, smiled, and shook his head to say no. Ruby smiled back and combed her dark auburn hair with her fingers. She was truly beautiful. She had big, dark green eyes and a wide smile that made her freckles stand out against her skin.

And he couldn't let her go. She was one of the only people he had ever trusted. They married 5 years back when they were still in Wales and were happily so until she was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension 3 years later. She became too exhausted to walk up stairs and was experiencing stabbing chest pains by the time she visited the doctor.

Six months after the diagnose, Sather moved to Maplewood Crest and Ruby came along with him.

Later on...

After stepping out of the shower and running a towel over his hair a few times, Sather got dressed and picked up the paper menu from Arab Palace.

He walked into the living room and past the chair where Ruby was sitting. "Would you like anything from Arab Palace tonight? I'm about to call"

"No, darling, I'm fine," she replied.

He called the number on the menu and ordered shawarma and fattoush with a side of hummus and pita bread.

"Your order will be ready in 10 minutes, sir."

"Thank you."

At 7:10 he grabbed his wallet and headed down the stairs of the apartment building. He passed by a few drunks who must've gotten lost walking out of the Cork and Dagger, the underground pub held in the basement of Maplewood Crest. They're all stumbling and talking inaudibly as he walks by. As he exits the building, he can hear music and laughter from the strip club a block away, which hosts "Comedy Night" every once in a while with a man named Jimmy.
After he pays for his food, he walks out of the restaurant and crosses the street to return home.