the Arc

Britta was driving. Britta always drove when they were together in the car and Keith had no problem with that. Back in her college days, Britta had been in the passenger seat on a trip home when the VW Bug slipped on an icy freeway onramp and flipped over, breaking Britta’s back.

Britta, Keith, and their 7-month-old daughter Ruby were traveling back from downtown Seattle to their home on Alki Point. Ruby was gurgling in her car seat in the back, which was unusual. Usually Ruby was screaming because she was hungry or bored or because who knows why. Ruby had very thin skin, but on this day, Ruby was gurgling and while Keith and Britta were talking about work they heard what they thought was a word from the back seat. It sounded like “dog dish”. Britta said “Was that Ruby?” It sounds like she is trying to say “DaDa or Daddy, Ruby, did you say Dada?” Ruby repeated: “Dog dish”” As clear as day. It is her first word, for whatever reason, and soon more and more words form and sentences and Ruby is only 7 months old. Their daughter, though difficult, is a prodigy, they think.

7 years later

They are now a family of four. They have moved north to the suburbs and have just finished breakfast at the local IHOP. The chocolate chip pancakes were barely cooked and were an ugly runny brown mess inside. For this offense, Ruby has dubbed IHOP as the International House of Poop Cakes. Ruby, Tor our five-year-old son and the two of us climb into the station wagon for a trip to the airport and a family vacation. and are traveling to the Airport for a family vacation. Britta is driving us through the busiest intersection in all of the South County region when we hear a shriek of terror from the back seat. “Knife Tale fell in the street, Stop, Stop!” Knife Tale is Tor’s favorite pound puppy and he has been holding it out the window, and in this case dropped it. I suggest that that is unfortunate but we have to get to the airport, but Britta has stopped, Tor is weeping, Ruby is laughing hysterically, and Keith gets out and wanders into the busiest intersection in the entire county. Car horns are blaring at him, middle fingers are saluting in his direction, and after weaving and dodging and returning several salutes, Keith retrieves Knife Tale and gets back to the car in one piece. Tor and Ruby are both delighted.

Another 7 years pass

Britta and Keith have moved again. This time it is for Keith’s job at the state Capitol. They are going to the doctor to have Ruby checked out. She has been feeling poorly, but she does not want to go. She hates Doctors. The car is mostly silent, the teenage angst, disapproval, and alienation paint a pall that encompasses the vehicle. There is under-the-breath grumbling emanating from the back seat. Britta asks: “Do you have something to say, Ruby?” There is a pause and an under-the-breath “Fuck you, Mom!”. Keith turns around angrily and says “Don’t talk to your mother, that way, Ruby!” “Fuck you too Dad, you always take her side!”. She opens the car door while it is still moving and jumps out.

Another 21 years pass

Everyone has not lived happily ever after. Britta and Keith, though still travel. Britta still drives and Keith is happy to be in the passenger seat. They still hold each other’s hands and guard each other’s hearts.

— DanielSouthGate