Besides, Ellie and Eddie are going out to lunch with some old friends, so it’ll just be the two of us. And I have some ideas of what we can do.

While Ellie’s changing, I climb down and try to nonchalantly sit on the very edge of Ruth’s bed. She keeps looking at her iPod, but doesn’t tell me to go away or anything.

“Hey, Ruth,” I say.

She takes out her earbuds. She’s gone from the Interstellar soundtrack to Far from the Madding Crowd.

“What if we went for a walk while Ellie and Eddie are gone?” I say.

She shrugs. That’s a yes.

Maybe today isn’t going to be so bad after all.

Ruth flinches and puts a hand on her stomach.

“Okay?” I ask.

“I’m fine. Just a stupid battle in my uterus right now.”

I dash into the mini-bathroom, open the small drawer where the ibuprofen bottle is, and run back out with the bottle. My … well, battle, happened the week before we left, thank goodness.

I give the bottle to Ruth, then get a water bottle for her from the fridge. She doesn’t take the water, and dry swallows two little red pills.

She does say thanks, or mumbles it, then goes back to her iPod. I leave the water bottle on her bed, wanting to remind her to drink, but she’s already back in her music and I don’t want to annoy her more or make things worse. Something feels very satisfying, though, about being able to physically give Ruth something helpful.

An Uber pulls up to take Ellie and Eddie to their lunch.

“You guys sure you’re going to be okay?” Ellie asks.

“Yep!” I say.

Eddie hands me a couple of twenties. “There’s those restaurants right outside the park when you get hungry,” he says. “Stick together.”

“We will,” I say.

“We’ll pick you up in a few hours when it’s concert time!” Eddie says. He kind of jiggles his shoulders in a silly attempt at a dance move and I can’t help but laugh. Ellie shakes her head, but smiles.

“There’s a Triple D down that way.” Ellie points. “They do corn-bread casserole and a shrimp gumbo that’s apparently to die for.”

They glance at Ruth and she nods a quick goodbye, then Ellie and Eddie step outside. I stand on the RV’s steps and wave as they drive away. In the humidity, my skin feels oddly like I’ve just poured honey all over myself, and I’m sure my hair looks totally greasy even though I washed it this morning.

I step back inside. Ruth’s hair looks perfect, as always. Heck, she rolls out of bed with it looking perfect. I guess that’s the advantage of really short hair.

Now that Ellie and Eddie are gone, Ruth is up, ready, and has her bag hitched over her shoulder.