A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth was bubbling with excitement while ascending the stained and old stairs of her apartment building. She knocked on the door that was on the same floor as hers and within a few seconds, it was opened by Mrs Payne.

The old woman was surprised to see smiling Ruth on her doorstep.

"Hello, dear!" She gave a warm smile that Ruth always admired.

"Hello, Mrs Payne! You are not going to invite me inside?" She asked with a puppy face.

The old woman's eyes widened in realisation and she stepped aside to let Ruth enter her house. "Oh my God! I am seriously forgetting my mannerisms with this old age. Come on, come inside my dear."

Ruth happily got into the small house which had only two rooms. One was a living room come bedroom and the inner one was a small kitchen.

Hearing their voices Mr Payne, who was laying on an old and shabby mattress, sat up.

He adjusted his glasses to see the visitor in the dim light of the candles. "Ruth, my child! How come you are here at this time?" He asked with a smile.

Ruth made a sad face and said, "seems like I am not welcomed here. I must have disturbed you two love birds." She sighed dramatically that made Mrs Payne roll her eyes at her antics.

But Mr Payne was a gullible person and couldn't understand the playfulness of Ruth. The lines of worry appeared on his wrinkled face. "What? No.. no. You are getting it wrong, Ruth. I didn't mean-"

"Oh hush, Ruth. Don't play your wicked games on my innocent husband or he may start crying and then I will have to console him the whole night." Mrs Payne winked mischievously at shocked and confused Mr Payne.

Hearing the last part, Ruth burst out laughing till her cheeks hurt. The sound of her hearty laughter ringed in the small space. She always liked this playful and sassy side of Mrs Payne.

"Take this." Mrs Payne gave her a glass of water and went to sit beside her brooding husband.

Ruth watched the cute couple with admiration while drinking the water.

"Oh honey, it was a joke. Stop acting like a child!" Mrs Payne tried to cheer up her husband who was still not over her previous comment.

Ruth couldn't help but think how lucky the couple was to have each other for themselves. They had not much money for Mr Payne worked at the lumber factory and Mrs Payne was a cleaner in one of the office buildings of some trader.

But with the rising age, both of their health deteriorated gradually and Mrs Payne had to quit her job. That left Mr Payne to bear all the responsibilities on his tired shoulders.

But Mr Payne couldn't work as much as he used to do when his body cooperated with his willpower. Ruth was aware that though he couldn't do many laborious tasks at the lumber factory, he was still allowed to work there because of his years of a healthy relationship with the owner of that factory.

It was only a matter of time that he too would need to quit his job and then Ruth didn't want to imagine how the old couple would survive.

But she had already something on her mind. She had decided to help them to live their life at ease as much as it was possible for her. That was the reason why Ruth was ready to do overtime work if needed.

But she had decided to not them know about her plans just now. They both were proud people and couldn't handle putting a burden on Ruth. Hence, she had decided to wait till the right time and try to earn as much money as she could.

If only their child was alive, Ruth thought that multiple times. But life is a cruel game and she knew it.

To gain back their attention, she cleared her throat. "I want to share the good news with you two."

The couple stopped their bickering and turned to look at Ruth.

"Oh yes! You finally found your prince charming?!" Mrs Payne exclaimed and jumped in delight.

"Don't tell me you are pregnant, young lady or I will-"

"What? NO! Will you please hear me out first? And where those thoughts came from?" Ruth was aghast at their concerns.

Mrs Payne's face fell in an instant while Mr Payne's relaxed a bit.

"But you said it is a goodnews." Mrs Payne murmured in disappointment.

"Yes, it is. But no, I haven't found my prince charming and no, Mr Payne. I can never think about getting pregnant before the marriage. You know me better than that."

The couple looked at each other and then at Ruth apologetically. "Sorry! The fatherly instincts kicked in!" Mr Payne gave a sheepish smile that brought a smile to Ruth's face.

She couldn't thank heavens more for blessing her with the motherly and fatherly figures like them.

"Are you going to tell us now?" Mrs Payne asked impatiently.

"It was my first payday today! And now I have money to give to the landlord and take care of my needs for the month."

Both Mr and Mrs Payne's faces brightened hearing this.

"Congratulations dear!"

"Congratulations, my child! We are very proud of you! You are a strong willed woman!"

Ruth noticed both of their moistened eyes and she knew how happy they were for her.

Before the mood became more sentimental, she showed the bags in her hand. "I have bought some shrimps and mackerel to celebrate tonight."

Earlier she was planning to have dinner alone but she was bored with that aloneness. Hence she decided to cook for all three of them and enjoy dinner together.

"Mackerel!" Mr Payne was ecstatic to hear the name of his favourite fish.

"Yes. Mrs Payne, would you mind if I cook here and have dinner with you? I just... don't feel like eating alone tonight."

"Oh, dear! You don't need to ask it. This is your home too and you are like our daughter. Of course, we would love your company. We also need someone's presence sometimes." She said the last part looking at her husband.

"Ok, then. Let me prepare a good dinner for us." Ruth stood up and headed to the kitchen.

"I will help you!" Mrs Payne joined her.

Mr Payne sat there with a smile on his face, watching the laughing and carefree Ruth that he missed over the years.

While busy preparing the dinner, Ruth failed to see a lone tear escaped from Mr Payne's eyes and his shaky hands joined together praying for her happy life and good health.

After preparing the dinner in the next hour, all three of them sat around the dishes and bowls of the hot food. Since Ruth came to their home, the silence that usually prevailed and the dullness it brought with it was replaced with smiles and her non-stop chattering.

Ruth was a shy and quiet woman but she knew how the old couple was living their life in worry. She wanted to involve them in her little moment of happiness and made sure to keep them engage in the conversation.

Their brightened faces were proof that she had succeeded in her plan.

"This is delicious! I love mackerel!" Mr Payne enjoyed his food more than the two ladies.

Ruth smiled at him. "I am glad that you liked it!"

The atmosphere was light with normal conversations. Ruth made sure to not let the couple know about the strange things that had happened with her in the last months because she didn't want them to worry about her.

She even didn't mention the incident when she went to receive their parcel at the outskirts of the Vincardine.

"Ruth, you have bought some oranges too?" Mrs Payne's attention went to another bag that rested at some distance from Ruth.

"Oh yes. I totally forgot about it! I bought them for... Florence." She studied their reactions as she knew that they were not huge fans of Florence.

As both of their faces turned serious at the mention of Florence's name, Ruth felt a need to explain further. "She helped me to pay the money to the landlord. And I wanted to thank her for it." She gave an awkward smile.

Mrs Payne nodded her head in understanding but chose to not comment on it.

But Mr Payne voiced out his thoughts. "That is a kind gesture on your part, Ruth. This is the right thing to do. I know that you are a mature person and know the difference between right and wrong."

He paused for a second and shared a look with his wife then began, "I don't know why Florence helped you that day but I am glad that she did!

I am no one to judge her or tell you what to do but keep five feet distance from her. She is not a good influence and you know that. Consider it as fatherly advice."

Ruth knew that he meant only good for her and understood his concerns.

"I will keep that in mind.. Don't worry!" She gave a small smile not wanting to stretch this conversation further.