The Ackman short story thread

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It was now summer, Ruth found herself back in Gregstown. Their block still looked as desolate as it did back at Christmas. She was now fourteen, and still just as moody as she was at christmas. Her mother had come along in her pregnancy, and really began to show. She found herself in a difficult position.

You see, Ruth was begging to be heard. Edith would often shut her up at breakfast. The trips down to the shore to be alone numbered many. Jonathan noticed that this was troubling, and so one day, he went down to see Ruth at the shore. “Ruth, I’d like to talk to you. Is there something bothering you?” He asked her. “Yes, there is. I just want to be loved.” She said in a solemn voice. “Ruth, we do love you, why can’t you see that? Why?! !? I know what it is, you’re just too selfish to understand anything.” He began to shout.

One day, she asked if she could go out for a walk on her own. They let her go. Ruth walked down Ferry Street, which was desolate and empty. She passed the house that she was curious about. ” I think this is the only house on this block.” She said to herself. One look at it revealed that it was empty and abandoned. Ruth walked up the front steps, and turned the knob. It was unlocked, she entered the house.

The place could have been a mansion, even though the furniture was gone, it still felt like a home to Ruth. She continued further into the house. The stairs were in remarkable condition. As she ascended the stairs, she looked at the walls. “Bricks, like the ones at school.” She looked out the window at the top of the stairs, back at her own house. “It seems so far away.” she said to herself. After turning about face, she entered a room, which could have been a bedroom.

“This will be my safe place, where i can go to when I feel sad or frightened.” she said to herself. She began to hear rain falling on the roof. “I must go, papa is probably worried sick.” she thought to herself. When she arrived, she found both of her parents sitting on the couch in the sitting room. “Ruth, sit down!” her mother said rather tensley. She sat, but not like a lady.

“Ruth Elizabeth DeWitt, your father and I have come to the conclusion that your behavior needs to change.” her mother said. “What do you mean change mother?!??” Ruth snapped back. “Ruth!” her father hissed. She was in trouble, you could tell by the looks on both of her parents faces. “Ruth, you have given me no choice, but to have you committed at Broadacres Children’s Psychiatric Facility for one month. You will become a proper lady, and maybe then we’ll talk.” Ruth’s eyes began to water.

Ruth ran out of the house and down Ferry Street, to the abandoned house. She was soaked from the rain, but she didn’t care, she was upset,crying the entire way. “I hate you papa!” was all she could yell, punching the wall. She then lay down on the floor, crying herself to sleep. At her own house, her parents were getting worried about Ruth. “Shall I call the police Jonathan?” Edith asked. Jon just brushed Edith off, and went to his room. He then broke down and cried, cried like the night Anna, Ruth’s birth mother died in childbirth. “Oh god! I’m a horrible father, I can’t even raise my own little girl to be proper.” He continued to sob.

At the Ferry Street House, Ruth awoke to find rain leaking down on her. “I really have to go home” she thought to herself. She walked down the stairs, and out of the door, into the street. She approached the house, and knocked on the door. Edith answered it “Ruth, oh I’m so glad you’re not hurt!” she said kissing her forehead. Jonathan came down the stairs, both happy and angry at the same time. “Ruth! Why did you do that?! I was so worried about you. I love you and you know it.” He said.

Jonathan DeWitt loved Ruth; she was his little girl. Even with Lizbeth, Ruth was still his. For him, she was gods gift. Almost killed in childbirth, Ruth was a fighter; and she showed that trait through and through. Edith marched Ruth upstairs to her room. “Ruth, you’re still going to Broadacres, whether you like it or not.” Edith stated as she undressed Ruth for bed. Edith noticed Ruth was wet. “Ruth, why are you all wet? Where did you go anyways?” she asked as she took Ruth’s wet underdress off. Ruth slipped her nightgown over her head. “Mother, do you love me?” she asked. “Of course I love you, you have been preoccupied with this as of late.” Edith then covered Ruth with her quilt, leaned over and kissed her good night.

The next morning was a busy one in the DeWitt household. Edith woke Ruth up, and began lacing her corset. “Do be good today, please? I beg you to be good for the doctor.” she said happily. Breakfast consisted of fruit and cold cereal. Ruth ate her breakfast, and was told to get her hat. Ruth’s white travel suit made her look pretty, even though she hated it. “Darling you look beautiful” Edith said. Ruth then realized she forgot something: her doll, Rose. She would tell her doll all of her secrets. “Ruth, are you ready? Let’s go.” Edith said.

The trip to the hospital was short. Edith and Ruth got out of the car, and entered the building. “Good morning, how may I help you?” the recptionist said. “we’re here to see Dr. James Worley.” Edith replied. The secretary paged Worley, and the three of them went into his office. The office was adorned with pictures of her hero: General Peter Bradford Creedon Junior. Edith began to talk to Worley. None of this interested Ruth, who seemed to be looking at all of the pictures. “Ruth has in the past few weeks, become very defiant, and abusive. I want you to at least correct this behavior.” she said. Worley, looked at Ruth, and summoned a nurse. A few minutes later, a nurse showed up and took Ruth by the hand.

“You be a good girl for me Ruth. Do everything they say. I will write you every week, I love you.” Edith said. She bent down and kissed her daughter on the forehead, and turned to leave. The nurse took Ruth by the hand, and walked her to a small room. “Undress please.” the nurse said. “Why?” Ruth asked. “Because you have to wear this.” The nurse handed Ruth a hospital uniform and a diaper. “I’m not going to wear a diaper! I’m not a baby!” Ruth said angrily. The nurse proceeded to forcifuly change Ruth into her uniform. “I see you have a doll with you. I advise that you only play with it in your room.” the nurse then said. After that, she was taken to her ward, her home for the next month.

The next day, was her first treatment. “Ms. DeWitt, would you like to go for a ride?” a new nurse asked her. Ruth was then placed onto the stretcher, and belted down. “Hey! Why are you doing this? I won’t fall down! I promise.” They tightened the belts, and wheeled her down the hall. Next thing she knew, she saw the doctor. “Hello Ruth. How are you feeling?” he asked. “I just wish I wasn’t tied down.” Ruth said. Worley chuckled. Next to her, was a machine she’d never seen before. The nurse stood by Ruth, and Worley by the machine. Headphones were placed over Ruth’s ears. “Ready nurse?” he asked. “Yes doctor.” she said. The doctor flipped a switch, and Ruth convulsed. She choked back tears and sobs. “All right, that’s enough, wheel her back to her ward.” Worley said.

When Ruth woke up, she felt wet and warm. She had wet herself. A nurse came and checked on her. Indeed she was wet. The nurse changed her and gave Ruth her medication. “Your first psychiatrist meeting is today, you are not going to be late.” She said. So down another hallway they went. Then, they entered the office. A man turned and looked at her. “Hello, I’m Doctor Howard Illivicky.” the man said. “Hello sir.” Ruth replied. “I’m going to ask you a few questions. Okay?” He said in his annoying Brookline accent.

“What is your name?”

“Ruth Elizabeth DeWitt”

“When were you born?”

“February 23, 1870″

“What is your favorite color?”

“Blue”

“Why?”

“Because I like it.”

“Ruth, do you love your mother?”

” Sometimes I do.”

“why?”

“She told me she loves you very much.”

“what do you mean?”

“I mean exactly as I say”

“Do you have any stuffed animals?”

“no”

“What do you have there?”

“A doll”

“Does it have a name?”

“Yes, she does”

“What is her name?”

“Rose”

“Ah, I see, what do you tell her?”

“My secrets”

“Would you care to share them with me?”

“NO!”

“There is no need to shout”

“Another subject?”

“yes”

“Do you go to school?”

“yes”

“Where?”

“London,England, or at least I used to”

“Did you like it?”

(Ruth began to laugh)

“No, I didn’t”

It was time for the session to end. Ruth, was wheeled out of the office, and back to her room. “I feel tired” she told the nurse. The nurse, put her on the bed, and tied her down. “Why are you tying me down? I don’t stir when I sleep” She said. “The medication you are on causes people to sleepwalk, it’s for your protection.” The nurse replied in an abrasive tone. Ruth, went to sleep shortly thereafter. After dark, she was woken up. “Meal time miss.” was all the nurse could say. Ruth was wheeled out to the mess hall.

She was placed next to another girl. “I don’t like your hair, it looks like you’re rich, and I don’t like rich people, got it?” Ruth turned away, laughing to herself. “If you don’t like rich people, then why are you talking to the queen of England?” The girl turned and said; “your majesty, I didn’t mean to disrespect you.” Ruth knew that she could manipulate the most feeble to help her get out. After the meal was over, all of them were escorted back to their rooms. Medication was administered, and they all went to sleep.

It was going to be a long month.



This was just the first of many ideas that I had for Ruth. Since then I've changed the name of the doctor to Howard Ilivicki.

This is going to be the Ackman short story thread. Any criticism is appreciated.

Going to school in England was almost something of a novelty for the 13 year old Ruth Dewitt. Her parents sent her and her twelve year old sister, Lizzie. Ruth hated the place, but what enraged her even more, was the fact that the staff had been after her and Lizzie. She marveled them with their record player and color photography, but both knew they couldn’t milk it for long.

One day, after school, Ruth was walking back to her dormitory to get ready for the evening meal, when two men grabbed her by the shoulders. “You’re coming with us miss!” they said in a hushed, angry tone. No one saw the ambush, so no one mentioned it to the headmistress. The next thing Ruth saw, was a small courtyard in the middle of four great, large buildings.

“Well, well if it isn’t the Creedonian!” a voice from somewhere called out. The next thing Ruth knew, was that they removed her school uniform, so she was just in her undergarments. Next to Ruth, were the two men that captured her. “You have been a bit of a twit as of late. You need a suitable punishment.” The voice then said. The two men, then tied her hands down to a table, so that she could not escape.

The two men then picked up what appeared to be reeds. “These reeds were from the Thames, and you will feel their strength.” Suddenly, a woman appeared from the shadows. Ruth knew the face, it was Bridgette, the assistant to the headmistress. “You better not cry from the pain you will experience, or you shall be expelled.” She said. “Miss Bridgette, we are ready!” one of the men cried out.

The first blow to Ruth’s back, made tears form in her eyes. She could not move her hands to protect herself. Then, the blows came much more swiftly, as the two men took turns beating her. She held back the tears and pain. “HARDER” one of them cried out. She could feel the blood begin to ooze from her welts. It had started to rain, and that made everything worse. She began to feel unsteady, and soon she fainted.

After she had fainted, Bidgette thought it would have been amusing to have one of the men punch her in the face. Soon, there was a black eye. “Alright, that’s enough fun for today! put her clothes back on and take her to her room.” Bridgette said. The next thing Ruth knew, was that she was back in the dormitory in her bed, all wet.

“Ruth! oh what happened to you?” Lizzie cried out in a hushed tone. Ruth looked at Lizzie and said in a weak tone “they beat me and dragged me I think. It hurts so much Lizzie, I can’t move. I want you to a favor for me.” Lizzie then asked “What?” To which Ruth replied, “Get the camera, take pictures of my wounds, and then develop the pictures, send them to mama” Lizzie then took pictures of Ruth’s back, and face.

A few weeks later, a letter was delivered to Ruth. It was from her mother.

My dearest Ruth,

I received those disturbing photographs from Lizzie. I am truly appalled that they, the respectable staff of the school that you attend would do that to you, why? why would they hurt my child? I was extremely angered by the image of your black eye, which under no circumstances should a lady have to go through that.

Furthermore, I am coming to visit you; as I understand that you would like to leave. As long as I speak to the headmistress myself on this matter, then i will deal with you.

Love,

Mother

Ruth read the letter, but didn’t have much faith. Her mother was often forgetful of Ruth’s needs, but she didn’t pay much mind to the matter. The next day, a woman in her early thirties arrived. She went into the headmistress’ office, and demanded that she speak with her.

“You put my daughter up to this?” She asked, showing the woman the photos of Ruth. “My god, so that’s what they did to that poor girl” The headmistress replied in shock. What Edith hadn’t known, was that the headmistress was never behind this whole thing. You could see the tears building in Edith’s eyes. “I wish I had known about this when it happened. I know exactly who is behind this, and I will see to it that she is removed from my school!” She turned to Bridgette.

The two of them looked at Bridgette. “I’m sorry miss, she was just a little twit that is all, I didn’t mean to do it.” She had said in a fake sympathetic voice. “Bridgette, pack your things, you’re leaving, and you will never come back.” That was all the headmistress had to say. “Pardon me, but where is my daughter? I must see her.” She asked the headmistress. ” Mrs. Dewitt, she is currently in her dormitory, which is located on the south side of this school.

Edith entered the dormitory. She saw the other girls swarmed around Ruth, apparently, they were looking at photographs from around their house. “Excuse me, but I would like to speak to my daughter alone.” Edith said rather coolly. Ruth got up off the bench, and took her mother’s hand. “Didn’t expect to see me here?” she asked. “Oh mother, I’m so glad you came. I love you, I really do.” Ruth said happily. “I know you do, The woman’s name was Bridgette, and she is gone. She won’t hurt you anymore.” She said as she hugged Ruth.

Ruth normally loved Christmas. This Christmas was going to be different. Ruth and Lizbeth were sent home for the holiday. The trip back home was different than the outbound trip. When they arrived in Peter City, they looked for their train; it was nowhere to be found. They panicked, but then realized they were early. “Ruth, we are early. What shall we do?” Lizbeth asked. Ruth said nothing, for she didn’t know what to do.

Two hours later, they found their train, and boarded it. Since it was late, one of them decided that it would be good to sleep. Six hours later, they were in Gregstown. “Lizbeth, this is where they moved to. When we left, remember we were living in Wenham, down in Kentwood. I guess they hated that place.” Ruth said rather enthusiastically. They went up to the door and knocked. Edith answered.

“It’s so good to see you two. We’ve been expecting you, please come in from the cold.” Edith kissed both of them on the forehead, and hugged Ruth. “Are you hungry? There’s a bit of the roast left over. You can both have it, if you’re hungry.” They told her that they ate on the train. Edith then walked them upstairs. “This is your new room, you will both sleep in it when you are here. You have stunning views of Quanopowitt from up here.” A look out the window revealed a rising Waning Gibbous moon.

Edith then helped both of them get ready for bed. It was too late for any of the servants to be about. Edith looked at Ruth, and decided that it had to be done. What had to be done, was Ruth had to be corseted. She put the plans for it into a christmas gift. Besides, she had already bought it, it just had to be wrapped at the corsetiers. The next morning, it was snowing.

“Would you look at that Ruth!” Lizbeth said in excitement. It almost never snowed back in Wenham. It came down in a hurry, but quickly stopped. Alice, the maid came and got them. She helped them into their clothes for the day. Edith would never let them wear anything darker than green. Jonathan, their father entered the room. “Good morning, I hope you both slept well in your new beds.” He said.

After he left, they continued to unpack their things. Ruth looked out the window; and saw Quanopowitt lapping at their beach. “Lizbeth, would you like to walk with me on the beach later?” Ruth replied with a “sure.” At breakfast, Lizbeth asked their father if they could go to the beach. Jonathan said yes, as long as they didn’t go into the water. They agreed not to.

“Liz, what if mother tries to do anything stupid? Have you noticed she was acting funny towards me last night?” Ruth asked. “Yes, I did notice. I think you’re going to be what they call ‘caged’ soon.” Lizbeth then replied rather nonchalantly. ” What do you mean caged? Are they going to put me in a cage or something?” She asked, rather confused. To which, Lizbeth replied “No, you’re going to get a corset.” Ruth put her hand to her mouth in horror. “I don’t want one! I’ve seen them so many times, they must hurt.”

They walked down the beach quite a ways and were amazed. “Do you realize that we are standing on the edge of an inland sea? It’s completely tidal, and behaves like an ocean.” Ruth had said. Then, came an extremely hard gust of wind, blew Ruth’s skirt up, revealing her drawers. They laughed about it, and all Ruth could do, was look to the north, and see a slate gray lake and a slate gray sky meld into one.

Back at the house, Edith walked in, and asked if the children were inside. Jonathan said they were down at the shore, watching the water and feeling the wind. Edith knew there was little time since they could be back at any time, so she quickly hid the gifts. Just as she was done, they came walking in. “Well, hello there, I see you were outside.” They both nodded. Edith couldn’t have known how lucky she was to have them as daughters.

That night, it snowed hard, and the wind howled, but a good fire in the fireplace melted away any of the cold. “Ruth, Lizbeth; there’s something I must tell you, or I should say we must tell you.” Both of them looked at Edith. “What is it mother?” “I’m pregnant, yes I am.” She said rather excitably. Ruth looked at Lizbeth and said “well, we may have a brother or sister.”

The next day, was Christmas eve. That morning, Ruth slept in. She really needed the sleep. At 9 AM, she was stirred awake by Alice. Alice helped Ruth into her dress. Ruth asked Alice to zip her dress up rather gently, to which she complied. Ruth put on her necklace, which contained a locket. In her thirteen years of life, Ruth was told very little of her true mother, but someday she knew that she had to find out.

Ruth missed breakfast, and that made her mad, but she could do nothing. Both Ruth and Lizbeth were not going to be raised to be spoiled brats, when they had to, they would fend for themselves; this was such a time. The day was sunny, and the sun reflected brilliantly onto the snow. The beach was covered in snow, and you could even see small white caps on the lake. She looked at the back yard, which had a cluster of evergreens, which were decorated with Christmas things.

Now that she was thirteen, Edith allowed Ruth to go with her on shopping trips. “Ruth, would you like to go with me? What would you like to get Lizbeth for Christmas?” They got into the car and drove over the poorly plowed streets. They went into a store, that sold things people Lizzie’s age like. They bought a dress for her, and left. “Ruth, I understand that the headmistress at your school actually likes you, and that she can learn something from you.” She said.

That night, they had turkey for dinner, and soon after it was bed time for Ruth and Lizbeth. As they were getting undressed for bed, Ruth said to Lizbeth; “You know I think you’re right, She kept eyeing me rather strangley today, it made me feel uneasy.” Lizbeth replied; “That’s because she wants you in a corset, I suspect she wants me in one as well.”

As they slept, Edith and Jonathan were downstairs putting the gifts under the tree. It was around 2 AM when they finally went to sleep themselves. Then, the morning came. They made their way downstairs, and looked at the tree; it was covered with presents. They knew that their parents wouldn’t be up for some time, so they sat in the drawing room, and looked out the window towards the street.

It was a desolate place they lived in, Gregstown. There were streets that had been laid out, but no one lived on them. The lake shore was just two steps away, and yet it all seemed to be perfect, at least for Ruth. Two hours later, there was stirring from upstairs. Jonathan came down the stairs and looked in at the tree. “Wow, someone must have been really good this year.” He said turning to Ruth.

Fifteen minutes later, Edith came downstairs. “Well, Merry Christmas.” she told everyone in the house. Ruth sat on the floor near the tree. A present was handed to her. Ruth opened the gift; it was a necklace. ” I love this, wow it’s amazing!” she said in an excited tone. Next, Lizbeth opened her gift. It was a pair of mittens. Everyone agreed that was a great gift because it can get cold in both London and Gregstown.

At the end of the gift exchange, Ruth gave her gift to Jonathan. This gift, was a ring, a ring that meant bond between father and daughter. Jonathan was happy to receive such a ring. He truly loved Ruth, and he made it known. Ruth breathed a sigh of relief; No corset! or at least she thought. Ruth and Lizbeth went upstairs, where they both saw two boxes, wrapped. “Should we open them? What are they?” The asked each other.

“Ah, good to see you both here.” Edith said. “What are those two boxes?” They asked. Ruth could feel her heart beating in her throat. “Ruth, what’s the matter? Why are you trembling? Are you ill?” Edith asked. Edith proceded to get the two in their undergarments. “I have come to a conclusion that both of you need to look more mature. These Training Corsets should work. They have very little boning, so they do not hurt. Go ahead Ruth, open yours. Lizbeth, do the same.

What Ruth saw, was a light pink corset, with pink laces. Ruth picked it up, and felt the hook and eye enclosure; the boning felt springy. ” Alright, put it on, hook it closed.” Edith commanded. Lizbeth could only do the same. Hers was pink as well. Edith then commanded that they turn around. Edith then proceeded to lace Ruth. Ruth wanted to cry, she almost did, but she couldn’t, not in front of Lizbeth.

Lizbeth began to tear up. It was a crushing blow. “You are not little girls anymore, and I expect you to behave like young ladies. You will not be excitable, and I do not ever want to see you run, especially when wearing these.” Edith said sharply. Ruth couldn’t take it anymore. She began to cry. “Ruth, why are you crying? Are you laced in too tightly? Is it painful? If it is, get over it, you will wear this for the rest of your life Ruth, Ruth!” Just then, Edith slapped Ruth on the cheek so hard, it throbbed.

Edith then realized what she had done. She regretted that she had done it, she was caught off guard; when she saw Ruth run out the door. “Lizbeth! stop her.” Edith pleaded. “No mother, you hurt my best friend, and now you will regret it.” Jonathan had heard the commotion, and ran upstairs. “Edith! what are you doing? I heard feet running down the back stairs, and a door slam! Where is Ruth? I said where is she?!?” He screamed. “She left. I made her angry, and out of rage, I slapped her. I regret hitting her.” Edith said, while beginning to cry.

Ruth, was halfway to the shore, when she slipped; the corset was perhaps the most painful thing that she’d ever worn. Tears were running down her cheeks. There was still snow on the ground, and that made her slippers soaking wet. She had to hide, they’d be after her. So she hid in a low sand dune. At that same moment, Edith opened the back door, and followed the tracks.

It wasn’t good for her to be in the cold, especially with a baby on the way. She found Ruth, sitting in a sand dune. “I’m sorry mother, I didn’t mean to run.” She said sobbing. Edith went up to Ruth, and put her hand on her shoulder in comfort. “I’m sorry too. I didn’t want you to experience that, and i’m truly sorry. here, let’s get you inside. You can take off your corset.”

They got back inside, and Ruth saw her father. “Ruth, why did you do that!?! You gave your mother a fright. Go to your room until supper, both of you!” “yes papa”, was all she could say. she went up to her room, and buried her head in her pillows and cried. Then, she fell asleep. When she awoke, it was dark. On the desk next to her bed, were the train and ship tickets. Lizbeth was standing beside her.

“Ruth, I guess they want us to leave. I guess we failed them.” She said rather sadly. ” I guess you’re right.” She replied. Their school didn’t start for another three weeks. The next day, they were put into their traveling suits, and they were escorted to the train depot by Edith.

Away they went.