Best friends since elementary school, Ruby and Beth have always been inseparable. Beth was Ruby's rock, her support system, when Ruby's dad walked out on her and her mom when she was 10. Ruby's dad, Jim, has always been a memory, a distant figure- but when his presence is suddenly back in her life, it takes a harsh toll on Ruby and Beth's friendship. The fact that Ruby's dad left has made Ruby's friendship with beth more difficult.
One example of how Ruby's dad leaving has made Ruby and Beth's friendship more strained is because Beth has felt the need to lie to Ruby. Ever since Ruby's dad showed up at her 16th birthday, Ruby has felt this nagging urge to see him. She wants closure. But, when Beth finds a letter addressed to Ruby, from her dad, she takes it and doesn't tell Ruby about it. "That's when I see it. Half and envelope sliding out of Beth's back pocket. I pinch the corner between two fingers and slide it out the rest of the way, like it's hot or something. The blue ink vibrates blurry letters until I lean against the wall to settle my trembling arms. Although the envelope is addressed to 'Rubes', it's already been opened by someone else. By her[Beth]." (Vivian, loc. 1037) This quote really demonstrates how hard Beth's lie has hit Ruby. Beth knew that Ruby has wanted peace from the demons surrounding her father's leaving, but yet she still chose to lie and hide things from her. This definitely makes their relationship more difficult, because Ruby is unsure of if she can trust Beth, or even if Beth truly has her best interests at heart.
Another example of how Ruby's dad walking out has increased the tensions between Ruby and Beth is that Beth constantly feels the need to force Ruby into doing things. This makes Ruby feel bossed around and uncomfortable. "Last night already felt kind of weird like that between me and Beth. Like because I did't hook up with Teddy, it means I'm hell-bent at screwing myself over. Like because I didn't do exactly what she wanted, I haven't been listening at all." (Vivian, loc. 831.) This quote gives the reader insight into how Ruby is feeling. She wants to make Beth happy, but she feels like Beth doesn't realize that sometimes, Ruby needs to do something for herself, without Beth's "approval" or "guidance". This has created tension between Ruby and Beth, because Beth has begun to realize that Ruby won't always want to do exactly what she wants, and that the dynamic of their friendship has really changed.
A final example of the difficulties of Beth and Ruby's friendship due to Ruby's family situation is that Beth is highly protective over Ruby. She doesn't want Ruby to do anything that could possibly damage her emotionally, because she sees Ruby to be weaker and more fragile than she actually is. "Right, Ruby. Like I'm such a bad person. All I did was try to help you, keep you positive and give you advice when you asked me for it...Stop making me look like a bad friend! I have a good reason for not telling you!" (Vivian, loc. 2574). This quote demonstrates Beth's frustration at the fact that she can't always hide things from Ruby and protect her. Beth has always tried to shelter Ruby, but what she doesn't realize is that Ruby needs to take risks in order to find the closure that she so desperately craves. This is Ruby's journey, not Beth's, and Beth can't always protect her. This shows that Ruby and Beth's relationship has become more strained, because Ruby isn't letting Beth protect her anymore.
Friendships and relationships change all the time. Ruby and Beth's is no exception to that. They are growing up, needing each other less, but in other ways, a lot more. Ruby's dad leaving has made their relationship strained and tense, because suddenly, nothing is the same once Ruby wants to know her dad and make peace with her situation. But, as all good friendships do, Ruby and Beth's weathers all the tests it is given. After all, they have been through too much together to give up.
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