Chapter 35

“Okay Ruby,” I leaned closer to ensure that eye contact was maintained, “you have to come clean.” I have to remain stern and show her my seriousness. “Did you eat out of the chocolates?” With puppy eyes, Ruby shook her head. I glanced at the brown smudge on the side of her lips and scoffed in disbelief.

“You did not eat out of it,” I uttered, the tone of my voice barely carrying a whiff of inquiry.

And she sharply responded with, “No.”

“How do you explain this then?” I slammed two wrappers of Snickers chocolate onto the kitchen counter and stared squarely at the little girl whose eyes widened in shock. She started to struggle with finding an explanation but I continued my questioning.

“And how do you explain this?” I pulled out a little mirror and placed it in front of her so that she could see that I had irrevocable evidence against her. “So, tell me, Ruby, did you eat the chocolates or not?”

“Uh...” Her voice became timid and her eyes evaded mine