“I knew it wasn’t just about painting. Why didn’t you tell me? How dare Noel?”

Her words left me stunned.

“Where are you?” I asked as I heard the engine of a car in the background.

“I’m on my way to Noel’s office. How dare he?”

“Ruby, I’m feeling a bit drained. Can you come find me?”

There was a brief silence on the other end. “Send me your address.”

I waited on the roadside for her arrival.

Back in school, when classmates mocked my scars, Ruby had stood up for me, confronting them head-on.

If someone spoke ill of me behind my back, she’d slam her hand on their...