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Debbie’s crushed hand happens accidentally. They are still setting everything up themselves and Debbie’s hand gets trapped between boards for the ring, her scream of pain drawing Ruth to her side, the gentleness of the way Ruth cleans her hand making Debbie wonder if maybe, just maybe, she and Ruth could fix the latest fallout in their friendship. Ruth’s touch softens when she flinches and she looks at Debbie with sudden gentleness, so different from the usual angry glaring.
“Better?”
Debbie nods, meekly.
“Good enough at least.”
She sounds defeated, Ruth thinks, hoping that Debbie isn’t a quitter. They’ve all made it this far on determination alone.