Ruthie Camden had had a long day and a lot to process, to say the least. First there was the news that her dad, Reverend Eric Camden, minister in the small community of Glen Oak got a clean bill of health from his heart condition and was finally going to be alright! Then there where the news that Lucy and Kevin were expecting again! Ruthie was gonna be an aunt for the fifth time, and then there was the makeup, or should I say…makeout with T-bone, and last but not least…there was Martins confession. His words echoed in her head as T-bone dropped her off after the hospital. Her parents were already at home.
"If we both agree to date eachother and no one else. And if you'd let me be more than a friend, I think we could be really good together."
Ruthie was still in a daze and had barely said five words to T-bone after her conversation with Martin. The silence was broken by T-bone.
"Ruthie"
"Huh…yeah, I'm sorry, what were you saying?" She replied.
"Uhh, we barely talked at the coffee shop after the hospital and you haven't said a word all the way back."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize."
"Does this have anything to do with Martin and the conversation you guys had?" He asked.
"Yeah…I mean no, no, offcourse not." Ruthie answered, still not quite present.
"I should get in, my parents and Lucy are waiting for me. Thanks for the coffee." She continued, and headed out the car door without as much as a glance at T-bone.
"Ruthie!" T-bone shouted after her.
Ruthie turned around.
"I'm really glad we got back together." He continued.
Ruthie just smiled, but as she turned away, her fake smile became replaced by a look of confusion and anxiety.
Ruthie entered the kitchen door and was greeted by her mother and Lucy.
"Hi sweetie, what are you doing home now? I thought you'd be home long before your father and me" Her mother Annie asked.
"Oh, I just went for coffee with T-bone" Ruthie answered.
"Oh, so you guys are back together?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah…I guess we are. Congratulations sis." Ruthie responded as she hugged her sister and patted her stomach, before heading for the stairs to her bedroom.
"Are you alright honey?" Annie asked.
"Yeah why?"
"You seem kinda' out of it." Lucy said.
"I'm fine, where's dad by the way?" Ruthie asked.
"Oh your father went out again with Kevin, Martin and Mac to play some pool, you know…guys night out, celebrate the good news." Annie responded.
"Yeah, so mom and I were wondering if you'd like to join us for a girls night." Lucy continued.
"Thanks, but no thanks, I think I'm gonna call it a night. Wait…did you say dad was out with Martin?" Ruthie had to repeat it to herself.
"Yeah, why?" Annie asked her daughter.
"Nothing" Ruthie quickly answered.
"Are you sure you're alright." Annie asked.
"Yeah, It's just been a long day, goodnight." Ruthie said and quickly rushed upstairs, and went to bed.
Ruthie had been awake for 3 hours, trying to get some sleep, but her mind wouldn't let her be. She found herself occupied with thoughts about Martin, her sweet, beautiful Martin. Everytime she thought about him, she felt so warm inside, just like she does everytime he puts his warm arms around her that always makes her feel so safe, protected and loved. Then her thoughts went to T-bone and her smile once again became replaced with anxiety. She had really come to care for T-bone, even love him in a way. She decided to turn the radio on, the station played "Why" by Mis-Teeq. Without realizing it, Ruthie became stuck in the lyrics.
We've always been so close together
Doing things that only best friends do
Always there for one another
Through the bad times and the good
The other night you held me close, need to know
Did we just cross the line
This other side just feels so right
Won't you tell me why
Why, why, why do friends to lovers take so long
Now that we come around, we finally found a love forever strong
Why, why, why were you so near and yet so far
How could I be so blind, when all the time I was in your heart
For so long i've been searching
For the love that I can call my own
Now I know I was only waiting
For the face i've always known
I believe what Heaven is, just like this every time we kiss
And deep inside i feel so high
Won't you tell me why
Why, why, why do friends to lovers take so long
Now that we come around, we finally found a love forever strong
Why, why, why were you so near and yet so far
How could I be so blind, when all the time I was in your heart
It was amazing how the lyrics hit home, she thought. When the song finished, she turned off the radio. Her problems could wait until the morning, she thought. And she was finally able to fall asleep.
The next morning, Ruthie was woken up by her mother at 11 am. Annie went and pulled away the curtains, letting the sun shine in on Ruthies face, causing her to wake up.
"Wake up sweetie, It's 11 o'clock." Annie said.
"Ugh…5 more minutes, please." She responded, pulling her cover over her head.
"I had this wonderful dream that me and…" She continued, before being interrupted by her mother.
"Nope, you gotta get up young lady, we've all had breakfast already and Martin's on the phone in the kitchen."
"What?! Why didn't you tell me?!" Ruthie rushed out of bed, put on her slippers.
"What's going on? Is there something I should know about?" Annie asked. Ruthie didn't answer, she just rushed down to the phone, still in her pyjamas.
"Hi" Ruthie said.
"Hi, I hope I didn't wake you." Martin said in the other end.
"No I've been up for 2 hours" Ruthie answered with a sarcastic smile.
Martin giggled a little on the other end.
"You know you're a terrible liar, always have been." They both giggled.
"So how are you?" Martin continued.
"I'm fine…actually, I don't know, I'm still all over the place." Ruthie implied.
"Look Ruthie, about yesterday…I'm sorry, I mean, not for telling you how I feel about you, but…for putting you in an awkward situation. I want you to know I meant every word." Martin said.
"I know you did. Actually, I was hoping we could talk more about it…my place at 7?" Ruthie asked.
"Sure" Martin answered as they both smiled and blushed a little.
"So 7 it is?"
"I'll be there." Martin said tenderly before hanging up.
Ruthie was still blushing, but as she started dialing T-bones number, her fingers started shivering.
"Hello" T-bone answered.
"Hey T-bone it's me, look, could you come over in about an hour? I need to talk to you about something." Ruthie said.
"Sure, but hey, I was thinking why don't we catch a movie tonight as well, maybe grab some pizza?" T-bone asked.
"Uh…actually, I have other plans, look…it's really important."
"Fine, I'll be there in an hour." T-bone answered before hanging up.
Ruthie sighed and went upstairs, took a shower, put on some light makeup and got herself dressed. She could feel her stomach tying up in knots, from nervousness and anxiety. How was she gonna tell them?
TO BE CONTINUED…
