Chapter 4
XXXXXXX
Viv stood at the sink rinsing the carrots and tomatoes for the salad while Sam sat at the counter tearing up the lettuce. She could hear Marcus, Danny and Jack discussing the finer points of barbeque grilling out on the patio while Emma sat in the living room chatting with Nadine, Jack's date. She had invited Paul but he was on vacation, visiting his family back in Baltimore. The only one visibly absent was Martin but Viv had anticipated that he would be the last to arrive and most likely the first to leave.
"Alright, I'm all done. What do you want me to do next?" Sam asked as she pushed the salad bowl closer to where Viv had been sitting so she could add the carrots and tomatoes.
"That's it. Just sit there and drink some wine," Viv replied as she joined her at the counter. "Tell me what's going on, how are things?"
"Work is busy as usual…" she began when Viv held up her hand to stop her.
"I meant, how are things in your life? Are you seeing anyone?" she asked as she started slicing the tomatoes. She knew that Sam had broken up with Seth shortly after the incident with Eleanor but refused to talk about the reason why. Viv had suspected it had to do with Martin getting engaged but she would never dare ask.
Sam took a long drink of her wine before replying, "No, not really. A few dates here and there but no one worth mentioning."
Viv picked up the cutting board and used the knife to slide the tomatoes into the salad bowl. "Well, you just have to give it time I guess."
"Yeah, I guess. How about you? You're looking a lot better," Sam blurted before quickly adding, "I mean; you look really great."
Viv smiled and thought that this was this was the first time she actually felt really good. The day after the procedure when Marcus told her that it was Ruby's heart that she received she became almost inconsolable. She felt so guilty that she was alive because she now had the heart of someone she knew. Someone who was loved by someone she loved. Adding to her despair was the knowledge that it wasn't just one life that was lost but two.
After she found out, she told Marcus that she needed to see Martin but he told her that he was already on his way back to Washington with Danny. She would have to wait until he came back to New York. However, when he had returned he visited her twice and both times he made sure there were other people in the room. When she would try and talk to him alone he would deflect and dodge anything remotely related to whose heart beat in her chest. He could barely look her in the eyes. She wanted him to know how incredibly thankful she was to have Ruby's heart and that while she didn't know her very well she did know she had to of had a generous and loving heart to have had Martin's love.
"I'm feeling good," Viv finally replied as she finished cutting the veggies.
The doorbell rang and Emma shouted, "I'll get it."
Sam looked at Viv and said, "Well, he's here." She reached over and held Viv's hand. "Good luck trying to talk to him. I hope you can get through because we all miss the old Martin."
Viv nodded her head as she and Sam headed into the living room. She didn't want to disappoint Sam by telling her that the old Martin was gone for good.