Ruthie woke up to the scent of bacon that was traveling through the house. Still feeling groggy, she went into the kitchen where Annie and Lucy were preparing breakfast for the family. Both of them were cracking up and she had no idea why.
"What's so funny?" Ruthie yawned.
"Oh it's nothing," Lucy smiled. "Just a trip down memory lane. Breakfast?"
"No thanks," Ruthie rejected. "Martin told me before he left he wanted to take me out for breakfast."
"Oh, have him come over! We are making a buffet here. The more the merrier!" Annie offered.
"I'll pass. We were here all day yesterday and pretty much just sat around," Ruthie declined.
"We insist! Why pay for a meal when you can get a free one here?" Lucy pointed out.
"Besides today's a great day for some family time while your dad and I are here," Annie added.
Ruthie felt stuck. Martin had told her yesterday he wanted them to get out of the house but she knew it meant a lot to her mom for her to stick around. "I'll ask him."
Ruthie stepped aside and gave him a call.
"Hey," Martin answered. "Are you still up for breakfast this morning?"
"Yeah that's why I'm calling. My mom and Lucy wanted to know if you want to come over and have breakfast here. They're cooking a bunch of food," Ruthie proposed.
"I thought we were going out?" Martin asked confused.
"I told them that but they're being persistent," Ruthie explained.
"Okay well I guess that's fine then. When do you want me to come over?" Martin wondered.
"You can come over now. I'll see you soon," Ruthie said.
"See you soon," Martin hung up.
Ruthie went upstairs to get cleaned up. When she came downstairs twenty minutes later Martin was already sitting in the living room socializing with Eric.
"Hey," Ruthie leaned in for a hug. "I didn't think you would be here already."
"I was already ready when you called," Martin said.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," Ruthie replied.
"You didn't. Your dad and I were just talking about some of the places your parents went to," Martin responded.
Ruthie took a seat next to him. "We spent a lot of time in Buffalo visiting Mary's family and my grandparents. It got to the point where I was starting to worry that we were moving there."
"I would have just traveled there instead to rescue you," Martin replied.
Ruthie smiled and took his hand.
"Breakfast is ready!" Annie shouted loudly from the kitchen.
Everyone put food on their plates and took seat at the table. Once everyone was seated, Eric led prayers and then they started eating.
"So where are you guys traveling to next?" Martin asked Eric and Annie.
"We're off to go visit Simon next. He's been busy with work but he finally made some time for dear ol' mom and dad to come out," Eric answered.
Lucy wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Aren't you guys getting tired of this lifestyle? I would think it's exhausting at this point. I miss having mom and dad next door."
"I have to agree with Luc on that. I was so happy when we finally settled down here. I didn't realize how much I missed this little town. Especially when we stepped back in the church," Kevin added.
"Eventually we will stop and find a home somewhere. We at least want to see Simon first though. We don't get to see him enough as it is," Annie responded.
"Mom can you pass the syrup?" Sam interrupted.
"Well I'm calling dibs on hosting Thanksgiving this year and I fully expect Matt, Mary, Simon and their families to attend. Same goes for all of you," Lucy announced.
"It's been a while since the whole family was together for the holidays. Is there even enough room for everyone here?" Ruthie wondered.
"We can have a kids table in a separate room with an adult to supervise," Kevin suggested.
"Yeah I already know who that adult is going to be. Me," Ruthie said knowingly.
"Martin will be here to keep you company," Lucy pointed out.
"That's not the point. The point is I shouldn't automatically be sent to the kids table just because I'm the closest in age. I'm tired of still being treated like I'm a kid," Ruthie complained.
"Okay fine. We can draw straws and whoever gets the shortest straw will be at the kids table. Is that better?" Lucy asked.
"Much," Ruthie replied.
When the family finished eating, Kevin immediately brought out playing cards. The family played "Go Fish" around the living room table for a while which didn't really interest Martin but he pretended he was having a good time. After the first round was over Martin pulled Ruthie outside to talk to her, hoping they could get away.
"Are we ever going to have time alone?" Martin wondered.
"We will. They are just looking to have family time right now. I don't know what to tell them without hurting their feelings," Ruthie said.
"Tell them we spent all of yesterday with them," Martin requested.
"I did. Aren't we having a good time though?" Ruthie asked. "There's always tomorrow."
"No there's not!" Martin snapped. "I'm busy tomorrow. Look I didn't mind yesterday because I was happy to see your family but I wanted today to just be me and you. I guess I got my hopes up for nothing."
"I don't like your attitude," Ruthie argued back. "I want time alone with you too but my parents are only going to be here two more days so either stay and hang out with all of us or go."
"I'll go. Call when it will be just me and you," Martin said.
Ruthie stormed away and went back inside.
"Where's Martin? We are about to start a new round," Lucy asked.
"Start without him. Something came up and he had to go. He said to thank you for breakfast," Ruthie lied.
"Okay well are you joining in?" Lucy wondered.
"Sure," Ruthie took a seat on the sofa next to the twins.