I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. It feels a little rushed to me but at least it accomplishes what I wanted it to. Sorry. There's no Martin. He'll return next week.

Chapter 14: Role Models

Six pairs of eyes bored into the blushing brunette. Felicity fidgeted with the lesson notes in front of her and cleared her throat trying to think of what to say that would take a hot guy off the minds of the twelve year-olds. "Girls, I think it's time we got on the lesson. Jenny, would you read the first verse of Proverbs 31?"

The red-haired Jenny and the rest of the girls gave Felicity the 'You've got to be kidding' look. "But we still haven't found out the juicy details of Ruthie's date." She turned attention back on Ruthie. "Did you kiss him? It's got to be great being able to kiss Martin Brewer whenever you want. He's so hot."

Was I like this at twelve? Ruthie wondered looking over a Felicity with an apologetic look on her face. "Jenny, it's a relationship. We're gonna kiss or hug or hold hands but we're also going to fight and cry and walk together through some tough times. It's not some cheesy romantic comedy. It takes work. And right now, I think we should be working on concentrating on the Word of God."

Jenny and the other girls look at each other lowering their shoulders. "Fine." They muttered disappointed that they couldn't hear more about that gorgeous baseball player.

Felicity and Ruthie sighed in relief. It was like this every Bible study since Ruthie started going out with Martin and it was really starting to get annoying. Apparently, every tweenage and teenage girl in the Church thought Martin was the hottest guy ever. Usually, Ruthie liked been the center of attention. In fact, when she initially developed a crush on Martin, she dreamed about a day when all the girls would be jealous because he was dating her. But now, at eighteen, it just didn't seem important. It just came off another nuisance in their relationship. And between Sandy and Aaron, she already had enough nuisances.

"So when do you think they'll get over Martin?" Felicity asked collected her papers and putting them in her bag.

"I don't know." Ruthie sighed as she collected the trash leftover from the snacks. "I hope soon but such are the minds of middle school girls."

Felicity laughed. "Yeah. I'm glad I'm not twelve anymore." She threw her bag over her shoulder. "Hey. Can you finish cleaning up? I got a paper due tomorrow and I've gotten nothing done."

Ruthie smiled. "No problem."

Felicity exited leaving Ruthie to wipe the table down. Bent down concentrating on her cleaning, Ruthie didn't even notice one of her girls walking in.

"Ruthie?" The girl quietly announced her presence.

Ruthie jerked up startled. "Rebecca. You scared me. I thought you left."

"Uh, no. I was waiting for Felicity to leave. I wanted to talk to you."

Rebecca Chambers was the seventh member of the Bible study. She was different than the rest of the girls. She usually sat there quietly occasionally added her intuitive incite over the Bible passage. She was the only one to seem indifferent to Martin, and Ruthie loved her for that.

"What's up?" Ruthie pulled a chair out from the table motioning for Rebecca to sit down.

Accepting the motion, the browned haired girl settled down in the plastic chair. Ruthie took a seat next to her.

Rebecca was silent for a moment staring down at her hands. "I need your help."

Ruthie leaned back struck by the hurt that lay in Rebecca's eyes. Why hadn't I noticed that before? "Why did you come to me instead of Felicity?"

Rebecca shrugged. "I don't know. I guess Felicity just seems like she hasn't encountered a lot of pain in her life. Plus, she doesn't have any siblings. You have six. A couple of which has made some poor decisions in their life."

Ruthie scrunched up her face in confusion. "What does that got to do with your problem?"

"It's my brother, James." Rebecca blurted out. "I don't know what to do. He's really depressed. I overheard my parents talking the other night. And apparently James's counselor told them he's considered suicide." The young girl's pretty face turned red as tears ran down her face. "I really want to help James but he doesn't listen to me and I can't relate him. I've never felt that deep of a depression. James has always been my hero. I can't just let him stay this way." She was in hysteria by this time.

Ruthie was shocked. Carefully she got out of her chair and hugged the girl, letting her cry in her arms. This was all she could think to do and maybe at this moment, it was all she was supposed to do.

"Hi. How was Bible study? Aren't you a little late?" Annie looked up from the kitchen sink where she was shelling some peas.

"Yeah." Ruthie sighed. "Where's Dad?"

Annie looked questioning at her daughter but decided to leave it alone. "I believe he's in his office."

"Thanks." Ruthie said making a beeline for the hallway leading to the office.

She approached the open doorway of her father's office. He was bent down engrossed in what looked like his Bible. "Dad?" She gently knocked on the doorway.

He looked up wearily from his reading.

"I hate to bother you but I have a problem. Well, it's more like a friend of mine as a problem." Ruthie sat down in the wicker chair on the opposite side of the desk.

Eric weariness faded as he felt his minister ways kicking in. "This isn't one of those 'it's really my problem but I'm claiming it to be one of friend's problems' type problems. Is it?"

Normally, Ruthie would have rolled her eyes but she withheld. "No. It involves a girl in my Bible study. She's struggling with dealing how to help her depressed brother."

Eric nodded. "Rebecca Chambers."

Ruthie cocked her head. "Yeah. How'd you know?"

"I know the situation with James. His parents have consulted me. I'm embarrassed to admit, I never really thought how it would affect Rebecca. I think in these situations it's so easy to feel badly for the parents but not the siblings."

"Well, it's really affected Rebecca. She's almost seems like she on her own way to depression if she can't gain some understanding and patience with James." Ruthie sighed. "Dad. I'm not an expert on these things. What do I do?" Her eyes probed into her father's eyes with the expectation of comfort of a little child.

Eric sat there a few seconds thinking. "Ruthie, I know you want me to jump into action and work this out for you but I think this something you're old enough to handle."

Ruthie was taken aback. "So you're not going to help me?"

"I didn't say that. I'm gonna help you by directing you to someone who can work together with you to help out Rebecca."

Ruthie folded her arms. "And that would be?"

"Sandy."

Sandy? How could he expect me to work with Sandy? Ruthie walked into her room staring at her phone which she knew she would have to dial the dreaded number on. She had hardly spoken a word to Sandy since she and Martin got together. Honestly, she didn't want to talk to Sandy. She was the woman that would always be in Martin's life. The woman who shared a child with him. That created a jealousy inside Ruthie that she hated.

Dropping her bag on the floor, she sat down on her bed and forced herself to push the green call button. With each ring, her anxiety grew stronger. She didn't really know what Sandy's feelings were towards her. Being engaged, you would think she wouldn't care if Martin had a girlfriend. But then again, she was rather hostile toward Jane when Martin and Jane were together and Sandy was with Jonathan then too.

"Hello." Sandy's perky voice came through the receiver.

"Uh, hey Sandy. It's Ruthie."

"Oh, hey. How are you?"

"I'm fine. I was calling to see if you'd be willing to help me with a girl who really needs your help."

Sandy was surprised but interested.

The Church office looked like it usually did. The setting sun pushed light through the stained glass. The bookshelves were neatly stacked with theology books. The furniture was placed just so. The only difference was the two young women who fidgeted about the room praying that they would find the right words to say that night.

"Why are you pacing? I'm the one that should be nervous. You're the theology student." Ruthie protested slumping down on the couch.

Sandy stopped to face Ruthie. "Yeah but I really only have experience counseling pregnant teenagers."

"Then why in the world did my Dad want you to help me out?" Ruthie asked frustrated.

Sandy sat down in the arm chair next to the couch. "I think we both know why. Your father wants us to be friends."

Ruthie just nodded averted her eyes from Sandy.

Sandy hesitated slightly before continuing, "Ruthie, I really do want us to be friends. I know that there is this friction between us because of Martin but…"

"Hey."

Ruthie looked up and Sandy turned to see Rebecca standing in the doorway. "Hey." Ruthie got walking over to Rebecca. "Rebecca. This is Sandy. You've probably seen her around church. Sandy, this is Rebecca."

Sandy rose from her seat. "It's nice to meet you. Please take a seat."

Rebecca smiled meekly before sitting down on the sofa. Ruthie followed after her.

"Ruthie tells me you've been having a hard time dealing with your brother." Sandy sat back down straightening her cotton skirt.

The young teen nodded biting her lip. "He's really depressed and I love him so much. I just don't know how to communicate that to him especially when he makes me so mad at the same time."

"Rebecca, while I never had a sibling in the state of depression James is in I can relate to being disappointed or concern for a sibling. Mary was out of control at one point with her life heading straight down and Simon had to deal with the fact he was responsible for another's death. I've learned through the years that as much as it's hard for you to see your brother or sister go through something tough, it's often better to not do anything but try to love them."

"I know that but I feel like I just make things worse for him. He's always complaining about things that most people just grin and bear. And he's always acting superior to me that I get mad. And then my mom gets mad at me for not being patient with him. I just hate living in my house." Rebecca's eyes began to water.

Ruthie shot a desperate look over to Sandy. She didn't know what to say. Yes, she had once hating living in her house but she had the opportunity to go to Scotland. Rebecca's just thirteen and homeschooled. She doesn't have any school trip opportunities.

Sandy spoke up, "Have you talked to your parents about how you're feeling?"

"No." Rebecca shook her end. "I didn't want them to start worrying about me too."

Sandy nodded. "Well, Rebecca, I think the best thing is for you to talk to your parents. Explain how you're feeling. I'll even be there for you if you want. Does James see a counselor?"

"Yeah. Every week."

"Well, I would suggest to your parents that you all go to the counselor together. It may be hard for him but I think James will ultimately benefit in understanding how you all are feeling. And it will be good for you to gain a better understanding on clinical depression." Sandy took on more and more of an air of a minister with each passing word.

Rebecca seemed scared. "I don't know."

"I know this is all intimidating. It's hard to leave the status quo. Believe me. I know. But they only way your life will get better, is if you move forward." Sandy insisted firmly.

Ruthie nodded in agreement.

The girl just looked back and forth from Sandy to Ruthie before finally but hesitantly saying, "Fine. Could you two come over tomorrow night and help me talk to my parents?"

Ruthie was surprised. "You want me there too. Sandy's the one that's got all the advice."

Rebecca smiled. "But you listened. People don't always listen to me but you did. I want you there. Even if you don't say I word, you'll be a comfort to me."

Ruthie felt like crying. She had never been someone's role model. She wasn't sure she deserved it. "I'll be there."

"Me too." Sandy said getting up to signal the end of the session.

"Well, I guess I should go. Thanks for your help. I'll see you tomorrow." Rebecca headed for the door but not before receiving some hugs from her "counselors."

Ruthie and Sandy stood there looking at the doorway. "So this is how Lucy and Dad feel all the time." Ruthie commented.

Sandy nodded. "I guess so."

Ruthie ran her hands through her curly hair and turned to the older girl. "I'm sorry, Sandy."

She looked at Ruthie questioningly. "Sorry for what?"

"You were right. There is this friction between us and it's all my fault. I just find myself jealous of you because you have this child with Martin and…"

"You're jealous?! I'm the one that's always been jealous of you. I always wished Martin could have loved me the way he loves you. And even though I'm totally in love with Jonathan, that feeling still lingers inside me." Sandy admitted.

Ruthie laughed. "Well, how about we just let go of our lingering jealousies and be friends."

"Deal. And I'm really glad you and Martin are together." Sandy opened her arms for a hug.

"Me too." Ruthie returned the hug.

"Hey, Dad." Ruthie collapsed onto the sofa next to her father.

He muted the television. "Hey, honey. How'd it go?"

"I think it went pretty good. Sandy and I are going over to the Chambers tomorrow night to help Rebecca talk to her parents. Hopefully, it will go well from there." Ruthie fiddled with the seam on her jeans.

"I'm sure it will. I'm really proud of you, Ruthie."

"For what?"

"For everything. You've really matured this year. Making amends for mistakes you've made in the past. Agreeing to lead a Bible study and now, helping a young girl find understanding during her brother's depression. And let's not forget, making up with Sandy."

Ruthie rolled her eyes. "Yes, your little plan worked out. Sandy and I are officially friends who insist on never again being jealous of one another."

Eric looked upward. "Praise the Lord. It's about time." He bent over to kiss her daughter on the forehead.

Ruthie laughed. "Well, I got homework to do so I'll leave you to your three stooges." She shot a glance at the muted tv.

As she walked out the doorway, Eric called to her, "Honey!"

She turned. "Yeah?"

"I'm giving my approval of your relationship with Martin. That doesn't mean your Mom is on board but I see how much happier and wiser you are being with him."

Ruthie exhaled air out surprised. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot. But I don't think I'm happier or wiser because of Martin. I mean, I love being with him but I think I matured because of God's work in me." She turned on her heel and headed up the stairs leaving her very surprised but happy father to his Three Stooges.

Next week on Far Away: Will a double date between Ruthie and Martin and Sandy and Jonathan spell disaster?