"I just can't do it anymore Simon. I tried to be what they want me to be, I tried living by their rules. But I can't anymore.", Ruthie said. She was crying a little and Simon knew that she was saying what was in her heart. Oddly enough Ruthie was never a good liar. It was easy to tell whether she was conniving and honest. That was why Simon found it easier to believe her.

"Then why let them do it? Tell them?"

"I'm afraid they'll say no."

"Well then I'll help you."

"After all I've done to you? After the way I treated you?"

Simon looked at his sister and simply shrugged, "How about we just forget about it and call it a truce.", Simon said extending his hand. Ruthie shook it firmly and then hugged her brother. He gladly returned the hug and the two held each other for a long time. Simon's heart went to his sister. He understood what it was like to put up with such unreasonable standards and morals. And now he realized that at least his sister was starting to feel the same pressure he was. All of a sudden all the anger and resentment he felt yesterday seemed to no longer exist. He felt sympathy for her now, now that he knew that she was fragile and softer inside instead of the godlike, annoying know it all he had thought her to be. They were in the park now all alone and talking in private in the night. So there was no embarrassment or squeamishness. Just brother and sister, no adults, no meddling older sister, just them.

"Come on. We should be heading to Wong's otherwise all the food won't be fresh anymore."

So the two walked arm in arm to the car. Unknown to them Eric, who had returned home to hear about the little spat between Simon, Ruthie, Kevin, and Lucy, stood behind a tree and thought about what Simon and Ruthie were talking about. Eric had received a call by a concerned Miss Riddle about Ruthie and her behaviour, her tendency to prejudge her friends and unnecessarily be self righteous around them. He knew that his daughter was showing sociopathic tendencies. But seeing her now, letting all those emotions out, gave him great relief. He wanted to reach out to her and hug her. Instead he got into his car and drove home.

++++++++++

"Dad you wanted to see me?", Lucy said as she entered her father's study.

"Lucy sit down we have to talk."

Lucy sat down.

"Lucy I want you to lay off Ruthie. And I'm afraid I must insist on it."

"Why?", Lucy said.

"Well for one thing I'm the parent not you. For another I think you've gotten a little out of hand with the way your treating her. And I want it to stop."

"Dad.."

But Eric interrupted, "Lucy did you know that Ruthie has no friends at school anymore. No one has ever talked to her unless she is spoken to."

"So what has it to do with me?"

"Well nothing really. But the truth is Ruthie has a life of her own. And as much as your wedding is important to this family, so is Ruthie. Also I want you to give her more privacy. And stop deciding what she can or cannot read. I think she is pretty much old enough to decide that on her own."

"Fine. But I think Ruthie is the one being out of line."

"But you started it."

Lucy looked at her father strangely, "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want my daughter to grow up a human being. And having someone micromanage her childhood is not the answer. Nor do I think her having no friends at all a good thing. My daughter still has a good heart and I want to keep it that way."

"If Ruthie had a good heart."

"I believe she does."

"No she doesn't dad. You haven't seen her the way she is the past five years. Did you know she's been blackmailing Simon and that she is constantly telling us how to live our lives..and.."

"And what about you!", Eric said, "You use her and Simon as spies to keep an eye out on Kevin! You expect her to respect your privacy yet you won't let her have her own!"

"I am older than her!"

"Then act like it! Start setting an example! If you want to marry Kevin that's fine, but don't expect Simon and Ruthie to tend to your every whim and fancy!"

Lucy looked at her dad in shock. He hadn't expected him to answer like that.

"If you want me to marry you and Kevin, start treating Ruthie and Simon with a little more courtesy. No more rude selfish behaviour towards them. No more forcing them to be your servants to answer to your beck and call. They are to have their own lives from now on."

"Their too young to have their own..."

"They are at least old enough to start gradually living their own! Lucy I mean it! Lay off them!"

"Is that all?"

"Yes and don't go running off to your mother about this. She is in total agreement."

Lucy glared at her father. Then left.

++++++++++

"I don't hate this but it's so hot!", Ruthie said grinning, waving her hand in front of her mouth.

"I told you.", Simon answered, chuckling.

"We should get the rest of the family to try this stuff! It's actually quite good! I never knew Chinese food was this good."

"The problem is it's expensive too!"

"Yeah I guess. You think we could still afford it."

"I have enough so don't worry."

"Don't bother. I've already paid."

Simon and Ruthie turned to see Eric approaching them. He put up his hand before either can talk. He kneeled in front of Ruthie and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Ruthie I want you to know that if there is anything you need to speak to me about, anything..just let me know. You are a good person and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Just remember that you will always be loved and that no matter what me and your mom are always there for you."

Ruthie hugged Eric and the two held each other for one long moment. Then Eric let go and gave Simon an affectionate pat on the neck.

"Listen about this restaurant, take your time, don't eat too much hot stuff, especially that..", Eric pointed to Ruthie's pork with black pepper sauce, "..and well eat slowly. You'll find that you will get your money's worth and that you will not get too full as easily. Therefore you'll be able to eat more."

"I don't know I kinda like this!", Ruthie said.

"It's too rich.", Eric said patting Ruthie's stomach gingerly, "You'll get a stomachache much later on. I mean there's nothing wrong with eating it. It's just that if you are eating it the first time it's best not to eat so much."

"Why don't you join us?", Simon asked and Ruthie nodded enthusiastically.

"I already ate. And I'm too full to eat a buffet. But maybe you could get some of that roast beef and french fries for Sam and David later on. Try not to be too late okay. But take your time."

Ruthie and Simon nodded and Eric left them to enjoy their dinner.