Chapter 30-

Ruthie entered the house to see her whole family waiting for her. Lucy ran over and hugged her.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Great!" Ruthie replied.

"That's good." Eric said and Ruthie ran over and hugged him.

"Well, I'm going to go upstairs." Ruthie told them and she ran in to her room and called Peter.

"Hello" he answered.

"Peter, hey. I just wanted to apologize for last night." Ruthie told him.

"Apologize? For what?" Peter asked.

"Being sick, and not telling you anything."

"You shouldn't apologize for either." Peter explained. "Being sick was not your fault and you don't have to tell me anything you don't want too. I was so worried about you, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Ruthie told him.

"Look, I have to go, but do you want to come over for dinner?" Peter asked.

"Is it okay with your mom?" Ruthie asked.

"Yup."

"Sure, what time?"

"Around 5:30-6:00."

"Okay see you then."

Ruthie hung up and ran downstairs to ask her mom if she could go.

"Mom, would it be okay if I went to Peter's for dinner?"

"Don't you want to eat with your family tonight?"

"Sure, but I also want to go to Peter's. It's been awhile since I've been to his house. May I please go?"

Annie sighed. "Fine, you can go."

"Thanks so much!" Ruthie exclaimed and hugged her mom.

**

Peter's House

Ruthie rang the doorbell at 5:45. She was wearing jeans and a rugby long sleeve shirt. Peter answered the door.

"Hey, come on in." He said. Ruthie smiled. He kissed her on the cheek.

"Do you want to come up to my room until dinner is ready?" Peter asked.

"Sure." Ruthie replied and they ran down the hall to Peter's room.

"I hope you don't mind," Peter said, sitting down on his bed, "but my mom's new boyfriend is joining us for dinner."

"Oh, that's okay. Is he nice?" Ruthie asked.

"Yeah, he is. You know him, from church, he works with your dad, Chandler Hampton is his name." Peter replied.

"Chandler?! Chandler is coming here?!" Ruthie said, freaking out.

"Yeah, is that okay?" Peter asked.

"Peter, I have to go. I'm sorry."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I just don't really like Chandler, that's all."

"Well, if you get to know him better, you'll like him."

"Peter, you don't understand." Ruthie sighed. "I have to go."

*Ding Dong*

"Well, he's here now." Peter said. Ruthie was fighting to hold back tears. Not only would she have to see Chandler, she'd have to eat dinner with him. She couldn't hold back the tears much longer, as a single teardrop fell down her cheek, leaving a small mark on her pants. She quickly wiped her eyes and tried to smile.

"Ruthie? Tell me why you don't like Chandler." Peter asked, quietly. He had a feeling there was much more to this the she was saying.

"I just don't." She said, finally letting all her tears out. Peter pulled her into a hug.

"It's okay, honey." Peter said.

**Downstairs**

"Chandler, Peter is having his girlfriend over tonight, and they're going to eat with us, is that okay?"

"Of course, who is his girlfriend?"

"You know, Eric Camden's daughter Ruthie."

"Oh, Ruthie is here? That's great. She's a very nice girl." Chandler said.