2. Seasons of Change (2)

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

The hallways are packed with students hurrying to get to class. Through the pushing and shoving we see Ruthie walking aimlessly down the hall. Martin approaches her, "Hey, what's the matter," he said?

"Vincent," she said bluntly.

"What did he to do to you? Did he hurt you?"

"Yes, yes he hurt me," she said as she stared him straight in the eye with a cold glance that could make your bones curl.

"Well how exactly did he hurt you? Did he like physically hurt you, or did he emotion-"

"He left me! OK, HE LEFT ME!"

"Ruthie... i'm... really sorry," he said as he comforted her. "If there's anything I can do for you, let me know."

"There is something you can do for me," as she opens her locker.

"What is it?"

"This," she pulls on his shirt and kisses him. Not just some "kindegarden puppy love" kiss, but a real, full on "I love you" kiss.

Martin pulls away with a look of shock on his face. He stands there for a moment and then kisses her again. As we back away from the pair, Mac is standing there open-mouthed. He then shakes his head and walks away.

CAMDEN HOME

Simon walks in the kitchen door and sees that Sam and David are sitting at the counter eating cereal. "Why aren't you guys at school," he asked the two?

Sam replies, "We're sick. We didn't feel like going."

"Uh huh. OK, sure," he said as he put his laundy on the washing machine. "So where is everyone?"

"Ruthie and Martin are at school, Mommy and Kevin are at work, Lucy's upstairs with Savannah, and Daddy is in his office with some man I haven't seen before," said David as he shoved a spoonfull of Cheerios in his mouth.

"Do you know what the man looks like," asked Simon?

They both replied saying, "No."

Lucy comes down the stairs, looking tired and worn out. "Simon! I didn't know you were coming home this weekend," she said as she gave him a hug.

"Yeah I didn't either until I realized I didn't have any money," he said.

"You're not in any trouble again, are you," she asked?

"No, no of course not. I just decided to come back home for the weekend to get some home cooking... and well maybe to borrow a few bucks!"

"Simon," she exclaimed! "You can't keep coming back home whenever you need something. That's not what college life is about! Your supposed to be on your own, away from your family."

"Come on Luce, give me a break," he exclaimed.

"Quiet, you're going to wake up Savannah! I just put her down because she's been up all night with this stupid cough."

"Anything to worry about," he asked?

"I don't think so."

"That's good," he said.

ERIC'S HOME OFFICE

"So you're saying that your here to stay," asked Eric?

"Yes, I'm back for good," said the man.

"And they don't have a problem with it? I mean, they actually let you go," he asked?

"Yes, no strings attached!"

"Well this is unbelieveable," said Eric!

"I know. I'm sure Martin will be as glad as I am. Him and I can finally be a family again. I'm thinking of moving back East, where I was born. It's a nice town in Pennsylvania. I'm sure Martin will like it very much there."

"I'm sure he will," said Eric. "And i'm sure he'll be glad to have his father back home again safely too."

"Yes, I can't wait till he comes home so I can surprise him," said Mr. Brewer.

Eric smiles gently and leans back in his chair.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

Ruthie is talking with some friends when Vincent passes by. "I see you've moved on quickly," said Vincent as he pulled her aside.

"Listen, you said you've been seeing another girl at the same time, the same time, you were seeing me! So clearly we didn't have a real relationship, so clearly there was nothing to move on from," she yelled! "Besides it was only a kiss, and how did you know about it?"

"People talk Ruthie," he exclaimed!

"Yeah whatever," she said as she glances past him. "Look don't you have some girl to hook up with?"

"What? Ruthie you've changed so much since yesterday. What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing that concerns you!" She walks past him and approaches Martin. "Hey Martin, about earlier in the hall, I don't really know what came over me. Well i'm sorry."

"Don't be," he said. "I'm not."

"Ohhhhhhh really?" She kisses him and they hold eachother for a moment. Then they walk away and get into Martin's car. Vincent stands in disgust and walks away.

CAMDEN HOME

Lucy checks in on Savannah just to see that she's breathing right. She then goes into her room and sits on the bed dialing a number on the phone. It starts to ring and someone picks up. "Hello?"

"Hey it's me," she said.

"Hey you. You haven't called me since last week, I was beginning to wonder where you've gone."

"Yeah i'm sorry. Listen I think I should be able to get out tonight. Ummmm how does 8:00 sound?

"8:00 sounds fine."

"Good. I can't wait to see you again, I miss you."

"I miss you too."

"Look someone's coming I have to go, but i'll meet you at Eddie's at 8:00 OK?"

"OK. I love you."

"I love you too," she said. She hangs up.

Simon enters the doorway, "Who was that, Kevin?"

"What, oh um... yeah. Why?"

"Well becuase you said "I love you" and Kevin is your husband so-"

"Yeah I know, he was just calling to see how Savannah was doing."

"OK." He walks away. Lucy lies down and takes in a deep breath and lets out a long sigh.

FADE TO BLACK