CHAPTER 3 RUTHIE

"Ruthie, honey, wake up… it's time for school." Uh, 6:00 am has arrived and so begins another day of school. I don't really feel like going today. Maybe I'll play a little hooky.

"Mom, I don't feel well today. Will you come up here?" I can fake sick for a day.

As she walks into my room she says to me, "Does this have anything to do with Martin?" How could she possibly know? I haven't told anyone. I've been doing great.

"No, no of course not. What would this have to do with Martin?" I say this a little too quickly and I know that she thinks something must be up.

"Nothing, I just found it a little suspicious that both of you are staying home sick today." He's staying home sick. Hmmm, this could be kind of fun. We can hang out.

"Why is he staying home?"

"He's been throwing up since last night. I think he might have the stomach flu. Why don't you go back to sleep, and when you wake up I'll make you both some soup.

I wake up around 10:00 just as Mom is walking into my room. "How long have you been awake? I was just coming to get you up?"

"I just opened my eyes. Are you going somewhere? You have your purse with you."

"Yes, I was just going to run some errands. I have some soup for you and Martin down on the counter; will you take it to him?

"Sure, where is he?"

"He's downstairs on the couch watching TV. You should eat with him, so he'll have someone to keep him company while I go to the store.

"Okay." She then leaves my room, and I get up and put on my robe and slippers. They are these really cute SpongeBob slippers; you put your feet in where his mouth is. I wore really cute PJ's to bed last night so I don't have to worry about those. I head down the stairs and make a pit stop in the bathroom to fix my hair.

I go through the kitchen and put our soups onto TV trays and I get us both a can of Sprite. I then make my way for the family room. I stop for a second and look at him lying there, with the trash can near his head. I feel so sorry for him. But on the bright side I'm here to take care of him and keep him company. We can watch movies and we can talk. This is could be a great day for me. "Hey you, do you think you can keep down some chicken noodle soup?"

"Hi Ruthie, yeah I might be able to. Are you sick too? Where did your Mom go? I think I might need some more medicine."

"Yes, the store, and I'll get it for you."

"Thanks." I set the tray in front of him and head to the medicine cabinet to retrieve some Pepto-Bismol. I grab the bottle and pour some into the little cup that comes with it. I go back and as I'm setting it on Martin's tray he asks me if he has a fever. I feel his forehead with the back of my hand, but I just washed them so I can't tell. I lean over and put his forehead to my cheek.

"Yes, you're burning up! I'll go get you some ibuprofen to break the fever. In the meantime get rid of some of those blankets, it'll never go away with you bundled up like that."

"But I'm cold; I don't want to take off the blankets. Can I keep them… please?"

"Nope, this isn't negotiable, if it gets too high your going to take an ice bath. Now hand me one of your blankets!" I move toward him and he scoots away. "Martin! Give me the blanket!" I grab the blanket and pull. Oh my gosh, he's only in his boxers. "Well, that's why you're so cold. While I'm getting you the ibuprofen I'll also grab you some sweatpants." That was the hardest sentence of my life, plus I'm sure I'm blushing like crazy.

About an hour later he asks me to check his forehead again. So I do, with joy I might add. "Nope, you're as cool as a cucumber. If you still feel cold you can have a blanket now."

"No I think I'm good now. Although I am getting a little tired."

"Well, why don't I put in a movie and you can lie down. What do you want to watch?"

"How about 50 First Dates, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone that I picked it."

"50 First Dates it is, I love that movie." I got up and put the movie in and then I sat next to him on the couch. "Here you can lay your head on my lap." So he grabs a pillow and a blanket and lies down. I wish we could stay like this forever. We get to the part in the movie where he sings to her. I love that song, I've seen this movie so many times that I sing along:

The Hukilau is the place

Where I first saw your face

We liked each other right away

But you didn't remember me the very next day

Forgetful Lucy

Has got a nice caboose-y

I used to trick you into pulling your car over so we could chat

But my favorite time was when you beat the shit out of Ula with a bat

Than we drove up to see Dr. Keets

And find out why Doug always has to change his sheets

Forgetful Lucy

Cracked her head like Gary Busey

But I still love her so

And I'll never let her go

Even if while I'm singing this song

She's wishing I had Jocko the Walrus' shlong

Forgetful Lucy

Her lips are so damn juicy

How about another first kiss?

I look down at Martin and his eyes are closed. I've never seen him asleep before. He looks adorable, like he has not a care in the world. My eyes are getting heavy and before I know it I'm falling asleep too. I woke up after the movie was over with Martin's head still on my lap. Uh, I shouldn't have had that Sprite; I have to pee so badly. But I don't want to wake him up yet. I glance at the clock, wow it's already 1:30 pm. I wonder if Mom is home. I nudge Martin a little; he stirs but does not wake up. "Martin," I whisper every so quietly. "Martin, wake up. Martin I really have to go to the bathroom." Finally he opens his eyes and sits up. I already miss the warmth of his body.

After I go to the restroom I look around for Mom. She's not back yet; she must have had a lot of things to do today. I go back into the family room and see Martin huddled under the covers again. "I think you might have another fever. Here, let me check." This is getting to be one of my favorite things to do. He's usually so independent, I love taking care of him. "You sure do, I'll get you some more medicine."

"I think I'm gonna to be sick." I have never seen someone run that fast up stairs. I follow him upstairs and make it to the bathroom just in time to hear him flush the toilet. I get a cold rag and dab his forehead. "You know Ruthie; I really appreciate you doing all of this for me. I know you're not feeling well either, this really means a lot to me."

"If you promise not to tell my mother, I'm not actually sick. I was really tired and I didn't feel like going today. So I faked."

"Well I'm glad you did. Today, despite having the stomach flu and puking up my guts earlier, was nice. Do you want to watch another movie?"

"Yeah I'd love to. What do we watch now though?"

"I chose last time. It's your turn this time. Don't pick too girly of one though."

"You might have to sit through another girly one. But you're the one who picked 50 First Dates! I was going to choose The Shop Around the Corner. Is that alright with you? If you really don't want to watch it we don't have to."

"No no, that's fine. I have to admit Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors. But first can we get some lunch or something. I'm actually really hungry."

"That's a really good sign. Do you want more soup?" I see the look on his face, "Or I could make you a sandwich or something? I'll make you whatever you want… within reason." Please be something easy. Please be something easy.

"How about scrambled eggs and toast? I'll help you, but first I'm going to go get something from my room. Okay?"

"That sounds fine. I'll go get started." I go to the kitchen and I get out all of the ingredients I'll need. I set them on the counter and get out the plates and glasses. Martin comes down the stairs in the kitchen wearing not only the sweatpants I brought him earlier but also a sweatshirt. "You can wear the shirt, but when we sit back down no more blankets." He makes a little pouty face, and my heart swoons. But I have to be firm, so I get back to making lunch.

I put the eggs in the skillet and Martin puts the bread in the toaster. While he's waiting for the toast he opens the fridge looking for something to drink. "Milk?"

"Yeah, milk's fine with me." He gets it out and pours us both a glass. The eggs are almost done and the toast just popped up. He butters the toast and puts two slices on each of our plates. With a spatula I put the eggs on both of our plates. "I didn't realize I was so hungry. Thanks for your help."

"Yeah me either, and it was no problem. I am glad to help out someone who has done so much for me today." We make a really great team. I can see us making dinner in our kitchen with our kids outback playing. I have to stop thinking like this. It's downright scary. I'm not even dating him and I'm thinking about our kids. How freaked out would he be if he knew?

I look at him and he looks at me, we share a moment. A moment I will remember for the rest of my life. It's like for a split second he knows, and he feels the same way. But then in walks Mom. "Oh you two are feeling better I see."

"Yeah, Mom we are feeling better. Martin has had a fever on and off all day though."

"That's not a good sign; you might have to go to the doctor tomorrow."

"Ruthie's been taking really good care of me though. You've taught her well when it comes to mothering a sick child." I swear I am in love with this man. He just said I'll be a good mother.

"I'll clean up in here. Why don't you two go back to the family room and watch a movie?" We both get up and head back to the couch. And that's how we spend the rest of the day, sprawled out in the family room watching movies. Unfortunately it's only Thursday and I have to go back to school tomorrow, I don't know how I can make it through an entire day without talking to Martin.

To be continued…

Author's Notes:

Forgetful Lucy by Adam Sandler

Chapter 4 should be up in a couple of days