In shock, Martin walked across the street. He kept replaying what he had just witnessed in the Camden home. Panic was beginning to set in. He hastily pushed open the screen door of his home and began frantically searching for his car keys. His breathing became labored as he tried in vain to find them.

Innocently, his Dad walked into the room and asked casually, "Looking for something?"

Martin looked up at his Dad. His father could see the distress written all over his face.

"What's wrong?" he asked fearfully.

Martin continued looking for his keys while he breathlessly spewed bits of information at his Dad. None of it was making sense to Bill Brewer.

Nervously, Martin explained, "It's Ruthie. She's knows about Sandy. They took her to the hospital."

Bill misunderstood and questioned, "Is something wrong with the baby? Why is Sandy in the hospital?"

Martin shook his head while he tore apart a junk drawer.

"No, not Sandy - Ruthie! She picked up the glass. There was blood everywhere. They took HER to the hospital!" he exclaimed emphatically.

Again, Bill Brewer jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Shocked, he yelled, "She tried to kill herself? When she found out about you and Sandy...she tried to KILL HERSELF?"

Martin immediately answered an emphatic "No!"

Bill just stared at his son. He was completely confused and Martin wasn't making sense. He took his arms and steadied Martin by his shoulders.

"Stop for a minute and TELL ME what happened!" he commanded his son. He could feel his son's body trembling.

Martin took a deep breath and hurriedly explained, "I went to the Camden's and I told Ruthie the truth. She was really angry...she told me that she hated me. I told her that I hated myself. She stormed out and went to her room. The next thing we knew there was this huge crash. We all ran up to see what it was..."

Martin paused as he relived the horrific scene.

Impatiently, Bill asked "And what WAS it?"

Martin swallowed hard and said quietly, "It was Ruthie. This mirror was smashed into a billion pieces and she was on the ground trying to pick up the pieces. She was crying and bleeding all over the place. It was..."

Bill interrupted his son.

"Let's go, NOW!" he instructed his son. "I'll drive."

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Ruthie hadn't said a word to any of them. It was, as if, she was in shock. The truth was that she had nothing to say to any of them. How could they have kept this a secret from her for so many months? She was angry - most especially at her parents. They had listened to her talk about Martin - about what her dreams might be with him someday in their future - and they never said a word. Not one single word about his predicament. For that, she believed, she would NEVER forgive them.

Dr. Billings entered the room and provided a pleasant greeting to Ruthie, Eric and Annie.

"Seems like someone had a little accident here. Don't you know that if you break a mirror, it will bring you seven years bad luck?" he joked to Ruthie.

Ruthie didn't respond.

Dr. Billings tried a more conservative approach.

"Ruthie, can you tell me how this happened?" he asked.

Again, she didn't answer.

Annie stepped in.

"Ruthie, answer Dr. Billings. Please explain to him how this happened." she said gently.

Ruthie remained silent.

Eric tried next.

He looked at Dr. Billings and explained, "Ruthie had just received some disappointing news and..."

Dr. Billings didn't give Eric a chance to finish his sentence. He immediately and sternly asked Ruthie, "Did you do this to hurt yourself intentionally?"

Ruthie didn't answer.

Eric boldly asserted, "Ruthie, tell him that you did NOT do this on purpose. TELL HIM that this was an accident!"

She sat silent.

Annie and Eric's mouths dropped.

Dr. Billings examined Ruthie's hands. He knew instantly that her wounds were not a serious suicide attempt - but still - he needed to hear that from his patient.

Compassionately, he said to Mr. and Mrs. Camden, "I'd like a few minutes to speak with Ruthie, alone."

The two rose and Eric protectively put his arm around his unsteady wife as they exited the room.

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"What's going on?" Kevin asked with concern when he saw his in-laws. "Is Ruthie okay?"

Annie immediately responded, "The doctor asked her if she did this intentionally. She wouldn't answer him."

Kevin's eyes went to Eric. He had never seen his father-in-law look so scared.

"That's crazy!" Kevin asserted. "Ruthie, would NEVER do something like this intentionally. I mean we all know she likes Martin but finding out about Sandy wouldn't push her to KILL herself!"

All were unaware of the Brewers standing behind them.

Martin had frozen in his tracks when he overheard the conversation. Ruthie had hurt herself on purpose after she heard about Sandy. That COULDN'T be true. Ruthie wasn't like that. He knew she'd be upset and disappointed...but NOT suicidal.

"Is she okay?" Bill asked with intense concern.

Eric just shrugged his shoulders and gave him a despondent look.

Martin's voice cracked when he asserted "I NEED to see her. I NEED to talk to her. This was an ACCIDENT. She would NEVER..."

Kevin's anger got the best of him.

"What makes you so sure that this was an accident, pal?" he scoffed. "You've been leading her on for a year now - and now she has to deal with this crap? The LAST thing that she needs right now is to talk to you!"

Bill Brewer protectively stepped between his son and Kevin.

"Who the Hell do you think you are?" Bill yelled at Kevin.

The two men's angry eyes locked on each other.

Martin's eyes widened as Kevin's words sank in.

"Lead her on?" Martin confusingly questioned. "WHAT are you talking about?"

Kevin continued, "You KNOW she's had a crush on you for over a year. You think it's all cute to have this 16 year old in love with you...following you around...trying ANYTHING to get your attention!"

Martin instantly insisted, "I DIDN'T know - and I HAVEN'T been leading her on. Ruthie and are are friends...best friends."

Kevin taunted, "If you're such great friends than how come you didn't see this coming?"

Martin ran his hand through his hair and quietly repeated "I don't know. I don't know." as he sank into a chair.