Martin followed Ruthie to her room seeking answers. The door was shut tight, and he knocked lightly.
"It's Martin."
"Come in."
He found her sitting on her bed toying with her brunette hair.
"I was hoping you could tell me something, because from the way you were telling me about my life, it sounded like I was a pretty nice guy. Yet, when I heard that girl say I had a baby that was miscarried, it sounded like I might be some kind of player. Did I get someone pregnant? And then did I cause her to lose the baby?"
Ruthie missed the old Martin already.
"Martin, you are the nicest guy I've ever known. When you told me you got Sandy pregnant, I cried and hated you. But it happened, and I accepted it. You see, there was a big misunderstanding. The way you tried to tell me about Sandy and the baby, it sounded like you said that you loved me. And, I loved you too. It was such a shock to discover you weren't telling me you loved me, but that you were saying, 'I got Sandy pregnant.'"
Martin felt guilt for his actions, even though he didn't recall any such happenings.
"So what you're saying is that I'm nice, but I got someone pregnant?"
"Yes. Lately, though, you've been kind of a jerk towards Sandy. You avoided her. You wouldn't talk to her. You pretty much hated her. You didn't want anything to do with her. You went on one date with her in the summer and it happened, but you wouldn't accept it."
"So lately I haven't been so nice?"
"No."
…
"So, you loved me?"
"I did."
"Why?"
"Because you're lovable," Ruthie smiled, missing the old Martin even more.
He laughed softly.
"Who do you love now? Jack? When I first met you, well after my accident, I thought you two were together."
"He's two years older than me, but the truth is, I used to like him. I wanted to go out with him, but my dad thought he was too old for me. I had to go through a lot to get permission. But then when I did have the permission, I didn't want to go out with him. Jack and I both realized that the age difference was too awkward, at least I did. I thought he did, but just recently…"
"What? What happened recently?"
"A lot. Everything went crazy. I just about died when I heard about your accident. I'm just glad you're alive. Anyways, during all the chaos, Jack told me that he loved me. I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just changed the subject. That's when we decided to go to the hospital to see you. At first I was afraid, but I knew I had to face it. Then as we drove together in Jack's car, he brought it back up, asking me if I loved him back. There have been several awkward moments I've been in lately. Again I changed the subject, saying I wanted to see you before I told him."
"Do you love him?"
Ruthie found herself talking to Martin like he was himself. She felt he still had that essence that she loved about him, that made it easy to talk to him.
"I don't know. I didn't even think about it until he brought it up. I was completely clueless. I was so preoccupied with other things. I had a lot on my mind."
"Ruthie? Do you still love me?"
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Ruthie's POV
Of course I still loved him. But he's not the same person. I still love Martin Brewer, but Martin Brewer isn't Martin Brewer anymore. He's a whole knew person. Of course, he'll have the same likes and dislikes, won't he? He'll still like baseball. He's still Martin, just without all the experiences, right? He's the same person, but he just doesn't remember anything he's been through. Or does he still like baseball? Is he a totally different person? I don't know. I want Martin Brewer. I want the old Martin Brewer.
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"Do you think we should check on Martin and Ruthie?" asked Annie, concerned.
"Mom, let them be. I'm sure Ruthie misses the old Martin and is filling him in on everything. I think it'd be better if Martin heard about Sandy and the baby from her. Meanwhile, Sandy is undergoing surgery either right now, or soon. I want to get back to her and comfort her," said Lucy, feeling better than she was previously.
"I think maybe one of us should go. You need to catch up with your husband and daughter," commented Eric.
"Are you sure? I mean Sandy might feel more comfortable if I went."
"Honey, she'll understand, just let one of us go for now and then after you have dinner and get changed you can come down to comfort her," said Annie.
"Alright mom. I'll see you later. Thanks for the help."
Annie turned to Eric and sighed. "There's so much to do, so many people to tell," she said.
"You tell Ruthie to stay here and watch the twins. I think she and Martin need some time alone to get reacquainted, sort of. I'm going with you to Sandy.
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Jack's POV
Everything's crazy now. I feel like I'm the culprit, the causer. If I hadn't longed for Ruthie and been so obsessed, maybe Martin wouldn't have amnesia. But love can't be helped. I'm crazy about her. I think I'm even wilder about her than before.
I may even be jealous of Martin. He's been in a car accident and he has amnesia and I'm jealous of him. I really must be crazy about her.
How could it have come to this? Why is it that I first realized that she was too young, and then I realized I didn't care if she was too young because she was too perfect? Everything that makes me crazy I bring about myself.
But that doesn't change a thing. I still am in love with her whether she loves me or not.
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Ruthie thought long and hard before giving Martin an answer. If Martin wasn't the same person, and he had feelings for her, he wouldn't now. But if Martin were to fall in love with her without knowing their past experiences… but it wouldn't be the same Martin. It would be a different person. He would be different.
As Martin waited for an answer, he realized the subject might be raw still. He didn't want to push her into saying something she didn't want to say.
Ruthie and Martin's thoughts were interrupted when Annie walked in.
"Hi Ruthie. Hi Martin," she said trying to make things familiar to Martin by saying names constantly, "Will you watch Sam and David while Dad and I go check on Sandy?"
"Sure, mom."
"Oh, and make sure they're in bed by 8:30. I love you. Bye Martin."
"Bye, uh-" Martin stopped forgetting Annie's name.
"Mrs. Camden," Annie answered for him.
"Bye Mrs. Camden," he smiled.
She was off at that.
"Well, Martin, I guess I need to give you an answer."
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This is a pretty long one. Reviews are MUCH APPRECIATED! This is the third chapter I've written today. I'm on a roll. Well, hope you liked! Now go review: )
- Jambaa