That Thing You Do
Summary: Martin's picked up the bad habit of smoking. Ruthie tries to stop him, but he drifts further and further away from her with every cigarette he smokes. It's breaking Ruthie's heart to see Martin in this state. R & R. : )
Ch. 3
Martin's Problems
After school, Ruthie went to Martin's house to check on him again. She knocked three times before Martin answered.
"Yah?" he asked rudely.
"It's nice to see you too. I just came to check on you," Ruthie said sarcastically.
"Dang it! Ruthie! I'm not a baby! I don't need checking on!" Martin yelled, but soon calmed down, "Do you want to come in?"
"Yes, I need to talk to you," Ruthie said as she walked past Martin.
"Well I need to talk to you to. What the heck were you thinking going to that party last night? It was a college party; you're lucky Jack agreed to go with you."
"I can't believe you. You're so oblivious. You shouldn't be going to that party just as much as I shouldn't. And you should be glad I thought of you last night. You were past out on a couch from drinking," Ruthie yelled.
"I would've been fine. Now all my friends are gonna think I'm stupid because of you. They're gonna think I have some little girl watching out for me."
"Martin, those guys are not your friends. If you would rather have those college guys who don't even care about you be your friends than me, then I'm leaving. Martin, one day you're going to realize that your life is ruined if you don't stop now. You're under the influence. I probably won't see you later since you refuse to listen to me," Ruthie said walking out the door.
"Ruthie, wait," Martin said trying to stop her.
"What, Martin? You won't listen to me, what's the point in talking to you?" asked Ruthie without turning around. Martin stayed silent, so Ruthie turned around rolling her eyes, "What?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't want you watching out for me like I'm thirteen. I'm old enough to make my own decisions."
"Just because you're old enough to make the decisions doesn't mean they're the right decisions to make."
"Ruthie, you don't understand what my life is like right now. I'm going to be a teenage father. Meredith, whom I loved, broke up with me because I'm going to be a teenage father. I just want out of it. You don't know the feeling, Ruthie. You just don't know."
"Maybe I don't know Martin, but trying to get out of it by smoking and drinking won't make it any easier. If anything, it'll make things worse. Already you've had to skip school because you were hung-over."
"Ruthie, just lea—"
"Don't tell me to leave. I'm leaving on my own," Ruthie turned around and didn't even listen to see if he said anything else.
It was when she reached her house when she realized she would have to tell someone about Martin. Helping Martin alone wouldn't be as easy as she thought.
As Ruthie got home, she thought about whom she could tell. Her parents were not on the list of possibilities. She just couldn't do that to Martin, yet. Not Lucy, because she would tell Kevin, who would do something drastic. She had already told Simon, but he was too busy with school to help.
Who was left? Mary was too far away, and she didn't know Martin well enough. Matt, also, was too was busy. She would need to tell someone that could influence him, or at least talk to him. Sandy came to Ruthie's mind.
Sandy? Why would Martin even listen to Sandy? He hasn't for the past few months. She is carrying his baby, though, and Martin said that one reason he was upset was because of Sandy and the baby. Maybe she could get through to him. She's my only choice and I'm desperate.
Ruthie picked up her cell and called. The phone rang four times before Sandy answered,
"Hello?"
"Hi Sandy, it's Ruthie."
"Hi," Sandy replied sounding confused.
"Can I confide in you? It's about Martin. I need someone's help."
"Are you sure you want to tell me? I mean maybe you should talk to your parents or Lucy about it."
"No, I can't. It's—it's sort of serious. I can't tell my parents, yet. Lucy would end up telling Kevin, and he would try to solve the problem himself."
"Problem? Is Martin okay?" asked Sandy, almost worried.
"You have to promise me you won't tell anyone."
"I don't know, Ruthie. I couldn't keep a secret if it's harming somebody."
"Don't worry; I can take care of it."
"Okay," Sandy sighed, "I promise."
"I caught Martin smoking the other day."
"He was smoking?"
"Yes, and I found out he's been hanging out with these college guys who invited him to a party last night. I didn't think he would be safe there, so I got this guy, Jack, to drive me there and help me get him out."
"He went to a college party?"
"Yah, and when we got there we found him passed out on the couch, drunk. Today he's hung-over. The worst thing is he won't listen to me. I can't stop him. That's why I need your help."
"It sounds like he needs serious help, Ruthie. I really think you should tell your parents."
"I can't. I need you to talk to him."
"Me? Why would he even listen to me?"
"Because today, before he told me to leave, he told me that I didn't understand what he was going through. He's upset because he's going to be a teenage father, and his girlfriend broke up with him because of it. I thought that maybe you could talk with him because you understand what he's going through."
"Wow, he actually considers himself a father? He doesn't even want the baby, and if I was his girlfriend I'd break up with him too."
"Sandy, please, could you think about it? I mean, it's worth a try."
"Well, I'll do it only if you promise to tell your parents afterwards."
"I don't know."
"Ruthie, that's the only way I'll do it. He needs help, and the help he needs only your parents can give him."
Ruthie sighed.
"I guess you're right. I'm just afraid for him, but I promise. I'll tell my parents about him after you talk to him."
"I don't know when I'll get a chance to drive out, but I'll try my best to get there soon."
"Thanks, Sandy. This means a lot to me."
"Bye."
Ruthie hung up the phone hoping that Sandy would get through to Martin. He just needed to get rid of his so called college friends. With nothing to do, Ruthie walked downstairs and found her mom making dinner.
"Mm, that smells good. What is it?" she asked taking a peek in the oven.
"It's just parmesan chicken, and I'm making a Caesar salad to go with it. Would you like to set the table?"
"Sure," Ruthie said as she turned around and got out five of everything.
"Oh, and I've been meaning to ask you why Simon wanted to talk to you last night. I'm just curious."
"I—uh—just needed to talk to him about college," Ruthie lied.
I'm lying again. I'm lying for Martin.
"Why did you need to talk to him about college? Aren't you too young to be thinking about that?"
"Well, sort of. Martin told me to ask him about college life. You know, since Martin's going to college soon."
Lies, lies, lies.
"Oh," Annie said eyeing her daughter suspiciously, suspecting a lie, "Well, Simon called and said he was coming over for a couple days."
"Oh, really?" Ruthie said, delighted that he would be there to help her deal with Martin.
"Do you know why he's coming? I mean, I'm glad my son is visiting us, but there must be a solid reason for his trip."
"Maybe he wanted to talk to Martin about college."
Annie still didn't believe Ruthie, but let it drop.
"Don't forget to set an extra place for Simon," said Annie taking the chicken out of the oven. Ruthie finished setting the table and went to tell Sam and David that dinner was ready.
Just as she was walking down the stairs, there was a knock at the door. Right away Ruthie knew it must be Simon.
"Simon!" she yelled and embraced him in a hug.
"Hey Ruthie," he said overwhelmed with the hug, but smiling anyways.
They walked into the kitchen and the rest of the family greeted him with hugs.
"So where's Rose tonight," asked Eric, glad that she hadn't tagged along, but curious to where she was.
"She's staying with Sandy tonight. I guess it's some girl thing."
"It's good to see you Simon," said Annie.
"So, what's for dinner?" he asked smelling the sweet scent of chicken.
"Parmesan chicken and a Caesar salad," answered Annie.
"It's so good to be home, and to be eating a home cooked meal," he said smiling and staring at the kitchen.
"So, Simon, what brings you home?" asked Eric, suspecting bad news. Simon and Ruthie glanced at each other.
"Well, I have no classes tomorrow, so I thought I'd stop by. Plus Rose is staying at Sandy's so I wouldn't see her tomorrow probably anyways."
"Well, are you going to talk to Martin about college?" asked Annie. Simon looked to Ruthie who gave a quick nod.
"Yah, I think I'll talk to him tomorrow. Anyways, let's eat," he said rubbing his hands together and licking his lips.
The family sat down for dinner and prayed. Simon was the first to dig in.
After dinner Ruthie went upstairs to her bedroom; Simon followed her.
"So, why am I going to talk to Martin about college?" asked Simon.
"I had to tell Mom something besides the truth. You are here to help me, right?" asked Ruthie.
"Of course," Simon smiled, but then he looked serious, "So how is he?"
"Big-headed and stupid," she answered referring to Martin, "I told Sandy, Simon. I didn't think that you would be able to come down, so I called her and asked her for help."
"So now Sandy knows?" asked Simon.
"Yah, she said she would talk to him for me, and I promised I would tell Mom and Dad afterwards."
"That's a good idea. You need to tell them sooner or later. If you don't, I will."
"Simon, you can't. I promised Sandy I would. I'm going to, just not yet."
Ruthie picked up her cell phone realizing she had a missed message.
"Someone called me, and I don't recognize the number," she said as she dialed her voice mail and listened to the message.
"Hi Ruthie, it's Martin," Ruthie put it on speakerphone so Simon could hear, "I don't know when you'll get this, but I'm in trouble. I need your help, but please don't tell your parents this," there was a pause, "You need to come get me, Ruthie, I'm in jail."
A/N: I got over my writer's block. (I don't know if the songfic I wrote helped me) Anyways, I just thought if Simon came home, it would be easier for Ruthie to go and get Martin out of jail. So, what do you think? I know you might think bringing Sandy into it could be a mistake, but I'll work with it. Don't worry. ; ). A review would be much appreciated. : )!
To urbanluver – I'm glad you like reading my stuff. I love your stories, so write another: ) !
To Ghostwriter626 – Why are you confused?