Chapter 10

"So where do you think Simon went?" Mrs. Camden asked, as she rearranged the pillows on the bed.

"I hope that he went to talk to Sandy," Reverend Camden sighed.

Mrs. Camden climbed into bed next to her husband. "Simon's a good kid. He'll do the right thing."

"Do you know what is going on with Ruthie and Martin?" Reverend Camden asked.

Mrs. Camden wrinkled her noise. "What makes you think there is something going on with them?"

Reverend Camden shrugged. "Have you seen the way they look at each other? There is defiantly something going on."

"Eric, Ruthie is 16 and she deserves to have a little privacy when it comes to guys and dating," Mrs. Camden told her husband.

"With Ruthie it is different…I mean, when Lucy and Mary were dating they could hide it better…" Reverend Camden stated.

"And that gave you an excuse to go spy on them," Mrs. Camden finished.

"Ruthie's never really been good when it comes to keeping her relationships a secret," Reverend Camden stated.

"Admit it, your little girl is growing up," Mrs. Camden urged.

"I know…I know Ruthie is growing up and deserves privacy. It's just, I want to be there for her," Reverend Camden told his wife.

"Ruthie knows that you are always there for her and she will come to us when and if she needs help. Until then, I think just letting her know you care is enough," Mrs. Camden said.

"I love you," Reverend Camden said, as he gave Mrs. Camden a kiss.

"I love you too."

Just then, Simon walked into the room.

"Hi," Reverend Camden greeted his son.

"Hi," Simon said.

"Where have you been? And please tell me that you went to talk to Sandy," Reverend Camden told him.

"Yes, I went to talk to Sandy," Simon told his father.

"And…" Reverend Camden pushed.

"And I told her exactly what I told you. I told her that I was there for her and the baby. Dad, I'm not going to marry Sandy just because she had my baby. I don't love her…not right now anyway," Simon replied.

"Good night Simon. I love you," Reverend Camden told him.

Good Night. I love you," Mrs. Camden told her son.

Just then, Ruthie walked in.

"Good night Simon," Ruthie told him.

"Good night," Simon said as he walked down the hallway to his old room.

Ruthie walked over to the side of her parent's bed.

"I heard you and Dad talking. You were right Dad, there is something going on between me and Martin."

A smile spread across Ruthie's face. "It finally happened, Martin finally kissed me, and he told me that he loved me."

"Ruthie, that's great," Mrs. Camden gushed.

"I'm really happy about it. I really do love him," Ruthie told them.

"I 'm happy for you Ruthie," Reverend Camden told his daughter.

"Thanks," Ruthie said as she started to leave the room.

As she was about to leave, she spun around.

"Dad," Ruthie said.

"Yeah," Reverend Camden replied.

"Thanks for always being there for me. It means a lot," Ruthie told her father.

"I love you Ruthie," Reverend Camden told her.

"I love you too." With that, Ruthie walked down the hallway to her room.

Reverend Camden let out a loud sigh as he watched his youngest daughter go. Ruthie sure had grown up, but no matter how old she got, she would always be his little girl… and nothing could ever change that.