Life 7

Mac walked up to Martin and lowly said "What are you doing man?"

"What do you mean?"

"You are breaking her heart"

"I just need some time. Will you watch over her?"

"You know I will"

Martin

The next two months flew by as I went to work and home. Most Sundays, I found myself at the Camden's for dinner since it was the only day that I couldn't work.

Nights were the hardest, because that would be when I thought about Ruth and what she was doing. I didn't know what to say or how to say it because I knew at this point in my life, I wouldn't be able to give myself completely to her.

One afternoon I got out of work early and came home. In my mailbox there was a letter addressed to me.

I opened it up and read it twice before going upstairs and packing an small bag. I then called Kevin.

"Kinkirk residence"

"Hey"

"Martin? How are you?"

"Not well. I was wondering if you could take me to the airport"

"Sure, is everything okay?"

"It will be" I said as Kevin said "I'll be there be in twenty"

"So where are going?" Kevin finally asked when we reached the airport.

"To New York. I'm going to see Ruth"

"Good for you. Give her a hug from me"

"I will" I promised and got out the car, the letter stashed in my bag. Ruth was the only person who would be able to help me with this. I only hoped I wasn't too late.

Meanwhile

Ruth

"Hey" Mac greeted as he walked into my apartment. I was wearing sweats and eating a carton of Rum Raisen ice cream. In the background you could hear Joni Mitchell crooning "Both sides now"

"How many times have you been listening to this!" Mac exclaimed as he shut it off and grabbed the ice cream from me as he continued saying "We are going out tonight. Go put on something hot and I'll take you dancing"

"I don't feel like dancing" I replied simply as I grabbed the ice cream back.

"Ruth Camden" he began "You need to stop wallowing listening to this depressing music. You gave him three months, live it up. You know as well as I do that he's going to come back"

"Maybe not this time" I replied softly as the tears rolled down.

"See you need a drink. Let's go" and with that he pulled me up from the couch and shoved me towards my bedroom.

Half an hour later, I came out wearing low rider jeans, a black wife beater and jean jacket. I also had on black boots and gold hoops.

"Sexy enough for you?" I asked dryly as Mac smiled his approval and we left.

Once we got to the club, Mac went straight up to the bar and ordered tequila.

"Who's the tequila for?" I asked him as I looked around the club. There were a lot of people there and a couple of them started looking at me.

I downed the first tequila and Mac smiled his approval as he said "I'll get you another" and left. Just then a guy came up and said "Ruth Camden? I love your music"

"Thanks" I replied smiling politely as he nervously shuffled and said "would you mind performing that remix that just came out?"

"The hips don't lie one?" I ask as he nodded. "Sure, but I'll need a rapper."

"I can lip-sync if you want"

"What the heck" I agreed as we went onto stage and the opening beats to my song went on. As soon as I started to belly dance the crowd went wild.

After two more songs, I got off the stage and everyone went back to dancing. I walked over to Mac, who was still at the bar. He smiled at me and ask "When did you learn to belly dance?"

"Last year. Just for exercise" I replied as I downed tequila.

"Okay missy, I think you've had enough"

I pouted slightly before making a face and running to the bathroom. I made it just in time. A few minutes later, Mac walked into the ladies room and helped me out to the car.

"I threw up" I stated to him as he nodded and said "I know Sweetie"

"Why did you let me drink so much?"

"I'm sorry, I should have known better"

By the time we reached my apartment, I got out and was barely able to walk. As we walked up the front steps, I stopped and puked once more in the bushes. That's when I heard a deep voice.

"Mac? What is wrong with her?"

"Martin? How are ya buddy?' Mac asked as Martin looked at him angrily before turning his attention to me.

"Ruth baby. Can you walk?"

"I'm tired" I replied in a petulant voice as he sighed and swooped me into his arms.

"Martin?" I asked tiredly

"Yes baby?"

"My head hurts"

"I know and it will probably hurt tomorrow as well. Don't worry I'll stay and take care of you"

"Thanks" I replied happily as I snuggled closer to his chest before remembering something else.

"Martin?"

"Hmm"

"I love you"

"I know. I love you too. We'll talk about it in the morning"

"Okay"

By this time we were on our way to my bedroom where he laid me on the bed and helped as I took off my shoes.

"Think you can handle the rest?"

"Yes" I sleepily replied as he nodded and said "Don't fall asleep until you take some aspirin, I'll be back in 2 minutes"

When he returned I had managed to take my jeans off slip underneath the covers.

He gave me some water and the aspirin and watched as I swallowed them down. Then he smiled before lightly kissing my forehead and saying "Get some sleep, I'll be in the living room if you need me"

Martin

As I walked into the living room, I could see Mac sitting down waiting for me. Before he opened his mouth, I said "What the hell were you thinking letting her drink!"

"I didn't know she would get drunk. She was moping around and eating ice cream and listening to that stupid Joni Mitchell song and I was tired of her hurting, so I took her out! Sue me"

"What would have happened if I wasn't here?"

"I would have taken care of her as I have been doing for the past two months when you so callously told her you weren't ready to be in a relationship with her. Remember?"

I stopped suddenly as my shoulders dropped. Mac was right. I had no right to barge in and take over when he was the one who had been there with her.

"I'm sorry, it's just when it comes to her"

"I know" Mac interrupted before adding "You get crazy. I understand. Your girl is hot. She performed that 'Hips' song at the club and they were all over her"

"Really" I asked as I felt my fingers automatically clench into a fist.

"Relax. I made sure there was no inappropriate touching" Mac said as he sat back and said "What brings you here?"

"I just got a letter that changes a lot of things in my life and Ruth's and I miss her...you know?"

"Yeah" Mac replied seriously as he continued "It's almost as though she is the oxygen and you keep coming back because you need it to survive."

"Yes" I replied slowly as I looked over at Mac. This was the first time I had seen him serious about any girl in a while.

"Are you...did you" I began not quite sure on how to approach it and dreading it at the same time.

"Naw, you have always been THE ONE Martin. No one else" Mac quietly reassured me before standing up "I'll see you two later. Try not to get her up too early; she is going to have a really bad headache. Plus she has a benefit concert tomorrow night"

"Speaking from experience?" I teased as Mac laughed and said "once or twice"

As Mac walked out he turned around and said "Martin? Let me make this clear. You better be here to tell her you are ready because if you are not, we are through. She doesn't deserve this"

"I know" I replied softly as I looked him in the face and said "That's why I 'm here"

After Mac left, I went back to check on Ruthie. She was sleeping peacefully. As I made my way over to the bed, I noticed that she had our picture on her nightstand.

She turned once and sleepily opened one eye "Hey"

"Hi" I softly replied as she patted the bed and said "Come keep me company while I sleep"

"Okay" I agreed readily as I walked over and joined her on the bed. I figured that I would wait until she fell asleep and then go into her guest room.

She moved closer to me, wrapped her arms around my waist, sighed and went back to bed.

"Great" I mumbled to myself as I realized she had ineffectively ruined my plan. It was going to be a long night.