May 1, 2006

Dear Journal,

Today was a terrible day. I went to school, but I could hardly focus in all of my classes. I didn't even linger in the halls in hopes that getting to my classes early would make the day go faster.

All I could think about was poor Martin. He went home…back to his real home, I mean. He didn't want to go back to the apartment that he and Sandy were living in. He said that he's going to try to find a way to break the contract and get out of that place. Of course, Mom and Dad said that they were willing to help in any way that they could.

As soon as I got home from school, I called Martin to check on him. We only talked for a little while because he had a game today. Imagine that – getting dumped by an obnoxious girl who just happens to have possession of your child, and then being expected to give it your all at a tough game against one of the baseball team's biggest rivals the VERY NEXT DAY! I don't know how he does it…but anyway, here's a snippet of our phone conversation. I was so caught up in talking to him that this is basically all I can remember…

M: Hello?

R: Hey, Martin. It's Ruthie.

M: Oh, hey…um, I thought you were Sandy.

R: I could tell by your voice. You're pretty scared of her now, aren't you?

M: Well she's taking my kid across the country!

R: Good point. So did you actually talk to her today?

M: Uh…yeah.

R: Martin, please don't tell me there was another argument.

M: Okay, there wasn't another argument…are you happy?

R: Ha, you're real convincing.

M: She's just being so stubborn. She won't just be rational. He's MY KID, too!

R: I know.

M: She thinks she's so 'strong' for standing her ground. It's senseless!

R: And you've tried talking to her like a mature adult?

M: Ruth, if you could only see her…listen to her…she's losing it.

So it's looking like things really are over. Martin wasn't excited at first when he found out that he and Sandy would be having a baby. In fact, he was kind of a jerk with her up until the day when Aaron was born. Then he sort of…changed. He became the caring, supportive Martin that he's always been with us. And even though he was still uncomfortable with Sandy and wasn't exactly head over heels for her, things were looking up.

But then Sandy revealed her true self. The whole 'girl next door' act was just to lure Martin in, then, once she felt like she had him caught in her web, she didn't feel the need to hide anymore. She blossomed into a rude, assertive, obnoxious girl that no one could stand to be around, including Martin. And now Martin's finally been given the chance to get away from her, and he can't because of Aaron! He's fighting and fighting no matter how many times she puts him down, just for Aaron. It's so pitiful, and I don't mean that in a harsh way. I wish there was something I could do. WHY DO THINGS HAVE TO BE SO CRAZY AND MESSED UP!

But In other news, Simon and Cecilia have been talking a lot lately about getting married. Yes, I do often play the role of Ruthie the Snoop, but at least Simon doesn't know that.

So, hopefully they'll get married and their relationship won't fall apart the way Martin and Sandy's has. Actually, I know it won't because Cecilia's not obnoxious – at least not anymore. She used to have boyfriend issues…she was kind of a two-timer. But now she's seen the light, and she tries to be friendly and understanding; motherly, really.

If only Simon could be as nice as her…I'm just kidding. Simon's okay. But he's my older brother. I can't be overly fond of him or my parents would think that I was an alien from another planet. Sibling taunting and teasing is expected of children, no matter what age.

While I was eavesdropping on Simon's phone conversation today, my cell phone rang. Guess who? It was Peter. THIS phone conversation I can remember!

R: Hello?

P: Ruthie, it's me.

R: Hi, Peter.

P: I didn't see you in the halls at school today. I missed you.

R: Oh…

P: Oh? Is that all you have to say?

(He wasn't expecting an "I miss you too" was he? Nah, of course he wasn't!)

R: What do you mean?

P: Haven't you been missing me too?

(Oh…maybe he was! What a surprise!)

R: As a friend.

P: What's that supposed to mean? You're missing me as a 'friend'?

R: I guess that did sound pretty stupid.

P: Yeah, it did.

R: Well, I meant everything I said that day. Sorry.

P: Okay, if that's the way you're going to be.

R: Like I said…sorry!

P: But Ruthie you're the only girl who every really understood me.

R: Peter, I DO understand you – completely. And you're not ready for a relationship!

P: I really care about you.

(Was that sappy? Yes, yes it was very sappy indeed…unless it had been Martin who said it. dreamy sigh)

R: Well, I don't care about you in that way anymore.

P: I'll change!

R: No, Peter. Just let it go.

P: But –

R: Just let it go.

click

dial tone

No comment. No comment. I've had enough of him. In fact, I don't feel like commenting anymore on anything. So that's my diary entry for today. I hope you are pleased. You have lured me into this stupid diary thing, and now I'm trapped, just like Martin was with Sandy. Except, if I'm lucky, maybe YOU'LL take your matching fuzzy pencil and move to Florida, too! HOORAY!

Ruthie Camden