Chapter Twelve
The Agency
Simon spent the entire night thinking about the earth shattering secret that he'd overheard earlier that night. He still couldn't wrap his mind around the thought that his little sister was pregnant. He'd finally clamed himself down though.
The morning light began to peak through the blinds, Simon sighed realizing that he hadn't slept a wink. He knew that he had to talk to Ruthie but he didn't know how to approach the subject. He didn't know how to tell her he'd been spying on her and for his stupid screenplay, which he still had no clue what it was going to be about. Throwing the covers off and he headed down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Ruthie heard someone enter her room. Groaning at the intrution, she rolled over and opened her eyes to find Simon coming towards her with a breakfast tray.
"Good morning." Simon said setting the tray on her nightstand, "How do you feel?"
"I feel fine. What's this for?" she asked eyeing the brunt toast and the undercooked eggs.
"Can't a brother make his sister breakfast?" he said.
"Simon, I'm not dumb." She replied, "What's going on?"
"I know." he blurted out.
"Know what?"
"What you told Freddie and Olivia last night." he said sitting down on Lucy's old bed.
"You know?" Ruthie questioned. She felt so out of control and angry at herself. She knew that she'd let him down. Even worse she'd let herself down.
"Ruthie?" Simon said breaking the silence, "I'm here for you."
Ruthie looked up at her big brother and smiled through her tears. Simon got up from where he sat and went over and wrapped her in a supportive hug.
"I love you, Ruthie." he said.
"I love you too."
"What are you going to do?" Simon asked her.
"I'm not sure yet. Olivia and Freddie are going to go with me to this adoption agency today." she said, "but I want you to come. Will you?"
"Of course." he said and then broached the big question, "Have you told Martin?"
"No." Ruthie said looking away, "I haven't."
Mac felt like a mama bear or a papa bear considering he was male. He'd had to make Martin get dressed again this morning, he'd had to clean up his apartment, and do his laundry. Sighing he sat the plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of Martin.
"I've done a lot for you, Man." Mac said, "But I'm not spoon feeding you. So eat."
"What's the point?" Martin replied pushing the plate away and laying his head down on the table.
Mac sighed again. He hadn't pictured today being like this. He hadn't planned to be force feeding Martin. In fact he'd planned to spend his Saturday at the movies with Olivia but, she'd cancelled at the last minute.
"Hello, my name is Beth Moore. Please have a seat." Mrs. Moore said gesturing towards the chairs in front of her desk.
"You've brought quite a crowd." Mrs. Moore said smiling at Freddie, Olivia, Simon, and Ruthie.
"Yeah." Ruthie replied, "So?"
"Oh yes." Mrs. Moore said, "I'm sure you're nervous and unsure as to how this works."
"Yes I am." Ruthie said.
"Well you don't need to be nervous and I'll explain everything." Mrs. Moore said smiling, "First off this agency only deals in open adoption. Is that ok?"
"What exactly is an open adoption?" Simon asked.
"The birth mother gets to pick out a couple from a book of candidates as well as after the adoption is final she will get updates and photos." Mrs. Moore said.
"That's fine." Ruthie said as her hands began to shake as Mrs. Moore handed her a book with candidate's photos and biographies.
"Why don't you have a look over this tonight and tell me the couples that you're interested in." Mrs. Moore said, "Then I can set up an interview with them."
After the interview with Mrs. Moore, Simon drove Ruthie back home. She remained quiet the whole way their.
"You ok?" Simon asked pulling into the driveway.
"No." Ruthie said turning away, "I'm not ok."