"Mom?"

"Hi Ruthie!" Annie said, coming and trying to kiss her daughter on the forehead.

Ruthie pulled away. "Where are Dad and Rabbi Glass going?" she asked.

"To the pool hall with Kevin and Chandler. Your dad's hoping they can help convince the rabbi to go home."

Ruthie's anger bubbled up as her mother just talked calmly, not even acting guilty at what she had done. "Well maybe it's hard to go home to a cheating wife," she said bitterly.

Annie looked at her daughter sharply. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Ruthie muttered sullenly.
"Boys, go upstairs," Annie ordered the twins who were still sitting at the kitchen table. Once they had gone up the stairs, Annie whirled on Ruthie again. "What did you mean by that?" she asked.

Ruthie's anguished eyes filled with tears again. "I saw you Mom!" she said. "I saw you!"

Annie was confused. "Saw me? Saw me what?" She tried reaching for Ruthie again but was pushed away. Ruthie couldn't bear to touch her.

"I saw you and…and Rabbi Glass, kissing!" Ruthie whispered, looking fervently around.

Annie drew back and a flame entered her eyes. "Ruthie Camden!" she exclaimed.

Ruthie glared right back at her mother. "Well? It's true! Does Dad know?"

Annie rolled her eyes. "Yes your father knows. I told him. It was a kiss Ruthie. Rabbi Glass was very upset. He didn't know what he was doing. He misses his wife so badly that sometimes…well sometimes he acts a little…strangely."
Ruthie snorted. "I'll say."

Annie gave her daughter a look, but didn't say anything. "You just have to understand that it didn't mean anything Ruthie, nothing at all. I love your father very much, and I love you. Understand?"

Ruthie nodded, relieved, and hugged her mother. "Good," she said. "Night."

Annie smiled back at her daughter. "Good-night Ruthie."

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Mrs. Glass?"

"This is she?"

"Hello, I'm calling from the Pool Hall. Your husband is here and, quite frankly Ma'am, he's making a fool of himself. You should come and get him."

"Richard?"

"Yes Ma'am. I really think you should come pick him up."

"Th-thank you."

"Good-night Ma'am."

"Good-night."

And with a satisfied smile, Martin Brewer hung up the phone.