The night was dark when Eric got home. Parking in their garage, he opened the back gate and entered his yard. The young stranger that he had met earlier was just exiting the house.

"Hello," Eric said.

"Hi," Martin said, stopping, thinking that Eric wanted something.

Eric stopped, thinking that Martin wanted the same thing.

When neither man spoke, Martin shifted a little. "I was just going," he said.

"Ahh, all right," Eric moved aside. "Good-bye."

"See you," Martin said, stepping off the white washed porch. "Oh, wait," he turned back around. "Yeah, um, I've sort of been here all day and…yah. Simon's going away to college, but he doesn't want you to make a big scene."

"I know that," Eric said, waiting to see where this was going.

"Well, Simon doesn't want a scene, but right now, he sort of feels that you don't really care that he's going," Martin rushed out. "He just needed someone to talk to and…I was here. I think that he feels insecure about going. Maybe like he's about to be replaced? Oh, and Ruthie's upset because Rabbi Glass kissed Mrs. Camden, and apparently Simon talked to someone named Cecilia and is now…distracted or something. She said something to upset him. But, he's in his room, Ruthie is in her room, Mrs. Camden is in the kitchen and the twins are in bed."

Eric stood, looking at this stranger and realized that he had no idea who he was yet he knew so much about the Camden family. "Who are you?" he asked.

Martin smiled. "I'm Martin Brewer. I live down the street with my aunt. I sort of just moved in and…I was coming over to say hi. I see people coming and going from your house all the time, so I thought that this would be the house for me to visit. I spent the day here and…it just felt good to be part of a regular family for once."

"For once?"

"Yeah. My dad is in Iraq right now so I'm living with my aunt for the time being."

"Oh. Martin, I-I'm sorry," Eric said, putting a hand on Martin's arm.

Martin smiled. "It's okay. He's over there doing what he believes in, so I guess that's good. I mean, some people spend their whole lives not doing what they believe in, stuck in dead end jobs, etc. At least my dad is fighting for what he thinks is right."

Eric nodded, not sure what to say.

"It's just, I wanted to see what the problems were for a regular family; one that wasn't directly affected by the war in Iraq. And it felt good to see how much everyone cared about everyone else, to see the regular, day to day problems that normal families face. I know that I shouldn't have just dropped in like that though. I'm sorry," Martin turned to leave.
"No-no, Martin, it's okay. Feel free to drop in…any time," Eric smiled.

Martin smiled back. "I will. I'll see you tomorrow night in any case."

"Tomorrow night?"
"Simon's surprise party," Martin grinned. "I hope you don't mind, but he was feeling so down that I told him you were having one for him. He seemed happier after that, and I didn't think it would be such a big deal. After all, he is going off to college and everything. I hope it was okay." Martin finished, looking anxious.

Eric sighed and put his face in his hands for a minute.

Martin looked at him, worriedly. "I-I'm sorry if I did the wrong thing. But he was feeling so alone and upset, like no one cared and…I had to do something."
Eric removed his hands from his faced and gazed at this young man before him. He had been in the Camden house all of one day, and still knew everything that was going on. He didn't look like a very insightful young man; his black hair was short but sort of messy, his green eyes a light with good humor and his smile always seemed to be waiting to come out. Looking at Martin, Eric was surprised that someone who didn't even have a family really, could be so observant and smart in that way. Clapping him on the shoulder, Eric hastened to reassure him. "No, you did the right thing Martin. Thank you."

Martin's smile came back. "Well, good-night Mr. Camden."
"Good night Martin," Eric said, and, as he watched the young man's tall figure disappear into the darkness, he smiled. He had a feeling they would be seeing a lot more of Martin. In the future.