Chapter 15: Double Date

Valentine's Day. It was sort of a ritual in the Camden house. Every year something interested happened on Valentine's Day such as Sam and David's birthday. There was always a fight or romantic date or both on this one day in February. For Ruthie, it was the first time in years she was really happy for the coming holiday. The past two Valentine's Days, Ruthie spent daydreaming about Martin and enduring the miserable pain of getting a tattoo. This year, it would be different. She would have the perfect romantic date with the man she loved. At least, that's what she had planned until…

"Hey Sandy. What's up?" Ruthie answered her cell phone welcoming the break from writing her English paper on some Poe story.

"I got a crazy idea. I understand completely if you don't want to do it but I was talking to Jonathan and both of us think it would be a lot of fun if you, Martin, and us all go out for dinner on Valentine's Day." Sandy sounded like she was about to collapse in excitement.

Ruthie blinked. "A double date?"

"Yeah. I mean, if you don't want to do it I understand."

Ruthie's face clearly showed she didn't want to give up her romantic date but then she thought about Martin. He had been so glad that she and Sandy had become friends. She couldn't screw that up so soon. "No. That sounds great. We'll be there."

"Great." Sandy squealed. "I'm so excited. See you then."

Ruthie hung up the phone and looked at her computer screen where the cursor blinked annoyingly waiting for her to continue writing. What have I got myself into?

"We got milk, orange juice, and Gatorade but of course, you want the beer." Martin teased opening the refrigerator offering his girlfriend a drink.

Ruthie smirked. "Very funny. I'll just take some water."

"Fine. Be boring. I can always find a girl who likes to drink." He continued to teased grabbing a glass from one of the upper cabinets and filling it up with tap water.

"Don't you dare." Ruthie smiled accepting the glass of water from Martin's outstretched hand.

"I could never do that. I'm way too much in love with you." Martin's sappy words made Ruthie blush. He bent forward and gave her a sweet short kiss.

"So I was thinking for Valentine's Day, we could…" Martin began.

"Oh, yeah. About that. I got a call from Sandy today and she invited us to go out with her and Jonathan on Valentine's Day. And I said we'd love to go." Ruthie admitted trying to sound as excited about it as she could.

Martin's mouth dropped open in a completely different reaction than Ruthie expected. "You did what now?" He asked rhetorically. "Why would we want to spend our first Valentine's Day together with Sandy and Jonathan?"

Ruthie paled. "You mean you don't want to go. I only agreed because I figured you'd be happy about me and Sandy wanting to do something together as friends."

"What would make you think that?"

"Because you told me you were happy Sandy and I finally made up."

"Yeah. Well, I am. I guess."

"You guess?"

Martin sunk his shoulders giving up. "Fine. Honestly, it feels a little weird that the mother of my child and the woman I'm in love with are suddenly best friends."

"Okay, you make it sound like we're in Days of Our Lives or something." Ruthie stated always somewhat bother when the whole scope of her relationship with Martin is explained.

"We might as well be." Martin dropped his hand on the table in a loud thud.

"I don't know why you'd find it so weird." Ruthie thought for a second. "Unless you really do have feelings for Sandy."

Martin jerked his head. "What? No. No. No. I care for Sandy as Aaron's mother but I could never be in love with her especially since I found you."

Ruthie lightened a little. "I'm sorry that was stupid of me to say. Honestly, I don't want to go on this double date either but it's too late now, I already said yes."

Martin cast annoyed but forgiving eyes on the brunette. "It's okay. One date with Sandy and Jonathan shouldn't be too bad."

The ignition was off. The street lamps and passing cars cast enough light to show the two young people sitting silently in the car. The girl kept examining her make up in her compact even though she really couldn't see her reflection. The boy tapped his fingers quietly on the arm rest.

"You know we really should be getting in there." Ruthie closed her compact and looked at Martin's profile. "It's rude to be late especially when you're just sitting in a car in the parking lot."

"Yeah. Okay." Martin kept his eyes glued on the bush in front of the car.

Ruthie sighed opening her door and walking over the other side of the car her heels clicking on the asphalt. She opened the driver's door and practically pulled Martin out of the car. "Come on. You can act like a child later."

Martin grinned at Ruthie's attitude. "I love it when you get all bossy." He gladly let her dragged him down the sidewalk towards the entrance.

"Yeah. Yeah. And I'm beautiful too." Ruthie took on the tone of every good Camden woman when she was annoyed.

Martin just continued to grin. Who knew Ruthie being upset with him would lift his spirits?

As they entered into the restaurant and were ushered to the table, Ruthie's frown turned into a fake smile and Martin's amusement change to a poor attempt at being happy to be there.

"You're here." Sandy jumped up from the table to give Ruthie a little hug.

"We are." Ruthie smiled until her face was hidden in the hug.

"We were beginning to think we were being stood up." The quaffed Jonathan teased rising to shake Martin's hand.

Ruthie and Martin laughed nervously. "Why would we do that? I mean, who wouldn't want to go on a double date with the woman who had your child, her fiancé, and your girlfriend?" Martin added taking a seat.

Ruthie shot him the death glare before letting out some more fake laughter. Sandy and Jonathan clearly bothered by Martin's comment just followed Ruthie with the laughter.

"Well, let's order. Why don't we?" Jonathan sat down and picked up his menu.

(Time lapse)

"This steak is delicious." Jonathan commented cutting another piece to put into his mouth. "Sure you don't want any, honey?"

"No. Thank you. I don't need the fat and cholesterol." Sandy shook her head. "I'm just fine with my chef's salad."

Jonathan chuckled and looked at Martin. "Aren't woman crazy with their diets?"

Martin shrugged. "I guess. Honestly, this one may be small but she eats like teenage boy." He grinned at Ruthie.

Ruthie slapped him in the arm. "Martin!" She screeched softly enough not to be heard all around the room. "You're the one that eats a whole pizza in a sitting."

Sandy laughed. "I did that once when I was pregnant. I had this giant craving in the middle of the night and I actually called Papa John's for a pizza with everything on it."

Martin paled and shuffled in his chair.

"Wow! Let's hope the first pregnancy ended the crazy cravings." Jonathan laughed.

"I'm sure if I get pregnant again a lot of things will be different." Sandy blurted out not thinking.

Martin shot her a look.

"I mean…" She stuttered.

"No. It's fine. I hope you're right." Martin replied before looking down at his food.

It was followed by silence.

This definitely wasn't a good idea. Ruthie thought trying to figure out a way to get the dinner on a better track.

(Time lapse)

"Check please." Jonathan motioned to their waiter walking by their table.

The waiter nodded and headed toward the back.

"Well, this has been nice." Ruthie commented folding in napkin on the table.

Sandy smiled. "Yeah. We should do it again sometime."

Martin choked on his water as he took a final drink.

Ruthie kicked him under the table.

"Ow." Martin leaned over in pain. "I mean, yeah. That'd be great." He lied straightening himself up.

Sandy sadly looked down. Ruthie could have sworn she saw her wipe away a tear.

Just then, the waiter placed the check on the table. Jonathan and Martin both reached for it.

"Don't worry. I got it." Jonathan commented sliding the check his way.

"At least let me pay for Ruthie and I's portion."

Jonathan waved his hand. "No. No. It's fine. Consider it my Valentine's Day gift to you."

Martin grinned mischievously. "Does this mean were going out now?"

Everyone laughed lifting the heavy air that surrounded them.

Martin steered his car down the dark road. "So are you going to tell me why you're not talking to me?" He glanced quickly at his passenger.

"Who said I wasn't talking to you?" Ruthie replied defensively.

"Come on, Ruthie. I know you. You are never quiet unless you are A. Angry B. Depressed C. Nervous or D. Exhausted. I can tell you're not depressed or exhausted and you have no reason to be nervous so I'm going with A."

Rolling her eyes, Ruthie admitted, "Fine. I'm angry at you for being so rude at dinner."

Martin pulled the car to the side of the road knowing that this conversation would take his concentration off driving. "How was I rude? They loved my joke."

"The joke came at the end of the evening. It doesn't make up for your attitude the previous two hours together." Ruthie took on a slightly condescending tone.

Martin shrugged. "So I was a little impolite. You're the one who dragged me there anyways."

Ruthie straightened offended. "So your bad attitude is my fault? I said I was sorry for accepting the invitation without asking you. I still don't even understand why you were so against the date. I thought you and Sandy were friends."

Martin breathed out. "Not really. I mean, our whole friendship exists around Aaron. He's all we talk about and he's the only reason we even see each other."

Ruthie was confused. "Talking to Sandy, she seems to think of your relationship as a bit more friendly."

"That's because she tries to make it more. She asks me about you and school and baseball all the time but I don't let her dig in too much."

"Why?"

"Because" Martin tentatively looked into Ruthie's eyes. "I feel guilty for not loving her."

These words lay into Ruthie's chest creating a familiar feeling inside her. "What?"

Martin could see the insecurity and jealousy in her brown eyes. "I love you, Ruthie. I'm not in love with Sandy. Never was and never will be. I just feel so horrible for the way I've treated her over the past two years that I can't seem to let myself form a friendship with her. The closer I get to Sandy, the worse I feel."

Ruthie sighed out of breathe of relief. She grasped Martin's hand. "Martin, you can't just hold this in forever. You got to tell Sandy how you feel. You got to tell her you're sorry. Believe me, I learned this lesson earlier this year."

He hesitated. "I don't know. I don't think Sandy really wants it all brought up again."

"I think Sandy has been able to forgive you because how she seen you grow but I also know that everyone wants a heartfelt, true apology when they've been hurt."

Martin nodded looking as if he were going to cry. Ruthie leaned in and embraced him in her arms. "I love you, Martin."

Martin stopped in front of the door. It was late. He knew this wasn't the best time but if he didn't do it now, he may never do it. He knocked. He heard some shuffling on the other side of the door before it opened.

"Martin?" Sandy stood there surprised wrapped in her pink bath robe. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry I woke you. I have something to talk to you about. Can I come in?"

"Uh, sure. I guess." She opened the door wider and motioned him in. "What'd you want to talk about?" She asked once he was inside.

"I'm sorry." He replied.

Sandy was confused. "Sorry for what?"

"For everything. For ignoring you during the pregnancy. For trying to get you to marrying me when I didn't love you. For Jane. For lying to you. For being in love with Ruthie all along when I claimed I didn't. I'm sorry."

Sandy was shocked. Tears were beginning to form. "Thanks. It means a lot to me. And I'm sorry too."

Martin nearly laughed. "What are you sorry for?"

"I'm sorry that you get all the heat in this relationship. I was the one that practically forced you to sleep with me and honestly, I never really wanted our relationship to work out to marriage. It would have been nice for Aaron but horrible for us. And I'm sorry if I ever tried to make Ruthie look like she just had an immature crush on you. I was jealous. You two are meant for each other." Sandy smiled.

"I guess you do have a lot to be sorry for." Martin teased

Sandy slapped him on the shoulder lightheartedly. "Go home, Martin."

Next Week on Far Away: Ruthie learns what it's like to be part of the Brewer Family when Aunt Betsy comes to visit.