Beach Meeting

"Seriously, who are you going to see?" Seth had been trying to get it out of Ryan all day. The adult's had all gone to bed, Julie was sleeping in the spare room as she'd had too much alcohol to drive home. Kirsten was around somewhere and now the four of them were alone together.

"Seriously," Ryan mimicked Seth. "An old friend,"

"What gender is this old friend?"

"Seth, I'm not answering any more questions,"

"More? You haven't answered any questions!"

"Still not answering," Ryan said, looking down at the book Sandy had got him.

"Well, if you won't tell me about it, I'll have to find something else to talk about. I'm quite interested on a topic about guitars,"

"I'm not budging, cause I know you wouldn't dare,"

"Really?" Seth put on a fake crafty voice.

"Yes, now shut up,"

"Ok," Seth really didn't want to make Ryan angry. "So, have we got anymore ideas on what to do?"

"I want to just hang at the beach most of the time, we can catch up," Summer offered.

"Catch up? You're always on the phone!" Seth exclaimed. Summer had kept in contact with Marissa; she went to San Francisco to visit her quite often.

"Whatever, Cohen. Yeah, so, beach, sunbathing, but even I can't be occupied by that for a whole 2 weeks. So..."

"Ryan could always find another surfer dude to start a war with, that was fun," Seth said.

"You'll have all tomorrow to think about it. I'm off to bed," Ryan got up. "Night,"

******************

"Ryan, Ryan!" The little boy ran up to him. Ryan threw him up and then caught him again, he couldn't have been older than 4.

"How's my best boy?"

"Me happy,"

"And why's that?"

"You here!" Ryan laughed. He put the boy down.

"Go finish making your sandcastle,"

"Can you help?"

"In a bit, kid," The boy ran off and Ryan walked to where a woman stood.

"Hi,"

"Hi, Ryan,"

"How is he?"

"He's understands that they've gone. Now he wants to know where and why,"

"That must be difficult,"

"Yeah, you're telling me,"

"I'm sorry,"

"None of this madness is anyone's fault,"

"Want me to talk to him?"

"Sure, you can try," They walked toward the boy. "Want an ice-cream?"

"YEAH!" The kid stood up instantly

"Come on then," The lady reached her hand out, but the kid refused to hold it.

"Shoulders," He ordered of Ryan. Ryan bent down, allowing the boy to climb on. They got an ice cream and then sat on the beach, watching the boy play.

"Rach, how are you?" Ryan asked.

"I'm good, I'm getting used to it now. I don't miss them as much,"

"Yeah, it gets easier,"

"How do you know?"

"Someone I loved...left,"

"Oh,"

"What've you been doing lately?"

"We went to the cinemas last night; I'm surprised he hasn't given you his talk about Sid the Sloth,"

"Ice Age 5?"

"Yep...any other lectures I need to warn...oh yes, he's got a 'girlfriend', who he loves dearly, he'll tell you about her as soon as he gets the chance. Don't say anything about him being too young and don't make jokes, he takes her very seriously and he'll throw a strop. At the moment he's retaliating with the phrase 'Love doesn't take age into consideration', which he must have overheard off the telly," Ryan laughed.

"So, you've been pretty busy?"

"Yep," They both laughed.

"How's New York?" She asked.

"It's really good, though of course it's missing a few things,"

"What may they be?"

"Beaches, real life Barbies, cute but annoying 4 year olds," Ryan paused. "An amazing woman," He looked straight into her eyes. Slowly they both leant in. He could feel her breath on his face, it was cool, calming. Their lips were nearly touching...

"I can't," She pulled her head away. "I'm sorry,"

"No, it's fine, I'm sorry, it was a stupid thing to do,"

"You're a really nice guy Ryan, but...it's just...you live in New York now, it wouldn't work."

"Don't worry." He paused. "Have you got a boyfriend?"

"No, waaaay too busy," She smiled at him. "How about you and love?"

"That's a bit of a stupid question,"

"Why?"

"I did just try and kiss you,"

"Oh, yeah, I...yeah..." Ryan laughed. "Has there been anyone in New York?"

"No," They were both silent. "I saw someone yesterday...for the first time in 8 years,"

"Really? That must have been pretty good; I guess you guys had a lot to catch up on," She had assumed it was a man.

"She moved away. It was complicated. Catching up would be awkward,"

"Complicated?"

"We dated on and off. For one reason or another I made a stupid choice and broke up with her when she probably needed me most. She left me a letter, saying she loved me; maybe we could be together in the future, but not then. Stupidest thing was I loved her too and I didn't even attempt to tell her."

"That's bad,"

"You think that's bad. She's staying 2 weeks and her best friend is my sister-in-law."

"Shit,"

"Yep."

"She said you could be together in the future, do you think that's why she's back?"

"Marissa's back because her Mom's a bad cook, burnt the turkey and they all ended up coming over to ours." The woman laughed a bit. "Rach, what would you do?"

"Do you still like her?"

"I...I haven't seen or spoken to her in 8 years. I don't know her anymore."

"Right, ok...well, do you have to stay with her?"

"Seth, his wife, her and me...we were like best friends at high school. They all want to hang out, and I want to see Seth and Summer too, I've only got two weeks here,"

"Well then, just be polite and nice and enjoy yourself."

"Easier said than done,"

"Ryan?" A voice called from behind them. Ryan turned around Seth was walking up to him with the girls behind me. "Hey, man,"

"Hey," Ryan looked around at everyone. "Erm...Rachael this is...Seth, Summer and...Marissa. Guys this is Rachael, my friend," The boy came running up.

"Ryan, Ryan! I found crab, it's got really big claw...who this?"

"Seth, Summer and Marissa. This is Jon, my...friend,"