Randy's been missing a few meetings and John started to get worried that something was wrong so he decided to go see him. He was standing outside his door when he heard Maxine barking inside. He knocked on the door and waited. The door swing opened and a young girl appeared. "Hi may I help you?"

"My name is John and I was looking for Randy." John said.

"Oh you're the guy he's been talking about." Maxine said smiling. "He was right you are hot."

John smiled "Um is he here I really need to talk to him?"

"He actually stepped out not to long ago." Maxine said. "I'll be here when he gets back so I'll tell him then. By the way I'm his sister Maxine."

"Nice to meet you." John said "Can you tell him that I just wanted to make sure that he was okay."

Maxine nodded. "I will." She watched him go then closed the door. Walking to Randy's bedroom she stared at him from the doorway.

"What?" Randy said. He was lying on the bed with Maxine lying next to him. "Who was it?"

"John." Maxine said. "He seems really worried about you."

"So" Randy snapped.

Maxine sighed "What happened between you two?"

Randy sat up. "I met him in one of my classes and we really hit it off. We started hanging out and as time went on I wanted something more so I asked him out and he said no."

"There must have been a reason why." Maxine said sitting on the bed. "Was he dating someone else before you met him?"

Randy looked down "He said that he lost his husband in a car accident a little while ago."

"I think you overreacting." Maxine said. "He's probably not ready to be in another relationship. I mean how would you feel if you lost someone special to you. Maybe he's just not ready to move on."

"I hate it when you sound right." Randy said smiling. "So do you think you're ready to go home?"

Maxine frowned "No I'm not ready to go home. Besides mom said I could stay as long as I like."

"Don't you think they miss you?" Randy said. "She's been calling every night to check on you. You're lucky it's the summer and you don't have school because you would be home right now."

"Okay fine I'll go home if you talk to John." Maxine looked at the dog. "And change her name to something else. Like you use to call me buddy so call her that."

Randy laughed "Alright I'll call her bubby and I'll talk to John."

"I can tell he really likes you and you like him too." Maxine said. "Maybe you should see this from his point of view. If you lost someone that means the world to you would you jump into another relationship?"

"No." Randy said. "Great not I feel like an ass for pushing him into something he wasn't ready for."

OOO

The next day his sister went home and Randy drove to his Thursday night meeting. He was sitting in the parking lot thinking about now going in but he made a promise to his sister and he wasn't going to let her down. So he got out and headed inside. When he got to his class he could hear the others inside talking and when he walked in they all stopped and looked at him. "Do you have room for one more?"

"Randy?" Austin said smiling. "It's good to have you back with us."

Randy pulled up a chair and sat down. "It's good to be back."

"Would you like to tell us what you've been doing?" Austin asked.

Randy nodded "the past few weeks have been really tough for me. I got in a fight with my dad and ended up getting drunk the same night. I haven't had anything since but that was a major setback for me. The words he said to me really hurt more than anything."

Austin smiled "But you accomplished one thing you said you were going to do when you first got here. You said you were going to face your father and you did. Even though you had a step back you can always get back on track and we will be here to help you along the way."

Randy looked over at John who was looking at him. "I know."

OOO

Later that night

While the others were talking and eating their refreshments Randy was sitting alone in the circle. He looked up when he saw John headed his way.

"Can I sit with you?" John asked.

"Yeah?" Randy said sitting up.

"So how are you doing?" John asked.

Randy sighed "I'm sorry for pressuring you into doing anything with me. I've never lost someone that close to me so I don't know how it feels but I'll give you all the time you need."

John smiled "Are you doing anything tomorrow?"

Randy shook his head. "No."

"Well I was wondering if you wanted to go out." John asked.

Randy smiled. "You don't have to do that John."

"I know but I really want to." John said. "So will you?"

Randy nodded "Yeah."

John once again found himself walking Randy to his car. "So I guess I'll call you tomorrow?"

Randy nodded. "Bye." He said getting into his car and driving off.

John stood there smiling before for the first time in a lone time he was excited about going on a date with someone. He looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. "I miss you Scotty but I know you hate me for shutting myself out."

A/N hoped you've enjoyed this chapter.