Randy turned around slowly, not sure of what to make of the current information he was presented. He had no clue he would be coming to his anger management classes to have such a huge bomb dropped on him in the first day. It was almost too much for him to bare, and he was almost certain this was his last class.
"Alright everyone. We're going to do something special today. I think we've hounded everyone for the past couple of weeks with exercises and breakthroughs, so I'm going to dismiss class early." Andi began, looking at the two people before him, before turning his attention to the rest of the class. "I'm going to ask that you have your 'anger mode' speeches ready for us the next time we meet and we'll continue from there."
Everyone stood up and scurrying for their belongings, but Randy and Aurorah didn't move. The simply looked at each other, both individuals not sure of their own feelings towards the other one. At one point Randy felt sorry for the girls before him, but he quickly dismissed the thought, realizing the actual reality between them.
It was unreal for Aurorah, as she glared at Randy, not sure if she should be angry, sad, confused or hurt. How was she to know the speech she had prepared only a week before hand would be about the new guy in her anger management class?
She stepped back slowly before giving off a weak smile and turned to collect her own things. Randy watched her movements, before he shook his head. Andi stood in front of him a few seconds later, offering a smile of his own.
"Today was, well, something else. I don't think anyone, especially the two of you expected this. I don't suspect either one of you knew about the other, really." Andi said.
"No. I didn't even think about Trent having a wife. I just thought my wife--" he started, before shaking his head and correcting himself. "Samantha was easy game for him."
"Well, I usually ask that I sit down with anyone new to the class to go over their background information and their medical conditions, but seeing as your employer made that available to me, I don't think that will be necessary." Andi stated.
"Thank you." Randy said, shaking his head, as he watched Aurorah walk through the double doors.
"But, I do want to ask, given the special circumstances between you and Aurorah, that there not be anything harmful done to each other to compromise her progress, the classes, as well as your own. You had a breakthrough today, Mr. Orton. I've read your file that came from your boss. Apparently, the old Randy would have unleashed hell on the room." Andi said with a laugh.
"Yeah, about that. Apparently there's some instances that I don't remember and I've often questions since my outburst at work if I even need anger management." Randy said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Well, seeing as you don't remember the damage you do when a heated situation happens, I'd say your the perfect candidate for these classes. It sounds as if you're experiencing black out spells when things get tough. I really think we can help you, Randy, and I hope you change your mind." Andi replied, frowning.
"I was afraid you were going to say that." Randy said, sighing.
"Look at it this way – right now, it's rooms and furniture that you've destroyed. I've heard you've actually punched your best friend. I don't want that getting any worse, because than, it could quite possibly be your job, jail time. Who knows?" Andi responded, trying to reason with him.
"Yeah, I understand that." Randy said, agreeing.
"Next week, we'll be doing some other exercises, as well as some group therapy, but I really want to sit down with you and Aurorah afterwards. I'd like to see if maybe theres some common ground between the two of you." Andi asked, hopefully.
"I don't know, dude. I mean, that's touchy and.." Randy began.
"I understand that, but honestly, there's only one way to get past this all. And we've got to start by talking and healing." Andi said, squeezing his shoulder lightly. "I'm going to give you my number. If you ever need to talk to someone..."
"Um, thanks." Randy said, accepting the white card from his hand.
"I'll see you next week then?" Andi asked.
"Yeah, I'll be here." Randy said softly, as he stuffed the number into his coat pocket and exited the room.
Once outside, he had decided to call his dad, letting him know that class had let out early. He wasn't sure how he would explain the weird turn of events that had taken place just moments before, but he was sure that the classes would be interesting from here on out.
"Mom, it's hard for me to admit this, but she looked just as hurt as I did." Randy said, chewing his food slowly. "Confused, too."
"Why is that hard for you to admit?" his mother asked, looking at him intently.
"Just the way she acted about the baby. I mean, it isn't her fault all this shit happened. Why would anyone want to blame Lanyi in all this?" he asked, pushing his plate back before place his hands behind his head and slouching deeper into the dining chair.
"Randall, I'm not sure, but give her the benefit of the doubt. Her world was turned upside down, just like yours. Only she had to accept the fact that her husband possibly fathered a child out of this affair. You had a lot to take in, but so did this young lady." Elaine explained.
"Yeah, I know, but still..." Randy said, trailing off.
"You know I would be the first to run to that little girls defense, but in this situation, everything is hard enough. There's no need to add more hurt and despair to someone else. Give her a chance." she urged, standing and grabbing the leftover dishes from the table.
Randy grabbed a few dishes and followed his mom into the kitchen, lost in thought. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get Aurorah out of his mind. There was something there deeper than an instant attraction. He couldn't even saw for sure if that's what he was drawn to. He saw her cry, as if her heart was breaking on the spot, much like himself. They had so much that they had lost, and rather ironically, in the same manner, in the same situation.
Yet the minute she uttered Alanna's name, he was instantly sickened. And angered.
"You know, mom. It's strange." he said, leaning against the counter and staring at the floor, collecting his thoughts.
"What's that, dear?" she asked, wiping her hand on a dish towel.
"I felt horrible for her when I saw her start to cry. I wanted to reach out to her and hug her, but at the same time, she pissed me off." he said, shaking his head before looking at her.
"Randy, it means you have a heart." his mother laughed. "You have anger issues. That doesn't mean your a cruel, heartless menace that doesn't care for people. You've always had a heart of gold."
"Maybe." he said, closing his eyes. "I just wish I hadn't punched John or wrecked my bedroom because of...."
"Because of your anger?" she filled in for him.
"I was going to say Sam, but you always have to be the voice of reason, don't you?" he asked, smiling lightly.
"That's my job. Well, besides putting band-aids on your scraped knees when you fall off your bike." she said, winking at him as she rubbed his arm.
"Mom, I'm not 5 anymore." he said, rolling his eyes.
"But, to me, you'll always be my baby. No matter how old you are." she said, kissing his cheek before turning to leave.
"I know, mother." he laughed.
"You know something, Randall?" she said, turning before she left the kitchen.
"What's that?" he asked, arching his brows.
"You've only went to one class, and I can see a change in you already. It's nothing dramatic, but you've actually talked more today than you have for the past 2 weeks." she said, smiling.
"I'm trying, mom." he said, shoving his hands into his jeans.
"I know, and I'm proud of you. That's all that matters, son." she said, before winking at him once more. "Night."
"Night, mom. Love you." he called after her.
After the eventful day he had had, he only wanted to jump into a hot shower to relax his muscles and hit the sack. He had a feeling sleep would come easy for him, but he knew he had to do one thing before he relaxed.
He owed his best friend an apology.