Chapter Six

The next morning the Cohen central hub is alive with activity. Some bustling, namely Seth, who is the only one who had gotten a restful night's sleep, and some not so bustling. Ryan was surprised he'd slept straight through once he fell asleep. He's always had a hard time sleeping, ever since he was a kid. Having a hard time falling to sleep and then waking up every couple of hours and always waking up early. He slept through the night but he had not slept particularly well, having tossed and turned in his sleep, so he still felt quite rundown. He just didn't quite no why. It was nice sleeping inside. The room was big so he didn't feel closed in like he sometimes does. That's one thing he loved about the pool house and all its windows. If he ever felt closed in he could open all of the blinds. He could see what was coming at him from all directions. He's never liked enclosed spaces. When he was a kid Frank used to lock him and Trey in their room when he "didn't feel like dealing with them" and sometimes, when he was in a particularly bad mood, he'd shove them in a closet to keep them out from under foot. Although it was sometimes better to be locked in there than out there with Frank, Ryan still hated the small dark space.

"Ryan? You okay, sweetie?", Kirsten asks, pulling him from his thoughts. She'd been watching him since he entered the kitchen, frowning when she saw the dark shadow pass across his face.

"Huh?...Oh. Yeah. I'm ok.", Ryan states.

"So, how'd ya sleep, kid?", Sandy inquires as he rests a hand on his shoulder.

He nods his head a couple of times and says, "Good. I slept good." His thoughts drift again. It's strange how different it felt not having to turn and walk out of the house to go to bed. He suddenly realizes that he really didn't like having to go a different direction than the rest of them. It only reinforced his feelings of being on the outside and looking in.

Sandy gives his shoulder a squeeze, "You sure? You're a little tense."

Ryan tilts his head to look at Sandy and reassures, "Yeah, I'm sure. I guess I still have a lot on my mind but I...", he pauses and then finally admits, "I really like being inside."

Sandy and Kirsten glance at one another, once again feeling guilty for waiting so long to bring him in where he belongs.

"Good. We really like having you inside. We should have done it sooner", he states earnestly as he gives Ryan's shoulder another squeeze before then patting him on the back. "Well, I'd better get going.", Sandy declares as he walks over to Kirsten and gives her a peck on the cheek. "I'll call you."

"Okay. Good luck", Kirsten replies.

At Ryan's worried look, they both reassure him that everything will be all right and not to worry and Sandy heads for the door. Seth suddenly appears behind him, whispering, "dad, wait. When you're done with the anti-Sandy we need to talk." Sandy's eyes fill with concern as Seth continues, "without Ryan present". He cuts Sandy off as he opens his mouth to speak, "no...wait, dad, let me finish. I just think that you, mom and I need to get our ducks in a row here. Ryan and I talked last night and he, like, actually said something, if you know what I mean. He's really freaked out about his dad. I need to fill you in on a few things, that's all. Okay?"

Sandy smiles and gives Seth's shoulder a squeeze, "will do, Seth. We'll all talk. I've got to go."

Seth nods and goes back to the kitchen and encounters Ryan's raised eyebrows. Seth shrugs. "I just wanted to give him a Seth Cohen pep talk and a few pointers", he says as he throws a few shadow punches.

Ryan eyes him for a second and lets it go. He knows there's something more there but he trusts Seth. If it's something he feels he can't tell him then he has his reasons. "Ok, well. I'm going to grab a shower". Ryan says as he heads out to the pool house.

"Ryan?", Kirsten stops him. When she has his attention she goes on, "How about we move your things in the house after your shower? Unless you have plans for the day?"

"My morning's free. I have to meet Marissa later."

"I thought you guys were broken up.", Seth chimes in.

"We are but she still comes to me when she needs help. You know Marissa", Ryan shrugs.

Seth nods in agreement, "Yep. She's a taker not a giver." At Ryan's glare, he says, "What? You know it's true".

"That's nice that you still want to help her, Ryan, but I hope she doesn't drag you into anything", Kirsten pointedly states, with a look to match.

Ryan smiles, "No, it's nothing like that. She just agreed to do something for Julie and her rise up the social ladder and I told her I'd help. Some fashion luncheon thing Julie's planning. I don't know. I'm really trying to stay out of her drama, though."

Kirsten smiles, "Good. You go on and get your shower and then we'll get you moved. After that I'd like to go over any changes you might want to make to your room".

"You don't have to change anything. The room's fine.", Ryan states with a frown.

Kirsten approaches him and softly says, "I told you. Fine isn't good enough anymore. I want the room to be yours. I want you to pick out some furniture you like and we can paint if you want. No arguments. It's no trouble."

Ryan shyly agrees, then heads out to the pool house. Seth takes the opportunity to fill his mom in on what he told his dad and they agree that a good time to talk would be when Ryan is off helping Marissa.

After calling in some favors and quickly getting a restraining order drawn up and filed, the exchange goes smoothly. Sandy stops by Caleb's office to pick up the cashier's check and Frank is waiting when he arrives at his own office. Sandy's a little unnerved when Frank doesn't balk at not being given cash. He shakes off the uneasy feeling and reiterates to Frank that there is now a restraining order against him and spells out the consequences of violating it, or trying to milk them for any more money. Frank calmly complies and accepts the check and makes his leave. That uneasy feeling sits in Sandy's gut as he closes the door behind him. He calls Caleb.

Frank, with check in hand, drives just outside of Newport and checks into a rundown motel and contemplates his next move. He'll deposit the check. Any wait the bank may impose on drawing funds off it will give him an excuse to stick around. After that, he'll find a place to live, not too far away, and lay low for a little while. They'll be keeping a close eye on the kid at first. So, he'll go about his business, hook up with some old pals, have a little fun and then, when that smug son of a bitch and his wife let down their guard a little, he'll withdraw the money and then go get his kid. Thanks to the Cohens, he'll be able to disappear with him easily. Then he'll just have to decide what to do with the little bastard. He's always been a pain in the ass but he'll be damned if he's going to let those people have him.