~Chapter Two~
Judged By Your Family And Friends
The drive to the ranch seemed to take forever for everyone with the exception of Chris. He sat in the far backseat of the van wishing the day were over not just starting. Cat and Piper were almost out of the van before Gage had stopped it telling everyone about their new family member.
Chris' eyes immediately searched out and found Angela like they always did only this time was different, this time she stood with a group of older kids, this time she stood beside David Preston holding his hand.
Angela had met David through her mother. His father was on some committee that had to do with funding for the HOPE Center. Alex and Walker had invited Jenna and Brad Preston to the ranch numerous times. It was during these times that Angela had gotten to know their son David and had become friends.
David was three years older then Chris and by Angela's estimate she was quite lucky that he even bothered with her. Even though she still cared a great deal about Chris… David was just so much more mature and grown up…
Syd had all ready opened her door to get out when Chris cut in, "Dad maybe I'll just wait for you in the van…"
Stopping in her tracks Syd turned to look at Gage. He motioned her with his eyes to go ahead she hesitated a minute before getting out, he could only imagine how much she hated not being able to do anything for Chris.
"Chris you can't sit in the van all day…" Gage answered his son. "I know that hanging out with Piper, Danny and Marcus may not be your idea of a good time but it might be a good way to spend today."
"I guess so," Chris wistfully replied catching sight of his sister and her two friends.
Gage followed Chris' gaze to his sister reading his thoughts he added, "You can always hang around where I am…"
"Yeah right Dad," Chris replied a small grimace crossing his face at the thought of hanging with grownups all day.
Gage smiled adding, "All the same if things get rough come find me."
"Thanks Dad," Chris answered opening the door and jumping down to head towards Piper.
David Preston stood surrounded by his friends all eyes on Chris. A few moments before Angela had run to the front porch being called there by her mother. "Is that him?" one of the boys asked.
"That's him," David answered. "Angela's still got feelings for him but after today I want to make sure that has all changed. The only one I want her to have feelings for is me," David smirked. "Go get him Ben," he ordered.
"You got it David," a boy around David's size and age replied taking off in Chris' direction.
"The rest of you know what to do?" David asked waiting a moment for their replies before chasing after Angela to the front porch.
Alex was introducing Angela around when Sydney joined them; she had found Erica and had melted into place beside her. An older woman stood beside Jenna Preston who Jenna had introduced as Brad's mother Elizabeth. "So you're the young lady who has stolen David's heart?" Mrs. Preston was asking Angela.
Angela was blushing and offering her hand to Elizabeth replying to her, "Mrs. Preston so nice to meet you," just as David joined her taking her hand.
Erica had turned to Syd at that point and seeing the pained look on her face had leaned over asking, "Can you give me a hand with a couple of things in the kitchen?"
Both women remained silent until they had rounded the corner of the house and Syd commented, "My first instincts were right I should have stayed home today with Chris."
"How is Chris?" Erica asked putting her hand on Syd's arm.
"Heart broken," Syd grimly smiled. "He's been spending a lot of time with his dad. Thank goodness we aren't working on a case right now and Gage is here for him. I know that this is just a part of life and Angela is just growing up but it doesn't make it any easier."
"She might be growing up but I think she still has a lot of learning to do," Erica commented.
She was unable to elaborate on her thoughts because Anna B and Sumner had just arrived Anna B having spotted them had waved shouting hello dragging Sumner behind her.
"What are you guys doing round here?" Anna B asked.
"Just needed a break from the party," Erica answered.
Sensing something was up Anna B. kissed Sumner on the cheek telling him to go ahead she'd catch up with him later. Once Sumner had rounded the corner of the house Anna B asked, "So what's up?"
"Angela has a new boyfriend," Sydney said dryly.
"Cute blonde guy with a handsome father?" Anna B teased.
"It's not Chris," Erica told her.
Anna B stood silently for a moment staring at both Syd and Erica before the words, "Not Chris," sank in.
Syd walked to the far corner of the house as Erica filled Anna B in on things who stood there quite speechless for once in her life.
~~~~~
Gage stood on the sidelines of the horseshoe throwing nursing a beer when Sumner caught up with him. "Waiting for me to be your partner are you Gage?" he asked his friend.
"Just don't feel much like playing today," Gage replied absently.
"You not feeling well?" Sumner asked. "It's either that or you're fighting with Syd," he rattled on having thought Syd looked as dejected as he did.
"Wrong on both counts," Gage smiled quickly explaining Chris' girl troubles.
"I think you're lucky," Sumner stated. "Did you really want your son marrying you're boss' daughter? Think about!"
Gage gave a small smirk before asking, "Sumner where do you come up with this stuff?"
"Beats me I was straight as an arrow before joining Company B Rangers," he laughed.
~~~~~
"Hey wait up Chris," Ben Stocks called out.
"What do you want?" Chris asked waiting for the boy to catch up to him.
"Thought since we are all going to be hanging around together that maybe we should get acquainted better," Ben told him.
Chris eyed Ben suspiciously for a moment looking over to the other three boys that were waiting for them by the coral and barn.
"Come on Chris you'll be in Jr. High next year come on and join us see what we're all about," Ben coaxed him.
Finally giving in Chris decided it wouldn't hurt to see what they wanted. Besides if Angela saw that he was hanging with them maybe she would realize that he wasn't such a little kid after all.
"Hey Chris is it?" one of them called out to him as they approached the small group. "I'm Sammy and this is Rob."
"Sammy don't be rude offer Chris a drink," Ben answered for Chris.
"Sure thing Ben," Sammy replied going round the corner of the barn where a duffle bag with a case of beer had been stashed. A moment later Sammy was cracking a can and offering it to Chris.
"I…" Chris began to say.
"Go on Chris you want to be one of us don't you?" Ben was asking.
Knowing it was wrong Chris grabbed the can from Sam and took a big swig. He swallowed quick forcing a smile to his face pretending it was great lifting the can for a second time.
"Wow you're an old pro at this," Rob cheered him on as once again Chris brought the can to his lips and drank a long swallow.
Before long Chris had drank the whole thing and Ben was saying, "Get the man another he has a powerful thirst."
Three cans of beer later and around the side of the barn on the ground passed out was where Piper had found her brother. They were playing hide and seek and she was it she had snuck around the corner of the barn literally tripping over him.
"Chris wake up," she pleaded with him to no avail. Quickly coming from behind the barn the first person she saw she knew was Sumner.
"Sumner come quick I need your help something is wrong with Chris," she cried out.
Sumner who was with Anna B came running to her rescue Anna B with him. Kneeling down he quickly found a pulse and then the tell tale beer cans.
"Annabelle go and quietly find Gage and get him over here," he told her as her eyes caught sight of the beer cans too.
She nodded her head in reply and taking hold of Piper's hand went in search of Gage.
Sumner had Chris turned on his side the boy being violently sick from what he had consumed by the time Gage reached them.
"Matt," Gage cried dropping to the ground with his son and Sumner.
"He's going to be all right Gage he's just had way too much to drink," Sumner replied still holding Chris a round of the dry heaves coming over him.
Gage squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before saying to Sumner, "I'll take him if you could just get Syd and the girls so we can get home." He was all ready moving to take Sumner's place putting his arms around Chris.
"Gage," Anna B spoke up, "Sumner and I can bring the girls home if you want."
"Just ask Syd what ever she wants to do is fine with me," Gage told her more worried about Chris at the moment.
"Dad I'm going to die," Chris cried out tears streaming down his face turning to his side once again.
"You're not going to die only wish you were," his father answered dryly.
"Dad I'm so sorry," he managed to get out.
"Shh Chris we will talk about this later when what I have to tell you will sink in," Gage informed him his hand rubbing down Chris' back feeling sorry for him at the same time.
"Gage what happened? What's going on?" Syd was questioning him as she dropped to the ground with her son and husband.
"Chris has been drinking and we need to get home," Gage told her not looking up.
"Drinking?" Syd questioned not being able to believe what Gage was telling her. "Chris?"
"Mom…" Chris moaned once again sick.
"Syd Honey just get in the van we'll sort this out at home," Gage was taking charge.
Sumner had pulled the van as close to the barn as he could while Gage lifted Chris up. Syd opened the side door moving to get in when Gage stopped her, "Honey you drive I'll look after him."
"Gage… I… he's my little boy," Syd was fighting back the tears as she spoke.
"Not right now he isn't, you have two girls to get through this in the future I'll look after Chris," he firmly told his wife.
Looking into his eyes Syd shook her head yes and moved into the drivers seat. "Syd don't worry about anything here Anna B. and I will make your apologizes, we'll make sure the girls get home. You just look after Chris," Sumner encouraged.
"Thanks Matt," Syd nodded her voice a whisper.
Sydney and Gage's Home
Sydney had just finished pouring a cup of coffee for herself and Gage when the telephone rang. Syd stared at the phone for a moment letting it ring again before she picked it up.
"Sydney how's Chris? Where on earth did he get the beer?" It was Alex on the other line asking the questions.
"Alex he's doing better we haven't questioned him on anything yet," Syd answered feeling irritated about the call instead of glad her friend was checking on them.
"Do you think he brought it from home?"
"No Alex I don't think he brought it from here," Sydney snapped back. Not giving her a chance to answer she continued, "I've got to go Gage is calling me."
Without letting Alex even say good-bye Syd hung up the phone. Turning she stared out the window for a few minutes before picking up the coffee and heading to Chris' room.
Gage looked up from where he sat beside Chris as Syd entered with the coffee. They had tucked him into the bottom bunk in case he had to get up in a hurry.
"Who was on the phone?" Gage asked reaching for the coffee and his wife at the same time.
Syd put her arm around his shoulder as Gage's arm went around her waist pulling her close.
"Alex," Syd answered, "I know she means well but she just makes me feel… I don't know… like we don't measure up or something."
"Sydney," Gage pulled her closer.
"I know but after asking how Chris was she asked if he brought the beer from here."
"I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it," Gage soothed pulling Syd down to rest on his knee letting her arms go around his neck, her head leaning against his chest.
"Has he said anything?" Syd asked.
"Nothing yet but he wasn't alone. Who ever was with him dragged him behind the barn his back is all scratches," Gage commented.
"Mom."
Both Gage and Sydney turned to Chris, Syd kneeling down beside him putting her arms around him.
"How you feeling Honey?" his Mom asked.
"Just awful," Chris cried.
"You probably will for a while longer too," Syd tried to comfort him.
"Are you and Dad mad at me?"
"We're not very happy," Gage spoke up. "Care to tell us what happened."
Chris lay silently for a few minutes hoping his head would clear before he spoke. "Some of Angela's new friends said they wanted to talk to me you know make friends with me. I thought that maybe Angela wouldn't think I was such a little kid if I could hang out with the older kids." Chris paused thinking back how Ben had invited him to join them.
"Anyway they had a sports bag with cans of beer in it and they opened one for me," Chris continued the story.
"You could have told them no," Syd interrupted feeling Gage's hand on her arm.
"But Mom I wanted them to like me," Chris cried out.
"I'm sure you did," Gage took over the conversation again. "But did you really think that this was the way to do that?"
Chris was unable to look at either his mother or father, as he whispered the word, "No."
"What happened next Chris?" Gage questioned.
"I took the beer and took a drink of it. It was awful but I didn't let them know I just took another big drink trying to drink it all so it would be gone. Then everything started to move around I think someone gave me another one. That's all I remember until you and Sumner were with me," Chris finished his story.
Gage cleared his throat before he began, "Well Chris I'm sure you realize by now that you definitely made the wrong choices this afternoon. This is not going to go unanswered I think you realize that too."
Chris nodded his head yes. "Mom Dad I'm really sorry," Chris' voice came through.
"We don't doubt that Chris," Syd replied. "We just have to figure out some middle ground here so that something like this doesn't happen again. So that we can trust you to be responsible," Syd lectured her son each word stinging her as they did Gage and Chris.
"But Mom…" Chris began looking to his father only to be cut off.
"Your Mom is absolutely right on this Chris."
"I know," Chris whispered.
"Right now we want you to get some rest and get feeling better so we can continue our discussion in the morning," Gage told him watching Syd pull the covers up around him and kiss his cheek.
"Night Chris," Gage ruffled his hair helping Syd up at the same time. Putting his arm around her they walked to the door Gage reaching to turn off the light.
"Night Mom and Dad," came the soft words of their son.
At The Walker Ranch
Alex set the receiver back down on its cradle staring at it lost in thought. It wasn't like Sydney to be short with her like that. Chris was in real trouble here and all she wanted to do was help…
"Alex everything all right with the boy?" Jenna Preston asked.
Turning to face her guest she answered, "Yes Sydney said he was feeling a little better."
"What they need to do is get the boy into a good program. It's bad enough he felt he had to bring it here but to supply to the other boys. Our boys are good kids they don't need to be influenced by a one bad apple," Jenna rattled on.
"We don't know for sure that is what happened Jenna…" Alex began.
"You aren't doubting David are you Alex?"
"I didn't say that Jenna," Alex retorted. "David wasn't there when it happened he is just going by what the rest of them said."
"David's friends are as trustworthy as he is. I've known their parents and the boys for years," Jenna kept up.
"I'm sure Sydney and Gage will get to the bottom of things now that the problem has be brought to light," Alex told her.
"I hope you're right Alex," Brad joined in on his wife's side coming into the living room with Walker, Trivette and Erica. "You know a lot of time it can be the children just aren't supervised enough."
"Well that isn't the case here," Erica spoke up as incensed, as Sydney would have been. "For your information you wouldn't meet two more devoted parents or three better behaved children. I know that for a fact when Sydney and Gage's kids aren't with them they are with Jimmy and me. I take great offence to what you are implying about Sydney, Gage or Chris." Turning to her husband she looked directly at him saying, "Jimmy I'm ready to leave." Turning back to Walker and Alex she said, "Thank you for a lovely afternoon and evening." Without another glance at anyone she marched out the door to gather up her kids to head for home.
Smiling at Walker Jimmy said, "I'll see you at the office Walker." Turning to the rest he said, "Good night all," following Erica out the door.
"That young woman should learn to hold her tongue," Elizabeth Preston announced as the door closed. "Especially in matters that don't concern her."
"Now Mother," Brad intervened, "she's just standing up for her friends even if she is wrong."
Elizabeth Preston didn't look appeased but said no more as her son turned to Alex and Walker to say good night.
Erica and Jimmy's Home
The doors to the children's bedroom had hardly closed that Erica turned to her husband. "The nerve of that woman, who does she think she is," Erica fumed at Jimmy. "Saying Syd and Gage should get Chris into a good program. Chris is one of the best kids there is; I think they should be taking a harder look at their own son before they start accusing somebody else. This is ridiculous…"
Jimmy had swept her up in his arms covering her lips with his silencing her. "Man I'm glad you're on my side," Jimmy told her hugging her close.
"You know that I'm right Jimmy," Erica replied pulling back to look into his face. "Jenna and Brad Preston don't know one thing about the Gages. How dare they but in with their bull headed speculation and know it all attitude."
"Honey I'm not disagreeing with you. We know the truth and there is no use getting worked up over what the Prestons have to say," Trivette soothed his wife.
"I can't help it Honey I've seen it before. I just don't like seeing Chris accused of something that he didn't do," she told him sticking to her guns, Chris having been a part of their lives even before they had children of their own.
"Tell you what I'll give Gage a call in the morning and see if he has this sorted out help him piece it together if he doesn't," Jimmy promised knowing Erica was right.
"All right," Erica agreed leaning into Jimmy hugging him close as they both headed to bed.
Same Time Sydney and Gage's
"Mommy, Mommy we have to show Anna B Kitty," Cat was all ready calling as she came through the door.
"All right Cat but make it quick it's time you were tucked into bed," Syd answered as both Piper and Cat dragged Anna B down the hall with them Sydney close behind.
"How's Chris?" Sumner asked trailing in behind the girls.
"Wishing he could die," Gage replied.
"Did he say what happened?" Sumner questioned further.
Gage quickly explained Chris' story as Sumner answered with a low whistle.
"The only part of that story that matches David Preston's account is Chris drank too much beer.
Sumner finished David's version just as Syd and Anna B joined them. Gage had just started to defend his son saying, "I know what Chris told us is the truth there were no sports bags in the van and there are only three bottles of beer in the house."
"Besides Chris is all scratched up where someone dragged him behind the barn," Sydney spoke up defending Chris too.
"Anyone who knows Chris knows that this is nonsense he may have done the wrong thing drinking today but he certainly wasn't the one supplying it," Gage had taken over the conversation again.
"David Preston is telling a pretty convincing story and with his pals backing him up…" Sumner left the sentence hanging.
"That explains it," Syd snapped going to the phone and dialing.
"Syd who are you calling," Gage was a step behind her but not fast enough to cut the call.
"Alex you of all people," the words were tumbling out of her mouth. "You know full well that Chris didn't supply anyone with beer."
"Sydney calm down nobody is accusing…" Alex tried to say.
"And nobody tried to defend him either instead you call up fishing for answers," Syd was almost shouting as Gage tried to reach for the phone getting his hand slapped for his trouble.
"Sydney it's just that David and his friends…."
Again Sydney cut her off, "David and his friends… I can see what friends and loyalties are more important here. For the record Alex the beer didn't come from our house and Chris didn't supply it to anyone have you got that." Sydney furiously slammed the phone down staring blankly at the wall the realization that the trust of one of her best friends had just been broken.
Swallowing hard Syd welcomed the touch of Gage's hands on her shoulders. She stood a minute more before turning into his arms whispering, "I feel so betrayed."
Hugging her close Gage played his fingers through the strands of her long black hair his own feelings of hurt beginning to creep in.
"Syd Gage I think we'll be taking off now," Anna B's voice broke the uneasy silence that filled the air.
"Yeah all right," Sydney had broken away from Gage to turn and face the couple.
"Sydney this is going to blow over," Anna B was trying her best to comfort Syd. "It's like anything you have to be stupid and young once I know look at me."
Sydney actually smiled at the girl's comparison.
"Chris is lucky like me," she persisted, "He's got you two to set him straight. Besides he's a good kid."
Hugging the girl Syd whispered to her, "Thank you I needed to hear that."
"I meant every word," Anna B replied.
The Front Porch of the Walker Ranch
The Walkers had been sitting on the front porch rehashing the events of the day when the phone rang. "All right Danny time for bed," Alex told her son getting up to answer the phone at the same time.
"Aw Mom," Danny had protested thinking the conversation was just getting good. It had just gotten around to Chris and the events that had happened with him that day.
"No arguing with your mother," Walker had intervened on Alex's behalf.
"All right," he sighed following his Mom inside.
"Dad you don't really think that it was Chris that was giving out the beer do you?" Angela asked her father.
"Why would David say it if it wasn't true?" Walker countered watching his daughter closely.
"David wouldn't lie," Angela was quick to defend her new boyfriend but she was still unable to believe that Chris would do what he was accused of. "David I believe I'm just not so sure about his friends."
"So you don't think that this was Chris' doing then?" Walker continued to question her.
"Please Dad, Chris is too much like Uncle Gage," she drawled out.
"And is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Walker asked just as Alex came back out on the porch.
"Angela it's time you told your father good night," Alex absently old her daughter.
The girl was about to protest when she caught sight of her Dad's eyes motioning her in the house. Nodding her head okay she went to her mother giving her a kiss and saying good night repeating things with her father and heading inside. When Walker thought she was out of earshot he turned to Alex asking, "What's wrong? Who was on the phone?"
"It was Sydney and she's mad at me," Alex replied still somewhat dumbfounded by the whole thing.
"Mad at you?" Walker asked pretty sure what was upsetting his ranger wanting to see if his wife had come to the same conclusion.
"Yeah I called earlier to see how Chris was and I asked her where he got the beer," Alex began to say stopping a moment before telling Walker, "She was really short with me then. I thought it was really odd Chris has always been such a good kid and I just wanted to offer my help."
Walker offered no comment so she continued, "I mean when a kid brings beer to a social function and offers it to other kids and then ends up passed out having to be taken home…"
She looked at Walker again who was still not indicating an opinion one-way or the other. Instead he asked, "So what did she say when she called back?"
"She was fuming mad not that her son was drinking and giving it to others she was mad I wasn't defending him for it," Alex explained. "The facts are all lying right out there in front of us we just can't ignore it for the sake of a friendship. What kind of friends would that make us?"
Walker sat quiet for a minute mulling his wife's words over in his mind before asking, "What exactly are the facts again Alex?"
"Walker four witness to the fact of what Chris was doing," she replied exasperated with him.
"That's what you see Alex?" Walker asked.
"Yes what is it you see?"
"Myself I see four older boys one we barely know and three others we don't know at all. The one we just barely know has known the other three a very long time. Now just by coincidence the one we barely know has become our daughter's boyfriend and he even though he really didn't witness the whole thing is the one insisting that Chris was the one who brought the beer and was offering it to the others."
"Well yes…"
"Let me finish Alex," Walker smiled. "On the other hand we have Chris Gage who I've known since he made his first appearance in this world. Who has been in our home countless times, calls us Aunt and Uncle, even took a bullet for Angela to save her life because he loves her… He has had his heart broken this week because Angela has decided she would like David as a boyfriend and now the first little scrape he gets into you think that we should just jump ship and side with David and his friends," Walker stated.
"Think maybe that is why Sydney was a little upset?"
"Oh Walker," Alex swallowed hard realizing she had been so wrapped up in the fund raising and introducing Angela's first boyfriend around that she had forgotten her true friends. "No wonder Erica stood up to Jenna like she did… like I should have," Alex chided herself.
"Alex don't be to hard on yourself. You find Syd tomorrow and talk to her and apologize. I'll talk to them both I want to get to the bottom of this little prank as well."
Alex nodded her head yes as she leaned it against Walker's shoulder.
TBC