chapter 4 Gloom
The girls did the grocery shopping after lunch then headed back to the Mitchell house where Ryan was preparing dinner.
"Hey you two, get everything on the list?" He looked up from his work to watch them bringing in bags of groceries.
"I think so." Dana said as she took each thing out of their bags she checked them off the list he'd given her.
"Well, so do I. There's not much time left." He said smiling to himself. She was so organized, that was something she'd gotten from their father, and unfortunately he didn't share it, except in the kitchen.
"Right." Kelsey said and was taking the list from Dana to do the checking while her friend put away the supplies. We'll start the decorating tomorrow."
"Decorating?" Ryan frowned a little, what were they going to to?
"Yep I'm going to head up into the attic see if I can't bring down some of the tree ornaments things Dad stored up there." Dana told him he wondered just what was up there. He'd not had time to look since they'd moved in.
"Ok, well if you need a hand, I'll be home about four." Ryan said Dana nodded. His eyes fell on to the part time yellow ranger. She looked tired, her normally tanned skin was pale her eyes were tired. He'd never seen her like this, not in all of the time he'd known her.
"So, Kel how's life been?" He asked going back to stirring the beef stew.
"Not too bad. How about yours?" She asked as she finished checking off the last item.
"Busy. The academy is a little crazy most of the time then I have to look after little sister." Ryan said knowing that would draw Dana into the conversation
"Hey! I'm the one who has to get you out of bed half of the time." She called as she came out of the pantry after putting away the flower and sugar
"I have to make sure you eat so we're even." Ryan retorted and Kelsey wished she had a brother like Ryan, he was so sweet protective.
"Kel you ok?" Dana asked she came back to the kitchen with a rush.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah I was just thinking. You two are really lucky to have each other." She confessed.
"Yeah, despite the fact that Dane's a perfectionist I love her to pieces." Ryan grinned.
"You better after all of the trouble you put me through today." Dana said swatting his arm.
"Hey this was your idea."
"Yeah so I did my part. Come on Kel lets go in set the table." Dana grabbed her friends arm dragged her into the dining room.
***
"So how was Grease?" Ryan asked as he passed the rolls to Kelsey.
"Nice." The brunette replied as if it didn't matter Ryan frowned.
"So why'd you leave?"
"I always come home for the holidays." Kelsey shrugged.
"Always a good plan." Dana smiled Ryan nodded.
"Yeah, it's the one time of year I know exactly where I'll be." Kelsey replied.
"Hmm, I can't imagine not knowing where I'll be." Dana said thoughtfully. Her life had just been so stationary. After Ryan had been taken she Dad had moved into the Aquabase her life had become nothing but training.
"It's not exactly a promising feeling." Kelsey said sighing wanly. How many hotels had she woke in alone, feeling completely depressed?
"Hmm," Ryan took in her look frowned wondering if that was all thee was to it. Her eyes had a look, as if she was lonely. He'd seen that look time and time again; he'd had it before himself.
"So, Dana says your thinking of going back to school." He said trying to change that light to something else.
"Yeah, it's silly but I am kind of tired of living from sporting event to trip and back." She admitted and he felt a smile cross his lips.
"It's not silly, it means your growing up." Dana told her.
"Great, the mother rears her ugly head." Ryan rolled his eyes.
"I'm just saying that when you grow up stability is something most want." Dana defended herself.
"Right, so how did the calls go today?" Ryan asked pointedly and Dana felt her cheeks blush.
"Not bad, everyone is coming but we're going to have nine for dinner instead of eight." Kelsey said and Dana had a strange feeling as she watched Ryan's face, did Kelsey know something she didn't?
"How's that?" Ryan asked a curious look on his face.
"Chad's cousin is coming to dinner." Kelsey told them and Dana frowned slightly.
"Ok, are we sure she's a cousin?" Ryan asked seeing his sister's look.
"Actually no, I think if I recall his files said he had no family left." Dana told them and Kelsey nodded slowly feeling a little sick.
"His parents were both only children and he has no family." She said and suddenly the food that had seemed so good felt like a lump of lead in her stomach.
"Well maybe we're wrong." Dana tried to cheer her friend up, to no avail.
"Hey, just because…"
"You know I could use a little help in cooking if you have time." Ryan told his now gloomy friend and she looked to him a little interest on her face.
"I thought you didn't need help cooking?" Kelsey said and he looked right at her, as if sending her an unspoken message.
"Yes, well it can be a lonely business." He told her gently and she felt tears welling in her eyes, why was it they could be so kind after not seeing each other in so long?
"Thanks anyway Ryan but…' she said getting to her feet, not wanting them to see her cry.
"Please." He said softly catching her hand in his. Neither was prepared for the electricity that shot between them at that simple touch.
"I…" she knew she could go but suddenly she didn't feel like crying, she sat back down. "Ok, when?"
Dana watched the exchange and felt as if something e3ven better than Kelsey and Chad was happening. She'd not only make Kelsey happy but help Ryan find someone too. But if that look that had passed between them was any indication she didn't have much to do.