*****
Sandy answers the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, Sandy."
"Ryan. How are you feeling?" Sandy asks. Seth and Marissa both glance up.
"Better. How's Seth?"
"Hang on," Sandy says, passing the phone to Seth.
"Hey."
"Hey. You okay?" Seth asks.
"Sick as hell. But better. I haven't puked in a couple of hours."
"Good job," Seth grins.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Marissa snores," Seth says.
"I know," Ryan smiles.
Marissa pokes Seth, feigning insult.
"When do you get out?"
"I don't know. Your mom's with the doctor."
"Maybe we'll come see you if its going to be a while…" Seth starts.
"Don't say that. I want to come home," Ryan says. Kirsten returns with the doctor. "I'll call you back."
*****
The doctor keeps Ryan until noon and then Kirsten brings him home. They are surprised to find their driveway crowded with cars. Caleb, Julie, Jimmy, Rachel, Sandy and Anna's parents are in the house along with several other adults.
"Sandy? What's going on?" Kirsten asks, her hand on Ryan's shoulder.
"It's an impromptu memorial." Sandy gives Ryan a quick hug before he can escape and motions to the patio. Ryan recognizes Seth and Marissa in the hot tub. Luke, Chip and several of Ryan's soccer teammates are in the pool talking to Seth and Marissa.
"Well…" Kirsten starts.
"It's because of the settlement," Caleb says. Ryan flinches as Caleb puts his hand on his shoulder.
"The Heights are being turned into a memorial for Anna," Rachel explains.
Ryan walks onto the patio. Several people call hello to him. Marissa, Seth, Luke and Chip leave the pool and come to his side.
"Hey," He says, tiredly.
"How you feeling?" Marissa asks, embracing him. He smiles as he examines her.
"When I'm not here, you should be wearing pants," He teases, referring to her bikini.
"You look like hell," Luke comments.
"I don't feel much better," Ryan replies honestly. "This is nice."
"Yeah. It's really nice," Seth agrees. Ryan sways suddenly and Marissa takes his arm to steady him.
"I'm going to go lie down…" Ryan says. Marissa puts her arm around his waist and accompanies him to the pool house. He lies down on his bed, exhausted. Marissa disappears for a moment, getting dressed and returning. She curls up with him on the bed.
"Thank you for staying with Seth," He says.
"I'm glad you're better. He's doing good," Marissa says.
Seth steps inside, dressed. He lies down on the free side of Marissa.
"So, Ryan. Marissa said you wanted her to sleep with me," Seth sighs.
"What?" Ryan laughs.
"But as a gentleman, I resisted," Seth continues.
"Shut up," Marissa laughs. Within minutes, all three teenagers are asleep.
*****
"…And I don't care if you don't love me
And I don't care if you won't change
I could live inside the shadow that I cast on you
And the myth that you would stay
And I'll be home before the morning comes,
You won't have to be alone…"
--Something Corporate
Seth wakes up when he feels fingertips in his hair. He opens his eyes and recognizes Summer sitting beside him.
"Sorry," She apologizes.
"Hey." He yawns, sitting up. Ryan and Marissa are sleeping soundly.
"You guys are adorable," Summer whispers.
"Summer…I'm sorry."
"Me, too. I…I want to help you. I want to be your friend, Seth…" Summer starts. She reaches for his hand.
"I know. I just…I don't know…" Seth sighs. He pulls away. Ryan mumbles in his sleep.
Summer glances over at him. "You guys are so weird. It's like, you're upset and he can sense it."
"We're brothers," Seth replies.
"Stop it…" Ryan murmurs clearly. Marissa wakes up.
"Can we talk?" Summer asks Seth.
"No…" Ryan mutters, starting to struggle. Marissa wakes him gently.
Seth is watching him. "You okay?"
Ryan examines Summer before replying, "Are you?"
"Yeah," Seth replies.
Ryan whispers something in Marissa's ear. She nods. "We're going to take a shower."
Seth smiles. "Okay."
"Seriously, just a shower," Marissa states.
"We believe you," Summer teases. Marissa gets up and Seth and Summer realize that Ryan is almost too weak to stand. Marissa steadies him as he gets to his feet, holding his hands.
"Don't upset him, Summer," Ryan says quietly. He looks at Seth. "Don't get upset."
"Why don't you concentrate on not falling over?" Summer replies.
"It's cool, Ryan," Seth says. Ryan and Marissa slowly step from the room.
"Talk to me, Cohen," Summer whispers.
"About what?" Seth replies.
"About why you're mad at me."
"I'm not mad at you," Seth counters. "You just…you remind me of her. You're my weakness. You're why I couldn't love her and you…you don't even care…"
Summer's face falls. "I do care…"
"I should have tried to be what she needed…"
"I think she deserved someone who could love her, Seth, wholeheartedly…"
"You didn't know her, Summer…"
"I know…but I know you and I know you cared about her. I know she knew it, too," Summer whispers. She embraces him impulsively. He lets her hold him. Finally, he pulls away.
"I can't, Summer…"
"I'm sorry it took losing her for me to realize…" She starts.
"Don't," Seth stops her, standing up.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Seth," Summer says, her brown eyes full of tears. "Do you want me to go?"
"No. Stay. But I don't want to talk," Seth sighs.
Kirsten and Sandy appear with a tray of food. They are both surprised to see Summer.
"Where's Ryan?" Kirsten asks. "And Marissa?"
"Taking a shower," Seth replies before thinking.
Kirsten pales, startled.
"Um, not like that, Ryan's just…" Summer starts.
"Weak," Ryan finishes, stepping into the room with Marissa's assistance.
"We didn't…we weren't…" Marissa is red with embarrassment.
"It's okay," Sandy stammers.
"I'm pretty shaky so I asked her to help me," Ryan says, sitting down on his bed. "She got shampoo in my eyes."
Kirsten and Sandy relax at his joke.
"I'll get you some 'no-tears Johnson & Johnson'," Kirsten smiles.
"Rose brought you guys some food," Sandy says. Kirsten hands Ryan a bottle of juice but his hands are trembling so much that he drops it.
"Well, at least you don't have to shake it," Marissa says, picking it up for him.
"I called Jimmy, Marissa and he's going to bring some clothes over for you," Kirsten says.
"Thanks," Marissa says honestly.
"The boys need to take their medicine…" Kirsten starts.
"We'll be outside," Marissa says, leading Summer to the patio.
"Are we in trouble?" Seth asks immediately.
"No. I admit, we're concerned because you didn't call us…" Kirsten replies.
"It was my decision. You guys haven't been getting along and there was nothing you could do for me or Ryan…" Seth says.
"Seth," Sandy starts.
"She was dead. Anna's dead. I couldn't have handled you guys coming back and still be arguing," Seth continues. "I just needed to chill out…"
"Kids," Kirsten sighs. "Sandy and I have been arguing lately but our marriage is fine. All couples fight but I love Sandy and he loves me and that's all that matters."
"We're okay," Seth says. "I'm glad you're back but we're okay now."
"We're proud of you," Sandy says quietly. "You boys have both proven that you're men now…"
"Dad, please…" Seth scoffs.
Ryan's eyelids are drooping and he is barely staying upright. Kirsten sits down beside him. "Before you go to sleep, you have to eat…"
"Not hungry," Ryan murmurs.
Seth sits down on Ryan's empty side. "Dude. You've been throwing up for days…you have to eat."
Ryan glares at him.
"Am I going to have to get Marissa?" Seth warns. Ryan accepts a sandwich from Sandy's tray. He takes a tentative bite.
"Good boy," Seth grins, patting Ryan on the head. Ryan sticks his tongue out at Seth.
Kirsten and Sandy smile at the boys' interaction. Seth takes a sandwich.
As Ryan finishes eating, Sandy holds out several pills. Ryan sighs but accepts them. Seth swallows the painkillers from his mother.
"Okay, guys. Ryan, you have permission to fall asleep again. Seth, don't let the girls keep him awake," Sandy warns, leading Kirsten to the door after she gives both boys a quick hug.
