As silent as possible, Ryan made his way into the house with last night's empty plates in his arms.
Sandy said from the kitchen. You're up early.
Ryan glanced up at him and shrugged slightly, carrying the dishes to the sink.
Where's Vanessa? Kirsten asked as Ryan grabbed himself a clean bowl from the cupboard.
Ryan replied, picking out some cereal. She fell asleep pretty quick. Right after she ate.
He glanced momentarily at Kirsten before he poured some Honey Bunches of Oats into his cereal bowl. He added milk as Sandy and Kirsten exchanged glances.
A silence filled the room as Ryan stared down at his cereal, thinking over Kirsten words from the previous night.
... if she's in trouble you should tell us.
Ryan sighed and added milk to his cereal, trying to shake the urge to tell Kirsten and Sandy about his friend. Seth made his way into the kitchen, already fully showered and dressed in a pair of jeans and striped, collared t-shirt.
Morning, Seth, Kirsten greeted her son, adding a smile. Seth mumbled his good morning as he took a carton of orange juice from the refrigerator and poured himself a glass.
What are you plans for the day? Kirsten asked, slowly sipping his coffee. Seth shrugged, raising his glass half way to his lips.
I was gonna go to Summer's house and see if she wanted to hang out, he replied simply. He turned to Ryan. So - who's your friend?
Ryan sighed.
Her name is Vanessa, he said. Seth stared at him, waiting for him to continue.
Seth said when Ryan said nothing. Well... how do you know her?
Her and I were childhood friends, Ryan explained, barely looking up from his cereal. She lived next door to me.
Oh yeah? What happened to her?
Ryan opened his mouth to respond but paused when Vanessa stepped into the kitchen, still wearing her boxer shorts and white tank top. She gave everyone a small, sad smile as she walked into the kitchen.
she said in a small voice. Umm... I was just wondering if I could get some breakfast?
Sandy nodded in response.
Sure you can, he said. Seth, get Vanessa a glass of orange juice. What do you want to eat, Vanessa?
She glanced nervously at Ryan with surprised eyes. Ryan said nothing, but he could read her mind; she had never been treated so nicely.
Umm... I'll just have what Ryan's having, she replied nervously. Sandy nodded and looked at Ryan.
Get her some cereal?
Ryan nodded and obeyed. Sandy looked back over at Vanessa and smiled.
Come in! he invited. Sit down!
Vanessa bit her bottom lip and slowly found herself a stool across from Sandy and Kirsten.
Thank you for the sandwiches last night, she thanked Kirsten. Kirsten smiled.
Well, you're welcome.
Seth set a glass of orange juice in front of Vanessa as Ryan placed a bowl on the counter next to her. She thanked them graciously and immediately began to eat. Sandy, Kirsten and Seth watched her eat with questioning stares as Ryan tired to ignore Vanessa's seemingly strange eating habits.
Kirsten's eyes fell to Vanessa's arms. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she nudged Sandy lightly on the arm, drawing Sandy's attention from Vanessa's spoon to her arms. They exchanged worried glances before watching the girl eat.
Vanessa finished within minuets and pushed the dishes away from herself. She sat in silence for a minuet before she collected her dishes and placed them gently in the sink. She began to wash them when Kirsten stopped her.
You can just leave them in the sink, she told Vanessa. I'll take care of them.
Vanessa nodded.
I'm going to take a shower, okay? she asked, glancing at Ryan. He nodded.
Towels are in the hall closet, he told her. She thanked him and quickly left the kitchen for the pool house once more. No one said a word. Finally, Seth let out a sigh.
She's weird, he said bluntly. Kirsten rolled her eyes in his direction.
Don't you have some where to be? she questioned impatiently, obviously hoping he would leave. Seth backed away.
Okay, okay, he said. I'm leaving.
Be back before midnight, Sandy called to him. The three remaining waited for the door to close before another word was spoken. Kirsten glanced up at Ryan.
Okay, what's going on with your friend? She demanded. Ryan's gaze fell to the floor.
What was going on with her arms? Sandy added. Ryan sighed deeply.
I... don't know if I can tell you, he confessed.
Ryan, if there's something going on you need to tell us, Sandy said. Ryan sighed again.
I... I can't, he said. Kirsten and Sandy said nothing, disappointed in Ryan's decision. Guilt hit Ryan like a ton of bricks - he knew he should tell some one about Vanessa and her father. He also knew that if he had told some one, he would feel guilty for giving up Vanessa's secret.
I'm gonna go, Ryan said. He needed time to think.
