Not Really A Gamble; So Much As A Guess Chapter Two

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"I think you should come eat lunch with us Sandy. We should all go together." Kirsten looks around the kitchen counter for her car keys. Her nerves are still on edge. Three hours ago they agreed to allow an abandoned sixteen-year-old to come to live with them. The reality of the situation is now hitting home.

Sandy, sensing his wife's growing uneasiness, holds his hands out apologetically. "I'm sorry honey, I have to meet with Carl Baker. It took me a whole week to line this meeting up. Carl won't be available for another month. We could do dinner together. Can we wait to go out until dinner?"

Kirsten spots the purse she used last night hanging over a chair. She heads over to it in search of her missing keys. "No, it can't wait. Well yes, we can still go out for dinner, but I want to take the boys out this afternoon."

Before Sandy can ask why, Kirsten lets out a triumphant; "Yes!" pulls the car keys from her purse, and walks back into the kitchen. "Sandy, he has a back pack. A back pack for god's sake. His mother didn't even bring anything else from the house for him. I have no idea how long he has been wearing the same socks. I don't think he would ask us for water if he were on fire. The child needs.." she stops an inch away from Sandy, and looks into his face, "He just needs."

Sandy smiles at his wife, leans over and kisses her. "God, you are so incredibly beautiful when you are in this nuturing mode. I have my own needs."

Kirsten returns the kiss, and then pushes her husband backwards. "I don't think so, don't push your luck buddy."

S andy regains his balance and offers, "I washed them last night."

Kirsten is confused. "Washed what?"

"Ryan's clothes, last night before we went to Casino night. He already had a suit on, my socks, so I took advantage of the situation. You were right about his socks by the way." Sandy plugs his nose, "Yikes."

Kirsten considers her husband's words, nods in approval and walks over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

"Oh and there were boxers. So either he was commando last night, or he has extra pairs." Sandy steals the bottle of water from Kirsten and takes a sip.

She slugs him on the arm and recaptures the water. She turns for her keys and Sandy gently reaches for her. He places his arms around her waist. "Seriously Kirsten. Hold off on the shopping. Let's wait." He kisses the back of her neck, "Take my word for it. You are a whole lot more concerned about the state of his wardrobe than Ryan is. Let the kid have a day to comprehend what has happened before you drag him to the mall. Teenage boys and shopping?" Sandy raises his eyebrows. "Perhaps not so much."

Kirsten sighs, a quiet admission of defeat. "Ok, maybe you're right. A quick lunch and we'll come home. Give Ryan some time to adjust."

Sandy releases her, "There you go." He glances at his watch, "And here I go." He plants one last kiss on his wife. "See ya."

Grabbing his briefcase from the kitchen counter, Sandy runs into the boys. He lifts up a finger. "Seth, I have to take off, you two behave yourselves for your mother."

"So dad, what you're saying is, cancel the whole 'Welcome Ryan' stripper gram?" Seth inquires.

Sandy considers the proposal. "Well, maybe if you keep it to the pool house, music low. " He reaches out, musses Ryan's hair, and points towards his biological son, "Get him under control, will ya Ryan?"

Ryan grimaces, wrinkles his nose and offers, "I'm only one man Mr. Cohen."

Sandy opens the front door, "Truer words have never been spoken Ryan, do your best. It's Sandy to you by the way Mr. Atwood." He winks at Ryan and leaves. The kid looks down at the floor and smiles.

"Mom", Seth screams, causing Ryan to flinch. "Are we going or not?"

Kirsten comes into the foyer holding her ears, "Gee I don't know Seth, and can we fit the Coopers in our car? Because given the volume of your voice, they may now think they're invited."

Seth rolls his eyes at her and exaggerates a whisper, "Mom, are we going or what?"

Kirsten walks past him. She reaches for Ryan's elbow and steers the boy towards the entrance. "Ryan and I are going Seth, see if you can keep up."

Seth rolls his eyes again and follows them out the front door. "You wound me mother" he calls out, then adds, "I'm wounded."