Not Really A Gamble; So Much As A Guess
Chapter Three
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In the back seat, Ryan is looking out the window, watching the cars go by. Seth is in the front seat harassing Kirsten, something about how the pool could be converted to a skateboard park during the off-season. Kirsten points out that there really isn't much of an off-season in Newport, but Seth continues to ramble, chastising his mother about how she only thinks in the upper class suburban box. Their noise soothes Ryan's raw nerves. Seth's bedroom and the pool house are the only two places he allows himself to fully relax in. All other areas are public domain. He is still so awkward in Kirsten presence that he has to mentally psych himself before even offering up a simple yes or no. He is a little more comfortable with Sandy. Ryan feels numb and uncertain. Dawn left him for a second time this morning. Now he's on his way to a California Pizza Kitchen with a kid he has only known a few days and a woman who really only smiled at him for the first time a few hours ago. Ryan's not hungry. He's emotionally paralyzed. He hears Seth in the background calling his name.
"Ryan!" Seth leans into the back seat of the car and snaps his fingers in Ryan's face, "Hello? Are you with me? What is so interesting out there? They don't have cars in Chino?"
Ryan surfaces from his private thoughts in a slow fog, "What? Yes, I mean no. Yes cars, no Jags or Hummers."
Seth dismisses the answer to a question he meant as rhetorical and pleads, "What's your answer to the whole pool slash skateboard park thing."
"Huh?" Ryan stammers.
Seth flops back into the passenger's seat. He sweeps his hand out and straightens it towards his mother. "Ok, so, Ryan's on my side on this issue. That's two votes for Project Pool Conversion."
The car stops at a red light and Kirsten turns to her son. "Since when is 'huh' a yes vote Seth? And put your seatbelt back on."
Seth points out the light has turned green and comments as he buckles himself in, "As of the time I appointed myself in charge if this informally formal pool poll. I'm considering Ryan's 'huh' as a hanging Chad. Default to the judge's discretion, namely myself, and therefore a yes vote."
Kirsten shakes her head and Seth plots on. Ryan returns his attention to the passing cars, this morning's event weighing him down more and more as the Cohen house gets further and further away.
Dawn waved this time before betraying him. A piss poor follow-up to the damn note sure, but what the hell, at least she made the effort in person. Ryan wipes at his nose with the sleeve of his jacket. He will not do this; he will not break down in front of these strangers. To calm himself he silently returns to counting the cars as they go by. As he hits Hummer number twenty-seven, the Rover turns into the restaurant's parking lot. He mashes his sleeve against his eyes, wishing like hell he owned a pair of sunglasses. Get it together Ryan, he urges himself. Just keep it together.
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Ryan has never seen so many combinations for pizza. Interestingly enough, he's having some trouble locating pepperoni on the menu. He looks out the restaurant's window, Hummer number thirty-two races into oblivion.
"So Ryan", Kirsten sips at her glass of water, "What's look good?" Ryan realizes that the waitress has arrived and is taking orders.
He doesn't know what to say. He thinks to himself, 'Well, let's just pick one Mrs. Cohen, a stable home, a little less domestic abuse, a mother who doesn't need a mother.' Ryan shrugs. "Pepperoni?"
Seth nods in approval, "Yes, that is a fine selection. What do you think for a beverage, Mountain Dew? Traditional or Code Red. The Code Red is growing on me but I have a whole slew of 'New Coke' concerns about it."
"Pepsi", Ryan concludes. "Please."
The waitress smiles at him. "Sure sweetie." She's hot, definitely college. Given her tone, Ryan figures she must think he is twelve.
Seth is monopolizing the conversations that await the arrival of lunch, which is fine with Ryan. The youngest Cohen has moved on to something about a Wally-ball court in the basement. Kirsten points out that they don't have a basement, but Seth counter points that the next earthquake may fix that problem. Out of the corner of his eye, Ryan counts Hummer number forty.
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Kirsten picks at the remains of her salad, listening to Seth explain some of the finer dynamics of Newport teen life to Ryan. She's worried because Ryan has barely spoken, eaten little, and appears emotionally inaccessible. She wanted lunch to help distract him from this morning's events but maybe they should have stayed home. He seemed happier there. Ryan's not from Newport; she doubts that food offers much of a distraction from anything in Chino.
When the waitress arrives with the check, Kirsten looks at the remains of almost an entire pizza on Ryan's plate. "Do you want a 'to go' box Ryan?" she asks the teenager.
He stares at the food and shakes his head. "Um, I'm really not that hungry."
Kirsten realizes she never even asked him whether or not he liked pizza. It's Seth that loves pizza. She drove to the Pizza Kitchen like a lemming. Feeling guilty, she joins Ryan in staring at the food.
"I'll take it", Seth cheerfully pips up, breaking the silence. He smiles an enormous cheesy grin and qualifies, "One can NEVER have enough pepperoni." Ryan wants to make his own counter point and remind Seth that he is half-Jewish and maybe shouldn't be eating pepperoni in the first place. Instead he slides his plate in the direction of the waitress.
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Standing to leave the restaurant, Kirsten mentally kicks herself. It's not just about Seth anymore. Ryan deserves to have a say in things. She places a hand on his shoulder but quickly removes it when Ryan instinctually recoils slightly. "You pick next time, ok Ryan?"
He nods and continues making his way to the exit. The waitress catches up with them and hands Seth the 'to go' box. Her shoulder brushes Ryan's and he feels her breath tickle his ear. "My phone number's on the bottom of the box", she whispers. The trio emerges from the restaurant into the bright California sunshine.
Seth ambles into the front seat, spots the phone number and squeals, "Dude, that dyn-o-mite waitresses left me her digits. I ranked digits! How Mountain Dew Code Red is this?"
Ryan smiles, shakes his head and attempts to clarify. "Did you just say digits?"
Kirsten snatches the box from Seth. "Maybe I'll have your father call her. He can explain the concept of jail bait."
Seth tries to get the box back but relinquishes all hope as Kirsten slaps his hand for the fifth time. "Mom, please, our love has barely taken wings."
Kirsten tucks the box into the side compartment of her door. "Save it Seth, your love is composed of Styrofoam."
Ryan watches the cars go by.
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When they pull into the driveway, Kirsten takes a deep breathe and asks Ryan to get the mail. The teenager replies a quiet ok and makes his way down the long drive.
"That was so smooth mom", Seth chastises, "I bet Ryan had absolutely NO idea that you wanted to speak to me alone."
Kirsten observes Ryan's progress through the rearview mirror. He's still making his way to the end of the driveway. Turning to Seth, she folds her hands in her lap and says, "You wanted this as much as your father Seth. I will not shoulder this boy's grief alone. It can't be only about sailing and Playstation with you Seth. Your father can't just contribute court dates and clean socks. You two have to step up. You have to help me help him Seth. I can't, I will not, do this alone."
Seth glances in the rearview mirror, watching Ryan open the mailbox. "I am helping mom", he protests. "Just different from you. I do help Ryan."
Kirsten looks out the car window. Her son has been talking all day but this is the first time she has bothered to listen. "I'm sorry Seth", she says quietly, "God you're right. I'm sorry."
Seth holds out his fist, "Hey, we're cool" can I have my pizza box back now?"
Kirsten laughs, hits his outstretched fist with hers and smacks him on the side of the head. "No Seth, you may not."
Ryan patiently waits outside her window with the mail. Even though no one is forcing a conversation on him, the boy looks guarded, his head down. Kirsten guesses he walked in slow motion the entire time.
Seth jumps out of the car, goes around to Kirsten's side and casually drops an arm around Ryan's shoulder. Kirsten waits for the reflexive recoil but it doesn't come.
"Hey, you know what Ry? I'm feeling full, refreshed, in good spirits. You have been pardoned and served your time away from the inner sanctum. I'm dispensing 'Get Into Sanctum Cards Free Today', and you are first in line. Let's give it another shot, shall we?" Ryan squints at him skeptically through the mid-day sun.
Removing herself from the vehicle, Kirsten takes the mail from Ryan and holds up a finger. "Uh, you know what Seth? Maybe Ryan wants a sandwich or something." Ryan looks bored. Kirsten persists, "Cereal?"
The boy contemplates the offer, then nods, "Ok. I mean, yes, please."
As they walk into the palatial house, Kirsten mentions to Ryan that now that he will be staying with them, he should get to know some of the other family members. Seth groans. As he closes the door, Hummer number forty- one innocently passes the front of the house. It goes unnoticed.
Seth considers trying to spare Ryan the trip down photo gauntlet lane, but his mom has already commandeered the hapless teen into the den. Making his way to his bedroom to wait for Ryan, Seth hears his mother starting the celluloid tour.
"Ryan, I want to show you this picture first."
Seth is surprised when he hears Ryan initiate a question. "Who is that?"
Kirsten answers, "That's my mom Ryan. She died a little while ago. I miss her."
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Later that afternoon when Sandy calls inquiring about dinner plans, he is told to come home; Ryan wants to eat in tonight.
Finis (And thanks for reading.)
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In the back seat, Ryan is looking out the window, watching the cars go by. Seth is in the front seat harassing Kirsten, something about how the pool could be converted to a skateboard park during the off-season. Kirsten points out that there really isn't much of an off-season in Newport, but Seth continues to ramble, chastising his mother about how she only thinks in the upper class suburban box. Their noise soothes Ryan's raw nerves. Seth's bedroom and the pool house are the only two places he allows himself to fully relax in. All other areas are public domain. He is still so awkward in Kirsten presence that he has to mentally psych himself before even offering up a simple yes or no. He is a little more comfortable with Sandy. Ryan feels numb and uncertain. Dawn left him for a second time this morning. Now he's on his way to a California Pizza Kitchen with a kid he has only known a few days and a woman who really only smiled at him for the first time a few hours ago. Ryan's not hungry. He's emotionally paralyzed. He hears Seth in the background calling his name.
"Ryan!" Seth leans into the back seat of the car and snaps his fingers in Ryan's face, "Hello? Are you with me? What is so interesting out there? They don't have cars in Chino?"
Ryan surfaces from his private thoughts in a slow fog, "What? Yes, I mean no. Yes cars, no Jags or Hummers."
Seth dismisses the answer to a question he meant as rhetorical and pleads, "What's your answer to the whole pool slash skateboard park thing."
"Huh?" Ryan stammers.
Seth flops back into the passenger's seat. He sweeps his hand out and straightens it towards his mother. "Ok, so, Ryan's on my side on this issue. That's two votes for Project Pool Conversion."
The car stops at a red light and Kirsten turns to her son. "Since when is 'huh' a yes vote Seth? And put your seatbelt back on."
Seth points out the light has turned green and comments as he buckles himself in, "As of the time I appointed myself in charge if this informally formal pool poll. I'm considering Ryan's 'huh' as a hanging Chad. Default to the judge's discretion, namely myself, and therefore a yes vote."
Kirsten shakes her head and Seth plots on. Ryan returns his attention to the passing cars, this morning's event weighing him down more and more as the Cohen house gets further and further away.
Dawn waved this time before betraying him. A piss poor follow-up to the damn note sure, but what the hell, at least she made the effort in person. Ryan wipes at his nose with the sleeve of his jacket. He will not do this; he will not break down in front of these strangers. To calm himself he silently returns to counting the cars as they go by. As he hits Hummer number twenty-seven, the Rover turns into the restaurant's parking lot. He mashes his sleeve against his eyes, wishing like hell he owned a pair of sunglasses. Get it together Ryan, he urges himself. Just keep it together.
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Ryan has never seen so many combinations for pizza. Interestingly enough, he's having some trouble locating pepperoni on the menu. He looks out the restaurant's window, Hummer number thirty-two races into oblivion.
"So Ryan", Kirsten sips at her glass of water, "What's look good?" Ryan realizes that the waitress has arrived and is taking orders.
He doesn't know what to say. He thinks to himself, 'Well, let's just pick one Mrs. Cohen, a stable home, a little less domestic abuse, a mother who doesn't need a mother.' Ryan shrugs. "Pepperoni?"
Seth nods in approval, "Yes, that is a fine selection. What do you think for a beverage, Mountain Dew? Traditional or Code Red. The Code Red is growing on me but I have a whole slew of 'New Coke' concerns about it."
"Pepsi", Ryan concludes. "Please."
The waitress smiles at him. "Sure sweetie." She's hot, definitely college. Given her tone, Ryan figures she must think he is twelve.
Seth is monopolizing the conversations that await the arrival of lunch, which is fine with Ryan. The youngest Cohen has moved on to something about a Wally-ball court in the basement. Kirsten points out that they don't have a basement, but Seth counter points that the next earthquake may fix that problem. Out of the corner of his eye, Ryan counts Hummer number forty.
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Kirsten picks at the remains of her salad, listening to Seth explain some of the finer dynamics of Newport teen life to Ryan. She's worried because Ryan has barely spoken, eaten little, and appears emotionally inaccessible. She wanted lunch to help distract him from this morning's events but maybe they should have stayed home. He seemed happier there. Ryan's not from Newport; she doubts that food offers much of a distraction from anything in Chino.
When the waitress arrives with the check, Kirsten looks at the remains of almost an entire pizza on Ryan's plate. "Do you want a 'to go' box Ryan?" she asks the teenager.
He stares at the food and shakes his head. "Um, I'm really not that hungry."
Kirsten realizes she never even asked him whether or not he liked pizza. It's Seth that loves pizza. She drove to the Pizza Kitchen like a lemming. Feeling guilty, she joins Ryan in staring at the food.
"I'll take it", Seth cheerfully pips up, breaking the silence. He smiles an enormous cheesy grin and qualifies, "One can NEVER have enough pepperoni." Ryan wants to make his own counter point and remind Seth that he is half-Jewish and maybe shouldn't be eating pepperoni in the first place. Instead he slides his plate in the direction of the waitress.
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Standing to leave the restaurant, Kirsten mentally kicks herself. It's not just about Seth anymore. Ryan deserves to have a say in things. She places a hand on his shoulder but quickly removes it when Ryan instinctually recoils slightly. "You pick next time, ok Ryan?"
He nods and continues making his way to the exit. The waitress catches up with them and hands Seth the 'to go' box. Her shoulder brushes Ryan's and he feels her breath tickle his ear. "My phone number's on the bottom of the box", she whispers. The trio emerges from the restaurant into the bright California sunshine.
Seth ambles into the front seat, spots the phone number and squeals, "Dude, that dyn-o-mite waitresses left me her digits. I ranked digits! How Mountain Dew Code Red is this?"
Ryan smiles, shakes his head and attempts to clarify. "Did you just say digits?"
Kirsten snatches the box from Seth. "Maybe I'll have your father call her. He can explain the concept of jail bait."
Seth tries to get the box back but relinquishes all hope as Kirsten slaps his hand for the fifth time. "Mom, please, our love has barely taken wings."
Kirsten tucks the box into the side compartment of her door. "Save it Seth, your love is composed of Styrofoam."
Ryan watches the cars go by.
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When they pull into the driveway, Kirsten takes a deep breathe and asks Ryan to get the mail. The teenager replies a quiet ok and makes his way down the long drive.
"That was so smooth mom", Seth chastises, "I bet Ryan had absolutely NO idea that you wanted to speak to me alone."
Kirsten observes Ryan's progress through the rearview mirror. He's still making his way to the end of the driveway. Turning to Seth, she folds her hands in her lap and says, "You wanted this as much as your father Seth. I will not shoulder this boy's grief alone. It can't be only about sailing and Playstation with you Seth. Your father can't just contribute court dates and clean socks. You two have to step up. You have to help me help him Seth. I can't, I will not, do this alone."
Seth glances in the rearview mirror, watching Ryan open the mailbox. "I am helping mom", he protests. "Just different from you. I do help Ryan."
Kirsten looks out the car window. Her son has been talking all day but this is the first time she has bothered to listen. "I'm sorry Seth", she says quietly, "God you're right. I'm sorry."
Seth holds out his fist, "Hey, we're cool" can I have my pizza box back now?"
Kirsten laughs, hits his outstretched fist with hers and smacks him on the side of the head. "No Seth, you may not."
Ryan patiently waits outside her window with the mail. Even though no one is forcing a conversation on him, the boy looks guarded, his head down. Kirsten guesses he walked in slow motion the entire time.
Seth jumps out of the car, goes around to Kirsten's side and casually drops an arm around Ryan's shoulder. Kirsten waits for the reflexive recoil but it doesn't come.
"Hey, you know what Ry? I'm feeling full, refreshed, in good spirits. You have been pardoned and served your time away from the inner sanctum. I'm dispensing 'Get Into Sanctum Cards Free Today', and you are first in line. Let's give it another shot, shall we?" Ryan squints at him skeptically through the mid-day sun.
Removing herself from the vehicle, Kirsten takes the mail from Ryan and holds up a finger. "Uh, you know what Seth? Maybe Ryan wants a sandwich or something." Ryan looks bored. Kirsten persists, "Cereal?"
The boy contemplates the offer, then nods, "Ok. I mean, yes, please."
As they walk into the palatial house, Kirsten mentions to Ryan that now that he will be staying with them, he should get to know some of the other family members. Seth groans. As he closes the door, Hummer number forty- one innocently passes the front of the house. It goes unnoticed.
Seth considers trying to spare Ryan the trip down photo gauntlet lane, but his mom has already commandeered the hapless teen into the den. Making his way to his bedroom to wait for Ryan, Seth hears his mother starting the celluloid tour.
"Ryan, I want to show you this picture first."
Seth is surprised when he hears Ryan initiate a question. "Who is that?"
Kirsten answers, "That's my mom Ryan. She died a little while ago. I miss her."
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Later that afternoon when Sandy calls inquiring about dinner plans, he is told to come home; Ryan wants to eat in tonight.
Finis (And thanks for reading.)
