My hubby's working midnights and I'm off work until the middle of February, so I should be able to update more often (please don't hold me to it). I don't own the characters, I haven't made any money from them. I just bring them out to play once in a while.

Chapter Seventeen

Dinner marked the first time the family had all sat down together at the dining room table in almost two weeks. With Sandy's help, Kirsten didn't have to try and pass off burned chicken as 'cajun' style. It was only after the threat of having a third can of 'non-dairy, soy based, high protein, iron supplemented, vitamin enriched' crap that Ryan attempted to eat some of the chicken. He chewed carefully and tentatively swallowed. He could feel everyone watching him. He put his fork down.

"If...if you want a...a...a....sh-show...I'll t-try to s-s-s-snort this out..out my nose..." He gestured to his half empty glass.

Seth giggled and the tension that hung over dinner was broken. Kirsten looked at Ryan.

"I'm sorry....We're just a little worried about you.."

Ryan gave her a small smile.

"I'm okay...."

Kirsten glanced at Sandy. In that one quick look she was able to convey her happiness at the improvement in Ryan's condition. They were just about to continue with their dinner when the doorbell rang. As Sandy got up to answer the door, Seth casually mentioned that Dr. Kim was coming by. Sandy rolled his eyes at Seth.

"This information might have been more helpful right after school Seth."

Ryan quickly stacked his glass on top of his plate.

"Uh-uh Ryan....You're going to finish dinner. Seth, you have my permission to spoon feed him if necessary"

Kirsten quickly went to the sink and washed her hands.

"I'll be in the living room with your Dad and Dr. Kim...You boys can join us as soon as Ryan's done."

Right when Kirsten left the kitchen, Seth picked up a spoon and started making airplane sounds. Ryan glared at Seth as he finished his drink. He put his glass back on the plate. Seth moved in closer waving the spoon.

"You're not done yet...."

Ryan shook his head.

"If I...I...eat m-more.....you....wear it..."

Seth understood the meaning of his brother's words and quickly took Ryan's plate and scraped the remains of his dinner into the garbage.

"Good enough.."

Seth quickly prepared the coffee maker. The Cohen/Atwood clan were major caffeine addicts. He didn't bother measuring the coffee beans as he dumped them in the grinder. Ninety seconds later the De Longhi was gurgling and Ryan followed Seth into the living room. Dr. Kim stood up as soon as she saw Ryan. She had heard the accident had been severe, but she was still startled at the extent of his injuries. Ryan leaned heavily on his cane as he walked into the room. He gingerly lowered himself into an oversized chair as he steeled himself for the inevitable stare. Ryan looked away as he felt Dr. Kim's eyes on his head studying his bruises and his scars.

"How are you feeling Ryan..?"

Ryan really hated that question. For a split second he thought about telling the truth, but people wanted to hear what they wanted him to say.

"F-fine..."

"That's good to hear" Dr. Kim said quickly. "We missed you today..."

"Th-th-thanks..."

"Yeah, right..." Ryan thought to himself. He'd only missed one day of school.

Dr. Kim continued.

"I've brought your books and this week's assignments from your teachers if you're feeling strong enough.."

("Retard....You're not Harbour School material....)

"I'll.....I...I'll g-g-g-g-et S-s-seth to.....b-b-b-b-ring in....b-b-b-ring the...th-th-them i-i-i-in..."

Dammit...Dammit....DAMMIT!!!!

("You sound like a retard...)

Sandy saw the look of dismay on Ryan's face.

"Seth, why don't you and Ryan head upstairs and get started on your homework..."

Seth looked over at Ryan who was now staring at the floor.

"Sure Dad....Mom....I made some coffee. It should be ready.."

"Thank you Seth"

Kirsten watched as Seth gathered up the books and then trailed Ryan upstairs, staying close enough to make sure Ryan wouldn't lose his balance and fall backwards. She quickly escaped to the kitchen and poured the coffee. Her heart ached for Ryan. She knew he'd be upset because the words he tried so hard to use failed him. She quickly put the mugs, spoons, cream and sugar on a tray and carried it back to the living room.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room. Kirsten offered Dr. Kim a mug and then proceeded to mindlessly dump several spoons of sugar into another one. Sandy stopped counting at six. Kirsten stirred the sludge and handed it to Sandy. Any other time he drank his coffee black. He wisely knew this was not the time to say anything. He smiled at his wife and thanked her. Kirsten picked up the last mug. It was Dr. Kim who broke the silence.

"How is Ryan really doing...?"

Sandy looked hard at Dr. Kim. He was starting to realize where this conversation was going.

"I think he already answered that question...Ryan is 'doing' well...better than anyone expected as a matter of fact...."

"The doctors released him a few days earlier than they thought they would because he's recovering so well." Kirsten interjected.

"But there is residual impairment...?" Dr. Kim said gently.

Seth came back into the living room and whispered to Kirsten. She excused herself and left with him. Sandy's eyes followed Seth and Kirsten out of the room. He turned back to Dr. Kim.

"You were saying...."

Dr. Kim cleared her throat.

"It's obvious that Ryan still has a way to go in his recovery and I'm worried he will be unable to maintain the standards...."

Sandy shook his head.

"Cut the crap Dr. Kim.....This has more to do with Brad Campbell and Merlin Nordstrom than Ryan's welfare. I've been informed that the two boys who almost killed my sons are still in school..."

Dr. Kim interrupted Sandy.

"Brad and Merlin have not been found guilty of any wrong doing. As a lawyer I'm sure you understand the concept of being innocent until guilt has been proven."

"You seem to be more concerned with not pissing off their wealthy families than any sense of justice.."

Dr. Kim was becoming very defensive.

"We do not just cater to the wealthy...We have admitted students who've shown academic promise but don't necessarily fit the Harbour School profile....You seem to think we have....."

"Ryan is one of the smartest kids you've got there. What's the matter Dr. Kim....Are you worried that this is going to cause another scandal 'cause I know you drew a lot of flack for even allowing a kid on probation with a father and brother in jail to attend your...."

She stood up.

"That's enough...I will not sit here and...."

"No it's not enough." Sandy countered. "Ryan's been working hard at his physical and speech therapy. He will make a complete recovery and he will be attending school for half days starting next week and for full days a couple of weeks after that. As much as I'd like to pull both boys out of your 'master race academy' Seth and Ryan are doing very well and for some strange reason they enjoy Harbour.."

He stood up, indicating that the visit was over.

"Kirsten and I appreciate your concern for Ryan. It's been a pleasure Dr. Kim...I'll tell my wife you said good-bye...." Sandy's voice was dripping with sarcasm at this point.

"Drive safely...."

Sandy closed the door behind the school administrator. He walked back to the living room and picked up the coffee mugs. He dumped the contents into the sink and poured himself and Kirsten another mug. Kirsten came up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist.

"Everything okay..?"

"Just fine." Sandy replied. "Are the boys alright?"

Kirsten let go of her husband and reached for her mug.

"Seth thought Ryan was in pain. It took a little coaxing..actually I had to threaten him with my homemade chocolate chip cookies before he would take his meds. I think the Demerol knocked him out. He's all tucked in and Seth is doing homework...."

Sandy looked carefully at Kirsten.

"You don't make chocolate chip cookies..actually you did once. I've got the crown in my mouth to prove it...."

"They were awful weren't they....?" Kirsten moved in closer to Sandy.

"Are you up for a game of Jenga?"

Sandy raised one eyebrow.

"Make it 'strip' Jenga and I am most definitely up for it.."

Kirsten leaned in to kiss her husband.

"You're incorrigible..."

* * * *

Ryan pulled the blankets up around his shoulders. He had pretended to fall asleep in order to be left alone. The visit with Dr. Kim frustrated him. He was tired of constantly having to justify his existence to her. He knew why she really came to visit. She just wanted to see if he was still 'smart' enough for Harbour. He knew that the parents of some students didn't want him there. The Cohen's had gone to the mat for him just so he'd be allowed to take the placement exam. Like paying twelve grand a year wouldn't automatically qualify you ? He could have been the smartest student at school, but none of that would matter. He wasn't their type. He wasn't in the same social league as the pampered princes and princesses that made up the student population. Despite all that, he wanted to stay at Harbour. For the first time, school challenged him. He enjoyed his advanced classes. He could put up with all the other shit. It wasn't anything new to him. It was just in a different pile....

Ryan felt the disillusionment grow. What he wanted didn't matter anymore. Because of the 'accident' he had difficulty putting together a complete sentence. He stuttered and stammered. All the verbal exercises in the world weren't going to help....

"Hey...I knew you weren't really sleeping.."

Seth padded into the bedroom.

"You okay?"

Seth got no response, but then again, he wasn't expecting one. Ryan hadn't said anything since the two of them left the living room. He sat on the edge of the bed. The hall light provided enough illumination so he could see Ryan's face.

"Look..I'm sorry you're having such a hard time talking, but that doesn't mean you can give up trying....Shit, Ryan....Who cares what the 'pod people' think?........I've got your back..."

Seth stood up and posed in an exaggerated martial arts stance.

"I think I've shown you that I am quite capable of putting the 'smack down' on somebody as you so eloquently put it yesterday....All I'm trying to say is it doesn't matter to me if your words come out upside down and backwards. Hell, you don't need to say anything, but if I have to start talking for the both of us I'm never going to shut up. I mean...I'll have to have both sides of the conversations and in the scenario that's playing out in my head right now, you're much more talkative. You could talk forever....No one would get a word in edgewise except for me of course 'cause I would just interrupt you..Oh, crap...then you'd get pissed at me and we'd start arguing over who was going to talk next and then fisticuffs would break out...things would get bloody, Ryan...I'm really not liking this particular scenario. It would just be so much easier if you would......"

"Shut u-u-up S-Seth...."

"Thank you Ryan..I was starting to get dizzy.."

"Good n-night S-S-Seth..."

"What time is your speech therapy tomorrow..?"

"N-n-nine 'clock Seth...."

"Do you need me to tuck you back in...fluff your pillow...?"

"P-pound s-s-sand Seth..."

"You know, I've never understood that particular expression. Might it be a Chino thing?......It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense....Why would I beat up sand. It's an inanimate object, unless of course it's being kicked in your face, which I have to admit has happened once or twice in my lifetime..."

"Shut up S-Seth....."

Seth made his way to the door.

"Shutting up now.."

"G-g-g-good night Seth..."

"G'night Ryan...."

"Th-thanks...."

"Anytime."