AN: Some disturbing drug related themes to follow. Read at your own risk.
*****
The first week of school passes uneventfully. Summer sticks close to Marissa and to everyone except Seth and Ryan, they appear to be acting normally. Holly and Luke's new romance account for their alienation from their usual popular crowd.
Luke had spotted Marissa and Ryan together a few times in the hallway and started to track Ryan around the school. He would threaten him whenever the chance arose. Ryan doesn't tell anyone, knowing that getting into a fight at school would get him into trouble.
Ryan is walking with his lunch when Luke pins him against the wall. Before he can speak, Ryan has reacted instinctively, pivoting and pinning him instead.
"If you want this to go down, stop fucking around and just tell me where," Ryan whispers.
"This is between you and me, Chino. Meet me by the pier tonight. 9 o'clock." Luke replies.
"And then we'll be done?" Ryan snaps, releasing him.
"You will be," Luke retorts, brushing off. Several people have gathered, including Summer who sees the exchange but doesn't hear their low voices.
Ryan tosses his lunch in the trash and goes outside, walking fast and red with anger.
"Ryan. Ryan!" Summer stops him.
"Hey…" He says, his blue eyes clouded with emotion.
"Sit down. You look like you're about to explode…" She says, sensing his tension. She pulls him against the building in a corner where the stairs on one side hide them.
"It's cool, Summer…" Ryan mutters.
"You and Luke? You can't take him on, Ryan…" She whispers.
"Yes, I can," Ryan replies. "I was just hoping I wouldn't have to."
"Ryan, what did he say to you?" Summer asks, concerned.
He puts a hand over his face. "It's my problems, Summer. I appreciate your concern but I can handle this."
"You can handle this," She snorts. "You Luke's going to have like 20 guys on you as soon as you get there…and if you say you can handle that then I want to see your superhero card."
"Summer, why do you care?" Ryan asks.
She sighs. "Because you saved Marissa. She needs you. Seth needs you. You're kind of handy to have around," She smiles.
"I'm not going to die if I fight Luke," Ryan remarks.
"No. But you'll get hurt. Marissa will feel guilty, Seth would be pissed because you didn't tell him, the Cohens would be disappointed because you're fighting and everyone would suffer. So why are you going to fight Luke, again?"
"I have to," Ryan replies, quietly.
"Ryan…" Summer groans, exasperated.
"Summer, you can't tell anyone. Seriously. You're right about everything you just said. Marissa and Seth would be upset…"
"No, Ryan…"
"Please, Summer. Don't say anything. Let me handle it."
"Yes. I'll call you if I can't. Deal?" Ryan asks, holding out his hand.
"You call me anyway. And you owe me," She shakes his hand.
*****
Ryan leaves work early to meet Luke. He knows that Luke will have backup and he's alone, but he hopes Luke will be a man and fight him alone. He knows that Luke probably won't. He is sure that he can get Luke down and injure him before the others attack.
Around eleven, Marissa notices that Summer is very quiet. "Summer?"
"Have you talked to Ryan or Seth today?" Summer asks, suddenly.
"No, why? Ryan had to work tonight…"
"I need to…I'll be right back." Summer steps outside Marissa's bedroom and dials the Cohens.
"Seth?"
"Yeah?"
"Have you seen Ryan? Is he there?"
"No, Summer, why? Why are you looking for him?" Seth asks, suspicious.
"Tell him I called," Summer responds, hanging up. She returns to Marissa.
"What's wrong, Summer?" Marissa demands.
"I just got a bad feeling…" Summer replies. Her phone rings and she jumps. She puts it to her ear. "Hello?"
"Summer…"
"Are you okay?" Summer demands.
"…Not sure…what time is it?"
"Eleven fifteen," Summer replies.
"Damn…I've been out for like…2 hours…"
"Are you hurt?" Summer asks.
"…Yeah…"
Marissa is standing beside her. "Who is that?"
Summer covers the phone. "Go get Seth and the Rover. Meet me out front," She tells Marissa. "Now." Marissa bolts.
"Ryan? Where are you?"
He laughs weakly. "At a payphone. I'm standing…just not so well…"
"Should I call an ambulance?"
"No…I…I need a ride…they trashed my bike…"
"Where are you?" Summer asks, walking outside of the Cooper's house.
"The pier…the payphone by the pier…you told them, didn't you?"
"I should've told them before now. We're coming…"
"Okay…" Ryan starts to cough.
"Hang on, Ryan," Summer says, glancing at Marissa as she climbs into the Rover with Seth behind the wheel.
"I'm okay…" He slurs. The line goes dead.
"Go to the pier," Summer directs.
"Can I ask what's going on?" Seth questions.
"What's wrong with Ryan?" Marissa demands.
"He made me promise not to say anything…he was supposed to meet Luke…"
"Luke? Meet Luke? Why?" Marissa gasps.
"For a fight…" Summer replies.
"What? Why didn't he tell me?" Seth asks, quietly.
"He didn't want you hurt…he promised me that he could handle it…" Summer mutters, guilt ridden.
"I knew Luke was hassling him…I should have asked him about it," Seth sighs.
Marissa nods. "I've seen Luke talking to him a few times, too. I just thought he'd say something."
"I don't Ryan's big on the whole talking thing," Summer mutters.
Seth speeds up. They pull up to the pier about 10 minutes after Ryan's call.
"Hey." Ryan's voice is weak. He is sitting on a bench under a broken street light.
"Oh my God…" Marissa rushes over to him.
His face is bloody and there is a huge gash over his right eye. He is cradling one arm against his chest. His shirt and jeans are torn and bloodstained. Some of his hair is matted against his head with blood. He doesn't react when Marissa touches his face. His blue eyes are glazed.
"Ryan?" Seth calls.
Ryan blinks, looking at him, confused. "I must have a concussion…" He slurs. "Because that looks like my shirt you're wearing."
Seth glances down and sees that he is wearing one of Ryan's shirts.
"Baby, are you alright? Look at me…" Marissa turns his face toward hers.
"Hey, I'm okay…"
"You need a hospital…" Marissa starts.
"No…they took Luke to the hospital. If I go in there looking like this, you know the cops will show…"Ryan mutters.
"You put Luke in the hospital?" Summer asks, surprised.
"Hell yeah…why do you think I look like this? I beat Luke…I just lost to all the other guys…" Ryan mutters, distantly.
"We'll take him to my house. My parents are gone and the help is off this weekend," Summer suggests.
"I've never been to your house," Seth says.
"Shut up, Cohen. Help get stupid here in the car," Summer snaps.
Ryan allows Seth and Marissa to steady him to the Range Rover. Ryan leans his head back immediately, his eyelids drooping.
"Hey buddy, we need you to stay conscious, okay?" Seth says.
"Conscious?" Ryan slurs.
Summer and Marissa get in on both sides of Ryan. "He said he was out for like 2 hours…he just came to…" Summer explains.
"I'm okay…it's like…you guys are underwater…you're all blurry…I don't know what the hell you're talking about…" Ryan mutters.
"Ryan, talk to me, baby," Marissa sees him starting to slump again.
He glances at her. "I'm okay…don't get upset…see?" He uses his good hand and takes her hand. "I'm okay…"
Summer takes advantage of the distraction to pull up the back of Ryan's shirt to assess the damage.
"Those bastards." Summer gasps. His back is bruised already and the tiny rips in his shirt were where glass shards are imbedded in his back.
Ryan turns around and she releases the shirt. "What?"
"Did you fall through a window? There's glass all in your back…"
"I think I landed on a bottle," Ryan replies.
"We're here," Seth announces, stopping in front of Summer's large estate.
They help Ryan inside. He stops outside the entrance to the living room.
"What?" Seth asks.
"White carpet…I'm all bloody…kitchen?" Ryan slurs, struggling to stay conscious.
"We've got to wake him up," Summer says, leading them into the kitchen. She disappears as they lean him against the counter.
Ryan falters, his eyes rolling back. "Hey!" Seth catches him, lowering him to a sitting position on the floor.
Summer rushes in, a sliver tray in her hand. Marissa gasps. "Summer, is that your mom's stash?"
"I saw this in a movie once…Cocaine's a narcotic…its good for pain and it should jumpstart his system and keep him conscious…" Summer says, talking fast.
"What? That's stupid!" Seth protests. Ryan's head falls forward. Seth shakes him.
"Yeah?" Ryan murmurs.
"Stay awake," Seth pleads.
"We have to do something, if he falls asleep then he won't wake up!" Marissa says, frustrated. Summer kneels beside Seth, holding the tray.
"What?" Ryan glances at Summer and Seth, confused.
"Bad idea," Seth says again.
"Do you have a better one?" Summer asks, panicked.
"No, but…you can't give him coke," Seth hisses.
"No…no…I can't…I can't do that…" Ryan weakly turns his head away, barely conscious.
"Ryan, just do it…" Marissa pleads.
"Do you know how?" Summer asks, holding out the tray.
"God…yes I know how, that's why I can't…" Ryan murmurs, his eyes rolling back.
Before Seth can protest, Summer tilts Ryan's face toward hers. "Please. It'll help. You owe me, remember?"
Ryan closes his eyes, an unreadable expression flashing on his face. He takes the tray from her. "Don't look at me, Seth." Ryan glances at him with dazed eyes. "Don't look at me."
Seth turns away and Marissa pulls Summer and Seth to their feet.
"This is a bad idea," Seth whispers.
"It'll work," Summer nods.
Ryan sets the tray down and sighs heavily. "Okay. Better." He pushes himself to his feet, his eyes dilated but clear.
"You…you're just okay, now?" Seth asks.
"Yeah," Ryan replies, cradling his arm. "Can I get a shower?"
"Are you capable?" Summer gasps.
"Yeah…" Ryan replies. "If I'm not out in 10 minutes, come check on me." He staggers slightly but recovers.
"I'll show you," Summer offers, taking his arm.
Marissa and Seth glance at each other.
"Did you hear what he said, Marissa?" Seth asks, quietly.
"No…Seth…" Marissa starts.
"He said, he knew how to do coke and that's why he didn't want to…" Seth begins.
"Seth. He'll be okay," Marissa hesitates.
"I hope so," Seth sighs.
Summer opens the door to the bathroom.
"Thanks," Ryan says.
"You sure you're okay?" Summer asks. "We didn't fuck you up worse, did we?"
"You realize that as soon as this wears off, I'm still going to be almost falling over…and I'll be crashing like a bitch…" Ryan replies,
"Sorry…"
"You panicked. I'm okay. Can you get a first aid kit for me when I get out?"
"Sure. 10 minutes," Summer nods. She takes the first aid kit into the kitchen and waits in silence with Marissa and Seth.
Ryan staggers out, wearing his ruined jeans and carrying his shirt in his hands.
"Sit down," Marissa pushes a stool out for him. He sits down. His back is still oozing blood.
"Glass…" Marissa realizes, standing behind him and gently touching his back with her fingertips. "You have tweezers, Summer?"
Summer passes her the tweezers. Marissa plucks the glass shards from his back and then neatly bandages the cuts. Seth hands Ryan a glass of water and he accepts it with a shaking hand.
"Your head's still bleeding, Chino…" Summer realizes, gently parting his wet hair.
"I feel like shit…" Ryan mutters.
Seth tilts Ryan's head back and cleans the cut above his eye. Ryan's blue eyes roll back in his head as a tremor runs through him.
"Whoa," Seth gasps. "You okay?"
"I really feel like shit…my shoulder's dislocated," Ryan says.
"How do you know?" Marissa asks.
"I can pop it back in the socket…" Ryan says, his voice starting to slur. "But, I'm running low on consciousness…"
"Hit it again," Summer says, holding out the tray.
"No," Marissa says. "I'm with Seth. It's not a good idea anymore. It's a bad idea."
Ryan shudders again, leaning forward and taking the tray from Summer. "It's too late." He snorts a generous line and then drops the straw back on the tray. He breathes deeply, standing up.
"Ryan…" Seth says, quietly.
"We are not going to talk about this," Ryan states. He lowers his bad arm. "Seth? Catch me it I fall the fuck down…"
"Ryan, what?" Seth asks.
Ryan slams his shoulder against the doorframe of the kitchen and there is an audible pop. He staggers back and Seth catches him.
"God…much better…" Ryan says, out of breath with pain.
"You are a stupid motherfucker," Marissa gasps. Summer is doing a line of coke.
"You alright?" Seth releases Ryan.
"Yeah…I'm alright now. Summer's idea might not be the brightest plan, but it's working," Ryan says.
"You had a pretty stupid plan today, too. Going up against Luke," Seth replies.
"It had to be done…" Ryan says.
"It didn't solve anything…" Marissa adds.
"He felt my pain for a minute. That was enough. It wasn't…it wasn't about you…it was between me and him," Ryan says.
"You shouldn't have went alone," Seth says.
"Your parents would kick my ass if I got you hurt. I'm okay." Ryan glances at Summer. "You fucked up?"
"Yes. Yes, I am," Summer smiles, giddy.
"Me, too," Ryan laughs.
"You guys…" Seth starts, worried.
"It's alright," Ryan says. "We're just a little stressed out."
"And we're never talking about this. It's like Tijuana. It's between us," Summer says. "Deal?"
"Deal," Marissa agrees.
"Deal," Seth sighs.
"I'm down," Ryan nods.
"Okay then," Summer says.
"I'll go call my dad…tell him I'll be away a couple of days," Marissa says.
"I better call my parents, too," Seth nods. "Can we crash here?"
"Yeah, my folks won't be back until Thursday," Summer agrees.
"Let's go come up with some excuses," Marissa says, leading Seth into the other room.
"Another hit?" Summer offers.
Ryan smiles. "Girl, if I had met you 2 years ago, I would have loved you." He takes the offered tray.
"Ooh, do you have some snow in your closet, Ryan?" Summer teases.
"I used to hit it pretty daily. Almost killed me," Ryan replies.
"Yeah, I OD'd last year," Summer confesses.
"Well then, to a night that we can both forget about tomorrow," Ryan smiles. They each do a line.
"You're really okay?" Summer asks quietly.
"Yeah. Everything's okay," Ryan answers quietly.
"Yeah?" Seth asks, entering.
"We are all cool," Ryan replies. He falters slightly.
"You should lie down," Marissa says, gently pulling him upstairs to Summer's entertaining room.
"I'll get you a t-shirt from my dad's room and some shorts. Anybody else need anything?"
"I'll come with you," Marissa offers, leaving Ryan and Seth alone.
"Seth. I'm sorry."
"You should be. You should've told me."
"I didn't want you to get hurt…"
"You told Summer…"
"Summer found out, I didn't confide in her. She saw Luke and I…talking," Ryan replies. "I was trying to do the right thing…"
"Ryan, will you listen to me for a minute?" Seth asks, quietly. Ryan nods. "Remember how scared you were about Marissa? Well, you almost died tonight, Ryan, and it doesn't seem like you care that much. Sure, I could've gotten hurt, but maybe you wouldn't have gotten hurt as bad if I'd been there. You're important to me, Ryan, to all of us."
"I'm sorry, Seth. I'm used to …to fixing shit on my own. Damn, kid, you're more of a brother to me than Trey ever was and I don't want you in trouble because of me. I thought I could handle it," Ryan sighs.
"We're cool, Ryan. I get it. Don't do it again. And once you're feeling better we get to have a nice family talk about your death wish."
"You're sure we're cool?" Ryan asks, surprised.
"I think you've been punished enough." Marissa and Summer return. Ryan puts on the t-shirt. Summer pulls out the tray, which is almost empty. She does a small line before scraping the rest of it into a large line and handing it to Ryan.
"I'm going to miss you," Ryan tells the coke before snorting it. He drops the tray.
"Are you sure you guys should be doing that?" Marissa asks.
"Absolutely not," Summer replies, quietly.
Ryan laughs, strangely. "I haven't done coke in 2 years."
"I've never forced anyone to do coke before," Summer mutters. "You were just…really fucked up…"
"I'm still really fucked up…you guys probably need to wake me up every couple of hours…make sure I'm not dead…" Ryan mutters.
"Don't talk like that," Marissa scolds.
"Sorry," Ryan says. "Thanks for the rescue, guys…I don't know what I would've done without you."
"That's what we're here for. We should get our paramedic degree," Seth jokes.
"We've just had a rough month," Ryan says, smiling for a beat. He shudders suddenly, shaken with pain.
"Ryan?" Marissa gets up from her seat beside Summer and sits down beside him on the couch.
"It's okay…I'm okay…" Ryan says, distracted.
Marissa gently makes him lie down, his head resting on a pillow on her lap. "You're okay. Close your eyes. Just for a little while," Marissa soothes. Ryan is trembling. His blue eyes are dark with pain.
"Just rest," Marissa urges. He slowly closes his eyes. His breathing slows and he is asleep.
Ryan wakes up the first 3 times his friends check on him. When Summer tries around 5 am, he doesn't stir. They splash him with water and shake him, but he doesn't wake up.
Around 7, Ryan starts to mumble in his sleep. He starts to thrash and Seth has to help Marissa keep him on the couch.
"No…stop…let her go…stop…" Ryan murmurs.
"Ryan!" Marissa yells and he snaps awake.
"Damn, man…you were freaking out…" Seth says.
"Bad dream," Ryan mutters.
"You wouldn't wake up," Marissa says, concerned.
"I was having some crazy dreams…" Ryan mutters, his eyes clouded. He tries to sit up but loses his breath in pain.
"Ryan…" Marissa gasps.
"Help me up," Ryan whispers. Seth gently pulls him upright. Ryan blinks, putting a hand to his head as he tries and focus. "Damn, I've got a headache."
"That's a good sign, right?" Seth jokes. Marissa glares at him.
"I need to walk this off," Ryan sighs, standing up unsteadily.
"I don't think you should be up and about," Marissa says.
"Take a walk with me. I'll get all stiff if I keep lying there," Ryan says.
"It's too early for me to even make that joke," Seth groans. Marissa steadies him and they step outside onto Summer's back patio.
"You look awful, Ryan. I can't believe you did something that stupid…" Marissa sighs.
"I'm sorry I scared you…I didn't know I'd get hurt this bad…"
"But you're okay?"
"I'll be okay tomorrow," Ryan replies. "I'm a little sore today," He admits. He stretches out in the sun, his face tight with pain.
"I'm sure Summer can give you something for the pain…"
"No more drugs. I won't do any more drugs," Ryan says immediately.
"You knew how to do that coke last night…" Marissa mutters.
Ryan opens his mouth to speak but closes it. There is a flash of shame in his eyes.
"I'll be okay," Ryan says, finally.
"I didn't mean to offend you…" Marissa says, seeing that he has closed down.
"I'm not offended. It's just been a long time since I had anybody give me that look…"
"What look?"
"The poor, addict junkie look. I never thought I'd get it from you…" Ryan mutters.
"Hey, that's not what I was thinking…I just meant…"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Marissa. It's just a touchy subject with me," Ryan replies.
"You want to talk about it?" She asks.
Ryan hesitates. "There was a period in my life when I did a lot of drugs. I got through it. I don't want to go back there. Drinking's the only thing I didn't give up."
"What happened?" She asks, embracing him tenderly.
"Nothing happened. I just woke up one day and realized I was a 'head. I had a hair trigger temper and I was fighting like, twice a day. I was snorting more than I could sell and I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten. I was a cokehead. So I quit. A week after I stopped, I had a buddy overdose and die," Ryan pulls away from her, stricken. "I swore on her grave that I'd never touch it again."
"I'm sorry, Ryan. We forced you to…"
"No, you didn't. I could've said no. I could've stopped after that first hit," Ryan says. "But it's too late." Seth joins them. "I have to move past last night. It's over now and I can't take anything back."
"Summer made breakfast. Well, she made something," Seth says, aware that he's interrupted something.
"I'll go check on her," Marissa says.
"What were you guys talking about?" Seth asks.
"Drugs," Ryan answers honestly.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I don't use drugs, Seth. I can't. I used to have some problems so I don't do them," Ryan sighs.
"Okay," Seth shrugs.
"That's it?" Ryan questions, surprised.
"Yeah. I believe you. You don't do them. If you get shaky, you'll say something."
"Right," Ryan nods, amazed at Seth's acceptance.
"Good. Now let's go eat," Seth nods.
Inside, the mood is light with Summer and Seth's arguing. Marissa won't let Ryan out of her reach, keeping a hand on his arm or shoulder.
Seth's cell phone rings. He answers it, feigning drowsiness. "Hello?"
"Seth. It's your mother. I want you to tell me the truth. Is Ryan with you?"
"Yeah, we're at the convention…" Seth starts, giving Ryan a confused look.
"Ryan's boss called today, worried about him. He said Ryan left early yesterday and then he found Ryan's bike busted up this morning. There was blood, Seth. Can I talk to Ryan?"
"Hang on, Mom…" Seth says, lowering the phone and covering it. "My mom wants to talk to you. Your boss found your bike and saw some blood and called them…"
"I can't lie to your mom," Ryan hesitates. "She's gonna know when she sees me."
"You guys are busted," Summer murmurs.
Seth returns the phone to his ear. "He's in the shower, Mom…"
"I don't care where you are, Seth. I realize that you have lied to us again but I'm more worried about Ryan right now. Bring him home right now and we'll forget about everything else…" Kirsten says.
"I'll call you back. I have to go." Seth hangs up.
"That was smooth," Marissa jokes.
"We have to go home. My mom's flipping out," Seth sighs. "She says she'll drop all the charges if we come home now."
Ryan is quiet. "Let's take the deal. I'm mostly recovered anyway."
Summer hands him his freshly laundered clothes and he dresses. When he exits the bathroom, he embraces Summer and Marissa before following Seth to the Range Rover.
"How mad do you think your parents are going to be?" Ryan asks as they pull up.
"I don't know. You still look rough. I think I see a doctor in your future," Seth sighs.
"Let's hope not," Ryan replies.
Before Seth can unlock the door, it swings open to reveal Sandy and Kirsten.
"Dear god," Kirsten gasps. Ryan and Seth walk inside, silent.
"Are you alright, Ryan?" Sandy asks, his voice low.
"Yes, sir," Ryan replies quietly.
"Seth. Go upstairs," Kirsten orders.
"But…" Seth protests.
"Go upstairs, Seth. Nobody's in trouble right now. Go upstairs," Sandy says quietly. Seth obeys.
Ryan follows Kirsten into the kitchen. Sandy gently pushes him to a stool.
"Take off your shirt," Kirsten says. Ryan has no expression on his face as he slowly unbuttons his shirt. He removes it and Sandy and Kirsten see the damage.
Ryan sighs. He motions to the dark bruising & swelling around his shoulder. "I dislocated my shoulder but I popped it back in…"
"You popped it back in? Ryan, you needed a doctor…" Kirsten gasps, pale.
"I know how to do it. It used to pop out of the socket all the time. Why pay a doctor when I know how to fix it?" Ryan asks quietly.
Kirsten is standing behind him, gently touching his bruised back with her fingertips.
"I cut my back on a broken bottle," Ryan says quietly.
"Were you fighting?" Sandy asks.
"Yes, sir," Ryan replies.
"What else? Your shoulder, your back, what else?" Kirsten asks. She doesn't wait for him to answer, running her hands through his hair.
He winces as she finds the gash in his head. There is a large knot.
"Ryan…" Kirsten whispers.
"I was unconscious for a couple of hours. I made Seth wake me up throughout the night," Ryan replies.
"Ryan, why didn't you call an ambulance?" Sandy demands. Kirsten is examining a patch of old scars on Ryan's upper back.
"Here's the story," Ryan sighs, putting his shirt back on and standing up, unsteadily. "Luke's been hassling me at school. I haven't said anything, I haven't punched him back, but…I can only take so much. We met last night, to put an end to it. I didn't tell Seth because I didn't want him in danger."
"So Luke did this to you?" Kirsten asks.
"No. His friends did this to me. I…I hurt Luke pretty bad before they got to me," Ryan replies. "I couldn't go to the hospital because Luke was at the hospital."
"Ryan. I thought you were smarter than this," Kirsten sighs.
"I didn't know what else to do," Ryan admits. "So, yeah. I challenged him. I mean…I'm so tired of walking around expecting to get jumped. I'm not in Chino anymore, I don't want to have to fight every day. I just had to do something."
"You should see a doctor," Sandy says, quietly.
"I'm fine," Ryan replies.
"Ryan, I don't know if you fully comprehend how serious this is," Kirsten states quietly. "You have a head injury. Anytime you lose consciousness there is something wrong."
"I think I'm okay," Ryan responds.
"You're going to a doctor, Ryan," Kirsten states, dialing a phone.
"You have to find other ways to settle your differences," Sandy says, quietly.
"I stay out of his way, Mr. Cohen. I don't provoke him. I barely acknowledge that he's there…" Ryan's eyes flash for a moment. "But some of the things he says…"
"Make you want to hit him. But you can't," Sandy starts.
"I am really trying," Ryan states.
"We realize that. We see how hard you're trying. You're a great kid. But this…this isn't okay," Sandy replies. Ryan nods.
"Now? Okay. We'll be right there," Kirsten hangs up. "We're taking Ryan to Dr. Clark. He just happens to be in the office today doing paperwork."
"Okay. I'll tell Seth we're leaving," Sandy offers.
Kirsten's voice is gentle. "Ryan? Do you want some aspirin?"
"No thanks. I deserve what I got, right?" Ryan responds. Before Kirsten can answer, Sandy returns.
*****