Chapter 11:
"Are you sure you should be telling me this?" Ryan spoke into the phone.
"I did check with Summer," Anna was indignant. "What kind of friend do you think I am? Anyway, she wanted you know. She just didn't feel like she could open herself up like that again right now."
"I understand," Ryan told Anna.
"Thought you might. Summer wants the three of us to get together after school," Anna informed Ryan.
"I'll be there," Ryan agreed.
"You certainly seem less than chatty this evening," Anna noted. "Is something going on?"
"No. Sandy and Kirsten are both working pretty much non-stop, so it's pretty quiet around here," Ryan explained.
"Are you okay with that?" Anna pressed.
"Anna. You just got done coping with Summer. You don't really want to deal with me," Ryan pointed out.
"Will you stop being a pain?" Anna requested. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't care."
"Well since you asked..."
"Yes?"
"As glad as I am that Kirsten and Sandy aren't fighting, I feel kind of ignored. Not that it's their job to keep me entertained-"
"You're their *son* Ryan. They shouldn't be shutting you out," Anna protested.
"Not their real son. And, anyway, what am I supposed to do about it?" Ryan wondered.
"I don't know... Give me time. I'll think of something. The three of you just really need to sit down and talk," Anna advised.
"Funny, I don't think that'll be happening in the near future Anna," Ryan warned.
"Me either, but give me time."
"Speaking of time Anna, when did you go over to Summer's?" Ryan asked.
"Around seven, why?"
"It's ten now. We have school tomorrow, and I don't suppose you've finished your homework, have you?" Ryan inquired.
"No, *Mom*. Alright Ryan, I'll get back to work. 'Night."
"'Night Anna."
"Are you sure you should be telling me this?" Ryan spoke into the phone.
"I did check with Summer," Anna was indignant. "What kind of friend do you think I am? Anyway, she wanted you know. She just didn't feel like she could open herself up like that again right now."
"I understand," Ryan told Anna.
"Thought you might. Summer wants the three of us to get together after school," Anna informed Ryan.
"I'll be there," Ryan agreed.
"You certainly seem less than chatty this evening," Anna noted. "Is something going on?"
"No. Sandy and Kirsten are both working pretty much non-stop, so it's pretty quiet around here," Ryan explained.
"Are you okay with that?" Anna pressed.
"Anna. You just got done coping with Summer. You don't really want to deal with me," Ryan pointed out.
"Will you stop being a pain?" Anna requested. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't care."
"Well since you asked..."
"Yes?"
"As glad as I am that Kirsten and Sandy aren't fighting, I feel kind of ignored. Not that it's their job to keep me entertained-"
"You're their *son* Ryan. They shouldn't be shutting you out," Anna protested.
"Not their real son. And, anyway, what am I supposed to do about it?" Ryan wondered.
"I don't know... Give me time. I'll think of something. The three of you just really need to sit down and talk," Anna advised.
"Funny, I don't think that'll be happening in the near future Anna," Ryan warned.
"Me either, but give me time."
"Speaking of time Anna, when did you go over to Summer's?" Ryan asked.
"Around seven, why?"
"It's ten now. We have school tomorrow, and I don't suppose you've finished your homework, have you?" Ryan inquired.
"No, *Mom*. Alright Ryan, I'll get back to work. 'Night."
"'Night Anna."