Author's Note: This is a conversation I think needed to occur on the show. Thanks for all of the encouraging reviews.

Something to Think About

Sandy and Kirsten watched as the light came on in the kitchen. Ryan was right on time. Actually, three minutes early on his curfew time. They watched as he opened the refrigerator, retrieved an apple and a bottle of water. He put the apple in his mouth as he opened the glass door and headed towards the pool house. He jumped and almost tripped on the top step when he heard Sandy's voice.

"Hey," Sandy said cheerfully. "You made curfew."

"I try," responded Ryan. He looked in the direction of Sandy's voice. He saw Sandy and Kirsten sitting side by side at the patio table, drinks in front of them. Obviously, enjoying a quiet evening together. "You guy's didn't need to wait up."

"We didn't. You just happened to catch us enjoying the night air." Sandy gestured towards the ocean. "And you know, we get some of our best thinking done out here,"

"So, how was the movie?" Kirsten asked picking up on Sandy's cue. Maybe this would be a good time to talk to Ryan about his relationship with Marissa. She and Sandy had been concerned about Ryan's tendency to take care of Marissa without regard for himself.

"Good, really good. I could have done without Brad Pitt's naked butt. But it was good."

"Brad Pitt, naked butt, sounds like my kind of movie," Kirsten said dreamily.

"Honey, why? You got all you'll ever need right here," Sandy proudly stated.

Ryan ducked his head and with an embarrassed smile said, "Okay, night guys." He gave them a little goodnight wave and turned towards the pool house.

"No, wait, Ryan. " Sandy put his arm around Kirsten as he continued, "We're in love what can I say?" He pointed out an empty chair at the table. "Please come sit with us for a minute."

"No, it's…I'm tired. I think I'll hit the sack."

"Hey, did I tell you Newport Group bought the property at Pelican's Ridge. We will be hiring people to work on it, soon," Kirsten said hoping to draw him into conversation. "Maybe you could help this summer."

Ryan's eyes lit up and he took a couple of steps in their direction. "Really, you think I could….maybe, work with one of the architects."

"I don't know we'll see. You'd have to work wherever you were needed." Kirsten explained. She smiled as Ryan took a couple more steps in their direction. His interest was definitely piqued.

Sandy squeezed Kirsten shoulder as he said, "Hey, I could put in a good word for you. I know the boss. She's a nice lady."

Ryan now stood next to the table. "Will you tell the owner, that I'll do whatever she needs me to do? I worked construction a couple of years with one of my Mom's boyfriends."

"I'm sure we can find something for you, but you might work a lot of hours. Won't it blow any plans you have with Marissa," Kirsten asked.

"She'll…understand," Ryan said hesitantly.

Sandy asked, "You don't seem to sure about that. Do you think she might not understand?

"I don't know."

"Are you worried she won't like you working?" Ryan could hear the concern in Kirsten voice.

Ryan pulled out a chair at the table and sat down. "No, she just likes to spend time with me and it would mean a lot less time together." Ryan turned and looked towards the pool. Obviously, concerned about how his absence might affect Marissa.

"How do you feel about that?" Kirsten asked.

"I'm okay with it. I guess we don't need to spend all of our time together."

"Sandy and I like to have our separate time. What do you think Marissa will say?"

"She won't like it."

"Why is that?"

"She's already talking about all we'll do this summer. Especially with all the problems she is having with her mother and then there's the marriage. It helps her forget."

"Yeah, I'm not to happy about that marriage myself?" Kirsten said.

"But they do deserve each other, don't ya think?" Sandy chuckled at his joke. He then asked, "How's she handling those problems? Marissa, I mean."

"Okay, I guess. Marissa is really upset with Julie, and when she's upset, she..uh, she sometimes makes bad choices."

"Like?"

"Well, like ODing in Tijuana and, I don't know, other stuff."

"Like drinking," Kirsten said knowingly.

"Yeah, maybe."

"ODing and drinking are ways to escape from your problems. It's not handling those problems." Kirsten leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand as she spoke to him.

"Yeah, I know, I've lived it."

"Yes, you have." Kirsten reached and rubbed the top of Ryan's hand. "Well. Is she doing anything to help herself?"

"She's going to therapy. Under protest, but she is going. I'm taking her on Tuesday. You know…just to make sure she goes."

"Why are you making sure she goes? Where are her parents?" Sandy asked.

"They have problems of their own."

"Seems to me I remember Julie being very concerned about Marissa getting therapy. Surely, she would make sure she gets there."

Sandy removed his arm from around Kirsten's shoulder and leaned forward on the table. "You know, Ryan, I said this to you once before. You don't have to be the parent anymore. That's what we're here for and that's what Marissa's parents are for. If she has problems with Julie, and who among us doesn't? Then Jimmy can take her. It is not your responsibility."

"I know but they just let her drive herself and sometimes she doesn't go."

"Where does she go?" Kirsten asked already knowing the answer.

"She usually comes over here."

"Do you think that is a good idea?"

"No, but she has already missed the appointment by the time she gets here. What can I do?"

"What do you think you could do?" Sandy asked, hoping Ryan would realize that Marissa was using him to avoid the help she needed.

"I could drive her there myself, which is what I am planning to do?"

"Yes, you could do that. But then is Marissa really helping herself or is she still going under protest?"

"But she won't go if I don't take her. She will just come over here."

"Maybe, but what if you weren't here. What would happen if you let her know that you didn't want her to skip therapy anymore? What if you told her you would not be at home?"

"She would get angry. And she would probably break up with me."

"She might do that." Kirsten said as she shrugged one shoulder. "She might not. Do you think she should get angry and break up with you for that?"

"Well, no….. She should go to therapy. She does need help. I know that. I have seen how much she is hurting."

"Then if you know she needs help and her parents know she needs help, maybe it's time Marissa accepts that she needs help and does something about it."

"Why do you think she comes over here instead of going to therapy?" Sandy asked.

"I don't know. To hide out or……..escape maybe?" Ryan looked up at both of them as he realized where this conversation had led him.

Sandy nodded his head, "Sounds like the same thing she did with the drugs in Tijuana and the drinking she does now. Doesn't it?"

"Yeah, ….I guess… I never really thought about it that way."

Sandy stood and took Kirsten's hand to help her from her chair. They walked hand in hand around the table till they were beside Ryan. Sandy spoke, "It's in the Parent Manual, Article 273, 'Give them something to think about.' It's right after 'Embarrass your teenagers whenever possible'."

Kirsten's hand rubbed Ryan's back as she leaned close to his ear and said softly, "I'm sure you will do what is best for Marissa…and you."

Ryan nodded and said, "I'll try."

"That's all we ask." Sandy put his arm around Kirsten's waist and they headed toward their bedroom. Ryan watched them go and smiled as he saw Kirsten put her head on Sandy's shoulder. They entered their bedroom; shut the door behind them and about three minutes later the lights went out.

And from their window, Kirsten and Sandy could see Ryan still sitting at the table looking out at the ocean.