Author's note: It's not always easy being a parent, especially to teenagers. Thank you for all of your thoughtful reviews. They make me feel good.

They'll Marvel at Our Wisdom

Sandy walked into the pool house and saw Ryan lying on the bed. He was curled up hugging a pillow close to his body and looking straight ahead a blank stare on his face. He did not acknowledge Sandy's entrance. Sandy approached the bed and sat down on the edge. He reached out to rub Ryan's arm and in that instance, Ryan flipped over and moved to the other side of the bed. Sandy's hand hung in the air for a second before he brought it back down to his side. Well, that answered one question he had. Ryan was still angry with them.

What does Sandy want? Ryan was angry with them and wasn't going to talk about it. Didn't they know he wasn't going to do anything stupid? He didn't want to go back to juvie. He knew this family was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He wouldn't screw that up. No, they probably thought he was going to steal another car.

Sandy spoke softly, "Ryan, sometimes we have to make decisions that may not seem fair. We parents have to make those decisions based on the years of experience that we have. Experience, which you do not have, my friend." Sandy was watching Ryan as he spoke but the kid did not move. Not even a little bit. He wondered how Ryan could stay so still. Sandy smiled to himself and shook his head at Ryan's steely resolve.

Ryan stared out at the ocean. Sandy could ramble on all night for all he cared. Nothing Sandy said would justify their lack of trust. He was old enough to make his own decisions. He would just call Scott to pick him up after everyone had gone to bed. He could go out if he wanted and they couldn't stop him.

"And yes, sometimes we make mistakes but I would rather make a mistake like this then see you trouble or worse, injured. Teenagers don't always see the problems that may arise from certain associations or actions. That's where our job as parents comes in."

What did Sandy think he was going to do? These guys just wanted to hang out with him. And that was saying something for Newport. No one except Seth ever wanted to hang out with him. Why couldn't he make some other friends if he wanted to?

"Scott and his friends are not who you need to be hanging out with. Not with your probation and past problems. They are nothing but trouble…… with a capital T and that rhymes with…" Sandy stopped himself; Ryan was not in the mood for joking. Besides he probably wouldn't get the reference anyway.

Ryan remained motionless, but rolled his eyes at Sandy's Music Man joke. Does he think he can make some lame joke and everything will be okay? Surely, Sandy didn't think it would be that easy. If he really wanted to make things right, Sandy would let him go with his new friends and…trust him.

Sandy looked at the side of Ryan's chest, watching for signs of breathing. Yep, there it was, the kid was still breathing. He then continued, "Their parents aren't aware or don't care what kind of trouble they've caused. They make excuses for them or blame it on other people. We don't want you to be the one who is blamed if something should go wrong. Fortunately, you do have people who care about you and what you are doing. Kirsten and I just want to keep you safe and out of trouble. So, that you can have that bright future that we've talked about."

"Keep you safe" was just code for "making sure Ryan has no fun." What would make Sandy think their plans would be unsafe? Yeah, he knew Scott had been in trouble a few times but so had he. How was that any different? He could take care of himself. Ryan wished Sandy would leave his knee was really itching.

"Are you getting any of this?" Sandy asked. Sandy signed loudly when there was still no movement or response from Ryan.

No, Ryan wasn't getting it. It made no sense. In Chino, he was allowed to go and do anything he wanted. Now he had to tell Kirsten and Sandy everything. Where he was going, what time he would be back, who he would be with. Man, that was irritating. He had played their game for a while now. He thought they would start to loosen up, but no, they still had to know everything. What made it their business anyway?

"You just got off of restriction for the fight with Luke. I'm sure you don't want to be back in that boat anytime soon. Those boys, especially Scott, are rich and bored. That's not a good combination. Kid's like that think they're above the law. He has parents that keep bailing him out of his messes. We won't allow you to be in a compromising situation."

Sure, he had seen that attitude in Scott. Scott acted like the world owed him because his family had money, like he had the right to things because of who he was. Ryan didn't like that about him but that didn't mean he couldn't have a good time with the guy. It didn't mean he had to act like them or make the same choices. Sandy just doesn't get it. He can handle them.

Sandy wondered how Ryan was able to stay that still for such a long time but he decided he didn't really want to think about how the boy had learned that particular skill. He was sure it was not tied to very pleasant memories.

Maybe, Ryan wouldn't call Scott but he certainly wasn't going to join Kirsten and Sandy for dinner. He would stay right out here all night. He had some snacks on the counter. He didn't want to be around people who didn't trust him. Plus, he was tired, too tired to go out with Scott later. Maybe another day.

"Ryan, come on, I know you're upset. But you don't need to skip dinner. We're having one of your favorites. Fajitas. I'm cooking. And Kirsten made sure she picked up some guacamole for you." There was no response from the other side of the bed.

Kirsten got guacamole. How did she know that he liked that? Sure, he did like it. But how did she know? He did not remember telling them. As a matter of fact, he always ate what was served without complaint. It was one of the few things that had kept him low on his mom's radar when he was younger. Ryan's stomach growled a little. He wasn't eating their stupid food, even if she did notice that he liked guacamole.

Thinking that Ryan may have fallen asleep, Sandy lifted himself off of the bed and walked around to the side that Ryan was facing. Ryan was staring out the poolhouse door towards the ocean. The only movement Sandy saw was the blink of his eyelids. Sandy bowed his head in defeat and shrugged his shoulders and he thought, 'Well, at least he heard me. Now, whether he really listened, I'm not so sure.' Just as he turned to leave he said, "Oh and after dinner we're having ice cream sundaes." That part was not really true but if Ryan came inside for dinner Sandy would go to the store himself to make it true. Sandy looked for some response from Ryan but there was none. Surely, the kid couldn't resist ice cream sundaes. He hoped he was right.

Ryan's stomach growled again. An ice cream sundae would be really good. He was not caving though. They had to understand that he was old enough to handle himself. He wasn't going to be bribed by a sundae. He wasn't four. He wondered if they got any of those little Reese's Pieces to put on the sundaes. It didn't matter anyway, because he wasn't eating the stupid stuff. Maybe he could have some after school, if they didn't hog it all.

"Okay, if you change your mind, we'll save some for you," Sandy sadly stated. Just before he left the poolhouse, he said, "Just so you know, it's Scott and his buddies that we don't trust. Not you. He turned and headed out the door. He left the poolhouse door open and as he entered the mainhouse he left that door open as well.

Oh, now Sandy's saying it's those guys he doesn't trust. Wonder what Kirsten would say? Yeah, Scott had mentioned getting a couple of six-packs and heading down to the pier. That probably wasn't a good idea, especially with his probation. He could have talked them into something else though. Like…well…he would have thought of something. That's what Sandy and Kirsten just don't understand.

Sandy walked into the kitchen where Kirsten was waiting on him. "Well?" she asked.

"I think we just have to accept that sometimes, as parents we are not going to be liked and hope that, one day, the boys will marvel at our great wisdom."

"He seemed pretty angry. Do you think that will happen anytime soon?" She sat down at the table and rubbed her right temple, "I can't stand him like this."

"Kirsten, we have to be strong," he said as he massaged her neck and shoulders. "But I hate it, too."

Ryan continued to lie in the bed staring out at the ocean. He brought his hand up to scratch his nose. He could smell the fajitas cooking in the mainhouse. It was one of the few things that were actually cooked by the Cohen's. Almost every evening meal was takeout or cooked by Rosa. Sandy's fajitas were really good. His stomach growled loudly this time. Maybe he would just go in fix a plate and then eat it in the poolhouse. Going hungry wasn't going to teach them anything and it would only give him a headache.

Kirsten smiled a little and quickly glanced in Sandy's direction when she saw Ryan. "Sandy," she whispered. When he looked in her direction she nodded towards the poolhouse. Sandy glanced out the window and saw Ryan then quickly went back to cooking the fajitas. They ignored him as he came in the door to the kitchen.

Ryan snatched a plate sharply off the table, just so they would know that he was still angry. He was only here to get something to eat. He was hungry and that was all.

Sandy said cheerfully, "Sorry, kiddo, the steak part of the fajita isn't quite done yet."

Ryan ignored him and prepared two flour tortillas with all of the things he liked, including the guacamole. He went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water.

Just at that moment, Seth came bounding into the kitchen. "Hey, I got a new game. Oh, Dad, you're such a domestic goddess. Fajitas! I love ya, man. Hey, Ryan are you up to the challenge," he said as he waved the new game in Ryan's face.

"No," Ryan replied with an edge to his voice. Seth recognized it as the "leave me alone" tone.

"Okay, buddy. I'll just stay out of your space," Seth said and raised his hands in surrender.

Kirsten jumped up out of her chair and said, "Hey, I'll play with you."

"Mom, Mom, Mom, I really don't think you can handle the complex thinking and manual dexterity needed to master this game. You'll just be crying when I get done with you."

"Shut-up, Seth. Are you afraid, I'll conquer your castle or beat up you're knight or save the princess before you do?"

"Riigght! That's what it is, Mom. Come on this won't take long."

Ryan sat at the table, in the seat nearest the family room. He had to see this. Sandy brought the steak to the table and placed some on Ryan's tortillas. Ryan rolled up one and began to eat. He watched as Kirsten's player died over and over again. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. "Kirsten, push the top one to make him jump," he instructed. He finished eating and moved to the arm of the couch beside Kirsten. "No, use these to make him spin and swing the axe. No, not that one. Okay, here watch." He took the controller away from her and proceeded to show her how all of the buttons controlled the character.

Seth handed his controller to his Mom. "I'm hungry, you play with Ryan. He obviously has more patience with mere novices than I do."

Sandy looked on as Ryan continued to show Kirsten how to play the game. Kirsten caught his eye, glanced at Ryan and then winked at Sandy. He announced to his family, "I need to run to the store. I just need to get some sundae fixings."

Kirsten shouted after him, "Don't forget pineapples. Oh, and the Reese's Pieces."