I found several grammatical errors, so I corrected them and reloaded my story, tonight 6/16. I apologize if you were expecting a new chapter.
Author's note: Well, I'm not sure I'm completely happy with this one but I was handicapped. My beta, who just happens to be my 13-year old daughter is in Virginia for 4 weeks. So I just had to struggle through it and hope I didn't mess up too badly. Thank you for your reviews. I do use the Rosa character in this story and she speaks fluent English because I didn't want to insult anyone by attempting broken English.
Josh, Please don't sue me, I don't own anything except two teenagers. Oh, wait, that's right they own me.
It Takes a Village
Sandy pulled his car into the parking lot at Harbour School. Kirsten had called earlier asking him to pick up the boys, something about a meeting with contractors. Really he just wanted to go home and relax by the pool. It had been a long day, spent working with a spoiled socialite suing over a small scar left by liposuction. His mood was not pleasant and he hoped the boys would be waiting on him when he got there, because the pool and a cold beer were calling his name. Just as he pulled into the pickup area, he saw a small but rowdy group to right but he didn't see the boys anywhere. He shifted the car into park, turned off the air conditioner, rolled down the windows and signed loudly in frustration. There was a nice breeze blowing today and he thought he could a least enjoy that while he waited, so he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
Sandy threw his eyes open as angry voices assaulted his ears. He looked in the direction of the group and listened closely. Something about those voices sounded familiar. As some of the kids shifted he could just make out Luke and even though he could not see him he was pretty sure Ryan was the other person. He saw Seth put his hands on Luke's chest and say something only to be violently pushed away. Sandy was just opening his car door when he heard Luke say, "You can have her. She nothing but a drunken whore, anyway?" As Sandy jumped from the car the group shifted again and now he could clearly see both boys. Ryan lunged and his fist connected with Luke's chin. Luke's head spun to the right and he stumbled back a few steps. Ryan brought his left fist around, but Luke anticipated his swing and had just enough time to move so that it only connected with his shoulder. Luke grabbed Ryan's arm, spun him around and kicked his legs out from under him causing Ryan to land hard on his chest and then his face.
Ryan was pushing himself off of the ground when Sandy grabbed him under the arm and pulled him into a standing position. "That's enough," Sandy said firmly. He released Ryan's arm and at the same moment Ryan bent forward, ran at Luke, tackling him to the ground. They began to roll as each tried to take control of the other. Ryan ended up on the bottom; Luke held Ryan's arms down with his knees and was pounding his head into the grass.
Furious at Ryan's defiance and the continuing fight before him Sandy shouted, "STOP THIS NOW!" Sandy grabbed Luke's arm and pulled back on him allowing Ryan to get one of his arms free. Ryan pushed Luke off which pulled Sandy closer into the fight. Ryan swung his legs around in an attempt to stand up but in the process his legs connected with the backs of Sandy's legs. A couple of gasps rose from the mouths of the crowd, everyone froze as they watched Sandy fall backwards. He landed on his back and his head hit Luke's thigh. At the sound of the gasps, both Ryan and Luke jerked their heads around to see Sandy hit the ground. Both boys held their positions, unsure of what to do.
Stunned, Sandy lay on the ground as his anger swelled. He lifted himself up onto his elbows and looked around at the crowd. "Go….home," he said through his teeth. The crowd began grabbing book bags, other belongings and dispersed quickly and quietly. Ryan shoved Luke completely off, and scrambled to standup. Seth, who had been standing to the side, stepped forward and extended his hand to his father. Sandy angrily pushed the hand away and stood without help.
"Get in the car," Sandy said under his breath to his son.
Seth turned and walked quickly to the car. He had only seen that look once before on his father's face. It was the time he had built the funeral pyre for his hamster, Stan, who Seth at age 8, had insisted must be a reincarnated Viking warrior because of his brave spirit. How could he have known the lighter fluid would cause a much bigger fire than he anticipated? Remembering that look and its aftermath, Seth knew it was in his best interest to remove himself from his father's sight quickly.
Sandy glared at Luke and said, "Your parents will be getting a call. Go home." Luke grabbed his jacket, headed for his truck, tripping over a tree root as he did so.
Sandy then turned towards Ryan who had not moved from the spot where he had stood up. He had his arms wrapped tightly around himself and was staring at Sandy with a look of panic in his eyes. He looked as though he might run at the slightest abrupt movement from Sandy. Sandy pointed slowly towards his black BMW.
Ryan's body jerked involuntarily at Sandy's motion, he dropped his arms to his sides and started for the car. After a couple of steps he remembered his backpack. He looked around frantically until finally spotting a student holding it out for Ryan to see. The only problem was he would have to walk past Sandy and he wasn't about to do that. His brain told him that Sandy would not hurt him but experience had taught him to not to get in the way of someone that angry. He'd been knocked to the ground and worse by one too many of Dawn's boyfriends. Sandy saw Ryan hesitating and began to yell to do as he was told but then realized the boy was looking for something. That something appeared to be behind Sandy himself. Sandy turned around and saw the girl holding the bag. Sandy grabbed it and gave a curt "Thank you" to the holder. He then turned to Ryan, tossed the bag to him and pointed, once again towards the car. Ryan hugged the bag close and walked swiftly to the car, his pride preventing him from running.
Ryan was just putting his seatbelt on as Sandy got into the car. Sandy slowly and methodically put his own belt on and started the car. It was obvious that he was very angry and was asserting a lot of control over himself. Ryan avoided looking at Sandy's face, he was afraid of what he would see there. He knew he was gone, back to his mother, if she even wanted him or worse yet, Child Services or juvie. He knew he should just go to the pool house, pack his stuff and leave. He didn't want either situation; if necessary he could take care of himself. He couldn't tell if Sandy was looking at him in the rearview mirror, but he slid further down in the seat anyway.
Sandy hadn't looked at Ryan and was not going to look at him. He was angry enough to know that he should not say anything right now, before he collected his thoughts. Angry with the boy for not keeping his promise and angry with himself for not realizing that Ryan's problems were deeper than he and Kirsten could handle. Angry because he didn't know what he could do to help Ryan but as he drove along the anger turned to determination. Determination to get Ryan the help that he needs to overcome his violent tendencies.
Sandy pulled the car in to the driveway, turned the engine off and sat for a few seconds. Both Seth and Ryan paused then began to open the car doors. Sandy spoke in a low, calm tone, "Seth, go to your room. Ryan, sit on a kitchen stool and wait for me." Ryan swallowed hard. This was it; he was going to be kicked out. Seth started to argue with his father that he was not even involved in the fight and had even tried to stop it. But one look at his father and he changed his mind.
Ryan and Seth left Sandy sitting in the car and headed into the house. Seth went up the stairs to his room and Ryan went towards the kitchen. He pulled out a stool and slung his book bag over the back. He then sat down in the chair and waited. A few minutes later he heard the front door open and the familiar sound of Sandy's walk. But Sandy did not come into the kitchen, the sound of his steps were going away from the kitchen. Ryan checked the time, it was 4:02, and he knew he was in for a long sit. He knew he really should just go and pack his stuff. Get out of there before they had a chance to ship him away. But he didn't, he kept sitting on the stool and he wasn't quite sure why. Maybe because he hoped just a little that it wouldn't be true. That the people he had begun to trust would not let him down, toss him out or get rid of him like the trash. He wanted it to be true that someone would want to keep him.
Sandy walked into his office and sat down in the chair. He had to keep himself away from Ryan right now. He had to calm down and think about how to handle this. And Ryan could just cool his jets for a little while on the kitchen stool. Let him worry for a while about the lecture to come, how long he will be grounded and whether or not he will be scrubbing things with a toothbrush while he is grounded. Sandy leaned onto his desk and rubbed his temples. He then reached for the telephone and dialed the school's guidance counselor.
At 4:36, Rosa came into the kitchen looking for anything that may need to be cleaned up before she left for the day. She wiped down the cabinets and put a couple of coffee cups in the dishwasher. Then she moved to the island, rearranged items and made sure the bagels were covered. As she did this she would steal glances at Ryan who was sitting very still and quiet at the end of the counter. His right hand was supporting his head, elbow on the counter and staring at nothing in particular.
"You've been a bad boy, yes," she said with a slight Spanish accent.
Ryan didn't speak and only nodded slightly.
"What did you do?" she asked firmly.
Ryan shrugged his shoulders.
"You were fighting again, right?" Rosa approached the counter and punched her fist forward. "Why?"
Ryan shrugged his shoulders again.
"You tell me," Rosa demanded.
"Someone made me angry."
"You fight too much. Why are you so angry?"
He shrugged the shoulder of the arm that was supporting his head. His left hand traced the pattern on the counter top.
Rosa put her hand under Ryan's chin and lifted his face until he was looking in her eyes and then said, "You're a good boy. This anger will eat you up!" She shook his chin slightly as she continued to speak, "You're a good boy. This is a good chance for you." She released his chin and put her hands on her hips.
Ryan continued to look into her eyes for a few seconds and then dropped them back down to the counter top. "Was a good chance," he said.
"Why do you say this?"
"Sandy is in his office calling Child Services right now. I don't have a chance anymore."
"How do you know this?" she asked sharply.
"Because I promised no more trouble and today I got in a fight and….. I knocked Sandy down."
Rosa drew in a small gasp and reached again for Ryan's chin, "You knocked Mr. Cohen down?"
"It was an accident. I didn't mean to do it. I was busy fighting with Luke."
"You are lucky it was Mr. Cohen, if it this was my Eduardo..," she released his chin and slapped her hands together sharply. "You would not be sitting in that chair."
Ryan shifted a little in the chair he sat. He knew exactly what she meant; he had been on the other end of a belt too many times in his life. Although he was pretty sure Rosa's two boys didn't end up with busted lips, welts and broken bones.
Rosa's hands were back on her hips, "You said sorry, right?"
"No. It doesn't matter anyway. I won't be here tomorrow."
"You hush now. You are family. This family is different now. I know….I see things. There is more happiness, more warmth." Rosa reached out and patted Ryan's hand that was still tracing the pattern on the counter top. "You say sorry."
"I ..am ..sorry," he said sincerely. He looked at her from under his eyebrows and shook his head, "I just don't think it will work." He didn't understand what she was saying. Surely she didn't think that a simple sorry would solve everything. He had broken his promise and to top it off he had knocked Sandy to the ground. Maybe Seth could get away with a sorry but no way would it work for him.
"You will see. You tell Mr. Cohen, you are sorry. They will punish and all will be forgiven."
"Sandy was really angry. I mean why else would he be in his office so long, if not to call Child Services."
"Maybe he was too angry and doesn't want to…" she clapped her hands together loudly.
Ryan jumped a little at her handclap. He felt sure Sandy would never hit him with a fist or even with a belt to his backside. But he never considered that Sandy would be staying away because he was so angry. That he might be calming down before he talked to Ryan. Even his mother had not taken the time to calm down; she swung first and apologized later. The boyfriends never apologized they just swung away until their anger was gone.
"No, Sandy wouldn't hit me," he said with certainty.
Rosa pointed her finger in his face and said, "No. He's thinking what to do with a boy like you. A boy who let's spoiled kids get him angry and maybe get him kicked out of a good school. A boy who forgets the chance he has now. A boy who does not stop and take the time to calm down….like Mr. Cohen." Rosa gave him a light smack on the back of his head and then she left the kitchen.
He didn't think it could really be that simple. He had really blown it this time but she was right about one thing he couldn't let those trust fund brats take this opportunity away from him. That is if he still has an opportunity. Ryan looked at the clock; the time was now 5:08. He butt was beginning to feel a little numb and he had to go to the bathroom. But there was no way he was going to move off of the stool. He didn't want to add any more fuel to the fire, he could wait, and surely it wouldn't be too much longer. At that moment, he heard the front door open and the familiar sounds of Kirsten dropping her keys and purse on the table in the foyer. She walked towards the kitchen calling each of their names and then he heard Sandy open his office door and call her in. Ryan was sure that once Kirsten heard that he had been fighting again she would want him gone. He put his head in his hands and felt a lump form in his throat. But he didn't have long to wait because after about fifteen minutes he heard the office door open and the sound of Sandy and Kirsten's footsteps approaching the kitchen.
Kirsten entered first, her arms folded across her chest and stern look on her face. She walked around the counter stopping just in front of the coffee maker. Ryan stole a glance at her but he could not bear to see the disappointment in her face and he began tracing the counter top again. Sandy followed with a stern look on his face but Ryan noticed it was decidedly less angry than it had been at the school. Ryan could not bring himself to look them in the eyes. They were right to be disappointed but maybe, just maybe they wouldn't kick him out. Ryan continued to fight the lump in his throat and concentrate on the counter.
After a few seconds of silence, Sandy spoke first. "Okay, kiddo. Here's the deal. You were fighting again after you promised no more trouble. I see a real problem here with you using your fists instead of words. And as you know I am an advocate of the spoken word…"
"I tried…," Ryan interrupted. He wanted them to know he didn't have a choice. Luke was saying nasty things about Marissa and he had to make him stop. But Sandy put his hand up and Ryan did not finish his explanation.
Kirsten leaned forward and braced herself on the island counter and she said sincerely, "Ryan, we know that Luke can sometimes be a jerk and that he is making things hard for you at school. Just listen to Sandy because we are going to try and help you with all of these things."
Ryan glanced up at her, with his lips draw tight he gave her a nod.
Sandy continued, "As Kirsten said, we know you are having problems with Luke --and --your fists--and-- your temper --and-- your words. So, after talking to the guidance counselor at Harbour and Luke's parents, we have decided that you and Luke will be attending some after school sessions in the guidance office until your problems with each other are all worked out. Or if they can't be worked out at least, maybe he will leave you alone."
Ryan sat up in his chair and started to protest. Once again Sandy held up his hand. "It's already decided kid." Then he continued, "I have also contacted Child Services.."
Ryan slammed his fist onto the counter. He knew it they were going to kick him out. He knew he should never have hoped for anything different. People always let you down. You couldn't count on anyone. "I'll pack my stuff," Ryan said through clenched teeth.
Sandy moved quickly to put his hand on Ryan's back. "Oh, no, Ryan, you don't have to pack. You didn't let me finish. Think why we would have you going to the guidance for counseling if you were leaving."
Kirsten moved closer and put her hand on Ryan's shoulder, "Listen to Sandy," she said softly. She felt some of the tension release from his body as he once again gave her a slight nod of his head. What Sandy had said was beginning to sink in, they weren't kicking him out. He was staying for now. At least until he did something really bad.
Sandy continued, "Okay, anyway, Child Services has a program they call "Second Step". It's a program that teaches kids how to handle conflict. They show you different techniques for resolving situations, disagreements and well, anger issues. I, ..We, think it would be beneficial for you to attend. There is a class starting on Thursday nights at 6-9 for the next four weeks."
Ryan shook his head no. He didn't need to attend any stupid class. Those things didn't work because those people don't really know what happens in the real world. Sandy tapped his shoulder and Ryan looked at him still shaking his head.
"Well, if you don't want to go to the Thursday night classes, there's always the Saturday class from 8-noon. You are going to one or the other. That's the only choice you get to make. So what will it be Thursday or Saturday."
"Thursday," Ryan said with resignation.
"Good, I already signed you up," Sandy slapped him on the back for emphasis. "Oh yeah and you're grounded for two weeks. For fighting, for not stopping when I told you and for knocking me down. I really don't like to be knocked down." Sandy indicated his own body, and said, "You can't mistreat a fine specimen like this."
Kirsten squeezed his shoulder, "Why don't you go to your room. I call you for dinner. And really, you should be more careful with old men like, Sandy. They can't take all that rough and tumble stuff anymore."
Ryan gave Kirsten a slight upturn of his lip; some might even call it a smile. He lifted himself off of the stool, grabbed his bookbag and walked towards the French doors. He paused just as he was about to open it and then turned back to Sandy and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
Sandy interrupted him, "I know you are kid. Don't worry about it. It's over and all will be forgiven after your two weeks are up.
But Ryan knew that wasn't really true, he was pretty sure he was already forgiven.