Sandy let out a loud sigh as he walked out of the operating room. Well, he
didn't exactly walk out of the operating room, more like he was shoved out.
He wanted to turn one last time, just to make sure Ryan was okay, but the
nurse was pretty persistent in pushing him out. As he left, he tried not
to remember the look of fear in Ryan's eyes as he said goodbye, as the
doctor put Ryan to sleep again. It was one of the few times Sandy could
remember Ryan truly looking like a young kid, and there was nothing Sandy
could do to help that kid, his kid.
As he walked through the doors to go wait in the waiting room, Sandy couldn't stop thinking about Ryan, and he walked right past Kirsten and Seth. He jumped when he heard Kirsten say, "Sandy." Surprised to see them standing outside the door, he said, "I was just coming to meet you in the waiting room. What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you." Kirsten told him, "What took so long? Is everything okay? We were getting worried."
"Yeah, no, everything's fine, I guess." Sandy said, "There was a short wait before he went in. But he's in there. They're operating now. I got to go in with him, to be there when they put him to sleep."
"And? How is he? I mean, how was he before.... when he went in?" Kirsten asked.
Sandy turned and looked at the doors that led to the operating room and then looked briefly at his wife and his son before looking down at his feet. Kirsten could only put her arm on his shoulder, as Seth stood by and for once, was silent. They both knew Sandy was worried, in addition to feeling guilty, and yet Kirsten knew there was something a little more. Something was on Sandy's mind, that obviously something had transpired between him and Ryan while the two of them were together waiting.
"He is okay, isn't he?" Kirsten asked. Sandy nodded as he closed his eyes and let out a loud sigh again. He could still see Ryan lying on that operating table, trying to calm himself down, trying to shut everything out around him, as Sandy stood by helplessly.
"He's.. He's afraid he isn't going to wake up again." Sandy finally blurted out. He knew he was breaking Ryan's confidence by telling them, and yet he couldn't stop himself, "and there was nothing I could do, nothing I could say to help him. All I did was promise him that nothing was going to happen. But he didn't believe me. Why should he? I promised him the same thing this morning, and of course something did happen, otherwise we wouldn't be here. He wouldn't be here."
"Wait," Seth spoke up, "Why would he be afraid of not waking up? I mean, it's just a broken arm. Or is there something else? Something you haven't told me?"
"But you told him, right?" Kirsten asked Sandy, ignoring Seth's questions, "You told him it was different this time, didn't you?"
Sandy nodded and sighed again as Seth raised his voice and said, "What is different? What is going on? And what is wrong with Ryan that he might not wake up?"
It was the panic in Seth's voice that made Sandy and Kirsten both realize that he didn't know. He wasn't there when they met with the anesthesiologist, so only hearing a portion of the conversation was scaring Seth, badly.
"Oh, honey." Kirsten explained, "There's nothing wrong with Ryan, besides his broken arm. It's just something from his past. Something he'd prefer not talking about, something we would really appreciate if you didn't bring up to him. He's going to be fine. I promise, nothing is going to happen."
"Yeah, he's going to love it." Sandy mumbled, but as Kirsten and Seth looked at him strangely, Sandy continued, "Never mind. I guess you could call it an inside joke between Ryan and me. We should probably head for the waiting room. We can't really stand here for the two hours."
"I thought maybe we should go down and get some lunch." Kirsten told him, "Eat now while it's still early and that way we'll be back long before the surgery is over."
Sandy shook his head and said, "No. You go. I'm going to wait here. I promised him that I'd see him when he woke up, so it's better if I wait here."
Kirsten could only stare at Sandy for a minute. She knew he wasn't thinking rationally, but she also knew it would be better not to argue with him at that moment. He wanted to wait there, be as close to Ryan as he could be, so they'd wait, together.
"Seth," she said, "Why don't you go down and get all of us something to eat and bring it back up. And bring your grandfather to help you."
Seth only nodded and took the money Kirsten had pulled out of her wallet. He knew all about their alone time, that they both liked to be alone together a lot. His dad felt bad, and his mom wanted to help him feel better, and she wanted to do it without him and definitely without his grandfather there. He started to leave, but slowed up when he heard his mom ask, "What else did you promise him?"
When she didn't get an immediate response from Sandy and only a confused look, Kirsten clarified, "Well, you promised him nothing was going to happen, twice. And you promised him that you would see him as soon as he woke up. I was just wondering what else you promised him."
Sandy thought about it for a minute, thought back to their conversations, "I promised he could pick what we ordered for dinner tonight." He said.
"But what about the car? Did you promise him the car?" Seth turned and asked.
"Seth," Kirsten warned, "Lunch. Go. Now." And as Seth turned and started to walk away, Kirsten whispered, "You didn't promise him a car, did you?"
"No." Sandy told her, but then thought about it for a brief second before telling her, "But you know, it might not be such a bad idea."
Seth could only give a silent "yes!" as he rushed to get his grandfather and hurry up with lunch. He had to get back before his mother talked his father out of the car.
Kirsten again could only stare at Sandy for a moment before she muttered, "You've got to be kidding me. You're going to get Ryan a car? Because of this? Because of an accident?"
"Not just Ryan," Sandy told her, "Seth, too."
"Two cars?" Kirsten asked as she shook her head and walked towards the waiting room. For this, she needed to sit down.
"Just think about, Kirsten," Sandy said as he followed behind her, "If we only got one car, then Ryan would always think of it as Seth's car. He wouldn't use it as his own. But if each kid gets a car, then it wouldn't make Ryan feel so weird."
"You don't think buying Ryan a car would make him feel weird?" Kirsten responded, "Sandy, I still have to sneak new clothes into his closet, otherwise he tells me he doesn't need them. You just can't say gee Ryan, sorry I broke your arm, here, have a new car. He'd never accept it. He'd know you just did it because you felt guilty."
"It's not because I feel guilty." Sandy shot back at her, "I just feel the boys could use a car. I mean, Ryan can't exactly ride around Newport on his bicycle, not with a broken arm. He needs to be able to get around town somehow."
Kirsten just laughed for a minute, not that she found what Sandy was saying particularly funny, more like unbelievable. "Sandy," she finally said, "I agree that he can't ride his bicycle this summer. But he also can't drive, not with his right arm in a cast from his fingertips to above his elbow. That's not safe, either. So what, you buy him a new car, out of guilt and then make him stare at it for the next two and a half months. Yeah, that will make him feel better."
"I told you it's not out of guilt." Sandy told her, "I'm being practical. I plan on taking some time off from work to help Ryan, but eventually, I will need to go back. We'll both have to work, and unless we plan on carpooling with each other, there will be no car home for the boys. If something happens, if Seth needs to take Ryan somewhere, how is he going to get him there? On his skateboard?"
They were in the waiting room now so Kirsten could sit and think about what to say before answering Sandy. "You always said that you didn't want Seth to be another Newport brat, a spoiled rich kid who has always had things handed to him, waiting around for his new BMW. You didn't want to raise a Jimmy Cooper or a Hailey." She said slowly.
"And he's not." Sandy responded, "This isn't like that. This is different."
"The only difference," Kirsten told him, "is now we have two kids that you want to hand new cars to, not just the one. And you want to do it because of an accident. A stupid accident."
"It wasn't just a stupid accident." Sandy snapped, before taking a deep breath and continuing, "It was an accident that I caused. I'm the reason we're here today. The reason he's in surgery, scared to death that he won't wake up from the anesthesia. I'm the reason his whole summer is ruined. For the rest of his life he will have three screws and a medal plate in his right arm because of me."
"And you think buying him a car will make up for that?" Kirsten asked. "Sandy, think about it. You can't buy Ryan's forgiveness with a new car. First of all, I doubt Ryan is even mad at you. He knows that you would never do anything to intentionally hurt him, and I heard him say that it was just an accident. He even tried to take the blame for it himself. And second, if you try to force a gift of that size on Ryan, you will only make it worse. We both know he still isn't completely comfortable with us. I mean, I know he loves us, and I believe he knows we love him, but he isn't Seth. He isn't going to see getting a car as a gift. And I think that is what will make him mad at you. Not the accident, but your attempts to buy his forgiveness with material possessions."
"I'm not trying to buy his forgiveness, or his love." Sandy told her, "I told you, I'm being practical. We need another car at home for when we're both at work."
Kirsten had hoped that Sandy would see the truth behind his sudden desire to give the boys a new means of transportation so she very gently tried to tell him, "Okay. Practical. You want to go about this from a practical standpoint. Then practically speaking, with you taking some time off from work to help Ryan, there will be a car home. If one of the boys, either Seth or Ryan, or both, need to go somewhere, your car will be there. Then after you go back to work, I plan to take some time off, work from home, so my car will be there. After that, when we both have to be at work, if you still feel that the boys should have a car, then we'll talk about getting another car. One car, though, not two cars. We don't need two cars. They can share. And we will all discuss it first. All four of us, including Ryan will sit down and discuss it. Will you at least promise me that much?"
Sandy could only nod. He still thought there had to be some way to make it up to Ryan, to help make his life a little easier while he recovered from the broken arm.
"Do you think he'll ever tell us about the other times?" Kirsten said, changing the subject, "The other so-called accidents he's had."
"Doubt it." Sandy told her, "They weren't in his file which means they weren't investigated. So unless he suddenly gets the urge to talk, we may never know what happened."
"Three other times," Kirsten wondered out loud, "How could he break his right arm three other times? What could she have done to him? It sometimes scares me to think of what his life was like before last August."
"Then don't." Sandy simply told her, "He'd rather you not think about what his life was like. It's easier for him that way. I think just as long as he knows he's loved, well taken care of and safe then its ok that we don't know any more."
"That's right," Kirsten agreed, "Just as long as he knows he's safe and loved, what more does he need?"
Kirsten waited a minute for Sandy to realize what she was getting at, that she was using his own words against him before asking him, "So, do you still want to buy him a car?"
"No, I guess not." Sandy finally said.
"No, No, No" they both heard from behind them as Seth walked back into the waiting room, "Mom, what are you doing? I knew we shouldn't have waited for the hot lunch. I knew we should have just grabbed some sandwiches and run back up here. But no, I take the time and the love to wait on nice, hot lunches for my parents, and now all my hopes and dreams of a fire red mustang convertible have been dashed by my Gentile Mother. There's no justice in this world, thanks to you, Mom."
"Seth," Kirsten said, "You would really want your father to get you a car because of this accident, because he feels bad about Ryan getting hurt? Do you really think that's fair?"
Seth pretended to think about it for a minute, and as he handed his mother her lunch, he simply said, "Yes."
"Seth..." Kirsten started to warn as Sandy told him, "We haven't totally ruled out getting another car. Just not right now, maybe in a month. It's a subject we'll revisit after your mother and I both go back to work."
"Go back to work?" Seth asked, "Since when are you guys on vacation?"
"You're on vacation, Kiki?" Caleb asked as he walked into the waiting room, "Were you planning on telling me, or was I just supposed to guess?"
"I'm not on vacation, Dad. Not yet." Kirsten informed him, "Sandy is going to take some time off first, and then when he has to go back, I'll work from home for a while. We're still working out the details, but I'll let you know."
"And this is all because of the boy?" Caleb asked, as he sat down to eat his lunch, "How much help do you think he needs?"
"We don't know how much help the boy will need, Cal." Sandy snidely told him, "Not until he gets home and we see. I plan on taking at least the next week off. If I can rearrange my schedule, then I'll take two weeks off."
"Then after that," Kirsten continued, "I'll take some vacation time and do some work at home for a week or two."
"So between the two of you, you plan on taking any where from two weeks to a month off to help Ryan do what?" Caleb asked.
"Whatever he needs." Kirsten told him.
Caleb couldn't help but chuckle. "Kiki," he said, "The boy is sixteen years old. He won't need your help for a month. Ok, granted it may be a little difficult for the first few days, thanks to the foster father of the year here, but after that, he'll adjust. You can't smoother the boy."
"Um, Mom, Dad." Seth said, "I hate to admit it, but Grandpa may actually be right here. You're going to weird Ryan out if you sit at home staring at him, waiting on his every need. I really can't see Ryan letting you help him get dressed or eat or anything like that. That's just not Ryan. He's not going to like it."
"No, he's not going to like it." Sandy agreed before telling them all, "But he is going to have to accept it. For a little while, at least. He won't be able to do a lot of things on his own. And we can only wait and see how long it is before he does adjust, and until that time then yes, Kirsten or I can sit around the house staring at him and waiting on his every need."
"This should be good." Seth said, "Watching you help Ryan get dressed. He's going to love that."
"That reminds me, Seth," Kirsten told him, "You need to run home and get something for Ryan to wear home. Grab his sweatpants and a pair of boxers. Don't bother with a shirt. That may be too difficult for him to put on. And swing by the emergency room on your way out and get his bathing suit and sandals. We left them down there. You can just throw his suit in the hamper at home, but bring his sandals back so he can wear them home."
"Why me?" Seth whined, "What happens if they finish up with the surgery, and I'm not here?"
"You still have time before the surgery is finished, and after that, Ryan will have to go to recovery. Only your father and I will be allowed in recovery to see him. So, go. Take my car, it's in the parking lot." Kirsten told him as she pulled the keys out of her purse.
"It would be better if I was taking my car." Seth mumbled, causing Caleb to ask, "What car? Since when did you get Seth a car?"
"We didn't." Kirsten told him, "Sandy is just toying with the idea of getting another car for the boys to use."
"Well, it's about time" Caleb said, "How long do you expect Seth to ride on his skateboard? He needs his own car."
"Both boys would share the car, Cal." Sandy told him, before Kirsten added, "If we even get another car. I still don't agree with the idea of two teenage boys getting a brand new car."
Caleb shrugged and said, "Then don't get them a new car." And as Seth just moaned and mumbled, "Thanks, Grandpa," Caleb continued, "What I mean is, give them your car, Kiki. It's not brand new, but it's still in good shape. And then take one of the company cars that the Newport Group has for its executives. I never understood why you would use your own vehicle to go to construction sites and meet with contractors, when I could use the tax write off if you used a company car."
"I hate to say it," Sandy admitted, "But your father might be right, Kirsten. And believe me, it does pain me to say that, but Ryan already feels comfortable driving the Range Rover, so he won't get upset thinking we spent money on a new car."
"Well," Kirsten considered, "I guess it could solve the problem. And if it doesn't work out, I can always bring the car back and use the Range Rover again. Okay. We can try that. So, you see, Seth, you are taking your car to run home and get Ryan's clothes. Problem solved."
"It's still not a shiny red mustang convertible..." Seth mumbled as he walked out of the waiting room, staring at the keys to his so-called new car.
"Sandy," Kirsten said, "Why don't we eat lunch? We still have about an hour until the doctor is done, and you need to eat something."
Sandy could only smile slightly at his wife as he finally sat down to eat. Okay, he thought, one problem solved. Ryan now had a way to get around town, as long as Seth was willing to drive him for the summer. And now all he could do was wait until the bigger problem was solved, namely, the surgery being over and the doctor telling them Ryan was fine. For that, Sandy noted as he looked at his watch, all he needed to do was wait fifty- two more minutes.
Unfortunately, fifty-two minutes went by, lunch was finished and there was no sign of the doctor. An hour later, Seth was back, Sandy was pacing and there still was no sign of the doctor. After an hour and a half, Sandy had walked to and from the doors leading to the operating room five times, frantic that something had gone wrong. An hour and forty-five minutes later, as Sandy was getting ready to storm into the operating room to see for himself, Dr. Gross finally came to see them.
"What happened? What went wrong? What took so long?" Sandy frantically asked him.
"Mr. Cohen," Dr. Gross said, "Relax. I said it would take approximately two hours, and it did."
"It was almost three hours." Seth corrected before the doctor could continue, causing the doctor to give him a look.
"How's Ryan?" Kirsten asked.
"Ryan is fine." Dr. Gross told them, "We repaired the damage to his arm, and he's been moved to recovery. The nurse will be out shortly to bring you in to see him. He's still pretty out of it, so I would prefer if only one of you goes in at a time, and only the parents. Siblings and grandparents will have to wait until Ryan's been moved to his room."
"But he's awake? He's okay?" Sandy asked.
"I'd say it's more like he's conscious, not really awake. He is able to respond to simple commands with some moans and one-word answers. And besides having his arm in a full cast and placed in a sling, I'd say he was okay." Dr. Gross told them.
"Moans and one word answers?" Seth joked, "Sounds like Ryan's awake to me!"
The doctor again could only give Seth a look before excusing himself to see other patients. He promised to see the Cohens before Ryan was discharged to go over the necessary care and follow up treatment with them, and then he left.
Right after that, Caleb kissed Kirsten on the cheek and told her, "I guess I should go. Julie must be wondering what happened to me right about now."
"Oh, Dad," Kirsten reminded him, "We never did get a chance to go over those business concerns of yours."
"Don't worry about it, Kiki. As long as you're in the office on Monday, we can go over it then." Caleb said as he was leaving, "Seth, see you soon. Sanford, try not to hurt anyone on your way home."
"Mr. and Mrs. Cohen?" a nurse came out and asked, "Ryan is asking for you. Only one parent at a time, though so you'll have to decide who goes first."
Sandy hesitated for a second as he looked at Kirsten. She only smiled at him as she told him, "Go. Go see for yourself that he's awake and that he's fine. But don't take too long. I want to see for myself, too."
This time when Sandy let out a sigh, it was from relief, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He smiled at his wife and his son as he turned and followed the nurse to Recovery and Ryan.
As he walked through the doors to go wait in the waiting room, Sandy couldn't stop thinking about Ryan, and he walked right past Kirsten and Seth. He jumped when he heard Kirsten say, "Sandy." Surprised to see them standing outside the door, he said, "I was just coming to meet you in the waiting room. What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you." Kirsten told him, "What took so long? Is everything okay? We were getting worried."
"Yeah, no, everything's fine, I guess." Sandy said, "There was a short wait before he went in. But he's in there. They're operating now. I got to go in with him, to be there when they put him to sleep."
"And? How is he? I mean, how was he before.... when he went in?" Kirsten asked.
Sandy turned and looked at the doors that led to the operating room and then looked briefly at his wife and his son before looking down at his feet. Kirsten could only put her arm on his shoulder, as Seth stood by and for once, was silent. They both knew Sandy was worried, in addition to feeling guilty, and yet Kirsten knew there was something a little more. Something was on Sandy's mind, that obviously something had transpired between him and Ryan while the two of them were together waiting.
"He is okay, isn't he?" Kirsten asked. Sandy nodded as he closed his eyes and let out a loud sigh again. He could still see Ryan lying on that operating table, trying to calm himself down, trying to shut everything out around him, as Sandy stood by helplessly.
"He's.. He's afraid he isn't going to wake up again." Sandy finally blurted out. He knew he was breaking Ryan's confidence by telling them, and yet he couldn't stop himself, "and there was nothing I could do, nothing I could say to help him. All I did was promise him that nothing was going to happen. But he didn't believe me. Why should he? I promised him the same thing this morning, and of course something did happen, otherwise we wouldn't be here. He wouldn't be here."
"Wait," Seth spoke up, "Why would he be afraid of not waking up? I mean, it's just a broken arm. Or is there something else? Something you haven't told me?"
"But you told him, right?" Kirsten asked Sandy, ignoring Seth's questions, "You told him it was different this time, didn't you?"
Sandy nodded and sighed again as Seth raised his voice and said, "What is different? What is going on? And what is wrong with Ryan that he might not wake up?"
It was the panic in Seth's voice that made Sandy and Kirsten both realize that he didn't know. He wasn't there when they met with the anesthesiologist, so only hearing a portion of the conversation was scaring Seth, badly.
"Oh, honey." Kirsten explained, "There's nothing wrong with Ryan, besides his broken arm. It's just something from his past. Something he'd prefer not talking about, something we would really appreciate if you didn't bring up to him. He's going to be fine. I promise, nothing is going to happen."
"Yeah, he's going to love it." Sandy mumbled, but as Kirsten and Seth looked at him strangely, Sandy continued, "Never mind. I guess you could call it an inside joke between Ryan and me. We should probably head for the waiting room. We can't really stand here for the two hours."
"I thought maybe we should go down and get some lunch." Kirsten told him, "Eat now while it's still early and that way we'll be back long before the surgery is over."
Sandy shook his head and said, "No. You go. I'm going to wait here. I promised him that I'd see him when he woke up, so it's better if I wait here."
Kirsten could only stare at Sandy for a minute. She knew he wasn't thinking rationally, but she also knew it would be better not to argue with him at that moment. He wanted to wait there, be as close to Ryan as he could be, so they'd wait, together.
"Seth," she said, "Why don't you go down and get all of us something to eat and bring it back up. And bring your grandfather to help you."
Seth only nodded and took the money Kirsten had pulled out of her wallet. He knew all about their alone time, that they both liked to be alone together a lot. His dad felt bad, and his mom wanted to help him feel better, and she wanted to do it without him and definitely without his grandfather there. He started to leave, but slowed up when he heard his mom ask, "What else did you promise him?"
When she didn't get an immediate response from Sandy and only a confused look, Kirsten clarified, "Well, you promised him nothing was going to happen, twice. And you promised him that you would see him as soon as he woke up. I was just wondering what else you promised him."
Sandy thought about it for a minute, thought back to their conversations, "I promised he could pick what we ordered for dinner tonight." He said.
"But what about the car? Did you promise him the car?" Seth turned and asked.
"Seth," Kirsten warned, "Lunch. Go. Now." And as Seth turned and started to walk away, Kirsten whispered, "You didn't promise him a car, did you?"
"No." Sandy told her, but then thought about it for a brief second before telling her, "But you know, it might not be such a bad idea."
Seth could only give a silent "yes!" as he rushed to get his grandfather and hurry up with lunch. He had to get back before his mother talked his father out of the car.
Kirsten again could only stare at Sandy for a moment before she muttered, "You've got to be kidding me. You're going to get Ryan a car? Because of this? Because of an accident?"
"Not just Ryan," Sandy told her, "Seth, too."
"Two cars?" Kirsten asked as she shook her head and walked towards the waiting room. For this, she needed to sit down.
"Just think about, Kirsten," Sandy said as he followed behind her, "If we only got one car, then Ryan would always think of it as Seth's car. He wouldn't use it as his own. But if each kid gets a car, then it wouldn't make Ryan feel so weird."
"You don't think buying Ryan a car would make him feel weird?" Kirsten responded, "Sandy, I still have to sneak new clothes into his closet, otherwise he tells me he doesn't need them. You just can't say gee Ryan, sorry I broke your arm, here, have a new car. He'd never accept it. He'd know you just did it because you felt guilty."
"It's not because I feel guilty." Sandy shot back at her, "I just feel the boys could use a car. I mean, Ryan can't exactly ride around Newport on his bicycle, not with a broken arm. He needs to be able to get around town somehow."
Kirsten just laughed for a minute, not that she found what Sandy was saying particularly funny, more like unbelievable. "Sandy," she finally said, "I agree that he can't ride his bicycle this summer. But he also can't drive, not with his right arm in a cast from his fingertips to above his elbow. That's not safe, either. So what, you buy him a new car, out of guilt and then make him stare at it for the next two and a half months. Yeah, that will make him feel better."
"I told you it's not out of guilt." Sandy told her, "I'm being practical. I plan on taking some time off from work to help Ryan, but eventually, I will need to go back. We'll both have to work, and unless we plan on carpooling with each other, there will be no car home for the boys. If something happens, if Seth needs to take Ryan somewhere, how is he going to get him there? On his skateboard?"
They were in the waiting room now so Kirsten could sit and think about what to say before answering Sandy. "You always said that you didn't want Seth to be another Newport brat, a spoiled rich kid who has always had things handed to him, waiting around for his new BMW. You didn't want to raise a Jimmy Cooper or a Hailey." She said slowly.
"And he's not." Sandy responded, "This isn't like that. This is different."
"The only difference," Kirsten told him, "is now we have two kids that you want to hand new cars to, not just the one. And you want to do it because of an accident. A stupid accident."
"It wasn't just a stupid accident." Sandy snapped, before taking a deep breath and continuing, "It was an accident that I caused. I'm the reason we're here today. The reason he's in surgery, scared to death that he won't wake up from the anesthesia. I'm the reason his whole summer is ruined. For the rest of his life he will have three screws and a medal plate in his right arm because of me."
"And you think buying him a car will make up for that?" Kirsten asked. "Sandy, think about it. You can't buy Ryan's forgiveness with a new car. First of all, I doubt Ryan is even mad at you. He knows that you would never do anything to intentionally hurt him, and I heard him say that it was just an accident. He even tried to take the blame for it himself. And second, if you try to force a gift of that size on Ryan, you will only make it worse. We both know he still isn't completely comfortable with us. I mean, I know he loves us, and I believe he knows we love him, but he isn't Seth. He isn't going to see getting a car as a gift. And I think that is what will make him mad at you. Not the accident, but your attempts to buy his forgiveness with material possessions."
"I'm not trying to buy his forgiveness, or his love." Sandy told her, "I told you, I'm being practical. We need another car at home for when we're both at work."
Kirsten had hoped that Sandy would see the truth behind his sudden desire to give the boys a new means of transportation so she very gently tried to tell him, "Okay. Practical. You want to go about this from a practical standpoint. Then practically speaking, with you taking some time off from work to help Ryan, there will be a car home. If one of the boys, either Seth or Ryan, or both, need to go somewhere, your car will be there. Then after you go back to work, I plan to take some time off, work from home, so my car will be there. After that, when we both have to be at work, if you still feel that the boys should have a car, then we'll talk about getting another car. One car, though, not two cars. We don't need two cars. They can share. And we will all discuss it first. All four of us, including Ryan will sit down and discuss it. Will you at least promise me that much?"
Sandy could only nod. He still thought there had to be some way to make it up to Ryan, to help make his life a little easier while he recovered from the broken arm.
"Do you think he'll ever tell us about the other times?" Kirsten said, changing the subject, "The other so-called accidents he's had."
"Doubt it." Sandy told her, "They weren't in his file which means they weren't investigated. So unless he suddenly gets the urge to talk, we may never know what happened."
"Three other times," Kirsten wondered out loud, "How could he break his right arm three other times? What could she have done to him? It sometimes scares me to think of what his life was like before last August."
"Then don't." Sandy simply told her, "He'd rather you not think about what his life was like. It's easier for him that way. I think just as long as he knows he's loved, well taken care of and safe then its ok that we don't know any more."
"That's right," Kirsten agreed, "Just as long as he knows he's safe and loved, what more does he need?"
Kirsten waited a minute for Sandy to realize what she was getting at, that she was using his own words against him before asking him, "So, do you still want to buy him a car?"
"No, I guess not." Sandy finally said.
"No, No, No" they both heard from behind them as Seth walked back into the waiting room, "Mom, what are you doing? I knew we shouldn't have waited for the hot lunch. I knew we should have just grabbed some sandwiches and run back up here. But no, I take the time and the love to wait on nice, hot lunches for my parents, and now all my hopes and dreams of a fire red mustang convertible have been dashed by my Gentile Mother. There's no justice in this world, thanks to you, Mom."
"Seth," Kirsten said, "You would really want your father to get you a car because of this accident, because he feels bad about Ryan getting hurt? Do you really think that's fair?"
Seth pretended to think about it for a minute, and as he handed his mother her lunch, he simply said, "Yes."
"Seth..." Kirsten started to warn as Sandy told him, "We haven't totally ruled out getting another car. Just not right now, maybe in a month. It's a subject we'll revisit after your mother and I both go back to work."
"Go back to work?" Seth asked, "Since when are you guys on vacation?"
"You're on vacation, Kiki?" Caleb asked as he walked into the waiting room, "Were you planning on telling me, or was I just supposed to guess?"
"I'm not on vacation, Dad. Not yet." Kirsten informed him, "Sandy is going to take some time off first, and then when he has to go back, I'll work from home for a while. We're still working out the details, but I'll let you know."
"And this is all because of the boy?" Caleb asked, as he sat down to eat his lunch, "How much help do you think he needs?"
"We don't know how much help the boy will need, Cal." Sandy snidely told him, "Not until he gets home and we see. I plan on taking at least the next week off. If I can rearrange my schedule, then I'll take two weeks off."
"Then after that," Kirsten continued, "I'll take some vacation time and do some work at home for a week or two."
"So between the two of you, you plan on taking any where from two weeks to a month off to help Ryan do what?" Caleb asked.
"Whatever he needs." Kirsten told him.
Caleb couldn't help but chuckle. "Kiki," he said, "The boy is sixteen years old. He won't need your help for a month. Ok, granted it may be a little difficult for the first few days, thanks to the foster father of the year here, but after that, he'll adjust. You can't smoother the boy."
"Um, Mom, Dad." Seth said, "I hate to admit it, but Grandpa may actually be right here. You're going to weird Ryan out if you sit at home staring at him, waiting on his every need. I really can't see Ryan letting you help him get dressed or eat or anything like that. That's just not Ryan. He's not going to like it."
"No, he's not going to like it." Sandy agreed before telling them all, "But he is going to have to accept it. For a little while, at least. He won't be able to do a lot of things on his own. And we can only wait and see how long it is before he does adjust, and until that time then yes, Kirsten or I can sit around the house staring at him and waiting on his every need."
"This should be good." Seth said, "Watching you help Ryan get dressed. He's going to love that."
"That reminds me, Seth," Kirsten told him, "You need to run home and get something for Ryan to wear home. Grab his sweatpants and a pair of boxers. Don't bother with a shirt. That may be too difficult for him to put on. And swing by the emergency room on your way out and get his bathing suit and sandals. We left them down there. You can just throw his suit in the hamper at home, but bring his sandals back so he can wear them home."
"Why me?" Seth whined, "What happens if they finish up with the surgery, and I'm not here?"
"You still have time before the surgery is finished, and after that, Ryan will have to go to recovery. Only your father and I will be allowed in recovery to see him. So, go. Take my car, it's in the parking lot." Kirsten told him as she pulled the keys out of her purse.
"It would be better if I was taking my car." Seth mumbled, causing Caleb to ask, "What car? Since when did you get Seth a car?"
"We didn't." Kirsten told him, "Sandy is just toying with the idea of getting another car for the boys to use."
"Well, it's about time" Caleb said, "How long do you expect Seth to ride on his skateboard? He needs his own car."
"Both boys would share the car, Cal." Sandy told him, before Kirsten added, "If we even get another car. I still don't agree with the idea of two teenage boys getting a brand new car."
Caleb shrugged and said, "Then don't get them a new car." And as Seth just moaned and mumbled, "Thanks, Grandpa," Caleb continued, "What I mean is, give them your car, Kiki. It's not brand new, but it's still in good shape. And then take one of the company cars that the Newport Group has for its executives. I never understood why you would use your own vehicle to go to construction sites and meet with contractors, when I could use the tax write off if you used a company car."
"I hate to say it," Sandy admitted, "But your father might be right, Kirsten. And believe me, it does pain me to say that, but Ryan already feels comfortable driving the Range Rover, so he won't get upset thinking we spent money on a new car."
"Well," Kirsten considered, "I guess it could solve the problem. And if it doesn't work out, I can always bring the car back and use the Range Rover again. Okay. We can try that. So, you see, Seth, you are taking your car to run home and get Ryan's clothes. Problem solved."
"It's still not a shiny red mustang convertible..." Seth mumbled as he walked out of the waiting room, staring at the keys to his so-called new car.
"Sandy," Kirsten said, "Why don't we eat lunch? We still have about an hour until the doctor is done, and you need to eat something."
Sandy could only smile slightly at his wife as he finally sat down to eat. Okay, he thought, one problem solved. Ryan now had a way to get around town, as long as Seth was willing to drive him for the summer. And now all he could do was wait until the bigger problem was solved, namely, the surgery being over and the doctor telling them Ryan was fine. For that, Sandy noted as he looked at his watch, all he needed to do was wait fifty- two more minutes.
Unfortunately, fifty-two minutes went by, lunch was finished and there was no sign of the doctor. An hour later, Seth was back, Sandy was pacing and there still was no sign of the doctor. After an hour and a half, Sandy had walked to and from the doors leading to the operating room five times, frantic that something had gone wrong. An hour and forty-five minutes later, as Sandy was getting ready to storm into the operating room to see for himself, Dr. Gross finally came to see them.
"What happened? What went wrong? What took so long?" Sandy frantically asked him.
"Mr. Cohen," Dr. Gross said, "Relax. I said it would take approximately two hours, and it did."
"It was almost three hours." Seth corrected before the doctor could continue, causing the doctor to give him a look.
"How's Ryan?" Kirsten asked.
"Ryan is fine." Dr. Gross told them, "We repaired the damage to his arm, and he's been moved to recovery. The nurse will be out shortly to bring you in to see him. He's still pretty out of it, so I would prefer if only one of you goes in at a time, and only the parents. Siblings and grandparents will have to wait until Ryan's been moved to his room."
"But he's awake? He's okay?" Sandy asked.
"I'd say it's more like he's conscious, not really awake. He is able to respond to simple commands with some moans and one-word answers. And besides having his arm in a full cast and placed in a sling, I'd say he was okay." Dr. Gross told them.
"Moans and one word answers?" Seth joked, "Sounds like Ryan's awake to me!"
The doctor again could only give Seth a look before excusing himself to see other patients. He promised to see the Cohens before Ryan was discharged to go over the necessary care and follow up treatment with them, and then he left.
Right after that, Caleb kissed Kirsten on the cheek and told her, "I guess I should go. Julie must be wondering what happened to me right about now."
"Oh, Dad," Kirsten reminded him, "We never did get a chance to go over those business concerns of yours."
"Don't worry about it, Kiki. As long as you're in the office on Monday, we can go over it then." Caleb said as he was leaving, "Seth, see you soon. Sanford, try not to hurt anyone on your way home."
"Mr. and Mrs. Cohen?" a nurse came out and asked, "Ryan is asking for you. Only one parent at a time, though so you'll have to decide who goes first."
Sandy hesitated for a second as he looked at Kirsten. She only smiled at him as she told him, "Go. Go see for yourself that he's awake and that he's fine. But don't take too long. I want to see for myself, too."
This time when Sandy let out a sigh, it was from relief, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He smiled at his wife and his son as he turned and followed the nurse to Recovery and Ryan.