The O.C.

She Will Be Loved

By: Mark Hogan

The Stay

The room was pitch black. The only sign of light was the monitors that showed Summer's condition. Ryan was sitting in a chair facing Summer's bed. His head was resting on the bed next to her hand. Her wrists were bandaged thoroughly. His hair was matted down and wet from the storm that raged on outside. It began to thunder, and lightning was striking and lighting up the sky. He rested in an unmerciful rest, wanting to know if Summer was going to be alright.

He could hear every beep from every machine that was connected to Summer. He was driving him mad, even in his dreams. He could not keep the thought of death out of his mind. He didn't know why it was bothering him to the core like this. He had dealt with it many times in Chino, never letting it get to him like this. He couldn't believe he was worrying himself sick of Summer. He had no reason to, they weren't close. They had never spent any real time together, but yet there was something inside of him that worried…

He woke up again, only an hour from the last time he had awaken to check on Summer. It was still dark. It was getting closer to morning. Sandy and Kirsten still hadn't arrived after he called them. The doctor wouldn't come back until they arrived, which left Ryan completely helpless and without any information on the condition of Summer. It was driving him mad.

He looked up, she was still sleeping. He arms were still laying next to her sides, the blanket covering her entire body up to her neck. She was pale, sweating. He felt so bad for her. He felt responsible for what had happened, for what she did. He couldn't think of anything else to do. He grabbed a washcloth and ran it under cold water in the bathroom. He brought it back and placed it on her forehead, hoping to stop the sweating.

As he ran his hand through her hair, moving stray strands from her face he heard the door open behind him. He didn't bother to look, knowing exactly who it was. He didn't bother to say a word either. He just took the washcloth and turned it over, allowing the cold side to cool her down. He could hear the footsteps behind him, getting closer. He still didn't bother to turn.

A gentle hand rested on his shoulder, "Ryan?"

The voice brought warmth to his heart. A warmth that he had lost a month ago when he left for Chino. It made him feel better, stronger. He felt a single tear roll down his cheek, and watched it land on Summer's limp hand. He stood up slowly and turned to face his "mother" whom he had missed so much. He smiled when he saw how happy she was to see him. She bragged him into a hug, and he just held on.

"We've missed you so much!" She said happily, tears rolling down her cheeks.

He heard man's voice from behind Kirsten, "It's good to see you, Ryan."

Ryan walked over to the man, realizing it was Sandy. He put out his hand for a hand shake, but once Sandy accepted it, Ryan hugged him too. The warmth was flowing throughout his body. He embraced it and smiled at his parents. Kirsten wiped a few more tears away as Sandy smiled, his right arm around her waist.

"How long will you be back for?" Sandy asked quietly.

Ryan looked over at Summer, and then back at his family and replied, "For good."

Kirsten broke down into tears, Ryan held her in a hug. Sandy ruffled Ryan's wet, mingled hair. He realized that this was truly his family and that he should have never left. He just smiled and hugged his mom until she stopped crying. The three of them stood as a family and watched over Summer.

"How is she?" Sandy asked curiously.

Ryan walked over and removed the damp washcloth, "I don't know. They wouldn't tell me anything until you arrived."

Kirsten watched as Ryan disappeared into the bathroom and heard running water. Sandy stood behind Kirsten looking over the pale Summer. They watched Ryan return with the damp cloth, replacing it on her forehead again. He turned to them to explain.

"She seemed very warm. I ran the cloth under cold water, thought it might cool her down just a little."

Kirsten smiled brightly, Sandy nodded his approval. Ryan was about to sit down when he head the door swing open again, allowing the florescent light to fill the darkened room. Ryan covered his eyes till the door closed again. Once he opened his eyes he saw a tall man in a white jacket standing in front of the door. Sandy and Kirsten walked over and greeted him, Ryan soon did the same. They awaited the doctor's report before saying anything more.

"I'm Doctor Johnson," the man said. "I was the doctor that treated Summer's injuries."

Ryan was quick to the chase, "Is she going to be alright?"

Johnson chuckled, "She will be fine. I have called a psyche consult to interview her tomorrow morning. I was worried by how bad she cut her wrists, even the most suicidal people don't cut them haft as deep as she did."

Ryan looked at Sandy and Kirsten for a moment. Neither one of them said a single word about what had happened to Summer that caused her to do what she had done. Ryan waited a moment before he blurted it all out to the doctor.

"Her boyfriend left her after I moved back to Chino. Her best friend is gone, probably with another guy. She was lonely and no one was there to even try and talk to her. Her dad is always on business trips and she doesn't open up well to adults. She called me before she slit her wrists. I had my friend drive me back up here as fast as possible so I could check on her. She's been alone. That's all."

Kirsten and Sandy looked at each other amazed. They had never heard Ryan talk so much at once in his life. The doctor smiled and chuckled again. This took Ryan by surprise. He looked at the doctor and then at his parents. Sandy came up behind him and rested his hands on his shoulders. Ryan thought for a moment and finally spoke again.

"The report I gave… you have it in that file," he said quietly. "Sandy and Kirsten saw it too, huh?"

"Don't worry," Johnson said. "If the physic consult says she alright to go home in the morning, she is free to go by noon. If not, we can release her into your care. She will need counseling either way, and a friend to talk to."

Ryan looked at the doctor, "Don't worry. I'm staying here."

Johnson took a deep breath, "Good! Now if you'll excuse me. I have another child that needs some attention."

They watched as the doctor turned and left the room. They stood for a moment, taking in the situation. Summer didn't have a home to go home to. Her dad and step mom were in Paris… for good. They had allowed her to stay to finish high school. Sandy and Kirsten looked at Ryan.

"She's staying with us, isn't she?" He asked.

Sandy smiled, "She is."

"Where?" asked Ryan.

"Spare room." Kirsten said quietly.

Ryan thought for a moment, "Let her stay in the Pool House. She can sleep in the bed. I'll sleep on the couch. We all know I won't make the same mistake again. Even if I did "sleep" with her… it wouldn't be sexual."

"We'll see, Ryan," Kirsten said quietly.

Ryan turned to face Summer once more. She was still laying as she had been when he awaken. He smiled to himself and walked back over to the bed. He sat down in his chair and took her hand softly and carefully. He held on tight through the night until the next morning till she woke up. Then came the next task, the physic consult.

TO BE CONTINUED…