When Kirsten parked the Range Rover in the crowded driveway, she hesitated to wake Ryan. There were a lot of people in the house and he needed to rest and regain his strength.

"You want me to smuggle him to the poolhouse?"

"There're probably people on the patio, too," Kirsten replied.

"I can put him in my room," Seth suggested.

"I'm not a puppy," Ryan muttered with a yawn. "What's the problem?"

"The 'throngs' of Newport await you," Seth replied.

"Seth, don't say 'throng'," Kirsten scolded.

"Just call Sandy. Tell him to clear me a room," Ryan said.

"That might work. You're not supposed to be around a lot of people because of germs," Kirsten acknowledged. She pulled out her phone.

"I'm not wearing that safety mask," Ryan said.

"What?" Seth asked.

"Rita gave me this Michael Jackson surgical mask for me to wear if I went around a sick person or a doctor's office," Ryan explained.

"Neat, can I get one?" Seth laughed.

Kirsten closed her phone. "Sandy says that Rosa has already set up the guest room for you."

"Was this a trick?"

"No, she's right. Rosa was so mad last night, man, she's really worried about you," Seth acknowledged.

"Okay. I fear Rosa. Guest room it is," Ryan agreed.

"Sandy says that your visitors currently are your soccer coach, your chemistry professor, Hailey, Luke, Chip Saunders, and a kid with a Mohawk that's giving my father a hell of a time," Kirsten explained.

"Must be Larry," Ryan nodded.

"Larry, 'crazy Larry, 'that hacked into the sprinklers at the pep rally' Larry?" Seth asked.

"Yeah. I don't know anyone else with a Mohawk. Anna must've told him."

"We'll get you settled and changed, okay? Then, if you feel up to seeing them…" Kirsten started.

"Why don't I make an appearance now and then get cleaned up? Then, the meet and greet's over and I'm off the hook in case I'm too tired to go back out again," Ryan sighed. "Deal?"

"Deal," Kirsten said. Ryan was home, she had to dial down the mothering or else he'd pull away again.

Ryan stepped out and glared at Seth when he tried to assist him.

"Sorry," Seth apologized, raising his hands in defeat.

"It's okay. I'll let you know if I need a crutch, though, okay? I promise," Ryan said.

"Sure. Okay. Let's go inside," Seth believed him and nodded.

Kirsten went inside first and Ryan followed closely behind. Luke and Chip came over immediately and pulled Ryan into the den as she went into the kitchen.

"Hey, how's he doing?" Sandy asked her, kissing her on the cheek as she came to his side.

"He's okay. He's pretty tired," Kirsten admitted.

"Sandy's been telling us about his treatments," Coach Jenkins and Mr. Anderson, the chemistry teacher was sitting at the counter with Ryan's pamphlets spread in front of them.

"How are you planning on handling his school?" Mr. Anderson asked.

"We're going to play it by ear. See how much he can handle. He's such a strong kid, but we don't want him to push himself too hard," Kirsten replied.

"Dr. Kim has suggested half days," Sandy said quietly. "She was here earlier. She says that he can come in for half days and get accelerated classes…like, Anna and Mr. Anderson will have an hour or so for chemistry on Mondays and Wednesdays, English and Calculus on those days, too, if it's not too much and then on Tuesdays and Thursdays he can have his Spanish and Western Civilization courses…"

"That way, he'll still be a full time student but it won't interfere with his…recovery. He'll have his classes in one of the empty classrooms with a few of the other…more advanced students, that way, he won't be exposed to a lot of people and anyone that's sick will be kept away from him," Mr. Anderson explained.

"That seems reasonable…if he can handle it."

"Ryan's grades are impeccable," Mr. Anderson continued. "He's well on his way to a scholarship so we don't want him to lose ground."

"I've been getting a lot of calls from his teammates," Coach Jenkins said. "They're worried about him and even though he won't be able to play for a while…or again…they'd like to help. I'd like to talk to his doctor about some exercise regiments to keep him in shape, I was thinking maybe the team and I could help him with a workout…"

"Dr. Tarleton says he needs to take it easy…" Kirsten replied.

"But he needs to keep in shape. Nothing heavy, maybe some walks and some stretches, nothing that's not approved with the doctor," Coach Jenkins said immediately.

"I'll give the doctor your number," Kirsten agreed.

"Where's Ryan?" Sandy asked.

Ryan was sitting in the living room listening to Chip and Luke's description of the party from the night before. Seth was sitting beside him on the couch checking his phone messages.

"So, man, the girl was pretty disappointed that you didn't make it, but we can do it another time," Chip said.

"We'll see," Ryan smiled.

"So, how're you doing?" Luke asked.

"I'm okay. Tired as hell, but much better than yesterday," Ryan replied.

"My little brother had leukemia but he made it through, you just have to keep you head up, you know?" Chip said.

"He's okay now, right?" Seth asked.

"Yeah. He'll be a freshman at Harbor next year, he's totally recovered," Chip replied.

"That's great, man," Ryan nodded.

"All the guys are looking out for you, man, so don't worry about anything. We've got your back," Luke said.

"Thanks," Ryan said, glancing at Seth. "I guess…I mean, that's nice."

"Well, we just wanted to stop in and say what's up. We'll give you a call later," Chip said as Larry and Hailey walked in.

"Hey, dude, what's up?" Larry had a bright purple Mohawk and he shook Ryan's hand.

"Not much. What are you doing here?"

"Harassing Seth's grandpa," Larry laughed.

"Hailey…" Ryan greeted as she leaned in and gave him a hug.

"Just wanted to say hello. I'll get out of your way," She smiled. She slapped Larry's hand as she left.

"Your aunt is cool. Hey, you must be Seth," Larry introduced.

"Yeah." Seth shook his hand.

"Ryan talks about you a lot. Anna used to."

"We have chemistry together, or we used to before I got banned from the class. Small explosion," Larry grinned.

"Ah, I think I heard about that," Seth acknowledged.

"So, Anna said you were pretty sick…she's a little upset, she'll be by later," Larry explained.

"The Cohens have gotten me the best doctors possible," Ryan said. "I'll be okay."

"Of course you will. I just wanted to come by and…and make sure you were okay," Larry said.

"Thanks. I'll be fine, I guess. It's going to be a while, though. It sucks that it took something like this to get you to come visit," Ryan said.

"Well, you know. I'll talk to you later," Larry glanced at Seth and left.

"What's that about?"

"Larry's pretty protective of Anna. He blames you a little for breaking her heart," Ryan replied, getting to his feet.

"Oh…Is he into her?"

"Nah, he's got some punk rocker chick that he goes out with. He's a good friend. You guys would probably get along if it wasn't for that," Ryan shrugged. "Listen, I'm going to go take a shower and then I'll be back, okay?"

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I'm fine, Seth. You're acting all weird," Ryan mentioned.

"Sorry. I'm trying to be…helpful."

"You are. But I'm fine. I swear," Ryan held up two fingers in a peace sign. "Do me a favor, though?"

"Sure, anything…"

"Relax."

When Ryan didn't emerge from the guest room after about an hour, Sandy went to the door and knocked. There was no answer so he stepped inside. Ryan was asleep on the bed, half dressed. His jeans were on and he had one arm through the sleeve of his shirt.

"Ryan?"

Ryan stirred slightly as Sandy sat down beside him on the bed. "Come on, kid…" Sandy woke him gently and was grateful when Ryan looked at him with clear eyes.

"I didn't know narcolepsy was a side effect," Sandy teased. Ryan gave him a weak smile.

"Yeah, I guess I spaced out a little."

"You still mad at me?"

"I'm not mad, Sandy," Ryan sighed.

"Then tell me what's going on between us."

Ryan sighed again. "How about…you trust me to tell you when I need help and I'll trust you to be there?"

"Okay…" Sandy started.

"That's it. If I'm being quiet, it's because I don't have anything to say. If I say I'm fine…"

"Then you're fine. I trust your honesty…"

"Thanks…"

"But please, keep being honest with me. About anything, okay?"

"I will," Ryan agreed.

"Okay. Problem solved. You want to come out and eat something? The crowd's thinned out and it's just family now."

"Sure. Is Rosa out there?"

"Yeah, why?"

Ryan gave him a weak smile. "She's going to try and make me eat everything…"

"She's been cooking since she found out," Sandy laughed. He stood up and waited for Ryan to follow.

Ryan glanced at him before reaching out his hand for support and pulling himself to his feet with Sandy's arm.

The next week was exhausting for Ryan and his family. Visitors constantly came by and Kirsten finally had to restrict company to family and close friends.

Ryan had been too exhausted to make it to school but was determined to go on Monday. His chemo would be that afternoon.

Kirsten and Sandy had both promised Ryan that they would go back to work, they'd stayed out with him for the week.

Ryan's chemo was taking a toll on him. After only 3 sessions, he'd lost his appetite completely and now lost his energy after only short walks. He was always cold no matter how many layers of clothes he wore.

Anna came by every day and the Cohens had come to depend on her to take care of Ryan for a few hours and give them a break. Ryan insisted on it, he hated having them giving up so much of their time for him. Summer would come over and take Seth out during Anna's visits. From five until eight, Anna would sit with Ryan and most days, his friend would visit, like Luke and Larry.

Sunday night was no different. Sandy and Kirsten were out with Caleb and Anna was sitting with Ryan in the den. Summer and Seth were staying in.

"Ryan, what'd you eat today?" Anna asked while Seth and Summer were in the kitchen.

"Are you going to lecture me, too? I had a piece of toast and juice for breakfast, rice for lunch and a snack of fruit about an hour ago…" Ryan listed. Anna was sitting beside him on the couch.

"You keep any of it down?"

"All of it. Aren't you proud?" Ryan sighed, annoyed.

"Good for you."

"White rice is the only thing I can get down without gagging…" Ryan admitted.

"But at least you're keeping it down. You'll get stronger…" Anna said, interrupted by the doorbell.

"I'll get it," Summer called from the kitchen. She returned a few minutes later with Marissa at her side.

"Hey," Ryan nodded.

"Can I talk to you?" Marissa asked.

"We'll be in the kitchen," Anna followed Summer from the room.

"How are you?" Ryan asked nervously.

"Well, I'm a little upset. Why didn't you tell me?" She sat down beside him.

"I didn't think you'd care," Ryan replied evenly.

"I did…I do care."

"Okay, Marissa. Now you know. What's changed?"

"You have cancer, Ryan…"

"I'm going to be fine." The words rolled off Ryan's tongue these days.

"Ryan…"

"Marissa, I don't want your pity. You didn't want to be my girlfriend or my friend when I was healthy. I don't want a pity friendship, I have enough to deal with right now…"

Seth, Anna and Summer heard the slap in the kitchen.

Anna got to Marissa first. Ryan was holding a hand to his face with a surprised expression.

"Coop, what the hell did you do?" Summer asked.

"Get out of here, Marissa." Anna pulled the girl off the couch and blocked her view of Ryan.

"I'm sorry…" Marissa was flushed with embarrassment.

"Ryan?" Seth called.

"I'm okay…" Ryan muttered.

"Out, Marissa!" Anna repeated.

Marissa scurried out of the den.

Summer sat down and gently pulled Ryan's hand away and winced sympathetically.

"She's got an arm on her," Ryan smiled.

"It's bruising already," Summer said.

"I'll get some ice," Seth started.

"No, man, I'm freezing…" Ryan protested.

"Your parents are going to kill me," Anna realized.

"It's okay, guys. Really. I'm not glass, it's fine," Ryan insisted.

"Dude…you bruise from, like, a touch these days…" Seth said slowly.

"It's my fault. I told her I didn't want her friendship out of pity and…and she got mad…"

"She shouldn't have hit you," Anna said. She held out a Kleenex. "Your nose is bleeding, Ryan, here…"

"I'll be right back…" Ryan got up and disappeared into the bedroom and closed the bathroom door with a slam.

"Seth, I'll go check on him, can you call your parents?" Anna asked.

"I'll come with you," Summer said, following Anna into the guest room.

"Ryan?" Anna pushed open the door and found Ryan retching into the toilet. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah…the taste of blood made me a little nauseous…I'll be right out…"

"Don't be shy, let me help you…" Anna went to Ryan's side and pushed a washcloth against his nose. "Summer, bring us some ice and a blanket?"

"I'll be right back," Summer said.

"Thanks, Anna. For babysitting," Ryan smiled sadly.

"Babysitters get paid," Anna replied. "Besides, you can pay me back when you get better."

"Deal," Ryan agreed.

"Does it hurt?"

"Nah. I can take it," Ryan sighed, lowering the washcloth. "Better."

"Still bleeding, though," Anna warned and he replaced the cloth.

"Okay, blanket-check and icepack-check…" Summer returned and held out the items. Anna pressed the icepack against Ryan's bruising face as Summer draped the blanket around him.

"Thanks, nurses," Ryan teased.

Seth stepped into the crowded bathroom. He held the phone out to Ryan.

"Yeah?" Ryan answered.

"Ryan, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I'll be fine when you get back. Take your time."

"Call us if you need us, okay?"

"I will."

Ryan was asleep on the couch when Kirsten and Sandy got home. His face wasn't swollen but his cheek and eye were bruised.

"Poor kid," Sandy sighed.

Seth entered. "He said it's a sign of his patheticness."

"What?" Sandy asked.

"He was joking. I mean, stick-thin Marissa gave him a shiner," Seth said.

"Is he okay?" Kirsten asked.

"His spirits were a little down, but he's still ready to go to school tomorrow. He says it doesn't hurt but Anna gave him his sedative anyway…I think he asked for it," Seth replied.

"Maybe I should stay with him tomorrow," Kirsten said.

"He won't go for it. He's okay, Kirsten. You'll take him to school, I'll take him to chemo and then we'll go from there. One thing at a time," Sandy said.

"Seth, you'll take care of him tomorrow?" Kirsten still needed the reassurance.

"I'm with him for the first 45 minutes, then Luke and then Anna. Dr. Kim's being really cool about it, as long as we use our free period and not actual class time. The teachers are using their free periods, too," Seth explained.

"We should move him to bed," Kirsten said.

"He's comfortable. Let him sleep."