The party was going swimmingly. The champagne was flowing, the music softly playing in the background, and the food was delicious. Ryan kept himself busy playing host; topping up half empty glasses and making polite conversation with anyone who cared enough to chat. Occasionally, Kirsten would sweep past him and grab his arm, taking him to speak with the influential people of Newport; those that maybe one day would be able to offer him a job. She gave him a glowing report at each person, praising his dedication and hard-working attitude. He smiled and looked down, around, away from eye contact each time.
He excused himself when the phone rang, expecting it to be Seth.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Ry. It's Sandy," a tired voice announced down the line. "Listen, I'm gonna be stuck in the office all tonight. A work thing, you know?" He paused. "Can you tell Kirsten? I'll make it up to her; we just have to finish this case for tomorrow morning." Ryan sighed. This wasn't the first time this month that Sandy had forgone his family for work.
"Sure. But you're missin' a great party. See you tomorrow." He took a deep breath and headed to the kitchen, to be greeted unexpectedly with Kirsten leaning against the counter.
"He's at work again, and not coming home," she said softly. Her fingers gripped tightly to the edges of the counter and she sighed. Ryan nodded as he drifted over to her side.
"I'm sorry, Kirsten. But he says he'll make it up to you." The words he spoke were of little comfort, but he was only repeating the message. It ate away at him, every time that Sandy did something like this. Bit by bit he found himself losing respect and admiration for the man who had saved him from a life of hell. And he felt more compassion for the woman who had once wanted him out of her family's life. He peeled her hand away from the counter and held it tightly in his, offering her a warm smile. She looked so alone, so vulnerable.
"Come on," he said, "the party will be finished soon." Kirsten smiled back, squeezing his hand as she lent over, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you, sweetie." She scooped up her glass of wine with her free hand and they moved through to the party again, a small sigh of relief escaping both of them as the guests began to leave.