Fresh Existence

Author's note:
Sorry for the late update. I just had a mad schedule for my exams. It didn't help that each day I had an exam, I had a snow day. So I was trying to study for exams that kept being pushed back and everything.
By the way, I made Dawn more angry and less likeable in my story. Not that anyone really likes her anyway. And if you do, you have serious problems.
Once again thanks for all of the reviews. I appreciate your honesty.

Disclaimer:
Still own nothing

Chapter 7

"I don't want him! Get out of here!" yelled Dawn Atwood in frustration despite the presence of the many customers at the laundromat at which she was working for the moment. "What gives you the right to come and bombard me with these questions and accusations! I don't care what happens to him! Never have! As far as I'm concerned, my son moved out long ago." Dawn turned toward another customer signalling the end of the conversation.
"Dawn..." began Sandy helplessly.
"No! No. Just leave," demanded Dawn with her hand raised in a warding off position. Slumping his shoulders, Sandy turned and left the laundromat with the eyes of ten people on his disappointed back.

Climbing into the BMW, he sat staring at his callused hands. He didn't know what to do now. It was clear he had grown attached to the young Atwood, and so had his son Seth, but Kirsten was a different story. She was like stone. Nothing would make her change her mind but her. 'Stubborn old mule,' mused Sandy to himself. If it weren't for Kirsten being so damned stubborn, he was sure Ryan would already be inducted into the Cohen household permanently. Sighing, he placed the keys into the ignition and waited for the engine to turn over.

When he got home, it was nearly ten o'clock at night. The hushed tones of a television drifted in from the den. Walking to the den, Sandy found Kirsten huddled up with a blanket watching some old romantic movie. A tissue box was placed beside her knee. Turning red rimmed eyes to her husband, Kirsten gave him a wavery smile.
"Hey honey, where are the boys?" asked Sandy moving the tissue box and sitting next to his wife.
"Sleeping. Ryan crashed as soon as he got out of the shower. Seth soon followed when he realized there was nothing to do," answered Kirsten with a smile playing on her tired face.
"I saw Ryan's mother today," said Sandy after a few minutes of silence.
"How did it go?" asked Kirsten moving her attention from the movie to the person beside her.
"Not good. She yelled at me to leave her alone. That she didn't want Ryan back. It broke my heart Kirsten. To see his mother talk so hatefully about him when I know he's such a wonderful kid. It just broke my heart."
"What makes him so different Sandy? You've been helping kids like him for so many years," questioned Kirsten honestly.
"I don't know. I guess I just see myself in him. He was just like me when I was his age. If nobody had helped me I wouldn't be sitting here beside my beautiful wife." Sandy stood, "I'm going to bed."

The next morning, Sandy was up early for a round with the waves. Taking his surfboard, he went to clear his head.

When he returned, the entire household was up instead of Ryan which was truly uncharacteristic. Since it was Saturday, nobody had to leave the house. Making his rounds, he kissed Kirsten on the cheek and gave Seth a peck on the top of the head. Seth immediately feigned dying at such loving contact. Gagging he left the room to go 'throw up.'
"Kirsten, honey, can you call Seth's pediatrician?" asked Sandy as he moved to get his daily cup of coffee.
"Why?" countered Kirsten giving Sandy a queer look.
"I just want to get him checked out. Make sure he's healthy," answered Sandy. Placing a bagel in the toaster, he turned to look at Kirsten who was contemplating what Sandy had just asked her to do.
"I guess I can make an appointment with Dr. Mantes," said Kirsten after a few more silent moments. Sandy caught his bagel with a smile.
"Thanks. I'm going to go see what the boys are doing," said Sandy taking his creamed bagel with him.

Sandy walked into Seth's room to find both boys sitting on the carpet playing yet another game on Seth's Nintendo 64.
"You're playing N64 again?" asked Sandy incredeulously taking a seat next to Ryan yet again.
"What else is there to do dad?" countered Seth sarcastically.
"Lie to your parents," said Sandy casually with a pointed look at Seth," run away to a model home," he added with an equally pointy look at Ryan who lowered his gaze. "By the way, how do you feel Ryan? Does you eye hurt? It looks pretty painful."
"Not too much," answered Ryan returning his gaze to the television screen.
"Well, as of right now," started Sandy looking at his watch for affect," Kirsten is making an appointment for you at Seths' pediatrician."
"Why?" asked Ryan curiously.
"No reason. Just wanted to get you checked out. Make sure you don't have any viruses I should be worried about," joked Sandy to ease the tension that had escalated in Ryan's posture. Ryan looked over at Sandy worriedly, but didn't make another comment on the matter.

After another few minutes of game play, Sandy got up to head back to the kitchen to see what the check-up situation was. Walking into the kitchen, he saw Kirsten hanging up the phone.

"He has an appoinment with Dr. Mantes at 2:00pm today," shared Kirsten. Taking another sip of her coffee, she headed out of the kitchen to the den where she proceeded to turn on the television. Sandy followed her and took a seat beside her on the sofa.
"Thanks," said Sandy with a kiss.
"Your welcome," responded Kirsten with a kiss of her own.
Two hours later, Sandy was in the kitchen preparing lunch while Kirsten sat watching.
"You know I can do that," suggested Kirsten longingly. When Sandy merely gave her a look that merely said 'no, you can't' she sighed and got up from the stool she was occupying. "I'm going to go get the boys," said Kirsten in defeat. Sandy laughed as she slumped out of the Kitchen.
"Okay boys, come on, it's time for lunch," said Kirsten walking into Seth's room. Seth and Ryan were playing a round of Jenga, of which Seth was clearly winning.
"Okay. Just let me beat Ryan one more time," said Seth in concentration as he removed yet another piece from the stack.
"No. Come on, we have to hurry up. Ryan has a doctor's appointment in less than two hours," said Kirsten. Ryan, who was trying to remove a block of his own from the tower, caused the stack of blocks to come crashing down as he looked at Kirsten.
"Guess it won't matter anyway, I won," muttered Seth walking out of his room.
"Come on Ryan," coaxed Kirsten when Ryan merely sat there not wanting to move. Slowly, hesitantly, Ryan got up off the floor and followed Seth's lead down to the kitchen.

"Now you have nothing to worry about. It's just a simple check up to make sure you're healthy and are receiving the right nutrients," assured Sandy as he led the way out to the Range Rover with a nervous Ryan following. Kirsten and Seth were already at the vehicle waiting for the last two to arrive.

It was a real family affair as the three Cohen's and one Atwood each closed their door and headed off to the doctor's office.