Chapter 2 - The Reunion
Seth and Kirsten were sitting on the patio in the back garden of the Cohen's house. It had become a tradition for them. Kirsten would leave work when Seth got out of school and they would meet on the patio and would wait there together until Sandy returned home. Sometimes they would talk, do work, eat or simply do nothing. Today the two were sitting in silence, both deep in thought, mainly about Ryan – where he was, why hadn't he called, if he was okay and most importantly, if today would be the day that he would be coming home. They were both shaken from their thoughts when they heard a car pull up at the front of the house. They looked at each other, waiting. They heard a door slam. After a few seconds of silence they slumped down in their seats, already praying for tomorrow to be the day Ryan came home.
Then they heard a second door slam. The two were at the front door within seconds and they pulled it open to see Sandy standing there, tie askew, jacket rumpled looking tired but had a small smile on his face nonetheless. Seth and Kirsten looked at him expectantly. Sandy broke out into a huge smile as he quickly stood aside to reveal Ryan. Kirsten pulled Ryan into a bone-crushing hug but Ryan didn't notice, he was too busy hugging her back. Seth waited until his mother let go before hugging Ryan back, not an awkward hug, but a hug shared between brothers. Ryan hadn't realised how much he was missed. Kirsten was crying freely as she hugged Ryan again and even Seth had tears in his eyes. Sandy stood back as he watched the reunion between mother, son and brother. He finally had his family back.
Later that evening Sandy and Kirsten watched from the kitchen window as Seth filled Ryan in on everything that had happened in the past few months.
"He's so quiet. Is he okay?"
"He'll be fine now. He's home," said Sandy finally believing it himself. "Kirtsen, Dawn said some things to him when he was in Chino. About us…and him. She told him that he never belonged here, that we never wanted-"
"WHAT?" Sandy tried to stop her but she was already out the door.
Meanwhile…"And then just when I was about to go I saw something shining in the water. I didn't know what it was. It was unbelievable! Mermaids, dozens of them Ryan. Mermaids man! They came up out of the water and saved me!"
Ryan stared at him for several long moments, "Mermaids?"
Seth hesitated in his little Seth Cohenish way "Yes."
Ryan stared at him, knowing he would crack eventually.
"Hey man stop with the staring." Ryan stared.
"Seriously…" Ryan stared.
"Aww, come on!" Ryan stared.
"Fine! I ran outta food after five days, pawned my boat for cash and took a bus home. Why does no one believe the mermaid story? It was soooo good!"
"Yes Seth, how could anyone not believe you were saved by mermaids? " asked Ryan, a half smile on his face. Seth opened his mouth to answer but he was caught off by Kirsten shouting from the kitchen.
"WHAT?" Suddenly Kirsten was on the patio beside the two boys.
"Seth, can I talk to Ryan for a minute?"
Seth looked at Ryan, "Eh… sure." He got up to leave but before he went inside he turned back to Ryan, "Remember man, mermaids!" Ryan laughed as Seth went back inside and Kirsten sat down beside him.
"Ryan, Sandy told me what Dawn said to you about…about us. It's not true. You know that don't you?" Ryan looked down at the ground and nodded. Kirsten pulled his face up and was startled to see he had tears in his eyes. She reached over and hugged him tight. She was surprised when Ryan hugged her tightly back.
"Thanks mom," he whispered. He pulled back quickly, "Sorry."
Kirsten pulled him back to her, "Why be sorry? You're my son."
"Thanks."
"So," said Kirsten, standing up, "How about dinner?" Ryan hesitated.
"Ryan I gave up even trying a long time ago."
"Dinner it is then," said Ryan laughing.
Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," called Seth.
"Still loud, " smiled Ryan.
"First time in months," said Kirsten seriously.
"I'm sorry," replied for what seemed like the millionth time today.
"I know, but you're home now and that's what matters." She looked up and saw something over Ryan's shoulder. "I'll go order dinner. Thai?" Ryan nodded, confused at Kirsten's quick exit.
He stood up to go into the house to find Seth when he saw someone standing in the doorway into the living room. He stared and she stared back, neither moving. Marissa. He had thought about her the entire time he was away but never called. He broke eye contact and looked down at the floor, suddenly ashamed that he had never called or visited her, not once. He heard her moving across the patio and he forced himself to look up. She was now standing right in front of him.
"Marissa-" Ryan started to speak but was cut off when Marissa threw her arms around him.
"You're back," she whispered, "You're really back."
"I'm sorry," said Ryan quietly.
"It doesn't matter, you're back."
Ryan tried to speak again but Marissa's lips cut him off. She pulled away quickly waiting for a reaction. He pressed his lips against hers in a short, sweet kiss before breaking away and pulling her close, hugging her tightly.
"I'm back," he whispered, more for his own sake than Marissa's, "I'm back."
