Chapter five: The Past.

Ryan woke up the next morning to hear footsteps inside the poolhouse. As he rose, he saw sarah running around the room with princess sparkle in her hand

"God they both kept those things?" Ryan chuckled to himself. He got out of the bed which startled the small child

"Hello Bryan, good morning!"

He didn't feel like correcting the girl, so he just went along with it " Hey sarah, good morning to you too. When did you get here?"

"Our spaceship got here when it was still dark out. Daddy, and Mommy are in the kitchen"

"Spaceship huh? well, lets get you inside." Ryan replied with a small grin as he picked up the little girl, and carried her inside to see Seth, Summer, and Kirsten all sitting down.

"Hey Ry, I see you have a friend" Kirsten said as she looked over at him

"Yeah, she was running around in the poolhouse, she woke me up" Ryan chuckled, than handed the child to Summer, Ryan and Seth exchanged a quick glance, then Ryan just walked away and sat next to the pool , causing kirsten to become concerned.

"I'll be right back kids, I'm gonna go check on Ryan" She said while pouring a cup of coffee and walking out to Ryan and sitting near him " Hey sweety, you ok?"

"Yeah, I guess...it's just weird. I mean, I know I haven't seen Sandy in a long time, but I always knew he was here for me. Now he's gone...and...I don't know, I just wish he was still here." Ryan said while sipping his coffee.

"We all do Ryan...Sandy loved you like a son, and you know it would kill him to see you like this. There are things in this world we cannot change, but there are things that we can. This is hard on us all, but we're all here for each other. Ryan, we're here for you, and what you need to do is find something in your life that you love, and hold on to it, because that what gets you by."

"What is it for you?" Ryan asked

"Memories. Even though Sandy is gone, I still remember all the times we had together. I love him enough to know that he wouldn't want me to just roll over and die, he would want me to find happiness again, and that's what you need to do. What do you love about your life Ryan?"

That question made Ryan think. What did he love about his life. He had a good job, a decent home, but that was it. He had no friends, no family, no love for anything other than the fact that the next day might be better than today.

"Well Ryan...what do you love?"

Ryan spoke in a low depressed voice as he said " The past." With that he got up, and walked into the poolhouse leaving Kirsten sad, and scared for ryan.