Chapter 14

Seth pulled the door open wider, stepping into view.

"Good to see you," Caleb said pulling Seth into a hug. Seth's arms remained by his sides. "Grandpa?" he said unhappily.

"Where's your mom, Seth? I need to see her." Without looking back he barged into the living room and surveyed the scraggly tree and holiday clutter in the small room with a pinched expression.

"Caleb? You have some nerve showing up here," Sandy said standing up.

"I can't talk to my daughter?" He looked inquiringly at Kirsten sitting motionless on the couch. "Kiki, I came to say goodbye. I report in tomorrow."

Kirsten dropped her head into her hands and rubbed her temples.

"Jesus, what the hell's happened to you?"

"You dragged her into your mess, and now she's paying for it," Sandy barked. "Haven't you heard? In a few days she's-going-to-jail-for-a-month. Are you happy with yourself now?" His words were bitten off accusingly.

"Kiki, I never meant for this to happen. All I ever did, I did for my family. You, Hailey, your mom never wanted for anything."

Sandy's face was red and he nearly roared, "The newest toys, and latest the designer dresses, membership to the best clubs - worth prison time? Instead how about a simple word of praise once in a while? Is that so hard? Or how about showing up at her wedding?"

Caleb sneered. "You stay out of this, Sanford. There was a typhoon."

"We rescheduled four times," Sandy said in disgust.

"This would all be fixed if that delinquent you took in did what I ask him to. Did you turn yellow?" Caleb yelled at Ryan.

Seth answered instead, "Grandpa, what are you talking about? I helped Ryan; it's done. Get off his back! We did it without getting caught."

Kirsten raised her head sharply. "What are you talking about?"

Seth squirmed uncomfortably but said, "Grandpa asked Ryan to burn down the Newport Group, but we decided to steal the incriminating document instead. But don't worry, it worked."

"Dad, you asked Ryan to burn down the Newport Group? He could have been hurt, gone to jail, too. How dare you …" Kirsten gasped. She stood up, her eyes flashing and her body tensed in anger.

"Forget about that boy. Why did you accept the plea bargain if you weren't worried they would find my book?"

Sandy ignored Caleb. "Kirsten, this was what I couldn't tell you about because I was worried it would get the boys in trouble. And the doctor said not to upset you…"

"Doctor?" Caleb asked interrupting Sandy.

"You're how Ryan got hurt!" Kirsten said as it dawned on her what had happened. "My own father raised a hand to my son," Kirsten said in disbelief.

"I never put Seth in harm's way. Your delinquent dragged him into it. And what kind of lawyer are you? If there is no more incriminating evidence coming out why did you settle for jail time?" Caleb gestured angrily at Sandy.

"I accepted the agreement because in some way, I am culpable, Dad. I should never have trusted you after Balboa Heights, Uncle Shawnesy. I was thinking of my family when I accepted. We need to put this behind us. I'm thinking of them now as I'm putting you behind us - leave and don't contact us again."

"I know I messed up badly, Kiki, but I'm your father. We can't leave it like this." Kirsten stood there but closed her eyes to him. His face drained of color, but after a moment the shock turned to anger. "You're crazy. Is that why she needs a doctor?" Caleb asked looking to Seth, then Sandy.

Kirsten's hands were drawn into tight fists. She said with controlled fury, "All I ever wanted was to make you proud. All you've ever done is make me doubt myself; I've been drinking, Dad."

"You've been drinking? Oh my God, just like your mom, the least little upset and she was at the sauce."

"Think what you want of me, but I'm glad you're going away so you can't endanger my family anymore."

"Kirsten, listen to me!" Caleb stepped toward her and shook his finger angrily at her.

Sandy put his arm around Kirsten and drew her toward him just as Ryan stepped between Caleb and Kirsten.

Caleb sneered, "Want to go another round with me, punk?"

"Lay a finger on anybody and I'm calling the cops," Sandy shouted, "Now get the hell out." His face was red, and a vein throbbed across his forehead.

"Kiki?" he asked trying to see her around Ryan. She turned away from him and he looked to Seth who had been standing to the side. "Seth?" Seth drew his lips into a thin line and stepped next to Ryan. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at his grandfather.

"My family is turning against me for a punk kid? Does anyone remember this two-bit delinquent burned down my house, got Marissa hooked on dope, and that Latina girl pregnant? Now it seems he couldn't keep his mouth shut and do us a simple favor on his own." Caleb shook his head and laughed, "He's an inland thug for heaven's sake!"

Kirsten opened her mouth wide and screamed an incoherent, lasting, primal yell. Everyone was stunned into a silence and turned to blink at her. Her face was flush when she said with an unmistakable fury, "Ryan, his name is Ryan, Dad."

"Hey, Kirsten, it's alright. You don't have to," Ryan said softly, his head lowered.

"Yes, I do. I should have a long time ago. You deserve more respect than my dad does. I should have defended you better from the start. I'm sorry." She placed a hand on his arm and squeezed it gently. Then she wheeled on Caleb. "I won't say it again. Please leave now."

Caleb sputtered, opening and closing his mouth without finding any words. They stood there for a few moments, Caleb staring at his grandson and this boy they called family united against him. He looked between them to see his son-in-law holding his daughter protectively, her own gaze firm and unyielding. Caleb's shoulders sagged and he turned away.

Seth ran to open the door for him. Caleb paused there, looked back and took in a deep breath before he straightened his shoulders and exited stiffly.

Nobody seemed sure what to do when the door slammed. A slow smile grew on Kirsten's face.

"Don't you two think you're off the hook," she said, "What were you thinking? What you did was so illegal, so stupid!" She pulled the boys together so she could hug them both at once. Letting go, she said, "We have so much to do in two days. We have to get the stockings up, light the menorah, fix this sad tree, put up lights – we're using loud carnival-colored ones, … Seth, Ryan go put on those nice, bright sweaters for the Chrismukkah photo."

"Go," she said when they stared at her dumbly. Seth hugged her for a second time. Sandy joined them, pulling Ryan in, too. "Welcome back, dragon lady," Sandy said.

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Author's Note: Thanks for all the considered reviews. They are a real encouragement when the writing is tough. Big thanks to FredSmith for helping me overhaul this chapter drastically - and for the better.