Chapter four: Turning points

Kirsten sat on a stool next to Carter with a bottle of beer. They were both smiling, obviously, they had missed each other's prescence. "So, what have you been up to Carter?"

"Well, I quit the ugly american, and I started to go back to "Revolution." We did a 15 issue run, and had a good time with it. Lately, I've just been looking for that next step." Carter replied in between gulps of his beer.

"I know the feeling. The Newport Group has been struggling to stay succesful since my Dad's passing. I do the best I can, but I can't pull it off anymore... I don't know, my life is in rebuilding mode right now." She said before finishing off her drink.

"Well, if you ever need a good architect, I'm here for ya, I've been through rebuild mode like 10 times." Carter said with a chuckle.

"How do you do it?"

"My philosophy is that sometimes, life is like a burning building. You need to grab what you truly love, and cherish, take it with you, but leave the rest behind, because only a few things in life are truly worth keeping."

"What do you grab on to?" Kirsten said geniuely interested.

"Alcohol...always helped me out." Carter chuckled again.

"I had that problem too..."Kirsten replied.

"Yeah, well for me, it's not a problem. See, you have family, and friends that care about you. Your sons absolutely adore you. I never had anyone to tell me to stop, I never had anyone who really cared." Carter said in a near whisper. She never knew why, but Kirsten put her hand over his. They made eye contact, then Kirsten moved her hand away.

"Sorry...it's to soon. It's only been a month." Kirsten said looking at the ground.

"My fault, I shouldn't have written to you."

"No, I'm sorry Carter, I have to go." Kirsten said as she walked out of the bar.

Ryan had made his way back to the beach. He was sitting alone as the sun was rising, his thoughts running rampid through his mind. Soon Jake, who was riding his skateboard, saw his father, and walked up to him, and sat with him.

"So I'm guessing you don't really like me huh?" Jake said to his father.

"No, I'm just angry at your mother for not telling me about you, I'm noy angry at you kid." Ryan said patting the kid's back.

"Well...I don't really know you dad...who's the girl you were with?" Jake asked running his hands through his own hair.

"My girlf...my friend Marissa..."

"I see...what about mom."

"I haven't seen your mother in like ten years... So we aren't exactly close...Sorry I haven't been there for you kid, I promised I would, but I failed you."

"Well hey, you're here now right?...I mean you are gonna be around now right?" Jake asked worriedly.

"I don't know kid... I...just need some time Jake, and I'm not quite sure I can be a good father, I'm not ready for this."

"I get it, too late to try right? Missed the first eleven years so you're gonna bail out huh? I expected it anyways, but, I still held out hope for you dad...I hope when I have a kid, I'm a damn good father, better than you will ever be! Bye Dad." Jake said in a rage as he ran back to his board and skated away.

Seth had made his way back to the house, and was petting Captain Oats.

"I don't know whose fault this is...is it me? Who the hell am I kidding, it's always me...WHY IS IT STILL RAINING!" Seth said while throwing a pillow at the window.

The door bell rang, and Seth ran down the steps, to see Summer outside his door soaking wet.

"What are you doing here?" Seth asked to his wife.

"I've been a bitch I know, and I'm sorry. I never should have lied to you, and you deserve better." Summer said.

"Well, now that we've cleared out the obvious, why are you here?" Seth asked taking off his sweater and putting it around her shoulders.

"Sarah misses you, and...I miss you, and I'm really sorry...I'm sor.."

"Summer...just, don't talk." Seth said as he leaned close to her and kissed her deeply in the rain.

"What is it with us, rain, and dramatic kisses." Summer said.

"It's our thing." Seth said as he kissed Summer again, everything was perfect.