Ch.6
Seth woke up the next morning, his body stiff from the hospital chair he sat in all night. He looked over to his left and saw Ryan and Marissa. She had come joined them later that night.
"You just missed the doctor man," Ryan said yawning.
"What? He was here? What did he say?"
"That Sum can leave later today...he just wants to keep her for a few more hours of observation, whatever that means," Marissa said.
Seth leaned back in his chair.
"Good...she needs to be home with me..."
Summer watched as the doctor feverishly wrote on her chart.
"Well Summer, I think I have all the information I need from you. Now you need to get that prescription I wrote for you filled as soon as possible, ok?"
"Ok," she nodded. "Thank you doctor."
He smiled at her.
"I'll see you in a week for your checkup."
He left the room. Summer looked at her self in the mirror. Her body was swimming in the clothes the hospital gave her, but her clothes from last were now official police evidence.
She grabbed her purse and gave the room one last look. This is where it all had happened...the police interrogation, the news about her father...
She's rather die then set foot in this hospital again.
She shut the door behind her and walked out into the hall, towards her friends.
"So, is she going to be moving in with you guys then? Marissa asked.
"Well, she cant go back to her house...Sandy is working on some paperwork as we speak to see what we can arrange."
"This has got to be so tough for her...I don't know what I would ever do if this happened to me." Marissa wiped her eyes.
Ryan put his hand on her back.
"It wont...don't ever worry about that."
"You guys, I think im going to go check on her," Seth said leaping from his seat. "You know, see if she needs any help."
Ryan looked down the hall and smiled.
"I don't think she does Seth...look."
Seth's gaze followed Ryan's pointed finger.
It landed on Summer, walking into the waiting room.
"Hey guys," she said weakly.
"Sum, I'm so glad you're ok," Marissa said giving her a friend a hug. "I'm so sorry about your dad."
Summer bit her lip.
"Thanks."
Ryan hugged her next.
"How ya feeling?" he asked
"Well I've been better...the doctor gave me some harcore meds, so I'm sure I'll be feeling a lot better later," she tried to joke.
Ryan smiled.
Summer turned to face Seth.
"Do I get a hug from you too Seth?"
He looked at his feet.
"After what I told you last night about your dad...do you still want one from me?"
She sighed.
"Of course I do Cohen. I always do."
He gave her a tiny smile and grabbed her, pulling her close.
She felt the tears burning her eyes, but she held them back. No more tears...at least not yet...she knew she would be crying plenty when the funeral came.
"God," she mumbled into his shirt. "I don't think I can do this...I don't think I can bury my dad."
Seth ran his fingers through her hair.
"We're all here for you Summer...you don't have to go through this alone."
She pulled back.
"Have the police found Sara yet?"
Seth looked at her confused for a moment.
"Sara? Oh right, the step monster...sorry I forgot her real name for a moment...uhh no, not that I know of...the police haven't been in touch with us yet today."
"Let's not worry about all this right now Sum," Marissa said trying to cheer her friend up. "Why don't we all go back to Seth and Ryan's house...I'm sure Kirsten and Sandy would love to see you."
"Yea, I guess so," she said sadly.
"Hey, you ok?" Ryan asked.
"Yea..." she started. "I guess I just feel a little guilty."
Seth grabbed her hand.
"Guilty? Why?"
"Well, I haven't exactly been the nicest person in the world when it came to Sara...I know I've called her many names before...and now she's missing..."
"Summer, I'm sure she's ok. The police said she might have taken off before everything happened. Don't worry, they're going to find her."
Sandy walked into the kitchen to find Kirsten there...cooking...
"Honey," he choked. "What are you doing?"
"Seth just called and said they're all on their way home...I know they must be starving."
"Well that's true Kirsten...so then again, I must act...why are you cooking?"
"Sandy," she pointed a spatula at him. "I might not be some world class chef, but damn it, I know how to make scrambled eggs and toast.
He put his hands up.
"OK, ok," he said. "Can I give you just one tiny piece of advice?"
She sighed and looked at him.
"What is it?"
He walked over and grabbed the pan, filled with eggs.
"Next time you make eggs, try not to include the shell..."
The four of them pulled into the driveway. They got out of the car.
"Ewww...what's that smell?" Marissa asked.
"Oh no," Seth said looking in through the window..."Mom is standing dangerously close to the stove..."
"Good thing we made it back in time, or the whole house could have caught fire."
Summer looked at her friends and smiled.
Seth leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"It's good to see you smile," he whispered in her ear.
She looked up at him, stroking his cheek.
"Thank you Seth. For everything."
"Anytime darlin...anytime."
The four of them laughed as they walked into the smoke filled house.