Chapter 18 – A Dinner To Remember
It was approximately seven o'clock by the time Ryan arrived at Sami's house. The driveway was full of cars and he found himself standing next to his car, staring at the house. He hadn't met anyone from Sami's family yet, why the hell did he agree to do it on a day when they had so much company? He didn't have time to ponder that thought for very long since Sami was already on her way down the driveway with her arms outstretched and a smile plastered across her face.
"Hey Ryan! I was starting to worry about you!"
"Sorry I'm late. I had…had a distraction this afternoon. It takes a little longer to get ready to go out." Holding up his bandaged hand, he frowned and glanced down at the ground.
"Uh oh. What happened? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Some guy at the game yesterday was wearing metal cleats and he stepped on my hand. I had to get about twelve stitches."
"Oooh," Sami moaned. "I'm sorry to hear that." Wrapping her arm around Ryan's good arm, "Tell you what, how about you to come inside and let me make you a plate full of food? Oh and I want you to meet my Grandma. She's a very wise woman and she's super sweet."
"Can't wait," Ryan forced, shuddering inwardly and wishing he could just be alone with Sami.
Following Sami through the house, Ryan was aware of all the whispering going on. 'Who is that boy?' and 'Oh, look, that must be Samantha's boyfriend' swirled through the air as they meandered through the crowd. Ryan found himself walking just a bit taller when it dawned on him that none of the whispering was negative. In fact, everyone seemed rather intrigued by him.
They came across her Mom first. She looked a lot like Sami. When her eyes landed on Ryan he could see the nervousness in her body language, apparently she knew all the wrong things about him. He could see it in her eyes. Still, Ryan put on a brave face and let Sami drag him right up to her. He could do this. He'd done this a thousand times…met the Moms that hated him. This was nothing new.
"Mom, I'd like you to meet Ryan, Ryan Atwood. Ryan, this is my Mom."
"Hi," Ryan muttered, more shyly than he expected.
"Ryan, well hello," the woman greeted, more enthusiastic than Ryan was expecting. "Samantha has told me a lot about you. I'm glad you were able to make it to dinner. Make sure you have some of the chocolate mousse later, it's to die for!"
"Thanks," Ryan replied, allowing an embarrassed smile to flash on half of his face.
Turning to Ryan, "There see? That wasn't so bad was it?"
"It was okay, I guess. Not really into…"
"Parents?"
"Right."
"Come on, my Dad is right over there. After that I want you to meet my Gram…"
"Ah, Sami? Can we, not, do this right now?"
Sami looked at the boy before her. Whatever confidence he had when he walked in the door was now teetering on the brink of being lost at the mere mention of her Father.
"Ryan, do you trust me?"
"Sami…"
"Do you trust me?" she repeated.
Curling his lips inward, Ryan nodded, knowing exactly where this was heading and his stomach was already forming knots just thinking about it.
"My Dad is a good man. He would love to meet you."
Tipping his head to one side, Ryan threw a sideways glance at the person he knew would be talking to him next. He would try to get through this…for Sami.
"Can you promise me we'll keep this short?" Ryan requested, hoping he wasn't sounding like he was begging.
"We'll just say a quick hello and we'll move on okay?"
Hesitating, "Okay."
With her heart pounding in his chest, he felt his feet propelling him forward. They came to a stop in front of tall man in a business suit.
"Excuse me, Dad? I just need you for a quick second. We're off to the kitchen to get some food, but I wanted to you meet Ryan," Sami introduced.
Ryan was partially relieved when Sami told her Father right off the bat that they were basically just passing through. Then again, AJ had the ability to strike without warning. It only took seconds for something to go wrong.
"Ryan, it's good to meet you," he greeted offering a handshake.
Nervously extending his arm Ryan returned the handshake. "My pleasure," he managed to force out, with his heart still beating in his throat. "Sami tells me you enjoy cars. Do you do body work, or work on engines?"
Ryan's eyes grew as wide as saucers. Now what? Saying, 'No, I used to steal them' didn't seem like a great answer to share.
Noticing his panic, Sami jumped in with a save. "No Daddy, Ryan likes muscle cars. You know, like the race cars?"
"Ah yes. I used to be into those when I was younger. Have you gone down to the track at all? To see them in person?"
"Um, I'm going in a couple of weeks, actually. I got some tickets for Christmas," Ryan stuttered.
"There's nothing like hearing those engines. I love that sound."
"Hey Glen, you gonna nurse that drink all night?" a voice shouted across the room.
"I guess I'm being paged," the Father explained. "You kids have fun. Ryan, it was a pleasure to meet you. Make sure Sami let's you try the chocolate mousse before you go, it's out of this world."
With a quick nod of his head, he made his way through the crowd of party guests to the loud man across the room. Ryan fought off a smile and let his eyes fall on Sami, who was also smiling enormously at this point.
"Okay, okay," he surrendered.
"What?"
"Go ahead, say it…you told me so."
"Okay. I told you so. Feel a little better now?"
"Yeah, I do. So I guess Grandma is the only one left?"
"Yep, follow me."
Grandma was enjoying herself on the patio when Sami and Ryan walked up to her.
"Gram? I'd like you to meet someone. This is Ryan."
"Hi…Ma'am."
"Oh Sonny you don't have to 'Ma'am' me…it makes me sound so old dear!"
Ryan chuckled at the quick-witted old woman.
"I'm going to fix Ryan a dish Gram, mind keeping him company for me?"
Ryan winced at the thought of being babysat by the Grandmother. He had planned on sticking to Sami like glue in order to avoid conversations as much as possible. But everything was going along rather well so far, trusting Sami's judgment was probably the right thing to do.
"Absolutely sweetness. I'll beat off any other girls with my cane. Have a seat Sonny," the woman gestured to a chair next to hers.
"I'll be right back Ryan. Remember Gram, his name is Ryan…not Sonny."
Ryan sat down apprehensively and watched Sami disappear around the corner. His attention was drawn back to the old woman when he realized she was patting his knee.
"Ryan, dear, at my age, everyone is 'Sonny'…I don't mean anything by it."
"That's okay."
The woman sat back in her chair and narrowed her eyes on Ryan, causing him to shift in his seat under her stare.
"You like Sami, don't you?"
God help him. If this old woman was going to lecture him about the birds and the bees, he'd rather he'd stayed home altogether.
"Yeah…I do."
"I can tell. I can see it in your eyes."
Until the Cohens came along, no one really paid much attention to Ryan and he found himself somewhat curious about the old woman's take on him.
"Are you a tough guy?" she asked candidly.
"Excuse me?" Ryan stuttered.
"I met my husband when he was sixteen, and he was a tough guy. He got into a couple of scuffles and one time, he threw a rock through the window of the grocery store in our town."
Nodding politely, "Really? Wow. That's…that's tough," Ryan replied trying not to snicker at the woman's story. Her version of a 'tough guy' would have been swallowed whole in Chino.
"You know, in those days, when you got in trouble for something, there were physical consequences to be paid. After he threw that rock, his Daddy took him out behind the shed and spanked him with a leather belt. Nowadays, kids don't have to deal with those kinds of beatings. Parents aren't allowed to treat their kids that way."
Ryan's eyes drifted away, tuning out the old woman's voice. Suddenly the woman's story was getting a little too close to home. Her take on modern events compared to history couldn't have been farther from the truth. Memories flashed through Ryan's mind, unwanted memories. AJ had a black leather belt and Ryan knew all too well what it felt like when it made contact with his backside, or any other part of him for that matter.
"Well, I'm rambling now," the old woman babbled, before pausing and putting her hand on Ryan's hand. "The point I wanted to make is…tough guys have good hearts. Tough guys will do whatever it takes to get the job done and that includes taking care of his family and friends. It's true that there are some out there that ruin the image of a strong man by using their tough exterior for the wrong reasons. But it's been my experience that tough guys are good guys. You're a good guy Ryan. I can tell just by looking at you. I've had a lifetime of looking at faces and yours tells a thousand stories."
Ryan stared at the woman. It seemed impossible to make words out of his thoughts. How could she seemingly know so much about him when he didn't even tell Sami anything about his past? At least, nothing about the abuse.
"What kind of stories?" The words left Ryan's mouth without his permission and he immediately regretted his question. Dodging his eyes from the old woman, he couldn't ignore his curiosity and met her gaze again.
Smiling, she leaned forward, squeezed Ryan's hand and looked directly into his eyes. "You're young, but you have an old soul, old and wise. I'm guessing someone close to you has wronged you in this life. Your eyes…they sparkle with new found happiness, as if a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. And your smile, you protect it like you're afraid to share it. Maybe you're afraid someone won't give it back to you."
Ryan's mind and face went blank at the old woman's observations.
"Sonny, life is a journey. You never know where the road is going to take you unless you keep going forward. Let your heart dance. Let your smiles glow. Take it from me, it all goes by entirely too fast to not enjoy every minute of it. You're a good boy. I can tell. Find your happiness and let your heart run over."
The woman watched Ryan. Her words rang true. She didn't know why, but she knew she'd gotten through to him.
"Tell you what Sonny," she started again. "Why don't you catch up with Samantha in the kitchen and tell her I'd like some Kool Aid?"
Nodding, "Yeah sure." Easing to the edge of his seat, "You know, Sami told me you were very wise."
"I am dear," she smiled.
Standing up, Ryan paused and returned the woman's smile. "Thanks for the advice."
"Any time Sonny."
Meandering his way through the house, Ryan had wished he'd left a trail of breadcrumbs when he came in. After walking down several hallways and not finding the kitchen, he positioned himself near the foyer and started paying attention to guests who had filled dinner plates and, more specifically, the direction they were coming from.
Heading in the assumed direction, he found himself rather enjoying the party. He was slowly relaxing. No one seemed to know him here. It was as if he'd located a bubble within Newport that gossip of his past hadn't penetrated. It was extremely refreshing.
He allowed himself to smile when he discovered Sami in the long lost kitchen, talking with other guests, still holding his plate of food. Excusing herself from the guest she brought the plate of food over to Ryan.
"I'm so sorry to keep you waiting, that was my Aunt I was talking too. She can get a little chatty sometimes."
"That's okay. I'm actually on a mission for your Grandma. She wants some Kool-Aid," Ryan explained.
"Ha! That woman and her Kool-Aid! She thinks that's just the greatest stuff! I'll take care of the Kool-Aid. You come over here and sit down, start eating. I'll be right back."
"I can wait for you."
"That's okay, I've been munching all evening. Eat up while it's hot," Sami instructed disappearing into the crowd.
Indulging as instructed, he noticed Sami had already taken the time to cut up his food for him. That alone made him smile. Ryan was happily self-engrossed in his meal when he heard a voice addressing him.
"Do I know you?" a woman asked.
Clenching his teeth, Ryan allowed his eyes to slowly skim up the body of the woman standing next to him until he got to her face.
"Who are you?" she pressured again.
Pushing the food aside in his mouth, "Ryan. I'm sort of…with…Sami."
With her hands on her hips she narrowed her eyes quizzically on the teen in front of her before making a seat for herself next to Ryan, which turned out to be practically right on top of him. "You wouldn't by chance be Ryan Atwood…of Chino decent, would you?"
Immediately losing his appetite, Ryan forced his mouthful of food down his throat. "I should probably see if Sami needs…"
"Oh my God, you really are that kid!"
Feeling his heart sinking, and sinking fast, Ryan put his fork down and attempted to stand up but was quickly knocked back down onto his backside by the same woman that was unnerving him.
"Oh, Ryan, please don't be upset. I didn't mean to upset you. You're looking at the only female in this family to be kicked out of three of the most reputable private schools on the East Coast. To be completely honest with you, I'm a little excited to see another little bit of rebellion around here."
"That's…great. I hate to disappoint you but, I'm…I'm not like that anymore."
"Well, I supposed it's helpful that we all grow up at some point…just don't lose all of that spark. It's the zest of life dear."
With a kind smile, the woman stood up and walked away leaving Ryan to wonder exactly 'what' that was all about. He was tempted to follow her, to see if she went directly to Sami's Mom or Dad. But Sami returned in an instant, canceling that idea.
"Okay, what's up? I know that look."
Ryan didn't even bother trying to hide the smirk brought on by that comment. "You're getting dangerously close to knowing me too well," he chuckled. "It's nothing. Just, some woman came up to me and asked me who I was. Apparently my reputation precedes me because she knew who I was."
"Ah, I'm guessing that would be my Aunt Lucy. She's quite the busybody. Knows everything about everyone…and she's got some rather large skeletons in her own closet." Noticing Ryan's appetite had dropped off, no doubt the result of her Aunt's inquiries, "Say, you want to get out of here for a while?"
"I thought you'd never ask!"
Pushing their way out of the house, they headed down the path to a private beach area.
"This is so much better, don't you think?"
"Oh yeah, definitely!" Ryan agreed.
Taking a seat on some nearby boulders, the two stared at the ocean for a moment.
"I'm really glad you came over tonight Ryan. It meant a lot to me, to have you here with the rest of my family."
"It was nice, wasn't it? I think that's the first time in my life that I got to meet a Mom that wasn't ready to take my face off."
Laughing, "Well, we haven't done anything to make her angry at you…yet," Sami insinuated, smiling devilishly.
"Yet?" Ryan questioned rather hopeful.
"Would you put your eyebrows down! I hate to break it to you, but tonight is not your night!"
Frowning, Ryan snapped his fingers in disappointment. "Damn! I was 'this' close!" he complained.
Laughing louder, "You were never that close! Tell your little man to stand down, he's got the night off!"
"Hey, hey, hey! I'm from Chino, don't call him little. He's got a reputation to protect."
"And we wouldn't want that damaged, would we?" she snickered.
"Nooo, not at all!"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"We've joked about it, but I want you to be honest with me…have you really been with a lot of girls?"
"Sami…"
"Don't be embarrassed, it doesn't matter to me, I just want to know the truth."
"If it doesn't matter, why are you asking?"
"It's just one of those things you usually discuss with someone you care about when you're considering having a physical relationship with them."
"Physical…relationship?"
"Again, not today…but, something to consider I'd say."
Looking back at the ocean, Ryan contemplated what to say. He wanted to tell Sami the truth but if the girls in Chino taught him anything at all, it was that girls really don't want to hear about other girls.
"You're not like anyone I've ever met before," Ryan finally managed to explain, vaguely.
"What do you mean?"
Biting his lip, Ryan hoped to stall his answer long enough to find the right words. "I care about you. I didn't care about the others."
Sami pondered that thought for a moment. "What are you trying to say Ryan?"
Sitting forward he laid his arm across his bent knee. "The others…I took what I wanted from them and I walked. I don't want to take anything from you." He glanced at Sami to see how well she was taking his explanation. "I want to be with you because you want to be with me. I'd wait for you." Thinking on his words for a moment, "That came out pretty cheesy didn't it?"
"No. That came out perfect."
With a gentle smile, Sami leaned over and pressed her lips against Ryan's causing his entire body to tingle. He placed his hand behind her head, returning the kiss. He wasn't ready to let go. When the finally parted, they stayed close, appreciating each other silently.
"I, I guess I should get going," Ryan muttered, hoping Sami would attempt to change his mind.
"Yeah?"
No dice. "Yeah. But there's something I need before I go." Closing his eyes, he pressed another kiss against her lips.
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"Chocolate mousse, of course!"
Laughing, "Mousse! Of course! Can't let you go home without that! Come on, I'll get it for you."
Somewhat disappointed the night had come to an end, Ryan was also somewhat relieved to be on his way. Things were getting a little heated and he didn't want it spoiled. After what Sami said, he was confident they'd be together eventually. He was willing to wait, a first by his standards. In the meantime, a drive home with the windows down and a cold shower were probably a good idea.
When he arrived back home it only took a matter of minutes before Seth wormed his way into the pool house.
"Ryan, you can't sneak in like that. I need to know what happened tonight. How did it go with napkin girl and the tablecloths?"
"The table…cloths?" Ryan repeated, wrinkling his forehead.
"The…parents…it…was a…joke."
Removing his belt, Ryan tossed it on his bed before sitting down in front of Seth. "Fine. It went, amazingly, fine."
"Seriously? Her Mom didn't want to gouge your eyes out, or her Dad didn't want to break you in half?"
"Thanks Seth. That's extremely motivational. Wrap this would you?"
"You took a shower before you left. Just how clean do you need to be?"
"This isn't about being clean."
In mid-wrap, Seth paused, gaping at Ryan. "Ah. So she left your soldier standing at attention and sent you back to the barracks, huh? Dude, that's just wrong."
"And this is coming from a guy whose soldier spends more time running practice drills than being in actual combat." Ryan raised his eyebrows as if to warn Seth to tread lightly.
"That's…that's a good point, but maybe we could drop the whole soldier thing now?"
"That's probably a good idea. Keep wrapping."
"So, um," Seth continued to intrude on Ryan's personal experiences for the evening, although this time he tried to come across as more genuinely interested, rather than mocking. "Why…why didn't you, you know, put the Chino moves on her if you wanted to be with her?"
Sighing, Ryan pulled his finally wrapped hand away from Seth and looked down at the floor. "Because I like her. And once you sleep with someone, it changes everything."
"Right. And this is coming from the same guy who holds the record in Chino for one night stands."
Ryan didn't have to say a word. The look on his face said it all and Seth could see, clearly, that he wasn't appreciating that last comment.
"Sorry."
"Her parents were pretty nice to me. I guess they haven't heard all about me yet," Ryan sighed.
"Maybe. Then again, maybe they're just really that nice."
"Maybe. Sami's gotta get it from somewhere I guess. Take this off," Ryan instructed, holding out his wrapped hand.
"But I just…"
"I know but I don't need it any more."
"You mean you've got…that much…control…over it?"
"Actually, talking to you apparently has the same effect of ice water."
Wadding up the plastic wrap, Seth let his shoulders slump.
"Hey, I'm kidding," Ryan explained.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Seth turned and parked himself on the bed next to Ryan. Tipping his head toward Ryan, Seth made circles with his finger, implying a question Ryan knew was coming.
"It's still okay to sit on the bed Seth."
"Cool."
"I really like her. I just hoping I don't screw it up."
"Well, not that I'm speaking from experience or anything, but I'd say you're on the right track."
"I hope so." After a beat, "Now can you get off my bed so I can get some sleep?"
"Dude, I thought we were having ourselves a little moment here."
"Moment's over. Get off."
"Indian giver."
Laughing, "See you tomorrow man."
"'Night."
(TBC)…
A/N – I must say, I was surprised that y'all are still wanting more out of this one! LOL! I'm glad everyone is still really enjoying this one. Here I thought everyone would be thinking I was starting to get long winded on this one! I'll see what I can do guys: D I've got my hands full with RL these days, I'll get the next update as soon as I can.