Chapter Seven

The first destination Kirsten headed to was Ryan's place in Chino. She regretted not watching the news long enough to find out which police station they brought Ryan to. Going to Chino twice in seven days was a record breaker. If Sandy or Seth found out about this they won't be very happy - Kirsten planned to keep it to herself for the moment. She wondered what Caleb's reaction would be when he found out that she was gone without notice. Mr. Chang was supposed to stop by the office at 2 p.m. she suddenly remembered. As she glanced at her watch she realized Caleb would have found out about her absence half an hour ago.

Kirsten pulled over near Ryan's house. Several officers were tracing the house for more evidence. She stepped out of the car and asked one of the officers on what happened. One of them filled her in briefly and told her where Ryan was brought to. Just as she was about to leave the officer asked what her relationship was to the victim. Kirsten thought for a while - and simply replied,

"I'm her son's friend." And she walked to her car.

"You look good, Trey." Ryan commented about his brother's clean look while figuring out the way to lay the news to him.

Trey knew that something has happened. There was a slight tremble in his little brother's voice - a sign when something bad occurred. Giving Ryan a little bit of space and time, he replied, "You don't look too shabby yourself."

An awkward silence followed the two-liner. Trey started to look around the room, anywhere but Ryan, not wanting to push him. All Ryan did was to stare at the floor. About two minutes later, Trey began to tap his fingers on the table, creating an unknown yet interesting rhythm. As his impatience built up, the rhythm became faster and faster, interrupting Ryan's thoughts.

"Stop that." Ryan muttered.

Trey stopped.

Ryan looked up.

"Dawn's dead."

Trey's face dropped.

"She was shot." Ryan continued.

He couldn't believe his ears.

"They couldn't find A.J."

Upon hearing this Trey banged his fists on the table and stood up as though he was about to hurt Ryan. Ryan wasn't afraid, but the guard who was observing them urged Trey to calm down and return to his seat.

"He did it. A.J." was all Trey could say.

"But we don't know - "

"OH GODDAMN IT HE DID IT! I KNOW HE DID!" Trey snapped. There were tears in his eyes as his face was red with anger. He looked at Ryan sharply but all Ryan did was to look to the floor again.

Ryan couldn't bear to look at Trey in his eyes because he knew he would not be able to hold back. His heart was heavy and for a moment he felt weak. They both lost their mother, yet he knew he was the only one who could do something about it. Being behind bars he knew there was nothing Trey could do but to grief - something Ryan wanted to do so badly.

Suddenly, in a rather sombre tone, Trey asked, "What about her funeral?"

Ryan did not know what to answer his brother. He had been thinking about ways to come about that matter for the past few hours, but he still had no solution to it. He looked at Trey, who understood his situation. Softly, Ryan replied, "I don't know. But I'll come up with something."

Trey nodded at that lie, realizing the burden his little brother has. He felt useless for not being able to do anything about it. If he wasn't so stupid to be caught and locked up, none of this would have happened. A.J. was not afraid of Ryan or Dawn, but he sure had a little bit of fear towards Trey. He would have been able to protect his family, and his mother...their mother would still be alive.

Ryan slowly stood up, indicating that he was about to leave. Trey followed suit and gave his brother a pat on the shoulder. Somehow, to Ryan the pat was more comforting than any words that could be said. He gave his brother one last look and headed to the door. Before he left the room, he turned around and said to Trey,

"I'll find A.J."

And the door was slammed shut.

Seth had been waiting at the restaurant like what seemed forever. Finishing his fifth glass of water to sustain his hunger, he glanced at the clock in the restaurant - Summer was an hour late. Seth took out his cell phone and began dialing her number. Suddenly, a familiar ring tone was heard near by – she was already standing at the doorway.

"You're late." Seth told her as he pulled the seat for her.

"I know." Summer replied as though she did it on purpose.

As Seth sat down, he gaped. "You got your shirt! It's cleaned!"

"No, Cohen, I BOUGHT another one, and easily too. I can't believe you couldn't get one for me. But then again, it's always a joy to see you nervous and guilty from time to time." Summer shot back a grin at him as she flipped the menu.

Seth was speechless, how could she be so mean, he thought. He felt like strangling her there and then for making him walk round the mall looking like a lost puppy and letting her fool him into giving her a treat. And not forgetting the hour late part. He was burning. Covering his anger by flipping the menu and holding it high so that Summer wouldn't see him scowl, Seth raised his hand to waiter as a sign that he was ready to make an order. Before he could speak, Summer cut him to the chase by placing her order first.

"I'll have a rib-eye steak with one of your finest wine, the red one, I can't stand the white. Also, I'll have that lobster dish with caviar, less cheese topping please."

"And you sir?"

"Just a salad and …some plain water." By then Seth had already forgotten about his hunger and was more concerned about the amount of money left in his wallet.

"Funny, I was an hour late I thought you'd be very hungry by now Cohen." Summer was obviously oblivious to what Seth was feeling at that moment as she continued, "I can't believe you couldn't find my shirt, I took a peek at the mall and there it was. Of course I would have waited for you to find it but I guess you were as blind as I thought. Thanks for the dinner tonight though."

Seth finished his sixth glass of water and said nothing. Finally sensing something wasn't right Summer remained silent. The entire meal went very quietly. When Seth was done, he asked Summer if she needed a ride home. She declined, saying that she drove there and Seth immediately got up to pay the bill and bid her goodbye. Before he left, he placed a gift-wrapped object on the table. Summer opened it curiously and when she saw what was inside, a mountain of guilt came over her.

It was the shirt.

Seth found it.

Ryan suddenly felt lonely. After seeing his brother being brought back into his cell again made him feel like there was no one else to listen to him – even Dawn was not there anymore.

Ryan sat on the bench with his hands on his face and elbows on his lap. He thought about A.J. Did he really kill her? If he didn't, then where the hell is he?

He was tired, so tired. He did not have a proper sleep at all for the past few days. How could he when there was so much on his shoulders? He was hoping that the cops would clear him and let him leave soon so that he could start to find A.J.

But there was one more thing – his mother's funeral.

Ryan tried to think hard of the ways to get the money. He could rob, but the last thing he needed was to end up in jail and not be able to do anything about it at all. His head was hurting, Ryan felt like he wanted to cry.

In the midst of his sorrow, a gentle hand was placed on his shoulder. Ryan looked up. It was a friendly face, one that he had come to know and trust.

Kirsten.

When she saw how he looked, her heart sank. She was surprised of the feeling as well, it was as though Ryan was important to her – maybe he was. The boy who stole from her and the boy who worked at the construction site now looked completely different. He looked pale and tired, although he tried to smile, she could see the obvious sadness and tiredness behind those pair of eyes. She felt a lump in her throat.

"Hey, Ryan," she greeted softly.

"Hey. Dawn…." Ryan began.

"…I know. I'm sorry."

"You think you can get me out of here?"

"I already did. Let's go get some coffee."

Even though she hadn't done anything major, Ryan could already feel a certain comfort within her presence – and that was all he needed.

The day was getting dark – and Kirsten knew she owe certain people some explanation. But she was more concerned for Ryan now, quite aware that he had nowhere to go.

She needed a talk with Sandy. It's about time to tell the truth.