Chapter Eight

It was winter already. It never snows in California, but somehow, it felt really cold for Ryan. Maybe it was because of the weather, or maybe it was because there wasn't any sign of happiness to warm him up. They did not go for coffee as planned as Ryan suggested that he could use a good walk. Kirsten agreed – it was also another way to have a talk with Ryan, something she felt he badly needed. As they walked along the sidewalks of Orange County neither of them spoke for awhile – Ryan had too much to say, while Kirsten did not know how to start. They had walked for the past fifteen minutes, and for Kirsten the silence was deafening.

"Ryan …" Uttered Kirsten, unsure of what to say.

"I'm fine." Ryan's reply was curt, but sensing his slight rudeness he continued, "Thanks for getting me out of there, I appreciate it."

Relieved that he actually said something, Kirsten went on, "You're welcome. If there is anything else that I can do, don't hesitate to ask."

"Why are you being so kind to me? No offence Kirsten, but most people your kind would look down upon people my kind." Ryan didn't sound harsh or suspicious, just curious.

"Well Ryan, I don't usually give people much credit either, it's one of the bad points that I have. And you – you stole from me – I know that should have led to some sort of resentment but after I got to know you, well, a part of you after the talk that we had, I have concluded that you're not such a bad person after all. Believe me, I've seen worse."

She thought she saw a little curve at one corner of Ryan's mouth, and that encouraged her to continue,

"About Dawn…"

Ryan turned to look at her.

"She needs a proper funeral. I know we're not all that close but I also know that you might have a little problem in that area. If you'll allow me, I'll make sure that she gets her final respect in a suitable condition. After all, we do want her to rest in peace. What do you think?"

Ryan wasn't sure of what to say. Who is this lady that God has sent? What has he done to deserve such treatment and understanding? Touched, Ryan placed his right hand on Kirsten's left arm and said softly, "Thanks."

Kirsten responded by placing her right hand on his left arm in return and nodded with a smile. "It's getting chilly out here, let's go back to the car. Where are you heading to tonight?"

Suddenly it occurred to Ryan that he had nowhere to go to that night. His place was sealed for further investigations, while Teresa and Arturo would gladly welcome him, their parents might object to that idea. He looked at Kirsten once more, and as though reading his mind, she said,

"I think my husband and son would like some extra company anyway."

"I can't…"

"You already accepted my offer to arrange your mother's funeral, and you're fretting to accept the offer of staying a day or two at my place? At least after the funeral is over. Let me, let me just make sure till then, everything's okay…that you're okay."

It all happened so fast for Ryan. A little by little he could feel his burden being lifted up. He was too tired to decline any of Kirsten's offers, but as a person who stands strong for himself, he said, "When the day comes, or, when things aren't so messed up, I'll pay you back Kirsten."

Gradually, it did not feel so cold for Ryan anymore as they walked back to the car.

"You just done it, I think it went too far, don't you think?" Marissa's voice at the other end of the phone clearly warned Summer that she had done something horribly bad. Not wrong, but bad.

"I know, but I thought he couldn't find the shirt and he would have given up!" Summer sank onto her bed with the cordless in her hand, still pressed onto her right ear.

"Well, obviously he was willing to go the extra mile. I mean, it's not surprising is it? Seth has got a thing for you since third grade! If he hasn't given up hope throughout the years, why should he now?"

Summer hated when other people made more sense than her, but she knew her best friend was right.

"What am I going to do? Tell me Marissa, what does it take to make it up to a sixteen year old Jewfro comic freak?"

"Umm…more comics?"

The answer sounded stupid for a second, but it was probably the best solution.

"God I feel like I'm getting a gift for a ten year old."

"A ten year old that appeals to you."

"But I don't know what kind of comics Cohen likes!" Summer's voice was getting more and more pitchy.

"Then take him to the store and let him pick on his own." Marissa, on the other hand, sounded a little bit annoyed.

"You mean I have to face him? Talk to him? I was actually thinking of the place-and-run thing."

"You mean hit-and-run."

"No, PLACE-and-run. In Cohen's case I thought I'd just get him the comic book, PLACE it into his locker or something and RUN away."

"Summer Roberts running away?"

"Like I have a choice."

"But you don't know what comic he's into."

"Which is why I need to find out."

"From whom? His parents?"

"And they'll eventually tell him about me, and his ego will super-size up."

"And you wouldn't want that."

"Which tells me that…"

"…you don't have any other choice…"

"…but to bring him to the store to take his pick. Got it."

"It usually takes awhile for it to sink in, but this was shorter than I expected." Marissa smirked.

"HEY."

"Just kidding."

"Right. Now all that's left is that I've got to figure out what to say to him when I meet him."

"Good luck girl."

"Thanks. Need it. Good night."

"Good night."

Summer hung up the phone. She sat upright and thought for awhile. What was she going to say to Seth? In a split second she took out a piece of paper and started scribbling.

On their way to Kirsten's place, they were both silent. Ryan was figuring out what to do or act when he meets her family, while Kirsten was simply figuring out what to say to her husband. She somehow knew that Sandy wouldn't be mad, after all, she was the cynical one in the family. But she knew Sandy would want a good explanation somehow – he deserved one.

As she pulled by the driveway she saw that Sandy was already waiting for her by the porch.

"Honey, where have you been? Caleb called up and said you left the office without notice, I called your cell but there was no answer." By then Sandy was embracing his wife and kissing her on the forehead. Kirsten could clearly tell that her husband was worried. She unzipped her handbag and checked her phone, only to be told that there were seventeen missed calls, and all from the same person. She then realized that her phone was in silent mode, the vibration wasn't good enough to tell her that someone was eagerly looking for her.

"Oh, honey, I had it on silent mode, I'm so sorry," Kirsten was still wondering how to break the news to her husband.

"It's okay, just as long as you're safe, that's all. Come on in, I'll fix you a nice, warm bath and you can tell me what happened bit by bit."

Sandy's caring nature towards Kirsten made her feel bad that she was about to tell him something he may not approve of. Slowly, she released herself from Sandy's arms and took a step backwards.

"Honey, what's the matter?" asked Sandy, rather surprised.

Kirsten turned back to the car and gave a signal for Ryan to get off. Slowly, Ryan opened the door and closed it back gently once he got out of the car as though a little more noise might aggravate the situation that was about to come.

Seeing Ryan's messy state, Sandy was curious who this young man might be. "Friend of Seth's?"

Kirsten slowly shook her head and answered, "No, a friend of mine."

Carefully, Ryan walked towards Sandy and held out a hand, "Hi, Mr. Cohen."

Still lost at what was happening, Sandy shook Ryan's hand but did not utter a word as though that gesture was customary and did not realize that he was even doing it.

"This…" said Kirsten slowly, "…is Ryan Atwood."

"Hello, Ryan." Sandy said as he nodded his head. "I'm Sandy."

"Ryan will be staying with us for these few days. He…uh…well, Sandy, we need to have a little talk."

"Sure, well, Ryan, Rosa will show you to the guest room and Kirsten will tell me what is going on soon enough. But before that, you look like you could use a nice bath yourself. Long day?"

It sure felt like a whole long miserable year to Ryan, but he only muttered, "Uh…yeah…sort of. Sorry for the trouble."

"Kirsten isn't exactly the kind of person who likes everyone she sees, not even my father-in-law. So if she can trust you and let you spend a few nights here, you are welcome to do so."

Ryan did not know whether to feel relieved or amused because Sandy seemed like a nice guy to him. And nice guys, in Ryan's world, do not exist anymore. As Rosa led Ryan to the room, Sandy turned back to face his wife.

"Okay, you can start by telling me who he is, exactly."

Bit by bit, just as what Sandy told Ryan, Kirsten explained the whole situation to him. At last, as Kirsten seemed a little out of breath from the long story, Sandy broke into a smile and told her gently.

"Well, if you can trust a person who stole from you more than your own father, I don't think I'll have a problem doing that either."

Kirsten was so relieved and happy that her husband understood her. Planting a light kiss on his lips, she uttered "Thank you" and gave her husband a warm hug. When they broke, Sandy told Kirsten,

"You know what? Maybe this isn't going to be so bad after all, perhaps this kid could teach Seth a thing or two about life."

Just as Kirsten was about to reply to her husband's remark, a loud frantic voice made them jump.

"MOM!"