Ryan and Seth arrived home to an empty house. There was nothing unusual about that, Sandy was normally at work now and Kirsten wasn't always in when they got home from school. They just assumed she was working with Julie somewhere.
"How about a little play station?" Seth looked at Ryan grinning. Ryan nodded his head and grinned back. "Sure I'll go get some drinks. You set it up." Ryan walked into the kitchen and decided to check if there were any messages on the phone while he was in there. He didn't even finish playing the message before he had raced to Seth.
"We've got to go to the hospital. Your mom left a message saying that she and your dad are there. She sounds pretty upset and wants us to call her." Seth had already jumped up from the couch when Ryan had said hospital. While Ryan rang Summer, to see if she could give them a ride since Kirsten and Sandy both had their cars, Seth rang his mom.
"Mom! What's going on? Why are you both at hospital?" Seth wanted answers quickly. Kirsten could tell he was worried but she was worried too and she wasn't sure what to tell him. Would he and Ryan blame her if she told them that it was Carter that had put their father in hospital? Why would they thoughsince they didnt know anything had happenedbetween her and Carter? They wouldfind out now though. It wasonly a kiss! That thought had been running through her head since it happened.She couldn't worry about that now she just needed them there, with her and Sandy.
"Seth your dad was attacked at work. He's okay but he hasn't woken up yet. He's got some cracked ribs and some nasty bruises on his body and face, actually he's got some very nasty cuts on his face and head too. He has been very lucky but he's going to have to stay in overnight. Hopefully if he comes round soon he'll be home early on tomorrow. Sorry for worrying you I left that message when I didn't really know what was going on. I should have called again and explained better." Seth was in shock, why would someone attack Sandy? He decided to lay off questioning his mother, at least until they were there with her.
"We'll be there soon mom. Summer is on her way over to give us a ride. See you soon." Seth walked over to Ryan and relayed the conversation with him. Ryan didn't take it well.
"Someone beat up Sandy!" He couldn't believe this, he was so angry. "Do they know who it was? We should find out. Whoever it is, they're going to wish they had never evenseen your dad beforeif I ever run into them." Seth could see the rage building within Ryan, since his dad had taken Ryan under his wing there had always been something special between them. Ryan didn't know another man like Sandy, a man who wanted to help everyone and who loved his family more than life itself.
"Dude, my mom didn't say anything about who attacked him and I don't think we should be looking for them. My dad would want us to be there for my mom who sounds like she's absolutely terrified." Seth really didn't want Ryan taking matters into his own hands. "That's Summer. Let's go." With that both of them turned and left the room.
At the hospital Kirsten was sitting on her own in the waiting room, she was really hoping Seth and Ryan would be there soon. She had been allowed to stay with Sandy but had had to leave while they took him for some tests. She couldn't stop thinking about what had happened and she was sure the guilt she felt was written across her face. Not to mention the fact that she was terrified Carter was going to come back and finish the job or try and get to leave Sandy and go with him
"Mrs Cohen, you can come in now. We have some excellent news too he's woken up. He is groggy but has been asking for you since the second his eyes opened." Kirsten smiled but inside she was nervous too what was she going to say to him. The doctor opened the door to Sandy's room and after telling his patient to take it easy he left them alone.
"Sandy I'm so glad you're okay. I'm so sorry about what happened this afternoon. I love you." Teas began to fall from Kirsten's face, Sandy wanted to wipe them away for her but she was too far away. "The boys are on the way here, I'm sure Seth is going to have a million questions and probably some sarcastic comments on how you are looking now."
"Kirsten, I love you too andyou have no need to be sorry, honey it's not your fault. I always knew I should have gotten into more fights, I mean I might have faired better today if I had. Where's Carter?" Since the last thing he could remember was the searing pain he felt as his head hit the machine Sandy had no idea what had happened after he lost consciousness.
"Carter had left before I even had a chance to turn round from you. The police will want to talk to you. I told them what I had seen but they know I hadn't been there the whole time. What did you say to him Sandy? What did he say?" She had been wondering all afternoon what had been said between the two men that had made Carter react in such a way. She had never seen anyone as angry as Carter had been in that room.
"Dad! Will you look at you! Hey you know if you'd wanted some quality time with us you could have just challenged us to a play station tournament." Sandy and Kirsten exchanged looks and grinned. Their conversation would have to be finished laterandthere was going to bea lot to talk about. Both of them were worried about the same thing; Carter coming back for more.