Down A Rabbit Hole We Go – Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I do not own the OC or any of its characters.

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Dinner was less awkward thanks to Seth and Sandy and the Cohen gift of gab.

"So, Ryan, what grade will you be in once school starts?" Sandy asked during desert.

"Tenth," Ryan answered between bites.

"Cool, dude! We'll be in the same class." Seth responded.

"That reminds me. I have to set up a meeting with Dr. Kim to get Ryan enrolled at Harbor." Caleb commented.

"Harbor?" Ryan questioned.

"Harbor, the stuffiest private school on the planet." Seth replied with disdain.

Ryan looked at Caleb. "I don't need to go to a private school. I'm sure Newport has a good public school."

"Nonsense," Caleb blew Ryan off. "it's a family tradition. Kiki and Haley went to Harbor. Seth goes there. And my son will go there."

Kirsten didn't miss the frown on Ryan's face. "Harbor is a pretty competitive school, Dad. It might be a big adjustment for Ryan."

Caleb chuckled. "I'm not worried, Kiki. Ryan can do anything he puts his mind to. In fact, his standardized test scores are excellent. I'm sure with a more stable home life he'll excel at Harbor. Besides if he wants to get into one of the best architecture programs Harbor is the way to go."

"You want to be an architect, Ryan?" Sandy interjected.

"I've thought about it." Ryan answered and shrugged, uncomfortable with all the attention.

"Ryan has a great eye for architecture," Caleb replied. "We've been on a few architectural tours in San Francisco, Los Angles, and San Diego."

"Really?" Kirsten asked, surprised.

"Yes." Caleb responded. "Ryan has shown more interest in the family business than you or Haley did at his age."

"Speaking of Haley," Kirsten started. "Have you spoken to her, Dad?"

"I called her number just before you arrived, Kiki. I left her a message asking her to call me and telling her that I'd like for her to come home for a visit." Caleb answered. "I'd like to tell her about Ryan in person before the word gets out around Newport. Do you have any idea where she is?"

"No, Dad. I haven't heard from her in six months. She could be anywhere." Kirsten sighed.

"Well, let's not dwell on my wayward daughter," Caleb concluded. "Why don't we move to the den? Sandford, with your billiard skills, maybe you could give Ryan a few pointers on the game."

"Do you play, Ryan?" Sandy asked excitedly.

"I've played some," Ryan shrugged, nonchalant.

"Sandy played in college to supplement his grocery fund." Kirsten said fondly.

"You sure it wasn't his for his weed fund?" Caleb countered.

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After Ryan beat him handily for the third time, Sandy new he'd been set up. "You've played some, huh kid?"

Ryan gave him a genuine grin. "Trey taught me."

"Well, I know when I've been bested." Sandy replied, moving to place his cue in the rack on the wall.

"Ummm, Mr. Cohen," Ryan caught his attention.

"Call me Sandy, kid."

"I…ummm… wanted to apologize…you know…for ummm…" he pointed to Sandy's bruised cheek.

"Oh, don't worry about that, kid. That's water under the bridge." Sandy assured him. "Besides, you and I have more in common than you think."

At Ryan's doubtful look, Sandy continued. "I grew up in Brooklyn. My mom worked too much. My dad drank and beat on his kids. I left home when I was 16. I learned to hustle pool to help keep food on the table. So, if you every need to talk, kid, I'm happy to listen."

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Kirsten watched her new brother beat her husband soundly in three games of pool. The whole time her father was grinning from ear to ear. She realized he'd set Sandy up and Ryan had played along with it. It was rare to see this side of her dad since her mother's death. He seemed genuinely happy and he beamed with pride when talking about Ryan. Ryan seemed like a good kid, despite Kirsten's misgivings about where and how he was reared. His mother's house sounded like a nightmare. So far Ryan was quiet, respectful, bashful, and apparently patient. If Seth's incessant chatter bothered him, he didn't let on. Right now, he was teaching her son the basics of pool. He chuckled every so often at something Seth said.

Sandy squeezed Kirsten's hand from where he sat beside her.

"They seem to be getting along well," Caleb pointed out.

Any response from Kirsten or Sandy was cut short when Haley came bustling through the doors to the den. "Anybody home?"