They were to meet Frank the Social Worker and Mr. Evans after church for brunch, with Frank driving them home later.
Sharpay watched as Ryan drummed his fingers anxiously on the hard cover of the hymnal on his lap, his leg jiggling nervously. Beverley poked his leg in an effort to make him stop, but instead it caused him to yelp, drawing the attention of others in the pews. He looked around, as if to act like one wondering, Who did that?
He let his eyes wander up to the stained glass windows, standing out agains the plaster walls of the ancient church. A riot of color, casting rainbow reflections about the room. Below one of the windows sat the Danforth, Chad playing mindlessly with a bit blue reflection that had fallen across his arm. He moved his arm back and forth nonchalantly, his hand up and down. He caught Ryan watching him and grinned sheepishly before noticing Ryan's worried face.
You okay? , his looked said.
Ryan nodded. Just fine.
Chad's look clearly stated, Liar.
Mr. Evans sipped coffee quietly. Frank the Social Worker and the twins sat opposite of them. The twins sipping tea while Frank drank his coffee.
"I'm can't say I'm not glad you asked to see me," Mr Evans began, fingering Winona's note the way other's would finger rosaries, "but I have to wonder why you asked?"
Sharpay looked up at Ryan. Ryan looked down at this tea.
"I..." he began, then stopped. Sharpay looked up at him expectantly. "I was angry..."
Mr. Evans nodded. "I understand."
"No! No, you can't! You can't understand!" he cried. Frank rested a calming hand on his shoulder as people in the cafe looked up at the young man make a scene in the corner. Ryan drew a breath, and began again, "You can't understand what you did to me. You were my father! You're supposed to love me!"
"I do love you--"
"Instead of loving you--you did this!" He took off his hat to show the scar that ran from the right temple up and into his hair. Mr. Evans seemed to sink back in his seat, repulsed even at what he'd done. Ryan pulled the hat back on crooked as spoke, "I--I hated you for it. I think I still hate you for it, but I don't want to. I don't want to live in hate. So, Dad, I forgive you."
Mr. Evans looked stunned. Stunned at his son's word, stunned at what he had done, stunned at the very moment, the very thing he had prayed for. He couldn't think of anything to say. He wept as he heard the words, the most beautiful words of 'I forgive you'.
Finally he wiped his eyes and spoke, "Y-your hat's crooked."
Ryan broke into a smile.
It was a start.