Chapter 5

Four days passed and that Saturday Ryan was released from the hospital and into the crisp, cool, fresh air of New York City. Four days with no visitors had left Ryan with a lot of time to think and after he finished thinking he plotted. How to get Kasey back? Kasey was stubborn and rational. So how do you get her to fall in love again? The only thing Ryan could think of was perseverance. Try, try, again. Now the only thing standing in his way was how to find Kasey in the populated city? Ryan had made a call to his older sister, Erika's house. After arranging that, hailing a taxi to take him to Erika's apartment, paying the driver and grabbing his one bag Ryan headed in the building and up the stairs to the second floor. 12B was only a short walk from the stair case and a few steps from the elevator Ryan noticed.

Knock, Knock, Knock Ryan's fist pounded.

Erika looked through the peep hole to see who was abusing her door. After getting a clear view of her visitor she swung the door open to come face to face with her baby brother.

"Hey Stanger," she teased.

"Hey you," Ryan teased back as her took her in a head lock

After receiving a noogie. Erika pulled Ryan's hand up to sink her teeth into the flesh. Ryan yelped in pain and released his victim, Erika let out a laugh followed by an innocent grin.

"I see you're still as mean as ever," Ryan accused as her rubbed his hand.

"I see you're still as annoying as ever," Erika threw back at him while fixing her hair.

"Hey," Ryan called back over his shoulder, "I resent that," he shouted from the kitchen.

"And you still eat as much," Erika said in amazement at the sandwich. Ryan had created consisting of everything in her refrigerator.

After catching up on each other's lives and watching some television Erika headed to the office to pick up some extra paperwork and grab some food for them to eat.

After an elegant dinner of Big Macs and fries Ryan grabbed his jacket off the chair and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Erika asked as she rose from her seat.

Ryan pondered the question as he pulled on his worn, leather jacket. "I have a date."

Erika rolled her eyes. Leave it to Ryan to pick up some chick in a hospital.

As the door shut softly Ryan let out a breath, relieved his nosey sister didn't ask anymore questions.

"Kasey Donnelly get ready 'cause I'm gonna turn your world upside down," Ryan mumbled to himself as he set off down the hallway.