Chapter 15
Ryan watched the beaches fly past as they drove along. He couldn't help but feel worried about going home. It couldn't be how it had been, too much had happened. He wished that these last few months could just be erased from all of their minds. He missed how it used to be, back when all he had to worry about was Marissa and Luke.
Sandy was trying to keep up the conversation level in the car and Kirsten kept sneaking glances at him. A wrestling match was still going on in his mind whether she wanted him at home or not.
He leaned his head against the cool glass and sighed.
"We're nearly there, kid." Ryan rolled his eyes as Sandy continued his commentary.
Kirsten glanced behind her shoulder at him, smiling. "Do you have any preference in what you would like to eat for dinner?"
He shook his head, not trusting himself to speak. He didn't want them to hear the anxiety in his voice.
Ryan watched as Kirsten jumped slightly as her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. She fished it out and Ryan saw her frown as she read the caller ID.
She glanced quickly at Sandy before answering it.
"Hello?"
There was silence in the car as she listened to the man talking. Ryan could hear the faint murmur of the man speaking.
He saw her expression falter and form into a frown.
"Yes, okay. I'll see you then." Her voice sounded falsely upbeat and when she hung up, she looked at her cell phone, dazed.
"Are you alright, honey?" Sandy asked, concerned.
She took a moment to reply. "I'm not sure." She murmured and she ran a worried hand through her hair.
Xxx
When they arrived at the house, Seth immediately sprang out of the house, a smile planted on his face. He opened Ryan's door for him and stood back as his brother shakily got to his feet.
"So bro, how does it feel to be finally out?" he asked chirpily and Ryan gave him a grin.
"Good," he said quietly, glancing at Kirsten to see if she was alright. She'd been quiet for the rest of the trip and Ryan could tell that whatever news the man on the phone had told her, it hadn't been good.
She whispered something to Sandy and his face grew concerned. He shot a shifty look at Ryan and Ryan looked away guiltily as their eyes met.
He followed Seth into the house and the other boy didn't even seem to notice that he wasn't listening to a word that he was saying as he rambled away.
He looked behind him and saw Sandy pull Kirsten into a hug.
What was going on?
He was ushered by Seth into the living room and a controller was thrust into his hands.
He heard the sound of Sandy's office door closing.
Seth noticed him looking at the closed door and he shrugged. "Don't ask me, dude. They weren't like that, this morning."
Ryan nodded and turned back to the TV screen. "So, what are we playing?" he asked, changing the subject and trying to sound interested.
"Well, I brought a new game a couple of weeks ago and haven't had time to play it yet…" Ryan's couldn't help his mind from imagining what was being said behind the closed door.
Xxx
Sandy watched his wife as she shook with tears.
"God, I wished so many bad things to happen to him." She cried out and he placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
"It's not your fault. He's just made a few enemies in his life and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." Sandy spoke soothingly, trying to calm her down.
"I didn't want this to happen." She sobbed.
"I know, honey. But we've spoken to the hospital and they said he's fine." He cajoled. "Come on. Let's get the boys and we can go visit him."
"But Ryan won't want to go visit him." She moaned and leant back in her chair.
"Well, we can explain what has happened and see what he wants to do." He brought her into a hug and massaged her quivering back.
"Okay?" he asked.
She didn't reply for a few seconds, just breathing in his scent.
"Okay."
He released her gently. "Do you want me to tell them, whilst you go and clean up?" he asked gently, knowing how worried the boys would be if they saw her red, tear stained face.
She nodded and he kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"I'll be back in a minute."
He opened the door and noticed Ryan's anxious eyes watching him. He tried to smile reassuringly at him but it was clear Ryan wasn't buying it.
He came forward and watched as Seth madly hammered at the controller in his hand, with Ryan's mind elsewhere, his poor little ninja was getting thrashed.
"Guys can you pause that for a second, I have something to talk to you about."
Seth frowned and pressed a button on the controller. The ninjas paused in their mostly one sided battle.
"So, Kirsten got a call today from the county police station. It looks like there has been a fight in the prison that your grandpa is staying at." Seth looked at him wide eyed and Ryan had gone pale. It was clear at least Ryan understood what he was implying.
"Is he okay?" he asked quietly.
"What? Grandpa was involved?" Seth looked between the two of them, wildly.
"We rang the hospital when we got home and it looks like he will be okay, a couple of broken bones and the like. Kirsten and I are going to go and stop by the hospital to see how he is; do you guys want to come?"
He looked between the two of them. Seth immediately nodded, standing up. "When are we going?" he asked.
"Your mom's just freshening herself up, she's obviously very upset about this.
"What about you Ryan?" he asked, watching his face carefully. He received a small nod in reply and Sandy could see the worry in the kid's eyes.
Seth immediately scuttled off to grab his coat and shoes. Ryan stayed back a little and Sandy followed suit.
"Do you think it's a good idea me coming? I mean the guy hates me." Ryan asked anxiously and Sandy patted his back lightly.
"You know that I'm not exactly in Caleb's good books. You don't have to go in, we can just wait outside together. I don't want to leave you here alone on your first day back." he grinned, hoping to reassure him.
"So, what do you say?" he asked.
Ryan looked hesitant for a moment before finally nodding.
"Okay." he said, so quietly that Sandy almost didn't hear him.
"Okay," he confirmed. "We'd better get a move on."
The sound of Kirsten's heels clicking down the hallway was heard and she appeared, her makeup newly in place.
"Ready to go, sweetheart?" she asked and Sandy nodded, getting up.
"Yes we are."
TBC…
Okay so obviously the next chapter will be quite a bit longer because I need to deal with a lot of things and make a nice little ending for you guys. I just thought this would be a good place to start before delving into the hospital visit. There is the epilogue after that- chapter 17- which will deal with things like what happened to the men who did this. Were they arrested? Or did they never get caught?
Anyway, I hope you liked and thank you very much for reading.