Chapter 5

Ryan pulled up outside Nate's apartment building. He had managed to avoid answering Nate as to why until now.

"You don't have to do this" said Nate as they pulled up.

"Yeah, I do" Ryan replied.

"You gonna tell me why?" questioned Nate "You keep dodging the question."

Ryan paused for a moment and turned to Nate. "Because I was you. Because I lived this life. Because I need to do the same for somebody else that was done for me" he said passionately.

Nate scoffed. "So I'm your feel-good charity case. Well, screw you! I can do fine without you."

"Hey, you called me remember?" Ryan reminded him. "Now let's just go get your stuff and I'll help you get in touch with Ms. Hooper tomorrow. You can stay with me tonight."

Nate knew he had no choice. "Fine. Let's get it over with."

The elevator smelled like urine, the hallway smelled like every food from around the world had been cooked, eaten and then vomited up. Even in Chino, Ryan had never experienced a place like this. They got to Nate's apartment and Ryan banged on the door.

"Ms. Davies, open up. My name is Ryan Atwood and I have Nate with me." He said loudly.

"You the cops?" the voice behind the door said.

"No, I'm not the cops. I'm a friend of Nate's. Now open this door, or I'll break the damn thing down." Ryan's tone was calm but forceful.

They heard the deadbolts being unlocked and the door slowly opened to reveal a slightly built woman with dirty blonde hair, more dirty than blonde. Her hair was long and stringy with about an inch and a half of dark roots showing. Her face showed signs of a hard life of alcohol and drugs and she looked much older than her 28 years.

"What the hell do you want?" she said in a husky two-packs-a-day voice. She looked at Nate and scoffed. "I thought I told you to get the hell out."

Nate looked down and shuffled uncomfortably.

"Yeah, about that" jumped in Ryan. "You sure you want to kick a 14 year old boy out on the streets? Social Services might have something to say about that."

"Look Mr. Do-Good-Whoever-the-hell-you-are, take a look around. Do you think I can take care of him? I can barely feed myself, and I just don't have the energy to deal with him anymore." Her voice was cracking as she continued. "I don't care where he goes or what he does anymore. I was on the street by the time I was his age, and pregnant. If I could survive so can he."

Ryan could hardly believe what he was hearing. He turned to Nate. "Ok, bud, go grab what you need. Just essentials, stuff you can't live without, we'll buy whatever else you need."

Nate looked at his mother, but couldn't bring himself to say anything. He ran into his bedroom and was back in what seemed like an instant with a black back full of stuff.

Ryan had remained in the living room just staring at Nate's mother. She had gone to get a cigarette and now was leaning against the back of the couch puffing away.

"Wait for me outside, Nate" said Ryan. "I just want a second with your mom."

Nate hung his head and looked up through his hair at his mom. With a look of total despair and disgust he looked back down and walked out the door into the hallway.

Once Nate had left, Ryan turned to the woman and handed her his card. "Nate is coming with me and he'll be safe. If you ever come to a time and place in your life where you can be a mother again, call me. In the meantime, I'm sure his social worker will be in touch with you 'cos I'll be in touch with her. If you care anything at all for your son, you'll sign over guardianship to me." Ryan turned to leave.

Nate's mother wiped a tear from her eye, but couldn't get any words out. She took the card from Ryan and nodded.

Ryan met Nate in the hallway and put his arm around him as they headed back to the elevator.

"So, you like chicken in wine sauce?" he asked smiling.

"Huh?" said Nate. He wasn't sure what to make of what just happened, but he knew his life was going to be a whole lot different from now on.