Kirsten and Seth had barely moved since Sandy had left. Seth had tried to strike up a conversation a few times, but after a few of Kirsten's "looks" and a tongue lashing that Seth would not soon forget, he gave up his attempts at inappropriate humor and busied himself memorizing the pattern of the marble countertop. They were both grateful when they finally heard the car in the driveway.
Kirsten had been on edge most of the day and let out a sharp breath when Ryan stepped into the kitchen. "Oh my god! Ryan what happened?" She glanced quickly to Sandy, and when he shrugged his shoulders, she gently guided Ryan to a stool and sat him down to examine his bruises. "Who did this to you?"
Ryan just shook his head. He didn't feel like talking about it.
Sandy took control. "Seth, upstairs." Seth opened his mouth to protest. "Now." He relented, knowing he could eavesdrop from the stairs. Once he was gone, Sandy repeated Kirsten's questions. "Ryan, what happened? Who did this to you?"
He shrugged again. "My mom died."
Sandy's voice softened and he placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder. "We know kiddo. Child Services called a little while ago." He hesitated, studying Ryan's face. "Are you okay?"
Ryan just nodded. "I want to go lie down."
"Ryan –" Kirsten began, lightly touching his face, "I think we need to get you cleaned up first – get you to a doctor."
He shrugged off her touch, something he rarely did. "I don't need a doctor."
She touched his face again gently, examining the wound over his eye. "This cut might need some stitches."
He shook his head. "It's fine." He briefly glanced up at Sandy and Kirsten's worried faces and then stared back down at the floor tiles. "I think I might have a broken rib though."
Kirsten's face drained of all color. "You're going to the hospital."
Sandy nodded, "I'll get the car, you-"
"No." He said it quietly, surprising even himself.
But Kirsten wasn't done mothering. "Ryan, you are going to the hospital whether you like it or not. You need –"
"Kirsten –" Ryan interrupted, "I'm fine. I've had a broken rib before. I just need to wrap it up. I'll be fine."
Sandy shook his head. "I'm with Kirsten on this one. I think you need to go to the hospital."
"Look," Ryan was getting irritated. "I know the routine. They can't do anything for me. Just give me some pain meds." He took a deep breath, steadying his emotions. "The alcohol is working just fine for now. I just want to go lie down."
Sandy nodded. "We need to talk about this."
"Later, please?"
Kirsten began to protest, but Sandy stopped her. "Go, lie down. Sleep this off. Then you're going to see a doctor."
Ryan nodded. "'kay. Thanks." He left the kitchen without another word.
Kirsten waited until Ryan was out of earshot before speaking again. "Sandy, we can't just let him go. He needs to see a doctor."
Sandy grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Honey, he'll be fine. When he wakes up, we'll take him to see Dr. Chu."
Kirsten stared out the kitchen window towards the pool house. "I wish he would talk to us. Tell us what he was thinking." She shook her head. "I want to know who did that to him."
"Give him time honey. He'll –" Sandy was interrupted by a crash from the living room. He spun around and saw Seth grinning sheepishly from around the corner. "Show's over Seth. Upstairs now."
"I was just gonna go check on Ryan. You know, make sure he has enough pillows and all that." He started towards the door, but didn't make it far.
"Seth Ezekial, you are to leave Ryan alone." The dreaded middle name twice in one day. Seth knew better than to argue with his mother when she got this way.
"Fine," Seth threw his hands up in defeat, "but don't blame me if you rack up thousands in chiropractic bills because he's not getting the lumbar support he needs."
"Room, now." Sandy's tone was stern.
"Alright, alright. I get it. Leave Ryan alone. Go to my room." Seth rolled his eyes as he headed upstairs to his bedroom.
Sandy wrapped his arms around Kirsten as the pair stared out into twilight towards the pool house. "He'll be okay."
Kirsten just sighed. She squeezed Sandy's hand and hoped that he was right.
Ryan was alone in the pool house when he woke up. He half expected Sandy to be standing guard over him. He sat up and immediately recoiled from the pain in his chest. His head was pounding. He glanced around the room and spotted his backpack near the bathroom. He grabbed it and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. He stepped outside, around the back of the pool house and sat down. He had barely taken two drags when Sandy walked up.
"Ryan, we need to talk."
Ryan didn't acknowledge him, just kept smoking.
Sandy sat down next to him. "I thought you quit?"
He shrugged.
"Look, Ryan, I know you're never going to talk the way Seth does, but right now, I need to know what's going on with you. I need to know that you're okay."
"I'm fine."
"You disappeared without telling us where you were going and came back drunk and bruised. I don't think that's okay."
Ryan stubbed out his cigarette. Sandy handed him two aspirins and a bottle of water. "Take these. They'll help your headache."
Ryan resisted the urge to ask for anything stronger and swallowed the pills dry. "Thanks." He debated lighting another cigarette. "Sorry. For today I mean."
Sandy just nodded, staring at him. "Tell me what happened Ryan."
"It's no big deal."
"Your face tells another story."
Ryan sighed. "I went to Chino. To see if it was true, you know see if she was really dead."
"And?"
He nodded. "She's gone. Killed herself."
Sandy waited patiently for Ryan to continue his story. Ryan decided that if he was going to talk, he was going to smoke. He lit another cigarette, and when Sandy didn't protest, he continued with his story. "Trey told me where she was staying. I went there – just to look around." He pointed at his face. "AJ was there too. Not exactly thrilled to see me I'd say."
"AJ did this to you?"
"He was drunk."
"Were you?"
Ryan shook his head. "No." He paused. "Not yet anyway."
Sandy sat in silence, waiting for Ryan to continue with his story, but Ryan just puffed on his cigarette and stared off into the night, lost in thought.
"Ryan." When Ryan didn't respond, Sandy tried again. "Ryan, we need to get you to a doctor."
Ryan just shook his head. "I'm fine."
"This isn't up for debate. I called Dr. Chu. He's waiting for us at the hospital." He hesitated. "Go get dressed and meet me inside."
This time Ryan just shook his head. He had no intention of going anywhere.
Sandy reached over and grabbed the cigarette from Ryan's hand. He crushed it out on the cement and repeated his request, a bit more forcefully this time. "Get dressed. Meet me inside." He stood up, ending the conversation and headed towards the house.
Ryan stared after him for a minute, then retreated to the pool house to get ready.