AN: So I was going through some old stories and decided to try to update them and hopefully finish them. It has been 9 years since I updated this story so I hope that this board is still active and that you will be glad that I updated. I have been posting on the Friends board sporadically and some of them have not been getting the updates. So if you find this story and would like me to PM you when I update please let me know. I hope you like this update. Please review!
Disclaimer: See earlier chapters.
Chapter 13
To say that Ryan was upset with Sandy and Kirsten would be an understatement. He hadn't spoken a word to either of them since their talk in his bedroom that night. Seth knew the situation and told his parents that it was not the best move if they wanted to fully gain Ryan's trust. The Nana tried her hardest to break down Ryan's walls, but because of recent events, she was met with silence and glares every time that she tried to approach Ryan.
One Saturday morning, Ryan ventured downstairs and found Seth eating some cereal as someone he didn't recognize worked nearby. He saw no sign of Sandy, Kirsten, or the Nana, so he slid into the seat next to Seth.
"Who's this guy?" Ryan asked Seth as he poured himself a bowl of cereal.
"He's from the phone company. He's installing the phone line."
"Where's everyone else?"
"In the living room talking,"
"About me?"
"Not sure," he shrugged as they both finished their cereal and took their bowls to the sink.
They both started to go upstairs as the adults all came from the living room. Ryan glared at them as he resumed walking up the stairs.
"We'll leave in a couple of hours boys," Sandy called out to them.
"Leave for what?" Ryan turned back around.
"Shopping for your soccer gear," Kirsten told him.
"Who said that I still want to try out? Considering the ultimatum you offered me, I'd rather not join after all."
"We're still going to get your gear,"
"Whatever," Ryan retreated back to his room as Seth just watched the exchange.
"I hope you guys know what you're doing," he said before following Ryan upstairs.
"So do I," Kirsten said softly.
"Cheer up," Sandy embraced her. "One good thing about today is that the Nana is packing her things to head back to New York."
"All finished," the technician came out to them.
"And a phone line," Kirsten smiled as she turned to the technician to talk about the bill.
Ryan was laying back on his bed reading the book that they were assigned for English class when there was a knock at the door. He rolled his eyes and decided to ignore it.
"It's me," the door opened, and Seth came in. "We are wanted downstairs."
"I told them that I am not going," he grumbled.
"Come on, let's just go to the mall. Let them fuss over you, and we'll go shopping for ourselves afterwards."
"I don't-"
"Nana is leaving today," Ryan looked up from his book.
"Really?"
"We're dropping her off at the airport before going to the mall,"
"I guess it wouldn't be horrible to get out of the house,"
"Bring the charge card that grandma got you," Seth told him. "You can get that book series you want."
"Ok, fine," Ryan sighed as he marked where he was in the book before putting it on his nightstand and followed Seth out of his room.
They walked outside and saw Sandy loading up the back of the Range Rover with the Nana's luggage. Kirsten was already in the back seat as Seth climbed in next to her.
"You gave up the front seat to Nana?" he looked at her as Ryan slid in next to him.
"I'd rather save you guys from her commentary," she told them. "And besides, Sandy can handle her."
"Here we go," Sandy helped his mother into the front passenger seat before climbing behind the wheel and starting up the car.
"How far away is the airport?" Ryan asked softly.
"About 25 minutes," Kirsten told them.
"Here," Seth took out two game boys and handed one to Ryan. "I found these when I was unpacking. Surprisingly, they both work."
"Thanks," Ryan took one of the games and inserted, and both boys got involved in them.
"They sure are glued to those devices," Sophie stated.
"It's keeping them busy on the car trip," Sandy told his mom. "Besides, I'd rather not listen to Seth complaining because he's bored."
"And does Ryan ever talk without grumbling or making faces?"
"I think that's reserved just for you," Sandy heard Kirsten mumble from the back, and he smiled at her in the mirror.
"He was silenced in his former homes," Sandy told her. "You should be used to it. You come across it all the time as a social worker."
At long last, Sandy pulled up to the Oakland International Airport. He parked by the front curb and got out to get his mother's bags from the back. Kirsten, Ryan, and Seth got out to tell her goodbye as she fussed over the time.
"You're welcome to come out anytime," Kirsten assured her. "Just give us plenty of notice so that we can get the guest room ready."
"Of course," Sophie smiled tightly, and everyone knew that she would never tell them when she was coming.
"Goodbye Sethela," Sophie hugged him.
"See you soon Nana," he smiled at her.
"It was good getting to know you Ryan," Sophie hugged him as well.
"Liar," he mumbled as he smirked at her.
"Well I will be coming back to get to know you better,"
"Is that a threat or a promise?"
"Both," Seth called from the back of the car.
"Take it as you like," Sophie said as she followed Sandy into the airport.
Kirsten climbed into the front passenger seat as the three of them waited for Sandy to come back. Ryan spotted him coming back out ten minutes later, and he climbed into the driver side and pulled away from the airport. Ryan and Seth went back to playing their games as Sandy and Kirsten talked about what they needed at the mall.
"Did you boys bring your debit cards from Grandma Rose?" Sandy asked as he pulled into the mall parking lot.
"Yes," they both answered as they turned off the game boys and climbed out of the back as Sandy locked up the car.
"We were hoping to do some shopping on our own after the sports store," Seth told them.
"We were thinking the same thing," Kirsten told him. "We need to get a few things for the house."
Ryan reluctantly followed the other three into the sports equipment store and glanced around the store. There was equipment and gear for all kinds of sports and activities.
"Can I help you?" the store associate approached them.
"Yes, our son is trying out for soccer at Berkeley High," Sandy told him, and Ryan turned abruptly to look back at them.
Son? Did Sandy just refer to him as his son? Wasn't it too soon for that? He had only been living with them for a couple of months.
"We have the game and practice jersey reserved for him," the associate was telling them. "Do you have a list of gear that he needs to get?"
"Yes, right here." Kirsten took a print-out from her purse.
"Pretty standard," the associate took them to where the soccer section was. "I recommend getting the biggest duffle bag for all the gear he needs to lug around. We have a collection of branded merchandise from all the area schools."
"Thank you," Sandy told him as he walked away from the group.
"Here's our school section," Seth pointed out the red and gold section.
"This is the biggest duffle bag," Sandy put it in the cart that he had grabbed when they entered the store. "And we have size 5 ball, the socks-"
"In red and gold," Kirsten told him.
"Right,"
"How's this water bottle?" Seth offered one to Ryan. "It's the biggest one they have."
"Thanks," Ryan offered him a smile.
"Ryan, we need you to try on the cleats and the shin guards," Sandy called over to him.
"Ughh," Ryan sighed as he went to them.
Seth watched as his mom fussed over the size, and comfort of each item. Ryan looked as if he was being tortured, and looked relieved once it was over and the chosen items were in the cart. They all walked to the counter to checkout, and the associate had the game jersey and the practice jersey waiting for them. They checked out and took the bags as they walked out of the store.
"Can we go do what we want to now?" Seth asked.
"Go ahead," Kirsten told them. "We'll be in the HomeGoods store. We can meet at the food court around one so we can get some lunch."
"Cool," Seth responded as he pulled Ryan away.
"That went better than I thought it would," Sandy stated.
"Thanks to Seth," Kirsten added as they went to find the home goods store.
AN: So what did you all think? I hope that was enough to hold you over after not updating it for several years. I promise that I will be working on it more often. Please let me know what you think!
