p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan adjusted the collar of his mercifully un-scuffed leather jacket, the nicest piece of clothing he owned. Dressing in layers served the dual purposes of warmth and disguising how skinny he was. If there was one thing Ryan couldn't stand, it was pity. He would get that in spades at a youth shelter, assuming, of course, they weren't over capacity. He had just enough change to call his public defender, Sandy Cohen, from a phone booth to explain what had happened./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Where are you right now?" asked Sandy./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan looked up at the street signs and gave Sandy a rough address. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Okay, don't move from there and I'll see what I can do."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan stood at the corner, expecting a vehicle with a Child Services decal to come along. He was surprised when Sandy pulled up to the curb and helped Ryan put his backpack in the trunk. He explained that he hadn't been able to reach anyone at the Chino social services office and asked if Ryan would be comfortable spending a few days with Sandy's family. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan shrugged. "I guess so. Thanks."/span/p
p style="margin: 0in; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Once in the passenger seat, Ryan didn't say another word to Sandy. He kept one blue eye fixed on the older man. Getting Ryan out of juvie had, of course, been Sandy's job as his lawyer. Nobody other than his ex Theresa had ever given him a place to stay when things got bad at the Atwood residence. Sandy didn't /spanem style="outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'inherit',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: #2a2a2a; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"seem /span/emspan style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"like he had any ulterior motives, but one thing Ryan had learned in his sixteen years was that you could never be too sure about anyone./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"The radio, set to a classic rock station on low, provided the only sounds in the car. Ryan watched as the liquor stores with bullet-proof windows became fewer and farther between. A slight breeze from the open window ruffled his hair. The indistinct smells coming from restaurants they passed made Ryan's mouth water so much he had to swallow. A telltale headache was beginning to settle in behind his eyes. While waiting to be released from juvie, Ryan had been a given a sack lunch consisting of a bologna sandwich on stale bread, a small carton of milk, and a mealy, bruised apple. He shoved his hands in the pocket of his sweatshirt, hoping that his stomach would stay quiet./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I can roll that window up if you're cold," said Sandy./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""No, I'm okay." Ryan gave a yawn that wasn't entirely fake. "Just kinda tired, I guess. Didn't get much sleep last night."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I can imagine not. You may not tonight, either, come to think of it. My son, Seth, he's about your age and he's up all hours playing video games. I think you guys'll get along."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan had no idea what he could possibly have in common with some spoiled rich kid from Newport Beach, but didn't voice that opinion./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy checked his watch. "We'll be at my house in about another hour. Just let me know if you need anything else."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Okay, Mr. Cohen."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Call me Sandy."/span/p
p style="margin: 0in; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan nodded. He must have drifted off somehow, because next thing he knew, he was smelling salt air and looking up at the biggest house he'd seen outside of /spanem style="outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'inherit',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: #2a2a2a; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"MTV Cribs/span/emspan style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;". /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I'll be right back," Sandy promised, turning off the ignition. "Just gotta clear this with my wife."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan got out of the car to stretch his legs. He patted his jacket pockets, hunting for his cigarettes and lighter. Smoking on an empty stomach never made him feel too good, but that was kind of the point right now...just in case Sandy's wife told him to send Ryan packing. Ryan honestly wouldn't blame her if she did.../span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"0-0-0-0-0-0-0/span/p
p style="margin: 0in; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""You brought him /spanem style="outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'inherit',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: #2a2a2a; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"here/span/emspan style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"?" Kirsten asked incredulously./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Child Services was closed by the time Ryan called me," Sandy explained. "What was I supposed to do-hang up on him?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Of course not."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""It's only for a little while," Sandy promised. "I'll call Child Services as soon as they open on Monday morning. I know Ryan's made some mistakes, but he's just a kid. Honey, what if this was Seth?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I guess Ryan can sleep in the pool house," Kirsten conceded with a sigh./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy raised an eyebrow. "Should I bring him a glass of water and a crust of bread for dinner?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Don't be ridiculous!" she scoffed at her husband./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"0-0-0-0-0-0-0/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Flirting with Marissa from next door had proved to be a welcome distraction while Ryan waited for Sandy to come back and announce his verdict. When the front door finally opened, Sandy popped the trunk of his car to get Ryan's backpack./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Rule one, there's no smoking in this house," he said./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan immediately ground out his cigarette in the driveway./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy clapped the teenager's shoulder as they walked toward the house. "Hey, Ryan. Let's see about gettin' you some dinner, huh? Seth probably took care of all the leftovers, but there's a drawer of takeout menus with our names on 'em. What do you like to eat?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I, uh, I don't have any money," Ryan said embarrassedly./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""That's not what I asked. C'mon, I bet you're starving."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""You don't have to go to any trouble. I can wait for breakfast, I promise."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"As they climbed the front steps, Ryan's stomach growled so loudly that there was no way for either of them to pretend they didn't hear it. He felt his cheeks getting redder. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Ryan, as your attorney, I highly recommend you not get involved in any more crimes until you learn to lie a hell of a lot better than that," Sandy said with a kind smile, opening the door. "Ryan, this is my wife. Kirsten, this is Ryan."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Nice to have you here." Ryan thought her grin looked a little strained. "The kitchen's this way."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan followed her. Sandy started to make himself more comfortable, ditching his tie on the counter and rolling up his shirt sleeves. He pulled open a drawer and removed a thick stack of takeout menus for Ryan to look through. Kirsten gave her husband the magnetic pad and pen from the fridge./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Where's Seth?" asked Sandy, realizing he hadn't been in the living room when they walked in./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Upstairs," Kirsten replied. "He was out in the sun teaching sailing lessons all day, so he went to bed early."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan skimmed a Chinese menu; China Sun back home was cheap and delivered quick. Sure, he was usually hungry again a couple hours later, but he planned on being asleep before that happened./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"The takeout prices in Newport Beach were set with a different tax bracket in mind. With his tongue between his teeth, Ryan scribbled a couple of the less expensive items on the notepad, then slid it across the counter. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""You want anything, sweetie?" Sandy asked Kirsten./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"When she shook her head, he picked up the phone and ordered what sounded to Ryan like enough Chinese food to have a party. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""20 minutes, half hour tops," he reported./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy grabbed a can of Coke and a beer from the fridge, along with a second Coke he set in front of Ryan. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Ryan, would you like some ice for that?" asked Kirsten, her somewhat frozen smile still in place./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Um...okay. Thanks, Mrs. Cohen."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Kirsten filled a glass from the fridge's built-in icemaker. She fought not to wrinkle her nose at the cigarette odor coming from Ryan's jacket when she got close enough. Ryan sipped his Coke, remaining silent unless one of the Cohens spoke to him directly. Sandy wasn't offended; Seth was much the same way if was especially tired or hungry. When the doorbell rang, Kirsten set out plates and silverware. Sandy unpacked the bulging takeout bag, handing Ryan the two smallest containers. As he upended the cartons over his plate, Ryan was tempted to start shoveling in fried rice as fast as he could. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy named off the dishes in the other containers, finishing with, "I got a little extra of everything, so feel free to help yourself."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan took a single dumpling, plus a few pieces of moo-shu pork and orange chicken, to go with his rice and noodles. Kirsten left the kitchen, headed in the direction of the backyard. Ryan and Sandy got down to the serious business of eating their dinners. Ryan cleaned his plate first./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""That was fast," Sandy commented. "You get enough to eat? There's plenty left if you want it."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan's headache was gone now, but his stomach was still rumbling quietly. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm okay," he lied again, not wanting to seem greedy. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy grabbed a package of Oreos from the top of the fridge. "You have room for dessert?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan accepted two cookies, finished them, and yawned./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I'll show you where you're sleeping," said Sandy, picking up Ryan's backpack. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"He led the teenager outside. For a wild second, Ryan thought the Cohens were expecting him to sleep in one of the pool chairs. Sandy opened the door to a smaller building. The first thing Ryan saw was a giant sofa bed, neatly made. There was a TV and a kitchenette./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""You also get your own private bathroom," said Sandy, showing him. "I'll leave the back door open in case you need anything overnight."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Thanks, Sandy."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Get some sleep, Ryan."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Where are you right now?" asked Sandy./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan looked up at the street signs and gave Sandy a rough address. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Okay, don't move from there and I'll see what I can do."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan stood at the corner, expecting a vehicle with a Child Services decal to come along. He was surprised when Sandy pulled up to the curb and helped Ryan put his backpack in the trunk. He explained that he hadn't been able to reach anyone at the Chino social services office and asked if Ryan would be comfortable spending a few days with Sandy's family. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan shrugged. "I guess so. Thanks."/span/p
p style="margin: 0in; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Once in the passenger seat, Ryan didn't say another word to Sandy. He kept one blue eye fixed on the older man. Getting Ryan out of juvie had, of course, been Sandy's job as his lawyer. Nobody other than his ex Theresa had ever given him a place to stay when things got bad at the Atwood residence. Sandy didn't /spanem style="outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'inherit',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: #2a2a2a; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"seem /span/emspan style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"like he had any ulterior motives, but one thing Ryan had learned in his sixteen years was that you could never be too sure about anyone./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"The radio, set to a classic rock station on low, provided the only sounds in the car. Ryan watched as the liquor stores with bullet-proof windows became fewer and farther between. A slight breeze from the open window ruffled his hair. The indistinct smells coming from restaurants they passed made Ryan's mouth water so much he had to swallow. A telltale headache was beginning to settle in behind his eyes. While waiting to be released from juvie, Ryan had been a given a sack lunch consisting of a bologna sandwich on stale bread, a small carton of milk, and a mealy, bruised apple. He shoved his hands in the pocket of his sweatshirt, hoping that his stomach would stay quiet./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I can roll that window up if you're cold," said Sandy./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""No, I'm okay." Ryan gave a yawn that wasn't entirely fake. "Just kinda tired, I guess. Didn't get much sleep last night."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I can imagine not. You may not tonight, either, come to think of it. My son, Seth, he's about your age and he's up all hours playing video games. I think you guys'll get along."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan had no idea what he could possibly have in common with some spoiled rich kid from Newport Beach, but didn't voice that opinion./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy checked his watch. "We'll be at my house in about another hour. Just let me know if you need anything else."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Okay, Mr. Cohen."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Call me Sandy."/span/p
p style="margin: 0in; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan nodded. He must have drifted off somehow, because next thing he knew, he was smelling salt air and looking up at the biggest house he'd seen outside of /spanem style="outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'inherit',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: #2a2a2a; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"MTV Cribs/span/emspan style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;". /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I'll be right back," Sandy promised, turning off the ignition. "Just gotta clear this with my wife."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan got out of the car to stretch his legs. He patted his jacket pockets, hunting for his cigarettes and lighter. Smoking on an empty stomach never made him feel too good, but that was kind of the point right now...just in case Sandy's wife told him to send Ryan packing. Ryan honestly wouldn't blame her if she did.../span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"0-0-0-0-0-0-0/span/p
p style="margin: 0in; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""You brought him /spanem style="outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'inherit',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: #2a2a2a; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"here/span/emspan style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"?" Kirsten asked incredulously./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Child Services was closed by the time Ryan called me," Sandy explained. "What was I supposed to do-hang up on him?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Of course not."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""It's only for a little while," Sandy promised. "I'll call Child Services as soon as they open on Monday morning. I know Ryan's made some mistakes, but he's just a kid. Honey, what if this was Seth?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I guess Ryan can sleep in the pool house," Kirsten conceded with a sigh./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy raised an eyebrow. "Should I bring him a glass of water and a crust of bread for dinner?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Don't be ridiculous!" she scoffed at her husband./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"0-0-0-0-0-0-0/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Flirting with Marissa from next door had proved to be a welcome distraction while Ryan waited for Sandy to come back and announce his verdict. When the front door finally opened, Sandy popped the trunk of his car to get Ryan's backpack./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Rule one, there's no smoking in this house," he said./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan immediately ground out his cigarette in the driveway./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy clapped the teenager's shoulder as they walked toward the house. "Hey, Ryan. Let's see about gettin' you some dinner, huh? Seth probably took care of all the leftovers, but there's a drawer of takeout menus with our names on 'em. What do you like to eat?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I, uh, I don't have any money," Ryan said embarrassedly./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""That's not what I asked. C'mon, I bet you're starving."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""You don't have to go to any trouble. I can wait for breakfast, I promise."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"As they climbed the front steps, Ryan's stomach growled so loudly that there was no way for either of them to pretend they didn't hear it. He felt his cheeks getting redder. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Ryan, as your attorney, I highly recommend you not get involved in any more crimes until you learn to lie a hell of a lot better than that," Sandy said with a kind smile, opening the door. "Ryan, this is my wife. Kirsten, this is Ryan."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Nice to have you here." Ryan thought her grin looked a little strained. "The kitchen's this way."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan followed her. Sandy started to make himself more comfortable, ditching his tie on the counter and rolling up his shirt sleeves. He pulled open a drawer and removed a thick stack of takeout menus for Ryan to look through. Kirsten gave her husband the magnetic pad and pen from the fridge./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Where's Seth?" asked Sandy, realizing he hadn't been in the living room when they walked in./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Upstairs," Kirsten replied. "He was out in the sun teaching sailing lessons all day, so he went to bed early."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan skimmed a Chinese menu; China Sun back home was cheap and delivered quick. Sure, he was usually hungry again a couple hours later, but he planned on being asleep before that happened./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"The takeout prices in Newport Beach were set with a different tax bracket in mind. With his tongue between his teeth, Ryan scribbled a couple of the less expensive items on the notepad, then slid it across the counter. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""You want anything, sweetie?" Sandy asked Kirsten./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"When she shook her head, he picked up the phone and ordered what sounded to Ryan like enough Chinese food to have a party. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""20 minutes, half hour tops," he reported./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy grabbed a can of Coke and a beer from the fridge, along with a second Coke he set in front of Ryan. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Ryan, would you like some ice for that?" asked Kirsten, her somewhat frozen smile still in place./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Um...okay. Thanks, Mrs. Cohen."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Kirsten filled a glass from the fridge's built-in icemaker. She fought not to wrinkle her nose at the cigarette odor coming from Ryan's jacket when she got close enough. Ryan sipped his Coke, remaining silent unless one of the Cohens spoke to him directly. Sandy wasn't offended; Seth was much the same way if was especially tired or hungry. When the doorbell rang, Kirsten set out plates and silverware. Sandy unpacked the bulging takeout bag, handing Ryan the two smallest containers. As he upended the cartons over his plate, Ryan was tempted to start shoveling in fried rice as fast as he could. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy named off the dishes in the other containers, finishing with, "I got a little extra of everything, so feel free to help yourself."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan took a single dumpling, plus a few pieces of moo-shu pork and orange chicken, to go with his rice and noodles. Kirsten left the kitchen, headed in the direction of the backyard. Ryan and Sandy got down to the serious business of eating their dinners. Ryan cleaned his plate first./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""That was fast," Sandy commented. "You get enough to eat? There's plenty left if you want it."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan's headache was gone now, but his stomach was still rumbling quietly. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm okay," he lied again, not wanting to seem greedy. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Sandy grabbed a package of Oreos from the top of the fridge. "You have room for dessert?"/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"Ryan accepted two cookies, finished them, and yawned./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""I'll show you where you're sleeping," said Sandy, picking up Ryan's backpack. /span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;"He led the teenager outside. For a wild second, Ryan thought the Cohens were expecting him to sleep in one of the pool chairs. Sandy opened the door to a smaller building. The first thing Ryan saw was a giant sofa bed, neatly made. There was a TV and a kitchenette./span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""You also get your own private bathroom," said Sandy, showing him. "I'll leave the back door open in case you need anything overnight."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Thanks, Sandy."/span/p
p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 15.45pt 0in 15.45pt 0in;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif; color: #2a2a2a;""Get some sleep, Ryan."/span/p
