“Ryan!”Chris shouts.“Does that sound right to you?You don’t even know what’s going on, and you can’t take it out on him.Can’t you see he’s in pain?”
“Take it out on him?Ryan asks, sounding confused.
“You’re basically shouting at him,” she points out.
“I am so pissed off right now!I would smash his face!”
“Go ahead,” I sigh.
Ryan turns towards me.His gaze changes.His face relaxes.His features soften.Even his posture seems less bulky.
“I’m sorry, Doctor.I knew it would end like this.I should have warned you or done more, talked to him… But he doesn’t fucking listen to me.He loves to talk, to hand out advice from on high, but when it comes to himself… God!”
Now I’m confused, and from the look on Chris’ face, I think she is too.
“I was sure it would break your heart.”
Am I in the right house?
“Go ahead and hug Christine.I’ll pretend not to see.”
I study him for a moment.His eyes ache with genuine sorrow.His heart, the one everyone talks about, comes through in his voice.
I take a few steps towards Ryan and throw myself into his arms.He goes rigid, hands raised, as I wrap my arms around his back.I rest my head on his shoulder.After a few moments, his arms lower, and he gently squeezes me.
“I’m sorry, Martin.Seriously.If you want, the sofa is yours.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, moved.
“Everything you need.Our home is your home.”
Evan comes home,slams the door, and heads straight for the sofa.
“What are you doing here?”He asks.
I barely move.“You’re back this late?”
“I had to have a sleepover.”
“So why are you home now?”
“Ryan called me.”
Ryan shouts from the kitchen, “Fuck, Evan, can you shut the fuck up?”
“You didn’t need to come back for me.I’m already feeling better.Maybe it’s time I head out…”
Ryan yells again, “Don’t you dare get off that sofa!”
Evan drops onto the cushion beside me.“Has he been a jerk?”
“No.”
In the end, that’s the truth.He wasn’t a jerk; he was just being himself.
“You both really know how to pick them, huh?”Evan points out.
“Hey!I’m right here!”Ryan groans.
