Family Matters, Chapter 22
Landon's schedule was flexible enough for him to take Ryan to the doctor whom social services used. Before he did, he sent Rory and Austin to Target to purchase a car seat appropriate for Ryan to ride in. He wanted to keep the boy safe. It looked as if his family had been guilty of neglect and child endangerment and Landon didn't want to do the same.
Rory was careful to choose a model that Ryan wouldn't outgrow quickly. Like the adults, he was hoping they might get custody and have need of the seat for several years to come.
On the way to see the doctor, Marian sat in front with Landon, Ryan and Corbin were in their safety seats in the middle row, and Rory and Austin rode in the back. They took turns reading to the little boys as they made the 20 minute trip.
Dr. Roerich gave Ryan a thorough examination, carrying on a conversation with him once he warmed up to her. She allowed two people to stay in the small examining room during the process. Rory and Grandma were the ones Ryan wanted with him.
Austin helped Landon entertain Corbin in the meantime. Corbin loved having Austin's full attention, so Landon was actually free to do some work on his laptop while waiting.
When she had finished, Dr. Roerich wrote a prescription for an effective new drug that should clear up Ryan's urinary tract infection quickly. She handed Marian several free samples left by the pharmaceutical salesman and told her not to fill the script until they could see how well the child tolerated the meds. If the condition improved sufficiently, there might not be any reason to continue after the samples ran out. Marian was appreciative, since she would be paying for them out of pocket until they could determine if he had any insurance coverage, which was doubtful.
Dr. Roerich said that, although she couldn't prove it, she suspected he had lived under unsanitary conditions and not been allowed to go to the bathroom when he needed to. She said that he should drink plenty of water, and wear a nighttime diaper if necessary until things cleared up. She didn't believe he would have any lasting effects from the infection.
She also stated that the bruises on his body were consistent with being physically abused, but that she couldn't prove it beyond the shadow of a doubt. She had recorded Ryan's explanations of how he got them, and his step-father's name came up more than once about one punishment or other. All of this information would be sent to social services.
Ryan wasn't going to take the medicine at all until Rory talked to him and convinced him it would help him not to pee in his bed at night. That sounded like a good outcome to him, and he seemed willing to do whatever Rory requested in any event.
The DHS staff reported their findings to the police, and an officer came out to interview the family the following day. Sgt. Evelyn Volesky said that Ryan's situation fell into a gray area at present. It wasn't considered abandonment to leave a young child with his grandmother on short notice, and they had no positive proof that he'd been mistreated.
Margo's absence wasn't deemed a police matter at present; however, if she didn't show up within a couple of weeks, they would issue a missing person report if Marian felt her daughter-in-law was in danger.
At the end of the first week in the household, Ryan was taken to church with the family. The men thought that being in Sunday school might help him get acquainted with other little kids his age.
However, Ryan was not about to be separated from Rory, so he went to the main service with them. He had some notion of a church being the house of God because Rory had taken him to one occasionally in the past, mostly to avoid the hung-over adults on Sunday morning. Even as young as he had been, Ryan had picked up some things.
"Is that God?" he whispered to Rory when Fr. Mills processed to the front in his robe through the haze of incense.
"No, but he's a good man who will tell us about God," Rory responded.
"He doesn't hit people, does he?"
"No, he would never harm anyone. Now, let's be quiet so we can hear the prayers."
Ryan listened to Rory participating in the responses and tried to imitate him. His version of what was being said would have been comical had it not been so earnest.
Two weeks had passed without any word on the whereabouts of Margo or Ralph. Since Margo could not be located, temporary guardianship was awarded to Marian, Landon, and Michael. The document listed all three and read much the same as the one for Rory, except it wasn't permanent.
Ryan's infection had cleared up rapidly and he had begun to settle nicely into the family, but he was not out of the woods emotionally. He still had bad dreams and he clung to Rory as if he were his father. He refused to go to sleep unless Rory lay down with him.
Rory felt responsible for his little brother's welfare, as he had when they'd lived together under the same roof before. Ryan was more likely to go to Rory when he felt bad or when he was hungry than he did to anyone else. Rory began to feel like a full-time parent as well as a full-time student and a part-time grocery bagger. He seemed to be constantly tired and restless.
On Friday evening, Landon noticed that Rory appeared to be emotionally down. He hoped the boy wasn't becoming depressed.
Then he got to thinking that he hadn't seen Austin much lately. He decided to check on Rory's emotional state to see if there were other factors influencing his mood.
"Hey Rory, how's it going?"
"I'm okay, but kinda busy with Ryan, as you know."
"Is Austin okay?"
"Um, I guess so."
"Oh oh, are things not going well?"
"I don't know; it's sorta weird."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I guess. I don't know..."
"Is he sad and depressed or distant or what?"
Rory shrugged in response.
"I guess I've let Ryan take up a lot of my time and I've kinda neglected Austin."
"Austin's probably still emotionally fragile. He's been through quite a bit this spring, with being attacked and all. Of course, you went through it with him. But, as you say, you're spending a lot of time with Ryan now. Perhaps he's feeling neglected."
"Yeah, but he said that little ones come first. He doesn't act like he's jealous."
"He's a compassionate young man like you are. He puts other people's needs ahead of his own. As I recall, he told his parents to have their second honeymoon and not worry about him while he was still recovering. He may not have needed them as much because he had you. Now he doesn't have you as much either."
"I'm not sure what to do. I feel torn. I have to be here for Ryan."
"You ARE important to Ryan, but you have to let go some and live your life too. Now that Grandma has him in a playgroup, you can back off gradually and hang out with guys your own age, Austin in particular. The rest of us can take up the slack.
I know I'm giving unsolicited advice; should I back off?"
"I appreciate your advice. It's like I'm losing him and I can't seem to connect. Should I just wait and let him come to me?"
"I don't think so. Holding onto a boyfriend is like keeping up your car. If you simply get in it and go, ignoring the need for maintenance like oil changes or tire rotation, someday it's not going to be there when you need it. Relationships are like that too.
Remember how Michael and I needed to get away by ourselves and reconnect? We left Corbin with Grandma and you. We love our baby totally, but we also love each other completely. That's a lot like how you feel about Ryan and Austin. Why don't you invite him over?"
"Um, he sorta invited me over, but said I needed to be here to help Ryan with his bath..."
"He may very well have been reaching out to you. Call him and tell him you've changed your plans. We can get Ryan bathed and to bed. Marian bought him a new boat to play with in the tub. He might get so involved with it that he won't miss you.
As far as going to bed is concerned, he'll have to learn to be by himself eventually. You can't have him room with you in college and that's coming up in a couple of years.
Michael and I can read to him and lie down until he's asleep.
It's Friday, so you and Austin can play or talk or cuddle all night and sleep in tomorrow morning."
"Okay, I'll see if he still wants me, and thanks for caring enough to give your input."
Minutes later, a smiling Rory headed out to his car.
Austin met Rory at the kitchen door and melted into his arms. Tears ran in a steady stream down his cheeks and they set off a similar flow from Rory's eyes.
"Thanks; I've missed you so much," Austin sobbed.
"Babe, I've hurt you and I'm sorry. Whatever you said about that Tyson dude being insensitive certainly applies to me!"
"No, it doesn't. I'm being a baby. I feel so needy, and I know that it drives people away."
"It won't drive me away. I need you too. Could we go snuggle in bed?"
"Definitely!"
Jennifer heard the boys talking and was about to offer them a snack, but seeing the emotional turmoil in their eyes, wisely bade them goodnight and went back to the family room.
"So how come you changed your mind and came over tonight?"
"Landon had a serious talk with me about the maintenance of relationships. He compared it to taking care of a car, like rotating tires and stuff. I think he was heading toward a discussion of the need for plenty of lubrication when I decided to leave." Rory said with a straight face.
"Liar!" Austin giggled.
"Okay, his actual example was the necessity of oil changes, but I thought lube sounded sexier. Anyway, it's good to hear you laugh. I'm sorry; I don't mean to trivialize our relationship."
"You're not. I need to lighten up and it's good to hear you make a play on words. Would it be okay to take a hot shower together before we get in bed? I changed the sheets after school, hoping we'd be sharing it."
They took quite awhile in the shower, not only ridding their bodies of oil and sweat, but also releasing rather large, pent-up loads of ejaculate. A little of that may have gone down the drain, but a substantial portion went toward replenishing their physical reserve.
The following morning, Austin seemed like he was back to being the boy he was the first day Rory met him. They ate a late breakfast, and did homework together before heading over to Rory's house to check on Ryan - at Austin's suggestion. He wanted to show Rory that he too was concerned about the boy.
Ryan was busy building a tower for Corbin on the family room floor using the Duplo blocks Michael had purchased for him. Being larger than original Lego, they were easier for him to manipulate.
Corbin was chattering, mostly in baby gibberish, but would say an occasional word that was recognizable. He called, "Wo-wo" the minute Rory came in.
Ryan got up and hugged Rory around the legs and then hugged Austin in the same manner. After that, he went back to his building project, explaining to Corbin what he was making. Corbin, of course, didn't understand it, but enjoyed the attention.
"Landon was right," Rory said as he sat on the floor watching his little brother play. "I do have to back off. Ryan is going to be fine without having his older brother mother him to death!"
Austin loved it when Rory put an arm around him and snuggled. It wasn't a gesture of sexual desire, but an expression of togetherness. It went a long way toward mending the recent cracks in their bond.
In the latter part of April, Mildred Langston flew back from Florida. On the weekend, Marian and the men had her over for dinner after Sunday service. She was delighted to come as always. Everyone got a hug from her, even Ryan who wasn't quite sure what to make of this vivacious lady. He turned shy and quickly retreated to the family room with Charlie by his side.
"Your home looks absolutely fabulous! I love how you've coordinated everything. Someone has a great eye for decorating." Mildred gushed.
"That would be Landon," Michael insisted. "He's the art guy. I'm the one who advises about the legality of having a place that looks this good."
"Michael has good taste too; he's going to marry me," Landon joked.
"It's great to have you back, Mildred," Marian shifted the subject. "I thought you were planning to stay in Florida until the middle of next month."
"I was, but the humidity got to me already this spring; that and the smell of moth balls and lilac toilet water?"
"Huh?" Michael asked.
"That's my way of politely saying I'm tired of being around too many old people. I probably wouldn't like to be up to my waist in kindergartners either, but at least they have life in them!"
"I can empathize," Marian nodded. "If I didn't have my family, I'd go nuts in that senior housing place."
"Speaking of family," Mildred said "I'd like permission to send Ryan's and Rory's DNA samples to Ancestry at my expense. They have a two for one special going on. In fact, I'd like to send yours too, Marian. I know you're sure Ryan is Rory's full brother, but it wouldn't hurt to be able to prove it if there is a custody fight."
"You're thinking like a lawyer," Michael piped up. "I'm in favor of it."
"Oh Mildred, you've done so much for me already." Marian protested.
"Pshaw! I'm the boys' great-aunt by choice, if not blood, and I'm entitled to do what I want for them. As you know, I have no children to leave my estate to. Terry is the only nephew I'm close to and he's not a blood relative. My own nieces and nephews won't give me the time of day, but I'll bet they'll show up for the reading of my will when I kick the bucket. They will be sorely disappointed! I intend to see some of my money put to good use while I'm alive to watch people enjoy it!"
After receiving permission, she ordered the kits on her iPhone so they could begin the process.
"My DNA shows my ancestry to be 48% British Isles and the rest generally Northern European," Mildred continued. "I have a little Spanish from long ago, probably by way of the breakup of the Spanish Armada and some of the survivors coming to shore and eventually marrying local girls.
I've been doing a lot of genealogy lately. I'm not sure why; curiosity, I suppose. I know Terry and Marie will appreciate the information about my husband's ancestors. I doubt the rest would care."
It didn't take as long as usual for Ancestry to report on the tests. Rory and Ryan were shown to be full siblings and the descendents of Marian. It was happy news for the family, although they had all insisted from the start that Ryan wasn't Ralph's son.
Now if only Ryan's mother and stepfather would turn up, perhaps Marian could take them to court for the custody of her grandson. Michael had advised her that it might be a vain pursuit since parents usually win in such cases and grandparents really have little chance. However, he said not to give up hope in case their suspicions of abuse could be substantiated.
Toward the end of the following week, Sgt. Volesky came at a time when Marian was home alone with the little boys. Both were taking a nap, so they weren't around when the news was revealed.
"Perhaps you heard the report last week about two unidentified bodies being found in a wooded area 75 miles away. Forensics experts have determined that it was your daughter-in-law and her husband. So far, the evidence points to a murder/suicide scenario because the bullets that killed them match. However, the weapon is missing. We've theorized that someone stole the gun before anonymously reporting on the crime scene, but that's all speculation. They could both have been killed by someone else."
"Oh dear; there was no love lost between Margo and me after she threw out my older grandson and then she literally dumped the four-year-old on the doorstep, but I didn't wish her that kind of end. I suppose I'll have to break the news to the boys sooner or later. I think I'll call that nice social worker, Jenna, to see if she can help me with the little one.
What will happen to the bodies? I guess we should have a service or something for Margo, but I'm not going to do anything for Ralph! Christian charity goes only so far!"
"Do you have any information about his next of kin?"
"No, I don't. I have no idea where he came from or how Margo met him. She cut me off completely after my son died."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Well, as I said, I won't be grieving her passing. It sounds callous of me, but I think her death will speed up my younger grandson's adoption. I'm particularly glad that he won't have to see his stepfather again!"
Landon came home from the ad agency a half hour before Rory was due from school. He and Marian discussed what they should do about telling the boys. They decided to talk first to Rory to get his input before figuring out how, and how much, to tell Ryan.
Marian said she supposed she should tell Ryan that Mommy was in heaven despite her feelings about her daughter-in-law. Marian was a sensitive person.
The story about Ralph, on the other hand, might be that he had died and would never hurt Ryan again. She would ask Jenna to guide her in what she should say.
Rory came in the kitchen door with Austin in tow. They looked so happy that Marian hated to cast a pall with the news about Margo. She left them to their own devices for a bit before calling them up for a snack. Landon said he would stand by her, but would stay out of the discussion unless she specifically called on him for input.
"Rory, I have news that you need to know before Ryan gets up from his unusually long nap," she began when they were seated at the kitchen table. "Your mother is dead; a police lady came to tell me this afternoon."
"Whe-e-e-w!" Rory let out an extended sigh. "I'm not sure what I should feel. I don't want to be cold-hearted, but..."
"Whatever emotions you have, or don't have, are valid and I won't sit in judgment," Marian assured him. "She is the one who gave you life, but she's also the one who agreed to throw you away. I'm probably experiencing some of the same sentiments you are.
I think all of us are capable of good and ill. There are things you know about her that I don't and things I know that you don't. Your father was very much in love with her when they were first married. She was good to him and to you when he was alive. I suspect that Ralph was a major factor in influencing how she changed. No doubt the war and resulting separation from your father played a role too. We must be careful in how we judge others. Above all, there are things we mustn't say around Ryan because he's innocent and shouldn't know them until he's grown up."
"I'll be careful not to turn him as bitter as I am." Rory agreed. "I'm sorry if death doesn't wipe away the past and qualify her for sainthood."
"You have a right to be bitter, Babe," Austin said, squeezing his shoulder. "Remember how Thad reacted to his father's death? Maybe we should talk to him."
"Thanks, I know you'll help me through this," Rory sighed.
"Did Ralph kill her?" Rory asked Marian.
"The authorities believe so. The crime scene was compromised, so some of the evidence is missing. They think he committed suicide after shooting her."
"Ah, then he's got his reward! That makes me feel a little better. I guess you're right, Grandma, Mom wasn't like that before she hooked up with him."
"Do you want to have a memorial service for her after they release her body? From what I gathered, it would be best to have her cremated if that's okay with you."
"Cremation is fine. I guess we should do something. I can't pretend to grieve when I don't feel anything. Do you think we need to do something back where they lived or would Fr. Mills say a prayer at the cemetery where they place the urns?"
"I'm sure Fr. Mills would be happy to do whatever you would like."
"Does this mean we won't lose Ryan?"
"Landon, what's your take on that?" Marian asked.
"Michael and I have discussed it by text messaging and he believes we will have no roadblocks. You and Rory are his closest family members, just about his only kin. Social services should be thrilled to have a ready solution for his placement. It looks like a done deal."
Another police matter that affected members of the extended family came to their attention at the end of the week. Austin received a phone call from Sgt. Gilmore who had investigated the attack on him just before spring break. He wanted Austin to hear the news from him instead of the TV or the school rumor mill.
A fisherman had discovered a bloated, decaying body in a remote area of the reservoir. An autopsy had positively identified it as being that of Evan Cline.
The authorities were still trying to determine how long he'd been dead and the exact cause of his demise.
Rory was the second to hear the news because Austin called him right away. They spent time together discussing how they felt about the outcome. Rory felt that death was too good for Evan and that he should have been tried and sent to prison. Austin said he was relieved to be done with the whole thing so that he could move on with his life. What was done, was done.
Author's notes: Thanks to the following who emailed since last posting: Paul F, Ott H, Tony W, John L, Wayne, Jim L, Shawn W, Jack S Bill T, Douglas and Lawrence, Jeremy R, Tom A, David R, Zero, Jim W, Mendy D, Peter M, Walt S, Trish R, Martel D, Dick M, and Felipe C.
As always, my editors deserve credit for making these stories easier to read. They discover most of the typos and give valuable suggestions.
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Peace and love,
David