Part 2:
The house was dark when Ryan pulled up the driveway as Taylor was away at a psychologist conference.  It wasn't his dream house (the plans for that were in his office) but it was comfortable.  As he went through the house turning on lights, he couldn't get Jamie off his mind.  As he settled in front of the TV with some pizza, he kept seeing Jamie's face.  And as he flicked through the channels every kid he saw on a show or commercial reminded him of not only Jamie but his own childhood.
                                                   ***
Ryan woke with a start to a ringing phone.  It took him a few seconds to realize it was his phone ringing. 
     "Hello," he answered groggily.
     "Hi, babe," he heard Taylor's perky voice.  "Did I wake you?"
     "No, I mean, yeah.  I must have fallen asleep on the couch."
     "Aw, sweetie.  Just thinking how cute you must look is making me miss you so."
     "I miss you too, Taylor.  When are you coming home?"
     "Not til Monday at the earliest.  There's so many workshops and conference that I know will be beneficial to my clients, I can't pass them up."
     "I understand, baby.  Stay as long as you need to.  I'll be ok, just really, really lonely."
     "I'll make it up to you, I promise.  I love you.  Now go to bed, sleepyhead.  
     "I love you, too.  Goodnight."
Ryan sighed as he hung up the p hone.  Without Taylor, the weekend was going to seem eternal.  The phone rang again and he smiled, thinking about past phone sex with Taylor.
     "So, what are you wearing?" he answered.
There was silence on the other end and then a small voice asked, "Is this  Ryan Atwood?"
Shit, thought Ryan.  Not Taylor.
     "Yeah, who's this?"
     "Uh, this is Jamie Waters.  You gave me a ride today."
     "Right, Jamie.  What's up?"
There was another stretch of silence and Ryan's stomach tightened.  "Is everything ok?"
     "Well, you said I could call it I needed help or..."   Again the boy was quiet.
     "Do you need help Jamie?"
Then the words tumbled out and what Ryan could understand was that Jamie's mother had thrown him out and he has no place to go.
     "Jamie, calm down and tell me where you are."
     "Where we me today, " the boy sniffed.
     "You stay put.  I can be there in about 20 minutes, ok?"
     "Ok.  I'll be here."  There was a pause and Ryan heard the boy whisper, "Thank you."
Ryan grabbed his jacket and keys and was out the door in seconds.  On the drive to pick up Jamie he couldn't help but remember how he felt waiting for Sandy all those years ago.  Jamie stood up as Ryan pulled up to the curb.  He was silent as they loaded his bike in the truck and drove to Ryan's house.  Ryan pulled into the garage and then spoke.
     "Do you want to tell me about it?"
Jamie hesitated and then sighed, "Not really, but I guess I owe you."
Ryan waited patiently for Jamies to continue.
     "My mom is kind of a train wreck."  Ryan couldn't help but nod his head.  "She's got this boyfriend that doesn't like me very much and every so often he tries to get rid of me.  So she kicks me out for a couple of days.  Usually I just stay with a friend till things cool down but all my friends' moms are getting kind of sick of me so I called you."
Ryan spoke quietly, "My mom was like that, too."
Jamie turned toward Ryan and looked at him hard, "Really?"
     "Yeah, in fact, she kicked me out one weekend and moved away.  Just left me a note."
     "That sucks.   What did you do?"
     "Luckily for me I had met this terrific guy who took me in and I became part of his family."
     "Well, I just need a place for tonight.  She'll cool off by tomorrow and everything will be ok."
     "Sure, let's get you settled."
Jamie noticed the o ther car in the garage.  "Is that your wife's car?"
     "My girlfriend's."
     "Is she gonna mind me staying here?"
     "She's away for the weekend but she wouldn't mind.  She's a child psychologist.  She loves kids.  Are you hungry?  I've got some leftover pizza."
     "Ok."
Ryan and Jamie split the rest of the pizza and then Tyan got the boy settled in the guest room with a toothbrush and clean towels.
     "Goodnight, Jamie.  If you need anything, I'm just down the hall."
     "Goodnight and thanks again."
    "You're welcome.  Sleep well."