Ryan's Crossing Read Free Page B

chessboard.
    “This is obviously the living room,” said Amber. “And there’s a library back here.”
    Ryan followed her behind a circular staircase to a small room covered in bookshelves. “That’s an interesting picture.”
    Amber followed Ryan’s gaze to a framed drawing of a maple tree sitting in front of a log cabin. In one top corner, a child’s face smiled down on the scene.
    “I drew that,” said Amber.
    “I remember you having a talent for drawing,” said Ryan as he walked closer. “This is really good.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Is the child someone special?”
    Amber looked at the child she’d sketched. “Her name is Jamie. She was Peter’s older sister.”
    “Was?”
    “She died when she was ten.” She looked at her brother.
    He looked back at her, a lump forming in his throat. Returning his eyes to the picture, he said, “Have you made peace?”
    “You mean with Cassie’s death?”
    Ryan nodded. “You were a lot closer to her than I was. I don’t really have many memories of my oldest sister.”
    “You were only six when the accident happened, Ryan.”
    He looked back at his sister. “I remember one conversation we had shortly before you left. You said that you tried not to think about her because it hurt too much.”
    She sighed deeply. “Part of me still hurts, but I’m not angry anymore. I told God that I would rather have grown up with her, but ultimately I choose to trust Him and His choices.”
    She trusts God? Ryan’s mind was tumbling again.
    “Hey, Ray, Ryan,” said Peter, coming around the corner to join them. “Mom’s got dinner ready.”
    Ryan followed them back to the dining room and looked at the feast laid before him. The light blue tablecloth was barely noticeable underneath the dishes piled around the place setting for eight. Fried rice, Mexican corn, guacamole, refried beans, tortilla chips, and a huge salad surrounded two large dishes full of steamy melted cheese. It looked like a Mexican-themed Thanksgiving!
    “Come on, everyone, before the enchiladas get cold,” said Faye.
    “Don’t have to call me twice,” said Thomas as he took a seat beside Frank.
    Ryan hung back to see where everyone sat, watching Peter hold out Amber’s chair for her before sitting beside her.
    “Ryan, come sit by your mother,” said Faye with a smile and a pat on the back of the empty chair. Then she took her seat.
    “All right now,” said Frank. “Let’s say grace.”
    Ryan watched Peter and his sister grab hands as they bowed their heads. It seems natural, not awkward.
    “Thank you, Father, for this food smelling so good before us and adding yet another friend to our table. Let our conversation be good and keep us safe through the night. Amen.”
    “Now everyone eat up, but save room for dessert,” said Faye. “I have caramel flan in the fridge for later.”
    “What’s flan?” said Keith.
    “It’s a Mexican dessert, mostly sugar and sweetened milk,” said Faye. “Peter, will you serve the enchiladas?”
    “Sure,” said Peter. “Let me see your plate, Mom.”
    As food began to be dished out, conversation began around the table as well.
    “Your dad said you’re a paramedic, Ryan,” said Frank.
    Ryan took the salad from his mom and added some to his bowl. “Yes, sir.”
    “Where do you work?” said Peter, handing a plate back to his mom and reaching for Ryan’s.
    “I’m down at McWilliam, just a couple hours west of here,” said Ryan.
    “Well that’s not too far,” said Faye.
    “Mom said you were really busy at Christmas,” said Amber.
    “Yeah,” said Ryan. “Besides my EMT job at the firehouse, I was pulling a bunch of extra hours at the hospital.”
    “Was that for a class you were taking?” Thomas asked, spooning some fried rice onto his plate.
    “Kinda,” said Ryan. “I was working with a couple of the doctors on diagnosis.”
    “Is that part of your training?” Peter asked as he added refried beans to his plate.
    “Paramedics only have