Fresh Existence

Chapter One

Sandy Cohen was driving through Chino, California when he heard the distinct sound of yelling emanating from the house to his immediate right.

The house looked run-down just like every other house on the street. The once white paint on the walls was peeling and the steps looked as if they were about to break down the middle under the slightest pressure from a wayward foot. The front yard had more dirt than grass nad was littered with car parts and tools.

Sandy was slowing down for the stop sign at the end of the street which ended up being right in front of that particular house when the yelling escalated. This time however, the obvious sounds of a fight could be heard. Stopped fully now and quite concerned, Sandy sat transfixed at the stop sign for a reason even he did not know.

Within minutes, a boy who looked no older than eight came crashing through the peeling front door. As soon as the boy had stood up, a bag came barreling through the open door sending the kid sprawling once more onto the ground as it hit its target.

Seeing this, Sandy quickly pulled to the side of the street and got out of his vehicle. Sandy slowly approached the boy who had not yet risen from the ground.

"Hey kid," greeted Sandy quietly so as not to frighten the already traumatized boy. As soon as the words left Sandy's mouth however, the boy sprang to his feet with in shock. "Are you alright?" asked Sandy while eyeing the black eye and split lip that adorned the kid's pale face. The kid simply stared transfixed at the ground and did not offer a response.

"It's okay," reassured Sandy, "I'm not going to hurt you." The silent boy merely glanced back to the front from which he had just sprung, to Sandy's face and back to the ground without making a sound.

"Hi, my name is Sandy Cohen," said Sandy in an attempt to get the kid to talk," what's your name?" Sandy knelt on the ground in front of the boy in the hope of getting some eye contact.

"Ryan," muttered the kid while successfully avoiding eye contact.

"Well Ryan, do you want to tell me what just happened? Frankly, I'm a little concerned right now," continued Sandy in the hopes of getting Ryan to talk.

"My mom's boyfriend just kicked me out," whispered Ryan.

"What did your mother have to stay about this?" asked Sandy.

"Nothing!" spat Ryan with such bitterness that should not be heard from a child so young.

"Where did you plan on going?" continued Sandy. Ryan merely shrugged while placing his backpack on his shoulder with a slight wince. "Would you like to come with me back to my house until this thing with your mom gets settled?" At Ryan's fearful look, Sandy quickly back peddled. "No no, not like that! I mean with me, my wife and son, he's about your age." The slight panic left Ryan's face but he still looked uneasy.

"I...I don't know," stammered Ryan thoughtfully. He continued to rotate his gaze from the ground to Sandy's face to his front door.

"Come on," said Sandy while placing his hand on Ryan's small shoulder. Ryan immediately flinched but began to follow Sandy to the Range Rover however reluctantly. Sandy gave him a small reassuring smile. Ryan didn't look back.