After Arthur left, Ryan went to check on Laten. As he went into the room, he found Laten sitting on his bed. "Well, good news. Arthur--Your now ex-math teacher is now not going to be a jerk to you. He explained everything to me, so now we are good. no more of things that we have to smooth out." Ryan said with a smile.
Laten let a small smile creep to his lips. "so, why was he being such a....damn jerk?"
Ryan sighed. "It's a long story. It dates back to all of us being kids. Back to where we were all in New York"
Laten nodded. "I would like to hear about it."
Ryan smiled. "When we start driving. I'll tell you then." he padded Laten's knee. "Ready to go?"
Laten shook his head."I don't think I'll ever be ready."
"Yeah, me either. Come on. Oh, before I give you my life story sort to put it, I want to talk to you about the schooling situation."
"Actually, I want to be home schooled for a while." Laten said.
This was a surprise to Ryan. "But you can go to school with Tankie. I'm sure that I can make that happen. And I'll still be the teacher. Not sure that I'll be your teacher, but I'll be a teacher there."
Laten looked up. "Wait, so Tankie can come with me if I switch schools?"
Ryan smiled. "I'll try and make that happen."
"And if you can't?"
Ryan shrugged. "Then we'll go from there."
Laten sighed. "I really want Tankie to be there with me."
Ryan smiled. "I'm sure he will be. Let's go."
Laten got up, and grabbed 2 suitcases and started to walk to Ryan's truck. Ryan grabbed most of what was left and helped Laten with moving his stuff to his truck.
Once they were all done, Ryan left the house key in the plug socket outside right where the owner told them to leave it. They both got in the car and they started driving.
"Let's visit him for a while. After all, no such thing as a good-bye." Ryan smiled.
Laten nodded.
Ryan drove, making his way to the cemetery, where Chuck was buried. When they got there, it was nearly dark, and Ryan stopped the car, and turned off the engine. They both got out and made their way to the grave.
They both just stood there. Laten placed a rose in front of the stone.
"Alright. You go back to the car. I'll be with you in a sec." He watched Laten disappear from the view. He sat down in front of the grave.
"No words, Chuck. There are absolutely no words for what I feel right now. I feel like....if I told you sooner, then you'd still be with us. I'm very sorry. On the other hand, I found out why Arthur was being such a jackass. Turns out, he was infuriated with me, but it turned into a crush. I can't say though, that I'm ready for a relationship or anything serious. I need to let my heart heal from this. But I'm thinking about taking up the offer. Who knows? I'm not ready to exactly date him...but maybe just...casual dating. Nothing fancy or anything. Just casual. I just might be ready to do that. Laten's with me, and we're going to be changing schools. I don't think Tankie's parents will mind. I think this will be something to start for. Another new beginning. Life is full of chapters, uh? Take care Chuck, my Love. And remember, this is not good-bye"
Ryan got up and started walking back to the car, with new hope, and definitely a new beginning for him, Laten, and Arthur. Maybe even Chuck himself.
THE END.