"Come in dude, don't just stand there" Charlie said, and opened the door up wide, letting Ryder in.

"Dude...every time I come through the front door it hits me, this is like a castles man! Going through the garage, makes you forget the splendor, fools you into believing you are in a College dorm!"

Charlie laughed. He was so nonchalant about his upbringing, Ryder wondered if he could have been, had it been him? You are moulded by circumstances, right? But it made sense though. Charlie's parents were really sweet, you would never know by the way they acted, that they were actually really well-to-do! Charlie's mom loved going to thrift shops, and she didn't shy away from making a deal at a flea market. And even though Charlie's dad was a skilled businessman, he still had the loving attitude towards his family, they always did come first.

Ryder wondered if he had the recipe for success, right there?

Being smart with your money, acting normal, and having your priorities straightened out!

It occurred to him he lacked role models growing up, but he had plenty to learn from by now. He always figured he had to fend for himself, that he had no one to rely on, but that really wasn't true?!...Charlie had always been there, ever since they were kids, and it was apparent, that he still was!

A friend like that is rare.

They sat down on the huge couch in the TV room, it was so cozy. Ryder took a look around, everything was neatly arranged, down to the color scale, block-colored pillows and plaids to match. And there on the marble side table, he saw a cute little figurine of a dolphin, that made him smile. He felt like that dolphin - completely out of his element, just now. But not too awkward, thanks to Charlie.

"I ordered pizza...my parents are visiting friends, we have the place to ourselves, do you want to crash?" Charlie asked him, as he sat down on the opposite end of the couch, being able to face Ryder.

"Yeah...thanks man" he said, he had stayed over hundreds of times by now, he always stayed in the guestroom next to Charlie's room. Charlie's mom even placed a figurine of a race car on the bedside table, just for him, she did that years ago, when he was still a kid. It made him realize he had always loved cars, even as a kid, but more importantly, her gesture, touched him just now. It seemed Charlie's family were more supportive of him, than his own family had ever been?

"What's with the serious face?" Charlie wanted to know, as he turned on the huge TV, a game was coming on, he had already lined up bowls with chips; nachos, and dip. Another tradition they shared ever since they were kids! Watching soccer, not football...chowing down endless amounts of chips!

He found himself smiling, he shared so many memories with Charlie, and they overshadowed the need to race. Finally! He had been so eager to race away from his past, he realized - just now - that not every part of his past was bad! The parts with Charlie in them weren't. And they did count for something, maybe more than he realized?

Sometimes he had been angry with Charlie, jealous maybe? Pulling away from him had nothing to do with Charlie, and everything to do with him. Charlie didn't know about the beatings, Ryder never actually told him, it wasn't clear to him why?

Maybe he felt embarrassed.

S.O.B's always know how to abuse you without leaving any evidence, they never hit him in the face, it was always on his body, that way no one could be the wiser...and a 10 year old kid isn't going to ask for help, he used to just clam up, and kept people at arm's length.

Now he wish he had said something.

He didn't doubt Charlie's parents would have helped him, but he loved his mom, and kids are smart, naive too. He didn't want to be taken away from his mom...even if it meant having to endure hell.

He felt sad all of a sudden.

And Charlie instantly picked up on that.

"What's with the face?" Charlie asked, grabbing the bowl of nachos.

"I just have a lot going on right now...and I was just thinking. I really appreciate our friendship man, it occurred to me just how important it is to me..." he sighed. Guys don't say stuff like this, right?

"I see a change in you Ryder, it's good. You seem more vulnerable, thanks to Skylar - I think - she definitely managed to tear down your walls...and that's a good thing...you know I love you man" he said, Charlie wasn't embarrased to admit it.

"I don't know what I would do without you Charlie, you have always been my voice of reason...I sort of need that right now. I just count on you to tell me the truth" Ryder hesitated, he felt somewhat uncomfortable telling Charlie about the pregnancy. It felt irresponsible, he felt irresponsible.

There was no easy way to break it to him, so he decided on the direct approach.

"Skylar is pregnant...I know how irresponsible that sounds" Ryder hid his face by cupping it with his hands, it felt like he just cut off his own air supply!

Silence.

Crunching...nachos being crunched...slowly, he did not dare to look at Charlie, but the fact that he was still eating, had to be a good sign.

"Wow...I did not see that one coming!" Charlie broke the silence, and Ryder finally chose to look at him.

"When did that even happen? Forgive me for saying this, but I didn't even think she was capable of that? Considering her condition and everything, isn't that dangerous??" Charlie looked perplexed.

Ryder shook his head.

"It just happened" he said.

"Like the kiss" Charlie continued.

"Sort of...I know how crazy this must sound, but I really love her! I do...she's special! I was being careful...or so I thought" Ryder sighed.

"It's crazy...I'll give you that. Man...I don't know what to say, I am lost for words...I can't figure this one out for you..." now Charlie was the one to sigh.

"I know it's irresponsible...but we want the kid" Ryder said, expeting Charlie to talk about College and stuff like that.

But he didn't.

"I am not saying it isn't...irresponsible...but what would be even more irresponsible, was if you chose to leave" Charlie said, truthfully.

"I won't" Ryder said.

"I know" Charlie replied, and he just gave Ryder a smile, he didn't need to say anything else, no lectures...no nothing.

Ryder knew he could count on Charlie to back him up.

Right now that was all he needed.

A true friend, he could count on.