Adopted by Dear Evan Hansen: Could we go on For Forever?

The Boat is About to Sink

**Laura's POV**

"Where is he?"

I looked up from Ryder to find Mr. McPatricks storm into the room, "Where is who?"

"Colin," Mr. McPatricks growled, "My superiors are five minutes out. If Colin doesn't make it here before them, he could lose his case..." He trailed off and marched over to Ryder's other side. "You're crazy!" he said and her non-swollen eye slowly opened.

"I was wondering how long it would take for you to figure it out," she replied softly.

"Figure what out?" Mike asked, looking between Ryder and her social worker.

"During custody cases, if the child ends up in a dangerous situation that neither of the parents could have prevented, there's a chance that if one of the parents doesn't make it there before CPS and Social Services and they don't have a reasonable excuse, it can damage their case and, in extreme cases, they can lose their case altogether." Mr. McPatricks crossed his arms and gave Ryder a hard look, "You organized this, didn't you?"

She took a breath and pushed herself up slightly, groaning as her broken ribs moved, "I know what I want and I know how to get it," she replied evenly, "Colin doesn't care about me and last I checked, a McDonald's Drive-Thru attendant doesn't have demanding hours so I bet he's going to have a hard time explaining that to CPS."

"This was extremely foolish," I scolded, "You could've been hurt!" Ryder raised an eyebrow, "I mean, you could've been hurt worse!"

"I can handle a few broken ribs," Ryder put her hand on my knee, "Relax, this is nothing."

"It wasn't a real fight, was it?" Mr. McPatricks asked her.

Ryder sighed, "Madeline agreed to it and Jessica overheard. I was never in any mortal danger."

Mr. McPatricks shook his head slowly, "I knew something was up. Madeline's strong, but you're better on your feet."

"Did I let her win?" Ryder asked the question we were all thinking, "Yes, I did. Did I fight back? Not to my best ability - just a few punches and kicks to make it look real, but don't worry - we're all fine."

"Ryder Lukassen?" a woman in a pant-suit came into the room and opened her briefcase on a chair.

"Yes, ma'am," Ryder answered.

The woman addressed all of us and gave a review of what happened at the detention center. I was shocked at how easily Ryder lied to the woman and said that she "must've said something to upset Madeline because she had no idea why she attacked". I was also intrigued by how Mr. McPatricks didn't say anything except nod and confirm.

"Where is Mr. Lukassen?" the woman looked around the room.

"I don't know, ma'am," replied Ryder before any of the rest of us could say a thing, "I haven't seen him since the hearing."

"Hmm," the woman's face hardened, "We'll wait for a few more minutes for him to arrive."

I saw Ryder suppress a smirk as she leaned back against her pillows. It wasn't until Colin finally showed up half an hour later that I understood why. He stumbled into the room in a dirty t-shirt that was on backward, untied shoes, and shorts that looked two sizes too big. He was a mess and I could almost smell the beer on his breath from across the room. From the way her nose crinkled, I could tell that the Social Services woman smelt it too.

"S'rry I'm late," Colin slurred, stumbling to a chair, "L'ng nig't."

The woman folded her arms across her chest, "I can see that," she narrowed her eyes, "Mr. Lukassen, where were you?"

"Work."

I didn't believe him and I knew the social worker didn't either. She didn't take her eyes off of Colin as she asked everyone questions for the better part of two hours. Colin passed out after the first twenty minutes and from the look the woman made, I'm guessing his chances of gaining custody over Ryder are diminishing very, very fast.

"All right," Ryder's doctor, Kennedy Freeman, came in, "Everyone out. Ryder needs rest," she noticed Colin, "Um, can I...?"

"Go for it," Ryder nodded, "He could use the help. Oh, and you should know that he has a history of substance and alcohol abuse."

Dr. Freeman nodded slowly, "Right, okay. I sort of figured that out myself, but thanks for the heads-up." She pulled Colin to his feet and wrapped his arm around her shoulder to hold him up, "I'm serious though - Ryder needs to rest. I can let one of you stay in here with her, but the rest should get food, sleep, and a shower."

"Hey, Doc," I asked, "When do you think Ryder can go home?"

"I think that by tomorrow she should be able to be discharged as long as she takes it slow and easy, but based on her... situation, that decision also needs input from a judge."

"And the Warden," Ryder sighed, holding up her wrist to reveal her arm cuffed to the side of the bed, "Isn't being a criminal fun?" Mr. McPatricks pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head slowly, but I could see his shoulders shake as he stifled his laughter as Ryder continued, "It's great. I need consent from a prison warden, a judge, doctors, CPS, and both people who have been given joint custody to be able to leave this building."

"Okay, Ryder," Mr. McPatricks interrupted her, "Calm down. We both know you're not a criminal."

Ryder laughed, "Tell that to my rap sheet."

"Ryder..."

"You're right - Sorry. I know you don't like prison jokes."

I watched them interact. I knew that since her parents died, Mr. McPatricks had been the only consistency in her life, but they seemed closer than that. Dr. Freeman carried Colin out of the room and the social services lady followed soon after.

Ryder fell asleep the moment the door closed, leaving me, Mike, and Mr. McPatricks alone.

"I'm going to go work on some paperwork and see if I can get a judge and Warden Isaacs to sign off on Ryder's discharge. You two should stay with her. Just make sure you walk around some and eat."

"We appreciate all that you've done for us and for Ryder, Mr. McPatricks," Mike offered his hand to the social worker, who accepted the gesture.

"Ryder doesn't always make it easy to care about her, but it worth it in the end. She's a good kid, guys, no matter what people say otherwise."

I looked at Ryder's sleeping figure. Despite the bruising and bandages, she looked calm and peaceful, "We know, Mr. McPatricks, we know."

So, I've really enjoyed writing both of my Adopted by stories and I was considering working on a new one. I was thinking Newsies, but I'm open to suggestions. Please let me know what you all think and I'll make my decision then.

                            -Spaceheater1