Title: Truths of Life
Author: lizzie1986
Pairing: Frosty Frencher (Ephram/Laynie)
Summary: Tragedy strikes Everwood and Ephram Brown consoles the person he least
expected…
Disclaimer: Don't own anything related to Everwood. If I did, Ephram and Laynie would
be together and I would be a very rich woman. But that's not the case,
unfortunately.
A/N: This is set right after Home, but Colin didn't survive his surgery… Pretend season 2 isn't happening in this fic.
A/N 2: Redid the chapter a little bit. Saw some changes I wanted to make, so I did.
Chapter One: Coping with Life
Laynie Hart stared despondently out of her bus window that would take her back to Everwood, Colorado. Tears had long since been wiped away and now all she could do was try to keep them at bay. No longer would she attend her boarding school, where she had been taking summer classes to stay out of Everwood. Laynie realized that there was no way out of the hated small town for her. Somehow, she always ended up returning. This time, for good. All because of the phone call. One phone call that had changed her life forever. At first, she thought it was a joke. Colin couldn't be dead. Soon, though, reality set in. It made sense, all those symptoms everyone ignored except for her. And now, it didn't matter. Nothing mattered.
The driver's voice startled Laynie from her thoughts. "We will be arriving in Everwood in 20 minutes."
"Great," Laynie thought, she didn't want to face the town or the reality of Colin's death. But she had no choice. Laynie knew she had no idea what to expect when she arrived, but one thing was for sure. Nothing would ever be the same again.
* * * *
They met her at the bus station. Laynie couldn't help but be surprised at this. She and her parents had never been close. Colin had always been their golden child. In their eyes he had been perfect, while she had always been the outsider, the screw up. But now… Laynie shook her head, willing her tears back down. She couldn't deal with it now. She had to face her parents first. Laynie slowly walked off the bus, unsure of what really to say or do in her situation. But there was nothing to do. There was no hug, no comfort. Nothing from the people she called her parents.
"Hello Laynie," Sharon Hart said, her eyes still red-rimmed. She made no movement to embrace her daughter, but Laynie tried to just shake it off.
"Hi mom," Laynie replied, trying to make her voice as even toned as her mother's.
"Hi," Was all Jim Hart uttered before he went to go and gather her bags.
The two Hart women were left by themselves in silence. Laynie tried to occupy herself with the hustle and bustle around her, but the awkwardness with her mother wouldn't fade.
"Let's go home." Jim then said as he arrived with Laynie's bags.
Laynie nodded glumly and followed her parents to their car in silence. She already knew not one more word would be uttered during the car ride home.
* * * *
Dr. Andy Brown entered his kitchen, takeout bags in hand. "I've got burgers!" He cheerfully said, but in his eyes there was a sense of defeat that had never been there before.
"Yes!" Delia exclaimed as she grabbed the bags and began going through them, as she decided what she wanted.
Ephram observed the scene quietly. He had been doing that a lot these days, Andy realized with a start. I guess Colin's death affected everyone.
"The funeral's tomorrow." Ephram quietly stated, as he watched his father for a reaction. All Andy did was nod.
"Laynie Hart arrived this afternoon." Ephram nodded, but Anduy could clearly see Ephram didn't hear a word he said. Something serious was on his son's mind.
"Will you be able to handle it tomorrow?" He asked, with a rare concern for his father. Andy let out a tight smile.
I'll make myself." Was all he said to the question.
"The Harts…"
"They need to blame someone and they chose me." Andy firmly said, letting Ephram know that this was the end to the discussion. Ephram nodded, but felt the need to add one more thing first.
"Maybe it would be better going back to New York. For everyone." He walked to the table to eat after he said this, letting Andy contemplate his son's statement for himself.
* * * *
Almost the entire town appeared for the graveside service. Not that it was a surprise, Colin Hart had been the town's golden boy. The ceremony was kept relatively short, but for Laynie it seemed like forever. She didn't want to be near these people. They didn't really know Colin aside from watching him play basketball. She shook her head bitterly. Most of these people wouldn't even remember him next year and look at them. Sobbing and crying like they were his closest friends, Laynie thought with malice. She didn't like this supposed small town everyone loves everyone else stuff. She never would. She looked through the crowd until her eyes rested on one person. Ephram Brown. He sat there with his father, staring straight ahead as he ignored all the stares sent his father's way. Laynie studied him. He hadn't changed much since she had last seen him, but he wasn't the same either. Something was different about him, something she couldn't put her finger on. She wasn't allowed to contemplate this matter any further as her mother brushed her arm against hers, signaling the service was over. Laynie got up, as she quickly escaped the parade of mournes as they headed her parent's way. She stood at the edge of crowd, she just stared into space. She had no idea what to do next.
* * * *
Ephram was stuck right in the middle of the crowd, but for the first time he didn't mind or even care. His mind was someplace else. Or more accurately on someone else. Two someone elses. The blond was the easiest to find. Amy, tear-stained cheeks, was surrounded by her friends who were awkwardly trying to comfort her. From where Ephram was standing, they weren't doing a very good job. His eyes left Amy, in search of his next target. The brunette was harder to find, as she stood away from the crowd. Laynie stood there, dazed as she hugged herself as if she was freezing cold. Here eyes gave no indication of her even crying yet, and he wondered if she had. He was so caught up in his thoughts, Ephram hadn't even known that he had walked to Laynie until he stood right next to her. She didn't say a word, it was up to him to say something first.
"How are you holding up Laynie?"
She was silent for a few moments as she contemplated his question. So many complex answers to such a simple question.
"I don't need your pity, Ephram. Go comfort Amy, I know that's where you'd rather be."
"I don't pity you!" He protested. Laynie rolled her eyes at this statement.
"Sure, whatever."
"Laynie, I don't. It's just… I know what you're going through. And if you need a friend…I'm here." Ephram didn't even realize the words came out of his mouth until he uttered them. Laynie looked visibly shaken.
"I…I… I've got to go."
With that she quickly walked away, then broke into a run. Ephram stood there for a moment, surprised at what happened and what felt. For some reason he felt this urge to go after her. To see if she was alright. At that moment he made a split second decision and then began chasing Laynie.
* * * *
She dug her feet in the sand as she swung around on the swing. It was surprising how such a little place such as a swing set could cause so many memories. Colin and her, playing in the park as children. Since they were only a year apart, they had always been close. And now… Laynie choked back a sob. She didn't want to cry, she didn't want to make it real. Because if it was real… Laynie shook her head adamantly, trying to erase the thoughts that were plaguing her mind. But as footsteps approached her, she knew someone else would help her with that and she instantly knew who it was. They sat in silence for a few moments, not really knowing what to say, until Ephram broke it.
I ran nearly everywhere in town looking for you." Laynie was surprised by this comment, not expecting it in the least. But she quickly hid her surprise.
"One of the advantages of growing up in Everwood. I know all the shortcuts you newcomers don't."
"You left pretty fast." Ephram commented. Laynie shrugged at this statement.
"He's not really there. There was no point in staying." They were silent for a few moments until Laynie spoke again. "How's Amy holding up?"
"I don't know, haven't seen her."
"Oh, I just thought… anyway, why are you here then?"
"Where else would I be?"
"Looking for Amy?" Laynie asked, as she tried to get Ephram to leave before reality actually hit her.
"Maybe I wasn't looking for Amy."
"Why?"
"Amy's going to survive. I wanted to see how you were doing." Laynie was skeptical and Ephram knew it.
"Feelings don't change that fast. Go and comfort who you want to be with Ephram. No hard feelings." As Laynie said this, she realized it was true. In the big scheme of life, this little semi-triangle wasn't even on its radar.
"Maybe, maybe not. Can you handle a friend?" She looked at him doubtfully.
"Are you capable of it?"
"Are you willing to trust someone?" He shot back.
"I could ask you the same thing." Laynie retorted, as she slipped easily back into their old banter.
"So, what's the verdict?"
"I guess the offer has it's possibilities."
"So, friends?"
"Friends."
* * * *
Laynie tried to quietly sneak into her house without her parent's noticing. After Ephram had left her, she had spent hours just wandering around the town and now she had to get inside as quickly and quietly as possible. But fate was not on her side. Laynie started to climb the stairs when a voice interrupted her.
"Where have you been?" Her mother. For the first time acting like the concerned parent she had never been. Laynie turned around to face her, to face both of them.
"Around."
"Laynie, tell me where the hell have you been!"
"Don't do this! Don't act so concerned when I know you aren't!" Laynie shouted back, as her temper started to come through.
"Laynie, don't do this. Not with what happened to Colin." Jim pleaded with his daughter.
"Colin's dead! He's gone! But you've lost your chance to be involved in my life along time ago!" Laynie yelled as she pushed past them and ran out of the house, not knowing where she was going, just knowing it was away from there.
* * * *
She wandered around the town for hours, not really knowing where she was going. Just walking, trying to clear her thoughts from everything that had just happened. Her life has taken such a different turn in the last week and she couldn't deal. And she didn't have anyone to talk to. Laynie was truly alone. Suddenly, she thought and stopped in front of a particular two story house. Nervously, she rang the bell and waited for an answer. She couldn't do this anymore. Put up this façade of strength when it wasn't really true. The door opened.
"Laynie? What are you doing here?"
Laynie didn't answer, couldn't answer. The tears started to fall unchecked down her cheeks as she finally let go.
"He's really gone." She sobbed and felt herself being embraced. The tears started to fall harder, until she couldn't even really see clearly.
"He's really gone."
End of Part One.