Author's Note: I hope I get everything right and accurate in this one. Cancer is not a subject I like to go into, so I am not positive everything I read online is right. I am pretty sure though. I hope you like it and it is right.
End of Author's Note
It was just another morning in the cul-de-sac. All the kids were out and about playing around having fun awhile the two scammers Ed and Eddy went to grab their sock head friend Double D. Since the event of Eddy's big brother the three have not had a need to really want to do any scems but every now and then Eddy just couldn't resist and this was one of those times. He was so excited to do it and to get a few extra quarters, if it worked, that he didn't bother knocking on Double D's door. Instead he burst through the door and ran to his room. To his surprised no one was home.
"Hey…" Eddy said looking around Double D's room. "...Where's Double D?"
Ed came in a looked around. "Maybe he was abducted by the alien mutants hamsters." He said in a somewhat panic.
"Don't be stupid Ed." Eddy said looking around for a clue. "You know he does this sometimes. But where does he go?" Eddy had to stop and think.
It was true that sometimes Double D would disappear on some days and sometimes he would be gone for more then one day. Sometimes Double D will explain it was to visit family or spend time with his parents but other times he would avoid the question entirely. Eddy found this irritating but one thing he learned about his friend is that if he doesn't want to answer something he won't and almost nothing will change that. This time however he was determined to figure out where Double D has been going.
"Come on Ed. Operation find sock head is a-go." He said running out of the room leaving Ed just standing there in the room. Eddy looked in and waited for Ed to follow but when he didn't Eddy grabbed his jacket and pulled him. "Come on lunk-head."
The first stop in their investigation was Jimmy and Sarah. Since Double D and Jimmy had many similarities and interests Double D would often visit the two if Ed and Eddy were not around. Good thing Sarah liked Double D or that may have caused a few problems in her friendships.
"Hey, do you know where Double D is?" Eddy said to the two of them as they were playing with their dolls.
"NO!" Sarah said showing no interest in the appearance of the two idiots.
Eddy then pushed Sarah out of the way and grabbed Jimmy. "What about you? Any ideas?"
"Last time I saw him was last night. He was giving me tips on growing my garden but he left really early to go home." Jimmy explained. "Said something about needing to wake up early."
"So you haven't seen him at all today?" Eddy said.
"No! Now go!" Sarah said pointed in the opposite direction.
Ed and Eddy left in search for more information. As they looked around they heard the familiar sounds of Kevin's bike coming up right behind them. He ran right into Eddy and caused him to be under the bike. Kevin then stopped.
"Hey dork! Watch where you're going!" He said to the crushed Eddy.
"Ed...help." He said in pain under the bike.
"'Okey-dokey Eddy." With that Ed lift the bike with no problem with Kevin still on it. Eddy got out and got right back up.
"Hey dork, put me down!" Kevin yelled.
Ed paused and then said, "OK." He released his hand and caused the bike to fall and get damaged.
"Hey!" Kevin said grabbed onto Ed's shirt. "What'd you do for?"
"You said to put you down so I did." Ed said simply in his usually tone.
"Why...You…" Kevin said ready to punch Ed's light out.
"Wait Kevin! Do you know where Double D is today?" Kevin stopped his punch and looked at Eddy.
"No." He said in a cool tone. "But he needs to return some things I lent him a few days ago. If you see him tell him I want them back."
"Sure. Whatever." Eddy said not really paying attention.
"Later dorks." Kevin said riding off on his now damaged bike.
Eddy was now getting furious. Not only was the smart guy nowhere to be found but now he has to do a favor for Kevin. Worse part was that Eddy forgot the great scam he came up with. Eddy swear the minute he found Double D he would make him pay for it.
Upon walking around to calm himself he came across Jonny doing something or other with his wood pal Plank. They didn't know what Jonny was doing all they knew was that he was sitting in a tree. He just sat there humming and moving his legs when he noticed Ed and Eddy.
"Hey guys. Where did Double D go?" He asked jumping down from the tree.
"That's what we'd like to know." Eddy said seriously annoyed.
"I saw him leave with his parents this morning." He said. "It was before the sun even came up."
"Before morning? What on earth is sock head doing?" Eddy was really curious now. With his confusion he walked off. Ed naturally followed him.
After a long while Eddy finally gave up for the day. He and Ed went by Double D's house one more time to see if he was home yet. No luck. He was still gone. For the remainder of the day they just sat around and did nothing till it was time for bed.
For the next few days Ed and Eddy would visit Double D's house to see if he was home but each time he was not there. By this point the other kids began to wonder where he was too. It was true he disappeared every now and then but never for this long.
"Where has Double D gone Eddy?" Nazz asked for the other kids.
"Not sure." Eddy said not really knowing what to say. This was one of the few moments in his life he began to worry about his friend.
Because of Double D's disappearance the other kids didn't really know what to do too. Jimmy was really worried and this caused Sarah to worry. Kevin still wanted his thing but also wondered where the smart guy who he could often depend on went. Nazz worried for him as a friend. Jonny was not that worried but more curious. Rolf didn't pay much mind to it but this was mainly because he was busy with his own things at home and knew very little of what was going on.
The cul-de-sac got quiet for awhile. No kid knew how to act or what to do. They all in their own way were missing the lovable geek.
Then one day just past noon a car pulled up to Double D's home. There all the kids watch with curiosity. The door opened and a thin leg came out. Soon the rest of the body did and it revealed to be Double D. He waved to his parents and they drove away.
The kids ran to Double D in relief. They had so many questions on where he was and why he was gone for so long, but Double D did not answer. Instead he walked quietly to his home, went inside, closed and locked the door, and stayed there for the remainder of the day.
The others were now really worried. Double D may have been quiet but he never acted like this. There must have been something big going on to make him act like this. That was when they all began to force Eddy and Ed to figure out what was wrong.
"Why should I? He might tell us when he wants." Eddy said. "Just leave him alone. He might be tired from his trip." In all truth Eddy too wanted to barge in and get answers but he was still Double D's friend and knew something was up and they shouldn't bother him right now. At least not today. "Tell you what if sock head don't come out by tomorrow I will find out what is wrong then?" The other kids agreed and went home to wait for the following day.
Early the next day each of the cul-de-sac kids woke up and found that on each of their doors was a note from Double D.
"Hello friends,
I am sorry for disappearing like that and I am sorry if I have worried you but I can assure you I am fine. Since I know you all want an explanation on what happened to me I will tell you. If you want to know please come to my house at 3 o'clock.
Sincerely, Edd"
Every kid was curious and couldnt wait till three. Many of them even began to theorize what he would say. Some thought family, others thought he went to some kind of convention. There was also the theory of a college tour because he was so smart or even a sporting event, planned by his parents to make him tougher. They wouldn't know the real answer until three though.
Ed and Eddy however did not wait and went to Double D's house the moment they got the letters. They banged on the door and very soon were greeted by their friend.
"Oh Hello Eddy, Ed. What may I do for you?" Double D said politely.
"You have some explaining to do!" Eddy said angrily holding up the note.
"I told you I will explain everything at three but right now I am getting ready, so I am sorry to say I must see you out. Bye." With that Double D closed the door and locked it again.
"Double Sock head! Get out here now and answer me!" Eddy said pounding at the door with all his might. There was no answer. "Ed." He said expecting Ed to know what he is about to say while pointing at the door.
"No can do Eddy. If my mom founds out I broke a door again I will be punished." He said refusing to do anything. Eddy was aggravated but he had to accept the fact he had to wait till three like everyone else but he was not leaving the door step. He and Ed just sat there till the time came.
Just before 3 o'clock the kids began to show up to Double D's house and waited in front of the door just waiting for Double D to open the door. Each minute seemed to take forever. The others were whispering to each other and checking the time every minute. Finally the clock struck three and Double D immediately opened the door.
"Come on in my friends." He said showing them into his home.
Since most of them have been to Double D's house at least once or twice they all took off their shoes at the door. Double D's even had many pairs of slippers for each of them. When they walked in they were surprised to see there was food and drinks set out for them. It almost seemed like a party but since it was Double D the other kids got confused.
"Please enjoy. My parents made sure to set up everything perfectly." He said.
The kids did but they were a little uneasy about it. There was definitely something going on but no one knew what it was. They took the drinks and ate the foods and began to mingle with each other. Most of the talking was about how weird Double D was. Finally Double D's got in front of everyone after they all ate a bit.
"My friends, there is something I wish to share with you." He said getting everyone's attention. "Ed and Eddy might have an idea about this already but it is time I explain everything to them and you." Double D slowly went to his hat and took it off revealing a completely bald head with a few birthmarks. The other kids were completely stunned that he took off his head.
"What is the deal Double D?" Kevin asked.
"Yeah. Like what is it? Nazz said.
"You see my friends for awhile now I have had cancer." He said causing everyone to gasped.
"Oh no!" Sarah said.
"It that true?" Jimmy said near in tears by the news.
"You must be pulling our legs." Kevin announced.
"It is true. Because of it I wear this hat to cover my bald head showing I was in treatment. Also you may have noticed my parent or rarely home. That is because they work overtime at work to pay for all of it. I am eternally grateful for them for it too." Double D said thanking his parents.
"But if that is true why don't you seem sad." Jonny said.
"Actually my latest visit showed that I am now in complete remission." Double D said excitedly. The other kids however looked a bit confused. "That means there are no signs of cancer cells in my body anymore." To this all the kids smiled and cheer.
"So you will be ok." Sarah said happily.
"Yes I should be." Double D said.
"That is so awesome!" Nazz said going in for a huge. This caused Double D to turn bright red.
"That's cool." Kevin said smiling.
In all the cheers and congratulations Double D noticed Eddy who looked at him still stunned. He was not cheering or even smiling. He did look like he was about to cry though. Ed on the other hand was crying and looked to be holding himself back from running in and crushing Double D in a hug. After a few seconds however he caved in.
"Oh Double D! I am so happy your ok." Double D was getting crushed by his hug but he was happy his friend cared.
Slowly Eddy come up and asked, "Why didn't you tell any of us? You didn't even tell me or Ed. Your best friends."
"I am sorry Eddy. I just didn't want to worry anyone with my problems. I hope you understand?" Double D said feeling a bit guilty that he kept this big secret from everyone.
Eddy got up to him and slapped him. "Don't do that again. We are your friends and we deserve to know if our friend is in trouble or sick." Eddy was crying when he said this. "From now on if something like that happens tell us." The other kids agreed.
"We could have helped you man." Kevin said.
"Nana could make her special stew." Rolf said.
"We could have been nicer to you." Sarah said.
"Or made you more comfortable." Jimmy said.
"We care for you. You shouldn't carry a burden like that yourself." Nazz said.
Double D listened as his friends said all this and began to cry. He was so happy to have friends as great as them. "OK. I will." He said wiping the tears from his eyes.
Everyone was happy and cheered. "Now let's get this party started." Eddy said pulling out a music player and playing song to dance too.
For the rest of the day the kids partied to celebrate Double D's remission and secretly they all hoped he would not have any more problems from now on.