It was later that day when everyone in the family finally realized how bad Epstein had become. It started with the emotional phone call he made, which Fran answered. She knew as soon as she head his voice that he wasn't well. Somehow he had lost sense of what was happening, and all knowledge of what caused his depression. The moment Fran heard his frazzled, and confused voice, she knew she better get the family and try to figure something out.

"Hey, it's me, Juan."

"Juan is everything ok?" She asked, despite already knowing the answer.

"Listen, I'm… I'm having the worst day." His voice cracked a little. "I'm headin' home early."

"Oh, alright. What is it, Juan? What's going on?"

"Who is this?"

Fran placed a hand on her chest as her heart dropped into her stomach. "It's Fran. Juan you're starting to-"

"Oh ok, well let Ma or Pop know I'm coming home."

"Juan." She choked up. "You know I can't let Ma know."

"Fine! Tell Pop then!"

"Ok, calm down, Juan. You're starting to scare me. What's wrong?"

"I just need to come home. I can't be here right now."

"Oh. Ok. Do you need me to pick you up?"

"No, no I'm going to walk. It ain't that far."

"Alright. If you're sure…. We'll be here for you when you get home."

"Yeah, see you soon."

She heard the click as he hung up the phone. Stunned and trembling, she didn't know what to do. Most of her siblings were at school. Her father was running an errand. She feared all the things that might happen to her brother on his way home. Trying not to cry, she had to push her tears and her worries aside for the time being.

"He's going to be ok. He's going to be ok." She tried calming herself down. "Why do I feel like something bad is going to happen?"

She jumped nearly out of her skin and shrieked as she heard the front door open. Hearing the voices of two of her brothers, she sighed in relief. She hurried over to them and let them know about the phone call she just had from their brother.

"He's not good, guys. He even asked for Ma."

"Aw man…" Sanchez said, his heart sinking.

"This is bad." Irving followed suit. "I never thought he would get this bad. He's normally stronger than this."

Fran nodded. "And he's even started growing a bit clingy toward me lately. He sometimes calls me Ma. I'm not so sure if it's a mistake or if he actually thinks I'm her."

"What do we do?"

"I don't know, San. But I feel like something bad is going to happen to him. He's on his way home from school right now. At east I hope he is."

"What should we do?" Irving asked. "Do we go look for him?"

Fran shook her head sadly. "I don't know. He might be okay. It's not a long walk from the high school. We could be home real soon."

"Let's hope so."

…

Almost an hour later, when Epstein should have been home long before then, there was another phone call. This time Mr. Epstein was around to answer it. The call was from Mr. Jennings from the bakery. He told Mr. Epstein all about what was happening with his son. Epstein had broken down in front of the bakery, and had been inconsolable the entire time.

"Mr. Epstein, he's been screaming about his mother. I'm afraid he's not in good shape. I have customers and a couple staff members trying to calm him down. No luck. I couldn't even get him to come in here where he would at least be warmer. He refused to move. Someone needs to come get him. Bring him home."

Mr. Epstein sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Thank you for calling, Mr. Jennings. I'm real sorry about this. I know it's got to be hurting your business."

"Mr. Epstein, my concern right now is with your son. He clearly needs help. Please, bring him come and give him the help he needs."

"I'll send someone to get him. Thank you for calling, Mr. Jennings." He hung up the phone and then muttered in Spanish. He then went to find some of his other children, whom he knew were home. "Sanchez, Irving. Glad you two are home."

"What is it, Pop?" Irving asked curiously.

Sanchez's face fell. "Oh no. It's Juan, isn't it?"

"Yes." Their father nodded sadly. "Mr. Jennings, the owner of the bakery just called. Juan has been having some sort of breakdown outside of the bakery. I need you two to go get him and bring him home."

"Aww man… I hope it's not as bad as the one he had after the funeral." Irving said

"I'm afraid it might be, from the way it sounds." Their father said. "Can you two get him?"

"Sure, Pop." Sanchez said. "We'll be back soon."

"Gracias, mijo."