Anna's heart dropped and panic took over. Sarah had also begun to feel nervous.

Vince sighed. "Anna, it was his appendix. It ruptured which as you know is probably the reason for what happened back in the room as I hear it but is also likely to cause infection. Obviously he'll be given antibiotics and such. But it only complicates things more. Now I want you to know that we did everything possible for him. We had some complications. His blood pressure dropped severely and Anna, I need you to know that he's" Anna broke down in tears.

"Oh no Anna, No please just hear me out. He's still here, He's still with us. But you know that it's important that I tell you everything... Eddward had to be revived. It was scary for a bit but he came back to us but here's the thing, At this point with his illness and other factors, Before you do ask, I can't tell you either way what will happen at this point. We've done all we can from our side of things. I can't even tell you he'll come out of the sleep he's in now. I wish I could tell you either way but there is always a good chance with kids. They can bounce back from a lot of things. We're taking over to recovery and we're going to give him some time and we'll call you in to see him."

"Thank you Vince. For everything you're doing.' Anna managed to choke out.

"Only wish there was more I could do to help you Anna. You've got a great kid. If you two need anything at all please let me know," Anna could only nod as Vince gave one last half smile and was off to tend to his other patients.

"it's going to be fine Anna, You heard Vince he's still here. He's not ready to quit." Sarah said encouragingly.

"No it seems not, I'm grateful for it really I am, I just what if-"

"what if he gets better, you're so frightened your mind is jumping to the worst possible thing. He needs you to keep a positive attitude for him. It's all part of what we talked about earlier. You have to be strong, When you are strong, Eddward will take what he needs from you. It's going to take some time yes of course, you're going to be fine... both of you." Anna nodded Sarah was absolutely right sometimes the parent's reaction often shapes the child's. Causing more or less stress on the child depending on which way the parent was acting. Anna did her best to begin to relax herself.

"You know He won't be ready for visitors for awhile, can I take you to get something to eat?"Sarah offered hoping to help take her mind off of things.
I'll have them call me and we'll come back and you can see him." Anna thought for a moment then agreed. "As long as we don't go far." she stood up and the two women left.

Anna couldn't ease her mind at all as the friends had dinner at a local restaurant. She felt immense guilt about leaving him there alone. Sarah sensed it.

"Eddward would have told you to come with me Anna, He knows you love him and will be glad that you came. He wants you to be happy and I'm sure if he was awake he would have said it's fine too."

Anna knew he would but he was still alone and very sick. He needed her, more accurately she needed him. Eddward knew how to care for himself it was Anna that couldn't let go.

"Sarah I appreciate everything you've done but I have to get back, phone calls to make to his friend's parents so they'll know. I just have so much to do and to think about and-"

"Of course, I'll take you back I'll still stay if you'd like." Anna only nodded and so they headed back to the hospital

Eddy sat up in his bed. Sleep didn't come easy these days. Since Double D had showed the first sign of sickness Eddy felt that something was wrong. The feeling was with him now, he tried to ignore the nagging thought with movies but nothing helped. Something wasn't right and he was going to find out what was causing this feeling. He picked up the phone and began to dial but stopped.

"This is crazy he's fine. He'll be home in no time just relax." He tried to assure himself. He put the receiver down. Deciding to go for a walk to clear his head. He wasn't the only one to have that very idea. Along the way he heard what sounded like crying and followed it into the park and found Jimmy sitting on the swing in tears.

"Hey Jimmy, what's going on?" Eddy sat down next to him.

"Eddy it's terrible. I miss Double D he was always so nice to me, He said he was sure he was getting better and wouldn't scare us anymore. He said-" Eddy sighed. Of course, you aren't going to understand Eddy thought "You know Jimmy, Double D did think he was getting better, in fact he was better. I mean when you think of how he was before and everything. Of course he's good to ya, he's just that kind of person. He'll be back soon don't you worry. Everything's going to be fine."

"I just can't believe he had to go again. We changed Eddy, made things better so he didn't leave us again but he did. Double D doesn't like us anymore does he?" Jimmy sobbed. How could he be expected to understand when he was such a sheltered boy?

"Now listen, I need you to understand it has nothing to do with not liking anyone. Double D got sick, he didn't just decide to leave us he's sick. You're pretty nice to him too. He likes you, It's my fault he's got to deal with the results of my scams, he's an "Ed" by default he gets the same treatment I do. He'd be better just getting away from me you know, but he stays." Jimmy and Eddy talked for what seemed like hours about not only Double D but other things. Eddy learned a lot about the younger boy that night. He found that he enjoyed the company and was glad to have been able to cheer him up. Jimmy yawned. "I'm so tired Eddy, I think I should get going, Thanks for talking with me, I never thought we'd talk like this, but you really do seem different. Stay this way." Jimmy said smiling.

Eddy nodded "come on let's get you home." After dropping Jimmy off, Eddy returned to his own home to find his mother sitting on the couch clearly distraught. "Mom, what's wrong?" Eddy asked seating himself beside her.

"Eddy, Eddward's mom just called from the hospital" As Eddy listened he he couldn't believe it. He had been right."So, he's dying?" Eddy asked hoping he wasn't getting the right message.

"They don't know for sure. They-"

"It's not fair, it's just not fair. He's one of the best people I know. My best friend. He's only a kid. This isn't supposed to happen to a kid. Dying is for older people." Eddy said as his mother held him close. '

"Eddy, sweetheart, you're right it's not fair and we're hoping for the best but life isn't always fair." they stayed that way for a while until there was a knock at the door and upon opening the door Eddy was met by the children of the neighborhood. Ed led them. Standing before Eddy Ed seemed in a trance as a few tears found their way down his cheeks.

"Ed," Eddy whispered grabbing his friend's shoulders. Ed didn't respond he just stared as though he was no long Ed, merely a shell. "Ed, look at me." Eddy shook his shoulders and tried to put on a brave face for them. Suddenly Ed began to whimper, fresh tears forming as he said slowly "E-Eddy D-D-Double D i-is" Ed couldn't finish the sentence before he burst into tears

"Come here Lumpy" Eddy said as the sight caused him to lose control of his emotions. He pulled Ed into a hug. As the children gathered around them, Eddy realized that this was really happening. Double D would possibly never see anyone again. None of the children were ready for this. Though they had all been through so much, This was the worst thing that ever happened to any of then. "Listen to me Ed Double D_" "Double D is g-going t-t-to"

"Ed! Don't He wouldn't want you to. I know you're scared Ed and I am too. But for Double D let's keep it together as much as possible. He's not going anywhere Ed"

"I-I want h-h-him to know I-I an-and h-he's m-my'

"trust me Lumpy Sock head knows, he always knows."

"Eddy," his mother called from inside where she watched the scene unfold.

"Anna also said if you think you can, you'd be welcome to visit tomorrow, in- in case. I can take you there if anyone else wants to go I wouldn't mind giving you a ride."

Jimmy walked up to the Eds in his hands, a stuffed unicorn was held tightly. "Eddy, can I ask you a favor please?" He said petting the toy for comfort. " Sure Jimmy."

"You know that since things changed a little Double D and I got to be friends, Sometimes I think of him as the big brother I've always wanted.. I was wondering if, since I can't do it, will you make sure he gets this?" Jimmy held out the unicorn and a letter.

"Jimmy that's your favorite one" Sarah said surprised at the offer,

"Yes Sarah, that's why I want Double D to have it, he's gotten me through a lot of things and times when I was sick. Maybe he can help Double D come home." Eddy took the toy and smiled sadly

"He'll appreciate it and I'm sure it will be a good comfort for him, knowing everything it has done for you. " Once the children had left all except for Ed, Jimmy and Sarah who was invited to stay the night as it was early morning now. Eddy set out blankets and extra pillows on the floor in his room before climbing into bed himself. "try to get some sleep guys, don't want to be too tired to visit. After wishing each other 'goodnight and good dreams" Eddy turned out his light leaving his lava lamp on for Jimmy. Eddy settled down to sleep. He waited but sleep never came.