Daphne's insides turned cold and her mouth began to tremble.
"Sherry, what are you saying? That Mr. Crane's had a heart-." The words fell out of her mouth, but she was unable to continue.
"Oh, Daphne I didn't mean to upset you!" Sherry said with a smile.
Why was she happy about this anyway?
"I mean, when you get to be Marty's age the body just starts falling apart. Or so he told me!" she added with a laugh.
"But what about Dr. Crane? And Ni-Oh my God! He must be so upset! I have to go to him right away! What did he say when you told him?"
Sherry looked up in surprise. "You mean Niles? Actually I don't think he knows anything about it."
Daphne's eyes widened. "You mean you didn't tell him?"
"Now, Daphne I just didn't see the need!"
"Didn't see the need?" Daphne repeated. "How could you not see the need not to tell his youngest son?" She was yelling now but she was so angry she could hardly stand it. Her heart beating rapidly, Daphne ran over to the phone and picked it up, trying to control her trembling fingers as she dialed the number she knew by heart. With each ring, her fears deepened a little more.
Finally the ringing stopped and she heard Niles' soothing voice.
"Hello?"
Her heart warmed, just hearing that one simple greeting.
"Oh... Hello, Dr. Crane."
"Daphne? I was hoping you'd call. I trust you made it home all right?"
She swallowed hard, not knowing what to say.
"Y-yes. Thank you. I made it home just fine."
"Is something wrong? You sound upset."
She sighed deeply. Leave it to Niles to know when she was hurting. He seemed to know her even better than she knew herself.
"Daphne? Are you there? Is something wrong?"
His voice turned serious and worried. Suddenly she wished she had broken the news in person. Hearing this over the phone was going to be much harder for him to take. Tears ran down her cheeks as she tried desperately to find the right words.
"Um... a-actually yes. There is something wrong. I-I don't know quite how to tell you this."
"Tell me what, Daphne? What's happened?"
She took another deep breath before continuing.
"It's your father. H-he..."
Suddenly she heard a noise and she turned around, horrified to find Sherry doubled over with laughter.
"You can come out now, Marty! It worked! She fell for it! Boy, did she fall for it!"
Martin hobbled into the living room, joining in Sherry's laughter when he caught a glimpse of Daphne's stunned expression.
She stood frozen, staring at Martin and Sherry, completely oblivious to the faint voice on the other end of the phone;
"Daphne? Are you still there? Dear God, what's happened? I'm getting really worried now. Daphne? Please answer m-."
But her hand moved toward the base of the phone, until the receiver clicked into place, despite the fact that Niles was still speaking.
"I can't believe you fell for that!" Martin laughed.
Daphne was hurt beyond belief at Martin's part in the cruel joke.
"Daphne, I knew you were gullible, but I never expected this!" Sherry laughed.
"How could you do this to me?" Daphne asked; the words barely audible. "And Mr. Crane? How could you do something so hateful?"
"Aw, come on Daph! It was just a joke!" Martin laughed.
She swallowed hard and rose from her chair. "Well, it wasn't funny! Do you have any idea how scared I was?" No longer able to hide her tears, she turned and ran to her room, closing the door behind her. The hot tears blinded her as they fell onto her cheeks; one right after the other and she made her way to the bed and sat down, hugging her pillow, soaking it with her sadness.
"Oh Niles... I need you... badly..."