Chapter 2: Meet Me At The Fair
The Plainfield Fair came once a year and ran for about one week. The fair was set up in an abandoned airfield approximately 15 minutes away from Everwood. It was an end of the summer main attraction. Though the fair wasn't widely known nor was it very big, people from neighboring towns still brought their children to have a fun family outing. Festivals and fairs are a very common ingredient in every small town. They celebrated anything from fruits and vegetables to weather. Ephram thought it was corny how people in such tight communities invent festivals just for the sake of having something to celebrate about in their mundane lives. Though people took this type of celebration seriously, Ephram took it as one big joke. On occasion, he would parade around the house and scream something like, "Happy Waffle Day! Today, we celebrate the origin of the waffle, which dates back all the way to 15th century Belgian." He had his way of keeping his family amused.
Of course, Everwood had its share of ridiculous festivals. The Smiling Pumpkin Festival in October required those who attended to dress up in costumes. There were dancing in the streets and lots of harvest foods at every booth - picture Marti Gras with a Hick-Ville backdrop. The biggest event there was the pumpkin-carving contest, which Dr. Abbott had been the reigning champion for the past five years. Then there was The Watermelon Queen Festival in July set to coincide with the 4th of July. This festival was more like a beauty pageant than anything else. One lucky lady will be selected by a panel of distinguished judges by the end of the day to be the new Watermelon Queen. Hundreds of watermelon-based food recipes ranging from watermelon cake to watermelon chicken were offered. The fireworks at night were the best part. Even still, Ephram thought nothing could ever beat The Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in the East River. The Spring Bunny Hop Festival was a favorite among the residents of Everwood. This was one event the whole family could participate in. There were a slew of father-son events, mother-daughter contests, father-daughter exercises, mother-son activities and even sibling team games. Events ranged to pie eating contests to tug-of-war to relay races. The Plainfield Fair was just one of those attractions that sparked the excitement of the small town.
Andy drove with extreme caution since he knew of Ephram's fragile nerves. The last thing he wanted was to rehash painful memories. Ephram sat with seat belts securely fastened in the front passenger seat while Nina sat in the back with the kids. Andy couldn't help but dart worried glances over at his quiet son every now and then to make sure he wasn't phasing into an episode of fear. Ephram appeared calmer than usual but he wasn't able to hide his jittery hands despite cramming them into his pant's side cargo pockets. His hands convulsed in his pockets and Andy caught it nonetheless.
"Ephram, you ok?" Andy whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"Hmm? Y-yea. Fine." Ephram breathed and closed his eyes. "If only I can get my hands to stop shaking." He admitted.
"The shakes will go away within time." Andy reassured.
"Sure hope so. I may not look it but my heart is going a thousand miles an hour right now." Ephram took another breath.
"Just relax and breathe."
"Yea. I know. I promise I won't throw up this time. Just take it easy on the brakes, will you?" He flashed a weary smile.
"You're a brave kid. You know that?" Andy said feeling pity on his son. He wished his son didn't have to go thru this.
"Yea, I'm trying." Ephram swallowed the salty lump in his throat. "I'm trying real hard."
"We're here!! We're here!!" Delia screamed excitedly. Seeing Ephram nearly jumping out of his skin by the sudden sound, Andy made a reminder to have a little talk with Delia later. "Look!" Delia said pointing with her tiny index finger pressed against the window. She saw a rotating Ferris wheel and a small kiddie roller coaster snaking it's way up and down the tracks.
"I see it too!" Sam said with enthusiasm. "Wow!! I want to go on the Merry- Go-Round, mommy." Sam's face was glued to the window.
"Sure, Sam." Nina laughed and kissed him on the head.
"I can almost taste the cotton candy." Delia smacked her lips.
"I want cotton candy too! And ice cream. And hot dogs. And popcorn. Oh! And candy apples!!" Sam chattered on in ecstasy. There was something about a fair that made kids glow with mirth and gaiety. Was it the amusement of rides or the funny clowns with big feet handing out multi-colored balloons? Maybe it was the petting zoos and animal rides that sparked the excitement of the youngsters. Perhaps it was the endless supply of junk food or the variety of games that rewarded huge teddy bears to the winners. Whatever the reasons, it made kids happy and that's all that mattered.
After easily finding a parking space in the lot, the five-some entered the fair. Delia and Sam excitedly ran to and fro reporting what they had seen to the adults, who were walking slowly with Ephram. The first stop was the carousel.
"Are you going to ride with us?" Delia asked Ephram as she held his hand.
"No, Delia. Not this time. I can't go on any rides right now. But I'll sit right on that bench over there and watch you." He replied. Delia grabbed Ephram's waist and pulled him into a hug. "Go and have fun!" Ephram smiled and patted her on the head.
Andy placed Delia on the horse of her choice. She picked a lavender horse with small colorful daises etched into the saddle while Sam chose a blue and gray one. Ephram sat on the bench with the adults and watched the carousel rotate. The carousel horses bobbed up and down as the loud music started to play. Each time Delia and Sam came around, they waved frantically. The two adults and Ephram were required to wave back. Ephram saw how happy Delia and Sam were and it really touched his heart. The kids weren't arguing anymore. They were actually getting along great. The fair had a certain unexplainable truce-magic.
"How are you doing?" Andy nudged Ephram on the shoulder. Honestly, Ephram wanted to rub his legs to get the soreness out but to do that, it would only provoke his worry-wart father into giving him the third degree. Ephram's legs were fine - as long as he sat. It was when he was walking that put strain on them causing him malaise.
"I'm good. Wish you would quit asking me how I am every three seconds though." Ephram jived.
"What? I DO NOT!" Andy pretended to be flabbergasted. "It's more like every six seconds."
Ephram laughed at his father's reply and waved at Delia and Sam as they passed by again. This time, they howled Ephram's name.
"Your father is concerned for you." Nina said. "He only wants you to be ok."
"He's been overly protective ever since the accident. He has a cow even when I get a paper cut." Ephram rolled his eyes. "The attention is suffocating."
"It's all within good reason. He loves you a lot." Nina gave him a gentle squeeze on the shoulder.
Once the ride was over, they headed to the various games and watched people play. Andy was trying his luck at Ring Toss while Ephram wandered over to the Shooting Gallery, where you shoot the yellow plastic ducks that immerge out of the conveyor belt with your pellet gun. With Delia by his side, he managed to win her a medium fuzzy light blue teddy bear sporting a polka dotted bow. Delia beamed with such vivacity as she flung her arms around her brother so hard that she almost knocked him over. Ephram steadied himself and laughed at his sister's quirkiness.
"Now, lets see if we can win one for Sam." Ephram said as he walked hand in hand with Delia to another game. Skee-Ball caught his attention right away. He remembered a childhood spent at the Chuck-E-Cheese restaurant playing Skee-Ball with his friends back in New York. After three throws of the ball, he scored enough points to win a prize. He called Sam over to pick the prize. Sam chose a furry orange and yellow bunny rabbit with long floppy ears. The happy kids and Ephram made their way back to Andy and Nina, who was carrying a large hot pink colored plush bear in her arms. No doubt, Andy had won it for her.
Delia and Sam ran ahead of Ephram and rattled off at the same time while showing them the prizes he won for them. Ephram's legs were indeed getting tired. The numbness had settled in his left leg. He needed to sit.
"Looks like someone had luck playing Ring Toss." Ephram said to his father wearily trying to hide his discomfort.
"Hey, it had nothing to do with luck mind you." Andy boasted.
"Oh no. He IS a natural. I can vouch for that." Nina confirmed. She held the bear out by the armpits and shifted it from side to side so it appeared to be dancing. "Isn't it cute?"
"Oh, very." Ephram raised an eyebrow. "Dad, I hate to be a party-pooper but can we sit somewhere?"
"Sure. Your legs bothering you?" Andy asked.
"A bit. Just tired from all the walking. I'll be ok after a little rest." Ephram answered noticing the concerned look on his father's face. He knew very well what was coming next. "No, dad. I don't want to leave. I'm fine. 'Sides, I can't leave without eating a hotdog." Ephram said before his father can open his mouth.
"Hey, I'm a doctor. It's my job to worry about your condition." Andy reasoned as they spotted an empty bench in the shade about a few feet away from the Pony Rides. Delia and Sam dashed to the bench to 'reserve' it for their family. They sat there waiting patiently with their feet dangling merrily.
"I don't have a condition." Ephram retorted.
"He's still in denial." Andy whispered to Nina.
"I heard that." Ephram said.
"Well good because you can't ignore your condition."
"I'm not a baby. Stop treating me like I'm three." Ephram's spunk crept back. "I don't need to take a nap."
"You know guys, I'm starving. How about we get lunch?" Nina said trying to deter the haggling. "The hotdogs looked really good back there."
"Great idea." Andy concurred.
Ephram was relieved that he could finally sit as they arrived at the bench. Andy, Nina and Sam left Delia and Ephram at the bench to baby-sit the toys while they went to get the food. The unexplainable tenderness and warm feeling in his left leg, which started off at his calf, was now spreading to his knee and thigh. He winced at the tightness and quickly began to massage his left leg.
"Does it hurt?" Delia questioned as she watched Ephram kneading his leg to get the soreness to unknot.
"Nah. It gets easily tired." He lied. "Some rest is all I need."
"It looks painful though." Delia stared at her shoes. "Eph, I want you to be well again. I don't ever want you to leave me."
"Aw Del, I AM ok." Ephram stopped and looked at his sister. "Not as flexible as I used to be. But I'm ok. I would say this old ticker of mine has a good number of years before it expires." He smiled and gently tugged at her long light brown hair.
"Can I get a hug then?" She requested with an irresistible dimply grin.
"You're just full of hugs today, aren't you?" Ephram observed. "Oh alright, come here and give your big brother a hug." He added with open arms.
"Mmmm." Delia sighed as she flew into his embrace. "Love you." She mumbled as she buried her face into his shirt.
"I know. Love you too kid."
"Um, Ephram?" Delia said while they were still holding each other in a tight hug.
"Yep?"
"Are you alright?"
"Of course. I thought we already established that."
"It's just that your heartbeat is going so fast and loud. I can even feel it." Delia raised her head from his chest. In an instant, he felt his heart rate increase. He was lightheaded from the stagnant flow of oxygen to his brain. The air was thinning and it got stuffy all of a sudden. Afraid of passing out, he leaned forward with elbows on his knees and drew slow deep breaths as he stared at the concrete between his feet. His vision blurred for a split second then focused again. 'That was close.' He thought. Breathing in and out slowly, he managed to regulate his heartbeat.
"I should get dad." Delia suggested getting frightened. She stared at her brother holding his chest.
"No. Give me a second. I'm ok. I'm a bit breathless from all the excitement." Ephram puffed. "Sometimes my heart does that. See, I'm better now."
"I don't know. I should still get dad." Delia hesitated. She was about to get up from her seat. "Just in case."
"Del, I'm alright. I wouldn't lie to you." Ephram said. "Feel." He added while taking Delia's hand and placing it on his chest.
"Really?" She asked in a skeptical tone. She felt his heart had returned to its normal pace.
"Yea. Positive." Ephram smiled. He couldn't explain it at all. The twitches came as fast as it went. Episodes started with soreness in his leg then escalated to the rapid racing of his heart and tightening of his chest. Maybe he'll mention it to his father when they get home. "Oh look, here comes dad and Nina with the food." Ephram changed the subject.
Andy held a large tray of food in his hands while Nina carried the drinks. They were chatting away on whispered conversation as Sam skipped joyously by Nina's side. Ephram liked the way things were. With Nina playing the surrogate mother, they seemed like a complete family. He wished his father would make it official. Although Ephram never forgot his birth mother and still loved her dearly, there was need for a physical motherly touch of tenderness that he so desperately yearned for. He's never found such a quality in any other woman - except Nina. She genuinely cared about his feelings and nursed him when he was sick or injured. She nurtured him and made sure he never went on an empty stomach. And she can cook up a storm. Ephram didn't think there was a single dish that Nina didn't know how to cook. Besides, she spent more time over at his house than she did at her place. But who was he to tell his father whom to marry. It was not his place to say. Then again, there's no harm in secretly hoping. He could always live the dream inside his head that one day, he would be able to call Nina "mom". He thought about the stolen glances his father had given Nina and vice versa. There had to be more chemistry going on than meets the eye. Either way, Ephram was happy with Nina in his life.
Lunch consisted of sizzling hotdogs with all the fixings, piping cheese fries, butter-dripping corn on the cob, and ice-cold root beer. All of which were consumed quietly and with pleasure.
"Daddy!! Did you know they have pony rides here?!" Delia's eyes lit up as she bit on a cheese fry.
"Yes darling, I am very well aware of that, which is why that shall be our next stop." Andy replied.
"Oh boy! I get to ride a pony!!" Delia beamed.
"I knew you would like that." Andy said while chewing on the last of his food.
"You promised to buy me one. Didn't you daddy?" She said and made big puppy dog eyes.
"Yes. Some day, you will have a pony. But not right now." Andy answered and wiped Delia's greasy mouth with a napkin. "This is what I get for making broken promises. It'll stick with me until I die." Andy said in a low tone to Nina.
"Aha, so you bribed Delia with the 'Daddy's gonna buy you a pony' line for making her agree to live in Everwood. Nice going." Nina shot back an evil grin. "What, pray tell, was the method you used for Ephram?"
"Him? Oh, I dragged him by the ear." Andy joked. The adults laughed. Ephram would've thought of a clever, wise-ass reply to that remark too, but he was not feeling his old youthful, smart-alecky, frivolous self. He had a troubling distraction - another dull pain in his left leg immerged.
"Are we done eating lunch?" Andy looked around. "Who wants cotton candy for dessert?" He added comically.
"Ooo, me, me, me!" Delia and Sam shouted in unison and raised their oily hands like as if they knew the answers to some classroom question.
"Great! Yes votes win by a landslide. Shall we, madam?" Andy said to Nina offering her to take his elbow.
"Why, thank you kind sir." She accepted humorously.
"Mommy! I want to come too!!" Sam yelled jumping out of his seat.
"I'll stay with Ephram." Delia said loyally. "Get me a blue cotton candy!" She called as they left for the cotton candy stand. Delia turned her attention to the Pony Ride area. She saw mischievous boys pretending to be cowboys as they rode the short stubby Shetlands while the girls treated their ponies with princess pride. Her eyes widened as she watched the ponies walking in lazy circles with the pint-sized burdens on their backs.
Children often had special desires. For some kids it was a puppy, or the most updated video game console, or a Disneyland vacation, or even a younger sibling. In Delia's case, it was a pony. Ephram knew how much Delia wanted one. He also knew for a fact that his dad was never going to buy it for her. That was the honest truth. Only sweet little innocent and naïve eight year old Delia would believe that she was actually going to get a pony. Ephram decided he was not going to be the one to break the bad news to her. Her heart would be crushed. Perhaps she'll grow out of it just like the way he grew out of waiting for Santa to bring him a trampoline.
"So you like ponies, huh?" Ephram asked.
"Yep. When we go pony shopping, I'm gonna pick a tan colored one and I'm naming her Buttercup." Delia said quite sure of herself.
"You already have a name picked out?" Ephram was a bit shocked. Delia nodded. "Buttercup, huh? Are you sure you wouldn't rather go with Funny Cide or Secretariat?"
"What?" Delia looked confused.
"They're names of race horses. You know, in the Triple Crown? It was a joke, get it?" Ephram expected her to say, "Ohh!!" but instead, she gave him a blank look. "Ah, forget it. You're a bit young to know anything about Belmont Park and Aqueduct anyway. You want to go take a closer look at the ponies?"
"Can we?!" Delia said in delight.
"I don't see why not." Ephram shrugged. Delia got up and took a few anxious steps. "Stay by the fence, ok? We have to wait for dad first."
The very instant Ephram stood up, a sharp pain shot up his left leg and into his lower back making him cry out in distress. Delia turned her head in alarm. He heard a sickening click sound somewhere inside his body. Ephram knew it wasn't good. He grabbed for his lower back. He grit his teeth to swallow the blinding pain but it was no use.
"Ephram!! What's wrong?" Delia screamed in horror. The pain was so grueling he couldn't give a reply. He took another step before his legs betrayed him completely causing him to lose his balance and collapse onto the pavement. He swore he saw stars as his left side hit the cement first. He shook his head desperately to clear his shaky vision.
The pain in his back increased upon impact with the ground. He tried to talk but the only sound that came out of his mouth was a sickly squeak. It was like he lost his voice altogether. He tried to put together understandable words but they came out in loud inhuman grunts. Agonizing and excruciating pain contorted his face. The twisting throb in his back prevented him from any possible movement. His heart began to race. Breathing was worst than before. His chest became tighter and tighter restricting air to pass into his lungs. Desperately trying to draw in air made his breathing come in harsh ragged gasps. The feeling of fiery ants returned with thousands of burning feet trampling across his chest in a wild fury. He ordered his arms to move so he can rub his chest and get the soreness out but they wouldn't listen. His whole body felt immobile. He released the intense pain by groaning loudly.
"Ephram!!" Delia hollered as fear racked her whole body. Panic-ridden and not knowing the proper action required to save her ailing brother, she dropped to her knees and watched Ephram squirm in pain as the color drained from his face. "Ephram?" She cried. "What should I do?" No matter what she asked her brother, he wasn't able to give her an answer. He only lay there moaning. Tears flooded out of her eyes. "Someone help!!" She yelled on the top of her lungs.
Delia caught the attention of some nearby fair-goers. Upon seeing the half- unconscious boy lying on the ground, they dashed over to assist. The first to approach was a chubby woman in her mid forties with short curly red hair. She wore a purple blouse with black Capri pants and a brown pocket book draped across her shoulders.
"Please help my brother." Delia cried to the lady as she arrived at the scene.
"Oh dear!" The lady said kneeling beside Ephram and observing the injured boy. "Do you know what's wrong with him?" She asked Delia.
"He's hurt. He fell." Delia wailed and brushed away her tears.
"Sugar, tell me where does it hurt." The lady asked Ephram, who was now laid flat on his back. She surveyed his pale face. He looked like he was going to faint. His eyes were no longer focused. "Can you hear me?" He just grit his teeth and moaned.
"DADDY!!!!!!" Delia panicked. "DADDY - WHERE ARE YOU???? DADDY!!"
By then more people had surrounded the fallen teenager. Everyone wanted to help but no one knew how since they were oblivious to the cause of the problem. A few caring strangers crouched next to the boy trying to help in any way possible. They touched his forehead, felt for broken bones, and searched for bleeding and other visible injuries. The more they prodded him, the louder he squealed in pain. Giving no knowledgeable reply to any of their questions, they came to the conclusion that he wasn't able to hear them. Though that was not the case at all. He was smarting so much that if he should unclench his jaw, he would go into hysterics. The only thing anyone could do for him was dial for medial assistance and wait.
"Is your brother epileptic?" The lady asked Delia. Delia shook her head. "Does he have asthma?" The lady asked watching the poor boy wheeze and attempt to draw in oxygen. Delia shook her head again. "Is he a diabetic?" Delia shook her head a third time. She didn't know herself what was wrong with her brother. Agitated and helplessly discouraged that no one was going to do anything for poor Ephram, the waterworks leaked from her eyes once again as she hollered for her father.
Ephram held the pain in as his ashen face shifted his stare from the red headed lady to the blue sky. With jaws still clenched, he forced air thru his nostrils into his body but his lungs refused to process the oxygen. The lady was alternating between talking at him and asking Delia questions. After a while, he couldn't hear what the woman was saying anymore because his heart pounded in his ears and throat beyond his control. The thumping and occasional pinch caused his body to twitch sporadically. It scared him to think Delia was going to watch him die a slow and painful death on a pavement at a town fair. This would scar her for life. Though he wasn't sure if he was really dying, but he damn well felt like he was. He doubted his dad would be able to save him this time. He didn't even know where his father was. Maybe this was the big exit for Ephram Brown. His number was up. If only the pain went away. Suddenly, he heard an all too familiar voice above the chatter of concerned strangers. It was his father racing to his rescue. Things will be ok now. His father was here to make things better.
"Oh my God, Ephram!!!" Andy pushed his way thru the crowd. He stumbled onto the ground next to his son. "What happened?" He looked at Delia.
"We were going to look at the ponies, he got up and fell." Delia stammered still in tears. "He won't talk."
"Ephram, where is the pain?" Andy fretted. He slipped his arm around his son's shoulder to support his neck. Ephram arched his back and groaned thru his teeth. His eyes stared steadily ahead.
"He's been like this for a while now. We don't know what's wrong with him. I think he's in pain but he won't say where." A man spoke. "We called for medical assistance. They should be here soon."
"Thanks." Andy said to the man and turned back to Ephram. "Now Ephram, listen to me. You have to tell me where it hurts." Andy instructed only to hear Ephram grunt. Andy took a closer look and realized how tightly Ephram clenched his jaw suggesting the boy was in terrible pain. "Oh God." Andy panicked. "Son, I know you are in a lot of pain but you have to relax your jaw or you're going to ruin your teeth and damage your jaw bone."
Ephram heard his father and tried to follow his instructions. He slowly released his bite. His breath was jarring and raspy.
Andy propped Ephram up a little. "Is it your legs?" Andy guessed. "Here?" Andy squeezed his right leg then his left leg. Ephram shook his head. "Where then?"
"B-back." Ephram grimaced and swallowed again. "Ch-chest." A stray tear rolled down his face. "P-p-pain." He stuttered. "C-can't feel l-legs."
'This is bad.' Andy thought and tried to remain calm but his hands rattled with fear. It was apparent when he brushed a stray piece of hair away from Ephram's eyes.
"OK. Now we're getting somewhere." Andy's voice shook. "You are going to be ok. You hear me? Don't be scared."
"I'm ok." Ephram made himself believe those words. His chin quivered and the helpless gaze told his father that his son was far from being ok. Another tear escaped his eyes.
"In your chest, is it a stabbing pain or a burning pain?" Andy switched into doctor mode.
Before Ephram could give a reply, his breathing wheezed and the muscles of his upper body tensed up instantly. He struggled to swallow. His jaw clenched again as a fit of pain radiated thru his lower back. Ephram's upper torso hardened like as if he had his muscles flexed. A cold sweat formed on his pale face. His lips turned a shade of purple. He stared at his father with his empty greenish gray eyes. He tried to blink but for some reason, his body was not allowing him to do even that.
"Ephram?" Andy called noticing the immediate change in the boy's condition. "Hey! Son!!" Andy shook Ephram gently to get his eyes to focus. After blinking once, Ephram's eyelids drooped and resumed the icy stare.
"Damn it Ephram, breathe!" He shrieked. Andy could see his son battling for breath. "Where the hell are the paramedics?!" Andy yelled in anguish. Surely, he was a doctor and was capable of saving his son's life but without medical equipment, he was as helpless as everyone else. He finally spotted two men in green EMS uniforms jogging towards them with a rolling stretcher from a distance.
"Dad." Ephram whispered thru clenched teeth.
"I'm here. You're gonna be fine." Andy held him tight, not wanting to let go.
Ephram saw passed his father's worried facial expression. He saw passed the circle of unfamiliar faces looking down on him. The voices were diminishing in his head and all he heard was his desperate wheezing for breath and the irregular rhythm of his heart. Even his vision was starting to fade. Blurriness clouded his eyes as objects and faces swirled around in a whirlpool of colors.
"I'm ok." Ephram choked. "I'm o-". Darkness claimed him before he could finish his statement. Andy watched his son's eyes roll into his head.
"Ephram??" Andy shook his son. Ephram's head lolled to the side and his body went limp in Andy's arms.
* end of chapter 2 *
The Plainfield Fair came once a year and ran for about one week. The fair was set up in an abandoned airfield approximately 15 minutes away from Everwood. It was an end of the summer main attraction. Though the fair wasn't widely known nor was it very big, people from neighboring towns still brought their children to have a fun family outing. Festivals and fairs are a very common ingredient in every small town. They celebrated anything from fruits and vegetables to weather. Ephram thought it was corny how people in such tight communities invent festivals just for the sake of having something to celebrate about in their mundane lives. Though people took this type of celebration seriously, Ephram took it as one big joke. On occasion, he would parade around the house and scream something like, "Happy Waffle Day! Today, we celebrate the origin of the waffle, which dates back all the way to 15th century Belgian." He had his way of keeping his family amused.
Of course, Everwood had its share of ridiculous festivals. The Smiling Pumpkin Festival in October required those who attended to dress up in costumes. There were dancing in the streets and lots of harvest foods at every booth - picture Marti Gras with a Hick-Ville backdrop. The biggest event there was the pumpkin-carving contest, which Dr. Abbott had been the reigning champion for the past five years. Then there was The Watermelon Queen Festival in July set to coincide with the 4th of July. This festival was more like a beauty pageant than anything else. One lucky lady will be selected by a panel of distinguished judges by the end of the day to be the new Watermelon Queen. Hundreds of watermelon-based food recipes ranging from watermelon cake to watermelon chicken were offered. The fireworks at night were the best part. Even still, Ephram thought nothing could ever beat The Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in the East River. The Spring Bunny Hop Festival was a favorite among the residents of Everwood. This was one event the whole family could participate in. There were a slew of father-son events, mother-daughter contests, father-daughter exercises, mother-son activities and even sibling team games. Events ranged to pie eating contests to tug-of-war to relay races. The Plainfield Fair was just one of those attractions that sparked the excitement of the small town.
Andy drove with extreme caution since he knew of Ephram's fragile nerves. The last thing he wanted was to rehash painful memories. Ephram sat with seat belts securely fastened in the front passenger seat while Nina sat in the back with the kids. Andy couldn't help but dart worried glances over at his quiet son every now and then to make sure he wasn't phasing into an episode of fear. Ephram appeared calmer than usual but he wasn't able to hide his jittery hands despite cramming them into his pant's side cargo pockets. His hands convulsed in his pockets and Andy caught it nonetheless.
"Ephram, you ok?" Andy whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"Hmm? Y-yea. Fine." Ephram breathed and closed his eyes. "If only I can get my hands to stop shaking." He admitted.
"The shakes will go away within time." Andy reassured.
"Sure hope so. I may not look it but my heart is going a thousand miles an hour right now." Ephram took another breath.
"Just relax and breathe."
"Yea. I know. I promise I won't throw up this time. Just take it easy on the brakes, will you?" He flashed a weary smile.
"You're a brave kid. You know that?" Andy said feeling pity on his son. He wished his son didn't have to go thru this.
"Yea, I'm trying." Ephram swallowed the salty lump in his throat. "I'm trying real hard."
"We're here!! We're here!!" Delia screamed excitedly. Seeing Ephram nearly jumping out of his skin by the sudden sound, Andy made a reminder to have a little talk with Delia later. "Look!" Delia said pointing with her tiny index finger pressed against the window. She saw a rotating Ferris wheel and a small kiddie roller coaster snaking it's way up and down the tracks.
"I see it too!" Sam said with enthusiasm. "Wow!! I want to go on the Merry- Go-Round, mommy." Sam's face was glued to the window.
"Sure, Sam." Nina laughed and kissed him on the head.
"I can almost taste the cotton candy." Delia smacked her lips.
"I want cotton candy too! And ice cream. And hot dogs. And popcorn. Oh! And candy apples!!" Sam chattered on in ecstasy. There was something about a fair that made kids glow with mirth and gaiety. Was it the amusement of rides or the funny clowns with big feet handing out multi-colored balloons? Maybe it was the petting zoos and animal rides that sparked the excitement of the youngsters. Perhaps it was the endless supply of junk food or the variety of games that rewarded huge teddy bears to the winners. Whatever the reasons, it made kids happy and that's all that mattered.
After easily finding a parking space in the lot, the five-some entered the fair. Delia and Sam excitedly ran to and fro reporting what they had seen to the adults, who were walking slowly with Ephram. The first stop was the carousel.
"Are you going to ride with us?" Delia asked Ephram as she held his hand.
"No, Delia. Not this time. I can't go on any rides right now. But I'll sit right on that bench over there and watch you." He replied. Delia grabbed Ephram's waist and pulled him into a hug. "Go and have fun!" Ephram smiled and patted her on the head.
Andy placed Delia on the horse of her choice. She picked a lavender horse with small colorful daises etched into the saddle while Sam chose a blue and gray one. Ephram sat on the bench with the adults and watched the carousel rotate. The carousel horses bobbed up and down as the loud music started to play. Each time Delia and Sam came around, they waved frantically. The two adults and Ephram were required to wave back. Ephram saw how happy Delia and Sam were and it really touched his heart. The kids weren't arguing anymore. They were actually getting along great. The fair had a certain unexplainable truce-magic.
"How are you doing?" Andy nudged Ephram on the shoulder. Honestly, Ephram wanted to rub his legs to get the soreness out but to do that, it would only provoke his worry-wart father into giving him the third degree. Ephram's legs were fine - as long as he sat. It was when he was walking that put strain on them causing him malaise.
"I'm good. Wish you would quit asking me how I am every three seconds though." Ephram jived.
"What? I DO NOT!" Andy pretended to be flabbergasted. "It's more like every six seconds."
Ephram laughed at his father's reply and waved at Delia and Sam as they passed by again. This time, they howled Ephram's name.
"Your father is concerned for you." Nina said. "He only wants you to be ok."
"He's been overly protective ever since the accident. He has a cow even when I get a paper cut." Ephram rolled his eyes. "The attention is suffocating."
"It's all within good reason. He loves you a lot." Nina gave him a gentle squeeze on the shoulder.
Once the ride was over, they headed to the various games and watched people play. Andy was trying his luck at Ring Toss while Ephram wandered over to the Shooting Gallery, where you shoot the yellow plastic ducks that immerge out of the conveyor belt with your pellet gun. With Delia by his side, he managed to win her a medium fuzzy light blue teddy bear sporting a polka dotted bow. Delia beamed with such vivacity as she flung her arms around her brother so hard that she almost knocked him over. Ephram steadied himself and laughed at his sister's quirkiness.
"Now, lets see if we can win one for Sam." Ephram said as he walked hand in hand with Delia to another game. Skee-Ball caught his attention right away. He remembered a childhood spent at the Chuck-E-Cheese restaurant playing Skee-Ball with his friends back in New York. After three throws of the ball, he scored enough points to win a prize. He called Sam over to pick the prize. Sam chose a furry orange and yellow bunny rabbit with long floppy ears. The happy kids and Ephram made their way back to Andy and Nina, who was carrying a large hot pink colored plush bear in her arms. No doubt, Andy had won it for her.
Delia and Sam ran ahead of Ephram and rattled off at the same time while showing them the prizes he won for them. Ephram's legs were indeed getting tired. The numbness had settled in his left leg. He needed to sit.
"Looks like someone had luck playing Ring Toss." Ephram said to his father wearily trying to hide his discomfort.
"Hey, it had nothing to do with luck mind you." Andy boasted.
"Oh no. He IS a natural. I can vouch for that." Nina confirmed. She held the bear out by the armpits and shifted it from side to side so it appeared to be dancing. "Isn't it cute?"
"Oh, very." Ephram raised an eyebrow. "Dad, I hate to be a party-pooper but can we sit somewhere?"
"Sure. Your legs bothering you?" Andy asked.
"A bit. Just tired from all the walking. I'll be ok after a little rest." Ephram answered noticing the concerned look on his father's face. He knew very well what was coming next. "No, dad. I don't want to leave. I'm fine. 'Sides, I can't leave without eating a hotdog." Ephram said before his father can open his mouth.
"Hey, I'm a doctor. It's my job to worry about your condition." Andy reasoned as they spotted an empty bench in the shade about a few feet away from the Pony Rides. Delia and Sam dashed to the bench to 'reserve' it for their family. They sat there waiting patiently with their feet dangling merrily.
"I don't have a condition." Ephram retorted.
"He's still in denial." Andy whispered to Nina.
"I heard that." Ephram said.
"Well good because you can't ignore your condition."
"I'm not a baby. Stop treating me like I'm three." Ephram's spunk crept back. "I don't need to take a nap."
"You know guys, I'm starving. How about we get lunch?" Nina said trying to deter the haggling. "The hotdogs looked really good back there."
"Great idea." Andy concurred.
Ephram was relieved that he could finally sit as they arrived at the bench. Andy, Nina and Sam left Delia and Ephram at the bench to baby-sit the toys while they went to get the food. The unexplainable tenderness and warm feeling in his left leg, which started off at his calf, was now spreading to his knee and thigh. He winced at the tightness and quickly began to massage his left leg.
"Does it hurt?" Delia questioned as she watched Ephram kneading his leg to get the soreness to unknot.
"Nah. It gets easily tired." He lied. "Some rest is all I need."
"It looks painful though." Delia stared at her shoes. "Eph, I want you to be well again. I don't ever want you to leave me."
"Aw Del, I AM ok." Ephram stopped and looked at his sister. "Not as flexible as I used to be. But I'm ok. I would say this old ticker of mine has a good number of years before it expires." He smiled and gently tugged at her long light brown hair.
"Can I get a hug then?" She requested with an irresistible dimply grin.
"You're just full of hugs today, aren't you?" Ephram observed. "Oh alright, come here and give your big brother a hug." He added with open arms.
"Mmmm." Delia sighed as she flew into his embrace. "Love you." She mumbled as she buried her face into his shirt.
"I know. Love you too kid."
"Um, Ephram?" Delia said while they were still holding each other in a tight hug.
"Yep?"
"Are you alright?"
"Of course. I thought we already established that."
"It's just that your heartbeat is going so fast and loud. I can even feel it." Delia raised her head from his chest. In an instant, he felt his heart rate increase. He was lightheaded from the stagnant flow of oxygen to his brain. The air was thinning and it got stuffy all of a sudden. Afraid of passing out, he leaned forward with elbows on his knees and drew slow deep breaths as he stared at the concrete between his feet. His vision blurred for a split second then focused again. 'That was close.' He thought. Breathing in and out slowly, he managed to regulate his heartbeat.
"I should get dad." Delia suggested getting frightened. She stared at her brother holding his chest.
"No. Give me a second. I'm ok. I'm a bit breathless from all the excitement." Ephram puffed. "Sometimes my heart does that. See, I'm better now."
"I don't know. I should still get dad." Delia hesitated. She was about to get up from her seat. "Just in case."
"Del, I'm alright. I wouldn't lie to you." Ephram said. "Feel." He added while taking Delia's hand and placing it on his chest.
"Really?" She asked in a skeptical tone. She felt his heart had returned to its normal pace.
"Yea. Positive." Ephram smiled. He couldn't explain it at all. The twitches came as fast as it went. Episodes started with soreness in his leg then escalated to the rapid racing of his heart and tightening of his chest. Maybe he'll mention it to his father when they get home. "Oh look, here comes dad and Nina with the food." Ephram changed the subject.
Andy held a large tray of food in his hands while Nina carried the drinks. They were chatting away on whispered conversation as Sam skipped joyously by Nina's side. Ephram liked the way things were. With Nina playing the surrogate mother, they seemed like a complete family. He wished his father would make it official. Although Ephram never forgot his birth mother and still loved her dearly, there was need for a physical motherly touch of tenderness that he so desperately yearned for. He's never found such a quality in any other woman - except Nina. She genuinely cared about his feelings and nursed him when he was sick or injured. She nurtured him and made sure he never went on an empty stomach. And she can cook up a storm. Ephram didn't think there was a single dish that Nina didn't know how to cook. Besides, she spent more time over at his house than she did at her place. But who was he to tell his father whom to marry. It was not his place to say. Then again, there's no harm in secretly hoping. He could always live the dream inside his head that one day, he would be able to call Nina "mom". He thought about the stolen glances his father had given Nina and vice versa. There had to be more chemistry going on than meets the eye. Either way, Ephram was happy with Nina in his life.
Lunch consisted of sizzling hotdogs with all the fixings, piping cheese fries, butter-dripping corn on the cob, and ice-cold root beer. All of which were consumed quietly and with pleasure.
"Daddy!! Did you know they have pony rides here?!" Delia's eyes lit up as she bit on a cheese fry.
"Yes darling, I am very well aware of that, which is why that shall be our next stop." Andy replied.
"Oh boy! I get to ride a pony!!" Delia beamed.
"I knew you would like that." Andy said while chewing on the last of his food.
"You promised to buy me one. Didn't you daddy?" She said and made big puppy dog eyes.
"Yes. Some day, you will have a pony. But not right now." Andy answered and wiped Delia's greasy mouth with a napkin. "This is what I get for making broken promises. It'll stick with me until I die." Andy said in a low tone to Nina.
"Aha, so you bribed Delia with the 'Daddy's gonna buy you a pony' line for making her agree to live in Everwood. Nice going." Nina shot back an evil grin. "What, pray tell, was the method you used for Ephram?"
"Him? Oh, I dragged him by the ear." Andy joked. The adults laughed. Ephram would've thought of a clever, wise-ass reply to that remark too, but he was not feeling his old youthful, smart-alecky, frivolous self. He had a troubling distraction - another dull pain in his left leg immerged.
"Are we done eating lunch?" Andy looked around. "Who wants cotton candy for dessert?" He added comically.
"Ooo, me, me, me!" Delia and Sam shouted in unison and raised their oily hands like as if they knew the answers to some classroom question.
"Great! Yes votes win by a landslide. Shall we, madam?" Andy said to Nina offering her to take his elbow.
"Why, thank you kind sir." She accepted humorously.
"Mommy! I want to come too!!" Sam yelled jumping out of his seat.
"I'll stay with Ephram." Delia said loyally. "Get me a blue cotton candy!" She called as they left for the cotton candy stand. Delia turned her attention to the Pony Ride area. She saw mischievous boys pretending to be cowboys as they rode the short stubby Shetlands while the girls treated their ponies with princess pride. Her eyes widened as she watched the ponies walking in lazy circles with the pint-sized burdens on their backs.
Children often had special desires. For some kids it was a puppy, or the most updated video game console, or a Disneyland vacation, or even a younger sibling. In Delia's case, it was a pony. Ephram knew how much Delia wanted one. He also knew for a fact that his dad was never going to buy it for her. That was the honest truth. Only sweet little innocent and naïve eight year old Delia would believe that she was actually going to get a pony. Ephram decided he was not going to be the one to break the bad news to her. Her heart would be crushed. Perhaps she'll grow out of it just like the way he grew out of waiting for Santa to bring him a trampoline.
"So you like ponies, huh?" Ephram asked.
"Yep. When we go pony shopping, I'm gonna pick a tan colored one and I'm naming her Buttercup." Delia said quite sure of herself.
"You already have a name picked out?" Ephram was a bit shocked. Delia nodded. "Buttercup, huh? Are you sure you wouldn't rather go with Funny Cide or Secretariat?"
"What?" Delia looked confused.
"They're names of race horses. You know, in the Triple Crown? It was a joke, get it?" Ephram expected her to say, "Ohh!!" but instead, she gave him a blank look. "Ah, forget it. You're a bit young to know anything about Belmont Park and Aqueduct anyway. You want to go take a closer look at the ponies?"
"Can we?!" Delia said in delight.
"I don't see why not." Ephram shrugged. Delia got up and took a few anxious steps. "Stay by the fence, ok? We have to wait for dad first."
The very instant Ephram stood up, a sharp pain shot up his left leg and into his lower back making him cry out in distress. Delia turned her head in alarm. He heard a sickening click sound somewhere inside his body. Ephram knew it wasn't good. He grabbed for his lower back. He grit his teeth to swallow the blinding pain but it was no use.
"Ephram!! What's wrong?" Delia screamed in horror. The pain was so grueling he couldn't give a reply. He took another step before his legs betrayed him completely causing him to lose his balance and collapse onto the pavement. He swore he saw stars as his left side hit the cement first. He shook his head desperately to clear his shaky vision.
The pain in his back increased upon impact with the ground. He tried to talk but the only sound that came out of his mouth was a sickly squeak. It was like he lost his voice altogether. He tried to put together understandable words but they came out in loud inhuman grunts. Agonizing and excruciating pain contorted his face. The twisting throb in his back prevented him from any possible movement. His heart began to race. Breathing was worst than before. His chest became tighter and tighter restricting air to pass into his lungs. Desperately trying to draw in air made his breathing come in harsh ragged gasps. The feeling of fiery ants returned with thousands of burning feet trampling across his chest in a wild fury. He ordered his arms to move so he can rub his chest and get the soreness out but they wouldn't listen. His whole body felt immobile. He released the intense pain by groaning loudly.
"Ephram!!" Delia hollered as fear racked her whole body. Panic-ridden and not knowing the proper action required to save her ailing brother, she dropped to her knees and watched Ephram squirm in pain as the color drained from his face. "Ephram?" She cried. "What should I do?" No matter what she asked her brother, he wasn't able to give her an answer. He only lay there moaning. Tears flooded out of her eyes. "Someone help!!" She yelled on the top of her lungs.
Delia caught the attention of some nearby fair-goers. Upon seeing the half- unconscious boy lying on the ground, they dashed over to assist. The first to approach was a chubby woman in her mid forties with short curly red hair. She wore a purple blouse with black Capri pants and a brown pocket book draped across her shoulders.
"Please help my brother." Delia cried to the lady as she arrived at the scene.
"Oh dear!" The lady said kneeling beside Ephram and observing the injured boy. "Do you know what's wrong with him?" She asked Delia.
"He's hurt. He fell." Delia wailed and brushed away her tears.
"Sugar, tell me where does it hurt." The lady asked Ephram, who was now laid flat on his back. She surveyed his pale face. He looked like he was going to faint. His eyes were no longer focused. "Can you hear me?" He just grit his teeth and moaned.
"DADDY!!!!!!" Delia panicked. "DADDY - WHERE ARE YOU???? DADDY!!"
By then more people had surrounded the fallen teenager. Everyone wanted to help but no one knew how since they were oblivious to the cause of the problem. A few caring strangers crouched next to the boy trying to help in any way possible. They touched his forehead, felt for broken bones, and searched for bleeding and other visible injuries. The more they prodded him, the louder he squealed in pain. Giving no knowledgeable reply to any of their questions, they came to the conclusion that he wasn't able to hear them. Though that was not the case at all. He was smarting so much that if he should unclench his jaw, he would go into hysterics. The only thing anyone could do for him was dial for medial assistance and wait.
"Is your brother epileptic?" The lady asked Delia. Delia shook her head. "Does he have asthma?" The lady asked watching the poor boy wheeze and attempt to draw in oxygen. Delia shook her head again. "Is he a diabetic?" Delia shook her head a third time. She didn't know herself what was wrong with her brother. Agitated and helplessly discouraged that no one was going to do anything for poor Ephram, the waterworks leaked from her eyes once again as she hollered for her father.
Ephram held the pain in as his ashen face shifted his stare from the red headed lady to the blue sky. With jaws still clenched, he forced air thru his nostrils into his body but his lungs refused to process the oxygen. The lady was alternating between talking at him and asking Delia questions. After a while, he couldn't hear what the woman was saying anymore because his heart pounded in his ears and throat beyond his control. The thumping and occasional pinch caused his body to twitch sporadically. It scared him to think Delia was going to watch him die a slow and painful death on a pavement at a town fair. This would scar her for life. Though he wasn't sure if he was really dying, but he damn well felt like he was. He doubted his dad would be able to save him this time. He didn't even know where his father was. Maybe this was the big exit for Ephram Brown. His number was up. If only the pain went away. Suddenly, he heard an all too familiar voice above the chatter of concerned strangers. It was his father racing to his rescue. Things will be ok now. His father was here to make things better.
"Oh my God, Ephram!!!" Andy pushed his way thru the crowd. He stumbled onto the ground next to his son. "What happened?" He looked at Delia.
"We were going to look at the ponies, he got up and fell." Delia stammered still in tears. "He won't talk."
"Ephram, where is the pain?" Andy fretted. He slipped his arm around his son's shoulder to support his neck. Ephram arched his back and groaned thru his teeth. His eyes stared steadily ahead.
"He's been like this for a while now. We don't know what's wrong with him. I think he's in pain but he won't say where." A man spoke. "We called for medical assistance. They should be here soon."
"Thanks." Andy said to the man and turned back to Ephram. "Now Ephram, listen to me. You have to tell me where it hurts." Andy instructed only to hear Ephram grunt. Andy took a closer look and realized how tightly Ephram clenched his jaw suggesting the boy was in terrible pain. "Oh God." Andy panicked. "Son, I know you are in a lot of pain but you have to relax your jaw or you're going to ruin your teeth and damage your jaw bone."
Ephram heard his father and tried to follow his instructions. He slowly released his bite. His breath was jarring and raspy.
Andy propped Ephram up a little. "Is it your legs?" Andy guessed. "Here?" Andy squeezed his right leg then his left leg. Ephram shook his head. "Where then?"
"B-back." Ephram grimaced and swallowed again. "Ch-chest." A stray tear rolled down his face. "P-p-pain." He stuttered. "C-can't feel l-legs."
'This is bad.' Andy thought and tried to remain calm but his hands rattled with fear. It was apparent when he brushed a stray piece of hair away from Ephram's eyes.
"OK. Now we're getting somewhere." Andy's voice shook. "You are going to be ok. You hear me? Don't be scared."
"I'm ok." Ephram made himself believe those words. His chin quivered and the helpless gaze told his father that his son was far from being ok. Another tear escaped his eyes.
"In your chest, is it a stabbing pain or a burning pain?" Andy switched into doctor mode.
Before Ephram could give a reply, his breathing wheezed and the muscles of his upper body tensed up instantly. He struggled to swallow. His jaw clenched again as a fit of pain radiated thru his lower back. Ephram's upper torso hardened like as if he had his muscles flexed. A cold sweat formed on his pale face. His lips turned a shade of purple. He stared at his father with his empty greenish gray eyes. He tried to blink but for some reason, his body was not allowing him to do even that.
"Ephram?" Andy called noticing the immediate change in the boy's condition. "Hey! Son!!" Andy shook Ephram gently to get his eyes to focus. After blinking once, Ephram's eyelids drooped and resumed the icy stare.
"Damn it Ephram, breathe!" He shrieked. Andy could see his son battling for breath. "Where the hell are the paramedics?!" Andy yelled in anguish. Surely, he was a doctor and was capable of saving his son's life but without medical equipment, he was as helpless as everyone else. He finally spotted two men in green EMS uniforms jogging towards them with a rolling stretcher from a distance.
"Dad." Ephram whispered thru clenched teeth.
"I'm here. You're gonna be fine." Andy held him tight, not wanting to let go.
Ephram saw passed his father's worried facial expression. He saw passed the circle of unfamiliar faces looking down on him. The voices were diminishing in his head and all he heard was his desperate wheezing for breath and the irregular rhythm of his heart. Even his vision was starting to fade. Blurriness clouded his eyes as objects and faces swirled around in a whirlpool of colors.
"I'm ok." Ephram choked. "I'm o-". Darkness claimed him before he could finish his statement. Andy watched his son's eyes roll into his head.
"Ephram??" Andy shook his son. Ephram's head lolled to the side and his body went limp in Andy's arms.
* end of chapter 2 *