The whole week, the two were inseparable. Ephram was laughing twice as often and everybody noticed that he seemed happier. Friday came around and after their classes as they walked out of the music building arm in arm, Ephram asked Madison, "what are you doing after your class on Saturday 'til Sunday night?" he shifted his books as they walked.
"Well, I don't have to work so if you want to do anything, we definitely can."
"I was thinking. You should come home with me this weekend, to see Delia, she'd love to see you."
Madison looked at him as they walked to her car, "you know," she bit her lip and smiled, "I think that'd be a good idea!"
When they got to Madison's car, she started it and let it warm up as she spoke to Ephram who put his books on the top of it. "Come here, you" she said pulling on his shirt to bring him closer to her. He kissed her as he wrapped an arm around her waist, he slipped his tongue slowly into her mouth, kissing her deeply. When he pulled away, he asked, "you have to work in Denver next week, don't you?"
Madison tilted her head, "that I do, Saturday afternoon 'til Tuesday night." She smiled, "what are you going to do without me?"
"I'll manage. I have a concert that I will be playing in so that should be cool. Practice, practice, practice." he smiled then kissed Madison again, pressing his body against hers, kissing her neck before she left.
The next day, the two headed to the Brown household 2 hours away where Delia was only expecting her brother.
When they were an hour away, Ephram decided to call home, Delia answered, "Hello?
"Hey Dee, guess what!"
"You're coming home!"
"that I am, but I have a surprise for you!" he smiled, looking at Madison.
"Oh tell me! What is it!"
Ephram laughed, "you'll just have to wait and see. I'll be home in an hour, you'll see then, okay?"
Delia pretended to pout, "I guess…bye…"
Ephram hung up the phone and continued driving. After a while, Madison asked, "so is your dad still dating Linda?"
Ephram shook his head, "no, she split about a year and a half ago, I think. Dad says she was jealous of his friendship with Nina. It's just that, though, a friendship, you know." He winked at Madison, "girls are crazy."
"I love you Ephram Brown, but boys are crazier." she laughed, making him smile.
"For sake of argument…I'll agree." Ephram smiled teasingly.
Finally they pulled into the driveway of the Brown household and out ran Delia, with Andy following her slowly. Ephram rolled down the window, "Stay right there, Squirt! Close your eyes. Dad, make sure she closes her eyes!" he smiled and rolled up his window and looked at Madison, "now, what I was thinking…walk up behind her and stand a few feet behind her."
Madison nodded her head, getting out of the car, making sure to shut it at the moment Ephram shut his door. She decided to go sit on the porch, since Delia wasn't too far from it.
"Ok, Squirt, you can open your eyes."
Delia smiled big, then her face scrunched up, "where's the surprise?"
Ephram laughed, then jokingly said, holding out his arms, "I'm the surprise!"
"That's not funny." Delia said as she turned around to go back in the house. She stopped walking as soon as she spotted Madison sitting on the step. She was speechless, all she could do was look quickly from Ephram to her dad to Madison then to Ephram again. When Madison raised her eyebrows, Delia jumped up and down, "Oh my god! Madison, oh my god! Ephram! Madison! Oh my god!" then she ran up and tackled Madison in a hug. "I missed you!"
Delia no longer wore baseball caps, she was just a bit more girly than she was three years ago. A few inches taller and her hair down to the middle of her back.
Finally they managed to get into the house, "Delia and I were just making sandwiches…a late lunch if you would, do you guys want anything?" asked Andy as he scooted Delia into the kitchen.
"We'll be right there Dr. Brown." replied Madison, looking around the living room. She whispered to Ephram, "there are so many memories here." she smiled as Ephram took her in his arms, holding her. Then she chuckled, touching the couch, "especially this thing right here….Wow…"
The two walked into the kitchen, Ephram walking behind. They all sat down to the table and ate lunch together, catching up on how things have been. Delia couldn't stop talking about her boyfriend and how things have been going. How she has been tumor free for a whole year and how her best friend, Arnie, is doing.
Ephram chuckled, "Madison, you never met Arnie, but he was a cute kid. I think one time when Dee was 10, I think, he let her wrap him up in toilet paper."
Delia started laughing, "I remember that!"
"He also helped you get in trouble, Delia, remember" Andy said, smiling, "he helped you sneak away from your class on your class trip to the museum and you ended up getting caught. I think you both got in trouble for that one."
Madison laughed, "that definitely sounds like something you would have done."
