Sunday afternoon came and Madison came over to visit. She knew Delia was going to tell Ephram about the possibility of her tumor having returned and she wanted to be there. They were in Ephram's room when Delia brought up the past, "Hey, remember when I got sick?"
"Do you really have to bring that up again, Dee? Unless you want me to freak out and cry, I suggest you just drop it." He didn't look up from the book he was reading. Delia took the book and closed it, looking at Madison then back to Ephram, "…I have something to tell you…"
Ephram's smile faded as he looked from Delia to Madison then to Delia again, "Dee, you're scaring me…" he swallowed hard. "Tell me now or else I'm going to have a nervous breakdown."
"I went to the doctors on Friday to have some tests done…They think the tumor is back."
Ephram became surprised as his mouth was open, not sure how to take this news.
"It very well could just be a cyst or something, a benign tumor even, but…but they aren't taking any chances…"
Ephram's eyes filled with tears and he quickly wiped them away, "why are you telling me this?" He looked from Madison to Delia again. A look of helplessness came over him, which made Madison sit next to him and put her arms around him.
"It would be better to tell you and prepare you now then to blindside you tomorrow if the news is bad."
Ephram rubbed his face, then pulled on the little patch of hair under his bottom lip, not sure what to say, "…I thought you were better? I mean, you've…um…you've been fine for over a year!" he said slowly as Delia made her way over to him. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes, "this is like my worst nightmare coming true…again…You were so close to dying last time, Dee…I cant go through that again!" Madison rubbed his back slowly as he continued talking, "you two are my life…" he paused, looking down at the floor, trying to regain composure.
Delia whispered, "its okay to be upset."
Ephram looked up, wiping a tear from his eye with his sleeve, "no its not! I'm supposed to be the tough one!" thoughts and memories of the past came flooding back to him and he grew even more upset, throwing his hands over his face as he bent forward with his elbows on his knees. The three of them talked about the possibilities for an hour or so, also trying to get Ephram a little happier.
After a while, Madison asked, "do you want me to stay tonight?"
Ephram blinked, trying not to tear up again. His voice quivered, "I'd like that." Madison wrapped her arms around him, trying to comfort him.
"When are you going to know the results?" he asked slowly as his face was buried in Madison's neck.
"I will call them tomorrow morning."
Ephram looked at his sister, wiping a tear from his face again, "how can you be all nonchalant about this…I mean…" he took a deep breath, "Not only am I afraid of losing you…but I'm afraid of pushing away the people I love. I'm starting to even freak out now" he looked at Madison with sad eyes.
She tilted her head, trying to smile, not saying anything.
That night he couldn't go to sleep. Delia was fast asleep in Bright's bed since he wasn't coming home tonight and Madison was sleeping with Ephram. He turned on the light and sat on the edge of the bed where Delia was sleeping. Madison woke up, Ephram saw her so he wiped a tear from his face and kissed his sister's cheek before making his way to Madison. "What are you thinking about?" She asked, taking hold of his hand. He took a deep breath, "ugghh." he sort of laughed, "I'm such a mess right now, I cant go to class tomorrow!"
"I'm here for you, Ephram, you know that."
Ephram's eyes filled with tears and he lowered his head. Madison wrapped her arms around him, holding him, combing her fingers thru his hair.
"I am so scared right now…" He looked at Madison, "I don't know how I'd handle this if you weren't here…My sister may be dying…again, and I cant do shit about it!"
"Sweetie, don't think about that right now." Madison pursed her lips, "you have to be strong for Delia."
"I love her so much."
Madison turned out the light and they laid back on the bed. He fell asleep in her arms, thinking about his sister.
