A/N – I deeply apologize for how long this chapter took to get out. I have to admit that I almost gave up on this story, I was stuck with a bad case of writer's block and really wasn't getting any real ideas about it or anything.

However, I am BACK!!! I had an hour or so, and really had a chance to think about the story and I have a few good ideas. So, I hope that you really like this chapter, I enjoyed writing it. Please let me know what you think of it and please review!! Just a note, the timeline is a little off, disregard that, if you can.


Disclaimer – I own none of these characters!!!!

            One week passed, and another, and yet another. Ephram made but one friend, a guy named Warren, who was an interesting, but odd boy. He had been over for dinner a couple times and Ephram's mother was amused with his new friend, but liked him as soon as he complimented her cooking.

            "You, darling," she had replied with a smile, "Can come back for dinner any time you want to."

            "Any time?" Warren had confirmed, with a wide grin.

            His mother had nodded, and Ephram chuckled, knowing that his friend would be back many times.

            Ephram was not surprised to learn that making friends with Warren included being excluded from the "popular", "jock" group. Not that he was a jock, anyway. He was really more of a music person. In fact, his passion had always lied in playing the piano. He had started playing very young, and had continued the hobby solely because of his mother. Julia adored sitting beside him, closing her eyes, and listening to her son play the piano, no matter what the piece. It could simply be Happy Birthday; it really didn't matter. He did it so well, and she quickly acknowledged his talent. Julia got Ephram lessons, expensive ones, and made him practice. Ephram was glad to, it was something to do, and something he was good at.

            He remembered his first recital vividly. His mother had been right in the front row, as had his father. They had both looked so proud, and Ephram beamed in delight as they audience applauded at the end. Julia had given him a huge hug afterwards, and his dad had given him a pat on the back as he looked on his son with pride.

            So many years later, Ephram still enjoyed playing piano. Unfortunately, it was the one thing that they hadn't taken with them when the three had left their home. He was vastly disappointed once he had realized it, and his mother was upset with herself. When brought up at dinner with Nina and Sam, their friendly neighbour had been quick to provide a solution.

            "There's a man named Will Cleveland," she started, her brown eyes twinkling, "and he's a jazz pianist. He's amazing, Ephram, he really is."

            She paused to look at Julia, who nodded at her to continue.

            "Well, I'm sure that he'd be happy to give you lessons…if you asked him. You see, he's an elderly man and isn't the friendliest sort." Nina explained, still smiling, "But he's such a nice man, I'm friends with him, I could ask him for you. What do you say?"

            Ephram grinned in response, "That sounds great, Nina. Thanks."

            Nina nodded, "No problem."

            They resumed eating their burgers in a comfortable silence, until Julia suddenly put her hamburger down and turned to Nina.

            "Nina, I've been meaning to ask you, what kind of jobs are there around here?" Julia asked.

            When Ephram and Delia looked at her curiously, she laughed and explained lightly, "Did you kids think that we'd be able to get by without me getting a job? Especially when Ephram starts his piano lessons…"

            "But Mom!" Delia protested, "You never had to work before, with – "

            Ephram gave her a look and she stopped in mid sentence, but continued giving her mother a pout.

            Julia nodded understandingly, "I know, sweetheart, it'll be an adjustment for all of us, but I'm sure that we can do it. And worse comes to worse, I'll get some help."

            "What kind of help?" Ephram inquired, afraid of the answer.

            "Oh, I don't know…" Julia replied vaguely, "We'll find something."

            Ephram's curiousity on that subject was soon forgotten the next day at school. It was a Monday, and as usual, he had arrived at school a half hour before the bell. As usual, Warren was waiting at his locker to talk to him. Unusually, his good friend had an awful look on his face, and Ephram immediately got the feeling that something terrible had happened.

            "Warren, what's wrong?" Ephram asked as soon as he got within range of his friend, "What's going on?"

            Warren nodded, as if confirming that something had happened. It was so unlike his friend to be so sober, Ephram was frightened to learn what had happened. He took a breath and began, his voice shaking a little as he spoke.

            "Ephram, remember that big tradition I told you about, where everyone dresses up like in the olden days and there's feasting and stuff?" he began slowly.

            "Yeah, I remember that." Ephram replied, taking off his backpack and in turn taking out all the books from his bag.

            "Well, there was an accident during it. A really, really bad accident. You know Colin, Amy's boyfriend?" Warren continued, waiting for Ephram's nod.

            "Something's happened to Colin?" Ephram asked quickly. Though he didn't like the guy, he would never wish any real harm on him. If Amy was going out with him, she had to see something good in him, he figured.

            Warren quickly shook his head.

            "No, not really. You see, he, Bright and Amy were in their truck, and were doing all these crazy stunts, and well…the truck flipped." Warren stopped here, and paused for a moment, trying to decide how to continue.

            "Warren?!" Ephram prodded, "What happened? Was anyone hurt?"

            Though he had asked the question, he dreaded the answer. He knew what it was going to be, but didn't want it actually verbalized.

            Warren looked at his friend with concern, knowing that this was going to hurt him more than anything.

             "Ephram, I'm sorry, man…Amy's in a coma."