The next day at school, Ephram was in Spanish class, trying to take notes...it was hard to write with a cast on. He tried to write with his left hand but couldn't make out what he had written.
Amy: (watching him struggle) you need any help?
Ephram: (glanced over at her, then back to his notebook) I'm good
Amy: You can't keep doing this Ephram...
Ephram: Doing what?
Amy: avoiding me...giving me the silent treatment
Ephram: I'm not giving you the silent treatment...do you hear silence?
Amy: Ephram...
Ephram: Do you mind? I'm trying to take notes...
Amy: Fine...have it your way, but you're gonna have to talk to me sometime
Ephram: Why do you suddenly want to talk to me? If I remember correctly it was you who instigated this silence thing...
Amy: I know...I'm sorry, I was just mad...at you-at Bright-my family...myself
Senorita Burrito: Senor Brown-Senorita Abbot? Is there something you'd like to share with the class?
Ephram: No...uh...we're good
Senorita Burrito: Ok then, can you conjugate hablar in the present-progressive from for the class?
Ephrm: Uh...Hab-hablaba...hablando? ....uh...
Senorita Burrito: -Anyone else? (cutting him off)
Ephram looked down in embarrassment. He had no clue what the "present-progressive" was. Amy looked at him apologetically, but he didn't notice.
After class, Ephram was walking in the hall when Amy caught up to him.
Amy: Sorry about that...it was my fault
Ephram: Don't worry about it...no big deal
Amy: So...you wanna go somewhere? Talk...
Ephram: I'm meeting Bright...
Amy: What about after school?
Ephram: Going to see Madison...
Amy: Oh yeah...I heard she was awake...that's great
Ephram: Yeah
Amy: So when do you think she'll get released?
Ephram: They said another week or so...
Amy: That's great Ephram...I'm happy for you
Ephram: Don't be happy for me...be happy for her
Amy: Well her too...but I know how miserable you were...it's good for both of you
Ephram: Yeah...I guess
Amy: What about tomorrow? Can we talk then?
Ephram: Tomorrow's our 6 month anniversary...I'm going to the hospital
Amy: Wow, 6 months...it's been that long?
Ephram: (half smiled to himself) yeah
Amy: Ok well we have to talk sometime...maybe Monday?
Ephram: Yeah...maybe Monday
Amy: Ok...I'll see you around
Ephram: Yeah
Amy left and Ephram went to go find Bright.
After school, Ephram again drove to the hospital. He got to Madison's room but stopped at the door, when he saw her and her mom talking. He decided to go and sit on a near-by chair and wait until they were done.
In the room...
Mrs. Detmer: So what made you change your mind? I mean I expected you to talk to me eventually...but not this soon
Madison: So you're saying you were wrong?
Mrs. Detmer: No, no that's not what I was saying at all...I am saying that you believe I am wrong...you can be pretty stubborn when you want to be (she half smiled)
Madison: (shook her head and looked away) I can't believe I let him talk me into this...(to herself)
Mrs. Detmer: Who? Bill? Madison, you know he was-
Madison: Bill didn't convince me to talk to you...he didn't even come by yesterday
Mrs. Detmer: Than who are you talking about? Some voice in your head...I knew that medication was making you crazy...
Madison: Ephram mom! Ephram convinced me to talk to you...
Mrs. Detmer: (shocked) h-he what? Why? I thought that was what he wanted? Me out of the picture...seems like any teenaged boy's dream...
Madison: How many times do I have to tell you? He's not just some teenaged boy...god don't you get it? He knows what it's like to live without a mom...he doesn't want me to go through that...but this situation is totally different...
Mrs. Detmer: So... you only called me because he told you to?
Madison: He told me that I should try talking to you...but I was the one that picked up the phone...god...I'm such a dumb--- (to herself)
Mrs. Detmer: Well I think he's right...as hard as that is for me to admit...I think the boy has a point, we can't just go on like this...
Madison: Well what do you wanna do mom?! You are so damn closed minded! You won't even give Ephram a chance!
Mrs. Detmer: Madison...he's six-
Madison: Don't...don't say it, I know how old he is, I don't need you to tell me
Mrs. Detmer: Yes you do! You need someone to tell you, because obviously...God Madison...the kid is 16 years old! 16! Do you even remember what you were like at that age?! Probably not, because it was 5 years ago!
Madison: There's no point in arguing because you're not gonna listen to me...
Mrs. Detmer: Then I guess we're finished here (picking up her purse)
Madison: I guess so (looking away)
Mrs. Detmer walked out the door. She stopped when she saw Ephram sitting there, the door had been closed so he hadn't heard anything, but he was still there. He always seemed to be there. Didn't he have some place better to be? She wished he would just leave, it would make everything easier.
Ephram: (stood up) Hi Mrs. Detmer...
Mrs. Detmer: Ephram...
She started to walk away but Ephram stopped her.
Ephram: S-so are you...are you and Madison ok?
Mrs. Detmer: Well that would just make you feel better wouldn't it? You feel guilty for being the reason we're in this little fight...that's why you wanted her to talk to me...
Ephram: Actually no...I don't feel guilty about anything...I just didn't want Madison to live without her mom...I thought you would want the same thing...
Mrs. Detmer: Well there's nothing I want more...but I just can't accept it...it's not right
Ephram: Well I'm sorry you feel that way...and I'm sorry that you won't even try to accept it...for Madison's sake
Mrs. Detmer: I'm doing this for Madison! You're obviously clouding her better judgment, someone has to tell her it's wrong! Now if you'll excuse me (she started walking away)
Ephram: (catching up to her) wait! How bout I buy you lunch? Maybe we can find something edible in the cafeteria...
Mrs. Detmer: Do you have some sort of life goal to get the oldest woman you possibly can?!
Ephram: What? No! I'm not trying to date you! I'm trying to get you to give me a chance...maybe we can talk or something...I can tell you my favorite color, what type of music I listen to...why I love your daughter...
Mrs. Detmer: I'm sorry young man, but I have better things to do than to listen to a high school boy's life story
Ephram: So you'd rather lose you daughter, than listen to a high school boy's life story? Fine... (he turned around and started to walk away)
Mrs. Detmer: (thought about this for a second) Wait...Ephram!
Ephram: (smiled to himself then turned around) yeah?
Mrs. Detmer: I could use some coffee...
Ephram: ok...
They walked to the cafeteria, Ephram a couple steps behind Mrs. Detmer. They sat down, across from one-another at a table.
Mrs. Detmer: Alright...let's get this over with...
Ephram: (ignored this) I know you don't like me...or the idea of me with Madison, but Madison and I...we love each other-
Mrs. Detmer: Oh please...you are too young to even know what love is!
Ephram: You might think that but-
Mrs. Detmer: "but?" there are no buts! You are 16 years old, you've just started high school-
Ephram: actually, I'm a junior
Mrs. Detmer: Same thing!
Ephram: I've been through more in my 16 years than most people have in a life-time...you don't know me! You don't know anything about my life-or how I feel!
Mrs. Detmer: You're right...I don't know you...but I know Madison, and I know that you are not right for her...you're just too young
Ephram: Is that the only excuse you can come up with? Cause we've heard that one, it didn't effect us then, and it won't effect us now...yes we are 4 years apart, but so what? Love is love, age doesn't mean anything
Mrs. Detmer: Oh yes it does...even the law says so!
Ephram: Well there's obviously no changing your mind...(he smiled and shook his head) I see where Madison gets her stubbornness...(he got up) nice talking to you...(sarcastically)
Ephram walked out of the cafteria stunned, how could someone be so stubborn and closed minded. She didn't even try to listen. He went to Madison's room and knocked on the door.
Madison: Yeah? (she smiled when Ephram walked in) hey
Ephram: Hey...I ran into your mom...
Madison: Ok I tried talking to her, but the woman is just unreasonable-
Ephram: I know...I tried talking to her too, she wouldn't listen to me...
Madison: What did you say?
Ephram: Just told her that the whole age thing didn't get to us, we've already heard it, and if she wanted to break us up she'd better find another excuse...
Madison: Wow...
Ephram: Too harsh?
Madison: No...I just didn't expect that from you
Ephram: It was left over from my rebellious stage
Madison laughed. They hung out for a couple more hours and then Ephram left. He didn't mention their anniversary, he was going to surprise her.
Amy: (watching him struggle) you need any help?
Ephram: (glanced over at her, then back to his notebook) I'm good
Amy: You can't keep doing this Ephram...
Ephram: Doing what?
Amy: avoiding me...giving me the silent treatment
Ephram: I'm not giving you the silent treatment...do you hear silence?
Amy: Ephram...
Ephram: Do you mind? I'm trying to take notes...
Amy: Fine...have it your way, but you're gonna have to talk to me sometime
Ephram: Why do you suddenly want to talk to me? If I remember correctly it was you who instigated this silence thing...
Amy: I know...I'm sorry, I was just mad...at you-at Bright-my family...myself
Senorita Burrito: Senor Brown-Senorita Abbot? Is there something you'd like to share with the class?
Ephram: No...uh...we're good
Senorita Burrito: Ok then, can you conjugate hablar in the present-progressive from for the class?
Ephrm: Uh...Hab-hablaba...hablando? ....uh...
Senorita Burrito: -Anyone else? (cutting him off)
Ephram looked down in embarrassment. He had no clue what the "present-progressive" was. Amy looked at him apologetically, but he didn't notice.
After class, Ephram was walking in the hall when Amy caught up to him.
Amy: Sorry about that...it was my fault
Ephram: Don't worry about it...no big deal
Amy: So...you wanna go somewhere? Talk...
Ephram: I'm meeting Bright...
Amy: What about after school?
Ephram: Going to see Madison...
Amy: Oh yeah...I heard she was awake...that's great
Ephram: Yeah
Amy: So when do you think she'll get released?
Ephram: They said another week or so...
Amy: That's great Ephram...I'm happy for you
Ephram: Don't be happy for me...be happy for her
Amy: Well her too...but I know how miserable you were...it's good for both of you
Ephram: Yeah...I guess
Amy: What about tomorrow? Can we talk then?
Ephram: Tomorrow's our 6 month anniversary...I'm going to the hospital
Amy: Wow, 6 months...it's been that long?
Ephram: (half smiled to himself) yeah
Amy: Ok well we have to talk sometime...maybe Monday?
Ephram: Yeah...maybe Monday
Amy: Ok...I'll see you around
Ephram: Yeah
Amy left and Ephram went to go find Bright.
After school, Ephram again drove to the hospital. He got to Madison's room but stopped at the door, when he saw her and her mom talking. He decided to go and sit on a near-by chair and wait until they were done.
In the room...
Mrs. Detmer: So what made you change your mind? I mean I expected you to talk to me eventually...but not this soon
Madison: So you're saying you were wrong?
Mrs. Detmer: No, no that's not what I was saying at all...I am saying that you believe I am wrong...you can be pretty stubborn when you want to be (she half smiled)
Madison: (shook her head and looked away) I can't believe I let him talk me into this...(to herself)
Mrs. Detmer: Who? Bill? Madison, you know he was-
Madison: Bill didn't convince me to talk to you...he didn't even come by yesterday
Mrs. Detmer: Than who are you talking about? Some voice in your head...I knew that medication was making you crazy...
Madison: Ephram mom! Ephram convinced me to talk to you...
Mrs. Detmer: (shocked) h-he what? Why? I thought that was what he wanted? Me out of the picture...seems like any teenaged boy's dream...
Madison: How many times do I have to tell you? He's not just some teenaged boy...god don't you get it? He knows what it's like to live without a mom...he doesn't want me to go through that...but this situation is totally different...
Mrs. Detmer: So... you only called me because he told you to?
Madison: He told me that I should try talking to you...but I was the one that picked up the phone...god...I'm such a dumb--- (to herself)
Mrs. Detmer: Well I think he's right...as hard as that is for me to admit...I think the boy has a point, we can't just go on like this...
Madison: Well what do you wanna do mom?! You are so damn closed minded! You won't even give Ephram a chance!
Mrs. Detmer: Madison...he's six-
Madison: Don't...don't say it, I know how old he is, I don't need you to tell me
Mrs. Detmer: Yes you do! You need someone to tell you, because obviously...God Madison...the kid is 16 years old! 16! Do you even remember what you were like at that age?! Probably not, because it was 5 years ago!
Madison: There's no point in arguing because you're not gonna listen to me...
Mrs. Detmer: Then I guess we're finished here (picking up her purse)
Madison: I guess so (looking away)
Mrs. Detmer walked out the door. She stopped when she saw Ephram sitting there, the door had been closed so he hadn't heard anything, but he was still there. He always seemed to be there. Didn't he have some place better to be? She wished he would just leave, it would make everything easier.
Ephram: (stood up) Hi Mrs. Detmer...
Mrs. Detmer: Ephram...
She started to walk away but Ephram stopped her.
Ephram: S-so are you...are you and Madison ok?
Mrs. Detmer: Well that would just make you feel better wouldn't it? You feel guilty for being the reason we're in this little fight...that's why you wanted her to talk to me...
Ephram: Actually no...I don't feel guilty about anything...I just didn't want Madison to live without her mom...I thought you would want the same thing...
Mrs. Detmer: Well there's nothing I want more...but I just can't accept it...it's not right
Ephram: Well I'm sorry you feel that way...and I'm sorry that you won't even try to accept it...for Madison's sake
Mrs. Detmer: I'm doing this for Madison! You're obviously clouding her better judgment, someone has to tell her it's wrong! Now if you'll excuse me (she started walking away)
Ephram: (catching up to her) wait! How bout I buy you lunch? Maybe we can find something edible in the cafeteria...
Mrs. Detmer: Do you have some sort of life goal to get the oldest woman you possibly can?!
Ephram: What? No! I'm not trying to date you! I'm trying to get you to give me a chance...maybe we can talk or something...I can tell you my favorite color, what type of music I listen to...why I love your daughter...
Mrs. Detmer: I'm sorry young man, but I have better things to do than to listen to a high school boy's life story
Ephram: So you'd rather lose you daughter, than listen to a high school boy's life story? Fine... (he turned around and started to walk away)
Mrs. Detmer: (thought about this for a second) Wait...Ephram!
Ephram: (smiled to himself then turned around) yeah?
Mrs. Detmer: I could use some coffee...
Ephram: ok...
They walked to the cafeteria, Ephram a couple steps behind Mrs. Detmer. They sat down, across from one-another at a table.
Mrs. Detmer: Alright...let's get this over with...
Ephram: (ignored this) I know you don't like me...or the idea of me with Madison, but Madison and I...we love each other-
Mrs. Detmer: Oh please...you are too young to even know what love is!
Ephram: You might think that but-
Mrs. Detmer: "but?" there are no buts! You are 16 years old, you've just started high school-
Ephram: actually, I'm a junior
Mrs. Detmer: Same thing!
Ephram: I've been through more in my 16 years than most people have in a life-time...you don't know me! You don't know anything about my life-or how I feel!
Mrs. Detmer: You're right...I don't know you...but I know Madison, and I know that you are not right for her...you're just too young
Ephram: Is that the only excuse you can come up with? Cause we've heard that one, it didn't effect us then, and it won't effect us now...yes we are 4 years apart, but so what? Love is love, age doesn't mean anything
Mrs. Detmer: Oh yes it does...even the law says so!
Ephram: Well there's obviously no changing your mind...(he smiled and shook his head) I see where Madison gets her stubbornness...(he got up) nice talking to you...(sarcastically)
Ephram walked out of the cafteria stunned, how could someone be so stubborn and closed minded. She didn't even try to listen. He went to Madison's room and knocked on the door.
Madison: Yeah? (she smiled when Ephram walked in) hey
Ephram: Hey...I ran into your mom...
Madison: Ok I tried talking to her, but the woman is just unreasonable-
Ephram: I know...I tried talking to her too, she wouldn't listen to me...
Madison: What did you say?
Ephram: Just told her that the whole age thing didn't get to us, we've already heard it, and if she wanted to break us up she'd better find another excuse...
Madison: Wow...
Ephram: Too harsh?
Madison: No...I just didn't expect that from you
Ephram: It was left over from my rebellious stage
Madison laughed. They hung out for a couple more hours and then Ephram left. He didn't mention their anniversary, he was going to surprise her.