Disclaimer: I don't own Everwood, the town, or it's characters. I'm just a
college student.
Chapter 25 uses "Perfect" by Simple Plan
Chapter25: Perfect
"How'd it go?" Ephram asked cringing as he wrapped his arms around Amy's waist.
"Surprisingly well," she said smiling, "Delia's such a sweet young girl," she kissed him now. "I told her we can talk anytime, and I honestly mean it,"
"That was really nice of you, she doesn't have much of a female influence right now, and she's getting towards 'those years,' if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, Dad and I like talking to her, but there are certain things . . . well dad understands them medically but . . ." he blushed and started mumbling.
"You mean puberty, the whole getting your period thing . . ." she said making him blush all the more. These topics didn't bother her, but she knew that as mature as Ephram was for his age, he was just like any other guy when it came to womanly issues.
"Yeah, okay, anyways," he said trying to change the subject,
"You know it's not a big deal, I mean," she started but then the phone rang. Relieved that he was escaping the subject, at least temporarily, he ran to answer it.
"Hello?!" he said in a squeaky tone; Amy laughed. *Ah, to toy with him is bliss*
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"Hey dad look at me
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time...
Doing things I wanna do
But it hurts when you disapprove all along"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
"Ephram, man, I'm so glad you're home. I'm in a really big situation," Tommy said. "Sorry to call you, I tried Amy's but no one was home," In a way this made Ephram feel good, like he was needed. Amy looked confused so Ephram mouthed "Tommy" to her. Her eyes widened because she could see Ephram looked worried.
"Hey, yeah, no problem, what's up? Are you okay?"
"Not really," he started, "well, yes, I'm okay right now, but not in the long run. Look, something happened with my dad yesterday, and Micah and I need a place to stay until we can find one of our own," Tommy tried to explain but he was shaking so badly, trying to remain calm for the smiling Micah who was still singing the "Berfday song" like it was going out of style.
"Come over right away, seriously, anything you need. You can explain later if you want," he said concerned. He then heard Micah singing in the background, "is that Micah?"
"Oh yes, he's a singing maniac today," he said rolling his eyes. One more round of that song and he was going to spontaneously combust.
"Sounds like, 'Happy Birthday' to me. Is it his birthday?"
"No, next month, well, a few weeks but its in January. It's my birthday today, that's why we're leaving. I'm eighteen; I'm a free man," he said waving to Micah.
"Well Happy Birthday then! When you get here we'll celebrate! You need a ride, right? Since the cars are your parents . . . and well . . ." he said trying not to make things worse.
"A ride would be great. We'll be waiting out on the porch. I can't even stand being in this house anymore,"
"Alright, see you soon then," Ephram said in a worried voice.
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"And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me
Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````````````````````
"Why don't you like it here anymore, Daddy?" Micah asked, now stopping his singing rampage, only temporarily though. *What am I supposed to say to that?* Tommy asked himself. His son was too young to explain all of this.
"It's too hot in here, son." He said, and while this was possibly the lamest and questionable excuse ever, to his almost three year old it was the most believable explanation in the world; because his dad had said it. Oh, how he admired Tommy and everything he did. He knew there'd come a day when he'd have to explain his past to him and that day would break his heart. How would he ever tell him that he did drugs to escape his problems?
Amy looked Ephram straight in the eye, afraid to ask what happened with the phone conversation. She knew it was inevitable, but a delay always seemed to ease things up, even in the slightest of ways. He hung the phone up on the receiver, walking towards her now with panic in his eyes.
"What is it?" she asked hugging him tightly.
"It's Tommy. He needs a place to stay . . . something happened,"
"Oh God," she said, every muscle in her stomach tightening.
"Will you go pick him up?" he asked seriously, "I need to talk to Dad, this is serious,"
"Yeah, yeah, no problem," she began to walk away without thinking, then turned back and pulled Ephram into a passionate kiss. "Thank you for doing this, a week ago I never would've thought this would be possible . . . any of this,"
"I'd do anything for you, you know that," he said kissing her under her right eye and then sending her on her way. "Hey, Amy," he shouted to her as she walked out his door. She turned again, "you forgot my keys," he said tossing them to her. She smiled.
This weekend was turning into the most insane one he experienced in Everwood yet. As he walked in the hall toward his dad's room he passed Delia, who smiled at him once again like she had a hidden agenda.
"What did Amy tell you?" he asked nervously.
"Girl things. You can't know!" she said smiling.
"I doubt I'd want to," he admitted, "where's dad?"
"In the living room, why do you look upset?"
"One of our friends is in trouble, I need to talk to dad. Things might be a little weird over Christmas break this year, just so you know, and I'm sorry for that, but it's important,"
"When are you NOT weird?" she asked smiling. He shot her a serious glance and she asked, "how weird is weird?"
"I don't know yet," he said then went to find Dr. Brown.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
"I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care anymore
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's alright"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
Amy pulled up to the Callahan house to see the two young men she cared about standing in the snow. Micah was bundled up so much she could barely see his face and Tommy looked utterly frozen. She got out of the car to help them with their bags. Micah had already restarted his "berfday song" renditions and Tommy had pretty much learned to block it out.
"Amy!" he shouted hugging her leg. She lifted him up into the hair and then hugged him, "yay" he continued.
"Hey you, ready to go on an adventure?" she asked, trying to sound optimistic.
"Yeah!" he shouted as she put him in the backseat. Tommy looked at her when she leaned back out of the car. He smiled the most sincere smile she had ever directed toward her.
"Thank you for doing this, Amy," he said, making it utterly impossible for her to not cry and throw her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.
"I'm so sorry, Tommy . . . I . . ."
"You don't have to say it now, we can talk later. When he's asleep . . ."
"Berfday to you! Happy Berfday dear Daddy . . . !" they heard from the closed car doors.
"He just won't stop singing that," Tommy said shaking his head but smiling. "He's my number one supporter,"
"He's the best supporter anyone could ever have. That little boy is so precious," she said as they opened the car door.
Amy began to get into the car, as did Tommy, and as they pulled away Amy began to sing the Happy Birthday song too . . . making it a little easier for the two boys to leave their house without feeling too horrible. . . or looking back.
When they had finished, Amy immediately asked Micah a question, trying to prevent him from starting the song over again. "Alright, when we get back to Ephram's house, who wants birthday cake?!"
"ME!" Tommy screamed, then looked back at his son to see him giggling.
"Well then we better pick one up. Micah, you want to help me pick out which one you think you're Dad would like the most?"
"Yeah!" he yelled from the backseat.
"Alright, then let's go to the bakery!" she said glancing at Tommy. They were only a few minutes away when Micah had fallen asleep.
"Guess all that singing kind of wore him out," Tommy said proudly looking back at the snoring boy.
"He's so cute when he's asleep," she commented, looking back in her rearview mirror.
"He's been through a lot, and I don't expect him to understand any of it," he said now turning around.
"Don't let anyone ever convince you that you're a bad father," she said seriously as they pulled into a parking spot in the bakery lot. "Now you stay in here while I do m best to pick out something you'll like," he nodded excitedly.
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"Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Nothing's gonna change the things that you said
Nothing's gonna make this right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard just to talk to you
But you don't understand"
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She ran in and picked out a marble cake with cream cheese frosting, not knowing if that was his favorite but it certainly was hers. It was a medium sized cake and she figured there'd be plenty for everyone to enjoy. Tommy needed this day to be special so he wouldn't have to remember the day he turned 18 as the worst day of his life.
When she got back outside she placed the cake in the backseat of the car, being careful not to wake Micah. Making her way to the front seat, she whispered, "I can't have you peeking, it's a surprise," in Tommy's direction. He made a pouty face. The rest of the ride was pretty quiet; they both knew what the other was thinking and didn't have any desire to wake up Micah and have him start singing again. Tommy only said one thing on the way home,
"You know Amy, this is the biggest deal anyone has ever made out of my birthday," he smiled and looked genuinely happy.
"The rest of your birthdays will be happy too, I promise," she said taking a hand off the wheel and squeezing his.
Meanwhile, Ephram was back at home trying to explain to his Dad what was about to happen. Luckily Dr. Brown was semi-aware of Tommy and was willing to listen,
"Tommy needs a place to stay for awhile. If we can't do it then Amy has to ask her parents and I don't know how well that will set with them . . ."
"Just WHY is he leaving home again?" Dr. Brown asked, trying to understand all of the commotion.
"He has family problems. His Dad's not nice to him at all, in fact, from the way his voice shook on the phone it was like he had been hit or something, or that Micah had witnessed something,"
"Okay, okay, yes it's fine if he stays here for awhile, but eventually we're going to have to contact someone about his dad's actions,"
"We will," he said slapping his dad on the back, "Thank you so much, Dad. This is really important," Ephram walked away and out to the driveway just as the car was pulling up. *What a day this has turned out to be* Ephram thought.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````````
"Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect"
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Chapter 25 uses "Perfect" by Simple Plan
Chapter25: Perfect
"How'd it go?" Ephram asked cringing as he wrapped his arms around Amy's waist.
"Surprisingly well," she said smiling, "Delia's such a sweet young girl," she kissed him now. "I told her we can talk anytime, and I honestly mean it,"
"That was really nice of you, she doesn't have much of a female influence right now, and she's getting towards 'those years,' if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, Dad and I like talking to her, but there are certain things . . . well dad understands them medically but . . ." he blushed and started mumbling.
"You mean puberty, the whole getting your period thing . . ." she said making him blush all the more. These topics didn't bother her, but she knew that as mature as Ephram was for his age, he was just like any other guy when it came to womanly issues.
"Yeah, okay, anyways," he said trying to change the subject,
"You know it's not a big deal, I mean," she started but then the phone rang. Relieved that he was escaping the subject, at least temporarily, he ran to answer it.
"Hello?!" he said in a squeaky tone; Amy laughed. *Ah, to toy with him is bliss*
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````````
"Hey dad look at me
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time...
Doing things I wanna do
But it hurts when you disapprove all along"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
"Ephram, man, I'm so glad you're home. I'm in a really big situation," Tommy said. "Sorry to call you, I tried Amy's but no one was home," In a way this made Ephram feel good, like he was needed. Amy looked confused so Ephram mouthed "Tommy" to her. Her eyes widened because she could see Ephram looked worried.
"Hey, yeah, no problem, what's up? Are you okay?"
"Not really," he started, "well, yes, I'm okay right now, but not in the long run. Look, something happened with my dad yesterday, and Micah and I need a place to stay until we can find one of our own," Tommy tried to explain but he was shaking so badly, trying to remain calm for the smiling Micah who was still singing the "Berfday song" like it was going out of style.
"Come over right away, seriously, anything you need. You can explain later if you want," he said concerned. He then heard Micah singing in the background, "is that Micah?"
"Oh yes, he's a singing maniac today," he said rolling his eyes. One more round of that song and he was going to spontaneously combust.
"Sounds like, 'Happy Birthday' to me. Is it his birthday?"
"No, next month, well, a few weeks but its in January. It's my birthday today, that's why we're leaving. I'm eighteen; I'm a free man," he said waving to Micah.
"Well Happy Birthday then! When you get here we'll celebrate! You need a ride, right? Since the cars are your parents . . . and well . . ." he said trying not to make things worse.
"A ride would be great. We'll be waiting out on the porch. I can't even stand being in this house anymore,"
"Alright, see you soon then," Ephram said in a worried voice.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````
"And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me
Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````````````````````
"Why don't you like it here anymore, Daddy?" Micah asked, now stopping his singing rampage, only temporarily though. *What am I supposed to say to that?* Tommy asked himself. His son was too young to explain all of this.
"It's too hot in here, son." He said, and while this was possibly the lamest and questionable excuse ever, to his almost three year old it was the most believable explanation in the world; because his dad had said it. Oh, how he admired Tommy and everything he did. He knew there'd come a day when he'd have to explain his past to him and that day would break his heart. How would he ever tell him that he did drugs to escape his problems?
Amy looked Ephram straight in the eye, afraid to ask what happened with the phone conversation. She knew it was inevitable, but a delay always seemed to ease things up, even in the slightest of ways. He hung the phone up on the receiver, walking towards her now with panic in his eyes.
"What is it?" she asked hugging him tightly.
"It's Tommy. He needs a place to stay . . . something happened,"
"Oh God," she said, every muscle in her stomach tightening.
"Will you go pick him up?" he asked seriously, "I need to talk to Dad, this is serious,"
"Yeah, yeah, no problem," she began to walk away without thinking, then turned back and pulled Ephram into a passionate kiss. "Thank you for doing this, a week ago I never would've thought this would be possible . . . any of this,"
"I'd do anything for you, you know that," he said kissing her under her right eye and then sending her on her way. "Hey, Amy," he shouted to her as she walked out his door. She turned again, "you forgot my keys," he said tossing them to her. She smiled.
This weekend was turning into the most insane one he experienced in Everwood yet. As he walked in the hall toward his dad's room he passed Delia, who smiled at him once again like she had a hidden agenda.
"What did Amy tell you?" he asked nervously.
"Girl things. You can't know!" she said smiling.
"I doubt I'd want to," he admitted, "where's dad?"
"In the living room, why do you look upset?"
"One of our friends is in trouble, I need to talk to dad. Things might be a little weird over Christmas break this year, just so you know, and I'm sorry for that, but it's important,"
"When are you NOT weird?" she asked smiling. He shot her a serious glance and she asked, "how weird is weird?"
"I don't know yet," he said then went to find Dr. Brown.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
"I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care anymore
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's alright"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
Amy pulled up to the Callahan house to see the two young men she cared about standing in the snow. Micah was bundled up so much she could barely see his face and Tommy looked utterly frozen. She got out of the car to help them with their bags. Micah had already restarted his "berfday song" renditions and Tommy had pretty much learned to block it out.
"Amy!" he shouted hugging her leg. She lifted him up into the hair and then hugged him, "yay" he continued.
"Hey you, ready to go on an adventure?" she asked, trying to sound optimistic.
"Yeah!" he shouted as she put him in the backseat. Tommy looked at her when she leaned back out of the car. He smiled the most sincere smile she had ever directed toward her.
"Thank you for doing this, Amy," he said, making it utterly impossible for her to not cry and throw her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.
"I'm so sorry, Tommy . . . I . . ."
"You don't have to say it now, we can talk later. When he's asleep . . ."
"Berfday to you! Happy Berfday dear Daddy . . . !" they heard from the closed car doors.
"He just won't stop singing that," Tommy said shaking his head but smiling. "He's my number one supporter,"
"He's the best supporter anyone could ever have. That little boy is so precious," she said as they opened the car door.
Amy began to get into the car, as did Tommy, and as they pulled away Amy began to sing the Happy Birthday song too . . . making it a little easier for the two boys to leave their house without feeling too horrible. . . or looking back.
When they had finished, Amy immediately asked Micah a question, trying to prevent him from starting the song over again. "Alright, when we get back to Ephram's house, who wants birthday cake?!"
"ME!" Tommy screamed, then looked back at his son to see him giggling.
"Well then we better pick one up. Micah, you want to help me pick out which one you think you're Dad would like the most?"
"Yeah!" he yelled from the backseat.
"Alright, then let's go to the bakery!" she said glancing at Tommy. They were only a few minutes away when Micah had fallen asleep.
"Guess all that singing kind of wore him out," Tommy said proudly looking back at the snoring boy.
"He's so cute when he's asleep," she commented, looking back in her rearview mirror.
"He's been through a lot, and I don't expect him to understand any of it," he said now turning around.
"Don't let anyone ever convince you that you're a bad father," she said seriously as they pulled into a parking spot in the bakery lot. "Now you stay in here while I do m best to pick out something you'll like," he nodded excitedly.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````````````
"Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Nothing's gonna change the things that you said
Nothing's gonna make this right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard just to talk to you
But you don't understand"
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````````
She ran in and picked out a marble cake with cream cheese frosting, not knowing if that was his favorite but it certainly was hers. It was a medium sized cake and she figured there'd be plenty for everyone to enjoy. Tommy needed this day to be special so he wouldn't have to remember the day he turned 18 as the worst day of his life.
When she got back outside she placed the cake in the backseat of the car, being careful not to wake Micah. Making her way to the front seat, she whispered, "I can't have you peeking, it's a surprise," in Tommy's direction. He made a pouty face. The rest of the ride was pretty quiet; they both knew what the other was thinking and didn't have any desire to wake up Micah and have him start singing again. Tommy only said one thing on the way home,
"You know Amy, this is the biggest deal anyone has ever made out of my birthday," he smiled and looked genuinely happy.
"The rest of your birthdays will be happy too, I promise," she said taking a hand off the wheel and squeezing his.
Meanwhile, Ephram was back at home trying to explain to his Dad what was about to happen. Luckily Dr. Brown was semi-aware of Tommy and was willing to listen,
"Tommy needs a place to stay for awhile. If we can't do it then Amy has to ask her parents and I don't know how well that will set with them . . ."
"Just WHY is he leaving home again?" Dr. Brown asked, trying to understand all of the commotion.
"He has family problems. His Dad's not nice to him at all, in fact, from the way his voice shook on the phone it was like he had been hit or something, or that Micah had witnessed something,"
"Okay, okay, yes it's fine if he stays here for awhile, but eventually we're going to have to contact someone about his dad's actions,"
"We will," he said slapping his dad on the back, "Thank you so much, Dad. This is really important," Ephram walked away and out to the driveway just as the car was pulling up. *What a day this has turned out to be* Ephram thought.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````````
"Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect"
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