Disclaimer: I don't own Everwood, the town, or its characters. I'm just a college student.
This installment uses "Broken," by Seether, featuring Evanescence's Amy Lee.
BROKEN
Those two simple words made dying a little more acceptable for Thomas Callahan. Amy's "I will," though not in terms as most would think, were a promise for a bright and safe future for his son, Micah. Much to Tom's surprise, Amy agreed to stay over that night, in case he needed to talk. As he pulled away from the embrace that encircled her, he thanked her; he'd never known a better person in his entire lifetime, and he doubted he ever would find anyone to match her. Not a moment's hesitation stirred in her head before she agreed to take care of Micah after Tom's passing. He'd told her as it drew closer to his end, he'd probably need her to look after Micah in his final months as well. She'd nodded and smiled – not a smile of happiness, but one of reassurance. Perhaps that's why Tommy trusted her so much; she'd always known just how to look at him.
"I'll be down here on the couch if you need me," he said, pulling blankets out for himself. He'd insisted that she sleep in his bed, being that she was the lady and all.
"I just don't feel right, sleeping in your bed when you're the . . ." she started but paused and sighed.
"Sick one?" he asked lightly, knowing she felt bad for bringing it up. "Yes, I may be sick, but I'm still a gentleman. Now go," he playfully shooed her to his room, "keep my bed warm for me. I always knew I'd get you in there somehow," he winked. She rolled her eyes and said goodnight. As she ascended the short staircase, she pulled her cell out of her pocket, to call Ephram and say goodnight. It rang a few times, then his voicemail kicked in. He was at the movie with Delia. She left a short message,
"Hi Honey, it's about 11 pm, I just wanted to say goodnight and tell you I love you before I went to sleep. I've had a really interesting day and I'll have to tell you about it when I see you next. I hope that's soon. Have fun and have a great night, bye," she pressed the end call button and fell lightly onto Tom's bed.
Picture frames lined the walls, mostly filled with pictures of Micah as he grew. A photo of she and Ephram was placed on his dresser, and across from it was a picture of she and Tommy and Micah. She closed her eyes and imagined the picture was of her and Ephram and Micah – a future she now saw in reach. Micah was so sweet. He'd already lost his mother, and now his father would fall to cancer in a year or so. Her eyes shifted to his nightstand, where a picture of he and Amy sat up against the alarm clock. It wasn't in a frame, but coated with dust, as if he hadn't touched in awhile. In this picture, Tommy was standing behind her with his arms around her tiny waist and she was wearing her yellow halter top, smiling, with her hands placed atop his.
They'd never truly been together – maybe that's what made it easier for her to look at this picture. A few months back, seeing that Tommy had a picture of the two of them on his nightstand would have made her uncomfortable. Now, however, things had changed. She viewed it with a smile, remembering when times were easier. She clicked off the light and slipped under his covers. It hadn't hit her that she'd basically be a mother to an 8 year old at the age of 21.
She lay restlessly, tossing and turning. Noticing a small figure moving towards her, she sat up. Micah's footsteps moved from the hall into his father's room. "Dad?" he said sadly.
"No honey, your dad is downstairs. This is Amy," as soon as she'd gotten the words out, he flew onto the bed and lay next to her. "Did you need something?" It hadn't hit her that this was her future.
"I had a bad dream. I know I'm seven . . . but it was still scary," he said. She moved to hug him, then pulled him back lightly and said, "Why don't you sleep in that bed right there in the corner? I'll bet that's a bed for you anyway, isn't it?" she asked, pointing. She hadn't noticed it until then.
"Okay," he said sliding off the bed and onto the spare twin bed in the corner. "I thought you weren't staying overnight"
"Your dad and I were up late talking," she said, yawning. "Now get some rest, sweetheart,"
"Why isn't dad sleeping in the room too?" So many questions! She'd just started to doze off, and he'd thrown a giant question such as this at her. She sat up once again.
"Your dad and I are friends, and friends don't sleep in the same bed,"
"When I used to stay over at my friend Andrew's, sometimes we'd get to sleep in his parent's giant king size bed," he said.
"It's different for your dad and me. I'll explain it to you later. Let's get some rest so we can get up tomorrow," she said, and they both finally fell into slumber.
"Girls are twisted," Ephram said, as he and Delia stepped out of the movie theater, "How can you live like that?"
"It's natural, really," she said, feeling grown up. "Thanks, Ephram, for taking me. That was really nice of you to spend time with me." Her voice rang with sincerity.
"It's not everyday I get to watch girly movies with the coolest girl ever, now is it?" he teased and she playfully hit his stomach. "No, but really Delia, you're growing up. I know pretty soon you'll only have time for boys on dates, not time for Dad and I, and I just want you to know that I'll always be here."
"I do know that, Eph," she smiled as they got in the car. Ephram pulled his cell out of his pocket and listened to his voicemail from Amy. Sad that he'd missed her call, he called her back immediately as he drove home. In Amy's slumber, she heard the phone ringing and she gently said hello, making sure to not wake Micah.
"Hi you," he said, his voice suggesting a large smile had just spread across her face. "Did I wake you?"
"Sort of," she said, trying to pretend everything was normal. "I'm not really at home right now,"
"What's wrong? You're mumbling. Amy, have you been drinking? Where are you?" Delia rolled her eyes.
"Simmer down, Ephram," she said lightly, "I'm fine, I haven't been drinking," he sighed, "I'm at Tom Callahan's,"
"You're where?" he asked in shock, a bit of hostility lining his words. "Tommy Callahan? As in Micah Callahan?"
"Yes," she said, detecting the jealousy in his voice, "Something's happened. I am fine, Tommy isn't trying to be with me or anything, he just needed a friend here tonight."
"You didn't tell me you were still in contact with the Callahan's," he said accusingly.
"I wasn't, until today. Ephram, please stop sounding angry. You have no reason to. He's not jeopardizing our relationship. Something serious has come up and he just couldn't be alone tonight,"
"What? So he couldn't call his mom or one of his guy buddies? It had to be you staying over? Becareful, don't fall asleep, he might try something in the middle of the night," he said jealously.
"You know what? Just stop, Ephram, seriously. If you could hear yourself right now you'd be ashamed. You have nothing to be upset about. I wouldn't lie to you. I love you and you know that. You're the one I want. It's as if you have no trust in me. I am Tom's friend. Yes, he and I had some rough spots before, but he needs a friend. He needs you too, not just me. I just need you to understand,"
"I'm sorry but I can't understand how when someone who tried to sleep with you a few years back wants you to spend the night and you still think he has no intentions,"
"He never tried to sleep with me. Stop twisting the story." She hissed, angrily. Ephram stopped, realizing he was overreacting. When it came to Tommy, it was something that he always felt he had to do – freak out and be jealous. It hadn't changed with time.
"Amy, I'm sorry, I just . . ."
"Goodnight Ephram," she said firmly.
"Amy, let me apologize,"
"I said goodnight, Ephram," she hit the end call button and fell back onto her pillow, a tear of resentment falling from her eye. She knew when she told him that Tom has cancer that he'd feel like a complete ass and understand. Now that she and Ephram were older, she wasn't worried about one tiny fight ending their relationship. She knew he was sorry, she knew that everything between them was fine, but she wasn't about to deal with bullshit, and Ephram needed to be reminded of that. A goodnight's rest would surely heal their souls
.
Downstairs, Tom had heard every word of their conversation. Although he knew sleep was important for him, especially now, he always spent his night laying awake and wondering what life would be like in the near future. He'd heard Amy defend him. He'd heard the love in her voice toward Ephram, and knew that the passion she expressed towards Ephram while arguing was equal or lesser in value than the passion she expressed while she was pleased with him. The truth was, he had Kate. While he simply could've asked Kate to be Micah's mom, and maybe he would have, Amy felt perfect. He'd always dreamed that someday he could call her a part of his family. Now, unfortunately, he felt he would be gone before she would truly be so close. He knew Micah would live out the dream that he once had – to spend his life with Amy Abbott, safe in her arms and under her wing. He didn't pine for her the way he once had, when they were younger. He'd accepted that she had moved on to bigger and better things – mostly Ephram Brown, but he would always carry that special little dream of being hers. He knew that Micah would become her world, and he hoped that his son would become Ephram's world too.
"I love you," he whispered into the dark, before his eyes closed and he drifted into sleep. He wasn't quite sure himself who he meant to direct those words to. It may have been Micah, of course he loved his son, but he had a feeling he meant it towards Amy – for how could he not love the woman who would give his son a life after he was gone?
This installment uses "Broken," by Seether, featuring Evanescence's Amy Lee.
BROKEN
Those two simple words made dying a little more acceptable for Thomas Callahan. Amy's "I will," though not in terms as most would think, were a promise for a bright and safe future for his son, Micah. Much to Tom's surprise, Amy agreed to stay over that night, in case he needed to talk. As he pulled away from the embrace that encircled her, he thanked her; he'd never known a better person in his entire lifetime, and he doubted he ever would find anyone to match her. Not a moment's hesitation stirred in her head before she agreed to take care of Micah after Tom's passing. He'd told her as it drew closer to his end, he'd probably need her to look after Micah in his final months as well. She'd nodded and smiled – not a smile of happiness, but one of reassurance. Perhaps that's why Tommy trusted her so much; she'd always known just how to look at him.
"I'll be down here on the couch if you need me," he said, pulling blankets out for himself. He'd insisted that she sleep in his bed, being that she was the lady and all.
"I just don't feel right, sleeping in your bed when you're the . . ." she started but paused and sighed.
"Sick one?" he asked lightly, knowing she felt bad for bringing it up. "Yes, I may be sick, but I'm still a gentleman. Now go," he playfully shooed her to his room, "keep my bed warm for me. I always knew I'd get you in there somehow," he winked. She rolled her eyes and said goodnight. As she ascended the short staircase, she pulled her cell out of her pocket, to call Ephram and say goodnight. It rang a few times, then his voicemail kicked in. He was at the movie with Delia. She left a short message,
"Hi Honey, it's about 11 pm, I just wanted to say goodnight and tell you I love you before I went to sleep. I've had a really interesting day and I'll have to tell you about it when I see you next. I hope that's soon. Have fun and have a great night, bye," she pressed the end call button and fell lightly onto Tom's bed.
Picture frames lined the walls, mostly filled with pictures of Micah as he grew. A photo of she and Ephram was placed on his dresser, and across from it was a picture of she and Tommy and Micah. She closed her eyes and imagined the picture was of her and Ephram and Micah – a future she now saw in reach. Micah was so sweet. He'd already lost his mother, and now his father would fall to cancer in a year or so. Her eyes shifted to his nightstand, where a picture of he and Amy sat up against the alarm clock. It wasn't in a frame, but coated with dust, as if he hadn't touched in awhile. In this picture, Tommy was standing behind her with his arms around her tiny waist and she was wearing her yellow halter top, smiling, with her hands placed atop his.
"I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
You've gone away, you don't feel me anymore"
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
You've gone away, you don't feel me anymore"
They'd never truly been together – maybe that's what made it easier for her to look at this picture. A few months back, seeing that Tommy had a picture of the two of them on his nightstand would have made her uncomfortable. Now, however, things had changed. She viewed it with a smile, remembering when times were easier. She clicked off the light and slipped under his covers. It hadn't hit her that she'd basically be a mother to an 8 year old at the age of 21.
She lay restlessly, tossing and turning. Noticing a small figure moving towards her, she sat up. Micah's footsteps moved from the hall into his father's room. "Dad?" he said sadly.
"No honey, your dad is downstairs. This is Amy," as soon as she'd gotten the words out, he flew onto the bed and lay next to her. "Did you need something?" It hadn't hit her that this was her future.
"I had a bad dream. I know I'm seven . . . but it was still scary," he said. She moved to hug him, then pulled him back lightly and said, "Why don't you sleep in that bed right there in the corner? I'll bet that's a bed for you anyway, isn't it?" she asked, pointing. She hadn't noticed it until then.
"Okay," he said sliding off the bed and onto the spare twin bed in the corner. "I thought you weren't staying overnight"
"Your dad and I were up late talking," she said, yawning. "Now get some rest, sweetheart,"
"Why isn't dad sleeping in the room too?" So many questions! She'd just started to doze off, and he'd thrown a giant question such as this at her. She sat up once again.
"Your dad and I are friends, and friends don't sleep in the same bed,"
"When I used to stay over at my friend Andrew's, sometimes we'd get to sleep in his parent's giant king size bed," he said.
"It's different for your dad and me. I'll explain it to you later. Let's get some rest so we can get up tomorrow," she said, and they both finally fell into slumber.
"The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain"
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain"
"Girls are twisted," Ephram said, as he and Delia stepped out of the movie theater, "How can you live like that?"
"It's natural, really," she said, feeling grown up. "Thanks, Ephram, for taking me. That was really nice of you to spend time with me." Her voice rang with sincerity.
"It's not everyday I get to watch girly movies with the coolest girl ever, now is it?" he teased and she playfully hit his stomach. "No, but really Delia, you're growing up. I know pretty soon you'll only have time for boys on dates, not time for Dad and I, and I just want you to know that I'll always be here."
"I do know that, Eph," she smiled as they got in the car. Ephram pulled his cell out of his pocket and listened to his voicemail from Amy. Sad that he'd missed her call, he called her back immediately as he drove home. In Amy's slumber, she heard the phone ringing and she gently said hello, making sure to not wake Micah.
"Hi you," he said, his voice suggesting a large smile had just spread across her face. "Did I wake you?"
"Sort of," she said, trying to pretend everything was normal. "I'm not really at home right now,"
"What's wrong? You're mumbling. Amy, have you been drinking? Where are you?" Delia rolled her eyes.
"Simmer down, Ephram," she said lightly, "I'm fine, I haven't been drinking," he sighed, "I'm at Tom Callahan's,"
"'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away"
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away"
"You're where?" he asked in shock, a bit of hostility lining his words. "Tommy Callahan? As in Micah Callahan?"
"Yes," she said, detecting the jealousy in his voice, "Something's happened. I am fine, Tommy isn't trying to be with me or anything, he just needed a friend here tonight."
"You didn't tell me you were still in contact with the Callahan's," he said accusingly.
"I wasn't, until today. Ephram, please stop sounding angry. You have no reason to. He's not jeopardizing our relationship. Something serious has come up and he just couldn't be alone tonight,"
"What? So he couldn't call his mom or one of his guy buddies? It had to be you staying over? Becareful, don't fall asleep, he might try something in the middle of the night," he said jealously.
"You know what? Just stop, Ephram, seriously. If you could hear yourself right now you'd be ashamed. You have nothing to be upset about. I wouldn't lie to you. I love you and you know that. You're the one I want. It's as if you have no trust in me. I am Tom's friend. Yes, he and I had some rough spots before, but he needs a friend. He needs you too, not just me. I just need you to understand,"
"I'm sorry but I can't understand how when someone who tried to sleep with you a few years back wants you to spend the night and you still think he has no intentions,"
"He never tried to sleep with me. Stop twisting the story." She hissed, angrily. Ephram stopped, realizing he was overreacting. When it came to Tommy, it was something that he always felt he had to do – freak out and be jealous. It hadn't changed with time.
"'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away"
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away"
"Amy, I'm sorry, I just . . ."
"Goodnight Ephram," she said firmly.
"Amy, let me apologize,"
"I said goodnight, Ephram," she hit the end call button and fell back onto her pillow, a tear of resentment falling from her eye. She knew when she told him that Tom has cancer that he'd feel like a complete ass and understand. Now that she and Ephram were older, she wasn't worried about one tiny fight ending their relationship. She knew he was sorry, she knew that everything between them was fine, but she wasn't about to deal with bullshit, and Ephram needed to be reminded of that. A goodnight's rest would surely heal their souls
.
"Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away"
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away"
Downstairs, Tom had heard every word of their conversation. Although he knew sleep was important for him, especially now, he always spent his night laying awake and wondering what life would be like in the near future. He'd heard Amy defend him. He'd heard the love in her voice toward Ephram, and knew that the passion she expressed towards Ephram while arguing was equal or lesser in value than the passion she expressed while she was pleased with him. The truth was, he had Kate. While he simply could've asked Kate to be Micah's mom, and maybe he would have, Amy felt perfect. He'd always dreamed that someday he could call her a part of his family. Now, unfortunately, he felt he would be gone before she would truly be so close. He knew Micah would live out the dream that he once had – to spend his life with Amy Abbott, safe in her arms and under her wing. He didn't pine for her the way he once had, when they were younger. He'd accepted that she had moved on to bigger and better things – mostly Ephram Brown, but he would always carry that special little dream of being hers. He knew that Micah would become her world, and he hoped that his son would become Ephram's world too.
"I love you," he whispered into the dark, before his eyes closed and he drifted into sleep. He wasn't quite sure himself who he meant to direct those words to. It may have been Micah, of course he loved his son, but he had a feeling he meant it towards Amy – for how could he not love the woman who would give his son a life after he was gone?
" 'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone
You've gone away, you don't feel me anymore"
And I don't feel right when you're gone
You've gone away, you don't feel me anymore"