This chapter uses Santana and Citizen Cope's "Sideways,"
SIDEWAYS
She appeared in the doorway, her eyes brimming with tears. How the sight of him so ill made her spin! Micah, although seven years old, was still light as a feather and sleeping in her arms, his head on her shoulder. She'd told him they had to see his dad, who was in the hospital, and he'd cried himself to sleep right there in her arms. She'd set him in the car, and then picked him up so effortlessly and naturally that he remained asleep. Amy walked closer to the bed Tom lay in and mouthed "hi."
He smiled, perhaps for the first time since he'd woken up, and mouthed it back. Kate looked at the ground. Tom noticed and touched Kate's hand, as a strange feeling crept over Amy. "Amy," he whispered, the words flowing smoothly and softly from his lips, "this is Kate." The women locked eyes, unaware of what they were searching for. They had met before – to exchange the package, but it was not like this. "Hello," Amy said. Her voice sounded just as Tom had always described it – calming, soothing. "Nice to see you again," Kate responded. A brief smile broke over each of their faces, but died, as Micah began moving around,
"Mom?" he said rubbing his eyes, "I mean . . . Amy?" He blinked twice as she smoothed his hair down with her hand.
"What, sweetie?" she asked softly.
"Are we there yet?" he asked, and she smiled.
"Yes, we are," she responded and he turned around to see his father lying in the hospital bed. Amy set him down and he hopped onto the bed. Micah touched his father's hand hesitantly.
"Hi, son," he smiled. "I called just to see you,"
"Do you have the flu?" he asked innocently, "I can make you chicken noodle soup," he nodded.
"No . . . but I would like some soup," he winked. "Actually, son . . ." he began, and looked up at Amy and Kate.
"I'll leave," Kate said, feeling out of place.
"Me too," Amy said, but felt a small tug at her shirt. It was Tom. Kate had already walked out into the hall, sitting next to a man.
"Tom," she said, "I don't think its my place to be here. I'll be alright in the hall. Ephram is out there." She pointed.
"Stay," he breathed. She sat down in the chair next to the bed. Micah sat between them.
"You know it ain't easy
For these thoughts here to leave me
There are no words to describe it
In french or in english
Cause diamonds they fade
And flowers they bloom
And I'm telling you"
In the hall, Ephram and Kate sat side by side, neither sure of their place. They hadn't looked at one another until Ephram's shoe made a squeak as it slid across the white, shiny floor.
"Uh, sorry," he said, as he looked at the horrible look on her face, "but it was just a shoe. Wasn't that loud or anything," he laughed.
"Sorry, biggest pet peeve in the universe," she laughed. Their eyes met. "Ephram Brown . . ." her words slowed with each syllable. "Back in Everwood, huh?"
He didn't recognize her at first, as he hadn't seen her in years. "Yeah . . ."
"Oh don't look so dumbfounded, Eph. It's me, Kate Zimmer," she explained, her eyebrows escalating, "you know, your childhood friend from the big city?"
Ah, there it was. She did resemble the little Katie he'd played stickball with in the streets of New York. He didn't think the little girl he'd grown up with would be sitting next to him, supporting her cancer-ridden boyfriend who ironically happened to be the same man once in love with his girlfriend. "It's like a friggin' soap opera," he said confused, "so, you're the Kate that Tom's been raving about, then?"
She smiled. "He has?" Her cheeks turned a perfect shade of pink.
"He has." Ephram responded, "So, you have a daughter," he brought up casually.
"Yeah, Kenzie." She said, "Things happen," she shrugged, "She's my pride and joy." Silence ensued. Ephram had always felt like a big brother to Kate, even though she was a bit older than him. He protected her when all the boys in New York would pick on her. She'd moved away when she was only 12, but he'd been the one to help her pack up her belongings when she was just too sad.
"Weird, huh?" she said, remembering that Ephram was Amy's boyfriend. "So, you and Amy look very happy together."
"Yes," he smiled, "I love her. I've always loved her . . ."
"Same with Tom," she said. He thought she'd meant that she always had loved Tom, but he was wrong. "He's always loved Amy." Ephram cringed, but tried to remain calm. He couldn't hide anything from Kate; she knew him too well. "Sorry . . ."
"No, I just know that it's the truth," he said, "I know they have a connection, even though they say they don't."
"Why didn't we ever keep in touch, Eph?" she asked.
"That these feelings won't go away
They've been knockin me sideways
They've been knockin me out, babe
Whenever you come around me
These feelings won't go away
They've been knockin me sideways
I keep thinking in a moment that
Time will take them away
But these feelings won't go away"
"Pretty sure its because we were like 11 and 12 when you left and the IM wasn't such a huge thing back then."
"Still, the odds of us both living in Everwood for a few years and not running into each other . . . seems a little ironic, don't you think?"
"Well, you wouldn't have recognized me anyway," she winked in jest.
"Shut-up," he said. "You look like you're doing well," he nodded.
"I am," she said, looking back into the hospital room. "It's Tom that I'm worried about."
Back inside the room, Micah sat in tears. They had told him . . . it was a matter of explaining to him what would happen once Tom had passed. Tears slid down all three of their faces. "So what happens?" Micah asked, "You go to be with Mommy again?" he asked.
"Yes," he said half-heartedly, "I go to be with Mommy again." His eyes shifted to Amy who looked heavenly even when crying, "And you," he looked back and Micah, "will be here with Amy . . . it's like you always wanted, son. She's all yours."
"I wanted her to be both of ours, Dad." He said, crying.
"Looks like you're the champ in this one, kid," he said rubbing his head, "You take care of her for me, okay?"
"I'll live with her once you're . . .?" he began.
Amy began to speak. "Yes, Ephram and I will take great care of you, honey."
"I can. . . call you mom?" he asked, looking from his Dad to Amy.
"Yes." She said, "You can call me Mom."
"That these feelings won't go away
They've been knockin me sideways
They've been knockin me out, babe
Whenever you come around me
These feelings won't go away
They've been knockin me sideways
I keep thinking in a moment that
Time will take them away
But these feelings won't go away"
A/N: Hey guys. I'm back at school now, and once I get into a routine, I'll have a better Idea of how often I will be able to update. Please review and let me know you're thoughts. Thanks