Thanks for all the reviews, it helps to keep me going with the story. Anyway here's a little more hope everybodyenjoys!! Don't forget to review it'll make me smile real big!!! :)
Ephram hadn't remembered seeing Madison move that quickly in a very long time.
"Whoa, where's the fire?" he asked as he raised his hand up.
"No where," she responded. She was starting to panic; Ephram couldn't see what was inside that room, no one ever could no one could ever know what was contained inside that room. Madison searched for an excuse to give Ephram as to why he couldn't go in there, "It's ah it's just that," then quickly, "it's stuck."
"Stuck?" he asked
"Yea that's right the door's stuck it's been that way for a while so I'm sure that nobody's in there." And she was sure that no one else was every going to go back in there, it would be to hard to painful to have to explain.
"I'm sure I could get it I'm pretty strong." He moved his hand passed Madison's body and gripped the door knob and was about to turn it.
"Ephram, NO!!" she screamed at him as she put her hands on top of his.
Ephram looked up and saw Madison's face. She'd screamed really screamed at him and he could she the fear in her eyes, the dismay and pain. Suddenly she looked the saddest Ephram had ever seen her, even sadder than when they had broken up. Her eyes were full of tears ready to run over on to her face at any moment and her bottom lip was trembling as she tried to bite down on it.
She said weakly almost pleading with him, "Please, just leave it."
He removed his hand and took a step back he didn't want to hurt her. At first he hadn't realized it he thought it was just a joke but that's what he was doing. For some reason there was something behind that door she didn't want to be seen, something she couldn't share with him. He thought everyone has secrets; he himself had a large one.
"Umm…" changing subjects and moving to the stairs, "let's go and get those things of yours."
Madison let out a breath of relief as she followed him, "Ya know what don't worry about it I just remembered that I don't need that stuff."
Ephram thought, "Now she's trying to get me to leave, something's got to be wrong here."
"Are you sure I mean its no-"
Interrupting him, "I'm sure; I just think its better that you go now Ephram."
Ephram thought to himself that comment hurt him. Deciding not to pry any further, "I'll just show myself out then, I'll call you later."
"Actually I'm going to be really busy all day working."
He thought great job Ephram you really screwed up. But he couldn't understand what could have been so bad for her to start shutting down on him.
"Umm…" reaching the bottom stair and opening the front door, he looked back up at Madison, "Then I'll be seeing you, try not to work to hard."
"Bye Ephram," she said with no emotion at all, and then without waiting for a response she disappeared into her room, and out of Ephram's sight.
"Bye." He said. He walked out the door and closed it behind him and found his way back out to his car.
She sat soaking in her bath tub for a long time, not really wanting to get up. The water which had been hot an hour ago was now cold, but she couldn't feel the chill of the water. She was consumed in her thoughts the only thing she could feel was the sting of pain in her heart. Madison hadn't had one of those days in a long time partially because of Ephram. Ephram had been able to help her escape the world of pain she was once again in. Ephram who could almost, almost make her forget when she was with him. She didn't ever feel herself being taking back to what had happened, she didn't think "what if" when she was with him. She thought it to be funny how he could do that for her, take her to a place of happiness and without knowing or meaning to bringing her back to a horrible place of darkness.
She sunk down into the water emerging herself so the water covered her face, a few seconds later she came back up hoping that would help clear her mind, help bring her back to reality. It didn't. It just made her feel even colder and empty inside. She tried again but this time she stayed under the water until her body couldn't take it anymore. Darting up and out of the water gasping for air, as the oxygen filled her lungs she stood up determined to move if only to her bed. Madison didn't bother to drain the tub or dry the beads of moisture from her body she just opened the door from the bathroom and headed straight to her bed. She could feel the beads of water falling and dripping down all parts of her body and leaving a path of small puddles as she moved. She pulled the covers up and climbed into bed; she put the covers up to her neck and got into the fetal position. She closed her eyes hoping to find some peace in her dreams for just a little while knowing that when she woke up she'd still feel miserable.
It was about eight o'clock that night as Ephram drove to a Chinese restaurant. He was on his way to pick up his dinner and was thinking about his sister, Delia. He was trying to figure out if he wanted to tell her he was sick. He didn't know if she would be able to handle it. He didn't want to upset or scare her which is exactly what would happen if he told her. He decided now wasn't the best time but maybe he would tell her soon.
He wanted to be able to share his secret with someone. No matter how tough he acted or tried not to worry or think about it he was scared petrified. More than anything he wanted to tell Madison wanted to be able to finally just come clean with her and breakdown in her arms and cry. Cry because he wasn't sure what else he could do, he needed the comfort of her arms around his body her hands running through his hair and feel her lips kissing his cheeks and whispering in his ear that it would be okay. Even though he knew it wouldn't be, but he thought that if he heard her say the words then he'd fight harder to live for her. That's what he was doing now, fighting for her and hard too. But he couldn't help but think that with her knowing and her support he could be stronger. She'd always had that effect on him, she gave him the ability to do things that he never had the courage to do before, risk things for her he'd never risk for anyone else. He could also be weaker and not have to pretend that everything was normal; he'd have her to come to when he had a moment where he just needed to not have to be brave.
His thoughts were forced to stop there as he walked into the Chinese restaurant and asked for his order and was told to wait, so he stood at the counter. Then a man asked for the next persons name in line to pick up their order, "Kellner, Madison Kellner." She called out. Ephram turned around quickly to greet her, the women who weather or not she knew it always consumed his thoughts.
"Didn't feel like cooking either I see"
Madison saw Ephram and smiled, "Not really, I was going to call-"
"Don't worry about; I know you're a busy woman."
"Look I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to be so…abrupt."
"It's forgotten."
"Thanks for being so understanding."
Chinese man, "Brown, Kellner"
"Here" they said simultaneously. Ephram smiled. They both went back up to the counter, Ephram with his wallet in hand and Madison digging in her purse.
"Together?" The Chinese man asked.
Madison was quick to respond, "No, no we're not together, the orders, their not together I mean."
"Let me get it." He handed more than enough money to the Chinese man for both orders. "Keep the change and have a nice night." He smiled at the man and picked up both his and Madison's orders as Madison stopped looking through her purse.
"Thanks"
"So umm… here you go." He handed the food to her.
They began to walk away from the counter and towards the door.
"Wait" the Chinese man called out to them as he walked towards them. "Fortune cookies"
"Oh, thanks" Ephram reached out to grab one of the cookies.
"No, no this is yours" he gave Ephram the opposite cookie he was going to choose. "This one is for the lady, here." He handed the other cookie to Madison.
"Thank you" Madison said as she and Ephram turned once again to walk away.
"Pay special attention to fortune, it will make your decisions much easier."
Ephram and Madison both turned their heads around but as they did the Chinese man had already gone. Ephram opened the door for Madison, "Well that's a little weird."
"Yea I'd say so." She walked out the door and Ephram followed.
"Do you have plans I mean for the rest of the night?" Madison asked Ephram.
"None at all."
"Why don't you eat dinner with me, unless you'd rather be alone?"
"No I could use some company."
"Great me to."
"Where to then?"
"My place, it's closer."
