Chapter 12: Living my life without you...or not (That's the question)

A few weeks later, Everwood main street

(Ephram and Bright are walking. Bright's eating as usual and Ephram just follows him, deeply lost in his thoughts.)

BRIGHT: you know, tacos are definitely better than hot dog, I don't know, it has to be something with the meat, or the shape- anyway, I think tacos rocks! What do you think? Tacos? Hot dog?

EPHRAM: you know, some people think you're good-looking, but I think you're just shallow.

BRIGHT: thanks-

EPHRAM: it wasn't a compliment.

BRIGHT: well I take it like it anyway. (Pause) I heard about this movie which's on tonight, something about a galaxy far, far away…so you're in?

EPHRAM: tonight? I can't actually.

BRIGHT: you got a date with Amy?

EPHRAM: I called Chris Templeman.

BRIGHT: you got a date with a guy?

EPHRAM: he's this guy from A&M, who asked me last year to enrol. He agreed to meet me at 8 after the course he's giving in Denver.

BRIGHT: dude, that's great! And when are you gonna tell me? When you'll move out from our apartment? (Pause) Wait. If you do your thing and got it, you'll move out there, right?

EPHRAM: I don't know. Look, the last time you pointed rightly that I was doing pretty much anything with my life so I shook my ass to get this appointment and got it. I just gave it a shot and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't, I'll see when I got there. Don't worry, I'm not moving out right now. By the way, I'll probably spend the night there since it'll be late and a little bit far from here.

BRIGHT: no worries, bro.

EPHRAM: thanks. (Pause) So what are you gonna do tonight?

BRIGHT: The apartment for myself, that opens a lot of perspective…I'm thinking about a make out night with my girl, i'll ask her to come over.

(He takes his phone and Ephram smiles)

Everwood, street, later

(Ephram gets out of a grocery, hands full of supplies for the road trip. He meets Amy outside. Since the last time, they haven't really talked, just few minutes on the phone, but it wasn't exactly what you can qualify by a true conversation.)

AMY: Ephram, hey.

EPHRAM: hey.

AMY (noticing the supplies in his hand): shopping day? Let me see…Chips, chips, chips and coke. Really healthy. Let me guess…Bright's list?

EPHRAM: not exactly, actually, this (showing all the chips) is gonna be my dinner tonight.

AMY: you suffer from a bankrupt?

E(laughing): no I kinda go on a road trip tonight.

AMY: really? With Bright?

EPHRAM: no, just- me. Pretty pathetic, I know.

AMY: where are you going?

EPHRAM: remember Chris Templeman? Well I guess not.

AMY: From A&M?

EPHRAM (surprised that she actually remembers): yeah, well I called him and got a meeting in Denver tonight.

AMY: Ephram, that's great!

EPHRAM: yeah it's pretty cool, so if things are going good, I'll get in. What about you, what are you doing?

AMY: nothing much.

EPHRAM (thinking for a moment then smiles): but hey you wanna come? Road trip, lots of chips? You know it actually could be fun.

AMY: I don't know. The last time, it wasn't that fun, remember?

EPHRAM: come on, you're ready to miss a crappy chips overdose? Plus you could actually help me making a decision about it. I wanted to stay there but if you come we could drive away by night.

AMY: I don't know-

EPHRAM: and we haven't hung out recently so we could catch up.

AMY (hesitating for a moment): ok, sounds better than ET on TV. (He smiles) but first I gotta stop by at the clinic, tell my dad and everything. Can you come with me, dad took my car so- (and remembering that Andy's gonna be there and realising that Ephram's just not ready to see him.) Sorry, you can wait for me.

EPHRAM: no it's okay, I'll come with you.

Brown & Abbott's Family practice

Harold and Andy are friendly arguing, as usual.

HAROLD: I don't know how things works in this stupid little mind of yours but I have responsible and better ways to deal with my problems than eating a donut, thank you

(Ephram and Amy are entering the clinic)

ANDY: You know, Harold, it's been medically prove that blood sugar level has an effect on emotions

HAROLD: Oh, please ! how exactly is eating a donut (amy laugh) going to …

(Harold sees them)

AMY: (still smiling from andy and harold's argument) Hey dad

HAROLD: Hello

(Andy and Ephram, still maintening their cold relationship)

ANDY: Hi Ephram

EPHRAM: Hi

(Harold, trying to break the awkward moment)

HAROLD: So what brings you two here?

AMY: I'm going with Ephram to Denver for his school appointment tonight… so could you go by the pharmacy to get Mom's medications; I won't be able to make it.

HAROLD: Sure Honey.

ANDY (to Ephram): You're going to school, that's great ! what are you going to do ?

EPHRAM: huh, Music

ANDY (smiles): I'm very happy for you, Ephram. You know if you need anything for college, I could maybe pay …

EPHRAM: I'll figure it out on my own, thanks.

(Harold and Amy are looking at them. They're sad.)

AMY: Oh, and Dad, we're probably gonna come back very early in the morning so don't wait for me,okay ?

HAROLD: Okay, but be careful!

AMY: We will. Bye

EPHRAM: Bye Dr. Abbott (he looks at his dad) Bye dad.

ANDY (smiles slightly): Bye Ephram

As Ephram and Amy are leaving the clinic

AMY: now, So let's work on this road trip food list… how come there's no candy in it ?

EPHRAM (laugh): I don't know. I guess I'm not very good with that. I'll tell you what, next time, you're in charge of food, okay ?

AMY (nods): Deal !

(Amy & Ephram laugh)

(Harold and Andy looks at their children as they leave, glad to see them so happy)

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Next Chapter : "My Future on a plate" is an only ephramy chapter… !