Chapter 15 - New and Unwanted

Bright waited downstairs with Amy, explaining everything that she had to know about Isabelle. Where bottles are, where formula was - you name it.

"And while you're at it, you can clean the house too." Bright teased.

"You are so lucky to have a sister like me. Unfortunately, I could've done a LOT better as far as big brothers go. Maybe if I close my eyes and wriggle my nose, you'll be gone." Amy sniped back. No matter how old they got, the fighting and joking never seemed to age.

Hannah came down the stairs, wearing a slinky, black dress and 5 inch black heels - something Hannah had never dared or wanted to wear before.

"I thought I heard fighting. And let me tell you, when I thought that thought, I said to myself 'Amy must be here.'" Hannah sounded a little strange. More, perky...and quirky than usual.

"Yep...I'm here. Ready to sit with my favorite baby!" Amy ignored the strange behavior from Hannah. She figured, 'Hannah just wants to have some fun.' After resting in a hospital for months, it didn't seem too weird that Hannah wanted to get out of the house for a night of fun.

Bright was still looking at the "new" Hannah. So far, he liked. "So, should we go?"

"Of course." Hannah hovered over Isabelle, who was in Amy's arms, and gave her a kiss. "Mommy loves you", she whispered. Hannah straightened herself up and slipped on her coat. "Ready!"

Bright and Hannah left through the door and soon drove out of sight from the window, where Amy stood holding Isabelle. Isabelle was content sleeping, unaware that her parents were gone.

"Just me and you - party of...two. Well one, since you've decided to sleep. Chips and dip are going fast. Sure you don't want some?" Amy tried to entertain herself. It proved to be harder than she thought. Even if Isabelle were screaming her lungs out, she'd have something to do. But this silence? She hated it.

xxxxxxx

At the restaurant, things weren't so silent. Hannah was talking so much and so fast that Bright couldn't get a word in. He was used to talking his end of the conversation, but tonight Hannah talked both sides.

"Hey!", Bright finally shouted. "What's up with this new Hannah? New dress - which by the way you look REALLY hot in - but, uh, new personality, new everything?"

"Nothing", Hannah said with a smile. "I'm trying to have a good time with you."

"Well, you're the only one having a good time here. You're talking about this and that and blah, blah, blah. Almost like you were trying to think of everything to say except what's really on your mind."

There was silence at the table for the first time that night. A silence that was not necessarily wanted. A silence that unveiled Hannah's face, filled with hurt and fear. For too long she tried to protect Amy and him from something that wasn't hers to hide. All her efforts to forget about the afternoon with Amy, the night of her accident and the time that elapsed between the two events came undone.

xxxxxxx

Heading out of Amy and Ephram's apartment building, she thought about the phone call that had her using the excuse of visiting Amy to cover up another visit. As soon as she arrived at the coffeehouse, she thought about turning back. She didn't want any of this on her conscience. Her great friendship had been too inviting and now she had to keep this secret in order to keep them safe. She knew that if anything hurt Amy, Bright would feel her hurt too. Amy AND Bright's respective relationships would be crushed. She never wanted any of this. Never. She never wanted to know or see the things she had. And now, she had to face the truth and try to fix it...for her family.
She spotted him sitting down at table, holding a coffee cup in his hands. As he looked up at her, she scanned his face. She wasn't sure what to say. This had never been her idea. He got up and pulled the chair opposite from his out. She reluctantly sat down, wishing more and more that she didn't have to be there. He returned to sit back down. There was a brief moment of that thing called silence before he spoke.

"I'm glad you came. I thought maybe-"

She stopped him from continuing. "I only came because of Amy and Bright." He was taken by supprise by her reaction, even though he knew he shouldn't have been. "Just say what you're going say so I can get home"

"I want you to give this to her."

After running around and getting caught, you still can't own up to it or even give her the goodbye she deserves!" Hannah was horrified that she even knew the man in front of her. "Fine. I'll give her the letter. I'll do it because unlike you, that amazing, caring woman is my friend - one who will need me more than she'll ever need you after all this. I can't believe you. I can't. Why have you changed into this - this person?" She changed her tone from angry to sullen. "I used to look up to you. I used to look at what you two had and think 'I want that."

Hannah-"

"Just go. I'm not the one who needs an explanation..."

He looked down at his hands, still holding the plastic coffee cup. When he didn't move, Hannah took the initiative and left on her own. She gathered her bag, along with the folded letter, and walked out the cafe door just as she had came in...unsettled. She got inside her vehicle and for a moment, felt like crying. Not because she was hurt, but because she had just volunteered to spread hurt upon her best friend.

xxxxxxx

"Ephram." Hannah finally let out.

It is indeed longer than most, if not all, of my former chapters. I hope you like it - although I run the risk of you guys completely hating it. Just to let you guys know, I AM an Ephramy fan. Stories need conflict though.