Title: Tastes of Home

Writer: Azure K Mello

Part: 20

NOTE: I haven't even watched Everwood since the middle of the third season because no one was acting like themselves.

NOTE 2: I've changed the time line as I wanted Ephram to know about Linda's HIV prior to Thanksgiving.


Ephram knocked and waited to hear the "Come in." As his father spoke he opened the door and smiled slightly. Putting aside his book and sitting up in bed Andy said, "Hi, Ephram."

"Can we talk? I won't blow up."

"Sure."

"I'm not angry."

"Okay."

"And I wasn't going to say anything else because it's your personal life. But I'm part of your personal life too so I just feel I have to say this. And if you really listen I won't say anything else. Because if you really like her I don't want to make you unhappy but I need to say it."

"Right, why don't you sit down?"

Ephram sat on the bed and thought about his words for so long that his dad was about to prompt him when Ephram finally said. "I'm scared witless. I know that with straight, protected sex you probably won't ever get it. I know that HIV is a condition now with all the drugs and not a death sentence. But you could get it and conditions can turn deadly. And it scares me. Or you could not get it and everything could be fine and you could end up getting married and we could all be happy and a family and then she could become really sick and we lose our stepmother and you're left a widower again. And lots of couples decide that, as it's almost impossible to get it through straight sex, they're not going to use condoms. And after years of being in the relationship maybe that will seem okay. And then you get sick. I don't want to walk Delia down the aisle at her wedding. Abstinence is the only true safe sex and that's not really going to work if you really like her.

"And if you'd asked me about safe sex like you did the other day and I had said, 'Yeah, we're totally safe. We're really careful because Jackson got the hiv full-blown,' you wouldn't have just said alright. And I know it's different because you're straight, and the father, and an adult and I'm gay, and your son, and not an adult but I'm allowed to be frightened. And I don't have children who love and depend on me. And my boyfriend doesn't have the virus that can develop into AIDs. Linda's really nice. But there are lots of really nice women who aren't ill.

"You said you quit smoking for your children. I know she's a woman and not a habit but her diseases is just as dangerous as Cancer. I'll quit smoking if you stop seeing her. It could be our deal."

"No, you don't need to bargain. I'd like you to quit but you shouldn't have to do it as payment for being frightened. Thank you for talking to me. I need to think about this. You're right, I need to think about you and Delia first and foremost."

"Thank you, even if you decide to stay with her. I just thought you should know what I thought."

"Yes. Go to bed, Ephram. You have school tomorrow."

"Yeah, okay."


"So? Did you talk to him?" asked Jackson as he answered the phone the next night.

"Yeah, I did. And I didn't even shout."

"Wow, what did he say?"

"He broke up with her because of what I said. I feel a little guilty. But he doesn't really seem upset. Not even, like, slightly quiet or too loud. He seems totally normal."

"Well, I'm glad everything seems fine. What about Linda?"

"I haven't seen her. But he asked if Delia and I would be okay with her coming to Thanksgiving as a total just friend. And I said of course."

"I'm glad. And do you feel better?"

"Yeah. He's even getting tested. Which is maybe overkill but it sort of makes me feel safer. Is it all sorted for Thanksgiving?"

"Yep. We're leaving in four days in convoy with all your dad's friends. Chloe's leaving a few hours before because her mom made that smash thing in bulk and needs it to be kept frozen. She said it's your Christmas present as well as the Thanksgiving dessert. So the only thing left is for you to find your mom's recipe for that ham casserole thing and her one for the turkey gravy."

"I'm so excited."

"For me or Chloe's mom's smash?"

"Um. . . you of course."

"Liar."

"Stop joking about."

"Hey, Ephram, this is no joking matter. You're having how many people at your house?"

"I think it's twenty-nine."

"Well then, if you want to taste the one you love-"

"That is a gross euphemism."

Acting like he hadn't been interrupted Jackson continued, "We're going to have to convince people it tastes like vomit as much as it looks like it."

"Oh, I see," said Ephram. "You're wrong. You're the one I love. I just want to have a long term affair with the smash."

Jackson snorted a laugh and said, "I miss you."

"Yeah, about that. To fit everyone in we need to share my room with two of the girls who will sleep on the pull out."

"No way!"

"It'll be okay. There's such a thing as nooners, showers, and my all time favourite: clandestine."

"You can't call sex on a dance floor clandestine."

"No one called us on it therefore, by my logic, no one saw."

"People are bringing pot, nothing harder than that."

"Okay, I don't think my dad will freak out. We just need to not be obvious. No one's used the railroad in fifteen years and my dad owns the tracks so we'll smoke down there."

"Cool, when do the turkeys arrive?"

"I can't believe you ordered two. They come the night you do."

"Awesome, we need to put them in pots of brine, lemon, and rosemary and let them cure overnight."

"You really have this sorted don't you?"

"Yeah, well, I figured that it should be perfect."

"It's going to be."

"What are you doing for the Grateful Book?"

"Oh, we're doing the Grateful Movie instead. I like to pretend it's more high-tech but really I'm just lazy. I already have the new tape for the camcorder."

"Cool, can I help with it? The girls won't let me do the actual cooking because they say I take too many chef tastes."

"You can be the video guy if you like."

"Awesome, I can be the pervert with a camera."