Chapter Four Autumn News
Andy rushed to the hospital after hearing that Ephram had had a heart attack. "Amy is he okay?" as Andy asked this a nurse came up to them.
"He's fine." Andy was surprised to see Ephram's friend, Ava, here of all places. She looked a lot like she did the last time he saw her, her blue eyes were very light just like they were five years ago. The only thing that had changed was her blonde hair no longer had red tips. "Oh my gosh, is this Delia?"
"Oh no, this is Amy, Ephram's wife. Amy, this is Ava, Ephram's friend from New York."
"Nice to meet you." the girls said at the time.
"Well, I have a few questions for you about Ephram's health. Does he get enough protein?"
"No, he's a vegetarian." Amy answered before Andy could even think about it.
"Does he have a lot of stress to deal with?" Amy nodded in response. "Well, I'll let you know if anything changes." Ava said as she turned to leave.
Chapter Four Autumn News
When she was out of hearing range Andy turned to Amy. "Since when is Ephram a vegetarian?"
"At least since we got married. He says meat makes him sick."
"It shouldn't be doing that….unless."
"Unless, what?" Amy asked after hearing the worried tone in his voice.
"Nothing, I'm sure it's nothing."
Ephram was released the next morning Andy and Amy took that opportunity to confront him. "Ephram you need to settle down." Andy said getting onto the highway.
"I'm not upset." Ephram said confused.
"No, I mean stop working yourself so, hard."
"I don't, I can handle it, okay?"
"No, it's not okay." this time it was Amy. "You need to slow down or you will kill yourself." When Ephram saw that Amy's eyes were filled with tears he took her hand and kissed it. "I'll slow down I promise."
Chapter Four Autumn News
When Ephram and Amy went over to his dad's for dinner later that week, his dad pulled him aside. "I took your advice, I stopped the piano lessons for the next month, not that my students or their parents are happy about that, but. Please don't yell at me."
"I wasn't going to, I have that medicine that you asked for.'
"Oh, thanks." Ephram said as his dad handed him the medicine. "Dad, is something wrong with me?" Ephram asked trying to get his dad to tell him why he's been so, weird around him."
"No, why?"
"Are you sure?"
"Positive!" it sounded as if his dad was trying to convince himself of that.
The next day the hospital called Andy and informed him that Ephram had tested positive for Timely Disease.
Chapter Four Autumn News
Andy decided that he should tell Ephram when he came over that night. How he was going to do it, he had no idea. I mean, how do you tell your kid that they're sick and they could die from it in only a couple of years?
When Amy and Ephram came over that night for dinner, Andy decided that he would tell them after dinner, so as not to ruin Ephram's appetite because he'd need all the nutrients he could get while he could still hold down food. "Dad, I don't think I'm going to stay. I haven't been feeling well all week and it's really starting to hit me today, but Amy and Adam will stay if you want."
"If you're going to leave then I need to talk to you." Andy said pulling him aside, so they were alone. "How bad have you been feeling?"
Chapter Four Autumn News
"Well, I had a come and go fever and I've been."
"You've been what?" Andy pressed when Ephram stopped talking and started to shake a little.
"I've been coughing up blood. That can't be normal can it?"
"It can if you have cancer. You have Timely disease Ephram."
"What? But, that means I'm going to get worse and then die, doesn't it?" Andy nodded, unable to say yes out loud. At this point Ephram started to feel sick to his stomach so he sat down to let it pass. "I'm scared dad!" Ephram admitted as his dad came and sat down next to him. For the first time in along time Ephram just wanted his dad to hold him like he use to.
"Come here!" his dad said holding Ephram close. "I know you're scared, I am too."
"You are?"
Chapter Four Autumn News
"Of course, I don't want to lose you Ephram. You should go home and rest."
"Yeah, I think I will. I'll see you tomorrow?" Ephram asked standing up.
"Yeah, you're not going to stick me with your grandparents."
"Of course not, you might kill one. Adam and I will be here a little before they get here."
"Okay, well you know that we're picking them up at the airport, so if you get here before us you have a key so just let yourselves in."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." Ephram said heading out the door.
"Hey Ephram are you still taking that medicine that I gave you?" his dad asked stopping him.
"Yeah everyday, why?"
"Don't, it'll increase your symptoms."
"Good to know, I'll stop taking them. I've really got to go." Ephram said hugging his dad.
"Everything's going to be fine." his dad promised him as they broke the embrace.
Chapter Four Autumn News
"Yeah, I'm sure it will be." Ephram said sadly walking out the door. As Andy watched Ephram walk slowly to his car his heart broke. He didn't know how he was suppose to watch his little boy get sicker and sicker and not be able to do anything about it. As he shut the door he started to wonder how Ephram was going to handle all that was to come.
"So you were here earlier for the weddings right?" Jacob asked turning to Eugene. "Why come back so fast?" he asked not waiting for an answer for his first question. 'Great they've been here ten minutes and they're already at each others' throats.' Ephram thought sitting down next to Nina with Adam asleep in his arms.
"We were here for the weddings too Jacob." Ruth said giving her husband a 'that's enough' look.
"Ephram, I hear that you and your wife are expecting twins, at least that's what your dad says." Eugene said turning to Ephram in an attempt to change the subject.
Chapter Four Autumn News
"Yeah, we are." Ephram responded throwing his grandfather a thankful look.
"Girls, boys, one of each?" Nonny asked excitedly.
"We don't know yet. We want to be surprised."
"Ephram maybe you should fill them in on the other thing while you're at it." his dad said entering the conversation.
"What thing?" Jacob asked turning to Ephram.
"I have cancer." Ephram said softly and not looking any of his grandparents in the eye.
"How long have you been keeping this from us?" Jacob asked this time to Andy.
"We just found out yesterday."
"What kind?"
"Timely disease." Ephram answered as Adam started to stir.
"Ephram why don't you put Adam in our room, so he can sleep and not be waking up." his dad said justering to the sleeping boy in Ephram's arms.
"I'll be back." Ephram commented standing up to take Adam upstairs.
Chapter Four Autumn News
As the moonlight bathed Adam's face Ephram noticed for the first time just how much Adam looked like Madison. "You know I really should take you to see your mom one of these days. She'd adore you. I love you Adam so, so, much and I'm not going to leave you again, I promise." Ephram said as he settled in next to Adam.
"Andy, Ephram's been up there almost two hours, do you think something happened?" Nina asked nervously when she realized how long it was taking Ephram to put the already asleep boy to bed.
"I don't think anything's wrong, but I'll go cheek." Andy said heading upstairs.
When Andy entered his room, he found Ephram and Adam fast asleep. Seeing this broke Andy's heart, if Ephram couldn't even walk upstairs to put Adam to bed without falling asleep, how was he going to handle everyday tasks as the disease progressed?
Chapter Four Autumn News
Andy quietly walked over and placed a kiss on Ephram and Adam's foreheads before leaving the room. "He's asleep." Andy said as he entered the living room.
"He's asleep? I can't believe he's already so tired, he's only twenty."
"Yeah, but he's sick and he's already so worn out. How is he suppose to live like this? He's such a good kid he doesn't deserve this."
"No he doesn't. What are you doing?" Nina asked when Andy grabbed his medical bag. "Don't go wake him up, you can sleep in there with him tonight and I'll sleep in Delia's room since she's at Britney's tonight."
"I don't want to wake him up, but he looked like he was in a lot of pain. I'm going to have him take some medicine to help him sleep more comfortably. After he wakes up I'll put him in Delia's room and I'll just leave Adam with us, is that okay?"
"Yeah of course." Nina answered as Andy found what he was looking for and left the room.
Chapter Four Autumn News
When Andy reentered his room he found Ephram throwing up in the trash can, indicating that he didn't have the strength to make to the bathroom. "Ephram." Andy called coming over and placing his hand on Ephram's arm causing him to jump. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Andy said coming down to Ephram's level.
"You didn't scare me."
"Then why'd you jump?"
"Your hand's cold." Ephram answered as if it were obvious.
"Are you okay?" Andy asked as Ephram struggled to stand up.
"Yeah, I just can't believe I fell asleep. We're going to get going." Ephram said before his legs caved under him and he fell to the ground.
"You can't even stand up, your not going anywhere. Here take these and I'll put you in Delia's bed." Andy said as he helped Ephram to the bed.
"But.." Ephram started to argue, but was interrupted by Andy.
Chapter Four Autumn News
"But nothing you're staying here."
"I'm fine." Ephram responded not willing to give up.
"Ephram!" Ephram noticed something in his dad's voice. A type of pleading that not only broke down his barriers, but his heart as well.
"Okay, I'll stay." Ephram said before taking the pills. "I'm going to go call Amy so she doesn't worry and then I'll come and get Adam."
"You can leave Adam in here if you want."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, he's tiny he won't take up too much room."
"Oh okay, thanks. I'll talk to you in the morning." Ephram said as he regained his strength and left the room.
"Daddy!" Adam called later that night waking Andy up. "Daddy!"
"Adam, sweetie what's wrong?"
"I had a bad dream!"
Chapter Four Autumn News
"Okay, let's go onto the stairs, so we don't wake Nina up." Andy said getting out of bed and picking Adam up.
"I want my daddy!" Adam screamed as Ephram came out of Delia's room.
"What's wrong with him?"
"He had a nightmare. I'm surprised to see you up with all the meds you took."
"They helped with the pain, but I still haven't gotten to sleep. Why don't you go back to bed? I'll take him." Ephram said as he took Adam from his dad's arms.
"If you want you can put Adam in our room afterwards you can."
"Thanks, but I want to put him with me just incase he has another nightmare. Good night dad."
"Good night Ephram." Andy said as Ephram took Adam into Delia's room.