Chapter Fifteen:
Sick:
Andy waited in the all to familiar waiting room for news about Ephram. "I'm looking for the family of Ephram Brown." the doctor said finally coming into the room.
"I'm Ephram's dad." Andy said coming up to the doctor.
"Ephram's suffering from stomach inflammation which is causing his pain. Timely disease and stomach cancer are harmful when separate, but together their fatal. Ephram's body can't deal with both. We're going to have to keep him here awhile."
Sick:
"When can I see him?"
"Anytime you want, but he does need his rest."
"I know, thank you."
"I'm just doing my job."
Andy walked the familiar halls of Denver Memorial and stopped at Ephram's door. As he looked through the window it was plain to see that Ephram was in pain and having trouble breathing. When Andy entered the room Ephram stirred, but didn't wake up. "You sure are a sound sleeper."
"Daddy?" a voice called from the corner.
Sick:
"You must be drugged. How are you feeling?" Andy asked coming over to the bed. "Ephram?" Andy called, but realized that Ephram had called him in a deep slumber. "I love you Ephram." Andy said as he leaned over to kiss Ephram's forehead. "I don't know if I say that enough. I'm so proud of the man you've become. Wake up soon okay? It's not your time to go yet." Andy finished sounding almost doubtful.
Ephram woke up a few hours later to find his dad sitting next him. "Hey Ephram, how are you feeling?" Andy asked feeling Ephram's forehead.
Sick:
"My stomach feels like it's on fire."
"I know it's a reaction from your diseases. The doctor says that you have to stay here for a little while, but you can come home eventually."
"How long was I out?"
"About six hours. Did you know you don't only sleep talk when feeling quality."
"I don't? Did I talk? What did I say?"
"You called for me."
"Why is that so weird?"
"You called me daddy."
"I did? I'm sorry."
"That's okay, It's been along time since you've called me daddy. I've missed it."
Sick:
"Life was defiantly a lot less complicated back then. I mean I wasn't on my death bed.""You're not on your death bed!" Andy said interrupting.
"Okay, but I wasn't sick back then."
"Let me ask you something, do you have any regrets about your life?" Andy asked rubbing Ephram's hand.
"No, I don't. I mean I could say sleeping with Madison, but I wouldn't have had Adam. I'm really sleepy all of sudden." Ephram said yawning.
"It's the medicine. I'm going to check on the kids and let you sleep. I'll be back." Andy said leaving the room.
After his dad left Ephram started to think about what has happened to him over the last few years. While lost in thought he realized that he really didn't have any regrets, well maybe one.