Brandy was awoken on Tuesday morning by the ringing of a telephone. After she heard 2 rings she knew no one else was going to answer it, so with her eyes still closed she reached to the night stand beside her bed and picked up the receiver. “Hello,” she said weakly into the phone as she brought it to her ear. “Good morning,” the voice on the other end greeted her. The voice sounded raspy and course but she still recognized it as Ephram’s. “Sorry I woke you up,” he told her. “That’s ok,” she opened her eyes slightly to read the illuminated numbers on the clock which said, ‘6:47.’ “I was about to get up anyway. You sound terrible,” she told him, her voice now sounding more awake.

Ephram laughed slightly, “Thanks. Actually that’s why I was calling. I have some kind of a cold or something so I am going to stay home from school today. Sorry I won’t be able to give you and Melissa a ride.” Brandy pulled herself into a sitting position on the bed, “Don’t worry about it, mom can give us a ride. I hope you feel better.” Ephram sneezed into the phone, “Sorry. I’m glad germs don’t travel by phone. Would you mind doing me a favor and picking up the assignments I missed today and dropping them off when you get back?”

“It won’t be a problem at all. Would you like some chicken soup with that?” She asked him jokingly. Ephram laughed, “You are too nice. I will let you go get ready but I will see you later tonight. Be sure to tell everyone at school how much I miss them.” Brandy replied, “Glad to know a cold can’t curb your sarcasm. I will see you later.” She hung up the phone and looked at the clock, ‘6:58.’ She decided to go ahead and get up. She walked into Debbie’s room just as the alarm went off and told Debbie that Ephram wasn’t able to take them to school.

Brandy and Melissa had been going to County High for 3 weeks and had made a few other friends that they talked to in class but Ephram was still the only person they really hung out with. Debbie was still enjoying her work with Dr. Abbott and the two were becoming good friends. Harold was a frequent visitor in their house and the children found him to be quite a nice person once you get to know him. Despite the abundance of Dr. Abbott in their lives, they had rarely spoken to Bright since the event in the cafeteria.

They had decided that Ephram was right about him. Marshall still didn’t like school but he had managed to make a few friends and he wasn’t getting his lunch money stolen anymore. Everyday they became more and more used to living in Everwood until finally they began to think of it as home. Debbie was trying to become more interactive with her children and they frequently played board games and took every other weekend would take a shopping trip to Denver.

Debbie had actually been excited that she was able to drive her daughters to school since Ephram had always driven them every day prior to this one. After they dropped of Marshall, Debbie pulled in front of the high school to let Brandy and Melissa out. Amy Abbott walked up to their car and said, “Good morning Ms. Mathers.” Brandy looked at Melissa and rolled her eyes. Although Amy had never made any verbal attacks on them herself, she still stood by while Kayla did so. Amy always tried to be nice to Brandy and Melissa when no one else was around. Amy was “chatting” with Debbie when Brandy and Melissa walked away from the car. “Bye girls,” Debbie called to them. “Bye mom,” they said in unison.

Brandy and Melissa’s first three classes were uneventful and before they knew it, it was time for lunch. They got their food and then began looking around the cafeteria. “Looks like we’re dining solo today,” Brandy said. Before Melissa could respond they heard a familiar voice call, “Hey Brandy, Melissa.” Then they saw Bright Abbott waving his arm at them. They gave each other questioning looks but walked over to the table he was sharing with a boy they recognized but had never met. “Hi Bright,” Brandy said. “Hello ladies,” he answered, “This is my friend Colin. I don’t think you two have met him yet.” Colin offered his hand and Melissa shook it. “This is Melissa,” Bright introduced her, “and this is Brandy,” he said gesturing to Brandy. “Hello,” Colin said to them, “You gonna join us for lunch?”

“Sure,” Melissa said quickly. Brandy laughed slightly and sat down beside her sister and across from Bright. Not long after they sat down they began to regret it when Amy and Kayla joined them at the table. “What are they doing at our table?” Kayla asked rudely. “Because Colin and I asked them to,” Bright told her. “Oh really?” Amy said looking at Colin. “So, I see you two have met my boyfriend,” Amy said gesturing to Colin. “Apparently,” Brandy told her, “though that’s not how he was introduced to us.” Kayla gave Brandy a dirty look, “So you’re little reject friend is not here today?”

“Seeing as how you know nothing about Ephram, I will thank you to shut your damn mouth and not talk about my friend like that,” Brandy shot back. Kayla rolled her eyes and was about to respond when Colin cut her off, “So, they are going to start picking reporters for the school newspaper soon.” Amy laughed, “Oh please Colin. I don’t know why you would want to do that. There is no way they are going to pick you to be the sports reporter, you are good at playing sports not writing about them.” Colin’s face turned red and he looked down at the table. “I would love to work for the school paper,” Melissa said. “Really,” Colin asked enthusiastically, “they are having an informative meeting in a few days if you want to go.” Melissa smiled at him, “That sounds great.” Amy eyed her evilly which caused Brandy to stifle back laughter.

“Brandy,” Bright said, “Can I talk to you for a second by the vending machines?” She smiled more from the need to laugh at Amy than from Bright’s invitation, “Alright.” She got up from her seat and followed him into the hallway. As soon as they were out of earshot she bust out laughing, “That was rich! I think Amy’s head is going to explode.” Bright gave a slight laugh, “Yeah, her and Colin have been having some problems lately. Anyway, you know I’m on the basketball team right?” Brandy shook her head in the affirmative. “We are having a banquet tomorrow and I was wondering if you would like to go with me. They are going to be serving surf and turf and it should be really fun.” Brandy smiled but was thinking how much she didn’t really want to spend the evening dressed up making small talk with Bright’s friends. But Bright smiled at her and she reluctantly said, “Sure.”

“That’s great,” Bright said, “It’s formal and I will pick you up around 5:30 since the dinner starts at 6.” Brandy smiled at him, “That sounds good. We better get back to the table before we miss something good.” Bright and Brandy walked back to a dead silence at the table. “Uh…did we miss something?” Bright asked. Before anyone could answer the bell rang and Amy, Kayla, and Colin jumped up to go to their next class.

“Can someone say tension?” Brandy asked Melissa as they walked out of the cafeteria. Melissa laughed, “Amy reminded me of her mom when she said that ‘my boyfriend’ comment.” Brandy popped her slightly on the arm, “I was thinking that exact same thing. Get out of my head!” They laughed thinking how often it seemed like they could read each other’s minds. “At least Amy got it honestly,” Melissa said. Brandy nodded, “I concur.”

***

Brandy and Melissa were walking out of their last class when Mr. Stone, their Chemistry teacher, asked Brandy to stay behind for a few minutes. “I’ll wait for you outside,” Melissa said to her sister. “Alright,” Brandy said, “I won’t be long.” Melissa was walking down the hall toward the door when she heard raised voices coming from an empty classroom. She recognized the voices almost immediately as belonging to Colin and Amy so she stood beside the door where she could hear but wouldn’t be seen. “So you don’t think I can do anything even remotely academically challenging?” Colin asked. “Jesus Colin,” Amy shrieked, “you come to me this morning and tell me you want to quit the basketball team and start writing about it for the lame school paper. What do you want me to say? Then you put on that show at lunch with that little trailer trash skank?”

Melissa’s face turned red and she wondered why Amy thought she was a skank. Melissa looked down at her clothes which were very modest at least compared to what Amy and Kayla wore. “Why do you hate her and her sister so much?” Colin asked Amy, “Because Kayla told you too? Why don’t you think for yourself sometime Amy it might be refreshing after sharing a brain with Kayla and Paige for so long.” Melissa heard a loud pop and knew Amy had just slapped Colin. Then she heard footsteps coming toward the door so she ran down the hallway and ducked into a nearby bathroom. She heard the footsteps go down the hall and then fade. She came out of the bathroom and walked outside where Brandy was already waiting for her. “Where were you?” Brandy asked.

Melissa was about to tell her about the scene she had just overheard when she saw Bright and Colin getting into Bright’s truck. Amy, who usually rode home with her brother and boyfriend, was no where to be found. “Hey Brandy, Melissa,” Bright called them, “We have room if you two want a ride home.” Brandy looked around, “Where’s Amy?” Bright replied, “Oh, she is going over to Kayla’s so she is riding with Paige.” Brandy whispered to Melissa, “What is there some kind of a bitches convention?” Melissa stifled a laugh as they walked over to Bright’s truck. Melissa noticed the slight red mark on Colin’s cheek. “A ride would be great, but we aren’t all going to fit in your truck,” Brandy said. Colin hopped in the back and said, “Well I could ride back here and that would make room.” As Brandy was climbing into the seat next to Bright, Melissa said to Colin, “I will ride back there with you if you want some company.” Colin smiled though Melissa thought he looked more like he was going to cry, “That would be great.” With that he helped her into the back and they were off.

On the drive to the Mather’s house Bright and Brandy talked about the banquet and Spongebob Squarepants while in the back Colin was pretty quiet and Melissa talked about random humorous things hoping to cheer him up. When they arrived Brandy and Melissa thanked Bright for the ride and walked into their house. “I have to tell you what happened,” Melissa said to Brandy when they closed the door. She proceeded to tell Brandy what she had hear between Colin and Amy earlier. “Damn,” said Brandy, “maybe Colin isn’t such a bad guy. At least Amy isn’t just a bitch to us.” Then Brandy remembered, “I am about to go next door and give Ephram his assignments and see how he is feeling.” Melissa shook her head, “Alright, I will start dinner.”

With that Brandy walked next door and rang the door bell. A moment later Ephram appeared at the door, “So this isn’t a total mutiny?” Brandy gave him a quizzical look, “What?” Ephram shrugged his shoulders, “I just thought that since you became best friends with Bright Abbott you might have forgotten to come over.” Brandy rolled her eyes, “Dear Lord Ephram! The guy gave me and Mel a ride home. That’s it. Well…” she trailed off. “Well what?” Ephram asked. “Well I did tell him I would go to some basketball banquet with him,” Brandy said.

“You better look out and make sure they don’t drop pigs blood on your head,” Ephram said with a forced laugh. Brandy laid Ephram’s assignments on the coffee table. “Ephram,” Brandy asked while looking him directly in the eyes, “do you really think I am so hideous that no guy could possibly want to go out with me?” Ephram averted his eyes from her stare, “No, that’s not what I mean. You’re not hideous. What I mean is that you are kinda pretty…in that shirt…that’s a really nice shirt you have on.” Brandy laughed thinking back to the first time she met Ephram. “Thank you. I am partial to this shirt myself but I would be willing to let you borrow it.” Ephram blushed and thought about how long he had wanted to tell her that he liked her but now that he knew she was going out with Bright everything was changed.

She gave Ephram a hug, “I was just messing with you. No reason for you to get all quiet on me.” Ephram returned the hug, “I just took some Sudafed a little while before you came over so I think it could be making me a little sleepy.” Brandy nodded and let that one go. “That’s a really nice piano,” she said trying to move on to safer conversation, “I didn’t know your dad played.” This statement caused Ephram to smile, “Do you play?” Brandy sat down at the seat, “I do know one song. Wanna hear it?” Ephram sat on the seat beside her, “By all means.” With one finger she began to press the keys and played the chorus to ‘Heart and Soul.’ When she was done Ephram did a mock clap, “Bravo.”

She punched him gently on the arm, “Like you could do better.” Then to Brandy’s amazement Ephram began to play the piano like he had played it for years and Brandy realized that the piano belong to him and not his dad. When he finished Brandy mirrored Ephram’s mock clap and said, “Not bad, but I think my ‘Heart and Soul’ was better.” Ephram laughed, “I have been playing for a few years.” Brandy nodded, “Thank you Captain Obvious. That was really beautiful.” Ephram stood up, “Thanks. So when is the fantasy date with Mr. Wonderful?” Brandy rolled her eyes, “You will never let me live this down will you. Tomorrow night. I have to wear a dress.” Ephram thought about it, “I’ve never seen you in a dress.” Brandy now stood up beside him, “That’s because I don’t wear them on a daily basis. Dresses aren’t that comfortable.”

“I wouldn’t know.” Ephram said. “Actually I find that rather comforting,” Brandy laughed, “I better be going Melissa is going to have dinner finished by the time I get back.” Ephram shook his head, “Alright I will see you tomorrow. If you can break away from Bright Abbott I will give you a ride to school.” Brandy was walking out the door, “Eat shit. I will see you tomorrow.” Then she walked back over to her house where she noticed Debbie and Marshall had finally gotten home.

Later that night Marshall had gone to bed and Brandy and Melissa were sitting in Brandy’s room talking when Debbie came through the door, “Can you girls keep a secret?” They exchanged quizzical looks and Melissa replied, “I guess so.” Debbie sat down on the bed between them, “Oh good. I just have to tell someone. I have fallen head over heels for the greatest guy.” Brandy nodded her head thinking about how many different personalities her mom had. The one coming out now was the 15 year old girl who loved to chat with Brandy and Melissa like she was just one of the girls and not their mother. Brandy remembered the time she and Melissa had to listen to Debbie go on and on about how bad one of her exes was in bed. She still thought she was mentally scarred by that.

“That’s great momma,” Melissa said. “Who is it? Do we know this Mr. Wonderful?” Brandy asked realizing she had just used the phrase Ephram had given to Bright and began to giggle. “What’s funny?” Debbie asked but went on before Brandy could respond, “Yes sillies you have met him. Can you two honestly tell me Harold isn’t dreamy?” Brandy made a face, “Dr. Abbott?!?!” Melissa looked her mom in the eyes, “Mom, he’s married.” Debbie shook her head, “Yeah I know that but lately he and his wife have had a lot of problems.”

“Does he know about your crush?” Brandy asked. Debbie got a big smile on her face, “That’s why I was late coming home today. He and I were just talking and was saying how lately his wife had been pushing him away and they hadn’t had sex in over 4 months.” As Debbie talked Brandy and Melissa both looked a little squeamish. “So,” Debbie continued, “The next thing I knew he and I were making out like crazy and then we went into one of the back rooms…” Brandy cut her off, “Christ mom! I don’t want to know these things!” Debbie was unphased by her remark, “It was wonderful. I just don’t know what to do now.”

“Never been in that situation myself,” Brandy told her. “I guess that is true. I am going to talk to Harold tomorrow. I can’t wait!” Debbie said as she walked out the door. “I have never felt so nauseous in my entire life,” Brandy said. “God I know. Why the hell does she tell us these things?” Melissa replied as she got off the bed. “Mom needs female friends. But then I don’t think I would bring my husband or boyfriend around her,” Brandy said. “Amen to that,” Melissa said, “I am about to go to bed its getting late but I will see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight,” Brandy said as Melissa walked out the door. ‘This has been one hell of a day,’ Brandy thought to herself as she turned off the lights and climbed into bed. The thought of her mom and Dr. Abbott still running in her head. ‘I wonder what it would be like to have a normal mother? It would probably be boring, but would that be a bad thing?’ she asked herself. Brandy lay deep in thought for several minutes before finally drifting off to sleep.