Secret of his Silence

It'll be Okay

For weeks Erin, Ferb, and I spent the days together. We built everything from robots and board games to race cars and trains, dispite Candace's busting attempts. Erin became like a sister to me and more to Ferb. Everyday they found some excuse to do things together, once I even saw them kiss behind the tree. I was okay with it, but that doesn't mean that I didn't give them a hard time for it. What are brothers for if not to tease their brother and friends?

As far as Erin's condition went, she sometimes would go into a coughing fit, but after a few minutes of rest and a glass of water she would be up and building again. We still sang everyday and through the songs I could see Erin's lie. Her voice was still beautiful but it was getting weaker by the day and by August her voice turned horse.

"I'm okay Phinease really." She assured me when I confronted her on the subject. She gave me a weak smile before going back to her work. Ferb stayed clear of the subject but I knew that he could see what I could. Time was running out.

I woke up one day from the now familiar weight of my platypus at the end of my bed. "Hey boy, where did you wonder off to yesterday? I didn't see you anywhere." He made that strange rolling sound before jumping off the bed and going downstairs. Perry, I thought, maybe that name does fit you after all.

I got up to get ready for Erin's visit and the day's adventure. It was mid August with only two weeks left in summer vacation. By the time I got downstairs Ferb was sitting in the kitchen with Erin telling her about the plans for the day. Erin just nodded along she didn't even say anything when I came into the room. I brushed it off and tried to pay attention to Ferb when caught me up on the plans.

For a couple of hours the build went smoothly, but all good things must come to an end. Candace who had been watching us through the window came out and went up to Erin.

"Tell me what you're building today." Candace asked. Erin just looked at her. Ferb and I watched closely. "Then sing something." Candace told her. Again she remained silent.

"You can't talk can you." Ferb said. Erin nodded.

I ran to get her parents while Candace called Mom. Next thing I knew we were all in a hospital room. Erin was hooked up to many machines she looked so small and helpless laying there, nothing like the beautiful, strong girl that we first met.

"I'm afraid that the time to talk is over." The doctor said. "It is as we feared. The tumor has grown so much that if we do not surgically remove it she will not be able to beathe." Erin's mother started crying and the doctor continued. "I'm not going to lie, the procedure is dangerous, but it is the only option." He led Erin's parents outside to fill out some paperwork mom and dad went to help them.

Erin had been watching the doctor with a fearful look in her eyes. Now that the adults were gone she started to cry. I did too and Candace had already been crying. Only Ferb was remaining strong. He climbed an the be next to Erin and held her hand. He opened his mouth but couldn't seem to find the words to say, so he settled on the next best thing. He sang he a song, I stopped crying to pick up the background voices. After the first verse the girls stopped crying. When the song was finished we sat in silence waiting for what was next.

A little while later a nurse came in to prepare Erin for surgery. She looked so scared and on the brink of tears again. Ferb leaned down and kissed her and whispered to her, "you're going to be okay, it'll be okay." She nodded and held on to his hand for support.

The nurse wisked Erin out of the room and through the doors to the surgical wing, out of sight.

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How will the surgery go? What will happen? Let me know all you questions, comments, and concerns.