Family Ties- Episode 2: Connections

After only one ring, Ferb answers the phone.

"Ello, brother. I've got some exciting news that I couldn't wait to share with you. Sorry if I woke you up."

Phineas responds, "No, no. I couldn't sleep anyway. So, what is the big news?"

"First, why aren't you able to sleep?" Ferb asks.

"The reason's not that important right now. What is going on with you?" Phineas says.

There was a pause before Ferb speaks again, almost as if contemplating what Phineas was saying.

"Well, remember how I told you that my father did that whole Ancestry thing online?"

"Yeah?"

"I finally found out who my birth mother was! He called and told me on the phone earlier this morning before class."

"That's awesome!"

"Yeah. Unfortunately, she had passed away right after I was born due to a car accident. So, my father had lived alone for a couple of years before meeting your mum. But she looked like a beautiful lady. Cordelia Lane. That was her name. And I inherited her green hair! Isn't that interesting?"

"Yeah..."

"My father loved her very much, and told me that he was crushed and heartbroken when he found out she hadn't survived that awful accident. He spared me the details on what exactly happened, and I didn't want to bring it up. But it's still very interesting to know. You know how I had been longing to find out who she was."

"Yeah...that's great," Phineas said, despite the fact that he was feeling the exact opposite. And Ferb could tell too. He could always tell how Phineas was feeling, even if he wouldn't directly tell Ferb.

"What's the matter? You don't sound very enthused."

"Well..." What was Phineas afraid of? "I guess I'm just a little worried about your interest in your birth mother, that maybe...no, I know you wouldn't abandon me, Ferb."

"Well, duh. Plus, my mother is dead, Phineas. It's not like I could just run over to see her anyway and forget about you. Nor would I do that anyway."

"I know that. I guess I just never had the same interest that you did about my birth origins. I never knew my own father as you know. I've always known our blended family as OUR family, and I was content with that."

"Aren't you even the slightest bit curious as to who your birth father is?"

"No, not in the very least. I'm perfectly fine with who I have in my family now. I've got you, Candace, our parents, and my wonderful girlfriend, Isabella. I don't need to know about the past. I'm happy with our family the way it is."

"Okay, Phineas. Though there is nothing wrong with wanting to know some family history. It wouldn't hurt you. It's not like it would change that much anyway."

"Hmmm...maybe you're right, Ferb. But right now, I should probably get some sleep. I have a big exam tomorrow and I had been studying all night."

"Oh, by the way, what was that dream that you had? The one that you said is keeping you up?"

Phineas hesitated a little. For one, he couldn't remember every small detail of the dream, and he also didn't want to have to think about it again. So, he makes up a small lie that wasn't completely a lie, but was still a lie in a sense that he wasn't exactly telling the truth. He felt bad about doing it to Ferb of all people, but he was just tired and wanted to get some sleep.

"I was lost somewhere dark and murky, and I couldn't find my way around. It looked like I was getting somewhere, but then I woke up. Nothing serious."

''Sorry, Ferb. I promise I'll tell you about it some other time.''

"I think it's just the stress getting to you. Just relax, get some sleep, eat a nice breakfast in the morning and you'll be fresh and ready for that test," Ferb tells him.

"Thanks, bro. Love you and talk to you later."

Ferb answers, "Love you too, later." He was the first to hang up as Phineas was still standing in the bathroom stall.

He never felt so alone in his life, despite the fact that he was standing in the stall right next to someone who was doing some unpleasant business; an odor that started to fill the room.

Phineas leaves the bathroom, trying hard not to gag, tiptoes back into his room and collapses back onto his bed. Despite trying to do what Ferb told him to do, he realizes that Ferb's advice won't help him this time as the exam is not the main trouble that was on his mind.

......

After writing in his journal, he closes his eyes and is back in the house again, in the same spot that he left himself in in his last dream. He realizes this is the continuation of his last dream because the house still looked the same. Perhaps this time, he will get some answers. He turns the doorknob to the master bedroom and peaks through it, the door creaking slightly as he winces, hoping not to get caught. Strangely, nobody seems to take notice as they are all still laughing and talking as if undisturbed.

This time he could make out a few words as he peaks his head around the door ledge into the dimly lit room which is filled with cardboard boxes and a dresser. There was also what appeared to be a baby stroller in the corner by where his parents' bed usually is. Bright and pink with a floral design all over it. A couple of other baby supplies were littered in the same corner but he chooses to ignore them as he listens in on the conversation.

"Thanks Mom and Dad for helping me move in here. My boyfriend likes to keep things on the down low, and is always busy so that's why he couldn't be here tonight," A soft, nurturing voice that he could only recognize as his own mother's voice seeps through the room.

He peers around the corner more and feels as though he is levitating into the room, as if an unseen force is pushing him in. Now suddenly, he is standing in the bedroom doorway in plain sight, but none of the three people in the room notice him. His one theory about the other two voices he had heard in his previous dream belonging to his grandparents proved true. Because here they were, sitting on folded chairs in one round circle together. His mother, with her orange hair longer and cascaded freely down her back and bell bottom pants with jean jacket; his grandparents hair not graying as much with Grandpa Clyde's hair still having a hint of black in it, as well as his Grandma Betty Joe's red hair done in soft curls. Each person's facial features significantly younger looking and less wrinkles. All three are instantly unrecognizable, and he would have mistaken them for different people if it wouldn't have been for him recognizing the sounds of their voices and hearing what they would say next.

"How's the baby holding up?" His grandmother had asked his mom.

His mom rubs her stomach, which Phineas suddenly realizes has a medium-sized bulge in it.

"Great. I found out the gender today!"

"A buck or doe?" His grandfather jokes.

"Better get the pink on, because this one is a girl."

''Now this is definitely from the past. I'm witnessing a moment of when she was pregnant with my sister.''

"Did you figure out a name yet?" Grandpa asks.

His mom rubs her chin and thinks for a moment before saying,

"Candace. I've always wanted a daughter named Candace, because it reminds me of a queen."

"How does he like the name?" Grandma asks.

"Oh, well, I didn't actually tell him yet. I barely get to see him," His mother replies solemnly. "He is always working. On what I don't know. Though he did seem excited on having another daughter."

"Another daughter? You mean he was married before?" His grandfather asks in surprise.

"Yes, yes he was. The marriage didn't really last that long. He never really explained anything further than that. He keeps a lot of his past from me, which doesn't really bother me as I can understand of wanting to let go of one's past," His mom explains.

Suddenly, this image starts to fade and Phineas abruptly realizes that he is being transported. Suddenly, he is back downstairs in the living room, and he is seeing a young Candace happily at play with an unknown teenager watching her from the sofa. Candace looks like she is about four or five years old. Maybe even a little older but Phineas couldn't tell.

The house feels a little more open and familiar now. Picture frames hanging on the wall with what appears to be his mom and sister together posing in different pictures; having fun in some and others just smiling. The sofa, rug, and furnishings are also in different positions but look more familiar than his last dream. Overall, the house appears a lot more furnished and full compared to the almost empty house in his last dream.

Then he could hear the front door open, and his mom comes walking in with a swaddle of blue blankets, giving them to Candace for her to hold. He peers a little closer and could see his infant self, eyes closed but eventually opening to reveal baby blue eyes, staring up at his sister. Phineas smiles warmly as the presumed babysitter, Candace, and their mom all gather round to see infant Phineas smile upon seeing his partial new family.

From what he understands, Ferb and his step-father must not have been part of the family yet, because if they were, they would have been here too. But where was his father?

As if questioning this was pushing things too far, his mind suddenly prevents him from seeing any further, and once again, he wakes up and is back in his same college bed, this time waking up to bright sunlight and an empty bed across from him.

His roommate must have woken up earlier and went down to the cafe to get breakfast. Perhaps he should be doing the same.

But a part of him wants him to remain in that bed and wonder about the meaning of the dream. The only connections he could make were that he had glimpsed at past moments before his birth and after his coming into the world. But his father was noticeably absent. What could this mean?

He stares at his laptop at the foot of his bed. Perhaps it is time that he finally get some answers after twenty years of not knowing.

END OF CHAPTER TWO