Later on the day Nancy was diagnosed Elizabeth comes to see her.

"How's Joannie?" Nancy asks her.

"Ask someone who cares." Elizabeth says still angry with Joannie's behavior lately.

"Elizabeth." Nancy starts.

"Nancy she's being a brat. She won't talk to anyone and she's why you're in here."

Nancy looks at her stunned. "Oh Joannie must have, when I was inside Mom waved her magic wand and said 'This baby will be manic depressant when they grow up.'" She shakes her head. "No one is responsible for me being in here."

"Then why did you leave that day and nearly do yourself in after trying
to talk to her."

Nancy remains silent.

"If you were going to kill yourself because of Joannie..."

"Elizabeth I wasn't going to kill myself because of Joannie. There were a lot of factors which were amplified by the illness don't even try to lay that kind of guilt on her. Something is obviously hurting her how bout showing her some understanding."

"Sure when she gets off her high horse." Elizabeth grouses.

Nancy sighs in frustration. "You know our family would be in much better shape if people would stop judging each other and talk things out instead of making up their own minds before getting the facts."

Elizabeth laughs. "Look who's talking."

Nancy also laughs. "I meant me too."

After they've settled down.

"Please go easy on Joannie."

"But."

"Lizzie."

"Ok." Elizabeth crosses her fingers behind her back and doesn't mention the fact that she accidentally left Nancy's diary under Joannie's coat at home.

"By the way. It's ok that you told Noah but I'd rather you not tell anyone else outside the family about this."

"I'm sorry but he looked so pitiful if you don't want him send him my way."

"Sorry little sis but I do want him."

"But I thought that you've sworn off men."

"I did, but Noah is different. I'm just going to take things slowly."

Later at home. Elizabeth has second thoughts about the diary thing. ~What am I thinking? Nancy wrote most of that stuff when she wasn't in her right mind anyway. Not fair to do this.~ She goes upstairs to retrieve but discovers that Susan and Joannie's door is locked. ~Ooops.~

"Susan, Joannie I need to get something out of there!!" She shouts hoping that she's not too late and Joannie hasn't checked under her coat yet.

Joannie stares at the diary. ~I'm not going to read it. Whatever she wrote doesn't mean anything, no more than it what she'd say under painkillers after a surgery would.~ She shoves it back under her coat and gets up to unlock the door. "Yeah, what do you need. And no, my black pumps are off limits."

"I left something in here can I get it please?"

"Sure. Just be quick about it, OK? I have to get ready."

"Ok." She retrieves the diary and heads out of the room hoping Joannie didn't notice.

~Could you be a little more obvious?~ Joannie thinks. She lays back on her bed instead of finishing her preparations. "I'm not going to play your game, Lizzie. I was going to go, but if I do now, you'll think it was because of you. Forget that."

"Joannie I'm sorry, I now know it was stupid I was hoping I could get it back before you read it. If you do go, please don't tell Nancy I won't read it anymore I promise."

"That's between you and Nancy. Look, just go, OK? I don't want to talk about this."

"You never want to talk about anything anymore. I miss the old Joannie." Elizabeth says and leaves the room.

"Yeah, well, I miss the old me, too, but what can you do?" Joannie says, and picks up a book, though she's not interested in reading.

"I don't care if you get mad at me but please don't let it affect your decision to go and see her. She shouldn't have to pay because I did something wrong." She goes to her room and puts the diary back in her hiding place and then she goes downstairs to see if anyone has started
dinner.

After Elizabeth leaves, Joannie throws her book at the closed door.

Downstairs, Abby and Gertie are preparing dinner. "Hi, Elizabeth," Abby says. "You OK?"

"Yeah, I'm ok." She lies. "What's for dinner?"

"If that's what OK looks like, I'd hate to see you angry."

"I messed up."

"Messed up what sweetheart?"

"Remember when I was little and I promised that I would never sneak peeks at my Sister's diaries again?"

Gertie nods.

"Well I welched on it and I left it in Joannie's room kind of out of spite because of her attitude lately. I tried to get it back before she saw it but I was too late."

"And?" Abby prompts.

"She didn't see it but now she won't go see Nancy because she thinks that I'll think she's going because of me."

"Sometimes this family is too Machiavellian for me," Abby says and goes back to peeling the potatoes.

"Elizabeth will you take over for me. I need to go talk to a certain Granddaughter and stay out of your sister's diary." Gertie goes upstairs and knocks on Joannie's door.

"Is the house burning down?" Joannie asks, not opening the door.

"No not at the moment." Gertie says.

"Is dinner ready?"

"No."

"Then I really do need to study."

"Ok." Gertie goes back downstairs.

"Would she talk to you?" Abby asks.

“No she wouldn't." Gertie says.

"I'd go up and talk to her," Abby thinks aloud, "but the mood she's in I'm not her favorite person, if ever."

"Well I'm not going to do it." Elizabeth says.

Joannie walks into the kitchen. "None of you have to talk to me. I'm going out for a walk." She sees the looks on their faces. "And no, I'm not running away from home and I'm not planning to do anything anyone wouldn't approve of. I'm going for a walk. Maybe, if I'm really feeling reckless I'll stop by the cleaners and pick up some stuff. I'll be back in an hour."

"Ok." Elizabeth says.

"See you soon dear." Gertie says.

Currently at the hospital. Nancy's using the phone at the nurses desk. "Yeah send it to 1436 Oak Street to Joannie Bradford. Charge it to my account there, thank you." She hangs up the phone.

"I've heard of guys sending things to their girlfriends. But girls sending things to their sisters." The nurse asks.

"She needs cheering up." Nancy says. "And her birthday is coming up. I hope she likes the playbill cake and teddy bear."

The things for Joannie arrive while she's gone. Gertie puts them in her bedroom for her.

About an hour later Joannie comes back with the dry cleaning. "Is dinner ready yet?" she asks whoever's in the kitchen.

"Not yet but there's something waiting for you upstairs." Gertie says.

"What?" ~It had better not be another 'let's guilt Joannie into diving back into the Great Bradford Psychodrama' prop.~

"Why don't you go and see?" Gertie says.

"OK," Joannie sighs, and goes up to her room. She sees the cake and the teddy bear and smiles. "These are so cute!" She looks for a card but doesn't find one, so she goes back downstairs, bringing the cake with her. "All right, which one of you did this?"

Elizabeth shrugs.

"You mean there's no card?" Gertie says.

"Not that I saw. Too bad. Whoever did this deserves a thank you."

"Maybe the shop knows who it was." Elizabeth suggests.

"Good idea," Joannie says, even though she's pretty sure it was her grandmother. She makes the call, explains why she's calling, and gets the information. "Uh huh. OK, thanks."

"What did they say?" Gertie asks after Joannie hangs up.

Joannie doesn't answer. "I'll be back later. Don't hold dinner for me."

"Um ok." Elizabeth says.

Joannie takes the station wagon and drives over to a toy store, where she buys Nancy a huge stuffed dog. Then she drives to the hospital and flags down a nurse. "My sister, Nancy Bradford, is here."

"And which sister are you?" The nurse asks.

~I can't do this. I'm not ready yet.~ "Look, would you just take this to her? Tell her Joannie thought she might be missing Sam, and this is a substitute."

"Joannie?" Nancy says from her doorway.

~You win some, you lose some.~ "Hi. I was just bringing this by. I promised Abby I'd be home for dinner," Joannie lies. "Thanks for the cake and the bear."

"That was supposed to be anonymous and you're welcome. Joannie he's adorable thank you."

"I thought you might be lonely in here is all."

"Thanks for the thought. I figured you could use some cheering up."

Joannie hands her the dog. "You OK here?"

Nancy takes the dog. "Right now I am but that can change without notice. They start testing meds tomorrow. How bout you how are you doing?"

"Fine. Same as always. "

Nancy's about to ask her something but decides it's not a good time. ~No don't ruin it. She's here isn't she?~ She says something else instead. "Whether it be here or at home. My door is always open for you."

"OK. Well, I should be getting back. Abby's trying to impress Grandma, so she'll want to get dinner on the table on time. Maybe I'll come by again in a day or two if you want."

"Yes I'd like that." Nancy says.

"OK, then. You need anything from the house?"

"Yes I've been wanting to write in my diary since I got here. Can you bring it?" Nancy asks still unaware that it's been read by other eyes.

"Sure. Either I'll bring it or I'll send it with someone. I should be going now."

"Ok, thanks for stopping by Joannie and thanks for the dog."

"OK. You take care of yourself. And thanks for the birthday presents." Joannie gives her a quick hug and leaves.

Nancy smiles and takes the dog into her room.

Meanwhile Tom comes home "Hey anyone home?"

"In the kitchen Dad!!" Elizabeth shouts.

Tom goes in the kitchen "Something smells good," as he walks over to Abby, "and I don't mean dinner."

"Cute," Abby answers, stealing a glance at Gertie, a little uncomfortable flirting in front of Joan's mother.

Tom just realizes Gertie is in the room. "Hi, Gertie." Tom gives that why didn't someone warn me she was here look. "Excuse me, I have to go in the study and work a little before dinner." Tom makes his escape.

Abby glares at him as he leaves. ~Sure leave me alone with her after you mess up. Typical. She's your mother-in-law, not mine.~ "I think I'll go set the table," she says to get out of the room.

Tommy walks in the kitchen "Oh, Hi Grandma."

"Hi honey how are you doing?" She asks.

"Pretty good, yourself?"

"I'm doing ok. I think I'll bring a plate to your sister later. Want to come with me? I saw some pretty candy stripers when I was there yesterday."

Tommy eyes light up. "Sure, I guess I should go visit her."

Gertie just smiles at him.

Meanwhile Tom motions Abby to come in the study.

Abby follows him into the study. "Hi," she says and gives him a kiss.

"Hmm...thank you. Any idea how long Gertie is staying?"

"No. I didn't think I could ask her. She might think I was rushing her out."

Toms eyes go blurry and he starts having a headache. "Could you get me a couple of aspirin please?"

"Sure." Abby gets him the aspirin and some water. "Is something wrong, or is it just too many in laws?"

"I had my first session with the psychiatrist today. I won't even tell you what he suggested."

"Why? What did he say?"

"After telling him what has been going on here this past year. He suggested I take a vacation away from here."

"A vacation? That's not such a bad idea. Gertie could help with the kids," Abby says. "Where would we go?"

"That's what I told him, but he said I was missing the point. He wants me to take a vacation alone." Tom says not happily.

"Alone?" Abby repeats.

"Again, that's what I said. I told him no. But then he informed me if I don't get away by myself I may end up where Nancy is but for a longer period." Tom says almost in an angry tone. "I told you going to him was a lousy idea."

"Don't blame the messenger if you're the one with the problem," Abby shoots back.

"Well, if he thinks I am going to leave my bride home he is the one that needs to see a psychiatrist. Besides, I can't go with work, Nancy in the hospital and what about the rest of the kids?"

"Work you could get a break from, I'm sure, and Nancy's being taken care of, and the rest of us can take care of ourselves," Abby says. "But what kind of a doctor says that we're your problem and if only you'd get away from us you'd be fine?"

"He mumbled about that I need to get away because I need to get a clearer perspective about my relationship with my family and to see that they can decide things on their own. Silly isn't it." Tom says

"We can decide things on our own, huh? OK, maybe he isn't completely wrong," Abby concedes. "But if he thinks you getting away for a few days will make you realize that, he is nuts."

"Why, don't you think I can change?" Tom asks.

Abby just laughs in response.

"Thank you for that vote of confidence." Tom replies

"I didn't realize what you and your counselor discuss was subject to my vote."

"It isn't, I just thought you would be a little more sympathetic."

"About what?" Abby asks, exasperated.

"Let's not talk about it now." Tom replies "How is Nancy?"

"All right, I guess," Abby says. "I think Joannie may have gone to see her."

"Good, I'll have dinner later. I am going upstairs to lay down awhile." Tom  says as he walks out of the study.

Abby sighs and goes back into the kitchen. "Tom won't be down to dinner; headache," she tells Gertie.

~Headache or just avoiding me.~  "I hope he feels better soon."

"Oh, I'm sure he will," Abby says, a little peeved at Tom for retreating and leaving her to deal with everything.

Later that evening Tom goes downstairs and raids the refrigerator.

"You know, someone could get the impression you're avoiding her," Gertie says.

"Hi Gertie, and who are you referring to?"

Gertie brings him some utensils and a glass. "Me."

"I am not avoiding you, I just....." Tom starts to say. "I am sorry  Gertie; I don't mean to."

"You just?" Gertie prods.

"Well between Nancy being ill and you being here; Joan has been  heavily on my mind the past few days."

"I know the feeling," Gertie says quietly.

"I loved her so much, but I love Abby too. With you here I feel like  I am cheating on her. Not that I am not glad you are here. We missed you."

"I've missed this family, too, but I have to admit this isn't the easiest thing for me, either."

"I am sorry." Tom says.

Gertie shrugs. "You know, you could have made this easier. If things here were falling apart and everyone were miserable," she tries to joke. "More than anything, that's what hurts. Seeing everyone go on when Paul and I can't move past it."

"It hasn't exactly been easy for me or the kids. At times we are still trying  to get past it."

"I didn't say it was easy. But you've made a new life for yourselves. Paul and I--we can't exactly do that."

"I am sorry Gertie, what can I do to help?"

"It's nothing for you to do," Gertie says.

"Paul has taken it hard?" Tom says.~DUMB question Bradford~

"I suppose you could say that. He doesn't want anything to do with your family. Maybe even with me, now--he's hung up on me every time I've called since I got here."

"Well you are welcome to stay here as long as you like." Tom says sincerely.

"Thank you," Gertie says, "but you and Abby--I'm sure the last thing you need is me hanging around."

"You are family, just a word of warning. The early bird gets first crack of the bathroom in the mornings."

"But I'm their grandmother--I'll bet the kids will let me jump the line."

"I don't know about that, they made me stand in line on my wedding day."

Gertie grimaces, but doesn't have a chance to answer before Abby sticks her head in through the doorway to announce that dinner is on the table.

Tom pulls Abby aside "I am sorry about earlier."

Abby sighs. "I can't say you didn't warn me, but could you do me a favor?"

"Of course, what?" he asks.

"When you talk to that counselor, talk about your need to say the first thing that comes to your mind and then apologize later. Because I'm getting tired of getting kicked and then waiting for you to regret it."

"Ouch, I guess I deserved that." Tom says.

"Yes, you did," Abby agrees.

"OK, I promise to talk to my counselor about this but can we call a truce in the meantime?"

"All right," Abby gives him a quick kiss, "truce."

"Thank you." Tom says.

Later at the hospital.

"What are you doing here? If you don't leave in five seconds flat I'm calling in the hefty orderlies." Nancy says.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing?" Brad says. "I overheard my Dad talking on the phone the other day."

"Oh come on Brad like you care."

"I do care, just because I was a jerk once are you going to hold that against me for the rest of my life and never talk to me again?"

"No I guess not, but we'll never be as close as we were ever again."

"I know." He shifts around uneasily and finally says. "Is this my fault?"

"Don't flatter yourself." Nancy says to him.

He sighs in relief and looks at her stationery. "Who's Noah?"

"None of your business." She says.

"Yeah well he better be good to you or I'll break his legs."

"Oh you're a fine one to talk."

"Well I can't exactly break my own legs."

"You better be nice to your next girlfriend or I'll break yours."

He feigns fear. "I will I promise."

She looks at him and shakes her head.

After awhile he leaves.

Two hours later Tommy and Gertie show up.

Gertie hugs her. "How are you doing honey?"

Nancy returns the hug. "Ok I guess, how are you two?"

"I am doing ok, we miss you though." Tommy says.

"I miss you too." Nancy says.

The next day they start Nancy on the meds and postpone any visitation til they see what kind of effect it will have on her.

"Now if you start feeling dizzy or experience any headaches let us know, and I don't think it's a good idea to get up and walk around. Not everyone experiences those symptoms but they can happen." One of the
doctors tells her.

"Any other symptoms." Nancy asks not liking this.

"Possible drowsiness."

She bravely takes the medication.

After she does, a nurse walks in. "I'll stay here with you, just in case you start feeling unwell," the woman says. She sits down in a chair and pulls out her knitting, watching Nancy all the while.

A little while later, Nancy tries reading a magazine but the words start to run into each other and soon she's seeing two of everything. Soon after her head starts pounding and the room starts spinning. She's about to tell the nurse but then everything goes black.

The nurse sees Nancy drop and rushes out to call orderlies. They get Nancy into her bed and when she comes around, the doctor is standing over her. "Welcome back."

"Thanks, I think." She mutters and looks around in confusion. "What happened?"

"You just crossed one medication off the list. How are you feeling?" He waves the nurse over and asks her to bring Nancy some juice.

The nurse goes to get the juice.

"Not too good. I have a headache."

The nurse comes back with the juice and Nancy slowly drinks it.

"I'd rather not try you on the next medication until you're feeling better. Certainly not until tonight, but I'd rather wait until tomorrow. All right?"

"Ok, and please don't tell my family. They have enough to worry about."

"Your parents, at least, should be told," the doctor disagrees.

"All right." Nancy sighs and then observes the doctor. "You already told them didn't you?"

"Yes. I did. It took you a while to come around," the doctor admits.

"How long was I out? And are they here?"

"About a half hour. I reached your stepmother; I'm not sure if your father is coming as well."

She asks for more juice and then says. "He starts his second session of counseling today he's probably there."

The doctor switches into 'psychiatrist' mode. "And how does that make you feel?"

"Kind of relieved."

"Why?"

"Because maybe now he'll think before yelling."

"So it's the counseling that has you relieved, not that he won't be here in a few minutes?"

"Exactly, I'd love to see my Dad but he needs that counseling."

"Well, I'm sure he'll be by later."

"I hope so."

At that point Abby comes in.

"Hi," she says. "How's Nancy doing?" she asks the doctor.

"Better. I'll leave you to talk with her."

"Hey Abby."

"Hey there. How are you feeling?"

"A little better."

"You're awake; that's good. The joys of being a guinea pig, right?"

Nancy manages a laugh. "Yeah, I hope the rest of the testing is a little more mild."

"It can't get much worse," Abby says. "Not a bad plan, get the worst of it out of the way early."

"Yeah." She starts getting drowsy.

Abby tucks the covers around Nancy. "Rest a little."

"I don't want..." She never gets the chance to finish as she drifts off to sleep.

Abby stays in the room a little while, watching Nancy, and then goes looking for her doctor.

She finds the doctor a few minutes later.

"So what happens now?" she asks.

"Tomorrow we'll try the next medication. And then the one after that, and the one after that, until we find one which works."

"But you will find one, right?"

"We usually do, yes."

The nurse goes to check on Nancy before going on break.

After Abby finishes talking to the doctor she goes in to check on Nancy. Nancy is still asleep, so Abby flags down a nurse and asks her to tell Nancy that she'd gone off to work.

The nurse agrees.

When Abby arrives at her new student's home, she is surprised to see his father waiting for her.

"Hello. I thought you said you'd have to be at work today; isn't that why we met over the holiday break?" she asks.

"Yes, well...I wanted to talk to you first, and the woman I spoke to at your work number said you wouldn't be in today. Why don't we go inside..." he suggests. Once he's taken her coat and shown her where to put her books down, he leads her to the kitchen and makes them each something warm to drink. "Jamie wouldn't even get up this morning. I'm not sure if he's up yet. I think he's just given up."

"Well, I can understand that. It's difficult losing a parent, and getting sick, too..." Abby says, feeling a sense of deja vu.

"I wonder whether I should just let him ride out the rest of the year, start fresh in September."

"Are you sure he'd be over it by then? That's a pretty big chance to take. And he'll lose the year, which isn't something you want to start him on. Besides, what would he do the rest of the year? Study without learning, expecting to fail? He wouldn't be allowed to just stay at home."

"I know," the father says. "So what do you suggest?"

"I can't promise anything, but I like to think I'm a pretty good teacher. Let me try, for whatever time he's still home recuperating. After that we can re-evaluate, but maybe I can get some spark going."

"It's worth a shot, Mrs. Bradford. Let me take you upstairs to him."

"Thanks. By the way, Mr. Easton, how are you at plane geometry?" Abby asks as she's led up the stairs.

Meanwhile Jamie is lying in bed missing his mom and wishing he didn't have to do this tutoring thing. ~Why can't they just leave me alone. Who cares about school work.~ He's hit by another coughing fit. The fits were getting less severe but he still hated them.

The door opens. "Hey, Jamie," his father says. "That cough sounds nasty. You need more water?"

"No I have enough." He drinks some of it. "You're the tutor? I was expecting some old lady."

"Well, thank you," Abby says. "And yes, I'm Mrs. Bradford."

"Jamie, you need some time to pull yourself together, or are you ready to start?" his father asks.

"Can we wait til tomorrow?"

"Sorry," Abby says. "You got a break because of the holidays, but now it's time to buckle down to work for all of us."

He sighs in aggravation. "But I'm sick."

"That's why you get to do your studying here instead of at school. But you don't study with your lungs, so it's time we hit the books."

He grumbles. "Oh all right."

After they're finished studying for the day Abby puts her books back in her bag. "Look, Jamie, I know things look pretty bad right now, but it does get better. You may not believe it, you probably won't, but it's true."

"Yeah right." He grumbles. "Sorry, I shouldn't take it out on you."

"It's all right," Abby smiles. "I'll deny it if you tell anyone, but I think that's part of my job. Need anything before I go?"

"No I'm all right."

"OK, then, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Ok."

Currently at the hospital Nancy is still sleeping when more visitors stop by.

"Jason I think I should wait out here. I don't think it will do her good to see me. Might even hinder her recovery." Cassie says.

"You've been just as worried as I have." Jason says.

"Jason she hates me now. I'll wait out here." Cassie holds her ground.

He sighs and then goes inside the room. A moment later he comes out. "She's sleeping the nurse said it was the medication. Are you ready to go home?"

She's about to answer but turns around to see a very angry Bradford.

"Get out of here." David practically growls.

"David I still care about her." Cassie says.

"Yeah right, and even if you do this is the worst possible time to come and see her, now go away."

"Fine." She and Jason leave. David goes in to see Nancy.

"How is she?" He asks the nurse.

"Sleeping comfortably, she will be for awhile. The medication."

"Oh." He notices the big stuffed dog. ~I thought they couldn't get a hold of Auntie V.~ David thinks figuring it would be the kind of gift she'd get one of them. "Where did that big guy come from?"

"Joannie brought it for her yesterday." The nurse says.

David smiles and then something dawns on him. "If it's just the medication why are you staying here and watching her?"

"In case she has any reactions to the medication that require medical care."

He sits down beside her. "Are you seeing anyone?"

She smiles and shakes her head at him. "Back off big brother I have a job to do here, and you should be here to see your sister not pick up women."

A little while later at home.

Elizabeth is reading Nancy's diary some more when a family member comes in and catches her.

"Doesn't anyone knock anymore?" She says trying to get their attention off of what she is doing. She hides the diary behind her back.

"No" Susan says catching Elizabeth trying to hide something "What's behind your back?"

"Nothing." Elizabeth lies.

"Nothing?" Susan asks trying to get whatever Elizabeth has behind her back

Elizabeth tries to hold on to it but it falls to the floor.

Susan picks it up "You weren't reading someone else's diary were you?"

"I just wanted to see what was going on in Nancy's mind. Then we found out that it was Manic Depression and she can't be held responsible for what she wrote in the first place. Still I couldn't stop reading it. Please don't tell her."

"I won't tell her." Susan says "But if I catch you reading it again I just might tell her."

"Sorry Susan, hey will you take me to see her tomorrow since you'll have the station wagon?"

Later that night after the medication wears off Nancy is plagued with nightmares. She's reliving the trauma she's gone through ever since her mom died however instead of everything happening to her it's happening to her loved ones. She awakens in a cold sweat and wanders into the
hallway. "I want to call my family." She tells the nurse on duty.

"Nancy maybe you should eat something first you've been asleep since this morning." She says.

"Please." Nancy pleads.

"Ok." She lets her use the phone.

Nancy calls home and when one of them answers the phone she says. "Is everyone all right?"

"Well, except for the fact that Abby's not home yet and Dad's stewing, yeah," Joannie says. "How are you? What are you doing calling this late?"

She sighs in relief.  "Just waking up and had a bad dream, other than  that I'm fine.  How are you doing?"

"Fine," Joannie says, "same as always."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing."  Nancy asks still a little sleepy.

"Just the same as always," Joannie insists.

Nancy looks at the clock.  "Wow I didn't know it was 9pm already.  Well  Abby's gotten home later than that before if she stops by here I'll have  her call home.  I hope you feel better Joannie I have to go eat now  before the nurses try to put me on an IV."

"Yeah, I should be going, too. Enjoy dinner."

"Thanks, I love you." They hang up.

After hanging up with Joannie the nurse leads Nancy back to her room and checks her over.

"Your vitals are fine. How are you feeling? Any sadness."

Nancy shakes her head. "I just feel numb right now."

"That should pass. Are you hungry?"

"Starving, but does it have to come from here?"

"No it doesn't." David says as he brings in her dinner." He kisses her on the forehead. "How are you feeling? I heard that medication knocked you for a loop."

"That it did. Just now waking up."

"Visiting hours are over." The nurse says.

"I know I just didn't want her stuck eating the hospital food." He smiles at the nurse.

Nancy observes this and shakes her head. ~Men.~

After David leaves the hospital he goes to the Bradford house to check on the family. He runs into Gertie. "Are Joannie and Mary home?" He asks in a flat and cold tone.

"Yes they're upstairs. David can we talk?"

"I'm busy." He lies.

"Just for a minute." They go to the sun porch. "Look it's obvious you're mad at me and you have every right to be but I'm really trying to make up for the past year."

"I know you are but how do I know that you won't turn your backs on us again. I have seven brothers and sisters to look out for. I don't want them to get hurt again." He says.

They continue to talk and finally make up. Moments later in the kitchen.

"Hey David have you seen Abby?" Elizabeth asks. "She's not home yet."

"No I haven't, maybe she's running late. She's come home later than this before right?"

Nicholas decides to go visit Nancy He goes to the information desk "Hi, I am here to see Nancy Bradford?"

"Sure, I'll call up and then they'll send her down ok. And is your little friend thirsty." She asks about Sam.

"Nah, he is ok." Nicholas says

She smiles and makes the phone call. Moments later Nancy comes downstairs with an escort. They give the siblings their privacy but all keep an eye on the visitation. To make sure it's not too much for either sibling and to make sure Nancy doesn't decide to bolt. "Hey kid." She hugs Nicholas. "How are you doing?" She also hugs Sam. "Hey little guy." Sam licks her face and she laughs.

"I am doing ok, how are you?" Nicholas asks.

"Better, how are things at home?"

"OK, I guess...They never tell me otherwise."

"Believe me I know the feeling. When I was your age they never told me anything. That still happens sometimes."

"When are you coming home?" he asks.

"I don't know when Nicholas, but I hope it's sooner rather than later."

"Me too." he says.

She smiles. "Thanks big guy."

"Yeah, no one can cut vegetables like you can."

Nancy laughs. "Thanks for the compliment."

"I better get home, get well soon OK?"

"I will honey." She hugs Nicholas and Sam.

Nicholas waves goodbye and goes home.

"He's a cute kid." One of the nurses says.

"Thank you." Nancy says as she watches Nicholas and Sam leave. "He's a good kid too." They take her back to the ward.

Part 2