Joannie heads out of her room. "I'm going to a rehearsal. I'll be out late," she lies, yelling for anyone or no one to hear her excuse.
"Have fun dear." Gertie says.
"Thanks, Grandma," Joannie says. "See you later, if you're still up. Hey, I was kinda of wondering--you going to stick around here while Dad's away?"
"Actually I was thinking of heading back home soon."
"Why? It'll be fun having you around without Ol' Grouchy in the way."
"Thanks dear, but I have an Ol' Grouchy of my own to get home to, but I suppose I can stay another week."
"Or maybe I could go back with you for a while. Maybe that would convince him."
"Joannie I would love that, but what about the rest of the family? Won't they miss you?"
"There's so much going on in this house they probably wouldn't even notice."
"I doubt that."
"It's obvious you haven't been around in a while," Joannie snorts.
"Honey from what I've seen you're the one who is still avoiding everyone."
"Not you too..." Joannie looks at her watch. "I'm late. See you later."
"That's it you're just going to run out instead of discussing it? Joannie I love you this whole family loves you. I could say that you're only hurting yourself but you're not you're hurting others also. Don't shut me out because I won't let you." Gertie stands her ground.
"There is nothing wrong, OK?" Joannie insists. "I'm the actress around here, so why is everyone else so busy making a big dramatic production out of nothing?"
"I'm not trying to do that, and I don't see anyone else trying to do that in this house right now."
"Then if I say it's nothing, it's nothing. I'm not trying to avoid anyone, I'm just trying to get an A in my directing class, and I'm late to rehearsal."
"Ok." Gertie says deciding to back off.
Joannie gives her grandmother a quick kiss and rushes out the door.
Tom finds Gertie in the kitchen "That smells good."
"Thank you."
"Uh, so have you talked to Paul lately?" Tom asks.
"No I haven't, why?"
"He must be really missing you about now."
"Yeah I was thinking about leaving in a few days unless you need me here next week to help Abby."
"No, I am sure everything will be fine." Tom says.
"Ok." Gertie goes upstairs to pack some of her things.
After she's sure Joannie is gone Nancy puts the pen back in her bedroom and then heads downstairs.
Abby meets her on the stairs. "You OK?" she asks.
"Yeah, just tired of trying with certain people who like to say mean things behind my back. Other than that I'm fine, how are you?" Nancy asks.
"Great. So--which of your sisters is it this time?"
"I'd rather not get into it. It's better if I just do my own thing and she just does hers. You said you wanted to talk about some things when I was feeling up to it. I think I am now if you have the time."
"If you're sure you're up to it. But if you change your mind, you let me know, OK?" Abby says.
Nancy nods. "Ok." They check around, everyone is either watching tv or upstairs doing their own thing so they grab the study.
"I don't know how to ease into this so I'll just come right out and say it," Abby begins. "One of the reason I first got so worried about you was because of what you called me. Your father thought you might have been having a hallucinatory moment, thinking I was someone I'm not, but I didn't think so."
"Well you're right it wasn't a hallucination, but it has left me confused ever since. At the time I thought it would be ok that we were becoming close enough for me to call you that. I'll always love my real mom nothing will ever change that but I love you and Dad too."
"I love you, too, but I plan to keep on calling you Nancy, not 'Daughter'," Abby laughs. "I don't think what we call each other has much to do with how we feel about it each other, so if it's got you confused..."
"I was just confused by your reaction. I didn't know it was going to cause you to worry. I didn't mean to do that."
"Hey, worrying is one of the perqs of this job," Abby jokes. "It's just,
well, you're the one who's been really clear about setting boundaries,
that your Mom has one place and I have another in this family, and never
the twain shall meet, so of course I got worried when you blurred the lines
without advance warning."
Nancy smiles and then says. "If I would've talked to you about this sooner it would have saved a lot of worrying on both of our parts. I'll make an effort to not let things go so long in the future."
"OK. And I'll try to remember to ask you before I start worrying--though I have to say that I wasn't that far off in my worries."
"Yeah I know."
"When are your counseling sessions? I suppose if I'm supposed to be in charge next week I'll have to know who need to be where when."
"Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11am each day."
"Have you arranged for someone to take you."
"I was going to ask Grandma but she's leaving in a few days."
"She is?"
"From what I've heard, yeah."
"Hmm...well, don't worry about it. We'll work out a carpool for you."
"Thanks Abby, was there anything else you wanted to talk about?"
"Probably, but for the life of me I can't remember. Oh, well, I'll think of it later--probably when I'm at work, so I'll forget it before I get home."
"I know how that goes, and if you do remember just holler."
"Around this house, that's the only way to be heard."
"Yeah it does get awful rowdy at times."
"And then the other five inmates wake up and things really get started."
Nancy laughs.
"Hey Nancy!! Noah is here!!" Elizabeth shouts.
"Speaking of rowdy." Nancy laughs again and sticks her head out the door. "I'll be right out." She tells Noah.
"Ok." He grins at her.
She returns the smile and then returns to Abby. "He's here now if you want to meet him."
"Let's go see this wonder guy," Abby smiles at Nancy.
Nancy smiles back and they go and see Noah. Nancy introduces them.
"Nice to meet you." Noah says.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
"I heard a lot about you too."
"And you're still willing to talk to me," Abby jokes.
"If you're still willing to talk to me." He jokes back. "Trust me it was all good things."
"Well, I think I'll leave you in suspense about what Nancy says about you," Abby teases. "I'm sure you two have something better planned than standing around, talking to me, so don't let me get in your way."
"Ok, it was nice meeting you. Don't worry I'll have her home on time." He says.
"See you later Abby." Nancy gives her a hug and then she and Noah go out.
Tommy pulls Elizabeth aside. "We need to talk."
They go to the sunporch. "About what?"
"Do you know what this means with Dad away?"
"That we won't see him all next week?"
"Besides that....." Tommy says.
Elizabeth gives him her clueless look.
"We can have a beer party over at Dan's."
Elizabeth grins. "Little brother now you're talking."
"We have to plan this carefully and get our stories straight."
"I'll be spending the night at Molly's house and who will you be spending the night with?"
Tommy smiles "Eddie. This will be great, with Dad away Abby won't think
twice about us."
Elizabeth smiles. "Yeah it will."
"You can't tell anyone about this." Tommy warns.
"Tommy who do you take me for?"
"All right, I am sorry. But we can't tell anyone."
"I know, don't worry."
"I won't."
"Good." They continue plotting.
Meanwhile Mary knocks on her grandmothers door.
"Come in." Gertie says.
"Hi Grandma, what are you doing?" Mary asks.
"Packing, I'm leaving in a few days."
"Grandma, I am sorry. It is my fault you are leaving."
"Your fault? How can that be? Paul needs me."
Mary eyes light up "You mean you aren't leaving because I asked Dad to talk to you about getting my room back?"
Gertie smiles. "Honey you can tell me anything. I would've taken the sun porch."
"Grandma you are the best." Mary hugs her.
Gertie returns the hug.
"Promise me you will call and come back soon." Mary asks.
"I will sweetie. And keep an eye on your sister for me ok."
"Which one?" Mary jokes. "I will, and tell Grandpa we miss him and love him too."
"All of them actually." Gertie says. "But especially Nancy and Joannie." She requests having made the same request of the Susan and Elizabeth earlier.
"Don't worry, I'll keep them in line."
"Thanks honey."
"Need any help packing?" Mary asks.
"I sure do."
A week later Tom starts packing. "Abby have you moved my socks?"
"Me? Touch your things? I'm not a glutton for punishment," Abby says. "There are some in the wash basket over in the corner; I didn't get around to putting them away yet."
"I hate conferences." Tom grumbles. "Why didn't I just say no to Elliot?"
"Because you're a soft touch," Abby answers. "Besides, it'll do you good, getting away from this madhouse for a week."
"What about you? I hate leaving you alone here in this zoo."
"I'll be fine. The kids like me. They'll behave," Abby says. "I hope."
"Well, I don't have to tell you this. But whatever happens, I trust your judgement and I'll back you up."
"Could I have that in writing?" Abby jokes.
Tom laughs "Will a kiss do?"
"No, but I'll take it anyway."
Tom gives her a romantic kiss.
"If you really don't want to go to that conference, just keep that up and I won't let you leave."
"That's the idea, my dear wife." Tom kisses her again.
"Oh, no you don't. You're not using me as an excuse just because you couldn't say no to Elliot Randolph," Abby laughs and pushes him away slightly. "When you get home--then we'll continue this."
Tom sighs and says "I'll hold you to that." Tom closes his suitcase. "I hope that taxi isn't late."
"They're never late when you'd rather not go."
"True." Tom replies as he goes downstairs "Hey, isn't anyone going to say goodbye?"
"We didn't want to interrupt you and Abby." Nancy says.
"I appreciate the thought, but I still want to give you guys a proper good-bye."
"You'll only be gone for a week Dad." Elizabeth says.
"Gee, I am overwhelmed by this family's sadness about my pending departure."
Nicholas runs downstairs and gives his dad a hug.
"I am glad someone is going to miss me."
Nancy and Elizabeth exchange a look and hug their Dad.
"Thank you." Tom says.
Susan comes out of the kitchen and gives her dad a hug goodbye "Have fun on your business trip dad."
"Thanks." Tom hears the taxi honking.
"I'll walk you out," Abby offers.
"I'm going to Noah's to help him set up some equipment for a party his parents are having tomorrow night." Nancy says to Abby.
"Interesting date," Abby says. "Try and be back for dinner or call, OK?"
"I will." Nancy says and then leaves.
Later at Noah's they're setting up equipment for the band.
"Don't Roadies usually do this." She asks Noah.
"Yeah but it's for my uncles band and he's paying me fifty to set it up for him. That's 25 for each of us."
"Cool." Nancy says and continues to help him. She's about to grab a wire he stops her.
"No uh uh not while it's plugged in that one has a tear in it that will send enough volts through you to light you up at the funeral."
"Then wouldn't it be unsafe to unplug it."
"Not with the proper equipment which will be here in a few. I just wish I would have seen the tear before I plugged it in. Damn thing is microscopic almost."
They continue setting up a little while later his little sister wanders out and is about to grab the wire. Nancy glances up from what she's working on and panics. "No!!" She rushes over and grabs the kid to get her out of the way. Noah comes and gets his sister.
"Honey what are you doing going after wires?" He hugs her. "Thanks Nancy."
"Not a problem." She starts to get up but doesn't notice the wire starting to tangle and crackle with electricity until it brushes against her hand. The last thing she sees is a flash of blue light and the last thing she feels is something heavy knocking her down before her whole world fades to black.
So she doesn't hear Noah's sister screaming, his parents running out to see what's going on, or Noah giving her CPR.
When she finally comes to Noah's face is just a blur, slowly it starts coming into focus. "I've died and gone to Heaven?' She asks him still a little out of it.
He smiles. "No but you're going to the emergency room." He says gently.
"What happened?"
His mom covers her with a blanket. "Don't talk so much take it easy." She tells her.
"Don't tell my family. Enough to worry about." She manages before falling asleep.
The sounds of sirens start to fill the air.
"What did she mean don't tell her family? I'm calling them." His father says.
"Dad don't all right. She's right they've been through enough already. She's an adult now. If it turns out to be serious." ~Please don't let it be serious.~ "Then we tell them, please."
One of his friends arrives with the proper equipment and unplugs the wire then she disposes of it. She glances at Nancy while the paramedics tend to her. "You're right Noah she is beautiful, don't screw with her mind."
"Sure you're a fine one to talk. New man every week." He says while gazing worriedly at Nancy. "And I'm not going to screw with her mind."
Noah's mom pulls her husband aside. "If it were Noah or Molly I would want to know."
"So would I." He says. "But she doesn't want us to. If it turns out to be bad then we call."
Later, at dinner time: "Does anyone know where Nancy is?" Abby asks.
"No I haven't seen her since she left for Noah's." Elizabeth says.
"She said she'd be back or call if she'd be late," Abby worries.
"Abby I'm sure she's ok. She probably just lost track of time." Elizabeth says.
David who is over for dinner again says. "Why don't you just call over there?"
"I hate to sound like the stereotypical worried new parent," Abby says. "Oh, well, I'll give her a few more minutes, then call."
Meanwhile at the hospital while they're waiting for word, Noah's mom finally gives in and against Noah and her husband's protests calls the Bradford house.
Abby picks up the phone. "Hello?"
"Mrs. Bradford?" The caller asks.
"Speaking."
"This is Noah's mom. We're at the hospital there's been an accident." She says.
"Oh, no--what's wrong? How bad is it?" Abby says, trying to remember where all the insurance papers, the car keys, and the emergency phone numbers are.
"Not as bad as it could've been. Nancy got electrocuted. The doctors are with her right now."
"And that's not as bad as it could have been? I'll be right there. You're at Sacramento General?"
She doesn't tell Abby that Nancy was dead for two minutes and that Noah had to bring her back with CPR. "Yes."
"I'll be right there," Abby repeats. She hangs up and goes into the dining room. "Start dinner without me. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Is everything ok?" Elizabeth asks.
"Yeah, sure," Abby says. "Just something I remembered I forgot. By the way, that was Noah's mother. Nancy won't be home for dinner, so start without her, too."
"Ok." Elizabeth says before Abby leaves.
A little while later at the hospital.
"I should have checked that wire before plugging it in." Noah finally says out loud.
"Son it was a very small hole you never would have found it anyway unless it was plugged in." His Dad says.
Abby comes careening in. "Noah--how is she?"
"We don't know yet." He tells her and introduces her to his parents.
"Nice meeting you," Abby says. "Thank you for taking care of Nancy. Did the doctor say how long it would be?"
"No he didn't, but the paramedics were encouraging." Noah's mom assures her.
"She saved my life." His little sister says. They didn't have anyone to watch her so they brought her with them.
Abby smiles at the little girl. "Nancy's brave like that."
The doctor comes out. "Mr. or Mrs. Bradford?" He calls out.
"I'm Mrs. Bradford," Abby says, rushing over.
"You have a very lucky daughter. If that young man who gave her CPR hadn't of been there she wouldn't have survived. There isn't any internal damage. You can take her home but she needs to take it easy for the next day or two."
"Whew. Thank you, Doctor. And that young man was you, wasn't it, Noah?"
"Yeah it was me, but I'm also the idiot responsible for the wire being there." He says guiltily.
"Noah." His father begins.
"Noah, I'm sure it wasn't your fault," Abby says.
They finally convince him of this. Meanwhile in the examining room. They won't let Nancy walk out just yet they want to make sure she doesn't fall flat on her face before then.
"Electrocution? And I'm still alive?"
"Yes, CPR does wonders." The nurse says.
"Sheesh, who did CPR on me?" She asks.
The nurse tells her and then the doctor returns.
"Your stepmother is here to take you home."
"Can I see her and Noah?" Nancy asks not remembering that she told them not to call her family.
"She can come in. You can see Noah later." The doctor says.
"But he saved my life."
"Later." He goes to get Abby.
"Hey there," Abby says when she walks into the room. "You're a lucky young lady, you know that?"
"If I didn't know that before I know now. It was too close for comfort this time." Nancy replies.
"But that Noah--if you'll pardon the pun, he's a live one."
Nancy laughs and then says. "He saved my life and that doctor won't even let him in here."
"Well, he's letting you go home, so he can visit with you there. I'm not sure what we'll tell your brothers and sisters; I didn't tell them you were hurt."
"I'd rather not tell them; if they ask it's ok to tell them, but I'd rather not cause anymore worry or chaos in the family. I won't ask you not to tell Dad."
"That's good, because I was planning to tell him. But you'll have to tell them something. The doctors want you to rest, and no Bradford is allowed to rest without a note from his or her doctor."
"Then I guess I have to tell them if they try to get me to do things around the house. Can we leave now?"
"Let's try walking again first." The nurse says.
She helps her up and has her walk. This time she doesn't sway from dizziness. "Now can I go?"
"We've got plenty of people who'll help keep an eye on her," Abby adds.
"Ok, she can go home."
Moments later in the waiting room. Noah and Nancy kiss and hug goodbye for now. While Noah's mom pulls Abby aside.
"She really did save my little girl. Molly was about to grab the wire but Nancy prevented that. Although I wish she could've escaped the wire also."
"She'll be fine," Abby assures Noah's mother. "And I'm glad your Molly didn't get hurt, too."
"Do you have super powers now?" Molly asks Nancy.
Nancy and Noah laugh. "Fraid not sweetie." Nancy says as she gives her a hug.
Everyone soon leaves for home. Elizabeth is on the phone when Abby and Nancy walk in. She hangs up.
"We saved you two some dinner."
"Thanks," Abby says. "Sorry I ran out like that."
"It's ok."
Abby and Nancy go to eat dinner. When she's done Nancy is about to wash her dish and put it away but quickly discovers she doesn't have the energy, so she starts to walk away.
"Oh no you don't Nancy Bradford." Elizabeth starts but then notices Nancy doesn't look right. "Wait what's wrong? You don't look good."
"I got electrocuted today."
"What?! Abby is that where you went the hospital? Why didn't you tell us?"
"It was Nancy's call to make. I wasn't going to tell you unless she wanted you to know. She's grown up enough to have earned some privacy."
Nancy smiles. "Thanks Abby." She goes upstairs.
Elizabeth takes care of the dish. "It's hard to think of Nancy and grown up in the same sentence. This will take some getting used to."
"Real cute," Abby says. "Just remember that the line on privacy only applies to siblings. I still get to find out anything important."
~Not about the beer party.~ Elizabeth thinks to herself.
Nancy passes Joannie in the upstairs hallway and goes to her bedroom without a word to her.
Joannie barely even notices. She goes downstairs and leaves the house without saying goodbye.
Mary observes both of them and shakes her head. ~Will it never end?~ She goes downstairs and finds Abby still there.
"Hey, Mary. Coming to join the late night study hall?"
"Yeah and it's a little chilly upstairs."
"Your father didn't say anything about problems with the thermostat," Abby worries. "We could call David to have a look at it."
"I don't mean the temperature. You know I still held hope back when Nancy was still talking to Joannie and trying to bring her out of her silent protest, but now that she's not talking to Joannie either I'm starting to worry that they're relationship will never get back on track."
"They'll get over it," Abby says. "Some crisis that involves neither of them will come up and they'll talk. Just give it time."
"I sure hope so." She picks up the diagnosis sheet that Nancy had accidentally left downstairs and her face clouds over. "Oh my, so that's where you rushed off to. I had a feeling something was wrong. Is she ok?"
"She's fine. It was just a little shock."
Mary sighs in relief. "And I noticed the news didn't make the Bradford Grapevine. Is this on a need to know only basis."
"No, it's on a Nancy chooses to make it known basis."
"Got it." Mary smiles. "I'm going to take this up to her so no one else inadvertently picks it up."
"Good idea. But don't start messing with the temperature up there--either it will thaw or at least we won't have to worry about air conditioning next summer."
"I'll just use the sense I've earner over being the oldest sister, don't worry." Mary grins.
Later in Nancy and Elizabeth's room.
"Nancy that's not true. Joannie loves you." Mary says.
"She sure has a funny way of showing it. Saying bad things about me as soon as I leave the room." Nancy complains.
"She probably didn't mean it she's just going through a hard time. Don't stop speaking to her." Mary says.
"Mary there's only so much one person can take. I'm sick of trying with her. If she doesn't want me bothering her then I won't bother her."
Mary hands her the sheet she had found downstairs.
"Did anyone else see it?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"Good, Mary can we not make a big deal about this. There's been enough drama in this family."
"Can I have at least a few seconds of drama about this. Seeing that you almost kicked the bucket?" Mary asks.
"Oh all right." Nancy says.
Mary hugs her and tells her she loves her. Nancy says the same to Mary. Nicholas watches from the doorway and shakes his head. ~Girls.~ He goes downstairs for a snack.
"Hi Abby."
"Hey, Nicholas. Get all your homework done?"
"Yeah, why are sisters always hugging each other and stuff."
"Probably because they don't have any boys to hug," Abby says glibly. "Why, you feeling left out?"
"Sort of."
"Me, too," Abby confides. "No one's hugged me in hours."
Nicholas gives her one of his good Nicholas hugs.
"Umm. You're the best hugger in the whole family, did you know that?" Abby says, returning the hug.
Nicholas just smiles.
"You know, with your father not here I'll bet there's actually some ice cream in the freezer."
"We'd better check it out." Nicholas says.
"I'll go get the bowls and spoons."
"I'll get the ice cream." Nicholas gets the ice cream out of the freezer.
Abby comes back with the bowls and spoons and some unshelled pecans left over from Thanksgiving. "For topping," she explains. "You can crack them."
"All right." Nicholas grins and happily cracks the pecans.
Later at the place where Joannie went to. Noah's friend from earlier is there.
"From what I heard it was a lot of volts that girl is lucky to be alive. They had to call an ambulance and everything."
"Sheesh I bet she has a high respect for electricity now." Joannie's boyfriend says.
"Hey, guys, who're you gossiping about?" Joannie asks.
"A friend of mines girlfriend. She was dead for two minutes, but Noah did CPR on her." The girl says.
"What's her name?"
"Nancy Briant, Bradley, Bradford, something like that."
Joannie rushes to the pay phone and calls the house.
Tommy answers the phone he had asked Nancy why she was going to bed so early and she had told him. "Hello."
"Hi, Tommy. Is Abby home?" Joannie asks.
"Sure hold on. Hey Abby it's Joannie she wants to talk to you."
"Abby, why didn't you tell us Nancy was hurt?" Joannie demands.
"I think you'd better ask Nancy about that."
"Is she OK?"
"She's home, isn't she?"
"All right, then. I'd better get back."
Joannie hangs up the phone, chews on her lip for a little, then sits in the corner, waiting for the rehearsal to begin.
Her boyfriend comes over and sits down beside her. "Ellen is sorry she didn't know your last name. If she had she wouldn't have talked about it like that."
"Well, you can tell Ellen that the gossip is greatly exaggerated. Nancy is home and she's fine. Her boyfriend probably just made it out to be worse than it is; I've heard rumors about him."
"Yeah what kind of rumors?"
"Let's just say he's a perfect match for my sister."
"You know if you want to move out my door is open." He says.
"Really?"
"Yes really, I'd love having you for a roommate."
"Oh, I just bet you would."
He grins.
"I'll think about it."
"Good."
"And you can think about how to convince me."
"Even better." He says as he kisses her.
"Not here," Joannie giggles. ~And not when I'm worried about my sister.~
"Ok." He sits with her waiting for the rehearsal.
In the middle of the night Nancy wakes up with her mouth dry and her
stomach rumbling. She glances over at Elizabeth who is still sleeping and
decides not to bother her. She heads out into the hallway and to the staircase
where she's hit with a wave of dizzyness she grabs onto the
railing to keep from plunging head first down the steps and sits on
the top step. ~So this is why they said to take it easy.~ She considers
waking someone up but decides not to. ~It'll pass and then I'll go downstairs.~
The front door opens and closes.
Joannie comes in, sure that by now everyone will be asleep.
Nancy tries to get up to go back to her room sure that it is Joannie but can't she winds up moaning instead.
"Great. Dad's not gone 24 hours and someone brings home a date..." Joannie goes up the steps, determined to break up the clinch, and finds Nancy instead. "You need a doctor or something? Rumor has it you were hurt pretty badly today."
"How did you find out? And no I don't need a doctor just a few minutes." She says in a strained tone.
"It's all over town. Your boyfriend's got a big mouth. Should I call Abby?"
"You can say what you want about me behind my back but don't talk bad about Noah."
"You asked. If you don't like the answer, don't blame the messenger."
"Noah wouldn't go spreading it around town he probably just told one person and they're spreading it around town. And no I don't need Abby. I can take care of myself why don't you go to bed you look tired."
"Yeah, right. Let's get you back to bed first, OK?"
"But I'm too hungry and thirsty to sleep."
"I'll bring you up a sandwich and some milk."
"Ok, thanks Joannie." Joannie helps her up and gets her back to bed.
A few minutes later Joannie brings Nancy a tray. "Eat this and get back to sleep," she whispers.
"Ok," Nancy whispers. "Thanks again."
"That's what sisters are for."
Some of the ice thins a little more. "That's true."
Joannie sits with her sister while she eats.
"Want half?" Nancy asks.
"No thanks. I went for pizza after rehearsal."
"How was rehearsal?"
"Same as usual. I make a lousy pineapple."
"Wrong you're too good at your craft to play a pineapple."
"Tell that to the people in the directing class."
"Bring them over and I will."
"Behave. You already have a boyfriend."
Nancy laughs.
"Need anything else?" Joannie asks.
"No I'm fine." Nancy says as she finishes.
"OK, then." Joannie takes the tray and kisses Nancy's forehead. "Sleep well."
"Ok, I love you." Nancy says before drifting off to sleep.
The next morning in the kitchen.
"Who was that on the phone?" Tommy asks.
"Nancy's shrink, she's going to come here since she can't go there today." She looks around the kitchen and then checks the entryways. "So is it all set?"
"Sure is. Friday night is going to be a blast. I've already got permission with Abby to stay at Eddies? Have you asked her about Molly's?"
"Yep." Elizabeth says. "And it's a go."
"What's a go?" Mary asks as she walks in.
"Nothing." Other family members start to drift in.
Abby walks in yawning and groping for a cup of coffee.
Nicholas comes in and makes himself a bowl of cereal.
"One day down and so far no major catastrophes that were irreparable," Abby says.
"You're doing good." Mary says.
"Can I have that in writing?" Abby laughs.
"Sure." Mary writes it down and hands it to her.
"I may have to get this framed."
The kids laugh.
A few hours later the doorbell rings.
Joannie answers the door.
"Hi, I'm here to see Nancy," the woman at the door says.
"Oh, you're her shrink."
"I prefer to call myself a therapist."
"Sure. Whatever. Nancy!"
Nancy emerges from the tv room. "I don't get time off for being sick?" She jokes.
"Of course you do." The therapist looks at her watch. "OK, time's up."
"This is my sister Joannie. Joannie this is Dr. Lisa Kramer." Nancy says.
"This is Joannie, huh?"
"What do you mean, 'This is Joannie, huh'? Nancy, what have you been saying about me?"
"She wanted to know about my family so I told her about my family." She glances at Lisa. "We can use the study or the sun porch."
"Whichever you feel more comfortable in," Lisa says.
They go to the sunporch and close all of the doors leading there.
"Joannie actually talked to you," Lisa begins.
"Yes she did." Nancy smiles and tells her about last night.
"How do you feel about that? I mean, she did talk to you, but considering the circumstances..."
"I don't know. I feel like we're making progress but I've felt that way before since this all happened only to watch our relationship take two steps back."
"Why do you think that's happening?"
"I'm not sure."
"Best guess, then."
"I think I annoy her but I don't know what I'm doing to annoy her."
"Have you asked her? I mean, now that you're talking?"
"I'm afraid I'll scare her off."
"And if you don't know and just go on as you have been, what happens?"
"And if I try to talk to her I might just send her further into her shell."
"Sounds like a tough place to be--damned if you do, damned if you don't."
"Yeah and my biggest crime is being worried about my sister that one night. She said she wasn't angry about that but I don't know what else it could be since the cold shoulder treatment started that night."
"There's only one way to find out. We have talked about this, Nancy, your hesitation to talk things out."
"I know, and ok I'll talk to her. I just hope I don't get a door slammed in my face."
"If you plan it out in advance..." Lisa suggests.
"And if she doesn't want to?"
"You tell me."
"Ok." ~Nancy wonders how long Joannie will be home before headed off to school.~
"You know, maybe you should try talking to her now. I'll just go have a coffee or something, and then we can talk afterwards."