The next morning  Elizabeth brings Nancy her breakfast and helps her make it back and forth to the bathroom ok.  "I have to go to school now, but Joannie's home til ten and Auntie V will be around."

"You look beat kid."  Nancy says.

"Well such is life of a slave.  Now no getting out of bed."  Elizabeth says and leaves the room.

As Tom and Abby are getting ready for their day, Abby tries to start a conversation several times about what V told her the day before, but each time can't quite figure out how to ask about what she wants to ask about.

Later that day.

Abby is preparing dinner when Elizabeth comes into the kitchen with a tray of used dishes. "Nancy running you ragged?"

"Yes." Elizabeth says.

"Good. I spoke to your father and he and I had a long discussion about you and your brother."

"And?"

"And you're lucky he's such a soft touch. He convinced me that punishing you until you're 18 wasn't very practical, and we decided that between his three months of no allowance and another two weeks of slavery you two ought to have learned a lesson that'll keep."

Elizabeth sighs in relief.  "To be honest I've learned my lesson already."

"Maybe so, but Nancy still needs someone to help her and you're the most likely candidate. Besides, just because your father's home doesn't mean my disposition's changed totally," Abby smiles.

"What Nancy needs is a 24 hour watch on her so she doesn't get hurt again." Elizabeth says.  "And I know you feel like you can't trust us anymore and I don't blame you.  What Tommy and I did was awful and I'm sorry."

"I could understand your sneaking out on your father. I mean, news flash--it's 1978, good morning Tom Bradford. But on me?"

"I know and I'm sorry."

"Sure, now you are�"

"Well better late than never right?"

"I suppose," Abby says, still none too happy.

Elizabeth hugs her and then kisses her on the cheek.  "I'm sorry."

"OK. Look, if you need a break from running Nancy's chores, let me know."

"Thanks Abby, and I do have to do my homework."

"Why don't you stay down here and do it, and I'll go check on Miss Convalescent?"

"Cool, thanks Abby."  Elizabeth starts doing her homework.

Abby goes upstairs and cautiously pushes upon Nancy and Elizabeth's door to check if Nancy's asleep.

"Hi."  Nancy says to her.

"How are you feeling? I see you've been using your personal assistant," Abby says, walking into the room.

"Pretty terrible, but I've felt worse.  How is she?  She's not too worn out is she?"  Nancy asks.

"Nothing that she doesn't deserve," Abby says. "But I'm letting her take a break for now. After all, I am a professional substitute."

"How long do I have her?"

"Two weeks. I can't imagine you staying on the sick list any longer. In fact, I'm astonished you've behaved this long," Abby admits.

"Well if I don't behave I'll just wind up making myself worse.  That would be bad for everyone all around."

Abby squints a bit, looking at Nancy. "You sure they didn't send home someone other than Nancy Bradford?"

Nancy laughs.  "It's me Abby."

"You ought to be careful who you go acting all responsible around. I'm not sure your father's heart, for one, could take it."

"Can't have that so be sure to tell him that I gave everyone a hard time and kept begging to go outside."  Nancy jokes.

Abby laughs. "So, do you need anything?"

"My books, I should try to do some of the makeup work."

"Where did you leave them, and do you need someone to help you with your work?"

"They're on my dresser, I need someone to stop me if it starts tiring me and I don't realize it."

Abby gets the books. "Well, that will be a new one for me, stopping someone from studying."

Nancy laughs.  "Yeah."

"Well, young lady," Abby says, putting the books on the bed, "get to work."

Nancy does this and is able to do a little bit of everything before she starts struggling to keep her eyes open.

Abby takes the book out of Nancy's hands. "OK, enough for now. Nap time."

Nancy nods off while Sam jumps back on the bed to take a nap too.

Abby gives Sam a pat. "Keep an eye on her, there's a good boy."

Mary is smiling from the doorway and when Abby joins her in the hallway.

"The Bradford convalescent protector."  She says about Sam.

"Notice how it's the one male who doesn't pull the big 'knight in shining armor' bit who actually is one?" Abby agrees.

Mary laughs.  "Yes I do notice."

"Too bad he can't give lessons."

"Yeah."  Mary's face clouds over thinking of a argument she had with David earlier.

Abby closes Nancy's door. "What's wrong?" she asks Mary.

"Can we talk privately somewhere?"

"You're the one with the privatest room in the house," Abby says.

They go to Mary's bedroom.  "Abby, David is still very angry at the thug who beat up Nancy."

"Of course he is. We all are," ~though some of us have extra reasons.~

"Yeah but I think if that guy is ever released David is going to mop the floor with him."

"He isn't," Abby says, but sees Mary's face. She gets up and starts to pace. "What is he thinking? We don't have enough to worry about already?"

"He keeps thinking of Nancy lying unconscious in ICU and wondering what would have happened if Noah hadn't of found her.  He's letting the big brother overprotectiveness control him."

"Think it would help if I pounded some sense into his head?"

"Would you?  I've tried and it's like talking to a brick wall."

"I've always had a weak spot for bashing my head into walls. I'll go see if he's home; probably better not to do it here."

"Thanks Abby."  Mary says.

Abby nods, then goes to her room and dials David's number.

Soon David answers.  "Hello."

"Hi," Abby says. "I was wondering if I could come over. I really need to talk to you."

"Sure Abby come on over."

"Thanks. I'll be there in a little bit." Abby hangs up, goes to tell Mary she's leaving, checks on Nancy, and tells Elizabeth she'll be back soon.

Then she drives over to David's.

David lets her in when she gets there and offers her something to drink.

"Thanks," Abby says, and then sits down. "Mary says the two of you had a disagreement."

"Mary has a big mouth and you're welcome."  He sits down across from her.

"Mary's worried about you, and she's right to be. David, you don't know what
you're messing with here."

"And they had no right messing with my little sister." He replies.

"That's true, but that's why that thug is in jail. You can't just go taking the law into your own hands, David."

"And if he's released I can't have Nancy constantly looking over her shoulder."

"If he's released, I don't want this whole family to have to worry about you, too."

"You all don't have to worry I'm a big boy and I can take care of myself." David says.

"You're right, we don't have to worry, but we will anyway, and this family has been through enough lately, don't you think?"

He sighs and considers her words. "Yes they have and ok I'll let it go. But if he does get out and comes within fifty feet of her nothing's going to stop me from defending her."

"If he or the guy who sent him get within a hundred feet of Nancy you're going to have to pull me off of him," Abby confides.

He smiles in understanding.

"So you'll stay away from him aside from playing bodyguard to Nancy? No vigilantism?"

"Yes I'll stay away from him no revenge seeking."

"Good. Hey, you want to come over for dinner tonight? If Elizabeth remembered to shut things off, it should be ready soon--otherwise, it's pizza again."

"Sure." He smiles.

"OK. I'd better get back and make sure dinner is more than cinders. And you--don't forget I have your promise to behave."

"Yes ma'am as a former boy scout you have that promise."

"Humph. I've dated boy scouts. I know what their promises are worth."

"Well they weren't true boy scouts."

Abby just smirks.

After Abby leaves David also leaves for the house.

Meanwhile at home Vivian knocks on Tom's study door.

"I am busy." Tom says pounding on the typewriter.

"Tommy Belly Button this is important so please become unbusy!!" Vivian yells so he can hear her.

"Come In." he yells back

She walks in. "Thank you, we need to talk. You know there are a lot of wonderful plays in New York this time of year."

"Good, when do you leave?" Tom says while still typing.

"I was going to leave tomorrow but I think I'll need an extra day. I want to take Joannie with me it'll be fun for her to get away and it will be so good for her career."

"....and miss school? I don't think so." Tom says.

"Come on Tommy she needs a vacation she can always make up what she misses."

"What part of No don't you understand?" Tom asks.

"There's no need to take that tone."

"V when you ask me some preposterous question, how else do you expect me to act?" Tom says.

"Fine and it's not preposterous." She leaves the room in a huff."

Tom returns to the typewriter.

Abby gets home and after checking that nothing is burning in the kitchen, goes to tell Tom that David will be over for dinner.

"You wouldn't believe what V wanted." Tom says.

"Try me--I might."

"She wanted to take Joannie to NY with her tomorrow." Tom says.

"So I heard. You know, it might be good for Joannie--get her out of her shell."

"Not you too." Tom says. "What about her classes?"

"One week--she won't miss that many classes, and she can make them up. The way she's been acting these past few weeks, if she doesn't get away I'm afraid she'll end up missing more than just a week's worth of school."

"I don't know......" Tom says not quite convinced.

"If it was one of the other girls, I'd agree with you. But if Joannie's going to be an actress, this is sort of part of her education, isn't it? There's a lot more to an actress's life than local rep."

"I guess it wouldn't hurt." Tom replies.

Abby gives him a kiss. "Um, Tom, as long as we're talking--maybe this isn't a good time, though, it's almost dinner..."

"What?" Tom asks.

"Vivian told me something today--about you and Joan, from back around the time before Nancy was born."

Tom is stunned thinking that was buried a long time ago. "Why did she tell you?"

"She said that the two of you had problems. That Joan--well... That the man who's responsible for Nancy getting hurt thinks he's Nancy's father. He tried to pay Nancy's hospital bill. Vivian told the hospital to return his money and she and I went to the jail and told him the same thing in person."

Tom stands "Nancy doesn't know does she?"

"No, at least not anything she didn't know before, I don't think. Tom, why didn't you ever tell me anything about this?"

"It's not something you bring up over coffee." Tom says and realizes that explanation wont be sufficient. "It's something I am not proud of."

"I'd like to think we have a little bit more between us than casual conversations over coffee," Abby says, a little hurt.

"We do, the subject just never presented itself. Now that it has, what do you
want to know?"

"I don't know. I mean, I guess whatever went on between you and Joan isn't really my business," Abby pouts.

Tom goes to Abby. "Of course its your business. Everything in my life is your business. Joan and I went a through rough patch in our marriage; I was out of work and trying to find a new job and Joan found one almost immediately after she went looking. Needless to say I was not thrilled."

"I'd imagine not," Abby says, knowing how chauvinistic Tom is. "But V said that Joan thought you were having an affair. You? Even I know how preposterous that is."

Tom hangs his head "I did."

"What?" Abby sits down, stunned.

"I have no excuses but I was so upset with Joan working late that I went and drowned my sorrows at a bar and I met this lady.....are you sure you want to hear this?" Tom says afraid he has jeopardized this marriage as well.

Abby nods. She really doesn't want to hear it, but knowing there's something to know that she doesn't would be even worse.

"Anyway I guess Joan suspected I was having an affair and I suspected she was too. Luckily we realized what we were doing to each other and our marriage and so we stopped and miraculously we found our way back to each other. She quit her job and I was hired on at the Register." Tom then comes clean "and that is why, my love, I get jealous when you work late and why I don't hang in bars anymore alone."

"How about, instead of getting jealous, you trust me and I trust you? I had a lot of years alone. If I'd have wanted to play around, I wouldn't choose now to start--except for playing around with you."

Tom smiles. "I am sorry, it is just I love you so much and I promise not to be jealous anymore....well maybe not too much." Tom kids.

"You can be as jealous as you like, as long as you remember that it's all in your own mind," Abby smiles at him.

"Sometimes I wonder why you even love me." Tom replies.

"You journalists are trained to ask the tough questions, aren't you?" Abby says.

"Old habits...." Tom replies and then kisses her.

Meanwhile Vivian is in the kitchen wondering how the talk with Tom and Abby is going.

Abby gives Tom a quick kiss, then says, "I ought to see about getting dinner on the table."

Tom sighs "If you must."

Abby nods and heads off to the kitchen, where V is lying in wait.

"Well how did it go?" Vivian asks

"Confusing," Abby says, preoccupied.

"So he didn't give an answer either way?"

"Of course he answered, he couldn't...wait--an answer about what?" Abby says.

"Well the thing about earlier is between you and Tom. The thing about being able to take Joannie to NY is what I'm asking about. Can she go?"

"Um, probably. I'll try to get a more definite answer. How did you know I'd talked to Tom about his--I mean, about earlier?"

"Abby I'm a woman too you know and if I were you I would have talked to Tom about it."

"Hmmm." Abby busies herself checking dinner to keep from saying anything more.

Vivian goes to see what's on tv.

Abby pulls the roast out of the oven, burning her fingertip in the process. She curses, more out of frustration than pain, and rushes to cool her finger under water.

Mary comes in. "Abby are you ok?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm OK. Just burned myself a little. Happens when you play with fire."

She gets some burn ointment applies it to Abby's finger and then puts a small bandage on it. "No charge while I'm still just a student." Mary jokes.

"I'll have to remember to get all my problems in while I'm still under warrantee," Abby replies.

Mary laughs.

Tommy comes out of the laundry room "I did today's laundry; anything else?"

"Have a seat and rest," Abby suggests.

Tommy does a double take. "Are you sure?"

"If you don't want to..."

"No No, I want to." Tommy sits down before she changes her mind. "I just thought slaves didn't get breaks."

"You won't be a slave forever," Abby says, "though it might feel that way."

"Really?" Tommy says confused; Not knowing what she told Elizabeth.

"Really. Behave the next two weeks and I may parole you--but your father's punishment still stands."

"You mean you forgive me?" Tommy asks.

"I mean I'm willing to give you a chance to show that you should be forgiven."

Tommy says sincerely "I know I hurt you by lying to you and I am sorry."

"Yeah, well, the problem with lying is that afterwards, no one knows when to believe you," Abby says, not only referring to Tommy.

Tom walks in and overhears the conversation and says "and sometimes you don't realize you were lying until its too late."

Tommy replies. "Huh?" not knowing what's going on.

Abby shakes her head. "Just enjoy your break. Then you can set the table."

"Son, can you excuse us please." Tom asks.

Tommy shakes his head and leaves the room.

Mary looks at both Tom and Abby in confusion.

"Mary, you too? Please?"

"Ok." She leaves the room.

"Abby, can we talk about what we were talking about earlier?"

Abby busies herself at the stove.

"I need to know if what you are upset about is the fact I didn't tell you? Or that I betrayed Joan." he whispers.

Elizabeth is about to walk in til she hears this but doesn't she remains in hiding before Tom or Abby can see her.

"This is not the time or place to discuss this," Abby hisses back.

"You are right." Tom turns off the stove. "Come on, we are going out to dinner." Before she can answer him he calls Mary into the kitchen.

"Mary, Abby and I are going out, can you finish this please?"

"Ok" She finishes cooking the dinner.

~Dad betrayed mom? Whoa.~ Elizabeth ponders

"Thanks." Tom says to Mary.

"No problem."

"Tom, it's Nancy's first night home," Abby tries to protest.

"That's why we are going out...to celebrate." Tom says to keep others off-track

"Tom..." Abby says. "All right, all right. Let me just go get my purse."

Tom waits for Abby in the car.

Abby comes outside and takes her seat in the car silently.

"You hungry?" Tom asks.

"Not really. You?"

"No, lets go get some coffee." Tom drives to a diner

They take the corner booth and order the coffee. When it comes. Tom begins.
"OK, what are you feeling?"

"Confused," Abby says. "Scared. I'm not sure I know who you are."

"Abby, it happened almost 20 years ago."

"Oh, I know that," Abby assures him, "and I know that the image I have of you can't ever be exactly who you are, but this is so far from what I'd thought. I mean, it's like finding out my father cheated on my mom."

"I am not that old." Tom says.

"You know what I mean. I had a picture of what your life was like before we met and then you go and sweep it all away with a single sentence, and I'm wondering how much else is just a delusion."

"I am sorry Abby; but what more can I do or say? I was young and foolish and I would like to think I have grown up in that regard."

"I know I'm being unreasonable," Abby snaps. "Why do you think I didn't want to talk about this tonight? It'll just take time is all." Abby takes a sip of her coffee. "You know what really gets me? I mean, other than on principle, that you could do something like that, and that you didn't think that small detail was important enough to tell me?"

"I know I should have told you; but I honestly almost forgot about it." Tom
explains.

 "You almost forgot about it?" Abby says loudly. "You hassle me whenever we run across some boyfriend of mine from college and you *almost forgot* you had an *affair*?"

"Abby, calm down. You are right. I am sorry." Tom says. "I was wrong."

Abby takes a deep breath. "No, what was wrong was trying to talk about this so soon. I don't even know what I'm thinking or what I want to say. And it was a long, long time ago. And we never did swear we'd told everything there was to tell about ourselves; I'm sure there are things I've forgotten to tell you. Nothing that big, though," she can't help adding. "Let's just go home and pretend I'd never found this out, OK?"

"I know you too well, you won't be able to pretend." Tom exclaims. "But I guess I just will have to give you time."

~You know me too well,~ Abby broods. ~I thought I knew you too well, too.~

Tom looks at Abby and finally says. "Abby, I love you and I promise you I have no more skeletons in the closet and I hope you can forgive me for not telling you."

"You're right, you do know me too well," Abby says. "And you're taking advantage of that, aren't you? It's not fair."

"I just wanted you to know that, I am not going to press you. You know how I feel and if and when you are ready to forgive. I will be here." Tom vows. "Do you want to go home now?"

"I suppose. The kids will probably be wondering why we took off like that."

"Want to eat something first?"

"Shouldn't we..." ~You've got to get to know him all over again, Abby.~ "Sure, why not."

"OK, but not here; anyplace special you want to go?" Tom asks ~need to court her again.~

"Don't you have your one faithful standby?" she teases.

"But I thought you hated that place?" Tom says

"I don't hate it, it's just a little boring. OK, a lot boring," Abby says. "OK, the place is a morgue. So where else do you suggest?"

"We could try that new Spanish Restaurant on "J" street." Tom suggests.

"Never let it be said I turned down trying something new."

"I like to try new things..." Tom says defending himself.

Abby nearly chokes on her coffee.

"Fine...." Tom says acting like he is hurt.

"Come on, Tom, I'm not saying you're a stick-in-the-mud..." Abby teases.

Tom sighs "Do you want to call home while I go get the car?"

"Sure." Abby gets up and heads off for the pay phone to dial the house.

David answers. "Hello."

"Hi, David. Look, I'm sorry about running out on you like that--especially after inviting you over for dinner, but your father can be impulsive."

"It's ok you two kids have fun." David says.

"David..." Abby chides.

"Seriously you two need dinner out after all that's happened."

"We won't be home too late," Abby says and after saying goodbye, hangs up and goes to wait for Tom.

"Who was that on the phone?" Joannie asks David.

"It was Abby, she and Dad are eating out tonight."

"On Nancy's first night home?"

David shrugs.

"And people think *I* don't care..." Joannie mutters.

"Who thinks that?"

"It doesn't matter. Doesn't really bother me."

"Yes it does."

"OK, it does. Elizabeth's a brat, OK?" Joannie says and runs upstairs.

Elizabeth walks into the kitchen. "What did you do to Joannie?"

"Nothing."

"Elizabeth."

She tells him about their last conversation.

"Go apologize."

"But."

"Elizabeth."

She goes upstairs and knocks on Susan and Joannie's door.

"Who is it?"

"A brat that loves you." Elizabeth says.

"Boy, Nicky, your voice has gotten higher."

Elizabeth laughs. "Can I come in?"

"I'm busy."

"But I want to apologize."

"Apology accepted. Bye."

"Bye." Elizabeth says sadly and starts walking away.

Susan passes Elizabeth in the hall "Why the long face?"

"Nothing, I just miss my sister. Aliens have taken her over." Elizabeth exaggerates.

"You and Joannie are still fighting huh?"

"I don't know, I apologized and she said she accepted, but she was kind of hasty."

"Maybe she's busy learning lines or something. You know how Joannie is when
she's really involved with something."

"Yeah probably."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much" Susan says

"Thanks Susan."

"No problem." Susan says "You know what, I think we really need to have that girls night out asap. Hopefully Nancy will be up to doing things soon so we can start planning what we're going to do. "

"I agree, and the doctor did say it would only take two weeks for her to recover."

"Why don't we plan on having it in a couple of weeks then."

"That sounds great to me."

"We'll just have to work out the final details then."

"Cool want to do that now?"

"Sure" replies Susan

They go to the sunporch and start planning.

"Everyone OK?" Tom asks as Abby gets in the car.

"Your son finds the idea of you and I having dinner out amusing," Abby says, not sure whether to be upset or laugh.

"Amusing?" Tom asks. "What's so amusing that we want to spend some time together?"

"You two kids have fun," Abby quotes David. "I'm not that much older than he is, that he should be making those kinds of jokes."

Tom laughs "Hmm...I like being called a kid; especially if you are part of that equation." Tom says trying to romanticize the situation.

"If you're a kid, Tom Bradford, then I'm a mere infant. And I much prefer to think of myself as a woman." ~I'd almost forgotten how much fun he is to flirt with.~

"Well, you are definitely a woman." Tom says. "and the most beautiful one if I might add."

"You're just trying to get on my good side. So are we going to eat, or are we just going to sit in the car all evening?"

Tom sighs "I'd rather go to Make Out Point but we better eat so we aren't lying to the kids."

"Boy, your 'I won't push you' lasted long, didn't it?" Abby sighs.

"OK...OK." Tom sighs and drives to the restaurant.

"Men," Abby says, trying to sound put-upon, but not really.

"Women." Tom responds then winks at her.

"And you love us," Abby laughs.

"Yeah, I guess I do." Tom returns the laugh.

"As long as I'm the only one you show it to."

"Lady, that I promise." Tom vows.

"Good. I'm not the forgiving type."

"I know you might not believe me right now and that's OK, but you have my word. How many people get a second chance at love? Not many and I wouldn't jeopardize that." Tom explains.

Abby hesitates, caught between being angry at something he did to someone else a lifetime ago and what he means to her. "I do love you," she tells him. "Very much."

"The feeling is very mutual. Would it be OK if I kiss you?" Tom asks not wanting to push his luck.

"If I let you kiss me, I have a feeling I won't be getting dinner tonight," Abby laughs.

"We can always eat later?" Tom says

"Leftovers in the kitchen at midnight?"

"Sounds like a feast to me." Tom says snuggling closer to her.

"All this just to get out of trying a new restaurant..."

"I'll take you there next week." Tom promises.

"Oh, no. You're going to take me there tonight. And then you can take me home. And then..."

"And then?" Tom asks

"And then you can remind me just how much you love me," Abby smiles.

Tom smiles and they go eat at the new restaurant.

A couple of hours later Nancy awakens and finds that it's just her and Sam. She makes it to the bathroom ok and back to bed. But is very thirsty and too out of it to yell.

"I don't suppose you could get me some juice Sam?"

Sam goes into the hallway and finds Susan. He barks and turns his head toward Nancy and Elizabeth's room motioning for her to go in.

"What's the matter Sam?" Susan says following the puppy into her sisters room
where she Nancy "Everything okay?"

"I'm very thirsty and you?" Nancy tries to joke.

"I just had something to drink a few minutes ago so I'm really not all that thirsty." Susan says joking back "What would you like me to get you? Juice...water?"

Nancy smiles. "Juice is fine."

"I'll go get some."

Susan goes and gets her sister a glass of juice

"Here you go Nancy." she says handing the glass to her sister "How your recuperation coming along? I hear Elizabeth is supposed to be your personal slave for awhile."

"Thank you." She guzzles it. "It's going good but I think the poor kid is worn out. How have you been Susan?"

"I'm okay. Schools been keeping me busy." replies Susan "I'm sorry I didn't get to go see you while you were in the hospital."

"It's ok, you're here now right."

Susan smiles and hugs her sister "You bet I'm here."

Nancy returns the hug and smile. "I love you Suzy."

"I love you too sis."

"Hey, um Mary said something about a girls night out is that still on?"

"Yeah, I think we'll plan on doing it when you feel up to it."

"Good, I can't wait."

In the middle of the night. Nancy awakens feeling very nauseous. "Liz, Lizzie."

Elizabeth wakes up. "What?"

"Can you either get me bucket or get me to the bathroom quickly."

Elizabeth rushes her to the bathroom where Nancy loses her dinner. Afterwards she helps her get cleaned up and considers waking Tom and Abby.

"Did the doctor mention this could happen?" Elizabeth asks.

"He mentioned dizzy spells but not this. Maybe he wasn't expecting that?" Nancy says.

They both think it over and shrug. Then Liz gets her back to bed.

All through the night Nancy keeps waking needing drinks, a snack every now and then and help to the bathroom. The next morning Elizabeth is dragging. She goes downstairs and mumbles morning to Abby. Then she pours herself a very strong cup of coffee.

"You look wrung out," Abby notes.

"Nancy had a restless night." She says as she sits down.

"You should have come and woken me up."

"I thought about it believe me. She got sick last night, did the doctor say anything about that happening?"

"Not that I remember. I think I'd better call her doctor." Abby goes to the phone and dials Dr. Mason's service.

The service has him paged and soon the phone rings at the Bradford house.

Abby rushes to the phone. "Dr. Mason?" she asks hopefully.

"Yeah this is him. Is this Mrs. Bradford?"

"Yes. I'm sorry to bother you, but Nancy had a really bad night last night," she repeats what Elizabeth told her, "and I just wanted to make sure that's what we should have expected."

"Well it does happen but it is rare. As long as she continues to rest she should be fine. I'll come by to check on her today just to be sure." He says.

"Thank you. I appreciate it." After saying goodbye Abby hangs up. "It's OK," she tells Elizabeth, "as long as Nancy rests. Speaking of which, why don't you get some more, and then I'll drive you to school."

"Ok thanks Abby." She goes upstairs to bed.

Abby shakes her head. ~She seemed a little preoccupied. Oh, well, probably just because she was up half the night.~

Before falling asleep. ~Should I discuss what I heard with Dad and Abby? I don't want to tell the others it sounds way too important for the Bradford Grapevine. I'll talk to them both later.~ Liz falls asleep.

Part 2