Mis-steps part 2c
Meanwhile Tom is up and dressed when Abby comes in with the guns. "What are you doing?"
"What am *I* doing? What were you doing? Nicholas could have gotten to these--anyone could have. I ask you to get rid of the guns and you leave them out in the open?"
Tom takes out the firing pins from his pocket. "The guns are useless without these Abby, I just put them there so we could get rid of them."
Abby sits down on the bed. "You could have told me. And besides, that was dangerous. What if Nancy decided to take one of the guns and deal with that boy on her own? She wouldn't have found out it was useless until she was alone somewhere with him."
"I was on my way downstairs when you came in." Tom says. "Is Elizabeth ready?"
"You shouldn't have left those guns for a minute. And yes, now that she's decided again to go, she's ready."
"OK, I get your point. In a few hours you won't have to worry about the guns." Tom tries to calm her. "and what do you mean by deciding again."
"She didn't want to go. She was afraid that if the police knew..."
"If the police knew what?" Tom says as he straightens his tie.
"Tom, sit down."
"OK, if the police knew what?"
"It' no big deal, not really, except to you, I suppose, but--Elizabeth has had sex before."
Tom mouths hangs and his eyes glazes over.
"Tom?"
"Huh? Did I just hear you say what I think you just said that Elizabeth has had...." Tom can't finish his sentence.
"I did, but it doesn't make a difference. Her sexual history didn't give him any right to attack her."
"But they will use it against her in court, that is if it gets that far." Tom replies.
"Tell me that you're not implying what it sounds like you're implying."
"I'm a realist Abby, I have been a journalist long enough to know how these things play out."
"So you're planning to tell Elizabeth to just give up, that she deserved what happened because she didn't stay pure and innocent?"
"No of course not, I just don't want her to see her hurt more than she is."
"And what happens in school, if he starts in on her because nothing's happened to him?"
"OK since we are doing what ifs...What if we do pursue it and we lose and then he starts in on her cause he won. How will she feel then?"
"I don't know. But will it be any worse than if she never tried?"
Tom sighs. "Well, if she is willing to go thru this, the least I can do is to support her. But I am telling you this. It isn't going to be easy for her."
"Maybe you ought to talk to her, tell her your concerns, and let her decide."
"No, I don't want to scare her off after you just persuaded her to go to the police station. Let's wait and see what they tell her."
Elizabeth and Nancy are downstairs waiting. "Whatever happens I'm behind you one thousand percent," Nancy says.
"Thanks."
Tom comes downstairs. "Nancy, what are you still doing here?" not knowing she was coming along.
"I'm going with you."
"Oh, OK." Tom says. "Abby will be down in the minute. I am going to put these guns in the car. I'll meet you outside."
Tom goes outside.
Liz is confused and turns to Nancy. "What is with those guns?"
"Dad and Abby want to get rid of them."
"Why? We have always had guns around."
~Because they're afraid I'll go off the deep end.~ "Maybe Dad's changing his ways?"
"Change, Dad? That isn't in his vocabulary." Liz says
~Don't tell her do not tell her. She doesn't need to hear it.~
"Wonder what's taking Abby so long?"
"I don't know."
"I knew I could have slept five minutes more." Liz says.
"Yeah I hear ya."
Abby finally comes down the stairs. "Sorry," she says, offering no explanation. "Let's go. Where's Tom?"
"Putting the guns in the car." Liz replies.
"Good."
Tom soon returns and then they leave for the police station.
Tom, Abby, Nancy and Elizabeth walk into the police station.
"Hi, I am Tom Bradford. We are here to see Detective Andersen." Tom says to the sergeant sitting behind the desk.
"Yeah hold on." He goes to get Detective Andersen.
And soon he returns with Detective Andersen. "Mr. and Mrs. Bradford." He greets them.
Tom introduces his family.
"Hi Elizabeth." He says and greets Nancy also. "Why don't we go into my office."
Elizabeth just nods.
The Bradfords follow him into his office and wait while he shuts his door.
"Anyone want anything to drink? to eat?" He asks.
Abby looks at Elizabeth, who's opinion is really the only one which counts right now.
Elizabeth and Tom nod no.
So does Nancy so that they can get this over with so Elizabeth can relax.
"Ok then, let's get started."
"What do you need to know?" Elizabeth starts
"I need to know what happened that night, at your own pace."
Elizabeth tells him in detail what happened that night.
"I hope you're here to press charges." The detective finally says after a few moments of silence.
"We have a chance?" Tom asks.
"The fact that he drugged her works in her favor. I'm not going to lie to you it's not going to be a pretty trial."
"I've heard that at these trials they bring up the victim's past, that sometimes it can get pretty vicious," Abby asks.
"Yes unfortunately it can be."
"But you still think there's a chance of getting a conviction?"
"Yes I do."
"Uh...what about her past?" Tom asks almost in a whisper.
"DAD!" Liz says and storms out of the room.
Nancy goes after her.
"I can't believe they are discussing my life like it was just another topic of the day." Elizabeth rails.
"Want me to go in there and tell them to stop it."
"I hate this."
"I know, but it'll pass I promise. Would you rather he got away with it?"
"No, but..."
"But what?"
"What if he gets away with it anyway?"
"He won't." Nancy says although she knows there's a chance that he just might get away with it.
"Thanks for the confidence." Liz says
"Anytime kid, you ready to go back in there?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Yes."
"Let's go." Liz replies
"Ok I'll be there in a second." Nancy throws a piece of trash away while Liz goes back there.
Meanwhile, in the detective's office: "What do you mean?" The detective asks.
When Tom doesn't answer, Abby does. "The boy's lawyers will bring up her previous sexual history, won't they? Make it sound like it might not have been what it really was."
"Yes there is a chance of that happening, but we'll be behind her."
"Good...then what is the next step?" Tom asks.
"She files a complaint and then we arrest him."
Tom looks at Abby "What do you think?"
"There's something else to worry about, too," Abby says. "I know that names aren't released to the public, but I've seen enough hints and half-hints in the papers to know that information does get leaked about rape trials. Is there anything we can do to prevent that?"
"Yes don't talk about it outside the family, and when she goes back to school just tell them she was sick or something like that."
"Can you ensure that the boy and his side don't spread rumors?"
"I could but then I'd lose my job and face a civil suit for violation of the first amendment. However, if they do that you can sue them for slander."
"Lawsuit and lawsuit after lawsuit..." Abby turns to Tom. "We'd better tell Elizabeth the worst that can happen, which is that this all becomes the talk of Sacramento Central High, and then let the decision be up to her."
"Oh no, I am not going back there." Liz says, overhearing the conversation.
"You don't have to go back there....maybe Abby can get your school work and you can do it at home." Tom says trying to protect his youngest daughter.
"You can't hide the rest of your life," Abby disagrees. "But Anne Cavalusi, you know, she teaches senior English?--is checking whether there's any subbing I can do at your school. If I'm there, at least you'll have someone to back you up."
"Do I have to go back this week?" Liz asks.
"No." Tom says.
"The longer you stay away, the harder it'll be to go back," Abby says.
"Let's discuss this at home." Tom says. "Honey, its up to you. Do you want to file charges?"
~Good that little punk won't get away with it.~ Nancy thinks.
~I hope that little punk doesn't get away with it.~ The detective thinks.
Elizabeth nods and signs the papers.
"May I go now?" Liz asks.
"Of course, and I'll stay in touch." He hands them his business card. "If you need me call me."
"Thank you." Tom says.
Elizabeth goes past everybody and goes to the car.
Nancy turns to the detective and her parents. "What did she overhear?"
"Maybe we should have her talk to somebody besides the police," Abby says.
"Dad didn't you share that information I gave you with Abby?"
"I forgot to." Tom replies.
"How could you forget? It's important." Nancy says feeling a little cranky. She goes to wait with Elizabeth.
"Before we discuss when she goes back to school, maybe you could show me this mysterious information," Abby says.
Tom tries to defend himself. "I didn't deliberately withheld the information."
"Seems like you're forgetting to tell me a lot of things these past few days."
"If you are referring to Nancy, I didn't want to worry you."
"Don't you think I'm old enough to deal with these things? I don't like being patronized."
"Yes, but Nancy was embarrassed afterwards."
"Oh, I get it now. How silly of me."
"Get what?"
"If it's going to embarrass one of the kids, you don't need to tell me. Or if it will upset them. Guess that lets me know my place."
"Abby, I'm sorry. I had no right to keep this from you."
"Isn't that what you said yesterday about Nancy and the gun?"
"The information Nancy gave me, I truly did forget. I stuck it my blazer and didn't even think twice about it."
"Sure. I don't want to argue. Let's just go home, OK?" Abby says, and without waiting for an answer joins the girls at the car.
Tom follows her and pulls Nancy aside. "Abby may be talking to you next about the gun, so beware."
Abby overhears this and turns to glare at her husband.
Nancy also glares at her father. "That wasn't nice to make her feel bad Dad."
"Why am I the bad guy here?"
"Maybe I don't mind if she talks to me about it. It's better than the complete silence I've been getting from her ever since she found out." She whispers.
"I know that feeling." He whispers back.
"With all due respect Dad, no you don't, not really."
"Oh, OK." Tom says. ~What does she mean by that? ~ Tom thinks and quietly gets in the drivers seat. "Anyone in the mood for lunch?"
"Unless Elizabeth wants to, I'd just as soon go home." ~If we go out to lunch, he'll probably insist on ordering for me, like I was a three year old.~
"Elizabeth, Nancy?" Tom asks.
Liz replies. "I'm not hungry."
When they get home Abby asks Elizabeth if she needs anything, any help or even just company, or to talk.
"I think I am going to sleep for a while." ~Only way to escape~ she thinks.
"OK. I'll be in my room making some phone calls if you need me."
"Thanks." Elizabeth says and goes to her room.
Nancy turns to quickly to head for the living room and has a dizzy spell. She grabs on to her Dad to keep from falling flat on her face. Her joints start to ache and so does her throat and then "achoo."
"Nancy, are you alright?"
"No." She groans.
"Oh no not you too." Tom says. "I knew I shouldn't have gone to your birthday party."
"Bite your tongue. The party had ::achoo:: nothing ::coughs:: to do with it."
"You better get yourself to bed." Tom tells her.
"Can you help me upstairs?"
"Of course." Tom says and helps her to her room.
"Thank you." She climbs into bed and falls asleep.
Tom goes and tries to find the thermometer. ~Why don't we have more than one in this house?~
Abby goes to her room and tries to calm down before making her phone calls.
The phone rings.
Since she's sitting right next to the phone and Elizabeth has gone to sleep, Abby picks it up.
"Hello, This is Vice-Principal Mr. Gillette. May I speak with Mr. or Mrs. Bradford please?"
"This is Mrs. Bradford," Abby says.
"Mrs. Bradford? We have a problem, we are suspending Tommy for the rest of the week for fighting one of the other students."
~I was afraid of this.~ "Tommy was fighting? That's not like him."
"No, it isn't but this doesn't surprise me coming from the Bradford family; normally we just give a day or two suspension for a cool off period. But the School Board issued a get tough policy on fighting and mandates a week."
"What do you mean, it doesn't surprise you coming from the Bradford family?"
"Surely you know the trouble we have had with them from David with his putting a cow in the principal's office to Mary antiwar protests...should I continue?"
"A cow in the principal's office?" Abby laughs. "Actually no, I didn't. Did the other boy also get suspended?"
"No, since we have witnesses that Tommy went up to this guy Peter and just hit him unprovoked."
"If you find out--oh, say tomorrow--that this Peter isn't as innocent as he'd like to make himself out to be, would you let Tommy back into school?"
"We might reconsider, but like I said the school board has new rules about fighting." He says.
"Well, just please--keep an open mind about this incident. Just for a day or two." ~Until the police can make the arrest.~ "Have you sent Tommy home, or is he waiting for someone to pick him up?"
"He is on his way, I trust you and Mr. Bradford will talk to him?"
"Yes, of course we will." ~We may not say what you think we might, but we will talk to him.~
"Good day then." he replies and hangs up.
Abby goes downstairs to find Tom and tell him to expect Tommy.
Tom is in his study. "Fighting?" Tom asks.
"Can't really blame him, can you?"
"No, what I would like to do is raise his allowance." Tom truthfully says. "But I guess we can't go that far."
"No, you've encouraged him enough to solve everything with his fists."
Meanwhile Tommy sneaks in the back door thru the kitchen. He knocks on the study door.
"Come in." When Tom see who it is. "We were just talking about you."
"I kind of figured." Tommy replies.
"You OK?" Abby asks. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
"No, I am OK." Tommy says
"Tommy, you know fighting isn't the answer." Tom chides. ~I hope you got a couple of good hits in.~
"I know, but when I saw him laughing....."
"The sooner the police arrest him and Elizabeth goes back to school," Abby says, "the sooner at least that part of her life will go back to normal."
"Elizabeth is pressing charges?"
Tom nods yes.
"That's great?" Tommy says.
"Now back to your fighting..." Tom says.
"So how long am I grounded this time." He asks.
"Actually Abby and I haven't discussed it yet, but I don't think you are in any trouble here."
"Just this once," Abby says, "so don't go getting ideas about more fights."
"You are still suspended from school until we get that mess cleared up. But for now just stay in your room during school hours and do your homework." Tom tells him.
"Thanks." Tommy says and leaves.
"You really think he'll stay in his room?"
"No, but I had to do something to make him believe I was unhappy about this." Tom explains.
"You could have just told him the truth. Or is that another thing you put in your blazer pocket and forgot?"
"Abby what is it? First you say I am not hard enough on Tommy with this fighting and now I am too hard on him."
Meanwhile upstairs Nancy awakens and sees that Elizabeth is asleep. Not wanting to get her sick she goes downstairs and hears the conversation in the study. She listens a little longer and then retreats to the sunporch. ~She'll probably never talk to me. But everyone else she can talk to right away. I see how it is.~ She goes upstairs, gets dressed, and grabs her car keys. While Tom and Abby are busy arguing she leaves.
Mary goes to check on Elizabeth to see how she's doing and sees that she's asleep. Not knowing about Nancy's flu she thinks nothing about it when she sees her drive away.
"I am not," Abby continues her argument with Tom. "I don't think keeping him in his room is to hard, but since he won't do it, I think you're setting him up at worst to fail, and at best to lie. Or maybe you're just training him to 'forget' to tell us when he leaves his room during school hours. Like father like son, right?"
"I am not going to post a guard at his door." Tom says and hears a car pull out of the drive way and looks out the window and sees Nancy pulls out. He quickly opens the window and yells out too late. "Nancy, get back here. You still have the flu."
"Oh, great," Abby sighs. "Doesn't it ever let up around here?"
"Welcome to the land of parenting." Tom sighs with her.
"Is it too late to change my mind about all this?"
"Sorry, that ring on your finger is an ironclad contract." Tom jokes.
"I knew I should have settled for the one from the Cracker jack box."
Tom gives her a hug. "I have to drop my column by the paper, want to ride along?"
"Can I be absolutely selfish and say yes, even if I know one of us should stay home with Tommy and Elizabeth?"
"Let's go, besides Mary is here." Tom suggests.
"And we all know how much she loves being in charge. Oh, well, she'll have to deal with it. If you're going, I'm going with you."
"Good." They sneak out of the house.
They drive to the Register to drop off the column. "Gotta tell you, you have a genius for strange dates," Abby jokes.
"Well, I try to be original."
"Well, this certainly isn't your standard flowers and candlelight," Abby agrees.
"I tried flowers once, remember?"
"If I remember correctly, they pretty much worked."
Tom pulls out a flower from his vase on his credenza. "Will this do for now?"
"I'll call it a down payment."
"How many installments do I have to pay?"
"At this rate, you'll be paying for the rest of your life."
"Hmmm...doesn't sound like a bad deal."
"I'll even set you up with an easy-payment plan."
"Why don't we go over the fine print at a nice quiet restaurant?" Tom asks.
"You sure we can leave the kids for that long?"
"I'll call Mary." Tom dials the phone.
"She's not going to like it..." Abby warns.
"The least I can do is ask." Tom says as he waits for the phone to ring.
Mary answers. "Hi Dad."
"Hi Honey, How are things?"
"Ok I guess. Nancy still hasn't come home. I needed her help in the kitchen."
"Well, don't count on Nancy, she has the flu."
"She's out driving with the flu?"
"You didn't know that?"
"No I didn't know that. Are you and Abby out looking for her?"
Tom sighs. "No not as much as we should be." he confesses. "With Elizabeth and Tommy...." he starts to say.
"Elizabeth and Tommy are home and in their bedrooms. If Nancy comes down with pneumonia because she's driving around and making herself worse I'll be sure to update you." Mary says with a tinge of anger.
"That's OK, we are on our way home." Tom replies giving a 'I'm sorry' look to Abby.
"I'll see ya then." Mary says and hang sup.
Tom hangs up. "I'm sorry Dear." to Abby.
"Let me guess--our curfew wasn't extended."
"Got that right."
"I knew it was too much to hope for."
"Take a rain check?" Tom asks.
"By the time I get to cash in all my rain checks, it'll be a flood."
"I'll build you an ark." Tom tells her.
"I always knew you'd turn me into a zookeeper."
"A zoo?" Tom asks
"On the ark," Abby reminds him. "Two of every kind--or in our case, maybe eight."
"Oh right." Tom says and laughs.
"So, I guess we should be getting home. Imagine--some day all the kids will be grown and out of the house and we won't have to ask anyone's permission for anything...."
"Think that day will ever come?"
"By the time it does, we'll probably be so busy watching your grandchildren that we won't be able to enjoy it."
"Now, that's depressing."
"You'll love every second of it."
"Sure I will." Tom says mockingly.
"Anything I can do to make you suffer less?"
"Hmmm...I'll think of something tonight."
"Just the two of us?" Abby asks hopefully.
"Just the two of us." He vows.
Abby smiles. "Well, the faster we get home, the faster you can tell me."
They go home.