A little while later Dr. Max runs into Abby.
"Any updates?" Abby asks.
He shakes his head. "No there isn't. Have you taken a break yet?"
Abby shakes her head. "When I know she'll be all right."
"Have you eaten?"
"Of course I have. I had breakfast before I left the house. Coffee, at least."
"Want some real food it doesn't have to come from this place."
"Are you sure it would be all right to leave? She won't wake up and need either of us?"
"You have a good point there. I can get take out or call Tom and tell him to bring you some food."
"No, Tom has enough on his hands right now," Abby says, thinking about his planned confrontation with Joannie. "Maybe we should just risk food poisoning and eat in the cafeteria."
"Ok." Moments later in the cafeteria. "Did you and Tom have any questions about what's going on?"
"I think we're still both a little too stunned and worried to form intelligent questions, at least I know I am."
"Well when you do I'll be here, and Abby she's going to be fine. She's not in danger."
"Except of paralysis. To a girl like Nancy, that's a major consideration."
Greg sobers. "I know, and I don't want to think of it being permanent but I have ran through that possibility."
"What are we going to do with her if it is? She'll be devastated."
"Dr. Mixon isn't the only neurologist in the world I'll do some checking for specialist and maybe we should call her counselor?"
"That's probably a good idea. She's been so good lately I hadn't even thought of it."
"I'm hoping that it's not permanent. I hate being the bearer of bad tidings."
"I thought all you doctors developed thick skins."
"We do but we still don't like the bad parts."
"So you doctors are human after all."
"Yes we are, even though some of my colleagues would hate to admit it."
"I'll make sure to keep it a secret."
"Thank you." He smiles.
The next day the swelling goes down earlier than expected so Dr. Mixon and Dr. Maxwell come to check on Nancy. While they're checking her legs and feet.
Greg tries not to get upset when he realizes that Nancy still doesn't feel anything but is starting to fear the paralysis is permanent until he hears her wince.
"Stop that hurts." She says as Dr. Mixon checks the bottom of her right foot.
Greg smiles. "Those are the best words I heard all day. Does this mean the feeling will return to her other foot and her legs soon?"
"Yes it's only a matter of time." He then turns to Nancy. "But once they do return don't be expecting to be able to just leap out of bed it's going to be awhile before you can start using your legs again."
"How long is awhile?" She asks.
Dr. Mixon talks to her while Greg finds Tom and Abby in the waiting room.
"You're smiling," Abby notes.
"Nancy's right foot hurt she said when Dr. Mixon checked it and he said it's only a matter of time before the feeling in her other foot and legs return."
"So she won't be paralyzed?"
"It's going to take time for her to be able to use her legs again but no she's not paralysed."
Tom blows a sigh of relief.
"You two can see her now if you'd like?"
"Great, thanks." Tom says.
Dr. Mixon leaves the room and Nancy calls out in a happy voice. "Dad, Abby!!"
"Hey," Abby smiles at Nancy. "We heard the good news."
Nancy smiles back. "I think I feel better than I have since the accident."
"You certainly look better. First time I've seen you smile."
"Thanks Abby." Nancy says still smiling. "I've been so scared these past few days."
"Pretty soon, they will wonder why you are even here." Tom jokes
Nancy laughs.
"That's great Nancy." Tom replies.
"Thanks Dad, so when do I get to go home?"
"Soon." Tom says.
Moments later. "Did you two hear about the other driver going free?"
Tom looks at Abby. "What?"
Abby shrugs, not having heard the news, either. "Why?" she asks aloud.
"The cops forgot to read him his rights."
"That's ridiculous. Tom, there has to be something that can be done. A civil suit, maybe? I could ask my father..."
"Normally, I would say no. But this time I agree, see what your father can do."
~Sure. Now that he's useful, he's not the Ogre of California...~ "OK, I will."
"Somehow this guy has to pay." Tom replies.
"I'm sorry I thought you two had already known." Nancy says. "I didn't want to shock you or anything."
"How did you find out?" Tom asks curiously.
"One of the interns accidentally left a newspaper in here. Don't be mad at him he felt awful when he realised. It was an honest mistake."
"I wonder if the rest of the family knows?" Tom asks.
"Do the rest of us know what?" David asks as he walks in.
"That they guy who hit Nancy got off on a technicality." Tom says.
David's face clouds over with extreme anger and he bolts out of there.
"David get back here now!!" Nancy yells. "Don't do anything stupid!!"
"You going after him, or should I?" Abby asks Tom.
"You...I'll sit with Nancy, I just might encourage him."
Abby nods and hurries off after David.
"So Nancy, have you read my column today?" Tom asks trying to get his and her mind off of the events at hand.
"Not yet what's it about?" She asks as she stares worriedly at the doorway.
"Nancy, I am shocked. You know its required reading among the Bradfords." Tom pretends to be upset.
"But Dad I got in a car wreck and I'm hurt." She whines.
Tom sighs. "Well, there is only one thing to do....Read it to you."
"Cool."
Tom reads the column to her, while waiting for Abby to return.
David glances at Abby before he gets in his van. "Please don't try to stop me."
"Why not? One person hurt in this family is bad enough."
"I'm not the one who is going to get hurt."
"How can you be so sure? This kid's killed two people already."
"He didn't intend to kill them, but thanks to him driving drunk he did and he could've killed Nancy."
"And what are you going to do that will change that?"
"Maybe it will stop him from doing it again."
"And what are *you* going to do that'll achieve that miracle?"
"Beat him to a pulp."
"Oh, I'm sure that'll make him see the light. You can't fight stupidity with violence."
David sighs and simmers down a notch or two remembering how many times he and Mary has said the same to their younger siblings. "You're right, but what can I do?"
"Sit tight for a little. Be there for Nancy. Let me see what legal recourse we have, and after that, we'll see what else."
"Ok." He calms down a little. "Maybe we should get back up there or Dad will try to make her listen to his column."
"Now that's a fate worse than death. And poor Nancy's a captive audience."
David laughs and then they return to Nancy's hospital room. He hugs her and apologises and finally signs her cast.
Tom gets up and mouths the words 'thank you' to Abby.
Abby smiles back at him.
"Thanks Abby." Nancy says.
"For?"
"Whatever you said to get him back in here."
"You're welcome."
"Now that I have bored my daughter with my column, I better go to the office and check in." Tom says.
"You didn't bore me. I like it when you come to visit."
Tom kisses her on the cheek. "I'll come back later then. Anything I can bring back?"
"Real food."
Tom laughs. "Name it."
"Orange Chicken, sweet and sour shrimp and pork, egg rolls, fortune cookie."
"All that for one person? Who else are you hiding under your bed." Tom jokes.
"Are you sure your stomach can handle all that?"
"Well just in small portions for each item. Not whole dinners of each." Nancy smiles.
"OK." Tom says.
"Hey shouldn't we tell the rest of the family that she isn't paralysed?" David asks.
Abby checks her watch. "They're all in school. I don't think we could even find them all right now."
"Mary, Susan, and Joannie aren't the semester is over." David reminds her.
"Then why's Joannie been shutting herself up in her room mumbling about finals?" Abby wonders. "Can you go find them, then?"
"Sure. Hey Nancy you going to be here awhile?" He jokes.
"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." She jokes back.
David leaves in search of Mary, Susan and Joannie.
Tom gives Abby a look and wonders if he should tell her what's been going on or not.
"What?" Abby asks. "Whenever you get that look, I know you're hiding something."
"Why don't you walk me to the car." Tom tells Abby. "I'll be back soon with your dinner Nancy."
"Thank you."
Outside: "OK, what's going on?"
Tom tells Abby about Joannies accusations of him neglecting them.
"Maybe you have been," Abby says.
"Not you too." Tom says shocked. "That's preposterous."
"I don't know," Abby says. "When Tommy was hurt you did spend an awful lot of time in the house. I don't know if you always did, or it was because you were raising the kids alone, or," she smiles, "because you were trying to check out the tutor."
"Definitely the tutor." Tom just shakes his head. "Have I really been neglecting them?"
Abby shrugs. "I know you've been spending less and less time at home, for a while now."
"Only because I have had to make up lost time from work cause I had to go to NY for Joannie and the Mono crises we had." Tom says. "I am getting a lot of flak from Elliott.
"You'd think he'd owe you one, after you went to that conference for him. And what's the big deal, whether you work from home or the office? I mean, you've been turning in your column on a regular basis, right?" She takes a look at her husband. "Right?"
Tom looks at her not saying a word.
"Tom?"
"My writers block is back."
"Why didn't you say something?"
"I don't know, between Nancy's paralysis and Joannies accusations, I can't seem to get my mind clear.":
"So why didn't you write about that? Reckless driving should hold you for a week or two, and the problems the kids have given me could fill a small book."
"How did I get so lucky marrying such a lovely and smart woman?"
"I don't know," Abby answers, "but when I figure it out I'll sell the secret and make us a small fortune."
Tom just smiles. "Well, now that I have an idea for my column, I better get going."
"You can pay me my commission later."
"With interest." Tom states.
"Oh, I'll make sure you're interested..."
Tom laughs and gets in his car.
Meanwhile in Nancy's hospital room. Cassie hesitates before going in and finally decides to walk on in.
"Hey." She says quietly.
"Hey." Nancy says cautiously.
"How are you feeling?"
"Been better. How are you and the baby?"
"Doing good." She stands uncomfortably in the doorway. "Hey Nancy I'm sorry about what happened with Ray."
"I'm sorry too, I'm sorry he abandoned you like that."
"Like I didn't have it coming. What kind of person does that to her best friend."
"I don't care what you did. No one has something like that coming." Nancy says.
A few moments pass.
"Why aren't you yelling at me and telling me to get the hell out of here?" Cassie asks.
"What am I supposed to hate you for the rest of my life?"
Cassie smiles and so does Nancy. They talk for quite a while and work things out.
"So we're not going to let a man hurt our friendship again." Nancy says.
"And no more sleeping with each others boyfriends behind each others backs. I know you didn't do that but you know what I mean."
Nancy laughs. "Yeah I know what you mean. You know it's not going to be easy trusting you again."
"Hey I'm not asking for miracles. I know that."
They talk awhile longer and then Cassie leaves.
Later at the local hangout. The other driver walks in and soon wishes he hadn't when he's met with several stares none of them pleasant. He bravely gets a booth in the far corner of the place and orders.
Jason is there and considers mopping the floor with him but doesn't he promised Cassie he wouldn't. The gossips are also there true they didn't like Blondie but they didn't want her hurt enough to be in the hospital either.
"He should have gone to jail. He killed Josh and Mitch and put Nancy in the hospital." One of them says.
"Yeah really." She looks up as another person enters and sees Joannie. "Things are going to liven up in here now."
Joannie walks over to Cassie. "I hear you and Nancy made up."
She stops glaring at the other driver long enough to talk to Joannie. "Yeah we did. I'm glad she decided not to hold a grudge."
"She's good that way. So, what're we drinking?"
"Milk."
"I'll go get myself a soda. Be right back." Joannie goes to get her drink, passing right by her ex-boyfriend without saying a word, then returning to the table.
Finally having had enough the other driver angrily leaves the place.
"Good riddance." Jason says after he's gone.
"Be nice to him," Joannie says.
He looks at her like she's grown a second head. "Why?"
"Trust me."
Cassie smiles. "Do I get a front row seat?"
"We all do. check the bulletin boards tomorrow."
"Ok."
A guy walks in and waves to Joannie. "Oops--got a hot date," she tells them. "See you later."
"See ya and have fun." Cassie says.
Joannie goes over to her friend. "You have the posters?"
He nods.
"OK, let's go. Anyone else helping us?"
"Lots of people," he says.
They leave the hangout and head off towards the campus.
Later at the campus Noah and his friend Ellen are helping with the posters. Ellen traces the picture of one of the dead boys and sighs heavily. ~You idiot I told you not to ride with him that night.~
Noah observes her. "Hey if this is too much for you. You don't have to help."
"Yes I do. It's not right that he's getting away with it." Ellen says and continues to put posters up.
So does he. During a break he approaches Joannie and offers her a cup of coffee.
"Thanks. This'll show him, and if it doesn't, I have stage two ready to roll."
"No problem, and if it comes to stage two and you need help don't hesitate to call me."
"No, thanks anyway, but stage two needs skills you don't have. If I need you for stage three, though..."
"You can count on me."
"Thanks."
"Not a problem. He hurt Nancy and killed Ellen's brother."
"He won't be a problem for long."
"You got that right."
Meanwhile Noah's Mom and Sister go to the Bradford's and knock on the front door.
Abby opens the door. "Come in," she says. "Noah's not here, if that's who you're looking for."
"Actually I came to see you." His mother asks. "Noah's already told us how Nancy is, but he hasn't told me how you and Mr. Bradford are."
"Can I see Sam?" Holly asks.
"Sure," Abby says. "He's in the kitchen." She leads Noah's mother into the living room. "We're doing fine, at least now that Nancy's getting better."
Holly goes to the kitchen. Sam recognises her, wags his tail, and goes over to be petted.
Back to the living room.
"That's a relief. We heard about the other driver going free too."
"Yeah," Abby frowns. "I'm checking to see what we can do about that."
"If you need any help at all let me know."
"Thanks. How's Noah holding up?"
"Better now that he knows Nancy will be all right, but he's still very angry."
Tom walks in. "Hello."
"Hi Mr. Bradford."
"Please call me Tom."
"Hello Tom. I was just checking on you two to see how you are doing."
"Tom, come sit down," Abby says, and pours him a cup of tea.
"Thank you." Tom says.
"That was nice of you." He says "I guess we got lucky again."
She nods. "Yeah kids can scare you to death."
"How's Noah?" Tom asks.
"Happy that Nancy is going to be ok but still very mad at the driver."
"Yeah, we all are."
Meanwhile Holly takes out a t-shirt that she brought over for Sam. Sam stays still patienly while she puts it on him. "There now you're handsome enough to go on a date."
Holly comes out with Sam. "Isn't he handsome?" She asks her mom, Abby, and Tom.
Her mom stifles back a laugh. "He's very handsome sweetheart."
Later at the hospital after Tom has left and the chinese food is gone. Joannie sneaks in past visiting hours.
"Hey where have you been?" Nancy asks.
"Hanging out. I hear you and Cassie made up."
"Yeah we did." She smiles. "Did David ever find you?"
"No, why?"
"The paralysis isn't permanent. I already feel my feet and I'm starting to get feeling in my legs again."
"Yes. Yes. Yes, yes, yes!" Joannie starts dancing around the room.
Nancy smiles. "You weren't worried were you Joannie?"
Joannie sits down. "Of course not. That's a line from a play I'm doing. Just practicing."
~Yeah right.~ "And when do I get to see this play?"
"When are you getting out of here?"
"I don't know, once I get the feeling back I'll have to start to therapy to get these legs moving again."
"You work on that and I'll keep practicing my play."
"You got it."
The next morning the other driver arrives at school and sees all the signs and is nearly leveled especially by the stares he's getting. He turns away and heads for the Bradford house shouting.
"Joannie get out here now!!" He says bravely.
<missing post>
"It was an accident all right. I'm not a killer and I know you were behind the signs. How can you be so callous?"
"Signs?" Joannie asks, all innocence.
"Oh don't pretend not to know what I'm talking about." He rages.
Noah crosses the street and comes over to them. "Hi Joannie is this guy bothering you?"
"No, he was just leaving," Joannie glares at her ex-boyfriend.
He glares back and leaves.
"Whoa is he ticked."
"Not half as ticked as I am."
"Or me, so when are they springing her?"
"A few days, I think. Depends on how fast her legs heal."
"Has anyone brought Sam in to see her yet?"
"How are you going to sneak a dog into the hospital?"
"Ellen is suddenly going to be with child." He says.
"You're going to get into *so* much trouble."
"The look on Nancy's face will be worth it."
"It's your funeral...."
"Can I borrow your dog." He replies.
"How about I turn my back while you dognap him?"
He grins. He goes out back where Nicholas hands Sam to him. "Don't worry Nicky I'll bring him back in a few hours at the most."
"OK" Nicholas says.
"Thanks buddy." He leaves with Sam.
Noah arrives at Ellens house with Sam. "Are you ready?"
"Yep. Got one of my mom's old maternity dresses from the attic.”
"Cool, how are they doing?"
"I don't know. Hand that baby over here and I'll let you know."
He grins and hands Sam to her.
She tries to shove Sam under her maternity smock, but he keeps trying to get out and making very obvious puppy shapes under her blouse. "OK, hot shot, how do we disguise this?"
He takes out a overcoat and puts it on her. "That should do."
"I'm going to die of heat. That is, if the dog doesn't tickle me to death first."
"I'll crank up the ac in the car."
"You're so good to me."
He grins and then they get in the car and head for the hospital. They make it past the lobby and into the elevator.
At the unexpected movement, Sam starts to yap.
"Sam shh." Noah whispers.
"The things your stomach does when you're pregnant," Ellen jokes to the other people in the elevator.
They smile politely and then look away. The elevator finally stops on Nancy's floor and they make it to her room. Thankfully none of the staff are present.
Nancy looks at them both strangely. "Ellen I know I wasn't unconscious that long after the accident for you to be that pregnant."
"Well, you know these alien invaders..." Ellen says, and then grimaces. "Oh, no, Noah, I think I'm going into labor!"
He laughs as Sam gets free and then hops onto Nancy's bed and starts licking her face.
"Hey buddy." Nancy laughs and hugs him. After they've both settled down. "Thanks you two."
"No problem." Noah says as he kisses her.
"I think I'm going to go get a soda and give you two a little privacy," Ellen says.
"You don't have to leave." They both say.
"I'll be right outside."
"Ok."
After she's left.
"Have I told you how much I love you lately?" Nancy says.
"Yes, and I love you." He says as he kisses her.
"Woof." Sam jumps between them and tries to lick them both.
They both laugh and pet him.
Meanwhile in the hallway. Dr. Max shows up. "Hello." He says to Ellen and starts to enter Nancy's room.
Ellen pulls him away from the door. "How is she, Dr. Maxwell? I mean, really."
"Are you a friend of hers?" He asks having never met her before.
"Yes, from school. And my brother--he was one of the..." Ellen starts crying.
Greg hugs her. "I'm so sorry."
"Nancy really is getting better, isn't she? They're not saying it just to make sure I don't worry, right?"
"Of course she's getting better."
Sam lets out a bark wanting to say hi to Dr. Maxwell.
Greg smiles.
"Oops."
"It's ok, I'll make sure you and Noah get him out of here without getting busted."
"Thanks, Dr. Maxwell."
"No problem, but can I please go and see my patient now."
"I'd knock before I went in if I were you."
He knocks and Nancy hides Sam under the covers.
He walks in and looks at the lump under Nancy's covers, pretending shock. "We'd better take you for some tests. Young man, I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave now," Max says with some urgency.
Sam comes out of the covers and makes a noise. Nancy starts laughing.
"Yep he heard the bark." Nancy says to Noah.
"I make it my business to know everything there is to know about my patients. Nancy, you know dogs aren't allowed in hospitals."
"She didn't have anything to do with it Dr. Max." Noah says. "It was all me."
"Well, then, why don't you take him home while I check out your girlfriend?"
Noah kisses Nancy goodbye and so does Sam and then they leave with Ellen.
"Sorry," Ellen says. "I tried to stall him as long as I could."
"It's cool, so what are you doing after we drop this little guy off?"
"I thought I'd go by the cemetery."
"Do you need company?"
"I think I need to do this alone."
"Ok." They drop Sam off and then he drops her off at the cemetary.
One week later at the hospital after therapy.
"Don't be so hard on yourself it's tough getting your legs too work again when you have a broken arm also. If you like we can wait till it heals." The therapist says.
Nancy shakes her head. "I don't want to wait."
"Nancy you can fall and hurt the broken arm."
"And if I didn't have a broken arm I could fall and break my neck. And when I'm able to walk again with no trouble I can trip and fall and break something. Life is full of risks. Come on there has to be a way." She pleads.
The therapist sighs. "Ok I'll think of an alternative so we can work around the arm. Just give me a day or two all right."
Nancy nods and is taken back to her room to find a family member waiting. "How's the world?"
"Boring." Liz says.
"And how are you?"
"I am sorry Nancy. How is it going?"
"It's going ok and sorry for what?" She asks in confusion."
"For not coming to see you sooner." Liz replies
"Hey life doesn't stop just because I'm in the hospital, and you're here now right?"
"Yeah." Liz says. "I have a surprise for you." She pulls a pizza out from under the bed.
Nancy smiles. "I love you little sis, thank you."
Liz grins. "Glad to see you smile."
"I can say the same for you." She says and offers Liz a slice.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." She gives her a hug with her good arm.
Later that night Nancy is asleep in her hospital room when she's awaken by frantic noises and the smell of smoke. "What the..." She awakens fully and then hears the sound of sirens.
Meanwhile in the corridors the staff is rushing to get the patients out before the fire spreads to their rooms.
"How many left?" One of the nurses asks.
"All the babies are out and the critical patients are out and being transported to other hospitals. There's five left on this floor after we get them out everyone will be safe." An orderly says. "Now get out of here."
"Not without you."
Moments later in Nancy's room seconds before the orderlies are to come to get her. She panics and tries to get out of bed as a result she falls to the floor. "Work you stupid legs!! Come on!!" She starts crying in fear and anger.
An orderly finally comes for her and gets her out of there.
Later outside while the fire department is fighting the fire. A nurse comes to get Nancy to be taken to another hospital but she pushes her hand away.
"I'm not going."
"Nancy."
"I want to go home." She says in a very frightened tone.
"Hey this isn't going to happen at the next hospital too. This was an accident."
"Leave me alone." She replies.
"Nancy I can't do that. We have to get you to the other hospital."
"So take the other patients there, but I'm not going." She starts crying. "So just leave me the hell alone ok."
The nurse leaves to help transport the rest of the patients while David's girlfriend stays with Nancy. Officer Bernstein decides to go and tell the family in person before it makes the evening news.
He knocks on the front door and rings the doorbell. When no one answers he rings the doorbell again.
Abby comes to the door, wearing an apron and a frown. "Shh," she whispers to Bernstein. "You'll make my cake fall."
"Sorry." He whispers. "But this is important." He tells her what happened at the hospital.
"Where is she now?"
"When I left she was adamatly refusing to be transported to another hospital. So she's still there but waiting outside. She wants to come home."
Tom comes out of the study after hearing this. "Is she OK?"
"She wasn't harmed by the fire but she's very frightened."
"Thank you--we'll go take care of it." Abby hurries back inside to find Tom.
"No problem." He heads back to the hospital.
"I guess we better get over there." Tom replies
"You want to drive or should I?" Abby asks Tom.
"I will, in case we have to bring Nancy home. We all won't fit in the MG."
"You know, I do know how to drive an automatic, too. I thought you might be too shaken to drive is all."
"It'll keep my mind off things." he replies.
They drive to the hospital and find Nancy on one of the sidewalks. "Nancy, are you OK?"
She's all cried out by now but still upset. "Can we go home now?"
"I don't know if you are well enough yet." Tom tells her.
"Do you know what it's like to be in a burning building and not be able to get yourself out?" She asks.
"I'm sorry honey. Of course you can come home." Tom tells her.
Nancy sighs in relief. "Thanks Dad."
"There has to be a doctor somewhere around in all this mess," Abby points out.
"I think there is actually." David's girlfriend says. "I'll be back in a minute." She goes looking for a doctor.
A little while later she comes back with one. After the doctor has checked her over.
"She's not in any danger if she goes home but I'd feel a lot better if we waited til she can use her legs again."
"We can take care of her at home." Tom states.
"Mr. Bradford." She begins to protest.
"I am sure we can do a better job then this hospital did." Tom says referring to the fire.
"Mr. Bradford it was an accident."
"Are you going to sign my release papers or do we leave without them?" Nancy asks the doctor.
She sighs. "Ok you can take her home but her doctor will probably want to come and see her tomorrow and we'll have to schedule therapy." The doctor says to Tom and Abby.
"That's fine. We can handle that," Abby says.
"Ok then." She goes to get the release papers.
"Thank you." Nancy says to Tom and Abby.
"You'll be a good patient, won't you?" Abby says.
"Yes." Nancy insists.
"Do I believe her?" Abby asks Tom.
"If she doesn't behave, we will have to take away her hairdryer and makeup." Tom threatens in a joking manner.
"I'll behave, I'll behave."
"I knew you would see things our way." Tom says.
Nancy manages a laugh and then they help her into the car. When they arrive home Nancy wonders if she's ready to try moving without the wheel chair. She opens the car door and considers trying it but then remembers her promise to her parents. They manage to get her inside and with David's help upstairs to her bed.
The next morning Nancy awakens and after a couple of attempts manages to get into her wheelchair and to the bathroom. She tries to keep from swearing when she realises it won't fit through the doorway.
"Hey is anybody home!!"
Tommy sees her."Need any help?"
"Yeah, do you have the strength to ease this thing in here with me still sitting in it?"
Tommy tries to push her through. "It's not going to fit unless we take the door off its hinges. Tommy carries her in the bathroom.
"Thanks Tommy but can I have some privacy now?" Nancy asks while guaging the area to see how she'll make it around without the chair.
Tommy folds her wheelchair up and takes it into the bathroom. "Call when you are ready."
After the bathroom and on the way to her room. "So what did I miss while I was gone? School ok, you married yet?"
Tommy laughs. "You weren't gone that long."
She laughs also. "It feels like it."
"I know what you mean." Tommy says "Things can happen in a second to change your life."
"They sure can, the trick is to not let it get you down. Because it can always be much worse."
"This is coming from you?" he kids.
"Ouch." She says.
Tommy laughs. "Want me to put you in bed?"
"Thank you but I can manage that."
"Ok." he says.
After Tommy leaves she manages to get back into bed and her stomach starts rumbling. "I feel silly shouting again but here goes. Hey anyone home?!"
"Abby!! Dad!! Joannie!! Anyone!!"
Tom comes running up the stairs. "Nancy, you OK?"
"Yeah just hungry."
Tom sighs in relief and sits on her bed. "OK, what do you want?"
She's about to say bacon and eggs but backtracks. "Oatmeal and one of those low fat bagels will be fine."
"Nancy, there is no reason for both of us to be miserable. What would you like."
"Bacon and a cheese omelet." She says. "Are you sure it's all right?"
"Yeah, it'll be fine. I'll just put a sign on my back stating 'This is for Nancy.' "
She laughs. "It sure is good to be home."
"It's good to have you home."
"I'm sorry if I scared you."
"You didn't do it on purpose, besides I am sure it is payback for the times I've scared you." he jokes.
"Not funny Dad."
"I thought it was." he says.
She smiles. "Ok it was funny."
Tom gets up. "I'll go fix your breakfast."
"Thanks Dad."
Tom goes downstairs and makes breakfast, Mary walks in.
"I hope that's for Nancy." She says.
"Of course it is, would you like one?"
"No, thanks anyway, I have to get to school."
"Are you alright?" Tom asks.
"Dad it's finals of course I'm not all right." She kisses him. "But I love you for asking."
"Yes it is May."
"Amazing." he says.
"Yep time flies. See you later." She goes to school.
Tom takes Nancy Breakfast upstairs.
"You don't have to work today?" She asks between bites.
"Yes...but I don't know who is going to stay with you."
"I'll be ok on my own."
"I don't think so." Tom says
"I don't want to be a burden."
"You are not a burden." He states.
"Dad after I get better I think I want to get my own place."
"Nancy, you just got out of the hospital." Tom says. "Let's talk about this later." ~WAY LATER~ he thinks.
"Ok, I'm just thinking about it anyway." ~Maybe I should have just braved it out and gone to one of the hospitals. Everyone here obviously is too busy to even know who's going to stay with me today. I guess that's what to be expected in a large family. That's ok I'll ease the burden.~ She continues pondering moving out.