One afternoon on the way home from the therapist. "So how should we tell Dad?" Nancy asks Abby who is driving.
"Why tell him? Why not just show him?"
She smiles. "I like that idea."
That afternoon when Tom comes home. Nancy exchanges a knowing look with Abby and tells him to stay where he is and then gets out of the wheel chair and slowly walks over to him.
"See Dad no hands." She stumbles and almost falls but he catches her. "Well it's not perfect yet."
Tom has tears in his eyes. "Nancy, you did it."
She smiles. "Yeah, it's about time eh?"
"I say." he replies.
She gives him a hug and finally regains her balance. "Tomorrow the stairs. Right now the couch there's a good movie on tv."
Tom laughs and helps her to the couch.
"Thanks Dad."
"Anything else I can do?" Tom asks.
"Yeah, let me on the secrets." Nancy says referring to how everyone clams up whenever she says something about the other driver.
"Honey, I don't know what you are talking about."
"Anytime I mention the other driver Joannie either changes the subject or says don't worry about it. And you two always say the same thing. What's being done? That SOB killed those two guys, one of them Ellen's brother, and they almost killed me."
Tom sighs "I really don't know."
"Can we sue him and/ or maybe get a court order for him to go into AA if he's addicted?"
"I guess we could try."
"Good." She notices Abby and Tom sneaking glances at each other. "Er um don't let me keep you."
The telephone rings. Joannie's ex-boyfriend figures if he talks to Nancy and gets her to forgive him others will soon forgive him too. When the phone is answered he asks.
"Is Nancy there?"
"Nancy, its for you."
Nancy gets off the couch and makes it to the phone and sits down. "Hello...who is this?....Don't ever call here again." She hangs up and goes back to the couch.
"What was that about?" Tom asks.
"It was the other driver."
"And he called here?"
"Yep." Nancy goes back to watching her movie.
"Are you OK?" he asks.
"Yeah, but can we get an unlisted number? I don't want this to be like the situation from that guy who thinks he's my father."
Tom sighs. "Don't worry. Abby and I will handle it."
"Thank you."
Mary breezes in and up the stairs and belts out. "Keep it quiet!! I have to study!!" She then barricades herself in her room.
"Does she have a big test?"
"Excuse me." Tom says and knocks on Mary's door.
"I said that I have to study!!"
"Mary, open up." he says.
She opens the door. "What?"
"That's what I want to know." Tom says. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing I just have to study and if I don't pass this final I'll have to take the course over again."
"Come on Mary, you have had tough finals before and never acted like this. Now what's wrong?"
"I told you I'll fail the course if I don't pass this final. It's been a rough semester." She grows impatient. "Excuse me." She leans over the stairway railing. "Nancy turn down that tv!!"
"Ok already!! Sheesh she doesn't even know I can walk again yet and she wants me to turn down the tv? Grouch." Nancy turns down the tv.
"Mary, I don't care how tough you are having it right now. We do not talk to each other like this."
She sighs. "You're right I'm sorry, wait how did she turn down the tv when she can't even walk? And is pretty terrible at manuevering that wheel chair?"
"She started walking today." Tom tells her.
"Really that's great, I was tired of watching her fall down from attempts and her pretending like it was no big deal."
"You might want to tell her that." Tom suggests.
"Yeah studying can wait for a few minutes." She goes downstairs and hugs her. "Congratulations."
"Thank you." Nancy says.
Mary then goes back upstairs. "Now I really have to hit the books."
"Ok, need any help?" Tom offers.
"Can you quiz me later?"
"Sure." Tom says.
"Thank you I'm sorry I was so cranky."
Tom smiles. "That's ok, I get that way too once in a while."
"And we would scare each other if we didn't get cranky right?"
"Right." Tom says
Mary returns to her room to study.
The telephone rings.
"I'll get it." Tom says. "Hello?"
"Hello Thomas." Harry says.
Tom face falls. "Hello Harry. How are you?"
"I'm fine I have the name and number of that Civil Lawyer that Sandra Sue called me for earlier."
"Civil Lawyer?" Tom asks.
"Yeah, you two wanted to see what your legal options were with Nancy's accident." Harry reminds him figuring he has a lot on his mind right now.
"That's right Harry, I'm sorry." Tom says. "Thanks, what's the number?"
"It's 555-9991 and her name is Kelly Ashton."
"Got it, would you like to talk to your daughter?"
"Sure is she there?"
Tom calls for Abby.
Abby looks over the banister. "You bellowed?"
"Your father is on the phone."
"And you're not even green," Abby says in amazement.
"Funny, are you going to talk to him or do I tell him you are too busy making fun of me." Tom says.
"I don't know which he'd prefer," Abby says as she comes down the stairs and takes the phone.
Tom rolls his eyes and goes back into his study.
"Hi, Dad," Abby says into the phone.
"Hi honey how are you? How are the kids?"
"Managing as best we can," Abby says. "You know how it is in this town."
"Yes I do, I think all of you need a vacation."
"With all of Nancy's medical bills? Maybe one day, when Tom and I are old and gray..."
"I thought the modeling agency was paying those."
"The immediate ones, but long term? I don't know. Did you get us the name of a lawyer?"
"Yes her name is Kelly Ashton and she's very good might also be able to get the defendant liable for paying the rest of the medical bills."
"That would be great. Any word on when the adoption will be final, as long as we're talking lawyer business?"
"As soon as the papers are signed. They're on their way to your house."
"Thanks, Daddy."
"No problem honey."
"Hey, why don't you and Mom take a vacation and come up here?"
"I'd love too but we don't have the time."
"It's a sad state of affairs when my parents are too busy to see me."
"Sandra Sue don't do that it's not fair." He says about to give in.
"I'm your daughter. I'm not supposed to be fair."
"Ok how bout in a week or two."
"Things will be crazy here, with finals...Maybe that's the best time to come--after all, insanity has its limits, right?"
"This weekend?"
"Could you?" Abby asks hopefully.
"Of course, I'll tell your mom. She'll be happy to see you, Thomas, and the kids."
"Well, nine out of ten isn't bad," Abby jokes. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you too honey, I have to go now, take care of yourself."
After she hangs up, Abby goes in search of Tom to deliver the bad news.
Tom is working on his column.
"Hi," Abby says. "Getting anywhere with that?"
"Trying too." Tom replies.
"Hey, I have an idea for a column for you."
"Oh yeah? What is it?"
"You can call it 'How to prepare for a visit from your in-laws'."
Tom's smile suddenly turns to a frown. "They're not....."
"This weekend. You don't mind--not too much--do you?"
Tom sighs. "Do I have a choice?"
"It is your house," Abby says, using a tried and true guilt-inducing formula.
"I hate it when you say that." Tom whines. "Fine, let them come."
"Thank you," Abby says, hugging him. "I'll make it up to you."
"Yeah, sure you will." Tom says returning to the typewriter.
Abby starts to answer him back, but then realizes nothing she could say will get to him as much as the very thought of her father's visit. "I'll start getting things ready for them," she says as she leaves the room.
Tom cringes.
The next morning Nancy wakes up, showers, and gets dressed. Afterwards she enters the hallway to find David waiting for her.
"What brings you here so early?" She asks him.
"I'm here to make sure you have someone to catch you when you take on the stairs today and Noah's waiting downstairs to catch you on that end just in case."
"Ok." She says. She makes it down without faltering and kisses Noah.
"You did good." Noah kisses her back and smiles at her.
"Why thank you, so where's the rest of the family?"
"Either at work, school, or out having fun with college being out for the summer." David says.
"Oh," she says trying to hide her disappointment.
David and Noah exchange a look.
"Let's go out to breakfast and celebrate." Noah says.
Nancy laughs. "It's not that important. It's just a flight of stairs."
"Sure it is, come on." Noah says.
"Go ahead." David says. "Go have some fun for a change. I'd go with you but I have to work and don't have a date."
Later at the restaurant.
"So when is your new car getting here?" Noah asks.
"In about a week. I hope I don't get cold feet about driving."
"You'll do fine. Now what did the college say?"
"I'm starting next semester on Scholastic Probabation. I'm not surprised though."
"Neither am I."
"Hey you don't have to agree with me." She jokes.
"Sorry, so are you busy tonight?"
"I don't know, most likely not. Why are you asking me out?"
"Of course."
Later after breakfast he drops her off at home. The house is still empty except for Sam. She decides to clean the house and also starts dinner and completes it without burning anything. She looks at the clock and sees it's only 1pm by then so she wraps up dinner and puts it in the fridge and then goes for a walk with Sam. She winds up at the cemetary.
"Guess what mom I got full functionality back. I mastered the dreaded stairs. I wish you could have been there to see it. I know you would have been if you could. I really miss you mom." She continues to talk and tell her how the family is doing hoping that somehow she can hear her.
After that she winds up at the park.
"Excuse me little girl but do your parents know you're here?" Cassie says when she finds her sitting on one of the park benches.
Nancy laughs. "Of course not they think I'm at your house. Do your parents know you're here?"
"Heck no they think I'm at your house." She says and sits down. "I don't see a wheelchair."
"I don't need it anymore."
"All right."
"How's the baby doing?"
"She is progressing wonderfully according to my obstetrician."
"She might be a he."
"Yes might be, but don't tell Jason that you'll only encourage him."
Nancy laughs again. They talk a little while longer and then she finally takes Sam home to a still empty house. When she gets there the phone is ringing she picks it up and answers it.
"Hello."
"Nancy where have you been? You missed your appointment." Dr. Max says. "Wasn't someone there supposed to drive you?"
"I guess we all forgot. It's been chaos around here as usual. It's no big deal I'll come in now."
"You're going to walk all the way to his office?"
"There's public transportation." She says. She hangs up with him, leaves a note and then heads for the doctors office.
"You're ok now." He says after the examination. "Can you have one of your parents call me?"
"Why I'm an adult. I'll tell them." She says.
"They might have questions."
"Why would they have questions I'm fine now right?" She leaves his office and heads home.
When she arrives home the younger kids are there. "Sheesh when are they letting you three out of prison for the summer it's been too quiet here today."
"No Kidding." Tommy says.
"I made dinner it'll just need to be heated up an hour before dinner time. Do you three need any clothes washed?"
Nicholas, Tommy and Elizabeth look at each other. "Since when have you become so domesticated?" Tommy asks.
"Since she has been dating Noah." Liz jokes.
"Ha ha." Nancy laughs. "Take advantage of my energy now that I have it back."
"You serious about the clothes?" Tommy asks.
"Yep."
"Cool." Tommy says. "Be right back." Nicholas and Tommy get their dirty laundry.
Elizabeth laughs. "Thanks Nancy."
"You're welcome." Nancy starts a load of clothes in the washer. "So Nicholas you married yet?"
Nicholas looks at her strangely. "Huh?"
"Don't worry Nicholas, she didn't hurt her head." Tommy says.
"Wise guy." Nancy says.
"What do you expect?" Tommy asks.
"I see we taught you well."
"Hey Nancy? When are you going back to work?"
"Next Monday. The doctor said I'm better now but Brad says I should take the rest of the week anyway."
"That's nice of him."
"Sure is, and I mastered the stairs. David and Noah were there to make sure that I didn't hit my head. What did you three do today?"
"Study for tests." Elizabeth said.
"Ew, I'm sorry. Naah seriously studying is good very good."
Tommy throws a dirty towel in her face.
Nancy throws it back at him.
Soon clothes are thrown back and forth.
Nicholas escapes the clothes fight.
Tom walks in.."What the he..." he says.
Nancy's still laughing. "Hi Dad I'm washing clothes."
"Oh really?" He takes off a piece of clothing that landed on his head.
Tommy and Elizabeth try not to laugh.
"Don't worry Dad that's the next load. Dinner is in the fridge it will just have to be heated up for one hour and all the housework has been done."
Tom looks at Tommy and Elizabeth. They shrug. "Thank you." he tells Nancy.
"No problem and the doctor says I'm fine now."
"Oh?" Tom asks.
"Yeah we all forgot about my appointment today."
"Nancy, I am so sorry."
"It's no biggie, besides I find it hilarious that all three of us forgot."
"Yeah, funny. As you can see I'm not laughing." Tom says. "Did you reschedule?"
"I didn't have to he saw me today anyway."
"Oh...OK." Tom says. "And?"
"He gave me a clean bill of health."
"Thats wonderful." Tom replies.
"Yeah, now I can get on to important things." She finishes the laundry.
Tom excuses himself and calls Dr. Max.
"Hello." Max answers.
"Greg, its Tom. How is Nancy really?"
"Well according to the Nuerologist she's fine why?"
"I don't know, maybe the fact she cooked dinner, cleaned the house and is doing laundry."
"Hmm that is odd for one of your kids. He did say that when he told her to tell you and Abby to call him if there's any questions that she said it was no biggie that she's an adult now and what questions would you have if she's fine."
"Oh brother." Tom says. "Thanks Max."
"No problem."
After talking to her Dad. Nancy goes into the kitchen. "Dinners already made it just needs to be heated up for an hour and you'll be happy to know I didn't burn anything." She tells Abby.
"You didn't? Are you feeling all right?"
"Yeah I feel fine."
"Amazing."
"What's so amazing?"
"You are."
"What did I do? It's just dinner."
"How long ago was it you were lying in bed, paralyzed? And now you're making dinner. and not even burning it. Pretty amazing."
"Thank you." She smiles. "And the stairs are conquered also."
"Wow. You have been busy."
"It's just stairs the family walks on them everyday. But thanks."
"Have you told Noah yet?"
"Yeah he and David were there to make sure I didn't get hurt if I stumbled."
"That's good." ~Guess that puts the rest of us in our place...~
"Yeah."
Tom hangs up and looks for Abby.
Abby is upstairs, bent over her books.
"Finals?" Tom asks.
"Make up work. I miss a lot these past few weeks."
"Oh." Tom says "I just got off the phone with Max."
"What did he have to say?"
He tells her verbatim what Max said about Nancy.
"Next thing you know, she'll be talking about moving out again."
"I know." Tom says slumping on the bed.
"You're not going to be able to keep them home forever."
"Please, you are ruining my ignorant bliss."
Abby laughs. "Just promise me you won't go pouting around the house for months when she does. After all, you let David move out."
"That was different."
"Why?" though Abby suspects the answer.
"Well....David can take care of himself." Tom replies.
"So can Nancy. She's got a good job, she's strong and healthy..."
"But...." Tom says, can't think of anything else but the obvious one.
"But?" Abby repeats, trying to hide a smile at the corner Tom's painted himself into.
"But, David is a male." Tom Blurts out.
"That's what his girlfriends say."
"I know I am being silly."
"You said it, not me. Though I may have thought it...."
"I just love being an old-fashioned guy in a modern world." he sighs.
"No one says you have to stay old fashioned," Abby points out.
"Things were so much easier." Tom replies.
"But so much less fun."
Tom laughs. "Yeah, I guess you are right."
"So you won't give her too much hassle?"
"Well not too much."
Abby kisses him.
"Thank you, I needed that."
"You are so easy to pacify."
"No, its just nice to be needed."
"Your kids will always need you, even if they move out. David's no stranger, is he?"
"Yes, but..." Tom almost starts the whole but he is a male thing again. "Let's just get some sleep."
"Good idea. Otherwise you might be eating crow as a midnight snack."
Tom grumbles.
Later upstairs in Mary's bedroom.
"Hey Mary can I borrow your blue blouse?" Nancy asks.
"Hey isn't this your time to spend with Abby?"
"She had to cancel again. Tommy needs extra help with his homework and Nicholas needs some time with her."
"You ok with that?"
"Sure, they're kids they need her more. Besides she was there for me when I was in the hospital right?"
"Yeah," she notices a tear in her shirt. "Hey take that off and I'll take care of this tear. My blue blouse is in the closet."
"Um uh."
"Nancy come on we're sisters this is nothing sexual, besides you're not my type."
"Ok, but not catcalls." She changes shirts and has her back to Mary so she doesn't see the look of shock on her older sisters face. Until she turns around. "Mary what's wrong?"
"Has Noah hurt you?"
"What? Of course not."
"Then which ex boyfriend did?"
"Mary I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then where did the bruises and scars come from that on your back?"
"I'm pretty sure they're from the car accident Mary. Thanks for the blouse." She says and goes into her bedroom.
Mary ponders this and concludes that Nancy is right about the bruises anyway. The doctor didn't even mention scars the night of the accident or anytime between then.
Later at David's apartment.
"They're probably from the Earthquake from when she fell down remember?" David says. "You're being very paranoid relax."
"I don't know maybe I should take pictures of her back and show it to Dr. Max." Mary says.
"If Nancy said that nothing happened then nothing happened. Mary just let it go."
"David."
"Mary."
She sighs. "Oh all right. You're probably right I'm worrying when there's nothing to worry about."
"Exactly."
When Nancy gets home from her date she's rehearsing in her head how to approach her Dad and Abby with what she's been thinking about for awhile now. "It'll give you more time with the kids and you'll have to spend less money." She tells one of the kitchen chairs. "Naah," she thinks up another one. "I love you but a woman can't rely on her parents for the rest of her life, and it'll give you more time with the younger kids, no not younger kids then your stating yourself as a kid, kids is fine. And don't worry I'll pick up the tab on my hospital bills and pay the lawyer for the civil case." She goes upstairs and knocks on their door.
Tom opens the door and walks out of his bedroom. "SHHH. Abby's asleep."
"Well I guess you can fill her in when she wakes up. Dad I'm going to start moving into that place that I almost moved into a few months ago, doing it tomorrow or some time this week."
"Wait a minute." Tom says still half asleep. "Let's go downstairs and talk about this."
"Ok," they go downstairs. and she trys out what she rehearsed for the first time for an audience.
"Sounds like you had this rehearsed." Tom says.
"Well it's not a spur of the moment decision and it will be best for everyone concerned."
"Define everyone." Tom asks.
"You and Abby will have more time together and you'll have more time to spend with the kids. They're at ages where they really need their parents."
"And you are at the age when you don't."
Nancy thinks this over this is something she hadn't rehearsed. "Well chronologically I have been an adult for over a year it's time I started acting like one."
"I can't stop you, but I wish you would re-consider."
"Believe me I thought it all through, and thanks Dad."
"You still plan on finishing college, right?"
"If the next semester goes well."
"Why do I have a feeling you are avoiding the subject."
"I'm not avoiding anything. I'm just doing what comes next in the transition between childhood and adulthood."
"Meaning keeping things from your old man." he jokes.
"Well I have to learn to handle things on my own instead of making it the familys problem and causing all of you heartache right?" She counters.
"You're not causing us heartache." Tom states. "Is this what this is about?"
"No, it's time for me to move out I'm ready." ~Yes, but it's still time for me to move on.~
"OK, but just remember one thing."
"What?"
"The door is always open for you to come back."
She smiles. "Thanks Dad."
"Have you told Elizabeth yet?"
"No and I bet she's going to love having her own room."
"Hmmm...the oldest and youngest girls have their own rooms, Joannie and Susan are going to love that."
Nancy laughs. "Are you going to have Susan move in with Elizabeth?"
"No, besides you might need the bed in case you visit." Tom replies ~Or come home for good~
"Yeah, hey Dad I'm tired I'm going to bed now."
"Me too." Tom replies.
Tom goes upstairs and crawls into bed.
And wakes Abby in the process. "Hi. Couldn't sleep?"
"Nancy, wanted to talk."
"At this time of the night?"
"She's moving out." Tom says sadly.
The next morning at the breakfast table. Nancy eats wondering if her Dad has told anyone else that she's moving out. When no one says anything she decides to take the initiative.
"I'm moving out can you please pass the jelly." She says.
Joannie starts handing over the jelly, then stops in mid-pass. "You're what?"
"I'm moving out, leaving the nest."
"Again?"
"Yes but for real this time."
"Excuse me." Mary says and leaves the room.
"I think someone's jealous," Joannie says.
"Yeah so do I, think I should talk to her or will it make it worse?"
"What do you care if it gets worse? You're moving out."
"That doesn't mean that I automatically stop caring."
"Then go talk to her."
"Ok I will." She finds Mary on the sun porch.
"Are you mad?"
"No I just don't think your ready, and what's the real reason you're moving out?"
"Independence."
"Well I'm sorry but I don't buy that. You don't seem right since you got out of the hospital."
"Mary I'm fine really."
"I talked to Abby before you woke up this morning and she said it was you who cancelled the talk last night. Now what is really going on?"
"Nothing, she looked busy all right."
"No it's something, before the accident you would have a hissy fit if she didn't make time for you. Now it seems like you're trying to distance yourself."
"I am not and nothing is wrong."
"Is Noah pressuring you to move out?"
"No, I'm going back to eat now, are you coming?"
"No, I'm not very hungry." Mary says and almost asks about the scars and bruises on her back again but decides not to push it.
Nancy returns to the table. "She's not jealous."
"That's good," Joannie says. As soon as she decently can, she excuses herself from the table and seeks out Mary. "OK, what's up with you and Nancy?"
"I don't know it might be nothing. Let's go to my office." Mary says.
They head upstairs. "With Nancy moving out," Joannie says along the way, "You won't be the only one with a room of her own. I hope Susan and Elizabeth can get along."
Mary laughs. "Yeah really." They make it to her room. "Does she seem different to you since she got released from the hospital?"
"Yeah---she's stopped complaining constantly that no one pays her any attention. Finally."
"Well that's a good thing, but why is she suddenly not complaining? That's what's nagging me. All of a sudden she's miss independent?"
"Maybe she's growing up?"
"That would be nice but I think there's more to it." She tells her about the scars and bruises.
"I think your classes are getting to you. If there was something like that, Dr. Max would have found it."
"Joannie I know what I saw, sure the bruises coming from the accident is feasible, but not the scars."
"Did you say anything to Nancy?"
"Yes, and she said that she didn't remember how they got there. She assumes they're from the car accident. David says that it might be from when she fell during the Earthquake."
"It's possible."
"Then why can't I shake this suspicion that something is wrong?"
"Cause you're paranoid?"
"If Dr. Max saw them wouldn't he have mentioned it?"
"He must have seen them and decided they weren't worth mentioning. You're making a big deal out of nothing, Mary."
Mary thinks it over. "Ok, I'll let it go."
"Well, at least Nancy won't complain that you ran out on her. Now let's go back before someone steals my food."
"Like she's the only one in this family who has gone through that stage? It's going to be hard for her to change if we don't let her live it down." Mary says on the way downstairs. "Remember how I was when I went through it? Or David for that matter?"
"I never went through it," Joannie fibs.
"Careful your nose is growing and you didn't like it when people called you selfish either."
"Only because they were wrong," Joannie jokes.
Mary shakes her head. "Of course, you never did anything wrong." She kids back.
"I," Joannie says dramatically, "am the perfect daughter and sister."
Mary laughs. "Not."
Joannie sticks her tongue out at Mary.
Mary laughs again and makes it back to her breakfast before it's stolen.
Tom comes down after overhearing. "I second that." he jokes.
"That I'm perfect?" Joannie asks.
"Sure you are and I am the perfect father."
"Of chaos, maybe."
"Only because my 'perfect children' causes them." Tom replies.
"Us?" Joannie flutters her lashes.
"Yes you." Tom says.
"I'll remember that, Dad."
"You do that." Tom winks at her.
Joannie blows him a kiss and hurries back to the table.
Tom joins her. "OK, where is my dreaded oatmeal." he jokes.
"Here it is," Abby says. "There would have been more, but I used some to spackle the hole Nicholas made last night playing ball in the living room."
"Cute." Tom says."But not so loud, my stomach will hear you."
'It'll adjust."
"No sympathy." Tom mumbles and eats his breakfast.
"Poor Dad," Joannie laughs.
"Nicholas do you want to keep Sam here?" Nancy asks.
"You were thinking of taking him?" he asks.
"Not if you want him here." She says and glances over at Abby. ~She's been awful quiet this morning. I wonder if Mary let on that I lied about who cancelled the talk?~
Abby catches Nancy's eye, then quickly looks away.
~Uh oh, do I come clean or wait for her to say something?~
"You might need him for protection." Tommy says.
Nicholas agrees.
"Ok, then here he stays."
Tommy laughs. "No, what I meant Nancy is that you might need him for protection."
Nancy laughs also and then observes Nicholas' face. "But I think he should stay here."
"It'll give me an excuse to visit." Nicholas states.
"Nicholas you can come over anytime you don't need an excuse."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"OK then, I'll keep Sam." Nicholas says.
Tom rolls his eyes. ~Darn, I just about got rid of him.~
"Good." She says. ~I'm sure going to miss that little guy.~
"Abby, can you wait after school for me? I am trying out for the dance club." Elizabeth asks.
Tommy snickers.
Abby glares at Tommy. "Sure, Elizabeth. I'll be in the teacher's lounge."
"Thanks." Elizabeth says and then kicks Tommy from under the table.
"Ow." Tommy says.
"Oops." Liz says. "Sorry."
"If you kick him," Abby points out, "you might damage your legs."
Tom just ignores the going ons and eats his breakfast.
"Yeah, you are right. Its not worth it." Liz says. "I'll go get my things."
After school, Elizabeth tries out for the dance club and then seeks out Abby in the Teachers Lounge.
Abby is sitting in the lounge and looks up when Elizabeth enters. "How did it go?"
"OK I guess, they'll post the results tomorrow."
"I'm sure you got in. You ready to go?"
Elizabeth nods. "Thanks for waiting."
"I ought to thank you. It's easier to grade papers here than at home--quieter.'
Elizabeth laughs. "Did Tommy walk home?"
"He said he was going to, but he was eyeing a girl, so who knows?"
"Wendy Springer, no doubt." Liz says.
"That's the famous Wendy Springer, eh? He's going to need more than just the Bradford men's good looks with that one."
"I don't know what he sees in her, she's so phony."
"He's a teenaged boy and she's built like a...well, I don't think he's thinking about her personality much."
"I suppose, I just don't want him to get hurt."
"He knows what she's like. Wasn't she the one who dumped him just before your father and I got engaged?"
"The one and only."
"If he gets hurt again, it's no one's fault but his own. You can tell a boy his age a lot, but not much he'll listen to."
Elizabeth nods in agreement.
"You ready to go home now?"
"Yeah, you?"
"As ready as I'll ever be. You don't suppose your father would let me use his study, do you?"
"I'm sure he would if you gave him an incentive to." Liz says smiling.
"Elizabeth," Abby says, pretending to be shocked. "Besides, I tried that already. Didn't work."
Elizabeth laughs. "Maybe you need to find a place in the house just for you."
"Oh, your father's got two of those places for me."
"He is old-fashioned."
"That's why we love him."
"Yeah, I guess it is."
"Come on, let's go tell him that."
"OK" Elizabeth says.