Soon after Tom gets in to work, Elliot Randolph steps into his office. "Hard at work, Tom?"

"Aren't I always."

"And what are you writing about today? Being married to a famous author?"

~News travel fast.~ "You Heard."

"Of course. The publishing firm called me as soon as they decided to take her book. What better publicity can you ask for? We promote her, we promote you. And in turn, her bio will include a mention of you and the Register. Good business all around."

"It's a textbook Elliott, its not like it'll be on the bestseller list."

"Most textbooks don't come with celebrity endorsements. I think you'll be surprised by how well this book could do."

"Anything else Elliott? I am kind of busy."

"Oh, sorry. I wouldn't want to get in the way of your column. Any promotion ideas you have, just come to me, all right?"

"You'll be the first to know."

"I knew I could count on you, Tom."

Tom waves him out the door.

Two days later, Nancy is relaxing after work when the phone rings. She answers it. "Hello."

"Hey Nancy, can you come over." Mary asks. "I'm having trouble helping Abby coordinate her wardrobe and I need your two cents."

"I don't know Mary."

"Please."

"Does it have to be tonight?"

"Yes."

"Oh all right I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."

"Thank you bye."

"Bye."

After they hang up Mary turns to Nancy's counselor. "She'll be here in fifteen minutes."

"Good."

"Thanks for dinner." David says. "But I don't want to be a part of this." He leaves.

The counselor sighs. "If anyone else wants to back out speak now or forever hold your peace."

"OK, explain again just what we're going to do?" Joannie says.

"We're going to try to convince her that this won't go away. That if she's to get to the bottom of this that she needs to start doing something about it instead of just suffering through the nightmares."

"And we do that how?"

"But letting her know how it's affecting you."

"What does it matter how it affects us? What's important is how it's affecting her."

"Well from what I've gathered. She doesn't seem to think how it's affecting her is important. Maybe if she heard how it's affecting her family she'd consider seeking help."

"If I start, do I have to stick the whole thing out?"

"No you don't if it becomes too much you can leave the room."

"Ok, then I'm in."

They wait for Nancy to arrive and she shows up a little while later. Mary lets her in.

"So where's the wardrobe plans?"

"In the den."

They go into the den and Nancy observes everyone present.

"What's going on here?"

"We need to talk." Mary tells her.

"What are you doing here?" She asks the counselor.

"I'm here because you need me and your family has some things they want to say to you." The counselor says.

The family turns to Tom, waiting for him to start.

Nancy sits down hoping she'll get through this.

"Honey, we are worried about you."

"There's no reason to worry they're just nightmares."

"And the scars?"

"Why worry about something that doesn't hurt, most likely caused from when I fell during the earthquake anyway."

"Something is causing those nightmares Nancy."

"I can't concentrate well on my studies because I'm worried about you." Mary adds.

"Then don't worry."

"But we do," Abby points out. "Since you started acting strange and having nightmares, your father hasn't gotten a good night's sleep."

~That's not the only thing keeping me awake.~ Tom thinks.

"Would you all rather I'd go back to my old ways and complain anytime I felt ignored. I have to grow out of that sometime."

"They don't want that at all. They're just trying to help you." Her counselor says.

"I don't need help." Nancy claims.

"We all need help now and then," Abby says.

"Abby I'm all right really."

"No you're not." Mary says. "You act like what's going on with you is not important, but it is."

"Nancy why won't you talk to us?"

"There's not much too talk about. I already told you I can't remember what the dreams are about."
 

"What one Bradford does effects all Bradfords," Joannie chimes in.

"Got that right." Tom says.

"And I don't want it to affect all of you, can't you see I've put this family through too much already?"

"And you'll keep putting us through it if you don't get some help."

Nancy sighs and ponders her words.

Tom looks at Abby. ~So that's what up.~ "Nancy, you are wrong."

She tries to think of a reply but can't think of one.

"Unless you get help this is going to continue to eat away at you and your family." The counselor says.

"No it won't, and I can not believe you arranged this." Nancy says angry at the counselor for dragging her family into this.

"She didn't, Nancy," Abby says. 'We did."

"But....." She thinks it over some more. "Ok, I'll make an appointment if it'll put your minds at ease."

"Thank You." Tom says.

"You're welcome. "She answers.

"What day and time is good for you?" The counselor asks not believing her as easily.

"I guess Wednesday at noon is good." She says planning on calling to cancel.

"Good, I'll see you then." She says goodbye to the Bradford's and then leaves.

"Well I'd better get going I have to work tomorrow." She says to her family.

Sam starts to whine.

Nancy kneels down beside him and starts to pet him. "What is it little guy?"

"He doesn't want you to go." Nicholas says.

Nancy picks him up and hugs him. Sam gives her a kiss and she kisses him on the forehead. She considers taking him home for the night but decides against it. ~No, that would mean coming back.~ "I have to go." She gives Sam back to Nicholas while trying to hold back tears.

"Why don't you stay here tonight?" Tom suggests.

"I can't." She gives him a quick kiss and heads out the door to her car, she finally lets her tears fall when she gets home.

"Was that a disaster or did it go well?" Joannie asks.

Tom shrugs. "I don't have a clue."

"So what do we do next? Wait for Wednesday?" Abby asks.

"That's all we can do."

Mary sighs. "If it didn't work, I'm her oldest sister so I'll just beat her up." She jokes trying to lighten the mood.

Tom smiles on the outside, but sad on the inside.

Mary gives him a kiss and goes back to her studying.

Afterwards, Abby takes over Tom's study to work on her book.

Tom walks in. "Oh....hi."

"Hi," Abby says, making no move to vacate the premises.

"I see you are making yourself comfortable, need anything?"

"Some coffee would be great."

~I had to ask.~ Tom leaves to fetch the coffee.

"Thanks," Abby tells him when he comes back. She takes a sip of the coffee and places it on the desk, then turns back to the typewriter.

"I'll see you later then." Tom sighs.

"Thanks. I'll try not to stay up too late."

Tom leaves and goes upstairs to their bedroom.

Abby, oblivious, continues typing well into the night and only comes to bed when she's ready to drop.

Tom pretends to be asleep.

Abby kisses him and climbs into bed.

The next morning Elizabeth goes into the study for some blank paper.

As she goes through the drawers she finds the rejected manuscript.

Tommy walks by.

"Tommy, come here look at this." she says.

Tommy looks at the item. "No wonder he's been acting weird."

"Yeah, so what should we do?" Liz asks.

They hear footsteps. "Hurry, put it back." Tommy says.

Liz hurriedly puts the manuscript back hastily.

Mary peeks her head inside. "What are you two up to?"

"Looking for some paper." Liz says. She grabs it. "C'mon Tommy."

After Liz and Tommy leave the room. Mary checks things out and finds the manuscript. "Oh no, poor Dad." She puts it back and ponders whether to tell Abby or talk to her Dad about it. Mary decides to stay out of it, if her Dad wants Abby to know he'll tell her. She goes to the kitchen. "Morning." She says to her family.

"Good Morning," Tom replies.

She gives his shoulder a gentle sympathetic squeeze.

Tom continues reading the paper.

"Morning," Abby says, looking up from her notes.

"Is there any coffee made yet?"

"In the pot."

"Thank you." She gets a cup of coffee, drinks it, and then leaves finding it way too cold in there that particular morning.

Tommy and Elizabeth leave soon thereafter.

"And here I thought they were used to my cooking," Abby tries to joke.

"Yeah, well I better get to work." Tom says.

"My parents left last night, Tom. You don't have to run any more."

"I am not running."

"Since when do you go in to the office at 7:30?"

Tom looks at his watch. "Oh."

"Oh," Abby echoes. "So why are you running?"

"I'm not...I just have a lot of work to do."

"What ever happened to doing some of that work at home?"

"My study has been busy."

"You did offer it. If you wanted it back, you could have just said so."

"No, that's ok. I'll go to the office." he says as he leaves the kitchen.

Abby shakes her head, puzzled, but goes back to her coffee.

David walks in. "Where is everyone?"

"Mary, Elizabeth, and Tommy went off already. The others are still asleep, I think. Your father
headed off to work. And yes, it really is only 7:45."

"Is everything all right?"

"Why would I know? I'm only the wife. The wife is always the last to know."

"The last to know what?"

"Anything."

"Do you want me to talk to anyone?"

"Once your father's mood improves, everyone's will. I'll try talking to him later--but if I strike out, I'll ask you to pinch hit."

"You got it." David says.

"Thanks."

"Anytime," he finishes his coffee. "I'd better get to work, thanks for the coffee."

"The restaurant's always open."

He smiles and leaves for work.

Around noon Abby stops by the Register, hoping to surprise Tom and go for lunch with him.

"Hi." Donna says.

"Hi. Is the defender of the free press in?"

"He is in, but are you sure you want to see him. He's been a bear all day."

"Really?" Abby says, surprised. "He seemed so eager to get to work this morning."

"Well something is wrong." Donna says.

"My parents were just here. It's probably just residual pouting,"  Abby says, and heads towards Tom's office.

"Good Luck." Donna says.

"Thanks." Abby opens the door to Tom's office. "Hi."

"Hi, what are you doing here?"

"Didn't anyone warn you? It's 'Take your favorite journalist to lunch day'."

"And where are you taking me? The new tofu place?" he shudders.

"No. There's a new seafood place I thought we'd try."

"You got yourself a deal." Tom says as he pushes away from the typewriter.

"I told Donna it was nothing to worry about," Abby says.

"What was nothing to worried about?"

"Your being so grumpy this past day or two."

"Oh.' he says.

"Oh?" Abby asks.

"Just a lot on my mind."

Abby walks over towards his chair and begin to rub his shoulders. "Such as?"

"Well........Nancy for one." Tom says.

"That's understandable. We'll all be on pins and needles until after her appointment. What else?"

"There's nothing else." he lies. "Are you ready to go?"

"You said 'Nancy, for one'," Abby reminds him. "Do you want to take your car or mine?"

"Mine."

"I figured you'd say that."

Tom gets his jacket. "Where to?"

"I don't suppose you'd let me drive and keep the place a secret until we get there, would you?"

Tom hands her the keys.

Abby smiles. When they get in the car she tells him to close his eyes until they get where they're going.

Tom leans back in the seat and closes his eyes.

Abby drives and then parks the car.

"May I open my eyes?" Tom asks.

Abby leans over and gives him a kiss. "Yes, you may."

Tom opens his eyes. "Funny, this seafood restaurant looks just like our house."

"You are *so* smart," Abby laughs. "All the kids have things to do today and no one's due home for hours, so I got take away before I went to your office. It's in the trunk."

"What made you do this?" I thought you would be busy doing rewrites."

"Woman does not live by football alone."

"Oh? What else do they need?"

"Food. Someone to talk to. And one or two other things."

Tom smiles. "It looks like a long lunch."

"I was hoping you wouldn't need to go rushing back to the office."

"I think I can arrange it."

Abby gets out of the car. "Who knows? Maybe I'll even be able to get you to stop brooding about whatever it is you don't want to tell me you've been brooding over."

"You really want to know?"

Abby waits for Tom to get out of the car before answering. "Of course I do."

Tom escorts her into the house and study. "Look in the bottom bureau."

Abby opens the drawer and looks at the papers. "You're writing a book?" she asks enthusiastically. She looks a little further down and finds the rejection slips. "Oh. But what does that have to do with the textbook I'm doing?"

"I never thought I would be competing with my wife."

"This is a novel," Abby says. "It's not a textbook. What competition?"

"You are getting published, I'm not."

"You get published three days a week."

"I knew you wouldn't understand."

"Of course I don't. I couldn't write a newspaper column. And I certainly couldn't write a novel. Neither one of them is like a textbook at all. I've been writing lesson plans and handouts for years--why does it bother you that someone wants to print them?"

"I know its irrational, but I can't help the way I feel." Tom says. "You are one of a very few people who get to see their name printed on a book."

"Oh, Tom, that is so silly. My name will be printed on a book and high school students throughout the country will have the pleasure of seeing how they can deface it."

"That's not what Elliott said."

"Elliot Randolph? Your publisher?"

Tom nods. "He says with the 49'ers involved. It could be really big. I am happy for you, I really am but I can't help feeling a bit jealous."

"He also said that you're a deviant because your wife is a man."

Tom is confused until he remembers. He laughs.

"All I'm saying is don't take Elliot Randolph's predictions as gospel."

"He sounded so sure."

"He's a publisher. He's supposed to sound sure about things he knows nothing about."

"I suppose." he says. "So, are you upset with me?"

"Only for wasting your competitive energy on envy," Abby flirts.

Tom shakes his head. "I've been a fool."

"You're so cute when you admit you were wrong."

"I don't like being cute." he pouts.

"That's a pity. You're irresistible when you're cute."

"Humph." he jokes. "I'm starved."

"If you won't be cute for me, why should I feed you?" Abby jokes back.

"Ok for you only, I'll be cute."

"You're such a good husband," Abby says and kisses him. "You go into the dining room--I've got it all set up. I'll just get the food and be right with you."

Tom loosens his tie and goes into the dining room.

"Oh, and could you light the candles?" Abby calls out before hurrying out to the car to get the take away. Back in the kitchen she puts it on serving plates, then brings it to Tom.

Tom lights the candles. "Wow that smells good."

"Thank you," Abby says, setting the food down on the table and herself down in Tom's lap.

"The food doesn't smell too bad either."

"Oh, thank you again," Abby laughs and begins kissing Tom.

Tom kisses her back. "Somehow I think we'd be more comfortable upstairs."

"But what about your lunch?" Abby asks innocently.
 
"We will take it with us."

"That could get awfully messy....let's do it."

Tom takes the dishes.

Abby carefully takes the candles and the wine.

"Don't forget to the lock the doors."

"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

"Would you if it had been me?"

"I could be bribed into forgetting."

Tom raises his eyebrows. "I could too."

"I thought you journalists were incorruptible."

"Depends what the offer is."

"Whatever it would take to make you forget."

"Hmmm." Tom says. "How about a love slave?" he jokes.

"I'll have to check where I can hire one."

"There is only one lady I want."

"I didn't realize the terms 'love slave' and 'lady' went together."

Tom laughs. "I was joking."

Abby locks the door. "That's a pity."

"You confuse me."

"Good. Now just what is it you'd want from this love slave, assuming I'd be interested in the job?"

"Just your love." he says.

"That you'll always have."

"So do you want the job?"

"Don't I have to audition for it?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"How long a lunch can you take?"

"As long as you want me to."

"I think until about 1985 should work."

Tom chuckles. "I think the tables have been turned and now I am the love slave."

"I'll be a considerate mistress."

Tom blushes.

Abby kisses him. "You slaves--all talk and no action."

"Well, if its action you want...." Tom says.

~I'll make him forget all about that stupid door.~

A little while later the front door is shut "Anyone home?" Nicholas asks.

"Nicholas, what is he doing home?" Tom asks.

"Ever hear the phrase 'turns up like a bad penny'?" Abby grumbles. "Want me to check? You're not even supposed to be here."

"He does have bad timing." Tom says as he hands her her robe.

"That's an understatement. Just wait right here," Abby says, getting into her robe. "Are you getting a sense of deja vu about this?"

"Very." he grumbles.

"I'll be back as fast as I can. But if he asks what we've been doing...."

"Tell him we were tired and napping."

"Tom, he's young, not stupid," Abby says. She opens the door and heads out into the hall. "Nicholas? That you?"

"Yeah." He says as he climbs the stairs.

"What are you doing home so soon? I thought you were going swimming."

"I was until the attendants saw my back." he lifts his shirt to show her the red spots.

"Ew. Those look bad. Maybe you ate something you're allergic to. Go take a shower and I'll call Dr. Max."

"OK." Nicholas says and then sees her in the robe. "You sick too?"

"Um, no. I was--um...your dad was tired, so he came home to rest, and then I got tired too..." Abby stumbles her way through an explanation.

"Oh." he says not really listening as he heads for the shower.

Abby goes back to her bedroom, closes the door and leans on it. "Next time, come up with a better excuse," she tells Tom. "What's Nicholas allergic to?"

"Nothing that I know of, why?"

"His back is full of red spots. Looks like a pretty bad allergic reaction."

"Red Spots?......Oh no." Tom says.

"It's just an allergic..." Abby takes a good look at Tom's face..."isn't it?"

"Do you remember when you were 7 or 8 years old?"

"Vaguely."

"OK, does the word measles mean anything to you?" Tom says as he dials the phone.

"Never had 'em," Abby says. "Wait--you think Nicholas has the measles? Didn't he get immunized?"

"I don't know, Joan usually took care of those things."

"Oh, great. You didn't tell me. How was I supposed to know that I was supposed to keep track of their shots, too? He's probably vulnerable to half a dozen things by now."

"Dr Maxwell, please. This is Tom Bradford, yes I'll hold." Tom says into the phone. "Abby, I did take him for his yearly physical."

"I hope that was enough."

"I haven't neglected him." Tom says.

"I never said you did. What are they doing, hauling Max in from the golf course?"

"Yes I still will hold, tell him its regarding Nicholas." Tom says to the receptionist. Soon Dr. Max comes on the line. "Greg?" Tom tells him of the problem and then hangs up. "He'll be in here in an hour."

"What are we supposed to do for Nicholas in the mean time?"

"Right now, just baking soda and cool water on the spots." Tom says. "I better get dressed."

"You might as well just tell Nicholas to stay in the shower."

"He'll be a prune by the time Max gets here." Tom says as he gets dressed. "May I have your car keys please? I am going to run down to the pharmacy for some Calamine Lotion."

"Your keys are in my bag," Abby says. "I left it in your study."

Tom kisses her. "Take a rain check?"

"I didn't think I had a choice. Isn't up to the slave, is it?" Abby says, kissing him.

Tom smiles. "One day, I will make this up for both of us."

"We're going to run away from home?"

"I think parents are allowed." he jokes.

"I wish," Abby sighs. "You'd better get going or I'll be tempted not to let you go at all."

Tom looks at her then leaves.

Abby sighs, then gets dressed and goes to check on Nicholas.

Elizabeth is walking up the stairs as Abby goes into the hall. "I just saw Dad leave, everything OK?"

"What are you doing back so early? Don't tell me you're sick, too."

"No, it was an early day."

~Note to self: Never believe Bradfords when they say the houose will be empty....~ "Oh. Well, stay away from Nicholas, at least until we know what he has. Your father thinks it's the measles."

"Ew, poor kid. I hope he fares better than Tommy did."

"Tommy? What happened to Tommy when he had them?"

"He was miserable, the itch nearly drove him crazy not to mention our mother.'

"I thought it was chicken pox that itched," Abby sighs. 'Guess I've got a lot to learn."

"Maybe it was chicken pox, I was only 8 at the time." Elizabeth says.

"Well, we'll know for sure once Dr. Max gets here. I'm going to check if Nicholas needs anything."

"OK." Liz says.
 

Nicholas is trying to find something to scratch his back with.

"Whatever you do, don't scratch," Abby says from the doorway. "Your father went to get something to soothe the itch and Dr. Max is on his way over."

"But it itches."

"I know, but if you scratch, you'll make it worse. Like mosquito bites."

Tommy soon comes home and goes upstairs. "Hey what's up?"

"Did you have chicken pox, the measles, or both?" Abby asks.

"Chicken Pox, why?"

"'Cause Nicholas has something--measles or chicken pox. You share a room, so I wanted to make sure you're immune. What did your parents do for your itching?"

"Baking soda and water as I recall." Tommy says. "It stop the itching somewhat but not all the way."

"It's worth a shot," Abby says. "Even if it's the measles, I don't see that baking soda and water will hurt."

"Anything I can do?"

"Keep Nicholas from scratching. It's too big a job for me."

"Maybe I can distract him with some new comic books."

"That should work, at least long enough for me to make up the baking soda and water."

Tommy goes into his room and gives Nicholas the comic books.

Abby goes downstairs, mixes up a paste of baking soda and water, then goes back to the boys' room. "Room service."

"What's that?" Nicholas asks.

"Hopefully relief," Abby says, holding up the paste. "Tommy says your  mother used this when he had chicken pox--maybe it'll work on whatever is  making you itch, too. Let me at your back."

Nicholas gives Tommy is she for real look.

Tommy smiles. "Trust us, it'll help."

Nicholas turns over on his stomach.

Abby gives Tommy a ~this better work~ look and spreads the paste on Nicholas's red spots.

"This feels weird."

"Good weird?" Abby checks.

Nicholas nods.

"Good," Abby says, and spreads it on thicker.

Tom comes home from the store with the Calamine lotion.

"How are you doing champ?" he asks Nicholas.

"Better." he says.

One hour later Dr. Maxwell shows up and rings the doorbell.

Tom answers the door. "Come on in Greg."

Greg enters. "Tom I've been after you for I don't know how long to get Nicholas vaccinated against the measles."

"Thanks a lot Max."

Max smiles and then goes to examine Nicholas. Afterwards he meets Tom and Abby in the hallway. "It's not the measles it's Chicken Pox. Thankfully the other kids have already had it."

"What can we do for him?"

"I'll prescribe an antihistamine to relieve the itching and a local anesthetic that he can use as a mouth rinse to decrease the itching in the mouth if he gets blisters there. Also, soaking in a tub of burrow's solution which you can get from the drug store, will dry up the blisters and stop the itching. Also, an oatmeal bath will make him feel better, just use regular oatmeal, grind it up in a blender and put the ground oatmeal in a warm bath. You should also put calamine lotion on the blisters to dry them up and relieve the itching."

Tom has a hard time taking all of this in. "Would you repeat that please?" he jokes.

"Yeah right Tom." Max jokes back.

"Thanks Greg."

"Not a problem."

After Greg leaves. Mary comes home and notices the commotion. "What's going on?" She asks.

"Nicholas has the chicken pox." Tom says.

"Poor guy, I hope he feels better soon." Mary says and then starts to go to her to study till she finally remembers that she's out for the Summer. "Dad, Abby I'm losing it." She laughs.

"Huh?" Tom asks.

"I forgot for a few seconds that it's Summer Time for college students."

"Summer, eh?" Tom says. "So soon?"

"Yeah we all go out a couple of days after Nancy's accident and regular school gets out next week."

"Hmmm." Tom thinks.

"Hmm what?"

"Oh Nothing." Tom smiles

"Uh ok."

One week or so later at Nancy's. The nightmares have been worsening and while trying to figure out why they're occurring she starts to spend less and less time with her family. Not wanting them to become more suspicious that something is wrong. One night Noah comes over.

"What do you mean you want to break up? I thought you loved me."

"Nancy I do but I need some time to make sure it's real. Can we still be friends?"

"Sure why not can you please go now?"

"Come on don't be like that."

"Noah I'm tired and I have to work tomorrow, please leave."

"Fine." He leaves.

She starts crying and picks up the phone to call Abby, but then hangs it up. ~She has enough to worry about.~

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