New Tunes, Part 2
Joannie and Mary finish eating and leaves the restaurant to go home. Joannie walks in the front door, and sees Tom in his study.
"Hi Dad!"
"Hi Joannie." Tom says typing on his column.
"How is your column going?"
Tom shrugs. "As well as always, what's up."
Joannie shrugs, "Nothing much."
"When you say nothing, it usually means something." Tom says stopping what he is doing.
"Did Abby tell you about our talk this morning?"
"Yes." Tom admits.
"I can't blame her for being suspicious. I have not been step-daughter of the year with the way I have treated her at times, I also know it will take time for her not to be suspicious with me."
"It takes more than words Joannie." Tom tells her.
"I know Dad. I just wish I could take everything back that I have done."
"What's done is done. Just take things one day at a time."
"I love you Dad!"
"I love you too Joannie."
"I'm going to see if Abby needs any help in getting dinner ready."
"I think she'll like that." he says.
Joannie walks into the kitchen. "Hi Abby, hi Nicky. Would you like more help making dinner?"
"I can always use another hand," Abby says.
"What do you want me to make?"
"Could you start a salad?"
"Sure thing Abby." When Joannie get the stuff out of the fridge, she spots Nicholas. "What's up Nicky?"
"Nothing...you?" he says while rolling the meatballs.
"Nothing much for me either," she says while making the salad. "Are you enjoying your summer off from school?"
"Yeah, Kenny P is coming to visit."
~Oh no! What kind of trouble is Kenny going to get Nicholas into~ Joannie
thinks to herself.
"You must be thrilled!"
"I am."
"Kenny P. Landers is coming to visit," Abby repeats slowly. "Where's he staying?"
"His uncle lives a couple blocks away, his parents are going to Europe for a couple of months."
"Isn't that nice for them. So--when is he going to be here?"
"Day after tomorrow."
"And how long is he staying?"
"A month." he says rolling the meatballs.
Abby tries to work out the dates in her head. "Um...I'll be right back."
Nancy smells what she is cooking and wishes she can eat what everyone else is having for dinner. ~Two or three more days to real food.~ She keeps thinking to herself.
Liz walks in.
"Hey there."
"There you are, I was wondering where you were."
"It got boring in the bedroom."
"More exciting down here?" she jokes.
"Well there is the tv, and sometimes it's entertaining." She jokes back. "You know that spaghetti sure smells good."
"I know." Liz says. "Maybe Abby'll let you have a little."
"I sure hope so."
A little while later Abby comes into the tv room for something. "That food sure smells good Abby." Nancy says.
"Well, I did have help."
"I was wondering something. Would a small amount be considered too dangerous for someone who can't have solid food right now?"
"Probably. But maybe I could puree some of the meatballs, make a soup for you out of that."
"That would be great, thank you Abby."
"Hey, just because you're sick doesn't mean you have to suffer."
"I like the way you think."
"I've heard that before." ~Like father, like daughter.~
"From a lot of people?"
"Just the important ones."
Nancy smiles and can't think of how to reply so she asks. "How did it go with your meeting?"
"Fine. Lots of planning. They want me to do a lot of publicity, but I'm fighting them."
"Why are you fighting them?"
"Some of the teams want to turn this into something it's not and make it into part of their charity work. That'd mean me flying to other cities to do publicity for the book."
"And you don't want it to get out of control."
"More like I don't want your father getting out of control."
"Ahh I see."
"There's standing up for what's yours, and there's pushing your luck, and I'm trying to walk the fine line between them."
"That sounds very difficult."
"Nothing good in life is easy."
"I agree with you there."
"I'll go make you your meatball soup now, or you'll be going hungry while the rest of us eat. You up to sitting at the table, or should I serve you here?"
"Here would be better." Nancy says.
"No problem."
"Thanks Abby, I love you."
"I love you, too, Nancy." ~Why is it so much easier to say that to her than to Joannie?~
She reaches over and gives Abby a hug.
Abby hugs her back. "Hey, don't exert yourself too much, or you won't have strength to eat."
"Don't worry I'll be good." Nancy says.
Joannie enters the room. "Abby, the salad is done," she says, then she
starts talking to Nancy.
"How you feeling Nance?"
Abby backs away from Nancy. "Thanks, Joannie. I'd better go check the rest of the food." She heads towards the kitchen.
"A little better, still having a little trouble with the breathing thing," Nancy says.
"Do you want me to sneak some real food to you?"
"That's ok, Abby's hooking me up."
"That's good. You are lucky, you got a good relationship with her, on the other I think I messed things up with her so badly, that I am not sure if she wants anything to do with me," Joannie says in a sad tone.
"Of course she will it's just something you need to work on."
"Did you know that Kenny P. Landers is coming for a visit?" Joannie asks with a look of doom on her face.
"No I didn't." She coughs and sneezes.
"Nicholas told me."
"It'll be all right."
"We better call the national guard to come and protect Sacramento."
Joannie laughs. "Bye the way Nancy, have you seen the home movie camera?"
"No." Nancy falls asleep.
Abby heads for the study. "We may have a problem," she tells Tom.
"When don't we have a problem?" he states. "Which kid and what?"
"Kenny P. Landers is spending the summer in the neighborhood."
Tom stops typing. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me. Kenny P. is coming day after tomorrow and staying a month."
"Maybe we can ship Nicholas to your parents tomorrow?" He half-seriously considers.
"I don't think Pasadena is far enough away."
"Terrific, I thought we saw the last of him." He sighs.
"Were we being serious about sending the kids to Pasadena? Because if we leave and Nicholas and Kenny P. Landers are both in this neighborhood..." Abby trails off, unwilling to give voice to every parent's nightmare.
"I was serious." Tom says. "But the problem is from tomorrow and when we leave in two weeks."
"I can handle the two of them for two weeks. He is staying with his uncle--he'll have to go home sometime, right? But you know Nicholas won't want to go to Pasadena if his best friend is visiting Sacramento."
"Why can't my kids ever make things easy?"
"Because they take after their father?"
"That's not funny." he pouts.
Abby walks around to his side of the desk. "And I love them almost as much as I love their father."
Tom's face softens. "So when do we break the news?"
"When do you think it's safest?"
"From the cruise ship?" he jokes.
"Kind of hard to haul them out of town if we're not here to make sure it happens."
"Tonight at dinner, might as well get the protests over with."
"Well, first let me call my parents and see if they'll take them."
"Ok..." he kisses her.
"Do that again and I won't want to go call."
"Call...Call, that was just a preview of coming attractions."
"Tease." Abby sits in his lap and picks up the phone, dialing her parents.
Katherine soon answers, "hello."
"Hi, Mom," Abby says, trying to sound chipper.
"Hi honey is everything ok?"
"Pretty much. How are you and Dad?"
"We're doing fine, how are the kids?"
"Great. Starting to make plans for the summer."
"And how is Tom?"
Abby turns and smiles at Tom.
Tom smiles back.
"Tom's fine. So, what are the two of you doing this summer?"
"Not much of anything."
"Then maybe I could ask you a favor?"
"Anything you want. You know that."
"We'd like to send Elizabeth, Tommy, and Nicholas to you for a few weeks. Tom and I were thinking of going away, you see."
Katherine smiles. "When are they coming?" She asks already making plans for their arrival.
Abby turns to Tom. "When do we want to take them down?"
"Yesterday?" he thinks about the Kenny P. invasion.
"Tom..." Abby chides.
"Next week." he sighs.
"Next week OK, Mom?" Abby asks into the phone.
"Next week is fine." She says. "Call me with the details as soon as you have them, and where are you and Tom going?"
"On a cruise. Just the two of us, and nothing that can interrupt."
"Oh that is going to be wonderful."
"I certainly hope it will be. I'd better go and tell the kids the plan."
"I'll talk to you later then, I love you. Give Tom and the kids my love."
"I will. I love you, Mom."
Abby hangs up and turns to Tom. "All set. Now we just have to break it to the kids."
''OK.'' Tom says. 'During dinner?"
"The worst that can happen is they all leave in protest and I don't have to cook tomorrow," Abby agrees.
Tommy comes in the house all excited.
"Hey, Tommy," Abby calls through the open doorway. "You certainly look happy."
"I am, our band got our first gig for the summer.'' Tommy says. ''Isn't that great?"
"Wonderful," Abby says, trying not to sound as anxious as she is. "When is it?"
"In two weeks. I better get the band here to practice." Tommy says going off before Tom can say anything.
Abby buries her head against Tom's shoulder. "We're in deep trouble here."
"Terrific....." Tom says. "I knew I should have forbade him into starting this band.''
"How can we tell him he can't take this gig?"
"Are you willing to tell him yourself he can't?"
"Maybe only sending Nicholas to my parents wouldn't be such a bad idea. He would get lots of attention that way."
Tom sighs. ''But who do we have to look after Tommy and Elizabeth?"
"We left them here when we were on our honeymoon," Abby reminds him.
Tom shakes his head. "What the heck, OK.''
Abby kisses him. "Besides, if he's off playing, how much trouble can he get into?"
"Do you really want me to answer that question?"
"Probably not," Abby laughs.
"When's dinner?"
"Too soon."
"I know, care for a small drink before we go to the invasion?"
"I think I may need one."
"Wine or something stronger?"
"What are you having?"
"Scotch."
"Well, maybe not quite that strong."
Tom laughs.
"Wine, I guess, then."
Tom pours her a glass and decides to have a glass of wine instead.
"Well, here's to taking desperate chances."
They clink glasses. When they're done drinking, Abby heads back to the kitchen to check on dinner.
Joannie enters Tom's study. "Did Abby break the bad news to you."
"Which one?"
"That your most favorite kid in the world is visiting," Joannie laughs.
"Ha Ha." Tom says. "Yes she told me." he sighs.
"I feel your pain Dad."
"Thank you....I think." he says.
"Remember the first day that Nicholas brought Kenny home from school?" Joannie says with a look of doom on her face.
"How could I forget...we were picking up pillow feathers for weeks."
"How are you going to keep Nicholas from getting into trouble thanks to Kenny P?"
"Abby said she can keep an eye on them."
"When I am around, I also can keep a eye on them."
''No plays this summer?"
"Next week I have a audition."
"For what?"
"A production of Grease."
~At least its not a nude production.~ Tom thinks. ''Break a leg.''
"Thanks Dad, and I think I know what you are thinking."
"Oh?"
"I promise no more nude scenes." Joannie laugh.
"Well that does my heart good."
"That's good, who else would I have to torture." Joannie smiles.
"Cute."
"I thought so." Joannie says.
They go into the dining room. Mary is there setting the table. "Is it time for dinner?" She asks.
Abby walks in from the kitchen. "I think so. I'll go get the food. Tom, why don't you call everyone down? But let Nancy sleep; she can eat later."
"OK.'' he says and soon everyone is at the dinner table.
Tommy is still talking about his band
Abby brings in the food. As she passes by Tom she whispers, "Well?"
"Do you two have an announcement to make or something?" Mary asks.
"Abby and I have something to tell you." He stutters out.
Abby smiles at Tom and waits for the kids to ask "what?".
"What is it?" Mary asks.
"What is it Dad? Joannie asks.
Tommy, Elizabeth, and Nicholas listen.
"Abby and I are taking a cruise in two weeks."
"That sounds romantic." Mary smiles at them.
Abby smiles back at Mary. ~So far so good.~
"You two deserve it." Joannie says.
Tommy and Elizabeth look at each other. "That's great!"
Abby looks at Tom and mouths, ~Tell them the rest.~
"Yes we think its great too." Tom says. Avoiding the whole story.
"And we were thinking," Abby takes the bull by the horns, "that things didn't go exactly smoothly last time we went off alone."
"And?" Mary asks.
"Any of you who'd like to get out of town while we're out of town are invited to stay at my parents in Pasadena."
"I'd like to go." Mary says wanting to avoid the pressure of being in charge this time.
"Anyone else?" Abby asks. "Nicholas, I think you should go. I know your Grandma Katherine's been thinking up all sorts of special treats just for you."
"But what about Kenny P?"
"You'll have time to visit with Kenny P. before you go."
"By that time I am sure his Uncle will have other plans for him." Tom says. "Like J.H." he whispers quietly.
"Huh?" Nicholas asks.
"Oh nothing.'' Tom responds.
"Tom," Abby hisses.
''Yes, Dear?" he says innocently.
Abby gives him a look.
He winks at her.
Abby shakes her head.
"I would like to go and visit Grandpa Harry and Grandma Katherine's." Joannie says.
"No plays this summer?" Abby asks.
"I have a audition Monday. It has been a slow summer so far. I'm thinking of a change of career choice." Joannie says
"If you're auditioning Monday, going out of town may not be a good idea," Abby points out. "And why change careers? From all that I've heard, you're a born actress."
"I would like a backup plan just in case I am not." Joannie stops herself from finishing her sentence.
"I've seen you perform. You will be."
"Thanks Abby. anyway it would be a week or so before I hear anything from the play director. I could always give them Grandpa Harry's phone number. Do you think it be all right with Grandpa Harry if I did that?"
"Well, I don't think he'd mind you getting phone calls, but my father--well, he doesn't have the highest opinion of actors."
"I'll give him a call after dinner to ask him. I am pretty sure that I am one actor or actress he does not mind." Joannie smiles.
"You he doesn't mind. You're acting, on the other hand..." Abby trails off ~especially the way you act towards me.~
"I can't I have a gig." Tommy says ~Whew.~
"Uh...no thanks, I'll stay." Elizabeth replies.
"Pity," Abby says to Elizabeth. "I thought you'd like Pasadena."
"I have other plans."
"Oh? What?"
"Dance classes."
"There are some really good dance classes in Pasadena. My mother might even drive you to LA for classes if you want."
"Hmm...that might be worth thinking about."
"When Joannie speaks to my mother, you should, too."
"OK.''
"Need any help washing the dishes or anything?" Joannie asks.
"Not yet," Abby says. "Could you go bring in desert, though? It's in the oven."
"Sure!" Joannie goes get the desert. "Abby, this looks good."
"Thanks," Abby says. She gives Tom a ~What's with her?~ look.
~Aliens have taken over my daughter's body.~ Tom thinks.
~Abby thinks I am nuts. I just want to make things good between us.~ Joannie is thinking to herself.
When Joannie brings the desert to the table, Abby smiles at her and says "Thanks."
"No problem Abby." Joannie smiles right back.
Abby slices the pie and hands out the pieces.
Joannie starts talking to Tommy. "How is the band going little brother?"
"Its going good, Big sister.''
"That's good." Joannie looks at her Dad.
"Dad, could I use one of the cars to drive up to Pasadena? I could take whoever wants to go. That would save you and Abby a trip."
''Thanks, but our cruise ship leaves from down there anyway, so I'll drive." Tom says.
"I just wanted to make sure that a mode of transportation to get back here if some miracle happens and I get a part in the play I'm trying out for."
"You can drop us off at the ship."
"Deal! How long you and Abby going to be gone?"
After dinner, Joannie dials her grandparents' phone number.
"Hello," Katherine answers.
"Hi Grandma Katherine."
"Hi honey, how are you?"
"I am doing good. How are you and Grandpa Harry doing?"
"We're fine dear."
"That is good." Joannie explains to her about the audition on Monday. "Is it ok I leave the producers your guys phone number if they to reach me?"
"Of course, does this mean you're coming too?" Katherine smiles.
"Yes I am, If you do not mind."
"Of course I don't mind, the more the merrier."
"I love you Grandma Katherine. I better be going . Liz would like to talk to you. Give Grandpa Harry my love. Bye."
"Bye honey I love you too." She waits for Elizabeth to come on the phone.
"Hey Liz, Did you want to talk to Grandma Katherine?"
"Yeah, thanks." Liz says.
"You're welcome."
A couple of hours later Nancy awakens with a growling stomach.
Abby is in the kitchen, her nose in a book.
Nancy walks into the kitchen and sits down. "Did you guys eat dinner yet?"
"Long time ago," Abby gets up and goes over to the stove. "I kept your meatball soup warm for you."
"Thanks Abby." She says.
Abby dishes up a bowl of soup and brings it to Nancy.
Between eating her soup. "Anything happen while I was asleep?"
"Well, not exactly while you were asleep, but yes, your father had an announcement he made at dinner. He and I are going away in a few weeks--we're going to take a cruise, just the two of us."
Nancy smiles, "Oh my, you two will have so much fun."
"That's what I'm hoping."
"You will, Noah and I looked into doing that once. You wouldn't believe all the things that are included in those cruises."
"Well, I'm not sure what your father and I might both be interested in doing, but I'm sure we'll figure something out." ~Good--she's talking about Noah's life, not just his death.~
"Yeah, so how did Mary take having to be in charge again?"
"She ducked out--and pretty smart of her, too. My parents offered a vacation from Sacramento to anyone who wants--you included."
"I'd love to but I already promised Tommy that I would come see him and his band perform and I already promised Joannie that I would come and see her play." She says. "Hey maybe after I do that I can go and visit with them."
"I wouldn't be so sure about Joannie's play--she's planning to go down to Pasadena, too."
Nancy is stunned. "Am I running a fever now or did you just say that Joannie plans to miss her play?"
"That's what she said. Apparently, she thinks she isn't going to get the part."
"That is silly, what is she thinking?"
"I'm just about to give up on trying to figure that question out."
"I'll try talking to her."
"Good luck."
"Thank you."
After feeding Nancy Abby retreats upstairs with her book and waits for Tom to join her.
Tom soon comes in.
Abby closes her book and looks at Tom.
"What's wrong?"
"Could you have been a little less helpful telling the kids tonight?"
"Huh?"
"I thought you were going to break the bad news, but I'm the one who had to negotiate with them. Don't I already have enough with whatever game Joannie's playing?"
"I'm sorry, OK?" Tom says.
"I know," Abby sighs. "I hope my parents can cope with the influx."
Tom chuckles.
"I'm glad you're laughing. Could you see my father dealing with Elizabeth if she takes a drink from his liquor cabinet? Or my mom dealing with what Joannie's put us through? And I won't even mention how they'd react to find one of Nicholas's frogs in the bed with them."
"Who cares? We'll be in the middle of an ocean sipping Mai Tais."
"And when we come back, I'd like to see both my parents and our kids still alive. This has the potential to be the worst disaster since the '68 Democratic Convention."
"Abby, do you realized what has just happened?"
"No, what?"
"We've changed roles." Tom says as he crawls into bed.
Abby closes her bedside light and turns to him. "If we've changed roles..."
"Yes?" he says innocently.
Abby gives him a passionate kiss and then rolls back to her own side of the bed. "Good night."
"That's it?" Tom says. "Just goodnight?"
Abby turns back over, snuggles up to him and whispers in his ear, "Of course that's not it."
~Women are a mystery to me.~ he thinks. "Then.....?"
"Then I'll snore in your ear all night and steal the covers," Abby teases.
"You are crazy," he tells her.
"Well, we are switching roles," Abby points out.
"Touche" he says.
"So, if you were still you, what would you do instead of saying 'good night'?"
"Watch Johnny Carson?" he jokes
"The remote's on your night stand."
Tom kisses her. "Nah...this is better."
"You sure? I don't do monologues."
"That's ok."
"And there are no celebrity guests."
"Who cares...when I have you."
Abby smiles at him. "Well, you do have me--at least until some kid or the other starts knocking at the door."
"The other?"
"We do have 7 roommates. If it's not one having a crisis, it's the other. Or all of them."
"Maybe tonight will be quiet."
"You believe that? You know, there's this lovely bridge in San Francisco you might be interesting in buying, too."
"Hey...there is always the first time."
"Yes, and that first time the kids don't interrupt will be when we're beyond their reach."
"That'll be nice."
"It will be, won't it?" Abby sighs. "I do love the kids, you know that, but sometimes..."
"I know." he agrees
"I never thought I'd hear you say that."
"Don't you think I know how irritating they can be at times?"
"Tom, they're not irritating. Well, not exactly."
"I love my kids. I would die for them but...I do know what you mean."
Abby snuggles up to him. "Good. I was afraid you might think that I was being too evil stepmother-ish."
Tom chuckles. "If you are then I'll never be father of the year."
"If your kids get to vote, I don't think you ever will be--unless they want extended curfews and allowances."
"Bribery." He states.
"If it gets us some time alone, I'm all for it."
"Yeah."
"My parents will survive them, won't they?"
"Sure they will."
"Who knows? Maybe they'll even appreciate you a little more afterwards."
"You think?"
"Anything's possible."
"I suppose." he yawns.
"Go to sleep," Abby laughs.
"I can't help it if I'm tired.''
"Poor man. You need your rest."
"At least you didn't call me old man."
"I will if you want me to."
"You do and I go on the cruise alone."
"Ooo, looks like I found a sensitive spot."
"Goodnight." he says.
Abby kisses him. "Goodnight."
"Abby, I love you."
"I love you, too."
They both fall asleep.