Mary goes upstairs to Nancy and Elizabeth's bedroom and witnesses Nancy hiding something under her blanket.
"Doesn't anyone knock anymore?"
"Nancy we need to talk."
"I don't want to talk leave me alone."
"Joannie said." Mary tells her what Joannie had told her.
"Yeah, so."
"So what is going on with you? Are you depressed again?"
"Leave me alone Mary."
"What are you hiding under the blanket."
"None of your business, now will you please get out of my room."
"Not till you tell me what's going on."
"I don't want to."
They argue for a bit leaving Mary at her wits end. She leaves the room and seeks Joannie out.
"Any luck?"
"I think we should call Dad and Abby." Mary says seriously.
"Maybe we should give Abby's parents another try. I mean, she's not acting like she does when she needs her medication changed. Just--sneaky."
"She was hiding something upstairs."
"I can divert her while you check it out," Joannie suggests.
"Ok." They go upstairs.
"Nancy, I need to go buy some stuff for the party. Can you help me?" Joannie asks.
"Sure." Nancy leaves with Joannie while Mary checks under the covers.
She finds and envelope and opens it up with a note that reads.
I bet you thought this was drugs or something else illegal. Nope just a note. You can put it back now Mary.
Mary reads it over again and is torn between laughing and wringing her younger sisters necks. She meets them in the driveway when they get home. "I have bad news you two."
Joannie looks at Nancy and smiles. She then turns back to Mary. "What's wrong?"
"You're both adopted." She says and then sprays shaving cream all over the both of them.
"Mary! This is war," Joannie screams and heads for the hose.
Mary cackles and then the water fight ensues with Nancy and Joannie ganging up on her.
Harry steps out of the house and then retreats back when he gets hit with a stream of water. "Katherine!"
"I'm in the kitchen!!"
"Those girls..." he walks into the kitchen, dripping, "those girls are outside having a water fight."
She laughs. "Sounds like fun."
"They got me wet!" he fumes.
"Harry it'll be all right, go upstairs and get yourself dried off."
"Do something about those girls, Katherine."
"I'm not going out there till the fight is over."
"Coward."
"I'll talk to them after they're done."
"If you won't talk to them now, I will," Harry says, headed toward the back door.
"I don't recommend that."
Harry doesn't answer. He walks out of the house and turns off the water before confronting the girls.
"What the..." Nancy says when the water runs out.
"Mary, are you stepping on the hose?" Joannie screams.
"Hi Grandpa Harry." Nancy smiles.
"Don't you girls realize that this state suffers from a chronic water shortage?"
Mary stifles back a laugh.
"It's not bad enough that someone can't have a water fight every once in awhile is it?" Nancy asks.
"*Someone* can. *You* may not."
"Ok, it will never happen again." Mary says.
"It had better not."
After he goes inside the girls burst out laughing. After they're done. "Do me a favor you two, don't do that to me again please." Mary says about their plot. "You scared me."
"We won't do it again to you," Joannie says, "on one condition."
"And what's that?"
"Pick someone for the three of us to do it to next."
Mary laughs and says. "David."
"Already been done." Nancy says.
"Tommy?"
"That could work."
"What are we going to do to him?" Nancy asks.
"Something with his music."
"We'd have to get his band involved."
"Even better."
The three of them start plotting, soon they contact Tommy's band and meet them at a place that none of the high schoolers hang out at.
"I don't know man," the drummer says. "Tommy might kill us."
"Or plot the same thing against us," the keyboarder adds.
"Come on guys it'll be fun." Nancy says.
"And deep down, you know Tommy'll like the attention," Joannie adds.
"I say we go for it." The Bass Guitarist says.
"You won't regret it."
"I sure hope not." He replies.
"Have I ever lied to you?" Joannie asks.
"So far no."
"Then don't worry about it."
"Ok, we'll call him tonight at eight."
"We'll make sure he's home."
"Cool and what are you ladies doing after?"
Joannie rolls her eyes.
"We have to go now." Nancy says.
"Don't forget to call." Mary adds and then the sisters leave.
"What a dork," Joannie says when they're safely out of earshot.
Nancy laughs. "Yeah but a cute dork for a kid that is."
"Good ol' Nancy, always something nice to say about the boys...."
"I think she was born that way." Mary adds.
Nancy laughs but also saddens slightly thinking about Noah.
"Come on, we'd better start working our end of the plan," Joannie says.
"You're right." Nancy says breaking out of her reverie.
Joannie puts an arm around Nancy's shoulders
"I'm ok." Nancy says but rests her head on Joannie's shoulder anyway.
"Is it at least getting easier?" Mary asks her.
"Somewhat, the grief comes and goes in moments instead of lasting all day."
"Come on, let's distract you, kid."
"Sounds good to me." Nancy says.
They go shopping while working out the details in their part of the plot.
Later that night at 8:03pm the phone rings. Nancy answers and talks to the caller for a second. "Tommy it's for you."
Tommy goes to the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey Tommy, I have bad news man."
"What?"
"I can't be in the band anymore and neither can the rest of the guys."
"WHAT!!!" He says loudly. "WHY?"
"Our parents won't let us." He lies.
"But what happened?"
"They think we've been going to seedy places."
"But we have signed gigs lined up."
"Sorry buddy." He says.
"This is just great! Now what am I going to do."
He shrugs and soon hangs up. Meanwhile in the kitchen. Nancy says to Joannie loud enough for Tommy to hear. "I can't believe they did that to him. To abandon our brother just because they found a better deal."
Tommy steps in..."What ya mean, a better deal?"
"Should we tell him?" Nancy asks Joannie.
"Don't you think he deserves to know?"
"Someone tell me something!!"
She nods. "Yes, Tommy." She begins gently. "The guys in your band were offered a contract with a major record label."
"No Way!!."
Nancy looks at Joannie and gives her a I knew he'd be a little upset but not this upset look.
"You don't think they're good enough?" Joannie asks.
"Without me?" Tommy says crushed.
"You don't think they're good enough without you?" Joannie asks again.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because it's my Band! I am the one who put them together." He says angrily.
"But I thought you thought they were talented, too."
"They are, but WHY NOT me?"
"I don't know Tommy, maybe next time." Nancy says starting to feel guilty.
Joannie also starts to feel bad. "Maybe you should talk to them again. Maybe it's not as bad as you think."
Tommy storms out of the room.
"That worked way too well."
"You're right. What do we do now?"
Nancy sighs. "We have to tell him the truth."
"He'll kill us."
"Not severely."
"Don't count on that."
"Maybe they'll give us the same hospital room."
"Or bury us together."
"Will you feel better if I do all the talking?"
"Much. I've had to do most of the explaining until now--your turn. But I'll back you up."
"Thank you." They find Tommy in his room. "We need to talk."
"What!" Tommy says packing his things.
"Tommy, would you just sit down and listen to us for a minute?"
"It'll beat running away." Nancy says.
"Why? What are you going to tell me now? That they are touring with Pink Floyd?"
"No, we're not." Nancy tells him everything.
Joannie tries not to look like she's cowering.
Nancy waits for Tommy's reaction.
Tommy starts laughing.
"You're not angry?" Nancy is confused.
"Yes, for trying to put one over on me. Luckily the guys told me what you two were up to."
"They what?"
"You heard me, why would you do that to me?"
"It was just a prank Tommy, and I do apologize."
"Uh huh."
"Well what about you? You knew and you played one on us right back didn't you?"
"You're right."
"Good one." Nancy commends him. "You're definitely our brother."
Tommy smiles.
She smiles back and then says. "Now who's next?"
"How about Grandpa Harry?" Tommy suggests.
"I don't know he's still mad at us for the water fight earlier."
"All the more reason." Tommy says. "He needs to lighten up."
"Hmm, Joannie what do you think?"
"Oh, come on," Joannie urges. "First of all, it's Tommy's call, and second of all--we should do it for Dad."
"Oh all right."
"Maybe Grandma Katherine could help."
"Oooo--you're almost as good as I am."
"Thanks."
"Who's going to ask her?"
"I will." Tommy says.
"Ok." Nancy says.
Tommy finds Katherine. "Hi."
"Hi Tommy." Katherine smiles.
"Grandma, how do you feel about practical jokes?"
"Some can be very funny, some might hurt."
"How about something funny on Grandpa Harry?"
"What do you have in mind young man?"
"You know how he is always riding Dad about his weight. Well I was thinking that maybe in the morning he'd find his clothes are too tight on him?"
She laughs. "I love it."
Tommy sighs with relief. "So you'll help us?"
"Of course I will and I'll fix it so that I can get his clothes back to normal after it's all said and done."
"Great, thanks Grandma."
"Not a problem honey."
Tommy goes and tells Nancy and Joannie of the plan.
Nancy smiles. "I like that plan."
Later that night while Harry is sleeping, Katherine steals his clothes and takes them to another room. Tommy, Nancy, and Joannie help her get them shrunk and soon Katherine returns the clothes and joins her husband in bed. Soon she is sleeping too. The next morning Harry wakes up and after a bit in the bathroom starts to get dressed.
~Katherine has *got* to stop cooking using Sandra Sue's recipes~ Harry thinks as he sucks in to close his pants.
Katherine soon wakes. "Good morning." She smiles and soon her smile fades and she fakes a worried frown. "Honey are you putting on weight?"
"Well, I have been eating your cooking, dear."
"You've been eating a little too much of my cooking."
"Can I help it if you cook so well?" he tries to smooth-talk her.
She smiles and gives him a kiss. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
"Think it'll get you to go to a clothing shop for me?"
"I'd love to, but I'm busy today."
"Doing what?"
"Cleaning house."
"Katherine, the girls are big enough to take care of that. Go shopping and see if you find something nice for you, too. You deserve a treat after having taken care of this zoo."
She kisses him and seeks her partners in the scheme out. "I need your help here."
"What's up?" Joannie asks.
"I need a valid excuse for why I can't go and buy Harry new clothes today."
"Because you're helping us get ready for the party?"
"He'll say that you are big enough to do that yourselves."
"Was he at all upset?"
"Not really but it's still early."
"Maybe just tell him you're not going to buy him a new wardrobe every time he puts on a few pounds?"
"I like the way you think." Katherine smiles and goes to tell Harry this.
"Katherine, next week I have to get back to work. I can't go dressed like this."
"Then go and buy some clothes."
"But you always buy everything but my suits."
"Harry I can't. I have to help with the party and take Sam to the Vet."
"Well, then I suppose I'll have to, but I was planning on playing a round or two of golf."
"Maybe Tom has an outfit that will fit you."
"I may have gained a pound or two, but not *that* much."
Katherine pulls out a golf suit of Tom's that she had altered also and plans to put back to normal. "Just try it on."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"You're the one who wants to go golfing today."
"Not in that get up. There are things that should never be worn, even on a golf course."
"Suit yourself." Katherine goes downstairs.
"Women. I can go buy my own clothes. If a woman can do it, how hard can it be?"
Meanwhile the kids are waiting downstairs to catch a glimpse of Grandpa Harry.
Harry finally comes downstairs, trying not to grumble because that would involve too much breathing.
Tommy tries not to laugh. "Good morning."
Harry glares at him.
Nancy observes him and turns away real quick after feigning a look of shock.
"Sleep well?"
"Fine, thank you." Harry starts to get himself some breakfast, then stops, remembering that as of now he's on a diet.
"Something wrong?" Liz asks.
"I'm not very hungry," Harry lies. "In fact, I was thinking of taking a good long walk this morning, maybe taking a look around this town."
"Sacramento?"
"That is what they call this squirrel cage, isn't it?"
Liz shrugs.
"A good walk is always good." Nancy says.
"Does this city have any decent stores?"
"It sure does, I can show you around."
Harry hesitates.
"Nancy's good at clothes shopping." Mary tells him.
"Who said I wanted to shop for clothes?"
"It was just a guess." Mary says and heads out the door.
Harry looks down at his clothing, breathes in, and shouts after her, "I don't need new clothing!"
As soon as she's safely outside Mary laughs.
"I'll go with you if you want." Nancy says to Harry.
"Fine. I could use someone to show me around. But I don't need any clothing," he insists.
"Of course." Nancy says and then turns to her siblings. "Do any of you want to come with us?"
Elizabeth says. "I'll go."
"Cool."
Harry glares at Katherine. ~If you'd just gone out and gotten me some clothes that fit...~ "Don't you have to help get ready for the party?" he asks the kids.
Katherine smiles at him.
"We can always do that when we get back." Nancy says
"All right." ~And then I can go back out and buy some clothing.~
They soon leave for the stores.
Harry tries to subtly notice where the men's shops are located.
Elizabeth and Nancy pretend that they don't notice this.
Liz quietly giggles.
"Do you find something funny, young lady?" Harry asks her.
"Liz stop laughing at my shoes." Nancy tries to save her sister.
"But they don't match."
"They're not supposed to match, that's they way they're designed."
"That's what they pass off as clothing in this city?" Harry asks, shocked.
"It's the latest fashion." Nancy answers.
~Maybe Tom's golf clothes aren't too bad after all. No, I haven't gained *that* much.~
~There's no way he's going to the clothes store with Liz and I watching.~
"How much work do you have to do to get ready for the party?" Harry asks, trying to get them to go home.
"Not that much more. The others can cover for us till we get home."
"Great. Just great."
Meanwhile, on the cruise ship, Abby wakes, stretches, and turns to kiss Tom. "We're getting to be a real pair of lie-a-beds."
"Isn't it wonderful though, I can't remember the last time I was able to do this."
"Probably at least seven kids ago."
"At least that many."
"There aren't that many more to spare--unless there's something you've never told me."
"Bite your tongue."
"I don't know--I can think of other things I'd rather bite."
Tom laughs. "I do too."
"Maybe this is something we ought to research a little."
"Research eh? I guess we could explore the idea."
"I always knew you were an idea man."
Tom smiles and kisses her.
"Better show me what you've got, mister, because once this boat docks in LA, it's back to hiding from the kids and locked doors."
Tom happily obliges.
"Mmm. I could get used to this."
"Me too. I think we should plan a getaway at least once a year."
"You really think they'll let us get away with this again?"
"You have a point."
Abby sighs. "Why does everything good have to be so complicated?"
"I guess so we will appreciate it." Tom surmises.
"Well, that explains why I appreciated you right from the start," Abby says and cuddles closes to him. "I don't think you could get much more complicated than your life. But nothing about me was complicated until I met you."
"I'm sorry about that."
"That I led an uncomplicated life?" Abby teases.
"No, that I made your life complicated."
"I'm not sorry about that. Uncomplicated lives are boring."
"And lonely."
"And complicated lives don't ever get lonely?"
"Yes, but there are distractions."
"I can be a distraction."
"That my dear you can be." He smiles. "Why do you think I want to be alone in my study when I am working?"
"Because your column is a family column?"
"That too."
"But now that you're going to start writing fiction in the evenings, you might need a little inspiration."
"I supposed you'll supply me with that?"
"We could always hire Donna."
Tom rolls his eyes. "No Thank you."
Abby laughs. "Well, if you insist on me for the job, I could probably squeeze you in to my busy schedule."
"You mean you'll have some time to spare for little ol' me?"
"Well...it depends. What's in it for me?"
"Some time alone with me."
"Which one of us gets to figure out how to avoid our watchdogs?"
"We'll throw them a bone." He jokes.
"That'll give them something to chew on."
Tom laughs.
"This is crazy."
"What? Plotting to be alone?"
"No, this compulsion we have to talk about the kids even when our plots work and we are alone."
"I agree." he sighs.
"We really have to do something about it."
"I know."
"But what?"
"Well, we could go ashore and pretend we are just two kids out of college."
"I don't think you could handle the girl I was just out of college," Abby teases.
"I'd like to try."
"OK, then, but don't say I didn't warn you."
"Hey, I was pretty wild in my youth too."
"You were?"
"Of course, Didn't V tell you the time I tried to jump over the railroad tracks on my motorbike?"
Abby shakes her head. "She must be trying to preserve your image. Tell me more."
"Not much to tell, except I broke both my ankles." He cringes.
"You sound like me at that age--anything to get into bed."
"Not exactly the right way to go about it." He smiles.
"Now that you're grown you have better ideas?"
"No, you?"
"Maybe something will come to us while we're ashore."
"Maybe." He says. "Shall we get dressed and go?"
"As much as I like the way you look right now, I'd hate to have to fly my father out here to bail us out on charges of indecent exposure," Abby sighs and gets out of bed.
Tom shakes his head.
Abby starts to get dressed and then looks back at Tom. "You going to get dressed, or just stay there and enjoy the show?"
"I don't think I could find a better view."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you are infatuated."
"Anything wrong with a man in love?"
"Yep."
"There is? What?"
"He's not getting dressed."
"Spoil Sport." He replies and gets dressed.
"Spoil sport? I'll show you who's a spoil sport," Abby says and starts plotting.
"Huh?" Tom asks.
"You'll see."
Tom opens the cabin door.
A groups of rowdy kids bumps into him.
"Hey watch it."
"Sorry old man." One of the kids says.
"Sorry, Gramps."
"Gramps? How'd you like a black eye?"
The kid looks to his friends for back-up.
"Come on man no, he's an older guy." One of them whispers. "Let's just get going."
"You're right. No fun picking on the old and enfeebled."
The kids laugh.
"Why you...."
"Tom, let it go," Abby advises.
"No manners today." He gripes.
"Did you at that age?"
"Well....."
Abby smiles at him. "Come on, forget it. You were going to show me what you were like just out of college."
"Right."
"Then let's get a move on."
They go off the ship and do some sightseeing.
After a while, hot from all the walking around, Abby reminds him, "You promised to go skinny-dipping with me this summer."
"I did?"
Abby nods. "On our honeymoon."
"Are you sure I wasn't drugged by your beauty?"
"So much for your being wild...So what do you suggest we do. College kids don't spend all their time sightseeing."
"Skinny Dipping?"
"You're right. It would clash with your sober father-figure image."
Tom looks around. "If you say one word to the kids."
"Would I do something like that?"
"OK, so where do we go to do this skinny dipping?"
"There's got to be a secluded beach around here somewhere."
"Well, lets go then."
Abby kisses him and then they set off.
They find a secluded spot.
"I'll race you into the water," Abby says, taking off her shoes.
Tom starts undressing and runs into the water.
Abby follows him and tries to dunk him.
Tom gets a hold of her and throws her in the water.
"You're going to pay for that, Tom Bradford!" she sputters and dives at him.
While Tom and Abby are enjoying the water some teenagers sneak up and steal their clothes, with the exception of their undergarments.
Tom soon go under.
Abby waits for him to come back up.
He soon emerges.
Abby starts to swim away, knowing vengeance awaits her.
Tom swims after her. "You are doomed."
"Talking to yourself again, dear?"
"You wish." He says as he grabs her ankles.
Abby throws her arms around him in an attempt to keep him from dunking her.
Tom thinks about it. ~What the heck.~ He dunks her.
Abby pulls him in after her.
Tom kisses her underwater.
Abby waits until they surface and then responds enthusiastically.
"College kid enough for ya?"
"I'd say about five years out of school. Not quite reckless enough for a new graduate."
"Is that good or bad?"
"It means let's see what you're like when you're really wild."
Tom dunks her.
"That again? I'm going to have to show you some new tricks," Abby says when she rises.
"I dare ya." he teases.
Abby grabs at him, but instead of dunking him, she starts to grope.
"ABBY!" he says.
"Yes, dear?"
"I give you win in the wild department."
"So what do I win?"
"What do you want?" Tom asks. ~What I can deliver.~
"I don't know." Abby thinks a while. "Well, I have an idea, but you can't do it here."
"Oh? What?"
"I get anything I want, right?" Abby double checks.
Tom nods.
"A first chapter."
"Huh?" He acts confused.
"Of your novel. I always did want to be a patron of the arts."
"You are sneaky, do you know that?"
"It's my middle name."
"Fine, I'll write you that first chapter when we get home."
"No excuses, no wiggling out of it, no saying you're too far behind with your column?"
Tom nods. "But the kids will be knocking on my door day and night."
"Don't worry I'll protect you from them. But if I don't get what I want, no one's going to be able to protect you from me."
"I hear ya."
"That's what I love about you. You listen so well."
"Well, if I didn't, you would beat me up."
"Or steal your clothes."
"Speaking of which, we should be getting back."
"I wish we didn't have to, but you're right."
They swim back to the beach.
The teenagers who stole their clothes earlier are long gone by now.
Abby looks around. "Um, Tom..."
"Yes?"
"I know we left our stuff over there, but I don't see it."
Tom looks "That's impossible.....They were right there." He points.
"Well...some of it is. Maybe the wind just blew the rest a little farther off."
"Abby, do you feel a wind?"
"No, but the idea is better than the alternative."
"Alternative?"
"That our clothes aren't anywhere nearby."
"That's just crazy." He says.
"Ok then you tell me where they are."
Tom sighs and finally admits. "We've been robbed."
"What are we going to do?"
"At least they had the decency to leave our underwear and wallets."
"Somehow I can't see you running into a store in your boxers and undershirt."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"I don't know." Abby looks at the pile. "Think they'd pass as shorts on me?"
"We are in a tropical setting."
"Even so..." Abby looks at the underclothes doubtfully. "But I guess I don't have much choice, do I?"
"Neither of us does." He sighs.
Abby starts to get dressed. "You might want to go back into the water," she suggests.
"Huh?" Tom asks. "Why?"
"I'm going to be going shopping wearing your shorts and undershirt. What were you planning to do, work on your all-over tan?"
Tom mumbles something inaudible and goes back into the water.
Abby sighs and sets off looking for a clothing shop.
~If she doesn't get back soon, I'm going to become a wrinkled prune.~ Tom thinks trying to stay afloat.
~Just pretend you're wearing the latest fashion instead of your husband's underwear~ Abby pep-talks herself before going in to a store.
"Uh...may I help you?" The clerk asks.
"Um...no thanks," Abby says, starting to grab clothing and hoping she remembers Tom's size correctly.
Meanwhile, on the beach, a policeman strolls by and sees Tom. "Sir, are you all right?" he calls out.
"Just fine officer. Thank you."
"All right." The cop starts walking away, but makes a note to come back and check on the man.
~Abby, get back here.~
In the store, Abby pays for the clothing and then hurries back to the beach, stopping only long enough to wrap a skirt around herself and slip on a pair of flip-flops.
~Finally.~ he swims ashore.
The cop returns just as Tom's about to emerge.
Tom looks at Abby. "Uh, we can explain Officer."
The policeman folds his arms across his chest. "I can't wait to hear it."
"Our clothes were stolen and my wife went to buy some new ones."
He looks Tom over. "Your swimsuit, too?"
"Heh Heh." Tom fakes smiles. "Uh...."
"The undertow is really bad," Abby says.
"Then perhaps you shouldn't be out swimming," the cop suggests and walks away before he can start to laugh.
Tom grabs the clothes and puts them on. "Thanks."
"I'm sorry."
"I think I'll go back to being safe and boring." He mocks.
"I said I'm sorry."
"I know you are." he says. "Just let me be upset for a minute."
Abby puts her arms around him. "I know you're upset. Let me make it up to you."
"How? By writing my first chapter?"
"Not if you want it to be any good."
"Flattery will get you anywhere."
"Will it get you to let me take you out to lunch?"
"Depends."
"I promise, I'll let you wear all your clothes."
"That and I can order anything I want."
"You drive a hard bargain."
"Deal?"
"You won't spend the next 30 years reminding me about today?"
"Just the next 15." He smiles.
"Do I get to remind you that you enjoyed it before we tried to get out of the water?"
"If you insist."
"Then you have yourself a deal."
"Lets go, I'm hungry."
"Worked up an appetite?" Abby teases.
"What do you think?"
"I think that if I hadn't promised to behave, I'd check for myself."
Tom takes her hand.
"I saw a few places while I was shopping. What are you in the mood for?"
"Something fattening and greasy."
"I think there was that looked like the hamburger pit. I tried to block out the memory."
Tom smiles.
"A deal's a deal," Abby sighs and leads Tom to the grease factory.
Tom orders a Triple Cheeseburger, Fries, Onion Rings and a Chocolate Shake.
Abby bites her tongue to keep from making any comment.
"What are you having?"
"A heart attack."
"Ha Ha."
"Maybe I'll just have what you leave over."
"My dear, there isn't going to be a crumb left."
"You won't be able to move for a week."
"Hey a deal is a deal, remember?"
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." Abby orders a hamburger and soda.
Tom smiles when his order arrives.
Abby decides to stop off on the way back and pick up some pepto-bismol.
Tom eats in silence savoring every morsel.
Abby eats, then watches Tom in disbelief.
"I think I'll have a slice of banana cream pie, want a slice?"
Abby groans.
"I take that as a 'no.' He says and orders dessert.
Abby decides to pick up some Alka-Seltzer, too.
After eating he pays the check.
"So what now?" Abby asks. "Want to walk off all that food?"
Tom look at his watch. "We can't, the ship will be leaving soon."
"We can walk on deck after we get back."
"Fine." he says.
"I really am sorry about what happened," Abby says as they start heading back.
"Let's just forget about it, OK?"
"Fine. Whatever you say."
"Besides why are you sorry? Did you pay someone to steal our clothes?"
"No, but every time I talk you into something, it turns into a disaster."
"It wasn't that 'big' of a disaster." Tom admits. "I had a good time until we got out of the water."
Abby kisses him. "You're a good man, Tom Bradford."
"So you keep telling me." he says.
"It's something we teachers do. Keep drilling something into our students' heads until they understand it."
"So what else are you going to teach me?"
"I was thinking it's time you taught me to be boring and safe."
Tom smiles. "How about we try and find a middle road."
"That would mean we'd have to spend a lot of time together. Discussing, evaluating, compromising..."
"Long Days and Long nights."
"It'll be a real sacrifice, but we should do it."
"It'll be for the benefit of the people involved." He explains.
"You're selfless."
Tom sighs. "I try."
"A real father of the year."
"Hey, what about Husband of the Year?"
"Of the year?" Abby scoffs. "Try the decade."
Tom laughs.
"I'm glad we managed to pull this trip off."
"Me too." He says. "It's back to reality tomorrow."
"I thought you didn't allow that kind of language in mixed company."
Tom hugs her.
"Wednesday nights at 10, right?"
"Right." he says.
"Then at least I have something to look forward to. That and my first chapter."
"I hope I can do it."
"You know you can. You're a wonderful writer." ~I just hope he doesn't ask why I hardly ever read his work before we started dating if I think so highly of it.~
Tom smiles and they return to the ship.