"Ice cream?" Tom smiles.

"What's left of it." Nancy says.

"Enough for me."

"I'd stay away from the chocolate if I were you," Abby advises.

"Oh? Why?" he asks unaware about Sam.

Sam wags his tail hoping Tom picks the chocolate and gives him some.

"Oh no you don't." Nancy tells him. "You had your limit."

"You giving dogs chocolate now?"

"Only this once and it was only a little bit."

"Is there any left? Or did he eat it all."

"He only ate the rest of mine, Dad, so I don't know."

"Thanks for offering dear old Dad some." he says as he walks off.

"What did I do?" Nancy asks wondering why her Dad is acting like a child. She then sighs. "I'll be right back." She grabs the keys to the station wagon and drives back to the convenience store to get some ice cream for her Tom. When she gets back she finds her Dad in the study. "I got you some ice cream."

"Thanks, but that wasn't necessary." Tom says. "I am sorry, just was in a bad mood." he says staring at the blank page in his typewriter.

"Oh," Nancy says a little disappointed. "It's ok." She leaves the ice cream there and leaves the room.

"Nancy, wait a minute." he says.

She comes back in. "Yeah?"

"Thank you." he replies sincerely. "Would you like some?"

"You're welcome, and thank you but I can't eat another bite."

"OK, would you like to keep me company?"

She smiles. "Of course." She sits down. "What are you doing?"

"Just work."

"This late at night."

"Trying to get caught up." he says. "It is late, maybe I'll quit for tonight."

"Good idea."

Tom gets up. "Anything happen tonight?"

"My car is acting up." She tells him about her starter.

"Oh wonderful."

"Dad I am under warranty."

"I know, but being stranded is no picnic, how did you get home?"

"David picked us up."

"Oh well, that's good."

"You wanted me to call you instead."

"Well, I am your Father."

"Yes you are, but I was concerned and didn't want to worry you."

"When is everyone going to realize I worry when you don't want me to worry."

She smiles affectionately. "I'm sorry Dad

Tom laughs. "Yeah, until next time."

"Come on Dad don't you trust me?" She half teases.

"Of course, I trust you. I trust you will forget this conversation." he jokes.

She laughs. "You're probably right Dad, but I hope I don't. Not for a very long time at least."

"Me too." he says. "Thanks again for the ice cream."

"You're welcome, goodnight Dad."

"Goodnight." he says. Meanwhile Tommy is going room to room looking for Nicholas.

Tom goes into the kitchen and finds Abby pacing back and forth looking at the clock. "You are going to wear that floor out." he states. "What's up?"

"More like who--Nicholas. He's not home yet."

Tom is confused, "what do you mean?"

"I let him go to the movies with Kenny P. and he should have been home by now."

Tom looks at his wife wondering if she took leave of her good judgement. "You are kidding right?

"I know, I know. What was I thinking? But he promised he'd be right home."

"Him I am not worried about, its when he gets with Kenny P thats got me concerned."

"He's going home tomorrow. How could I say no?"

"I know, he can be irresistible to say No to." Tom grabs the keys. "Come on, lets go see if we can find him."

"We should tell someone we're going in case Nicholas comes home while we're out."

"Go tell Elizabeth or whoever, I'll go switch the cars around."

Abby nods and goes to grab the first available kid.

Tommy goes downstairs. "Has anyone seen Nicholas?"

"Not exactly," Abby says and explains what's up. "If he comes home or calls, could you handle it? We'll check in, too."

"Broke his first curfew eh?" Tommy says trying not to laugh.

"Don't laugh. He's with Kenny P. Anything could happen."

"Oh man, how could Dad let him go with him alone?"

"No, the stupidity was all mine," Abby admits.

Tommy feels bad for her. "Everyone makes mistakes."

"Thanks. I'd better go try to make this one better."

Tommy nods. "I'll keep an eye out." Meanwhile Tom sounds the horn.

Abby thanks Tommy and hurries outside. "Tommy will wait by the phone."

"Let's start at the movie theater first." he says as he drives off.

"He should be long gone from there."

"I know, but maybe someone there will recognize his photo and point us where to look."

"Too bad we don't have a picture of Kenny P. I'll bet he made an impression on people."

Tom laughs at that remark, behind his worrying.

They park by the movie theater. "Well, here goes nothing."

"You go talk to the guy at the box office. I'll take a walk around."

"OK."

"One?" The guy in the booth asks.

Abby passes him her picture of Nicholas. "Do you remember seeing this boy tonight? He was with another kid, his age, very rambunctious."

"Oh yeah." he sighs. "We kicked them out an hour ago."

"Did you happen to see which way they went?"

"No, but my guess the arcade on the next block. It's open all night."

"Thanks." Abby waits on the sidewalk for Tom, and when she sees him, gives him the lead.

Tom's face turns red with anger. "Lets go."

"Tom, he's a kid. If you're going to be angry with anyone, be angry with me."

"But he broke his word to you."

"I shouldn't have given a kid his age that kind of freedom in the first place."

Tom sighs. "Lets find him first and talk about it later, ok?"

"OK."

They find the arcade. Its pack with kids. "Where do we start?"

"You start at that end and I'll start at this and we'll meet in the middle," Abby suggests.

He kisses her. "That's for in case we never find each again." he jokes..

"Don't worry, I'm not letting you get away that easily."

Tom smiles and looks for his wayward son.

Abby sweeps the room from the other side.

Kenny P spots Abby and pulls Nicholas under the pinball table. "What are you doing?" Nicholas asks.

"It's your Parents." he replies.

Nicholas sighs. "I am in trouble."

Abby walks towards the pinball table, looking around for Nicholas

Nicholas decides to get out from under the table. "What are you doing?" Kenny P tries to stop him.

"Leave me alone." Nicholas replies, "Abby." he says.

"Nicholas!" Abby almost hugs him, but realizes in time that it probably wouldn't be cool.

"I'm sorry." he says.

"We'll talk about it later. Right now we'd better find your dad before the two of us get into any more trouble."

Nicholas nods. But Kenny P takes off without anyone catching him.

Tom is weaving in and out of the arcade. Getting a headache from the constant noise of the machines. ~Where are these kids' parents?~ he thinks.

Abby and Nicholas head back to where they are supposed to meet Tom.

Tom sees them. "Nicholas." he shouts and gives him a hug.

"Dad, not here." he says.

Abby smiles, shakes her head, and tries to block the scene from the other kids' views.

"You ok Son?" he asks.

Nicholas nods. "Where's Kenny P?" Tom asks.

"He took off." he says.

~Good riddance.~ Tom thinks. "We'll call his Uncle when we get home."

"Am I in trouble?" Nicholas asks.

"We'll talk about it at home." he says. A machine goes off with loud sound near by. Tom cringes.

"Speaking of home, why don't we get going," Abby suggests.

"Good idea." Tom says. "I hope we have some aspirin left at home."

"I keep a special stash just for you."

"I should invest in their stocks." he sighs. "Someone should call home and let them know we caught our fugitive." he jokes.

"Huh?" Nicholas asks.

"Nothing son. I was just rambling."

"I'll go call," Abby says. "I'm not too reliable a warden, anyway."

"Abby..." he tries to stop her but can't. Tom takes Nicholas to the car.

Elizabeth picks the phone up on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Elizabeth. Is Tommy around?"

"Hi Abby, yeah just a second." She hands the phone to Tommy. "Hi Abby, any news?"

"We found him and we're on our way home."

"Good." he says. "We will see you then."

They drive home and Tom puts Nicholas to bed. He then goes to his room. "I told Nicholas we would talk to him in the morning."

"Worrying all night is probably punishment enough for him."

"Yes, but we still have to talk to him." Tom states. "Are you OK?"

"Well, a little worried," Abby admits.

"Why? He's fine."

"Sure, but am I?"

"I don't know what you mean." he says tenderly.

"Tom, I messed up. I wanted so badly to show him I trust him that I trusted him too far for his age."

"Abby, I am not going to say you didn't make a mistake. But so what?" he tells her. "Heaven knows I made plenty, and it won't be the first or your last."

"I don't know if that's encouraging or frightening."

Tom hugs her. "Welcome to the world of parenting. The hours are terrible but the benefits do eventually pay off."

Abby smiles at him. "When?"

"When you see them happy."

"You're right."

Tom kisses her. "Come on, I am tired let's get some sleep."

The next morning while bringing the car to the shop. David laughs when Nancy tells him about Nicholas and Kenny P.

"Hey it's not funny. They could've gotten into real trouble."

"Little sis you really need to lighten up. They're boys, they're kids and they're going to do stuff like that from time to time. We all went through it and now it's Nicholas' turn." He tells her.

"But this is different, he's my little brother." She says in a big sister tone.

"It'll be all right." He assures her. They get the car fixed and then part company as she drives home and he drives to see his girlfriend.

Tom hurries out of the house and runs into Nancy. "Honey, do me a favor?"

"Sure Dad what do you need?" She asks.

"I overslept and I am late for work. I let Abby sleep, I haven't talk to Nicholas yet about his escapades last night. Will you ask her to talk to him when she wakes up?" Tom asks in a fast tone.

"Sure," ~Dad's going to get it.~

Tom hurriedly gives her a peck on the cheek and runs to the car.

After he leaves Nancy goes inside and finds Abby drinking coffee and relays the information to her.

Abby sighs in relief. "Thanks for telling me. I'll talk to Nicholas in a few minutes."

"Not a problem, I'll be back in a little while." She says as she gets Sam ready to go for a walk.

Tommy comes down stairs and grabs some cereal. "You look beat." he tells Abby.

"Didn't sleep very well," Abby explains.

"A lot of that was going on last night."

"You, too?"

"Sort of, Nicholas was restless all night."

"That's understandable."

"Yeah, its kind of funny to see he's turning into a normal Bradford after all."

"Normal? Bradford? I didn't know there was such a thing."

Tommy laughs.

"I'd better go put him out of his misery."

"Good idea."

Abby heads upstairs looking for Nicholas.

He's making his bed.

Abby walks in. "Hey, Nicholas."

"Hi Abby."

"We need to talk about last night."

Nicholas nods. "I know."

"You want to start?"

"I broke my promise to you." he says forlorn.

"Yes, you did," Abby says just as sadly.

"I'm sorry."

"I know. But now what do we do about it?"

"I won't do it again."

"That'd probably be enough for me, but I think your dad would want something a little more than that."

"I can stay in the house all day."

Abby beckons Nicholas to come close.

He complies.

"Don't tell this to anyone..." she begins.

"What?"

"I never really understood what a grounding was supposed to accomplish."

"But I thought adults knew everything."

"I've never claimed to be a full-fledged grown-up."

"Oh..."

"So, can you think of something to show that you're working on this whole trust thing?"

Nicholas ponders wondering what she wants from him.

"Maybe there's something you could take responsibility for to show everyone you really will do what you promise from now on."

"I can sweep out the garage."

"That's a good idea. And once it's kept neat, maybe you and Dad could start a few projects together."

Nicholas nods. "I'll get started after Breakfast."

"Great."

Later on the walk Sam barks at some teen boys rough housing with skateboards nearly running a few people over. "Shh calm down buddy." Nancy says and tries to get out of the path of one of the boys. The boy also tries to get out of her path but fails when he and the skateboard part company and he tumbles onto Nancy causing them both to fall down. Sam escapes both of them falling on him. The boy gets off of Nancy.

"Hey lady I'm sorry are you ok....." His voice trails off when he notices she's unconscious. "Call an ambulance!!" He shouts to his friends. The other boys get scared and flee leaving him there with Nancy and Sam.

Sam whines and licks Nancy's face. The boy doesn't know what to do. ~Why did I skip school when we had first aid day week in health?~ He glances around and sees a squad car. He runs over there and tells the police officer what happened.

The officer shakes his head, radios for an ambulance, and heads over to Nancy while his partner detains the boy. The officer tries to pick up Sam which uncharacteristically scares Sam who in turn heads home. The ambulance arrives and once they get Nancy stabilized they whisk off to
the hospital with her. Sam scratches and whines at the back door of the Bradford house.

Nicholas lets him in.

Sam whines at him.

"What's wrong boy?" Nicholas says and shuts the door.

Sam just continues to whine and runs back and forth to the front door.

Nicholas picks him up and tries to console him.

Sam licks his face and continues to whine.

Another family member walks in while Nicholas is trying to comfort him.

"What's wrong with Sam?" Mary asks.

"I don't know, he just keeps whining and clawing at the door."

"It's ok boy." Mary tries to calm him also not knowing Nancy had taken him out for a walk.

"What do we do?" Nicholas asks.

"I don't know Nicholas. Get him a treat."

Nicholas runs into the kitchen nearly knocking Abby down. "Sorry." he says. ~This just isn't my day.~ he thinks while grabbing the dog snacks.

"It's OK," Abby says automatically, gathering her things.

A little while later the phone rings at the Bradford house.

"Hello." Elizabeth replies.

"Hello, this is Nurse Taylor at County General, is Mr. or Mrs. Bradford there."

"Uh..yeah, just a moment." Elizabeth states ~Now who~ she thinks. "Abby!!" she yells for.

"I'm upstairs," Abby yells back.

"Phone, its the hospital."

"The hospital?" ~Which one this time?~ Abby picks up the phone. "This is Abby Bradford."

Elizabeth listens in on the extension.

"Hi Mrs. Bradford." The nurse repeats her name and briefly explains about the accident and that Nancy has been brought in.

"I'll be right there," Abby says, disconnects and waits for a dial tone.

Elizabeth quickly hangs up.

The nurse hangs up also.

"Elizabeth what's wrong?" Mary asks.

She tells her the news.

Mary goes pale. "No wonder Sam's upset."

"Yeah." Liz says. "I am going to the hospital."

"So am I." Mary says. "Let's wait for Abby though. Are Joannie, Susan, and Tommy home?"

"Tommy's outside mowing the lawn."

"Do you think he can watch Nicholas?"

She shrugs. "He may want to go too."

David walks in. "I'll watch Nicholas, but why am I watching him?" He asks his sisters.

Elizabeth tells him the news.

"You'll call me as soon as you find out how she is?" He asks.

"Of course we will." Mary goes to talk to Tommy while Elizabeth checks to see if Joannie and Susan are home.

Tommy is trying to fix the mower engine. "I wish Dad would buy a new mower." he says.

"I hear ya." Mary says. "Tommy I have something to tell you."

"What? You broke the mower?" he jokes

"I wish that was all it was." She tells him what happened.

Tommy drops the mower in its spot. "That explains Sam..." Tommy says. "I need to wash up, but what about Nicholas?"

"David's going to watch him."

Tommy runs towards the house. "Give me five minutes." he shouts back.

Mary nods and also goes inside and wonders if Elizabeth has found Joannie and Susan.

While Mary is talking to Tommy, Elizabeth gives the news to Joannie and Susan.

Abby calls Tom.

Donna answers the phone. "Tom Bradford's office."

"Hi, Donna. Could I please speak with Tom?"

"Sure," Donna says, she places Abby on hold and buzzes Tom's office. "Mr. Bradford, Abby is on line one." She says.

"Thanks Donna, Hi Honey, get enough sleep?" Tom asks.

Abby doesn't answer him. "Tom, the hospital just called." She tells him which kid is there and why.

"I'll meet you there." he says and hangs the phone up.

Sometime later in the examining room. Dr. Maxwell sighs in relief when Nancy starts to come around. When she does come to she glances around not knowing where she is or the people in there with her. Greg starts to examine her with a pen light and she pushes it away.

"Honey it's ok, I just need to examine you. Now do you remember what happened?"

She shakes her head. He asks her a few more basic questions and becomes concerned when she can't answer them. "What's your name?" He finally asks.

She thinks about it for a while and finally says. "I don't know."

"Do you remember who I am?"

She shakes her head. "Please stop questioning me."

He finally gets her calm enough to let him examine her and when he's finished he goes to the waiting room.

"Dr. Max is she ok?" Mary asks.

"Tom, Abby, can I talk to you two alone please?"

"Max she's OK, right?" Tom asks.

"Yes, she has a few bruises and a nasty knot on the back of her head, but she'll heal." He says when they're all in private. "However, we got a problem."

Tom grabs for Abby's hand. "What?"

"She doesn't remember anything."

Tom doesn't digest the information. "You mean about the accident."

"That, and her name, she didn't know who I was."

Tom is numb. "You are kidding right?"

"I wish I was. I'm going to order some tests that might be able to tell us if this is just temporary."

"I want to see her."

Max nods and takes him and Abby to see her.

"Nancy?" Tom's voice cracks.

Not knowing her name, Nancy doesn't reply. But moments later glances up upon hearing Tom and Abby enter with Max. Her eyes don't show any recognition. "More doctors?" She asks.

Tom tries to say calm and looks to Max for direction.

"No they're not doctors. They're your parents, and your Nancy." Max tells her.

Now she's even more confused. ~She looks a little young to be my mom.~ "Hi." She says to Tom and Abby.

"Hi Honey, how are you feeling?" Tom asks.

~Scared, confused....~ "Ok I guess." She winces in pain and rubs the back of her head.

"May I hold your hand?" Tom asks not wanting to scare her further.

Nancy sizes him up and decides he's safe and nods a yes.

Tom takes her hand.

"How old were you when you had me?" Nancy asks Abby.

Tom nearly chokes. So he covers up by coughing.

Abby throws Tom a panicked look, not knowing whether it would be best for Nancy to be told the truth.

"Nancy, this is your stepmother."

"Oh all right, so you and my mom are divorced?"

Max motions for them not to just yet. "Nancy one thing at a time." He says. "Can I talk to you outside for a sec." He says to Tom and Abby.

Tom steps out of the room.

Greg waits for Abby to join them before he speaks.

Abby stops to give Nancy another reassuring smile and joins the men.

"Before you tell her about Joan, it might be best to let her process a few other things first. Like the fact that she has seven brothers and sisters. And depending on how long this amnesia last she might remember in a day or two anyway. In the meantime keep things as normal as possible around her. Don't cancel any plans or change your routine when she gets home. The more things are like they usually are the better chance of a memory being triggered."

"You mean we can take her home?"

"Not yet, we still have tests to run, that should take a few hours and another few hours for the results to come in. Then I'll know better if she can go home tonight."

"Thanks Max." Tom says.

He nods and goes to get things ready for the tests

"Why don't you sit with Nancy, while I go talk to the kids." Tom suggests to Abby.

"OK. If you need me, come get me."

Moments later back in the hospital room. Nancy observes Abby and decides she's safe also. "My memory it will come back right?"

"Of course it will," Abby assures her. "These things are just temporary."

"I sure hope so...." She's about say something more but doesn't remember if she's called her mom in the past or if she called her by her first name which she doesn't know yet either.

"I'm sure of it."

"Are you right most of the time?"

"Usually. If you want the right answer, just come to Abby and I'll provide it."

"Ok you're Abby. Dad is dad, I'm Nancy, I can keep that straight." She says.

"The rest you'll remember soon enough."

"The rest?"

"The house, the family, your friends."

"I have brothers and sisters?"

Abby nods.

"How many?"

"Seven. Four older, three younger."

"Were my dad and mother nuts?"

"Well..."

"It's ok you don't have to answer that."

"I do know your dad is nuts about you kids."

Nancy smiles and is about to reply but winces in pain instead.

"Does it hurt a lot?"

"Yes." She manages.

Abby pushes the call button to summon the nurse.

The nurse soon walks in. "Is everything ok?"

"No, it isn't," Abby says. "Nancy's in pain."

The nurse goes over to her and administers non addictive pain killers. "It should take effect in about twenty minutes. In the meantime swear all you want." She says trying to calm Nancy down.

"Is there anything I can do to take your mind off it?" Abby asks Nancy.

"Maybe if we talk about what happened before whatever happened to put me in here today it will trigger a memory."

"It's worth a try, but where do I start?"

"I wish I can tell you but I don't remember where the starting point is."

"Well, David said your car is just about fixed," Abby offers.

"Who's David?"

"Your older brother. He's very good with his hands."

"Oh all right, I wish I can remember on my own." Nancy tries to anyway but is still unable to

"Don't worry, you will. Just relax and let it come to you in its own time."

"Ok, I will and thank you." She thinks for a little bit. "Abby."

"You're welcome," Abby smiles.

She returns the smile. A moment later an orderly and nurse enter.

"It's time for the tests." The nurse says.

"Do you want me to stay with you?" Abby offers.

Nancy nods. "Yes."

"May I?" Abby asks the nurse.

"Of course." The nurse says.

"Thank you." Nancy says. They take Nancy to the lab to run the tests.

Abby sits near Nancy during the tests.

After the tests are done both of their stomachs start growling.

"Are there any restrictions on what Nancy can eat?" Abby asks the nurse.

"None at all, but I don't recommend the food here. I can send someone to pick up something from the diner across the street."

"Thanks. Nancy, what would you like?"

Nancy's at a loss. "Whatever your having."

"OK," Abby says, though she'd hoped to joggle Nancy's memory a little.

The nurse takes their order and sends an orderly to get the food. He soon returns with it.

Abby hopes the food she ordered, some of Nancy's favorites, will jog a memory.

"This stuff is pretty good." Nancy says between bites.

"That's what you usually say."

"Then it's a step in the right direction." Nancy says her voice full of hope.

"I told you. You've just got to let it happen when it does."

"I will, and I shouldn't rush it right?"

"Right."

They soon finish eating and return to the room after awhile.

Meanwhile in the waiting room while the kids are waiting for their dad or Abby to return.

"Want me to help you rehearse some lines?" Mary asks Joannie having already looked at but not read every magazine in the waiting room.

"I'm practicing my pacing."

"Well you're very good at it." She rises and gently stops her. "Hey she's going to be all right. Dr. Max is probably holding them up with a joke of his."

"And it'll take Dad about ten years to get it."

"If not longer."

Joannie goes back to her pacing.

Tom walks to the waiting room.

"How is she?" Joannie asks.

"Physically, Max thinks she's fine."

"What does that mean?" Mary is confused by Tom's words.

"Well right now she has amnesia."

"What?" Mary is stunned.

Tom nods. "She doesn't know me, Abby or even herself."

"Is she scared?"

"Yes, Abby is with her now."

"When can we see her?"

A couple of hours later the test results arrive and Max again asks Tom and Abby to join him in the hallway.

They do.

"As far as we can tell her memory loss is temporary but we don't know when her memory will return."

"Is there anything we can do to help speed things along?"

"You have old pictures, slides, make sure she looks at them and again stay with your normal routine and don't cancel any plans. Cook her favorite meals as often as is reasonable to the rest of the family."

"I can do that."

Max nods. "You can take her home but make sure she gets some rest tonight. The pain should be gone in the morning."

"Thank you."

He nods and goes to sign her release papers.

"Thanks Max."

A little while later at home. David has prepared Nicholas ahead of time letting him know that right now Nancy can't remember anyone. Seconds later they hear all the cars that were taken to the hospital pull into the driveway. Soon the family enters the house. Sam runs up to Nancy
which frightens her somewhat.

Abby leans down to distract Sam.

"Does he bite?" Nancy asks.

"You? Never. He thinks his job in life is to guard you."

Nancy kneels down to pet Sam who promptly licks her face which brings a laugh from her. "What's his name?"

"Sam," Abby tells her.

She looks up as David and Nicholas enter the room. Takes one look at David and thinks. ~Wow, I sure hope that's not my brother.~

"Hi," Abby says to the boys. "That's David--I told you about him before, and Nicholas--he's your youngest brother," she whispers to Nancy.

~Darn, well I should have know he was off limits.~ "Hi," she says to them.

"Hi Abby," David says and then says to Nancy. "Hi, how are you feeling?"

"Ok," she says but then winces in pain again when her headache returns.

"Why don't we get you upstairs and then people can visit with you when you're settled in?" Abby suggests.

"Good idea." She agrees.

Abby helps Nancy upstairs. "This is your room, and over there is the bathroom."

"Thanks Abby." After using the bathroom she goes into her room, finds some pajamas, gets them on and tries to figure out which bed is hers.

"You're over there," Abby points to Nancy's bed.

"Thank you," she gets into bed. Sam comes in and hops on the bed. "Is he allowed up here?"

"Not really, but it's never stopped him before."

She laughs and Mary walks in. "Hey do you need any help in here?" She asks Abby.

"I don't think so, but company would be nice."

"Sure," Mary walks in.

Nancy observes trying to remember which sister she is.

"Mary," she reminds Nancy.

"Got it, I hope." Nancy says.

"We talked Dad into ordering out." Mary tells Abby. "Do you want Chinese food or pizza we're taking a vote."

"Chinese," Abby says. "Nancy, what are you in the mood for?"

She thinks it over and decides to ask. "Are either of those as good as what I had earlier?"

"Both."

"Then I'll go with the majority."

"Good choice."

"Chinese it is then." She hands them the menu to look over.

Abby makes her choices.

"The Orange Chicken sounds good." Nancy says. "I'll have that."

"I'll go tell Dad and then I'll be back." Mary says. ~Good, she ordered what she always orders.~

Abby smiles at Nancy.

Nancy smiles back. "You two are happy because of what I ordered?"

"It's one of your favorites."

"And I ordered it on my own." Nancy is very happy about this.

"Like I said, relax and let it all come back to you."

"I will." She promises.

"Good."
 

Mary goes downstairs and tells Tom what Nancy and Abby want.

"Orange Chicken?" Tom asks.

Mary smiles. "Yes Dad, Orange Chicken."

"That's good."

"I'll say."

"At least we know her stomach doesn't have amnesia." he tries to joke in his worrying.

Mary laughs. There is then a knock on the door.

"I'll get it."

When Tom answers the door he finds the guy who knocked Nancy over there with his dad.

"Hi Mr. Bradford I'm Mark Stevens, and this is my son Trey, he has something to say to you and your daughter."

"Well....." Tom wonders if he should disturb Nancy.

"Go on." Mark says to his son.

"It might be too soon." Trey whispers to his Dad

"Come in." Tom says. "Mary'll show you to the living room, I'll go see if Nancy is up for visitors."

"Thank you." They say while Mary shows them to the living room.

Tom knocks on Nancy's door.

"Come in." Nancy says.

"Hi." Tom tells her of the visitors and why they are there. "Do you feel ok to come down?"

"No, and even if I did it's a little too soon I'd probably wind up punching the kid in the nose."

"OK, I'll tell them. You just rest."

"Thank you Dad, and please don't mention the nose punching part."

"I won't." Tom laughs.

Tom goes back downstairs. "I'm sorry, but my daughter isn't feeling too well."

"You can talk to her later." Mark says to his son. "Now tell her father."

"I'm sorry about this morning sir." Trey says.

"It's ok." Tom sighs.

Trey sighs in relief. "Thank you sir."

On the way out Mark says to Tom. "If you need help with the medical bill please let me know."

"Thank you, I appreciate that."

"You're welcome." He and his son go home.

part 3