Part three

"You want some pie ala mode? It always seems to work for your father."

"I'd love some but shouldn't we be getting you food?"

Abby holds her stomach. "Food's a four letter word."

Nancy winces in sympathy. "Oh, sorry about that."

"That's OK. So, you want that pie?"

She nods.

Abby prepares a serving of pie ala mode, turning a little green in the process.

"Abby are you all right?"

"Sure. I'm fine," Abby lies.

"You don't look like you feel too well."

"It'll pass."

Nancy puts the plate out of Abby's sight.

"Thanks," Abby says, and puts up water for tea.

"Not a problem."

Abby sits down and stares off into the distance, lost in thought.

"What's on your mind?"

"Nothing much. Just thinking."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's nothing important."

"Ok." ~Don't press if she wanted to talk about it she would.~

"I was just--never mind."

"Abby you can tell me."

"You want some more pie?" ~Now's not the time to bring up my past. If ever there was a time, now isn't it.~

"No, I'm stuffed." ~Stop pushing her to talk.~ "I hate to cut this kitchen raid short but I have to study."

"I ought to, too," Abby says, but makes no move to get up.

Nancy gives her another hug and goes upstairs to study hoping that Abby will talk to her Dad about it.

Abby goes to the screen porch and settles in for a good long brood, knowing Tom won't be home until very late.

Mary comes home and finds her there. "Abby what's wrong?"

"Nothing much. Just thinking a little." Abby laughs. "A lot."

Mary sits down beside her. "About what?"

"Just between us?"

"Yes."

"I was thinking about Frank."

"Did something in particular make you think about him?"

"Yes, but--maybe you'd better ask Nancy about that."

Mary is confused, she thought Abby was going to tell her. "Ok," ~Can't  help if I don't know what's going on.~

"But anyway, it got me thinking about Frank, and...Silly, isn't you? You think you've got things all settled and then you realize nothing's ever settled at all."

"No it's not silly." Mary says to her. "I think it's normal."

"Maybe. But it's still confusing."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Thanks, but I've just got to wait awhile and let that drawer close again."

Mary nods in understanding.

Abby takes Mary's hand and gives her a thankful squeeze.

Mary smiles and gives her a hug.

That night Abby stays up late studying, waiting for Tom to finally come home, but finally falls into a doze over her book.

Tom comes in looking like something the cat dragged in.

Abby wakes and stretches. "I didn't do a good job of waiting up for you." She takes a good look at Tom. "Don't tell me--you got elected to something."

"No." he says his face pale. "Sorry I woke you."

"That's OK," Abby says, putting her book away. "Research methodology isn't my preferred bed partner. So what did go wrong?"

"We are on strike." he says shocked.

"You're kidding."

Tom shakes his head no. "I tried to diffuse the situation but it was no use."

"At least it'll give you time to write," Abby says, trying to look on the bright side.

"Abby, we could be in trouble here."

"Why? I'm still working. How long can the strike last?"

"Honey, no offence. But even your salary can't cover the expenses."

"Then I'll go back to work full time. And I can get plenty of tutoring jobs after hours."

Tom cringes at this and hold his tongue not wanting another argument.

"It'll be OK," Abby assures him. "Maybe it's a good thing, even. You'll see."

"How can it be a good thing?"

"It'll give you a chance to write. The novel will be a best seller, you'll invest the money, and the next time the paper goes on strike, we won't have to worry."

"Always the optimist."

"Just someone with a healthy respect for your talent."

"That's no line?"

"Would I throw you a line?"

"No I guess not. But...." he begins to say

"But what?"

Tom finally says it. "I'm supposed to be the one taking care of you and this family."

"You are. It's just a long term investment you're making instead of something short-term."

"I am in no position to disagree, but once this strike is over. I am back to work and you go back part-time. OK?"

"OK," Abby agrees. ~We'll see about that.~

~What rotten timing.~ Tom thinks sitting on the edge of the bed.

"How long do you think the strike will last?" Abby says, beginning to massage Tom's shoulders.

"Hard to say. A week, a month. Even longer."

"We'll manage. Sooner or later the advertisers will start leaning on Elliot Randolph to settle."

"I hope you are right."

"Don't worry about what you can't control."

"You know me."

"I certainly do," Abby smiles.

"Might as well get to bed."

Abby gives him a kiss and moves away so he can change. "Did Nancy talk to you today?"

"This morning, why?"

"Did she tell you what was bothering her?"

"Yeah, a letter from Noah."

"She told me about it, too."

Tom sighs. "Did she read it?"

Abby nods. "She said she was glad she did, even if it did make her sad."

"Yeah, I know the feeling."

"You do?" Abby asks, surprised.

"Shortly after Joan died, I found her journal." he explains.

"I wish I had had something like that."

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault."

Tom holds her. "I know."

"I'm glad I have you."

"The feeling is very mutual."

Abby kisses him. "Good night, Tom."

"Goodnight." Tom says but lays there for hours worried.

Abby stays awake just as long, worried about Tom.

The next morning Tommy and Elizabeth are arguing rather loudly in the kitchen.

"Shh..." Joannie says. "Some respect for the dead."

"Stay out of it Joannie." Tommy says.

"I would if you'd keep it quiet enough for me to."

Tommy ignores her and continues fighting with Elizabeth.

Tom awakes from the yelling "What in the world."

"The kids," Abby groans. "If we ignore them, will they go away?"

Tom pulls the cover over his face ~I can't deal with this today.~

Abby gets out of bed. "See? That's another advantage of the strike--you can sleep in."

"Hmmph."

"Want me to bring you up something?"

"Breakfast?" Tom asks.

"I'll bring it up in a few minutes."

"Abby, thanks."

"Any time. Any special requests?"

"I don't suppose I could have eggs and bacon?" Tom sees her look. "Oatmeal, then."

Abby kisses him. "Be right back."

Tom rolls over.
 
 

"There's no way I am lending you any more money Tommy." Elizabeth shouts back.

"Shut up!" Joannie screams. "Ow."

Tommy and Elizabeth stop in their tracks.

"That's better," Joannie whispers.

"Why are you interfering?" Tommy asks.

"Because I got in late and you're giving me a headache."

"That's your problem." Tommy says. "Elizabeth I need that money."

"No way Tommy. I already lent you twenty dollars last week. Talk to Dad."

"Would you guys just take it outside?" Joannie pleads.

Tommy gives up and drags Elizabeth outside where they continue their argument.

Joannie closes the window as Abby comes in.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing important," Joannie says.

Abby sighs. ~I'm too tired to deal with her.~ She begins to prepare breakfast.

"I thought you couldn't stand to eat."

"I can't. This is for your father."

"You know, if there's anything Dad can't stand, it's oatmeal."

"He asked for it."

"Maybe this whole thing with another baby finally did drive him over the edge," Joannie says, but is interrupted by someone walking in before she can say more.

Nicholas comes in yawning.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Abby says, glad for the interruption.

"Who was yelling? It didn't sound like Dad."

"Tommy and Elizabeth," Joannie says. "They took it outside."

Elizabeth comes back into the house, Tommy behind her. "Abby, will you tell Tommy to leave me alone?"

"What are the two of you fighting about, anyway?"

"He hasn't paid me back from the last time I lent him money and now he wants more."

"Abby, where's Dad?" Tommy asks.

"Asleep. Don't wake him up. What do you need more money for?"

"Guitar strings." Tommy says.

"What happened to your allowance?"

"Asleep, is dad sick?" Nicholas asks.

"No, he just got in really late last night and doesn't have to go into the paper today--they're on strike."

Tommy and Elizabeth say it at the same time "Strike?"

"What's a strike?" Nicholas asks.

"It's when people say they won't work until you give them more money," Joannie tells him.

"If I tried that, I'd get grounded." Nicholas says

"It's not quite like that, Nicholas," Abby explains. "When people go on strike, it's because they don't think they're getting a fair amount of money for the work that they do. They try to work it out with the boss, but sometimes the only way to get the boss to come listen is to say that until
he does, they won't work."

"There goes my new guitar strings." Tommy says.

"Is that all you can think about?" Elizabeth asks. "Abby are we going to be OK?"

"Of course we are. We don't live hand to mouth, you know, and today I'm going to ask for more hours at work. We'll be fine. And Tommy, if you'd save your allowance, you'd have those new guitar strings."

"On what Dad gives us? He thinks penny candy is still a penny."

"When the strike's over I'll talk to him, OK?"

Tommy sighs. "OK."

"I have a dollar fifty in my piggy bank." Nicholas offers Tommy.

"Thanks squirt, but you keep it." Tommy says.

"Yeah, you may need it if the strike isn't settled soon," Joannie tells him.

Nicholas starts to fret.

"It will be settled quickly and we'll be fine, Nicholas," Abby says, throwing a quick glare Joannie's way.

"So what is Dad going to do?" Elizabeth asks.

"He's a writer. He'll just do his writing here instead of at the office."

"Dad'll be home all day?" Tommy says. "Oh this shall be fun."

Elizabeth looks at him and shakes her head.

"Tommy, this is his home. He does have a right to be here. I should get this upstairs before it cools," Abby says, putting Tom's breakfast on a tray. "When your father does come downstairs, be nice to him, OK?"

"OK, Is there anything else we can do?" Elizabeth asks

"Not yet, but if I think of something, I'll let you know."

Elizabeth nods.

"Oh, I may need all of you to take on some more chores around the house, if I'm going to be working full time," Abby says as she heads out of the room.

"Wonderful." Tommy cringes.

"Think of it as building up equity for that allowance raise you want," Abby advises.

"More like Slave wages." he mutters.

Elizabeth nudges him. "Don't worry Abby, we will pick up the slack."

"Thanks."

Nancy finally makes it down to the kitchen. "Good morning."

"Morning." Nicholas says.

"Good morning," Abby says on her way out.

"What's going on?" Nancy asks sensing tension in the air.

"The Register's on strike," Joannie says.

"Oh no not again." Nancy says.

"Again."

"Poor Dad."

"You mean poor us."

"That too, does he know how long it will last?"

"He hasn't even shown himself this morning."

"Maybe he's depressed."

"Maybe he's just enjoying the pity."

"That doesn't sound like Dad."

"Right."

"Dad's always preaching about responsibility."

"So what do you want him to do, be a strike-breaker?"

"Of course not."

"Well, then?"

"I'm just trying to say that Dad isn't going to shirk his responsibilities."

"Doesn't mean he won't enjoy watching us hop to it."

"You have a point there."

"I always do."

"I know, I know."

Joannie pushes away from the table. "I've got to get a move on."

"Do you need a ride?"

"I sure wouldn't say no."

"Let's go then." Nancy says and grabs her car keys.

Joannie follows her out.

 Tommy takes Nicholas outside to play catch.

"I better start on the laundry." Elizabeth says and leaves.

Abby brings Tom's breakfast up to him. "Room service," she calls out as she enters the bedroom.

Tom rolls back. "So what was world war 3 about?"

"Nothing important," Abby says, not wanting Tom to stress over finances.. "Just Tommy and Elizabeth up to their usual."

"For something not important. They sure do it loudly."

"They're teenagers. They do everything loudly."

"Now what is really going on?" Tom asks not buying the story.

"Tommy borrowed money from Elizabeth and she wants it paid back. Typical teenaged stuff," Abby insists.

"Poor Elizabeth."

"She ought to know Tommy by now."

"Yeah, she should but...I guess she's just too nice sometimes."

"She must get that from her father."

Tom laughs.

Abby kisses him. "Eat your breakfast before it goes stone cold. I've got to go get ready."

"Yes ma'am."

Abby starts getting her clothing together. "You treat me like a schoolmarm, I'm going to start acting like one."

"Please don't."

"Not one of your fantasies, hmm?" Abby smiles at him.

Tom smiles. "Not exactly."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Since I am the 'lady' of the house for awhile, anything you need me to do?" Tom asks

"You, my dear, are no lady. Just make sure the kids do their chores--they'll have it all under control. You just worry about writing."

Tom nods. ~I hate this.~

~I hate leaving him looking like this. But one of us has to earn a living.~

Tom gets up and puts his robe on. "Would you be upset if I ask that you don't work too hard?"

"I won't be. But I'm just a teacher. It's not like I'm a dockworker or something."

Tom sighs. "Ok then, Have a good day."

"You, too." Abby kisses him, shoves some books in her bag, and heads out.

Tom sighs and decides not to get dressed. He works in the study with his robe on.

On the way to school: "Maybe I should go back to work till the strike is over."

"You pay attention to your school work. Mom took good care of us the last time there was a strike, and as much as I hate to admit it, it sounds like Abby plans to, too."

"I know Abby will, but Mom wasn't pregnant the last time there was a  strike, Abby is pregnant she shouldn't overdo it."

"She's a teacher, not a dockworker."

"You're right, I'm being silly aren't I?"

"More like over-protective."

"And that's Dad's job."

"You got it."

They arrive at the college. "Another day, another few classes to try to  stay awake in." Nancy jokes.

"You can try to fool everyone else, but I know there's more to you than a pretty face."

"Thanks for saying that Joannie."

Joannie gives her a quick hug. "Go on, get to class or you'll be late."

Nancy also hugs her and then gets to class.

Later in the day Abby calls home.

"Hello." Nancy says as she answers the phone.

"Hi, Nancy. Look, I'm not going to be able to get home between work and classes. Do you think you could organize everyone to get dinner on the table?"

"Of course, don't worry about a thing."

"Speaking about worrying, how's your father?"

"I don't know, I just got home. Do you want to talk to him?"

"Yes, please."

"Ok, hold on." She goes to get Tom. "Abby's on the phone and she wants  to talk to you."

"Thanks." Tom says and goes to the phone. "Hi Dear."

"Hi. How's the writing going?" Abby asks.

"I can't get past 'chapter one."

"Then start with chapter two."

"How's your day?"

"Great. One of the tutors broke her leg last night, so I can pick up her schedule. Pretty good timing, isn't that?"

~Wonderful.~ he sighs. "Great."

"Isn't it? I've got a full schedule, and once the Register goes off strike and the woman I'm replacing heals, we go back to normal."

"Normal?"

"Well, as normal as our house ever gets..."

"You are learning."

"I've had a good teacher."

Tom smiles. "I'll wait up for you."

"I may be kind of late."

"I'll watch Carson."

"Well, I know when I'm out of my league."

"I have to amuse myself somehow."

"I'm sure you'll find something to do."

"I guess, see you later then."

"Tom?"

"Yes?"

~Stay away from bars while I'm at work.~ "Nothing. I love you."

"You too."

Abby hangs up and goes back to work, but the worry starts to gnaw at her.

While Mary is cooking a roast and Nancy is slicing carrots.

"Elizabeth will you make a salad please? Nicholas it's time to set the table. Tommy did you get desert?"

"OK." Nicholas says.

Elizabeth makes a salad.

"Ice Cream." Tommy replies.

"Cool, what kind?"

"Chocolate."

"You're a good brother."

Tommy laughs. "If that all it takes, is ice cream...."

Nancy laughs also. "Well a little more than that."

"Uh huh." he says.

Sam comes into the kitchen and hides under the table hoping no one sees him there and intent on catching any food that falls.

Nicholas starts feeding him.

Tom goes in the kitchen. "Nancy, I won't be eating tonight."

"Why not?" Nancy says. "Dad you need to eat."

"I'll eat later."

"Ok."

Tom goes upstairs.

Elizabeth goes over to Nancy. "Boy, he's really down."

Nancy is still glancing at where his retreating figure was seconds ago with a worried look on her face. "Huh?" She asks Elizabeth.

"Never mind, you are worried too."

"He looked so down."

"What do you expect?" Tommy asks. "Can't be easy watching Abby being the bread winner right now."

"But it's not his fault that the strike happened. And what's wrong with Abby being the bread winner?"

"You just don't understand."

"What don't I understand."

"He probably feels useless."

"He shouldn't."

"You don't understand the male pride."

"Oh I see." She says in a he's using the old double standard tone.

"What?"

"Let's say the tables were turned and there was a teachers strike and it was Abby who was suddenly at home not knowing when she would work again."

Tommy smirks. "That's not the same thing."

Elizabeth pipes in "That is so sexist."

"Very sexist." Mary agrees.

"How is it not the same thing?" Nancy demands giving Tommy more rope to hang himself.

"Dad pays the bills."

"Abby is more than capable of doing that."

"You women will never understand."

"And it will take a miracle for you men to realize that women can earn a living as well as men can."

Tommy shakes his head.

David walks in. "What's going on here?"

Elizabeth explains what was said.

"Well I'm all for women working if they want to." He says. "But it's the man who's the bread winner."

Nancy glares at him.

"Hear Hear." Tommy responds.

Joannie overhears this as she walks into the room. "You are such a chauvinist," she tells her brother.

"You should have heard Tommy a few minutes ago." Nancy says to her.

"How am I a chauvinist, I'm just stating fact." David says.

"Some fact. Fact is, Dad's not the bread winner right now, Abby is. And what's wrong with that?"

David chuckles. "You wouldn't understand."

"Oh, I understand. I understand it worries that overactive male pride of yours."

"I'll say." Nancy agrees.

David rolls his eyes at both of them. "So what's for dinner?"

"Whatever you feel like making for yourself." Mary says to him. "How 'bout crow?"

Joannie smiles at her sister. "I think the person who earns the bread should worry about baking it," she adds. "You wouldn't want to trust such an important job to us stupid females, would you?"

"Oh come on." David says.

"Come on nothing, you and Tommy can fend for yourselves." Nancy says.

"In fact, you can cook for all of us."

"I'm not cooking anything for you." David says. "If you women are so self sufficient then you don't need me to."

"First smart thing the man's said since he walked in."

"Well being a man, that might be all he's capable of." Mary adds.

David glares at them. "Tommy, Nicholas let's go get some pizza."

"Yay." Nicholas says.

"Uh...who's buying?" Tommy asks.

Elizabeth laughs.

"I am."

"Let's go then."

"Hey, don't drag Nicholas into your ridiculous ideas."

"Why don't we ask Nicholas who he thinks is being ridiculous." David says.

"Why don't we?"

Everyone looks at Nicholas waiting for his reply. Sam sits in Nicholas lap offering his protection.

"I want pizza." Nicholas says.

"But do you agree with what Tommy and David have been saying." Nancy asks him.

"I don't know, I am just a kid."

"Do you know what it represents if you go and eat pizza with them?" Mary asks.

"No." he says.

"Leave him alone." Tommy says.

"What are you going to do if I don't?" Mary asks.

"Stop it." Nicholas says and he runs upstairs.

"Now look what you did." Tommy says.

"Tommy get off your high horse." Mary goes after Nicholas.

David stops Mary. "Leave him alone." He glares at her and then takes Tommy and Nicholas out for pizza.

After they have left.

"That Neanderthal I was just going to apologize to Nicholas." Mary rants.

"Ignore him, he's just being all high and mighty like Tommy is." Nancy points out. Not seeing that she and her sisters are acting the same way.

Tom hears all the ruckus. "Will someone tell me what's going on here?"

"David was just by. He took Tommy and Nicholas out to dinner," Joannie tells him.

"Oh." he says.

"Sometimes they can be such jerks."

"Now that's not nice."

"Neither were they," Joannie defends herself.

"Neither were Tommy and David." Nancy says.

"What did they do?"

"They said..." Joannie then has the sense to shut up. "It doesn't matter."

The phone rings.

Tom answers the phone from the kitchen. "hello."

"Hello, may I please speak to Abby Bradford?" a man asks.

"She's still at work right now, may I take a message?"

"Could you please ask her to call Channing? She has my number."

"Uh, yeah OK."

"Thank you. It's quite urgent; tell her I'll wait for her call."

"She said she won't be home until late."

"She was supposed to meet me tonight. Oh, well, I suppose I can always call the restaurant and leave her a message. Thank you anyway." The man hangs up.

Tom hangs up slowly ~Restaurant?~

"You OK, Dad?" Joannie asks.

"Uh? Yeah, Yeah I am fine."

"Funny, you don't look fine."

"I'm going back upstairs, try and keep it quiet down here."

"Yes, sir," Joannie mutters under her breath.

"Aye aye sir." Nancy whispers.

Tom goes to his room and starts pacing.

"If one more person bails out of dinner I'm leaving too." Nancy states.

"So I guess I shouldn't tell you I'm heading out?" Joannie asks.

"No you shouldn't, but I'll wind up finding out anyway and it's better if I hear it from you." She answers.

"In that case--Nance, I'm not going to be home for dinner tonight."

"In that case Sis, neither am I." Nancy announces.

"What about Mary and Elizabeth?"

"And Susan?" Mary adds.

Nancy sighs. "Ok, I'll stay."

"You're such a good sister."

"Thank you."

Elizabeth laughs.

"I'm going out" Susan says.

"See?" Joannie says. "Well, I'm out of here. Let me know when the guys come to their senses."

"I'm sure you'll be back long before then."

Joannie thinks about it for a moment. "Yeah, I'll probably be back before the end of the century."

Mary and Nancy laugh. Elizabeth just sighs. Joannie heads out.

Meanwhile at the pizza parlor.

"Take some advice from me Nicholas don't let them girls get the best of you. If you show them it doesn't bother you it will really get to them." David advises.

Tommy nods. "It's not going to be easy."

"It never is."

"All I can say is Abby better have a boy."

"Tommy calm down."

"David you don't know what it's like since you left."

"So tell me."

"We are being over run by females. We never can get the bathroom, phone or TV."

"Do you feel the same way Nicholas?"

"Sometimes." he admits.

"Ok, but remember it's not Abby's fault if she has a girl."

"Who is it then, Dad's?" Tommy half-jokes.

"Actually, yes it is." David says remembering what he learned in Biology.

"Figures." Tommy says.

"Yeah." David adds.

"I hope Abby still like me after he baby's born." Nicholas adds.

Tommy looks at David.

"That you never have to worry about." David says.

Nicholas remains quiet.

"Nicholas you know that Abby loves you right?"

He nods.

"Then trust in that love, everything is going to be all right."

"OK."

"No Nicky you have to say it. 'Everything is going to be all right.'" David says hoping he's not pushing.

"It's going to be OK." he says.

David smiles.

Part four