The morning V is due to arrive, Abby asks Tom, "What do you plan to do today?"

"Besides trying to write?"

Abby nods. "Your sister's coming. Are you going to let her know the paper's on strike?"

Tom half-way laughs. "You think this family can keep that from her?"

"Well, you can always hope."

"Yeah and the moon is made of green cheese."

"Stranger things have happened."

"Always the optimist. But yes I plan to tell her."

"Well, good luck." Abby picks up her briefcases and purse. "I'll try to get home early tonight."

"Don't work too hard."

"Tom..." Abby starts, automatically, then sighs. "I won't."

He gives her a kiss.

"Hold that thought for tonight..."

"I will."

Abby kisses him again before leaving.

An hour later, the phone rings.

Tom picks it up. "Bradfords."

"Hello, Thomas," Harry says.

Tom rolls his eyes. ~Great~ "Hi Harry."

"I've heard that that paper of yours is on strike."

"Yes and it's driving me nuts."
 "Maybe this would be a good time to look for a real job."

"Harry, that is a real job."

"A reporter?" Harry scoffs.

"If it wasn't for reporters, what would you read over your morning coffee?"

"Well...but you don't write news."

Tom grumbles. "I write a very important column."

"If you like that sort of thing..."

Tom realizes its hopeless. '"You just missed Abby."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Oh, well, I'll call her when she gets home--around 2:30, isn't it?"

"No, she's working late tonight."

"And I have to be in court early tomorrow. I'll call her tomorrow afternoon then."

"I'll let her know." Tom replies. not wanting to tell him that she works late every night.

"Thank you. It's important that I speak with her."

"Ok."

"And if you ever do want to think about a real job, I do have friends in the State House..."

"I'll keep that in mind Harry."

"Good. Good. Then I'll go to work and let you go do whatever it is unemployed reporters do."

~Not a word about the baby?~ Tom thinks. "Fine, take care."

"Thomas?" Harry says on the verge of hanging up.

"Yes?"

"You take good care of my daughter and grandson."

"That you can count on."

"I thought so."

Tom smiles in relief. "So I can put away by bullet proof vest?"

"For now."

"Thanks Harry." Tom shakes his head.

"Tell Sandra Sue I'll call tomorrow," Harry says and hangs up.

Tom hangs up and goes back in his study.

As soon as Tom hangs up the phone there's a car horn honking outside.

~So much for my writing today.~ Tom thinks and ventures outside.

"Tommy Belly Button!!" She greets him.

"V why must you keep calling me that?"

"Is that anyway to greet your sister now come over here and give me a hug."

Tom gives her a hug. "How was your trip?"

She returns the hug. "It was fabulous, where are the kids and Abby?"

"School and work."

"Then let me take you out to lunch."

"No, I'll take you out."

"You're a good brother."

"Let me go put on a tie." Tom says as he takes V's bags.

"Ok," she says as they head inside.

Tom gets his tie on and comes downstairs. "OK, where do you want to go?"

"Somewhere nice." She says.

~And expensive~ he thinks. "Hotel Sacramento?"

She nods.

Tom drives to the restaurant.

"So Tom why are you home this early?"

"I was working from home."

"Oh that is nice, are they going to let you do that for now on?"

"It's just temporary." Tom says. ~I hope.~

V looks at him for a long time. "Now why don't you tell me what's really going on."

"Nothing." he lies.

"Tommy." She says sternly.

Tom grumbles. "The paper is on strike."

"Oh Tom I'm sorry."

"Me too."

She squeezes his hand reassuringly.

"So how is Horst?"

"Horst is fine."

"Good."

Their food arrives and then they eat. Afterwards while walking around town. "So are you excited about the baby?"

Tom smiles. "Very, but I wonder..."

"What do you wonder?"

"If maybe I am too old."

"You can't be, you're younger than I am, and I'm not old."

Tom laughs. "I guess its a matter of the mind."

She laughs also and then says. "Hey isn't that Nancy?" She points to her niece who is a little far away with a clipboard in her hand and a pen in another approaching people walking by and conversing with them.

"Yes, what is she doing?"

"Let's go see."

Tom and V go over to Nancy. "Nancy, what are you doing?" Tom asks.

"Hi Dad, this is for psychology class." She then hugs her Aunt. "Hi Auntie V."

"Hi honey." V hugs her back.

"Oh." he says. "What's the topic?"

"Well there's not really a topic per say. I'm supposed to see how people react to the questions on the survey."

"Oh, need help?"

"I have to do it on my own."

"OK."

~I'm sure glad he didn't ask what the questions are.~

"What is it about anyway?' Tom asks casually.

"Just personal questions." She says vaguely.

"Why don't you ask me and V, that way you have two less to do."

"Um, Dad are you sure about that?"

"I am, V?" Tom asks.

"Oh definitely." She says.

"Uh, why don't you read them first." Nancy hands them to her dad and aunt.

Tom eyes go wide. He looks at V.

"Nancy," V begins. "Your professor assigned something like this?"

"Yes, he's pretty cool." She replies.

"And he knows you're asking strangers questions like this while you're all alone?" V says.

"Yeah." She shrugs.

"What kind of teacher would assign this?"

"One that doesn't specialize in putting his students to sleep." Nancy defends her professor.

"But this........." Tom begins to state.

"Is very interesting material." V says.

"That's putting it mildly." Tom begins to rant.

"Dad it'll be all right."

"I guess I'll see you at home later then."

"Yeah I'll be home in a few hours."

Tom takes the survey with him.

Nancy hopes he doesn't make a fuss about it later. She arrives home a few hours later and is greeted by Holly at the front entranceway.

"Hey kid does your mom know you're here?"

"Nope, I walked here all by myself." She boasts proudly.

"Oh, well I think we need to go and tell her where you are at." Nancy says knowing her mom will be worried.

"You're not mad at me are you?" Holly asks.

"Of course not." She gets Sam and then she and Holly go over to her house. And after an afternoon of dressing up Sam Nancy finally returns home and finds her siblings in the tv room. "I need to call a sister meeting." She announces.

"What's up?" Joannie asks.

"We'll be needed a lot around the house starting next week." She says.

"What for?"

"Abby will be a lot more busy."

"It's not like she's doing much around here, anyway. Anyone notice the state of the refrigerator?"

"I can go grocery shopping tomorrow." Mary offers.

"See what I mean? It's not just next week that's the issue."

"She only forgot to shop." Nancy says not realizing that Joannie is about to tell her about other things that have been forgotten.

"Remember when Abby told us not to bother picking up the dry cleaning, that it was on her way home from work? About two weeks ago?"

"Yeah." Nancy says.

"Have you seen any of your dry cleaning since then?"

"Oh." Nancy says. "I'll go pick it up before dinner."

"Abby's got the tickets," Joannie reminds her.

"Is she still home?"

"Is she ever?"

"Joannie she's real busy with everything I'll catch her tonight."

"I'm just looking out for her," Joannie claims. "You know, it's really not healthy for a pregnant woman to run around like she is. Mom never would have."

"Her and mom are two different people. We can't judge Abby on what mom would've done." ~But she has been overdoing it.~ "But I wonder if there's a way to get her to slow down."

"Short of tying her down?"

"Yes." Nancy smiles.

"I don't think so."

Nancy looks at Mary expectantly.

"Why do you think I will know?" Mary asks.

"Because you're the oldest sister." Nancy says.

"That doesn't mean I know of a way."

"Maybe you could bring some tranquilizers home from medical school," Joannie jokes.

Mary laughs. "I don't think so Joannie but it's a funny idea."

"Hey, I tried."

"And for that you get a gold star, if we had any." Nancy replies.

"Maybe we could get one and clock Abby over the head with it. At least that way we'll make sure she gets some rest."

"No, head injuries are brutal." Nancy says.

"Pity. That way we could get her to slow down for a whole week, if not more," Joannie sighs.

"Can't do it Joannie."

"Aw, you're no fun at all."

"Am too."

Joannie sticks her tongue out.

Nancy sticks hers out.

"If you two aren't careful your faces are going to stay like that." Mary comments.

Joannie looks at Mary and then at Nancy. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I sure am." Nancy grins.

Joannie and Nancy dive for Mary and start tickling.

"Hey stop it." Mary says between laughs.

"Never." Nancy laughs and tickles her.

Joannie looks over at Susan and Elizabeth. "Well? What are you waiting for?"

Susan joins them in tickling Mary.

"Susan no please stop, Elizabeth help!!" Mary yells.

Elizabeth comes in. "What's going on?"

"It's tickle Mary time." Nancy tells her.

"I'll take the feet." Elizabeth says.

"No not the feet!!" Mary protests.

Tom helps V get settled at the house.

"Tom she'll be fine, she has a good head on her shoulders."

"But the topic.."

"I know," she says.

Not long after, Abby gets home from work.

"Hi." Tom says as he's talking to V.

Abby takes a look at her husband's face. "What's wrong?"

Tom hands her the survey Nancy was doing.

"Where did you get this?" Abby asks.

"Nancy." Tom says. "Assignment from school."

"Things sure have changed since I was in college..."

"Tell me about it." Tom says. "You're a teacher, what do you make of it?"

"Well, I'll bet he never has a student who doesn't do the homework," Abby tries to make light of the situation.

"Ha Ha." Tom says. "I'm not laughing.”

"Tom, I'm sure it's not what you think it is."

Tom shakes his head. "Well whatever it is, I still don't like it."

"No one said you had to."

Tom sighs.

"Why don't you just try trusting Nancy?"

"Her I trust, its the other people I don't."

V shakes her head at him.

"It's really not that bad," Abby says, looking at the questions again. "No worse than what you find in Cosmopolitan."

"Oh that makes me feel better."

"Tom, aren't you being just a little unreasonable?"

"I'm a father, it’s part of the job."

"It doesn't have to be."

"In other words. Let it be."

"Exactly."

"Fine." he says and throws the survey in the trash can.

"Hi Abby." V hugs her

"Hi, V," Abby says, silently hoping that V doesn't hug her hard enough to further upset her already-upset stomach.

"How are you feeling? Are you hungry?"

"Didn't Tom tell you? The new rule around here is don't mention food around me," Abby jokes.

"No he didn't tell me, Tom you're supposed to warn me about these things." V teases.

"Why spoil your fun." Tom says.

"Well, I hate to tell you this, but I'm going to be spoiling your fun tonight," Abby announces.

Tom face goes grim. "Huh?"

"Remember that dinner date of mine that got cancelled the other day? Well, I'm going to have to bring him here tonight. Dinner, and then he and I have to find somewhere quiet to talk for a few hours."

Tom sighs. "Oh, well you might as well use my study. It might as well be good for something." Tom says. "Excuse me." he says to V and Abby before he leaves.

Abby starts to follow him, then shakes her head and drops into a chair instead. "I'm sorry you had to hear that," she tells V.

"It's all right, I've heard worse." V says.

"I've never seen him wallow in self-pity before. It's not a pretty sight.”

"No it's not."

"How do I get him out of it?"

V sighs. "I don't suppose what I used to do when we were kids would work."

"It might. What was it?"

"I used to tie him to a chair and not let him watch tv till his mood passed."

Abby considers this for a minute, smiling. "I could use something like that...."

V laughs, "I'll buy the rope."

Abby smiles. "No offense, V, but if I tie him up, I think I'd better go it alone."

"I hear ya."

Abby sighs and gets up. "I really should go find him and try to get him out of his mood."

"Good luck."

"I'll need it," Abby admits, and goes upstairs to hunt Tom down.

Tom is sitting in his chair looking out the window.

"Hey, there," Abby says, kissing the top of his head.

"Hey." he says.

"What's wrong?"

Tom shrugs. "Other than this strike? Nothing."

"Tom," Abby chides, a little hurt he won't confide in her.

"Maybe it's because I feel like the whole world is going on without me."

"What do you mean by that? This family's not going anywhere without you."

"Sure it is. Your career is going great, the kids have their own lives. So what good am I?"

"Maybe the kids can have their own lives because you raised them right, and maybe my career's finally going great because my personal life is finally going great?"

"Good try."

"I've never seen you in a mood like this before, not even when we first met."

"I guess I was just too busy to hold everything together."

"And now? Do you think we don't need you?"

Tom reluctantly nods.

"I don't know about the kids, but I certainly need you. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here."

Tom grabs her hand. "Really?"

"What did you think, I just married you because my neighbor across the hall was too nosy?"

Tom tries not to laugh.

"Come on, you know we need you," Abby says and hugs him.

"I need you too, very much."

"I'm not going anywhere--except maybe downstairs to start dinner."

"Need any help?"

"You? In the kitchen? I know you're not crazy about the idea of this publicity tour, but you don't have to try to poison the publicity guy."

Tom smiles. "OK, I take the hint."

"But you can keep me company while I cook," Abby smiles at him. "We hardly see each other lately."

Tom nods. "OK."

Abby gives him a quick kiss.

He walks downstairs with her.

"Your sister probably thinks we're having a knock-down, drag-out fight."

"You think so?"

"The way you ran out of the room before? I know so."

"I'll apologize to her later."

"Good. She worries about you, you know."

"I know."

Abby hugs him.

"So what do you plan to feed your publicist?"

Abby looks in the refrigerator. "I don't have much choice. I haven't had time to do shopping yet this week."

"I'm sorry, you should have told me."

"Why? Shopping's my job, not yours."

"But I'm not doing anything important right now."

"In that case, you can hand me some tomatoes."

Tom hands her the tomatoes. "You know what I mean."

"But you are doing something important. You're working on your novel."

"Look I am not too much of a male chauvinist I can't do a little shopping when you are too busy right now."

"No, no, no. Remember this?" Abby points to her wedding ring. "My reminder to love, cherish, and do the shopping."

"Your homing device." Tom laughs.

"You're a nut, you know that?" Abby laughs.

"Only about you."

"Oh, I can think of a few other things, too," Abby teases.

Tom smiles. "Need anything else?"

"Besides you? Not a thing. But maybe you should go entertain your sister?"

"OK." Tom kisses Abby and then goes in search of his sister. "V?"

"In here!!" She calls from the living room.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"V, I am sorry about earlier."

"It's all right."

"No, it isn't. I don't know what's been going on with me lately."

"We've all been there Tom, it's ok."

Tom wonders why V is so curt with him. "Are you OK V?"

"Of course I'm fine." She says not wanting to admit that even she is a little worried about that survey.

"V, I have known you longer than anybody. What's wrong?"

"Do you want me to talk to Nancy and give her some tips?"

"About?"

"About how to know when a guy is trouble."

"If you think it would help."

"Well it couldn't hurt."

"Fine."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Talk to her."

"Got ya." She says.

"Would you like a drink before dinner?"

"I would love one."

Tom fixes them both a drink and they sit in the living room.

Soon Nicholas arrives home.

"Hi Auntie V." Nicholas says.

"Don't I get a 'Hi' too?" Tom asks.

"Oh, Hi Dad." he says.

"Thanks." Tom replies.

"Hi buddy." V gives him a hug and pulls a package out from under the chair she's sitting in and then hands it to Nicholas.

Nicholas smiles. "Cool, what is it?"

Tom rolls his eyes. "V...you are going to spoil him."

"That's my job baby brother." She says and then turns to Nicholas. "Open it and find out sweetheart."

Nicholas unwraps his present. "Wow, thanks Auntie V."

She smiles. "You're welcome."

Nicholas runs into the kitchen "Hey Abby, look what Auntie V brought me."

"Hi, Nicholas. Let's see what she gave you."

He shows it to her.

"Wow. You've got a great aunt, don't you?"

Nicholas nods. "I'm going to my playhouse."

"Just make sure you come in in time to wash up for dinner."

"Ok."

"Then have a good time," Abby says before going back to dinner preparations.

Tom shakes his head. "Bring anything for me?' he jokes.

"Of course I did." She hands him his package. She had brought something for everyone even Sam who was now on the sunporch chewing on his new toy.

"V, I am not ungrateful but you don't have to bring something every time you come. We would still let you in the door."

"I know but I love getting the people I love presents."

Tom opens his present. "This is too lavish."

"I know but you love it right?"

Nicholas runs out the back with his new toy.

In the living room, Tom sighs. "Mom taught us not to lie." he says. "Yes, I love it."

She smiles. "Good I knew you would, Abby!!"

Abby comes out of the kitchen. "You bellowed?" she smiles at her sister-in-law.

"Yes I did." V smiles back and hands her a present.

Abby unwraps a tiny little baby outfit. "V, it's adorable."

"It's not too cute then." V hopes.

"No, I bet it'll be perfect."

"Good."

At that point another family member walks in.

"Cute outfit." Susan says walking into the room.

"Hi sweetie." V hugs her and hands her a present.

Susan unwraps her gift "Thanks Auntie V."

"You're welcome."

At 6:30 the doorbell rings. "Could someone get that?" Abby calls from the kitchen.

Tom answers the door.

A man in his early 30s is standing there. "Hello. You must be Mr. Bradford. Abby's told me so much about you."

"Hi." Tom shakes his hand. "And this is my daughter Nancy."

"Hello, Nancy," the man says. "I'm Channing Ellis--I've been working with Abby on getting her book out. Wonderful thing, books, aren't they? A piece of immortality."

Tom puts on a fake smile.

"Hi," she shakes his hand also. "And I never thought of books that way."

"I'm sure your father knows what I'm talking about--after all, he's got eight pieces of immortality right here at home."

Tom laughs. ~You are a jerk.~

~What on earth is a woman like Abby doing with a man like that? Loser.~

Nancy's about to say eight for now but doesn't know who all Abby has told yet. "Would you like a drink?" She asks.

"Yes, please."

Tom shows him into the living room. "Abby?"

Abby comes into the living room, wiping her hands. "Oh, hi, Channing. Tom, this is the man I've been working with at the publishers'," Abby starts to explain.

"He told me." Tom pours himself a long drink.

Abby looks at the size drink Tom is pouring himself, then at Tom, confused.

~It's going to be a long night.~ Tom thinks.

~I should have known better~ Abby says to herself.

~What was I thinking, coming here? I should have insisted on dinner somewhere quieter,~ Channing thinks, ~like the middle of the interstate.~

Nancy fixes a drink for him and brings it to him.

"Thank you," Channing says, smiling at her.

"Not a problem." Nancy smiles back. ~He sure is cute.~

Channing looks her over. ~Cute. Must take after her mother.~

Nancy breaks out of his gaze after a few moments. "Well I'd better get back to the kitchen. It was nice look.... nice meeting you."

Channing watches her leave. "What a lovely way to achieve immortality. I suppose it's even better than a book," he says to Tom.

Tom lightly grumbles. "Yeah."

"What a lucky man you are. A wife like Abby, beautiful daughters...."

"Yes, I am very fortunate."

"I think I'm envious," Channing says, smiling.

"I am sure a guy like yourself has hundred of girls fawning over you." Tom states ~as long as its not my wife or daughter.~

"Oh, I do all right, I guess. Though I do prefer women to girls."

~I bet you do.~ Tom thinks. "Refresh your drink?"

"Yes, please."

Tom does the honors and is about to refresh his own, but instead pours himself a water.

~I suppose at his age you have to watch yourself.~

Tom looks at the clock. ~Great 10 minutes just went by.~

~Well, at least he's restful...I'm getting sleepy.~

Tom eyes Abby ~Help.~

Abby tries to think of some topic that won't get Tom upset and comes up blank.

Nancy retreats to the kitchen and Tom notices his guest leering. "So Channing, how long have you been in the publishing business?"

"Nearly ten years, ever since I got out of college."

"Straight out of college." Tom says ~Hmmm..he must be what...32? Great Abby's age.~

"Only thing I ever wanted to do."

"I know the feeling."

"Oh, really? You always wanted to be a family man?"

Tom lightly chuckles. "I am a writer also."

"Oh, yes, you write that column in the Register. I always did like that 'Ode to Spring' column you do every year."

Tom takes a deep breath. ~I won't let this 'kid' bother me. "It is a classic."

"It gets better almost every year."

"Thank you."

Meanwhile in the kitchen. Nancy's unable to get the smile off her face. She starts humming as she chops carrots.

"What's got you so happy?" Joannie asks when she walks in.

"The eye candy in the living room." She says.

Joannie sneaks a peek. "Cute. Who is he and why does Dad hate him?"

Nancy tells her who he is. "What makes you think that Dad hates him? Who could ever hate him?"

"Isn't that steam coming out of Dad's ears?"

Nancy takes a look and notices also. "Dad's obviously upset about something else."

"OK, so what did you do now?" Joannie sighs theatrically.

"Well it might not be me either, but...." She shows her the survey.

"Where did you get this?"

"From Professor Williams." She says. "I have to turn in the results next Monday."

"What are you supposed to be doing with this?"

"Getting reactions from people on the street."

"You're going up to total strangers and asking them questions like these?" Joannie gasps.

"Yeah, it was a little awkward at first, but after a few times....."

"And how many people propositioned you?"

"Most of the men, and one of the women."

"And Dad knows about this?"

"Yes, I ran into him and Auntie V earlier, but they don't know about the propositions."

"Even so. I see why Dad's steaming. I'm just surprised he didn't go straight over to your professor."

"You don't think he'll do that do you?"

"No, he probably won't."

Nicholas overhears this and goes to Abby in the living room.

"Hey, Nicholas, what's up?" Abby asks.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"What does proposition mean?"

"Well, it's a suggestion or a question," Abby says. "Why?"

Nicholas explains what he overheard. "I wasn't eavesdropping, honest."

"No, I know you weren't. Sometimes people just don't check who's around when they talk. I'll talk to Nancy, but in the meantime, let's just keep this to ourselves, OK?" ~Because I'm sure not telling this to Tom....~

"I wouldn't know what to say anyway." he replies.

"That kind of makes two of us, but I'll figure it out."

"When's dinner?"

Abby sneaks a glance at Tom and Channing. "The sooner the better."

"Want me to set the table?"

"Would you, please?" ~And hurry, before someone spontaneously combusts.~

Nicholas nods and goes and does his duty.
 

Nancy sighs in relief and then observes Joannie's expression. "You're not going to are you?"

"I won't have to once Dad blasts your professor's name across page 2 of the Sacramento Register."

"I was in a good mood." Nancy sighs.

"And you can stay that way--at least until the paper comes out in the morning."

"Dad won't do that."

Joannie shrugs.

Nancy finishes the carrots. "I'll be back in a little bit."

"Good luck."

"Thanks." She goes to the living room. "I hate to interrupt but Dad can I talk to you for a minute?"

Tom perks up. "Of course, I always have time for my children." Tom replies. "You'll excuse us, won't you Channing?"

"Yes, of course. Abby and I have a lot to talk about, anyway--we can get started while you're busy."

~I bet you do.~ Tom thinks as he ushers Nancy out of the living room. "Nancy, thank you for saving me."

"From what?" Nancy asks.

"From Channing."

~Joannie's right he doesn't like him.~

"Now what can I do for you?"

"Dad if I ask you something do you promise not to get upset because I don't want to ask if it's going to put you in a bad mood." She says not wanting to upset him.

"What?"

"I wasn't planning on it, why?"

"Just checking Dad." Nancy sighs in relief.

As they leave the room, Channing gets up and sits down again next to Abby.

Tommy and Elizabeth walk in. "Hi."

"Hi," Abby says and makes the introductions.

~Boy he's cute.~ Elizabeth thinks.

~He looks slick.~ Tommy thinks.

"I've heard a lot about both of you," Channing says, all the while eyeing Elizabeth.

Elizabeth smiles. "We heard a little about you too."

"Only good, I hope," he smiles at her.

"Oh yes." Liz replies.

~Oh brother~ Tommy thinks.

"And I've only heard good things about you," Channing says to Elizabeth, ignoring Tommy.

Elizabeth smiles. Tommy gives Abby that look.

Abby looks back at Tommy, absolutely bewildered.

"Would you like us to do anything to help?" Tommy asks.

"Well, since you're asking, Tommy, could you lower the fire under the soup to a simmer?"

"Sure." Tommy says. "Elizabeth?"

"Huh?" she says in la-la land.

He takes her arm and escorts her to the kitchen.

Channing once again moves his chair closer to Abby and whispers something to her. Abby nods and whispers something back.

Tom walks back into the living room just in time to watch Channing put a too-friendly arm across Abby's shoulders.

~I will not lose my temper~ Tom thinks. He makes enough noise for them to notice him.

Channing quickly moves his arm.

"Oh, hi, Tom. What did Nancy want?" Abby asks.

"About that survey."

"Oh. I'll talk to her later about it. Did Nicholas finish setting the table?"

Tom nods.

"Then I guess we should start dinner."

~Let this evening end soon.~ "I'll get V."

"And could you get the kids, too?" Abby asks.

"They are all in the dining room." he says.

Tom corners V on the way to the dining room "Do you to do your little brother a favor?"

"Sure what is it?"

"Flirt with Channing."

"Excuse me."

"Have you seen how he looks at Abby?"

~Yes and I've also seen how he's looked at the girls but he doesn't seem too concerned about that. I don't want to flirt with the slime I want to mop the floor with him.~ "Tom I'm not going to flirt with him, why don't you try trusting your wife."

"It's not just Abby, but the girls too." Tom says. "If I say anything, then I am either jealous or overprotective."

She sighs. "Ok, but only just this once, and you owe me big."

Tom hugs her. "Thank You."

"You're welcome." She returns the hug.

They go to the dining room.

V smiles and winks at Channing.

Channing gives her a quick smile and then returns to his conversation with Abby.

V makes a point of sitting on the other side of him. "Come here often."

Channing puts on his best long-suffering smile. "No, Abby usually comes to my office, but we're pressed for time."

"What are you doing after dinner?"

"Abby and I have a lot of work to do."

"And after that?"

"Go home, I suppose."

V tries again but gets nowhere so she approaches Tom. "No go." She whispers.

Part 2