Lost…

 

At the Bradford house, the phone rings.

Nancy answers the phone. "Hello."

 

"Hello, this is Ethan Hamm of Channel 8. May I please speak with Mr. Bradford?"

 

"Sure, Dad it's for you."

 

"Thanks Honey, and I want to talk to you after I get done."

 

"Ok, I'll be on the sun porch." She says.

 

Tom nods.

 

Nancy sighs and goes off to the sun porch to be alone still sad over the professor situation.

 

"Hello." Tom says.

 

"Hello, Mr. Bradford. This is Ethan Hamm of the Channel 8 morning show. We're doing a series on successful Sacramento couples, and I was hoping we could feature you and your wife on our show."

 

Tom half way laughs. "This a joke right? Somebody at the Register put you up to this."

 

"No, Mr. Bradford, it's not a joke. If you'd like, you can call Channel 8 and ask for me."

 

"You are serious?"

 

"Yes, sir. Who wouldn't want to snag an interview with Sacramento's hottest media couple?"

 

"Excuse me, but I just find it hard to believe."

 

"You are the acting editor of the Register and your wife did just write a book that several football teams have adopted for their community outreach programs this year, right?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Then what's so hard to believe? And you've got 8 kids, and you still write your column--you're a great story, Mr. Bradford."

Tom rolls his eyes. "I don't know Mr. Hamm."

 

"Why not?"

 

"As such as it is, I do like my privacy."

 

"Oh, come on, Mr. Bradford. I read your column. What privacy?"

 

"Look Mr. Hamm, before I can commit to anything I need to discuss it with my wife."

 

"Oh, sure, of course. Look, why don't I give you my number and you can call me back tomorrow?"

 

"Sure." he says.

 

"Thanks." Hamm gives Tom his phone number.

 

Tom hangs up and sets the number aside. Intending to tell Abby when she calls.

He finds Nancy in the sun porch. He sees his daughter's long face. "Want to talk about it?"

 

"I don't know." She says a little hesitant but wanting to talk to her Dad about it.

"Who else can a girl trust than her own father?"

 

Her eyes start tearing. "How do you give up someone that you think you're in love with."

 

"Oh Nancy." he says as he puts his arm around her. "I don't know, but sometimes when you love someone you have to do what's best for them, even if it means letting them go."

 

"But it's so hard dad." She says as her tears start falling.

 

"I know honey, I know."

 

She leans into his embrace and finally tells him who it is and what went on.

 

Tom sighs. "I can't say I am not thrilled its over."

 

"Somehow I knew you'd say that."

 

"It doesn't mean I don't feel of your pain."

 

"I know."

Tom sits there with her.

 

"I love you Dad."

 

"I love you too."

 

"Can we go somewhere? Just you and I?"

 

Tom looks at his watch. "Where would you like to go?"

 

"To get something to eat, maybe to the park like we used to."

 

"I think we can arrange that."

 

"Thanks Dad."

 

"My Pleasure."

 

In New York, Abby is getting ready for an event. Channing is sitting with her, discussing plans. As has become usual, Abby starts to sneeze. "I hate this cold. I can't wait to get home and have a doctor check it out."

"Then why wait?"

"Huh?"

"We're in New York. There has to be a doctor somewhere in this town."

"Lots, I'll bet. But what am I supposed to do, pick a name out of the phone book?"

"We'll ask around. I don't want my favorite author getting even sicker."

"It's only four more days until I'm home, Channing. I can wait it out." Abby coughs. "On second thought..."

Channing makes a few phone calls and that afternoon he takes Abby to see a doctor.

"The doctor will be with you in a minute." A nurse says.

 

"Thank you," Channing says as Abby launches into a coughing fit.

 

Soon she's taken to see the doctor.

 

Abby explains that she's pregnant, has this cold, is traveling, and is miserable.

 

The doctor examines her. "Yes it's a terrible cold you have and I have just the thing for it." He writes a prescription for her.

 

"This is safe for her to take when she's pregnant?" Channing asks.

 

"Of course, it's just advanced cold medication."

 

"Then I'll make sure she takes it."

 

"Good and make sure she gets a day or two of bedrest."

 

"Well, that part might be difficult."

 

"Why's that?"

 

"I won't get home until Tuesday," Abby speaks up.

 

The doctor sighs. "Ok, but I still strongly suggest that you find a way to rest."

 

"I'll do the best I can."

 

"Please do Mrs. Bradford."

 

Abby and Channing thank the doctor and leave. While she's filling the prescription, Channing makes a few phone calls. "If you're willing to stay a few extra days, I can reschedule things so you're able to rest most of the day," he tells Abby.

"I don't know. I did promise my family I'd come home on Tuesday."

"You heard the doctor. What's more important, your schedule or your baby?"

Abby laughs. "Now you're starting to sound like Tom."

"I'm not that bad, am I?"

"Hey, remember--I like Tom."

"OK, then, I'll take it as a compliment. So should I rearrange things?"

"Tell you what. When we get back to the hotel I'll call Tom and talk it over with him."

"OK."

They get Abby's medicine and head back so that Abby can call home. Abby waits for someone to pick up the phone.

 

Tom picks up the phone. "Hello?"

 

He's greeted by a fit of coughing.

 

"Abby?" He asks "Is that you?"

 

Abby finally gets control of herself again. "No, it's not me, just my cold. I went to a doctor, by the way."

"Good, and?"

 

"It's just a cold. He gave me some medicine and told me to rest as much as I can. Which is why I'm calling, see."

"Rest?"

 

"To shake the cold. But the schedule here's really tight, so Channing thought that he'd try to rearrange things and spread it all out over a couple of extra days so I could stay in bed half the day or so. What do you think?"

 

"I think you need to come home."

 

"I'm not going to abandon my work for a cold, Tom."

"Abby.....: Tom worries.

 

"If you had a cold, would you stay home and leave the paper to manage itself?"

"No, But I am not the one that's pregnant."

 

"Oh, so my life is supposed to stop? Until when--till it's born? Till it's in school? Till it's grown and out of the house?"

 

"Abby, I am just concerned, that's all." Tom states. "Take all the time you need." he resigns himself to the fact that she's going to do what she wants anyway.

 

"Tom, you know I'd rather be home Tuesday, but this is the only way I can get some rest in, too. Don't make me regret I did what you wanted and went to see a doctor."

"Are you sure you are going to be OK?"

 

"The doctor said I would be."

 

"Then do what you have to do."

 

"OK, I'll have to let you know when I'll be coming home, then--probably not before the weekend. How are things there?"

 

"About the same." he says and tells her of the talk he had with Nancy.

 

"I wish I could be there to help her."

 

"Me too." he says He then tells her of the TV reporter.

 

"You're kidding."

 

"Those were my exact words."

 

"So I take it this is real? I think we should do it. High time you got the recognition you deserve."

 

"I don't know Abby."

 

"Why not?"

 

"I am not too thrilled with TV journalism."

 

"They're not going to do some expose on a morning talk show."

"I wouldn't be so sure, but if you want to do it. We will do it."

 

"It might be fun."

 

"OK, I'll call Mr. Hamm up."

 

"Good. Let me know when it is and I'll make sure to be home by then."

 

"Abby, please take care of yourself."

 

"I am. I'm in bed right now, with a big pot of tea and a huge glass of juice."

 

"OK, get some rest and I'll talk to you soon."

 

"I hope you're getting some rest, too, not just running yourself ragged."

 

"I'm trying."

 

"How about not just trying, but succeeding?"

 

"Sure, between my column and administrative duties plus trying to keep things together here. Resting is a luxury."

 

"Tom, you may not be pregnant, but you are still only human. You need to rest."

 

"I'll rest when you do." Tom replies. "I have to go, Nancy's waiting. I love you."

 

"I love you, too. I'll see you next week."

 

"Sure." Tom says. "bye."

 

"Bye," Abby says and hangs up, upset at the abrupt end of their conversation.

 

Tom just pouts.

 

Nancy walks in. "Hey Dad are you ready?" She gets a closer look at him. "What's wrong?"

 

"Huh?" he says. "Nothing's really wrong, I hope not anyway..." He then tells her about Abby's cold.

 

"She'll be ok Dad, remember when mom got that cold when she was pregnant  with Nicholas."

 

"You are right, I know. But this is Abby's first pregnancy."

 

"If you want to cancel today I understand." She lies but doesn't want  to go if Tom doesn't really want to go.

 

"No, of course not. Let's go have some fun."

 

"Are you sure?"

 

Tom nods.

 

"Good." She says before they head out the door.

 

"Would you like to drive?" Tom asks.

 

She is a little stunned. "Huh?"

 

"What, you don't want to drive?"

 

"No I'd love to, it's just that it's usually you who insists on driving."

 

"Not today." he says.

 

Nancy smiles and takes the keys from him. Soon they are on their way. "So where to Dad?"

 

"That's up to you, It's your outing."

 

"Ok," they go to the park and get hot dogs and soda from the hot dog vendor.

"This is nice." Tom tells her.

 

"It sure is." She agrees.

 

Tom closes his eyes and leans against the back of the bench, He's soon asleep.

 

Nancy considers waking him and getting him back to the car to take him home to sleep but decides against it. ~He'll protest too much.~ She lets him sleep.

 

Tom arouses about twenty minutes later "Huh?" He looks and sees Nancy. "Oh I am sorry."

 

"It's ok Dad, do you want to go home?"

 

Tom looks at his watch. "Oh, No. I am late for a evening meeting. Could you drop me off at the office?"

 

"Sure, " ~but I thought we were spending the day together.~ "Do you want one of us to pick you up?"

 

"Nancy, I am sorry. This meeting just slipped my mind, forgive me."

 

"It's ok Dad really." She drives him to the office. "But is it ok if I come in and glare at Mr. Randolph? He can't fire me."

 

"Honey, he's still at home recuperating. My meeting is with the night crew."

 

"Oh yeah I forgot about that, don't call a cab afterwards call us."

 

Tom nods. He rests in the front seat while Nancy drives.

 

Soon she arrives at the Register and parks the car.

 

"Thanks Nancy, I'll call you later."

 

"No problem Dad." Nancy says and soon Tom goes in and she heads home trying not to feel sorry for herself. By the time she gets home she's combated it till Mary gives her a hard time about not having started dinner.

"Mary you knew I wouldn't be able to tonight now get off my back." Nancy says.

"You and Dad were supposed to be back in time to start dinner." Mary
continues to nag.

"Well we weren't so sue me!! I had to drop dad off at work for a meeting!!"

"You always have an excuse don't you."

"Geez your such a b**** sometimes."

Mary slaps her.

Nancy glares at her and goes upstairs.

Tommy sees the whole thing. "What's with you?"

 

"Stay out of it Tommy." Mary says and gets started on dinner.

 

"Fine, it's your funeral." Tommy replies and leaves

 

"Children." Mary grouses.

 

"When's dinner?" Nicholas innocently asks.

 

"As soon as I have it done Nicky." Mary says.

 

"OK." he says.

 

Later at dinner.

"Nancy why is your cheek red?" V asks.

"I tripped and fell down, I'm fine now." Nancy lies and ignores Mary.

 

Tommy glares at Mary.

 

Mary glares back. "Yes she's fine, irresponsible but fine."

"I'm going out." Nancy says. "Auntie V can you pick up Dad when he calls?"

"Nancy sit down." V says.

"Let her go Auntie V, it's what she does best." Mary continues to belittle her sister.

"Shut up Mary." Nancy says to her.

"No you shut up." Mary gets in her face.

Nancy grabs her car keys and leaves. V makes a mental note to pick up Tom when he calls and makes Mary join her in the study.

"All right, what's going on?" V asks Mary.

 

"Nothing, I am just sick and tired that Nancy gets away with murder around here."

 

"Mary she had to drive your dad to work that was unforeseen."

 

"Yeah right."

 

"Well I for one believe her."

 

"Fine, may I go now?"

 

"Yes you may."

 

Mary leaves and goes study.

Later the phone rings at the house.

 

V answers. "hello."

 

"Hi V, It looks like I won't be home tonight."

 

"Why not?"

 

"I have to help put the early edition out."

 

"Oh great."

 

"Yeah, how are things there?"

 

"They're fine Tom." V lies not mentioning that Nancy isn't home yet.

 

Tom sighs. "Thanks V."

 

"No problem Tom."

 

"Goodnight."

 

"Goodnight."

 

Tom hangs up and returns to the basement of the Register.

 

Nancy finally arrives home expecting her Dad to be there. "Where's Dad?"

"He's still at work." V says. "Where have you been?"

"Driving around, you know Dad is working himself ragged he fell asleep during our outing today."

"Is that what's got you upset along with Mary?"

"Auntie V I'm not a little kid. I know parents are human. I understand." She says as if she rehearsed it.

"You know it's ok to be upset about it no one is going to judge you."

Nancy laughs out loud at this comment. "Sorry Auntie V but you're not around long enough to know that what you said isn't true."

"Selfish as usual I see." Mary says.

"Mary please just go to your room." V says.

"Yes Mary you hit the nail right on the head." Nancy says to her bitterly.

"That's not all I'd like to hit. Drove Dad to work my eye. You just didn't want to make dinner."

"Who put you in charge of me anyway? You're not the woman of the house so just get off my back."

"No I won't get off your back just because you fell for your professor and it didn't work out doesn't mean you should get special treatment around here. If you weren't such an airhead it wouldn't have happened in the first place."

For the first time in years Nancy feels like hitting a sibling but holds back. "You leave him out of this."

"Why will it make you go out and drink or something? Maybe make you forget to take your meds?"

"Mary that's enough." V says.

"I hate you Mary." Nancy says and goes upstairs.

"Yeah well I wish you were dead!!" Mary yells up at her.

V shakes her head remembering times when she and Tom had said the same to each other.

The phone rings.

 

V answers it. "Hello."

 

"May I please speak with Tom Bradford?"

 

"He's not home right now who is this?"

 

"Channing Ellis. Do you know when he'll be home?"

 

"Tomorrow morning; he has to work. Is Abby all right?" V asks. "This is Tom's sister."

"Yes, yes, of course Abby's fine," Channing lies. "Do you know where I could reach Tom?"

"Yes." V gives him the number.

 

"Thank you." Channing hangs up.

 

~Everything is not all right.~ V worries and stays by the phone waiting for word.

Channing considers whether to call Tom. ~It's just a cold. The doctor said so. And Abby's just tired because--well, we've been working really hard, and she is pregnant and all. No, I won't worry him. I hate to cancel any of the publicity stops, but maybe I should do that and send her
home early. Yeah, I'll do that. No need to call Bradford.~

Meanwhile upstairs not having spoken to Channing the kids don't know yet that there might very well be something to worry about. Nancy is brooding in her room. ~Aliens have taken over my sister.~

There's a knock on the door.

"Enter at your own risk!"

"Isn't it a wonderful day?" Joannie says as she waltzes in.

 

Nancy looks at her. "If you have good news spill."

"Today we got our class assignments for the community drama project."

 

"Joannie that's great, what assignment did you get?"

"I'm doing clowning at the Charles Street Children's Home."

"That sounds like fun."

"It really does."

"Congratulations Joannie." She gives her a hug.

"Thanks. So why am I entering at my own risk?"

 

Nancy's face clouds over but then she tries to cover it up. "I don't want to bring you down when you're so happy."

"Oh, come on, what better time for me to spread the joy?"

"Good point." She says. "Mary and I went ten rounds." She tells her what happened.

"Whoa. What's up with her? I mean, you could have called and said you couldn't start dinner, but to hit you?"

"If I would've called I would've been even later, and I think Aliens got her. She didn't even believe me when I told her why I was late."

"Want me to talk to her for you?"

 

Nancy nods. "But be careful."

 

"Hey, I can hit harder than she can."

 

Nancy smiles.

 

"I'll be back," Joannie says and goes to knock on Mary's door.

 

"Come in unless your Nancy!" Mary says.

 

"Nah, just Joannie." Joannie walks in. "So what's with you and Nancy, anyway?"

 

Mary sighs and takes a deep breath. "Ok I'll admit I went too far but I've had it and she didn't have to flat out lie to me today."

 

"What'd she lie to you about?"

 

"Dropping Dad off at work that had to be an excuse."

 

"Well, if it was, I'm glad she used it. Dad's been looking terrible lately."

"Terrible enough that it might be possible that Nancy was telling the truth?"

 

"Some doctor you'll be if you haven't even noticed."

"Oh no, Joannie what have I done? She's not crying is she?"

 

"What do you think?"

 

"That I shouldn't let either one of us go to bed angry. I'll be back." She tells Joannie.

 

"I'll be downstairs. Know where Auntie V is?"

 

"Downstairs the last time I checked." Mary says as she leaves the room. She then goes to see Nancy and examines her cheek. "Did I do that?"

"Yes." Nancy says quietly.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry I called you the B word and said I hated you."

"I'm sorry for not believing you and wishing you dead. I love you."

"I love you too Mary." They hug.

Joannie heads downstairs. "Auntie V! Auntie V, where are you?" She finds her aunt by the phone. "Is your Horst supposed to call?"

 

"Oh hi honey, what are you up to?" V tries to remain calm so she doesn't scare the kids.

 

"Nothing much. So--why're you hanging over the phone like Elizabeth on a Thursday night?"

 

V sighs. "I guess I can't hide it from you." She tells her about Channing calling.

 

"Why would he want to talk to Dad? The two of them didn't exactly get along."

 

"That's why I'm worried, if he wants to talk to your dad and wouldn't tell me what's going on....."

 

"I'll bet Abby knows what's going on."

 

"Good idea." She dials Abby's room.

 

After about six rings Abby picks up. "'lo?" she says in a sleepy voice.

 

"Hi Abby, I'm sorry to wake you. Is everything ok there?" V asks.

 

"V? Sure, everything's fine. What time is it?"

 

She checks her watch. "It's Midnight."

 

"In California or New York?"

 

"In California, are you sure you're all right?"

 

"Oh, sure. I'm fine. Is something wrong at home?"

 

V thinks about telling her about the fight but decides against it. "Yes things are fine."

 

"So then why are you calling so late?"

 

"I was worried." She tells her about Channing calling.

 

"Hmm, I wonder why he did that. Maybe he just wanted to make sure Tom was really all right with the idea of my staying out here a few more days."

 

"Could be." V says.

 

"I'll bet that's all it was. I'll ask Channing in the morning and let you know. Now, what are you doing up at this hour? The truth, V."

 

She sighs. "Nancy and Mary are fussing." She says not knowing they made up yet.

"It's always someone," Abby assures her.

 

"Yeah but when sisters fight it gets scary." V says.

"Oh, come on. I'll bet you and Tom fought plenty."

 

"We did, but it's different between sisters."

 

"I'm sure they'll work it out."

 

"I sure hope so."

 

"They always do--until the next time."

 

"Oh my."

 

"It's what makes life in the Bradford house so much fun."

 

"If you say so, well I'd better let you get back to sleep."

 

"Yeah." <yawn> "I'd better sleep fast, because soon I'll have to get up."

 

"You poor woman, I'm sorry I woke you." V says. "Now get some shut eye."

 

"You, too. With that bunch, you need all the rest you can get."

 

"Will do." V says and after hanging up turns to Joannie. "She's fine."

 

"Really? So why'd Romeo call?"

 

V shrugs. "Abby thinks it's to check with Tom to make sure he's ok with Abby being on the road."

 

"If that's why he's calling, he's dumber than I thought. Of course it's not OK with Dad."

 

"My thoughts exactly."

 

"So you don't believe Abby, either?"

 

"No I don't, something is definitely wrong."

 

"So how are we going to find out what?"

 

"So how are we going to find out what?"

 

"I'll talk to Tommy in the morning."

 

"You think he'll tell you?"

 

"I don't know but I can sure try."

 

"Then do. I hate worrying."

 

"I will honey." V promises.

 

"And you'll let me know?"

 

"Yes I'll let you know."

 

"OK." Joannie looks at her watch. "You should be getting to bed, Auntie V."

 

"So should you honey." V says.

 

"Oh, the night's still young, and so am I."

 

V smiles, kisses her goodnight and then goes upstairs.

 

Joannie heads to the kitchen for a snack.

 

Soon Nancy and Mary join her.

 

"If it isn't Frick and Frak."

 

"Am I Frick or Frak?" Mary asks Nancy.

"I have no idea." Nancy answers and sits down next to Joannie.

 

"You two cool now?"

 

"Yes." Nancy says. "Thank you."

"Yes thank you for talking sense to me." Mary says.

 

"Any time."

Nancy observes her. "Are you ok Joannie?"

 

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine."

 

"No you're not." Mary says. "What's the matter?"

 

"I'm just upset that I didn't get to beat some sense into the two of you."

 

"Um we can fight again." Nancy offers.

 

"Nah, I've lost my enthusiasm."

 

"Would pie a la mode with chocolate sauce cheer you up?"

 

"No, maybe we'd better save that for Dad."

 

They think it over and agree with her.

 

~Good. They didn't ask why.~

 

"Anyone up for the late show?" Mary asks.

"Not me, I have to get up early." Nancy says.

"I should be heading to bed, too," Joannie says. ~Before I can gossip.~

 

"I guess I'll go to bed too then." Mary says. "Goodnight you two."

"Goodnight Mary, goodnight Joannie." Nancy says.

 

"Good night, Nancy."

 

Nancy and Mary go up to bed.

 

After she speaks to V Abby tries to go back to sleep, but after a while gets up and heads to the bathroom. When she comes out she grabs the phone and calls Channing's room.

"Channing, can you come to my room?"

"Abby?" he says, having been woken by the phone. He looks at his clock. "It's the middle of the night. Go back to sleep."

"Channing, please. I--I think--I think I need you to take me back to the doctor."

"You can't go to the doctor. It's the middle of the night."

"Then the emergency room."

Channing sits up, fully awake. "The emergency room? Abby, what's wrong?"

"I think there's a problem. I think I'm spotting."

"Oh. Look, you just stay in bed. I'll get the hotel to send up a doctor and I'll be over as soon as I'm dressed. Do you want me to call Tom?"

"No," Abby decides. "Not until the doctor's seen me. I'm probably just seeing things, or it's nothing. Maybe it's a side effect of these cold meds. I'm sure nothing's really wrong, right?"

~What do I know about babies? This was supposed to be a simple publicity tour~ Channing thinks. "Right. You just stay in bed now, OK?"

"OK," Abby says in a small voice.

About a half hour later Channing and the doctor open Abby's door with a master key. "Abby? I've brought the doctor."

"Thanks," Abby says from the bed. "I'm sure it's nothing," she tells the doctor. "First pregnancy nerves."

 

"Still I think I'd better have a look at you." She examines her.

"Well?" Abby asks when the doctor's finished. "Just my imagination working overtime, right?"

"Hmm, well the baby is fine but you need to stay in bed for a few days."

 

"Can we do that?" Abby asks Channing.

"Sure. Most of what you've got scheduled is radio--we'll have them do it by phone. I'll talk things over with the home office. We'll work things out. But the baby really will be OK?" he asks the doctor.

 

"As long as she stays in bed."

 

"But what I don't understand is, if the baby's OK," Abby asks, "why was I spotting?"

 

"As far as I can tell stress, if you don't stay in bed the next few days there's a chance you can miscarry."

 

"But I don't live around here. Can't I go home and rest there?"

 

"Where is home?"

 

"Sacramento."

 

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to fly right now."

"If I stay in bed and rest, how soon can I go home?"

 

"In five days."

 

"OK. Do I need to see you again before I go home?"

 

"Yes, I'd like to check on you every day."

 

"Well, I'm not going anywhere."

 

"Good, call me if you need me." The doctor leaves her number.

 

"Thanks."

"Yes, thank you," Channing says. "I'll walk you out." He takes the doctor out to the elevators. "So, what's the real story?" he asks her.

 

"You heard it in there, I don't sugar coat."

 

"Anything I should watch out for?"

 

"Yes, call me if she gets abdominal pain or cramping, and if she spots again tell her she should let you know so you can let me know."

 

"OK, I will. And thank you for coming here at this hour of the night--or is it morning already?" Channing yawns.

"It's no trouble, now get some sleep."

 

"I will," Channing yawns again. "Good night."

 

"Good night." She says and gets on the elevator.

 

Channing goes back to make sure Abby's settled in for the rest of the night and then goes to sleep.

 

The next morning at the Register. Nancy arrives with doughnuts and finds her Dad at his  desk struggling to stay awake. "Your taxi has arrived."

 

Tom sighs. "Thank you. You didn't bring coffee with that, did you?"

 

She shows him the coffee. "Are you ready to go home yet?"

 

"I still have to write my column..." he starts to doze.

 

"Dad this is silly let me take you home."

 

"Donna!!!!" Tom yells for.

 

Donna enters. "Yes Mr. Bradford."

 

"Please tell me I have an extra column or two pre-written."

 

Donna pulls one out and shows it to him.

 

Tom gives a passing glance. "Use it, I am going home."

 

Nancy smiles.

"Yes sir."

Tom and Nancy then leave. When they get there they see two strange men around Nancy's car. Nancy stops in her tracks and keeps her distance. "Dad let's go back inside."

 

"Huh? Why?"

 

"Because they look mean now let's go."

The men hear her and start to approach them.

 

"Nancy, I am not running." Tom tells her. "May I help you?" He says to the men.

 

"Yes, you can make us a loan." One them says to Tom.

"And the keys to that car would be nice." One of them says to Nancy.

"That's not my car, I don't know who's car it is." She lies.

"Is that why we saw you drive up in it?"

"Nancy, give them the keys." Tom tells her.

 

"Actually she's driving. Can't take the chance of you calling the cops after we leave can we?"

 

"No, you take me." Tom says.

 

"No!!" Nancy protests.

"Lady hand the old man the keys or we kill you both now. Now as soon as we're a safe distance we'll let him go."

"How do I know you won't hurt him."

"You don't."

"Spike's not going to be very happy." She bluffs.

"Spike?"

"My pet snake, he likes to hang out in my car, he don't like strangers."

"Hand over the keys." He says as he towers over her.

"You want them." She tosses them over a fence. "Go and get them."

Tom then throws a punch.

 

Nancy kicks the other one right where it counts. He doubles over in pain. His partner punches Tom back and a fight ensues. The other one recovers and goes after Nancy. She tries to kick him again but he grabs her and shoves her against a wall. "Tossing those keys was a bad mistake."

He's about to shove her again when the sound of a car honking and stopping is heard. David then runs over and joins the fight.

Tom is hit in the nose and doubles over...

 

The bad guys soon leave after David clobbers them.

"Dad are you ok?" He asks as he helps him up.

Blood is coming from his face. "I think my nose is broken."

 

David checks him over and helps him up to get him to the van. He gets  him settled and gives him something for the bleeding.

"How is Nancy?"

 

"I'm ok Dad." Nancy says when she arrives not telling the men that she was unconscious "Oh your nose." She cringes. "David we have to get him to the hospital."

 

"I know."

 

"No, just get me to Max's office."

 

A lady brings Nancy her car keys and then they drive him to Dr. Max and he patches Tom up. "Your nose isn't broken, this time. What were you thinking Tom? We're not 25 years old anymore."

 

"Protecting my daughter, you would have done the same thing."

 

Meanwhile David has Nancy's car towed home for her and tells the tow truck operator not to scare the rest of the family.

Max sighs when he realizes Tom is right. "You can go home now but it's straight to bed with you. You need some sleep."

 

"Check Nancy out will you?"

 

"Sure, but am I checking for anything in particular?" He asks as he sends the nurse to get her.

 

"I think I saw her get slammed against the wall."

 

Max nods and when Nancy and the nurse come in he checks her over.

"Dad are you ok?" Nancy asks as Max is checking her.

 

Tom nods. "You?"

 

She looks to Max for the verdict.

"She's fine Tom."

 

Tom sighs in relief.

"Now get your father home and make sure he gets some sleep."

"I will Dr. Max." She hugs Tom. "Are you ready to go Dad?"

 

"Ow," Tom says and nods.

 

Nancy and David get him home and into bed.

 

Tom falls asleep with his head propped up.

 

Part 2