…and found part 3

 

part 2

 

"Hi Dad." Mary says seeing him in the hallway.

 

"Hi Mary, How is she?"

 

"Getting better, she's just missed her family." Mary says and leads him in.

 

Tom sees his wife and daughter. ~What a fool I've been.~ He kisses Nancy and then his wife.

 

"Hi Dad." She kisses him back. ~He's been drinking.~

 

"Hi honey, how are you feeling?"

 

"Better."

 

"Good.' he says. "You do look better."

 

"Thanks Dad." She smiles.

 

"Anything I can get you?"

 

"A hug would be nice."

Tom gently hugs her.

 

Nancy hugs him back.

 

Abby smells the liquor on Tom's breath and looks at him with a question in her eyes.

 

"Hi Abby."

 

"Hi," Abby says, wondering how she can get Tom alone to question him without upsetting Nancy.

 

Nancy starts drifting off to sleep.

 

"Must be the company." Tom jokes.

 

"Is not." Nancy says. "It's the ribs and medication. Tell Joannie......" She falls asleep before she can finish the sentence.

"Now my curiosity is piqued...Tell Joannie what?"

 

"Probably to come visit."

 

"Yeah." Tom says.

 

Mary laughs. "Joannie will find out when she returns and when Nancy awakens."

 

"Well, at least I like your company. How about buying me a cup of coffee?" Abby suggests.

 

"I think I can spare a quarter for that." Tom says. "Coming Mary?"

 

Abby shoots Mary a 'don't say yes' glance.

"I think I'll stay here a bit." She says.

 

Abby waits for Tom outside the doorway.

 

"OK." Tom says. "You know where to find us."

 

"No not really."

 

"Cafeteria."

 

"ok."

 

Tom walks into the hallway.

"I think you could probably use some coffee now," Abby says to him.

 

"I thought you wanted a cup."

 

"I'm not the one who's had a few. That is liquor I smell, isn't it?"

Tom sighs. "Yes, but it was a mistake."

 

"You went to a bar?"

 

Tom nods reluctantly.

 

"I see," Abby says, hurt.

 

"It was only a drink."

 

"With?"

 

"What are you insinuating?"

 

"Just wondering who you're spending your time with while I'm at home putting out fires or here at the hospital with Nancy." ~And trying to get over having lost our baby.~

 

Tom shakes his head in disgust of what she said but more of himself. "Do you really think that?" his face turns red with fury.

 

"I'm not the one who was off in a bar, Tom."

 

"For a drink, nothing more." He emphatically states. "If you dont believe me, I can give you the name of the bar."

 

"I'm not going to follow you around. If you say it was just a drink, I'll believe you," Abby says, though her tone says otherwise.

 

"It feels different when the shoe's on the other foot doesn't it?" he sighs.

 

"What do you mean by that?"

 

"I thought there was something going on between you and Channing and you thought I was doing something other than a drink."

 

"Except the fact that I've never given anyone to ever suspect I'd look at anyone besides my husband."

 

"Touch'e, but I guess I'm not as perfect as other people."

 

"I never claimed to be perfect," Abby snaps. "But at least I stay in the game and keep trying. I don't look for answers at the bottom of a glass in some bar."

 

"No, you just use pills." Tom states. "I'm not blind, I see you sneak a pill here and there."

"Just what are you accusing me--do you think I'm using drugs?" Abby demands.

 

"Illegal drugs? No."

"Good. Because I'm not, you know. There's nothing wrong with what I'm doing and nothing dangerous, unlike what some other people do."

 

"Right you take your pills and I drink."

 

Abby pulls her bottle of pills from her purse and shakes it at him. "Tylenol. What's so bad about Tylenol? OK, so maybe I take a few more than they suggest on the label, but that's only because they don't do much for the pain. And I've sure never heard of anyone having an affair under the influence of one too many Tylenol. But if it bothers you so much," she says, tossing him the bottle, "go ahead and take them. But stay away from me."

 

"Abby, can you hear us?" Tom says shaken. "What if it was one of the kids doing this."

 

"Stop that. Just stop comparing me to one of your children."

 

"Then I guess I'm comparing me to one of the kids."

 

Abby takes a deep breath. "You know, after Nancy is better, I really think I want to go spend some time in Pasadena."

 

"You are leaving me?"

 

"I need some time to think. But after Nancy's better, I won't leave you to take care of her alone, don't worry about that."

 

"Why bother? I managed before you came, I can do it again." Tom walks off in a rage.

 

While Tom and Abby are talking, Joannie shows up in Nancy's hospital room.

"Hey." Mary whispers.

"Hi. She auditioning for Sleeping Beauty again?"

"Yes but I think this time she might actually get the part."

"Because she's finally getting the sleeping down pat?"

"That's for sure, and she asked us to tell you something before she fell asleep but we don't know what it was."

"Well, when she wakes up she'll let me know, if she remembers."

 

"There's some food left if you're hungry."

 

"I'm always hungry."

 

Mary fixes her a plate.

 

"Thanks. What'd you guys do, rob a diner?"

 

"I don't know, I didn't ask Abby, she got the food."

 

"She eat any of it?"

"Barely," Mary says in a worried tone.

"Have you been noticing anything strange about her since her miscarriage?"

"Well I don't think she's really fine." Mary says.

"That seems to be the consensus. But not fine how?"

 

"She seems off."

 

"Wish I knew what it was."

 

"Yeah me too."

"There must be a way."

 

"But how do we find out short of spying on her?"

"Maybe Nancy could ask her. She wouldn't say no to Nancy, not now."

 

"I don't think we should drag her into this."

"Yeah, you're right. Elizabeth?"

"You want me to just go up and ask her Hey Abby, have you gone nuts lately?" Elizabeth asks mortified.

 

"It would certainly be a novel approach."

 

"Oh Yeah, You guys would be visiting me in the hospital."

 

"She wouldn't actually hurt you."

"Not Physically."

 

"You're on her good list this week--if anyone could find out, it's you."

 

"You really think I can get her to open up?"

 

"It's worth a shot, isn't it?"

 

"I can try...." she says reluctantly.

 

"Look, if it makes you uncomfortable, don't. But what if she's in trouble? She sure couldn't tell Dad, could she?"

 

"Ok Ok, you talk me into it."

 

Abby briefly considers going straight to Pasadena, but realizes that wouldn't be fair to Nancy. She almost returns to Nancy's room but hears the girls inside talking, so she goes to the waiting room until someone needs a lift home.

 

Tom considers going for another drink. But decides against it. He didn't want to add fuel to the fire. He drives home.

 

After a while Abby leaves word at the nurses' station that the girls should go home together and that she'd be back tomorrow to see Nancy. She drives home and almost leaves again when she sees Tom's car in the driveway. ~No, I'm not leaving. It's still my home~ she thinks and walks in.

 

Tom is making up the coach in the sun room for him to sleep.

 

"You don't have to do that," Abby says. "It's your room upstairs. Always has been."

 

"It's okay, I'll let you have your privacy." He says quietly with his voice cracking.

 

"Nancy is going to need you awake, not moaning about you having thrown your back out sleeping on this lumpy thing."

 

"It's not the first I've slept here and I doubt it'll be the last."

 

"Look, Tom, you're a grown man. You want to sleep here tonight, sleep here. You want to sleep in your own bed, sleep there. I'm not feeling all that hot, so I'm going upstairs."

 

"Are you ill?"

 

"Does it matter?"

 

"Of course it does, just because we are fighting doesn't mean I've stop loving you." Tom states. "Do you want me to call Hilda?"

 

"I just want to lie down, OK?"

 

Tom nods. "Would you like some tea?"

 

Abby shakes her head, but then changes her mind. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble."

 

"Not at all, I'll bring it right up."

 

"Thank you," Abby says formally and goes upstairs.

 

Tom sighs and makes the Tea. He puts two cups on the tray then removes one. He walks upstairs and knocks on the door.

 

"Come in," Abby says, expecting one of the kids.

 

"Your Tea." He says as he puts it on the night table.

 

"Didn't you bring a cup up for yourself?"

"No, I thought you wanted to be alone to think."

"After Nancy is better, I'll go away and think. I can't think here in your room."

"Our room." Tom says correcting her.

Abby shakes her head. "There's no 'ours' if there's no us, and today, the last few days..."

Tom puts his fingers to her lips. "Don't say that."

 

"This isn't what I thought marriage would be like. So separate. So alone."

 

"But you've shut me out."

 

"I have? I've been right here, except when I'm at the hospital. I'm not the one who runs off to find solace amongst strangers."

 

"I've tried talking to you but everytime I bring up the lost of our baby, you've said to forget it."

"Well, how do you propose handling it? Who even has time, what with dealing with Elizabeth's tutoring and Nancy and David..."

 

"Well obviously what we have been doing isn't working, so lets talk."

 

"OK, I'm listening."

 

"When you miscarried, I was devastated."

 

"And you were looking for someone to blame."

 

"I wasn't blaming you."

 

"No? Then who?"

 

"Myself."

 

"You? What could you have done to cause it?"

 

"Maybe If I had been more supportive of your press tour. You wouldn't have been under so much stress."

 

"Then if I had cancelled once I knew I was pregnant, we wouldn't have lost it. So I guess you're really saying it is my fault."

 

"Abby, I don't think that....Why do you keep putting thoughts in there that aren't there in the first place?"

 

"Because I'm not so sure they aren't there."

"Am I that much of a Ogre?"

 

"The truth?"

 

Tom gulps and nods.

 

Abby shrugs. "You don't mean to be. It's just that with you there are always--expectations."

 

"I don't understand."

 

"It's not always easy fitting into this family. It's a constant three ring circus and because I'm your wife and the one who's supposed to act like the mother I'm supposed to be the ring master. There's never any time left for me, and then, when I force you to allow me to make some time, something like this happens and I feel like I have to justify being me and not who you want
me to become."

Tom sighs. "Look, I realize I haven't been 100% supportive in your career. But you knew what I was like before you married me and I thought I was doing pretty well but obviously you feel otherwise. So I guess I just need to try harder."

"You can't change who you are."

 

"Anymore than you can change who you are."

 

"So what do we do?"

 

"Be more patient and understanding with each other." Tom suggests. "and try to remember why we fell in love in the first place."

 

Abby nods. "But it gets lost so easily with all the commotion."

 

"I know." Tom says. "but we've got to stop taking out on each other, because then we both lose."

 

"So who do I take it out on? Since we've gotten home I've done nothing but smile and say everything's all right because Elizabeth needed to hear it, then David and now Nancy. You can yell at Donna, you can rant in your column, but me?"

 

"Why do you have to say everything is OK?" Tom says. "Tell them it isn't, they'll understand."

 

"Because they need me to be strong, at least until we have Elizabeth's tutoring set up and until Nancy's recovered."

 

"Honey, in this family there is always something going on. If you wait until things settle down, Nicholas will be a grandfather." Tom half way laughs.

 

"You think things will settle down that soon?"

 

Tom smiles. "We can hope."

 

"So what am I supposed to tell the kids? 'Go ahead, enjoy your little crises, but quietly because I'll be upstairs having my own'."

 

"Hey we are people too."

 

"Speak for yourself."

 

"Oh?"

 

"If I were really a person, I'd probably kill for a Tylenol right about now."

 

"Does it hurt that bad?"

 

"Not as bad as Nancy hurts, but still..."

 

"I'm sorry, what can I do?"

 

"There are some things only time, rest, and medicine can cure."

 

"Why don't you rest for a while."

 

~Sure, he can drink, but over-the-counter pills scare the man....~ "That's a good idea."

 

Tom covers her up and goes downstairs.

 

Abby tries to fall asleep but can't, so she sits in the chair and stares out the window.

 

At the hospital, Nancy awakens, "hi," she says to Joannie, Elizabeth, and Mary.

 

"Hi." Elizabeth says.

 

"Hey Lizzie."

 

"Lizzie? Ugh...Reminds me of the name Lizzie Borden."

 

~Kids.~ "Sorry."

 

"I'll let you get away with it this time." Liz says winking at her.

 

"Gee thanks." Nancy says pretending to joke but really hurt by the comment.

 

Elizabeth sees the look on her face. ~Oh man, I did it again.~ "I was only joking Nancy."

 

"I know, it's cool." She says.

 

"Hi, sleepyhead," Joannie interrupts.

 

"How are you feeling?" Mary asks.

"I don't know I just woke up." She says.

 

"Good ol' Nancy, always takes her a few minutes to get it together..."

 

"Does not." Nancy protests. "It takes longer."

 

"She can't really think without lip gloss," Joannie reminds her sisters.

 

Mary chuckles.

"Sorry about sending you home earlier." Nancy says to Joannie.

 

Elizabeth smiles.

 

"Was that what you wanted to tell me?" Joannie asks.

 

She nods.

 

"Don't sweat it. I didn't mind."

 

She sighs in relief and then asks. "Where did Dad and Abby go?"

"They went home but they'll be back tomorrow." Mary tells her.

"Ok," she says.

 

"If..." Joannie starts. "Oh, never mind."

 

"That's not fair, you if you start with if, and then end with oh never mind that you're going to drive my curiosity sky high." Nancy says. "What's up?"

 

"Nothing," Joannie insists, trying to think of a cover story. "I was just thinking, if you wanted, I could get your make up together and they could bring it. This way you can think."

 

Nancy laughs. "That sounds good."

 

"I should have known you'd like it," Joannie smiles.

 

"You know me too well."

 

"Oh, boy is that true."

 

"But that's ok, because I know you very well too." Nancy says.

 

"Never."

"Nancy don't even pretend." Mary says.

She laughs and then winces in pain.

 

"Speaking of pretending..."

 

"Pretending what?" Nancy asks as she buzzes for the nurse.

 

"Nothing if you're going to be asking for some pain medicine."

 

"I am." She says as the nurse walks in.

 

"You're finally learning. There's hope for you yet, Nancy Bradford."

 

Nancy smiles at her.

"What do you need?" The nurse asks. Nancy tells her and she goes to get it.

 

Soon she returns and administers the medication. Moments later Jason walks in wearing a smile.

"Hey stranger, Cassie isn't with you?"

"No, she's tending to another man right now."

"And you're happy about that?"

"Very, you see I love him very much too." He shows her a picture of him.

"Oh Jason." She says.

"He was born at 11am this morning. Seven pounds and 10 ounces."

After Jason leaves, Nancy's fake smile that she had for his benefit fades.

"That's wonderful news." Mary says about the new baby.

"Yeah wonderful." Nancy says but can't help feeling sad.

 

"Nance," Joannie chides.

 

"I'm happy for them really, but the whole time he was talking my mind was on the baby that was supposed to be born into this family." She says.

 

"That's not his fault."

 

"I know."

 

"Then be happy for them."

 

"Is that an order?"

 

"Does it have to be? They're your friends."

 

"No it doesn't have to be." Nancy concedes. "Can I go and see them and the baby." She asks the nurse.

"Maybe tomorrow but you'll be in a wheelchair and I'm getting you back here the minute you start to weaken." She answers.

"I'll go along and keep an eye on her," Joannie volunteers.

 

"Ok," the nurse agrees.

"Well wish me luck." Elizabeth says.

 

"Luck with what?"

 

Elizabeth looks at Joannie and Mary.

 

"Nothing." Mary says.

 

Joannie puts a finger to her lips. "It's a surprise."

 

"Oh all right." Nancy says.

 

"Right." Elizabeth says. ~and the surprise might be on me~ "I'll call you later, ok Nancy?"

 

"Ok."

 

Elizabeth goes home. Elizabeth misses her Dad as she comes in the front door. She seen their cars in the driveway and knows they are home. She walks upstairs and knocks on the door.

"Come in," Abby says, hoping it's Tom.

 

Elizabeth walks in. "Hi, I just got home. Wondering if you needed anything."

 

"No, I'm fine. How's Nancy?"

 

"She's Ok, Joannie and Mary are with her."

 

"And you?"

 

"I'm fine, how are you?"

 

"Oh, you know me. I'm fine."

 

"Are you really fine or are you just trying to make us believe you are fine."

 

Abby hesitates just a second too long before saying, "I'm fine, Elizabeth. There's nothing for anyone to worry about."

 

"We do anyway, you know."

 

"I know. It's one of the things I like about this family."

 

"Then why don't you let us help? Heaven knows you've help us out countless times."

 

"But that's what I'm supposed to do. And it's what I want to do. Besides, I'm supposed to be setting you kids a good example."

 

"So its OK for you to help us out, but not to let us help you." Elizabeth says confused. "You must think very little of us."

 

"Of course I don't. You don't really think I do, do you?"

 

Elizabeth shrugs. "If you can't confide in us, what else are we supposed to think?" Elizabeth replies hoping it doesn't backfire.

 

Abby thinks this over. "But if I do confide in you, will you think I'm not strong enough to help you through your problems?"

 

"Abby, thats ridiculous." Elizabeth says. "Isn't that what a family is anyway? helping *each* other?"

 

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," Abby concedes.

Elizabeth takes her hands.

 

"It's just, well, I guess I haven't fully recovered from losing the baby, and I haven't had much chance to rest."

 

Elizabeth sighs "I'm sorry. I guess its been rough since you got back huh?"

 

"It's been rough on everybody. If only I were feeling better it would be easier for me."

 

"Then take some time, we can handle things around here."

 

"But I want to help, and frankly, I need the distraction. And I thought I was doing pretty well at it, too."

"You are, but you still need time to grieve."

 

"I'm not very good at it. The thing is, it's the surgery that's still getting to me. I didn't really give myself time to recuperate."

 

 

"I thought it was something like that."

 

"Really?"

 

Elizabeth nods. "The other day at the hospital? You acted like some of the kids at the our infamous parties."

 

"Ouch."

 

"Sorry." she says sincerely.

 

"Hey, if it's true, it's true."

 

"You've been in alot of pain?"

 

Abby nods. "I was taking something for it, but your father doesn't want me to."

 

"That doesn't sound like Dad."

 

"He's hurting too, Elizabeth."

 

"I know, but still...to keep you from taking something for the pain..."

 

"It's all right," Abby assures her. "It wasn't doing much anyway, no matter how much I took."

"Maybe you should call Dr. Max."

 

"I was supposed to go see my doctor the day after Nancy got hurt, but I had to cancel."

"Reschedule Abby, you're not going to be of help anyway unless you take care of yourself first."

 

"Will you come with me?"

 

Elizabeth nods.

 

"Then I'll reschedule. And thank you."

"I didn't do anything.'

 

"You listened."

 

"I'm glad I could help."

 

"More than you know."

 

"I must admit, I was prety nervous coming to talk to you."

 

"Why?"

 

"I heard how you responded to the others when they ask if you were OK."

 

"I guess right now I'm not up to the pretense."

 

"You don't have to be."

 

"I thought I did."

 

"Why?"

 

"Sometimes you just feel alone, you know?" Abby says. "And you think no one will understand."

"I know that feeling all too well."

 

"I know. But you're right. If I want you to talk to me, I have to do the same."

Elizabeth looks at her watch. "I better go see what Nicholas is up to."

 

"No one's been around for him much since your aunt left," Abby nods.

 

"Have you eaten anything?"

 

"I'm not much hungry," Abby says, but when she sees the look on Elizabeth's face adds, "but I'll go downstairs and make myself something, OK, mother hen?"

"Hey, I had two good teachers."

 

"If not more. Go on, go find Nicholas and I'll call my doctor and then eat. Should I make something for the two of you, too?"

 

"Thats ok, I'll take him for a pizza."

 

"If that's what the two of you want..."

 

Elizabeth sees the look on her face realizing she wants company. "Well if you sure its not too much trouble?"

 

While Abby is talking to Elizabeth, Tom is in the kitchen contemplating dinner ~Looks like I am on my own.~ He pulls out ice cream and pie.

 

"Not at all. I think I've forgotten how to cook for less than a crowd," Abby tells Elizabeth.

 

"Ok, I'll go get Nicholas and Tommy."

 

"And anyone else who might be lurking around."

 

Elizabeth nods and goes in search of her missing siblings.

 

While Abby is talking to Elizabeth, Tom is in the kitchen contemplating dinner ~Looks like I am on my own.~ He pulls out ice cream and pie.

After she finishes talking to Elizabeth and makes an appointment with Hilda for the next morning, Abby heads to the kitchen. "Oh," she says when she sees Tom, "I didn't realize you'd be in here."

"I do know how to cook, you know." Then he looks at his pie and ice cream "But every once in awhile it's good to have dessert first."

 

"You've been having a little too much dessert lately," Abby comments, pulling the plate away from him, "and I'm cooking dinner tonight."

 

"Not that I wouldn't like that, but are you up to it?"

 

"I'm not sure, but I'd like to try."

 

"Ok, I'll give you a hand."

 

"Oh, no, no, no. We don't need the rest of the family in the hospital."

 

"Cute." he says.

 

"Hey, I heard you and Max discussing family rates."

 

"Ha Ha." he says. "Do you mind if I stay and keep you company?"

 

"It'd certainly make it easier for me to keep an eye on you."

 

"Eye on me? Why?"

"We talked about me before, but not about you."

 

"Oh.."

 

"So until we can, I'm keeping an eye on you. And keeping you away from dangerous things," Abby says, pushing the plate even further from Tom.

 

"But its a shame to let that go to waste."

 

"Even more of a shame to let you go to waste."

 

Tom sighs. "Ok."

 

Abby kisses him as she heads towards the garbage with Tom's dessert.

 

Tom lightly groans.

 

Sam stands between her and the garbage and gives her the 'let me get rid of it for you' look.

 

Abby checks with Tom, thinking that giving it to Sam instead of letting him eat it might be just too cruel.

 

Tom eyes Sam.

 

Sam gives him a pitiful feel sorry for me look.

 

Tom relents. "Go ahead."

 

Sam wags his tail.

 

Abby puts the dessert in Sam's bowl and pets him while he eats.

 

"I can't watch this." Tom states.

 

After Sam's done he licks both their faces.

 

"Poor Tom."

 

"Oh sure take pity on me now." he jokes.

 

"Wait a few weeks and I'll show you real pity."

"Yeah?"

 

"If you want."

 

"Always." he says.

 

"I'll remember that."

 

"So what's on the menu?"

 

Abby looks in the freezer. "Steak. Potatoes. Salad. Easy enough for me to handle."

 

"Sounds good to me."

 

"And no dessert."

 

"Nicholas will hate that."

 

"You're right. But I'm not up to baking anything."

 

"There's some ice cream left, I didn't eat it all."

 

"Enough for everyone?"

 

"I did go shopping....but no."

 

"I did go shopping....but no."

 

"Then I guess I'm up to making dessert."

 

"No, I'll go back to the store." Tom gets up.

 

"No, really, Tom. It's all right. Unless you're scared of my baking."

 

"No, but I just don't want you to over do it." Tom says. "I'll be back soon."

 

Just then Elizabeth walks in. "Elizabeth--could you do us a favor?"

 

"Sure what?"

 

"Go to the store and pick up some dessert?"

 

"Ok, wheres the keys?" Liz states

"But Abby, I am perfectly able to go." Tom states

 

"And I shudder to think what you'll bring home. The keys are in my purse, Elizabeth--I think it's in your dad's study, by the window."

 

"Ok." she says. ~Another fight.~

 

"What harm is going alone?" Tom says. "unless you are worried about something else...:"

 

"No, I don't think you're that irresistible, Tom Bradford. And even if I did, you're a grown man. If you're going to grab an opportunity, I won't be able to stop you."

 

"You know, I wish I had never told you about what happened years ago, It seems I'm still paying for it."

 

"So next time, don't tell me. I won't know, just like I don't know what other secrets you're keeping from me that'll come back to haunt us."

 

"You trust me that little?"

 

"No. I don't know. Home isn't the most appealing place right now, is it?"

"Abby, don't you know by now. Even the worse times with you are better than good times with anyone else?" Tom states. "Besides I wouldn't want to fight with anyone but you." he winks at her.

 

"Hold that thought," Abby smiles, "because making up won't be as much fun as usual."

 

Tom nods. "How about a little wine before dinner?"

 

"I'd like that."

 

"I'll go pour us some."

 

Abby finishes getting dinner in the oven and then sits down to wait for Tom.

 

Tom opens a bottle of wine and gets ready to return to the kitchen, but first takes a shot of scotch. He then drinks a little of the wine to cover the smell of the scotch. "Here you go."

 

"Thanks. So--what shall we drink to?"

 

"How about to us?"

 

Abby raises her glass. "To us."

 

Elizabeth comes back with the ice cream.

 

"Thanks," Abby says, smiling.

 

"No problem, need any help?"

 

"No, I have it under control."

 

Elizabeth senses that they want to be alone. "Ok." she leaves the kitchen.

"Now where were we." Tom asks.

 

"To us," Abby reminds him.

 

"Right." he says and clinks glasses with her.

 

"Things are going to be OK, aren't they?" Abby asks, looking for reassurance.

 

Tom nods. "It can't be anything else."

 

"Of course it can."

 

"Things will be fine Abby."

 

"Promise?"

 

"I promise." he says wishing that was a promise he could keep.

 

Abby puts her head on his shoulder.

 

Tom puts his arm around her shoulder.

 

…and found part 4