…and found part 6

 

part 5

 

"Thanks for coming to get me," Abby tells Channing when she gets in the car.

"It's no problem. This way I can get you alone..."

"Channing."

"...to discuss some work. You up to it?"

"I'm not sure."

"We have to strike while the iron's hot. I've got some papers interested in follow ups--they could come to your house."

"Well, I guess that would be OK. I'll have to check with Tom."

Channing nods. "It is his house after all, I suppose you do have to check with him."

"It's our house, and no, I guess I don't have to. OK, I'll do it."

"Where do you need to go?' Channing asks her.

Abby tells him and Channing drives her there. "Want me to come in with you?"

"No, I won't be long." Abby goes into the store and looks for Tommy.

 

Tommy is stocking the record rack unaware anyone is watching him.

 

Abby taps him on the shoulder. "I was wondering if you could help me find something."

 

Tommy cringes when he hears that voice and slowly turns around ~Please let this not be real~ He opens his eyes.~It's real.~ "Uh..Abby..what are you doing here?"

 

"Funny, I was just going to ask you that question."

 

"Just hanging out." he says not entirely lying.

 

Abby checks her watch. "Shouldn't you be 'just hanging out' in school at this point?"

 

"Bradford, a customer is on the phone. Did you get that shipment in?" A man comes out of the back.

"Yes." Tommy replies.

"Stop talking and get back to work." he says.

Tommy sighs. ~This is a nightmare.~

 

"Do I have to tell him I'm your truancy officer?" Abby asks.

 

"Mark, this is my stepmother."

"Oh, nice to meet you."

 

"And you. Tommy?" Abby hints.

 

~What~ Tommy thinks.

Before Tommy can answer. Mark pipes in. "We are so glad Tommy is working here, its so hard to find someone who is this knowledgeable about music. Not many 18 year olds want to work here for what we pay." Mark laughs.

 

~Go ahead, dig deeper for my coffin." Tommy thinks.

 

Abby smiles. "Yes, Tommy is really something, isn't he?"

 

"Hey Tommy, its kind of a light day, why dont you take the rest of the day off."

"But Mark, theres still unpacking to do of the new arrivals." Tommy says trying to avoid the inevitable.

"I insist." Mark says. "Go have some fun."

Tommy sighs. "I'll go get my jacket."

 

When Tommy leaves. Mark turns to Mrs. Bradford. "You must be very proud of him."

"Oh, yes. Tommy's the kind of young man you feel really strongly about."

 

Tommy returns with hs jacket.

"Have a good day." he says to Tommy. "Mrs. Bradford a pleasure." he extends his hand.

 

"Nice meeting you, too," Abby shakes his hand.

 

Mark walks off.

 

"I have a ride outside, Tommy. so if you'd like to come with me, we could go home and talk."

 

"Might as well and get it over with."

 

"OK." Abby leads him to Channing's car. "Channing, you remember Tommy, don't you?"

"Yes, of course." Channing looks at his watch. "Shouldn't you be in school?"

 

Tommy grumbles and gets in the back of the car.

 

"Home?" Channing asks Abby.

"Home."

"And will we have a chance to talk?"

"Not today."

"We have to talk."

 

"I know. Look, why don't you come by tomorrow morning some time?"

"About 10?"

"OK."

Channing drives them to the house. "I'll see you tomorrow then," he tells Abby before he drives away.

 

Tommy walks in the house without saying a word.

 

Abby follows him in.

 

Despite her headaches Elizabeth finally finishes her homework and waits for Abby to return. She falls asleep on the couch in the living room.

 

"I guess I am in big trouble," Tommy says.

 

"I guess we should talk," Abby corrects him.

 

Nicholas comes bounding in. "Hi Tommy, I found your books." He hands them to him.

"So you were the one who squealed." Tommy says angrily.

"Huh?" Nicholas asks in confusion.

"Sometimes I wish I didnt have a little brother." Tommy says not thinking.

Nicholas is nearly in tears. "But Tommy....."

 

"Nicholas, your brother didn't mean that," Abby says. "We'll talk later OK?"

 

Nicholas nods. "I'll be upstairs."

Elizabeth hears the commotion and holds her head as she walks out of the living room. "What's going on?"

 

Abby throws a look Tommy's way, deciding it's his place to say or not say the truth.

 

Tommy tells Elizabeth what's going on.

"Tommy are you insane?" Elizabeth asks.

 

"Elizabeth, what about you? You skipped school."

Elizabeth is hurt. "Thanks Tommy for being so understanding, you know full well why."

 

"Abby, I'll be upstairs." Elizabeth states.

 

"OK. I'll be up soon."

 

Tommy walks in the kitchen.

 

Abby follows him.

 

Tommy sighs. "Well.....go ahead."

 

"I just want to know what  is happening."

 

"Theres nothing happening, I just wanted to earn some money."

 

"I thought that's what after school jobs are for."

 

"Yeah, if you want to make less than minimum wage."

 

"You're not going to ever make much more than that if you drop out of high school."

 

"Who says?  I have plans."

 

"Which ought to include finishing high school."

 

Tommy shakes his head.

 

"Why do you think you don't need to?"

 

"Because I am going into music."

 

"And you think you don't need an education for that?"

 

"Geometry and History is not going to make me a musician."

 

"Music is a kind of math, and how will you be able to create music if you don't understand the historical context of the music of the past?"

 

"I'm not buying it Abby."

 

"So instead you're going to lie about your age and work in a record shop? I don't see how that's going to advance your career."

 

"It can't hurt."

 

"Neither can getting a high school diploma."

 

"Is this conversation over?"

 

"If you're planning to quit the music store and go back to school tomorrow."

 

"Yeah, sure." he tells her what she wants to hear.

 

"I mean it, Tommy. If I have to, I'll drive you to school myself and drop in Mr. Gillette's office."

 

'Why is this all so fire important to you?"

 

"Education opens doors. You're too young to slam them all except one."

 

"Fine, you can make me to go. but you cant make me learn." he states as he walks out of the kitchen.

 

Abby takes a deep breath and tries to reach Tom at the Register.

 

"Bradford." Tom says as he is typing.

 

"Tom? I need to talk to you about something."

 

"Abby? What's wrong are you ok?"

 

"I'm fine. Do you think I could meet you somewhere after work?"

 

"I can leave in 15 minutes. Where?"

 

Abby checks her watch. "I still have to work with Elizabeth. Really, it can wait until after work."

 

"Ok....how about the diner?"

 

"About 5:30?"

 

"Fine.: he says.  "I'll see you then."

 

"OK." Abby hangs up and goes upstairs to tutor Elizabeth.

 

After Noah has to go home, Nancy is lying in her hospital bed still thinking about him with a smile on her face but it's mixed with worry.  ~Abby would never say she's going to stop by and not stop by.~  She had tried calling the house but kept getting a busy signal.

Soon a family member enters.

 

Tom enters. "Hi sweetheart."

 

"Hi Dad."

 

"Where's Noah?"

 

"He had to go home.  Is Abby ok?"

 

"She'll be fine. Noah coming back to life just stirred up some old feelings and memories."

 

"Is that why she didn't come by?"

 

Tom shrugs. "Be patient with her ok? She just needs some time."

 

She nods. "I will be."

 

Tom smiles. "Not many people get a second chance like you Nancy."

 

She smiles back.  "I wish they did."

 

"Me too." he squeezes her hand. "Has Max said when I can take you home?"

 

"This Saturday if all goes well."

 

"Good." Tom says.

 

"Does the rest of the family know yet about Noah?"

 

"I dont think so." he says.

 

"They should be told in case they run into him."

 

"Why don't you call."

 

"Dad I can't tell them something like this over the phone."

 

"Then what do you suggest?"

 

"Can you tell them?"

 

"OK, as soon as I get home. I'll call a family meeting."

 

"Thanks Dad."

 

"No problem honey." Tom says. "need anything before I go?"

 

"Pinch me so I know that today wasn't a dream."

 

"Believe me, it wasn't.." he says.

 

"Good."

 

"So where is he anyway?"

 

"He had to go home, and he'll be back tomorrow."

 

"You must miss him already."

 

"I do believe me, it's so good having him back."

 

"I can imagine."

 

"I never in my wildest dreams thought it would be possible."

 

Tom smiles.

 

Nancy smiles back but then winces.

 

Tom notices this, Honey whats wrong?"

 

"My ribs." She says.

 

"I'll go get the nurse."

 

She nods.

 

Tom goes out and brings the nurse back with him

 

The nurse checks her over and administers pain medication.  "She'll be asleep soon." She tells Tom.

 

"I'll sit with her until she does and then I'll leave."

 

She nods and soon Nancy falls asleep

 

"Hows Tommy?" Elizabeth asks Abby.

 

"He'll survive. Wanna hear some good news?"

 

"You mean you theres actually good news in the world?"

 

Abby nods. "You're getting rid of me."

 

"Huh?"

 

"Starting Monday the district is sending you a tutor."

 

 "Terrific" she says unenthused.

 

"I thought that's what you wanted?" Abby says, confused.

 

"I did..I mean I do, but what if he or she isnt as nice as you are?"

 

"I know the traveling tutors. None of them is as mean as your wicked old stepmother."

 

Elizabeth laughs. "You are hardly wicked or old."

 

"Well, one out of three, and the best one at that."

 

"You are the best, even though we never tell you."

 

"Thank you."

 

"So do I still get to go to Pasadena?"

 

"If you want to. We'll work it out somehow."

 

Elizabeth nods.

 

"But in the meantime, we still have work to do."

 

"I'm doing the best I can with these headaches." Elizabeth reminds her.

 

"I know. Let's start with English. That seems to be your easiest subject."

 

Elizabeth pulls out her assignments.

 

Abby works with her until it's time to go. "I Have to go meet your father. You'll be all right alone?"

 

Elizabeth nods. "I'll just finish up and lay down for awhile."

 

"OK. If you need anything, I think Tommy's around."

 

"Tommy the last person I'd go for help right now."

 

"Why? What's up?"

 

"You heard the way he talked to me and Nicholas downstairs."

 

"I thought teenaged boys were always supposed to talk like that," Abby says, trying to make light of things.

 

"Well it hurt."

 

"I know. But if you need help..."

 

"I know." she sighs.

 

"OK then."

 

"Did you want me to start dinner?"

 

"No, you rest. If I'm not home in time, I'll talk your father into takeout."

 

"Ok."

 

Tom sits with Nancy and then sees its almost 5:30. He covers Nancy up and kisses her and goes and meets Abby at the diner.

Abby is sitting at a booth and when she sees him she waves him over.

 

He sees her and waves back. He kisses her before sitting down. "OK, whats going on?"

"Want the good news or the bad first?"

 

"The good news."

 

"I heard from the district--Elizabeth gets a tutor starting Monday."

 

"You are a miracle worker." Tom states

 

"I certainly wouldn't go that far."

 

"I would, you cut through the red tape."

 

"I helped make some of that tape, so I ought to know how to cut it."

 

Tom smiles. "Ok, whats the bad news?"

 

"Your son seems to have dropped out of high school."

 

Tom turns pale. "Repeat that again?"

 

Abby does, and then tacks on more bad news: "My parents told me about it."

 

"What?  This is getting way confusing, How did your parents know?"

 

Abby tells him more of Tommy's scheming. "I guess the parents are always the last to know."

 

Tom fumes. "He can't drop out even if he wants too, its illegal at his age." Tom says. "Forgery?" he asks.

 

"Well, I sure didn't sign anything. Still, you have to admire his creativity."

 

"Oh, yeah it makes a father proud."

 

"Tom, I know what he did was wrong, but look at it from his point. We let Elizabeth stop going to school."

 

"I can't believe you are defending him." Tom replies. "Elizabeth's situation is entirely different.'

 

"I know. But we don't know exactly what Tommy's situation is. He won't talk about it at all. Maybe those same people who were making Elizabeth's life miserable have started in on Tommy. It's not the same thing," Abby repeats, "but it still would be hard."

 

"Then I'll talk to him."

 

*Talk,* right?" Abby says, emphasizing the word.

 

"Of course talk, what do you think I'm going to do, rough him up?"

 

"You didn't see the look on your face just now; I did."

 

"I've never hit any of the kids no matter how angry I got."

 

"No, I never thought you'd be physically abusive."

 

"Meaning?"

 

"Meaning you might yell. You might sulk and pout. There are a world of possibilities."

 

"If I cant get any satisfactory answers, then yes I might yell. One things for sure, he is grounded.'

 

"Don't yell at him."

 

Tom sighs. "Fine, I won't yell at him."

"Thank you."

 

"You are welcome." he says. "Now did you want to get a bite to eat?"

 

"I have to get back and make dinner, unless you want to bring something back for everyone."

 

"Let's order take out, because it might be a long night."

 

"It won't be that bad."

 

"If you say so."

 

"That's the spirit."

 

Tom orders some Burgers and fries for the kids and salads for him and Abby.

 

"Looks like, even with Tommy, you're feeling a little better," Abby observes.

 

"This is too appease you, My main course will be Pie ala mode."

 

"To appease me? Don't bother."

 

Tom smiles. "I was joking.'

 

Abby smiles, too, and shakes a fist at him.

 

"I got you that time."

 

"No, you've always got me."

 

"And you have me."

 

"You and me against the world--or at least the kids."

 

Tom holds her hand. "It does make it easier."

 

Abby leans over and gives him a quick kiss. "We'd better get back to the zoo before their feed gets cold."

 

"We wouldnt want them to jump their cages, now would we." Tom says as he pays the bill.

 

Abby follows him out. "Can I hitch a lift with you?"

 

"Sure, but what about Gwendolyn?"

"I got a lift from Joannie."

 

"You and Joannie in the same car?"

Abby shrugs. "I didn't see the point of bringing my car if we were both going home."

 

"Then lets go."

 

Abby takes half the food and, as she's walking out of the place, stumbles and almost falls.

 

Tom drops his bag and grabs Abby. "Abby, whats going on?"

 

"Nothing. I just--I must have twisted my ankle or something," she lies.

 

Tom doesn't quite buy her answer but decides to let it go for now. "Here let me help you."

 

"Thanks." Abby lets him help her to the car.

 

Tom retrieves the bags and puts them in the car. "Maybe we should have Max look at that ankle."

 

"No! I mean, it's not that big a deal, really. I'll sit back tonight, put my foot up, and I'll be fine by morning."

 

~Why did she snap at me?~ Tom thinks "OK>"

 

Abby leans up against the window and closes her eyes. "Can we just go home now?"

 

Tom starts the car and drives home.

 

When they get home Abby takes some of the food and goes into the house, not even thinking to limp a little.

 

Tom is perplexed by Abby's behavior, ~I'll talk to her later.~

 

Abby calls the kids down to dinner.

 

Mary comes down and takes her place at the table.

 

Elizabeth follows suit.

 

Susan also comes down and takes her place at the table.

 

Meanwhile at the Mitchells. "Harry Mitchell you are in big trouble." Katherine says to her husband.

 

"What did I do?" he asks.

 

"You were supposed to call Tom yesterday."

 

"I had a busy day. I didn't get a chance."

 

She hands him the phone.  "You're not busy right now."

 

Harry checks his watch. "No, but he probably is."

 

"How do you know if you don't pick up the phone and call."

 

"I'll do it later. I have some work I brought home."

 

"Again?" She sighs.

 

"Some of the new hires just aren't working out."

 

"Yeah but why is it always you who gets stuck with the extra work, I was hoping we could go out tonight."

 

"To where?"

 

"Dinner and a movie."

 

"If you give me an hour, I can probably rush through this."

 

She smiles and goes to get ready.

 

Harry gets to work on his papers. ~Women are so easily distracted.~

 

Meanwhile upstairs while she's getting ready.  ~Men are so easy to convince.~

 

An hour later Harry comes upstairs to change.

 

Katherine is putting on her makeup by then.

 

"I'm a lucky man," he tells her.

 

"And a man who can still make me blush.  Which makes me a lucky woman."

 

"Are you sure you want to go out?" Harry flirts.

 

"Well do you have something else in mind?"

 

"With you, my dear, always."

 

"Hmm, then change my mind about going out." She flirts.

 

Harry kisses her.

 

Katherine kisses him back

 

"Why don't we just stay here?"

 

She nods, "ok," and then kisses him again.

 

"Want me to make us dinner?"

 

"Yes."

 

"You wait here. I'll bring it up."

 

"Ok, I'll be waiting.'

 

Harry goes downstairs and calls the best take-out place in town.

 

"It's going to be awhile, the driver is new." The lady on the phone says.

 

"There'll be extra for him if he can hurry."

 

"I'll tell him that sir."

 

"Thank you." Next Harry calls the florist.

 

"Yes we can have the flowers delivered right away."

 

"Wonderful." ~Too bad you can't order jewelry by phone.~

 

"Do you want something special written on the card?"

 

"Just leave it blank. I'll write something when you deliver it."

 

"No problem sir." The clerk says and soon they hang up.

 

Harry paces and awaits his deliveries.

 

Soon the flowers arrive

 

Harry tips the delivery person and sits down to write something sentimental on the card.

 

A little while later the food arrives.

 

Harry prepares a tray with the flowers and the food and takes them upstairs.

 

Katherine watches him while he enters.  "Are those flowers for me?"

 

"That's what the card says."

 

She reads the card and blushes.

"Dinner is served, Madam."

 

"Oh Harry you remembered."

 

"Don't I always?"

 

"When it matters you do."

 

"You always matter to me."

 

She kisses him between bites of the food.

 

~I guess that solves my problems for tonight.~

 

After dinner, Tommy is in the TV room when Tom enters.

 

"Don't you have any homework?" Tom asks.

 

"No." he says not looking up.

 

Tom sits down next to him. "Are you all right, son?"

 

Without answering Tommy pulls out Joan's Diary. "I found this in the garage.

 

Tom takes the book and opens it. "Mom's diary. I didn't know it was out there."

 

"Neither did I." Tommy says.

"Have you read it?"

 

'Yes."

 

Tom quickly checks to see which years the diary covers and blanches. "Do you want to talk about it, son?" he asks gently.

 

"What there to talk about? My parents are Hypocrites."

 

"Your parents are human. We made mistakes."

 

"That's some mistake."

 

"You're right; it was. The only way it could have been a bigger mistake is if we hadn't realized in time what a mistake it was."

 

Tommy shakes his head. "I can't believe I listened to all your lectures over the years about always doing right. When in fact you are just as screwed up as the rest of us."

 

Tom takes a deep breath. "If I gave you the impression that Mom or I were ever perfect, I'm sorry."

 

"Yeah well, you taught Abby well. Her and Channing gave me a ride home today."

 

~I will not be jealous. At least not in front of Tommy.~ "They're just friends. Colleagues. I'm sure they had some business to discuss. And a ride home from where?"

 

"From the place I am *working*" Tommy emphasis the word.

 

"Abby told me you've decided you no longer need to be in school," Tom says, happy to change the topic.

 

"Thats correct." he says and gets up to leave.

 

"Sit down, Tommy."

 

"Why should I? Why should I listen to anything you have to say?"

 

"Because I am your father!"

 

"Yeah right." he says picking up the diary and leaving the room.

 

"Tommy!" Tom follows him out.

 

"What!" he says disgustedly.

 

Tom hugs him.

 

Tommy pulls away with tears in his eyes and he runs upstairs.

 

"Son..." Tom starts up the stairs after him.

 

"I don't want to talk about it anymore, I have to get some sleep."

 

"Yes, you do, because you're going to school tomorrow. Now give me back your mother's diary."

 

"I'm going to work and he hands him the diary. "I cant stand looking at that or you anymore."  He says and goes to his room and locks the door.

 

"Tommy!" Tom shouts through the door. "You are going to school if I have to take you there myself!"

 

Tommy ignores him ~I got to get out of here.~

 

Tom stands there a while longer before retreating to his own room. Tom is holding the diary when he enters the bedroom. Lost on how to deal with this situation.

 

Abby comes out of the bathroom, wiping her mouth. "What's that?"

 

"We have a big problem."

 

"From the look on your face, I gathered that. But what?"

 

 "Tommy found Joan's Diary."

 

"Oh, no. No wonder he's been acting up."

 

"He won't listen to me."

 

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

 

"The mood he's in I am not sure he'd listen. He already thinks you are having an affiar with Channing."

 

"What?" Abby laughs.

 

"I see your ankle's better."

 

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I guess it wasn't a serious twist. Have you turned the heat on already? It's too early in the year, don't you think?"

 

"Huh?"

 

"Nothing," Abby says and goes to open a window. "So what do you suggest we do about Tommy?"

 

Tom shrugs. ~Why is she opening the window. I'm cold.~

 

"I'm taking him to school whether he wants to go or not," Abby says, and sits down in front of the window.

 

"Well he certainly wont go with me." Tom says as he puts on a sweater. "Abby why are you hot?"

 

"Because it's hot in here. And he won't want to go with me either, but I don't plan on giving him a choice. He can't ruin his future just to punish you for your past."

 

"It's 45 degrees outside." Tom states. "Are you feeling all right?"

 

"I'm fine. But it must be 90 degrees in here. I'm sweating it's so hot. If you shut off the heat I'll close the window."

 

"No, I dont want Nicholas to get sick. Leave the window open."

 

"Thanks. So what are you going to do about that?" she nods in the direction of the diary.

 

"Put it in the safe deposit box at the bank."

 

"Sounds like a good idea." ~I wonder if I can get a chance to read any of it before that.~

 

Tom puts it in his briefcase. Tom chills up. "I'm going to bed, you coming?"

 

"Might as well. I'll need my strength to drag Tommy out to my car tomorrow."

 

"You might have better luck than I would."

 

"Well, I'm certainly going to try. Tom?"

 

"Hmmm?" he says as he gets in his Pajamas.

 

"Could I--no, I guess not," Abby says, and starts to pace. After a few turns she starts again. "Could I read it?"

 

Tom is taken aback and doesn't know how to answer. "I would let you but I am afraid."

 

"Of?"

 

"What if you read something in there about me that you didnt know and you get upset?"

 

"What if I spend the rest of my life wondering what was in there that you didn't want me to read?"

 

Tom sighs. "Fine, I have nothing to hide." he pulls out of his briefcase and hands it to her.

 

Abby puts it on her nightstand. "I'll read it in a little bit. I thought you were going to bed?"

 

"I am unless you have any better ideas."

 

"I thought you might need to be held. It's been a rough day."

 

Tom smiles at her. ''Thank you.''

 

Abby lies down. "Come here."

 

Tom complies. "Tell me we are going to get through to Tommy."

 

"I don't know. I've tried talking to him, but he didn't want to listen."

 

"I've never seen him so angry."

"He's hurting. In a way I guess it's like he's lost both of you."

 

"I don't know what to do, should I tell the others in case he tells them?"

 

"He wouldn't."

 

"You really think he wouldn't? Considering his frame of mind?"

 

"He may be angry with you and with Joan, but even in his frame of mind, would he want Nicholas to know?"

 

"I would hope not."

 

"Do you want me to try to talk to him tonight?" Abby offers again.

 

Tom sighs. "What more harm could it do?"

 

"OK. I'll see if he's still up." Abby gets into her robe, shuts the window, picks up the diary, and heads over to Tommy's room, knocking on the door.

 

Nicholas yawns and opens the door half asleep.

 

"Hi," Abby whispers. "I just wanted to see if Tommy was awake."

 

"He's downstairs." he says grogily.

 

"Thanks." She gives him a kiss. "Go back to bed," and heads downstairs. "Tommy?"

 

Tommy is putting some sandwiches in his backpack.

 

Abby walks into the kitchen. "A little early to be getting ready for school, isn't it?"

 

"This isn't for school." he says as he puts the backpack on his back and takes a hold of his duffle bag.

 

Abby takes hold of the bag, too. "Tommy don't. Please." She shows him the diary. "Is it because of this?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Tommy, I know you're hurt by what you read, but can you at least spare me five minutes and let's talk about it?"

 

"Can you tell me the truth, are you having an affair?"

"No, I am not having an affair," Abby tells him. "I wouldn't. I love your father too much."

 

"Yeah, well I thought my parents loved each other."

"They did. I know how much Tom loved your mother. Still does."

 

Then how could they have done this to each other, this whole family has been based on lies."

"Tommy, this family wasn't based on your parents being perfect. It's the love they had for each other and for you kids. They made mistakes, but they found a way to forgive each other. Can't you do the same?"

 

"Wait a second, you must have known about this for awhile." Tommy states. "Can you forgive Dad or even trust him?"

 

"There's nothing for me to forgive--that was between him and your mother. As for trust," Abby hesitates, considers. "It took me a while, but yes. I trust him. He's learned from his mistakes."

 

"This is only one incident we know about, how do we know theres not more?"

 

"Because your father said there hasn't been and won't be, and I trust him. He can't change what he did, but it still hurts him that he did it. He won't make that mistake twice."

 

Tommy sighs. "What am I supposed to do, just forget it?"

"I don't think you can. I wouldn't be able to, if it were my parents. But you might accept it. Forgive your father for being only human."

 

"I am so angry at both of them and then I feel guilty for feeling that way."

"Sounds like how I felt when I first found out. You just have to give it time, Tommy."

 

Tommy sighs. "Does anyone else know?"

 

"The whole story? No. Your Auntie V knows some of it."

 

"Terrific."

 

"Tommy, I know this is very difficult, but I wish you'd stay."

 

"Joannie's the actress in this family not me."

 

"Just for a little while. Try it."

 

"You don't know how badly I want to leave."

 

"Maybe I do, a little bit. It took me a long time to come to terms with what your father did."

 

"And you are still here." he states.

 

"That's my point. I gave it time until I could remember the reasons why I didn't want to lose what I've got now because of something that happened so many years ago."

 

Tommy puts his duffle bag down.

"Thank you."

 

Tommy nods and pulls out the kitchen chair and sits.

 

Abby goes to the refrigerator. "Want some ice cream?"

 

"No thanks, unlike Dad. I dont think it helps."

"Then what would help you?"

 

"Nothing, I am going to get some sleep."

 

"OK. Sleep well."

 

'Goodnight." Tommy says.

 

"Good night." When Tommy goes upstairs, Abby follows and goes to see if Tom is still awake.

 

Tom is pacing the floor. "Well?" he asks when sh comes in.

 

"He was planning to run away," Abby tells him. "At least I got him to agree to stay."

 

"Thanks, How is he?"

 

"Hurt. Confused. Sad. How did you expect he'd be?"

 

"Nothing less." Tom says with guilt.

 

"At least he isn't running away from home any more," Abby reminds him.

 

"Yeah, thanks to you." he says. "Did you approach him with going back to school?"

 

"Tom, I had enough trouble convincing him to go to bed. We'll talk to him in the morning."

 

"I'm not complaining Abby, I was just curious to know what the situation is. That's all."

 

"I did the best I could."

 

"Nobody could have done any more. You kept him from leaving. Thats a miracle in itself."

 

 

"Well, we're going to need a few more miracles when it comes to him," Abby says, putting the diary back in Tom's briefcase.

 

Tom notices this. "I thought you wanted to read that?"

 

"I thought so, too. But I don't need to anymore."

 

"Oh? What made you change your mind?"

 

"Talking to Tommy."

 

"Tommy?"

 

Abby nods. "He asked me if I could trust you, and I told him I could. Not prying is part of that, I guess."

 

Tom gets up and opens his briefcase and hands her the diary. "It's not prying."

 

"Do you *want* me to read this?"

 

Tom shrugs. "I just don't want you to think I have any other hidden skeletons in the closet."

 

"Do you have any others?"

 

"No."

 

"OK." Abby hands him back the diary.

 

Tom kisses her.

 

"Let's get to bed. Tomorrow's going to be a long day." Abby rubs at her stomach. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

 

"Does your stomach hurt?"

 

"A little. All this tension."

 

Tom nods. "I'm sorry."

 

"It's OK."

 

Tom crawls in bed. ~What a mess.~

 

Abby crawls in beside him. ~What a nightmare.~

 

Tom takes her hand. "Thank you."

 

Abby gives his hand a squeeze. "You're welcome."

 

Home