Like an Open Book
Part 3
After Nicholas falls asleep Tommy goes to the phone and considers calling
his Dad or Abby but decides not to. One of them would be coming home
after the surgery anyway.
About an hour later Tom wakes up. "Any news?"
"Not yet," Abby tells him. "I'd have woken you."
"I know..." he states.
"It can't be much longer. Do you want something to drink? Some breakfast?"
"No...you?"
Abby shakes her head.
"Maybe I'll go see Nancy while were waiting."
Abby looks at the clock. "She'll still be sleeping now, won't she?"
~In a hospital, you are joking~ Tom thinks. "Yeah, maybe." he says suspiciously.
"Besides, Max should be back soon--I hope--and you want to hear how Elizabeth
did as soon as possible, don't you? After we talk to Max ~and I find out
if Nancy's any better~ we'll go see her."
"Fine."
Abby squeezes Tom's hand.
Tom puts her arms around her.
While Liz is in surgery, in Nancy’s room, Noah comes in with breakfast.
"How are you feeling?" He asks after he kisses her.
"I'm ok." She says. "Did you also go to check on how Elizabeth is doing while
you were gone?"
"Um uh." He stammers.
"Noah I heard the nurses talking. Now how is she?"
"She's still in surgery. Look I'm sorry but Joannie and I were worried
that if you heard it would make you worse."
"Well it hasn't I'm a big girl you know. I can handle this because
I know Liz will be all right. I can handle these broken ribs.
I can handle Abby not wanting to come and see me, but I don't appreciate
being left in the dark about this."
"I'm sorry, but are you going to stay mad at me forever?"
"Are you crazy I just got you back, how can I stay mad at you for more than
a second." She kisses him back.
After they've eaten.
"Abby hasn't been by because of me." Noah says.
"Noah it's complicated." She saddens a little.
"And why are you trying to act like it's not hurting you that she's staying
away."
"Would it matter if it was hurting me? It wouldn't change anything.
Just let her think I'm ok with it and everyone will be a lot happier."
"Yeah well I'm not ok with it. It's not fair." He says.
"Noah give her a break."
"No, she should give you a break."
"Noah please." She pleads with him.
He simmers down a little. "I just don't like anyone hurting you."
"She's not doing it intentionally."
"I know but that's not the point. Do I have to not come and see you
for her to stop by here? I refuse to feel guilty for really being alive
and not dead." He says. "You have a lung infection for crying out loud
and I haven't seen either of your parents stop by to check on you."
He then remembers that Tom isn't supposed to know yet. ~Ooops.~
"They've been with Elizabeth."
"Elizabeth's in surgery right now, and you're their daughter too."
"Noah they have been here for me. It's just Liz is top priority right
now."
"Sounds like just an excuse to me."
"Would you stop being so demanding of them and lay off." She says.
"Maybe you should be a little more demanding and not let them get away with
so much."
"And what would being hard on them accomplish?" He doesn't have an
answer. "Absolutely nothing."
He sighs. "Ok I'll relax."
"Good."
They kiss again unaware that David was listening in outside her door.
He returns to the waiting room and sits down. He mulls over what he
heard agreeing with Noah on this one. ~Should I say something?~ He
looks over at his Dad and Abby and decides not to. ~They're going through
enough right now.~
Mary glances at him. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah." He says. "Just worried about Liz and Nancy." He says
thinking that both Tom and Abby know about the lung infection and wonders
why they didn't tell the rest of them.
"Nancy will be fine don't worry." Mary says.
"Yeah but will this family be fine." He whispers and goes to take a walk.
Later, he comes back. "I'm sorry I was an idiot." Noah says about his rantings
earlier.
"It's ok, I still love you." Nancy says.
He smiles. "I love you too, but I have to go, I'll be back later."
"Good." They kiss and he leaves.
~Great,~ she sighs. ~All alone till he comes back. No one to
worry about Elizabeth with. Being in the hospital really stinks this
time.~
An hour later Max comes out.
"Well?" Tom asks.
"We relieved and the pressure and she is fine."
"Her eyesight?" Tom asks.
"We wont know until she wakes up." Max says.
"More waiting." Tom says.
"When can we see her?" Abby asks.
"Come with me. We've already moved her back into the Neurological Care Unit."
Abby hurries forward, not even waiting for Tom. "And Nancy?" she whispers
as she reaches Max. "Is she up for a visit yet?"
The others asks the same thing.
Max nods.
"Then I'll tell Tom what happened."
"Good."
Abby nods and waits for Tom, hoping to catch him alone.
Tom waits for Joannie and the others.
Joannie approaches her Dad. "Come on, what are we waiting for?"
"For You."
"Well, here I am."
Tom catches up to Abby and Max.
"After we see Elizabeth, we should go say good morning to Nancy," Abby suggests.
Tom nods. "Good idea."
"Max said she had a little bit of a rough night, but she's doing better today."
"What do you mean rough night?" Tom asks
"She developed a lung infection, but the antibiotics must have worked. Nancy
will tell us all about it when we go to visit, I suppose."
"And you just found out? Why weren't we told this earlier?"
"Wasn't it best to let Nancy sleep and recover quickly?"
"But we should have been told." Tom says, "Max....."
Max doesn't know what to say.
"Tom, let's talk about it after we see Elizabeth, OK?" Abby asks.
Tom is upset but drops it for now. "OK."
They walk into her room.
"Just talk to her so she'll wake up." Max suggests.
"OK," Abby says, and turns towards the bed. "Hey, Elizabeth. Dr. Max says
you came thorough like a trooper."
"Elizabeth? Time to wake up. Its a beautiful day outside." Tom says. ~I hope
she'll be able to see it.~
Elizabeth starts to stir.
Abby squeezes Tom's hand and continues to talk to Elizabeth. "You've got
people here to see you, but we can't get this party started without you waking
up."
Elizabeth starts to open her eyes.
"Max?" Tom says.
Max goes over. "Elizabeth can you see anything?"
"No,,,," she begins to say. "Wait...is it light outside?"
Max smiles. "Yep, the sun is shining."
She tries to focus. "Everything is still blurry."
"It'll come Elizabeth relax, once the swelling is down."
Tom sighs in relief and hugs Abby.
"We should go tell everyone else," Abby whispers to him.
"Ok...I'll be right back." Tom says.
He goes out into the hall to Joannie, Mary and David. "She can see."
David smiles. "That's a relief."
"Can we see her." Mary asks also relieved.
"Yeah go on in, I don't know how much longer she'll still be awake though."
They go in to see her.
Elizabeth is trying to stay awake and focusing
They go over and greet her. "Do you need anything?" David asks.
"Yeah a new head, mine feels like a fifty pound bowling ball." she says.
"I'll see what I can do." He jokes.
"Thanks." shes says and is soon asleep.
"She's asleep." Mary says.
Joannie tucks her in.
"Why don't you guys go home and get some rest." Tom suggests.
"I will, after I check on my other sister who's in the hospital." David says
and walks away. He kisses Elizabeth's forehead and then he and Mary leave
the room.
~Huh, what was that?~ Tom thinks but then returns to Elizabeths room.
Abby waits until the kids have left and she's checked that Elizabeth is really
asleep. "Tom, Max wanted to tell you about Nancy last night. I asked him
not to."
Tom is shocked "But why?"
"I didn't think you could take any more. And there wasn't anything you could
do for Nancy--sleeping was the best thing for her, not visits. And even if
you'd gone to visit her--she'd have known something was wrong and you'd have
had to tell her about Elizabeth, and that wouldn't have been good for her
at all. Now she's on the mend, and so is Elizabeth, so you can go visit her
and bring her good news instead of just uncertainty."
Tom shakes his head in disbelief. "You should have let me decide that."
"Maybe I should have," Abby concedes. "I just wanted to take some of the
weight off your shoulders."
"I'm going to go see Nancy." he says as he starts to leave. "You know what
really gets to me? If I had kept something this big from you, I would be
accused of patronizing and not treating you like an adult." he says and then
leaves.
"Tom..." Abby says to the closing door as her eyes start to tear up.
Max puts Elizabeth's chart on the bed and goes over to Abby. "You OK?"
"He's right. I really messed this up. But I just wanted to help."
Max sighs. "I know and given time, he'll know that too." he says. "I can
talk to him if you'd like."
"No, I think I'd better tough this one out myself, but thanks."
"OK, but the offer stands if you change your mind." he says. "I have to go
do rounds. Can I get you anything before I leave?"
"No. Max--thanks for all your help."
Max gives her shoulder a pat before leaving.
Once Max leaves, Abby huddles into her chair and cries.
Elizabeth awakes and hears someone crying. "Abby......?"
Abby quickly dries her eyes. "I'm right here, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth tries to focus but it is still blurry. "I heard you crying, are
you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just happy that you're going to be OK."
"Oh." she says not buying the excuse but too sleepy to call her on it.
"You should try to sleep. You'll get better faster," Abby tells her.
"When can I go home?"
"I don't know. I'll ask Dr. Max when I see him, but I'd imagine it'll be
a few days yet--he'll want to make sure you rest and get better."
She sighs. "I hate hospitals."
"Everyone does. But if it's the only way to make sure you get better..."
"I know."
"Then you'll take of yourself and get better? Not push yourself, not hide
things?"
"Hide things? I'm not the only one." she slips out.
"What? What do you mean, Elizabeth?" Abby asks.
Elizabeth decides to come clean and explain to her what she heard between
her and Dr. Max last night. "I told you my other senses came alive."
"I hadn't realized. If you want to know anything, Elizabeth, just ask."
"Whats going on? Why wont you go see Dr. Kraus?"
"Believe me, if I had the time I would. I certainly have no intention of
not keeping my appointment next week."
"But the pills."
"Just prescription strength Tylenol. Completely harmless. They're just to
keep me going until Hilda gives me a good once-over."
"Really?" she asks in relief.
"Really and truly. Scout's honor."
"I never knew you were a scout." she jokes.
"Well, no, but I dated a few."
"Lucky you." she says trying to stay awake.
"Go to sleep," Abby says. "I'll stay right here."
"Ok." she says.
Abby sits by Elizabeth's bedside while she sleeps, trying to figure out how
to make up with Tom.
Tom is still in disbelief when he walks into Nancy's room.
"Hi Dad." Nancy says.
"Hi Honey." Tom says with guilt. "How are you feeling?"
"Better, how's Elizabeth?" She asks. "I overheard the nurses talking."
Tom sighs. "She's going to be fine. Honey I'm sorry no one was with you last
night."
"Elizabeth needed you." She says.
"But you needed someone too. If I had known....." he begins to say.
"I guess Joannie and Dr. Max didn't want to worry you and Abby more." Nancy
says not knowing that Abby knew.
"Yeah." Tom says not wanting her to know the truth, after all it was between
him and her. Why make more trouble.
"And it's really not that bad." She says about the infection.
Tom sighs. "That's a relief."
"Can I see Elizabeth?"
"Maybe this afternoon? OK?"
"So long a wait?"
"You want to see her when she's more awake, don't you?"
"Yeah."
Tom holds her hand.
Nancy soon falls asleep
Tom sits with her.
A little while later she wakes up having dreamt that Abby finally came to
see her. "It was just a dream." She says a little disappointed.
"What was?" Tom asks.
"Abby coming to visit."
"Oh." he says. ~Another thing I need to talk to her about.~ "I'm sure she'll
come by later."
~Yeah right.~ "Probably."
"Are you hungry?"
"Starving, how bout you?"
"What would you like?"
"Fried shrimp." She says.
Tom laughs. "You are definitely feeling better."
"Maybe I'll still get to go home Saturday."
"Now thats the type of news I could use."
"I hear ya, when are they springing Liz?"
"In a few days I hope."
"Good."
"Maybe Max will take pity on your old man and release you both the same day."
he jokes,
"Yeah maybe." She manages a laugh.
"I'll go get your Fried shrimp."
"Thanks Dad."
"No problem Honey, I'll be back in a little while."
"Ok."
Tom goes off on a fishing expedition.
A while later Tommy comes in to Elizabeth's room. "Hi." he whispers.
"Hi. Elizabeth's sleeping, but she'll probably wake up soon. How was school?"
"Like every other day, ok." he says. "Do you need a break? I could sit with
her if you do."
Abby nods. "I could probably use some coffee."
"Ok."
Abby gets up. "If you need me, I'll be in the cafeteria."
Tommy nods and sits next to Elizabeth.
Meanwhile Tom is sitting in the cafeteria alone. ~How could she have not
told me? I would never hear the end of it, if I had done that.~ he thinks
while sipping his coffee.
Abby goes to the cafeteria, gets her coffee, then turns around and sees Tom.
She hesitates, wondering whether she should approach him or run away.
Tom makes eye contact with her. "Hi."
Abby walks over to Tom's table, but doesn't sit. "Hi."
"Care to sit?"
"Thanks," Abby says and sits down across from him.
"How's Elizabeth?"
"Seems to be doing well. Tommy's with her now."
"Good......" He replies.
"Tom..." Abby starts, then plays with her coffee cup for a while. "I'm sorry.
I was trying my best. I warned you I'd make mistakes. Maybe I'm just no good
at this."
"No good at what?"
"At all this. Trying to look after you, trying to look after the kids, trying
not to lose myself."
"Abby, that is ridiculous." he states "Yes I am angry at you, heavens knows
you have been angry at me. Doesn't mean I am not a good father or husband.
does it?"
"Of course not. You're a wonderful father--and husband. But there's a big
difference between ordering my food for me and my not telling you Nancy had
an infection."
"Then why? Did you really think I couldnt handle it?"
Abby nods. "You've been through so much lately."
"So have you, but you knew."
"Look, I said I was sorry. What more can I do?"
Tom shakes his head. "Nothing, lets just forget it."
"Thank you."
"Nancy is wondering when you'll stop by."
"I tried to last night. She was asleep."
"She thinks you are avoiding her."
"Of course I'm not avoiding her."
"I'm just passing along the message."
"Thanks."
"Why don't we change daughters. I'll sit with Elizabeth and you can sit with
Nancy for awhile."
"I actually thought I'd go home and check on Nicholas. He must be feeling
abandoned."
"Nicholas...I just about forgot about him." Tom says.
"You've had a lot on your mind," Abby says, proving her point.
"Poor kid." he says.
"So you understand why I want to go stay with him for a while."
Tom nods. "But please see Nancy before you go, ok?"
"Is Noah around?"
"I haven't seen him."
"Oh, OK, then. I'll go check in on Nancy, if she's just lying there all alone."
Tom kisses her. "Are you going to take Tommy with you?"
Abby thinks about it. "No. No, I think I'd better go see her on my own. Tommy
can stop by after I've gone home."
"No, I meant are you going to take him home with you."
"If he wants to go."
"Rather he wants to go or not, I am sure he has a ton of makeup work to do."
"I know, but we also can't make it seem as though the only thing we care
about is school. I'm sure he wants to spend some time with his sisters."
"I suppose."
"When you go to Elizabeth, ask him. If he wants to go home with me, he's
welcome to."
Tom nods.
Abby stands. "I'd better go up and see Nancy."
"I'll see you at home then." he replies as he stands.
Abby leans forward to kiss him, then hesitates, afraid he's still angry at
her.
He kisses her.
Abby smiles. "I'll see you later."
Tom smiles back.
At home, Nicholas is laying in bed, Hungry ~What's the point of being sick
when you don't get any care?~ He sneezes. ~I wonder if theres any Peanut
Butter.~ he gets out of bed.
Susan comes in Nicholas' room with some lunch for Nicholas "What are
you doing getting out of bed?" she asks
"I'm hungry."
"Get back into bed. I've brought you something to eat." Susan
says showing him the sandwiches she's made.
"Thanks." he says.
"You're welcome. How are you feeling?"
"Awful, I'm bored."
"What would you like to do? Watch tv? Play a game?"
"Watch TV."
"Ok. I'll go get the tv from Dad and Abby's room then." she leaves
and soon returns with the tv. "What do you want to watch?" Susan
asks setting up the tv.
"Wrestling."
Susan finds the channel for Nicholas. "Is there anything else I can
get
you?"
"No, Thanks Susan."
"Well, I guess I'll go back to my room and study for a while. Holler
if you
need anything okay."
He nods not looking away from the TV screen
Abby heads upstairs and knocks on the doorframe of Nancy's room. "Anyone
up for company in here?"
"Abby?" Nancy asks.
"Hi, Nancy."
"It is you. Come on in." Nancy motions for her to come into the room.
Abby comes in and sits down next to Nancy.
"How have you been?"
"OK. I hear you're doing better."
"That's what the doctors tell me."
"And what does your body tell you?"
"That it's still sore but ready to go home."
"Well, we'll let Dr. Max decide about that."
"Yeah, Abby how come you haven't been by in a couple of days?"
"Nicholas was sick, and Elizabeth wasn't felling well..."
"Oh, is Nicholas getting any better and how's Elizabeth's vision?"
"Nicholas will be fine. It's just a bug kids get. And Elizabeth is doing
much, much better."
"Good."
"Yeah, it is."
She's about to tell her about Noah but remembers that she already knows.
Abby sits there quietly.
"He'll be here in a couple of hours." Nancy says figuring Abby won't want
to be there when Noah shows up.
Abby nods. "I have to go soon, anyway. Susan's watching Nicholas, but she
can't do it all day."
"Ok, thanks for stopping by."
Abby stands and then leans over to give Nancy a kiss. "I'll be back later,
or maybe tomorrow, OK?"
She manages a smile, "ok."
Abby leaves. She goes to Elizabeth's room to see if Tommy wants a lift home.
"Hi" Tommy replies
"Hi. I'm headed home to check on Nicholas. Want a lift?"
He nods. "She's asleep anyway."
"She needs to sleep," Abby reminds him. "It's not a personal insult."
"I know." Tommy says. "She's just getting out of my lecture...for now."
Tom hears this on his way back in. "Tommy, leave the lecturing to me or Abby
OK?"
Tommy nods. "I'll get my things."
Abby throws Tom a look and waits for Tommy to be ready.
"What?" Tom asks after seeing that look.
"Will I see you later?" Abby asks instead of answering his question.
Tom nods. "I'll be home in an hour or two."
"OK, I'll see you then."
"Get some rest."
"I'll try to," Abby promises.
Tom kisses her.
Tommy returns. 'I'm ready."
"Then let's go."
"Bye Dad."
"Bye son."
Once Abby gets out of the room with Tommy she asks how his day went.
"Honestly?" he says. "I'd rather be at the music store."
"I don't blame you."
"What? You? You aren't horrified?" he acts shock.
"Hey, I am still human," Abby pretends to be hurt.
"I think lack of sleep has mess with your brain." he jokes back
"No, it's the becoming a Bradford that's finally caught up with me."
"My sympathies."
Abby laughs. "Really, it's OK not to want to be in school, as long as you
do actually go. And it's OK to want to lecture Elizabeth. She should have
told someone she needed help."
"Why didn't she?"
"I don't know. I guess she though she could handle it."
"That's just plain dumb."
"I agree."
"I mean, like I have room to talk; but there's nothing wrong for asking help."
"Tommy, why did it take you so long to talk to your father or me after you
stopped going to school?"
Tommy shrugs. "You two seemed to have enough to handle."
"Maybe that's what Elizabeth thought, too."
Tommy nods. "It's not easy being one of eight."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." he laughs
"The eight kids, no, but the tough part--that is my fault, at least partly."
"Huh?"
"Maybe I haven't been there enough for you."
Tommy shrugs again "You had other more important things to worry about."
"Other, yes. More important, no."
"Really?"
Abby nods. "Really."
They get to the car.
"How about we stop off on the way, get us some ice cream, and bring a treat
home for Nicholas?"
"Sounds good to me."
"OK," Abby smiles and start the car.
"Abby, I don't know if you are aware of it but my 16th birthday is coming
up soon."
"Honestly? I didn't remember. I'm sorry."
He shrugs. "How do you think Dad's going to react to my taking Drivers Ed?"
"He'll have a heart attack. But he'll say yes."
"Great."
"Don't worry about your father. I'll talk to him."
"Thanks."
"It's the least I can do."
"Why do you say that?"
"I've been so busy with other things that I neglected you when you needed
someone to listen to you."
"No you haven't, I should have been more vocal."
"Let's make a deal. I'll try to notice more, and if I don't, you give me
a kick."
Tommy laughs and then realizes she's serious. "You are serious?"
"I wouldn't have said it if I weren't."
"No I guess you wouldn't."
"So it's a deal?"
Tommy nods.
"Good."
"Are you OK?"
"That was a sudden switch of topic."
"Well you are acting strange." Tommy says. "I mean one minute you are busy
with work and the next minute you want to know what's going on at home."
"They're both important parts of my life."
"How's the book doing anyway?"
"OK, I guess. I haven't had much time to help promote it, which doesn't help
much."
"I'm sorry."
Abby shrugs. "It's the way things go."
"Yeah."
"So. What should we bring home for Nicholas?"
"Chocolate ice cream, what else is there?" he jokes.
"Well, at least it's not vanilla," Abby sighs.
Tommy laughs. "We need to get Dad away from that."
"Your father's past saving, but there's still time for the rest of you."
"Oh...so you are planning to save us from ourselves." he jokes.
"If that's what it takes."
"Hmm...I think I have been insulted."
Abby smiles at him. "Order your ice cream."
Tommy orders Chocolate Peanut Butter.
"Well, it's a start," Abby says and orders something more interesting for
herself and chocolate ice cream for Nicholas.
"Nicholas will be happy."
"That's the point."
"Bribery?"
"Hey, it works. Don't knock it."
"I'll remember that in the future." Tommy notes her favorite ice cream.
"I always said you were the smart one in the family."
"No way, Mary is."
"In book learning, yes. There are other ways to be smart."
"I wasn't so smart the last couple of weeks."
"We all make mistakes."
"Yeah."
"The important thing is that you learn from them."
"Or at least until next week." he jokes.
"Hey, I'll take what I can get. We'd better get this ice cream to Nicholas
before it melts."
"I'm ready when you are."
Abby escorts him out to the car and they drive home. "Hey, Nicholas, you
still here?" Abby calls out when they get home.
"Up here."
Abby heads upstairs with the ice cream.
In her hospital room: "Abby came to see me." Nancy says to Noah.
"That's great, so why do you not seem overjoyed about it?" He asks.
"She wasn't honest with me about why she hasn't been by."
"Oh," there's a pause. "Did you call her on it?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because, what was I supposed to say, no that's not the reason. You
haven't been showing up because of Frank." Nancy shakes her head.
"How would you feel if you were in her position and someone said that to
you."
"Pretty awful." He admits. "But what about how she was making you feel?"
"Noah it's not the same thing." She says.
"I see not much changed while I was presumed dead." He says.
"Stop it, my whole family was my life line when I thought I lost you.
Who knows what might have happened if they hadn't of been there, especially
my parents."
"And now that I'm back. You're taking a back seat to everyone else
again."
"I'm not their only child, give them a break will you?"
"Same old thing."
"Noah, Nicholas is sick and Elizabeth is in the hospital. Did your
forget your heart when you left the house this morning?"
He sighs. "In otherwise, lay off and stop being hard on Abby."
She nods. "You know I love you, but it hurts when I hear you talk about
my family that way."
"I'm sorry." He says and kisses her.
Sometime after he leaves, her father shows up with the shrimp.
"Better late than never." Nancy says to him.
"They were busy."
"I guess so, can we go see Liz after I eat."
Tom nods. "Just remember she's still pretty out of it."
Nancy nods and finishes her shrimp.
"Ready to go?"
"Yes," she says.
Tom gets her a wheelchair and takes her up to see Elizabeth.
"Somehow last night I knew you weren't really ok." Nancy greets her sister.
"Really?" she asks.
Nancy nods.
"Sorry I had you worry."
"It's ok, how are you feeling?"
"Except for an awful headache and blurriness, I am ok." she says, "How are
you?"
"I'll be all right, sorry you feel bad."
"I'll be ok."
"I'm very relieved about that." She says in her gentle big sister voice.
"I don't know about you but I am ready to go home soon."
"Believe me so am I."
"You two need to get better first." Tom says.
"We know Dad."
"Face it Nancy, we could be 80 years old and he would still treat us like
kids."
"That's for sure." She says.
"And don't you two forget it." Tom says.
"We won't forget."
"Are you two ok here alone? I need to go make a call."
"Yes," Nancy says.
Tom leaves
"Do you need anything?" Nancy asks Liz.
"No." she says. "I'm sorry I haven't come by and see you more."
"What do you mean? You've been by every day."
"I know, but I haven't been 'really' here...you know?"
"At least you show up." Nancy says.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Nancy says not wanting to worry her. "I'm just talking."
"Come on Nancy, I know you better than that."
"It's nothing really, I don't want to get you upset."
"Abby?" she says
"How did you know?" She says. "I shouldn't be upset, she did come today,
but I am anyway and I don't like it."
"Don't be.....I think Abby is going through more than Dad or we realize."
"I know."
"I'm really worried."
Nancy waits for their Dad to return. "I know but you also need to concentrate
on yourself right now."
Tom soon returns. "I think you two need to get some rest."
"Yeah, see you later sis." Nancy says.
"Bye Nancy." she says.
"I'll be right back Elizabeth." Tom says.
"Dad, why don't you go home. You must be tired." Liz says.
"Are you sure?"
She nods. "I'm just going to sleep anyway."
"Well......" he ponders. "Only if you tell the nurse if you need us to call
us, ok?"
Again she nods. "I promise."
Tom sighs and kisses his daughter. "We'll see you in the morning then."
"OK Dad, goodnight."
Tom wheels Nancy out in the hall.
"Dad it's ok, I can get myself back."
"Nonsense…Let me be a father, ok?"
"Ok."
Tom takes her back to her room and makes sure she gets in bed.
Nancy pretends to fall asleep.
He kisses her and leaves.
At home, Abby brings the ice cream into Nicholas's room.
"Hi."
"Hi. Think you could handle some ice cream?"
Nicholas eyes light up. "Yeah."
Abby hands him the bag.
"Thanks." he says. "I appreciate it."
"It's the least I could do. You feeling any better?"
"I think so."
"That's good. Susan take good care of you?"
He nods. "She made me something to eat and brought in the TV."
"All the luxuries. Anything else you want?"
"Some company?"
Abby sits down on Tommy's bed. "You've got it."
'How's Elizabeth and Nancy?"
"Much better. I'll bet that by now they're planning how to break out of jail."
He laughs.
"Before you know it they'll be home and wanting to mooch from your ice cream."
"Not if I eat it all first, do you want some?"
"No thanks. I got myself some earlier."
"Ok." he says. "I'm glad you are here, I missed you."
"I missed you, too. I'm sorry I wasn't here before."
"Its ok."
"At least I'm here now, right?"
He nods. "When are you leaving again for your book tour?"
"I'm not sure I ever am."
"Its over?"
"I guess so," Abby shrugs. "By the time I could get back to it, it'd be too
late. Some thing just aren't meant to be, I guess."
"Oh......I'm sorry."
Abby shrugs. "It's OK."
"I'm glad you'll be here."
"That's worth more than the whole book tour."
"Really?"
"Really truly."
"Thanks again for the ice cream." he says as he finishes it.
"Any time. You sure there's nothing else you want?"
"No, I'm getting tired again."
"Well, lie down and I'll tuck you in."
"Thanks."
Abby tucks him in and gives him a kiss.
"Goodnight." he says.
"Good night." Abby shuts his light and then heads downstairs. ~I really could
use a drink.~ She goes to the liquor cabinet and gets a good look at the
bottles. ~Oh, no. If Tommy and Elizabeth are the ones who've done this...
This time I'll talk to Tom about it.~
After her Dad leaves the room. Nancy stops pretending to be asleep and lies
there thinking for awhile. The nurse comes with her medication.
She swallows the meds for the pain but hides the meds for her manic depression
under her tongue until the nurse leaves and then spits them out in tissue,
wraps it up and throws it in the trash. A little while later Noah arrives.
"Let's get out of here and go someplace." She says to him.
"Not till you're all better and then the only place we're taking you is home."
He counters.
She sighs, "come on I want to go somewhere and celebrate you being back in
style."
"I do too, but you're not up to that yet." He tells her.
They talk for a little while longer and soon he leaves again. After
she leaves she starts plotting a way to get out of the hospital and to get
Noah alone where they can spend some quality time together and do anything
they want.
One hour later she's dressed and attempting to sneak out of the room when
Joannie catches her.
"Just where do you think you're going, young lady?"
~Dang it.~ "Just for a walk."
"Did Dr. Max say you could?"
"No, I said I could. I think it's time I got out of bed for a bit."
"And I say you get right back in that bed."
She hesitates but finally gets back into the bed. "Fine." ~I'll leave
after she leaves.~
"Now what's got you so restless?" Joannie asks as she tucks Nancy in.
"I'm tired of being in here, tired of resting, I just want to go somewhere
with Noah for a few days." She says.
"And you will, once you're better."
"I am better."
"Better, maybe, but not good enough."
"I am too." She pouts.
"Why don't I get Dr. Max here to check you?"
"Ok."
"Can I trust you to stay in bed?"
"Yes." She says knowing Joannie won't be gone long enough for her to
leave undetected.
"OK. I'll be right back." Joannie goes off in search of Dr. Max.
She finds him at the nurses desk.
"Can you come take a look at Nancy? She's crawling out of her skin."
"Getting very restless?" He inquires on the way to her room.
"I caught her trying for a jailbreak."
"What? She's in no condition....." He quickens his pace.
"That's what I told her," Joannie says as she follows him.
part 4