When You Are Forced to Roam
Part 1
Nancy goes to the kitchen to see if there's anything diabetic friendly. She
finally makes a sandwich and gets a glass of water.
"Ew, Sam now I know how you feel having to drink water with everything."
He looks up, yawns, and lies back down.
A family member walks in.
"Hi." Liz says.
"Hi," she smiles at her. "Who's doing groceries tomorrow?"
"It's Joannie's turn." she says as she sits down.
"Then I need to ask her to pick up some kind of diet beverage, you ok?" She
asks.
She shrugs. "I'm a little disappointed but if it makes Abby get well, i'll
get over it."
"Yeah, things don't always work out the way we think they will."
"I'm sorry you have this rotten disease."
"Thanks, I'm sorry it went so far. It would have been better to find out
a safer way."
"You didn't know."
"Are you and Nicholas going to be tested?"
"In a couple of days."
"I hope all of you are cleared, this isn't something I want to share."
"I know, you better take care of yourself. I read what it can do if you don't."
"I will, I've read it too and Max and the nurses went over everything with
me. Do you want the lowdown on it or a pamphlet?"
"Pamphlet."
Nancy hands her one. "Happy Birthday." She jokes.
Elizabeth puts on her glasses and starts reading.
Nancy finds the grocery list and puts diet beverages on it and makes a mental
note to remind Joannie when she sees her. "I know you hate them, but
it's good to see that you're using them." She says to Elizabeth.
"I have no choice, besides if you can do what you are doing every day. Then
this is nothing."
"I hope I can do it." She says.
"Didn't your NA meetings say 'One Day at a time' "
"Is that on tonight?" She jokes trying to lighten the mood. "And yes
they did."
"So just take it one step at a time."
"I will." She says as another family member enters. "Hi, I added diet
beverages to the list." She tells Joannie.
"How many should I buy you?"
"Just enough to last till the next shopping day."
"The way you were drinking other soda, that means a case or two."
"Actually by tomorrow I won't be all that thirsty anymore, but it will be
besides coffee and water the only thing I can drink."
"A case or two," Joannie confirms.
"A case or two." Nancy nods.
"We need anything else new?"
"I don't know what's out there."
"I'll take a look. Hey, I wonder if there's anything left from the last time
Mom went on a diet. Half of these cabinets haven't been cleaned out in years."
"There's an idea." She starts checking but then remembers she still supposed
to rest till Saturday.
"I'll look. If it's been there this long, another few days won't matter.
Abby can come home to a beautiful clean kitchen."
"Thanks Joannie, I'm sure Abby will appreciate it also."
"Oh, I bet she will."
~I sure wish they got along.~ Nancy thinks about Joannie and Abby.
"She didn't intend to disappoint Elizabeth."
"Sure."
"You seem more upset about it than does Elizabeth does."
"Elizabeth doesn't show her feeling much anymore. She didn't used to be like
this."
Nancy glances over at Liz to see if she had heard Joannie.
Meanwhile upstairs, Abby is packing the last of her things.
Elizabeth goes out of the room in a huff ~Let my feelings be known huh?~
and decides to confront Abby. She knocks on the door.
"Come in."
"Can we talk?" Liz asks upset.
Abby checks her watch. "Sure. Why don't we sit down?"
"I don't want to sit." she states. "Is there a reason you renege on your
offer to take me along?"
Abby sits. "I didn't want to. It's just..." Abby takes a deep breath. "I
didn't want to worry you kids, but under the circumstances...I'm not going
away because I want to. I want to stay home. But if I don't get some rest,
I'm not going to get better. I'll get worse. Max is on the verge of putting
me in the hospital if I don't start taking it easy."
"Hospital? Why didn't you just say so, instead of......never mind."
"I didn't want everyone to worry. You know how it is. I sneeze and Nicholas
thinks he's going to lose me, too."
"I guess we do get paranoid at times. But sometimes not knowing is worse
than knowing."
"I'm sorry I upset you so. Maybe, once I've rested, your father can send
you to join me."
Elizabeth shrugs."It doesn't matter."
"It does to me. I made you a promise and I hate that I had to back out of
it."
"Let's see how you feel in a few days." she says not wanting to be disappointed
again.
"That's probably a good plan," Abby concedes.
"Have a good trip." she says.
"Oh, yeah. Going back to be a 12 year old, complete with my mom tucking me
in at night."
She laughs. "Well take me and I can be the distraction." she jokes.
"I wish I could," Abby says seriously.
"Well, I'll let you finish." she says.
"You'll call me and let me know how things are going around here?"
"Sure." she says. "Unless your parents lock you in your room."
"There are advantages to being the only child at home--I had a phone in my
room."
Elizabeth sighs. "How'd that be."
"Quiet," Abby answers. "A little lonely."
"Really? Well you did do a 180 degree turn didn't you."
"Oh, yeah. You're never lonely around here, that's for sure."
"Nor any privacy."
"That's true," Abby sighs.
"I better go."
Abby looks at her watch again. "Me, too. If you see your father, could you
tell him I'm ready?"
She nods. "We'll miss you."
"I'll miss you all, too."
Elizabeth leaves the room sadly.
"Oh no." Nancy says feeling trouble brewing.
"Better for her to get it out now while there's still time to fix it," Joannie
says.
"You're right, but let's go watch tv or something so we can't hear any yelling."
"Good idea."
They go to the tv room and turn on the tv to watch it. David leaves
the room as soon as he sees Joannie.
"What's his malfunction?" Nancy asks Joannie.
"He's a man, He thinks he knows everything," Joannie says.
"Ahh, that's explanation enough." Nancy half jokes.
"Always seems to work around this house."
"Most of the time, but they do have their good moments."
"Maybe some of them do."
"All right, what did David do?"
"Hey, I'm only angry at him for being angry at me."
"So as soon as he stops being angry you'll be fine?"
"Perfectly. Now did we come in here to talk about David, or did we come in
here to watch tv?"
"To watch tv." Nancy shuts up so they can watch the program that's on.
After the movie is over on TV, Nancy is about to head upstairs when she sees
Tom in the study. She goes in there. "Working on your column?"
"Yup. What can I do for you ,daughter number 4."
"Nothing really I'm fine."
"Really? I didn't know you liked to hang around my study."
"I'm sorry I reacted so badly earlier."
"It's ok Nancy, I wasn't exactly courteous either."
"It's all right, I'm sorry I keep winding up in the hospital."
"I'm sure you don't enjoy it anymore than we do."
"No I don't, and I know it can get *old*."
"Well hopefully you've seen the last of that place for awhile. My old heart
can't take it." he jokes
She smiles. "Very funny day, you're not old."
"That's what you think,but thanks anyway."
"No problem, and Dad I don't want to play in the football game that's coming
up if that's ok."
Tom is shocked but pleased. "Why?"
"It's too dangerous." She says.
"Did you come to this conclusion or are you doing this for me?"
"I'm doing it for me, you, the family, Noah, and Sam."
Tom laughs."Sam?"
She laughs also. "That's right Sam, we are his people after all." Nancy says
instead of saying he's our pet.
"Only if I can claim him as a tax deduction."
"Real funny Dad."
"Well, I try..."
She laughs, "yeah."
David comes in having been at the pharmacy with a months supply of insulin
and needles. Nancy cringes although she has awhile before she'll need
any that day.
"Dad I'm going to go upstairs and lie down for awhile." She says.
"Ok, but are you feeling all right?"
"Yes, just don't want to see those til I have to." She says and leaves
the study.
David sighs, "I sure have bad timing." He says to Tom.
"No, it's just reality bites sometimes."
"Yeah tell me about it, but things could've turned out worse." He says and
hands him his change back. "The insurance covered most of the cost."
"Thanks, but keep it."
"Thanks Dad." He pockets the change.
"You doing OK?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
He shrugs. "Just checking."
"Have you been talking to Joannie?"
"No...why?" Tom asks. "Is something wrong?"
"She's on a tough love kick." He says a little angrily.
"Huh?"
He tells him what Joannie said to him.
Nancy returns and hears him. "She hasn't been mean to me. David you
obviously took it the wrong way."
"I did?"
She nods. "I think you'd better go and talk to her."
"If she'll talk to me. Dad should I brave it?" He asks.
"We haven't lost a Bradford yet this way." he sighs.
Elizabeth goes tells her Father that Abby is ready. Tom comes up and gets
Abby's bags. "Is this everything?"
"I don't need much. I'm just going to rest. If I forget anything, I can get
it in Pasadena."
" Except me, I'm one of a kind." he jokes trying to battle his own sadness.
"You mean those rumors I heard of a Tom Bradford store in LA aren't true?"
" Sorry....I kept the patent."
"Oh, darn."
Tom kisses her. "Your chariot awaits."
"Just as long as it's waiting for me when I get back, too."
" I'll be waiting by the phone."
Abby kisses him. "That's good to know."
" We better get going." Tom says as he looks at his watch
Abby takes her purse. "Would you take my suitcase down, please?"
He nods and quietly takes the suitcase down.
Abby follows Tom down the stairs.
David goes to find Joannie, and finds her on the sun porch. "I'm sorry."
"You certainly are," Joannie answers.
"Joannie I mean it this time."
"Who made you come and apologize?"
"That would be me." He says.
"It would? What happened?"
"I took it the wrong way. Nancy overheard Dad and I talking and set
me straight."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"So you forgive me?"
"Sure, OK."
"Good."
Joannie waits to hear what else David wants.
"So are you hungry?" He asks.
"Why, are you cooking?"
"I was thinking more of the lines of going out, you don't really trust me
to cook do you?"
"Not on your life--actually, not on mine."
He smiles, "so where to?"
"Anything but Chinese."
"How bout Pizza then?' He asks as they get ready to leave.
"Can I get extra cheese?"
"Of course."
They're about to head out the door when they see that Abby is leaving.
~I didn't know she was leaving today.~ Nancy thinks.
Mary and David give Abby a hug.
"See you when you're all rested." Mary says.
"Thanks. I'll try to make it quick."
Nancy gets over being stunned and gives her a hug. "Have a safe flight."
"I've already promised your father I won't flirt with any of the flight attendants."
She laughs.
Tom rolls his eyes.
Abby smiles at him.
"Take care." Liz says.
"Bye." Nicholas replies.
Abby hugs them both. "Don't forget you can call me anytime you want to
talk," Abby reminds Nicholas.
"Ok."
Abby smiles at him.
"See you when you get back." Nancy can't think of anything else to say.
"I'll see you then."
She retreats to the tv room.
"Come on, you are going to miss your flight." Tom says. ~That wouldn't make
me heartbroken.~
"I'm ready. Let's go."
Tom drives her to the airport.
Abby fills Tom in on her conversation with Elizabeth. "Poor girl. She's so
disappointed."
"I can have a ticket for her anytime you say."
"And what about a ticket for you?"
Tom sighs. "I'd love too, but Elliott wont let me go again so soon."
"I know," Abby admits. "Our phone bills are going to be ridiculous."
Tom nods. "It'll be worth it."
"I hope so."
"I'm going to miss you, but I guess I already told you that."
"A few times."
"Are your parents picking you up?"
"Mom is. My father has to be in court today. I'll see him when he gets home."
"Let me know if there will be a ransom to be paid to get you back." He says.
"You might have to take out another mortgage," Abby warns.
"I've got my banker on it." he sighs.
"What's wrong?" Abby asks.
"You are going and I hate it even though I know you need to."
"I hate it, too. But it wasn't working out at home."
"Then don't, I'll get you a nurse and a maid." he suggests.
"And when Nancy stopped taking her insulin the nurse would go to her and
when Tommy and Elizabeth decided to throw another party, they'd get the
maid. I love you for trying to work things out, but you know the only way
I'll get better is if I'm away from the kids."
He nods. "Call me when you get there? Unless your father has put a lock on
the phone."
"Well, if I don't call in a reasonable amount of time, you can put your fatherhood
skills to use and track me down."
"I will."
"Good." They pull up at the airline. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too. I'll walk you to the gate." Tom tells Abby
"Thanks."
Tom gets Abby's luggage and walks her to the gate.
Abby checks in and soon her flight is called. "Well, I'd better go," she
says.
Tom nods and kisses her goodbye. "I love you Mrs. Bradford."
"I love you too, Mr. Bradford. I'll be back before you even get a chance
to miss me."
Tom looks at his watch. A second goes by."I miss you already."
"You'd miss me a lot more if I were in the hospital," Abby points out.
"You're right. Have a safe flight."
"Thanks. Good luck riding herd on the kids."
"Gee thanks."
Final boarding is called. "I'll better go."
Tom gives her one last kiss, "Bye sweetheart."
Abby lingers for a moment and then heads off to board the plane.
Tom sighs and watches the plane take off. He stands there another 10 minutes
or so and then heads back to the car.
After Tom takes Abby to the airport, David and Joannie go out for pizza.
Mary enters the tv room with some insulin and a syringe.
"Already?" Nancy grumbles.
"Fraid so." Mary says.
After it's over with. Mary hands her something to eat. After she's
done eating.
"I didn't think she'd be leaving today."
"Neither did I. I guess Dad wanted to get her resting ASAP."
"I'm glad she'll be resting, but..."
"But what?"
"When do we as a family ever get to go anywhere anymore." She says.
"It's always either Dad getting away, Abby getting away, or them both getting
away. When do we get to get away?"
A family member walks in.
"hi." Liz says.
"Hi, are you ok?" Nancy asks.
"I'm Ok, anything good on TV?" she says changing the subject.
"Not really." She says sounding kind of down.
'Funny,how the house seems quiet all of a sudden."
"Yeah, it'll probably be Dad next."
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asks.
"Nothing, it doesn't matter. Just like I don't matter. No take
care of yourself Nancy. Even though I won't be here make sure you take
of your diabetes." She leaves the room in a huff.
"Nancy!!" Mary chides and then shakes her head. "Women are so emotional."
"So what do we do?" Liz asks Mary.
"I don't know, we can either wait till Dad gets home and tell him or go after
her."
"I'll go talk to her." Liz replies.
"Ok, I'll start dinner."
Elizabeth goes after Nancy.
She finds her in their bedroom.
"Want to talk?"
"I just don't understand her sometimes." Nancy confides.
"Who?"
"Abby, or heck maybe it's just me and I'm upset over something I shouldn't
be upset about."
"She didn't get sick on purpose."
"No it's not that, I don't begrudge her getting sick, and I want her to rest
really I do. It's just that when she's left it was like she forgot
all about what happened with me today."
"I'm sure she didn't, I think she was trying to put everything out of her
mind so she would go."
"How come you can see that and I can't."
She shrugs. "Truthfully? I felt the same way you did."
"And?"
"I took one look at her and finally saw that she looked awful."
"That's all of it?" Nancy says sensing more.
She nods. "Why?'
"No reason, just thought there was more. Like maybe you two talked
it through or something."
"Not really, I mean when I went to talk to her I was really going to let
her have it. But then I saw how she looked welll....I couldn't."
"Good." Nancy says. "She really does need rest and not conflict."
"Exactly. I am sure once she's in Pasadena she'll think about your day and
she'll call you."
"Just as long as she's in bed resting while she does that." Nancy worries.
Elizabeth laughs. "With Grandma Katherine and Grandpa Harry on the case,
I don't think she'll have a choice."
Nancy laughs also, "yeah really."
"Mary's making dinner. Should we go down?"
"Sure," Nancy blinks her eyes to get use to the minor blurriness that Max
told her might occur for the first week or so while her body gets used to
the insulin.
"You OK?"
"Uh huh." She tells her what Dr. Max had told her on the way downstairs.
"Yuck, I sympathize."
"Thank you." She says as they go into the kitchen.
"Hi Mary, whats for dinner?"
"Baked chicken, peas, and mashed potatoes. Is everything cool now?"
"I think so."
"Yeah everything's cool." Nancy says. "And who in this family likes
their chicken baked?"
"It's something new we can try." Mary says, not saying she's cooking it that
way because of Nancy.
"Yummy." Liz says
"And why don't you two sit down and keep me company, you're still supposed
to be resting."
A little while later at the pizza place.
"I didn't think she was leaving today." David says.
"Guess she couldn't wait to get out," Joannie says.
"I'd be in a hurry to leave to if I needed rest."
"Especially if you were Abby."
"What do you mean?"
"Every time you turn around she's off somewhere else, isn't she?"
"Actually it seems everytime I turn around. One of them is off somewhere
else or they're off with each other."
"Exactly. It's like a tag team act."
"Doesn't seem fair, if I were a rich man. I'd take all my brothers and sisters
on vacation some place."
"If I were rich, I'd just go."
"Is it getting that bad around there?"
"Getting? Got."
"If you want to move out you can stay with me till you find your own place."
"Really?" Joannie brightens.
"Yes, really." He says.
"Starting when?"
"Whenever you want."
"Tonight?"
He nods, "sure."
Joannie gets up and throws her arms around David. "You're the best big brother
a girl could have."
He hugs her back. "Joannie I'm your only big brother."
"Never could fool you."
He smiles but then a thought comes to him. "We got a problem."
"What?"
"How's the family going to react when you leave too?"
"I'm only moving over to your place. It's not like I'm leaving town. And
I'll be by the house all the time to keep an eye on Nancy."
"You got a good point there, we just have to be sure to let them know that.
The less scenes there are the faster we can get you out of there."
"Maybe I shouldn't tell them I'm not planning to move back home."
"Sounds convenient, but in the long run it will make more hassles."
"No way Dad will let me leave without a scene."
"True, but he can't stop you. And if you let our siblings know that
they'll still see you and everything the only scene will be with him."
"And it will be a doozy..."
"I'll be there with you."
"Thanks." Joannie finishes her pizza. "Now?"
He nods. They leave the pizza joint and come home. By that time
Elizabeth had convinced Nancy that just because certain things weren't said
doesn't mean she's not important to Abby. She's just finishing up a
phone call to Cassie when they walk in. After she hangs up.
"Young man, young lady, just where ya been?" She jokes.
"Out with a very handsome man," Joannie jokes back. "Jealous?"
"Extremely."
"Well, OK. I'll share him."
"Thank you."
"How are you doing?" David asks.
"Ok, trying to get used to insulin injections." She says feeling a little
silly talking about her health.
He cringes. "Do they hurt?"
She nods. "But it could've been worse they could've discovered this when
I was a little kid and really afraid of needles." She observes them. "Hey
what are you two up to?"
Joannie looks at David. ~Now or never.~ "Nancy, you know I love you and that
I'll always be around, bugging you to take care of yourself, right?"
She nods, "yes, I love you too, what's going on?"
"I'm thinking of moving out. I've been working real hard, I've been saving
up money, and I'd probably be back here every night for dinner, anyway. Sort
of like David," Joannie jokes.
David laughs. "Exactly like David."
"I remember you were talking about that awhile back. Joannie is this
what you really want?" Nancy asks.
Joannie nods. "I really think it's for the best."
"Then I'm happy for you."
"Thanks. I just hope Dad feels that way, too."
"He can't stop you."
"Feel about what?" Tom asks
"Dad. Can I talk to you?" Joannie says.
"Sure."
"Alone?"
"It'll be fine." Nancy tries to reassure Joannie.
Tom escorts her to the study. "What;s wrong?"
David goes in there also to back her up.
"Dad, remember when you came to get me in New York?"
"Like yesterday."
"And remember you told me that if things weren't working out at home that
I should come to you and you'd help set me up elsewhere?"
"Yes." he says suspiciously.
"Well, I don't need that kind of help, but I do want that support. I've been
working hard, selling these Chinese frozen dinners, and saving up my money.
David said I could move in with him until I can find my own place, and" Joannie
takes a deep breath, "I'm taking him up on it. I'll still be around a lot,
and I still love you all, but I'm moving out."
David prepares for Tom's reaction.
Tom is speechless and numb.
"I'll be back tomorrow to check on Nancy, and I was thinking that I could
take Elizabeth somewhere later on this week, if that's all right with you."
"Wait a minute please?" Tom says. ~First my wife and now Joannie,.~
Joannie sits down and waits.
"Why now?" he finally gets out.
"Because I finally have enough saved up. I didn't want to ask you to pay
for it."
"Is that the only reason?" Tom asks.
"What other reason do you think there would be?"
"Abby...maybe?"
"What would she have to do with it? She's not even here now."
"My point, she's not here now.'
"I'm not running away, Dad."
"What about school?"
"What about it? I'm not dropping out, no way."
"That's one smart thing, I guess."
"Wait till you see me on my own, Dad. You'll see lots of smart things."
Tom sighs. "Is this really what you want to do?" He asks Joannie.
"Dad, she's just making an adult decision, and I'm proud of her." David says.
"If shes making an adult decision, why are you here to back her up?"
"Adults need support too." He retorts.
"It's what I really want to do," Joannie nods.
"There's no stopping you?"
Joannie shrugs. "I'll move out sooner or later. Why postpone the inevitable?"
"I don't like it, not at all...but I can't stop you either. Just don't
expect me to be happy."
"You'll come visit me?" Joannie hopes.
He nods.
"Good. Well," Joannie says as she stands, "I'd better go pack."
"I do love you Joannie."
"I love you too, Dad."
Tom starts to choke up. "I have a lot of work to do."
"OK. I'll say goodbye before I go."
"You are going tonight?"
"Just to David's. I haven't even started looking for a place of my own."
"Davids?"
David nods. "Yes, I offered."
~Terrific.~ "Well at least I know where to find you.~
"I told you," Joannie sighs. "I'm going to stay at David's apartment until
I get set up in my own."
"I know."
"So yeah, I'm going now."
"OK, I guess thats it."
Joannie gives her Dad a kiss. "Can I come for dinner tomorrow?"
Tom smiles. "Anytime."
"I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm not taking much tonight," she tells Tom
and David.
Tom nods.
"Ok, do you need help packing?" David asks.
"No thanks," Joannie says, wanting to get out before Tom changes his mind.
David nods.
Mary is in the kitchen putting dinner away when Susan walks in. "Where
have you been all day?"
"Why did something happen today?"
Mary nods, "You can say that." She tells her about Abby and Nancy.
"Is Nancy going to be all right?" Susan asks "And why did Abby leave so soon?"
"Yes she's going to be all right, now that they know what's wrong with her.
And Abby left so she can get some rest."
"Why did something happen today?" Tommy walks in just getting back from a
from band practice not knowing Abby had left. "Has anyone seen Abby?"
"She went to Pasadena." Nancy tells him.
~She won't be here for my birthday. Tommy thinks to himself~ "Oh. I
didnt think she was leaving so early."
"I don't think any of us did."
Tommy nods in agreement. "How are you doing?"
"Ok, some of my symptoms are slowly starting to go away."
"Glad to hear that. Do you know if David's old guitar case is up in the attic?
It has some guitar pics in it."
"I have no idea."
"I better go check." Tommy looks at Nancy. "Nancy, I am sure glad that
you are still around. This latest incident had me scared to death that I
was going to lose a big sister."
She smiles. "Thanks Tommy."
"I better go find those pics." Tommy goes up to the attic.
Tommy goes up into the attic and starts looking for the guitar case. While
he is looking,he spots a package in a corner of the attic. He picks it up
the package and reads the who it was for. His face goes sober when he sees
it was supposed to been a gift for his last birthday from his mom. Tommy
does not notice the family member who had enter the attic.
"Tommy?" Nicholas says.
Tommy hides the gift, thinking that Nicholas did not notice.
"Hey Nicholas, What you doing up here?"
"Looking for David's old baseball cards."
"I am looking his old guitar case." Tommy says trying to fake a smile. He
goes downstairs, grabs his jacket and goes into the kitchen where two of
his sisters are. "Can one of you tell Dad I be late?" Tommy says in a upset
tone in his voice.
"Sure," Mary says. "Anything wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong." Tommy snaps as he leaves the house.
~Jerk~ Mary thinks while she finishes putting dinner away.
"That's good that Nancy's going to be okay. Is there anything I can
do to help since Abby's not here?" Susan asks.
"Yeah, in fact there is. How are you on getting someone to exercise
each day who isn't used to it?" Mary asks.
"Is it Nancy? Depends on how willing she is."
"Yes it's her, and you'll have to talk to her."
"How soon do I need to get her to start exercising?"
"As soon as possible so I guess as soon as she's fully recovered which will
be Saturday."
"I suppose I should go talk to her about it then." Susan says and goes to
find Nancy.
She finds her in the sunroom. "What's his name?" She asks Susan.
"What?" Susan says taken off guard.
"The name of the guy that's had you out all day."
"Bruce Patterson" Susan says with a dreamy look on her face.
"The tall, cute one?"
"Yeah" replies Susan in a dreamy voice
"That's great, but something tells me that's not what you came out here for."
"Oh yeah." Susan says "Mary tells me you need to start an exercise program."
"That's funny, Dr. Max tells me the same thing. If I do this you'll go easy
on me right?"
"Yeah, I will. When do you want to start?"
"On Saturday."
"Okay. Any ideas on what type of exercise do you want to do?"
Nancy thinks it over. "No, not really." She says. "And I'm supposed
to go somewhere with Joannie that day but I don't know what time yet I'll
ask her and get back with you."
"Okay. I'll think up an exercise program then and let you know what
I come up with."
"Thanks Susan."
Tommy gets his bike and goes over to his Moms gravesite. "Hi Mom, I am sorry
for not being around lately. Things have been so crazy lately. First, Abby
had a miscarriage. I was happy when I heard I was going to be a big brother
again, but when Abby lost the baby ,that was a big blow to me. Secondly,
Abby is a little bit sick right now. But she be ok. She just need some rest.
She went to her parents house in Pasadena. You know how our house is, she
would had been able to get the rest she need in our zoo. and thirdly."
Tommy goes on and tells his mom about what been going on with Nancy.
Nancy is on the front steps petting Sam and waiting for Joannie, Tom,
and David to come out of the study so she can see how it went. When
a family member comes over she shh's them and points to the study.
"What's up?" Liz asks
"Joannie's having an important talk with Dad." She whispers.
"What kind?"
"She's moving out." Nancy whispers.
"Oh my....."
"It's what she wants Elizabeth."
"Yeah, but now?"
"What's wrong with now?"
"With Abby gone and joannie leaving. That's a double whammy."
"I know, but if Joannie waits till there isn't anything going on already
she'll live at home for the rest of her life."
Elizabeth laughs. "True."
"I wonder how he's taking it."
"I don't know."
Soon Joannie and David come out of the study. "How did it go?"
Joannie smiles at them. "I'm going upstairs to pack. But I'll be back for
supper tomorrow."
Nancy smiles and gives her a hug. "I'm glad it worked out for you, do
you need any help?"
"Do you think that tomorrow you could box some of my stuff up?"
"Of course, I'll get someone to help me." Nancy says.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"You still have KP duty." Liz says
"You're kidding."
"Just because you are moving out, doesn't mean you will be treated like a
guest."
"That's right, you're always family no matter what." Nancy says.
"David doesn't do KP."
"No, but he fixes the cars and picks us up when we get stranded."
"And I make you laugh."
"Since when?"
"Well, I could start..."
Elizabeth shakes her head
"She always makes me laugh." Nancy says.
"And what may you be buttering her up for?" David asks.
"What I can't be honest?" Nancy retorts.
"No you may not, not till later." He teases her.
She gives him a playful jab in the ribs.
"Be careful, David. I know where you sleep," Joannie warns.
"And she's a bigger prankster than you." Nancy adds.
"No one is a bigger prankster than me." David boasts.
Joannie gives her sisters an 'I'll show him' look.
Nancy laughs and pretends to whisper conspiratorially in her sisters ears.
"What did you say to them?"
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"Joannie can we go now." David pleads.
"Gotta go, ladies, my chariot awaits," Joannie tells her sisters.
"We'll see you at dinner tomorrow then." Nancy says.
"Nancy take care of yourself ok." David says.
"I am."
"You too Elizabeth." He says.
She nods.
"And call me if you need anything. Tell Tommy, Nicholas, Mary, and
Susan the same thing." He says.
Nancy nods. ~What's gotten into him?~
"Weird." Liz whispers. "I'm going to miss you Joannie and have you
told your old roommate yet?" Liz asks.
"I haven't seen her around. I left her a note."
"I think I hear her in the kitchen with Mary." Nancy says.
"David, can you wait a little longer?"
"Of course, if Nancy has mercy on me."
"Ok, I'll behave." Nancy says.
Joannie goes to check if Susan is in the kitchen.
She's still in there with Mary.
"Susan, I need to talk to you," Joannie says.
"Sure what's up?"
"I'm moving out."
"So soon?"
"You know how it's been, Susan."
"Yeah but I thought you would change your mind though,"
"It's not getting any better. It's not going to, either."
"How can you be so sure it won't." Susan says
"If it hasn't yet, why would it ever?"
"Things can change you know." Susan says "And have you thought about
how much it's going to cost you to live on your own."
"I've been working. I have enough saved up. I think."
"How much is enough? If you don't mind me asking."
"Two hundred dollars."
"That's not enough. How are you going to pay for rent, utilities, food
. . . ? On just two hundred dollars."
"I'll find a way."
"I hope so." Susan says "I'm going to miss you roomie."
"When I get set up you can come visit me."
"Okay. I'll bring you a house warming present or something."
"You don't need to."
Part 2