When You Are Forced to Roam
Part 2
When Abby arrives in Pasadena, her mother is waiting for her. "I'll get your
bag," Katherine says. ~She looks awful. How long has she been like this.~
"Thanks, Mom."
~Now I know something is wrong. Sandra Sue never lets me do things for her.~
"You look…"
"Exhausted. I know. That's why I've come home, to get some rest."
"Want to tell me what's wrong?"
Abby briefly explains about the acetaminophen poisoning. "I didn't know I
could hurt myself like that."
"I didn't either. They ought to warn you about things like that on the label."
"Who ever reads labels?"
Katherine nods and picks Abby's bag off the conveyer belt. "Let's get you
home and into bed."
"Thanks, Mom."
Katherine leads her to the car, and no sooner has she pulled onto the freeway
than she notices Sandra Sue is fast asleep. At the house she gets Abby to
wake up just enough to go upstairs and into bed.
Several hours later Harry comes home. "How is she?" he asks Katherine.
"Exhausted. She looks awful."
"Still asleep?"
"Last I checked."
Harry goes upstairs to Sandra Sue's room and quietly opens the door. Abby
is still asleep and Harry goes into the room, tucks his daughter in, and
goes back downstairs. "She's still asleep."
"I'm glad she came home to rest."
Harry nods. "At least we can take good care of her."
Tommy goes home, not knowing someone in the family had found the gift in
the attic.
Joannie is in the attic, looking for furniture she can take with her, when
she stumbles over the package. ~What's this?~ She picks it up and looks at
it. ~I wonder if Tommy knows about this? It's almost his birthday. I'll tuck
it away and give it to him then--it'll be a little like Mom is still with
him.~
Meanwhile, Tommy enters the house. As he passes the study, he hears
his name being called by a family member.
" Hey Dad, Have you seen Mary?"
"Upstairs." Tom says typing away.
Tommy sees that Tom does not look happy. " Whats the matter Dad?"
"Nothing son, just trying to work."
"You just look like you have alot on your mind."
"I do, between your sisters and Abby gone, well you know...."
"I think I know what you mean Dad. What can I do to help lesson the load
that on you?"
"Just stay out of trouble, OK?"
"I will Oh by the way,I be home a hour late on monday, i start drivers ed
that day."
"So soon?"
"Dad, just figure it this way, There be only one Bradford child you would
have to drive places still and there one more kid who can take Nicholas places."
Tommy says trying to get his Dad to smile.
"Yes, but also one more person to add to the car insurance."
"I promise I will be careful driving. Was it you or Mom that said that driving
is a privilege ,not something to take for granted."
Tom laughs. "Since when do any of you listen to my speeches?"
"Your speeches do stick with us kids,we just dont let you know that they
do. Just dont tell my sibilings that I said that or I will be kicked out
the children who pretends that the dont to the elders group." Tommy grins.
"Uh huh."
"Let me prove that I have listen to your speeches." Tommy starts saying some
of the speeches that his Dad have given to the kids over the years.
"Well you'd be the first one."
"Like I said,The rest of them probly will not admit to it. I only admitted
to you that I have listened to you so you feel a little better. Now you cant
say that you didnt get a father days gift from me." Tommy jokes. He hurries
upstairs and knocks on Marys bedroom door.
"What do you want?!" Mary says behind the closed door.
"Can your brat little brother come in to tell that he is sorry for earlier?"
"Sure, come on in." She says.
Tommy walks in the room. "Mary, I am sorry for snapping at you like I did.
You just concerned there was something wrong."
"It's ok, so what is wrong?"
"I just miss mom, especially at this time of the year with my birthday in
a few days." Tommy says while starting to choke up.
"Yeah, I know it's next Monday. I miss mom too."
"The only good thing about turning sixteen is this." Tommy pulls his permission
slip for drivers ed and hands it to Mary.
"I thought Dad would had gone nuts over another kid going for their license."
Tommy grins.
"Tommy that's great, and Dad didn't flip out?"
"No he didnt. He even joked about it. I gues he is mellowing out at his old
age." Tommy jokes.
"I guess so."
"Thanks for forgiving your brat brother."
"You're welcome."
"I better get going." Tommy leaves the room.
"And I'd better get back to studying."
Tommy leaves Mary's room when he sees Joannie taking a suitcase downstairs.
"Why you taking a suitcase downstairs?" Tommy asked not knowing that Joannie
is moving out.
"I'm moving to David's," Joannie tells him.
"Your still alive!" Tommy says with a stunned tone in his voice. "I gues
he has to be mellowing out. He didnt give me any grief when he signed
the permision slip to take drivers ed."
"Either that or we're in real trouble."
Tommy mock gulps. "Need my muscles to bring anything down for you?"
"No, thanks. I'm not taking much until I find a place of my own."
"Just let me know when you find your own place,so I be avaiable to help you
move."
"I will."
"I better get going. I have to go back up in the attic to find Davids old
guitar case. I wish he was here, he would know where it be."
"Well, I'm sure if you keep looking you'll find it."
"Your probly right about that. Good luck in finding a place."
"Thanks."
Tom calls Tommy into his study again. "Tommy are you feeling allright?"
"I guess I have been acting a little off lately."
"Just a little?"
"Well, I have been spray painting my bike, maybe the fumes got to me."
"I'll call Max, have a seat son."
Tom calls Dr.Max.
"Hello." Max answers.
"Hi Max." Tom sighs. Its about Tommy...." he explains about the spray paint
"I'll be right over Tom, keep him sitting." Max says.
"I will, thanks Max."
"Not a problem." After hanging up with Tom he drives over to the Bradford's
and knocks on the door.
Tom answers the door. "He's in the study."
Max goes into the study and examines Tommy. "Yes he did inhale some
fumes but not much, it should be out of his system completely in an hour
or two."
"Anything we can do?" Tom asks.
Max tells him what can be done.
"Tommy why don't you go upstairs and lay down and open the windows for some
air." Tom says
Tommy nods and walks upstairs.
"I don't have to check Nancy again till tomorrow and Elizabeth the day after,
but there is another Bradford I think I need to check on."
"Oh? Well Abby is in Pasadena."
"Good, so she'll finally rest."
Tom nods. "You don't know how hard it was to let her go."
"Tom I do know it's not easy, but it had to be done. She was not resting
properly here."
"I know it."
"What else is bothering you?"
"Joannie decided to move out."
Max is floored. "What?"
Tom nods.
"But she's still in school."
"I know." Tom sighs.
"Tom maybe it'll work out."
"It could be worse, it could be NYC."
"That is true."
"So, do you think Tommy'll be all right?"
"Tommy will be fine, have you contacted the dietitian for Nancy yet?"
"Yes, she'll be here tomorrow."
"Good, how is she taking it? Is she crying and saying why me?
Or is she taking it ok?"
"A little of both."
"Hmm, well she'll get through it, with support."
"I'm trying Max, I really am."
"I know, and you don't have the shoulder the whole load, there are other
people in this family."
"True, but I'm the father who's supposed to make everything all right."
Max sighs. "Believe me I know that feeling."
"Not easy thats for sure."
Max nods.
After not hearing if Abby got to Pasadena Ok. Tom calls the Mitchells.
Harry answers the phone.
"Hi Harry." Tom says.
"Fine, now."
"Now?"
"Now that I know my little girl is being taken proper care of."
Tom starts to fume. "Harry it was my idea to send Abby to Pasadena in the
first place."
~Must have exhausted you, thinking for the first time in years.~ "And not
a moment too soon."
"Than I take it, she arrived safely."
"She's upstairs sleeping. Has been for hours," Harry says in a ~exactly what
did you do to my baby~ tone.
"Good, that's what Dr. Maxwell wanted."
"Dr. Maxwell?"
Tom tells him about the tests and other things.
"Maxwell--isn't he your friend, the one who was drunk at your bachelor party?"
"As I recall, you had a few yourself." he shoots back. "Besides Abby OB/GYN
confirmed everything the tests stated."
"Did you take her to a specialist?"
"Abby wouldn't go." Tom admits. "In spite of what you think, your daughter
is very stubborn."
"She'll go," Harry assures him.
"Will you give her a message to her from me?"
"I'll tell her you called."
"Thanks, but will you also tell her 1 down 6 to go? She'll understand." Tom
thinks about the date they had.
"I will." ~Strange man my daughter married.~
"Give my love to Katherine and you'll keep me posted about the specialist?"
"Yes, of course. Good night, Thomas."
"Goodnight Harry." Tom hangs up. There's a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Mary walks in. "Dad, now that Joannie's moved out. We don't have anyone
to do the grocery shopping. Everyone's busy."
"Terrific." he sighs. "Give me the list."
She hands him the list.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Harry goes into the kitchen to tell Katherine about the phone call. "What
do you suppose he meant, 1 down, 6 to go?"
Katherine shrugs. "I never have understood him."
"That makes two of us. Where do you have Dr. Engelhard's phone number?"
"In my phone book under E. Why?"
"I'm taking Sandra Sue to a liver specialist. I don't trust that friend of
Thomas's."
"I don't blame you."
Harry calls their doctor and gets a recommendation for a specialist. He leaves
a message with the doctor's service and pours drinks for himself and Katherine.
"Here's to having our daughter back home again."
"Don't get too used to it, dear. She'll be better before you know it and
then back to her own home," Katherine sighs.
"Don't remind me."
"Don't remind you of what, Dad?" Abby asks as she comes down the stairs.
"Sandra Sue," he says and gets up to give her a hug.
She looks at his drink. "That looks good. Could you pour one for me, too?"
"Are you sure you should be drinking? With what happened?"
"Max didn't say I shouldn't," Abby tells him.
"Max...I'm setting you up an appointment with a liver specialist."
"Dad, that isn't necessary."
"Indulge me," Harry insists.
"Dad..."
Harry plays his last card. "Maybe a specialist will get you back on your
feet again sooner and then you can go back home, rested and well."
"I guess you're right. OK, I'll go."
Harry smiles.
"I'm going to call Tom now--I didn't tell him I'd gotten here."
"You just missed him. He left a message for you."
"Oh?"
"He sent his love, told you to rest, and said '1 down and 6 to go.' He said
you'd understand."
"I would? I mean, I do, but which?" Abby ponders.
"Well, dinner's getting cold. Why don't you think about it while you're eating?"
Katherine suggests, and leads them all into the dining room.
Unbeknownst to Tom; Nicholas dials the Mitchell's.
"I'll get it," Abby says and starts to get up.
"No, dear, you're supposed to be resting." Katherine motions to Sandra Sue
to sit and gets the phone instead. "Hello?"
"Hi Grandma."
"Nicholas, dear. How nice to hear from you."
"You too, I miss your candy."
"I'll send some back when Abby goes home."
"Thanks, is she there?"
"Uh. Yes. But she's eating right now."
"Oh.." he sounds disappointed. "Will you tell her I called?"
"Of course I will. How long will it be before you have to be in bed?"
"Couple of hours."
"Then I can have her call you when she gets back in bed. Would that be all
right?"
"OK, Thanks Grandma."
"Any time, Nicholas."
"Bye." he says and hangs up.
Katherine returns to the table.
"Who was that?" Abby asks.
"Nicholas."
"First Tom, now Nicholas. I guess I'd better call home," Abby says and starts
to rise.
"After dinner," Harry says firmly.
"But Dad..."
"I told him you'd call him back when you went back upstairs," Katherine reassures
her. "He says he's still got a long while before bedtime."
Abby yawns. "Maybe, but I'm not so sure I do..."
Throughout dinner Abby continues to yawn, until Harry finally says, "That's
enough, young lady. Upstairs with you."
"But I haven't finished eating."
"You'll fall asleep in your dessert."
"Mom," Abby tries for intervention.
"Your father is right, dear. Harry, you help her upstairs and I'll bring
her dessert up to her."
"I can get upstairs myself."
"Of course you can, dear. Indulge us," Katherine says.
Harry helps Abby up the stairs and sits next to her bed.
~I'll just close my eyes a little while I wait, and then when they leave
I'll call home. Find out how Nancy and Elizabeth are, talk to Nicholas--and
Tom...~ Abby thinks before falling fast asleep.
Nicholas goes to bed disappointed.
The next morning, Nancy awakens forgetting temporarily what had happened
the day before but soon it all comes back to her. ~It wasn't a bad
dream.~ She thinks. ~I really do have it.~ She tries to pull
herself out of feeling sorry for herself and gets her mind set on getting
it under control. ~Once I accomplish that then I can brood for a day
or two.~ She gets up and goes to use the bathroom and afterwards
runs into Mary.
"I'm not really up for the day I'm going back to bed." She tries to put off
her morning dose.
"Yeah right," she leads her to her bedroom. "I know it's going to take some
getting used to but it's better to get it in your system before you start
feeling funny."
"You're right and I did promise Joannie."
"Good."
After the injection is over with they go down to get some breakfast.
Nicholas is walking home from school unaware that he's being followed until.....
"Hi Nicholas." Andrea Cuddesworth says.
Nicholas runs home into the house.
Andrea walks up to the front door and knocks.
Elizabeth answers the door. "Yes?"
"Hi, can I please speak to Nicholas."
Nicholas motions to Elizabeth not to let her in.
She smirks. "I'm sorry, Nicholas isn't allowed to see anybody until he has
his homework done."
"Oh," she sighs. "Can you tell him Andrea was here?"
"I sure will, Bye Andrea."
"Bye." She leaves.
"Who was that?" Nancy asks and wonders why Nicholas was hiding from them.
"Nicholas has a girlfriend." Elizabeth saysto Nancy.
"I do not!" Nicholas says running out of the room.
Nancy laughs. "Is she pretty?"
Elizabeth shrugs. "For an eight year old, she's pretty cute."
"She sure has our little brother running scared, poor Nicky."
Elizabeth cringes. "When I think of the poor boys i used to chase after and
then beat them up if they didn't like me."
"Oh I remember that, but I also remember you tormenting Tommy too."
Nancy reminisces.
"I was a brat."
"All of us were brats at that age. Remember when Joannie and Susan
would have to come to my rescue even when I was the instigator of a fight?"
Elizabeth laughs. "Things were sure simpler then."
"Maybe.'
"Yeah," she says trying to show off the engagement ring Noah had given her
earlier that morning without being obvious.
Elizabeth squeals. "Is that what I think it is?"
Nancy smiles. "It sure is."
"When, how?" Elizabeth asks.
Nancy laughs. "This morning after breakfast. Noah came over and said he had
a very important question to ask me. It was more romantic than his
first proposal."
"Does anyone else know?"
She shakes her head. "I don't know how to tell Dad, the last time Noah and
I were going to have a long engagement. But this time neither one of
us wants to wait till I finish college and till Noah's career has taken off.
Not after all that's happened."
"Yeah and with Abby away and Joannie moving out. It's going to hit him hard."
"That's what I told Noah, we've agreed to wait a few days before telling
him."
"Good idea." she says. "But with you wearing the ring, he'll notice it sooner
or later."
She sighs, "I know, I'll try to hide it from him in the meantime."
Elizabeth hugs her."I am so happy for you, not many people get second chances
like this." she says thinking of her parents.
Nancy hugs her back, "Thank you, and believe me I know." She says knowing
who Elizabeth means.
"So have you set a date yet?"
"It might sound corny, but the first Saturday in June."
"Of what year? You know how June dates get booked up."
"Of the coming year, 1979. Yes I know, but it will all work out."
"Yeah, it'll be just enough time for Abby to get Dad used to the idea."
"I hope it doesn't take that long for him to get used to it."
"Are we talking about the same Dad?"
She nods.
"Good luck."
"Thank you, hey when's Tommy's birthday? I keep hearing talk of it
but I forget the date."
"Next week."
"What day next week?"
"Monday."
"Thank you." She marks it down on the calendar.
Mary enters sometime later. Nancy half expects her to have a needle with
her and is surprised when she doesn't.
"No it's not time yet."
"Oh ok, so how come you've been assigned to the task till I learn to do it
on my own?"
"Practice, I plan to get A Plusses when we cover that in class." Mary says.
"Besides I don't think Dad would be able to do it."
"Has Abby called?"
"I don't know."
"I wonder if it's too soon to call her."
"Way too soon, I would wait a few days, or wait till she gets home to talk
to her." Mary says.
Nancy's about to show her the engagement ring but they hear their Dad enter
the house so she hides it. Mary goes to help him bring the groceries
in.
While Mary and Tom are putting them away. Nancy helps out as much as she
can.
"What time is dinner?"
"Don't know yet, so if you're hungry eat something now."
She makes herself a sandwich. "Dad did you get diet drinks?"
"Yes, there's a case in the car."
"Thanks Dad."
"No problem. Has anyone called?"
"No."
Tom sighs. "I'll go get your soda." he says as he leaves the kitchen.
"She'll call Dad." She says as he walks out. "Poor Dad." She says to
Mary.
Mary fumes inside. ~Yeah poor Dad, he gets to sulk while the rest of us take
care of everything around here.~ She thinks conviently leaving the part of
Tom getting the groceries out of her thoughts.~
Elizabeth notices Mary. "What's with you?"
She tells her.
"Mary he got groceries didn't he." Nancy says. "This family would be much
better off if people didn't nitpick."
"I'm not nitpicking." Mary says.
"Then what do you call it?"
"I call it stating facts." Mary says.
"I think you might be a tad jealous maybe?" Liz remarks.
"Jealous of what?"
"The fact Joannie moved out before you did?"
"A little but not enough to get upset about it."
"But you are taking it out on Dad."
"I'm not taking it out on Dad, I think I have valid reasons to be upset with
him, and I'm sick to death of people always siding with him instead of their
own sister sometimes." She rages and goes upstairs and slams her bedroom
door.
Nancy is ticked. "Say the word and I'll flatten her." She says to Elizabeth.
"What was that all about?" Tom asks as he brings the case of soda in.
"Mary's letting her frustrations get to her." Nancy says.
Tom sets the case on the counter and goes upstairs. He knocks on Mary's door
"Come in." Mary says.
"Hi Honey, are you OK?"
"No Dad I'm not ok."
"Want to talk?"
She sighs. "Dad, I told Nancy and Elizabeth I was upset because...." She
tells him what she told them. "But that's not the real reason either.
The other day when you two thought no one else was home I heard you and Abby
talking. I know sometimes adults talk like that but don't really mean
it, but it still hurt to hear some of the things you two were saying."
"What exactly are you referring to?"
"The stuff about wanting us out of the house and to handle things on our
own."
Tom sighs. "Mary, do you remember when Abby tried to get you into the med
school you wanted to go?"
She nods.
"And what did you tell us?"
"Dad that was different. I'm not hurt because of me, it hurt because I'm
worried about my younger siblings. Less about Joannie because she's
shown she's ready to go out on her own by moving. Susan I'm not sure.
But Nicholas, Tommy, and Elizabeth definitely still need you and Abby to
lean on. And Nancy no matter how much she might protests is not at
the point in her life where she can be independent. She still has a lot more
growing up to do."
"Honey. we realize this, What we said you took out of context."
"Then will you help me understand it?"
"All I am saying is its like when you kids first started to walk or ride
your bicycles. We wanted so much to protect you from the hurt when you fell,
but we couldn't. All we could do is stand by and let you learn on your own."
"Oh." She says kind of getting it but not completely.
"It doesn't mean we are not here for you, but we can't be 24/7. As much as
I want to admit I am superdad. I can't."
"I get it." She says.
"Are you sure or are you just saying that."
She sighs. "Well, can we talk about this more after I give Nancy her shot."
"Ok, need some help?"
"I'd love some but let me warn you she cries each time. But after it's
over she's fine again."
Tom nods
They go and get Nancy, Mary also gets some food standing by for after the
injection.
In Pasadena, Harry and Katherine take Sandra Sue to the specialist.
"I'd like to run some of these tests again, see if there's been any change."
He also changes some of Abby's medication and tells her of some risks and
warnings Max didn't, including a warning to stay away from alcohol under
the liver damage has come under control.
"Why didn't her own doctor tell her this?" Harry demands.
The specialist shrugs.
Abby goes for the tests and then her parents take her home. "Can I please
stay downstairs?" she asks. "It's too lonely upstairs."
"Only if you rest. You can lie down on the couch," Katherine tells her.
~I feel like I'm 12 again~ Abby thinks and goes to the couch like a good
girl.
In Sacramento, Nancy grabs on to Tom's hand when Mary injects the insulin,
and she cries like predicted but not as much as the other times and is fine
when it's over.
"Dad they got to invent something that isn't as barbaric as this."
Nancy says to him after she eats the food.
"I know honey, but for now this barbaric thing is keeping you alive."
"I know."
"Anything I can get you?"
She shakes her head, "no that's ok."
Tom kisses her on the forehead when Nicholas calls him about Harry being
on the phone.
Mary looks at Nancy. "Didn't you want to talk to Abby?"
"If she asks for me, don't want to wear her out." She goes to the kitchen
and gets a soda. She makes a face on first taste.
Harry goes into his office and calls Sacramento.
"Hello?" Nicholas says as he answers the phone.
"Hello, Nicholas. It's Grandpa Harry."
"Hi Grandpa, how are you?"
"All right. And you?"
"Doing OK, How is Abby?"
"She's been resting. Is your father around?"
"Yes, May I talk to her?"
"After I speak to your father, all right?"
"Thanks." he says. "Dad its Grandpa Harry." he yells.
Abby goes upstairs after all.
Tom rushes to the phone. "Harry? How is she?"
"Where did your friend find his medical license, Thomas, the bottom of a
Cracker Jack box?" Harry attacks.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your friend the quack is what I'm talking about."
Tom rolls his eyes. "What?!?"
"Your friend--and I use the term loosely--never bothered telling Sandra Sue
she shouldn't have anything to drink until she's better. Do you have any
idea how dangerous that little omission could have been?"
"I am glad you got her to see the specialist, anything else?"
"Anything else? Your wife could have joined us for a drink before dinner
and ended up in a coma, and all you can say is 'anything else'?" Harry splutters.
"Harry." he says frustrated. "What else did the Dr. say." he explains
himself in layman terms so Harry can understand.
"He changed some of her medicines and is rerunning the tests to see what
else your local lush overlooked. Really, that man ought not to be practicing."
"Thanks for taking her to the specialist. Abby refused to go to one before."
Tom says ignoring Harry's ranting.
"It's all in how you ask, Thomas."
"Really? and how is that?"
"I didn't leave her a choice. Really, Thomas...."
"I tried making her go to the Dr, but she refused to." he defends himself.
"Is she awake? I'd like to talk to her."
"I can let you speak to her for a few minutes. But no more--I don't want
you wearing her out."
"Thank you." he says acting grateful but seething inside ~How dare he talks
to me like that.~
Harry goes upstairs to Sandra Sue's room. "Thomas is on the phone," he tells
her.
"Thanks, Dad." She picks up the receiver.
Harry lingers.
"Bye, Dad."
Harry lingers a little longer.
"Dad, please?"
"Five minutes, Sandra Sue, and then I want you to rest."
"Yes, Dad," Abby sighs.
Harry finally leaves.
"Tom?" Abby whispers into the receiver.
"Hi Honey, I am so sorry."
"You couldn't have known."
"If I had just insisted..." he says with guilt.
"But you did insist. It just took me a while to give in."
"So how are you?"
"Going crazy. I think I dreamed my entire adult life and have woken up back
at home as a kid."
"I know what you mean, I feel like a 17 year old begging to talk to my girlfriend."
"When you were 17, my father would never have let you talk to me."
"Funny." he says. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too. It was such a mistake to come here."
"No it wasn't, you are getting the care you need." Tom says. "Though part
of me wants to fly down there and kidnap you."
"Part of me wishes you would."
"Just say the word." he says. Nicholas is pulling on his pant leg. "Your
other man wants to speak with you."
Knowing that no matter what she wants Tom can't come down to Pasadena, Abby
doesn't ask him to again. "Nicholas? Let me speak to him."
"Before I let you talk to him, the phone in your room wouldn't happen to
be a private number would it?"
"It used to, but they stopped that when I moved out. Sorry."
"Terrific." he replies. "I love you and I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"If my keeper lets me at the phone."
Tom sighs and hands the phone to Nicholas. "Hi Abby."
"Hi, Nicholas. I'm sorry I didn't call you back last night--I fell asleep,"
Abby admits.
"That's ok, Are you better?"
"Getting there. It may take a while."
"Oh, its Tommy Birthday Monday, will you be home by then?"
"Nicholas." Tom chides.
"I don't know. Nicholas. I'm going to try to be."
"I don't know. Nicholas. I'm going to try to be."
"Ok." he says. "Dad wants to talk you. Bye Abby."
"Bye, Nicholas."
Tom takes the phone and waits until Nicholas is out of earshot. "Sorry
about that."
Harry appears in the doorway. "Sandra Sue, time to hang up."
Abby covers the receiver. "In a minute, Daddy."
Harry folds his arms, leans against the doorpost, and waits.
"It's OK," Abby whispers. "I should have called him yesterday, anyway."
"Why are we whispering?" he whispers back.
Abby slides under the covers. "I don't know about you, but my father's waiting
to pull the phone away from me."
"This is ridiculous, you are a grown woman, employed, a wife and mother."
he says exasperated.
"Tell that to him."
"No thanks, I've already had my battle with him today." Tom says. "But you
do need your rest, I love you Abby very much."
"I love you, too. Miss you."
"You too, I'll call you tomorrow."
"I'll try to call you, too."
"You mean if the warden hasn't put a lock on the phone."
In the background Tom can hear a stern "Sandra Sue..."
"What did I tell you?" Tom sighs.
"Where's that white knight when I need him?"
"Afraid he'll be beheaded by the King." he says. "But if he keeps you much
longer, I'll risk it."
"The longer it is, the more grateful I'll get."
Tom smiles at the thought of rescuing the damsel in distress. "I better
go."
In the background, Tom can hear Harry chide Abby once again.
Tom rolls his eyes. "Goodnight."
"Good night." As she hears Tom hang up she remembers she wanted to ask about
Nancy and Elizabeth and who it was who moved out. "Wait--" but all she hears
is a dial tone.
Harry waits until he sees that Sandra Sue really is resting, and then goes
downstairs to his wife. He tells her of their daughter's phone conversation.
"Sounds like she's feeling better already."
Harry looks at her quizzically.
"You should have seen her when I picked her up. Did just as she was told."
"Our girl?"
Katherine nods. "If she's getting some of her sass back, she must be feeling
better."
Harry sighs. "I suppose you're right. Do we have to send her back there?"
"Afraid so. Either that or have them all move in here."
"Bite your tongue!"
Tom lingers by the phone longer than goes into the kitchen.
"How is she Dad?" Nancy asks.
"Hmm?" he asks lost in his own thoughts. "She's doing better."
"That's a relief."
"Yeah, it is."
"When is she coming home?" Mary asks.
Tom shrugs. "Your guess is as good as mine."
"She'll be home before you know it." Nancy says.
"Not if her father has anything to say about it."
"What happened?"
"Nothing, well you know how over protective Harry can be."
"Yeah, just like someone else I know."
"Who?"
"Who do you think?"
"Me? Like Harry? That's absurd."
"Well not like him, but you are overprotective sometimes." Mary says.
"I am?"
She nods.
"No I'm not." he insists.
"Ok you're not."
"Thank You."
"You're welcome." Mary says still humoring him.
"Hmph." he jokes and walks out of the room.
Nancy and Mary laugh.
"Hey Joannie we'll go to the house as soon as I take a shower." David says
as he walks in the door.
"Ready any time you are."
He goes to the bathroom and finds stockings hanging on the shower.
"Brings back memories." He says to himself about when he lived at home with
five sisters.
After he's finished showering and getting dressed. "I'm ready."
"Sure took you long enough."
"Well there were obstacles in the shower."
"Yeah, I know. You're a messy housekeeper."
"And you still hang your stockings in the shower."
"Oh. Sorry."
"It's ok, you ready to go?"
"Yep. By the way, I saw some listings in the paper I think might be good
apartments."
"Good, would you mind if I checked the ones you like out to make sure they
don't need work?" He says on their way out.
"I'd love that. Let me tell you about them."
"Ok." They get in the van and he drives to the Bradford house.
Joannie tells him about the listings, each in a worse neighborhood than the
last.
"Oh, um." He pauses before continuing. "Joannie do you plan to buy mace and
a Doberman Pinscher also?"
"A dog? Think they'll let me take Sam?"
"I don't think Nicholas or Nancy will part with him. So you'll have
to take them too."
"No, thanks. I want to be on my own."
He smiles and they pull into the driveway.
Joannie takes a deep breath. "He's not going to try to get me to come back
home, is he?"
"He might, but if he tries we'll be stronger."
"Thanks, David."
"Hey that's what I'm here for." He says as they go inside.
"What took you two so long?" Nancy asks.
"Sorry," Joannie says. "How are you? You take your shot today?"
"Yes I took it, and glad it's over with for right now is how I am. How are
you?"
"Good. I'm good."
David goes into the kitchen.
"Hey you two get in here!!" Mary says from the kitchen.
"I hear the sound of KP calling us."
"So do I. There must be a place we can hide."
"From bloodhound Mary?"
"You're right we'd better not even try."
"So have you found any aparments?" She asks.
"I'm looking. So far I don't think David likes anything I can afford."
"Why not?"
"He says I'll need mace and Sam."
"Whoa, I don't like it either, sounds dangerous."
"What sounds Dangerous." Tom asks as he walks in.
"Nothing, Dad," Joannie quickly says.
"Uh huh." he replies.
~Ahh saved by the Dad.~ "Can't Mary Dad needs to talk to us!!"
Joannie throws her a 'gee thanks' look.
Joannie throws her a 'gee thanks' look. ~Ooops.~ "Dad, Joannie will
talk to you later she's on KP duty." Nancy drags her into the kitchen.
Tom sighs.
"I'd rather Mary than Dad," Joannie whispers.
"I'll remember that for now on." Nancy whispers back.
"I guess it's back to the paper, huh?" Joannie sighs.
"Do you want me to help you? I don't have to go back to school til
next Monday and I can rest just as easily at you and David's place."
"It's not my place--and I think David's already feeling crowded." She tells
Nancy about the stockings incident.
"Got it." She says.
Part 3