When You Are Forced to Roam
Part 5
"Why don't you stay in your parents room with me tonight and tomorrow when
your father gets home we'll discuss this."
"No Auntie V, I'm sorry. I can't anymore." she says as she throws things
in the suitcase.
Tommy overhears this and calls Pasadena, then hurries back and knocks on
the door.
"Come in." V says needing all the help she can get.
Tommy comes in. "I got Dad on the phone,he wants to talk to you." he says
to V. "I'll stay with Elizabeth."
"Thank you Tommy." She goes to talk to Tom.
"V, whats going on?" Tom asks.
She tell him what happened. "Tom I don't like this. Elizabeth
or Nancy could've been hurt, and now Elizabeth wants to leave."
"Terrific." he sighs. "Look, can you keep her as calm as you can. I'll see
if the Mitchells can take in another boarder for a few days, Until I can
get Peter out of our lives once and for all."
"Yes I will." V assures him.
"Call Max over to see if he'll give her a sedative or something."
"I will." She says to him.
"And don't let her out of your sight." he says frantically.
"I won't," she assures him.
"Thanks V." he says. "I'm glad you are there."
"No problem Tom." After hanging up with Tom she calls Max who comes
over and winds up giving Liz a sedative and soon she is sleeping again.
"Now what? Tommy asks.
"We take shifts watching her. I don't plan to sleep till your father walks
through that door."
"Do you want me to carry her to your room?"
She nods
Tommy picks up Elizabeth from the couch and carries her upstairs. "Tommy?"
she says grogily."I can't do it anymore, I just can't."
"Shhh." Tommy tries to calm her. "Everything's going to be Ok, I promise
you. Trust us." he says.
She nods and falls back to sleep. He gently puts her in the bed and covers
her up.
"Nancy I want you to sleep in Joannie's old bed tonight." V says. "I don't
want you in yours and Elizabeth's room."
Nancy nods and goes to room with Susan while V goes to Tom and Abby's room.
"I better go check on Nicholas." Tommy says.
V nods.
"Are you OK Auntie V?" Tommy asks.
"No Tommy I'm not ok, we could've been going to the emergency room tonight."
"Can I fix you a drink or something?"
"Thank you but I want a clear head tonight."
Tommy nods."I'll be back after I check on Nicholas."
"Thank you honey." She says.
Tommy checks on Nicholas and finds he's asleep. He quietly laughs ~I'm glad
one of us slept through this.~ he recovers him up and returns to V and Elizabeth.
"How is he?" V asks.
Tommy half way smiles. "Asleep, He didn't hear a thing."
"That's a relief." She says. "Only Nicholas."
Tommy quitely laughs "Yeah."
"Tommy, something Nancy said before you came in has been bothering me."
"What?"
"She told Elizabeth that she didn't have to leave that it would soon be over."
"Huh? What did she mean by that?"
"Huh? What did she mean by that?"
"I'll talk to her tomorrow." Tommy says. "You know, suddenly that new car
outside doesn't mean too much to me anymore."
"I guess I wasn't the only one shaken over that rock in the window. Want
to talk about it?"
"I don't know, It's just things can turn tragically in an instance. You think
I would know that by now after we lost Mom. Then Elizabeth and Nancy getting
hurt, Abby getting ill. Now tonight."
"I know, this family deserves some good things happening for a change."
"Yeah, but when?"
"Soon." She assures him.
"You know if I knew I wouldn't have to go through Abby's boot camp. I would
have a few beers by now." He explains to her what happened with him and Elizabeth.
Vivian laughs. "Poor Tommy."
Tommy laughs. "Poor Elizabeth too. I think she could have killed me that
day."
"Hey let me let you in on a little secret, one day it will be Nicholas in
Abby's boot camp, because all kids try it."
"I doubt that, Nicholas has her wrap around her finger."
"Uh oh then he's going to be a handful."
"I can't picture Nicholas getting into trouble."
"Oh it'll happen, for the longest time David said the same about you."
He smiles. "He did?"
She smiles also, "oh yeah and do you know what he did when he came to visit
me one time."
"No what?"
"I caught him smoking marijauna."
Tommy eyes goes wide. "What did you do? Did Mom and Dad find out?"
"Yes they found out and I made David clean my whole house for a week."
"Oh my, I wonder what Mom and Dad did."
"They grounded him for two months."
"Ouch."
"That's what he said at the time."
Elizabeth starts mumbling incoherently and starts crying in her sleep.
"Shh," V kisses her forehead and brushes her hair back.
She settles down and goes back to sleep.
V sighs in relief.
"It's going to a long night. Want some coffee?" Tommy asks.
"Yes please."
Tommy goes downstairs and puts on the coffee.
After hanging up Tom turns around and sees Harry and Katherine standing there.
"I need your help."
"What's wrong?"
Tom tells them about Elizabeth.
"That's terrible," Katherine says.
"That boy ought to be locked up," Harry agrees.
Tom nods. "Look, I know you have your hands full here with Abby and all,
but would you mind if I send Elizabeth down here for a few days? I
promise she won't bother Abby."
"Of course you can send her here," Katherine says.
"Harry, do you think you can talk to the DA's office?"
"Of course."
"Thanks you two."
"It's no problem," Katherine says.
Tom goes back upstairs to bed quietly.
"What was that?" Abby says, half asleep.
"Nothing, we can talk about it in the morning. Go back to sleep."
"OK." She turns over and tries to go back to sleep, then turns back. "When
you says something's nothing..."
Tom hesitates and then tells her.
"Poor Elizabeth."
"Yeah." Tom says. "I asked your parents if I could send Elizabeth here for
a few days. I hope you don't mind."
"No, that's a good idea. I should have brought her here when I came."
"No. I should have known something like this was going to happen."
"How could you have known?"
"Things were just too quiet where Peter is concerned. I swear Abby, if I
ever get my hands on that boy alone."
"You won't do anything," Abby tells him. "We have enough trouble as is."
"Yeah I know."
"Just making sure that you do."
"We better get some sleep,its going to be a long day tomorrow."
"You're right."
Tom holds her close.
"It'll be OK," Abby tells him.
"I know."
Abby hugs him.
Tom is soon asleep. Tom wakes up in a cold sweat and gets out of bed quietly
and sits in the chair by the window. ~Elizabeth can't take much more of this.~
Meanwhile back at home. Nancy can't sleep and goes downstairs instead still
very unnerved by what happened and fed up with Elizabeth being constantly
harrassed.
"Want some coffee?" Tommy asks.
He startles her a little she didn't know anyone else was down there. "Sure,
I'd love some."
"Are you OK?"
"No not really, that punk should be in jail not free to....."
"I agree."
"I'm going to make sure it ends." She says very determined.
"What do you mean by that?"
"What do you think I mean?"
"That's why I am asking you."
"When I'm done he'll never be able to hurt Elizabeth or anyone elses sister
or daughter ever again."
"Nancy, I don't like what you are insinuating."
"I don't like it either, but everything else has failed."
"It won't solve anything, all it will do is make it worse."
"At least Elizabeth will be safe."
"Uh huh and you will be in jail or dead, that'll help Elizabeth out real
good."
"Do you think I want to kill someone? I'm not looking forward to this
Tommy but sometimes the law does have to be taken into your own hands."
"No I don't think that but if you go through with this what do you think
it will do to you? How will it affect you? Not to mention Abby and
Dad."
This strikes a nerve with Nancy and she starts really thinking it through
and a couple of hours later while they're watching the late show. "Ok,
you've talked me out of it." She says to Tommy.
Tommy sighs in relief. "That was too close."
She hugs him. "I"m sorry."
"Don't be, I was having the same thoughts."
"I wonder if anyone else is?"
Tommy nods. "Why do think Abby made Dad get rid of all the guns?"
"I remember."
Tommy yawns. "I better get this coffee up to Auntie V."
"Ok."
"Yeah." Nancy says.
"Are you going to be OK?"
She nods.
"OK." Tommy says and takes the coffee to V.
"What took you so long." V asks.
"Sorry, Nancy came down."
"Oh, did you talk to her?"
Tommy nods and tells her about it.
V sighs in relief. "Thanks to you I don't have to hide my niece from the
authorities."
"No kidding."
V sips her coffee.
Sunday morning, Tom gets ready to go back home.
"When will you be sending Elizabeth down?" Abby asks.
"Tonight, David is dropping her off at the airport when he picks me up."
Tom sighs. "I'm sorry about this, I just don't know what else to do."
"No, it's OK. I knew I should have brought her here in the first place. I
did promise."
"You are ill Abby, she knows that."
"Knows it intellectually, you mean."
Tom nods.
"I'll make it up to her while she's here."
"There's nothing to make up, just take care of yourself and come home soon."
"I will. I'll miss you."
"Me too, that bed is awfully lonely."
"Ah hah, so that's why you miss me."
Tom laughs. "Is there any other reason?" he jokes.
Abby kisses him. "I guess not," she jokes back.
"Well there are other reasons."
"There are?"
Tom nods. "I love talking to you."
"Well, that you can do on the phone."
"Not quite the same thing my dear."
"It all depends on how you talk."
"Well you can't say this over the phone." He whispers in her ear.
"Well, you could, but I'd make sure the phone isn't bugged first."
"Or your father listening in."
"Or one of the kids."
"That too."
"There's no chance you could come back next weekend, is there?"
"All depends, if I can get Peter out of our lives once and for all."
"Short of moving out of town?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"Any ideas on how you're going to do that?"
"Not a clue."
"Great."
"Tell me about it."
"Think you might get us home in time for our anniversary?" Abby sighs.
~Anniversary, I forgot.~ "Of course I will."
"Right..."
"I will, I promise."
"And you'll let me know what's going on?"
Tom nods. "Every day."
Abby hugs him. "You'll do fine."
Tom sighs. "You can read me so well."
"Like a book." Abby leans in close and whispers in his ear, "And I do read
Braille."
"Interesting."
"I thought you'd think so."
Tom looks at his watch. "I better be going."
"My father will drive us, and then we'll wait for Elizabeth."
He nods and gives her a long kiss.
"Thomas!" Harry's voice calls out. "You're going to miss your flight."
Tom grumbles.
"You know he's right," Abby points out.
"I know, it doesn't mean I like it."
"Take care of Peter and Elizabeth and I can come home."
Tom nods. "As soon as I can."
"Try to make it sooner than that."
Tom sighs."I will." he says "You and Elizabth can start planning the anniversary
party."
"Actually, I was thinking of a small, intimate party..."
"Of two?"
"Exactly," Abby says and leans in to kiss him when Harry yells again.
"He has radar, I swear." he replies. "Do think the kids are going to let
it slide without some sort of party?"
"If you talked to them..."
"Yeah right, small and dignified. Remember?"
"Maybe they learned their lesson?"
Tom laughs
"You're right. We're doomed."
"So if there has to be a party, lets plan it. Get it out of the way. Then
we can plan the most important gathering. A gathering of two."
"Thomas!" Harry roars.
Tom grumbles
"As much as I hate to admit it, he's right," Abby sighs.
"I know," he says giving her another quick kiss before going downstairs.
Abby follows him.
"It's about time," Harry says, frowning.
Tom looks at his watch. "We have plenty of time."
"If I were planning to speed."
Tom rolls his eyes and takes his luggage to the car ~Oh yes lets not go over
30mph.~
"You don't mind if I sit in the back with Tom, do you, Dad?" Abby asks.
"Well, Sandra Sue..."
Abby gives him a kiss on the cheek. "I knew you wouldn't mind," she says
and grabs Tom's hand.
Tom helps her in the car. "Take your time Harry."
"I knew you'd see it my way," Abby smiles and whispers to him.
He smiles at her.
Harry drives to the airport, fuming at his son-in-law.
Tom holds his wife.
Every now and then Harry clear his throat and glares at Tom through the rear
view mirror.
Which he ignores.
"Some day that'll be you," Abby whispers.
"Never."
"Wanna bet?"
"Sure, what should we bet?"
"Anything you want," Abby says, nuzzling his ear.
"Either way, I would win."
Abby giggles.
Tom giggles also
Harry speeds up.
Tom shakes his head and they are soon at the airport.
Harry and Abby walk him to the check-in counter.
He checks in and turns to them both. "Thanks Harry, for everything."
"Nothing to thank me for. I'll always take care of my little girl."
"Yes...well, take care. He takes Abby's hand and walks Abby to the
security gate. "I love you."
"I love you too. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too. I'll try and get you and Elizabeth home as soon as I
can."
"I know. You'll call me every day."
"I'll try if you know who will let me talk to you."
"We could pass messages through Elizabeth."
Tom smiles. "What I want to say I wouldn't want Elizabeth to know."
Tom hears his flight. "I better go."
Abby leans in for a last kiss.
He complies. "I'll call you tonight to see how you and Elizabeth are." he
says as he walks away.
Abby nods and stand there watching until she can no longer see Tom.
Tom gets on the plane for home.
Meanwhile, at the Bradfords', Nancy's helping Elizabeth pack for Pasadena
while David is repairing the window from the night before.
"I can't wait to get out of here." Liz says
"Yeah," Nancy says wishing she could go to and maybe bring Noah. "I
wish you were going under better circumstances."
"Me too." as she stares at the window. "What if...."
"What if what?"
"What if he follows me to Pasadena?"
"How's he going to do that when he doesn't even know you're going?"
"I know,I am being paranoid."
"Yeah but you're entitled."
"Are you going to be OK?"
"Of course." She lies not wanting to let on that she's jealous.
"Good."
David finishes fixing the window. "What time do you want to leave?"
He asks Elizabeth.
"I'm ready whenever you are."
"I'll put your luggage in the van." He says. He then picks up the luggage
and heads outside with it.
Elizabeth looks at Nancy. "I guess this is it."
Nancy gives her a hug. "Have a safe flight and tell Abby hi for me."
"I will."
They then go downstairs. Mary and V hug Elizabeth.
"Do you want me to go with you and David to the airport?" V asks.
"No, thats OK." she says. "I'd rather go alone."
David comes back in. "I'm ready whenever you are." He says to Elizabeth.
She gives everyone a hug and tearfully goes to his van.
Soon they're on the way to the airport.
"I hate to say this but I am glad I am leaving in a way."
"Because of Peter?"
She nods
"I wish there were more I can do so you wouldn't have to leave. I don't
feel like much of a big brother at times like this."
"You are though." she tries to smile at him.
"Thanks for saying that." He says.
"Oh drats, Its Tommy's birthday tomorrow."
"So you'll call him and wish him a happy birthday, in this family someones
birthday is always coming up."
"I know, look his present is under my bed, could you give it to him?"
"Of course." Soon they arrive at the airport.
Elizabeth checks in.
David waits with Elizabeth for her plane to board and also waits for Tom's
plane to arrive.
"Tell Dad thanks for me."
"I will."
Elizabeth plane is called. "I guess, I better get going."
"Yes you should." He hands her a twenty. "In case you want to buy something
while you're there."
Elizabeth smiles. "Thanks."
"Anytime." He smiles back and gives her a hug.
Elizabeth gives him a hug and kiss.
David then watches her board the plane.
Tom plane soons lands. He sees David. "Hi Son."
"Hi Dad, how was your flight?"
"Lonely, but fine. Did Elizabeth get off ok?"
"Yes she did."
"Good.' he says. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing ok." He says as they get Tom's luggage.
"Really?"
"Dad what do you want me to say?"
"The truth son,if you say things are Ok, I believe you." Tom says.
"I know its not easy being the oldest sibling in this family."
"No it's not always easy, but some of my other siblings have bigger problems."
"I know that, but it doesn't mean I can't worry about you too."
"Dad there's nothing to worry about."
"OK."
David drives him home.
"Any other news?"
"I'm not sure, Nancy looked like she was trying to cover up being upset about
something when I took Elizabeth to the airport. I think I'm driving
Joannie crazy, and Tommy's looking forward to his Birthday."
"In other words, things are normal." he jokes. As they pull up. Tom
notices the car. "V bought herself a car?"
David doesn't say anything he just brings the luggage inside.
Tom goes in behind him.
"Hi Dad." Mary welcomes him home.
"Hi Mary." he hugs her.
"How are you? How's Abby?" She hugs him back.
"Tired." he states."Abby is doing better, she sent everyone her love."
"I'm glad she's doing better. We've been worried."
"Me too." he says. "Where is everyone?"
"Nancy's up in her room, V's in the kitchen with Joannie. Nicholas
is with Tommy shooting baskets. Susan went out. Sam's somewhere
in the house."
Tom laughs. "Thanks for keeping tabs."
"No problem." She smiles.
"Son, can you take my luggage to my room?" he asks David. "I'll go
check on Nancy first."
"Sure." David does this.
"Thanks." Tom goes up and knocks on Nancy's door.
Nancy puts down the book she's been trying to read. "Come in."
"Hi, I came to see how you are."
"Hi Dad, welcome home. I'm all right." She says but her expression
tells on her.
"Thanks." he says. "But I can see by your face something is wrong."
"I'm just upset about Peter being free to do as he pleases. And over
something else but that something else is pretty silly."
"We all are upset." Tom says. "But whats the other matter?"
"It's nothing Dad, I'm just feeling a little jealous when I shouldn't."
"Jealous?" Tom thinks and it hits him. "Elizabeth?" he says quietly.
"I know she didn't go under good circumstances but I kind of wanted to go
too. "Another reason I feel silly is because Abby needs to rest while she's
there. True I could help take care of her while I'm there but trouble
always seems to find me and it probably wouldn't have worked out."
"Nancy thats not true." Tom states. "She misses you."
"I miss her too."
Tom squeezes her hand.
Nancy gives him a hug.
"I'm sorry, the truth be known. if it hadn't been necessary. I have a feeling
Abby would have come back with me."
"It's ok, not your fault or anyone elses, Is she feeling better?"
Tom nods. "Her parents are taking good care of her."
"That's good, but why were you going to bring her home if they're taking
such good care of her?"
"Maybe just a little too good."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing, I am just being a little jealous myself I suppose."
"You know, I can cheat today instead of tomorrow. Why don't we go get
some ice cream to make us both feel better."
"Pie Ala mode?"
"Pie ala mode." She agrees.
"Think we can sneak in the kitchen without V and Joannie watching?"
"We can try, but if they catch us I'll tell them it's my cheating day. Now
we need to think up something for you."
"Hmmm." he ponders.
"Tell them it's been a long time since you've done that."
"True."
"Are you ready Dad?"
He smiles. "Always."
They go to the kitchen for pie ala mode.
"Hi V....Joannie."
"Hi Tommy, Nancy. Nancy I thought you were going to wait and have cake
at the party tomorrow." V says.
"I was but I changed my mind." She says as she gets the stuff out.
"Are you sure Nancy?" Tom asks.
She thinks it over and pictures everyone eating cake tomorrow in front of
her. "Um, no I'm not sure, I think I will wait."
"So will I." Tom says.
She puts the stuff back which causes Sam to whine.
Tom hugs her
Nancy hugs him back
"V, may I speak with you please?"
"Of course."
Tom leads her to the study. "Nice car outside."
"I agree, it's a very nice car." She says. "How's Abby?"
"Better." he says. "Who's car is it?"
"Tom you look tired from your trip, maybe you should take a nap."
Tom grows stern "Vivian?"
She sighs in defeat. "I bought it for Tommy, for his birthday."
Tom falls in his chair in amazement. "I know I shouldn't be shock by your
antics, but I am."
"There's nothing wrong with getting a 16 year old a car for his birthday."
V defends her actions.
Tom shakes his head. "What's next? A Yacht for his 18th Birthday?"
"Oh Tommy Belly Button, now you're exagerrating."
"V, the car is going back."
"Oh come on Tom, don't be that way."
"V, how are the other kids going to feel."
"They already know and they're happy for him."
"You could have at least discussed it with Abby and me before you went half-cock."
"I'm sorry. You're right I should have, but I didn't go off half cocked.
Tommy knows he can't drive it till he gets his licensce, and as far as his
permit goes he knows he has to have a licensced adult driver with him before
he drives."
Tom sighs. "But he didn't earn the car himself."
"The car is a gift, gifts shouldn't have to be earned."
"But its so extragravent."
"Tom I can more than afford it."
Tom just shakes his head in defeat."But did it have to be a new car?"
"It's what he wanted."
"Oh I am sure it was."
"Besides the money he would have saved for a car he can put towards things
when he goes to college."
~Unless you decide to pay for that too.~ he thinks. "Fine V, you win."
She gives him a hug. "There's hope for you yet Tommy." She says and then
leaves the room.
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