The Birthday -- part 2
Elizabeth comes in. "Good morning."
"Oh no, your fathers breakfast. He's probable fuming." Katherine says.
"Its okay Grandma, I took care of it."
"Thank you dear."
"You survived breakfast with my father?" Abby says.
Elizabeth nods. "He's making our flight reservations."
"How did you accomplish that miracle?"
"I really don't know."
"I better get downstairs and get youyr breakfast started." Katherine tells
them. "Sandra Sue remember to talk to Tom about next summer."
"I will."
Katherine leaves,
"What about next summer?"
Abby tells her Katharine's idea. "Think your father will go for it?"
"Golfing at Pepple Beach, are you kidding? He'll even golf with Atila the
Hun for that opportunity."
"I won't tell my father that analogy."
Elizabeth laughs. "You know he isn't such a bad guy once you get past his..
his.......what do I call it?"
"Arrogance?"
"Do I dare admit it?"
Abby closes the door. "You can now."
"Yes then, how did it get that way?"
"Looks, charm, and a good job?" Abby guesses.
"It went to his head?"
"That's as good an explanation as any."
"Oh."
"If you have another theory, I'm willing to entertain it."
"Don't have a clue."
'Well, maybe after the summer we'll think of something else."
"Sounds fun."
"Well, if you think so..."
"Shopping and the beach sounds great."
"They certainly do."
"I better get pack, Abby are you Ok about going home?"
"I can't wait."
Elizabeth smiles and starts packing.
Abby finishes up her own packing. "Did you eat yet?"
"No, I was waiting for you and Grandma."
"I'm ready whenever you are," Abby says, making a silent note about the dropped
"Katharine."
They go downstairs
Harry meets them in the hall way. "I got you tickets on the 1 o'clock flight."
"Thanks," Abby says.
"I can't say I'm entirely pleased about this, Sandra Sue."
"I know, Daddy," Abby says, and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "I'll behave
when I get home."
"I'll take care of her." Elizabeth says.
"Thank you," Harry says.
Elizabeth hugs him. "Thank you."
Harry is startled for a moment, then returns her hug. "I really do hope we
see you this summer."
"Me too." she says as she leaves Abby and Harry alone.
"I'd better go eat," Abby says.
"I'll go in with you, have some more coffee," Harry tells her.
Elizabeth is already eating reading an article on Wellington Dance School
in the paper.
Abby takes some coffee and another section of the paper.
"Abby, how do you think Dad would react if I chose Dancing as my major?"
"Is that what you want to do with your life?"
"I've been seriously thinking about it."
"Then there must be a college in this state that has a dance major."
"I suppose."
"I'll start asking around," Abby promises her.
"Thanks Abby." Elizabeth says glad she can finally think of a future.
Abby smiles at her. ~She's thinking about the future again.~
After she eats. "Do you mind if I take a shower?"
"We still have time before we have to go."
"Thanks." she says as she runs upstairs.
Abby thinks for a minute and then picks up the section of the paper Elizabeth
had been reading.
Soon Elizabeth is downstairs dressed and packed.
"Right on time," Harry says. "Why are they all like this?" he asks his daughter.
"Huh?" Liz asks
Abby grabs Harry's wrist and looks at his watch. "Dad, she's all of a minute
and a half late. I used to be much worse."
"But you grew out of it."
"Dad...."
Harry sighs and takes Elizabeth's suitcase.
"Did I do something wrong?" Elizabeth asks Abby.
"Nothing any sane person would see as wrong. He's just antsy," Abby whispers.
"Oh." ~and we were just starting to like each other.~
Abby starts to say something and then stops in mid-word.
"You were going to stay something?"
"Yes, but then I remembered that anything I say about parents you could use
against me," Abby smiles.
Elizabeth laughs. "You are quick."
"With 8 of you? I have to be."
"Yeah, I guess you do."
Abby puts an arm around Elizabeth. "But I have a feeling one day I won't
have to be."
"One day may be a long way away." she states. "After all Nicholas is
only eight."
"He'll be OK," Abby says optimistically.
"Uh huh." she says not wanting to deflate her balloon.
Harry comes back from the car. "You two can talk on the way. Let's go."
"May I say goodbye to Grandma first?" Elizabeth asks.
Harry looks at his watch. "Quickly."
Elizabeth returns to the kitchen. "Thanks again for letting me stay."
"It was a pleasure having you. I hope you'll be coming back this summer as
we planned."
"Me too, I better leave before Grandpa has a coronary."
"I'll walk you out."
"Thanks." she says as she takes her hand.
Katharine smiles broadly.
Outside, Abby says goodbye to her mother. Both Harry and Katharine take Elizabeth
aside to get her promise that she'll keep an eye on Abby.
"I will, I promise."
"Thank you."
Elizabeth gets in the car.
Abby follows and then Harry drives them to the airport.
Nancy's outside reading a little between classes when the gossips approach
her. She looks up at them and almost laughs at the tragic looks on their
faces.
"We're so sorry, and you're so young too."
"Excuse me."
"We hear you're diabetic."
~How did they find out?~ She wonders. "And?"
"It's just so tragic."
Nancy can't contain herself any longer and starts laughing. "No it's not,
people do live long lives with it."
"She's in denial." The other says and they soon leave.
She shakes her head and gets back to her studying. She gets more of the same
from other people she knows. Except for a few people.
She meets up with her sisters later in the cafeteria.
"People think you're dying you know." Mary says.
"Yeah I know, where they get such misperceptions is beyond me." She sits
down. "How'd they find out anyway?"
"I have no idea." Mary says and then looks at Joannie and Susan to see if
they know.
Joannie shrugs. "Got me."
"I don't have any idea either." Susan says
"Can we just go home now and get ready for Tommy's party?" Nancy asks.
"I've got some stuff to do before the party," Joannie says.
"Do you want some company?"
"Thanks, but no."
"You're welcome. Later." She walks away.
Joannie walks off in the other direction.
Mary and Susan soon leave also.
Nancy's in her bedroom wrapping her present from her and Noah to Tommy when
Mary walks in.
"I'm sorry I left like that earlier." She says.
"Why did you leave like that?"
"It's the best thing to do when people are starting to tire of you."
"No one's tiring of you."
Nancy gives her a yeah right look. "I think I'll just keep to myself
for awhile. If people want to talk to me or do things with me they
know where I am. Starting tomorrow I won't bug anyone anymore."
"Why don't you just say Joannie and stop beating around the bush."
Nancy grimaces.
"You know maybe she had some things to do and it wasn't a reflection on you."
Mary tells her.
"Even so, I should still back off. If she wants to talk to me or anything
she knows where I live."
They finish getting ready for Tommy's party.
Later while she's helping decorate for the party a family member approaches
Nancy.
"It's about time you showed up." She says to David.
"Give me a break will ya, by the way Joannie requests your presence outside."
He says to her.
"Outside where?"
"By the van."
She nods and goes outside to the van. "What do you need?" She asks Joannie.
"I need your help," Joannie says.
"Sure, with what?"
"I've got a surprise for Tommy."
"You didn't." She feigns shock. "You got him a yacht?"
"I didn't buy him anything."
"Hmm, what did you have in mind?"
"Now, the reason I'm telling you is that you're the one who's most likely
to freak..." Joannie starts.
"In that case I think I'll sit down." She sits down and braces herself.
Joannie tells her about the gift she found in the attic.
"Whoah." Nancy lets this sink in and then says. "And you were planning
to give it to him?"
"Of course. If she'd left a gift for you, wouldn't you want it?"
"Yes I would, but even if I didn't you should still give it to Tommy."
"I will."
"Good, so is that what you needed?"
Joannie nods. "I didn't want you to be shocked is all."
"Thank you for thinking about that." Nancy says.
"I worry about you, kid."
"Will you still worry about me when I'm 65 and on social security."
"You bet."
"I love you for it."
"As long as you remember that."
"Hey we might fight or get upset with each other from time to time, but I
always love you."
"And I always love you. That's what sisters are for."
"You got that right." Nancy agrees with her.
Joannie hugs her.
Nancy hugs Joannie back.
"Let's go inside."
"Let's." They go inside.
Nancy gives Tommy his present from her and Noah. "Happy Birthday."
"Thanks." he opens his gift
"You're welcome."
"This is a great party." ~Only one thing missing, Elizabeth and Abby~
"The 16th is supposed to be a great party." Mary says.
"Well it is."
"Happy Birthday son." Tom says handing him his gift.
Tommy opens it.
"I know it isn't as great as your Aunt's gift." Tom says.
"Dad, its great thank you." Tommy says.
"Tomorrow, you and I need to have a little chat about your new car."
Tommy nods. '"I was wondering when that was going to happen."
David gives him his present from him next
"Wow, cool. Thanks David."
"You're welcome." David smiles.
"Hey Tommy when are you cutting the cake?" Nancy asks a week without anything
sweet to eat making her take temporary leave of her manners.
"Now I guess." he says as he gets the knife.
Sams ears perk up.
Tommy blows out the candles and then cuts the cake.
The doorbell rings.
"I'll get it." David says and heads for the door.
"Thanks son." Tom says watching Tommy
"Did you make a wish?" Mary asks Tommy.
"Yep." ~Wishing Elizabeth and Abby was here.~
"Good."
David soon opens the door.
Abby and Elizabeth are waiting on the other side.
David smiles and hugs them. "Come on in. They're all in the living
room." He says and then goes and brings their luggage in.
Tom turns around and smiles.
Abby smiles back at him, but goes over to Tommy first. "Happy birthday."
Tommy is startled when he hears that voice at first and then turns around
"Abby, I was just thinking about you and Elizabeth."
"Then it looks like we have great timing."
"Yeah you do, thanks for being here."
"I wouldn't have missed your birthday for anything."
"Really? That's cool."
Mary smiles and hugs Elizabeth and Abby. "Welcome home."
"Thanks." Elizabeth replies.
"Um, you're welcome." Mary says.
"Nice to have you back." Nancy says to Elizabeth and Abby.
"Nice to be back."
"So you're ok now?" Nancy wonders.
"Just fine," Abby says, smiling broadly.
"That's great."
Abby nods and looks over at Tom, wondering why he hasn't come over to her.
~I'm fine too if you care.~ Nancy sighs and leaves the room.
Tom makes his way over to her. "Welcome Home." he then kisses her.
"I told you I'd be back as soon as things were settled here."
"I know, I just didn't think it would be today. But I am thrilled you are."
Tom then goes serious. "How did your parents react?"
"Well..."
"That good, huh?" he sighs. "I'm sorry."
"Small price to pay for being back with you."
"Small price to pay for being back with you."
"Are you sure they're not? It would explain your backaches."
Tom laughs. "Maybe they got the idea from Joan's Parents."
"One of these days you'll have to explain to me how you can charm your in-laws
so."
"That's easy. I married their special daughters."
"Your sister doesn't hate me, and I married her special brother."
"Well V is happy I married, period."
"I'm surprised she didn't want you playing the field like she does."
"She did."
"And here I took you away from all those fascinating women out there."
Tom gags on his drink. "You mean from outer space."
Abby laughs and pats him on the back.
"You look beat, why don't you go rest?"
"I think I will. In a minute."
"At least sit down, Can I get you a drink?"
Abby is about to answer when Joannie gets up to make an announcement.
Tom is distracted by Joannie
Liz follows Nancy. "You didn't rearrange our room, did you?" Liz jokes.
"You weren't gone long enough." Nancy jokes back.
"Why do you think I hurried home?" she laughs.
Nancy laughs also.
"So how are you?"
"I'm ok, how are you?"
"Better." she says. "But still in shock."
"I guess so."
"How are the insulin shots going?"
"They're not as bad as before."
"That's good and How is Noah?" she smiles.
"Noah's good." She smiles.
Elizabeth smiles too.
Tommy cuts the first piece and makes a mess of it. "Ugh, sorry. Mary you
should be doing the cutting,don't you need practice?"
"Yes I'll cut the cake." Mary smiles and takes over.
"Thanks."
"No problem." She cuts everyone a piece.
"Now that everyone's here," Joannie says dramatically, "I want to give Tommy
his birthday present."
"Should I be afraid?" Tommy jokes.
"Maybe," Joannie says seriously.
"What is it?"
"It's not really from me. I found it in the attic," Joannie says as she hands
him the package.
Tommy realizes what it is and goes pale.
"Open it."
Tommy reluctantly opens it and runs out of the room.
"What was it?" Tom asks Joannie.
"It was... it...I found it in the attic," Joannie starts. "It was Tommy's
birthday present. From Mom."
"Oh my."
"I couldn't not give it to him."
Tom nods. "You better go talk to him."
"He might need you, too."
"Ok." he says. "We'll be back." Tom tells them.
After drying her eyes and hoping they're not red from crying Nancy returns
to the room not knowing Joannie had given Tommy his present yet. "Where
did Tommy go?"
Elizabeth tells her what happened.
"Oh."
"You ok?" Liz asks after looking at her eyes.
"Yeah, thanks for asking." ~Nice to know someone cares~
"Nancy whats wrong?"
"Now's not the time." She says worried about Tommy.
"Ok."
Tom and Joannie go after Tommy.
He's in his room staring at the package on the bed.
Joannie sits down next to him. "Tommy?"
"Yes?"
Joannie doesn't know what to say, so she hugs him instead.
"Mom must have bought this before my 15th Birthday."
"You know Mom. If she saw something she thought we'd like she bought it and
hid it away."
"Tommy, I didn't know about the gift. I'm sorry."
"Its Ok Dad."
"I don't think Mom ever expected you to find it, Dad. Everyone knows you
don't go up into the attic."
Tom lets that remark past for now. "Son, open it."
Tommy opens it. "It's a first edition of Mom's favorite book by e e cummings."
"She wrote something inside," Joannie tells him.
Tommy becomes teary eyed. "Can you read it?"
Joannie starts to, then becomes teary eyed herself and passes the book to
Tom.
Tom can hardly read it through his tears. "It's a great gift Tommy."
He nods.
"I think I'm a little envious," Joannie admits.
"I'm sorry Joannie." Tommy replies.
"Don't be. I'm just glad I found this for you."
"Me too." he hugs her. "Thank you."
"Happy birthday."
"Thanks, its been some birthday." Tommy replies.
Tom hugs his son and daughter.
"Everyone's going to be wondering if Tommy's OK," Joannie reminds them.
"I'll go back downstairs." Tommy says and leaves with the book.
Once he gets down there Nancy hugs him. "You all right?"
He nods and shows her the book.
Tears well in her eyes. "Mom loved his writing."
"I know."
"You OK, Dad?" Joannie checks.
Tom nods. "I wish you had told me."
"It was Tommy's gift," Joannie defends herself.
"I know that, But...oh hell, I guess you didn't consider how I would feel."
"I waited until Abby got home. I thought that would make it OK. Didn't it?"
Tom gives a fake smile. "It's always about Abby with you,isn't it?"
Joannie freezes. "I did think it might be too much for you, my giving Mom's
present to Tommy when Abby wasn't here for you. I guess nothing I do is ever
right, though, is it?"
"Joannie, its just I might have wanted to give it to him myself."
"I'm the one who found it."
"So it was then your right to give it to him."
"Yes," Joannie insists.
Tom just shakes his head and leaves.
Joannie shakes hers, too. ~Good thing I moved out or he'd have kicked me
out.~
Tom returns to the party.
Once Tom and Joannie leave the room Abby tells the other kids. "I'm going
upstairs to unpack."
"Do you need any help?" Mary asks.
"No, it's OK," Abby says, a little too quickly.
Nancy ignores her.
"Ok." Mary says.
Abby heads upstairs and into her room. Instead of unpacking, she lies down,
exhausted.
Nancy and Noah leave the house after the party is over.
"Are you ok?" He asks her.
"I wish my mom were still here." She says tired of being hurt by Abby.
"Honey."
"My mom meant it when she said she cared about me, unlike some other people."
"Abby cares about you."
"No she doesn't, not really. She didn't call me once when she was gone,
not once!! Her father yells at me and never bothers to apologise, and
now that she's home she hasn't once asked how I am." She starts crying
again.
He comforts her and tries to calm her down. After awhile he takes her home
and then he goes home. She goes to the kitchen to get something to
eat, sees that Abby is there and decides against it. She goes to the
tv room instead.
Abby doesn't notice. She sits at the kitchen table, trying to get up the
energy to cook something.
"The hell with this!!" She goes upstairs and packs her bags.
~This was a mistake~ Abby thinks as she drags herself to the stove. ~I am
not up to this yet.~
Elizabeth sees her. "How about I cook my Spaghetti tonight?"
"Do you think that would be all right with Tommy? It is his birthday."
"I am sure it'll be fine." she says, "Why don't you go lay down, i'll take
care of it."
"If anyone asks where I am, tell them I've gone upstairs to unpack, OK?"
"I will, get out of here." she jokes.
"Yes, ma'am," Abby salutes and slowly makes her way upstairs.
Elizabeth starts on dinner.
Nancy takes the suitcase and throws it against the wall. She then runs
out of the house and drives to her mothers grave. "Why did you have
to leave me!!" She yells at the headstone. "Why did you have to leave
me all alone in this world!!" She starts sobbing uncontrollably.
After she's all cried out she considers going home but decides against it.
~No way what's the point in even trying anymore.~ She then glances
at the grave again. "When she first married Dad. She said that
she cared about all us kids, but that's not true mom. She only cares
about some and not others. I thought she cared about me, I let myself
believe her when she told me she did but it seems like every time I turn
around she proves again that she doesn't." She takes out a bottle of
Whiskey that she had gotten at the ABC store before driving here, opens it
and takes a swig, she then takes another, and then another, she continues
until the bottle is completely empty. "I have to go now mom, the bars
in this city have been without me for way too long." She says and then laughs
unnaturally. She considers taking her car but even in her current state
she knows that would be no good so she walks to the nearest bar and orders
a drink, she downs that, and then orders another. At one bar she meets
up with some of her old friends in High School that she used to get drunk
and high with and goes to a party with them.
Meanwhile at home, Mary is taking a nap when she wakes with a start.
"What the heck." ~Maybe it's because of mom's gift to Tommy.~
She ponders why she had dreamt about her mother. And then remembers
what her mother had been telling her in her dream. 'find Nancy, find
your sister, now' her mom had said with urgency. Mary goes to
Nancy and Elizabeth's room and sees the suitcase lying on the floor like
it had been thrown with clothes lying all over the place. "Dad!!" Mary
calls out.
Currently, Noah is taken a night drive and notices his girlfriends car at
the cemetary he gets out thinking he'll find her at her mothers grave but
finds the empty whiskey bottle instead. He frantically calls out her
name but of course he doesn't get an answer. "I'm going to wring her
neck." He rages.
Moments later at the party, due to the large amounts of alchohol and no insulin
since before Tommy's birthday party. Nancy's hit with a low blood sugar
reaction. In her current state though she doesn't care. She passes
out from the alcohol and lack of insulin and finds her mother in her dream.
"I missed you mom, and don't worry I'll be with you soon."
"No!!" The dream Joan shouts at her. "Have you completely taken leave
of your senses!! It is way too soon for you be with me, you have your
whole life in front of you."
"No I don't, I love Noah and I know he loves me and I love my father and
siblings. I love Abby even though she doesn't give a damn about me,
but it's not enough."
"What? Abby loves you." Joan says.
"Yeah sure." Nancy says bitterly.
"Ok young lady, if I can't convince you maybe seeing how everyone would react
if you die tonight will convince you."
They wind up one week into the future and Nancy sees her grave and a very
distraught Noah there.
"He's barely left this place since the funeral. He's just a shell of
the man he once was without you."
Nancy's heart feels like it's breaking. "Oh Noah." She tries to reach
out to him but before she can they wind up at the Bradford home.
Most of her siblings are in a daze and barely speaking. Sam is just
lying in his usual spot on the floor looking very sad.
"Joannie, I know you're in there somewhere." Mary pleads. "Please speak
to us."
Nancy turns around and looks at Joannie and Mary. "Mom what's wrong
with Joannie?"
"It's called Catonia. When she heard of your death she started screaming
until she couldn't scream anymore and then she retreated so far into herself
that she might not come back."
"Joannie no." Nancy tries to plead with her but gets no where. "Mom
I've seen enough."
"No you haven't." They go upstairs to her old bedroom. "They've
been in here ever since the police came to the door and told them that about
your death. Both too caught up in their own grief to be any good to
each other. Thinking that if they leave this room that it'll add finality
to losing you but if they stay you'll come back somehow."
Nancy looks at her father and Abby until she can no longer stand the look
of despair on their faces. "Mom I don't want to die anymore, but isn't
it too late with all the alcohol and no insulin?"
Joan smiles. "Honey, you didn't get drunk you fell asleep at my grave
again."
"What?" She then wakes up at her mothers grave very sober, but
wondering what was a dream and was real. She doesn't ponder long she
drives back home and finds Abby still in the kitchen.
"Abby we need to talk."
Abby turns around slowly, leaning on the counter for support. "Sure. Have
you had something to eat yet?"
"No, I'm not very hungry. Why don't you sit down with me."
"OK," Abby says, practically collapsing in a chair.
"You should be in bed." Nancy says. ~Maybe I shouldn't talk to her
about what's going on.~ She ponders even though she's hanging by a
thread mentally. "I don't want to upset you."
"If it's that serious, then we really do need to talk."
"Ok," she takes a deep breath and tells her what's been going through her
head.
"Nancy, I'm sorry you feel that way. I do care about you, you know that.
I wanted to sit you down, in private, and have a long talk about your diabetes
and Noah and how you're doing with everything that went on with Elizabeth,
but you ran off before I could."
"Oh no." Nancy feels embarrased for feeling the way she did. "I haven't blown
that have I?"
"No, but how about you tell me some now--and let me see that ring--and tomorrow
we'll talk more?"
"Ok," she agrees and shows her the ring that Noah had gotten her.
"That's very nice," Abby says, admiring it.
"Thank you, it's going to be hard to wait but it's for the best."
"It is. No matter what love songs say, you need more than just love to get
by."
"I've been figuring that out, although the love part makes everything worth
it."
"You've got that right," Abby says and smiles at her.
Nancy smiles back. "Thought of Dad every minute you were away?"
"Well, when I wasn't thinking about the rest of you."
"I really am glad you're back, I've missed you."
"And I missed being here. Things move so quickly in this family."
"Yeah a little too quickly sometimes except when it comes to waiting a week
to have a piece of cake, then time drags."
Abby makes a show of looking around to be sure no one overhears her. "I'll
bet Noah is sweeter than cake," she whispers to Nancy.
"Well um of course." Nancy whispers back.
"That should make waiting for cake a little easier, shouldn't it?"
"Yes, but not always."
"Maybe every time you have a craving for cake you should give Noah a call."
"Now that idea has great potential to work."
"Good. Other that that, how are you? Have you been good about eating what
you should and taking your shots?"
"Yes I have been, the shots were making me cry for awhile, felt like a little
baby." She laughs. "But they don't make me cry anymore, and almost
good at giving them to myself."
"That's good, but I still wish you didn't have to be."
"Thanks, but it's not really something either one of us can change."
"I know. At least you can control it."
"Yeah really, speaking of control. I'm due now for an injection.
Can you excuse me for a minute?"
"If you don't mind, I think I'll go up to bed now. Can we talk more tomorrow?"
"I don't mind and of course we can talk more tomorrow."
"Good."
Nancy gives her a hug.
"Sleep well."
"You too."
"I will."
"Good."
Abby gets up and tries not to stumble, only partially successfully.
"Abby do you want me to help you?" Nancy asks.
"No, you go take your shot. I must just be more tired than I realized."
She nods but is still worried about Abby.
Meanwhile upstairs in Nancy and Elizabeth's room. Elizabeth's back
from the kitchen by now. Mary walks in and sees the suitcase Nancy
had thrown earlier. "What happened?" She asks Elizabeth.
"I think Nancy had a fit."
"Hmm," Mary cleans up the mess. "Any idea why?"
"No, but now that you mention it. Her eyes were red earlier. I think she
may have been crying."
Mary sighs thinking she might know what's wrong. "You know sometimes
I think she takes things harder than any of us. You know what she told
last night?"
"No, what?"
"That sometimes she feels like she's on the outside looking in when it comes
to this family."
"What? That's not true."
"I know, and you know that, and I hope after I talked to her last night that
she knows that."
"Apparently where the suitcase is, it didn't work."
Mary tries to remember the party earlier that day and tries to pinpoint at
what moment Nancy left the room and groans. "I should have known."
"What?"
She tells Elizabeth about Harry snapping at Nancy on the phone the last time
she had called to speak to Abby. "Last night she was feeling insecure
because Abby hadn't called here to speak to her at all, and she might have
taken it the wrong way and felt slighted at the party since Abby didn't ask
how she was or anything."
"Mary, As much as Abby would like anyone to believe. She isn't well." She
tells her of Abby collapsing on the bed the night before in her robe with
no covers.
Mary sighs. "Great." After a few moments. "I realise how not
feeling good can cause people not to act like themselves, but did it stop
her from holding conversations with you when you were in Pasadena or did
it stop her from having conversations with Dad? Or from wishing Tommy
a happy birthday?"
Elizabeth counters."She didn't talk to Nicholas, Susan or Joannie either."
she states. "I know what you are saying, I do. But everyone needs to not
be hard on themselves or each other. I mean, has she spoken more than two
or three words to you?"
"No she hasn't, but I can handle it." Mary says. "And I'm not being
hard on her, I just don't think Nancy can handle it."
"Then Nancy needs to talk to Abby about it."
"For both their sakes I hope she does and doesn't hem and haw about it."
Elizabeth nods.
"So how have you been?"
"OK, just totally shocked, sad, happy."
"I can only imagine."
"Thanks."
"Why are you thanking me? It's my job to say things like that."
"Job?"
"Yes it's part of being a big sister."
"I hear ya." she says. "Mary aren't you just a tad upset about Tommy having
a car before you do?"
"No, actually I'm proud of him for accomplishing that miracle." Mary
says. "Why? Are you upset?"
"I'll admit I am jealous."
"Then you should ask Auntie V for what you really want when your birthday
comes along."
Elizabeth laughs. "Can you imagine 7 other cars in the driveway?"
Mary laughs also. "Yeah the driveway is already getting pretty crowded."
"We'd need a parking garage."
"That's for sure."
"I wonder where Nancy is." Liz begins to worry.
Mary looks out the window. "Her car is home, maybe she's downstairs talking
to Abby."
"Good, I guess I'll go to bed. I am beat."
"Then get some good sleep, goodnight."
"You too."
Mary smiles and goes back to her room, but doesn't go to sleep. She
waits up for Nancy to come back upstairs.
Nancy's about to go upstairs when Mary comes down to give her the injection.
After the injection and after she's eaten.
"Are you ok?" Mary asks. "I saw the suitcase."
"Yeah I'm ok, we talked it over."
"Good, you might want to go upstairs to your roommate and see if she's still
awake, she saw the suitcase too."
Nancy smiles, nods, and heads upstairs. As Mary predicted Elizabeth
is still awake. "Hey there."
"Hi, Are you OK?"
"Yeah I'm ok."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, Abby and I had a good talk."
"Good I am glad. I was worried about you both."
"Why were you worried about Abby?"
Elizabeth tells her what she told Mary and the earlier incident in the kitchen.
"She didn't look good when I was down there."
"She isn't Nancy, But I am worried about you too."
"I'm all right now, but I did have a strange dream when I fell asleep at
mom's grave again."
"Really? what?"
She tells her about it.
"OH wow."
"Yeah, talk about a real wake up call."
"I bet."
"But I think that's how mom really would have handled it." She says
thinking a little that maybe it was really her mom there and not a dream
version of her.
Elizabeth nods. "I think so too."
"You know you're not the only one who's been worried about someone." Nancy
hints. "How are you?"
Elizabeth smiles and says the same things she told Abby and Mary.
"I hated what he put you through." She says.
"Thanks, me too."
"You don't have to thank me." She says.
"I know, I dont know about you but I am tired."
"Get some sleep then, I need to tell Dad something." She says and goes to
find him.
"Ok."
She looks for her Dad.
David goes into the kitchen before heading home and sees Abby's predicament.
"Pardon me mamn, I'm with the Bradford help out service, would you like some
assistance this evening."
"Aren't you afraid that if I let you help me to my room your father will
pull out Nicholas's gun again?"
"I'll take my chances."
Abby takes his arm. "Then thank you kindly, sir."
"You're very welcome maam." He says in a distinguished tone and walks upstairs
with her. Helping her most of the way.
When they get to her door Abby gives David a kiss on the cheek. "I believe
I get off here. Thanks."
"Anytime." He says and once she's inside he heads on home.
Tom is waiting inside pacing. "Hi honey."
Abby heads straight for a chair. "Hi."
Tom catching her before she falls. "Young lady, its to bed for you."
"Why, Tom," Abby flirts, "I thought you'd never ask."
"To sleep my dear." he smiles at her.
"You're no fun."
"I am alot of fun, just wait until you are better."
"If I lie down, can we at least talk?"
"I'd like that." Tom says with a heavy mind.
Abby changes and then lies down. She pats the bed next to her, inviting Tom
to join her. "So."
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Tom asks her.
"Nothing. You're the one who's looking troubled."
"I'll be alright." not wanting to concern her with it on her first night
home.
"Tom..." Abby chides.
Tom sighs. "The gift Joannie found from Joan really shocked me."
Abby takes his hand and gives it a squeeze.
"She didn't tell me about it or give me the chance to give it to him."
"She should have told you about it, but I suppose she thought she had the
right to give it to him if she found it. You did tell them they have to start
being more responsible for each other."
Tom cringes. "My words come back to haunt me."
"And well they should. But it doesn't change the way you feel, does it?"
"No. I'll apologize to Joannie in the morning."
Abby nods. "But what worries me more is how you're feeling about that gift."
"Well how would you feel if suddenly a gift from Frank appeared?"
Abby thinks for a minute, then decides to make light of it. "Addressed to
Tommy? Shocked."
Tom laughs and relaxes. "You know what I mean."
This time Abby answers him seriously. "Confused. Happy, sad. Very guilty."
"Exactly." he says as he holds her hand. "And how does a 16 year old handle
all those emotions?"
"Not easily. Especially someone who was as close to her as Tommy was."
Tom nods. "He is really glad you came back for his birthday too."
"I thought he was, but after Joannie's surprise, he didn't say two words
to me."
"He was probably upset and confused, more than he wants to admit. It probably
opened the wound again and he doesn't even know how to handle it or what
your reaction would be."
"I'll talk to him in the morning. Right now I'm a little more interested
in your reaction."
"I miss her, but that doesn't mean I don't love you."
"I know you love me. That's got nothing to do with how you felt when Tommy
opened up that package."
"Like somebody kicked me in the gut."
"It made you miss her all over again?"
He nods.
"Would it have helped if Joannie had warned you?"
"It might have lessen the shock and gave me time to digest it."
"Or it would have just given you more time to brood about it."
Tom nods. "Either way, I guess it would be the same."
"Then maybe it's better she waited. At least I'm here to talk to."
Tom smiles and hugs her. "My life saver."
"You mean I'm round and a strange color?"
Tom laughs. "No,you keep me from going under."
"You'd manage fine without me. But I'm glad I'm here."
"Manage yes, but feel alive again, no."
Abby lifts Tom's hand and kisses it. "I'm just returning the favor."
Part 3