Shaggy Dog Story
Part 2
Tom is in the room with his head in the fireplace.
"If that were the oven, I'd be really scared."
Tom is startled by her voice and hits his head on the ledge. "OW." he says.
"Sorry. What are you doing in there?" ~As if I can't guess.~
"Uh checking the flue, making sure it was open."
"And what else have you been checking?" Abby says sweetly, looking around
the room.
Tom sighs. "Ok, I'll admit it. I'm as bad as the kids."
"That's an old story," Abby says as she begins straightening up. "Find anything?"
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's ok." he says.
"So--is the flue open?"
Tom laughs. "Wide open." rubbing his head.
"Your head almost was, too. Want some ice for that?"
"No, I'll be ok." he says taking her hand.
"Too bad."
"Huh? and why is that bad?"
"I was hoping," Abby leans over and kisses him, "I could make you feel better."
"In that case, the pain is coming back."
"Poor man. Maybe you need to lie down."
"Good idea, care to join me?"
"I had planned to."
Tom smiles
Abby leads him to the bed.
Tom lies down next to her. "I think I'm feeling better already."
"Really? And I haven't even started to try to help you..."
"Well just a little better."
Abby snuggles up. "Then I'll have to work at making you feel all better."
"Hmmm...a little more."
"Gladly."
Tom sighs happily.
"I guess this is working, huh?"
"More than you know." he says. "Thank you."
"It's why I'm here."
"Now you made me feel better, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Hold me?"
"Absolutely."
"I hate fighting with you."
"Why, the making up part is so much fun." he jokes. "I know I hate it too,
it makes my heart fall to my stomach."
"I'd say we should promise never to fight again, but we'd probably break
it before morning."
"Why do we do that?"
"Wish I knew..."
"Because I'm hard headed?" he says trying to lighten the mood.
"If you weren't you wouldn't have survived bumping it on the mantle."
"True."
"I happen to like your hard head."
"Thank you, I like yours too."
"I am not hard headed!"
"You're not?" he teases.
"You know I'm not," Abby answers seriously.
"Oh, ok."
"Tom..."
"Yes?"
"I am not hard headed."
~Uh huh.~ he thinks. "Honey, I was joking."
"That's better."
He hugs her close.
"And that's even better."
"Very nice."
"But I still can't figure why we fight."
Tom sighs. "Because we have two strong willed personalities."
"Well, that's true enough. But it would be boring otherwise."
"I agree."
"So I guess we just keep on fighting."
"Afraid so."
"Well, at least we can always make up."
"The fun part."
"Ah, so the fighting is just a set up," Abby teases.
"Yep, a ruse." he jokes.
"You are really something else."
"Something else good or bad?"
"Not sure," Abby says. "You could convince me, one way or the other."
Tom passionately kisses her.
"Good. Definitely good."
Tom kisses her again.
"You sure do know how to make up, mister."
"Experience."
"I always did like a man of experience."
"Then you came to the right place."
"That's what I'd hoped."
"So, have you thought about what kind of gift you want for our anniversary?"
"I did. Problem is, I got it early."
"You did?"
Abby nods. "Your book. Seems appropriate for a first anniversary."
"That's not very romantic."
"Are you kidding? You ask a guy for something and he sits down, gives it
a lot of time and thought, just because you asked him to -- what store-bought
gift could compare?"
"Really? That's all you want?"
"I don't see how you could top that. More to the point, I don't see what
I can give you that would compare."
"You've already given me what I need."
"Which is?" Abby asks, confused.
"Yourself."
"Not much of an anniversary gift, though."
"I think its amazing."
Abby makes a dismissive sound. "It certainly isn't something just for our
anniversary."
"Huh?"
"I'm your wife all the time. Doesn't count as an anniversary gift."
"How about a box of cigars?" he jokes.
"I knew I should have been worried when I saw how you reacted to that outfit
I wore when Joannie was performing at that bath-house," Abby teases.
Tom laughs.
"Seriously. What are we going to do about anniversary gifts? Giving them
is the accepted thing."
"Well its paper, why don't we go to a play or something. We could go to San
Francisco."
"Yeah, I guess we could do that," Abby says, but starts planning her own
surprise.
"I'll check the paper in the morning and see what's going on."
"I'll ask around, too."
Tom yawns.
Abby hugs him. "Get some sleep."
Tom kisses her and soon is asleep.
Abby stays awake a while longer, thinking the day over.
Later Mary is in her bedroom trying in vain to study when a family member
walks in.
"Hi." Nicholas says.
"Hi Nicky, what are you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep."
"Yeah me either." She sighs.
"Why you?"
"Failed date. Why can't you?"
"A girl is hassling me at school."
"Hassling you how?"
"Following me.'
"I'm sorry."
"its ok."
Mary manages a smile.
"Well goodnight."
"Goodnight." Mary says kind of wishing an adult family member would have
came in.
Nicholas goes back to bed.
Mary returns to trying to concentrate on studying.
Nancy's in the sunroom looking at old yearbooks and other things that remind
her of Cassie and all the good times they had. Even the bad times they
had. It's then that it finally fully hits her and she finally let's
all of her grief out not holding back like she had been since Cassie died.
After she's all cried out she goes and knocks on Susan and Joannie's door.
Hoping that Joannie is there since they were supposed to talk to Mary to
see what's going on with her.
Susan opens the door.
"Sorry did I wake you?"
"No, I was just reading is all."
"Homework?"
"Yeah. English Lit."
"Sorry to hear that, is Joannie in there?"
"Yeah, but she's asleep. Is there something you need?"
"Hmm, well it's better not to wake her. We were going to talk to Mary
and find out why she's been upset since her date last Saturday."
"She hasn't said anything to me about it."
"Will you help me talk to her?"
"Sure, I'll help you."
"Thanks." They go to Mary's room and knock on the door.
"Go away I'm trying to study." Mary says.
"It'll only take a minute." Nancy says.
"Go away." Mary repeats.
"Come on Mary. Let us in.'' Susan says
"If you must." Mary finally gives in.
Nancy and Susan walk in.
"Yes we must, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Are you sure nothing is wrong?"
"Just a bad date that's all." Mary says.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asks Susan
Mary shakes her head not ready to talk about it yet.
"Did something bad happen?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle." She says.
"That's good." Susan says
"Then why are you so upset?" Nancy asks.
"I'm not upset."
"Well if you want to talk about it you know where to find us." Susan says
as she and Nancy leave the room.
"Now I know how you all feel when I don't talk about things." Nancy says
to Susan.
In the middle of the night, Tom wakes up with pain in his stomach. He rushes
to the bathroom.
Abby wakes, notes the light on under the bathroom door, and goes back to
sleep.
Tom takes the last of the bromo seltzer and makes a mental note to get some
more in the morning. He quietly sneaks back into bed.
"Good night," Abby says, half asleep.
"Good night."
Abby turns over and puts an arm across Tom.
He gently removes it from his stomach.
That gets Abby's attention. "What?"
Tom is startled. "What?"
"You don't want me to hold you?"
"Of course I do, I just have a little indigestion."
"How can you have indigestion? You didn't have any dinner."
"Well I do. Its nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep."
"You sure?"
"Of course I'm sure."
"OK," Abby says. "Good night."
"Goodnight." he says. Tom quietly wraths in his pain.
Tom is dressed and downstairs before the alarm goes off.
When the alarm does go off, Abby rolls over and hugs nothing but an armful
of sunlight. "Tom?"
No answer.
Abby gets out of bed, throws on her robe, and steps into the hallway. "Tom?"
"I'm downstairs." he says.
Abby goes downstairs. "You're the early bird."
"Yeah, I guess I am." he says distantly. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine." Abby puts a hand to his forehead. "Are you all right?"
"My stomach is bothering me, but I am OK."
"Are you sure? It was bothering you last night, too."
"Must have been lunch I had yesterday." Tom tries to concentrate on the paper.
"That must have been some lunch..." Abby says. "I don't suppose you'll want
breakfast."
"No, but thanks. I better get to the office." he kisses her.
"Try to take it easy today."
"You Too." he says and leaves.
Nancy sees her Dad leave and then ventures into the kitchen and gets a cup
of coffee. "What's wrong with Dad he looks awful."
"His stomach is hurting him," Abby says.
She cringes. "Poor guy I know how that feels and good morning."
"Good morning. You want some breakfast?"
"Definitely, what are we having?"
"I'm not sure yet. Have any suggestions?"
"Cheese Omelets?"
"Sounds good," Abby says and gets out the ingredients.
Nancy gets started on the toast.
Soon Abby puts two omelets on the table.
And then they eat breakfast. "If you need any errands done this morning I
can run them." Nancy says having no intention of going to school that day.
"You don't have any classes today?"
"Yes, but I don't want to go, I need a day to think things through.
I'll go back tomorrow."
"Nancy..."
"Abby, I know what I'm doing." She assures her.
"I wonder."
"People take days off all the time."
"Are you sure you're ready to spend all that time thinking about things?"
"No I'm not sure. If it becomes too much I'll do something else."
"I'll be here all day if you need me."
"Thanks Abby, and I'll be here if you need me."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." She cleans up her plate and then takes Sam out.
Mary walks in. "Good morning."
"Good morning. Want a cheese omelet?"
"Sure."
Abby prepares her one.
She starts to eat it slowly. "Thank you."
Abby is about to ask about the way she's eating when Elizabeth calls her
to the phone.
At the office. "Donna!!" Tom says.
"You bellowed, sir?"
"Get me seltzer, will you please?"
"Seltzer?" Donna repeats.
"Seltzer." he says right before he coughs up blood.
Donna rushes to the phone. "Forget seltzer, you need a doctor."
"Donna, I'm ok, it happened before."
"Why don't we let Dr. Maxwell decide if it's OK."
Tom concedes. "Ok."
Donna calls Dr. Maxwell's office.
"Dr. Maxwell's office." His secretary answers.
"This is Tom Bradford's office. My boss needs your boss."
"Ok Donna hold on." She gets Max on the line.
"Don't tell me he's backing out of the golf game again?" Max asks Donna.
"You wish," Donna retorts. "He's coughing up blood. Says he's done
it before, too."
"I want him to come and see me, can you bring him?"
"Of course. I'll bring him right over."
"Thank you and if he gives you trouble call an ambulance and have them bring
him to the emergency room." Max says knowing Tom's history.
"Thanks." Donna hangs up. "OK, boss, time to hit the road," she tells Tom.
"Oh, this is silly."
"Sure is," Donna agrees. "Now let's get going."
He complies.
Donna drives him to the office. Max is waiting for him. "Now I know it's
serious," Max tells him. "You cooperated."
"Funny Max," he says Withering in pain.
"Let's get you in the office and I'll check you out."
"Will someone call Abby." Tom says.
"I'll get it done," Max says and yells to his secretary to call the Bradford
home.
"Max, Am I dying?"
"I doubt it. Tell me what's going on, aside from the blood."
"Pain in the pit of my stomach."
Max starts palpitating Tom's stomach. "Tell me when it hurts."
"Ow, take it easy will ya." Tom yelps sweating.
"OK, now we're getting somewhere. Does it hurt more when I push in, or when
I let go?"
"Push in."
"Hmmm."
"Is that why you went to medical school? To learn to say Hmmm?"
"It's a required course. Any problems with your appetite?"
"I eat, but never seem to get full. It does feel better after I eat though."
"I'd like to take you in for some tests."
Tom sighs. "Can't you just give me some pain meds so I can just go home?"
"Do you want pills or do you want to fix what's wrong?"
"OK Max you win."
"I usually do."
"Funny, that what Abby says."
"Guess it's just something about you, Tom."
"Either that or I am a pushover." he says. "In the meantime, could I get
something for the pain?"
"At the hospital they'll give you something when they run the tests," Max
says.
"Wonderful." he sighs. "Do I have Donna drive me?"
"Would you rather wait to hear if Abby's been reached?"
Tom nods.
Max sticks his head out of the office doorway, trying to hurry his receptionist.
Max’s secretary calls the Bradford house.
Elizabeth answers. "Hello."
"Hi is Mrs. Bradford there?"
"Yeah, just a second. Abby! For you?"
"Thanks." Abby puts the omelet in front of Mary and grabs the phone. "Hello?"
"Hi Mrs. Bradford, this is Dr. Maxwell's secretary. Mr. Bradford is
here seeing him and he wanted us to call you."
"He is? What's wrong with him?"
She tells her what she knows so far.
"I'll be right there."
"I'll tell them."
"Thank you."
After hanging up with Abby the secretary goes to tell Tom that Abby is on
her way.
"Thanks," Max tells her.
At home, Abby starts upstairs to get dressed, but stops halfway up. "Can
someone give me a lift to Dr. Max's office?" she calls out.
"Sure." Nancy says. "What's up?"
"I'm not exactly sure. Your father's stomach is acting up."
Nancy gets her car keys and her purse. "I'm ready when you are."
Abby runs up the steps and throws some clothes on. "I'm ready," she says
as she rushes back down.
They go outside, get in Nancy's car, and then leave for Max's office.
In Max's office, Tom grimaces in agony.
Meanwhile, Max writes up his orders for the hospital.
"What do you think it is Max?"
"Well, I'd like to send you for an endoscopy to be certain, but I think you've
got an ulcer."
"An ulcer? That's insane." Tom says.
"No it isn't. You're a prime candidate. I'm just surprised it didn't happen
sooner."
"Prime Candidate?"
"Stress, poor eating habits -- you're a walking time bomb, Tom."
"Terrific, don't tell Abby."
"She's a smart lady. I think she'll figure it out, even if I don't tell her."
"I know." he sighs.
When they get there, Abby doesn't wait for Nancy to park. She gets out of
the car and rushes in. "Where is he? How is he?" she asks the receptionist.
She takes Abby to Tom while outside Nancy parks the car and goes in.
Abby hurries to Tom's side and takes his hand.
"I'm Ok Abby." he says as he takes a look at her face.
"Really?" Abby asks, looking at Max.
"He'll be fine," Max assures her. "But in the meantime I'd like you to take
him to the hospital for some test I can't run here." He hands her the paperwork.
"I'll be there as soon as I can; they can start without me."
"OK," Abby says.
"Thanks Max." Tom says as he gets up on his feet.
"Don't thank me just yet."
"Yeah I know, your bill."
"I was thinking of the tests, but yes, my bill, too."
"See you later then."
"Come on," Abby says. "Let's get you taken care of."
Tom nods.
They go out to Nancy. "Is he ok?" She asks Abby.
"He will be," Abby repeats what Max told her. "But he does need to go for
some tests. Can you drive us to the hospital?"
Nancy nods and with a worried look on her face says, "let's go."
"Hi Nancy."
"Hi Dad, you ok?"
"I've been better, but I'll be fine."
Abby tries to help Tom to the car.
Nancy helps her with her Dad.
Tom gets in the back seat laying his head on the headrest.
Nancy waits for Abby to get into the car.
"Nancy, I'm going to sit in the back with your father, OK?"
"Ok, I'll drive careful." She says.
"I know you will," Abby says and gets in next to Tom.
Tom takes Abby's hand.
Abby gives his hand a squeeze.
Nancy soon drives very carefully to the hospital. Only going as fast
as the law and smooth driving will allow.
They soon arrive at the hospital. Tom gets out of the car.
Abby rushes out of the car to help him.
"Thanks Nancy." he says as he gets out.
"You're welcome Dad." Nancy says.
Nancy gets an orderly to help Abby with Tom while she goes to park the car.
Abby and the orderly lead Tom inside and Abby takes Tom's paperwork over
to the desk. "Dr. Maxwell sent my husband here for some tests."
"Yes, we've been expecting you. the orderly will take Mr. Bradford to get
the tests done, but I'll need you to fill out the paperwork." she tells Abby.
"Can't I take it with me and stay with him? I'll bring it when I've got it
all finished."
Since he's a personal friend of Dr. Maxwell, she'll bend the rules. "That'll
be fine."
"Thank you," Abby smiles at the nurse. She grabs the paperwork and follows
Tom and the orderly.
"I'm sorry Ma'am, this is as far as you can go." he says to her at the doors
of the X-ray dept.
"OK," Abby sighs. "I'll be waiting here."
"Don't worry." Tom tells her.
"I won't," Abby lies. "I'll see you when they're through with you."
Tom gives her a kiss goodbye and the orderly takes him behind the doors.
Abby alternates between filling in the paperwork and pacing.
Nancy gets a cup of coffee and sits.
Elizabeth and Tommy gets out of school and finds Nancy and Abby. "How is
he?"
"They're still checking him."
"What's wrong?" Tommy asks.
"Something with his stomach," Abby tells them what she knows.
"Poor Dad." he says. "Can I get you anything?"
Abby finishes the last of the paperwork. "Could you take this back to the
nurses' station?"
"Sure." he says.
He takes the papers back and brings everyone sodas and snacks.
"Thank you."
"No problem, how are you?"
"Ok, worried about Dad, you?"
"The same, Dad hardly gets ill."
"I know." She sighs.
"I guess we just wait."
"Yeah."
Elizabeth takes one look at Nancy. "Are you Ok? I mean other than worrying
about Dad."
Nancy glances at Abby who looks worse than she feels right now. "Liz,"
she whispers. "My problems can wait I think Abby needs us more."
"I know."
Nancy goes over to Abby and sits down. "He's going to be all right you know."
Abby smiles at her and nods.
Nancy grips her hand in support.
An hour later Dr. Max comes out.
"How is he Dr. Max?" Liz asks.
"He's going to be fine kids. Abby can I speak with you in private?"
"We want to hear it to." Nancy says.
"I'll let Abby explain it to you after I talk to her, OK?"
Nancy nods.
"Of course," Abby says and follows Max. When they're out of the kid's earshot,
she adds, "How is he really, Max?"
"He's fine for now. He has an ulcer, I am going to prescribe him some meds,
bed rest and a diet. You can take him home in an hour or so. He escaped surgery
this time." Max states. "the best thing for him now, is no stress."
"I always knew you were a comedian at heart, Max."
"I'm serious Abby, that's why I didn't want to say anything to the others.
I didn't want them to feel bad. With the kids getting hurt, you losing the
baby and Joannie. Frankly I am surprised he hasn't been in here earlier.
I am also going to prescribe him a relaxant."
"It might be better if you prescribe something to knock him out for the next
few months. Seriously, Max, how do I keep him from getting stressed out?
When you told me to rest and relax he sent me to Pasadena, and even that
didn't work."
"I know." Max says. "And if he senses something is wrong, he'll get right
in the middle of it. All I can say is just do the best you can and I'll tell
Tom seriously if he doesn't rest, he'll be back here in for surgery."
"Oh, that'll work," Abby says sarcastically. "I'll do my best, but I don't
think it'll be good enough..."
"I can keep him here if you'd like? But I thought he'd be more relaxed at
home in his own bed." Max says. "I'm sorry Abby, I don't know what else to
tell you."
"I'd better take him home, or he'll think he's dying," Abby concedes. "And
I do appreciate your help. I'll manage somehow."
"I better get back to Tom and give him my lecture." Max says. "I'll have
him brought out by an orderly when he's finished getting dressed."
"Thanks. I'd better go talk to the kids."
Max squeezes her shoulder. "I'll be by tonight."
"I'll see you then." Abby waits for him to go back inside, and then heads
back to the kids.
"Well?" Elizabeth asks.
"What did he say?"
"Your father has an ulcer," Abby reports. "Dr. Max is giving him some medication,
but if he doesn't rest and relax, he'll need surgery."
"How are we going to make Dad relax?" Nancy wonders.
"By all of us getting lost." Tommy states.
"And what will that accomplish. He'll just worry more if we do that."
Tommy sighs.
"That wasn't a good idea." Liz tells him.
"Do you have any better ideas?" Tommy states.
Nancy glances at Abby hoping she has answers.
"Look, when any of you have a problem, come to me first. I might be able
to help you without your father ever knowing anything was wrong," Abby suggests.
"Ok." Nancy says.
"That'll last one day before Dad gets suspicious." Tommy says.
"At least that'll give us a day to think of something else."
"Ok." he concedes.
"Besides, we've managed this before." Tommy nods.
"You'll all tell whoever's not here? I'll tell Nicholas, but the others?"
"Yes."
"Thanks."
"What about the talent show? He was going to do something with Nicholas."
Elizabeth asks.
"I'll talk to Nicholas about it at home."
Elizabeth nods.
The orderly brings out a groggy Tom.
Abby hurries over to him.
Nancy gives him a hug.
"Oh hi, what are you doing here?" not remembering anything.
Nancy smiles. "Seeing about you."
"Where's my typewriter?'
Elizabeth tries not to laugh.
"Your typewriter can wait," Abby tells him. "Time to go home."
"Quitting time already?"
"Definitely quitting time for you."
"Oh, Ok."
"I'll go and get the car, will you two help Abby with Dad?"
They nod
Nancy goes to get the car and brings it to the patient loading zone.
Tommy helps his Dad in the car.
Once they get home. Nancy stays in the car and whispers to Elizabeth. "Stay
calm all right please. Now don't say anything just listen, once all
of you are in the house can you bring me an insulin vial and possibly help
me back in the house." She says very quietly not wanting to alarm Abby or
make her father worse.
"OK, I'll be right back."
"Thank you."
Elizabeth goes and gets her medication and soon returns.
Nancy signals for her to wait till their parents are in the house.
She hides it in her purse.
They wait for Tommy to help Abby help Tom into the house.
Part 3