Shaggy Dog Story
Part 4
Abby heads towards the garage. "Tommy! Tommy!"
Tommy and his band cant hear her.
Tom peeks inside.
Abby steps inside. "Tommy!!!"
Tommy and the band stops. "What?!?!"
"TURN IT..." Abby finally realizes she can hear herself. "down, OK?"
"But we have to practice."
"Practice without the amplifiers."
"Keyboards and Electric Guitars don't work without amplifiers."
"Well, they're not going to work with that level of amplification, either.
Your father is trying to rest."
"Bradford we can use my garage this week." Ernie says.
Tommy sighs. "Fine, lets pack up."
"Thank you," Abby says to both of them.
Tom is amazed and hurries back into the house.
"What about next week?" Tommy asks Abby.
"How about we discuss next week later on this week?" she suggests.
He sighs and nods.
"Thank you," Abby says again. "Need any help packing all this up?"
"Thanks Mrs. Bradford. We have it." Ernie says.
"OK." Abby turns to Nicholas. "We have some work to do, anyway, right?"
He nods. "I guess."
"I'll try to make sure it's not too much torture."
"Thanks."
Abby leads Nicholas back into the house. "Your room?"
He nods.
"OK, so explain what the problem is with your homework," Abby says as they
walk up the stairs.
"Multiplication."
"Memorizing the times table?"
He nods.
"Well, that we can work on, no problem."
"You sure?"
"Positive. I'll bet you know more than you think you do."
"Ok."
They go into the room. "For instance: What's one times one?"
"One."
"And ten times one?"
"Ten?" he says unsure.
"Right. Know why?"
"No."
"Because anything times one is itself. Hmmm. If I have a carton of baseball
cards, and there are 2000 cards in that carton, how many cards did I give
you?"
"2000." he states
"Exactly. One times two thousand is two thousand."
"But what about the other numbers?"
"Hey, you're not going to try to do it all in one night, are you?"
"No, I guess not."
"Well, we can try a little more...You know how to count by twos, don't you?"
"Double?"
Abby nods. "And you can count by fives also, I'll bet."
"How come you make it seem so easy?"
"Because I'm not trying to teach 20 kids at the same time," Abby guesses.
"Oh....but Mrs. Jones doesn't teach that way."
"Different teachers have different ways of teaching. I have an advantage
helping you, because I know you a lot better than she does."
Nicholas nods. "Thanks Abby."
"Any time. Tomorrow we can work on the 6,7, and 8 -- those are the ones that
always gave me trouble -- and I can show you a great trick for the 9s."
"OK, only if it isn't too much trouble."
"It's never too much trouble to help you, Nicholas. You ought to know that."
"I know, but with Dad and everyone else."
"You're part of everyone else, too, and I will always have time for you,"
Abby tells him.
Nicholas nods
"So next time you're having a problem you'll come to me, right?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"You can ask me anytime too." he states.
"Thanks," Abby says, but hesitates before asking.
Nicholas notices her reluctance. "What?"
Abby checks to make sure no one is eavesdropping, then whispers, "Could I
get a hug?"
He smiles and checks too. "I thought you never ask."
Abby gives him a hug.
"Thanks." he tells her.
"Thank *you.*"
"I better get ready for bed."
"Want me to come back and tuck you in?"
"You wont tell anybody?"
"Scout's honor."
"I'd like that."
"I would, too. I'll be back in a little bit."
"Ok."
Abby gives him another hug and then heads back to her own room to check on
Tom.
"Hi, How'd it go with Tommy and Nicholas?" he yawns looking up from his book.
"All right. The band will be practicing at Ernie's and Nicholas has the zero,
one, two, and fives down pat. Your book's that boring?"
"Huh? No, I guess I'm more tired than I thought."
Abby takes the book from him. "Then you should get some sleep."
Tom takes the book back from Abby. "I am not going to bed the same time Nicholas
is." he states emphatically.
"You wouldn't be," Abby says, taking the book back. "Nicholas is just getting
ready for bed--it'll be a good five or ten minutes until he actually goes
to bed."
He takes the book again. "Nor am I going to bed before he does."
"You could just lie back and relax, and after I've made sure Nicholas is
down for the night we could both go to bed," Abby says, faking a yawn.
"Well.............ok. But just rest." he concedes.
"Deal." ~In five minutes, he'll be out like a light.~
He hands her the book.
Abby puts it on the nightstand and gives Tom a kiss.
"I'll wait for you."
"I'll be right back," Abby promises. On her way out of the room she shuts
the lights.
Tom doesn't fight any longer and soon is asleep.
Abby knocks on Nicholas's door before walking in.
She finds Nicholas asleep as well.
Abby tucks him in, shuts his light, then goes back into her own room and
tucks Tom in, as well.
"You coming?" he asks groggily
"I'll be right there." ~Wonder if we have any sleeping pills in the medicine
cabinet. I'm not the least bit tired.~
A few minutes later Tom still sees Abby just sitting there, "Something wrong?"
"No, nothing," Abby says brightly. "Just enjoying the quiet."
"You don't have to go to bed, go watch some TV if you'd like. I'm fine."
"Oh, no. If I do that, you'll be up half the night watching, too."
"So, its not like I'm going anywhere tomorrow, right?"
"No, but you're tired. Let's just go to bed, OK?"
"But you are not tired."
"Don't worry about it, Tom. Go to bed."
"Fine." he sighs.
"Want me to hold you while you do?" Abby offers.
"I'd like that."
"OK," Abby says, and slips into bed.
"This feels nice." Tom says.
"It's meant to."
"Thanks."
"Don't thank me. I'm just being selfish."
Tom laughs. "You selfish?"
"Extremely."
"Me too." he admits.
"It's one of your charms."
"You say that now." he jokes
"now and always. At least in my more rational moments," Abby jokes back.
Tom laughs
"Go to sleep, Tom."
"Yes ma'am."
"I love it when you're obedient."
"I'm sure you do."
"When you're feeling better, I'll show you just how much."
"Deal." he says as he falls asleep.
Abby waits until he falls asleep and then sneaks off to the bathroom to read
without disturbing Tom.
Downstairs, after the dishes are done: "Maybe we should go to the movies
a different night. I don't think I'll be able to stay awake." Nancy
admits.
"Yeah me too."
"What time is it?"
Elizabeth laughs. "Only 8:30."
"Oh geez, well it has been a long day."
"yeah it has. I'll go see what on TV."
"ok."
"Want to join me?"
"Sure." They go in the den, where Nancy falls asleep to the tv.
"Come on Nancy, lets go to bed." Liz states.
"Call Noah to carry me." She says half asleep.
"Oh dad would love that."
She awakens fully. "Huh?"
"You don't know what you just ask me, do you."
"Um no, do I want to know?"
Liz laughs and tells her.
Nancy laughs also and says. "Well are you going to get him or not?" She kids.
"You know where the phone is." she jokes.
She laughs and heads upstairs.
Elizabeth turns the TV back on and falls asleep downstairs.
The next morning Abby goes downstairs bright and early, laying in wait for
Tommy.
Tommy comes down and yawns. "Morning."
"Good morning. Can I get you anything?" Abby offers.
"UH no, I'm fine." acting suspicious.
"You sure? It's no trouble, really."
"Are you sure? French toast?"
"If that's what you want, sure," Abby says, and begins getting together the
ingredients.
"Thanks." he sighs in relief.
"You're welcome," Abby says as she cooks.
"How's Dad."
"He'll be OK, as long as he can learn to relax a little. What do you want
to drink?"
"Milk, i'll get it." he says.
"No, no you sit. I'll get it," Abby insists.
"Ok, Abby what's going on."
"I have a favor to ask you," Abby confesses.
Tommy sighs. "And it is?"
"About that charity show Joannie is organizing. I know you're doing a magic
act with Nancy, but, see, I was going to have my friend Channing play the
guitar for my song, but with everything that's going on...Well, I figure
that's the last thing your father needs--he and Channing don't exactly get
along..." Abby pulls some sheet music from her pocket. "Just look it over,
OK? If you don't want to, say no. I'll figure something else out."
Tommy eyes perks up. "Sure, i'd love to."
"You would?" Abby asks, surprised.
"Yeah, why wouldn't i be?"
"If you'd wanted to play in the show, that's what you would have done, and
now I'm asking you to do even more work," Abby points out.
"Really, its not that much more work." Tommy says. "But I am worried about
one thing."
"If the music's no good we can change it," Abby promises. "I won't mind,
really."
"No its fine. Its Nicholas, he and Dad were going to do an act."
"What kind of act?"
"A Laurel and Hardy routine."
"Tom may still want to do it. Otherwise, we'll figure something out."
"Cool, so when did you want to practice?"
"Whenever is good for you. I'm home all day, anyway."
"After school?"
"I'll be here."
"OK, thanks for breakfast."
"Thanks for helping me out."
Nancy awakens and goes down to breakfast after getting ready for school completely
forgetting about her flu shot appointment later that afternoon.
"Good morning."
"Good morning." She gets some coffee.
"Sleep well?"
She nods, "did you?"
~With Tom sick?!?~ "Yes, fine."
Nancy cringes under Abby's look. ~What did I do now?~ "I have to go
now." She gathers her books together and heads for the door.
"Don't forget your flu shot this afternoon," Abby calls after her.
Nancy doesn't hear her since she's already in her car driving away.
Elizabeth comes from the den yawning. "What time is it?"
"Almost seven. Want some French toast?"
"I love too, but I'll be late. Unless a certain someone will write me a note."
"Late? You've still got plenty of time before school starts."
"I guess you are right."
"Unless there was somewhere else you were going?" Abby asks.
"not really."
"Then sit down and have some breakfast."
"OK." she says. "Thanks."
Abby puts a loaded plate down in front of her.
"Has Nancy come down yet?"
"Come and gone," Abby tells her. "Why?"
Elizabeth shrugs. "Just wondering."
"You're being very mysterious today."
"I am?" Liz laughs. "Well......." she tells her about Nancy asking for Noah.
"That girl has Noah on the brain," Abby sighs.
Elizabeth nods. "It was pretty funny."
"As long as your father doesn't hear about it," Abby says, smiling.
"How is Dad anyway?"
"He slept well. It'll take time."
"I guess this family finally caught up with him." she sighs.
"It had to happen sooner or later."
"Yeah."
"We caught it in time," Abby assures her. "He'll get better and he'll have
to learn other ways to deal with things."
"Thats going to be difficult."
"Yeah, but he'll have to do it."
"In other words, hes going to be a bear."
Abby nods. "And we're going to have to play zookeeps."
"Well for now, I leave you the key." she says. "I better go get ready."
"OK." Abby starts preparing a tray of breakfast to take up to Tom.
Tom rolls over and hugs Abby, but wakes up to find its a pillow.
Abby walks in with the tray and sees Tom hugging the pillow. "Any port in
a storm, eh?"
"I thought it was you." he sighs.
"Now, could a pillow bring you breakfast in bed?"
"Not one as pretty as you."
"You're going to make me blush." Abby sets the tray down next to Tom.
Tom looks at the food. "What do I have here?"
"It's that unrecognizable?" Abby asks despairingly.
"No, I was just joking."
"Don't scare me like that," Abby says, and sits down next to him.
Tom eats it. "Its good, thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So coffee is off my diet?" He says as picks up the glass of milk.
"At least until Max says it's OK. Besides, you're home today. It's OK if
you're not living on a caffeine high."
Tom sighs. "I know."
"I'll speak to Max today," Abby promises.
"That's ok. I just wonder what I'm going to do today."
"Spend the day with me."
He smiles. "Alone?"
"It is a school day," Abby smiles, too.
"Fantastic, but what about your classes?"
"That's not until tonight. Don't worry, I'll wing it."
"Hmmmm."
"Hmmm what?"
"Just thinking how much time we have."
"Less than we'd like, but more than we usually have."
Tom nods.
Abby takes Tom's hand. "We just have to use our time wisely."
"So....what do you want to do?"
Abby lies down next to him. "Something very decadent and adult."
Tom laughs and holds her, "I think that can be arrange."
"Don't get your hopes up, mister--you're still weak. I meant just hanging
out here and talking. It's something we don't often get to do."
"That's for sure."
"One of the best things about being with you is talking to you," Abby tells
him.
"Really?"
"Scout's honor."
"I like talking to you."
"Really?"
"Yes really."
"Why?"
"Because you are smart."
"You don't really want to hear about reading score differentials, do you?"
"I don't mean book smart."
"You're the one with all the life experience, not me."
"Life experiences? You haven't exactly lived under a rock."
"Well, that's true. But most of my life seems to have consisted of things
you'd rather not hear about."
"Tell me."
"Nothing to tell," Abby says. ~At least nothing I'd tell you while you're
ill.~ "But I'm as much a product of my generation as you are of yours."
"Well give me the G rated version." he jokes.
"Hmmm. The G rated version you already know. Along with some of the rest.
Look on the bright side, though--I was never arrested and my parents never
found anything out--I think."
"Lucky me."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well it means, if your father had found out, you'd still be lock up in that
ivory tower he would have built."
"That's the truth. Let's just hope our kids aren't as devious as I was."
"Well you'll know what to look for."
"I'll bet you that's what my parents thought, too."
"Aw but you see there's a difference, I know my kids aren't perfect."
"My parents don't think I'm perfect."
"They sure had me fooled."
"Well, you're a special case."
"How so?"
"They'd never let you know what they know."
"True."
"But I might. Someday. If you're good," Abby teases.
"How good?"
"How good do you think you can be?"
"How good do you want me to be?"
"Until you're healed..." Abby sighs. "We could play 20 Questions. Or Truth
or Dare."
"Truth or Dare could be interesting." Tom smiles.
"I'll even let you go first."
"OK, Did you ever smoke pot?"
~That's an easy one. I already told him that.~ "Yes. But," she hastens to
add, "I know it was wrong, illegal. I was young and foolish." ~Etcetera,
etcetera.~
"OK, you next."
"Hmmm. OK, let's see." Abby thinks her question over, then smiles. "What
were you arrested for?"
"What's the dare?"
"Uh oh, now I know you're hiding something good!"
"It happened in High School."
"And?"
"I stole a Doris Day recording." he mumbles.
"Well, she is your dream date," Abby teases.
"Ha Ha."
Abby shakes her head. "Your turn again."
"Did you ever get in an accident and never told your parents."
"You're just going easy on me, aren't you?"
"Yes." he admits.
"Don't. I'll tell you whatever you want to know, and if I don't--that's what
the dares are for."
"Just how many boyfriends have you....you know..."
"What's the dare?" Abby asks.
"You have to call your office and tell them what you are playing."
"You are...." Abby says, shocked. "Do you mean serious relationships, or
just..."
"You had both kinds?"
"You didn't?" Abby challenges.
"Once."
"And that once was with a woman," Abby reminds him. "We're no better than
men. Or worse. So which kind did you mean, or both?"
"Both."
Abby sits up, her back to him. "Nine, ten-- I'm not really sure."
"Oh...." he says. "Your turn."
"No--wait. I know, I've shocked you; I can't just leave it at that. Two of
those were serious relationships, or what I thought were serious at the time,
and Frank and you. The others--well, when Frank died, I was just so angry,
and empty. I didn't have anyone, see? And sometimes, you just need to feel
another person's touch, try to feel alive again..."
"Abby, you don't have to explain. If anyone understands that. I do."
"No, I'm not sure you do. Things were different for you. There was no one
for you to blame, and you never had to walk across a street full of people
saying your husband died for nothing, and you weren't alone, and not for
very long," Abby says, ticking off some of the differences.
"Honey, I'm sorry. No I was very lucky in that area. I know I wouldn't have
been as strong as you."
"You're not disappointed, now that you know?"
"No of course not." he says. "Why would I be?"
"Because you're an old-fashioned man."
Tom rolls his eyes. "Old Fashioned yes, judgmental, no."
"We're not talking about someone you're reading about in the paper. I'm your
wife. That's a different story."
"Abby I love you, that hasn't change." he says getting a little stressed
from the conversation.
Abby turns back to face him. "How did this all get so serious, anyway?" she
says, after looking at his face. "It was supposed to be a fun game. OK, it's
my turn, right? Which of the songs Tommy's band plays is your favorite?"
"None."
"I should have known," Abby laughs. "Your turn."
"What was your first reaction when you first walk through that front door."
"Absolute and total shock. I thought I'd stumbled into a traveling three
ring circus. What did you tell your sister the first time you talked to her
about us?"
"That I was totally mentally incompetent, I was in love again."
Abby smiles. "you sure have a way with words. Your turn again."
"Same question, what did you tell your parents about us."
"Us, or you specifically? Because I told them a lot about you before there
was any us," Abby clarifies.
"Uh oh, bad impression right from the start."
"No, not at all. I thought you were amazing, juggling everything around here."
'Really?"
"Really truly. Of course, that meant that the minute I told my mother we
were going out, she knew we'd be getting married."
"Your father must have been looking for assassins."
"Why did you put that in the past tense?" Abby jokes.
"Touch'e" he sighs.
"My turn, right?" Abby once again diverts the conversation.
"Yup."
"Hmmm. OK--if you didn't have all the responsibilities you have, what would
you be doing right now?"
"Easy, writing a travel memoir, like Charles Kuralt."
"What kind of places would you be writing about?"
"Get in a RV and just drive."
"Alone?"
"No, I see you with me."
"Once the kids are grown we could still do that."
"We'll see."
"We absolutely will. It's your turn, by the way."
"Do you mind if we take a little nap?"
"If I don't want to answer, what's the dare?" Abby teases as she lays down
next to him.
Tom laughs and pulls her arms around him.
Abby snuggles close and kisses Tom.
"This is nice."
"I could get addicted."
"I am addicted."
"Why is it, when people speak of love, they speak in such negative terms?"
Abby wonders.
"Negative? I meant it as a compliment."
"Oh, I know. I was just wondering. Not just you--most people do -- addiction,
mentally incompetent..."
"Sorry."
"I do it, too, telling people I'm crazy about you. Someday you'll have to
come up with a more flattering set of terms."
"I see your point."
"I knew you would. Maybe while you're sleeping something will come to you."
"Maybe."
"If not, I'll just have to give you incentive to think of something later."
"What kind of incentive."
Abby nuzzles his ear. "Whatever it takes. I can be very inventive."
"Hmmm...That I know."
"And like?" ~Or are you always going to think of how many men I've slept
with, now that you know?~
"I love your mysterious ways."
Abby lets out the breath she was holding. "And I love yours."
"Me Mysterious? I am boring."
"Of all the things you are, boring isn't one of them."
"Thanks but I know otherwise.:"
"OK, you may bore yourself, but I think you're pretty exciting."
"Name one thing that's exciting about me."
"Only one? I could name dozens. The way you think, your smile, the way you
kiss..." Abby starts reeling them off.
"The way I think? But we fight."
"Fighting can be exciting. And making up is definitely exciting."
"True." he kisses her.
"I thought you wanted to sleep," Abby laughs.
"I do, eventually."
"Eventually? How long were you thinking of putting it off?"
"After we kissed some more."
Abby kisses him. "Best proposition I've had all day."
"I should hope so."
"What..." Abby starts getting upset. ~It was just something to say. He didn't
mean anything by it~ she calms herself and changes what she was going to
say. "What's the best proposition you've gotten today?"
"You being here."
"I'll always be here," Abby promises him.
"We both know that promise cant be kept for either of us."
"Sure it can," Abby says, still trying to lighten his mood. "If anything
ever happened to me I'd come back to you every night like a succubus."
Tom laughs.
"The kids would be amazed--'hey, why is Dad going to bed every night before
Nicholas?'"
"That they would."
"And every night you'd be going to bed earlier and earlier..." Abby keeps
painting the picture.
"Ahh I see." he says closing his eyes. "tell me more," he says groggily.
"You'd come in here and shut the lights, and then get into bed," Abby whispers
in his ear, telling him a bedtime story. "And then I'd appear and get into
bed next to you. I'd hold you, and I'd kiss you, and..." she goes on, detailing
just what she would do, until she can tell by his breathing that he's fallen
asleep.
He starts to snore.
~Oh, no.~ Abby thinks and checks the clock to see how long it is before the
kids come home.
After her classes let out Nancy comes home feeling like she's forgotten something.
The phone rings. She answers it. "Hello."
"Nancy," Dr. Max says. "Now I know how your truant officer felt."
"Huh?"
"Weren't you supposed to be somewhere today?"
"Oh no I didn't."
"If the patient doesn't come to the doctor, I guess the doctor will have
to come to the patient."
"I'm sorry, I really did forget, and I can still come down there if you'd
like."
"No, I'm coming to check up on Tom anyway. You just stay put young lady,
all right?"
"Ok, I won't tell you not to tell Abby about this because she usually gets
more upset if we keep things from her to save her from worrying. Dad's
the same way, but his ulcer..."
"I think you can trust me to know what's best for my patient," Max tells
her.
"I'm sorry." ~Geez first Abby and now Dr. Max. I can't say anything right
these days.~
"I'll be there within a half hour."
"Ok." She hangsup.
Abby comes down the stairs with Tom's lunch tray. "Who was that?"
"Dr. Max." She says quietly.
"Oh--did he say when he was coming by?"
"Soon, I forgot my appointment today."
"I tried to remind you, but you ran out so fast..."
"Well it's my own stupid mistake."
"Easy enough to fix. Max will be here anyway, he can give you your shot."
"Yeah."
"See? No real harm done."
"That's debatable."
"What do you mean?"
She tells her what happened with Max.
"No one likes having their schedule messed with. He probably missed a tennis
game or something," Abby tries to make light of the conversation.
Nancy smiles. "I guess I'd be a little cranky too."
"It seemed like you were, a little, this morning."
"Not cranky, just a little confused."
"About?"
She tells her.
"I didn't mean to confuse you."
"That's a relief."
"You should have said something this morning instead of running out."
"Sometimes it's not easy to say something right away."
"I know. But I thought we'd discussed this running away thing before."
"I'm not the only one in this family that runs away from stuff."
"But you are the one for whom it is a problem."
"And I'm working on it, there are times I haven't run off I'm just not all
the way there yet."
"And we're here to help you get there."
"I know and I love you all for it."
Abby gives her a hug. Nancy hugs her back.
The doorbell rings. "That must be Max."
"Yeah, you want me to let him in?"
"Yes, please. I'll go tell your dad he's here."
"Ok," Nancy goes and lets him in.
Abby heads upstairs while Max prepares to give Nancy her shot.
"Sorry about missing the appointment."
"That's OK. I can handle rejection from pretty girls."
She smiles and waits for the shot.
"Just don't do it again, all right?" Max says as he gives her the shot. "A
guy could get a complex."
"I'll be good in the future." She promises. The shot not even bothering
her after all the insulin injections she's had.
"Can I have that in writing?" Max jokes.
"Of course." She jokes back.
Max hands her a prescription pad.
Nancy laughs and writes down her promise.
"Thank you," Max says and stuffs the note into his black bag. "I'm going
to go check on your father. Stick around--I'll want to make sure you're not
having a reaction when I'm done."
"Will do, how long should I remain seated?"
"Five, ten minutes, just to be on the safe side. Want me to turn on the TV
before I go upstairs?"
She nods. "Yes please."
Max turns on the TV. "You set until I come back?"
"Thank you and yes I'm all set."
"I'll be back soon," Max promises. He heads upstairs and knocks on Tom and
Abby's door.
"Which Kid?" Tom asks
"Probably Max," Abby tells him. "Come in."
"Hey Max."
"Hi, Tom. You're looking better today."
"Thanks to you and Abby."
"Speaking of me," Abby says, "I'd better go check on Nancy and give the two
of you some privacy."
"Ok." Tom says.
Abby gives him a kiss and starts to head downstairs, but changes her mind
and sits on the bench outside her bedroom.
Inside, Max pulls open his doctor's bag. "You've been resting?"
"Nothing but, Abby wont let me do anything else." he sighs.
"Good for her. I was kind of worried, leaving the two of you home alone together
all day."
"Max, what are you insinuating?"
"Oh, nothing...." Max smiles.
"Uh huh."
"How have they been feeding you?"
"Very Bland."
"Good. Just the way they should be."
"Can't I have coffee?"
Max thinks over how much cooperation he can get from his friend. "One cup.
Weak."
"Thanks, anything else?"
"Any more coughing up blood?"
"No."
"Pain?"
"A little." he says. "but the meds help."
"That's good."
"So when can I get out of this bed?"
"You can go downstairs tonight, but take it easy. If the pain gets any worse,
you come right back up to bed. I'll come check on you tomorrow to see if
it worked out."
"Thanks."
"And if the pain gets worse, you know what to do."
"Yes Dr."
"I love an obedient patient."
"You are not the one I am afraid of."
"Oh, yes, I forgot what newlyweds are like. Whatever works."
"Cute."
"You know me, never one to look a gift horse in the mouth."
Tom laughs. "Yeah I know."
"You have any questions you want to ask?"
"Nope."
"All right. I'll come by tomorrow to check on you again."
He nods. "Thanks Max."
Max nods and then goes back downstairs to look for Nancy. She's still watching
tv. "How are you feeling?" Max asks her.
"No reaction, how's dad?"
"Bored," Max jokes.
"Oh, I know how that feels."
"And you know how important it is to focus all your energy on getting better,
right?"
"Yes I do."
"Think you can help your brothers and sisters understand that, too?"
"Sure, have they been bothering Dad?"
"Not yet--but the day's young."
"It'll be all right I promise."
"I knew I could count on you."
"Always."
"Thanks."
"Not a problem."
Max checks his watch. "Well, I'm due at the hospital in a few minutes. If
anyone needs me, I'll be at St. Mary's until 9."
"Ok I'll tell them." She says as she sees him out.
Elizabeth and Tommy come home laughing.
Abby heads downstairs.
"Hi Abby." they say. "How's Dad?"
"A little better, I think. He's sleeping. Let me know what your schedules
are for this afternoon when you get a chance, OK?"
Tommy and Elizabeth look at each other, "except for homework, we are free."
"Good. So just let me know when you're ready for me," Abby says.
"Five minutes? I can do my homework later when you and Tommy practice." Elizabeth
suggests.
"Is that OK with you, Tommy?"
He nods.
"Great. Could you keep an ear out for your dad while we're out?"
"Sure."
"Thanks."
"If he wants a snack?"
"Something bland and boring. He seemed OK with grilled cheese yesterday."
He nods.
"I don't think he'll ask for anything he shouldn't have, not yet. Once he's
no longer in pain, though...."
"Then we'll have to keep a lock on the refrigerator." Tommy jokes.
"And hide the car keys, too."
"Yeah."
"Elizabeth, whenever you're ready..."
"Now?"
"OK. Tommy, we'll be back soon."
"Have fun."
"We'll try."
"Want me to drive?" Liz asks.
"Which car's home?"
"Uh Gwendolyn." she sighs
"I'll drive."
Liz sighs and gets in the passenger side.
"My driving's not that bad," Abby says of Elizabeth's sigh.
"Oh I know, I was just wondering if we'll ever get a chance to drive her."
~Not in this lifetime.~ "With all the carpooling in the family, a two-passenger
car isn't much help."
"No, but its a great date car."
"Your father would love that. You know he prefers your dates pick you up."
"What about the modern woman."
"This modern woman got suckered into letting her date drive this car. It
wasn't an experience I'd care to have repeated."
"But you could teach me, I'm not Dad."
"And what about the rest of the family?"
Liz sighs. "So its a no because of the others."
"You could always encourage them to get married and move out."
"Yeah, Dad would really like that."
"I think he would. He could use some grandchildren."
"What about you Grandma." she jokes.
"On second thought..."
Elizabeth laughs.
"And I know my parents aren't ready to be great-grandparents."
"ouch, never thought of that."
"It'd be just another thing for them not to like about Tom."
Liz nods.
"But we'd all learn to adjust."
"Isn't that what this family does best? Adjusting?"
"I hope so."
"Yeah."
Abby pulls in at the bookstore. "Let's hope we can adjust to eating the way
your father needs to."
Elizabeth sighs. "Yeah."
"It'll be healthy," Abby tries to find a bright side.
"I suppose." she replies as they go into the book store.
"It won't be that bad."
"I know." she says heading for the cookbooks.
Abby follows her.
Elizabeth looks. "See anything?"
Abby pulls a few books out. "What do you think of these?"
Elizabeth looks at them. "Bland."
Abby takes some of the books from Elizabeth and looks them over again. "Boring."
"Abby, what are we going to do?"
"What can we do?"
"Adjust."
"There's got to be a cookbook here we can live with, hasn't there?"
"Hey how about this one?" she shows her.
Abby leafs through the book. "Well, it's certainly better than the ones I
found. Some of this stuff even sounds edible."
"Good."
"So I guess we'll go with it."
"Sounds good.'
"Why don't you pick out something for dinner and we'll shop on the way home."
"All right." she says.
Abby pays for the book.
As soon as they get in the car. "How about this?" she shows her.
"It sounds a lot better than last night's dinner."
"Good." Liz says.
"It was pretty awful, wasn't it?"
"Well........"
"And you all had the ketchup," Abby reminds her.
"Sorry."
"Let's hope the second time's the charm."
"It will be."
"It'd better be--another meal like that and I think the whole family will
go on a hunger strike."
"I'd like to see that." she laughs.
"Well, we could just go back home and do without the cookbook another night..."
"No No, I was just trying to imagine Tommy on a hunger strike."
"Tommy? He probably liked that dinner."
"True."
Abby parks the car. "Come on, let's go get something to ruin tonight."
"It'll be fine."
"It'll have to be."
Elizabeth grabs a cart and starts walking.
Abby follows more slowly.
"You ok?" Liz asks.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Fine."
"Abby....."
"I'll be fine," Abby changes her story. "I just need to sit down for a minute.
Why don't you do the shopping and I'll wait for you by the registers?"
"Ok, I'll hurry."
"No, don't rush."
Elizabeth ignores her and makes her way around the market.
Abby waits for her, closing her eyes and leaning back on the bench.
Elizabeth pays for the things and goes over to Abby. "Abby?"
Abby jerks upright. "Hmm? Done already?"
She nods. "Are you going to be ok driving home?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. But do you think you could corral some sisters into helping
you make dinner?"
"Sure, no problem."
"Thanks."
They go home.
Abby goes to help Elizabeth with the groceries.
"Abby I can handle it." she says.
"Sure?"
"Just go lay down."
"I have to practice with Tommy," Abby reminds her. "But I can do that sitting."
"OK."
Abby lets Elizabeth deal with the groceries while she goes looking for Tommy.
"Hey you are back." he says from his room.
"I'm back," Abby agrees. "Where do you want to work?"
"In here ok?"
"Nicholas won't mind?"
"He's watching TV."
"Ok, then here it is."
"I've been practicing the sheet music." He starts playing for her.
"That sounds better than it has a right to," Abby compliments him.
"Thanks." he says. "You want to start?"
"Might as well. You start, I'll join in."
Tommy starts playing.
Abby starts to sing, and in the middle of the song lies down on Nicholas's
bed.
Tommy stops. "Whats wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Liar." he says.
"Now, is that a nice thing to call another person?"
"I just call it like I see it." Tommy states. "Now do you want to tell me
whats going on or do I get Dad."
"You wouldn't."
"Watch me."
"Nothing is going on. I'm just a little tired, that's all. I'll go to bed
early tonight, OK, Mother?"
"That was a low blow."
"I just call it like I see it."
"Dad is sick already. I'm just worried, is that a crime?"
"No, it's not. But you don't have to worry--I'll take care of myself."
"Need some help to your room?"
"After we finish."
"I think we are finish for the night." Tommy says as he helps her to her
feet.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yep."
"OK. I'll go lie down like a good girl, then."
Tommy laughs. "good."
"And you--not one word to Tom, OK? Or to anyone else. No Bradford grapevine."
"Would I do that?"
"If you thought you were helping. But you wouldn't be. I know we can't afford
both adults sick now."
"Well I wont say anything for now but if I see you are getting worse...."
"You're as bad as my father."
"No I'm not."
"Yes, you are," Abby kisses his cheek, "and I love you for it."
Tommy blushes. "Come on lets go."
She lets Tommy lead her to her room.
"See ya later."
"Yeah--and thanks." Abby heads into her room.
"Hi, where've you been?" Tom asks.
"Shopping, practicing with Tommy. I didn't realize you'd woken up."
"I cant sleep all day." he says. "Are you OK, you look pale."
Abby sits down on the bed and takes off her shoes. "I didn't want to wake
you, fussing with my makeup."
"Honey, I've seen you without makeup before and you were not that pale. What
gives?"
"Nothing. I'm just a little tired is all. Maybe I'll take a page from your
book and take a nap until dinner."
"Ok." he says not convinced.
"I wouldn't mind some company," Abby hints.
Tom lays next to her. "I wasn't planning on going anywhere."
"Good."
Tom cuddles with her.
Abby sighs happily and snuggles into him.
Tom just lays there quietly worrying.
Abby falls asleep.
Tom gently rubs her back.
In her sleep, Abby smiles.
Tom covers her up
There's a knock at the door.
Tom quickly answers it. "Yes?" he whispers.
"Oh, hi," Joannie whispers back. "Where's Abby?"
"Asleep." he whispers.
"Oh. Um--I'll come back later when she's awake," Joannie says.
"Anything I can help with?"
"No, really Dad. It can wait."
"Joannie...what?"
"Nothing important, Dad. Just tell Abby I was looking for her, OK?"
"OK." he says.
Joannie turns and walks away.
Tom closes the door. ~Since when did she want to talk to Abby?~ he gets back
in the bed.
"Who was that?" Abby says, half-asleep.
"Joannie, she wanted to talk to you."
"Later, OK?" Abby says.
"Sure." he says. "Can I get you anything?"
"You."
"I don't know, thats kind of a tall order." he grins.
"And handsome."
Tom puts his arms around her.
"Just what the doctor ordered," Abby says, sleepily.
"Hmmm..I agree."
"'Night."
"No Dinner?"
"No, I'll have dinner. Elizabeth went to a lot of trouble tonight. But 'Afternoon'
sounds silly."
"Ahh..ok."
"Wake me up if you're up. Otherwise, I'm sure one of them will."
"OK."
Abby falls back asleep.
Tom sits there reading his book.
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