A Fresh Start
Part 2
"Hi Abby." Elizabeth says.
"Hi. What can I do?"
"Nothing, We've got it covered. I saw Tommy run out of here for band practice,
you changed your mind?"
"Well, not really. I told him he had to do some work before he went, and
he did, so he went."
"Oh." she says.
"I'm not that much of an ogre, am I?"
"No, of course not. But he was only up there for a half an hour and I never
seen you back down before."
"I haven't backed down. I'm just working a different tack."
"That's cool."
"That's what I'm hoping."
"Is Dad eating downstairs or up tonight?"
"He's going to start working tomorrow, so I guess he'll eat with us tonight."
"Good, and you? Are you going back to work?"
"Very part time, but at least it's something."
"I supposed."
"You don't sound too excited about the prospect of having me out of everyone's
hair a few hours a day."
"It's not that, its just I remember our little trip to the store."
"Oh. Don't worry, I'm not going to push myself too hard. If I did, who'd
be able to stop your father when he pulls the same trick?"
Liz laughs "Good. BTW, Nancy and I are going to a movie, want to come?"
"Which movie?"
"The new Clint Eastwood movie 'Escape from Alcatraz.' "
"I promised Tom I'd go see it with him."
"Oh, ok. We could see something else?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Great, we haven't done this in a long time."
"You're right. It's way overdue. When do we leave?"
"After dinner and dishes."
"Well, then I'll leave you to the cooking so I can get some things done before
we go," Abby says.
"Ok, It should be ready in an hour. Will Tommy be home for dinner?"
"I don't think he said."
"Well if he isn't. I'll keep it warm in the oven for him."
"He'll appreciate that. He might not tell you so, but he will."
Liz shrugs, "He's a male."
Abby nods. "A characteristic of the species. Call us when it's dinnertime?"
"You'll hear the bell." she jokes,
"And then all the men will start drooling in response."
She laughs.
Abby goes upstairs to her room, stopping first to pick up Tommy's book and
tape recorder.
"What's that?" Tom asks.
"If Tommy's problem is the reading and not the thinking, then instead of
reading the book, let Tommy hear it," Abby says.
"You're going to read that whole book?"
"Well, I was hoping you'd help out by reading some."
"Sure, it isn't like I'm busy or anything." he sighs.
"If you were, you wouldn't do it?" Abby asks.
"I didn't say that." he states. "I'd do anything for the kids, you should
know that."
"Then why the 'I'm not doing anything else anyway' attitude?"
"Why are you snapping at me? It was just a figure of speech."
"Because you act like your job is the most important thing in your life."
"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black."
"I've only had a year. What's your excuse?"
"If it wasn't for working, our family would be homeless."
"I know we have to work, both for the money and for ourselves, but you're
not worth any less just because you're home sick. The important parts of
you are still functioning just fine."
"Meaning I still have worth?"
"That's not a serious question, is it?"
Tom laughs. "No."
"Good. I enjoy showing you how much you mean to me, but I don't like to *have*
to give demonstrations."
"Maybe later you can show me?"
"Again?" Abby laughs.
"Unless you are tired."
"Too tired for you? Never."
Tom smiles at her.
"But in the meantime I have work to do," Abby says.
"No we got work to do." he states.
"So who goes first?"
"You, so I can see how you do it."
"Good idea. I'm going to the movies with the girls in about an hour; you
can take over then."
"Movies?"
"Not the one we missed the end of, don't worry."
"Isn't it a school night?"
"I won't let them stay out too late. After all, I start work tomorrow; I
want a good night's rest, and I have plans before I go to sleep."
"plans?"
Abby nods and smiles at him. "Plans."
"Do those plans include me?"
"I was planning on that, yes."
"I'll see if I can fit you in my schedule." he teases
"Oh, really?" Abby says coolly.
"Well you know I am a busy man." he jokes.
"Well, then, I wouldn't dream of imposing on your busy schedule."
"Well lets take a look here, Ah yes of course. Abby Bradford always
at the top of that list." he states. Pretending to look at a date book.
"At the top, huh?"
He nods. "You don't believe me?"
"Oh, sure I do. I'm just wondering who's #2."
"I have eight of them."
"I sort of hoped they weren't on the same kind of list I was."
"What do you mean?"
"There are plans," Abby whispers in his ear, "and then there are plans."
"Oh, I understand now."
"You do? So what do you plan to do about it?"
Tom scratches off number two and throws the date book in the air. He then
kisses her.
Abby laughs. "Not so quick, hot shot. There's still dinner and then I'm going
out with the girls."
"It's just a preview."
"Certainly makes me want to stick around for the main show."
"So hurry back, the main attraction will wait."
"If it weren't that I don't want the girls feeling neglected, I'd skip the
show altogether and just stay."
"It's ok, besides I have work to do."
"I thought you were waiting until tomorrow to start work."
"Didn't you want me to start recording for Tommy?"
"Well, I wouldn't call that work."
"I guess not."
Abby checks her watch. "I'd better get ready, anyway."
"Eat some popcorn for me." he sighs
"I will."
" And raisinettes."
"Tom..." Abby chides.
"I know I know."
"Good."
"Have fun." Tom says sincerely.
"I'll try to."
Tom starts the tape recording.
Abby starts to get ready and listens with half an ear to Tom's reading.
In the kitchen: "Great, ready to call everyone in?"
"No not really, let's get someone else to do that." Nancy half kids.
"Who then?" Elizabeth laughs.
"Go Sam, go bark for everyone."
After dinner is over with Nancy and Elizabeth wait for Abby so they can go
to the movie.
"Wonder what's keeping her?" Liz asks
"Maybe she's still getting ready."
"She was ready before dinner."
"One of us should go check on her."
"I elect you."
"Oh all right." She kids and goes upstairs to knock on their parents door.
"Come in." Tom says.
She walks in. "Hi Dad, is Abby ready yet?"
"She's in the bathroom." he says
"Oh, well tell her we're waiting on her ok."
"Have a seat, haven't talk to you in a while."
She sits down. "What do you want to know?"
"How have you been?"
She remembers what Abby had told them. "I've been ok, how are you feeling
Dad?"
"School?"
Nancy gives him a confused look. "You feel like school?"
"Cute, how are your classes?" Tom asks.
~A major struggle.~ "My classes are going good."
"Really?"
"Well, would it worry you if I said I'm still having trouble with my classes."
"What's the problem Nancy."
"I don't know, I study hard and I'm still not getting grades that satisfy
me."
"Do you need some tutoring?"
"A tutor? Me?"
"Yes, Believe it or not College students have tutors too you know."
"They do?" Nancy feigns surprise.
He nods.
"Well it does sound like a good idea."
"Do you want me to arrange it for you?"
"It's ok Dad, I can arrange it." She says worrying about his health.
"Really, I don't mind."
"I know, and I appreciate it, but I can do it." ~Abby what's taking you so
long?~
"Ok." he states.
~I can't tell him the real reason.~
Abby emerges. "Sorry I took so long."
"It's cool, are you ready to go?" Nancy asks.
"Yes." Abby leans over and kisses Tom. "We won't be too late."
"Have fun."
"Oh, I will..." Abby whispers in his ear, "when I get back home."
Tom smiles.
"Let's go, Nancy."
"Ok, see you later Dad."
"Bye honey."
She goes back downstairs. "Abby's on her way down." Nancy tells Elizabeth.
"Good."
Abby is soon downstairs. "Sorry it took me so long."
"It's ok, they usually have fifteen minutes of previews anyway."
Nicholas comes thru the foyer. "Where are you guys going?"
"The movies," Abby tells him.
"Can I come?" he asks wide eyed.
Abby turns to the girls for their decision.
Elizabeth shrugs "It's your call."
"It's all right Abby."
Abby checks her watch. "It'll be after your bedtime by the time we come back,"
she tells Nicholas.
"Oh come on just this once, please?"
"You don't have any tests tomorrow?"
"No its just a regular day."
"Well, if it's OK with your sisters..." Abby says, giving Nancy and Elizabeth
one more chance to say no if they choose.
"Nancy?" Liz asks.
~So much for us having Abby to ourselves. But he does really want to
go.~ "I don't mind."
"Well, then, I guess you're going to the movies tonight," Abby says to Nicholas.
"YAY." he says.
"Why don't you go upstairs and get a jacket?" Abby suggests. "It'll be cooler
by the time we get home."
"Ok." he runs upstairs.
"Wanna bet he falls asleep before the first kiss?" Abby whispers to the girls.
Nancy laughs. "I would but I don't want to lose any money."
Abby snaps her fingers. "Oh, well, almost had you."
"Yeah almost."
"It would have been a sucker bet." liz says
"That's never stopped your father," Abby smiles.
Nancy laughs.
Elizabeth smiles.
Nicholas comes down.
"OK, let's go or we'll be even later than we are."
"Let's." Nancy says and heads for the front door.
He runs out the door.
Abby follows.
Soon they're in the car and on the way to the movie theater.
"How much time do we have till the movie starts?"
"Not long."
"What do you all want from the snack bar?"
"Hotdog, Popcorn, Pickle, licorice, root beer and ice cream." Nicholas states.
Nancy smiles. "You're going to help me Nicholas."
Elizabeth snickers. "Just a soda for me."
"Nicholas, you may have the popcorn and the soda," Abby says.
Nicholas sighs "Ok."
"Come on, Nancy, I'll help you carry everything," Abby offers.
"Thanks Abby." They go and get the food.
When they come back Abby divides the food. "Let's go inside."
"Let's."
"Can I sit in the front?" Nicholas asks.
"Sitting all the way in the front's not good for your neck. How about we
sit *towards* the front?" Abby compromises.
"But what if a tall person is in front of me?" he asks.
"Then I'll switch with you." Liz states.
"We'll have four seats, Nicholas. One is bound to be OK," Abby assures him.
Nicholas sighs and slips into a seat.
Abby sits down next to him.
"Thanks for letting me come."
"You're welcome, Nicholas."
As Abby predicted Nicholas falls asleep within a half hour after the movie
starts
Nancy nudges Elizabeth and points to Nicholas.
"See?" Abby whispers to the girls.
Nancy nudges Elizabeth and points to Nicholas. "Exactly why I didn't take
the bet."
Elizabeth nods, takes a look and smiles. "Yeah. If it doesn't have a gun
in it...." she whispers back.
"One of these days he'll appreciate romance."
"Well if he's anything like Tommy."
"Or any of the other Bradford males."
Liz nods.
Abby turns her attention back to the screen.
Elizabeth almost drools over watching John Travolta.
So does Abby.
While they're drooling over John. Nancy can't get her mind of Noah.
Elizabeth nudges at Nancy.
"Huh?" Nancy says when Liz nudges her.
"Look at Abby." she whispers at her.
Abby overhears this. "I'm married, I'm not dead," she whispers to them.
Nancy smiles
"Sorry." Liz blushes
"It's OK," Abby laughs.
Liz laughs also.
"I'd rather look at him." Nancy says about one of the actors trying to cover
up what's going on with Noah.
"Yeah."
Nancy laughs at one of the movie scenes.
When the movie's over Abby picks Nicholas up.
"Need some help?" Liz asks.
"I don't think we can split him between us, but could you grab my purse?"
"You got it." Elizabeth takes her purse.
"Thanks."
"Good movie." she states.
"Very good movie." Nancy whispers so she doesn't wake Nick.
"It was," Abby agrees. "I'm glad you girls invited me."
"So am I." Nancy says. "It was funner with you here."
"We're glad you came."
"Thanks. We should do things like this more often."
"Yeah, only girls next time."
"I agree, start a new tradition," Nancy says.
"Maybe invite me to one of your girls' night outs," Abby suggests.
"You've got it."
"All right." Nancy says about girls night out.
"Thanks."
She nods.
"Then its settle." Elizabeth says.
Abby smiles.
"I'll drive, unless you want to Nancy."
"No you go ahead and drive." Nancy tells Liz.
"OK."
Once they pull into the driveway, Abby wakes Nicholas. "Come on, time to
go in and up to bed."
"Huh? but the movie." he says groggily
"Is over, and we're back home. Come on, I'll help you."
He nods.
Abby helps him inside and up the stairs.
"Thanks." he yawns.
"Want me to tuck you in?"
He nods half asleep.
Abby helps him into his room and digs out his pajamas for him.
Tommy comes in from band practice. "Hey."
"Hi."
"I can do that."
"Thanks. Then I'll go see what the progress is on your tapes."
Tommy nods.
Abby gives Nicholas a kiss goodnight and goes back to her room.
"How was the movie?" Tom asks.
"It was good. Not your type of movie, though, I don't think."
"Any movie when I am with you is my type of movie."
"You're so sweet. Did you get to record anything for Tommy?"
"Two chapters."
"That'll be enough for him for tomorrow, and I'll work on more while he's
at school. And I'll get in contact with..." Abby stops short.
"Get in contact with who?"
Abby takes a deep breath. "John Easton."
"Who?"
"Remember that conference I went to in LA?" Abby says.
"Oh yeah." his voice drops. "If it helps Tommy, it could be Don Juan for
all I care."
"John's tapes are meant just for kids like Tommy, and even if he were Don
Juan, I have better right here at home, you know that."
Tom nods. "I know, so will he be doing the testing?"
"No, he just does tapes, like the one you made for Tommy. I'll set up a test
for Tommy tomorrow, but I'm sure I'm right. I just can't figure how I missed
it until now."
"Don't blame yourself, I missed it too. All those grades."
"Even if he is, and if we find how to work around it, it doesn't mean he'll
be an A student," Abby warns.
"I'd settle for him doing the best he can."
"OK." Abby gets into bed. "I missed you tonight."
"I missed you too."
"Pity we're both going back to work tomorrow."
"Yeah, bills get in the way. But it isn't tomorrow yet. We still have tonight."
"True. You have any plans for the rest of the night?"
"Actually I do." he says. "Are you busy?"
"As busy as you want me to be."
Tom shuts the light out and holds her close.
"Mmm. I knew there was a good reason I married you."
"Only one?"
"Yep. Only one."
"Hmm."
"Know what it is?"
"No, what?"
"That I love you."
"I love you." he says and kisses her.
"Is that the only reason you married me?"
"The main reason."
"There were other reasons?"
"Your beauty, your brains and your kindness among other things."
"Right. You just married me because I'm a good kisser."
Tom laughs. "You got me." he jokes.
"Thought I'd never figure it out, did you?"
"Well I was hoping, besides its a good reason isn't it?"
"If it keeps you happy..."
"What about what keeps you happy?"
Abby kisses him. "That's a good start."
"Start?"
"Start. What else are you planning to do for me?"
Tom wastes no time and makes love with his wife.
Afterwards: "You sure know how to make a girl happy."
"You know how to make me happy." he states.
"I've always been a good study."
Tom caresses her face.
Abby snuggles close.
"Too bad we can't make time stop."
"You'd really want it to?"
"As long as I can spend it with you."
"I wouldn't want time to stop," Abby says. "It keeps getting better--I want
to see what's next."
"I can tell you what's next, Chaos."
"Nope."
"No?"
"No," Abby repeats and starts kissing him. "This is what's next."
"Definitely not chaos."
"Insane, mentally incompetent, head-over-heels," Abby says, recalling an
earlier discussion of theirs, "but not chaos."
"You are right."
"So why" Abby punctuates her words with kisses, "stop time?"
"Silly me."
"Very."
He kisses her again.
"Don't you need to rest?" Abby teases.
"What about you?"
Abby continues kissing Tom. "Oh, no. Women have much more stamina than men."
"Oh really."
"It's a scientific fact."
"In what book?"
"All of them. Care to do a little experiment?"
"What kind?"
"Hands on research."
"Who's hands?"
"Whose hands do you want on you?" Abby asks.
"Only yours."
"Then your choice in researchers is pretty narrow."
Tom laughs.
"Now we know who'll be experimenting on you, but who's going to experiment
on me?" Abby pretends to wonder.
"Me of course."
"Are you sure you're up to it?" Abby teases.
"Ha Ha." he says.
"You laugh now..."
Tom kisses her.
"I can begin the experiment?"
"Anytime."
Abby begins her hands-on research.
"Whoa.' he says "Amazing."
"And I've hardly started..."
"I can see you have done your researched."
"Well, I have learned a thing or two."
"Do your parents know?" he jokes.
"Do you think I ought to tell them?"
"No."
"We could always send them a tape," Abby teases, pointing to Tommy's tape
recorder.
Tom laughs. "Then we'd have to go to Pasadena and visit them in the coronary
unit."
"If not the morgue."
"Exactly."
"Isn't that how any parent would react?"
Tom nods.
"Now, why are we discussing parents and kids? Is this your way of getting
some rest before I continue?"
"No, of course not."
"Sure..."
Tom quiets her with another kiss.
"Your turn to experiment?" Abby asks when she catches her breath.
"What's your pleasure?"
"The subject isn't supposed to influence the researcher."
"OK." he then does things he never has done before.
"Wow."
"So with your authorization, I deemed the experiment a success."
"Hey, I never said men have no stamina, just that women have more."
"You want another run?"
"You really think you can?"
Tom doesn't answer and goes for it again.
"When you're inspired, you're really inspired, aren't you?"
"Well the inspiration part is easy."
"I'm glad I didn't know you when you were 18."
"You weren't even born yet."
"You know what I mean."
Tom smiles. "Why do you think I have eight kids?"
"Uh oh..."
"Uh oh?"
"I hope you're not saying kids are the inevitable outcome."
"Not always but sometimes."
"Maybe I'd better move in with Mary, then."
"Don't you dare."
"Well, we could put a bundling board in between us..."
"That's not funny."
"Sure it is," Abby laughs.
Tom laughs too. "Ok, maybe just a little bit.
"A lot."
Tom concedes. "Ok a lot."
Abby tickles him.
"Stop, you know that drives me crazy."
"I know."
Tom looks at the clock, "You realize what time it is?"
"No. Why?"
"It's 2 am and we both have to work tomorrow."
"Isn't that a four letter word?"
"The worse of them."
Abby groans. "I guess the responsible thing would be to go to sleep."
"For once I'd like to be irresponsible." Tom grouches.
"But you won't be," Abby sighs.
"Oh yeah watch me." he turns over the clock.
"Tom Bradford, I don't believe you."
Tom kisses her and holds her.
~We'll see how long until he falls asleep.~
"Talk to me." Tom says trying to stay awake.
"About what?"
"I don't know, anything."
"What you're going to write about tomorrow?"
"Haven't thought about it."
"Going to wait until the last minute?"
"I usually do."
"Never figured you as the procrastinating type."
"I'm not, I just never know until that paper is in the typewriter."
"I don't know how you do it. I mean, I can improvise with the best of them,
but without a basic lesson plan..."
"It just comes to me."
"You're amazing," Abby said, snuggling in to his embrace.
"So are you."
"Only to you."
"I doubt I am the only one who thinks that."
"Oh, OK. You and my parents."
"And the kids."
"Some of them."
"Yeah." he sighs.
"We're doing it again."
"Old habits die hard."
"We just have to replace them with new habits."
"Agree."
"Got any new habits you want to try out?" Abby says, nuzzling his ear.
"The nuzzling of the ear is a nice habit."
"I think I've pretty much got it down to perfection."
"Perfect in every way."
"And what new habits are you planning to take up?"
Tom takes her fingers and kiss every single one gently.
"Are you sure that's a new habit?" Abby teases.
"No, but its nice isn't it?"
"Very nice. Extremely nice."
He continues on.
"Tom, you're driving me crazy."
"Good."
"You are..."
Tom holds her and soon is asleep.
"Men," Abby yawns. She reaches over Tom to right the clock and goes to sleep.
All too soon the alarm goes off. Tom moans and hits the snooze button.
"Was that the alarm?" Abby groans.
"Yes." he says groggily.
"We stayed up too late last night."
"I know."
"You don't have to start working today."
"No, but you do." he states. "I can work from home, you can't." he says as
he gets up.
"Five more minutes."
"I'll go put the coffee on."
"Thanks," Abby says, burying her head in the pillow.
Tom shakes his head and heads downstairs.
Part 3