A Fresh Start
Part 4
"Nancy and Noah could come back any moment," Abby tells Tom.
"This is a 24 hour city. Hopefully they'll take advantage of it."
"Last time we said something like that about Nancy she came back with a tattoo."
"Oh, don't remind me." he states.
"I don't need to. Trouble has a way of finding us all on its own," Abby says,
and goes to sit down.
Tom sits next to her. "I'm sorry."
"It's not like I shouldn't have expected it," Abby says.
"Come on, lets go back to our room and forget the rest of the world exist."
"That sounds like a wonderful plan," Abby says, puzzled about how Tom found
out.
Tom leads her back to the hotel.
Abby dawdles, her mood dampened.
"What's wrong?"
Abby opens her mouth to say something but then remembers Tom's ulcer and
stops. "Nothing important."
"Honey, I can see it on your face. What is it?"
"Work stuff. Really--it's not for tonight."
"Well if its bothering you. Lets talk."
"On our wedding night?"
"Especially on our wedding night. For better or worse, To have and to hold...remember?"
Abby takes a deep breath. "I've been fired."
"You what?" he says not hearing right then it stinks in. "Honey, I'm sorry,
but why?" he says as he holds her.
"I took too much time off, cut my work load down too much; they couldn't
count on me any more the way they used to. I can ask the union to appeal
it if I want, but I don't really have the grounds to."
Tom sighs. "That's not like you, running away from a fight."
"I wasn't giving my students my full attention. I haven't been for a long
time."
"Because of us." he states. "I didn't mean to ruin your career." he sits
on the edge of the bed.
Abby shrugs. "It's not your fault."
"Isn't it? I brought you into my nuthouse."
"You may be the one who brought me in, but I'm the one who chooses to stay."
"So what's next?"
"I don't know. I could stay at home," Abby says in a self-mocking tone of
voice, "be the dutiful wife and mother-figure. I could look for a job in
the private sector. I could focus in on my graduate classes."
"You could fight this." Tom finishes her sentence.
"On what grounds? They're right--I used up my sick leave about three crises
ago. Today was just the last straw."
"Does it hurt to ask the union?"
"I'm not big on fighting hopeless battles."
"Honey, I'm sorry. I'll support you in anything you decide to do."
"The idea of trying school full time -- it doesn't sound too bad, does it?
And I could get my degree before the turn of the century."
"No not at all." he says.
"Maybe this all was a good thing."
"Trying to convince me? or Yourself."
"A little bit of both?" Abby guesses.
"I understand." he says then a light bulb goes off. "Remember the other night
when you ask how I do my column? Well this is the first, I know what my next
column is going to be about."
"What? What's going on in that devious mind of yours?" Abby asks.
"Uh uh. Not until I finish it."
"Tom..." Abby protests. "I have ways of making you talk."
"With your feminine wiles?"
"You have any objections?"
"Not at all, give it your best shot."
Abby begins kissing him. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"I've been officially warned."
Abby continues to subject him to her feminine wiles.
Meanwhile the phone rings at the Bradford house again.
Elizabeth sighs and answers it again. "Hello?"
"Please don't hang up on me again." Nancy says.
"Nancy, I didn't hang up on you. I really had to go."
She's about to say that not giving someone a chance to reply is hanging up
but decides not to. "Did we really say that as children that we would
be each others matron of honor's?"
"Yes, but it was childish. I shouldn't hold you to that.":
"Doesn't matter if it's childish or not it hurt you. That's the only thing
that matters to me."
"Forget it, it was stupid of me to think that."
"No it wasn't, it was stupid of me to forget and I blame that on the head
injuries I've gotten the past few years. I'm sorry I hurt you."
"It's cool." Elizabeth says. 'So are you and Noah having a good time?"
Nancy smiles. "Oh yeah."
"And Dad and Abby?"
"I think they are."
"You think? They aren't with you?"
"No, they wanted to go have fun by themselves."
"Oh, that's cool, I guess." she says.
"You guess?"
"Well you know..it gives you two time to have fun by yourselves."
"Yeah it does, doesn't it?" Nancy smiles.
"What are you two going to do next?"
"Check out another show, maybe a casino or two."
"Don't lose all your money."
"We won't."
"See you tomorrow then?"
"Or late tonight."
"Tonight?" Liz asks. "It's a long drive."
"We didn't think of that. I guess we'll need to talk to Dad and Abby further
and arrangements."
"Good idea."
"Well I better let you go."
"OK, have fun. Do me a favor? Tell Abby some guy called about a reading test?"
"Sure."
"Thanks."
"As much as I am enjoying this, you aren't going to get a word out of me,"
Tom tells Abby.
"The night is still young."
Tom laughs. "I'm a lot stronger than you think."
Abby runs her hands over Tom's muscles. "Oh, I know you're strong," she says,
and returns to her kissing.
Tom sighs heavily. "You are very good."
Abby continues her caresses. "I can be even better--once you tell me your
secrets."
"But you are also very bad." he says.
"Very," Abby says, not changing a thing she's doing. "What do you plan to
do about that?"
"If I tell you, you can't nix the idea until after I write the article. Deal?"
~Write, he said, not publish...~ "Deal."
"It's going to be about you and what the district is doing to a published
author."
"Published author? They don't care about that. All they care about is how
I teach."
"How can you say that? They have adopted your methods haven't they?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"But what? Abby please let me help you on this, its the least I can do."
"I thought you didn't want me working in the first place."
"Only for my selfish reasons, to be there when I came home. I want you to
stop working on your own terms not because you are being forced out."
"I've had to work to support myself," Abby reminds him. "Maybe I really should
explore my other options now that I don't have to."
"Only if that's what you really want."
"I'm not sure what I want anymore."
"Then take your time to figure it out."
"I don't even have anyone to talk all this over with..."
"Why don't you talk to that guy in LA." Tom says hurt that he isn't good
enough.
"What guy in LA?" Abby asks. "John Easton? Why would I talk to him about
this?"
Tom shrugs "Or Channing."
"I hadn't thought of him...I suppose I could, but he'd probably just say
I should stay fired and try to work on another book."
~Another book? On what?~ Tom thinks. "Well its your decision."
Abby sighs. "I can't ask my mother for advice--what does she know about juggling
a family and career and school? And you--well..."
"What about me? I juggled family and career after Joan passed away."
"I know, but that's different. You had to; I don't, for one. And you really
do want me to stay home, but you won't say that because you want me to be
happy--and if you said it, I'd probably have to bite your head off."
"I am not dumb." he says, wanting to keep his head intact.
"I know," Abby agrees, "but that also means I can't really talk all this
over with you."
"You need an impartial voice."
"Exactly."
"Then find one."
"I wouldn't even know where to look."
"You have to have friends at the district who work and has a family. Its
not that rare you know."
"A family of eight kids? I don't think so."
Tom sighs running out what to tell her.
"Oh, well," Abby says, and puts on her best mock-Southern accent, "I'll think
about that tomorrow."
Tom laughs. "I wish I could have been more help."
"You can be."
"How's that ma'am?" he says in his cowboy voice.
"Remember what I'd started before?"
"I can't forget it."
"Well, maybe you can help me finish it."
Tom takes her in his arms.
"Maybe we should take the phone off the hook."
"But...."
"But?"
"What if there is an emergency?"
"You're right," Abby sighs.
"I'm sorry." he says. "This evening isn't exactly turning out right."
"It's OK. We stopped Nancy and Noah, and that's the main thing."
Tom nods and then he sees a radio. He tunes it into a soft music station.
"May I have this dance?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
Tom smiles at her and takes her in his arms and does his poor imitation of
Fred Astaire.
Abby laughs. "Well, one thing I can say about life with you..."
"OH? What's that?"
"It's never boring."
"Well I try."
"And all this chaos--it sure beats being alone."
"Amen to that." Tom agrees. "But I'd rather be alone if I couldn't have you."
he states.
"Don't say that, Tom. It's not true."
"It is true." Tom states. "Maybe if I hadn't met you but we did. I couldn't
go through falling in love again."
"You're not the type who can be alone."
Tom shrugs. "Luckily, I don't have to be."
"That's true. You're stuck with me now."
"Like Glue." he jokes.
"Uh huh. So, tell me--what's so terrible about falling in love that you wouldn't
want to do it again?"
"Too scared I suppose."
"What's to be scared of? It's the best feeling in the world."
"It is, but having that lightening strike twice is a miracle, but a third
time?"
"I think you're the kind who just attracts lightning."
"Oh gee thanks, I better get a lightening rod."
"I thought that's what your wedding ring was for."
"Good point." he jokes. "This is nice, us dancing."
"We could do things like this at home," Abby reminds him. "I have offered."
"Maybe you need to give me a lesson in listening."
"Hmm." Abby leans close. "First you need someone to say something to you,"
Abby whispers in his ear.
"And then what?"
"Then you have to do something to show that your heard."
"Ok, I think I understand now."
"Then maybe it's time to move from theory to practice."
"I'm ready."
"All right." Abby thinks for a minute, and then says, "I have a confession
to make."
"A confession? Sounds intriguing."
"You may not like it," Abby warns.
"Now I'm very intrigued. What is it?"
"It's probably the worst time to tell you this," Abby frets, "I mean, with
what we've gone and done tonight and everything..."
"What...what?" Tom asks worried.
"Well, I guess you'd have to find out sooner or later," Abby sighs. "Tom,
I've fallen in love."
Tom stops dancing and turns pale. "With who?"
"I don't think you've ever met him. But he is the sweetest, kindest, gentlest
man..."
"I see...and?"
"And I love him very much. I can't imagine what my life would be without
him, even if he can be slow on the uptake sometimes."
Tom finally gets it. "Me?"
Abby laughs. "Who else did you think?"
"Well, you did say it was someone I never met."
"Have you met yourself?"
"Not recently." he jokes.
"Not ever, unless you've got some psychiatric history you've neglected to
mention."
"Oh I am certifiable."
"So I've been told."
"By whom?"
"A good reporter never reveals her sources."
"I can't argue there."
"Guess there's a first time for everything."
Tom laughs.
Abby moves away from Tom and sits down.
"Something wrong?"
"This isn't going the way we planned it, is it?"
"No." he says sitting next to her.
"Guess we can't always be romantic on command."
"Maybe romance is overrated any way."
"You really think so?"
"Well to some degree. I love you and I know you love me."
"But in a quiet, everyday, ordinary kind of way."
"But it lasts."
"But I thought my whole appeal was that things between us were never just...warm."
"Oh they aren't, they are hot." he touches her with his index finger. "ouch,
see?"
Abby laughs.
Tom laughs with her and holds her.
Abby relaxes against him and begins giving him idle caresses.
Tom sighs and kisses her.
"Tom? Do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Write that column. Maybe it'll help me to see everything laid out in black
and white."
Tom smiles. "You sure?"
Abby nods. "I'm sure."
"I'll get started as soon as we get home."
"When are we headed back?"
"Tomorrow, I guess. Unless you want to stay longer."
"And then clean up after the kids' party? Besides, I'm waiting to hear about
Tommy's test."
"Yeah me too." Tom agrees.
"Then tomorrow it is, unless you think we ought to head back tonight."
"Too far to drive, besides the kids aren't back yet."
"You're right. We really should wait for them."
Tom hears a noise. "Did you hear something?"
"The door?"
"Yeah, Nancy and Noah must be back."
"Well, at least you won't have to worry what they're up to," Abby sighs.
"I wasn't worry....well not much anyway."
"Uh huh. Sure. Right."
"Ok, I worried."
"I knew it. You can't fool me."
Tom chuckles.
Noah and Nancy return to the suite and he has her sit down.
"I know you didn't miss your insulin and you haven't cheated today."
"Maybe something I ate doesn't agree with the insulin?" She offers trying
to stay as calm as Noah is trying to stay so they don't freak the other out.
"Maybe your parents will know what to do." He goes and knocks on their bedroom
door.
Abby gets up. "Come in."
Noah walks in. "Hey, Nancy's a little dizzy and we can't figure out
why."
"Has she had her shot?"
"Yes."
"Has her blood sugar been checked?" Tom asks.
"No not yet." ~I should have thought of that. Nancy's feeling too loopy
right now to think straight.~
"Then lets get it check. i'll call the hotel doctor." Tom says. ~And they
were ready to go it alone?~
Noah nods and returns to Nancy. ~I guess we weren't ready.~
Tom calls the front desk and tells Abby "The Dr. is on its way."
"Good. What would have happened if we hadn't followed them here today?"
Tom shakes his head. "I don't know."
Meanwhile Nancy and Noah are waiting for the doctor to show up.
There's a knock on the door. Noah gets up and answers it.
"I'm looking for a Nancy Bradford?" the doctor says.
"Are you the doctor?"
"Yes. May I come in?"
"Yes please, she's not feeling very well." He lets him in.
The doctor walks over to Nancy. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong, dear?"
Nancy tells him and then says. "I don't understand it. I ate dinner and everything."
"Let me check your blood sugar."
"Ok."
Noah goes to tell Tom and Abby that the doctor has arrived.
Abby follows Noah back to Nancy and the doctor.
"Besides this the evening was great." Nancy tells Abby while waiting for
the doctor to check her blood sugar.
"That's good." ~I'm glad someone had a great evening.~
The doctor reads the numbers. "What did you eat for dinner?"
"Filet Mignon, why?"
"When you get home, have your doctor check. You might not react well to filet
mignon. In the meantime, will one of you go get her a candy bar?"
"Ok." She nods.
"Sure." Noah says and gets one for her that he had on hand just in case.
"And she should rest for a while," the doctor continues.
"How long is a while?" Nancy asks before eating.
"A half hour or so. Until that candy takes hold."
"Will do." She says and eats it.
"If the candy and the rest don't do the trick, call me back."
"We will, and thank you." Noah says.
"You're welcome" the doctor says and heads to the door.
"What do we owe you?" Nancy asks.
"The hotel will add it to the bill."
"Ok, thank you."
~I can imagine what that fee will be.~ Tom thinks. "Thanks Doctor."
"You're welcome," the doctor says and leaves.
"How are you feeling now Nancy?" Tom asks.
"Still weird." She says the candy bar not running it's course yet.
"Why don't you lay down."
She doesn't argue with him and lies down on the suite's sofa.
Tom gets her a blanket while Noah gets her a pillow.
"Noah, are you all right?" Tom asks.
"Yeah I'm all right." He says.
"Would you like to talk?"
"I thought I knew everything."
Tom smiles at him sympathetically. "I'll let you on a secret."
"What's that?"
"We all do at your age."
"But she could've gotten worse."
"But she didn't. Noah, listen to me. She's going to be fine."
"I know." He manages a smile.
"So why don't you get some rest. Ok?"
"In a minute." Noah says to Tom about resting.
When Tom finishes talking to Noah, Abby draws him aside. "I wonder if hotel
doctors are going to start giving us volume discounts," Abby says.
"Like the hospitals?" Tom jokes.
"And Max. I'm surprised you're not audited every year."
"There's always the first time."
"Shh," Abby cautions. "The walls have ears..."
"And eyes."
"And so do they," Abby says, motioning over to where Noah and Nancy are.
Tom nods.
"So we stay here tonight, or will she do better at home?"
Tom looks at his watch. "I think we'd all feel better in the morning."
"'We'?" Abby repeats, worried. "What's wrong?"
"Honey, its an 10-12 hour drive back To Sacramento."
"True. Are you sure Nancy will be up to a drive like that, even in the morning?"
Abby asks, a plan forming.
"I don't know, what do you think?" he asks concerned.
"Maybe we should fly her back. It's an awfully long drive."
"I don't think Noah should drive back alone."
"Actually, I was thinking we send him back with Nancy, to keep an eye on
her, and we drive the car back."
"That'll work."
"If they agree."
"Lets ask them."
"OK. You will let me share the driving, right?"
"Of course, I'd rather watch you than the road." He smiles.
"Sweet talker. You want to ask them, or should I?"
"Why don't you, I need to take my medication."
~Ducking out with the ol' medical excuse. Typical male.~ "OK, sure."
"Thanks." Tom kisses her on the cheek and retreats to the bathroom.
Abby goes over to Nancy and Noah. "Hey, I've got a proposition for the two
of you."
"What is it?"
"It's an awfully long drive home. Tom and I thought that maybe the two of
you should fly home. This way you could see Max earlier. We'll drive the
car back," Abby offers.
"Ok." Noah says.
"Works for me." Nancy says.
"Good," Abby smiles. "Why don't you call the airlines and get tickets for
yourselves for whenever you want to go?"
"Ok thanks." Noah says and goes to call.
After she's feeling better Nancy glances over at Abby and wonders if everything
is all right. "What's wrong Abby?"
"Nothing. I was just worried about you."
"I'm ok now."
"I know. My mind will catch up to that fact soon."
Nancy smiles and then asks. "Did you two have fun while we were gone?"
Abby thinks her evening over. "Yeah, I suppose we did. Did you two?"
"Good, and yeah we did."
"I'm glad."
Noah returns. "It's all set the flight leaves at noon tomorrow."
"And you'll call Dr. Max as soon as you get in?" Abby asks Nancy.
"Yes I promise."
"Good. I'd better let your dad know what's going on."
"Ok."
Abby gives Nancy a kiss on the forehead and goes into the bedroom, looking
for Tom.
He emerges from the bathroom; Changed into Pajamas. "How is she?"
"All right. They're going to take a noon flight out of here."
"Good." he says as he crawls into bed. "Care to join me?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
Tom smiles at her.
Abby climbs into bed with him.
"Aren't you going to change." he laughs.
"I thought you might like to help me. Given that it's our wedding night and
all," Abby whispers.
"With pleasure." he says.
"Really? Yours or mine?"
"Both." he states as he helps her.
"I always knew you believed in equal opportunity."
"I am becoming a believer."
"The kids did say I would convert you."
"Hmmm...I may be outnumbered."
"Right here in this bed?"
"Well..not here no."
"I should hope not."
"I say its a pretty level playfield."
"Then let the games begin."
Tom makes love to his wife.
Later: "So, are you glad we did it?"
"Yeah, you were great." he says
Abby thwacks him. "I meant getting married again, Elvis and all."
"Oh, that." he teases. "Absolutely, you?"
"Yes. And, for the record, you were pretty great yourself."
"Thank you ma'am, I aim to please." he says in a John Wayne voice.
"And please you certainly do."
He kisses her. "We better get some sleep, Its going to be a long drive tomorrow."
"You're right. I wonder if we'll ever have a wedding night that isn't cut
short by the kids' rash decisions."
"Maybe our 25th?"
"Don't count on it..."
"Yeah, by then it'll be the grandkids."
"There aren't enough nights for us to babysit for each one even once a week."
"We will have to double up." he jokes.
"Or even triple. Can you imagine Nicholas as a father?"
"Don't it makes me feel so old."
"You're not old. Stop fishing for compliments."
"How are you going to feel when they start calling you Grandma?"
"Oh, no, I'm not old enough to be called Grandma."
Tom laughs. "Now who is fishing for compliments?"
"I'm not fishing. It's a fact."
"Yes it is." he admits.
"Now, if you'd like to pay me a compliment, I won't refuse."
"You are wonderful."
"You really think so?"
'Absolutely, Why? Do you doubt my sincerity?"
"How'd you like to put your money where your mouth is?"
"Ok, what?"
Abby rests her head on Tom's chest. "I was thinking, when we drive home tomorrow..."
"Yes.....?" he asks.
"You know, Pasadena's not really far out of our way."
Tom rolls his eyes "And?"
"And maybe we could stop off, say hello to my parents?"
"Sure why not?" he says can't figuring a good enough reason to say no.
"Really?" Abby says, surprised at Tom's easy surrender. "Oh, thank you. Thank
you," she adds, giving Tom lots of little kisses.
"Hmm..maybe I should say yes more often." he states.
"Maybe you should."
Tom kisses her. "It's definitely going to be a long day tomorrow."
"We should go to bed."
"Yeah." he says as he holds her.
"Maybe even to sleep."
"Good idea."
Abby snuggles close. "Good night."
"goodnight."
In the morning, Abby is up and ready long before Tom wakes.
Tom slowly wakes up and grabs a pillow where Abby should be.
"Good morning," Abby says.
"Good morning, what time is it?"
"It's almost seven, sleepyhead."
Tom gets out of bed. "Is there any coffee?"
"I can call down to order some, or you can get dressed and we can go get
breakfast."
"Ok, give me five minutes."
"I'll even give you ten."
"Thanks, will Noah and Nancy be joining us?"
"I don't know. I haven't heard any stirring out there."
"OK, I'll be out in a few minutes." he says as he heads for the bathroom.
"If they're not ready to go, we can always leave them a note," Abby calls
through the door.
"That'll work."
"OK." While Tom is getting ready Abby writes out a note, just in case.
Noah ventures out of his room.
"I think I hear them," Abby tells Tom. "I'll go check."
"OK." Tom says
Abby goes out to the common area to see if Noah and Nancy would like to go
for breakfast.
"That sounds good." Noah says.
"We'd love to." Nancy says.
"Tom will be ready in a minute or two," Abby tells them.
"Ok."
"Are you two ready?"
"Yes we are."
"Good," Abby says, and sits down to wait for Tom.
Noah and Nancy wait also.
"We can always do room service." Noah suggests.
Tom comes out showered and changed. "So how is everyone?" he asks after seeing
Noah and Nancy up.
"Much better." Nancy says.
"Why don't we talk about it over breakfast?" Abby suggests.
"Good idea, I'm starved."
They head downstairs.
They get a round booth near the back. "Ok, if I break my diet?" He asks Abby.
"Better now than later on today."
"Why now instead of later?" he asks.
"At my parents' house?" Abby reminds him.
"Oh yeah." he says almost forgotten.
"Yeah," Abby echoes. ~Don't think you can get out of it, mister.~
"In that case, I'll have a omelette, pancakes and coffee."
"Tom, this isn't the condemned man's last meal," Abby chides.
~It feels like it.~ he thinks. "I know, but I wasnt hungry at dinner and
now I am famished."
"Well," Abby relents, "you've got a point. We never really did have dinner
last night."
"Well not the food kind anyway."
Abby kicks him under the table.
"Ow."
Abby smiles at him.
He smiles back. "So what are you guys having?"
"Just coffee and toast," Abby says.
"Thats it? We have a long drive ahead of us."
"I know. But you know me and mornings..."
"Yeah."
"Besides, just listening to your order I've lost my appetite."
"You can have part of mine, I don't mind sharing."
"Well, it would keep you from indigestion..."
Tom gives her a fake glare.
Abby blows him a kiss.
He relents and smiles.
Abby pats his knee.
Tom squeezes her hand. "SO what are you two having?"
"I'll have the number five." Nancy says.
"The number three." Noah says.
Abby motions over the waitress and everyone orders.
Soon the coffee arrives. "Thank G-d" Tom says as he drinks it.
"I second that." Nancy says.
"Enjoy it while you can," Abby says.
"I plan to."
Abby starts picking from Tom's plate.
Tom pushes the plate nearer to her.
"So what do guys have planned today before your flight?" Tom asks Noah and
Nancy.
"I don't think we'll have time for anything before the flight." Noah says.
"But your flight doesn't leave until noon."
"I know but I want to get there early so we don't miss the flight."
"If that's what the two of you want..."
"Well actually." Nancy begins and gives him a why didn't you consult me look.
Noah gets and oops look. "Unless you want to do something else." He says
to Nancy.
"Yes it's better than waiting around some airport."
"Ok, but we get to the airport at least an hour early?"
"Ok." She concedes.
"So what are you going to do?" Abby asks Nancy.
"I have no idea. Do you have any suggestions?"
"I don't know. We didn't get around to seeing much of the town last night."
"We can always ask them at checkout."
"They'd certainly have some ideas."
"That's for sure." Nancy says watching her dad an idea forming in her head.
~I managed to change my diet why can't he do it?~
~Uh oh, she's plotting something~ Abby thinks, watching Nancy.
~I can't do it alone I'll need everyone in the families help for this one.~
She notices Abby watching. ~I'll tell you when I can.~ She thinks wishing
she were telepathic.
Abby goes back to eating Tom's breakfast, covertly watching Nancy from time
to time.
"I'll be right back." Nancy says and pretends to head for the ladies room.
"Excuse me," Abby says to the men and follows Nancy, determined to find out
what Nancy is planning.
"Abby over here." Nancy whispers to her.
"OK, Nancy, what's up?" Abby whispers back.
"I think I know what would work with Dad, you've tried everything else right?"
"Work with Tom about what?"
"His always wanting to cheat on his diet."
"And you have a way to stop that?"
"I hope I do. I'm going to have him think that I'm refusing to follow mine."
"That's a sure way to give him an even worse ulcer."
Nancy sighs in defeat. "But it was the only thing I could think of."
"Well, we'll just have to keep working on him."
"Hmm, how bout we just tell him that it makes it harder for me to stick with
it when he doesn't."
"That might work."
"When should we try it on him?"
"How about when he and I get home?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Maybe you can get Max to back this plan when you talk to him."
"Good idea."
"Thanks for thinking of it."
"No problem, should we get back to them?"
"If we don't, they'll start to worry."
"Very true." They return to the men.
"You ok?' Tom asks
Nancy nods.
"Good." Tom says.
"We better call the kids before we leave." Tom suggests to Abby.
"That's a good idea. Why don't you go do that while I finish eating?"
"Ok." he says. "Order me another cup of coffee."
"Gladly."
"I talked to Elizabeth she wanted me to tell Abby that the testing is tomorrow
morning."
"Did she say what time?"
"Nine or ten, I can't remember."
"Well, in any case, that means making sure we're home tonight."
"Yeah."
"Well, you two will be home long before we will."
"You can always join us on the plane."
"And what about the car?"
"She knows the way home." Noah jokes.
"Cute," Abby says.
"Well she does." He continues trying to be funny.
"Still, we'd better drive it home, or it might give the other drivers on
the freeway heart attacks."
"You're right." Noah concedes.
"I know."
Nancy tries not to laugh at Noah.
Tom leaves the table and goes to the phone and calls the house.
Joannie answers.
"Hello beautiful, how'd you like a date?" Tom jokes.
"A date? I've heard about those things, but it's been so long, I've forgotten
what they're like," Joannie answers.
"Hmm..maybe when I get back we can see a play." Tom suggests.
"Sounds good. When are you getting back?"
"Late tonight, so don't wait up." Tom tells Joannie about Nancy flying back.
"Well, that's good. I'll make sure we save some dinner for you."
"Thanks, How's everything there?"
"No wild parties, if that's what you're asking."
Tom laughs. "You guys are finally learning."
"Well, we didn't know how soon you'd be home."
"Yeah right." he says. "I better get back to the others. See ya tonight."
"We'll make sure to have all the evidence cleaned up by then, General."
"Thanks I appreciate that."
"See you tonight, Dad," Joannie laughs.
"OK, bye." Tom hangs up and rejoins the others.
Part 5