A Fresh Start
Part 5
Abby calls over the waitress and orders more coffee. "I got you a refill,"
Abby tells Tom when he returns. "Everything OK at home?"
"Thanks." Tom takes a gulp. "Yeah, Joannie promises to clean up the evidence."
he jokes.
"It'll be a big job for one woman."
Tom laughs. "We better hit the road." he says as he looks at his watch.
Abby checks her watch, too. "You're right." She turns to Nancy and Noah.
"We'll see you back home."
"See you then, and drive safely."
"We will."
Tom gives Nancy a kiss and a handshake to Noah. "Oh in case you had
changed your mind. I gave your photo to every chapel in Las Vegas." he jokes
and smiles and winks at them.
"Mean Dad." Nancy jokes back when she hugs him.
"Take it easy." he tells them.
"We will."
"So who drives first?" Abby asks Tom.
"I do." he says.
"That's what I figured."
"That way I can sleep through Pasadena." he jokes.
"As long as we go there," Abby says, narrowing her eyes.
"We will." Tom says. I'll drive for a couple of hours, then hand you the
wheel, ok?"
"I'll hold you to that."
"I'm sure you will." he smiles at her.
"You know, you were nearly a father-in-law yesterday."
Tom face falls. "Don't mind me."
"But you weren't, and you won't be--not for a while. But you are, my dear,
a potential father-in-law eight times over, so watch what you say, or someday
someone will say that about you."
"I know, its not I don't dislike Harry, its just I know he doesn't like me."
"It's not you he dislikes, it's the idea of a son-in-law."
"Did he treat Frank that way?"
"Well...sometimes."
"In other words, no he didn't." he sighs.
"Frank was very different from you. He didn't have 8 kids, and he wasn't,
well..." Abby tries to find a delicate way to put it.
"Older?"
"Yeah," Abby says and hurries along to the next point before Tom can roar.
"And he had hopes he could convince Frank to move into what he considered
a 'real job.' Journalists have longer careers than professional athletes,
you know."
"Not according to your father."
"That's one of the things that's got him so depressed."
"Depressed?"
"There's no incentive for you to consider any other career. You earn a good
living, you've got some prestige, and you only get better with age. There's
no built-in obsolescence like there is in sports."
"So no grooming in Harry's image."
"Sons-in-law and fathers-in-law have been mortal enemies since the dawn of
time. Nothing is going to change that."
"Ok, I'll be nice." he states
"Good. We won't be there for very long, anyway."
Tom nods. "Want to drive?"
"Sure. You feeling OK?"
"Yeah, its just I'd rather watch my wife than the road."
Abby takes the keys from him. "So, watching is what you like?"
"Well the beginning."
"We'll have to discuss what the rest might entail."
"I'd like that."
"When we get home. That'll give you something to see you through the agony
of Pasadena."
Tom laughs. "Thanks."
"That's right, you'd better thank me now."
"Why now?"
"Because later you won't be able to form a coherent thought, must less speak."
"Oh I see, I can hardly wait."
"Well, you're going to have to."
"I've never been a patient man."
"I'll make it worth your while."
"I have no doubt."
"The sooner we get started, the sooner we get home."
"Then go already."
"Yes, sir." Abby starts the car and they drive off.
Tom smiles at her contented and then falls asleep.
"Typical man," Abby mutters under her breath and continues to drive.
Later that day Noah and Nancy's plane lands in Sacramento. They get
their luggage and hope that someone is picking them up.
At home, Joannie realizes she's late to the airport, but is frantically trying
to finish a report. "Susan! Susan!"
"What's the matter?" Susan asks coming into the room.
"Can you go to the airport and get Nancy and Noah? I would have, but now
I can't and they'll be waiting there."
"Sure, I can do that." Susan says
"Thanks. I owe you one."
"No problem." Susan says before leaving for the airport.
After Noah goes home. Nancy announces to anyone that is home.
"I got everyone something from Vegas!!"
"Money?" Tommy asks.
She rolls her eyes at him. "Boys." She jokes.
"You got us boys?" Joannie asks.
"Close." She hands Joannie her present.
Joannie tears into it. "Thanks, Nance."
"No problem sis." She smiles.
"Well you did go to Vegas," Tommy says.
"Ha ha." She gives him his gift and makes a mental note to call Max in a
minute.
"Thanks anyway." Tommy smiles.
"You're welcome."
"Elizabeth is upstairs, I think shes coming down with a bug."
Nancy goes upstairs to check on Liz.
"Hey welcome back." Elizabeth says nasally.
"Thanks, have you seen Max yet?"
"No." she says then sneezes.
"I'll be right back." She hands her her gift and goes to call Max.
"Thanks." she says as she lays there.
"Hello." Dr. Max says.
"Hi, it's Nancy Dr. Max, Liz is sick and a hotel doctor wanted you to check
me over." She tells him about the incident in Vegas.
"Never a dull moment is there." he says. "Sure, I'll be right over."
She laughs. "Thanks Dr. Max."
"No Problem Nancy." Max hangs up and grabs his bag and heads to the Bradfords.
Nancy waits for him to arrive.
Dr. Max knocks on the door.
Nancy opens it and lets him in.
"So, how are you feeling now?" Max asks.
"Much better than last night it really threw me for a loop I couldn't even
remember that I should check my blood sugars."
"Hmm, I'm not surprised." Max tells her. "You know as much as watching your
diet is important, watching your stress level is just as important."
"You mean it might not have been just the filet mignon. The other doctor
said I should stay clear of it."
"No, I kinda doubt that caused it."
Nancy is stunned. "You mean the hotel doctor didn't know what he was doing?"
"I didn't say that. People react differently to diffrent foods, you
have had steak before, right?"
She nods. "But he thought it was that since I haven't had it since being
diagnosed."
"Well we will wait and see how you react next time, ok?"
"No not ok, I don't want to go through that again."
"Nancy, I cant give you guarantees"
"Then I just won't eat it anymore. It won't be a huge loss."
"Now you are being silly." Max says. "Just watch your sugar levels and act
accordingly."
~You try going through that.~ "Ok Dr. Max." She says having no intention
of eating it again. "Oh, I wanted to talk to you about something else before
you go up to Elizabeth."
"Ok. What is it?"
She tells him about her and Abby's plan with her father.
~Poor Tom~. "Has it been that bad?"
She nods.
"Ok, I'll go along with it." Max says ~After I talk to Abby.~ "So where is
my next my patient?"
"She's upstairs and thanks Dr. Max."
"You are welcome" and hands her a lollipop."They are new, its sugar free."
She smiles. "You're the coolest." She takes it and gives him a hug.
Max smiles and heads off to Elizabeth's room. When he gets there he knocks
on her door.
"Come in." Liz says before sneezing.
"You sound wonderful." He says as he walks in. "When did this start?"
"Early this morning."
He examines her. "Not to worry it's just a cold but I want you to stay
in bed for at least a day or two and drink plenty of fluids."
"I know, the usual drill." she says sniffing.
"That's right." He hands her a lollipop and writes a prescription.
"I can go and get this for you unless one of your sisters can."
"Thanks Dr. Max, I don't know who is home right now."
"You're welcome, I'll check." He leaves the room and goes to see if
any of her sisters will get the medicine. An hour or so later Nancy
comes upstairs with the meds and something for Liz to drink.
"Thanks Sis."
"You're welcome, are you hungry?"
"Maybe some soup?" she asks, "But you must be tired from your trip, I can
wait."
"It's cool I can manage."
Mary walks in. "No she can't, why kind of soup do you want Elizabeth?"
"Chicken please."
"Coming up." Mary goes to make the soup while Nancy unpacks.
"You ok Nancy?"
"Yeah but Mary thinks I should rest."
"Oh i agree you do but I meant yesterday you were getting married and today
you aren't."
She sits down. "Yeah I'm ok, truth be told I was very glad to see Dad and
Abby walk in yesterday."
"You were?"
"I wasn't ready to get married I didn't fully realise it till we got to the
chapel."
"Wow."
"Yeah wow."
"Then I am glad I found that note."
"That makes two of us."
"I'd hug you but I dont want to give you my cold."
"My immune system thanks you, the sister in me wants the hug anyway."
Elizabeth laughs so hard she starts coughing.
"Sorry bout that, are you ok?"
She nods.
"Whew"
"Could you get me an extra blanket from the closet?"
"Sure." She gets her one and covers her with it. Soon Mary returns
with the soup.
"Thanks." she says.
"You're welcome."
"So when is Dad and Abby coming home."
"I think tonight." Nancy says.
"You can't remember?" Mary asks a little concerned.
"Well either tonight or early morning."
"Maybe Joannie knows." Liz says
"Joannie!!" Mary calls out to see if she's home.
"Can't a girl study around here?" Joannie shouts back.
"No, now when are Dad and Abby going to be home?!"
"Late tonight. It's a long drive and poor Dad got roped into stopping off
in Pasadena."
"Ouch." Mary replies.
"Poor Dad." Liz states.
"Yep. Just what his ulcer needs."
"I like Grandpa Harry and Grandma Katherine." Nancy says.
"So do I, but Dad...."
"Yeah, well, you're not their son-in-law."
"Poor Dad."
Nancy sighs. "Yeah."
"That's a cheerful thought."
"That's OK. If you were their son-in-law, Noah wouldn't like you half as
much."
"Well I sure hope not."
Joannie laughs, as does Mary.
Tom and Abby pull into the Mitchells' driveway.
Tom wakes up. "Oh I'm sorry."
"That's all right," Abby says, though she's exhausted. "At least this way
you couldn't accidentally forget to turn off at the right exit."
"Very Funny." he says. "I'll drive the way home."
"All right."
Tom gets out of the car and stretches.
Abby also gets out of the car and heads straight for her parents' door. "You
coming?"
"Yes." he says and catches up to her.
Just as Abby is walking in to the house. "Mom! I'm home!"
Katherine comes out of the kitchen. "Hi sweetheart." She hugs
her.
"Boy am I glad you were going to be home today."
"So am I, you must be hungry, what can I make you both?" She says after hugging
Tom.
"Don't bother Katherine, we can't stay too long." Tom replies.
"Oh."
"I mean we would but,,,,,,,,,"
"We can stay long enough to have a little something," Abby contradicts him.
"Otherwise we'll just have to stop off later to eat."
"Ok, we'd be glad too."
Abby gives Tom a thank you kiss.
Tom smiles.
Katherine smiles and makes them something.
"Will Dad be home soon?" Abby asks her mother.
Tom smiles fades.
Abby notices this and gives him the elbow.
"Yes he's on his way."
"Good. I'd hate to miss him because Tom's in a rush to get home."
"Oh don't you worry you won't miss him."
"Great."
"I'm not in a rush." Tom states and sits down.
"I think I hear his car now."
Tom sighs to himself.
"I'll go bring him in," Abby says, and heads for the door.
Katherine smiles and continues fixing lunch.
Soon Abby walks in on her father's arm.
"Hello, Thomas," Harry says. "How is the scribbling going?"
"Same as always Harry, how are you?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Just fine. What brings you two to Pasadena?"
"Just passing through."
"Odd to pass through here when you live several hours north."
Tom tells them about Nancy.
"Oh my." Katherine says.
"What a hare-brained idea," Harry says. "Although not unexpected."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You have to admit that your children have a genius for thinking up ridiculous
ideas."
"Excuse me I need some air." Tom says and walks outside.
"I'll be right back," Abby excuses herself and follows Tom outside.
"Harry." Katherine hisses.
"Yes, dear?" Harry asks, all innocence.
"You know what."
Harry shakes his head. "But he's such an easy target," Harry mutters.
"That's no excuse."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes I'm certain."
"I'll try, dear."
"Good, that's all I ask."
~At least she doesn't ask that I succeed.~
"I'm sorry Abby, I tried but I had to get out of there," Tom says.
"Dad was being a little rough on you."
"Yeah, hey look. Why don't you go back and visit with your parents and I'll
drive around and be back in an hour or two."
"Tom..." Abby protests. "Hey, I have a better idea. Why don't I tell them
you have to rest up; it's a long drive. You can go upstairs and rest and
I'll visit with them."
"Oh your father would like that, I can just imagine what he'll be saying
about my health."
"I'll just tell him I wore you out last night, and the night before that,
and the night before that one, too," Abby teases.
Tom laughs.
"Come on back inside. If you think he hassles you when you're sitting there,
just imagine how much worse it'll be if you run away."
Tom sighs. "Ok."
Abby kisses him. "You're such a good son-in-law."
"Or sucker."
"Didn't you know? Suckers are my kind of guy."
Tom laughs and goes back in with Abby.
"Enjoy the air?" Harry asks him.
"Yes, thank you."
"Good. Good," Harry says. ~See Katherine? I'm being nice. If it kills me...~
"So hows your golf game?" Tom asks
"It's fine. Pity you're not here longer; they've done some marvelous work
on the country club course."
~Obviously.~ "I'm sure."
"Some day you'll make the time for a longer visit and I'll show you."
Tom nods."Sure, that would be great." looking at Abby ~Help~
"Dad, I know Tom would love to talk to you about golf for hours, but it's
going to be a long drive." She turns to her husband. "I know you don't feel
like you need to, but I really wish you'd lie down for a while, rest up,
if you're going to be driving. Don't say no. Please go lie down? As a favor
to me?"
"But Abby....." Tom sighs."Ok you win."
"You're such a good husband," Abby says and kisses his cheek. "Go on upstairs.
You know where my room is."
Tom nods and retreats away from the in-laws.
"I suppose when you are older, you do need to rest before long drives," Harry
says before Tom's out of earshot.
Tom grumbles.
"Yes you do, not mentioning your car trips dear." Katherine retorts.
"At least I don't try to pretend I'm an adolescent when I'm really middle-aged."
"Of course you don't dear."
"Mom," Abby says, trying to change the subject, "are you doing anything new
in your garden this year?"
"Yes I am would you like to come and see?"
"I'd love to."
Katherine leads her out to the garden and shows her what she's planted.
Meanwhile Harry heads upstairs, hoping to catch Tom and torture him some
more.
Tom is on Abby's old bed reading.
"You won't find anything decent to read in there," Harry cautions as he passes
the open door.
"Oh?"
"My daughter never did have good taste in writers."
"Harry, why do you dislike me so much besides the fact I married your
little girl."
"Isn't that reason enough?"
"No it isn't." he stands up for himself.
"Well, then how about because you're a middle-aged adolescent who makes his
so-called living in a very shady profession?"
"Journalism shady? This country was based on freedom of the press."
"Are you comparing the fish-wrap that's being printed today to the old giants
of journalism?"
"Fish wrap? It's better than long winded torts."
"The right to a fair trial is one of the foundations of democracy."
"And the freedom of the press to make sure that a fair trial takes place."
"But you don't cover the courts. You write a column about spring flowers
and Santa Claus."
"Which I might add won a press award."
"Anyone can get a nice prize from a Cracker Jack box now and then."
"Tell me something, Would anyone been good enough for Abby?"
"A nice lawyer from a good family..." Harry dreams aloud.
"I'm sure with a II or III attached to his name."
"And their child could have been IV. Or at least they'd have named him Harry."
Tom rolls his eyes. "I better see if Abby's ready."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I haven't let you rest. Wouldn't want you nodding off on
the road."
"I'm wide awake, thank you.": He walks past him. "Abby?"
"We're out here," Abby says from the garden.
"Are you ready?" Tom asks fuming.
"But I wanted to..." Abby takes a good look at her husband. "Sure. Ready
whenever you are."
"Katherine, I'm sorry we have to leave you." Tom tells her.
"It's all right Tom." ~I can't believe Harry.~
Tom gives her a kiss on the cheek. "Bye now."
"Bye, take care of yourself."
"We will, come to Sacramento soon."
"Goodbye, Mom," Abby says.
Katherine hugs her. "Bye honey, you take care of yourself too."
"I will. Tell Daddy goodbye, OK?"
"I will."
Abby gives her mom a kiss before rushing Tom out the front door.
"Oh Harry." Katherine says once she's back inside.
"Yes, dear?"
"What did you do to Tom?"
"Do? I didn't do anything to Thomas. We were merely talking politics."
"Then how come he wanted to leave so quickly?"
"I think he's allergic to Pasadena."
"Uh hmm, and you had nothing to do with it?"
"Of course not. I am a model father-in-law."
"Oh are you?"
"Absolutely."
Abby rushes Tom out the front door. "OK, what did he do this time?" Abby
asks Tom when they're in the car.
"Abby, I'm sorry." Tom states. He tells her of the conversation. "I couldn't
take anymore. I'm sorry."
"I don't which one of you is worse."
Abby sighs. "I wish the two of you would try to get along."
"Abby, I was minding my own business and he sought me out. What was I supposed
to do? Let him just say those things?"
"So, now its my fault."
"I didn't say that."
"Then what?"
Abby shrugs. "Take it from whence it comes. That's what you expect me to
do when Joannie starts in on me, right?"
"I never told you to do that."
"No, you tell me to talk to her. Want to go back inside and try that with
my father?" Abby teases.
"No, But I have an idea about Joannie."
"Send her to Pasadena?" Abby guesses.
"Funny, but no," Tom starts to plot.
"Well, then, what?"
"Reverse Psychology in a way."
"You're going to make her think you hate me so she'll side with me?" Abby
guesses.
"No....just trust me."
"Uh oh--every time you say that..."
"It'll all work out."
"OK," Abby says, not entirely convinced. "I'll trust you."
"Thank you."
"You sure you're up to driving?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Want to find a radio statin we can both enjoy?"
"Think that's possible?"
"There has to be something, we aren't that far apart in our tastes. Are we?"
"Depends on the day."
"Yeah, ok then You tune it to what you want then."
Abby plays with the dial and finds a station her parents sometimes listen
to. "What do you think?"
"Kind of slow."
"Hmm." Abby turns the dial until she finds a station she and the older kids
would like.
"Not too bad."
"Good." Abby settles back and watches Tom drive.
Tom quietly makes his way home.
After half the trip in silence, Abby finally asks, "OK, what's up?"
"Hmmm? Nothing, why?"
"You're being awfully quiet."
"Just things on my mind, Tommy"
"Not much to worry about until after we get him tested."
"I know, just worried for him."
"If it is a learning disability, having it diagnosed will be the best thing
that ever happened to him."
Tom nods. "Still doesn't make me want to take it from him.":
"There's nothing you can do about the past."
Tom sighs "I know."
"Then why waste your time on regrets?"
Tom shrugs. "I guess I wanted to be the all perfect all knowing parent."
he jokes.
"I thought we were still on the waiting list for one of those."
"A long one." he chuckles.
"I think we're just going to have to muddle through on our own."
"As long as its together."
"All the way."
Tom smiles. "Feel like a milkshake with two straws?" Tom asks as he sees
a diner up ahead.
"Only if I get to play footsie with my date at the same time."
"I'll even spare a quarter or two for the jukebox."
"I'm such a sucker for a man with corny lines."
"I know, thats why I say them." he replies as he pulls off the highway.
"I should have known. You're just the type to have it all worked out in your
head before the date even begins."
"Of course, when its a special girl you are trying to impress."
"More like when you know what you want to get from her at the end of the
date."
"Hey, I'm a gentleman."
"That's not what I've heard."
"Oh?"
Abby smiles at him. "I've heard you can be a real animal."
"Yeah, a tiger." he jokes.
Abby does her best tigress growl at him.
Tom laughs
"Laugh while you can, Mister Bradford..."
"Yes Mrs. Bradford."
"Pay attention to your driving."
"I am."
Abby puts a hand on Tom's leg.
Tom sighs and pulls into the diner.
~Round one to the female of the species~ Abby smirks at him.
Tom gets out and opens the car door for her.
"Why, Tom, you're looking a little ... shaky," Abby purrs.
Tom just shakes his head.
Abby laughs and leads him into the diner.
They find a booth in the corner. "What flavor? Tom asks.
"I suppose you want vanilla. I can live with that."
"Not necessarily...How about Blackberry Banana?"
"I didn't even know you knew flavors like that existed. Sounds fine to me."
He orders the shake with two straws.
As promised, Abby starts playing footsie with him under the table.
"You do know how to turn on the charm."
"Oh, I know how to turn on lots of things."
Tom smiles.
Abby slips out of her shoe and slides her leg higher.
"Abby...you are wild."
"An animal?" she teases.
Tom laughs "and I'm your prey."
"Hoping I'll eat you up?" Abby says and bends to take a long suck of the
shake.
Tom turns red and smiles. "You are nuts."
"Want me to stop?"
"No." he admits.
"I didn't think so."
"This is fun. I feel 18 again."
"As long as I get to be 18, too."
"I thought you were?" he jokes.
"I'd say more like 16, but in this state, that'll get you 20."
"Then you are 18." he states.
"Good. Because the plans I have for you are much more interesting than spending
the night in a jail cell."
"I have no doubt."
Abby starts exploring under the table again.
Tom turns red again. "let's get out of here."
"Can't take the heat?" Abby teases.
"Not in public." he states.
"The car's not very public."
"My point."
"You gonna take me to Make Out Point?"
"If you want."
"I always want you."
"I overheard David once talk about a place not too far from here, want to
check it out?"
"As long as checking it out means I get to check you out, I'm game."
Tom pays the check and leads her out to the car.
"So do you always quiz your kids to find out the best places to take a girl?"
Tom laughs. "I said I overheard...I didn't ask."
"If you're in the habit of eavesdropping," Abby says, giving Tom a kiss,
"I'd better be careful what I say around you."
"You will never know." Tom says as he drives away.
"Oh, I'll know," Abby says, sliding over close to Tom.
Tom sighs contently and drives to makeout point.
"I'm so glad we didn't bring my car," Abby says when they get there.
Tom laughs. "Me too, I'm not that flexible."
"No? Well, just how flexible are you?"
"Lets get in the back and I'll show you."
"And you accused me of being wild."
"Have to keep you interested"
"Well, then, let's see what you've got."
They get in the back and Tom shows his stuff.
"Definitely a tiger."
Tom smiles and looks at his watch. "So are you, but unfortunately we better
be getting home."
"Talk about a four letter word."
"Yeah I know."
"But I guess we should be getting back. Besides, our bed is a whole lot more
comfortable than this back seat."
Tom laughs. "one of the joys of being married."
"Tom, it's nearly 1980. You don't have to be married for that particular
joy, you know."
"Let me have that delusion, please?"
"It's a good thing one of us lives in the present..."
"I suppose."
Abby gives him a consolation kiss. "You want to drive or should I?"
"I'll finish the way."
"OK. We're not that far off, anyway."
Tom nods and drives home.
Home