Testing, testing
Part 4
Nancy comes into the kitchen to see if Abby and Tom are there.
"Hi." Tom says.
"Hi Dad." Nancy says. "What are you eating?"
"Ice cream."
"Oh." She says stressing the oh a little.
"Its just a scoop."
"Yeah just a scoop. Kind of makes it hard to resist."
"Huh?'
"I know it's not my day to cheat, not by a long shot, but seeing you eating
it makes it hard not to have some."
"I don't think so."
"So it's ok for you but it's not ok for me."
"No you're not but Dr. Max still said you had to watch your diet for health
reasons. It can be just as dangerous for you as it is for me."
Joannie walks in. "Hey, what's the big argument?' she asks.
Nancy waits for their Dad to say something.
"Nancy thinks I shouldn't be eating ice cream."
"So does Max." Nancy says wishing he or Abby were there to back her up.
"Well you shouldn't be, at least not a lot. A scoop or two now and then,
isn't that what Dr. Max said?"
"Yes and as you can see, its just a scoop."
"And a scoop last night and the night before."
"Is that true, Dad?" Joannie asks.
"Well I don't know."
"Dad, I think you'd better have a talk with Dr. Max, or go easy on the ice
cream."
Nancy sighs in relief thinking Joannie was going to argue for their Dad and
isn't.
Tom rolls his eyes.
Nancy shakes her head. "Ok if reasoning doesn't work." She heads for
the freezer.
"Nancy, no," Joannie says, blocking her sister's way.
"But Joannie, if it's ok for Dad why shouldn't it be ok for me. I tried
telling him what it was doing to me and it's not phasing him." She
says hoping her sister realizes she's pretending about planning to have some
ice cream.
"Because Dad's at risk, but you really have diabetes," Joannie says, not
knowing Nancy's just faking.
"But I really want some." She makes sure Tom can't see her and winks at Joannie
letting her know she's faking.
"Do you have something in your eye, Nance? I told you that new mascara was
lousy."
Nancy almost starts laughing but contains herself.
Tom catches on. ":Nancy Bradford, now what's going on."
"Huh?"
"I mean, why are you acting this way?"
"Because talking doesn't work." Nancy says.
"This is blackmail."
"If that's what I have to resort to so that you stay healthy then so be it."
Nancy says.
"Nancy......" Tom runs out of words.
"I know it's not the best way to convince someone, maybe not even the right
way, but hey I'm only 19 I don't have all the answers."
Tom hands her the ice cream. "But I am not happy."
Nancy gives it to Joannie in case she wants it. "Giving up stuff doesn't
make me happy either but it has to be done."
"I'll just take this out of here," Joannie says, not wanting to torture her
father by eating it in front of him.
"It's totally different and you know that." Tom states. "Call me when dinner
is ready."
"Ok."
Tom goes sulk in his study.
"That went well, not." Nancy says.
When the coast is clear Joannie goes back to Nancy. "Weren't you a little
rough on him?"
"What was I going to do? I tried talking to him and that didn't work."
"Then try talking to him again."
"I don't know what else to say to him that I haven't already. I really
thought letting him see how it was affecting one of his children would work.
Apparently that doesn't, so I'm out of ideas. What hasn't been tried
with him already? We're not showing him we care if we just let him
be about it. Otherwise I would use that approach."
"How about we just glare at him when he eats the wrong things?"
"Then he'll just react like he did today."
"And so we talk to him again."
She sighs. "Ok." They head to his study.
Joannie knocks on the door.
"Who is it?" he shouts.
"Joannie and Nancy."
"Not now."
Nancy walks in with no fear. "Dad I'm sorry if I was hard on you."
"Look Nancy, I don't want to talk about it now, you made your point."
"Fine I'll leave you alone, for now on I'll stay out of everything." She
says and walks out tired of people making her feel like she can't do anything
right.
Tom grumbles.
Joannie looks at her dad and sighs. "Bradfords can be so emotional."
"Joannie..." he chides.
"OK, OK," Joannie grumbles.
"Joannie." Tom sighs. "Tell Nancy thanks."
"You'll cut back on the ice cream?"
"Cut back yes, give up no."
"Sounds fair."
"Think Nancy will buy it?"
"Hey, even she gets to have ice cream now and then."
"Right she does."
"Just not more than is healthy," Joannie reminds him.
"I'll apologize to her at dinner."
"Good idea."
Tom smiles, "Get out of here, I have to get some work done."
"Yes, sir," Joannie salutes.
Tom shakes his head.
Joannie goes looking for Nancy. She's on the sunporch calming down after
the scene with her dad. Wondering why the confrontation made her jittery.
"Hey, there."
"Hey, sorry I pulled and old me in there."
"Everyone slips up now and then."
"True."
"And you meant well."
"Thanks, I just wish it would have worked.'
"Give it time."
Nancy nods. Mary walks in.
"Dinner."
Tommy, Nicholas and Elizabeth comes down.
Tom comes out of his study.
Nancy waits for Joannie to join her and Mary.
Joannie does.
They head for the dinner table.
David comes over and says to Nicholas. "I bet I can eat more than you
can."
"I bet you can't."
"How bout we place a bet? If you win I'll take you to do anything you
want. If I win you have to go see a movie with me."
"Deal."
They shake on it. Meanwhile on the sunporch Nancy watches her father
out of the corner of her eye.
Tom turns to Nancy. "I'm sorry."
"It's ok." She says.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." She sits down to eat.
"What happened?" Mary asks.
Nancy looks over at her dad and Joannie wondering if she should tell.
"We had a misunderstanding about ice cream."
"Yeah ice cream." Nancy says.
"Ok." Mary says a little doubtful.
"Pass the salad." Tom asks.
Mary passes it as the phone rings. "I'm not getting that." She
says thinking it's the prank caller but it isn't.
Liz sighs. "I'll get it." she says. "Hello?'
"Hey Liz, is Nancy there?" Noah asks.
"Hi Noah, hold on. Nancy, for you."
"I'll only be a sec." She promises her Dad before going to talk to him. "Hey."
"Hey I can't make our date tonight I'll be working late."
"Ok." She says in a matter of fact tone.
"Just ok?" He asks a little surprised.
"Noah you have to work late it's no biggie we'll just go another night."
"Thanks for being so understanding." He says. ~A little too understanding.~
He shakes his head after they hang up with each other.
Nancy returns to the dinner table. "I have time tonight to practice
with Tommy or help you and Mary organize." She says to Joannie.
"That's great." She sees the look on Nancy's face. "Isn't it?"
She nods. "Noah just has to work late."
"Well, he's going to have to miss a whole week of dates while you're in LA."
"We'll just make it up when I get back."
"That's the spirit."
"Thank you." She eats and wonders why most things don't upset her lately,
with the exception of the argument with her Dad earlier, and kind of likes
it.
"Sorry Nancy, I've got homework to do." Tommy says sighing.
"It's cool." She says.
"Maybe for you." he states.
"Need some help Tommy?" Tom asks.
"Why does everyone keep asking that?" he says and leaves the table.
"What did I say?" Tom asks.
"So after dinner," Joannie says to Nancy, "my room. Bring a clipboard."
"I'll be there."
"Good."
Nancy smiles and then asks her Dad. "Do you want me to go after Tommy?"
"Thanks honey, but let him cool off a bit. I'll see what bothering him later."
"Ok."
Tom worries through dinner. So does David.
After dinner, Nancy and Mary get their clipboards and then go to knock on
Joannie and Susan's door.
"Come in."
They walk in. "We're ready when you are." Mary says.
Joannie holds up her clipboard. "Ready and waiting." They find places to
sit down and get started.
"So where do we put David, since we don't know what he's singing?"
"I say at the end. Just in case." Mary suggests.
"Why all the secrecy?" Nancy asks.
"Don't ask me, ask him," Joannie says.
"Maybe tomorrow when all my homework is done." Nancy says. "So who all is
doing what?"
Joannie runs down the list.
"You should have heard Abby earlier." Mary says. "She was great."
"Really? Then I'm sorry I missed it." Nancy says.
"You'll hear her at the benefit. I asked her and Tommy to do another song,
too."
"Cool, so when do we start practicing on stage?"
"When do you think we'll be able to get everyone to agree to go down there?"
"Hmm, we'd probably do better if we tried to set a date." Mary says.
"And what do we do about the no shows?"
"We get with them and press them for a time."
"Let's split the list and do it."
Mary nods.
"But what if it's one of us that winds up missing the date due to life's
annoying way of interrupting." Nancy asks.
"If it's important enough to you, you won't miss it."
"Can't argue with that."
"I like hearing that. So when are you two available?"
"Anytime after one." Nancy says.
"Anytime after noon." Mary answers.
"Which day?"
"Tomorrow." Mary says.
"Wednesday." Nancy says.
"I can't Wednesday." Mary says.
"How bout Thursday?"
"Ok."
"Thursday at 5?" Joannie asks.
"As long as we're home in time for dinner or you feed me while I'm there."
Nancy says.
"I'll bring healthy snacks."
"Thank you, then that time is good for me."
"Me too." Mary says.
"Now we just have to get everyone else on board."
"Yep, the hard part."
"Tell me about it."
"Well there's seven more people to confirm with and three of us. I'm
sure Dad or Abby can make sure Nicholas is there. I'll confirm with
Abby and Susan." Nancy says.
"I'll confirm with Elizabeth and Tommy." Mary says.
"I'll talk to Dad. That just leaves David."
"You got David too, unless we treat him like Nicholas and let Dad or Abby
tell him." Mary says.
"Dad's always going on about how he's the head of the family. I say we let
him do the honors."
"No objection here." Nancy says.
"Ok." Mary says.
"Then it's a plan."
"It's a plan, anything else?"
Joannie consults her clipboard. "No, I think we have it all down."
"Then do either of you know where Abby is?"
"Isn't she still in class?"
"I think so." Mary says.
"What about Susan?"
"She should be around somewhere."
"I'll see you two later then." She says and leaves the room looking for
Susan.
Susan's in the kitchen getting a snack.
"Hey are you busy Thursday?"
"No, why?"
"There's a rehearsal at five." She tells her where.
"Alright. I'll be there."
"Good, I'll let Joannie know."
"I guess I'd better go look for Tommy and Elizabeth." Mary says.
"I'll go talk to Dad."
Mary nods and goes to look for Tommy and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is back in bed and Tommy is struggling over his homework.
Mary decides to tell Elizabeth first so more time will elapse before she
disturbs Tommy. She knock on Nancy and Elizabeth's bedroom door.
"Come in."
She walks in. "Hey how are you feeling?"
"Better. What’s up?"
"There's a rehearsal scheduled for Thursday at 5pm on stage."
"Ok."
"So you can make it?"
"If Dr. Max says its ok."
"When is he coming to check on you?"
"Thursday morning."
"Ok, I'll let Joannie no, see you later." She's says and goes to knock on
Tommy and Nicholas' door.
"Go away." Tommy says.
"I just need a second of your time."
"What." he says as he opens the door.
She tells him when and where the rehearsal is.
He nods. "i'll be there."
"Good." She lets him get back to his homework while she goes to look for
Joannie.
Tommy sighs.
Joannie is knocking on the study door, looking for her father.
"Its open."
"Hi, Dad. Got a minute?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"We're scheduling a dress rehearsal for the benefit. Can you make it on Thursday
at 5?"
Tom looks at his schedule book. "Sure, but I might be a bit late."
"Why? I thought you were on sick leave."
"I am, but I have a small meeting with Randolph."
"Can't you make it earlier, Dad? If you don't show on time, no one else will
want to, either."
"You don't have to tell them."
"Lie to my brothers and sisters?"
"Joannie, I'll be there as close to 5 as I can." he asserts his voice.
"Fine, but you're the one who'll be missing out..."
"On what?"
"On watching your very talented children and wife perform, and all because
you didn't want to change the time of your meeting."
"Ok OK...you win." he sighs. "I think you missed your calling."
"I did?"
"Yeah, Law School."
"Hey, you never know. If acting doesn't work out..."
Tom laughs.
"Watch out, Perry Mason."
"That's the truth."
"I'm surprised at you, Dad. I'd think you'd have had enough lawyers in the
family already."
"Harry." he sighs.
"The one and only," Joannie smiles.
"Stick to Acting." he pretends orders.
"Yes, sir," Joannie smiles and salutes. "So I'll see you Thursday at 5?"
He nods.
"Great," Joannie says and leaves.
Nancy waits for Abby to get home from school.
Close to midnight Abby finally pulls into the driveway.
Nancy awakens on the sofa when she hears the car pull up.
Abby walks in, yawning.
"Hey Abby you got a minute?"
"Sure, if it's a quick minute."
"It is." Nancy yawns. "Sorry, are you free Thursday night at five?"
"I think so. I'll have to tell you for sure in the morning when I'm awake.
Why?"
"That's what time we rehearse on stage."
"I don't think it'll be a problem," Abby yawns.
"Ok, well goodnight." She says and slowly makes her upstairs so she
doesn't fall down in her grogginess.
"Good night." Abby checks the study to see if Tom is still in there, waiting
for her.
Tom is nodding in his chair behind the desk.
Abby walks up behind him, takes the book out of his hands, and kisses the
top of his head.
Tom wakes up startled. "Oh, Hi."
"I told you not to wait up."
Tom shrugs. "I just barely nodded off, how was class?"
"Long."
"So was this evening."
"What happened?"
"Tommy, something happened between when he left here and when he got home.
He's in a mood."
"You've no idea what?"
"No, he wouldn't open the door."
"Great." Abby checks her watch. "If you get on him now, we'll wake up Nicholas."
"I know, best to wait in the morning."
"Maybe it's just girl trouble."
"Maybe." ~Though I doubt it.~
"Where did he go?"
"Band Practice, I thought."
"You don't think he said anything to them about the test, do you?"
"Or they found out?" he ponders.
"How would they have found out unless Tommy told them?"
He shrugs. "I am too tired to worry about that now, We'll find out in the
morning."
"I told you not to wait up for me."
"I know, but I wanted to."
"Did you get any work done?"
"A little."
"Spent most of your time in here brooding?"
Again he says "A little." and tells her what Nancy did.
Abby sighs. "And here I thought is was Mary who was trying to be the doctor
in the family."
"I'm a grown man Abby." he complains to her.
"Kids never think that way about their parents."
"I am beginning to see that."
"If it were my father who'd been ill, I'd have probably done the same thing.
It just means she loves you, Tom."
"I know, but my situation is totally different from hers."
"I know, but all she sees is that her father, whom she loves and cares about,
isn't being perfect, and Dads are supposed to be perfect, at least to their
little girls."
Tom smiles. "I guess I'll stay away from the freezer and let you bring it
to me."
"Oh? And what do I get out of this?"
"My undying affection." he says, "Although you have that already, So what
do you want?"
"I don't know. Make me an offer."
"Ok." he writes down his offer on a piece a paper and hands it to her.
"Oh, my," Abby gasps when she reads it. "Aren't you nervous about committing
this kind of thing to writing?"
"No, cause I'll burn it after you accept."
"Oh, no, it's mine to keep."
"For proof?"
"If that's what it takes."
"You don't trust me?"
"If you were me, would you?"
"I'm appalled." Tom teases
"And I'm exhausted," Abby yawns. "We can talk about how shocked you are while
we're getting ready for bed."
"I drink to that." Tom holds up an imaginary cup.
"Come on," Abby says, taking him by the arm and dragging him out of the study.
Tom lets her. Abby leads him upstairs to bed.
Tom heads hits the pillow. "This is nice."
"Nothing was keeping you from it earlier," Abby reminds him.
"I know."
Abby finishes getting ready for bed. "But I'll admit, it was nice seeing
you waiting up for me."
"I was happy to."
Abby gets in to bed. "Thank you."
"Besides it seems empty when you aren't here."
"It was only a night class. It wasn't forever."
"I know that."
"How lonely can you get in four and a half hours?"
"You'd be surprise." he jokes.
"You're right; I would be."
He kisses her
"Good night."
"Goodnight"
Abby turns out the light.
"Abby, I love you."
"I love you, too."
Tom sighs contently and falls asleep.
The following morning Mary's about to head off to school and finds Dr. Max
there when she opens the door.
"Morning."
"Good morning, is Nancy up yet?"
"Yeah she's in the kitchen."
"Thank you." He goes inside and Mary goes to school. After greeting
Nancy he hands her three prescriptions.
"What are these for?" She asks.
"Everything you'll need for checking your blood sugars."
"Oh, I thought you'd give these to me during an appointment or something."
"Naah I gave you a checkup recently why go through the formalities.
I want you to check them every morning before you eat. And if you have
questions call me."
"Ok, hey Elizabeth's upstairs if you want to check on her."
"Hmm, I'll ask your Dad first. She might want to wait for Thursday."
He says and goes looking for Tom.
Tom is in his study yawning.
"Long night Tom?" Max asks as he walks in.
"Oh Max, Hi."
"Hi, did you get enough sleep?"
"Yes Max, what are you doing here this early?"
"I gave Nancy her prescriptions for the monitor, strips, and lancets.
And she mentioned checking on Elizabeth if that's all right."
"Sure."
Max goes upstairs and knocks on the bedroom door.
"Come in."
Max walks in. "How are you feeling?"
"Hi Dr. I'm doing better."
"That's good." He examines her. "You should be all better by
tomorrow."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." He leaves the room and goes downstairs. He relays the information
to Tom. "Also call me if you and Abby or Nancy have questions about checking
the blood sugars."
"Thanks Max."
"You're welcome Tom. I should get going." He says before he heads out the
door.
"Max, when are you free for golf?"
"I'm always free for golf, the question is when are you free?"
"Saturday morning?"
"Sounds perfect."
"Great, I'll set up a tee time."
Greg nods and walks out.
Nancy comes out of the kitchen. "I'll pay for them." She tells her Dad.
"No, they are covered by the insurance."
"Do I get to pay for anything ever." She half kids treading carefully.
"Not until you are twenty one."
"Ok, I can live with that."
"Excited about LA?"
"Very."
"Nancy, I know what you did was out of love and I appreciate that."
"Good, because it was out of love."
"But I do know what I was doing and I am careful."
She nods. "I guess it's hard to see that when you're not the person,
does that make sense?"
"Perfectly, I cringe every time I see you eat a piece of candy. But I don't
say anything because I'm not going to be around every time you eat."
"Well don't worry I haven't been cheating when I'm not supposed to, not yet
anyway."
"Trust me it'll happen not because you aren't strong but because you are
human."
"Thanks Dad, you're certainly kinder than I was to you."
"Nancy, its has nothing to do with who is kinder to whom. It has to do with
trusting that the person you love will do what is best."
"I'll definitely try to remember that in the future."
Tom hugs her.
She hugs him back
"I better get some work done."
"And I'd better get to school. Love you Dad." She says on her way out.
"You too."
She smiles and then is off to school.
Meanwhile, somewhere in town, Noah awakens in a hotel room and remembers
what he had agreed to last night and feels a tinge of guilt. ~It will
be all right.~ He tries to tell himself. ~It’s just to keep Nancy
safe.~ He checks the room and sees that the woman that had been in
there with him last night has already left leaving him a note. He reads
it, showers, gets dressed, and then is on his way to work.
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