Episode 44: Risky Behavior
The next morning Tommy gets up early and tries to sneak out of the house.
"Don't you want breakfast?" Mary asks.
"No." he sighs.
Abby steps out of the study. "Going somewhere?" she asks.
"You're up early."
"So are you."
~Apparently not early enough~ "I have to get going."
Mary sees Abby there. "Well if you change your mind come and eat." She goes
back to the kitchen.
"Going? Where?" Abby asks Tommy.
"Football practice?"
"I never realized my Joe Namath pep talk would have such immediate results."
"Ok, I just wanted to get out of here before anyone keeps asking me what
is wrong because I don't want to talk about it."
"Something must have happened last night; last time we talked you were doing
OK and now you're obviously not."
"Can't I have some privacy?"
"Will privacy solve whatever's got you worried?"
"No, but that's my business."
"It's ours, too. Part of being a family."
"Look Abby, I know you are trying to help. But you can't in this case."
"Is it your friends?"
"How'd you...." Tommy says. He sighs and nods. "The band."
"What did they say?" Abby sighs.
"Nothing." he then explains. "Usually I write the music, but Ernie wrote
a song and I couldn't read it, so I told them I was sick and left."
"I can't read Ernie's handwriting, either."
Tommy half way smiles. "I panic."
"Family trait."
"Huh?'
"Your father panics sometimes, too."
"Oh."
"You know, if you get to school early, Ernie will wonder why, especially
if you were sick last night."
"So I should go back to bed?"
Abby checks her watch. "I don't think you have that much time. But I did
hear Mary offer you breakfast."
"Ok, I'll go get the paper first."
"Save the help wanted section for me."
"What?"
"Never mind. I'll go set a place for you."
"Thanks."
Abby goes into the kitchen. "Tommy will take you up on that offer of breakfast,"
she tells Mary.
Mary smiles. "Good, is he all right?"
"I think so."
"What does he want for breakfast?"
"You know Tommy--he'll eat anything."
"True." Mary says and starts cooking. "What do you want for breakfast
Abby?"
"You know me--if I don't have to cook it, I'll eat anything and be grateful
for the chance."
Mary laughs. "You got it."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Abby pours herself some coffee.
Tommy brings the paper in.
Abby considers grabbing the section with Tom's column, but in the end takes
the classifieds.
Mary finishes and serves their breakfast.
"Thanks, Mary."
"You're welcome."
Elizabeth comes down yawning.
"Feeling any better today?"
"Yeah." she says. 'Thanks." she says as she gets some juice.,
"I'm sorry I flaked out on you yesterday. I've had a lot on my mind."
"It's ok Abby."
Mary takes a break from cooking and picks up the paper to read it.
"You got to be kidding me." Mary says after reading her father's column.
"Abby I'm sorry."
"Hmm?" Abby says, sunk in the classifieds.
Mary hands the column to her.
"Oh. Well..." Abby shrugs. "Things happen."
"Is it our fault?"
"No, of course not," Abby says a little too quickly.
~Yes it is.~ Mary thinks.
Abby goes back to the help wanted ads.
"What?" Liz asks confused.
"I was laid off," Abby says, as though it didn't matter.
"Why?"
"I wasn't showing up to work enough."
"Then it was us." Tommy says.
"I chose not to go to work those days. No one forced me to."
"Abby, we are sorry." Elizabeth says.
"Very sorry." Mary adds.
"It's not your fault," Abby insists. "Don't forget I took a lot of sick leave
for myself this year, too."
"They're idiots." Tommy states.
"Hey, think of it this way--I'll be around here a lot more."
"Oh good." he tries to say enthusiastic.
Abby throws him a pretend glare.
He smirks.
Abby shakes a fist at him.
Tommy smiles.
"Well I think what they are doing sucks." Liz states.
"They're just following the rules," Abby reminds her.
"At least Nicholas will be happy."
"I hope. He's getting to that age; he might prefer not having someone home
all the time."
"Just one thing I'm confused about." Liz says.
"What?"
"Well we all know Dad wouldn't like anything better than for you to be home,
how'd you get him to write the column?"
"He wants what's best for me. It's called love," Abby says, smiling.
"Cool." Liz replies.
"Deeply cool," Abby agrees.
"I'm going back to bed." she says
Abby hands her a glass of juice for the road.
"Thanks." she sighs.
"You will get better," Abby says. "And before the entire Sacramento stock
of tissues is used up. I promise."
"I'll hold you to that."
Abby laughs.
She smiles and leaves.
Abby goes back to the help wanted section.
Tommy sighs. "I better go too."
"I'll call Mr. Gillette today and set things up for tomorrow," Abby tells
him.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." ~I certainly have the spare time to do things like that.~
After Tommy leaves Nicholas comes down.
"Good morning, Nicholas."
"Hi Abby, Hi Mary."
"What's for breakfast?"
"Whatever you want."
"Cereal. I guess."
She gets the cereal out for him.
"Thanks Mary."
"You're welcome honey, I'd better get going." ~Nancy and Joannie need
to see this.~
"Have a seat, Nicholas. There's something I guess I ought to tell you," Abby
says.
"Am I in trouble?'
"No, not at all. I just wanted to warn you that I'm going to be around a
lot more. I'm not going to be working any more."
"Huh? Why not?"
"It just wasn't working out. Besides, it'll be fun to be at home more."
"It will?"
"Sure," Abby lies.
Nicholas tries to remember what it was like when his mom was home.
"Yeah it will."
"You get home first, so you and I will have time to do things together,"
Abby says, but then remembers Tom's disastrous attempts at 'bonding.' "But
not on days when you have softball practice or anything like that."
"It's fall, no baseball."
"Well, you know what I mean. Don't think you have to rush home to babysit
me."
Nicholas laughs, "OK."
Abby looks at the clock. "You're running late today, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I better get going."
"I'll see you when you get home."
He nods.
Abby hands him a bag with the lunch she's made for him.
"Thanks, Bye."
"You're welcome." Once Nicholas leaves Abby pours a cup of coffee and goes
looking for Tom.
He's taking a shower.
Abby knocks on the bathroom door. "I've brought you some coffee."
"Thank You, I'll be right out." Soon Tom emerges with his robe on.
Abby hands him the coffee. "Your column was the talk of the breakfast table."
"Oh? How was the reaction?"
"Very low key," Abby says, a little surprised herself.
"Low Key?"
"Once I assured them it wasn't their fault, they seem to have taken it all
in stride. Guess I really wasn't doing too good a job of juggling career
and family."
"That's not true."
"Well, it's irrelevant, anyway," Abby shrugs.
"Maybe they are just in shock."
"I didn't know they were that attached to my career."
"Well you were the one attached. What affects one Bradford affects them all."
"Well, this one Bradford will now be available to be a full-time mother.
Unless they don't want that...."
"Abby, lets wait and see what kind of response the article generates."
"How long does it usually take?"
He shrugs. "I don't know. Immediately to maybe later this afternoon or tomorrow."
"Then we still have today, right?"
He nods.
"Have any ideas how we can kill the time?"
"Anyway you'd like." he smiles. "I'm free."
"Well, I wasn't planning to pay."
Tom rolls his eyes. "I mean I am available for you."
"I'd assumed. But to do what?"
"Want to go for a drive?"
"If you don't have to work today, I'd love to go for a drive."
"To the lake? We could have a picnic."
"Sounds good. If you get ready, I'll make us up a basket."
"Ok." he kisses her.
"Have any preferences?"
"For?"
"I was talking about lunch, but I'll entertain any suggestions you might
have."
"Sandwiches for appetizers and you for the main course?"
"Out by the lake? You interested in jail house cuisine for dessert?"
"Hmm...You're right."
"Of course, we could come back here for the main course..."
Tom smiles. "I married a smart woman."
"Only about the things that really matter."
"Abby, things will work out, you'll see."
"They already have."
"They have?"
"Yes."
"But you are out of work?"
"So far. But I've been thinking, and I remembered that a career, no matter
how much you care about it, can't keep you warm at night."
Tom nods. "I agree."
"I'll find a job. Or I'll go back to school. But another family like this
one--now that'd be tough to find."
"I would hope so." he jokes.
Abby thwacks him.
Tom kisses her. "I better get dressed."
"And I'd better go make us that picnic basket. Meet you downstairs."
"You got it."
Abby kisses him and heads downstairs.
During a break from classes in the college cafeteria. Nancy's sitting
at a table snacking and studying when Mary sits down and hands her the paper.
"Read Dad's column."
"I will in a minute." Nancy says.
"Read it now." Mary insists.
"All right, all right." Nancy starts to read it.
"Where's Joannie?"
"I don't know stop interrupting me. What the......" She finishes,
gathers her things and heads out.
"Where are you going?" Mary asks.
"Home." She says and leaves. "Abby!! You Home!!" Nancy calls out when
she gets there.
"I'm in here," Abby calls from the kitchen.
She goes in there. "Why didn't you tell us?" She asks not angry just curious.
"About?" Abby asks, concentrating on the dozen mixing bowls in front of her,
in various stages of preparation.
"About you losing your job."
"Well, it's not a sure thing yet. I mean, I can still appeal, try to get
the union to back me up."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes. Could you pass me the pepper?"
"Uh sure." She passes her the pepper. "Is it our fault that you got fired?"
"No, it isn't," Abby sighs. "I chose to take more time off than I had."
"I hope you win the appeal it's not fair that they did this."
"I'm not sure I'm going to appeal."
"Why not?"
"A lot's changed in my life the last year or so. It might not be a bad idea
to take a break and reevaluate my priorities."
"So getting fired might be good as well as bad?"
"Anything in life can work out for the best if you handle it right."
"I agree."
"I've just got to make some time to sit down and think things through is
all."
"Yeah that will be good."
Abby nods. "Maybe after this benefit show."
"Yeah, that show is going to be fun. They tell me you're a great singer."
"My mother sent me for voice lessons," Abby explains.
"Oh." Nancy says. "Did you hate it at first?"
"I liked the singing, but I hated the teacher. She had these really long
blood red fingernails, and since I was tall, she'd stick me way at the back
of the chorus and tell me to blend in."
"I had teachers like that, ew."
"I think that's one of the reasons I wanted to become a teacher, to save
kids from teachers like that."
"If I haven't told you that you're wonderful, I'm telling you now."
"Thanks. I think you're pretty wonderful, too, Nancy."
"You're welcome, and you do? Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"I should get back to school I have a class in twenty minutes."
"Then you'd better get a move on."
She gives her a hug and then leaves. Soon after the phone rings.
Abby answers it.
"Hey Abby, you all right?" Noah asks.
"Don't tell me. You read Tom's column today."
"Yep I did."
"Well, thank you. You just missed Nancy."
"Oh.... If you see here before I do can you tell her I'm working late
again tonight?"
"You're working too hard. Couldn't you leave some of this work for next week,
when Nancy's out of town?"
~Not if I want to keep my sanity.~ "Unfortunately not, talk about bad
timing." He lies.
"Really. Well, I'll give Nancy your message."
Tom gets dressed and joins Abby a little later.
Abby shows him what she's prepared. "This OK?"
"Looks good, the food doesn't look bad either."
"You're so sweet."
Tom smiles. "Are you ready?" grabbing the basket.
"After you."
Tom leads her out to the car.
Abby gives him another kiss before getting in.
"Wow, what was that for."
"You'll see."
"Hmm, hardly can wait."
"You're going to have to, unless you want to take a chance and neck in the
driveway."
"Oh then lets go."
"That's what I thought you'd say."
Tom gets in the car and drives to the lake.
Along the way Abby tries, now and then, to distract him.
He laughs. "Trying to get us in an accident?"
"Want me to behave?"
"Only until we get there."
"And then?"
"I'm all yours."
"Promise?"
"Promise, no kids or phones."
"Well, you can promise no phones. Kids have the most amazing ways of turning
up where you least expect them."
"Not ours or here."
"Somehow, I wouldn't bet on it."
"Oh ye of little faith."
"But of great hope."
He laughs.
Abby retreats to the other end of the seat to make sure she stops distracting
Tom.
Tom speeds up lightly.
Abby smiles at him.
They finally make it to the lake.
"You hungry?" Abby asks as they pull the picnic basket out of the car.
"Famish."
"Well, come on, then, let's feed you."
Tom lays a blanket on the ground.
Abby starts laying out their lunch.
"Beautiful day." Tom says.
"It usually is."
Tom sits down on the ground.
Abby sits next to him. "So what can I give you first?"
"A kiss?"
"Sure it won't cause an accident?" Abby teases.
"Cute."
"Just like your knees."
Tom sighs. "My knees again?"
"Can I help it if I like them?"
Tom shakes his head.
"What would you prefer I like about you?"
"I'd like to say my head of hair, so I guess my knees will have to do."
"I like your hair," Abby tries to soothe his feathers.
"Which one?"
"Tom..."
"Ok, you can like my knees." he winks at her.
"When?"
"Now?"
"Hard to like them when they're all covered up. I may have to find other
parts of you to like right now."
"It's a good thing this place is secluded."
"Oh? What exactly did you have in mind?"
"Come here and I'll show you."
Abby scoots over towards Tom.
Tom starts necking with his wife.
"I think I've found my second favorite thing to like about you."
"Oh and what's that?"
Abby runs a finger over Tom's lips. "You kiss well."
"So do you."
"Are you so sure about that?"
"Maybe I better make sure."
"Maybe."
Tom continues where he left off.
"Are you sure this will be enough to convince you?" Abby asks.
"Definitely more research is needed."
"I'll do anything to convince you."
"Anything?"
"Anything at all."
Tom pursues further research.
Abby encourages him to really get involved in his study.
They do the ultimate act.
"That was some picnic," Abby says afterwards.
"You pack a great lunch."
"When you're ready for it, I can give you an even better dessert."
"At home?"
"If that's what you want. But I've got to say, this wild side of you has
its charm."
Tom looks around. "How about a swim?"
"We've tried that before. It's a recipe for disaster."
"Then what?"
Abby starts kissing him. "I'm sure we'll think of something."
"I'm sure we will."
"I could give you some ideas..."
"Like what?"
"Just lie back and enjoy, Tom," Abby smiles at him.
"Ok."
Abby continues to kiss all her favorite parts of his body.
"You know me so well."
"It's not my fault you talk in your sleep."
"What else do I say?"
"Only your deepest, darkest desires."
"Hmm...like what?"
"Like this," Abby says, and does one of the things Tom's muttered about in
his sleep.
"Oh my..."
Abby stops what she's doing long enough to ask, "You like?"
He can only nod.
Abby continues, only more so.
Tom enjoys his afternoon.
As does Abby, completely oblivious to her surrounds aside from Tom.
Tom looks at his watch while holding Abby. "We better get back."
Abby sighs. "I guess you're right."
"We left Elizabeth alone and Nicholas will soon be home."
"You're right. Besides, we can always come back another day."
"I'd like that."
"Then it's a plan. I'm glad it's so isolated."
"Me too."
Abby starts to get herself put together. "Maybe we just spend our anniversary
here."
"Sounds good to me." Tom says.
Abby gives him a kiss and gathers the remains of their picnic.
Tom gets the basket and takes it to the car.
Abby folds up the blanket and follows him.
Tom slowly drives home.
"Thank you," Abby tells him.
"For what? I should be thanking you."
"For what?" Abby asks.
"For a wonderful day."
"I thought that was mutual."
"It is."
"Then there's nothing to thank me for. But you sure found a way to take my
mind off my troubles."
"Good, I'm glad."
"If I find myself starting to brood, think you could distract me again?"
"With pleasure."
"Oh, no. The pleasure will be mine," Abby smiles.
He smiles back. They arrive home.
Elizabeth is trying to warm up some soup.
"Here, let me do that," Abby says. "You should be in bed."
"I can do it." she says, starting to cough.
"You ok honey?" Tom asks.
"I'm fine dad, just a little tired."
"Then go upstairs and rest," Abby repeats. "I'll bring your soup up when
it's warm."
"Ok." she relents.
"I thought Max said she was on the mend?" Tom says out of Liz's earshot.
"If she stayed in bed. Who knows how long she's been down here."
"Yeah."
"We'll just have to keep an eye on her."
"Want me to take it up?"
"No, I'll do it. I think you need to rest a little."
"I am rested and relaxed."
"You sure? Because I still haven't gotten my dessert..."
"Maybe I had better go rest."
"Might be a wise idea."
Tom retreats to the couch.
Abby finishes warming up the soup and takes it upstairs to Elizabeth.
''Thanks Abby."
"You're welcome."
"How was your picnic, I saw the basket."
"It was wonderful," Abby grins.
"Sounds fun."
"Most fun I've had in a long time."
"Good, After you losing that job. You deserved it."
"It's nice to hear you say that."
"Why wouldn't I say that?"
"Oh, no reason," Abby says. ~If you knew what we did on that picnic, you
wouldn't be saying that.~
Elizabeth looks at her perplexed.
"Never mind," Abby smiles.
"Thanks again for the soup." she starts to cough a little.
"You're welcome. If you need anything else, just call me."
"Okay."
"I'll be back to check on you."
'Thanks."
Abby takes the empty soup bowl and leaves.
On the way home from school Mary's mood starts to darken. ~It's bad enough
that we had to hear from Dad's column instead of from her or Dad, but why
didn't she at least tell me?~ She tries to push those feelings aside
but can't shake them. She pulls into the driveway and goes inside.
"Hey Mary." Nancy greets her.
"Oh leave me alone." Mary says and goes upstairs.
"Hmm, does that mean leave her alone? Or does it mean please come upstairs
and talk to me?" Nancy ponders to herself as a family member walks in.
Tom comes in.
"Mary's in a mood." Nancy tells him.
"Oh and what kind would that be?' he says grabbing milk from the fridge
"A snapping at people mood."
"Why?"
Nancy shrugs.
Tom sighs and goes and knocks on Mary's door.
"I don't want to talk to anyone."
"Not even your old Dad?"
She opens the door and then returns to sit on her bed.
"Thanks." he says. " What's wrong?"
"I thought we were a family."
"Huh?"
She shows him the column. "How come we had to read about it in the paper?"
"Oh." he says.
"I guess we don't matter around here."
"Of course you do, I'm sorry. We'd made a mistake."
"It's all right." Mary says but is still upset.
"It all happened so quick." Tom tries to explain.
"Dad it's ok really."
"Are you sure?" he says with concerned.
She nods.
"All right, if you want to talk later I'll be here."
"Thanks Dad."
He nods and then leaves.
Mary ventures downstairs looking for Abby and some answers.
Abby is in the kitchen, cooking.
Mary gets something to drink. "Hey Nancy don't you have some studying
to do or something?"
Nancy looks up at her and sees the look on her face. "Yeah I guess
I do. See you both later." She says and makes herself scarce.
"We have to talk." Mary says to Abby.
"Sure," Abby says, chopping away.
"I thought we had the kind of relationship where we can come to each other
about things."
"We do," Abby starts to say. "Oh, you mean about me losing my job?"
Mary nods.
"It all just happened so quickly. I got the news, and then we had to go stop
Nancy from eloping..."
"Oh, so in other words I'm being pretty silly."
"No, I'm the one who's been pretty silly. I didn't even want to think much
about it, so after I dumped it all in your father's lap, I tried to ignore
the whole situation, including not telling the rest of you myself, and I
should have."
"Sometimes it's hard to talk about things that are hurting you."
"Especially when you're not sure what you want, or who to talk to. This whole
balancing of family and career isn't something women have had to do for that
long."
"Makes one think sometimes if it's worth it."
"Mary, how can you question that? You want to be a doctor. You know there's
more to life than cooking and washing clothes."
"I know but it doesn't mean I don't sometimes have my doubts."
"We all do. It's called burn-out."
"And when that happens it's vacation or at least rest time."
"You try to vacation when you share a house with 8 other people, two bathrooms,
one phone line and a frog."
"And a dog who thinks he's a person."
"You mean he isn't?"
Mary laughs.
"Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't tell you myself."
"Well I admit it did hurt but I understand and it's ok."
"So we're cool?"
"Yeah we're cool."
"Good."
"So do you need any help in here?"
"No, I've got it under control, but thanks."
Mary nods and then leaves the room looking for her father, who is in his
study. She knocks.
"Come in."
"Hi Dad." Mary walks in.
"Hi Mary."
"I'm sorry if I was rough on you earlier."
"Thank you, but you were right in a way."
"What do you mean?"
"We should have told all of you before it hit the papers."
Mary nods in agreement. "But sometimes that isn't possible."
"No, it isn't."
"Anyway I'm sorry about earlier."
"No apology needed but thanks anyway."
She nods and then the phone rings.
"Now what. Tom answers the phone. "Hello?"
The caller hangs up.
Tom hangs up ~Kids.~
Meanwhile on the front porch.
"You've been working late a lot this week. Your boss really needs to
cut it out." Nancy says.
"You mean you're not mad?" Noah asks.
"Of course not I understand."
They talk a bit longer and then he leaves. Nancy thinking he had come
to see her on a break when in reality he's just off to do what he had done
the night before.
She goes inside feeling that something is off with Noah but after awhile
brushes it off.
"Is tonight family night by any chance?" She asks Mary and Tom at the study
door.
"Family night?"
"You mean we don't have that anymore?" Nancy says.
"Nancy we've never had it." Mary says.
"Then maybe we should?" Nancy counters.
"And do what?' Tom asks.
Nancy shrugs.
"I have a better idea." Mary says. "Why don't you surprise Noah and bring
him a care package to work.?"
"That's a thought, but bring him what?"
"I'll leave you two to this conversation." Tom says not wanting to know.
Mary helps Nancy figure it out and soon she has it put together. "I'll
be back later."
"I'll let Dad and Abby know."
"Thanks Mary." She says before leaving.
After finding out that Noah isn't there and that he hadn't worked late for
quite awhile. Nancy leaves and dumps the care package in the garbage
on the way out. Instead of heading straight home she takes in a movie
instead trying to get her mind off the fact that Noah has been lying to her
and not sure she wants to know why. After the movie she drives around
for a bit before heading home. When she gets there she goes to the kitchen
for a snack and something to eat. "Hey." She says to the family member who
walks in.
Liz is in the kitchen. "Hi."
"Hi, how are you feeling?" She asks after getting a snack.
"Ok, how are you?"
"Been better, Noah's been lying to me."
"What?"
"He wasn't there when I brought the care package, in fact he hasn't been
working late all week I was told."
"Then where has he been?"
"I don't know."
"Ask him."
"So he can lie to me again, I have a better idea."
"What?"
"Follow him tomorrow."
"Oh, ok."
"Want to come with me?"
"I would but I doubt Dad and Abby will let me out in the night air."
"Thanks anyway, is Joannie home?"
"Upstairs I think."
"Thank you." She goes upstairs and knocks on her door.
"Come in."
Nancy walks in. "Can I ask a huge favor?"
"You can *ask.*"
"Will you go with me tomorrow to follow Noah to see where he's really going
when he says he's working late?"
"You want me to help you stalk your fiance?"
"I don't want to go alone. Please Joannie."
"Noah would be furious if he found out."
"Noah doesn't have that luxury." She tells her what they had told her at
the place Noah works earlier that night.
"Then talk to him. Nancy, I'm not going to help you sneak around on the man
you say you love."
"I'm not the one sneaking around. Noah is. But I guess I'll talk
to him." She says but doesn't think it will do any good.
"Good idea."
"Yeah sure. Goodnight Joannie." She says on her way out.
"Good luck."
"Thanks I'll need it." Nancy says feeling like she'll just get lied to again.
She leaves the room.
Tom then tracks Abby down in the kitchen. "Hi, Honey."
"Hi. You look like a man with something on his mind."
"I do, you." he smiles.
"Really? What about me?"
"Oh, just that I love you."
Abby looks at Tom. "OK, what gives."
"Just thinking about our outing this morning, that was fun."
"Oh, yes," Abby smiles. "It was fun."
"What's for dinner?"
Abby gives him a run down on the menu. "One advantage of being at home --
I
have more time in the kitchen."
"And I know you hate it."
"I don't hate cooking. I hate cooking badly."
"You don't cook bad."
"Disastrously?" Abby tries.
"No, I like your cooking."
"Thanks," Abby says. "Wait--you like your cooking, too."
"Abby...."
"Just promise me you won't try to eat all the leftovers."
"Huh, why not?"
"Because you're not supposed to eat that much."
"Ok, I promise."
"At least Sam likes my cooking."
"The kids do too, you know."
"Sure."
Tom sighs ~For her sake I wish that phone would ring with a job offer.~ "Need
any help?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Would you like some wine with your dinner?"
"That sounds nice."
"Red or white?"
"I think we only have red."
"Oh." he says going to the cabinet.
Abby waits for him.
He pours her a glass.
"So what shall we drink to?"
"New Beginnings."
"I'll drink to that," Abby says, raising her glass.
Tom clinks the glass and takes a sip. "Hmmm 1977, a very good
year."
Abby also takes a sip. "October--it was a good month for wine."
Tom smiles. "I'll get us a better bottle for our anniversary."
"Who needs wine when I've got you?"
"True and I have you."
"True."
He kisses her.
The phone rings. Abby groans. "It always rings at the good parts."
"Let one of the kids get it."
"OK," Abby agrees, and kisses him.
Elizabeth answers from upstairs.
"May I please speak with Mrs. Bradford?" the caller asks.
"Hold on, ABBY...for you." she screams then coughs.
"Thanks," Abby yells back. "I've got it." She picks up the phone, but before
speaking tells Tom, "I don't like that cough of hers."
"It does sound bad, I'll call Max as soon as you get done."
"I'll be quick," Abby promises. She speaks into the phone. "Yes, this is
Abby Bradford...You did?...You are?...You do?...You would?...When?...Oh.
You know, let me take your number. I'll have to get back to you....Yes, tomorrow....
I will....Thank you." Abby hangs up the phone. "All yours."
"Well...." Tom asks.
"You wanted to call Max," Abby reminds him.
"Yeah." he dials the number. "What was your call about? You lit up like a
Christmas tree."
"A job offer."
"Oh that's good." he says waiting for Max to answer.
"Hello."
"Max, its Tom." he then tells him of Elizabeths Cough.
"I'll be right over." He says.
"Thanks again Max." Tom then hangs up. "He'll be right over, so what about
this job?"
By now Abby has had a chance to think things through a little and is less
enthusiastic. "It's at one of these tutoring centers. I can't take it."
"Why not?"
"It's after-school work."
"Oh..." he says. "But if you want it, go for it."
"Tom, if I couldn't make a job during school hours work out, how could I
ever hope to make an after-school job work out?"
"Take classes during the day."
"I wasn't talking about graduate school."
'No, I mean reverse the schedule. Classes during the day and work in the
afternoons."
"And take care of this family when?"
Tom shrugs. "I'm just trying to help."
"I know."
He kisses her. "I'll support you in whatever you want to do."
"If I only knew what that was. It's so much simpler for you men."
"You think?"
"All you have to do is bring home a paycheck. Anything else you do is considered
amazing."
"We are not going to this subject again are we?"
"It's true, and you know it."
Tom sighs. "Yes, but I can't change 1000's of years of history."
"I never asked you to. I was just stating a fact."
"So what can I do?'
"I didn't ask you to do anything. Why do you think you have to?"
"Because I love you and I want to make things right for you and I know I
can't."
"Sometimes all I need is someone to listen to me. I'm a grown woman, Tom.
If I need things made right for me, I can do that myself."
Tom nods. "I know, but can't I once in a while be that knight?"
"Only if you bring home your white horse."
"I can rent one, if that what it takes."
"But could you ride it?"
"Badly, but I'd do it."
"I might have to teach you. After I finally get you driving Gwendolyn properly."
Tom rolls his eyes.
Part 2