Episode 44: Risky Behavior
Part 2
Soon Max knocks on the door.
"I'll get that." Tom says.
"Hi Tom." Max says when Tom answers the door.
"Hi, thanks for coming. Abby and I are worried about her cough."
"Not a problem. I'm concerned myself especially since she appeared
on the road to recovery yesterday."
Tom takes him upstairs.
They go into Elizabeth's room. "Abby and I will wait out here."
Max nods and goes into examine Elizabeth.
"What's taking him so long?" Tom asks Abby as he paces the hallway.
"He wants to be more thorough this time?" Abby guesses.
Tom continues to pace.
"Wearing a hole in the carpet won't get him out any faster."
Max soon comes out of Elizabeth's room.
"What is it Max."
"It's sounding like bronchitis."
"Terrific." Tom sighs. "So what do we do?"
"Pretty much what you've been doing until now, only more so. More rest, more
fluids. Don't let her go out just yet--maybe some time next week."
"Good thing Nancy's going to LA, but in the meantime. we better move her
in with one of the others." Tom tells Abby.
"Mary did say she'd keep an eye on her."
"Somehow I don't think she meant sharing her room." he says. "But its either
that or the screen porch." Tom says.
"Thanks Max." Tom walks him down.
"You realize you're only two house calls away from a set of free glasses?"
Max jokes.
"Funny, I am sorry."
"I'm the one who's sorry."
"What for?"
"Not catching this earlier."
"Max, even I know kids can be fine one minute and not the next.'
"Even so. Look, keep a close eye on her, and if you see anything suspicious
at all, call me. I don't want this to get to the point of hospitalization."
Tom nods. "We will."
"Good."
"Thanks again."
"I'll come by tomorrow to check on her again."
Tom nods.
Max leaves.
Tom goes back upstairs.
Abby has gone in to check on Elizabeth.
"How is she?" he whispers.
"Sick," Abby whispers back.
"So much for a little cold."
Abby nods.
"We better get a schedule together." he suggests. "I'll take the first watch."
"Don't you have work to do?"
"Yes, but..." he worries.
"I can watch her. Now shoo."
Tom sighs "Ok."
Abby recognizes the sigh. "Writer's block again?"
"How did you know?"
"I know all your secrets, remember?"
Tom blushes, "Yeah."
"Maybe tonight I can show you a few more things you've talked about in your
sleep."
Tom smiles and kisses her. "I'd like that. I better tell Joannie about
Elizabeth."
"She's going to be disappointed."
He nods. "So will Elizabeth."
"You're right."
"See you later."
"Bring me back a column!"
"Yes ma'am." he says and goes in search of Joannie.
Joannie is in the kitchen, preparing herself a snack.
"Joannie, can you finish making dinner for the others?"
"Sure. You taking Abby out again?"
"No." He tells her about Elizabeth.
"Poor kid. Bronchitis is a bummer. Wait--does that mean she won't even be
able to watch the show?"
"I'm afraid not, you would want her to get the kids sick."
"No. But she was looking forward to it."
"I know." he says. "We'll have to wait and see. I need to make
some hot lemonade for Elizabeth."
"You trying to poison her?"
"No." he says. "I have to do something."
"I'll make her the lemonade. Why don't you go--well...um...."
"Go write my column?"
"Good idea. Someone's got to earn the money to pay for her medicine."
Tom sighs. "You and abby think alike."
"Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was." he says and retreats to the study.
Joannie gets to work making the hot lemonade and then takes it upstairs.
"Thanks Joannie." Liz says in-between coughs
"You sound terrible."
"Gee thanks." she says. "Ugh." she says drinking the stuff."
"Hey, it wasn't my idea," Joannie reminds her.
'Sorry About the show."
"I'm just sorry you're going to miss it all."
"Yeah, my dance debut." she says before hacking loudly.
"Better than making that and your ER debut, all in the same night."
She nods and lays back down.
"When we come home we'll put on the show all over again, just for you," Joannie
promises.
"I'll hold you to that."
"You'll have to fight us off with a stick."
She smiles and drifts off to sleep.
"Poor kid," Joannie says to Abby.
"Yeah, but at least we'll be taking good care of her."
"If Dad's remedies don't kill her first."
Tommy comes up. "What's going on?"
"Elizabeth's got bronchitis."
"Bummer."
"Yeah. She's going to miss the benefit."
"Double bummer." he says.
"Yep. How was school?"
"Fine." he says.
"Good. Hey, do you think you could make your act with Nancy a little longer?"
"Sure."
"Good. And maybe Susan can do her tuba solo really solo."
He nods.
"Now how are we going to keep Elizabeth entertained?"
"TV?"
"Think we'll be able to pry it away from Dad and Abby? They're home during
the day, too."
He shrugs. "It is for a good cause."
"Well, you could ask them."
"I will."
"Good."
Tommy knocks on Liz's door quietly.
Abby meets him on her way out.
"Hi, how is she?"
"Coughing."
"Too bad. Do you think she'd like the TV?"
"Is that your subtle way of asking for it for her?"
"I Guess."
"It should be OK. Let me check with your father."
"Sure."
"I'll be back." Abby heads downstairs and to the study.
Tom gets up. "How is she?"
"Coughing. Tommy thinks she might like the TV."
"Fine with me, we can entertain ourselves."
"We can?" Abby asks, pretending innocence.
"Yep." he winks at her.
"Scrabble?"
"Sure, among other things."
"Gin rummy?"
"How about strip poker?"
"Now you're talking."
He smiles.
Abby gives a big yawn. "You know, I'm awfully tired today. I think that after
dinner I may go straight up to bed."
"It has been a long day."
"And it'll be an even longer night," Abby whispers in his ear.
"Who'll look after Elizabeth?"
Abby sighs. "You're right."
"We both will."
"There's no reason for both of us to be up all night."
"Why not?"
"Why yes?"
"We'll be together."
"Yep, just the three of us."
Tom sighs.
"Maybe we should just stick with turns."
He nods. "I'll take the first shift."
"You'll do anything to avoid being up with a kid at 2 am, won't you?" Abby
teases.
"Worked so far." he jokes back.
"And I guess it'll work again. Wake me up when it's time to change shifts."
"I shall."
Abby kisses him.
He goes to Elizabeth's room.
Abby checks on dinner and then heads upstairs.
Nicholas knocks on Abby's door.
"Come in."
"Hi."
"Hi, Nicholas."
"Whatcha doing?"
"Nothing much. How was school?"
"It was ok."
"That's good."
"I guess, I'll see you later."
"Wait--was there something you wanted?" Abby asks.
He shrugs. "just to say hi."
"Hi," Abby smiles.
"May I sit with you for awhile?"
"I'd like that."
"How's Elizabeth?"
"Sick. But she'll get better. Just stay away from her--I don't want you getting
sick, too."
"Ok." he says.
"Because being sick is a real bummer, right?"
He nods. "Yucky."
"I agree."
"Any luck on a new job?"
"I haven't really started looking. I think I could get used to this staying
at home."
"I kinda like having you here."
"That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all day."
"It is?"
Abby smiles and nods.
"cool."
"Maybe I should have you teach everyone else."
"HUH?"
"How to say such nice things," Abby clarifies.
"Oh.."
"Hey, you know anything we could do for fun right now, you and I?"
"Checkers?"
"Will you go easy on me?"
He smiles and nods.
"OK, then, go get the board and let's play."
"OK." he goes and gets the checkers.
Mary walks in to Elizabeth's room. "Hey do you need anything?"
"Thanks how about a magazine?" Elizabeth says.
"Sure coming right up, but I do have a question first."
"What?"
"Would you'd rather be in my bed?"
"Why?" she asks.
"So Nancy and I don't have to share a bed."
"Oh." she laughs. "I'm sorry."
Mary laughs also. "Not your fault."
"Ok, I'll move."
"Thanks I'll help you." Mary says.
"Thanks." she says feeling a little woozy.
Mary gets her settled in bed and goes to look for someone to help her move
the tv in there.
In her room, Abby tries to mentally prepare herself for defeat.
Nicholas brings back the game and decides to let Abby win.
Abby notices she's winning and starts to work at losing.
Nicholas makes some mistakes.
Abby makes a few more.
Nicholas looks at her and scratches his head. "Are you losing on purpose?"
"Are you?"
"I ask you first."
"But I'm older."
"I'm younger."
"But you were trying to let me win."
"How'd you know?"
"Because you're too smart to be making those kinds of mistakes by mistake."
"I was just trying to cheer you up."
"You're doing that just by hanging out with me."
"I am?"
"You are."
"Another game?"
"No cheating?"
"No cheating."
"And no going easy on me."
He agrees.
Abby helps him set up the board again.
This time Nicholas plays for real.
And wipes the floor with Abby. "Ouch."
"Sorry."
"I asked for it. How about you teach me to play better?"
"I just practice."
"Guess I'll have to try that."
"I better go to bed."
"Want me to tuck you in?"
"That's ok, I can do it."
"OK. Good night, Nicholas."
"Goodnight." he says and gives her a hug and leaves.
Soon Tom comes in.
"Hi. How's Elizabeth?"
"Fine as long as I keep giving her cough syrup."
"Just don't overdose her."
"Abby, give me a little credit will you?"
"I'm sorry."
He sighs. "It's ok." and sees the checker board. "Nicholas?"
"Defeat is very humiliating."
Tom smiles. "Don't feel too bad, he has had seven people to teach him."
"How come no one ever teaches me anything?"
"What do you want to learn?"
"What do you know how to teach?"
"Need a refresher on this afternoon?"
"This afternoon? The picnic? You know, I do believe I'm starting to forget
what I learned. I think I might need a refresher. Know anyone who'd be willing
to give it to me?"
"I think I am willing."
Abby puts her arms around Tom. "You only think?"
"I know."
"So let's see your lesson plan."
He kisses her "First chapter."
"I think I know that chapter already. Here, let me try," Abby says and kisses
him.
"Third Chapter." Tom says.
"Hey, what happened to the second?"
"You are a fast learner."
"I'll take your word for it. OK, what's in the third chapter?"
Before he can demonstrate Elizabeth starts hacking again. Tom sighs.
"Time to get back to work, Florence Nightingale."
"Yeah."
"Want me to handle it?" Abby offers.
"Would you? I need some coffee."
"Sure. Why not bring me a cup, too, and something warm for Elizabeth?"
He nods. "Clear Broth?"
"Good choice. Even you can't mess up clear broth."
"Ha Ha." he mocks. "I'll be back."
"I'll be in Elizabeth's room." Abby walks out with Tom and she heads into
Mary's room.
"Hi Abby." she says sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Hi. Your dad's making you some broth. It should help your throat a little."
"Thanks." she says. "For just a cold, I am miserable."
"The name isn't important. If you're miserable, you're miserable."
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah." ~Not her fault she interrupted us.~
"Tell me I'm going to get better."
"You will get better," Abby smiles at her.
"Thanks."
Abby wonders what's taking Tom so long with the coffee and broth.
Tom juggles the tray up the stairs.
"I think I hear our waiter," Abby tells Elizabeth.
He lightly kicks the door with his foot.
Abby gets up and opens the door for him.
"Thanks." he says.
Abby distributes the cups.
"Not bad Dad."
Tom mocks glares at her.
"Elizabeth's right. Who made this?" Abby jokes.
"I did." he states.
"It taste good Dad, thanks." Liz says.
"You are welcome."
"Thanks, Tom," Abby echoes.
He nods.
"I'm going back to bed." Liz sighs.
"Want us to sit with you for a while?"
"Would you?"
"Of course."
"There's a book on my nightstand "The President's Plane is Missing." Its
for English, would you mind?"
"I'll get it," Abby offers.
"Can you start the first chapter?"
"Start it?" Abby asks, confused.
"Read it to me?" she says
"Oh, sure," Abby says. ~First Tommy, now Elizabeth? It's getting to be a
trend around here.~ Abby gets the book and starts reading aloud.
"Thanks."
Abby smiles at her and continues reading.
Before Abby can finish the chapter. Elizabeth falls asleep.
Tom listens intently.
Abby notices both these things and continues reading for a while.
"You are good." he whispers.
"Wait until you get to chapter three," Abby whispers back.
Tom smiles
"She's asleep," Abby hints.
"But how does it end?"
"You're asking me? I still don't know what the third chapter is."
Tom quietly leads Abby out. "Chapter three is about to be finish."
"Is it a quick chapter?"
"Yes, then you can show me chapter four."
"Me? This is your lesson plan."
"ok ok."
"So--chapter three?" Abby hints.
Tom resumes chapter three
"You're really a very good teacher," Abby tells him.
"Well I had a good role model."
"Oh?"
"You, silly."
"If I'm so silly, how did I teach you so much?"
"You just have."
"I wonder what else I can teach you."
"I don't know, what can you?"
"Step into my office and I'll show you."
"I can hardly wait."
Abby walks into the bedroom and crooks her finger at Tom.
Tom follows her in.
Abby puts her arms around him. "Now, for your first lesson."
"Yes?"
She kisses him.
"So far I like the curriculum."
"Curriculum? That was just the course summary," Abby laughs.
"The outline?"
"No, the outline is a little more...detailed."
"I see, I better take notes."
"Don't worry; it's an open book test."
"There's a test?"
"Oh, yes. There's definitely a test."
'Uh oh, I better pay attention."
"Absolutely."
Tom kisses her
Abby enthusiastically responds.
Tom quietly locks the door.
"Ah, privacy."
"Let's hope."
"You'd better more than hope. I'm a tutor. I don't teach in front of a crowd."
"One on one basis huh?"
"Most enjoyable way to teach."
"Most enjoyable way to learn too."
"Oh? You've tried learning this subject in a crowd before?"
"Funny."
Abby considers the thought of Tom as an exhibitionist. "Yeah, it is."
"It is?"
"Sort of blows that whole 'sober, upright, father-figure with a gleam in
his eye' image of yours."
"Well that's for the kids sake."
"Oh? Then what's for my sake?"
"Hopefully a Cary Grant type." he jokes
"A little before my time."
Tom sighs. "Paul Newman?"
"Mmmm. He's got great eyes."
"So I hear."
"But yours are better."
"Yeah right."
"At least I think they are."
Tom smiles and kisses her.
"Better. Much better."
"An A?"
"At least."
"Oh my."
"But it's just the first test. There are still a lot of subjects to be covered."
"Like what?'
"You did very well on the necking. Now we start to move lower."
"Oh..." he then moves on.
"You're a very good student."
"Well I don't want to be in dutch with the teacher."
"What would you rather be in with the teacher?"
"Pure Bliss."
Abby kisses him. "That help you any?"
"Oh yes."
"How else can I be of service?"
"How about letting me serve you?"
"I think I'd like that."
Tom leads her to the bed and starts kissing her.
"You certainly do know how to satisfy your customers," Abby murmurs.
"I aim to please." he whispers.
"Show me."
Tom does.
"Wow," Abby sighs contentedly when he's finished. "Talk about customer service."
"So what's my final grade?"
"Definitely a 4.0."
"Thank you, I'll give you the same grade."
"I should certainly hope so. It was my course, after all."
"That it was."
"Maybe tomorrow you can prepare the lesson plan."
"Eager are we."
"More like curious."
"How curious?"
Abby begins to kiss him again. "Very, very curious."
Tom resumes his lesson plan.
"Already? I'm impressed."
"Good, have to keep you interested."
"Somehow I think you can handle that assignment."
Tom smiles.
Abby waits for Tom to start handling the assignment.
Which he does
"Think Elizabeth's down for the night?" Abby asks.
"I better go check."
Abby sighs. "Do parents ever get time off for good behavior?"
"Uh huh...in about 20 years."
Abby groans. "I'm not sure I can wait that long."
"I'll be right back." he assures her.
"Right."
Tom goes and checks on Elizabeth and sees she's sleeping.
Abby dozes while she waits for Tom.
He soon comes in.
Abby turns towards him, half asleep.
"She's asleep." he tells her.
"That's good."
He nods and gets back into bed.
Abby yawns.
"I wore you out?"
"You wish."
Tom chuckles. "Ok, you wore me out."
"I figured I would," Abby smiles.
"Sorry."
"Don't be. I'm flattered."
"But I didn't wear you out."
"Women are different from men, you know."
"Yes I know that."
"Then don't worry about it."
Tom yawns. "OK."
Abby leans over and kisses him. "Good night."
"Good night."
Nancy catches Noah on his way to work and stops him.
"Before you lie to me I have ways of finding out what is really going on.
Now where were you really last night and the other nights that you say you've
been working late?"
"I was working."
"No Noah where were you?" She tells him about stopping by the place
he works last night.
He sighs. "Look it means nothing. I love you you know that, but
three years is an awfully long time. This way it's not you and I that
are well...."
"Are you telling me that you've been..... With someone else?"
He nods.
"Noah how could you? I thought you loved me."
"I do love you, she means nothing to me. I'll stop when we get married."
She shakes her head. "And what if you're unable to stop. Did
you ever consider that?"
"I'll be able to stop I promise."
"No uh uh, it's either her or me you can't have both."
"Nancy, what I do with this woman has nothing to do with us. Why are
you making such a big deal out of this?"
"Because I can't do this. I can't marry a man who's going to sleep
around."
"I won't once we're married."
"Forgive me if I don't believe you."
"Nancy come on I love you, don't do what I think you're going to do."
"I love you too. I probably always will but this isn't ok with me."
She slowly takes the engagement ring off and gives it back to him.
He sighs heavily and nods. "And going three years without....
isn't ok with me I thought I could do it but I can't."
"Hey I do understand but I'm still not ok with it, does that make sense?"
"It makes a lot of sense. I guess I'll see you around." He says.
"Yeah." She goes back home and after watching her walk into the house
he goes to work.
Sam greets Nancy.
She gives him a hug and pets him. "I'm not getting married after all
buddy. But you'll still see Holly that I promise you." She says trying
to keep her tears from falling.
He licks her face.
She laughs through her tears and once she's done crying. "I don't know
about you but I'm pretty hungry. Why don't we go see if someone has
started breakfast?"
Sam follows her into the kitchen.
"Hey what's for breakfast?"
"Waffles, French toast, eggs and bacon," Abby says.
"Sounds good." She replies.
"Sit down. I'll fix you up a plate."
"Ok," she does this.
Abby serves her a huge breakfast.
"Thanks Abby." She says and eats the best she can her thoughts still on what
happened with Noah.
"You OK?"
"No not really. Noah and I broke up."
"What???"
"He couldn't wait three years." She tells her what Noah had done and what
happened after.
"That's terrible. I'm sorry, Nancy."
"Thanks Abby, I'm sorry too, even after what he's done I still love him,
but I'm not going to put with infidelity from any man."
"I understand."
"Thanks." She says and manages to finish eating and sneak Sam some scraps
"Any time you want to talk, you know I'm around."
"I know and I'll be taking you up on that as soon as I can talk more about
it."
"Whenever you're ready."
"Thanks Abby, I'd better get to school. See you when I get home."
"I'll be here."
Nancy gives her a hug, Sam a pat, and then heads out.
Abby waits for her next customer.
Mary walks in. "Good morning."
"Good morning. Sleep well?"
"Tossed and turned actually, how bout you?"
"Tossed and turned? Why?"
"I have an anatomy test today. It's my worst subject."
"You do well even in your worst subjects," Abby reminds her.
"That record might very well be broken. I failed my last anatomy test."
"Do you know why?"
"No I don't. I studied just as hard for that one as I do for all my
tests."
"Maybe you should ask Max for advice. He got through med school, too."
"Hmm, that sounds like a good idea, I'll stop by there today. And you
never said how you slept?"
"Oh, fine," Abby smiles. "Just fine."
"That's good."
"Yep."
"But did you really sleep fine?"
"I did." ~Once I got to sleep.~
"Good, do you need help with breakfast?"
"Only to know what it is you want."
"Well what are you making?"
Abby repeats the breakfast menu.
"Wow that all sounds good."
"So a little bit of everything?"
She nods.
Abby fixes her a plate.
Between bites. "Any idea how Nancy's confronting Noah went?"
"Not well. They broke up."
"Oh no, those poor kids, what happened?"
Abby tells her what she knows.
"Oh man, that louse." She says about Noah.
"I know; I still can't believe it."
"I guess you never know."
"It just seems so wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"After all they've been through, to end like this..."
She shrugs. "Maybe it's only end for a little while. Noah might come to his
senses and Nancy might forgive him with time. She'll probably insists
they both get pre marriage counseling though."
"I certainly hope so. I don't know that I could forgive a man who cheated
on
me, though."
"Me either but Nancy isn't us. She did forgive Cassie for what happened
with Ray."
"But she didn't marry Cassie."
"True, I just hope she'll be all right."
"She will be, but it might take some time."
"Yeah, I just hope then men in this family don't decide they should go after
Noah."
"Most of them don't even have women to cheat on," Abby says.
"No I meant I hope they don't decide that pain should be inflicted on him."
At that point Tom walks in.
"Good morning Dad."
Abby gets up and starts preparing him a plate of breakfast.
"good morning."
Abby brings him his breakfast and a kiss. "Good morning."
"So how is everything this morning."
Mary gives Abby a should we tell him look.
"Not so good," Abby says. She tells him about Nancy and Noah.
Mary gives Abby a should we tell him look.
"Now, Tom, that's not what you used to say."
Tom sighs.
"I thought you liked him Dad." Mary says.
"I did..but this."
Mary sighs. "I know I'm mad at him too."
Tom then think of his own indiscretions. "I think I better have a talk with
that boy."
"Huh?"
"Noah." he says.
"But gently, OK?" Abby says.
He nods.
"Ok, but don't hit him or anything." Mary says.
"Bradfords don't hit."
Abby gives him another kiss and then sits down.
"Did she go to school today?" Mary asks again.
"I'm not sure," Abby says. "I didn't ask if she was going to."
"I'll keep an eye out for her." She says as she washes her dishes.
"thanks."
She nods. "Thanks for breakfast Abby."
"You're welcome."
She heads off for school.
Tom eats his breakfast. "How is Nancy?"
"How do you think?"
"Devastated?'
"In shock, I'd say."
Tom nods. "Maybe LA will do her some good."
"As long as Brad keeps an eye on her."
"I agree."
"So how do we make sure he does?"
"Call him?"
"Is that fair to Nancy?"
Tom shrugs. "You are the one that asked about Brad."
"I know, but we have to do this delicately. Nancy might not want everyone
knowing what went wrong."
"He has to know about the diabetes anyway."
"Yes, that's true."
"So give him a call."
Abby tosses Tom a mock salute and heads towards the phone.
"I wasn't ordering you." Tom states.
"It's OK," Abby says, and dials Brad's office.
"I'll go find Noah." Tom says.
"Good luck."
Tom kisses her and leaves the house in search for Noah
Noah's at work but outside the building pondering his life.
Abby waits for someone in Brad's office to pick up.
"Hello." Brad replies.
"Hi, Brad. It's Abby Bradford. I wondered if I could you ask you a favor
while Nancy is in LA next week?"
"Hi abby, sure."
"I'd like someone to just keep an eye on her. She's been going through a
lot, with school, and now she's been diagnosed with diabetes, and--well,
with a lot of things."
"What kind of things?"
"You should probably ask Nancy about that."
"Abby, is she going to be 100 %. This is a very important ad campaign."
"I know she wants to be. I'm just asking that you help her. I know you always
have before."
"and I'll continue to do so."
"Thank you."
"Thanks for calling."
"Thanks for listening."
Brad hangs up.
Part 3