Episode 44: Risky Behavior
Part 4
Noah's washing his car and trying to get his mind off of Nancy when Ellen
shows up. He turns off the hose and faces her. "How's it going?"
She socks him in the jaw. "I told you not to break her heart you idiot."
He rubs his jaw. "How did you find out?"
"I overheard you and her father talking about it yesterday."
"What were you doing there?"
"That's irrelevant."
"So you basically hate me now?"
"No, we're still friends, but I'm on Nancy's side in this."
"Then can you find out how to get her back and then tell me." He pleads.
"Leave her alone Noah, ok." She goes home. Noah turns around and sees
his little sister standing there.
"Meany." Holly says and goes inside.
"Holly!!" He sighs and finishes washing his car.
Sometime later, in the house, Nancy takes a break from studying and is about
to go to watch some tv when the phone rings. She answers it.
~It's about time she answered.~ The caller thinks and threatens her
but doesn't mention Nancy's name.
Nancy scoffs, shakes her head, and hangs up. "Our hangup caller has
finally spoken." She says to whoever is within listening distance.
"What did he want, to know if we have Prince Albert in a can?" Joannie asks.
"Actually I couldn't tell if it was a he, but they think it's funnier to
make threats than to mention Prince Albert. Probably Kenny P."
"Threats?"
Nancy nods. "I'm sure it's nothing, just Kenny or some other kid thinking
they're funny."
"What did he say?"
"That I'll meet my maker soon."
"Max Factor?"
Nancy laughs. "Could be."
"Well, you meet him every morning. At length."
"True." She says and then remembers the letter. ~Naah can't be, there's
no way they'd know my phone number.~
"Guess next week Kenny will have to make do with the rest of us."
"Yeah, if his parents haven't found out by then and curb his prank calling."
"Like they ever would."
"Yeah." A moment later. "Wait a minute didn't Kenny move?"
"Maybe it was a long distance call."
Nancy shakes her head. "Would Irving J. Moore do that?"
"If he thought he could get away with it."
"Well I sure hope it was him." She tells her about the letter she received.
"Did you tell Dad about this?"
"No, not with his ulcer. Abby and Brad know."
"Just make sure you stick close to Brad while you're away."
"I will, I think it's all a hoax but why take chances."
"Exactly."
"Do you think I should tell them about that call?"
"Can't hurt."
"Is Abby still home?"
"Unless she left with David, she should be."
"Then I shall return." She says and goes looking for Abby.
Nancy knocks on the study door to see if Abby is in there.
"Come in."
She walks in. "Hey are you busy?"
"No, not at all. Come in, sit down. What's on your mind?"
She sits down. "I'm hoping it's nothing." She's about to tell
her about the phone call but then wonders. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried about you."
"I'll be ok, it's just going to take time, but something else has come up."
She tells her about the phone call.
"Are you sure you didn't recognize the voice?"
Nancy nods. "They were disguising it. I think it's a prank but Joannie
and I figured I should tell you and Brad anyway."
"It doesn't hurt to be cautious. I think you should tell Brad."
"I am, I'll call him soon. Hey is Tommy all right? David said
he stayed home."
"His stomach was bothering him."
"But he's all right now?"
"I think so. It was probably just nerves."
"That's a relief. Abby can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Did you ever go through or known anyone that went through what happened
with Noah and I?"
"Well, not exactly, but along the same lines, yeah."
"How long did it take to get over it?"
"Well, they were a little different than you and Noah; they were already
married, there was more reason to stay together, so they did, and worked
at mending their relationship. But if you mean whether they ever were the
same as they had been before, I don't think they were."
"That had to be awful to go through."
"I guess it was. But see, what you have to understand is that when someone
betrays a trust, they're not only betraying the person they're with, they're
also betraying themselves. So even if their partner forgives them and trust
them again, they may never be able to forgive or trust themselves."
"So basically Noah is just as mad at himself as I am at him."
"I don't know about that--only Noah could know. All I'm saying is that he'll
be as much changed by this, no matter what happens, as you will be."
"Yeah, this situation has made me a little more cautious and bitter towards
men. I'm hoping the bitterness is just temporary."
"It is. And better you found out what Noah is capable of now, rather than
after you were married."
Nancy nods. "Yeah things could always be worse."
"How?" Abby says to herself, thinking of her own situation.
"I could've found out after we were married and by then Noah probably wouldn't
have been able to stop."
"Huh?" Abby comes back to reality. "Oh, yes. You're right, that would have
been much worse."
"Funny thing is if he would have told me that day that he would never do
it again and that he was choosing me over her I would've given him another
chance."
"Then I guess we should be glad he still loved you enough to be honest with
you."
Nancy nods in agreement. "That's for sure."
Abby decides to divert Nancy's attention. "So--you just about ready for LA?"
"Just about I have everything packed except for what I can't pack til
Monday morning."
"I wasn't really talking about your things."
"Well I'd be lying if I said that what happened with Noah didn't put a damper
on things, but I still think it will be fun."
"Good. You deserve some fun."
"Thanks." She smiles. "I think we all do."
"Some of us have had a little too much fun in our lives," Abby sighs.
"Abby are you really all right? Besides worrying about me that is."
"Hmm? Oh, sure. Sure. I'm fine."
"Because if you weren't. You can talk to me."
~Not about this I couldn't.~ "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
"Anytime, so how's Elizabeth doing?"
"Getting better, slowly. Bored."
"I remember that feeling very well."
"I think you own the patent."
"Yeah well I'm selling it."
"Do me a favor--sell it to someone outside the family."
"Oh I will, any suggestions?" She half kids.
"Not yet, but when I think of one, I'll let you know."
"Good, hey when am I allowed to go and see Elizabeth again?"
"Are you sure you want to risk it?"
"No, but when will she be all better?"
"I'm not sure."
"Poor kid, I'm going to grab a snack before rehearsal do you want anything?"
"No, I'm fine, thanks."
"Ok," She goes back to the kitchen and calls Brad.
"Hello." Brad says.
"Hi Brad, it's Nancy Bradford."
"Nancy, Hi I was just thinking about you."
"You were?"
"How'd you like to have dinner with me when we get there."
"I'd love too, and hey where they'll be time to go to the beach while we're
there?"
"Sure, I'll make sure you have the time."
"Thank you, oh I had a weird phone call today, it might be nothing but I
thought I'd tell you."
"I've also hired a bodyguard while we are there."
"Good, because the caller was spouting threats also, thank you for hiring
him or her."
"No problem, he'll be with the limo I am sending to pick you up for the airport."
"Did you say limo?"
"Yes."
"Wow Brad, I don't know what to say."
"Nothing to say, can't have my star too tired."
"You're amazing, thank you."
"I'll see you then."
"See you then." Nancy says before hanging up.
"Bye," he then hangs up.
After Nancy hangs up, Joannie calls out from the hallway, "Come on, everyone,
time to get going."
"It's 4:30 already?" Nancy says and goes to wait for the others. Mary
soon joins her.
Abby joins them and considers going for Nicholas, but realizes that would
mean seeing Tommy. "Someone has to get the boys."
"I'll go and get them." Mary says and heads upstairs.
Elizabeth comes down. "Have fun and break a leg." she manages to say before
coughing.
"And you get back to bed," Abby tells her. "Don't want you getting any sicker."
"I am, have fun."
"We will." ~Sure we will.~
Liz goes back to bed.
Mary knocks on Tommy's and Nick's door. "Nicholas, let's go."
"Ok." he says
Mary goes back downstairs. "Nick's on his way."
"Cool." Nancy says hoping she didn't catch any of Elizabeth's germs.
Tommy comes down with his stuff. "Abby, can I talk with you a moment?"
"Sure. Is Nicholas almost ready?"
"He's coming."
"OK. Why don't I drive you to the rehearsal? We'll have time to talk in the
car," Abby suggests.
"Ok."
"Good." Abby goes to the foot of the stairs. "Nicholas! Susan!"
Nicholas runs down, "I'm here."
"I'm ready." Susan says "Let's go."
Joannie counts heads. "OK, let's go."
Nancy and Mary head out.
Joannie hurries Susan and Nicholas out so they don't miss their ride, leaving
Abby and Tommy to get themselves to Charles Street. "You ready to go?" Abby
asks him.
He nods. "I'm sorry about this morning."
"So am I. Are you doing any better?"
"Well lets just say my response to those pictures are starting to dull."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Yeah me too."
"Because you spent the day thinking?" Abby wonders about Tommy's turn-around.
"That and David gave me an idea."
"What idea?" Abby asks,. bracing herself.
"Are you sure you want to know?"
"I'm pretty sure I don't want to just wonder, and I will wonder if you don't
tell me."
"Ok, remember you said that." Tommy says. "He suggested instead of
seeing you and dad in those pictures, to think of me in those pictures with
Wendy Springer."
~Ew.~ "If that works for you." ~Great. Now I'll have that image in my mind
for the rest of the day.~
"Abby are you ok? You are pale."
"It's just been a long day. I'm fine." ~Wendy Springer doing that to Tommy...~
"I guess we better get going."
"You're right." ~And it will give me an excuse to concentrate on the road,
instead of that picture I've got now.~ Abby starts the car and pulls out
of the driveway.
Tommy remains quiet on the ride.
"You really OK?" Abby double checks.
He nods. "Just day dreaming."
"About Wendy Springer?"
"Yes."
~Uh oh...~
Tommy snickers under his breath. "Is that a problem?"
"No, of course not. Why would it be?"
"No reason, just wondering." ~Because you just pass our street maybe?~
Abby drives on. "You have every right to think about whatever you want to."
~I just wish you wouldn't use images from my life as your slide show.~
"Uh huh, Abby you missed the turnoff."
"Oh. Sorry." Abby turns around.
"Admit it, it bothers you."
"Hey, you don't judge me, I won't judge you."
"Fair enough."
"Then we've got a deal."
"Good."
David arrives at Charles Street and waits for the rest of his family
show up. Soon some of them start arriving while David tries to figure out
how not to practice with the rest of them so he doesn't reveal the song he's
going to sing at the show.
Nicholas arrives with the others
"Now let's hope this doesn't go well." Nancy says to him.
"Huh? Not well?"
"Bad dress rehearsal, Good opening night." She whispers to him.
"Oh,,,," he says. ~That's dumb.~
They make it over to David.
"Hello." He greets his family.
"Hi David."
"Hi, you ready to do your act with Dad?"
He nods. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to sing a song for the show."
"what?"
"You'll find out Saturday night."
"OK.'
Mary approaches her Dad. "It's not fair that David won't tell us what he's
singing."
Tom shrugs. "At least he's here."
"But Dad."
"No buts, its up to Joannie."
"Ok."
Tom goes outside to wait for Abby.
Abby pulls up at the orphanage. "See? I got us here in one piece."
Tom is waiting outside.
Abby parks the car, unsure of what exactly she'd like to say to Tom.
"I'll meet you inside." Tommy says.
Abby nods.
Tom walks towards her.
Abby waits for him, leaning against her car.
"How are you?"
"Fine. How was your meeting with Elliot Randolph?"
"It was just our monthly staff meeting."
"I meant when you showed him the picture."
Tom is shocked. "Abby, I didn't show him the picture."
"But I thought you were going to."
"What gave you that idea?"
"You said you were going to show it to a friend at the paper. And you went
to meet Elliot. I just assumed..."
Tom rolls his eyes. "What was it you used to say to Tommy before we got married."
"I shouldn't jump to conclusions," Abby recites. "Well, did you show the
picture to whoever it was you were going to show it to?"
"Yes, and he thinks he knows who took them."
"Who?"
"Some guy on the other paper."
"But why?"
"Just trying to crash my image and column." he says. "But it didn't work."
"How can you be so sure? What if he has more copies?"
"He won't use them after I told him I knew about his mistress and where she
lived and would expose him in my column for his wife to see."
"You didn't."
He nods. "I was bluffing of course, but it worked." he gives her the pictures
and negatives.
"I can't believe you threatened someone."
"Hey, it was our life he was messing with."
"But you're not the type to threaten people."
"What was I supposed to do?"
"What if he had told you to go right ahead?"
He shrugs.
Inside: "I heard about Noah." David says to Nancy when the others aren't
in hearing range.
"Who told you?" She asks.
"Noah did."
"Will you do me a favor and not go after him?"
"Ok." He concedes. "Want to go have coffee after the show?"
"Sure." She says.
Mary turns on the stage lights and discovers only one of them is working.
"Oh guys."
"What's wrong?" Joannie asks.
Mary shows her
"You'd better tell Father Trinelli."
Mary nods and goes looking for him. Father Trinelli is in one of the classrooms.
Mary knocks lightly on the door.
"Come in."
She walks in. "Hi sorry to interrupt but can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Of course."
"It's the stage lights, only one of them are working."
"It's probably a burned out bulb; I'll come look at it soon."
"Thank you." She says.
Father Trinelli nods. "Thank you for letting me know about it."
She nods and returns to Joannie. "Father Trinelli will be by soon to check
on it."
"That's good."
"Yep." She goes over her clipboard.
"We on schedule?"
"If Dad and Abby get in here soon we are."
"They're probably fighting or in some dark corner making out."
"Then I'm not going after them, Nancy."
"Hey no way I'm still in mourning. Get someone else." She goes
over to Tommy.
"Who will be our guinea pig?" Mary asks Joannie
"I'm going to go check the supply closet and see if I can find any spare
lightbulbs," Joannie says.
Tommy and Nicholas remain silent
"I'll do it." David says and goes outside. "Hey are you two coming in?" He
asks Tom and Abby.
"We'll be right there David." Tom says.
David nods and returns inside. "They're on their way."
"You mean they'll be here in a year or two," Joannie grouses.
David shrugs. "Someone else will have to go check on them next."
"Not me. A show needs a director."
"Why don't we just let them come in on their own." Mary says.
"Well, I suppose we can do a run through or three without them, but Tommy
and Nicholas might want the practice."
"Tommy and I can practice our act." Nancy says. "But who can help Nicholas?"
"Only Dad."
"Why don't we give them ten more minutes, and then one of us will go out
there if they're not back yet." Nancy says.
"If you're volunteering, sure."
"Huh?" She sighs. "Oh all right."
"We're all behind you."
"Yeah are you going to be behind me when I go outside to check on them?"
"Yep--far behind you."
"Ha ha."
"Well, you asked."
"That I did."
"So, Mary, who's first?"
She checks her clipboard. "Dad and Nicholas. But that can be
switched around with another act."
"They'll have to be."
"I'll go ask Tommy if he wants to start." Nancy says.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." She goes over to Tommy. "Hey Tommy are we ready to go on
first?"
"Sure."
"You'd have written that column?" Abby asks Tom. "It shouldn't surprise me,
considering what you did with those pictures this morning."
"Huh?"
"Must have been pretty proud of them if you went around showing them off
to your kids."
"Abby what are you talking about?"
"Well, I know you showed them off to David. I'm not sure who else you might
have shared them with."
"I showed them to David because I thought he might be able to help Tommy."
"Oh, he certainly did that."
"He did?" Tom lights up.
"Oh, he certainly did. Thanks to David's advice, those pictures now have
a starring role in Tommy's fantasy life."
"Huh? What?"
"David told Tommy to imagine those pictures were of himself and Wendy Springer.
And I don't even know who David's imagining the woman to be. I'm *so* glad
our pictures are starring in other people's sexual fantasies."
Tom sighs. "I'm sorry."
"You certainly ought to be. What were you thinking? What kind of father shows
those sorts of pictures to his son, I don't care how old? This isn't your
old stash of girlie magazines we're talking about. Those are pictures of
you and me. What's next, inviting them into the bedroom for the live demonstration?"
"Ok, I get your point. But what can I do now?"
Abby shrugs.
"Look if its any comfort I know David and Tommy won't tell the others."
"They'll find out anyway. Somehow, in this family they always do. Share and
share alike--I just guess I never knew how far that rule really went."
"Not this, I assure you."
"This'll stay just between you and the boys, huh?"
"Oh yes." he says. "You saw how Tommy reacted, you really think he would
share anything like this."
"You should have seen how Tommy reacted once he was thinking of himself in
those poses."
"Don't you think maybe he was just trying to get a rise out of you?"
"Get a rise?" Abby scoffs. "Oh, yeah, he was certainly getting a rise out
of something."
"Abby....." he chides.
"What?"
"We better get inside and talk about this later."
"Sure. Father knows best..."
~It's going to be a long night.~
~We're going to talk about this later~ Abby thinks as they go inside. ~Oh,
boy are we going to talk about this later.~
"Finally. I thought we were going to have to send rescue teams out after
you," Joannie tells them.
"Sorry, my humble apologies to the director and cast." Tom says.
"And after that long talk about being on time... OK, you're up first with
Nicholas. We were going to replace you, but you got here just in the nick
of time."
"Ok, come on Nicholas." Tom says. Tom and Nicholas do their Abbott
and Costello routine.
The family applauds and cheers.
"Good job, Nicky," Joannie says.
"Thanks." Nicholas says.
"What, no praise for me?" Tom asks Joannie.
"You were OK, Dad."
"Gee thanks."
"Don't worry. With practice you'll get better."
"Ha Ha."
"You were awesome." Nancy says to her little brother and Dad.
"Thank you, glad somebody thought so." Tom says.
"Oh we all thought so." David says. "You just need a little more practice
Dad." He jokes.
"Funny."
"I thought so." Mary says under her breath.
"I heard that." Tom states
Mary just smiles at him.
Tom just shakes his head and takes a seat.
"OK, Mary, who's up next?" Joannie asks.
"Nancy and Tommy." She says.
"OK, guys, up on stage. Show some hustle."
"Yes drill sergeant." Nancy says on her way to the stage.
Tommy and Nancy do the disappearing from the box act.
"Pretty good," Joannie says.
"Thanks." Tommy says.
"Thank you." Nancy says.
"OK, next," Joannie bellows.
"Tommy and Abby." Mary says.
Abby joins Tommy on stage, trying to keep her distance from any Bradford
male.
Tommy starts playing.
Abby sings.
"Wait, wait," Joannie says. "It's like a tennis game, watching the two of
you. Could you stay on the same side of the stage at least?"
Tommy moves towards the middle.
Abby moves a little, too.
"That's better," Joannie says. "Hey, Tommy--that was a terrible note or chord
or whatever you call it. How about playing and not just dreaming?"
"I wasn't dreaming." he states and then starts again.
"Sure."
Tommy and Abby continue until Abby flubs a line. Joannie groans.
"Joannie, can Abby and I take a minute to talk?" Tommy asks.
"Sure," Joannie sighs. "Just get your act together, all right?"
Nancy goes to the snack table to get a snack and a diet soda. From
there she continues to listen to the act.
Tom goes over to the table. "Hi, you OK?"
"Getting there." She says. "Abby has a wonderful voice."
"Yes she does." he says. "I'm sorry things didn't work out between
you and Noah."
"Thanks Dad, I am too, he had a lot of potential. I hope he at least
learns from this and can be happy someday."
"Yeah."
"Dad can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Do you hate Noah now?"
"Hate is a very strong word."
"How bout dislike?"
"More like disappointed."
"That makes two of us."
"One way or the other you'll get through it."
"I know, it's not like my heart hasn't been broken before."
Tom hugs her. "Like all of us."
"Yeah." She hugs him back.
"Lets go see how the others are doing."
"I'm with you." She says as they return.
Tommy pulls Abby aside. "Look, I was joking before. David never told me to
picture Wendy and me in those pictures. I just wanted to get even."
"Except with one difference--I never meant to hurt you. I didn't take those
pictures, and I didn't make you see them."
Tommy nods "I'm sorry."
"It's OK," Abby shrugs.
"Shall we try it again?"
"The songs or this whole getting back at each other thing?"
"The songs."
"OK." They head back to the stage.
Tommy starts again.
Abby sings, concentrating on the words.
Tommy concentrates on the chords following her lead.
They manage to get thorough their songs without flubbing it too badly.
"Well, at least I don't have to worry about a good dress rehearsal," Joannie
sighs.
"Are we done?" Tommy asks.
"The two of you might want to practice some more before Saturday," Joannie
suggests.
"Sure." ~If she'll speak to me.~
"Of course," Abby says ~And then he'll tell me that what he told me just
now was the joke, and David really did tell him to imagine Wendy Springer...~
"You have a wonderful voice Abby." Nancy tells her.
"Thank you. Tommy's playing really helps."
"Nah, you'd do great accapella" Tommy says.
"And you'd do a great guitar solo."
He shrugs.
"Yeah he's good that's for sure."
"Maybe this will help your father see that, too."
Nancy looks at Tom to see if he heard that and if Abby is right about that.
"You are both great." Tom states.
Abby smiles at him and leans forward to kiss him, remembering in time to
stop.
Tom kisses her anyway.
"Tom..." Abby protests and glances quickly in Tommy's direction.
Who's wrestling with Nicholas.
Abby then looks to see if David is watching.
David's busy trying to fend of Mary's questions about his act.
Abby sighs in relief.
Mary finally gives up on David and just gets how much time he'll need for
the act and relays this with Joannie.
"He's just trying to torture us."
"Exactly." Mary agrees and checks her clipboard. "Susan's next."
"Susan!!! Get your tuba up on stage!"
Susan gets her tuba and goes up onstage.
Nancy sits down to watch Susan's act.
"What do you say we all go out for dinner?" Tom asks.
"It's a good idea," Abby says. "I'll never have time to cook, the way this
rehearsal is going."
Tom nods taking her hand in his.
"Tom..." Abby protests again.
"Abby....I'm not going to let some idiot dictate on how I feel about you."
"Feel, no. Act--that's a different story."
"So now I can't hold my wife's hand in public?"
"Why take the risk?"
"Because I love you and I don't care who knows it."
"Oh? Then why did you threaten you know who?" Abby whispers.
"Because that was an invasion of our privacy."
"Which wouldn't have been possible if we hadn't been making a show of ourselves."
"And holding hands fall in that category?"
"Is that all it'll ever be?"
"No, never,"
"See what I mean?"
"Abby, we are letting that jerk win."
"It isn't a contest, Tom."
"Isn't it?"
"Sometimes I don't get you men. What exactly do you think you're going to
win?"
"Ok, let me hear what you would have done."
"What's done is done. It's the future that worries me."
"I don't understand."
"If someone tried to blackmail you once, they could try it again. We've got
to make sure to give them nothing to work with."
"So I cant display any sign of affection in public?"
"I'm just trying to protect you."
"Let me worry about that." he says as he takes her in his arms.
"Oh, no," Abby groans and pulls away.
"Abby, no job is worth my relationship with you."
"I'm not saying we should get a divorce," Abby protests. "But we could try
being a little discreet. I mean, what would you have said if it had been
one of your kids in those pictures? What would you have told them?"
"The same thing." he reluctantly admits.
"You know it's the right thing to do."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it." he pouts.
"Poor Tom. I'll make it up to you. Later. In private."
"Promise?'
"Promise."
He wants to kiss her but restrains himself.
"You're learning," Abby smiles at him.
"Painful as it is."
"You're incorrigible."
"I'd like to think so."
"Then I guess I'd better stop encouraging you."
"Please don't."
"Don't encourage you or don't stop?"
"Don't ever stop."
"OK, I won't. I'll just be discreet about it."
He sighs.
"You can hold out until tonight, can't you Tom?"
"Yeah sure, I have to cut down on appetizers anyway."
"That's right. They're not good for your ulcer."
"Right."
"Hey, you two," Joannie calls out to them. "Are you here to rehearse or to
whisper sweet nothings to each other?"
"I thought we were done?" Tom asks.
"Hey, everyone watched your acts. Give the same courtesy to the rest of us."
"Sorry." he states.
"You ought to be," Joannie teases.
Tom winks at her.
Joannie rolls her eyes. "Parents," she mutters.
Tom watches the others
Abby sits down next to him and listens to Susan's tuba solo. "So that's what
that noise was," she whispers to Tom.
He nods.
"I thought it was the house preparing to fall apart."
"It is, it vibrates the nails."
"Oh, so that's what it is. I thought it was just that our headboard's too
close to the wall..."
Tom slightly chuckles.
Abby reaches for his hand, unaware of what exactly she's doing until she's
done it.
He takes it before she can pull away.
Abby sighs and looks around to make sure no one has noticed.
"Just relax," he whispers to her.
"Easy for you to say."
"Yes it is."
Abby shakes her head and tries to relax.
Tom listens to his kids perform.
Meanwhile David approaches Nancy. "Dad wants to take us all out to
dinner, do you want to do that or coffee?"
"Both." She says.
"Ok, hey Joannie is it over!!" David asks about practice.
"No one wants to see my act?" Joannie pouts.
"Yeah David, now sit back down." Nancy says.
"We do." Tom says
"And David's, right?"
"No, I mean we want to stay and see your act." Tom reiterates.
"And David's, right?" Joannie hints.
"Oh yes, of course David's."
"You'll see mine on show night."
"Sorry, David," Joannie says. "You can't leave just yet."
"I'm not leaving, I'm looking forward to the free dinner and seeing your
act."
"And I'm looking forward to hearing yours."
"And you'll hear it on Saturday." He says.
"Said the broken record." Nancy quips.
"Today, David. It's dress rehearsal--that means we do it all."
He shakes his head. "Not till Saturday."
"Dad," Joannie appeals to a higher authority.
"David, its only fair." Tom says.
Joannie smirks.
"Dad I can't, it'll ruin everything." David insists.
"Ruin what?"
David looks from his Dad to Joannie wondering which of them can best keep
a secret.
"David...." Tom asks
"Dad I'd tell you but it's Joannie's show and I should tell her."
"Fine." Tom starts rubbing his head.
"Joannie can I talk to you privately?"
"Sure."
"Headache?" Abby whispers to Tom once David moves off.
"Yes, eight of them." he whispers.
Abby laughs. "Not nine?"
"Well once in a while." he kids.
Abby pretends to glare at him, "Donna wouldn't appreciate you saying that."
"Donna, oh right." he backtracks.
"We both know you couldn't have meant me," Abby bats her eyelashes.
'Of course not."
"No, of course not," Abby smiles at him.
David leads Joannie backstage and shows her the lyrics to the song he's going
to sing.
"David, you wrote this?"
He nods. "Now do you see why I don't want to sing it till Saturday night?"
"Can't you sing something else now and then switch this in on Saturday night?"
"Sure, but what?"
"Oh come on, even you know more than one song."
He smiles. "Ok, just give me a few minutes."
"Whenever you're ready."
David nods and then they both go out there.
"Well?' Tom asks.
"I'll sing, before or after your act Joannie?"
"One crises solved."
"Hurray for Tom Bradford."
"Rah Rah." he states.
"It's going to be the cheerleader thing again, isn't it?" Abby sighs exaggeratedly.
"Ha Ha."
"Watch the show."
"After," Joannie says and gets on stage. "You're our closing number."
He nods and takes a seat to watch, so do Nancy and Mary.
Joannie performs her act.
Which gets Nancy, Mary, and even David laughing. Even Tom laughs.
Joannie finishes her act and takes her bows.
Her family cheers for her.
"And now, for our final act, David Bradford!"
"Yeah David!!" Nancy says offering him encouragement.
"No applause just throw money." He says as he gets on stage.
"Forget money, he really wants us to throw girls," Joannie stage whispers.
David mock glares at her.
"And plenty of them." Mary adds.
"My sisters will probably be the death of me." He jokes before doing his
act.
After David finishes his act, his family cheers for him.
~Why was he so adamant about waiting til Saturday to sing that? Must
have really been nervous.~ Nancy thinks.
"OK, everyone, you have until Saturday to polish up your acts," Joannie announces.
"And don't slack off." Mary adds.
"Regular General Pattons," Abby whispers to Tom.
"Yeah, I'll be glad when its over."
"Why? You weren't that bad--I mean, you were pretty good."
"Thanks...I think." he says. "You were great."
"You say that every night," Abby whispers in his ear.
"Well you have many talents."
"Thank you."
He wants to kiss her but afraid he'll get a lecture.
"Now can we go out to dinner?" Nancy says.
"Yes, now we can go out to dinner," Joannie says.
He nods.
"Good." She says. "Where are we going?"
"Up to you guys." Tom says.
"Pizza." David suggests.
"All those in favor?" Tom asks.
"Tacos." Mary says.
"Seafood." Nancy says.
"Hamburgers." Nicholas votes
"Barbeque." Tommy states.
"Oh come on guys." Tom says.
"Isn't there a place we can get all of that?" Mary asks.
"Sure, if we take a trip around the world." Tom says. "Abby what do you suggest
we do?"
"Only place I know to get all that is the grocery store."
"Sure, if they are all willing to cook it on their own."
"Well?" Abby asks the kids. "Your choice. One restaurant or do-it-yourself."
"Guys we have to decide on just one." David says.
"Draw the type of food out of a hat." Nicholas suggests.
"That'll work." Nancy says.
"Good thinking son." Tom says.
Nancy writes down the choices, tears them into their own little pieces of
paper and says. "Now who has the hat?"
"Joannie, don't you have a hat from your act?" Tom asks.
"Um, yeah. But it has a hole in the top."
"How about my guitar case?" Tommy asks.
"That'll work." She says and puts them in the guitar case.
"Who's going to pick?" Tom asks.
"Joannie or Abby they're the only ones that didn't choose any of this so
they can be objective."
~I didn't either.~ Tom thinks. "OK you two, decide."
"It was Nicholas's idea," Abby reminds them.
"That's ok." Nicholas says not wanting the responsibility.
"Dad's paying, let him decide," Joannie says, not wanting to be yelled at
by whoever's choice she doesn't pick.
"There's always the Grease Pit." he jokes.
"We ought to burn that place down," Joannie says.
"I'll help you," Abby offers. "It would be a public service."
"That place is a historic landmark." Tom states.
"Oh, yes," Abby agrees. "50 million cases of heartburn served here."
"Well since no one suggested it, how about Chinese?"
"We can order spicy stuff?" Joannie checks.
He nods. "Anything you want."
"Then I'm for it."
"Anyone else?" Tom asks
Tommy and Nicholas agree. Mary, Nancy, and David agree. Abby does, too. Susan
agrees also.
"OK, Chinese it is." Tom says
"Cool, let's get out of here." Nancy says.
Tom leads the pack out.
"Hey Dad, Abby, they have other things there besides Orange Chicken right?
It's not a cheating day." Nancy says on the way out.
"Why not trade days?"
"I like that idea Dad, thanks." She says. "I'll trade with tomorrow."
"You are welcome."
"I'm shocked," Abby tells him.
"Huh? Why?"
"You got everyone to agree to do the same thing at the same time with very
little arguing. That's got to be a record."
"Better mark the date." he says. "It'll never happen again."
"Oh, I'll remember the date. It's not one I'll easily forget," Abby sighs.
Tom nods in agreement.
"I knew I never should have woken up this morning."
"There's always tomorrow."
"Oh, joy."
"Hey any new day with you and the kids is a great day."
"Like today was?"
He nods. "It could be a lot worse and you know that."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"You are not putting this in perspective."
"Oh, I am. The pictures were bad enough. But your reactions..."
"My reactions?"
"Your reactions. First you show the pictures off to your son, then you threaten
someone. That's not like you, Tom."
"Ok, I went over the edge today, but I cant undo it."
"I know. But I'm still worried about you."
"What do you want me to do?"
"I don't know. But I'm still worried."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to worry you."
"Part of my wifely duties," Abby shrugs.
"Duties?"
"Cooking your meals, ironing your shirts, worrying about you..." Abby enumerates.
"Oh...."
"And a few other things."
"I'm afraid to ask." he says as they pull into the restaurant.
"That's OK. It's nothing I'd discuss in public, not anymore."
Tom sighs.
"Come on, the kids will be waiting for us."
"Sure, maybe they'll have crow on the menu."
"They do, but it's too spicy for you."
"Funny." he says.
"Just another of my wifely duties," Abby smiles.
He shakes her head and escorts her in. "Think they have a table big enough?"
"We can always have them put a few together."
He nods. "Oh gosh, we forgot about Elizabeth."
"Why don't I order some takeout for her and for me, and I'll go eat at home
with her?" Abby suggests.
"Is that what you really want?"
"I wouldn't be very good company tonight."
"Ok." he sighs. "I'll miss you."
"I'm only going home, not to the moon."
"Ha Ha." he says, "I'll see you later then.'
"Hey, let me go inside and order before you send me away, OK?"
"Fine."
~Wonderful. Now he's in a mood.~ Abby starts to head inside.
He goes in behind her.
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