You Oughtn't Be in Pictures
Inside: "What's taking Dad and Abby so long." Mary says.
"Maybe we should order without them." David says.
"Cool your jets. They just walked in." Nancy says.
"About time," Joannie complains.
Nancy nods in agreement and her stomach growls in agreement.
"Abby is going to order take out and take it home to Elizabeth."
"Ok." Nancy says. "Tell her hi for me."
"I will," Abby promises. "Any idea what she'd like?"
Nancy tells her what her favorite is and also senses there's more to Abby
leaving then going to check on Elizabeth.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome and are you all right?"
"Me? Sure. I'm fine. Why?"
"Intuition."
"I'm fine," Abby insists. "Just a little tired, is all."
"Then when you're done tending to Elizabeth get some rest please."
"I will."
"Good."
When the waitress comes over, Abby orders take away for herself and Elizabeth.
Nancy orders her Orange Chicken.
David and Mary order their favorites also.
Tom orders soup and a salad. Tommy and Nicholas order their usual.
When her order is brought to the table, Abby stands to go. "I'll see you
all later."
"I'll walk you out." Tom says.
"You don't have to."
"I know I don't but I want to." he says as he escorts her to the car.
Once they're out of the restaurant, Joannie asks her siblings, "Is something
going on that I don't know about?"
Tommy and Nicholas shrug.
"If there is I don't know about it either." Nancy says.
"You're the one who was asking her if she's all right," Joannie reminds her.
"Yeah but I still don't know what's going on."
"We should find out."
"You should leave them alone." David says.
"David, do you know something we don't know?"
Tommy eyes David.
"No."
"You do," Joannie decides. "Come on, David, spill."
"Wouldn't you rather grill Tommy and Nicholas about this?"
"Why? Do they know anything about it?"
"I don't know."
"Then we'll work on them after we finish with you."
"No, go to them, I'm sure you'd rather."
"I want the story and I want the whole story, and I don't care which of you
tell me, but you will tell me, and quick."
"Forget it, I'm going home." Tommy says running to catch up with Abby.
"Tommy!" Joannie yells, disappointed.
"Joannie I don't know ok." David says.
"I have ways of making you talk..."
"We all do." Nancy says.
"Spill, David. We know you know."
"I don't."
"You do." Nancy says starting to get loopy. "We do have torture methods."
"Of course you do you're sisters." David says and goes to sit by
Nicholas. "You'll protect me right buddy?"
"But they'll tickle me."
"Not if we don't let them."
"Then I'll protect ya." he says.
"Thanks Buddy."
"We'll get you," Joannie promises.
"And good to." Nancy says. "Nicholas is safe, David you're not."
Outside, Abby says, "You really didn't have to. I can find my car by myself."
"Abby, are we ok?" Tom asks.
"Every time I turn around I find out I don't know who you really are. Do
you have any idea how scary it is to be married to... to a stranger?"
"Would you feel better if I go talk to someone?"
"I don't know, Tom. I honestly don't know."
"I'll call Nancy's counselor."
"It's a start, I guess."
"Then I'll see you at home." Tom says
Tommy comes running out. "Abby can you take me home?"
~Oh, no~ "Why? Is something wrong?"
"Joannie is playing detective again."
Tom seethes. "I'll take care of it."
"Good luck," Abby sighs.
"So may I come home with you?" Tommy asks.
"Sure," Abby says a little reluctantly. "Come on."
"Thanks." he says.
"What about your dinner?"
"I'll make a sandwich."
"You can have mine. I'm not very hungry, anyway."
"Maybe we should practice too." Tommy suggests.
"You want to?"
"Yeah, don't you?"
"If you want to, sure, it's OK."
"Good."
Abby drives them home.
"Thanks, I couldn't take Joannies grilling."
"She can be persistent."
"She's missing her calling."
"Which is?"
"Working for the FBI."
"I wouldn't suggest that to her."
"Don't worry, I won't."
"Smart."
They go inside.
Tom walks in to the restaurant.
Joannie groans.
"Joannie Bradford, I want you to stop this right now."
"Stop what?"
"This interrogation. You had poor Tommy running out of here without his dinner."
"But it was David I was after."
"Well leave him alone too."
"Leave her alone Dad, she didn't do anything wrong. Hey can we get
our food already?!" Nancy shouts getting more loopy.
"Nancy, what's wrong?"
"Hmm?" She asks.
"You look funny."
"I feel funny too, but leave my sister alone."
"Somebody get some juice." Tom says.
David goes to get it and brings it back.
Tom makes Nancy drink it.
"Are you ok now?" Mary asks.
She nods. "Thanks guys."
"Food will be here soon." Tom says.
"Good." She nods.
Tom sits next to her to make sure she will be ok.
Soon the food arrives.
Tom eats his dinner in silence keeping one eye on Nancy.
Nancy's ok through the rest of dinner and hopes Tom doesn't yell at Joannie.
"Will you just answer one question, Dad?" Joannie asks.
"What?"
"Is something wrong with Abby?"
"No, she'll be fine."
"Be? You mean she isn't now?"
"She's worried about Elizabeth."
"Are you, too?"
"Yes of course."
"No wonder you're looking lousy, too."
"Is her bronchitis getting worse?" Nancy asks.
"Well its not getting better."
"She didn't look too good this morning."
"Maybe I should go home and help," Joannie suggests.
"Eat first then we'll all go home."
"OK."
Nancy sighs. "Maybe I shouldn't go to LA."
"Why? You can't do anything for her here." Tom says. "Besides she'll
be upset if she thinks she stopped you from going."
"But she's my little sister."
"Nancy, you can call. Besides don't you think your old father can take care
of her?"
Nancy thinks it over. "Well you did take good care of me tonight, so yes
I think you can handle it."
"Gee thanks." he laughs.
She laughs also. "Sorry Dad, I was only joking around."
"I know."
"So you're really ok with me going to LA?"
He nods.
"Good."
"Just don't forget to call."
"I won't forget." ~Hopefully I'll only have to call about good things.~
"When's your flight?"
"Monday morning at 10. Brad says he's sending a limo to pick me up."
"A limo, thats big time."
"Yeah, he's pulling out all of the stops."
"Just don't forget us little people." Tom says.
"What little people? Come Saturday we'll all be stars."
Tom laughs. "You are right."
She laughs also and finishes her dinner. She puts the fortune cookie in her
purse. "For Sam." She explains.
"Oh ok."
"Dad can I talk to you for a minute." David asks.
"Sure son." Tom gets up from the table.
"I have two questions." David says once they're out of earshot.
"Ok." Tom says preparing himself for the worse.
"First should I still take Nancy out for coffee?" He asks deciding to leave
the question about why Abby left for last.
"Sure if she wants to."
"Ok, um now for the next question."
"Yes?"
"What's really going on with Abby?"
"Not here David." he says. "In the car on the ride home alone."
"Ok."
They return to the table.
"Can we go home now?" Mary asks.
"I'm done," Joannie says.
"Some am I." Nancy says.
"I'm ready when you are."
"Good." They start to leave the restaurant.
"I'm riding with David." Tom says. "Can one of you take Nicholas?"
"Sure." Nancy says.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Tom gets in with David.
"Elizabeth!" Abby yells out when they get into the house. "I've brought you
dinner. Chinese."
Elizabeth comes downstairs. "Thanks but I'll eat later."
"You sure? It's still warm."
She nods and goes back upstairs.
"She looks terrible." Tommy states.
"She does. Maybe I should call Max."
He nods.
Abby goes to the phone and tries Max's office.
"Hello." Max says before he is about to go home.
"Max, I'm so glad I caught you. Elizabeth's looking terrible. Could you come
by and take a look at her?"
"I was afraid of that." he sighs. "I'll be right there."
"Thanks."
He hangs up and drives over
Abby is pacing the entryway, waiting for him.
Max knocks on the door.
Abby quickly pulls open the door. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Take it easy." he says.
"Sorry. It's been a long day, and I have a feeling it's about to get longer."
"Abby!!!" Tommy says from upstairs. "Come quick."
Max rushes upstairs.
Tommy is holding Liz in his arms.
"She fainted on the way back to her room."
"Put her on the bed." Max says.
Tommy does this.
Max examines her.
Abby watches nervously.
Max turns to Tommy "Tommy I want you to go to my car and get the oxygen tank
thats in the trunk." he hands him the keys.
Tommy takes off.
"She has pneumonia." Max tells Abby, while preparing a penicillian shot.
"Is she going to need to be hospitalized?"
"No, there's nothing there that we cant do here." he says. "I'm going to
need extra pillows to prop her head up."
"I'll get them," Abby says, and rushes to get some.
Meanwhile Max gives her the shot and Tommy comes back in with the tank.
Max
sets it up and puts the mask over her face.
Abby brings back the pillows. "What next?"
"Something cool for her forehead." Max says.
"I'll go get it." Tommy says
"What can I do?"
"Try and relax." Max says.
"Where have I heard that before..." Abby mutters.
Max ignores the comment and checks Liz's breathing again.
Tommy comes in with the cool compress.
Max puts it on her head. "Abby, can you hold it there?"
"Of course," Abby says and does as she's been asked.
Max listens to her lungs. "She's getting some air again."
Elizabeth wakens trying to move the mask.
"Keep it on Elizabeth." Max says.
"What happened?" she asks.
He tells her.
"You're going to be fine, Elizabeth," Abby tells her.
"Sure you will." Max says for both their sakes.
Abby looks over at Max to see if he's telling the truth.
Max nods at her.
Abby lets out the breath she's been holding.
"Look, I have to go to the hospital and get some supplies and make rounds.
I'll be back in an hour or two"
"Anything I should watch out for?"
"Just make sure she keeps the mask on."
"I will."
"See you two in a while."
"We'll be here."
Max takes off.
Tommy paces outside Liz's room.
"Tommy, why don't you come in here?" Abby calls out to him.
"You sure it's ok?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
Abby sits next to Elizabeth. "You'll be fine. A little pneumonia never kept
a good woman down."
"I've never felt so awful." she says in between coughs.
"Pneumonia will do that to you. But now that you're getting treated, you'll
start to feel better."
"I hope so."
"You will."
"Could I get a drink?"
"Max said not to take off the mask," Abby frets.
"Please, just a sip?"
Abby thinks about it. "I guess a quick sip couldn't hurt."
"Thanks."
"Tommy," Abby calls, "Could you bring Elizabeth up something to drink?" she
asks, not wanting to leave Elizabeth alone.
"You got it." he says.
He brings back some root beer, "Sorry, its not the real thing." he jokes.
Elizabeth slightly laughs.
Abby helps Elizabeth take off the mask. "Drink up."
"Thanks Tommy." she says before taking a drink
Abby waits impatiently to be able to put the mask back on.
Liz gives him back the soda.
Abby puts the mask back on her.
"Can I get you anything?" Tommy asks Abby.
~ A vacation.~ "No, I'm OK."
"I'll be outside the room."
"Thanks."
Tommy leaves.
Abby stays with Elizabeth, trying to make her comfortable.
"Abby, relax. I'm fine." Liz tells her seeing how nervous she is.
"I know you are," Abby lies and smiles at her.
"Then why is your eye twitching?"
"I must be tired," Abby says. ~Oh, no, it's contagious?~
"Uh huh."
"Once Dr. Max comes back and says you're set for the night I'll go right
to bed. Scout's honor."
"OK."
"You just relax, OK?"
"I'm trying."
"Anything I can do to help?"
"Tell me how rehearsals went."
"You know what Joannie always says about dress rehearsals?" Abby asks.
"Bad rehearsals, good show?"
"It's going to be a great show."
"Went that bad?"
"Worse than that. Your father can't tell a joke to save his life, Tommy and
I were competing for 'worst vocal arrangement ever,' and David was hiding
something."
"I'm glad I missed it then."
"Well, I'm sure it had some entertainment value. For people who like disaster
movies."
Liz laughs
"Other than that, though, it was fine."
"Good." she sighs.
"I just wish I hadn't left you alone for so long."
"I was fine til a few hours ago."
"And someone should have been here when it hit."
"How could have anyone known? Don't go blaming yourself."
"I won't," Abby tells her. ~Of course I will.~
"Good."
"Dr. Max will be back soon."
"Hopefully not for another shot."
"It was that bad?"
"I hate needles."
"I know. Everyone does. But it beats being sick, doesn't it?"
"Yeah."
"Maybe one dose was enough to jump start you," Abby says, trying to look
on the bright side.
"Lets hope."
Once David is driving. "So what's going on?"
"Abby is upset about the photos."
"That's what I thought. I can gladly pulverize whoever took them. She
shouldn't have to go through that."
"No, its taken care of."
"It is? Who did it?"
"You're looking at him."
"Dad I meant who took the pictures?"
"Oh..." he tells him.
"Sheesh."
"Yeah." he says.
"So I take it that no one else in the family knows about this yet."
"No and for my sake, lets keep it that way."
David pulls into the driveway. "You got it Dad."
"Thanks David."
He nods as they get out and goes inside to wait for the others to get home.
Tom goes in "Abby?"
"We're up here."
Tom goes up. "What's going on?" he asks after seeing Liz.
Abby tells him Max's new diagnosis.
"Oh no." he says.
"At least now she'll be getting the proper care," Abby reminds him.
"Shouldn't she be in a hospital?"
Abby shakes her head. "Max said there's nothing they can do for her that
we can't right here at home."
Tom still worries.
"Daddy, I'll be ok."
"I know." Tom says.
Abby looks at Tom to see if he's buying it.
A little trickle of tear starts to form.
Abby smiles at him, trying to reassure him.
He smiles back. "Need to take a break?"
"No, I'm fine. Max should be back soon, anyway."
"I'll go wait for him."
"Good."
Tom goes and waits downstairs pacing the floor.
After the others get home: "You ready to go?" David asks Nancy.
"Can you go check on Elizabeth first?" Nancy asks not knowing that she's
not contagious anymore.
"Sure." He goes upstairs.
Tommy stops him in the hall
"Hey, Nancy wanted me to check on Elizabeth before we left."
"She has pneumonia."
"Whoa poor kid." David says remembering how miserable Nancy was when she
had it the past summer. And also wonders how Dr. Max could've misdiagnosed
Elizabeth twice.
"It came on pretty quick."
"And she was alone today for how many hours. Tommy she could've....."
"I know, I thought the same thing. Good thing Abby and I came home early."
"Yeah really, maybe Nancy and I should just stay here, we can talk about
what happened with Noah some other time." He says thinking Tommy knows by
now. Not knowing he doesn't know.
"Huh? Noah?"
David clams up and Nancy enters the hallway having heard half of the conversation.
"Go ahead and tell him the cats already out of the bag anyway. I'm going
to see Elizabeth." She says now that she knows it's pneumonia.
"Ok."
Nancy goes to see Liz and David tells Tommy what happened with Nancy and
Noah.
"That jerk." Tommy says.
"That's for sure, but she doesn't want anyone punching his lights out unfortunately."
"It would be so easy."
"Yeah it would."
"Are you sure we can't?"
"I can't because I'll get arrested. You can, but if Noah wins Nancy
will kill him, and she'll kill you for risking your neck."
"Not to mention I'll be grounded for life." he sighs.
David nods. "It wouldn't be easy for him to ground you though."
"Why?"
"I'm sure Dad wants to sock him one too."
Tommy nods.
~It's bad enough for an oxygen mask~ Nancy worries. "Hey kid
you need anything?"
"Thanks." she says."but no."
Nancy nods. "What did Dr. Max say?" She asks Abby.
"It's pneumonia," Abby says. "He already gave her something for it."
"Should I stay home instead of going out with David?"
"No, there's no need. Until the medicine kicks in, there's nothing any of
us can do but wait."
"So I'll wait and David and I can go out some other time."
"No, go out. We'll probably need you more around here later, after you go
out."
"Ok, you've convinced me. We won't be long." She says before leaving.
"We'll be here when you get back."
She nods and goes out. "You ready?"
"Yeah." David says.
"Where you guys going?"
"For coffee, Abby insisted we go anyway. Why you want to come?"
Nancy asks.
"No thanks." he says. "But have fun."
"Thanks." She says before they leave.
David is driving them home when a tire blows. Once he gets the van
back under his control he pulls over on the shoulder.
"Are you all right?" He asks Nancy.
"Yeah but you didn't tell me we'd be going on a carnival ride." She jokes
about the van going out of control.
"Cute." He says. "Stay in here." He goes to check on the spare
tire while she ignores his order and follows him and finds him swearing and
kicking the spare.
"What's wrong?"
He sighs. "I had a flat a month or so ago and I forgot to get a new
tire to replace the spare."
She groans. "So what do we do now we're at least five miles from home and
who knows how far to the nearest service station."
"Well I'm not leaving you here alone are you up to walking with me?"
She nods having stashed some snacks from rehearsal in her purse. "But
we have to rest when I say, ok."
He nods. She gets her purse and he makes sure he has his keys and wallet
before locking the van doors. They then head for the nearest service
station or home whichever they come across first.
A while later there's a knock on the door.
Tom opens it. "Max."
"Just call me the local oxygen delivery man," Max jokes.
"Is it that bad?" Tom asks with no time for jokes.
"It's pneumonia.With proper care, she'll be fine."
"Well Abby is upstairs, She won't leave her bedside."
"Why don't you come upstairs with me. I'll take care of Elizabeth, you rescue
your wife."
"Ok, but Max how could this have happened?"
"Medicine isn't an exact science. Sometimes thing develop beyond where they
started."
"Luck of the draw huh?"
"I'm sorry it was Elizabeth who ended up with the raw deal, but yes."
"I know." he sighs.
"Let's go upstairs and see how she is," Max suggests.
Tom nods.
Max leads him upstairs.
"Max is here."
"Hear that, Elizabeth? The cavalry has arrived."
"With needles in hand." she sighs.
"Maybe not."
"Maybe not?"
"Don't fret about it before you know for sure," Abby tells her, and goes
to open the door.
"Hi." Tom says
"Hi," Abby says. "Except for giving her a drink, we kept the mask on, just
like you asked," Abby tells Max.
"Good."
Liz sees the other tank. "More?'
Max nods. "You need the help breathing. And I brought you some medicine."
"A shot?" she frets
"No, I think the first one did enough good. From now on, just pills. And
something for your cough and congestion."
"Thanks." she sighs
Max pulls out vials of pills and bottles of syrups. "Time for your first
dose."
"Ugh." Liz says when she sees all the vials.
"It's better than shots," Abby reminds her
"I know, but not by much."
"Come on, Elizabeth, it won't be that bad," Dr. Max tells her. "Open up,
down the hatch."
Liz does as she's told.
Max hands her the medicine.
She takes the meds.
Max turns to Tom and Abby. "You don't have to stay with Elizabeth tonight,
but you might want to keep your door open."
"We will." Tom says. "Honey calls us if you need anything, anything at all."
"I will."
Max checks Elizabeth over one last time. "Best thing for her now is just
lots of rest."
"I am kinda tired."
"Then go to sleep. Best thing for you."
"You're the Doc."
"That's right. I'll be back in the morning to check on you."
"Thanks." she says as she closes her eyes.
"I'll be home the rest of the night if you need me," Max whispers.
"Thanks Max." Tom quietly says keeping one eye on Elizabeth.
Max starts out of the room. "The two of you should get some rest, too."
"Maybe in a little while."
"Do I need to make it doctor's orders?"
"Now Max...." Tom chides.
"Tom..." Max chides right back.
"OK.."
"You, too, Abby."
"All right," she says, agreeing too easily.
"We will see you out." Tom says.
"Why don't you see Max out," Abby suggest. "I'll wait with Elizabeth until
she falls asleep."
"Good idea." Tom says.
Abby settles in on the chair next to Elizabeth while Max waits for Tom to
escort him out.
Tom walks Max to the door.
"You are going to get some sleep tonight, aren't you?" Max pushes.
"Yes of course."
"And you'll make sure Abby gets some, too?"
He nods.
"Good. Because the two of you look pretty awful. Is anything going on besides
Elizabeth being sick?"
"No, just usual marital stuff."
"Uh oh. 'Usual marital stuff'? I recommend flowers, candy, and abject begging."
Tom nods,
"Good luck. And don't hesitate to call if you need me."
"Thanks again Max."
"You're welcome. Now go get some sleep."
"Yes Doctor."
"Say goodnight, Tom."
"Goodnight Tom." he repeats.
Max shakes his head and leaves.
Tom goes back upstairs.
Abby is still sitting with Elizabeth.
"Lets try and get some rest.'
"You go on to bed. I'll stay here with Elizabeth a while longer."
"Abby, we will have the door open."
~If the door's open he won't be able to continue our discussion...~ "If you
think it'll be OK..."
"It will be."
"Fine."
Tom escorts Abby out.
Nancy and David make it to the service station. David makes arrangements
to get the flat changed while Nancy phones home and waits for someone to
answer. Joannie answers.
"Hey Joannie, you won't believe what happened."
"You met John Travolta and he wants to marry you," Joannie guesses.
Nancy laughs. "Not quite. One of David's tires blew on the way home.
We finally made it to a service station a few minutes ago. We're going
to be awhile."
"Why don't you just put on the spare?"
"The spare is flat too." She tells her what David had told her earlier.
"And they call you the dumb blonde of the family," Joannie teases.
"Very funny, just remember you're blonde too." Nancy teases back.
"Maybe David just dyes his hair."
Nancy laughs. "I wouldn't put it past him."
"Nor would I."
"Will you tell Dad and Abby." David motions for her. "Joannie
can you hold on a second."
"Sure. It's your dime."
David is soon on the phone. "Hey Joannie the guy said it's going to be an
hour or two before he gets to me. Nancy insists on waiting with me
can you or someone else in the family come and get her? I don't think
she should be here that long."
"Sure. Susan was planning to head out to pick something up--I'll ask her
to swing by and get Nancy."
"Thanks." He puts Nancy back on the line.
"He's worse than Dad." She tells Joannie.
"Learned from the best."
"That's for sure, we'll I'd better let you go, and who's coming to get me?"
"I'll ask Susan to."
"Thanks Joannie, hey how's Elizabeth?"
"Getting better."
"Good, well I'll see you when I get home."
"I'll be here." Joannie says goodbye and hangs up, then goes looking for
Susan.
Susan's in their bedroom getting ready to go.
"Susan, can you pick up Nancy? She and David got stuck and it'll take hours
until his van is ready."
"Sure. Where are they at?"
Joannie tells her which service station the two are at.
Abby takes one last look over her shoulder to make sure Elizabeth really
is sleeping. Which she is. Abby reluctantly follows Tom to their room. "You
sure she'll be all right?"
"We'll keep checking on her every hour or so."
"You go to sleep. I'll wait up."
"No, you go first. I cant sleep."
"You look like you're about to fall asleep standing up."
"I could say the same thing about you."
"I'll be all right."
"Me too." he says.
"Tom, there's no sense in both of us being up all night. Now go to sleep."
"We both stay up then."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Why is that ridiculous?"
"What will both of us staying up all night accomplish?"
"We'd be with Elizabeth."
"Tonight, but we'd be too exhausted to help her tomorrow."
"Fine." he says. "I'll set the alarm for two hours."
"Fine." ~And as soon as you're asleep I'll reset it for the morning.~
"Abby we still need to talk."
"Elizabeth might need me," Abby tries to duck out.
"If she does she'll call." he says. "Now please."
Abby sighs and sits down. "OK. You want to talk? Talk."
"I was an idiot today and I'm sorry."
"It's done. You can't change what happened. Let's just forget it, OK?"
"Can't you forgive me?"
"I'm not the one you threatened."
"OK, I'll apologized to the man tomorrow."
"If you think that's best," Abby pouts. "And what about Tommy and David?"
"What about them? They are fine."
"Are they? Thirty years later you remember walking in on your mother--think
they'll ever forget the day they saw explicit pictures of their father and
his new wife?"
"What do you suggest? Take them to a hypnotist and have the memory erased
from the head?"
"I don't know what to suggest. I'm not the one who went showing off the evidence
of my prowess."
"I just showed David, Tommy opened the envelope."
"Just two grown men, sharing a locker room moment."
"Abby, it wasn't like that at all."
"No?" Abby asks, unbelieving.
"I was sick about the pictures and worried about Tommy, so I thought David
could help him."
"And of course there was no way David could do that unless you showed him
all the pictures in full living color."
"I just showed him one, the least damaging one."
"Least damaging? I didn't notice that there were any 'least damaging.' Least
damaging to whom?"
"To us."
"It wasn't the pictures that would have done that. It was you showing them
around to your friends and family."
"You're not going to let this go are you?"
"I don't mean to keep harping on it," Abby tries to explain herself. "It's
just--the kids are finally beginning to accept me as something more than
the woman in your life. But those pictures weren't exactly maternal."
"Just David and Tommy knows." he says. "David won't say anything and Tommy
would be to embarrassed to say anything. But he was ok with you tonight wasn't
he?"
"He's a teenager. Tonight is no indication about tomorrow. David's the one
who really has me worried, though."
"Why?"
"He's the one who makes remarks about how 'cute' we are together. He'll say
something, sooner or later."
"I'll talk to him."
"Are you sure that won't make things worse?"
"Well if you are that concerned he'll say something to someone...."
"I don't think he'd say anything directly....It's more his attitude."
"Then you and I should have a sit down with him."
"If you think that's best," Abby repeats. "We've talked; you ought to go
to sleep now."
"Only if I get a kiss."
"Tom..." Abby sighs and walks over to him, kissing the air somewhere to the
side of his face. "Satisfied?"
"No, you gave me a better kiss on our first date." he sighs. Then he takes
her face and gives her a long kiss.
Caught up in the kiss, Abby starts responding
"Now thats more like it." he says.
"One kiss doesn't solve anything, Tom."
"Maybe not, buts it a start."
"Of what?" Abby scoffs.
"Of trying to put this behind us."
"You're the one who says the past is never fully behind you."
"No, but we have to move forward."
"Forward in your mind meaning straight into bed."
"Huh? Abby I'm not that one track minded."
"Sure," Abby says, not buying it.
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing, all right? Just let me be." Abby gathers her pillow from the bed.
"I think I'll go stay in Elizabeth's room."
"Fine." he says giving up.
"Good," Abby says, clearly upset.
"Abby, even though we are fighting. I do love you and I hope you can get
some sleep.'
"I love you, too," Abby sighs. "It's just---"
"It's just what..?"
"I..." ~You will not cry. You will not.~ "I just..." Abby blinks rapidly
to hold back the tears. "I've got to go check on Elizabeth," she announces,
rushing out of the room, leaving her pillow behind.
Tom catches up with her and sees the tears. "Abby, do you feel like you been
violated?" he asks gently.
Abby looks away from him and nods. "It was my fault. A year or two ago you
would never have been doing anything like that. If it weren't for me..."
"If it weren't for you I'd be the most lonely man alive."
"I doubt that. You would have found someone more--suitable."
"Sandra Sue Mitchell Abbott Bradford, I don't ever want to hear you say that
again, you understand me? You are the one I want."
Abby laughs and wipes her eyes. "Saying my full name--is that your version
of counting till 10?"
Tom also laughs. "Pretty much."
"Only longer."
He nods. "Beats punching a wall."
"Well, that sure puts me in my place."
"I didn't mean I was upset with you. I am upset with me."
"With yourself? Why?"
"If I ever gave you reason to doubt yourself."
"Tom, it's not about that. It's about those pictures--what we did. What that
man did to us."
"I know and I hate it too; but what can we do?"
"I don't know. I just feel so--"
"Violated,,,,I do too."
Joannie steps out of her room and overhears the last few bits of conversation.
"You do?" Abby asks, not noticing her step-daughter. "I mean, since you showed
David--I knew you were shocked, but I thought, deep down--"
"That I was proud?" he says. "Just the opposite."
"Because we were caught, or because of what we'd done?"
Joannie slips back into her room. ~David must know something~ she says, thinking
back to dinner. ~Tommy, too. But I'd rather hear it from David; it can't
be good.~
"I'm not ashamed of what we did."
"You're ashamed of having gotten caught."
"Not ashamed, angry."
"Getting angry won't help anything. And it's no good for your ulcer."
"Logically I understand that, but emotionally."
"So what do you plan to do? Punch every wall and threaten every journalist
in Sacramento?"
"No, of course not."
"Then what?" Abby asks, frustrated.
"I told you, I have an appt tomorrow with a Dr."
"That's for your reaction--I meant --well, about everything."
Tom sighs. "You tell me and I'll do it."
"I was hoping you could tell me."
"Burn the pictures and negatives."
"It's a start, I guess."
"I'll go do it now."
"With the kids at home?"
"In the bedroom's fireplace."
"Oh, that sounds cozy."
"So whats your idea?"
"Maybe we should wait until everyone's out of the house. After all, if we
have a fire in our fireplace and keep the door open for Elizabeth, the others
will wonder what's going on. I don't want to have to answer their questions."
"OK, I'll keep them locked in my desk."
"The kids don't go in there?" Abby checks.
"They know better."
"All right."
"We'll get through this, I promise." Tom says.
"Yeah, but in what shape?"
"Hopefully unscathed."
"Right."
"You sound pessimistic."
"Only because I am."
"I thought that was my job." he jokes.
"Well, then, let's switch. This time you provide the cheap optimism and I'll
be realistically pessimistic."
"You are scaring me.'
"I don't mean to."
"May I hug you?"
"Tom..."
"Please?"
Abby sighs. "OK."
Tom hugs her and whispers in her ear. "I promise, everything will be ok again."
Abby clings to him, wishing he could make that promise come true, but knowing
he really can't.
Just then Liz starts to moan. "Our patient is calling." Tom says sighing.
~Saved by the bell.~ "I'll go. You get some sleep."
"I will as soon as I do something in my study."
"OK."
He gives her a quick peck and goes downstairs.
Abby goes to check on Elizabeth.
"Abby...are you fighting with Dad?" she asks.
"What makes you ask that?"
"I heard some of the yelling from your room."
"Oh. Well, that was yelling to each other, not at each other."
"Then you aren't going away?" she says from a feverish delirious state.
"Never. Do you want something to drink?"
She nods.
Abby pours her some water and helps her sit up. "Here you are."
"Thanks, will you stay here for awhile?"
"Sure, if you'll try to rest."
"How about singing that song you and Tommy wrote?"
"If it'll help you sleep, why not?" Abby says.
"Thanks."
Abby starts to sing to her.
As predicted she is soon asleep.
Abby covers her up and stays by her side a while longer.
Just then Mary walks back into the house she had gone out to check something
and was still a little stunned of what she saw.
"Hey Mary, whats up?" Tommy asks.
"Someone vandalized Nancy's car and spray painted a threat on it."
"What?" he says.
"Come see for yourself."
Tommy goes outside. "I think you better get Dad."
She nods and goes to get Tom.
Tom is in his study locking up the pictures.
"Dad I need to talk to you." Mary says.
"Yes?" he says. "What's up."
She tells him about the car.
Tom goes outside. "Where's Nancy?":
"Susan went to pick her up. David had a flat." Mary says.
"I don't want her to see this until I have a chance to talk to her. Where
are the keys?"
"Either they're on the key ring rack or she has them."
"Terrific...Lets try and push it in the back."
"They're not on the key rack?"
"Tommy go check." Tom says
Tommy brings them back.
"Thanks." he says and pulls the car in back
"Shouldn't we call the police?" Mary asks when he returns.
"Yes." he says.
Mary goes to call them.
After calling the police Mary returns to Tom and Tommy. "They'll be
here soon."
Susan heads over to the service station. "Hi Nancy. Are you ready to go home?"
"No, but David insists that I do, so I'm going."
"Do you need to stop anywhere on the way home?"
"No, do you?" Nancy says as she gets in the car.
"Yeah, I need to stop at the store for just a minute."
"Ok." On the way to the store. "I'm sorry you lost your dancer for your act."
"Thanks. It's okay though. It wasn't working out anyways."
"You're welcome, and sorry to hear that."
Susan stops and the store and then they head for home.
Nancy and Susan pull up.
"Great." Tom sighs...
Nancy gets out of the car. "Why are all of you outside?"
"Mary, Tommy you wait here until they come." Tom says. "Nancy we need to
talk."
"Uh sure." She goes inside with him.
Part 2