Joannie drinks a sip and nearly spits it out. "Is this coffee or mud?"
"It's the strong stuff." David boasts.
Nancy rolls her eyes at him.
"Men." Mary whispers.
"This stuff is so strong it could get up and walk by itself."
"And can take Sam for a walk along with it." Nancy adds.
Sam looks up at the mention of his name.
"Hey, come here buddy." Nancy calls him over.
Sam comes over with his 'let's play' look.
Nancy gives in and takes him outside to play.
"Did anyone hear a lot of noise downstairs last night?" Joannie asks.
Mary nods. "I think the police were here but I'm not sure."
"Wonder what it was about."
She shrugs and soon Nancy and Sam return to eat.
"Is anyone cooking," Joannie hints, "or do we break out the Happy Zappies?"
"I cooked last time." Mary says.
"I'll cook," Joannie sighs, "but I'm not responsible for the results."
"Not hungry, so that will save you some work." Nancy says.
"Are you on some weird diet again?"
She shakes her head. "No, my nerves are a little rattled."
"Oh, come on. You and Tommy aren't *that* bad."
Nancy laughs half heartedly and leaves the room.
"What's up with her?" Joannie asks her siblings.
"I don't know." Mary says.
"Beats me." David says.
"Blondes," Joannie shakes her head. "OK, who wants what for breakfast?"
David and Mary tell her what they want.
"I'll be right back." David says and goes after
Nancy. "What's wrong?" He asks.
"Like Joannie said it's nerves about Tommy and I's act." Nancy says.
"No that's what she assumed, what's really going on?" He tries
again.
She tells him what happened the night before. "I know it will work
out but I'm still a little nervous."
"Understandable." He talks to her awhile and talks her into eating
something so they return to the kitchen.
Tommy comes in keeping one step ahead of Abby.
Joannie starts on David and Mary's orders. "What gets you up so early?" she asks Tommy.
"Nothing." He says. "Has Abby come down yet?
"Not that I've seen. Why--you want to get in some more practice before tonight?"
"NO, I want to get out of here before tonight,:
"Huh?"
"Never mind, pass the happy Zappies."
"What can I make you?" Joannie asks Nancy, all sun and cheer now that the coffee's hit.
"An omelette if you let me help you." Nancy says.
"Help me?" Joannie scoffs. "I can do an omelette with both eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back."
Nancy smiles for real this time. "Then go for it."
"Maestro, a blindfold, please."
"Can someone lend me a blindfold?" Nancy says.
David finds one that can pass for a blindfold and hands it to her. Nancy
gives it to Joannie.
Joannie ties it around her eyes. "Now, about tying one hand behind my back..."
"Hmm." Nancy searches the kitchen and finds something to tie her hand with.
Joannie waits.
Nancy ties one hand behind Joannie's back.
"OK. Um...someone want to point me to the fridge?"
"I thought you didn't need any help." David quips.
"David." Nancy chides and helps Joannie to the fridge.
"Remind me to trip over him on the way back," Joannie whispers to Nancy.
"Consider it done." She whispers back.
"You're a good sister."
"Thank you and so are you."
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
Joannie feels around for the eggs.
Nancy stays close just in case.
"What kind of omelet do you want?"
"A cheese omelette."
"OK." Joannie finds the eggs, takes two, and starts feeling around for the cheese.
Nancy's about to guide her but remembers Joannie doesn't want that.
Joannie drops an egg.
"Do you want me to get you another one?"
"No, I'll get it."
"Ok."
"Ah, got it," Joannie says, reaching in to the fridge and knocking over a container of juice.
Nancy catches it before it spills completely.
"Want some onion in your omelet?"
"Not on your life."
"Green pepper?"
"No thanks, just cheese."
"OK," Joannie says, and closes the refrigerator door.
"Are you sure you don't want help?" Mary asks.
"I can do this," Joannie insists.
"She can." Nancy backs Joannie.
Joannie stumbles around in search of the oil.
David puts it on the counter for her.
"Thanks," Joannie says, and fumbles in the direction of the noise. She knocks the bottle over, then catches it after only a little has spilled.
Nancy cleans the spill while Mary cleans the juice spill.
Joannie lights the fire.
David keeps a close eye on her at this point.
Joannie splashes some oil into the pan and some on the stove.
"Ok that's it." David says. "Joannie
you can't do this."
"She can to." Nancy protests.
"What's the matter, David? Threatened cause I can cook better than you, even with my eyes closed?"
"No, I'm afraid you'll hurt yourself." He finally admits.
"I'm fine."
"Yeah let her be." Nancy says having complete faith in her sister.
"You heard the customer. Now be quiet, David, and let me concentrate."
"Ok ok." He concedes but still keeps an eye on her.
Joannie breaks the egg half in and half out of the frying pan.
Mary tries to keep from laughing.
"Now, where's that cheese grater?"
"Second cabinet to the right."
Joannie gets the grater and then perches it between her hip
and the counter,
trying to grate cheese with only one hand.
It's then that Mary starts to have her doubts.
Cheese starts flying.
Sam eats what lands on the floor.
"Ouch!" Joannie screeches.
David's at her side in a second so are Nancy and Mary.
"What happened?" Nancy checks.
"Just added a little Joannie knuckle to your egg. Sorry."
David removes the blindfold and unties her other hand.
"Ok, I believe you can do it but I don't think you should continue."
Mary checks on her knuckle.
"You guys are no fun."
"Are too." David says.
"Are not."
"I can have fun with the best of them." He says.
"Yeah, right."
"Ask anyone."
"Hey, Mary--can David have fun with the best of them?"
"Yes, and he's done some silly stuff that has landed
him in the emergency room but when it comes to the rest of us he's a worry
wart."
"So are you." David points out.
"I think I need a second opinion," Joannie says.
"Yes they're both worry warts when it comes to their younger siblings." Nancy says.
"I meant whether David knows how to have fun,"
Joannie clarifies. "I know
they're both worry warts."
"Sure he does when he's not being a worry
wart." She glances at David. "I think her knuckle will be
ok."
"Not if it becomes infected." He retorts.
"Oh, come on, it's just a little scrape."
"You are overreacting David." Mary tells him.
He sighs and decides to back down.
"I've got to get back to that omelet."
Nancy nods in agreement starting to feel funny. She grabs something to snack on till it's ready.
Joannie finishes the egg and slides it onto a plate. "Tah dah!"
"Looks perfect to me." Nancy says. "Thanks Joannie."
"You're welcome. Sorry it took so long."
"It's all right." Nancy says once she's done eating.
"So, is everyone ready for tonight?"
David nods and so does Mary.
"I'm ready, and you guys we have to be more careful about making sure the
house is locked up at night." Nancy says.
"Why?" Joannie asks.
She makes sure Nicholas isn't within the vicinity and tells
them about last nights intruder and what they did.
Tommy is filled with guilt and goes outside.
"That's terrible."
Nancy nods in agreement. "But the police are right on it, everything will work out."
"No wonder you were in a mood when you first come downstairs."
"Yeah I try not to let it get to me but I have my
moments."
"Understandable." Mary says. "Are you all right?"
She nods. "And today I just want to think about the show."
"Then come sit next to me," Joannie says, "because I can't think of anything but."
Nancy moves over to Joannie.
"How many people do you think will show up?" Joannie asks her.
"I'm thinking it will be packed and some people will be left standing."
"Wouldn't that be great?"
Nancy nods.
"I just hope none of us get stage fright."
"Hey I was just five years old at the time all right. I'll be fine tonight."
"That's what you said back then, too."
"Back then I didn't know any better."
"Now you're old enough to know better, but young enough not to care."
"That is very true, but I will be fine."
"Who else do you think might break?"
"Dad maybe."
"Oh, yeah. I can already see him with that deer in the headlights look."
Nancy laughs but then says. "Poor Dad."
"How do we keep him from freezing?"
"Have Nicholas talk to him?" Mary suggests.
"It's worth a shot."
"I agree." Nancy says.
"Anyone else?"
"Not that I can think of."
"What's with Tommy this morning?"
"I think Dad and Abby know that he broke curfew." Nancy says.
"Uh oh. How'd he get caught? That squeaky second step?"
She shakes her head. "Shortly after I discovered the mirror I heard the front door opening so..." She tells the rest of what happened.
"I don't know who I feel worse for--you or Tommy," Joannie says.
"Yeah really." Mary says.
"How badly did Dad chew Tommy out?"
"I don't think he did. Abby's going to talk to Tommy."
"Well, there goes that act," Joannie sighs.
"Not necessarily." Nancy says.
"After Abby enrolls him in her boot camp again? How can he play for her when he won't be talking to her?"
"I don't think she'll enroll him in the boot camp for such a minor infraction."
"If it's so minor, why does he look like this morning is his last?"
"I don't know." Nancy says not knowing that Tommy left the back door open and is feeling guilty because of it.
"When he comes back, I'm going to grill him."
"Why?"
"Because he's my brother and I want to know what's bothering him."
"He's very lucky then."
"Hey, so are you."
"Your right I am, I just wish, oh nevermind, it's not that important. I better go study some. See you two later, let me know what you find out from Tommy ok?" She goes back upstairs.
"Think I'd better go after her?" Joannie asks Mary.
"That's a tough one. Can't tell if she's in a *it's a little too late* mood or a *please come after me even though I claim it's not important* mood."
"Oh, heck, I;d better go, If it's too late I'll just have wasted a trip upstairs, but if it isn't and I don't, it will be."
"Good idea."
"Save me some coffee," Joannie says and then heads upstairs, barging into Nancy and Elizabeth's room.
Nancy looks up from one of her textbooks. "Hey."
"OK, what's up?"
"I think Tommy needs you right now. I'd go see about him but you already offered. Besides it's often good for a persons ego to get grilled about something instead of having to say what's going on without getting grilled."
"I said I'll go talk to him. But right now I'm talking to you. Now what's up?"
"I didn't want David to come after me when I left the kitchen earlier. I wanted you and/ or Mary to. But hey you're not mind readers right? So let's just forget it, Tommy needs you."
"Nancy, I'm here now. So talk."
"But I just told you what was wrong?" She says in confusion but then realizes. "This brave front of mine I'm putting on it isn't real. I'm faking it big time."
"I knew that. I was just wondering how long it was going to take for you to know it."
"I knew it all along. I just figured by acting that way it would make the situation easier to handle, but last night was way too much. I can't pretend anymore without it making me hypersensitive to everything."
"So don't pretend. Acting is my line of work, not yours. Stop horning in," Joannie tries to joke.
Nancy manages a laugh. "Ok, I won't pretend anymore."
"Good girl."
"Thanks."
"Now--should I go talk to Tommy?"
She nods. "You want company?"
"It might be easier to lean on him alone. Besides, I think Mary is worried about you."
"I'll go talk to Mary then."
"And remember: no heroics."
"No heroics." She agrees as they leave the room.
Joannie gives her a hug.
Nancy hugs her back.
"When's your next cheat day?"
"I think it's today."
"You're not going to save it for LA?"
"I might, it depends."
"Well, if you want to use it today, I'll spring for the treat."
"In that case, it's today."
"OK. I'll talk to Tommy, you talk to Mary, and then you name the treat and it's yours."
"Deal." She says and goes to talk to Mary.
David goes after Tommy. "What's wrong?"
"I'm the one who left the door unlock." "And if it wouldn't have you been you it would've been someone else. All of us have done that at one time or another."
"On the same night we have a intruder?"
"How were you to know that we were going to have one."
"That's not all of it, Dad told me to stay home and I didn't."
"Oh, so you broke curfew. How come?"
He shrugs. "I went to the movies."
"That you can control, yes breaking curfew was your fault. The intruder breaking in wasn't your fault."
"Somehow I don't think Dad sees it that way."
"He will after he calms down. He's scared for Nancy right now."
"I know, so am I."
"Me too."
"I guess I better go in and face the music."
David nods.
Tommy goes back in the house
As does David.
"Ready for tonight?" Tommy asks.
"Yes, are you?"
"About as ready, as I'll ever be."
Just as he says this one of his family enters.
"Tommy--just the man I want to see," Joannie says.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. Want to step into my office?"
"What office."
"Hmmm. We could always use Dad's study."
"It's locked. I think Dad and Abby are talking."
"Locked? Then they must be talking about one of us."
Tommy gulps. "Me, more likely."
"Why?"
Tommy shakes his head. "Never mind, what was it you wanted?"
"To know what's up with you this morning."
"Nothing, I need to go practice." He says as he leaves.
Joannie follows him. "Tommy, something's up. What is it? Maybe I can help."
"Yeah? Can you turn the clock back 12 hours so I can lock the back door?"
'Lock the back door? Wait--is that how Nancy's 'guests' got in?"
Tommy nods.
"That's terrible."
"Gee thanks." He says as he walks up the stairs.
Joannie runs after him. "I meant terrible for you. We've all forgotten to lock a door. Rotten luck that you did it on a night someone took advantage of it. But that doesn't make it your fault."
"Tell that to Nancy, Dad and Abby."
"I was just talking to Nancy. I don't think she'll blame you--she's made a mistake or two herself. And if you want, I will talk to Dad and Abby."
"Thanks but do you think it'll work?"
"You're already shaking in your boots. How much worse could I make it?"
"By asking you to run interference."
"I won't tell them you asked."
"Well it's your neck."
"It is, and I think you deserve to have me risk it for you."
"By nearly getting Nancy killed?"
"It could have been any of us who forgot."
"But you didn't disobey Dad or break curfew at the same time."
"Not this time. But there were other times."
"And?"
"Dad may be angry, but he'll remember that he's been through it before. I'll make him see the light."
"Ok."
"Just leave everything to your big sister."
Tommy just shakes his head and goes to his room.
Joannie heads back to the study and knocks on the door.
"What?" Tom asks
"I need to talk to you, Dad," Joannie says.
"What about?"
"I'd rather not shout through the door, Dad."
Tom looks at Abby. "Ready for the battle?"
"I should go find Tommy, anyway."
Tom nods and kisses her. "Good luck."
"You, too."
Tom opens the door.
Abby greets Joannie and starts to slip out.
"Wait," Joannie says. "I want to talk to both of you."
"Why don't you talk to your father and he'll fill me in later? I need to
go find Tommy."
"Please, Abby?"
Abby looks back to Tom for his reaction.
"It's up to you." Tom tells Abby.
"I suppose Tommy can wait a few more minutes," Abby says. ~Better than leaving you to Joannie's tender mercies.~
"Ok Joannie, what's up?"
"I heard about what happened last night."
"I know, I don't know how much more Nancy can take."
"Yeah. But I was talking about Tommy, specifically."
"Joannie...." Tom begins to say. "What about him?"
"He's very upset about what happened and that he might have inadvertently helped it happen. And he's very scared about how you two are going to react."
"Joannie we are not monsters, but what he did and didn't do has had serious repercussions."
"It's something we all did at one time or another. Besides, I don't think anything you could do to him would be half as bad as what's he been doing to himself."
"Joannie let us handle this all right?"
"Dad, I know you're scared for Nancy. We all are. But just don't be too hard on Tommy--he's hurting, too."
"The Bradford court will take that under advisement, ok?"
"How about forgetting the Bradford court and instead just being the Bradford parents who love all their kids?"
"Joannie do you think we don't love all of you?" he says hurt.
"Of course I don't think that. Just--sometimes you get so wrapped up in being scared for us that you forget to show how much you love us, too."
"Do I?" he asks Abby.
~Oh, great. I'm supposed to answer him in front of Joannie?~
"Joannie, you don't have to worry. I'm taking care of Tommy and your
father is dealing with Nancy."
"Oh. Boot camp?"
"No, no boot camp, not this time."
"Tommy will appreciate that."
"Joannie, we appreciate your thoughts on this matter, now may we handle this?"
~Well, Tommy, I did the best I could.~ "Sure. Sorry I bothered the two of you."
"Joannie," He gets up and gives her a kiss. "Tommy is lucky to have a sister like you."
"Hey, I was raised right, you know?"
"Thank you." He says. "Now what time do you want us at the orphanage?"
"The show's at 6, and I'd like to run through everything one last time--how does 3 sound?"
"Fine with me, Abby?"
"Sure."
"OK then." Tom says.
"Good. I'll let you two get back to whatever it was you two were doing."
"Thank you."
Joannie smiles at them and leaves. Abby closes the door behind her.
Tom just shakes his head.
"She means well."
"I Know."
"But?"
"Why is it they take each other sides?"
"Because you raised them to watch out for each other."
Tom nods. "So whets your plan?"
"Talk to Tommy. If he's as bad off as Joannie's making him out to be..."
"What..." he sighs.
"Then Joannie's right. Nothing I could do could match real regret."
"Abby, we can't let him get away with it."
"I won't, but Boot Camp isn't the answer this time."
"I agree."
"So what do you suggest?"
"You were the one who said that you would handle it." Tom says. "It's your call."
"As long as you respect that."
"I have before, haven't I?"
"Usually."
"Usually?"
"Usually. I'd better go find Tommy before he runs away from home."
Tom nods.
"Wish me luck."
"Oh I do."
Abby nods and goes out in search of Tommy, who's in his room playing the guitar.
Abby knocks on the doorpost before walking in.
Tommy stops playing. "So when do I start?"
"Sounds like you were already in the middle," Abby says, referring to his playing.
"No, I mean boot camp."
"I thought we could talk first."
Tommy nods ~You mean lecture.~
"Why'd you break curfew last night?"
"I was nervous about tonight so I went to a late movie."
"And left the door unlocked instead of taking a key."
"I did take a key, I just forgot to lock it."
"Happens to the best of us."
"Yeah, but on the same night a intruder got in?"
"What, do you think they watched you leave?"
"No, but I could have gotten her killed or the rest of you."
"You mean someone could have taken advantage of your mistake to do that."
He nods.
"That's the problem with mistakes--you never know where they'll lead."
"I wasn't thinking."
"Pretty common for someone your age. But it's something you're going to have to work on."
He nods.
"You just wanted to blow off steam, but it affected Nancy. When you're part of a family, your mistakes have consequences for everyone."
"I know that Abby, will you just get it over with?"
"Get what over?"
"Just tell me what ever punishment you and Dad decided."
"We haven't even talked about a punishment."
"You haven't?"
"No. I wanted to talk to you first."
"Well we've talked, now what?"
"Well, I think part of it should be grounding--that's standard for curfew breaking, isn't it?"
He nods.
"Two weeks?"
Tommy starts to protest then stops. "Fine."
"As for the other thing...."
"Yes?"
"I really don't know what to tell you. It was a mistake."
“That’s it?”
"It's something you're going to have to live with for a long while."
"Gee thanks."
"What would you rather I say?"
"Nothing." He says in frustration.
"Are you looking for me to punish you? It was a mistake. An unfortunate one, but a mistake. You deliberately broke curfew, so for that you get punished, but I can't punish you for a mistake."
"I know, but how do I get over feeling so guilty?"
"I don't know," Abby admits. "Feeling guilty is the way we punish ourselves for our mistakes. But it's a waste of energy--it's so much better to learn from your mistakes and move on."
"Does Nancy know?"
"I'm not sure--ask her. But if anyone would understand about mistakes, it's Nancy."
"Yeah, but not one that could have killed her."
"I'm not so sure about that. Talk to Nancy--she'll understand."
Tommy nods.
"I saw her downstairs in the kitchen," Abby hints.
"I'm allowed out of my room?"
"Your grounding can start tomorrow. Tonight Joannie needs you."
Tommy nods. "One day to get my affairs in order." He jokes.
"Hey, it's more than some people get."
"Touch'e and Thanks Abby."
"Either you're growing up or I'm losing my touch--never had anyone thank me for punishing them before."
“Anything is better than your boot camp.”
"Just keep that in mind next time you're tempted by a late movie."
"Believe me I will."
"Good. So, are you going down to talk to Nancy?"
"Yes." He says and follows her out.
At the bottom of the stairs Abby pats him on the shoulder. "Good luck."
He nods and looks for Nancy.
Nancy's in the kitchen still after assuring Mary that's she's ok.
“Hi”
"Hi, how did it go with Abby?"
“Grounded for two weeks.”
"Huh?"
"Grounded for breaking curfew."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
“Nancy,
we need to talk.”
"Sure, what's up?"
“You
better have a seat.”
She sits down.
"I'm the one who left the door unlock."
"Is that all?"
"You didn't hear me correctly." Tommy says.
"You said you're the one who left the door unlocked, ok, just be more careful next time. All of us need to be more careful about that."
"Nancy, my mistake could have gotten you killed."
"You're right it could've, but it was just that, a mistake. I'm not going to be mad at you over this."
“You’re
not?” he asks confused.
"Of course not, Tommy you don't give yourself enough credit. I know you would never want or let anything bad happen to any of us. We have all forgotten to lock the door at one time or another. Please don't beat yourself up about it."
"If you say so."
"I know so."
"Thanks Nancy, but its going to take me a long time to forget this."
"I understand, but please remember that I'm not blaming you and I'm not mad at you."
Tommy
nods.
"Good." She gives him a hug.
He hugs her back.
After: "Hey has anyone checked on Liz this morning?"
"Not me."
"Want to go with me to check on her?"
“Why
don’t you go on up, I need to check the magic booth one more time.”
"Ok, come get me if you need me for anything."
"I will."
Nancy goes back upstairs to check on Elizabeth.
"Hi." she says still coughing a bit.
"Hi, do you need anything?"
"Tea, hey what happened last night?"
She goes to get her some tea and then returns. "We had an intruder." She tells her what happened.
"Oh Nancy, why didn't you wake me?"
"I didn't want to worry you, you were sleeping too well."
“How
did they get in?”
"Through the kitchen door."
"I guess we will be replacing the door huh?"
Nancy shakes her head. "It was accidentally left unlocked so no damage was done to the door."
"Who was it who left it unlock?"
"A member of this family."
“Tell…”
her eyes light up.
"Who all knows about them doing that is their choice to make not mine."
"Come on Nancy, you of all people know how it is laying in bed day after day."
"But Elizabeth they feel really awful about it when they shouldn't. You know what I mean?"
"Tommy." She guesses as she remembers him leaving as she was going to the bathroom.
"Keep it to yourself ok."
“Poor
kid, he must be beating himself up.”
"He is I tried convincing him that he's not to blame, but...."
“What
a second, I didn’t hear Dad yell this morning.”
"Abby talked to Tommy."
"That's cool."
Nancy nods in agreement
Liz starts yawning again. "What time are you guys leaving?"
"I don't know sometime this afternoon, you get some sleep."
“I
can stay awake if you need to talk.”
"About what?"
"What happened last night."
"It was very scary, whoever this is. They're getting very close."
"The police has no clues?"
"They took the evidence to their lab and they're hoping they'll come up with something."
“When?”
"Dad's calling them tomorrow if we don't hear something by then."
"Good, this is scary." She says now worried about being home alone while everyone is at the show.
"Would you mind if one of Noah's parents stayed here with you tonight?"
"I thought you and Noah broke up."
"We did but I can't think of anyone else."
"I'll just keep a baseball bat at my bed."
"Good idea." Nancy says but is worried anyway.
"I want a full show tonight."
"A
whole entire show?"
“Why
not?”
"You're supposed to bite and say yes do it or else." Nancy jokes. "Of course we'll give you a full show."
Liz
laughs. “OK, yes do it or else.”
"Yes drill sergeant." Nancy quips.
She
laughs then starts coughing.
"Ok time for you to rest some more."
‘’grrr.’’
She sighs
"You
don't want to get worse do you?"
"No, but it is so boring."
"How much more bed rest do you have?"
She shrugs. "Ask Abby, she's the one who talked to Dr. Max last."
"Wait you're the one here in bed right?"
She
nods.
"Then shouldn't you be the one asking Abby?"
"I will as soon as she comes by."
"Good idea."
Elizabeth
rolls over and tries to sleep.