Episode 5: You are cordially invited
Part 4

Tom goes downstairs and answers the ringing phone. "Uncle Henry, you're where? Hold on, I'll send someone to pick you up. OK see you then." They hang up. ~Who the heck invited him?~

David comes in.

"David, can you pick up Uncle Henry?"

"Sorry, Dad, I have too much to do, he'll have to take a cab."

"Yeah, a cab, that's a good idea."

After awhile the girls finished getting ready and so does Tommy.

"Dad, you have to take Nicholas so hurry up and finish," Mary says to Tom as she, her sisters, and her brother leave for the church.

Tom finally finishes getting ready. "Are you ready to go, Nicholas?" The telephone rings. "Uncle Henry, you're still there, no I can't, well uh uh. Oh, take a cab." He hangs up. "Come on ,Nicholas!!"

"I'm ready but I can't do my bow tie," Nicholas says.

"Let me see." Tom is able to get Nicholas's tie right but still can't get his right.

A little while later at the church:

"Joannie, Nancy, where's Dad? He's going to be late for his own wedding," David says.

"Don't worry, he's on his way," Nancy says.

The Mitchells arrive at the church. Katherine sends Fealty down front to sit and spends a few minutes with her daughter.

"Are you nervous?" she asks.

"Should I be?" Abby answers.

"Probably. But I think you'll do fine together. You already seem like part of that family."

"So are you, Grandma Katherine," Abby teases.

"Ah, I see you've been talking to my favorite grandson."

"Just don't let Tommy or David hear you say that."

The ministers come over to say hello to Abby and congratulate her, so Katherine goes to join her aunt. When the men leave, Harry moves to stand beside his daughter.

"You look beautiful," he says.

"Thank you."

"Anything's better than jeans and that ridiculous leather jacket. At least this one knows how to dress."

Abby laughs at this left-handed compliment to Tom. ~I wonder if Tom's thinking about Joan today as much as I'm thinking about Frank.~

Meanwhile out front: "Hey I better go and see how Abby is doing," Elizabeth says.

"I'll go with you," Nancy says. "Are you three coming?" she asks Susan, Mary, and Joannie.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Joannie says.

"Yeah, right behind you," Mary says.

"I'm coming," says Susan.

They go to see Abby.

"Wow, Abby you look beautiful," Nancy says to her.

"Well, I had good advice when I picked the dress," Abby says. "You girls look lovely."

"Thanks," Elizabeth says and starts helping her get ready.

"Well, I can tell when I'm not needed," Harry says, and goes outside to find his future son-in-law. He doesn't, but finds David instead. "Don't tell me your father's not here yet."

"Don't worry, he'll be here. He's crazy about your daughter, sir."

Harry begins to retort but decides to keep his own counsel; instead, he begins to pace, waiting for either Thomas to show up or for the girls to come back outside so that he can return to Sandra Sue.

Soon the girls come back out.

Harry turns to David. "When Thomas gets here--oh, never mind," he says and goes back inside.

"What was that about?" Joannie asks.

"He's nervous that Dad isn't here yet," David says.

"So am I," Joannie confesses. "He'd better get here on time or Abby will not be amused."

Currently in the MG on the way to the church: A million thoughts are running through Tom's mind, all about Abby and Joan. When he had first met Abby, Tom felt guilty about falling in love again. He had thought Joan would be angry with him and that he was betraying her. But with time he realized that he was wrong. Joan would have wanted him to find love and happiness again. She wouldn't want him just giving up. Who would be there for the children if he had? No, Joan would never forgive him if he gave up and left the children orphans. Tom would never forgive himself. But he didn't have to think about that anymore because of Abby. Tom smiles when he thinks about Abby and almost runs a red light. Nicholas lectures him and Tom just keeps on driving 'til he makes it to the church and parks Gwendolyn.

"There he is," Nancy points.

"Come on, Dad," Joannie rushes towards him and starts fixing his bow tie. "You'd think a grown man could tie his own tie..."

"How does Abby look? Am I late?" he nervously asks.

"Abby? She was supposed to be here?" Joannie deadpans. "She looks beautiful and you got here by the skin of your teeth. You'd better go down front with David and Tommy or you'll have to upstage your own bride."

Tom smiles, kisses all of his daughters and then goes up front with Tommy and David.

"Are you nervous, Dad?" David asks.

"Me nervous? Yeah right," Tom fibs.

"You are welcome," Tommy says to Tom.

Tom glances at Tommy in confusion. "What was that, son?"

"You are welcome; I am assuming you are thanking me for breaking my leg," Tommy says.

Tom laughs, "Thanks, son, but I am not happy you got hurt, just the results," he smiles widely.

Young Reverend Corbett rushes over to Tom. "Who do you want to speak first?" he asks.

"You can speak first," Tom says.

"All right. Are you ready?" the minister asks. "Are you nervous?"

"No, I'm not nervous."

"Must be because of your age. I was when I got married," the young minister confides.

"I'm not nervous," Tom insists a little too much.

"Good, good" Reverend Corbett says. "Well, then, shall we get this show on the road?"

The men take their places and then the wedding starts.

"You look very serious," Harry says to Abby.

"Hmm. Just thinking," she answers.

"About?"

"You know, I think Frank would have liked Tom," Abby tells him and laughs softly. "They probably would have gone off together to talk about football or fishing and forgotten all about me."

Harry shakes his head and kisses Abby's cheek. "I think that's our cue," he says and leads her down the aisle.

Tom watches Abby walking down the aisle and just gazes at her. For that moment they are the only ones in the room.

David whispers something to him. "Are you sure you're not nervous? Dad, Dad?" ~Oh, never mind, he's lost in the moment.~

When Harry leaves Abby's side, Abby looks at Tom almost shyly. ~I love him so much. Why do I feel like I'm about to pass out?~

Tom just continues to gaze at her until his attention is caught by the reverend and the speech starts.

The vows are said, vows which Abby and Tom had written to affirm their love for each other.

Nicholas gives his father and Abby the rings, and Abby clutches one tightly in her fist, waiting her turn to give it to Tom. ~The next time I touch this ring it will be on Tom's finger, he'll be my husband~ she thinks with wonder.

Tom's turn comes and he slips the ring on Abby's finger and says his vows.

And soon they're announced as husband and wife. The kids crowd around them to hug and congratulate them and after a while everyone goes to the reception.

After the wedding the entire family and guests arrive at the house to celebrate. As the champagne is flowing, Tommy takes some ginger ale and stands on the living room table and says "May I have your attention?" As the crowd quiets downs he proceeds, "On behalf of my brothers and sisters I want to thank you for coming and I would like to propose a toast; To my Dad and new stepmother: May you always be as happy as you are today. Cheers."

"I'll drink that," Nancy says as she gets some ginger ale also, so does Elizabeth. David gets a glass of champagne.

Tom just smiles, thanks Tommy, and raises his glass.

Joannie raises her glass to join the toast and leans over towards David. "I know you have your mind on the coffee house and your hordes of adoring female fans, but isn't the best man supposed to make a toast?"

David smiles. "To Dad and Abby, may you two find everlasting love and happiness together."

Joannie raises her glass. "To Tommy, for being such an obnoxious student that Abby was willing to do whatever it took never to have to teach him again," she jokes.

"Funny, Joannie," Tommy says, not amused.

Tom thanks David, laughs at Joannie's toast, and pats Tommy on the back and hugs him.

After the reception the kids go get into their coffee house clothes and then leave with David.

"Did you notice," Joannie asks Nancy, "Dad didn't even remind us about curfew or complain that it's a school night?"

"That's because tonight is the night," Nancy grins.

"I knew that," Joannie says. "I was trying to be polite about it, though."

"Oh, OK," Nancy laughs.

"Tonight is the night for what?" Nicholas asks.

"Nothing, Nicholas," Elizabeth says.

"Why do you guys tell me its nothing when its something?" he asks.

"Don't worry, little guy, one day you'll know," Nancy says.

Nicholas just shakes his head.

The kids arrive at the coffee house and listen to David's singing act. Halfway through Nancy goes to the ladies room. One her way back she spots a guy in the audience and thinks it's Alan. She freezes when she sees him sitting there.

Tommy takes a look at Nancy and knows something is wrong and goes up to her. "What's wrong?"

"He's here," she manages.

"Who's here?"

"Alan," she points to him, too terrified to remember that she doesn't want Tommy going after him.

Tommy goes over to the man and taps him on the shoulder. "Hey, why don't you leave my sister alone?"

"Oh no, Tommy!!" Nancy heads over there.

The man looks at Tommy with confusion. "Kid get out of here. I haven't been bothering anyone's sister."

"Oh yeah?" Tommy says. "I don't believe you," and pushes the man.

The man gets up and pushes Tommy back.

"Oh no, David, stop them!!" Nancy's shout gets the attention of her other siblings.

Susan comes rushing over to where Nancy is standing and sees the fight. "What happened?"

Nancy tells her everything.

David puts his guitar down and is there seconds later. He shoves the man. "Don't even think about laying a hand on him," David glares at the man.

Tommy gets up and tackles the man against the wall.

Meanwhile Nicholas gets caught in the crossfire and winds up on the floor.

Nancy tries to go to him, but by now the whole bar is fighting and she gets lost in the crowd before she can get to him. She dodges some flying chairs and fists while frantically looking for Nicholas.

Abby watches as the caterers pack up the last of their things and begin to carry them out to their vans. ~Oh, for heaven's sake, what are you so nervous about~ she chides herself.

Tom approaches her. "We're almost alone."

"So I see," Abby answers. "Was it very nice of the kids to go out tonight or are they just taking advantage of the fact that you won't care about curfew?"

"They're probably taking advantage of the fact that I won't care about curfew," Tom jokes.

"Probably," Abby agrees.

The caterer takes the last of his things out of the house. "Well, that's it," he tells the newly married couple. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford."

"Thank you," Tom says as he shows him out.

When Tom turns, having closed the front door behind them, Abby is playing with the papers on the entryway table. "Well."

"Mrs. Bradford, let's step outside for a minute. I have to do this right," he says. "Please."

Abby laughs. "Sounds like you're planning to be a little more romantic than last night, at least."

"Lady, you haven't seen anything yet," Tom smiles.

"Well, that's true," Abby says.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"Nothing," Abby says. "I was just making a joke about what happened last night."

Tom frowns, "You found last night funny." He starts to slip into pouting mode.

"Oh, I know I shouldn't have, but yeah, I did. You really shattered my illusions about you being any sort of a gentleman."

"Er what exactly did I do?" he asks.

"What do you mean, what did you do? Don't you remember?" she asks.

"No, but I really wish I did," he says.

Abby decides to give Tom some of the grief she was given when she came downstairs in a new blouse. "That's very flattering," she pouts.

"Abby, I'm sorry," Tom says in a guilty tone.

"Easy for you to say," Abby continues to play with him, "I left you upstairs sleeping. I'm the one who had to had to change--you could have been a little more careful, you know--and go downstairs. And believe me, they did notice I'd been gone so long and that I'd changed. I'm surprised none of the girls hassled you about it today."

Tom looks at her in complete confusion. "OK, Abby, what happened? It's obviously not what I think happened."

"Why? What do you think happened?" Abby asks him.

"Well, obviously not what really happened," he says.

"You're avoiding the question."

"Uh uh, ladies first."

"I should tell you what you think happened last night before you tell me what you think happened last night?" Abby asks. "Maybe we should just forget the whole thing. I don't need to discuss it; I remember last night, and you don't, and that's all there is to that."

Which leaves Tom very confused. "Er, OK, are you sure?"

Abby nods. "And if you ever get curious and wonder what last night was like, well, just tell me what you think happened and I'll tell you if you were right." ~He's going to go crazy worrying~ Abby laughs to herself.

Tom sighs in frustration and tell her what he thinks happened.

"Tom, I'm shocked. You know you don't approve of that," Abby says. "After all the times you turned me down, you think I'd agree when you were drunk and making the most obvious passes I've heard since high school? Maybe you're even less of a gentleman than I thought," she teases.

"You're right honey, I'm a bad, bad man, and I'm very sorry," Tom throws himself at her mercy.

Abby considers telling him the rest of what happened the night before but decides there's always time for that later. "So, what do you plan to do to make it up to me?" she asks.

"Well, you step outside with me for starters. I never did carry you across the threshold."

"You are so old-fashioned," Abby laughs and leads Tom outside.

When they get outside, Tom carries her over the threshold and up to their bedroom, where he carefully lays her down on the bed, praying that his back doesn't go out.

Abby laughs at the oh-so-cautious movements Tom is making. "Next time you get married, just put her down inside the doorway. The last thing you want to do is throw your back out."

Tom laughs also. "There won't be a next time," he says as he gazes at her.

"Maybe on our 50th anniversary I'll just have to marry you all over again," Abby says. "And then we'll throw away our walkers and you can try to pick me up."

Tom laughs, "Now that will be a sight."

At the coffee house, the cops arrive, break up the fight and take the adults Bradfords to jail and the juveniles to detention center.

"Great," Joannie complains. "What are we going to do now? If we disturb Dad and Abby tonight we'll be in even more trouble than we already are."

"Well, obviously they will be called about Tommy, Elizabeth and Nicholas," Mary says.

"But I really thought it was Alan," Nancy defends herself, hoping that her older sisters don't mop the floor with her.

Meanwhile at the detention hall where Tommy, Elizabeth and Nicholas are being held:

Nicholas thinks it is all cool, but Tommy is nursing a black eye and tells Elizabeth, "I blew it this time."

"Tommy, you thought it was Alan, so did Nancy. You were only protecting her."

"I know; but I could have made sure it was him before going off on him. Can you imagine what is going to happen when Dad and Abby get a hold of us?"

Soon the phone rings at the Bradfords. Tom groans. "Let's let it ring," he says to Abby.

"You wouldn't let me hook up my machine, remember?" Abby says. "And all the kids are out--what if it's one of them?"

Tom groans and picks up the phone. His face boils over with anger as he talks to the person on the other line after awhile he hangs up. "Abby, all of the kids are in jail!!"

"All of them?" Abby asks, trying to shift mental gears. "Even Nicholas?"

"Yes!!" Tom says in complete shock.

"How did that happen?" Abby asks. She gets out of bed. "We'd better go bail them out, right? Are they all being held in the same place?"

"A fight at the coffee house. Tommy, Nicholas and Elizabeth are in juvenile hall, the others are in the adult section."

"It'll be faster if we split up, then. Drop me at the coffee house and we'll get the other car, and we'll meet back here with all our delinquents."

Tom nods and they both leave in the sedan. Tom is furious with his children.

"Tom, being angry with them won't change anything," Abby tells him. "I'm sure they didn't do this just to annoy you." She gives him a kiss. "I'll see you at home."

He kisses her back. "OK, and I can't think of any good reason for all eight of the children to get arrested at the same time on our wedding night."

"OK, maybe it won't be a good reason, but I'll bet it will be an imaginative one," Abby says.

Tom manages a laugh. He takes the station wagon while she takes the sedan.

At juvenile hall Nicholas asks Tommy, "When are we getting out of here? I am getting tired."

"Soon, Nicholas," Tommy says and then goes to Elizabeth. "I'd rather be here than face Dad's wrath when we get home."

"Yeah me too, maybe he'll let us stay here for the night and just spend the night with Abby."

"Maybe he would be in a better mood," Tommy jokes with Elizabeth.

"Oh most definitely," she jokes back.

Abby drives to juvenile hall and bails out the three minors. She paces the waiting room until they are brought out from their holding room.

Nicholas runs when he sees Abby and says. "Hi, Abby." Tommy and Elizabeth aren't far behind but are less enthusiastic when they see her.

"Hi Abby," Elizabeth says quietly.

"Hi Abby," Tommy says as he holds a bag of ice to his eye.

"I hope the other guy looks worse," Abby tells Tommy. She bends to pick up Nicholas but then thinks better of it--he looks a little worse for the wear and she's still in her wedding gown. "So what do you say we bust out of this joint?" she says.

Elizabeth is a little hesitant.

"Elizabeth? What's wrong? You don't want to spend more time here, do you?" Abby asks.

"It's better than facing Dad," she says.

Tommy nods in agreement.

"But if you don't go home I don't go home, and then your father will really be upset."

"OK I'll go home," Elizabeth says. "But I won't like it. Abby, I'm sorry we ruined your night."

"Me too," Tommy says.

"Me three, but I don't know what we ruined," Nicholas says.

Abby laughs. "Don't worry, Nicholas, you will when you get older."

"Can we go home now? I am getting tired." Nicholas asks.

"Sure," Abby says and leads them out to the car. "Maybe your father will let you stay home from school tomorrow. It's been a late night for you."

"Cool!" Nicholas exclaims.

Tommy laughs.

"Is Dad furious?" Tommy asks before they leave.

"Well, I wouldn't say he's in the best of moods right now," Abby says. "Bailing you all out of jail was not on tonight's agenda."

Tom goes to bail the adults out.

"Dad, I can explain," David begins.

"No David I think I'd better explain this one," Nancy says. "Dad, can we go outside and talk?"

They go outside and talk and Nancy tells him everything. At first he's angry and then worried when he realizes the seriousness of the situation with Alan. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asks.

"Because I didn't want to anger or worry you," she replies.

Tom hugs her. "The heck with that. I want to know these things so I can protect you."

Fade out as Nancy returns the hugs.

"Sorry we interrupted your night," Mary says when Tom and Nancy rejoin the others.

"Under the circumstances, Mary, it's OK," Tom says. "But I do have to talk to Tommy about jumping the gun."

While Tom is loading all the grown kids into the station wagon Joannie suggests, "You know, we could all go to David's or something. You don't have to take us back home, Dad."

"You won't let Nancy out of your sight?"

"No, we won't. And we won't swing at every man she sees either. I promise," Joannie says.

Tom laughs and drops the children off at David's house.

Abby pulls the sedan into the driveway. "Come on, Nicholas, let's get you up to bed. Tommy and Elizabeth, I guess you should stay downstairs to face the wrath of Tom Bradford."

"Gee thanks," Tommy says.

Tommy goes into the kitchen and grabs more ice from the freezer for his eye and sits at the table.

Abby leads Nicholas upstairs. "Pretty exciting day, huh?" she asks.

"Yeah, jail was fun," Nicholas says.

Abby laughs. "Maybe you ought to talk to Mary, then. You have a great future as a protest leader."

Nicholas laughs but he soon falls asleep in bed.

Tom soon enters. "Hey, you three are spending the night at David's house. Where's Nicholas? And what happened to your eye?"

"Abby is putting Nicholas to bed upstairs and I got hit in the eye during the fight," Tommy explains.

"Elizabeth, will you go tell Abby that I'll be taking the three of you to David's house? Tommy, I'm proud of you for protecting your sister but please don't try to be a hero again," Tom says.

"Sorry I ruined your evening," Tommy says.

"Don't worry about that, and from this point on I'll take care of Alan," he says.

"OK," Tommy says and asks, "Do we have a piece of raw meat around here?"

"Sure," Tom gets that and also some medication and tends to Tommy's eye. "I want Dr. Max to look at you before I take you to David's."

"In the morning, OK?" Tommy replies.

"OK," Tom agrees.

Elizabeth goes upstairs and tells Abby.

Abby is just coming out of the boys' room. "Well, it's too late to take Nicholas anywhere."

She goes downstairs to break the news to Tom. "Nicholas is already asleep," she says. "I don't think you should take him anywhere, Tom."

Tom sighs. "Then Tommy and Elizabeth might as well stay, too. Abby, we need to talk. Nancy told me about Alan."

Abby looks at Elizabeth and Tommy. "Let's talk in the study," she suggests. They go to the study.

Outside the study Tommy turns to Elizabeth. "I don't know about you but I am going to bed."

"Me too." They both retreat to the safety of their bedrooms.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Tom asks Abby.

"They asked me not to. And last night you weren't exactly capable of giving advice, and today--well, I've had other things on my mind today."

Tom smiles and kisses her. "OK, but from this point on I want to know every detail about this. I'm going with you two to see that lawyer and if that punk shows his face around here..."

"Let the lawyers handle it, Tom" Abby says. "Trust me, they're far nastier than you could ever be." She gives him a kiss. "You know, we always seem to end up back in your study kissing."

"OK, I will, I promise," he smiles again. "That we do don't we?" He returns the kiss.

"Uh huh," Abby says, kissing him again. "You know, you once promised to show me exactly what it is you had to do with a woman to get into trouble around here."

Tom smiles and soon they're upstairs in their bedroom again. They have to be quiet since the kids are home, but that doesn't stop them.

About an hour after they get to David's Joannie starts to complain. "Looks like the juvenile delinquents didn't get here after all. Maybe we should just go home and sleep in our own beds. David, you've got to get a softer floor."

Nancy turns away in guilt and pretends to fall asleep.

David laughs. "Just pretend you're camping." He goes to sleep in his bedroom.

"Easy for you to say. You've got a bed," Joannie grumbles and tries to get comfortable.

In the master bedroom at the house: "So that's how you get into trouble around here?" Abby asks. "Wanna get into some more?"

"Absolutely," Tom says as he takes her in his arms again.

"I keep waiting for one of the kids to knock on the door and ground us."

"Well they can't because we're married now."

"Too bad. I kind of like the idea of having to spend the next three weeks locked up here with you."

Tom smiles.

"That's it. For contributing to the delinquency of the newest Bradford, I'm just going to have to ground you myself, Tom Bradford," Abby says.

Tom laughs. "If you ground me I'm grounding you."

"But I haven't done anything wicked," Abby protests. "At least not yet."

"Well, the night isn't over yet."

"Is that an invitation?"

"It sure is."

Abby moves closer to Tom. "You know, I think I could get to like this being married."

Tom smiles at her, fade out.

After about an hour of tossing and turning, Joannie gives up. "They've had enough time, and they've got three of us home, anyway. I'm heading back. Anyone want to join me?"

"Might as well, " Nancy says.

"I agree," Mary says as she gets off the couch. "Maybe if we are real quiet they won't know we came home."

"Yeah, but are you two sure you want me to come along? I might make another mistake in identity and get us arrested again."

Mary laughs and looks to Joannie and Susan for support. "Nancy, stop dragging yourself down. You made an honest mistake. So lets go home, OK?"

Nancy finally manages a smile, "OK." ~Still, I hope Abby isn't ticked at me for ruining her wedding night.~

"I'm staying here," Susan says as she rolls over and falls asleep.

"Suzy, if he offers to make your breakfast stick with eggs and bacon. It's the only thing he never screws up," Nancy says.

"Think we should wake up David and ask for a lift or hoof it?" Joannie asks.

"Let's ask him for a ride," Nancy says.

"I have a better idea," Mary says as she writes a note to David and grabs his car keys.

Nancy laughs. "Just don't forget to bring it back to him or he'll have our heads."

Mary laughs as they go and get in the van.

A little while later they arrive home. Nancy goes to the kitchen to get something to drink.

Tommy goes downstairs in the kitchen and gets more ice for his eye and sees Nancy and asks, "Are you OK?" and then says, "I thought you guys were at David's"

"Susan was the only one able to fall asleep on his hard floor." She winces when she sees his eye. "Oh Tommy," she hugs him. "Why did you do it? What if that guy would have had a weapon? He could have killed you," she says, completely overreacting. "And yes I'm OK."

"Good." Tommy says. "So how was the *big house*?"

"Pretty boring, actually. I still can't believe we all got arrested. Nicholas included," she laughs.

"Nicholas thought it was all pretty cool," Tommy laughs.

"So he's OK? Is Abby mad? Dad was at first, but he's not anymore."

"He's fine, from what Abby said he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. And as far as I could tell she was pretty cool about this nightmare."

"Good, hey Tommy if I tell you something will your promise not to get mad and go after Alan?"

"I can try," Tommy says.

"I have a bad feeling about this Alan situation. I don't know what it is but I just can't shake this feeling of dread, I'm scared."

"You don't have to be; we are here to protect you," Tommy says.

Nancy smiles, "Thanks, kid."

"Who is a kid?" Tommy asks.

"Oh I'm sorry, thank you, young man," Nancy corrects herself.

Tommy laughs and says, "I am going back to bed. Are you?"

"Yeah," they go upstairs and retreat to their bedrooms. Elizabeth is still awake. "How was the big house?" she asks.

"Why are you and Tommy asking that?" She laughs. "You'll grow up soon enough, don't rush it." She gets ready for bed.

Abby hears all the noise of people coming upstairs and wakes from her light doze. She looks around for her robe, realizes she has yet to unpack it, and grabs Tom's instead before venturing out into the hallway. She follows the sound of voices over to the kids' bedrooms.

Nancy steps out of her bedroom on the way to the bathroom. "Hi Abby, sorry about tonight."

"It's OK," Abby says. "At least I can safely say life around here will never be boring. Are you OK though?"

"Yeah I'm OK," Nancy lies.

"You know, you ought to leave the acting to Joannie," Abby says. "Want to talk about it? I was just headed downstairs to get something to drink."

Nancy nods and they go downstairs and she confides in Abby about her fear of Alan.

"I know you're afraid, but you're letting him control your life if you see him everywhere," Abby tells her.

"But I don't see him everywhere. Just tonight, that guy at the coffee house looked a lot like him."

"OK, you thought you saw him once today. But you've only known how much trouble he is since yesterday," Abby looks at the clock, "make that two days ago."

"So what should I do?" she asks Abby.

"We'll go see a lawyer and get you protection," Abby says. "It'll be all right."

"I sure hope so," Nancy says.

"Just remember that you're not in this alone. You get scared, tell someone, OK? Even if it does end up at the jail, it's still best." Abby stands. "I'd better go back to bed... get back upstairs, or your father will think I've taken a wrong turn somewhere and gotten lost."

"I will, I promise. Yeah, I guess you should." She's about to say 'have fun' but thinks better of it.

"You should get some sleep, too," Abby says. "It's been a long day."

"You're right. Goodnight, Abby," she says when they reach the upstairs hallway. Nancy then goes to her room and goes to sleep.