Monday night, the night before Nancy will get the biopsy results: She tries to sleep while a turmoil of thoughts run through her mind. She finally gives up and goes downstairs to get something to drink. ~This is becoming a habit with me I gave up alcohol and drugs for midnight snacks and hot cocoa.~ Nancy tries to ponder which is worse when her Dad walks into the kitchen.
"You couldn't sleep either huh?" He asks.
"No I couldn't." She replies. "Dad what are we going to do if it's cancer? And all the treatments don't work."
"They are going to work, don't you even worry about it's not cancer anyway." Halfway through both of them eating. "Honey, if it is cancer by some terrible twist of fate, the treatments won't be fun. You'll be sick a lot. Are you prepared for that?"
"No not really, but if it makes me better in the long run I'll deal with any sickness that comes along."
Joannie walks in, coming home late from play rehearsal. "Family conference in the kitchen?" she asks her sister and father.
"Sort of, just talking about tomorrow." Nancy says. "How was rehearsal?"
"Eh. And you know what you'll hear tomorrow. Stupid cyst, worrying you so much."
"Yeah." Nancy says nervously. "But there's always a slight chance that..."
"No, there isn't. I refuse to even consider the possibility," Joannie says, though that's all she's been thinking about since Nancy told her about the biopsy.
"She's right." Tom says to Nancy. "You know Max, he just wants to be cautious."
"Remember when we were kids? It always felt like a competition, who could get us into beds faster when we sniffled, Mom or Dr. Max."
Nancy laughs. "Yeah I remember that and Dad here would always be saying would you two relax it's just a sniffle he/she isn't dying."
"So don't take Dr. Max's precautions too seriously, OK?" Joannie says. "I'll bet he just did it to get a day in Chicago, anyway."
"I wouldn't put it past him." Tom jokes.
"Chinese food?" He asks.
"The spicy stuff," Joannie tries negotiating.
"If that's what you want."
Joannie hugs her father. "Thanks Dad. What should I order for you? I know you don't like all that spicy stuff."
Tom returns the hug and tells Joannie what he wants he then goes upstairs to get his wallet and accidentally wakes Abby. "I'm sorry for waking you. And hey do you want Chinese food?"
"In the middle of the night?" Abby takes a look at the clock. "Not so middle of the night. You throwing a party? And you didn't even invite me..."
"I'm inviting you now aren't I? Nancy couldn't sleep, neither could I, and Joannie just got home and is hungry. Want to join us?"
Sure, why not?" Abby says. She gets out of bed and into her dressing gown. "Chinese food in the middle of the night. Just don't complain to me afterwards about your stomach."
"I won't." Tom says. They go downstairs to the kitchen and find Joannie still on the phone.
"Hey Joannie, we need to order some more." Nancy says when she sees Abby.
"Something good and spicy," Abby says. "Your father's promised he won't complain."
Nancy laughs. "Did he have his fingers crossed?"
"You know, I forgot to check," Abby admits. "Oh, well, I'll live dangerously and trust him."
Tom laughs. "What is this, pick on Tom night?"
"No it's pick on Dad night." Nancy jokes.
"Speak for yourself. I don't pick on my Dad, at least not anymore. He has a son-in-law to do that," Abby says.
"That's right." Tom agrees.
"Your dad, however," Abby tells the girls, "I'm always willing to pick on."
"Yeah we can tell," Tom says.
"Aw, poor Tom," Abby teases, then gives her husband a hug.
Tom returns the hug.
Joannie finally gets off the phone.
"Is the delivery boy cute? I'll go wake him up." Nancy offers.
"You have a one-track mind, little sister."
Nancy just grins.
Ten minutes later, there's a knock on the door.
Tom answers pays and tips the delivery guy and then brings the food to the kitchen.
"Now that's a sight I like to see," Abby tells the girls. "A man bearing food while the women are sitting around the table waiting."
"I agree it is such a beautiful sight." Nancy says.
"Looks good on you, Dad," Joannie says.
"Well thank you." He smiles.
Abby gets up and sets plates and silverware on the table. "So your father won't think I'm turning this house into a haven of feminists," she jokes to the girls.
Nancy laughs while Tom pretends to pout.
While they're eating, Abby asks Joannie about the new play she's rehearsing. "You get clothing this time?"
"Ummm...."
"I don't want to know." Tom says.
"But I thought you said you did, Dad," Joannie teases.
"Well if I did I change my mind." Tom says.
"You can't do that you're not a woman." Nancy teases.
"Sure you don't want to know, Dad?" Joannie adds.
"Yes I'm sure." He tells her. "But let me ask you this. Would I feel comfortable coming to see this current play if not just tape it for me and I can just listen to the words."
"I'm doing Becket's 'Happy Days,' Dad," Joannie says.
"What's that?" Tom asks.
�
"Well, I can't promise you'll like the play, Tom," Abby tells him, "it's a little avante guarde for your tastes, maybe, but you'll approve of Joannie's wardrobe--she'll be buried up to her neck in sand."
"What no Fonzie, no Richie in this play." Nancy jokes.
"I told you you're a Philistine," Joannie sighs exaggeratedly.
Nancy just laughs.
"Another heavenly day," Abby quotes to Joannie.
"You know it? Well, of course you do, or you wouldn't have known the set," Joannie says. "Hey, Dad, I like her. Can we keep her?"
"Of course we can." Tom says.
"Like he'd say no," Joannie stage-whispers to Nancy.
"Yeah really." Nancy cracks open a fortune cookie and reads the paper. "Now that's reassuring."
"What does it say," Joannie teases, "You will live to plague many men?"
"Close, it says I will live a long and fulfilling life."
"Only you would equate men and fulfillment," Joannie says.
"I'm not the only one in this house that does that. I remember when you had your first date."
"When I had my first date you were still in diapers," Joannie says.
"That's right Nancy, your sister here started very young." Tom says.
"Had to train Dad to be ready for you, after all."
"That was very kind of you." Nancy says.
"Anything to help my little sister."
Nancy doesn't know what to say so she hugs Joannie.
"Ugh. Little sister germs," Joannie jokes and hugs Nancy back.
Tom laughs and continues to eat.
Abby opens her fortune cookie and reads the paper out loud. "One of the best hearing aids a man can have is an attentive wife." She smiles and pushes her cookie and the slip of paper over to Tom.
He whispers in her ear. "Let's go upstairs and prove it right."
"Well, girls, " Abby says as she stands, "I'm going to call it a night." She clears her place and slips the cookie fortune into her pocket.
"So am I." Tom gets up. "Nancy don't worry about tomorrow; everything will be all right. Joannie let me know when I can come see the play." He goes upstairs with Abby.
"They're so obvious it's kind of cute," Joannie says to Nancy.
"Yeah really, and hey they left us all the Chinese food."
Joannie refills her plate. "What else could you ask from parental types?" she laughs.
Nancy also refills her plate and laughs. "So when does the play start?"
"Week after Christmas."
"I'll be there."
"Good. I'll need the support. Somehow I don't think Dad will get it."
"Yeah but we love him anyway."
"We do?" Joannie says. She looks at the food in front of her. "Yeah, I guess we do."
Nancy chuckles. "Hey has Ray been asking about me?"
"Ray? Ask about *you*?"
"Yeah Ray, you know him. Susan's friend, and my friend now."
"Nah, he never asks about you."
Nancy's face clouds over til she sees tlook on Joannie's face. "He does too, what did he say?"
"Does not. He never asks about you. Begs, pleads, and demands information, but he never just asks."
Nancy smiles. "When is he going to come over again?"
"I'll find out next time he corners me. Or you could call him up. I mean, it is 1977."
"Yeah I think I'll do that tomorrow."
"Go for it," Joannie says and yawns. "Why don't you go to bed now? You need your beauty rest."
"I'm not." She yawns. "Tired, oh yes I am. Goodnight Joannie." She goes upstairs to bed.
The next day in Dr. Maxwell's office. Nancy, Tom, and Abby are there waiting for Greg and the results. He finally arrives and calls them in. He takes out his appointment book. "So when would be a good time?"
"A good time for what?" Nancy asks.
"A good time for you to come in so we can remove that cyst." Greg smiles.
She feels like a big gigantic weight has been lifted from her. She tries to answer but is so relieved that she can't even speak.
"You mean she's ok?" Tom asks wanting to shout from the rooftops.
"Well as soon as we get that cyst out of her. Her shoulder should start healing in record time."
Abby gives Nancy's hand a reassuring squeeze. "When's good for you, Max? The sooner the better. Let's get this over."
"Is one hour from now too soon?" He asks.
"We have to wait that long?" Nancy finally speaks.
"Unfortunately yes, but once it's done your shoulder starts healing and soon you're leading a normal life again." Max says.
"Normal?" Abby says. "Max, she's a Bradford. You're removing a cyst, not performing miracles."
Everyone laughs at Abby's comment.
"You're right, what was I thinking." Max says.
One hour later the cyst is removed. "Now you only have to rest one more day but for the next week treat that shoulder like china that might break. After that you're home free." Greg tells Nancy.
"So after a week I'll be able to drive again?"
Greg nods.
Tom and Abby take Nancy home. Elizabeth is on the phone with a friend of hers she quickly says good bye and hangs up.
"What did he say?" She asks.
Nancy pretends to be all upset. "I'm sorry Elizabeth."
"Oh no." Elizabeth starts to freak out.
"You won't be getting your own room after all. It's just a cyst." Nancy smiles.
Elizabeth sighs in relief and hugs her sister. "I'll go tell Joannie she's upstairs rehearsing." Elizabeth runs upstairs.
"Liz I wanted to tell her!!" Nancy shouts to her already gone figure.
Tom laughs.
Seconds later in Joannie's bedroom.
"Joannie it's not cancer." Elizabeth blurts out.
Joannie pushes Elizabeth out of the way and runs to fold Nancy into a bear hug.
Nancy returns the hug. "Well you were right all along."
"Teach you not to listen to me. Could have saved yourself a lot of worrying."
"Sure could have, but you know me."
Joannie gives her a light thunk on the head. "Good looks, no respect for her elders."
Elizabeth is back by now. "Yeah really, so is it party time now?"
"Actually Max said she has to rest today." Tom says.
"I can rest and party at the same time." Nancy says.
"Party. Party," Joannie starts chanting.
Tom shakes his head. "Ok you can party but the first sign of you wearing out and I'm sending you to bed young lady."
Nancy hugs him. "Thanks Dad."
"But we can keep partying without her Dad, right?" Joannie asks.
Nancy gives her a stern look. "You better." She says never wanting to be the person who ends a party.
"Yes." Tom says.
Joannie runs to go bang on doors and invite the family to the party.
Elizabeth calls David, Ray, Cassie, and Jason and invites them over.
"You mean she's ok?" David says in a very relieved tone.
"Yes she's ok." Elizabeth repeats what she told him when he answered the phone.
"I'll be right there." They both hang up.
Joannie rushes back into the living room. "We ordering out food, or should we all go help Abby in the kitchen?"
"That depends on Abby." Tom says. "Go ask her if she'd rather order out."
Joannie goes to ask Abby and then comes back. "She said it's up to you, Dad."
Tom checks his cash flow. "Can't afford to order out, tell her I'll help her cook."
"Ah, the perfect Bradford party. We start out celebrating and end up with food poisoning," Joannie says.
"Joannie just tell her please."
�
Joannie salutes and goes back to Abby. "You shouldn't have let him choose. Not only aren't we ordering out, he wants to help you cook," Joannie reports.
"Maybe if I just let him chop vegetables?" Abby asks. "How badly could he mess that up?"
"You've never eaten one of Dad's salads."
Nancy comes into the kitchen. "Abby please oh please don't let Dad help. We'll all help you instead."
"You rest, young lady. And believe me, I had no intention of letting your father help. I'm too young to risk my life."
"Ok," Nancy goes to rest before the party.
Abby starts getting busy, cooking for a crowd, wondering how she's going to dissuade Tom from helping when he tries to.
Tom enters the kitchen. "What do you want me to do?"
~Take a cooking class.~ "Could you get me some potatoes? Oh, and onions, and the carrots..." she gives Tom a long list of ingredients to gather from various corners of the kitchen. ~Maybe that will make him feel like he's helped enough.~
After gathering all the ingredients Tom starts to rethink his offer of help and is relieved when the girls take over helping. He goes to help the boys get the living room and den ready.
"See? I told you I wouldn't let your father do our stomachs any lasting damage," Abby tells the girls. She hands the potatoes to Elizabeth. "Now get to work," she smiles.
"Thanks Abby we owe you our lives." Elizabeth says as she starts peeling potatoes.
"And I will collect on that debt," Abby promises.
"Uh oh." Elizabeth pretends to be afraid.
Joannie tosses her an onion. "Here--this'll give you an excuse for your tears."
Elizabeth laughs and tosses it back.
"Someone want to go rescue Nancy from all those men out there?" Abby suggests. "She can sit in here as well as there, especially if someone brings a pillow for her to lean her shoulder against."
Elizabeth arranges it.
"Thank you I was getting tired of men talk." Nancy says.
"I can tell none of the guests have gotten here," Abby says.
Meanwhile Tom calls Vivian and tells her what the results are. And a few seconds later comes into the kitchen.
"Your Aunt Vivian is on the phone; she wants to talk to you." He tells Nancy and hands her the receiver.
They talk awhile and then she talks to Abby and the rest of the kids and after awhile they hang up with her.
Joannie whispers to Nancy, "Did you call Ray yet?"
Nancy laughs at Abby's comment and then turns to Joannie. "Not yet."
"Tis ok, I called him. He'll be here shortly." Elizabeth says.
Nancy smiles at her little sister. "Thanks kid."
"Anytime."
"I'd better get cooking quickly, then, before you all rush out of here to ogle this guy," Abby says.
"I'm the only one who will be ogling him." Nancy half jokes.
"Hey, we can look," Joannie says. "As long as we don't touch."
"Yeah." Elizabeth says.
"True," Nancy agrees. "No harm in looking but please hands off. I really like him."
"OK, then, we promise. We'll only look," Abby says.
"Thank you." Nancy says.
"Come on Nance like we would really try to steal a guy from you," Elizabeth says. "Relax, you know us better than that."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking."
"Ray's not my type. Too much of a jock," Joannie says. "Find me some English major and I'll be happy."
"Ok as soon as I get back to school." Nancy says seriously.
"It could be the start of a career for you," Abby says. "The Nancy Bradford Matchmaking Service."
"She certainly knows enough guys to start it," Joannie agrees.
"Who wants to be my partner?"
"We'll be too busy being your customers," Joannie says.
"Count me out. One man is trouble enough," Abby says.
The girls laugh.
Currently in the living room.
"What do you think they're talking about in there?" David wonders.
"Who knows, probably men." Tom says. "At least I hope Abby talks about me and that it's good."
"I wonder why the men aren't coming in here to mooch," Joannie says.
"Probably afraid I'll put them to work," Abby answers.
"But what can they be tabout this whole time?"
"Football," Abby says. "Or cars."
"Or us." Elizabeth adds.
"You think?" Abby says. "If your father's talking about me, it'd better be good things."
"I'm sure it is." Nancy says.
"If not, I know where we keep the extra hot spices," Abby says.
"Oh that's cold." Elizabeth laughs.
Abby just smiles.
Nancy just laughs harder.
Joannie shushes her. "The guys will come in here to find out why we're having so much better a time than they are."
"So what?" Elizabeth says and laughs harder also.
"So we could keep making fun of them..." Joannie breaks off as one of the men enters the kitchen.
"Sorry, this is a female only enclave," Abby says.
"But I'm the father and the husband." Tom says.
Abby looks back at the girls and they all start giggling. "Exactly why you shouldn't be here," Abby tells him. "Food's almost ready. We'll bring it in when it's done." She puts her hands on his shoulders to turn him around and lead him out of the room.
Tom goes reluctantly but sneaks a kiss first.
Abby turns back towards the girls after Tom leaves. "Men."
"Yep, sometimes they're good kissers and sometimes they're not," Nancy says.
"Ew, Nancy," Joannie stage-whispers. "This is Dad we're talking about!"
"Joannie I was referring to men in general."
Joannie just snorts and Abby tries not to laugh, distracting herself by checking the food. "OK, let's get this out and onto the table, and then the party can begin."
"Ok," Elizabeth says.
The party starts, and after Cassie and Jason have greeted Nancy Ray comes over to her.
"I'm glad you're going to be ok k... Nancy." Ray stops himself before he calls her kid.
She smiles at him. "Thanks Ray, have a seat."
"So when will you be healed enough to go out on a date?" He asks.
"In about a week." She says.
"Ok, what are you doing after you recover?"
"Going out with you." She says.
This time he smiles and kisses her. She returns the kiss.
Abby sees the kiss and hopes that Tom hasn't.
Tom did see the kiss but he's not upset. He's known Ray for awhile and he thinks he's a nice guy.
Jason comes over to Abby and Tom and begins to complain about his new downstairs neighbor. "She starts banging her broom on the ceiling if I so much as play a radio after 10 p.m. Mr. Bradford, you really messed up my social life when you got married."
"Sorry to hear that Jason, but tough. We're not getting a divorce," Tom says.
"We're not?" Abby teases.
"No Abby we're not. We can't go through life pleasing the children's friends."
"Sorry, Jason. You heard the man," Abby pretends to apologize. "You might want to consider earphones, though. Or moving."
Cassie comes over. "What, you didn't tell them?" She asks Jason.
"Tell us what?" Abby asks.
"I see Nancy didn't say anything either. Jason and I are living together now." She reveals.
"I was getting around to it," Jason defends himself. "You see, that's why I've been trying to play music at night--housewarming parties," he explains to Tom and Abby. "Gotta show off my new roommate, right?"
"Er yeah, but why don't you two just get married?" Tom says.
"But Mr. Bradford, we're too young to get married," Jason says.
"Yeah." Cassie says.
"There will be plenty of time when we get to be your age," Jason says to Tom and Abby.
"Our age?" Abby says, a little shocked at having her age group lumped in with Tom's.
Cassie notices Abby's expression. "Jason." She chides quietly.
"What? All I'm saying is that...Ow! Cassie, watch your feet!"
"Come on Jason let's mingle." She drags him away. "Before you put your foot in your mouth again."
"But I..." Jason throws the Bradfords a helpless look as Cassie drags him away.
"Jason never was one for tact, are you all right?" Tom asks Abby.
"For a person who just aged quite a bit, I'm fine."
"Don't listen to him. He's just a kid."
"Compared to you, we all are," Abby teases him.
"Hey meet me in the bedroom tonight and I'll show you just how youthful I still am," Tom offers.
�
Abby quickly backpedals. "Well, I've never said there aren't situations in which a little experience isn't a good thing."
Tom grins.
An hour or so later. Ray approaches Tom and Abby. "Nancy's tired is it ok if I take her up to bed?"
Abby smiles at his wording. "Just make sure you're back down here within two minutes," she says.
"And we will time you." Tom says to Ray.
Ray smiles. "Relax I'll be down in two minutes."
He takes Nancy up to her bedroom and becomes worried when he sees the look of shock on her face.
"What is it?"
"My Dad let you up here. Don't you find that odd?" Nancy asks.
"Yes very odd, but don't worry we'll just have to keep an eye on him. Make sure he's ok." Ray jokes.
She laughs.
He's back downstairs in two minutes.
Meanwhile, downstairs, "You don't mind that I said he could take her up, do you?" Abby asks Tom, "I was just worried about Nancy; I completely forgot than you might not approve. Besides, in two minutes they can't do much, anyway. And you didn't object to them kissing right there in front of you."
"I don't mind the kissing at all. Ray is a good boy. I've known him for awhile. And I was going to say no about him taking her up there but that two minute idea of yours was good, so no, I'm not mad."
"Good. But maybe, just to be sure for the future, when you're showing me just how youthful you are we could try to figure out just how much trouble two people can get into in two minutes." Abby walks off, going to check which of the dishes needs refilling.
�
"I'd love to do that." Tom whispers into her ear and walks away.
When she can wipe the smile off her face, Abby walks over to Ray. "You're very prompt, I've got to give you that," she says. "Nancy went to sleep?"
"Out like a light." Ray says. "And don't worry. I put one of the pillows under her shoulder and one next to it so it won't hit anything while she's sleeping."
"You did a good job," Abby tells him. "Now go eat and mingle."
"Yes ma'am." Ray goes to talk to Susan.
Joannie comes up to her father. "Dad, would you be upset if I cut out for a while?"
"Umm...play rehearsal. Yeah, that's it. That play I told you about last night. We have a rehearsal in a little bit."
"Ok," Tom says not quite believing her.
"I'll be home late, Dad," Joannie says and rushes off to get ready.
Leaving her Dad staring worriedly at her retreating figure. He decides to go upstairs and knock on her door. "Joannie where are you going tonight?"
"I told you, Dad. Rehearsal." She picks up a book from her dresser. "See? I have the script with me and everything."
"Ok. Tom says.
Once her father leaves, Joannie breathes a sigh of relief, throws her script on her bed, and finishes getting ready to go out.
Tom goes back downstairs and tries to hide the worried look on his face.
With poor results--as soon as Abby sees him she asks what he's so worried about. After all, this is a party, they are celebrating good news.
He tells her the way Joannie is acting.
"She always acts suspicious," Abby says, since it's true in her experience.
"Well this is more than usual." Tom explains.
"Then I guess you'll have to talk to her. I'd offer to try, but I don't think I'd get anywhere with her," Abby says.
"Yeah if she'll confide in me."
"You'll just have to make her, won't you? I have faith in you," Abby says.
"Thank you." Tom says. "I'm glad one of us does."
Abby smiles at him and gives him a quick kiss.
Tom returns the kiss and decides he'll talk to Joannie later.
A little after midnight Joannie comes sneaking into the house, her regular clothes not really hiding the outrageous get up she's wearing underneath.
Nancy is coming downstairs to go to the kitchen. "Hey Joannie did you have fun?"
"What are you doing up?" Joannie asks. "You're supposed to get sleep so you can heal."
"I have been sleeping and I'm very thirsty."
"OK. Well, I'm going to bed," Joannie yawns. "It's late."
"Ok well goodnight." Nancy says.
When Joannie gets upstairs Tom comes out of his bedroom. "Joannie what is that you're wearing under your clothes?"
"My costume, Dad," Joannie lies, knowing Tom has no idea about the play she's in, and so can't catch her out.
"Oh, Joannie I'd like to talk to you. Do you have time tonight?"
"It's late, Dad. Aren't you tired?" Joannie tries to worm her way out of the talk.
"A little, but this is more important."
"You know, Dad, since you got married you've spent more time out of your bedroom late at night than in it. Is everything all right with you and Abby?"
"Everything is fine between Abby and I right now. Is everything ok with you?" Tom asks refusing to let her change the subject.
"Sure it is, Dad. Never better. But I'm bushed. Could we talk in the morning?" Joannie asks, trying yet another avoidance technique.
Tom sighs in frustration. "Ok."
Joannie leans over to give her father a goodnight kiss, but then worries that he might smell the cigarettes (and other things) on her clothing, so she backs off. "Night, Dad."
~Oh no she's smoking again and drinking too.~ "Night honey." ~She gave up cigarettes back in high school. What made her take it up again?~
~Whew, that was close~ Joannie thinks as she goes to her room. ~Next time I'm going to have to shower before I come home.~
Tom goes back to bed and just lies there wide awake.
�
His tossing and turning wakes up Abby. "Can't sleep?" she asks.
"Nope." He says in a worried tone.
"Want to talk about it?"
"She says she was at rehearsal but she smells like beer and cigarettes." Tom says.
"Maybe the others were smoking and drinking beer," Abby says. "Drama departments are known to be a little wild."
"I sure hope so, but she's being so secretive."
"She said she was going to rehearsal, and so far you don't know anything to the contrary," Abby points out. "Why borrow trouble?"
"Because I'm her father and I can't help but worry."
"Then talk to her about it," Abby suggests.
"She's asleep. I'll talk to her tomorrow."
"Then don't worry about it until then. If you're tired when you talk to her, you'll just end up shouting at each other."
"I know."
"So get some sleep," Abby says. "And in the morning have a talk with her."
"Ok." Tom falls asleep.
At six in the morning Joannie gets up and tries to sneak out of the house before her father can have that talk with her.
Only to find Tom in the kitchen. "You're up awful early."
"So're you," Joannie grumbles.
"Joannie what's going on?"
"With what, Dad?" Joannie asks, wide-eyed and innocent.
"Look you've been real secretive last night. Why would you be that way if you were just going to rehearsal and why would you come home smelling like cigarettes and a brewery?"
"I did not smell like a brewery!"
"Joannie I want to help but I can't if you just get on the defensive. You can talk to me."
"There's nothing to talk about, Dad. Honestly. Do you think after all the hassle with Nancy I'd do something stupid?" Joannie says.
"No I guess not." Tom says.
"Then trust me, Dad, OK?" Joannie asks. "I promise you I won't do anything you'll have to hospitalize me for or bail me out of."
Tom smiles. "Ok, but I can't help but worry. It's like a reflex response. And I do trust you but if you do get in trouble call me first."
"I will," Joannie says and gathers her books. "Oh, Dad, since we're doing this trust thing--can I come home a little late tonight?"
"Sure but how late should we expect you?"
"I don't know. 3, 3:30?" Joannie says, leaving herself some room for negotiating.
"Joannie that's awful late."
"2?" Joannie negotiates.
"Ok."
Later, Abby walks into the kitchen yawning. "Morning," she says and gives Tom a kiss. "You're frowning. Does that mean you talked to Joannie?"
"Yes I talked to her." Tom sighs.
"So what are we going to do now?" Abby asks.
"Short of having her followed I don't know." Tom says.
"Do you want to stop short of that?"
"Yes, I will not follow her. That would be wrong."
"I would," Abby confides.
"You would? Abby if she found out she'd go ballistic."
"So I'll have to make sure she doesn't find out." ~And even if she does--she owes me a few.~
"Abby I do not recommend it." Tom says although he won't stop her.
"You have a better plan? I mean, other than sitting around and worrying."
"Abby I said I don't recommend it, I didn't say don't do it."
"So, you want to spend an evening out with me? I can't promise where we'll end up, but it could be interesting," Abby offers.
"I sure do."
"It's a date, then."
Nancy walks in at that point all dressed for school. Tom observes and asks.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To school." Nancy says.
"I don't think so. Max said to take it easy for a week."
"Dad I've missed too much time already he didn't say I couldn't go to school."
"I know he didn't, but your father is keeping you home. The last thing you need is to be around crowds of people."
Abby opens her mouth, ready to argue with Tom, but decides against it, worried that she'd be talking out of turn.
"Fine I'll stay home and stare at four walls, again." Nancy stresses the last word.
"Watch tv, play with Sam." Tom says finally making it known that's he's known all along where Sam is.
"If you knew about the puppy," Abby says, "why didn't you say anything? Making us sneak food out to him at all hours of the night..."
"You mean you've been feeding him too? Between you, me, and the kids that puppy is being very well fed." Tom laughs.
Nancy laughs also. "So Sam can stay?"
"Yes, but he can't come into the house to stay until he's house broken."
Abby gives Tom a kiss. "Now about Nancy not going to school..."
"I'm serious about that one. I don't want to take any chances when she'll be better by next Wednesday."
"Have you checked with her professors about that? No need for this semester to be an academic wash-out for two Bradfords."
"My professors are more than willing to send me makeup work. It's a conspiracy I tell you." Nancy says.
"Well, if your professors don't mind if you stay home and your father insists that you do, maybe you're right. I think I'll just go along with the majority here," Abby says. "Besides, Sam would probably like playing with you."
Nancy sighs and decides to make the best of it. "You guys are right. Sam does need someone to stay with him for the next week while he gets used to the place."
The phone rings.
Elizabeth enters and answers it.
"Hello?"
"Elizabeth," Joannie asks. "Are Dad and Abby still around?"
"Yes, both of them are. Which do you want to talk to?"
"No! Neither of them. I wanted to get something from my room, but not if the coast isn't clear."
"Oh ok, I'll call you when I'm ready to leave." Elizabeth says.
"If they ask you, it wasn't me on the phone, OK?"
"Ok, but Bill I need your phone number. I've seemed to have misplaced it."
"Thanks, Liz. I'll call back later and see if they're gone, otherwise I'll just live without it," Joannie says. "I owe you one."
"You're welcome, and yes you do. See you later Bill." Elizabeth hangs up.
Later after Elizabeth, Tom and Abby leave, Nancy turns on the tv to watch some shows when the telephone rings. She goes to answer it. "Hello."
"Hey, Nance, who's watching you today?" Joannie asks.
"No one, I don't need a babysitter anymore." She jokes.
"You sure about that?" Joannie jokes back.
"Yes I'm sure."
"You won't mind if I stop by in a half hour or so, would you? I forgot something at home."
"No I don't mind, and thanks for the heads up. Now I can get my nine lovers out of here before you get home."
"Forget that, leave one there for me!"
Nancy laughs. "Ok."
A little while later Joannie comes home and goes straight up to her room.
Nancy takes a look in the fridge and doesn't see anything she's in the mood for so she goes upstairs. "Hey Joannie can you pick me up some..." She stops in midsentence.
"What?" Joannie asks. "It's a costume."
"Then why are you hiding it from everyone?"
"I'm not. I'm not hiding it from you, am I? I just didn't want Dad to change his mind and tell me I had to be in by midnight."
"Oh you mean you won't be coming back here?" ~Damn, so much for take out. Hmm well that one place is within walking distance and they have outside eating and don't mind dogs as long as their owners take care of them. No I won't take Sam, he might run oand get hit by a car. I'll leave him here in the fort and be back before he has to do his business.~
Nancy goes after her. "Joannie are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just have to get back to school or I'll be late. You behave yourself, OK?"
"I will." After Joannie leaves Nancy goes to check on Sam and then she heads for a local burger joint.
After eating, Nancy arrives home and hears Sam barking up a storm from Nicholas' fort she goes to get him and calm him down but she can't get him calm. She then notices that one of the back windows are broken and that the back door is slightly ajar. She takes Sam and rushes over to the house next door and tells the lady what's going on. She lets Nancy and Sam in and then calls the police.
Soon the police knock on the neighbors door with Kenny P. in tow.
"We found your intruder." They tell Nancy.
"Oh Geez, Kenny what were you thinking? Take him home to his parents and tell them what happened. I'm sure he won't do it again, thanks officers."
The police take Kenny home and Nancy calls David and he agrees to come over and repair the window. Nancy thanks her neighbor and then goes home. Soon David arrives.
"That was a good move going to the neighbors house instead of investigating on your own." He says as he repairs the window. "Could've been a dangerous criminal."
"Yeah really, and can we not tell Dad about this. He already has a low opinion of Kenny."
"The secret is safe with me. But what were you doing running around town anyway?"
"I just went to get something to eat it's not like I went jogging or anything."
"Speaking of exercise. We have that game with the Maxwells in two weeks."
"I know and I'll be more than ready to play."
David finishes repairing the window.
"There, good as new."
"Thanks David."
"No problem, but I have to get back to work. We'll you be ok?"
"I'll be fine besides Susan's last class lets out in twenty minutes, so she'll be home soon."
"Ok," He leaves.
About 3 o'clock Abby calls Tom at the paper.
"Hi there, what's up?" Tom asks.
"You're not going to like this," Abby warns.
"I'm not going to like what?" Tom asks preparing himself for bad news.
"I called the Drama Department. Don't worry, she won't know, I said I was the pizza place. The secretary said that there aren't any rehearsals tonight at all."
Tom frowns. "Then I wonder where she's going tonight."
"I did offer to find out."
"And I'll be going with you." Tom says worriedly.
"Just promise you won't make a scene," Abby pleads. "This is just to gather information, not confront Joannie."
"Ok," Tom crosses his fingers. "I promise."
"This is me you're talking to, Tom. Now I want you to promise and mean it."
Tom sighs in frustration and uncrosses his fingers. ~Damn how can she tell?~ "Ok I promise."
"Thank you. Question is, how do we tail her?" Abby gets down to practicalities. "When's her last class today, do you know?"
"Her last class lets out at three thirty."
"Can you get to the campus by then? I'd follow her in my car, but she's sure to notice it. Yours is a lot less conspicuous."
"I'll sure try." Tom says. "But if I don't, we can always tail her when she leaves after dinner."
"Who knows where she'll go to dinner? I didn't get the impression she was planning to come home to eat," Abby corrects him.
"In that case I better get going. I love you, Abby." They talk a little while longer and then Tom leaves to pick Abby up to go to the college.
Part 2