"Go Fish…" Abby replied across the table littered with worksheets, napkins, uno cards, amongst other things.
"Darn it!" Charlie replied from the opposite side of the table than Abby taking a sip of his coke.
"Okay my turn… Got any kings?" Abby replied with a sly smile.
"ABBY! YOU TOTALLY LOOKED AT MY CARDS WHEN I GOT YOU YOUR JUICE!" Charlie cried swinging around the table to grab Abby and hang her upside down by her legs.
"Ahhh! No I did not! Hey! STOP! HEY THAT TICKLES! HA HA HA" Abby was losing control. Charlie set her down.
"Why don't we play something else?" Charlie said.
"Or I could work on those worksheets we used as score sheets… I have to have those done by the time I get back from break…" Abby replied glancing at the multitude of artwork covering her homework.
She hadn't been back to school since the accident. Winter break started before she got back so she'd been out of school for more than a month. Anna stopped by a lot, but it wasn't the same thing.
"That's probably a good idea… Your parents will be back in a couple of days, they won't like the house this messed up…" Charlie replied noting the huge pile of dishes that had accumulated in the sink. Abby's parents had left town back on the day of Abby's accident. Charlie never got a great explanation, but he got the jist of it. They were going on vacation through Winter Break, but Abby couldn't come, because of school. Originally Abby was going with them, but they decided at last minute she shouldn't miss three weeks of school, and Abby had been begging not to go. Since "Vacation" meant going to visit grandma out in farm country.
"Okay I'm gonna to my homework…" Abby said gathering up the papers and taking them up to her room, the one civil spot left in the house. She opened her closet door and looked around.
"Ah ha!" She said spying her pencil box… "It's just a little… too… high…" she grunted. Normally she would climb up the shelves to retrieve anything she couldn't reach. But normally she didn't have one of her arms in a not movable position. So she settled for pulling up her desk chair and using it to reach her pencil box. She pulled out a bright yellow pencil, her favorite of the pastels that her mother had so thoughtfully provided for her.
She started in While Charlie worked on cleaning up the kitchen. She finished ten worksheets in the time it took for Charlie to choose where to start and she finished the rest of them while he unloaded the dishwasher.
"I'M DONE!" She called down the stairs. Charlie peeked his head out of the kitchen to see Abby start to jump onto the banister to slide down it.
"Whoa there pumpkin…" He called as she hopped off the end.
"What? That's how I always go down the stairs…" Abby trailed off.
"Yeah, well not when I'm around!" Charlie countered.
"Well… FINE!" Abby cried, not really angry, just missing her parents. They didn't even know about her accident.
"Okay Abby here's the deal. You vacuum and I'll mop, then we see who finishes first!" Charlie said trying to cheer Abby up.
"You're ON!" Abby replied rushing to the closet to retrieve the vacuum. She was very particular with vacuuming, always doing it from the window to the door, in every room. She refused to do it any other way, and when other people did it the other way, she often redid it… She liked having the lines in the carpet from the way she did it.
Forty minutes later Abby finished Vacuuming seconds before Charlie finished mopping. "Dang girl, you could win a gold metal for that babe!" Charlie exclaimed.
"Yep! I can see my acceptance speech now: I would like to thank the dirt devil company for providing me with this fine piece of suction-y machinery that allowed me to win this event. I'd also like to thank… no that's about it." Abby said grinning at her Uncle.
"What no great shout out to me? The person who taught you your technique!" He said striking a pose that made him resemble a mannequin.
"Uh…right…" Abby said glancing away.
"Hey we still have to finish cleaning up!" Charlie pointed out.
"Right." Abby agreed and headed for a sponge. She was wiping up a soda spill on the counter when she glanced out the window and saw her parents pulling into the driveway.
"MOM AND DAD ARE HOME!" Abby screamed running outside in her bare feet. Ignoring the "What?" from Charlie coming from somewhere inside the house.
Abby ran to the car and was banging on the door before her dad even had a chance to pull the keys out of the engine. Her mom opened up the passenger door and was enveloped in a hug.
Abby what happened? She questioned with worry in her eyes.
Abby retold the entire story, including all her details of the surgery, during which her mother was flinching.
Abby. Baby, I'm so sorry. Abby's mother said picking her up gently. She took her into the house and set her down in the front hall, waved hello to Charlie, who responded with a nod, and she went up the stairs leaving Abby in the front hall with Charlie.
Charlie looked down at Abby who's eyes were sparkling with excitement. "Abby, I'm gonna go help your dad unload the car. Don't get into any trouble." Charlie said walking out the front door and out to the car.
Hello Steve. Charlie signed to Abby's dad What can I do to help? He asked him standing next to the car.
Just keep Abby busy. Abby's dad replied. I've got to take Gloria to the doctors before it closes for the holidays.
Doctor? Why, is everything alright? Charlie asked pausing after unloading a suitcase.
She's been feeling sick lately… We just want to make sure everything's okay. Abby's dad explained.
Okay, I'll entertain Abby for a while longer. Charlie replied, picking up two suitcases and lugging them into the front hall where Abby awaited.
"Charlie?" Abby asked with concern in her eyes.
"What is it Abby?" Charlie asked setting the suitcases down next to the front door.
"Where are mommy and daddy going?" Abby asked looking like she was about to cry.
"Uh… Out. I'm just going to watch you for a little longer. They need to run a few errands." Charlie replied finally coming up with a good story.
"Okay!" Abby replied her face lightening from the release of the anxiety. "We should play another game of go fish!"
"Abby! We've played at least forty games of that in the past week! Why don't we play something like…uh, spoons?" Charlie replied not looking forward to yet another game of the classic card game.
"I can't play spoons! I'll hurt my arm! Please? I won't be able to play cards once you're gone! I can't play cards by myself!" Abby replied trying the guilt trick.
"That gives me an idea Abby! I know a card game you can play by yourself! You want me to teach you?" Charlie said hoping to distract Abby from her favorite game.
"Cards? I can play them by myself? Tell me how! Show me!" She said dragging Charlie to her room to get the cards down from her closet.
"Okay Abby, you lay out the cards like this, In 10 piles of five cards with the top card facing up…" Charlie explained the game of solitaire to Abby.
"So I just have to get it from King… to Aces, in the same or alternating suit, depending on how you play?" Abby asked verifying her last instruction.
"Exactly." Charlie said with a smile.
Abby played solitaire for three hours. Asking questions as she went along. Charlie taught her his strategies until Abby was to the point that she was pointing out things he had never noticed. She was intently playing until she heard the purring of the family car in the driveway.
"MOMMY AND DADDY ARE BACK!" Abby cried running down the stairs.
"Abby! Slow down! You might fall on your arm!" Charlie warned running after her.
Abby jumped up and down waiting in the front hallway for her parents to come inside. Her parents entered the front hall, her mom looking very tired and her dad looking like he was going to be very tired.
Mom! Dad! Abby signed jumping directly at her dad. Her dad barely catching her before she hit the floor.
Setting Abby down he scolded her. Abby you need to be more careful. You could hurt yourself. He said giving her a basic reprimand that required no thought.
Frowning Abby stood in the entry way waiting for something to happen. But nothing did. After a few minutes Abby's mom went upstairs and Abby's dad followed her.
"Charlie! What's wrong? Why don't they want to spend time with me?" Abby said her bright green eyes glazing over.
"Abby… I really don't know." Charlie said trying to remain calm while on the inside he was tearing himself apart. How can they treat her like that? She's their daughter! They get back after not seeing her for weeks, and they won't pay a minute of attention to her. I'm going to get to the bottom of this! "Abby, I'll be right back…" He said storming to the stairs.
He realized one flaw in his plan as he reached the top step… He didn't know enough sign to hold an actual conversation with either of Abby's parents. He knew how to ask what they wanted to eat, and he knew a lot of signs for food. He also learned the differences between the sign for pants and slacks, due to Abby's obsession with two words with the basic same meaning.
"Abby…I have a question for you…" Charlie called down the stairs.
"Yes Charlie?" She said poking her head out of the kitchen
"How to you sign what on earth is going on?"
Abby showed him an elaborate string of five signs. Giving up he decided to go for the finger spelling route, even though it would take forever to get any information across.
Charlie stood at Abby's parent's bedroom door pounding on it until one of them felt the vibrations and opened the door.
Charlie was greeted by a very angry looking Mr. Sciuto. W-h-a-t c-a-n I h-e-l-p y-o-u w-i-t-h? He signed.
I w-a-n-t t-o k-n-o-w w-h-y y-o-u-r-e i-g-n-o-r-i-n-g A-b-b-y. Charlie signed back struggling with the sign for "a" and "n" getting them confused a few times. When he got no answer he went on. I-t-s a-l-m-o-s-t C-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s a-n-d A-b-b-y m-i-s-s-e-s y-o-u b-u-t y-o-u-r-e i-g-n-o-r-i-n-g h-e-r… Charlie was trying harder than ever to get the message across, but finger spelling is very confusing.
Abby's dad handed him a pen and paper, and he started to write furiously. What on earth is going on? Why are you ignoring Abby, and you better have a good reason, You have no idea how hurt she is right now. Charlie handed the paper to him. He read it and handed it to his wife. Charlie looked at his sister, currently angry at her he put on the "fight face" which was a face he'd used since he was little to let her know he wasn't joking. Gloria knows this face means business so she wrote down exactly what he wanted to know.
Char, I'm pregnant.
Charlie gasped for a second, then enveloped her into a hug. Gloria was very affectionate and at times of need she often just wanted a hug. He broke away and reached for the paper. You have to tell Abby…Then you need to make this right again. Tomorrow's Christmas and right now I'm not even sure Abby thinks you remember she exists. Charlie wrote with sympathy for his sister.
Abby's mother nodded and headed for the staircase, and straight for the kitchen. She put a hand on Abby's shoulder to get her attention.
Hi mommy.Abby signed without enthusiasm.
Abby, I know it's been kind of rough, but your father and I have a surprise for you! Abby's mother tried to get her to be slightly excited.
Really? She perked up immediately.
Yes, how would you like a little brother or sister?Abby's mother tried to make it clear without flat out stating it.
Ewww… Babies smell.Abby stated simply, No thank you.
Charlie burst out laughing. He knew that Abby had said No thank you, and he knew what the topic was. He wasn't sure what to do, so he spoke up to Abby. "Hey Abby, doesn't look like you have a choice." When Abby returned the statement with a confused face he pointed to his sister for her to explain.
I'm having a baby.She stated simply, tired of going around the subject. That tends to not work with four year olds.
NOW? Abby said with wide eyes.
No, no. In about 7 months Abby. Calm down. Just get used to the idea, but how about right now Charlie you and Daddy go and get a Christmas tree? Christmas *IS* tomorrow.Abby's mom corrected smiling.
Okay! Abby replied jumping up and down with enthusiasm. "Come on Charlie! Me you and daddy are gonna go get a tree… and tinsel… and candy canes… and…"
"Whoa there babe! Slow down!" Charlie replied overwhelmed. "You already have tinsel in the closet, along with a whole bunch of other decorations. And I don't really think there's a store that sells both Christmas trees and candy canes. Don't worry we just gotta get a tree!"
Abby agreed with a nod and ran upstairs to get her jacket. She shuffled through her closet and finally came across what she was looking for, a big green coat that had at one point belonged to her cousin Oliver. When he moved to Florida, it stayed here, and somehow ended up in Abby's closet. Since she hadn't outgrown the hideous excuse for a coat yet, she didn't have a new one. But horrid coat is better than no coat. So she zipped the green fabric around her body and went back downstairs as fast as the added bulk would allow.
Charlie was waiting at the door with her boots.
"Boots! I hate my boots! They're all girly… and… pink…" Abby said trying to come up with something that would permit her to wear her converse sneakers, which she loved.
"Well that's just too bad! Come on, if you want to come, you gotta put them on." Charlie replied patiently. He was getting used to the random quirks of Abby and how odd they were.
"Fine…" Abby replied grumbling. She pulled on her left boot. Her left boot always went on before the right. That applied to every shoe actually, left first right second. It had to be that way, if it wasn't she freaked out and started again, no matter how long it took. Charlie helped her but on her right boot and led her out to the truck.
Abby securely buckled in the backseat was bouncing up and down with excitement. She loved Christmas and she wasn't looking forward to it until about twenty minutes ago.
Upon arrival at the "Noel Tree" lot Abby was lifted out of the truck and placed onto the ground where she was greeted by a fresh blanket of snow. Which she promptly began to trudge through. She trudged around with no real path until she reached the base of a tree in the far east corner of the lot. She stopped and looked up. The tree, was perfect. Just by looking at it she could see Christmas. It didn't need to be decorated. The needles adorning the branches of the evergreen tree were almost too green. The tree could be picked out of a crowd from miles away.
"This one!" Abby said pointing up at her find. Charlie laughed.
"Abby! It's so… you!" Charlie said scooping Abby up so she could see the tree better. "Look right there, all profits from this tree will go to toys for tots. You know about toys for tots? The program that gives children that can't afford receive toys at Christmas toys and other things so they have a great Christmas."
"Yes! We learned about that at school!" Abby was beaming. She had found the perfect tree for so many reasons.
Charlie went to find the owner of the lot to tell them their choice.
"An excellent choice!" An old man replied with a jolly laugh.
"Yup! It's practically perfect in every way!"
Author's Note: Okay, this took forever to write, because I wasn't sure how to bring Abby's little brother into the picture. I knew it had to be soon though because Abby wouldn't torture anyone too much younger than her. One thing I incorporated this chapter that was a friends idea, was to have Abby start quoting movies, because she does so later in life, not as often as Tony, but it does give her a bond with him. If anyone has any ideas for the story PLEASE TELL ME! I want to make this something you guys enjoy! One other thing, I'm trying to make this accurate, so if I mess up on any Abby facts let me know. I'm making up a lot obviously, but I try and get things we for sure know in there. I'm setting this in sometime in the early 70's because I think Abby's probably in her late thirties right now. If Anyone, has any ideas, please please tell me! And please review!