Cheaper By the Dozen
The sun was just creeping over the horizon. Morning had begun at the Edwards-Goldsworthy home. 12 was Clare and Eli's number. It was the number of times Eli proposed before Clare said yes. The number of Record labels Eli and his band Shady Place turned down before they found one that would allow Eli to be around the house more. The number of churches had Clare had turned down the opportunity to pastor before she found one close to home. The number of times Eli told her he loved her each day. And it was the number of children they had produced, most in sets of twins or triplets, and the number of children Clare would awake this fine morning. Eli had been on a short tour around Haldimand –Norfolk and would return this morning. Clare went up to her oldest daughter's room. Kazivi "Linebacker" Goldsworthy was 15, and, like her nickname, she was Degrassi first female linebacker. She was the fourth child. Before her came her brothers: Elijah Jr. (16) and the first set of twins and the oldest boys, Taylor and Tyler. After Kazivi, came Annie and Marshall(14), Clarice(13) ,Mortimer and Marley(12), Karly,Esther and David(11) made the crazy number 12.
"Kazivi! Annie, Karly , Clarice! Time to get up!" Then she went to the boy's side. "Taylor, Tyler, Jr, Marshall, Mortimer, Marley and David! Time to get your masculine butts outta bed!" She yelled. Linebacker appeared in her bedroom door.
"That time of year again ma?" She asked.
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Clare sang. Linebacker rolled her eyes. She heard the front door open.
"Hello Goldsworthy house! Dad is home from his county wide tour!" Linebacker made a beeline for the stair case.
"Dad!" She ran right into a bone crushing bear hug.
"I missed you, linebacker." He said.
"What'd you bring us this time dad?" David asked excitedly.
"Well" Eli reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a different item for each of his children. He saved Linebackers for last, knowing it would thrill her. He pulled her favorite fireworks, since her birthday was coming up,
"I love it dad!"
"Ha-ha I knew you would."
-Breakfast-
"Alright breakfast after Christmas and New Year break at the Goldsworthy's: day one" Eli informed his family.
" OK, Taylor and Tyler, your suspension from boy scouts has been lifted so you're going tonight, David I just cleaned your bassoon please don't play with your mouth full, Marshall you have show and tell today please take something and a body part does not count, Karly and Esther your teacher called and requested you do not correct her in front the class, Jr you have rowing tonight at 6, Linebacker you have an eye doctors appointment at 4 and since your father and I are busy Uncle Adam is picking you up from school and you can hang with Destrey and Lima."
"Whoo!"
"Now help your brothers butter the toast. "
"Linebacker, your coach called and asked me to tell you, you need to lay off on the tackles. The East High Linebacker just got out of the hospital" Eli said. Linebacker jumped up when she was finished. She grabbed her skateboard, kissed her mom and sped out the door. "She'll always be my linebacker" her dad said.
