Cheaper by the Dozen
Who's in Trouble Now
Chapter 1: Sign up Day
"Sign your name, age group, and any other important information on these release forms and get them signed by your legal guardian by tomorrow," the man in the sunglasses said to 13 year old Sarah. She walked out of the admissions tent and headed to one of the picnic tables. Then her father, Tom Baker, and oldest brother Charlie came from around the corner and sat with her. "So, are you actually going to take this year's competition seriously?" Charlie asked. "Yeah, because I don't want you to bail out again after forcing me to sign these," Tom told her. Sarah gave him a look. "Dude, I mean Dad, I've got it all taken care of. Jake made me sign this contract so that I would stay in the competition for good," Sarah answered. "There are three competitions that I could take part in--skateboarding, wakeboarding, or improv wave boarding. I already have a skateboard and Mr. Murtaugh could lend me his wakeboard and use his boat but if I do the wave board competition, I need to buy a wave or ripstick." "Sign up for the skateboarding competition," Tom suggested. "Why did you choose so soon?" Sarah asked. "Because, that way I don't spend any money," Tom said. Of course, it was easily said for Tom. He was the father of 12 children and being in such a big family made him want to buy fewer and cheaper things. He frequently said… Today is a good day, you know why? Because I got a free…. "Whatever, skateboarding it is," Sarah said as she threw him the keys. "Let's go, Tony Hawk's being interviewed tonight on E!" She was always enthusiastic when it came to watching her idol on television or live. Tom smirked and the three got up from the table and headed to the old 50's car which Charlie named Baby Blue. They drove home from the recreational park. When they got out of the car, Charlie gave the smallish Sarah a piggy back ride to the front door and opened it with her still on his back. Sarah giggled. She was never too old for 'to the door service'. Skateboarding sibling, Jake saw his sister come in and high-fived her. "Dude, what competition did you sign up for?" he asked as he followed her to the couches. "Um, skateboarding," Jake sighed to Sarah's reply. "Good you're not my competition. You know, we're in the same age group so, we would be stuck competing against each other. So I'm doing wave boarding against that Murtaugh girl." "Oh you mean the one who's really athletic and flexible who did gymnastics?" Sarah asked. "Aren't they all really athletic?" Jake said thinking about the miracle working Murtaughs. "Wait a minute… Damn I feel so bad for you," Jake told his sister. She stared at him in confusion. "Guess who's competing against you," he was about to reveal the answer.