-Chapter Ten-
A/N-I've had some reviewers wondering about the timeframe in this story. It's set in mid-March 1992 and it's only been approximately a week (by this chapter) since his accident. I'm making the time feel a bit hazy because during times like this, time can feel really, really hazy (trust me, I worked in Trauma ICU before and have seen many stories similar to what I'm writing here).
Today is the day of the flow study and report from the doctor. Carol is sitting by Mike's bedside.
Carol: Hi darling. How are you feeling? I hope the study wasn't too bad for you. The doctor's stopping by at four today to let us know what the study showed. She sighs. Oh Mike, I don't want to lose you. I see you lying in that bed, so fragile. Is this too much for you? As much as I don't want to lose you, if this is too much for you, you have my permission to go on. Tears flow down her cheeks. I know you miss Sue. You loved her very much. I miss Roy sometimes. If you do go on, you can tell Sue all about Greg, Peter and Bobby and what wonderful men they've grown up to be. I remember when we met. I loved you from the moment I saw you in the park.
Back in 1968.
Carol Martin is taking five-year-old Cindy to the park. It is a warm day and Cindy has her eyes on the tall slide in the center of the park.
Cindy: Mommy, can I go down the slide?
Carol: I don't know, honey. It's awfully high.
Cindy: Puts her hand on her hip. Mommy, I'm not a baby! I'm five years old.
Carol: I know you're not a baby. It's just…
Cindy: Begging. Please!
Mike Brady brings a six-year-old Bobby to the park. He makes a beeline to the slide.
Bobby: Oh boy! The slide! I'm going down it.
Mike: Watch out for the other kids.
He runs and knocks Cindy to the side and slides down. Mike and Carol run over to the slide.
Carol: Cindy, are you okay?
Cindy: Yes mommy, but that boy knocked me down. She points to Bobby.
Mike: I'm sorry he knocked you down. To Bobby. Bobby, what do you say?
Bobby: She was in my way.
Mike: Robert Michael Brady, you apologize to…
Carol: Cindy.
Mike: Cindy right now.
Bobby: Aww, do I hafta?
Mike: Yes, or we're going home and no TV for the rest of the day.
Bobby: Thinks about it for a minute. I'm sorry.
During this exchange, Mike and Carol are stealing glances at each other.
Mike: Now, can you play nicely with Cindy, if she wants to play, or do we have to go home?
Bobby: Okay, I'll be nice.
Mike: That means no knocking her around and take turns.
Bobby: Yes sir.
Carol: Do you still want to play, honey?
Cindy: Yeah. I wanna slide down the slide.
Carol: Okay. I'll be at the bench over there if you need me.
Cindy: Okay mommy.
Carol goes over to the bench and Mike joins her.
Mike: May I join you?
Carol: Sure.
Mike: Sits down. I'm Mike. Mike Brady.
Carol: Carol Martin.
Carol thinks he's really cute and he thinks she's very beautiful.
Mike: Is she your oldest?
Carol: Cindy? No, she's my baby. I've got two other daughters. They're in school. What about you? Do you have any other kids?
Mike: I've got three boys. The other two are in school right now too.
They continue to talk and lose track of time. Suddenly Carol looks at her watch.
Carol: Oh! I've gotta go. The girls will be home from school soon. She calls to her daughter. Cindy, it's time to go!
Cindy: Aww, mom! Can't I stay here and play?
Carol: Now. Marcia and Jan will be home soon. We've gotta go. Now tell Bobby goodbye.
Mike: I probably should go too. Alice will have her hands full when the boys get home.
Carol: A bit disappointed. Is Alice your wife?
Mike: No, she's our housekeeper. My wife died about three years ago. Are you married?
Carol: No. The girls lost their dad a little over two years ago.
Mike: I'm sorry.
Carol: Thanks. He left us a long time ago and was killed in a car accident about six months later.
Mike: It must be difficult raising three girls by yourself.
Carol: I've got help. We moved in with my mom and dad when he left, and they've been a great help with the girls. It must be difficult for you raising three boys by yourself.
Mike: I've got help too. Alice is our live-in housekeeper.
Carol: I see. Well, I need to get going.
Mike: Can I call on you sometime?
Carol: Sure. My number's in the phonebook. Call me. She winks.
The couple separates and goes to their respective homes.
Back to the present.
Carol: I loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you and I waited for you to call. I was so thrilled when you did.
Cindy has been standing in the threshold, unbeknownst to her mother.
Cindy: Is that why you took me to the park so much, to scope out men? She's grinning.
Carol: Startles. Cindy! I didn't see you standing there. Let me get you a chair.
Cindy: Mom, I'm fine. I've been sitting or lying down for so long, it feels good to stand.
Carol: All right. Just don't overdo it.
Cindy: So, back to my question.
Carol: No, I did NOT take you to the park to umm, "scope out men," as you call it. You felt lonely when Marcia and Jan would go off to school, plus you loved that park.
Cindy: I know. I'm just kidding. I did love that park. She caresses her abdomen. I can't wait to take these little ones to the park.
Carol: Smiles. It is exciting. I had so much fun taking each of you to the park.
Cindy: I can't wait to hold these little ones, to see what they looked like. Oh mom, I can't believe I'm gonna be a mother, again, any day now!
Carol: Hugs her daughter. Oh baby, I'm so happy for you.
Cindy: I'm happy for me too.
Jan knocks on the door and the other two women separate.
Carol: Jan! How long have you been standing there?
Jan: Long enough. She hugs her mother and then her sister. Hey sis, how are you feeling?
Cindy: I'm so ready to have these little ones.
Jan: Walks over to her dad. Hey dad. It's Jan.
Carol: What time is it?
Jan: It's three.
Carol: Oh the kids! I need to pick them up from school!
Jan: Don't worry mom, Greg said you were up there and so he asked Peter and Christine to bring them up here. And remember, they had a teacher workday today. They're not in school.
Carol: Oh, okay. I forgot. She sighs. Sometimes I feel like I'm not a good mother or wife.
Cindy: Why mom?
Carol: I wanna be here with Mike, but I've gotta be home with the kids. I wanna be home with the kids, but I've gotta be here. I haven't been to my job since before the accident. I feel like I'm losing my mind.
Jan: Didn't your boss give you emergency leave?
Carol: She did, but…
Jan: But nothing. Mom, you're a wonderful mother and wife. This is a hard time for you. She puts her arm around her mother. We don't know what's in store for dad. This is going to be a long road no matter what happens. Let us help you.
Cindy: Yeah mom. You let Grandma and Grandpa help when daddy left us. You don't have to do it all. You've got all of us kids and Sam and Alice. Take the help.
Carol: Okay. But Cindy, I wanted to help you with the babies like I did with Marcia, Greg and Bobby.
Cindy: There's time for that. Plus, Gary and I want to do this getting up with the twins by ourselves like you and dad did. If it makes you feel better, I'll be in the hospital for a few days probably and you can come visit and stay with me some while Gary goes to work.
Carol: Okay.
Jan: You've got lots of new grandkids to spoil. Grace will be in the hospital a few days when she has her surgery and we'll need someone to take turns sitting with her.
Bobby hears the end of the conversation.
Bobby: What, trying to give mom a job?
Carol: Bobby!
Bobby: Hi mom. How's dad?
Carol: He's about the same, I suppose. Sounds like we'll find out more in a few minutes.
Bobby wheels into the room and up to the bedside.
Bobby: Hey dad. How are you? I hope you're resting well. Robbie gave us his first smile. Chuckles. Traci still thinks it's gas, but I think it was a real smile. He looks like your baby pictures. Dad, he's getting so big. I know he's only six weeks old, but he seems like he's longer each evening than he was in the morning. I don't know if that's possible, but he's sure growing fast. I love being a dad and I hope that I'm as good a dad as you are.
Carol, Jan and Cindy are trying their best not to cry, however, they're unsuccessful. Bobby glances back and sees they're crying. He hugs his mother and sisters, and then turns his attention back to his father.
Bobby: Smiles. Dad, you've got three great women behind me, cryin' up a storm. They love you so much. I love you too.
Greg: That goes for me.
Peter: And me.
Marcia: And me.
Ryan: Me too, dad.
Carolyn: We all love you.
The remaining Brady kids join the rest around Mike's bedside and join hands.
Carol: Mike, we're all here. We love you so much. She begins praying:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Amen.
The Bradys stand around their patriarch in silence. The nurse stands respectfully at the threshold while the family finishes up their silent prayers. The family finishes their prayers and drops hands. The nurse knocks on the door.
Nurse: The doctor just called. He'll be up in about ten minutes.
Greg: Thank you.
Peter: Mom, we'll give you some time with dad.
Carol just nods and looks at her husband. The kids file out one by one, leaving their mother with their father. Carol silently studies her husband. She takes his left hand and studies the ring she gave him on their wedding day.
Back to 1969.
Mike and Carol are at the altar with their kids by their sides. Carol passes her bouquet to Marcia as the minister instructs the happy couple to join hands.
Minister: Now Carol Ann, Michael Paul, will you join hands please? Do you, Carol Ann, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to honour and obey, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, 'till death do you part?
Carol: I do.
Minister: Do you, Michael Paul, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to honour and obey, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, 'till death do you part?
Mike: I do.
Minister: I now pronounce you man and wife. They whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. He grins. Well aren't you gonna kiss the bride?
Mike: You bet I am!
Mike grins and pulls her into a passionate kiss.
Back to the present.
She is still holding his hand.
Carol: I Carol Ann, take you Michael Paul, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to honour and obey, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, 'till death do us part. She trails off. I love you.
Alice knocks on the door.
Alice: The doctor's here.
Carol: Okay.
She gets up. Alice puts her arm around her friend. Carol looks behind her shoulder and mouths to her husband, "I love you." Alice and Carol walk out, arm-in-arm.
-End of Chapter Ten-