--Chapter Twenty-One--
Mike's homecoming. Carol's at the hospital with her husband. The rest of the family is gathering at the Brady house making last-minute preparations for their patriarch's homecoming.
Alice: Lessee...we need sheets on your dad's and mom's beds.
Carolyn: Got it.
Alice: The bathroom off the kitchen and the one in your parents' room needs cleaning.
Cindy: On my way. Ryan, come help?
Ryan: Sure. I'll get the downstairs and you get the upstairs.
Cindy: Deal.
Alice: Nora, Christine, Marcia, help with lunch?
Nora: Sure.
Christine: Okay. I'll get the lasagna together.
Nora: I make a mean Italian salad and cheese bread.
Alice: Great.
Marcia: I'll get the Devil's Food cake together.
Jessica: With your homemade icing?
Patty: I like it. It's delicious.
Marcia: Okay. Icing from scratch, it is.
Alice: Kids, why don't you guys hang the decorations?
Jake: I'll supervise.
Carlee: No, I'll supervise.
Alice: How 'bout you both supervise?
Carlee: Okay. I'll make sure they don't make any weird words with the decorations.
Mickey: Feigning innocence. Who, us?
Carlee: Yes, you.
Kevin: C'mon, Mickey. Let's go blow up the balloons.
Alice: Here ya go, men. She tosses the boys a package of balloons.
Patty: Can I help hang the sign?
Carlee: Sure. Let's go, kiddo.
Alice: The lawn needs to be mowed and the bushes trimmed.
Bobby: I nominate Peter for hedge trimming.
Peter: Oh, ha ha.
Greg: How 'bout this? I'll trim, you mow.
Peter: Fine with me.
Traci: The babies are down for their naps, so Bobby and I will clean the living room.
Alice: Fine.
Jan: I'll fold the laundry.
Alice: All right troops, let's get going.
The family does as told.
Meanwhile, at the hospital. Carol is packing up Mike's things. She folds one of his shirts.
Carol: I can't believe this day has come.
Mike: Wha...what d...do you mean?
Carol: Sits on the bed beside her husband. When I came to the hospital after I got the call about your accident, I was so afraid you were already gone. The doctor didn't give us much hope of your survival. When I finally got to see you for the first time, I wondered how in the world would you be able to survive and how was I gonna go on if you didn't. Then, we had so many close calls.
Mike: What d...do y...you mean close c...calls?
Carol: Your heart stopped many times and the doctor had to bring you back. The pressure in your brain stayed high for a long time, we didn't know whether or not you'd ever wake up. I was so afraid to pray for this day. Tears stream down her face.
Mike: I d...didn't know.
Carol: I know. She sniffs and Mike hands her a tissue. It's okay.
Mike: N...no it's n...not. Don't sh...shut m...me out.
Carol: I'm sorry. I don't mean to shut you out.
Mike: Wipes the tears from his wife's face. Y...you don't have t...to b...be...be s...sorry. It's been a l...long t...time since we've b...been a...a...able to ta...talk and you've b...been worried a...a...about me.
Carol: I have been.
Mike: I...I'm coming home n...now. F...fr...from now on, t...talk to m...me.
Carol: Okay. I will. I love you.
Mike: I l...love you t...too. I...I m...may not be th...the s...same a...as I...I was b...be...before the a...ac...accid...d...dent, but I...I'm still your h...husband.
Carol blushes and smiles. She's at a loss for words. A nurse knocks on the door.
Mike: C...come in.
Nurse: I wanted to bring the release papers for you to sign and we, the staff, would like to give you something.
Mike and Carol are smiling as the unit staff and some of the staff from Trauma ICU, including the PT and ST enter his room with gifts, flowers and a balloon bouquet.
Carol: Oh, how sweet.
Mike: Th...thank you.
PT: You've done really well and you've been a great patient.
ST: Take care, Mike.
Mike opens the gifts and then Carol helps him put the gifts on a dolly.
Nurse: Good luck, Mr. Brady.
Mike: Th...thank you v...very m...much.
Carol: Wipes tears, which are forming, from her eyes. Thank you guys for everything you've done.She hugs each of the staff a hug.
Mike signs the release papers and hands them to the nurse.
Nurse: Well, you're all set.
Carol: Let me give the kids a call. She dials her number.
Alice: Answers the phone. Hello, Brady residence!
Carol: Surprised that Alice answered. Alice, Mike's been signed out of the hospital, so we'll be home in about an hour.
Alice: All right. I'll let the troops know.
Carol: Wonders if there's something up. Alice. I told the kids that we didn't want anything big for Mr. Brady. We just wanted a simple homecoming.
Alice: Brushing it off. Oh, no problem. We're just here hanging out, me, Sam and the kids.
Carol: Not believing her friend. Right.
Alice: No, really. Ryan, tell your mother nothing's going on. She holds the phone out and puts her finger to her lips so the rest of the crew won't say anything.
Ryan: Mom, nothing's going on.
Patty giggles and Jan puts her finger to her mouth.
Carol: Uh huh. Anyway, give Patty and the other grandchildren there a kiss for me and we'll see you guys, all of you guys, 'cause I know you're there, in a few minutes.
They hang up the phone.
Back at the Brady's house.
Mickey: Groans at her cousin. Patty, you gave the surprise away.
Patty: Pouting. No, I didn't. Grandma's smart. She would've figured it out anyway.
Alice: It's all right. They may think something's up, but they don't know that we've planned this big party.
Patty: Yeah, Mickey. She sticks her tongue out at him.
Jan: Patty, that's not nice. Tell Mickey you're sorry.
Patty: But Mickey does that all the time!
Philip: Parental. Patty.
Patty: Eyes downcast and is reluctant to apologize. I'm sorry.
Marcia: I know four kids that would like to drip the batter and icing bowls.
Mickey: YEAH!
Kevin: I want icing.
Jessica: I want cake
Patty: Me too! Icing for me.
Marcia: Chuckles. Okay, here you go. She hands the kids spoons and they devour the bowls of cake and icing remnants. Jan, remember when mom would make her black forest torte and you and I would fight over the bowl?
Jan: Yeah. I thought I'd never get to have any since you'd hog it all.
Cindy: Where was I on all this?
Jan: You were either not born or were very little. She didn't make it much after daddy left.
Patty: Confused. Grandpa left?
Jessica: No, our mommies had another daddy before Grandpa.
Patty: Still confused. Huh? But Grandpa is their daddy.
Jan: Remember when Uncle Gary and Aunt Cindy married they already had Carlee and Jake?
Patty: Yeah.
Jan: Well, they have another mommy too. Cindy's their mommy but they have another mommy. You have two mommies and daddies. You have your Korean mommy and daddy and you also have mommy and daddy. It's just the same. Aunt Marcia, Aunt Cindy and I have two daddies and one mommy.
Patty: Oh. What about Uncle Greg, Uncle Peter, Uncle Bobby, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Carolyn?
Jan: Well, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Carolyn have one mommy and one daddy and Uncle Greg, Uncle Peter and Uncle Bobby have two mommies and one daddy. They have a mommy before Grandma.
Patty: Understanding. Oh, okay.
Back in Mike's room at the hospital. An aide arrives to escort Mike out of his room.
Aide: You ready?
Mike: Looks around the room, which has been his home for five months. Yeah.
Carol: Leans down and gives her husband a kiss. Let's go home.
They leave the hospital room for the last time. The aide pushes his wheelchair and escorts the couple to the covered entrance.
Carol: I'm going to get the car. I'll be right back.
She gets the car, and thinks, "Wow. My husband's finally coming home! I never thought this day would ever come." She drives up to the entrance, gets out of the car and opens the front passenger door.
Aide: Okay Mr. Brady. I want you to grab a hold of the bar over the door and slide onto the seat. We'll help you.
Mike slides into the front seat of the car. Carol loads the car as the aide folds the wheelchair and puts it in the back seat.
Carol: Gets in the car and looks at her mate. You ready?
Mike: Yeah. He looks out the window.
Carol: Mike, what's wrong?
Mike: N...nothing.
Carol: What is it?
Mike: I s...said it's n...nothing.
Carol: Pulls into a parking lot and stops the car. She looks him in the eye. Mike, talk to me. You told me not to shut you out. Now, don't shut me out. I'm your wife. Please tell me, what's wrong?
Mike: Sighs. I...I'm h...hap...p...py th...that I...I'm g...going h...home.
Carol: But?
Mike: B...but I...I...I'm n...not th...the s...same p...p...person I...I...I w...was b...b...bef...f...before th...the a...a...accid...d...dent. I...I...I'm w...w...worth...worthless. He looks away.
Carol: Tears stream down her face. What? Worthless? No! Mike, I love you.
Mike: I...I...I c...can't w...walk! I...I...I c...c...can't t...t...talk w...we...well. I...I...I c...c...can't u...u...und...d...derst...st...stand m...my...my y...y...youngest d...daught...ter. I...I...I c...can't d...d...do my...my c...councilm...m...man's j...job or b...b...be an ar...ar...archit...t...tect. I...I...I c...c...can't m...m...make l...l...love t...to m...my w...wi...wife.
Carol: I love you.
Mike: I...I...I lo...love y...you t...t...too.
Carol: Mike, hear me out. I love you so much. I loved you from the day we met and when I married you, I married you for better and for worse. Yes, we've had some worse times, but we've also had some better times. Right after the accident, I prayed so hard that you would make it. Then, I prayed that you would wake up. You did make it and you did wake up. All I wanted was for my husband to be here and you are. Is it going to be an adjustment? Yes. Will things be the same as they were before the accident? No.
Mike: I...I know. B...b...but a...a...a man is s...s...supp...pposed t...to p...protect hi...his f...f...family. H...h...how am I s...s...supp...pposed t...t...to do th...th...that the w...w...way I...I...I a...a...am, C...C...Carol?
Carol: All I know is that we're husband and wife. That means we're partners. We look out for each other and our family together. It's not you lead the family for a time and then I take over, no. We lead together, you and me. Yes, it'll look differently now, but we're still in this together.
Mike: Takes her hand. Y...you're right. W...we're in th...this tog...g...gether.
Carol: Smiling. Let's go home.
Carol pulls up in the driveway.
Carol: Welcome home.
Mike: Looking at the house. I...I can't b...believe I...I'm h...home.
She kisses her husband on the cheek. Then, she gets out of the car, unfolds the wheelchair, and wheels it over to the car. She sets the brakes and Mike opens the door.
Carol: Okay, grab a hold of the bar over the door.
Mike: Grabs a hold. G...got it.
Carol: I've got you. Now, slide on over.
Mike: Begins to slide over, but a bit unsure. Whoa!
Carol: It's okay. I've got you.
Mike: Settles into the chair. I...I'm in.
Carol sets his feet on the footplates, releases the brakes and rolls him back so she can shut the door. She looks at the house and sighs.
Carol: Ready?
Mike: R...ready.
She walks beside her husband as he wheels himself to the front door.
Carol: Do you want to do the honours?
Mike turns the knob and opens the door.
Meanwhile, as Mike and Carol pull up in the driveway, Jessica, Mickey, Kevin and Patty are looking out the family room window.
Mickey: They're here! They're here!
Peter: Quick, everybody hide.
Cindy: Got the lights?
Ryan: Got 'em.
They hear the car door shut.
Greg: Okay, everyone, shhh!
Carolyn: Oooh, listen to big brother.
Jessica and Patty giggle.
Jan: Girls, shh!
The family settles in their hiding places. They hear the door knob turn. Patty giggles. Kevin covers her mouth and Patty bites down.
Kevin: Ow!
Philip: Patty!
Jan: Whispers. We'll talk about this later, now shh.
Mike and Carol enter the house. They know something's up, but they decide to play along.
Carol: Hello?
Mike: I...I'm h...home!
The family jumps from their hiding places, yelling "WELCOME HOME!" Patty, Kevin, Mickey and Jessica shower their grandparents with confetti. Carol tries to fight back tears as her children surround their father.
Patty: Grandpa! Grandpa! She runs up and hugs her grandfather.
Greg: Welcome home, dad.
Jan: Welcome home. She leans Grace down so Mike could give his granddaughter a kiss.
Wally: It's good to see you Mike.
Cindy: Hey dad.
Mike: Kisses his daughter on the cheek. L...l...lem...me s...s...see these b...b...babies.
Cindy and Gary help position their twins on Mike's lap and Ryan snaps a picture. Cindy then receives her twins back. Bobby does the same with Robbie, and then receives his son back.
Carolyn: Hi daddy.
Mike: Doesn't understand what she said, but assumes she was telling him hello. Hi sw...sweet...t...heart.
Bobby: Hey dad. When you're up to it, I'll teach you how to pop wheelies or we can do some racing or b-ball.
Mike: S...sure th...thing.
Carol: Absolutely not! You are NOT going to pop any wheelies.
Mike: Smiles and addresses his family. I...it's g...good t...to b...be h...home.
Alice: All right, let's not smother your father. C'mon, dinner is ready. We're having lasagna.
Carol: Mmm! It smells good!
Mike: I...I'm r...ready t...to eat.
The Bradys gather around multiple tables for lunch. Carol helps Mike get situated at the head of the table. Alice, Marcia, Traci, Nora and Christine serve the meal. The family joins hands and Mike begins to pray:
Mike: L...Lord, there are m...marvel...lous things tha...tha...that I do n...not know, nor c...can I...I comp...p...prehend. L...Lord, things tha...that h...happ...ppen in my...my life, a...and things tha...that happen in my f...fam...family's lives. L...Lord, I...I desire t...to be th...thankful, to app...pp...ppreciate everything tha...that c...comes ac...c...cross my p...path. L...Lord, s...so often life h...hurts, I...I g...get a...angry – ups...set, I...I d...do n...not u...understand, yet L...Lord Y...you a...ask me t...to b...be tha...thankful f...for e...everyth...thing, a...and have faith – tha...thank Y...you. L...Lord, I...I tha...thank You f...for m...mercy, f...for f...forg...giveness, f...for p...purity, for p...providing f...for my n...needs. Lord, I...I tha...thank You, I...I p...praise Y...you. L...Lord, in You d...do I...I f...find strength and c...courage t...to g...go on. L...Lord, I...I thank You f...for the au...author a...and finish..sher of m...my faith – J...Jesus Ch...Christ and that I...in Y...you is h...hope e..everl...lasting. A...amen.
Tears stream down Carol's face as her husband prays. By the time he finishes, there is not a dry eye among them.
A few hours later, the party winds down and Alice, Sam and the older Brady kids and their families leave for their respective homes. Mike, Carol and the twins settle down and watch TV together in the living room. Mike and Carol are lying on the couch and Ryan and Carolyn are in the easy chairs. "Home Improvement" has finished airing.
Mike: I...I m...missed this p...prog...gram.
Carolyn: Yeah, it's funny. It's one of my favs. Tim's such a klutz.
Mike: Not understanding. I'm s...sorry?
Carol: She said that it's one of her favourite programs and that Tim's a klutz.
Mike: Oh. Y...yeah, h...he is. P...poor T...Tim. H...he can't c...catch a b...break.
Ryan: I want a hot rod like he has.
Mike: S...save y...your m...mon...ney and y...you m...might just g...get o...one.
Carolyn: Dad, are you going to come to my diving competition? Mike stares at her blankly. Diving (she pantomimes the word). I have a diving competition Saturday.
Mike: Uhhh.
Carolyn fights back tears as her father tries unsuccessfully to understand his youngest.
Ryan: Dad, she has a diving competition on Saturday and she wants you to go.
Mike: S...Sure, I...I'd love t...to go.
Carolyn: Thanks. Changes the subject. I've got homework. She gets up and gives her parents a hug. I'm glad you're home, daddy.
Mike: I...I lo...love you t...too.
Ryan: I've got homework too. Gives his parents a hug too. Good night.
Mike: G...goodnight.
Carol: Nite, sweetie.
The kids go upstairs to their rooms. Mike yawns.
Carol: Are you ready to get to bed?
Mike: Yeah. I...I'm t...tired. I...I've h...had a l...long d...day.
Carol: Put your arm around my neck and I'm gonna help you sit up on the count of three.
Mike: Y...you're g...gonna h...hurt your...self.
Carol: I'll be fine. Ready? One-two-three. She helps lift him into a seated position then rotates his legs and puts his feet on the floor.
Mike: Tries to regain his balance and starts to fall forward. Whoa.
Carol: Braces her husband and gets him sitting up. You all right? Now, slide on over.
She takes the arm rest off the chair so he can slide over and puts it back on so he can wheel himself into the family room. Mike finishes up in the bathroom and then goes into the family room. Carol turns down the sheets on his bed. Then, she helps Mike transfer into the bed.
Carol: You gonna be okay while I check on the kids?
Mike: Sure. S...see y...ou in a...a m...min...nute.
Carol climbs the stairs and hears the kids talking in Ryan's room.
Carolyn: Crying. I can't talk to dad! He doesn't understand sign anymore and he can't make out what I'm saying when I talk and I can't understand him either because he stammers. It really sucks!
Ryan: I know Care. I hate this for you. It does suck!
Carolyn: It just hurts so much! Why did I hafta be born deaf? Why did dad hafta be in that helicopter?
Ryan: I don't know.
Carolyn: Now he's home. How am I supposed to talk to him? He just looks at me like I'm from another planet or something. Sometimes, oh I hate myself for this, but sometimes I wish he'd never survived the crash. Tears are streaming down her face.
Tears are streaming down Carol's face.
Ryan: You don't mean that.
Carolyn: Yes, I do!
Ryan: No, you don't. It's just hard right now.
Carolyn: But everyone else can communicate with dad, but me, he just stares at me. What I am I supposed to do? And I can't read his lips too great because he stammers. What if he's never able to communicate with me? What if I can't ever talk to my dad?
Ryan: I don't know, sis.
Carolyn: I feel like such a freak!
Ryan: You're not a freak.
Carol takes this opportunity to enter Ryan's room.
Carolyn: Very embarrassed. Oh great. You heard.
Carol: Sits on the bed. I did.
Carolyn: Great. I feel like such an idiot.
Carol: You're not an idiot. It's gonna be an adjustment having your dad back at the house. We'll all have to be patient with him and give him all the love we have for him.
Carolyn: I'm sorry. You're right, Ry, I don't mean it. I'm just frustrated. Everyone else can talk to him and I can't. Someone has to translate for me and it sucks.
Carol: I know and I'm sorry. I wish I could take away your pain. Give your dad some time.
Ryan: Can dad read?
Carol: Yes.
Ryan: Well, perhaps if Carolyn uses the write board you used when you had laryngitis last year, then she could talk to dad by herself.
Carolyn: Rolls her eyes. But...
Carol: It's not a perfect solution, but it's better than nothing.
Carolyn: Protesting. But mom, nobody else has to do that!
Carol: I know, sweetheart, but until your dad is able to speak without a lot of stammering, relearn sign language and understand you when you speak, this may be the way you'll need to communicate with him.
Carolyn: Tears are rolling down her cheeks. What if he's never able to do that? Am I gonna be stuck using the write board to talk to my dad?
Carol: I don't know honey. Can we cross that bridge if we get to it? Right now, we need to concentrate on helping your dad get used to being home, okay?
Ryan: Sure mom. Anything I can do...
Carolyn's eyes are downcast. Carol puts her index and middle fingers underneath her daughter's chin and raises her head so she can look her in the eye.
Carol: Okay?
Carolyn: Okay.
Carol: Now, tomorrow's a school day, so if you've finished your homework, you might wanna consider going to bed.
Ryan: All right. Night, mom.
Carol: Goodnight, son.
Carolyn: Night, mom.
Carol: Goodnight.
Carol leaves Ryan's room and goes into the master bedroom, sit on the bed and cries.
After Carol regains her composure, she goes back down to the family room, now the new master bedroom, and gets ready for bed. Mike appears to be sleeping, so she quietly turns the covers down on her bed and slips in.
Mike: K...kids a...all right?
Carol: Startled. Oh! I didn't know you were awake. Yeah, they're okay.
Mike: C...Carolyn l...looked s...sad t...tod...day.
Carol: What?
Mike: C...Carolyn. Sh...she l...looked s...sad.
Carol: Why do you say that?
Mike: S...she s...seemed s...sad th...that I...I c...can't un...un...underst...understand her wh...when sh...she t...tries t...to t...talk t...to m...me.
Carol: Yeah, she is. It's been hard on her that the rest of the family can converse with you and since it's difficult for you to understand her when she speaks and it seems that you're having a hard time remembering sign language.
Mike: Feeling badly. P...poor k...kiddo. I...I w...wanna b...be a...able t...to t...talk to m...my d...daughter.
Carol: I think we've come up with a solution. Actually, Ryan suggested it. Remember the write board I used last year when I had laryngitis? Anyway, he suggested Carolyn use it when the two of you talk.
Mike: Th...that's a...a g...good id...idea. I...I w...wanna h...have a...a t...talk w...with h...her t...t...to...tomorrow.
Carol: Gets up and gives her husband a kiss. I think that's a good idea. She really misses you.
Mike: I...I m...miss h...her t...too.
Carol: I love you.
Mike: I l...love y...you t...too.
Carol: I'm glad you're home.
The couple kisses again. Carol tucks the covers around her husband, gets into her bed, and watches her husband sleep until she falls asleep.
--End of Chapter Twenty-One--