Chapter 5
Quietly making her way down to the lounge Sam listened carefully to make sure that none of her brothers were awake yet. She knew that Virgil wouldn't be but she wasn't sure about the others. Once she got to the lounge she found the person she was looking for.
"Dad, can I talk to you for minute?" asked Sam, timidly. She was afraid that he was still upset with her for punching John in the face.
"What's on your mind, Sam?" replied Jeff in a neutral tone. He had a feelinghe knewwhat she wanted to talk about and he was proud of her.
"About yesterday, I don't agree with you for punishing Scott. He was just trying to be the big brother and keep us in line. John and I are responsible for the fight and we should be the ones punished for our behavior," said Sam in a voice that was slightly shaking in nervousness. Jeff expected his children to toe the line and nothing less than that was acceptable to him or his military background.
"First of all, Sam, I agree with you that Scott was just trying to keep you in line but I am the one who decides who will be punished. Yes, you and John are responsible for the fight and you are and will be punished for it. Scott's punishment was removed last night before lights out," admitted Jeff. "John has already pleaded the same case to me. He did it when I came around for lights out."
Sam just shook her head as if to be sure that she had heard her father say that he was lifting a punishment from one of his kids. Never in her short life had he ever done that.
"Um, thanks Dad. If John comes down before I do can you let him know that I am going to take a quick shower and straighten my room before breakfast?" asked Sam in a voice that still had a bit of awe in it. Seeing her dad nod his head she turned to go back upstairs. As she was leaving the lounge she ran into Brains.
"I'm so sorry. Please excuse me for not watching where I was going," stammered Sam. She had forgotten about this new person that was living on the island with them.
"TTThat's ok," said Brains with a bit of nervousness.
"I'm Sam. I don't think that we were really introduced yesterday when Dad brought John down to that little room you were in," replied Sam. "John was the one with a bloody nose. He is my twin brother and the dark headed one was Scott and he is our oldest brother." Feeling that she had at least made an effort to Brains in an introduction she gave a quick nod of her head and started for the stairs again.
Jeff had watched with interest at how his daughter reacted to yet another male living in the house. He was pleased that she made an introduction and had included the two brothers from yesterday.
"What can I do for you, Brains?" asked Jeff in a friendly manner. He didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
"I have theiinnfir sickroom ready," stuttered Brains.
"Let's go take a look at it," replied Jeff as he motioned for Brains to lead the way. "We'll definitely need it," thought Jeff to himself as he remembered yesterday's events. After going through the door at the end of the hall, they went to the first room on the right and entered. The room had a wall of windows that had an unobstructed view of the ocean. The windows were tinted to reduce the glare of the sun and ocean. The infirmary itself was situated with two beds for any patients that may need them as well as a couple of chairs for visitors to sit in. Brains had designed the beds for optimal comfort and convenience for the patient as well as himself since he was the chief doctor for the island as well as the engineer and designer for Jeff's plans. As the doctor he would be able to treat anything except major traumas. Those would have to be left to surgeons and more highly specialized doctors. Looking around the room, Jeff was really pleased with what Brains had accomplished.
"What is that room," asked Jeff as he pointed to a door next to the far bed.
"That is a supply room that has a sink and refrigerator in it," said Brains. Since he was comfortable with Jeff his stuttering wasn't as bad. Nodding his head in understanding Jeff continued to look around and ask questions about various pieces of equipment.
"Jeff and Brains, breakfast is ready," said Jeff'smother's voice over a speaker.
"We'll be there in just a moment, Mother," replied Jeff. "Let's go Brains. We can look at this more later." The two then headed to the kitchen.
All six of the Tracy children were already seated at the table and waiting impatiently for their dad to sit down so that they could start to eat and then go enjoy the pool. With a nod from their dad, Grandma began bringing out dishes laden with bacon, eggs, and hash browns. The children passed each dish to the person next to them so they could get what they wanted.
"What are you going to do today?" asked Jeff as he looked around at his children.
"SWIM," enthused Gordon as if there could be anything else to do. Alan nodded his head in agreement. Virgil looked out at the ocean and wished that he had brought his paints.
"I wish I could paint, Dad," stated Virgil. "But I didn't bring my paints and canvases." Not looking at Sam he didn't notice the big grin on her face.
"Dad, may Virgil and I be excused for a moment?" asked Sam with a straight face. She didn't want to give away her secret. Jeff nodded in response to her request.
"Come on Virgil. The sooner we go the sooner we'll get back," said Sam. Grabbing Virgil's hand, she tugged him towards the stairs. Once they got to her door Sam keyed in her code and gestured for Virgil to follow her.
"Stay right there," ordered Sam. She went into her room and opened a cabinet door and pulled out a box that she had brought with them on vacation. A box that only Jeff knew existed. Picking it up awkwardly because of the weight she carried it to her sitting room where Virgil was pacing. Seeing his sister come out of her room he went over to help her.
"This is for you Virgil. I brought it with us from Kansas," admitted Sam with a big grin on her face. Virgil looked at her with a surprised look.
"Go ahead and open it. I promise that the Terrible Two have not touched it," said Sam. Virgil opened the box and began to pull out paints, and small canvases, and brushes. Everything he would need to paint or sketch on.
"Thanks Sam. How did you know that I would need these?" asked Virgil in an excited tone.
"Little brother I know you better than what you think and I knew that you would want to paint if you had some inspiration. I think that this island will give you plenty of inspiration in the years to come," replied Sam in a caring tone as she gave Virgil a quick hug. "We better get back down to the table before Scott eats everything."
Together they left Sam's room and took Virgil's box to his room. As they entered the kitchen their brothers looked up with a questioning look on their faces.
"I will be painting today, Dad," said Virgil with a big smile on his face. His eyes were shining with barely contained excitement. Sam looked at their dad with a soft smile that lit up her features.
"Sam, after breakfast please come to the lounge," said Jeff in a polite tone of voice. Sam's expression turned to one of worry because she wasn't sure of what she had done.
"You wanted to see me," said Sam quietly as she walked to the desk her father was seated at. Jeff beckoned for her to come around to where he was sitting.
"I am so proud of what you did for Virgil. You made his day when you gave him painting supplies," Jeff said in a soft voice as he stood up to give Sam a big hug. Without warning Sam burst into tears.
"Dad, I am so sorry for the fight that John and I had. I know that he and I apologized but I still feel so bad for what I did," cried Sam. Jeff just stood there and held her as she released her pent up tears.
"Sorry," whispered Sam in a tired voice but not letting go of her dad. Instead she continued to hold onto him just to be close to the one parent she had left. Jeff just looked down at her in surprise. Normally if Sam was upset she sought out John and received the comfort she needed from him.
"Its okay, Sweetheart," said Jeff as he continued to hold his only daughter.
"ALAN! Get back here right now," exclaimed the voice of one of the boys. Jeff and Sam looked out the windows towards the pool just in time to see Alan running down the path that Sam followed two days ago. Right behind himwere John, Virgil, and Scott. Scott didn't realize that Gordon was right behind him until they were passing the pool and Gordon shoved him into it. Not missing out on the opportunity to swim he jumped in next to where Scott had surfaced.
"Sorry Scott I must have tripped," laughed Gordon. He ducked underwater just as Scott made a grab for him. Knowing that Scott would be waiting on him to surface, he swam as fast as he could underwater. Surfacing at the far end of the pool and far enough away from Scott, he looked back at Scott only to realize he wasn't there.
"Looking for someone?" asked Scott as he reached down and grabbed Gordon's arms. Pulling with all of his strength, Scott lifted Gordon out of the water and glowered at him evilly.
"Scott, I'm sorry. I tripped as we were running after Alan," apologized Gordon as he tried to hide his grin.
"Not buying it Gord. You are so busted and I am sure that I will be able to find a suitable payback for you," stated Scott in a tone that Gordon knew from experience.
Meanwhile
"Alan, where are you? We just want to have a little talk with our baby brother," called John. Virgil looked around trying to locate where Alan might be hiding. A sudden movement caught his attention. Without a word he tapped John on the shoulder and pointed out the direction that he had seen Alan. Virgil motioned John to go up along the tree line while he motioned going along the beach. Silently moving towards their victim they never let the target out of their sights. Just as they reached him, they heard a soft laugh. Thinking that he had fooled his brothers Alan had let his guard down.
"Hi Alan," said two voices on each side of him. Looking quickly to either side of him he realized he was caught. With the only option left he quickly ran straight ahead and then back out onto the beach and towards the house. Before he had even run five steps he was knocked to the ground.
"Get off of me. It was Gordon's idea I swear," pleaded Alan. Virgil looked at John from where he had pinned Alan to the ground. Suddenly they could hear another voice begging. Looking in the direction of the path, they could see Scott and Gordon heading towards them.
"Look what Virgil caught," called John as the other two approached them. Alan was still lying under Virgil's weight and squirming for all he was worth. Gordon could be seen struggling in Scott's grasp.
"What happened to you?" asked Virgil when he saw that both Scott and Gordon were soaked.
"I tripped and accidentally knocked Scott in the pool," said Gordon in what he thought to be a serious voice. Unfortunately for him they could all see the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Can it Gordon. Alan has already told us that it was your idea," replied John in a voice that was clearly exasperated with the near constant pranks of the two youngest brothers.
"We didn't put sand in Scott's bed. We swear it wasn't us," stated Gordon solemnly. Virgil, John, and Scott looked at him and shook their heads.
"Okay, wrong prank. Virgil's shampoo is supposed to be blue." Again the three oldest brothers shook their heads.
"Okay, wrong prank again. John's boxers are supposed to look like Sam's underclothes," said Gordon with another cheeky grin. Unfortunately for him that is when Sam walked up behind him.
"Scott, you may want to move," warned Virgil as he saw the look on Sam's face. With a loud war cry Sam tackled Gordon to the ground just as Scott moved away from him. Sitting on top of him Sam looked down at him with an evil grin on her face.
"Now you little twerp, tell me that I did not just hear you say that my underclothes look like John's boxers. Nor did I hear you say that Virgil's shampoo is supposed to be blue. Oh and I didn't hear anything about sand in Scott's bed," said Sam in that real calm voice that belied her true emotions. Not seeing a way out of his predicament, Gordon looked up over his shoulder at Sam.
"We were only having a little fun Sam," said Gordon in a subdued voice.
"Didn't I warn you two that if we found anything unsavory in our beds that I would pound you worse than what Scott would do?" asked Sam in the same calm voice. Gordon slowly nodded his head. Alan on the other hand began to cry. The older Tracy kids looked at him to see what was wrong. Virgil quickly stood up so he could see what was wrong with Alan. Not waiting another moment Alan jumped up and lifted his shirt. A small crab had gotten under his t-shirt and had pinched him. Carefully, Virgil pulled the pincers apart and threw the crab away from where they were standing. Noticing the blood and small cut Alan began to cry harder. Pushing Gordon into Scott's grasp again, Sam went over to Alan and knelt on the ground in front of him.
"Alan, stop crying okay. I need you to be a big boy right now," said Sam in a soothing voice. She took Alan's t-shirt off and shook out the sand. "Would you like a piggy back ride to the house?" asked Sam. Alan nodded his head in response. Turning around, Sam knelt down so that Alan could get on her back. Standing up carefully she began to walk to the house.
"Virgil, can you get Gordon for me? After I clean up Alan's cut I will need Gordon," requested Sam in her calm voice. Without looking back she continued to walk to the house. Virgil and Gordon began to follow her lead. Scott started to go with them when John put his hand out to stop him.
"Scott, can I talk to you for a minute?" asked John in a small voice that showed his nervousness. Scott looked at him in puzzlement but nodded his head.
"I want to tell you that I am sorry for hitting you yesterday. I know that you were just trying to get me to tell Sam sorry but I was angry and I took all my anger out on you," said John in a rush. "Will you forgive me big brother?" Scott just reached out and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Of course I forgive you this time but next time I will pound you worse than Sam did okay, Bandit," quipped Scott in reference to John's black eyes. "You know that it is just a matter of time before Gordon and Alan start on you?" John just shook his head wearily. Together they began to walk to the house.
"Alan sit still so I can clean the cut please," begged Sam as she tried to disinfect the cut.
"NO! That is the stingy medicine Sam. It's gonna hurt worser than the cut," emphasized Alan as he scooted away from her. Grandma came into the lounge at that moment and helped Sam clean Alan up and put a band aid on his cut. Giving him a quick hug she let him go. Much to Gordon's disappointment she didn't forget that he and Virgil were still there.
"Now Gordon I think that as soon as Scott and John get in here you will go with them to their rooms and repair the damage that you did. You will also vacuum Scott's floor and make sure you change his bedclothes with clean ones. You will help Grandma wash the dirty bedclothes that you will take to the laundry room. You will go to Virgil's room and replace his shampoo with the one in your shower. You will return my underclothes to me as soon as you get them from John. Do I make myself clear?" said Sam in a voice that any commanding officer would love to have.
After Gordon had done all of the chores laid out for him and ate dinner he retired to his rooms to go to bed. Jeff looked around not understanding what had transpired that day. Not long after Gordon went to his rooms, the rest of the kids followed.
"John, meet me on my balcony," said Sam in a quiet voice. She was sitting in a chair and looking up at the stars when John moved a chair next to her. Smiling over at him, she sighed in a contented way.
"You know, Johnny, I think we're going to be ok," stated Sam in a determined voice. "We have a family that loves us and will do anything to protect us. Not to mention that we have each other and that bond is even stronger." With that Sam stood up and stretched. She walked over to the balcony wall and leaned on it. Looking up at the stars she sighed in contentment again. Everything would work out as long as she had her family. Quietly, John stood next to her and hugged her. Suddenly, four more sets of arms joined in the hug. All six of the Tracy children stood together in a big hug and drew on the others' strength. They were a formidable group that would always be there for each other regardless of any squabbles they may have.
Silently, they headed back to their rooms in time for lights out. The rest of their vacation was filled with walks on the beach and swimming in the pools. The evenings were spent in the game room or theater. Sometimes they were able to get Brains to join them. He was getting used to the rambunctious Tracy children and was amazed at the bond that they had.
On the last day of their vacation they washed their dirty clothes and put them away in their dressers. Beds were made and everything was ready for when they came back in a week's time. Finally they boarded the plane leaving Tracy Island and Brains behind. All of them were quiet as they flew back to Kansas.