Chapter 10

Tracy Island was soon a busy island with seven children under the age of 15. Alan and Sam's bruised ribs healed and eventually the casts came off the completely healed limbs. Brains had a therapy program set up for Sam and Alan to strengthen their leg and arm. Each day they had time in the gym and in the pool to get back to their previous physical abilities. Their brothers all pitched in and encouraged both of them. Initially, Sam could only do a little at a time because she was still prone to sudden headaches that would put her out of commission for part of the day if not all of it. Grandma in her typical behavior flitted around Sam and refused to let her do the least little thing. She was confined to the couch in the lounge, a lounge chair by the pool, or in her room lying down. After a week of the smothering behavior, Sam blew up.

"Dad, get Grandma off of my case. I know my limits but she is treating me like I'm 2 years old," screamed Sam as Jeff came into her room to see how her therapy in the gym went. "I have two older brothers breathing down my neck to ensure that I rest. I am not an invalid. I had a broken leg and bruised ribs that are now completely healed. I still have headaches but the stitches were removed weeks ago." Gasping for breath, Sam leaned back on her bed.

"Sam, are you okay?" asked Jeff as he noticed that she was breathing hard. Sam looked at him and rolled her eyes.

"That is exactly what I am tired of Dad. I am not a fragile china doll that will crumble in front of everyone. I am athletic and I roughhouse with 5 brothers on a regular basis," she stated firmly. Jeff stood there with a bemused expression as Sam suddenly closed her eyes and fell asleep.

"Not as ready as you thought are you Honey?" asked Jeff in a quiet voice as he carefully laid Sam down into a more comfortable position. Sam peaked open an eye and looked at her dad as he pulled a blanket over her.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I guess I am not back to normal," apologized Sam as she closed her eye again. Jeff sat down in a chair and just watched her sleep. A sudden knock on her balcony door startled him as he quickly went to answer it before Sam woke up. Opening the door Jeff was surprised to see Alan.

"What do you need Alan?" asked Jeff in a hushed voice not wanting to wake Sam up again.

"I just wanted to check on her. She was really mad at Grandma earlier." Alan looked at Jeff with wide eyes.

"I never seen her that angry at Grandma just us," he continued in awe at his sister's anger. Jeff picked Alan up and carried him to the chair he had been sitting in.

"Sam is fine. She is just tired of being treated like she'll break," explained Jeff. "Let's go talk to your brothers and warn them of Sam's attitude before one of them ends up with a broken nose and a couple of black eyes." Alan giggled as he remembered the black eyes that John had at the start of the summer. Quietly Jeff and Alan went out onto the balcony and closed the door gently behind them.

Down at the pool Jeff called his sons and mother to a table near the pool.

"I just came from Sam's room and she is not in the best of moods so Alan and I thought it only fair to warn you," started Jeff. "She feels that we are smothering her and she resents it. The emotions that she was displaying as she yelled at me let me know that if it continues someone could end up with a broken nose and a couple of black eyes." Everyone looked at John and smirked. They all remembered that Sam had popped him in defense of Scott. John turned red at the memory.

"Mother, she feels that the restrictions that you are enforcing are unnecessary. So, I am asking you to ease up and let her guide us in what she is comfortable in doing," said Jeff in an apologetic tone. He was always careful of his mother's feelings. The boys looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.

"Okay Dad." They all responded as they went back to the pool. Jeff reached out and gave his mother a comforting squeeze on the arm.

"She loves you Mother but she is headstrong and independent," said Jeff. His mother nodded her head and quickly made her way back to the kitchen.

"Daddy, can I go up to Sam's room and take a nap with her?" asked Alan. Seeing everyone upset was bothering him and since he and Sam had been recuperating together he had gotten used to being with her.

"Do you think that is wise Alan?" asked his dad gently. Alan nodded his head.

"Alright let's go up and I'll put her code in for you," Jeff conceded. Together they went back up to the balcony and Jeff opened the door. Sam was still asleep and didn't move as Alan crawled in next to her. Needing to feel safe he snuggled as close to her as he could and within moments was asleep. Jeff went back to the lounge and began to read his mail as Kyrano came in with a glass of lemonade.

"Thank you, Kyrano."

Kyrano bowed in response and quietly went back to his other duties. Jeff had just sorted through his mail when he saw the envelope for his children's enrollment at the boarding school in New York. He opened it and filled out the required information about each of his children and emergency contacts. He made sure to note that Sam and John had been given rooms next to each other. Reading further through the informational packet, he realized that they would have to leave for school in just one week. He decided that to help ease them into a new school away from home that they would spend a couple of days in New York City before going to school. He had to stop at Tracy Enterprises and drop some papers to his administrative assistant, Connie.

Later as they all sat down for dinner, Jeff told them about leaving for school.

"School begins next week and I thought that we could stop in New York City for a few days and do some sight seeing and maybe catch a play and have dinner," said Jeff in an effort to sell his kids on the whole school thing. The Tracy children looked at each other with wide eyes. They had pushed the boarding school issue to the back of their minds in light of all of the other events of the summer.

"Dad, do we really have to go?" asked Virgil in a nervous voice. He was speaking for the whole group because they were all afraid of going to a boarding school.

"Yes, Virgil. We havealready discussed this," Jeff said with a confused look in his eyes. It wasn't like his kids to show fear and each of them had a frightened look on their face. "I want you to pack what you will need for school tomorrow and we'll fly to New York the day after." They all looked back at their plates and finished their meal in silence. When they were excused they went to their rooms instead of the pool like they normally did.

Sam looked around her room and realized that she finally had gotten comfortable in her new home and now she would have to leave it for a strange new school. Suddenly feeling a headache coming on she quickly brushed her teeth and changed into her pajamas. She was just pulling her blankets down to crawl into bed when she heard a knock on her door. She pushed the remote to open it and continued to crawl in bed with all the lights off and the curtains closed.

"Sam, why is it so dark in here?" asked her brothers as they tried to make their way to her bed.

"I feel another headache coming on and I think it's going to be a bad one," she said as she suddenly jumped up and ran to her ensuite and threw up. Once she had stopped heaving she grabbed a washcloth and wiped her face and then brushed her teeth again.

"Are you ok, Sammie?" asked Alan as his eyes adjusted to the dark. Sam crawled back into bed and scooted to the middle of the bed as Alan and Gordon crawled up on either side of her and then Virgil and John lay down next to them. Scott decided he might as well join them and took the end of the bed. Drawing on the comfort of each other they fell asleep.

Hours later as Jeff began his lights out routine he was surprised that Scott's, and then Virgil's, and then John's rooms were empty. Entering Sam's code he walked into her room and saw the outline of all of his children lying in Sam's bed. Walking over to the cabinet that Sam kept extra linens and blankets in he pulled out a couple of them and covered Scott, John, and Virgil. Gordon and Alan were snuggled under the blankets with Sam. A sudden groan from Sam startled him. She groaned again and he realized that she had another headache. He went to the comm box and called Brains.

"Brains, can you bring Sam's pain medicine up. Better make it the injection."

"No p-p-problem, Mr.T-Tracy." A few minutes later Brains administered the medication into Sam's arm. That was the only place he could reach and neither he nor Jeff wanted to wake the kids up.

"All done," said Brains as he took his leave. Jeff reached over and brushed Sam's hair out of her face and was relieved to see that she appeared to be in less pain. Looking at his children he realized how much each of them meant to him and what it would be like when they were all away at school.

"Dad, we'll be fine," whispered a soft voice. Looking at the end of the bed, Jeff realized that Scott was watching him. Jeff ran his hand through Scott's hair and nodded not trusting himself to speak. Quietly he left the room so as not to wake his other children. Scott watched him leave and then drifted back to sleep.

The next morning the boys were slightly confused as they began to wake up. They had forgotten that they had slept in Sam's room and were even more surprised that their dad let them sleep in there.

"Quiet guys. Brains had to give Sam another shot for her headache. She'll probably end up sleeping until midmorning," said Scott as he got up. The boys got up and went to their own rooms to get showered and changed. John checked on Sam before heading downstairs to breakfast. She was still resting comfortably. He fixed her blankets around her and brushed her hair out of her face. He left her and went to eat breakfast with his brothers.

After breakfast the boys went to their rooms and began packing what they would need at school. Jeff had told them at breakfast that he would buy them new clothes for the fall and winter weather while they were in New York. They had outgrown most of their stuff anyway. He also promised that he would buy each of them a new laptop computer for use at school and as a way to keep in contact with him.

By midmorning, Sam had finally woken up. After a quick shower and change of clothes she packed her stuff that she was going to need at school. Feeling a little hungry she headed downstairs to get a snack.

John was just leaving his room as Sam came out of hers.

"Morning John."

"Feeling better Sam?" asked John. Sam looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Brains had to give you another shot last night after we all fell asleep," he explained.

"That's what I felt. I thought one of the brats bit me again," she said in relief. "I hope that I am up to date on my rabies shots. Never know when they may infect me." The smile she gave seemed to brighten the hallway as they headed for the stairs. Instead of going to the kitchen, Sam veered off and went to the infirmary.

"Brains, I wanted to thank you for giving me the pain medication last night. How long do you think that I will have these headaches?" asked Sam as she walked to the little desk in the corner of the infirmary.

"I d-d-don't kn-know, Sam," responded Brains. He felt bad that he could do nothing to stop the headaches except for administer pain medication. Seeing her look of resignation, he realized that she knew she would have to deal with the headaches for awhile.

"Thanks again. I'm heading up for brunch since I slept through breakfast," she said as she turned to leave. Heading back towards the kitchen she ran into her dad.

"Hi Honey. Are you okay?" her dad asked in concern when he realized that she was coming from the infirmary.

"I just wanted to thank Brains for the pain medicine. I actually slept pretty good especially since I was surrounded by all of my brothers," she grinned at her dad. "You know Dad I am without a doubt the luckiest girl in the world."

"Why's that Sam?" he asked curiously.

"Because I have 5 crazy and wonderful brothers, a loving grandmother, dear friends, and the best Dad in the world," she answered. Looking up at him she dissolved into a fit of laughter. "Yep, I am lucky!"

"Not as lucky as we are to have a wild and crazy girl like you in our family," he countered with laughter in his voice. He reached out and gave her a big hug. She in turn held to him tightly.

"I'm going to miss you while away at school, Dad. I love you very much and I know that you are trying to do your best for us. I'm just glad that John and I aren't going to be separated," she said into his chest as she continued to hug him.

Jeff grinned and thought about the biggest surprise he had for them. All six of them would have rooms either next to each other or across the hall. John, Sam, and Virgil would be on one side of the hall and Gordon, Alan, and Scott would on the other in their new dorm. It had cost him a bit more but it would be worth it to keep his children happy.

As Sam walked into the kitchen she saw her grandmother getting ready to put a pie into the oven. Quietly she walked up behind her grandma and waited until she stood up. Before she could turn, Sam had her in a big hug. Due to the fact that Sam was taller than Grandma and that she was sorry for hurting her grandmother's feelings, Sam leaned down and put her head on her grandma's shoulder.

"I'm sorry for being such a brat yesterday, Grandma. You didn't deserve it and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you and the care you gave to both Alan and I while we were recovering from our injuries," she said as she continued to hug her grandma close to her. "I love you very much and I feel bad that I lashed out at you."

"Sweetie, I know you have had a rough go of it the past six weeks but I just didn't want to see you hurt again. I should have known that you were aware of your limits but I also know that you have a stubborn streak in you that is a country mile wide. All of you Tracy kids have it," said Grandma. "I'm including your father into that category too. He must be the reason behind it."

"Grandma, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black. You are one of the most stubborn and ornery women I have ever met," retorted Sam. "You are also the most caring, loving, and wonderful grandma that a girl could ask for. Now what's for lunch, I'm starving?"

Grandma set about fixing a simple lunch of a chicken chef salad and iced tea for Sam. Before she had gotten it to the table the boys came in.

"Grandma, we're starving!" they all exclaimed at once. Smiling to herself, Grandma opened the fridge and pulled out five more salads for the boys and set about pouring them some iced tea. Trying to keep the Tracy children fed was a full-time job but one that she loved and excelled at.

"Are you guys all packed and ready for us to leave tomorrow?" asked Jeff as he walked into the kitchen and became aware that all of his children were in the same place.

"Yes, sir," they all replied in a somber tone. After they were finished eating they took their dishes to the sink and rinsed them off. John, Sam, and Virgil headed to their rooms as Gordon and Alan went back out to the pool to swim with Tin-Tin. Scott decided to take a walk on the beach.

"Sam, can you come help me?" asked Virgil from his doorway. Sam followed him into his room.

"What do you need help with?" she asked. Looking around it appeared that he had everything packed and ready to take to the plane.

"Sam, I painted a portrait for each of us to have in our dorm rooms but I don't want the guys to think that I am being girly," admitted Virgil as he opened a cabinet door and pulled out seven small canvases. Carefully he spread them out on his bed. Sam was awed once again at the talent he had. Each portrait was similar but not identicalto the one that was hung in Sam's room.

"Virgil, they will love these but why are there seven of them?" she asked.

"I did one for Dad. I think he's going to miss us as much as we do him. The only difference is that we'll have each other and he'll only have Grandma," he explained.

"Virgil, just because you are aware of how we feel does not make you "girly." In fact I would say that the opposite is true. I'm going to have to beat the girls away from you when they get a look at how handsome you are not to mention how talented," she teased him. Looking at her, his face was lit up by his beautiful smile. "Yep, I'm going to have to watch out for him. Those girls aren't going to know what hit them withmy fivebrothers on campus," she thought to herself as she smiled back at him.

"Give them the portraits tonight before lights out or wait until we are getting ready to leave New York City," suggested Sam as she tried to help him out.

"I'll give Dad his tomorrow and then the rest I'll give right before we leave New York City," he decided. Sam nodded her head in agreement to his plan.

"Do you need anything else?" she asked before going to her room. Virgil looked back down at the paintings and shook his head no. Sam put her arm around him and held him close.

"Sam, can we all sleep in your room again? I don't want to feel separated from you guys," he said shyly, staring down at the floor.

"I don't mind. Ask the guys except for John. I'll need to talk to him anyway," she replied as she released her hug and walked out of the room. She went to John's room and was just about to knock when he opened the door.

"Geez, next time at least let me knock," she teased. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, I was just getting ready to come over to your room," he answered. "What'd Virgil want?

"He just wanted some advice. Oh, he also wanted to know if you guys could sleep in my room again. I told him that I didn't mind and to be honest I think that he is feeling out of sorts and needs to be close to all of us," she replied. "So, do you want to join the party? Same arrangements as last night with one exception, no headaches requiring pain medications allowed."

"Sis, you are in need of a tune-up on your warped sense of humor," laughed John.

"My sense of humor is just more developed than yours. So there," she said and then stuck her tongue out at him. Responding to the playful mood she was in, John suddenly grabbed her and began to tickle her in all of her ticklish spots until she was laughing so hard that she was afraid that she was in danger of having an accident.

"P-p-please stop. I g-g-give," she laughed out. John stopped and looked at her.

"Now are you going to stick your tongue out at your older and more mature brother again?" asked John in a mock serious voice.

"I will not stick my tongue out at Scott because he is my older and more mature brother. The rest of my brothers are fair game," she responded, as she took in John's expression she couldn't help but to bust out in laughter. A sudden knock on the balcony door snapped John out of his stupor. He pushed the remote that unlocked the door. Virgil walked in with an amused expression on his face.

"Sam, we could hear you laughing at the pool. What's going on in here?" he asked the twins.

"John was tickling me and then asked me if I was going to stick my tongue out at my older and more mature brother again," she replied. I told him that I would not stick my tongue out at Scott but that the rest of my brothers were fair game." Thinking of the look on John's face she began to laugh again. Virgil joined in with her as it dawned on him that she had agreed to do what John requested just not the way he'd envisioned it.

"You two have lost it," John grumbled good-naturedly. He realized that he had gotten caught in a word play.

"Are we going to sleep in your room tonight, Sam?" Virgil asked when they had stopped laughing. "Gordon and Alan thought it was fun last night and want to do it again tonight."

"Well, that's five yeses and one unknown," she said. "I guess the majority wins. Yep, just bring your pillows and make sure you all take showers. I don't want my bed smelling like boy sweat and chlorine."

Later that evening, after the boys had showered and changed into their pajamas they grabbed their pillows and headed for Sam's room. She left the door unlocked in case they came in before she was done with her shower and brushing her teeth. After she had gotten into her pajamas she went out into her room.

"Put your pillows on the bed," she told them. "Did you guys take your showers? No boy sweat and no chlorine, right?"

"We're all cleaned up, Sammie, promise," said Alan.

"I'm going to run down to the kitchen and make some popcorn and grab something for us to drink and then we can go to my sitting room and watch a movie," she said. "If that's okay with everyone, I mean."

"Sure, I'll help you with the popcorn and drinks," offered Scott. Together they went downstairs and popped some popcorn and put it into a huge bowl and grabbed a twelve pack of sodas. When they got back to Sam's room, their brothers were arguing over which movie to watch.

"Knock it off or we watch a girly movie," threatened Sam. "I thought that we could watch something funny. Like a Jim Carey movie."

"That's a good idea, Sam," agreed Scott. Sam handed him the movie and he put it into the DVD player. She went back into her room and grabbed a couple of blankets. Scott, Virgil, Gordon, and Alan sat together on the couch and Sam covered them up with a blanket. She and John sat in the oversized chair and covered up with the second blanket. They passed the popcorn around and drank their sodas as the movie started. By the time the first movie was over, Gordon and Alan were asleep.

"Good now we can watch a scary movie," said Scott in a whisper. Reaching into the bookshelf he pulled out a video that he'd hidden there. He put it into the DVD player and sat back down. Relaxing back into couch he smiled at his siblings. It wasn't long before all of them were asleep. Jeff came into the sitting room and smiled down at them all snuggled together on the couch and chair. He picked up the popcorn bowl as well as the pop cans. Quietly, he adjusted the blankets over them and shut the DVD player and television off. Looking back once more, he walked out to the hallway.

"Wake up everyone," called a voice. Startled the six kids jumped. Looking at each other they realized they were all stiff from the positions that they'd slept in. Stretching as they stood up, they grimaced at the popping noises as their joints slowly loosened. They quickly folded the blankets and rushed to their rooms to change into comfortable clothes for the flight to NYC.

Breakfast was a hurried affair as the plane still needed to be loaded and there were goodbyes to say.

"Grandma, we'll email you at least once a week. And we'll be home for Thanksgiving break and Christmas," Scott said as he noticed the tears in their Grandma's eyes.

Virgil went to his room and opened his cabinet and pulled out a painting that he hadn't shown Sam. Going back down to where everyone was gathered he silently handed his dad the painting that he'd done for him.

"That way you can see us whenever you want to," he said quietly.

"Grandma, this is for you," he said as he handed her the new painting. Turning bright red he ran to path leading to the runway. Moments later Sam caught up to him.

"You alright, Virg?" she asked softly. Sighing, he shook his head.

"I'm going to miss it here. I feel at peace and content herenow," he tried to explain.

"I understand. I just got used to everything and everyone. Now I'm going to have to readjust to a new school and make new friends," she said. "No one ever said life was easy, did they?" Looking back at the path, she saw the rest of their brothers and Jeff coming towards them.

"Everyone get to your seats. NYC is waiting on us," said their dad. The kids went to their regular seats and got buckled in as Jeff began his pre flight checklist. Soon they were taking off. The Tracy children all looked out their windows to get a last look at the home that they had just gotten used to.