The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 4
A/N—I'm enjoying reading feedback and suggestions! Thanks!
Friday. Cindy's basketball homecoming is tonight.
Filmore Junior High is in the gym, holding a pep rally for tonight's game. The Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleading squads are performing their combined routine. Shelley counts the squad off.
Shelley: Let's Go, Chargers! Five-Six-Seven-Eight!
The squad begins with the chant, "Let's Go, Chargers!" and transition into their dance routine, to "Wild Thing." Cindy ends the routine with a tumbling run. Cassie glares at her, but Cindy ignores it.
Cindy: Go Chargers! Beat Lakeview! She shakes her pom-poms in the air.
Announcer: Now, let's hear it for the Lady Chargers and Chargers basketball teams!
Shelley and Cindy lead the combined squad into parallel lines, so that as the announcer calls the team members names and positions, the basketball teams can run through the line. The two cheerleading co-captains stand at the end of each line, roll out a banner, and the basketball teams run, busting through the banner. Cindy is enjoying the rally, and soon the school day ends. She and Shelley walk out of the gym together.
Shelley: Are you ready for tonight's game?
Cindy: Very! I think both teams have a good shot at winning.
Shelley: Yeah, they really do. She pauses and then starts up again. Remember, cheerleading tryouts are in a couple months. Are you ready?
Cindy: I am.
Shelley: Since you'll be captain next year, you'll be one of the judges. Plus, the two of us will need to get together and choreograph the team cheer and dance that we'll want them to do in team part of the tryouts.
Cindy: I've never choreographed a routine before. Feeling a bit nervous.
Shelley: Don't worry. She reassures. I'll show you the ropes, and after tonight's game, I'm going to turn the squad over to you.
Cindy: Her jaw drops. What?
Shelley/: No, I'll still be on the squad, and I'll still be the captain, but I want you to get used to being captain. You'll also need to choose a co-captain.
Cindy: I'm thinking of Milicent.
Shelley: She'd be a good choice. Darci would be too. She's run practices and choreographed routines before.
Cindy: She's really good too. Inquisitive. How come you chose me over her for co-captain? After all, she is in the eighth grade and I'm in sixth. I "shouldn't" even me at Fillmore yet, except that the school district put sixth grade up to junior high for this year.
The pair quit walking as Shelley looks her teammate in the eye.
Shelley: I chose you because you have a lot of potential. You have that spark that so many cheerleaders don't have.
Cindy: Confused. Huh?
Shelley: You're determined to be the best. That's what I want in my co-captain. I also wanted a co-captain that would be willing to learn and grow, and then be captain for more than just a year. I almost chose Darci, but after our discussion after tryouts, I knew if you were able to be on the Varsity team, I would choose you.
Cindy: Thanks! That means a lot!
Shelley: You deserve it.
Cindy: Do you know if they'll put sixth grade up or not?
Shelley: Not yet. We probably won't know until right before tryouts.
Cindy: Oh, okay.
Shelley: Well, I'll see you tonight.
The pair part ways.
At the Brady house
The babies are sleeping in their swings in the living room. Carol is lying on the couch, crocheting an afghan. Cindy enters the house through the family room. Carol looks up, sees her daughter enter the living room, and puts her crocheting aside.
Carol: How was your day?
Cindy: Great! I had so much fun at the pep rally! My final tumbling run was perfect! I got a lot of cheers for it.
Carol: Wonderful! Her face lights up.
Cindy: Thanks! And next week, Shelley's going to have me run practices and teach me how to choreograph routines.
Carol: That's a big responsibility. Are you ready for it?
Cindy: I think so. She inhales. It's weird that I'll be captain of the Varsity squad in the seventh grade. She said she nearly chose Darci as co-captain, but said I had a "spark" that she hadn't seen in other cheerleaders, so when April left, she decided to put me on the squad and when Katie quit, she chose me as co-captain.
Carol: It sounds like she really believes in you.
Cindy: Yeah, she does. It means a lot.
Carol: Do you have any homework?
Cindy: Other than doing more studying for tomorrow night, I don't have any.
Carol: Go ahead and get it done. We'll have to leave around six thirty.
Bobby, Jan and Peter arrive next. Bobby and Peter greet their mother and race upstairs to tackle their homework. Jan frowns, appearing defeated.
Carol: What's wrong, Jan?
Jan: Sighs. Lost the debate today.
Carol: Her face falls. I'm so sorry.
Jan: We were undefeated, but the moderator fell for Coolidge's straw-man arguments and declared them the winner.
Carol motions for her to join her on the couch.
Jan: It was so frustrating. A tear escapes her eye. We studied and practised and really had solid arguments. They come in and use flimsy arguments, which we easily poked holes through, and the moderator still fell for them.
Carol: Brushes a lock of Jan's hair from her face. Discouraging, isn't it?
Jan: Yeah. It was a hard topic too.
Carol: What was it?
Jan: Is "Stockholm Syndrome" a real syndrome or is it a convenient defense in court?
Carol: Which side did your team do?
Jan: It's a real syndrome. She sighs again. I suppose they did what a lot of attorneys do: try to poke holes in solid arguments, by using straw-man tactics, in order to cast a shadow of doubt.
Carol: Oh?
Jan: It's frustrating when you work hard, use solid arguments and evidence, and then someone comes along, using flimsy tactics, sways the judge and jury. Gives a small smile.
Carol: Now you know how other attorneys feel.
Jan: Yeah. Her smile grows. I don't think I could be an attorney.
Carolyn squirms and begins grunting. She opens her eyes. Jan smiles at her sister.
Jan: Carolyn, care for some sister time?
Carol: Is she awake?
Jan: Wide awake. She pauses. It's not time for their feeding yet, is it?
Carol: No. They shouldn't need to eat for another hour or so.
Jan: Picks her sister up. Well c'mon, little sis, let's go play.
She takes a blanket from the table by the stairs, carries her sister and the blanket to the corner of the living room. She spreads the blanket out and sits with Carolyn in her lap. Then, she takes a few toys and shows them to her. She shakes a stuffed elephant that has a bell inside its body.
Jan: Hear the elephant? Huh?
Carolyn reaches for the elephant. Carol notices and smiles.
Jan: Good!
She continues to shake the toy and moves it over to the side. Carolyn doesn't track it. Jan frowns. She brings it back to her sister's field of vision and shakes it. Carolyn reaches for it. Jan looks at her sister, then at her mother, then back at her sister. She ponders whether or not to ask her mother a question. However, Ryan begins fussing, breaking Jan's train of thought.
Carol: Picking her son up. What's the matter, little guy? You wanna join your sisters?
She carries him over to the blanket where his sisters are playing.
Carol: Mind if we join you?
Jan: Sure! Turns her attention to Carolyn. We don't mind, do we?
Carol sits down and gets Ryan a toy.
Carol: See the ducky?
Ryan smiles, coos and reaches for the toy.
Carol: You like it? Like the duckie? She shows it to Carolyn. How 'bout you? Like the duckie?
She squeaks it at Carolyn, who doesn't react. Carol tries again, but Carolyn doesn't react. Jan looks down at Carolyn and then looks at her mother. Before she can question, the doorbell rings. Carol stands up, with Ryan in tow, and answers the doorbell to reveal Mr. and Mrs. Brady.
Carol: Mom! Dad! Hi!
Mrs. Brady: Carol, how are you?
Carol: Fine.
Mrs. Brady: And how's this sweet boy?
She holds her hands out and Carol passes her the baby. Mr. Brady tickles the baby's chin.
Mr. Brady: What a strapping young man you are!
Jan stands up with Carolyn. Mrs. Brady approaches the pair.
Mrs. Brady: Hi! How are you?
Jan: Good.
Mrs. Brady: How's school?
Jan: It's school, I suppose.
Mrs. Brady: To Carolyn. And, how is this little lady?
Jan: Smiles and pretends to speak for Carolyn. I'm great now that my Gramma's here! Will my Gramma hold me?
Mrs. Brady: Plays along, and holds out her hands. Of course! Come here, sweetheart.
Jan passes the baby to their grandmother.
Mrs. Brady: You are such a beauty, baby girl!
Ryan begins grunting and fussing in Mr. Brady's arms.
Carol: Dad, I'll get him. It's time for me to feed this little guy and his sister. Mom, can you bring Carolyn?
Mrs. Brady: Got her.
They make their way to the master bedroom. Carol sits in the rocker with Ryan and gets him started. Then, Mrs. Brady passes Carolyn over.
Mrs. Brady: How is everything going?
Carol: Ryan's colic is getting better.
Mrs. Brady: That's a relief. Are they sleeping more through the night?
Carol: They only wake up a couple times now. Carolyn's still quiet. Ryan smiles and tracks toys that make noise, but Carolyn doesn't. Mike says not to worry, but I'm worried.
Mrs. Brady: Kids develop at different rates and these are twins. Maybe she just needs some time to catch up.
Carol: Maybe so.
Mrs. Brady: Gordon was a little bit behind when he was first born, but by the time he was eight months old, he was completely caught up. Perhaps she just takes after her uncle and does things in her own time.
Carol: I hope so. I just can't help this nagging feeling...
Mike enters the bedroom as the women are talking.
Mike: Feeling of what?
Mrs. Brady: Hi! She hugs her son. How are you?
Mike: Good.
Mike kisses his wife on the lips and the twins on the top of their heads.
Mike: So, feeling of what?
Mrs. Brady: She was just telling me about her concerns about Carolyn and...
They see that Carol looks like she's about to cry.
Mike: Honey. He kneels down and kiss es her on the cheek. I'm sorry.
Carol: I know I shouldn't worry, but I do.
Ryan finishes up, and Mike quietly hands him off to Mrs. Brady. She grabs a burp cloth and quietly leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.
Mike: Hey, what brought this on?
He strokes the side of her head.
Carol: Jan and I were playing with the twins, and I noticed that when Jan shook the toy in front of her, she'd smile and try to reach for the toy, but once she moved it over to Carolyn's side, she didn't track it. I shook a rattle in front of and beside Ryan and he tracked it. And this isn't the first time.
Mike: What's the doctor said?
Carol: At their last checkup, he said they were developing normally for being twins.
Mike: Well, there you go!
Carol: Call it my woman's intuition or being an overprotective mother, but something's not right.
Mike: When's their next appointment?
Carol: In six weeks.
Mike: If she hasn't caught up by then, then mention it at their appointment.
Carol: Your mom reminded me that babies develop at their own pace.
Carolyn finishes and Carol puts her on her shoulder to burp.
Time to leave for the game
After the twins are fed, burped and diapered, and the older five fed, it's time to leave for Cindy's game. Carol gives her in-laws instructions. Mrs. Brady is holding Ryan and Carolyn is in one of the swings.
Carol: They shouldn't need to be fed until I get back, but if they get hungry, there are a couple bottles in the refrigerator.
Mr. Brady: Got it!
Carol: Ryan's colic is getting better, but if he gets fussy, he likes the swing. It seems to settle him down. Or, you can rock him. He likes that too. Carolyn likes to be held after she's fed.
Carol tries to figure out whether or not she's left anything else.
Carol: I've put some diapers on the table next to their toys, but if you need more, there are some inside their changing table in their room. Their baby blanket is also on the table, as are some of their favourite toys. Ryan seems to like the rattles and other toys that make noise, but Carolyn doesn't seem to care one way or another with noisy toys.
Mrs. Brady: I remember.
Carol: If you need anything, you can call Alice at Sam's. She's redecorating his place.
Mrs. Brady: When is she getting married?
Carol: As far as I know, they haven't set a date, but I wouldn't be surprised if they tie the knot this summer.
Mrs. Brady: Good for them!
Mr. Brady: You'd better get going, so Cindy won't be late for her game.
Carol: I suppose you're right.
She leans over and kisses Carolyn's head. Then, Mr. Brady leans Ryan over and Carol kisses him too.
Mrs. Brady: Relax, Carol! They'll be fine.
Mike, Carol, and the five older kids leave for the game.
At the game
As soon as the Bradys arrive at the school, Cindy locates her squad and begins limbering up. Mike, Carol and the kids secure a spot on the bleachers.
Shelley: You ready, Cindy?
Cindy: Totally!
Shelley: I'm going to let you run the third quarter in both games. You call out the cheers.
Cindy gets choked up.
Shelley: You can do it.
Soon, it's time for the first game. Cindy and Shelley line the squads up into parallel lines and unroll a banner. The emcee announces Lakeview's Girl's basketball team. Then, Fillmore's team is announced, with the captain of the team running through the line, busting the banner, and her teammates follow. The game is underway. Fillmore scores first and quickly takes the lead. By the end of the first half, Fillmore leads 21-18. The combined squad runs into the middle of the court. Shelley nods to Cindy, who announces and counts down the routine.
Cindy: Lady Chargers! Five-Six-Seven-Eight!
Just like during the pep rally, the squad begins with the chant, "Lady Chargers!" and transition into their dance routine, to "Wild Thing." Cindy ends the routine with a tumbling run. Carol watches her daughter in amazement.
Carol: Mike, look at her go!
Mike: She is something!
Marsha: She's really good!
Peter: Go Cindy!
Bobby: She looks like a Slinky.
Jan: I can't believe how high she got on that last tumbling run. Wow!
The third quarter goes by quickly. At first, Cindy was nervous about taking over the squad, but with gentle encouragement from Shelley, she did a good job. "Maybe I'll do fine at being captain next year!" Fillmore remains in the lead, 29-23. The fourth quarter passes just as quickly and the Lady Chargers are victorious over Lakeview, 38-31. During the break between games, Carol gets restless.
Mike: Carol, you okay?
Carol: Uh huh. She looks distant.
Mike: No you're not.
Carol: I'm just wondering how the twins are.
Mike: I'm sure they're just fine.
Meanwhile, back at the Brady House
Mrs. Brady is rocking a sleeping Ryan. Mr. Brady holds Carolyn in his lap. She smiles as her grandfather makes faces.
Mr. Brady: Do you think Grandpa is funny? Huh? He turns to his wife. I'm not sure why Mike and Carol are worried about her. She seems just fine to me.
Mrs. Brady: I know, Thomas, but don't you remember what it was like to have a new baby? In their case, two new babies.
Thomas: Still Agnes, she looks just fine to me. He makes a couple funny faces at his granddaughter, who smiles. See? She thinks her Grandpa is funny.
Agnes sees that Ryan is asleep, so she rises.
Agnes: Let's put you in your swing so you can get better sleep. She lays him in his swing, then rubs her arms. Oh, my arms are tired. I'm not used to carrying around a little one.
Back at the ballgame
The second game is about to start. Like before, the cheerleaders line up in parallel lines, with Shelley and Cindy at the ends, holding another banner. The Emcee announces Lakeview boy's team and then Fillmore's. To Fillmore's delight, the boys, too take an early lead, 25-12. As the cheerleaders take center court, Shelley again directs Cindy to count the cheer off.
Cindy: Let's Go, Chargers! Five-Six-Seven-Eight!
The squad begins with the chant, "Let's Go, Chargers!" and transition into their dance routine, to "Wild Thing." Cindy ends the routine with a tumbling run. Cassie glares at her, but Cindy ignores it. Next, the Emcee announces the nominees for Class Favourites and Mr. and Miss Fillmore. As the emcee announces each pair, they make their way to center court.
Emcee: The nominees for sixth grade class favourites are Cassie Hathaway and Dylan McGuire, Wendy Stephens and Craig Cotton, and Cindy Brady and Timothy Jones.
Cindy tries to hide her surprise and delight as she walks back to center court. The Bradys cheer, as the Emcee continues announcing the nominees.
Carol: She never told me she was nominated!
Mike: From the look on her face, I don't think she knew either.
Emcee: The nominees for seventh grade class favourites are Millicent Duncan and Bobby Taylor, Deborah Crabtree and Michael Green, and Jane Torres and Brian Nichols.
Carol doesn't realise she's holding her breath in anticipation.
Emcee: And now, the nominees for Mr. and Miss Fillmore. Shelley Jenkins and Simon Wilson, Linda Richards and Wayne Davenport, and Robyn Williamson and Shane Rice. Your winners for sixth grade class favourite are Wendy Stephens and Timothy Jones!
Cindy tries to hide her disappointment, consoling herself that Cassie didn't win either.
Carol: Her face falls. Oh!
Peter: Rats!
Mike: Maybe next year. At least she was nominated.
The Emcee continues announcing the winners.
Emcee: The winners for seventh grade class favourite are Millicent Duncan and Brian Nichols!
Cindy smiles and applauds her friend. The Emcee announces the eighth and ninth grade winners, and moves onto Mr. and Miss Fillmore Junior High.
Emcee: And now, the winner of Mr. and Miss Fillmore Junior High are Wayne Davenport and Shelley Jenkins!
The cheerleaders applaud and cheer as Shelley receives her award. Soon, the game resumes. Like the game before, Cindy leads the squad during the third quarter. The Fillmore Chargers prevail against the Lakeview Storm, 48-32. As the crowd dissipates, the Bradys locate Cindy.
Carol: Giving her daughter a hug. Congratulations!
Mike: We're really proud of you.
Peter: Good job, sis!
Marcia: You were super!
Cindy: Smiling. I didn't even know I'd been nominated! I'm happy for Wendy. She's in my math class and she's really sweet.
Mike: You ready?
Cindy: Sure! She picks up her duffel and starts to follow her parents out of the gym.
Shelley: Hey Cindy!
Cindy: Hang on a sec, mom. She turns her attention to Shelley. Congratulations!
Shelley: Thanks! You did great out there tonight!
Cindy: Thanks!
Shelley: Remember, starting Monday, you'll be taking over as captain. Be early for practise, so we can go over a few things. We'll start working on the cheer and dance routine for tryouts soon.
Cindy: Okay!
She joins her family and they leave for the house. Her brothers and sister also congratulate her.
Brady Residence
The family arrives home and Carol can't wait to see her twins. She's the first one through the family room and kitchen. She sees her father-in-law on the blanket, playing with Ryan, and her mother-in-law with Carolyn on her lap on the couch.
Agnes: Looks up and sees Carol. Carol! How was the game?
Carol: Cindy did really well! She can tell you herself. How were they?
Thomas: They were no trouble at all. He picks Ryan up and "addresses" him. Tell your mommy you were a good little boy and that your sister was a good little girl.
Carol smiles.
Agnes: Ryan had a dirty diaper, and Carolyn had a wet one. They didn't need their bottles, so I suppose they'll be getting hungry soon.
Thomas: They played for most of the evening, although they did each take a cat nap in their swings. They woke up about an hour ago.
Mike and the kids enter the living room.
Agnes: Cindy, how was it?
Cindy: It was great! I was nominated for class favourite, but I didn't win.
Agnes: Her face falls. I'm sorry.
Cindy: It's okay. The girl who won is really nice. She deserved to win.
Thomas: How were the games?
Cindy: We won both and Shelley had me take over the squad in the third quarter of each game.
As Cindy tells her grandparents about the games, the twins begin fussing.
Carol: Mom, let me take her.
Mike: And I'll get him.
The grandparents pass the twins to their parents, and continue listening to Cindy.
Carol: We'll say goodnight. Kids, don't stay up too long. You and Bobby have the Bee tomorrow night.
Mike kisses his mother on the cheek, says goodnight to his father, and follows Carol to the bedroom. Carol starts Carolyn and then Mike passes Ryan over. (Mr. and Mrs. Brady leave shortly after Cindy tells them about her night.)
Carol: What a night!
Carolyn latches on hard.
Carol: Ooh! Child, you're a hungry little girl!
Mike: I bet they played hard. He pauses and then resumes. How are you feeling?
Carol: I'm happy. She sighs contentedly. I'm still worried about Carolyn, but I'm trying not to let it dominate my thoughts. I may be worrying for nothing.
Mike: And if there's something wrong, we'll get through it together. He kisses her on the cheek. Do you need anything? I'm going to go jump in the shower.
Carol: We're fine. Go ahead.
Mike gathers his pajamas and goes into the master bathroom to shower. Carol relaxes in her rocking chair as the twins nurse.
Carol: I missed you two. I'm glad you were good for your Grandparents. I'm sorry I'm a worrier sometimes. Your brothers and sisters can tell you all about me and worrying. Whatever happens, I love you two so much, and we'll get through it together.
-End of Chapter 4-
A/N—Next chapter is the Spelling Bee. Greg, Marcia and Peter will get some good attention in future chapters. And yes, Jan won Miss Popularity at Fillmore her last year there. This is different. They still have that contest, but it's only for the ninth grade.