The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 6
A/N—Six weeks later. It's the beginning of April. The twins are four months old. I'm splitting this into more than one chapter.
It's the morning of the twins' checkup. Carol is feeding the twins and Mike is getting ready for work.
Mike: I'm sorry I won't be able to come to the twins' appointment. Mr. Phillips is bringing in one of our clients and he wants me to give that presentation.
Carol: I know. Sighing. I just wish you could come. A tear rolls down her cheek.
Mike: Hey. He kneels in front of her, looking her in the eye. I bet I can get Steve to do the presentation for me. Mr. Phillips will understand.
Carol: No, it's okay. Alice has agreed to go with me. Besides, you need to do the presentation. It's your account. She swallows. I know I'm worrying over nothing. Carolyn begins squirming. Can you take her?
Mike: Picks her up and burps her over his shoulder. It's not nothing. You've always said a mother knows.
Ryan finishes. Carol burps him over her shoulder.
Carol: I hope I'm worrying over nothing.
Mike: Kisses his wife on the cheek. Let's just wait and see what the doctor has to say before we go worrying. Kisses her other cheek. Remember, whatever happens, we'll get through it.
Carol: You're right. Ryan lets out a big burp. Good boy!
They change the babies and make their way downstairs. The kids greet their parents. The couples place the twins in their high chairs. Carol opens a jar of cereal. She and Mike juggle eating their breakfast and feeding their twins.
Bobby: Dad, did you get the hotel reservations for the Bee next weekend?
Mike: All set. We'll leave here after school on the eighteenth, and return the morning of the twentieth.
Peter: You got mine too?
Mike: Yes, and Greg's too.
Bobby: Surprised. Greg's coming too?
Mike: Yes, he is.
Cindy: I wish I were going, but with cheerleading tryouts and cheer camp that week and the next, I'd be too busy.
Bobby: Do you know whether or not they're putting sixth grade up like they did this year?
Cindy: Still haven't heard a thing.
Marcia: Do you hope they put sixth grade up or not?
Cindy: I'm not sure. I just hope Cassie doesn't make Varsity.
Carol: Well, you know you'll have to give her a fair shake.
Cindy: I know and I will. I'm just hoping, that's all.
Jan: Mom, are you still going to come to the art show?
Carol: Absolutely! I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Marcia: I'm coming too.
Cindy: So am I!
Carol: I figured we'd go out for manis and pedis that morning, and then head over there right after.
Jan: Alice, are you coming too?
Alice: Apologetic. I wish I could, but Sam and I are going to Seattle that weekend to settle my aunt's estate.
Marcia: Speaking of estates, when are you and Sam going to set a date?
Alice: Not yet, but when we do, you will be the first to know. Changing the subject... Speaking of dates, who are you going to ask to Senior Prom?
Marcia: I've already asked Charlie Johnson. We're going to Art Six and then the prom.
The twins finish their cereal. Mike looks at his watch.
Mike: I've got to get going. Kids, it's time for you to get to school.
The kids finish their meal, grab their lunches and head to school. Mike kisses his wife and leaves for work.
Carol: Well little ones, let's get you ready for your doctor's appointment.
Alice: I'll get this little guy ready. She lifts Ryan out of the high chair.
Carol and Alice clean and dress the twins and leave for their appointment.
At the Doctor's office
Carol and Alice wait in the exam room for the doctor. Carol's pacing, holding Carolyn. Ryan sleeps on Alice's shoulder.
Alice: You're gonna wear a hole in the carpet.
Carol: Tries to smile. I know, but I can't help it.
Alice: Well, maybe the doctor will be able to figure out what's going on.
Carol: You're right. Addressing her daughter. Things will be okay, won't it, sweetheart.
The doctor knocks on the door and enters.
Pediatrician: Mrs. Brady? How are you?
Carol: Fine, thank you. She doesn't sound convincing.
Pediatrician: Let's take a look at these babies. Alice places Ryan in the pediatrician's arms. Oh, he's a strapping young man! How's his colic?
Carol: It seems to be improving.
Carol beams. The doctor continues her examination.
Pediatrician: He's a big boy! He's sixteen pounds and 26 inches long. That's about fifty percent on the weight scale and over seventy-five on length. So, he's long and skinny.
Carol: Mike's gonna be happy about that.
Pediatrician: Any concerns or issues?
Carol: Ryan's a bit fussy, but I'm really worried about Carolyn.
Pediatrician: Oh? How so?
Carol: She doesn't seem to respond to sounds. Everything seems to startle Ryan, but with Carolyn, nothing seems to elicit a response. I don't mean to sound like a nervous mother. I've had three other kids, but they all responded to rattles, pots and pans, you name it.
Pediatrician: Let me check a few things.
She takes the baby from Carol and tests Carolyn's hearing with different types of rattles and noisemakers in different locations. Ryan reacts to the sound, but Carolyn does not.
Pediatrician: I want to refer you to a specialist, an audiologist.
Carol: What do you think so far?
Pediatrician: I think your suspicions are correct.
Carol absorbs the news as the doctor weighs and measures Carolyn.
Pediatrician: She's just under the average at 24 inches and 14 pounds. Little, but not too little.
The doctor returns Carolyn to her mother.
Carol: So, you're saying that most likely Carolyn's deaf?
Pediatrician: I want to wait on the audiologist's report, but yes it's very likely she is. She pokes her head out of the room and summons a nurse. Will you make an appointment with the audiologist for tomorrow if at all possible? I want to get Carolyn Brady in as soon as possible.
The nurse makes the appointment and returns.
Pediatrician: Thanks! She returns to the room. I've got an appointment here for tomorrow at ten.
Carol nods absently, and takes the paper.
Pediatrician: I wish I could do more, but she'll be in good hands with him.
The pediatrician says her goodbye. Alice and Carol gather the twins. Carol pays the cashier and they load the kids into the car. Carol sits in the driver's side, puts her head on the steering wheel and cries.
Carol: My baby's deaf. She chokes between sobs. My baby girl is deaf!
Alice, heartbroken over her friend's pain, hands her a tissue and sits silently by.
Carol: She'll never hear my voice, or her brothers and sisters sing, or …. I want my baby girl to hear. I knew something was wrong! How am I gonna tell Mike or the kids?
Alice: You'll find the right way.
Carol nods, dries her tears, starts the car and heads home.
Carol, Alice and the twins return home. Ryan and Carolyn are asleep in their car seats. Alice picks up Ryan and Carol picks up Carolyn, and carry them into the house. They enter the nursery. Carol sits in the rocker and holds her daughter close.
Carol: Still stunned. Go ahead and lie him in his crib.
Alice: Kisses the baby on his forehead. Sleep well. I'll be downstairs getting the laundry done if you need anything.
Carol nods as Alice lays him in his crib and exits the room. Tears stream down Carol's face.
Carol: Carolyn, you can't hear me, can you? Will you ever be able to hear my voice, or your father's, or even your own? She sighs. What will your world be like without sound? Will things sound muffled, like when someone has a head cold or water in their ears? She feels a tear roll down her cheek. If I could make this go away, I would! She looks at her daughter. Let's go lie down for a nap.
Carol carries her daughter into the master bedroom. She lays Carolyn in the middle of the bed, then lies down and curls around her baby. Soon, she falls asleep. A couple hours later, Alice is making lunch.
Alice: Calls up the stairs. Mrs. Brady, I've got lunch fixed.
She doesn't hear any response, so she peeks into the nursery. Ryan is squirming, making noises as if he's about to awaken.
Alice: Let me check on your mother, then I'll come get you.
She opens the bedroom door and sees Carol curled around her daughter. Both are asleep. Alice shuts the door, goes back to the nursery and lifts Ryan from the crib.
Alice: Let's check your diaper. Then, we'll get you a bottle. Your mommy's still asleep. She and your sister have had a hard day.
She checks his diaper and feels that it's wet. His outfit is also wet, so she changes his diaper and puts him in a fresh onesie.
Alice: Let's get your bottle.
She descends the stairs and fixes his bottle. Ryan squirms and begins fussing.
Alice: I'm getting it, little man. Just have some patience.
The bottle's finished heating up. She tests it on her arm. Feeling that it's a good temperature, she goes into the family room, turns on the television, sits on the couch and begins feeding Ryan. He gulps the bottle down quickly.
Alice: Wow! You must be really hungry. Slow down, kiddo. You'll get yourself a tummy ache.
Carol awakens and opens her eyes. Her head feels like it's going to explode. She sees that Carolyn's wide awake.
Carol: Smiles. There's my sweet girl! Carolyn smiles as Carol tickles her chin. Are you hungry? Picks up her daughter. I bet your brother's hungry too. Let's go see if he's awake, and I'll get you two fed.
Carol walks into the nursery and sees that Ryan's not in his crib.
Carol: Still talking to her daughter. I bet Alice has him.
She goes downstairs and hears the television in the family room, so she opens the swinging door. There, she sees Alice burping Ryan over her shoulder and smiles.
Carol: How long has he been awake?
Alice: Startles. Oh! I didn't hear you come in. He's been up for about forty-five minutes. You were asleep, so I gave him a bottle. Hope that's okay.
Carol: Of course, thank you. She sits on the other couch and gets Carolyn started. Your brother's had his lunch, so let's get you your lunch. She sighs and chokes back tears.
Alice: Mrs. Brady?
Carol: I'm still talking to her as if she can hear me.
Alice: She may not be able to hear you, but she can still feel the vibrations of your voice. Besides, if you and Mr. Brady keep talking to her, she'll eventually learn how to read lips. And, you don't know how much hearing she may have. It may be enough to pick up language.
Carol: Surprised. Alice, how did you get to know so much about this?
Alice: I had a cousin who was deaf. She went to a boarding school for deaf children, but when she came home for visits, she could read lips and do sign language. I never learned how to sign, but her sister did. So, I could talk to her through her sister. She eventually became a teacher at that school and married the Headmaster. Last I heard, they had three daughters. One was deaf and two could hear.
Carol: Smiles. Thank you, Alice. I really needed to hear that.
The kids come home that afternoon. Carol is in the living room, playing with the twins on their blanket. Carolyn is lying under a light up baby gym and cooing. Carol holds Ryan in her lap and rolls a musical light-up ball. Ryan giggles with delight.
Carol: You like the ball? She smiles and kisses the top of his head. Hear the ball? She feels a lump in her throat and swallows it.
Peter comes home first. He bites into an apple and crosses the living room. He sees his mom and stops.
Carol: How was your day?
Peter: Good. I got an A on my Geometry test.
Carol: Great!
Peter: It wasn't that hard. I'm still a bit worried about my Chemistry test. That one just about ate my lunch.
Carol: I know you've been studying hard for it. Do you have any homework?
Peter: No, but I've got to get ready to go to work. I'm working a six to ten tonight.
Carol frowns.
Peter: I know you don't like us working on school nights, but I traded shifts with another coworker so he could be out of town this past weekend for his sister's wedding. He gets back home tomorrow. My boss is great. He understands and doesn't want work to interfere with school.
Carol: That's good. Tries to look positive, but is having difficulty.
Peter: Notices something's "off." Mom? Are you okay?
Carol: Yes.
Peter raises an eyebrow and heads upstairs to his room. Marcia comes home and sees her mother playing with the twins.
Carol: How was your day?
Marcia: I got my graduation announcements today.
Carol: Swallows another lump. Do you need help addressing them?
Marcia: No, but I will need to borrow the address book.
Carol: It's in the left hand drawer next to my vanity.
Marcia: Thanks. Pauses. Is there something wrong?
Carol tries to deflect her daughter's question, but Marcia shoots her mother a look of disbelief.
Carol: Sighs. I'm just not feeling too well right now.
Marcia: Do you want me to take the twins for you?
Carol: You don't have to if you don't want to.
Marcia: It's fine. I haven't had a lot of time recently to love on my baby brother and sister.
Carol nods and passes Ryan to his sister. Jan comes in about that same time.
Jan: Hi mom! She bends down and picks Carolyn up. Hi, li'l sis! You had a good day?
Carol: How was your day?
Jan: Pretty good! I've got one of my hardest debates coming up next week.
Carol: Oh?
Jan: Did the Supreme Court act within Constitutional boundaries in their decision on Roe vs Wade? We've got "no."
Carol: Wow! That sounds tough!
Jan: I think it'll be good.
Carol: Do you know what arguments you'll use?
Jan: I've got some ideas. Tomorrow, the team's going to get together after school and go over some of our arguments.
Marcia and Jan carry the twins upstairs. They walk past the boys' bedroom and see Peter getting ready for work. Peter sees his sisters carrying the twins.
Peter: Hey, do you know what's wrong with mom? She seemed "off" today.
Marcia: I thought so too. I asked her about it and she just said she "wasn't feeling too well today."
Jan: I wonder if it had something to do with the twins' doctor's appointment this morning?
They continue talking and Bobby and Cindy enter the boys' room.
Cindy: What's up with mom?
Peter: So you noticed too?
Bobby: Yeah, she's not like herself today.
Marcia: She was evasive when I asked her today.
Peter: Same with me too.
Jan: Frowns. I think I need to get this little girl changed. Sing-songs to her sister. I think you're getting a little stinky.
Marcia: This one's a real stinker too.
Later that evening, Mike comes home. He sees that Carol's in the bedroom, cradling Carolyn and crying. He sits on the bed beside her.
Mike: Hey, I take it the doctor's appointment didn't go well.
Carol shakes her head.
Mike: What did she say?
Carol: She's deaf. She lets that settle in and continues. The doctor wants us to go to an audiologist tomorrow so we can find out the extent of hearing loss. Tears continue to stream down her face.I want her to hear so badly.
Mike: Me too.
Carol: I can't imagine her not being able to hear birds, traffic or our voices…. Mike, what is she gonna do?
Mike: Let's just wait until we talk to the doctor before we get too worked up. Whatever happens, we'll love her like we do now. We've faced challenges before and we'll get through this one.
Carol: You're right. She looks down at her sleeping daughter. I just love her so much!
Mike: We both do.
Carol: When should we tell the kids?
Mike: How about tomorrow night? We'll know a little more when we go tomorrow and they need to know what's going on.
Carol: I think that's a good idea.
Mike: Ryan asleep in the nursery?
Carol nods.
Mike: How did his check up go?
Carol: Perfectly healthy. He's sixteen pounds and 26 inches long. She said that's about fifty percent on the weight scale and over seventy-five on length.
Mike: Grins. That's my boy!
Carol: Smiles. The doctor said other than her ears, Carolyn's healthy. She's just under the average at 24 inches and 14 pounds. She said Carolyn's "little, bt not too little."
Mike: Does the fact that we didn't know about her until her birth factor into her ears or small size?
Carol: She didn't say. Looks downcast. Maybe I should've gotten those ultrasounds. Maybe if I had, we would've known about her and... I dunno. Tears stream down her face.
Mike: Do you seriously think that would've made a difference?
Carol: No. She cradles Carolyn protectively. But I still can't help thinking if I did something different, she'd be okay.
Mike: Kisses her on the cheek. Whatever happens, whatever we find out tomorrow, she'll be okay. We all will be. I'll call Mr. Phillips tomorrow morning and let him know we've got a family emergency.
-End of Chapter 6-