The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 9
A/N1—Continuation of the previous chapter.
The Bradys finish their dinner, clear their places, and gather in the family room. Mike and Carol take their usual spots on the couch facing the sliding glass door. Carol cradles Carolyn protectively. Mike holds Ryan. The girls sit on the other couch and the boys pull up chairs from the table.
Jan: How did the appointment go?
Carol fights back tears as her husband begins.
Mike: It didn't go well. Carolyn's "legally deaf."
Tears stream down the girls' cheeks. Greg appears stunned.
Bobby: Confused. What does "legally deaf" mean?
Mike: That means hearing aides won't help her hear. She's got a ninety percent hearing loss in one ear and eighty in the other.
Peter: What about an operation?
Mike: She has an inner ear deformity, which can be operated on, but she also has what's called "conduction hearing loss," which can't be helped with an operation. He explains what the audiologist reported.
Bobby: So, is the doctor gonna operate?
Carol: Holding the baby close. After Christmas. The audiologist wants to operate after her first birthday.
Cindy: Crying. What about sign language?
Ryan babbles, raises up and pats his father's cheek.
Mike: Yes, I see you, Ryan. He turns his attention back to the older six. We are going to take sign language courses. Your mother and I are going to enroll the four of you younger kids in the classes. Greg, Marcia, we'd like you to take sign language classes too.
Marcia: Of course!
Greg: I haven't signed up for classes for next fall, but I can take sign language for my foreign language requirement.
Marcia: Me too!
Jan: W...we'll d...do anything to help.
Mike: We knew you kids would.
Soon the meeting ends. Greg leaves the Brady residence and drives to Nora's apartment. He knocks on the door and Nora answers.
Nora: Surprised. Greg! She sees tears stream down his face. Greg, what's wrong?
Greg: Embraces his girlfriend. Carolyn.
Nora: Come in. She leads him to her couch. What about Carolyn?
Greg: She's deaf.
Nora: What?
Greg: Dad says she has both an inner ear deformity and conduction loss, and has ninety percent loss in one ear and eighty in the other.
Nora: Sad. Oh Greg! I'm so sorry!
Greg: The doctor can operate on the deformity, but it won't cure her deafness.
Nora: Are they gonna operate?
They break their embrace.
Greg: After her first birthday. It may only get her down to seventy percent hearing loss.
Nora: She'll need sign language, won't she?
Greg: Yeah. Mom and dad want us to take lessons. He sighs. Maybe I should make audiology my specialty. That way, I might be able to help my sister.
Nora: Kisses his cheek. Greg, you've got such a big heart!
The older five kids somberly make their way out of the family room. Marcia, Peter, Bobby and Cindy stop in the kitchen and pour themselves a glass of milk.
Marcia: Wow! I...I just can't believe it.
Peter: Me neither.
Cindy: I couldn't imagine not being able to hear.
Bobby: Yeah.
Cindy: Not being able to hear mom sing.
Marcia: Not being able to talk on the phone.
Bobby: How is she supposed to make friends if she can't hear anyone talk?
Peter: Or anyone else understand sign language?
The kids sigh and drink their milk.
Marcia: I just can't imagine it.
Bobby: Yeah, what a bum rap.
Tears flow down the girls' cheeks. Mike, carrying Ryan and Carol, with Carolyn enter the kitchen, carrying the twins.
Mike: Don't stay up too late.
Peter: We won't.
Cindy: Mom?
Carol: Yes? She stops in her tracks.
Cindy: How...? She gets choked up.
Carol quietly passes Carolyn to Marcia. She, Peter and Bobby put their glasses in the sink and head toward their bedrooms. Cindy falls into her mother's embrace.
Carol: Oh, Cindy.
Cindy: Sobbing. Oh, mom!
Carol: Sweetheart. She rubs her daughter's back.
Cindy: It's just so hard!
Carol: I know. Tears roll down her cheeks. This is a shock to all of us.
Cindy: I mean, how will she do things?
Carol: Looks her daughter in the eye. Well, we'll have to help her do things in her own way.
Cindy: Confused. What do you mean?
Carol: Well, since we'll be learning sign language, we'll have to help her and Ryan learn it. And the speech therapist will teach us how to help her read lips and use her voice to speak.
Cindy: Really?
Carol: And we'll have to focus on what she can do and not as much on what she can't. She'll need the help of her older brothers and sisters. She and Ryan will look up to you six, and especially you and Bobby.
Cindy: Why especially me and Bobby?
Carol: Because you two are the youngest of their older brothers and sisters and will be in the house longer than Marcia, Peter and Jan.
Cindy: I'll definitely help out.
Carol: I know you will. She kisses her daughter on the cheek. I love you!
Cindy: I love you too, mom!
Meanwhile, Marcia's carrying Carolyn. Peter and Bobby go to their room. Marcia sees Jan sitting on her bed in her room, crying.
Marcia: Jan?
Jan: Sniffs. Yeah?
Marcia: Can we come in?
Jan: Sure.
Marcia enters the room and passes Carolyn to Jan.
Marcia: I thought you might want some time with Carolyn.
Jan: Thanks. She sniffs.
Marcia: Do you want to talk?
Jan shakes her head, and cradles the baby.
Marcia: Gets up. Okay. If you wanna talk, I'm here.
Jan: Thanks.
Marcia exits the room, leaving Jan and Carolyn alone.
Jan: Hey Carolyn. She sniffs. I guess you can't hear me. Sighs. I know you don't know any differently, but the rest of us, our hearts are breaking. You see, we just learned about you being deaf. Wipes a tear. Right now, it's not that big of a deal for you; you don't realize the rest of us can hear.
A lock of hair falls from behind Jan's ear. Carolyn reaches and grabs it, then smiles. Jan returns the smile.
Jan: Baby sister, you're so cute! Bear with us. We've gotta get used to this news. We'll be okay. You'll be okay. I love you so much! She kisses the baby on the cheek.
Unbeknownst to Jan, Carol walks down the hall and hears Jan's conversation. Mike, holding Ryan, comes up behind her, startling his wife.
Carol: Whispering. Mike! You startled me!
Mike: Shh! You shouldn't be eavesdropping.
Carol: I wasn't. I was coming to find Carolyn.
They quietly listen for a few minutes.
Jan: You know you can count on me. You're my little sister.
Carolyn coos and grabs the lock again.
Jan: I love you!
Carol knocks on the door. Jan looks up and sees her mother. Mike quietly goes to the master bedroom to change Ryan's diaper.
Carol: Can I come in?
Jan: Yeah, sure.
Carol sits next to her daughters. Jan starts to pass the baby to Carol.
Carol: No, you can hold her.
Jan: Thanks. Tears well in her eyes. Mom, how will she...?
Carol: Strokes Jan's head. I know. It seems really hard right now to understand how Carolyn will navigate not being able to hear.
Jan: Yeah. She cradles her sister protectively. I mean, how will she learn to make friends at school? Won't she feel different from Ryan? After all, they are twins.
Carol: Sometimes. Haven't you felt different from Marcia or Cindy at times?
Jan: Yeah, but I can see and hear. She can't hear. It's still different.
Carol: I know it is, but just like you and your brothers and sisters, she and Ryan may be jealous of each other from time to time. That's normal.
Jan: Yeah.
Carol: It will be a challenge for her, but we'll help her. Also, Ryan will be learning sign language along with her. They'll look after each other as they're growing up. And your father and I will make sure she's got the right help for her while she's in school.
Jan: You and dad won't have to send her away for school, will you? You know, like a school for deaf people or something?
Carol: Your father and I will do what's best for her...for all our children. Don't worry about that right now. We haven't begun to explore what's out there for her.
Jan: I know. Tears spring up again. I'm just worried for her. I want her to be okay.
Carol: Kisses Jan on the cheek. I know you do. You've got such a big heart.
Carolyn begins grunting.
Carol: I think she may need her diaper changed. You'd better let me take her.
Jan: Passes Carolyn to their mother. Here you go. Kisses the baby on the top of her head. I love you!
Carol: Embraces her daughters. I love you too. It's hard for all of us right now, but we'll be okay. Sleep well.
Carol gets up and heads to the master bedroom. Jan closes the door and changes into her nightgown. Cindy knocks on the door.
Jan: Who is it?
Cindy: It's me. Can I come in?
Jan: Opens the door. Yeah.
Cindy: Sees her sister in tears. Are you okay?
Jan: Doesn't fight the tears. This is so surreal!
Cindy: Sighs. Yeah.
Jan: I keep thinking I'll wake up and this will all be a bad dream.
Cindy: Me too! I hope the doctor's wrong about the operation.
Jan: How do you mean?
Cindy: I hope it helps more than the doctor thinks it will help.
Jan: Slumps down on her bed. Yeah, me too. I just feel so awful for her! And mom and dad too!
Cindy: Mom looked the same way she looked when Paige died. She looked lost.
Jan: She did, didn't she? Goes to her desk and pulls out a pen and paper, then sits back on her bed.
Cindy: Curious. What are you doing?
Jan: Writing a letter to Aunt Jenny. I know she'll want to know.
Cindy: Don't you think Grandma and Grandpa Tyler will tell her?
Jan: Yes, but I want to write her too. Begins to write:
Dear Soul Sister,
I hope you're doing well, and I can't wait to hear about the latest adventure you've taken. The painting I did before Christmas won the Regional Art Show, so I'm going to State next weekend. I'm excited, and although it would be nice to win State, I'm not holding my breath.
By the time you receive this letter, either mom and dad or Grandma and Grandpa will have already told you about Carolyn. We just found out that she's almost completely deaf. She has to have an operation after she and Ryan turn a year old, but it won't cure it completely. It's just so hard to take! I know she'll manage and we'll adapt, but it's hard to fathom all that right now. Mom and dad looked crushed when they told us. I hope that they don't get as down as they were when we lost Paige. That was awful!
Cindy wants me to send her love. She made it to the Regional Spelling Bee, but didn't make it to State. Bobby did, however. The Bee is the same weekend as my art show. Cindy's doing cheerleader camp and tryouts. She'll be Varsity Captain next year: the youngest ever at Fillmore. Marcia can't wait to graduate and Greg's about to finish his first year of college. Peter is still dating Julie. Alice hasn't set the date for her wedding yet. We keep asking, but she hasn't set anything.
Other than finding out about Carolyn being deaf, the twins are great. It's fun having them around.
That about sums everything up. I can't wait to hear from you again!
Love,
Jan, your "Soul Sister"
Jan puts away the stationary and retrieves an envelope and stamp. She addresses the envelope and affixes the stamp. Then, she puts on her housecoat and starts to climb out the window.
Cindy: What are you doing now?
Jan: Mailing the letter.
Cindy: At this hour and why not just walk out the front door?
Jan: Shrugs her shoulders. Dunno. Just feel like a good climb.
Cindy: Shrugs back. Okay. Just don't complain to me if you break your neck or ankle. She winks.
Jan: Smiles. Or arm?
Cindy brushes her teeth as Jan mails the letter.
In the boys' room
Peter and Bobby are in bed, trying to go to sleep, but it eludes them. Peter has his arms stretched overhead, with his hands resting underneath the pillow.
Bobby: Hey Pete.
Peter: Yeah?
Bobby: What are you thinking about?
Peter: Carolyn. You?
Bobby: Me too.
Peter: It's hard for me to imagine what she'll have to go through.
Bobby: Yeah. Not being able to hear anything. Pauses. What will school be like?
Peter: Dunno.
Bobby: And, what about sports?
Peter: Not sure.
Bobby: Wonder what dating will be like?
Peter: She may be more successful at it than you! He chuckles.
Bobby: Rolls his eyes. Whatever. I'm a confirmed bachelor.
Peter: Maybe a confirmed dumbhead.
Bobby tosses his pillow, hitting Peter square in the face. Peter, in turn, throws it back. It lands on the floor beside the bed.
Bobby: Grins. Ha! Ha! Missed!
Peter throws his own pillow, and Bobby catches it like a football.
Bobby: Thanks! He puts both pillows underneath his head and snuggles down.
Peter realizes his error, snorts and tries to settle into the covers, pillowless. Mike opens the door to check on his sons.
Mike: Don't stay up too late.
Bobby: We won't.
Mike: Looks at Peter curiously. Where's your pillow?
Peter: Eyes his younger brother. Bobby.
Mike: Should I ask?
Peter: I wouldn't.
Mike: All right then. He starts to exit the room.
Bobby: Dad?
Mike: Yes, son?
Bobby: Whatever you and mom need us to do to help Carolyn, we'll do it.
Mike: I'm glad to hear it.
Peter: When will the sign language classes start?
Mike: We don't know yet. We'll find out when we talk to the speech therapist.
Meanwhile, Carol checks on her older daughters.
Marcia's sitting at her vanity, brushing her hair. Carol knocks on her door.
Marcia: Come in.
Carol: Enters the room. Just wanted to come in and tell you goodnight.
Marcia: Thanks.
Carol: How are you?
Marcia: Sighs. I'm fine. She fights a tear trying to escape.
Carol: You're not fine.
Marcia: I'm sad for Carolyn.
Carol: It's hard, I know.
Marcia: How will you teach her sign language, or communicate with her?
Carol: Well, it won't be easy, but as we learn how to sign, we'll teach her too. And, the speech therapist will work with her too.
Marcia: This feels like a bad dream, and I want to wake up from it soon.
Carol: It does, but like your father has said, we'll get through this.
Marcia: We will. How are you?
Carol: This is a shock, and I'm sad. As a mother, I've always wanted to kiss my children's hurts and make them better...
Marcia: ….and you can't do that with Carolyn's hearing.
Carol: No, I can't. It'll be tough sometimes, watching her struggle, but parents can't always do everything for their children.
Marcia: She'll have to learn some things on her own.
Carol: Yes. Just like the rest of you have had to do.
Marcia: I'll help however I can.
Carol: I know you will. She kisses her oldest daughter on the cheek. Good night.
Marcia: Night, mom.
Carol leaves the attic and knocks on Jan and Cindy's door.Jan is climbing back through the window. She hurries back to her bed. Cindy eyes her sister.
Cindy: Waits until Jan's in bed. Come in.
Carol: I just wanted to say good night.
Jan: Night, mom.
Cindy: Night.
Carol: How are you two?
Cindy: I'm still trying to wrap my head around the news.
Jan: Give us time. We'll be okay.
Carol: Kisses her middle daughters on the cheek. We all will be. I love you.
Jan: Love you, too.
Cindy: Me too.
Mike and Carol meet each other at the master bedroom door. Mike opens the door for his wife and lets her go in first.
Mike: How are the girls?
Carol: Same as we are, shocked and heartbroken.
Mike: The boys too.
The couple check on their twins, who are sleeping in their cradles.
Carol: I think Marcia said it best.
Mike: Oh?
Carol: Taking off her robe and climbing into bed. She said this feels like a bad dream, and wants to wake up from it soon.
Mike: Crawls into bed and kisses his wife on the cheek. I agree.
Carol: I love our kids. I'm so proud the older six want to help out.
Mike: Me too.
Carol: Yawns. I can't keep my eyes open.
Mike: Gives her a gentle peck on the lips. Good night.
Carol: Good night. I love you.
Mike: I love you too.
The couple snuggles into their covers and quickly fall asleep.
-End of Chapter Nine-
A/N2—Florence Henderson was born with an inner ear deformity, which almost caused her to go deaf. Fortunately, an operation saved her hearing.