The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 26
Homecoming continues!
Friday
Homecoming is here! Jan has been anticipating this night since she learned she was nominated for homecoming court again. She is very relieved that George Glass is but a distant memory. She is up in her room getting ready, and Carol is assisting her.
Carol: Do you want to wear your hair up, down, or how?
Jan: Studies herself in the mirror. Mmmm. I dunno.
Carol: Styles her daughter's hair. How 'bout if we fix your hair in a partial up-do like this?
Carol pulls the top back, and fashions it into a loose bun, while the rest of Jan's hair falls in a cascade of soft curls. She completes the look with bobby pins with rhinestones on the ends.
Carol: How does that look?
Jan: Excited. I love it!
Carol: You are lovely! Now, close your eyes, so I can get it set.
Jan closes her eyes and Carol sprays her hair. Then, she fans the fumes with her hand.
Carol: Now, open your eyes.
Jan smiles as she sees herself in the mirror. She puts her earrings and bracelet on and Carol finishes her look by putting her necklace on. There's a knock on Jan's door.
Jan: Who is it?
Marcia: It's me. Billy, Lucas and Shelley are here.
Carol: She'll be right out.
Marcia: All right.
Marcia goes downstairs and joins her family and Billy, Lucas and Shelley.
Carol: At the top of the stairs. She'll be right down. She looks absolutely stunning. She descends the stairs and joins her husband.
As Jan arrives at the top of the stairs, the Bradys, Nora, and Jan's classmates gaze upon her. Billy's mouth drops open.
Billy: You look stunning!
Jan: Blushes. Thanks!
Billy presents the corsage to her and slips it on her wrist. Greg takes pictures.
Shelley: You look great!
Jan: So do you!
Shelley is wearing a periwinkle chiffon ruffle-neck halter floor-length evening gown with a zip back closure. Her hair is in a messy, curly bun with ringlets cascading down her back.
Jan: You look great too, Marcia.
Marcia's wearing her prom dress from last year, which she also wore to Alice's wedding. Her hair left down with loose curls. She already has her crown on.
Shelley: You really do! I bet you're excited about getting to crown the next homecoming queen and court.
Marcia: Thanks. I really am. Looking over at Jan. I'm hoping I'll get to crown my sister.
Greg takes pictures of the couples, Jan with Marcia, Cindy (in her uniform), and Shelley, Jan and Marcia, Mike and Carol with their oldest three girls, and other poses.
Marcia: I've got one pose I want. Cindy, got Jan's crown from last year?
Cindy: Yeah. Here it is.
Jan: Curious. Why did you want it?
Marcia: I want a picture of me crowning my sister the next homecoming queen.
Jan: Blushes. I'm not going to be queen. I'm only in eleventh grade.
The girls pose for the picture.
Nora: Whatever the outcome, I'm excited for you both.
Mike: Looks at his watch. I think you guys better go so you can get dinner.
The couples leave for dinner.
At the game
The Bradys, including Nora, find seats on the bleachers. Marcia joins the nominees for homecoming court and their escorts. Peter joins the archery team at the team floats. Cindy joins her squad and leads them in warm up exercises.
Cindy: We're going to walk through the routine, but I don't want to do the stunts or tumbling runs. You performed the routine flawlessly at the pep rally this morning. I want everyone to be safe and to have fun! We've got this!
She counts them off. The squad walks through their routine.
Cindy: Good job, girls! Now, go join Westdale's cheerleaders and keep limbered up. Millicent, Gina, and Eve, you're with me.
Greg, Nora and Bobby roam the stadium and take pictures of their siblings. Carol spies her third daughter with her squad.
Carol: Look at Cindy! She looks so grown up! Ryan bounces up and down in her lap.
Mike: Shifting Carolyn in his arms. They do that!
Carol looks around with a little apprehension.
Mike: Curious. What?
Carol: I just hope Tank doesn't come over here.
Mike: Chuckles. Why not? After all, he's the big man on campus.
Carol: Repulsed. Ugh!
Mike: After last year, I don't think he'll come around here.
Carol: Giggles. That was fun!
Mike: It was. He didn't expect to see you seven and a half months pregnant with twins.
Carol: His face was priceless!
They glance toward the field and see Tank walking. He glances up and spies Mike, Carol and the twins. A look of puzzlement spreads across his face as he walks by. Carol instinctively holds her breath until he walks out of sight. She exhales.
Carol: That was close!
Mike: Gives her a peck on the cheek. I bet that's the last we'll see of him.
Greg, Bobby, and Nora join Mike, Carol and the twins.
Greg: Hey mom. Did you know Tank Gates is here?
Carol: Oh yes. Rolls her eyes.
Fortunately for Carol, the announcer begins speaking, which puts an end to this conversation.
Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Westdale High School Homecoming, Nineteen seventy-five! Tonight, the mighty Westdale Cyclones play the Coolidge High Farmers! Let's enjoy "A Night of Stars!"
Thunderous applause erupts as he continues.
Announcer: At half-time, we crown the Homecoming Court, including crowning this year's Homecoming Queen. We welcome back Nineteen seventy-four Homecoming Queen Marcia Brady, to crown this year's queen. As tradition dictates, Marcia leads off the parade.
Carol: Excited. There's Marcia! Oh, my baby girl!
Mike pats his wife on the shoulder. Ryan pats his mother, imitating.
Nora: All right, Marcia!
The Bradys hear an all-too familiar whistle behind them. They turn around and see Alice and Sam sitting a couple rows up. The Franklins spot the Bradys and join them.
Alice: This is so exciting! Jan's just gotta win!
Announcer: In the car behind her, we have this year's senior nominees, Stephanie Cook, Donna Jones, and Traci Stevenson. Next, we have this year's junior nominees, Jan Brady, Mallory Givens, and Sylvia Taylor.
Mike: All right, Jan!
Alice whistles again.
Carol: Oh, my baby girl! She's growing up so fast!
Nora: Her dress is absolutely gorgeous! She is stunning!
Greg and Bobby snap pictures.
Announcer: Behind them are this year's freshman nominees, Shelley Jenkins, Tiffany Nunez, and Lisa Solsbery.
Alice: Shelley. Isn't that Cindy's friend who was captain last year?
Carol: Yes.
Alice: I've heard she's really made her mark on Westdale.
Carol: She really has.
Announcer: ...And now, we welcome Fillmore Junior High's Varsity Cheerleading Squad, captained by Cindy Brady and Millicent Duncan, and Fillmore's Junior Varsity Cheerleading Squad, captained by Gina Oleson and Eve Kendall.
Cindy, Millicent, Gina and Eve: Let's go Cyclones!
Nora: Wow! Cindy sure looks like she's grown into the role of captain. I can't wait to see her cheer.
Greg: She said they're debuting the hardest routine they've ever done.
Announcer: Next, we've got the class floats, and team floats and kool kars... Coming up, is the Cyclone Archery Team, with Peter Brady, team captain, as Orion.
Peter aims his bow and arrow up, so he appears to be shooting the stars. Much to his relief and delight, he manages to stay steady as the float circles the track.
Bobby: Hey wow! Look at Peter!
Mike: Atta boy, Pete!
Soon, it's time to announce the members of each team. The president of Westdale's student council delivers the invocation, then the announcer introduces Coolidge High's team. The Westdale and Fillmore cheerleading squads gather into two lines, with each school's squad holding banners through which the team will run.
Announcer: Here's the moment we've been waiting for! Introducing the 1975 Westdale Cylcone Varsity Football team!
The crowd cheers as the percussion line of the marching band begins to play. Greg and Bobby take pictures. As the announcer introduces each member of the football team, they run through the make-shift tunnel and burst through both banners. The cheerleaders run behind the football team, and take their places on the track.
Carol: Oh Mike! This is so exciting! Look at Cindy go!
Ryan: Claps his hands and bounces in Carol's lap. Ba Ba BEEEE Ba Ba Ba!
Mike and Carol chuckle at Ryan's enthusiasm.
Mike: This little guy's excited.
Carolyn grabs at her toes and feet, not really interested in what's going on. Westdale has a great first half, capturing the lead over Fremont. The homecoming court nominees gather by the side of the field while the second quarter gets underway.
Halftime!
It's halftime. Westdale has a sizeable lead over Fremont. The crowd's a buzz with excitement. The band performs their halftime show. Then, the high school squads and junior high combined squad performs their halftime routines. Cindy counts them off.
Cindy: "Let's Go, Cyclones" on my count! Five, Six, Seven, Eight! Let's go, Cyclones!
The squad sets up for their dance routine. "Kung Fu Fighting" is cued up as the girls move into position. The routine is flawless and Cindy couldn't be more pleased. Bobby films the routine on his Super 8. Carol grips her husband's hand, in worry and amazement.
Nora: Amazed. Wow! That is one tough routine. Look at her go!
The bases and spotters set the flyers for their basket tosses and up they go!
Carol: Wide-eyed. Oh, Mike!
The routine concludes with Cindy and Gina doing their tumbling run. It's a roundoff, followed by a series of back handsprings, ending with a full-twisting layout. The girls nail it and Cindy gives a small fist pump. The crowd roars with thunderous applause.
Carol: She did it!
Alice: Way to go, Cindy! She whistles.
Sam laughs and gives his wife a peck on the cheek. The squad leaves the field and it's time for the crowning of the new Homecoming Court.
Carol: Mike, it's time! She squeezes her husband's arm. She's almost giddy with excitement. Go Jan! Yeah, Marcia!
Announcer: It's time for the crowning of the Nineteen seventy-five Homecoming Court. In tenth grade, we have Shelley Jenkins, escorted by Lucas Renfro. She is the daughter of Spencer and Lucille Jenkins. Tiffany Nuñez, escorted by John Tompkins. She is the daughter of Marco and Genoviva Nuñez. and Lisa Solsbery, escorted by Nick Laureless. She is the daughter of Luke and Leslie Solsbery. In eleventh grade, we have Jan Brady, who is escorted by Billy Garst. She is the daughter of Michael and Carol Brady. Next, we have Mallory Givens, who is escorted by Kevin West. She is the daughter of Patrick and Suzanne Givens. Last, we have Sylvia Taylor, escorted by Clark Tyson. She is the daughter of Phillip and Gaye Taylor. In twelfth grade, we have Stephanie Cook, escorted by Donnie Blevens. She is the daughter of Chris and Toni Cook. Donna Jones, escorted byMatthew North. She is the daughter of Heath and Judy Jones. And Traci Stevenson, escorted by Chad Nelson. She is the daughter of John and Alice Stevenson.
Carol just about can't control her excitement.
Announcer: Here are the nominees for Homecoming Court, nineteen seventy-five. And now, to crown the Nineteen seventy-five Homecoming Queen is Marcia Brady.
The crowd breaks out in applause. Carol hangs on to Mike. Greg and Bobby take pictures and movies on the Super 8.
Carol: Oh Mike, Jan's just gotta win!
Shelley and Jan look at each other with excitement, and send good vibes each other's way.
Mike: Carol, loosen your grip. You're hurting me.
Carol: Sorry.
Marcia takes the field. Jan and Shelley are getting very nervous.
Announcer: For Freshman Princess, the winner is Shelley Jenkins.
Marcia crowns Shelley. The cheerleading squads cheer extra loudly.
Cindy: Yeah, Shelley!
Carol inhales. Jan becomes increasingly nervous, as the announcer doesn't immediately announce Junior Princess.
Announcer: The next two winner's scores were a tie, and in the event of a tie for Homecoming Queen, the Queen was determined by drawing. For the first time in Westdale history, the tie is between a junior and a senior, and any grade is eligible for Queen. Carol leans forward, heart pounding. Although we can have more than one princess in a grade, there can only be one Queen. For Senior Princess, the winner is Traci Stephenson.
Carol: Eyes widen and inhales with excitement. Jan's Queen! I just know it!
As Marcia crowns Traci, she tries to hide her joy that it looks as if Jan may win Queen. Jan squeezes Billy's hand, nearly crushing it.
Billy: Whispering. You okay?
Jan: Yeah.
Announcer: For Junior Princess, the winner is Jan Brady.
Marcia hides her disappointment as she crowns Jan as Junior Princess. A wide grin spreads across her face as she places the princess crown on her sister. Regardless of the type of crown awarded, Marcia is happy she is able to crown her sister as a member of the Court. Billy plants a sweet kiss on her cheek.
Marcia: Whispering. Congratulations, sis!
Jan: Hiding her disappointment. Thanks!
As she approaches her sister, she sees Marcia grinning from ear to ear. Although she would've liked to have won Queen, just winning again and getting crowned by her sister was exciting enough.
Carol: a little sad. Oh! I was hoping she'd win Queen.
Alice: Oh, rats! She whistles.
Mike: But she did great! Atta, girl!
Carol: Smiles with pride. She did.
Announcer: Your homecoming queen for nineteen seventy-five is Donna Jones!
Marcia crowns Donna as Queen.
Announcer: Here is your Homecoming Court for nineteen seventy-five!The crowd cheers as Donna gets in the lead convertible and waves. Here is her Court. The crowd cheers as Traci, Jan and Shelley get in the second car. Give a cheer for Homecoming Court, Nineteen seventy-five! The cars circle the track and the girls wave to the crowd.
Carol: Tears of joy are rolling down her cheeks. Mike, she looks so happy!
They embrace and she pulls him into a deep kiss. Greg, who has been taking pictures, reloads his camera and takes more pictures. Bobby cheers as he continues to film with his Super 8.
Bobby: Yeah Jan!
Nora: This is so neat! I'm so happy for her.
Greg: Me too.
The game winds down with a Westdale victory. Marcia makes her way over to her sister to congratulate her.
Marcia: Embraces her sister. Congratulations, sis!
Jan: Thanks! Sighs from disbelief. I can't believe I tied again.
Marcia: I was hoping you'd win Queen, but I'm so happy for you though!
Jan: There's always next year!
Marcia: Exactly!
Billy walks over to the sisters and kisses her on the cheek. Jan giggles.
Billy: Congratulations! Regardless of the votes, you're my Queen.
Shelley and Lucas join them. The girls give each other a celebratory hug.
Shelley: We won!
The Bradys find the newest Homecoming royalty. Carol hugs her daughters.
Carol: Congratulations!
Jan: Thanks!
Ryan: Dee dee deee! Tries to grab Jan's crown.
Jan: Chuckles. It's shiny, isn't it?
Ryan tries to get his sister to take him, but Carol holds him.
Carol: Not right now, sweetheart.
Mike: Holding a sleeping Carolyn. Congratulations, Jan.
Cindy joins her family and congratulates Shelley and Jan.
Shelley: That routine was THE MOST!
Cindy: Thanks and congratulations to you too! She congratulates Jan. Congratulations, Jan! What a night!
Jan: Thanks, and your routine was super!
Marcia: Hugs Cindy. It really was! We never would've tried half those moves when I was a cheerleader at Fillmore.
Alice, Sam, Nora and the rest of the Brady kids congratulate the girls. Julie joins them.
Julie: Hey! Great night! And Peter... embracing her boyfriend... I LOVED your Orion!
Peter: Blushing. Thanks!
Greg and Bobby take pictures of everyone.
That night
The dance was magical for Jan. All too soon it's over and Billy takes her home. He walks her to the door.
Billy: I had a great time!
Jan: So did I!
Billy: Homecoming Princess and nearly Queen!
Jan: I would never have dreamed this when I was a kid. I never thought I'd even be nominated, much less win Princess, and almost Queen.
Billy: You're Queen, as far as I'm concerned.
Jan: You say the sweetest things!
Billy places a soft kiss on her lips. Jan returns the kiss.
Billy: I've got to go. I know it's late. I'll call you tomorrow.
Jan: Okay.
He kisses her once more and then leaves.Mike and Carol are in the living room, waiting, as their daughter walks through the front door.
Carol: How was the dance?
Jan: Oh, mom it was magical! They announced the Court and we got to dance the first dance.
Carol: How did you like the dance?
Jan: I had a lot of fun. Billy is a wonderful dancer!
Mike: Glad you had a good time.
Jan: This was the best night ever!
-End of Chapter 26-