The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 46
A/N—Mid-May, about six weeks after the previous chapter. The twins are 17 ½ months old. I am wrapping up the school year here. And yes, I've been bitten by the creativity bug right now. Don't know if I'll get another chapter in this weekend or not, so here's your treat: two chapters this week! Enjoy!
The end of the school year is coming quickly, and the Bradys are as busy as ever. Bobby and Cindy went to the national spelling bee, but didn't make it past the written test. Cindy's finishing up cheerleading tryouts and Jan's got her National Art Show coming up.
At Filmore Junior High (Monday)
Cheerleader tryouts are underway. The current Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleaders are sitting on one bleachers section and the girls, who are not currently cheerleaders, sit on another. Cindy and Millicent sit at a table, facing the basketball court.
Coach Muncie: May I have your attention, please. We want to welcome you to cheerleader tryouts for the 1976-77 school year. We have a two-step process with tryouts. Today, you'll find out whether or not you make the cut. Those who make the cut will go to cheer camp after school each day starting next week. At the end of camp, you'll have your final try out and then you'll find out if you're on the squad. You can either quietly leave after your grade tries out and find out the results tomorrow, or you can quietly wait, support your classmates and potential squad mates, and see the results after everyone tries out.
The girls cheer and applaud.
Coach Muncie: I'm going to turn things over to our captain, Cindy Brady.
Cindy: Hi cheerleaders! Are you ready to try out?
The girls cheer.
Cindy: Louder! ARE YOU READY TO TRY OUT?!
The girls cheer louder.
Cindy: Well, let's go! Welcome girls! I'm your cheerleading captain. Upcoming ninth graders can only try out for the Varsity squad. Seventh and eighth graders can try out for either squad. Now, I want you to line up, first with the upcoming ninth, eighth and seventh graders, who want to try out for the Varsity squad, and then the eighth and seventh graders, who want to try out for the Junior Varsity Squad.
The girls, with the help of the current cheerleaders and coaches, line up according to grade. The tryouts begin. Cassie lines up with the girls trying out for Varsity squad.
Cindy: Marisela Gonzales, you're up!
Millicent: Whispering. Isn't she Jan's friend, Beth's sister?
Cindy: Whispering back. Yes.
Marisela performs her routine, finishing in a tumbling run.
Cindy: Good job! Thank you! Amanda Smith, you're next.
Amanda performs her routine. Student after student tries out. Soon, it's Cassie's turn.
Millicent: Cassie Hathaway, it's your turn.
Cindy: You may begin.
Cassie performs her routine. Once again, her routine is nearly flawless.
Millicent: Good job.
Cassie nods and sits back on the bleachers.
Cindy: Tiffany Tripp!
She performs her routine and Millicent calls the next contestant.
Millicent: Liliana Gonzales!
Cindy: You're Marisela's younger sister?
Liliana: Yes.
Cindy: Well, let's see what you can do.
Liliana stumbles on a tumbling run and wipes out. Cindy and Millient rise in shock and horror.
Cindy: Runs to her side. Liliana?! Are you okay?
Liliana: Sits up, dazed. Umm, I think so.
Cindy: Are you hurt?
Lilana: Holds her arm. My arm hurts.
Cindy: Anything else?
Liliana: No, I don't think so.
Cindy: Let's get you to the nurse's station. Cassie?
Cassie: Joins Cindy and Liliana. Yes?
Cindy: Can you take her to the back and call the nurse?
Cassie: Helps Liliana up. Sure. To Liliana. Let's get you to the nurse.
After Cassie and Liliana go to the nurse's station, the tryouts resume.
Cindy: Okay, thank you to all who tried out for Varsity squad.! Good job. Now, eighth and seventh graders trying out for Junior Varsity, are you ready?
The students cheer and soon, tryouts are complete.
Coach Muncie: Thank you girls for trying out. You should be commended for doing such a good job and making our decisions much harder. We will have the results in a few minutes. Those who make the cut for the cheer clinic, be sure to pick up your information packets and turn in your permission slips to me by the end of the week. Remember, you can't come to cheer clinic without the slips.
It seems like an eternity while Cindy, Millicent and Coach Muncie go through all the girls' scores.
Millicent: I really like Lori Maness.
Cindy: Me too. She's really improved from last year.
Cindy: Her tumbling run was the best.
Millicent: Do you think she has what it takes? She did start a little shaky.
Cindy: I think so. Once she got into it, she was really good. I think she's gained a lot of confidence this year. She was super last year, but cratered at finals.
Millicent: How many spots can we take?
Coach Muncie: You know there are ten spots per team with two alternates each, which means there are twenty spots with four alternates total. We have three grades this year, which we're working with.
Millicent: How many girls are either moving away or graduating to high school?
Cindy: There's three leaving for high school next year. You, Cassie, Lori, Jennifer and I are going to be on the Varsity Squad, two have moved away, which leaves five Varsity spots and two alternates open. We've only got two people staying on Junior Varsity unless they make it to Varsity, so that leaves eight spots and two alternates open.
Coach Muncie: Right, so you've got seventeen spots open for three grades.
Millicent: How many spots can we take for camp?
Cindy: Forty.
Coach Muncie: That's correct. Remember, those who don't make the cut for cheerleader are eligible for pom-pom girl and they've got a lot of spots open.
Cindy: Yeah, we've got only seven people returning and we usually take twenty girls and four alternates.
Millicent: So captain, do we have our list?
Cindy: I think so!
Coach Muncie calls the girls to order with her whistle.
Coach Muncie: We have the results of the tryouts. First, I want to thank you all for trying out. Most of you will be in some squad. If you're not selected to be a cheerleader, you have the option of trying out for pom-pom girl. I'm going to turn it over to Cindy, your Fillmore Junior High Varsity Squad Captain.
Cindy: I want to congratulate you for a good tryout! I'm going to read the names of the girls who made the cut. When I call your name, please come up to the front. Margaret Andress, Amanda Smith, Marisela Gonzales... Congratulations! Remember, bring Coach Muncie your permission slips no later than Friday. Millicent will hand out the slips and the requirements for camp.
The girls receive slips from Cindy and then leave the gym. Marisela Gonzales hangs back.
Cindy: Marisela!
Marisela: Yes?
Cindy: You were spectacular!
Marisela: Blushes. Thanks! I've been practicing.
Cindy: And it shows.
Marisela: I was a cheerleader at my elementary school in Texas, and was afraid not getting to cheer at Filmore this year would hurt my chances.
Cindy: Not at all. I'd never been a cheerleader when I first tried out for Filmore's squad as an upcoming sixth grader. I originally got alternate, but a girl on the squad moved, and I got put on the squad. Then, Shelley, the captain, named me co-captain. She moved to Westdale and I became captain. I'm in the seventh grade and will be in eighth this fall. You've got a good chance of making the squad.
Marisela: Relieved. Thanks! That means a lot.
Cindy: Let's go check on your sister.
The pair goes to the nurse's station and sees Gabriela Gonzales with Liliana and the nurse.
Marisela: Mom?
Cindy: To Liliana. How are you?
Liliana: My arm still hurts.
Nurse: I'm thinking she needs to be taken to the doctor. Looks like it could be broken.
Gabriela: To Marisela. Are you ready to go? To Cindy. Thanks for looking out for her.
Cindy: You're welcome, and Liliana, here's your slip for cheer camp.
Liliana: Confused. But I wiped out.
Cindy: Anyone can wipe out. You were really good and your first tumbling run was flawless.
Marisela: Excited. So both of us are going to cheer camp!
Gabriela: Congratulations! Well, let's get you to the ER and then if you want, we can call your dad and all go get pizza for dinner.
Liliana: Sounds good.
Cindy: Keep me updated.
Gabriela: Thank you, again.
Gabriella leaves with her daughters. Cindy returns to the gym, fills Coach Muncie in and walks home.
At the Brady home
Carol is in the family room. The twins are playing with Ryan's dump truck. Ryan is making "truck" noises. Carolyn sticks her tongue out, trying to imitate what her brother is doing. Carol laughs, watching her youngest. She sees Cindy come in.
Carol: How did tryouts go?
Cindy: Really good.
Carol: Great. How was Cassie?
Cindy: Pleased. She was fantastic and she hasn't given me any trouble since tryouts last year.
Carol: Wonderful!
Cindy: I know. I can't believe how much she has changed. She's one of the best ones on the squad. Chuckles. If someone had told me that when I first met her, I would've laughed them out of town.
Carol: Goes to show that people can change.
Cindy: Oh, and Beth Gonzales's sisters tried out.
Carol: Oh? How'd they do?
Cindy: They were great... only, Liliana wiped out on her last tumbling run.
Carol: Shocked. Goodness!
Cindy: The nurse thinks she may have broken her arm.
Carol: Oh no.
Cindy: Millicent and I decided to allow her to come to cheer camp. Until she wiped out, she was the best one out there.
Carol: Wow!
Cindy: And Marisela did great too. She was a cheerleader in Texas. Liliana reminds me of me. She's never cheered before and decided to tryout just because. If I got to pick who went on what squad today, I'd put Liliana on varsity. I'd probably put Marisela on junior varsity if I picked today.
Carol: I'm glad.
Ryan: Walks up to Cindy. Book! Thindy, book!
Cindy: Smiles. Do you want me to read you the book?
Ryan: Peeeeeez!
Cindy: Chuckles. Okay.
Carolyn crawls up beside Cindy and Ryan.
Ryan: Points at a picture of a cow. Moo!
Cindy: That's right.
Carolyn: Signs "cow". Oooooh!
Cindy: Speaks and signs: Yes, the cow goes "moo!"
Carol: Smiles. Can you watch them while I start dinner?
Cindy: Sure!
She turns the page and shows them a picture of a cat.
Ryan: Cat!
Cindy: That's right! Cat!
At Dinner
Cheerleading tryouts is one of the big topics of conversation during dinner.
Cindy: ...and I can't wait to see how the final tryouts pan out. I think we'll have an even better squad next year.
Marcia: That's great!
Cindy: I don't know whether I want to go to Westdale for ninth grade or stay at Filmore. I'm really enjoying being captain, but I'd like the challenge of high school cheerleading.
Bobby: Knowing your luck, you'll be up at Westdale for ninth grade since your class is so huge.
Cindy: Dismissive. Who knows? Guess we'll find out next year.
Greg: Nora told me to tell you good luck on tryouts and cheer camp.
Cindy: Thanks!
Carol notices Jan looks green and is picking at her food.
Carol: Concerned. Jan? Are you all right?
Jan: I'm just not hungry. Can I be excused?
Carol: Sure.
Jan hurriedly leaves the table, trying not to throw up before getting to the upstairs bathroom. She rinses her mouth, puts on her pajamas and goes to bed. She falls asleep almost immediately. She hears a knock on the door. The room is dark, as the sun has set.
Jan: Weak. Come in.
Carol: How are you feeling?
Jan: I feel awful.
Carol: Feels her forehead. You don't seem to have a fever. Anything hurt?
Jan: My stomach. I feel nauseous and just blah.
Carol: Strokes her daughter's hair. How long?
Jan: A couple days.
Carol: Worried. Anything else hurt?
Jan: No. I'm just tired.
Carol: Takes a risk. Can I ask you a question?
Jan: Can I get a Sprite first? I'm thirsty.
Carol: Thrown off guard. Okay. I'll be right back.
She leaves and fixes her daughter a glass of Sprite. Meanwhile, Jan rushes back into the bathroom and loses her stomach contents. She meets her mother in the hallway.
Carol: Again?
Jan nods and goes back to her room. Carol follows with the Sprite and some crackers and helps her daughter get settled into bed.
Carol: Here's your Sprite. Now sip, don't gulp.
Jan: Takes a couple sips. I don't think I could handle more than a sip. Puts the glass on her nightstand and lies back down. Now, what is it you wanted to ask me?
Carol: Hesitant, and hoping the answer is no. Could you be pregnant?
Jan: Firm. Absolutely not.
Carol: Are you sure?
Jan: Positive. There's no way I could be pregnant.
Carol: Believes her and gives a sigh of relief. I just wanted to ask. Pauses. I know you and Billy were up to something the night of prom. This wasn't the way I wanted to ask you, but I just wanted to make sure.
Jan: Billy and I went a little too far, but no, we didn't go all the way. Furrows her brow. How did you know?
Carol: Your hair was fixed differently than it was when I fixed it for you, and you and Peter kinda looked a bit guilty. I knew there was something going on.
Jan: Takes a cracker and nibbles on it. Billy and I went to Lookout Point and wound up parking beside Peter and Julie. They caught us and stopped us before we took things too far. Pauses. And no, they didn't go all the way either. In fact, they talked to both of us.
Jan tells her what boundaries she and Billy decided to set.
Carol: Feels a weight lifted. I'm sorry. I just needed to know. Brushes a stray lock from her daughter's face. I have a feeling you've got a stomach bug then.
Jan: With no fever?
Carol: They don't always come with fevers.
Jan: And Nationals are this weekend!
Carol: We don't leave until Thursday. This will probably blow over in a day or two. Just get some rest. She tucks her in. And don't worry about Nationals.
Jan: Okay.
She drifts to sleep.
In the Master bedroom
Mike returns from putting the twins to bed and meets her at their bedroom door. They enter their room together.
Carol: Kids go down okay?
Mike: Carolyn fell asleep immediately and Ryan was fighting to stay awake as I read them their book.
Carol: Smiles. He always does.
Mike: How's Jan?
Carol: Goes to the vanity and brushes her hair. She has a stomach bug.
Mike: Ugh.
Carol: Puts her brush down and sighs. I feel like a heel.
Mike: Wraps his arms around her from behind. Why?
Carol: Sighs. I asked her if she was pregnant.
Mike: We were wondering.
Carol: I know, but I felt like I didn't trust her or that I was doubting she was sick.
Mike: We trusted Peter and we know what happened.
Carol: Moves to the bed and sits. But Jan isn't Peter.
Mike: Fair enough. Regroups and sits beside her on the bed. Was there anything that made you doubt she was sick?
Carol: She doesn't have a fever and she said she'd been feeling this way for a couple days. So, I asked.
Carol fills Mike in on what Jan told her, including boundaries.
Mike: Although I wish they'd shown restraint on their own, I'm glad Peter and Julie got through to them. I'm also glad they set some boundaries.
Carol: Me too. Sighs. I wish we could trust the kids. Leans into her husband.
Mike: Wraps his arm around her and pulls her into an embrace. I know, but both of them violated our trust. We'll gain it back. It'll take some time, but at least they're taking positive steps. Kisses her temple. We've got good kids.
The National Art Show (Friday)
Jan recovered from her stomach bug and she and Carol flew to Washington, DC the day before. After a day of seeing the sights, they get ready to go to the Art Show in the hotel's ballroom.
Carol: You almost ready?
Jan: Peeks her head out of the bathroom. Yeah. I'm just finishing up my makeup.
Carol: All right. She runs a brush through her hair.
Jan: Comes out of the bathroom. Ready.
Carol: Let's go.
Although she doesn't want to admit it, Jan gets increasingly more nervous as they approach the venue. They make their way to her painting; Jan smiles as she sees what's hanging beside her painting.
Jan: Can hardly contain herself. Third place! Oh my goodness! I can't believe it!
Carol: Smiles and hugs her daughter. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!
Jan: I'm proud of me too. I figured I wouldn't even get an Honourable Mention. I just can't believe it! Third place!
As they gaze on her painting, the Chairman of the Art Show approaches Jan. A photographer is with him and takes pictures of Jan with her painting.
Chairman: Congratulations, Miss Brady on a fine piece of art!
Jan: Thanks!
Chairman: We would like to award you with a cash prize of five thousand dollars.
Jan: Shocked. Wow! Thanks!
Chairman: Congratulations again, and we look forward to seeing what you'll bring next year.
Jan: Thank you!
She shakes their hands and they leave to find the first and second place winners.
Carol: I am very proud of you!
Jan: I still can't believe it.
Carol: Would you like to look at the other paintings?
Jan: Sure! I'd like to see what took first and second.
They tour the show and find the first and second place winners. Second place is a scene straight out of the Antebellum South, done in pointillism, and first is an abstract piece, done in the style of Picasso.
Jan: I love Second Place, but I'm not to sure about First.
Carol: Me either. I'm not really a fan of the abstract. Yours is still First in my book.
Jan: Blushes. Thanks! What a year! Junior princess for both football and basketball homecoming, winning prom queen, winning Regional, getting second place in State and now taking third at Nationals.
Later that evening
After the show, Jan calls home. Mike answers.
Mike: Hello?
Jan: Dad!
Mike: Hi, Jan! How was the show?
Jan: Excited. I took third!
Mike: Hey! Hey! That's great! Congratulations!
Jan: Smiling. Thanks! I didn't think I'd even get Honourable Mention and I took third. I also got a check for five thousand dollars.
Mike: You've got college and most of your expenses all sewn up.
Jan: I know! Now all I need to do is figure out where to go.
Mike: You've got a little time.
Jan: I've got it narrowed down to State, Norton and one other.
Mike: Smiles. I know you'll pick the one that's right for you.
Jan: Me too.
Mike: Is your mother there?
Jan: Yes, would you like to talk to her?
Mike: Please.
Jan gets her mother and then goes to the bathroom to shower.
Carol: Hello.
Mike: Wonderful news about Jan! How 'bout that?
Carol: I know! I'm so proud for her! Changes the subject. How are the twins?
Mike: Ryan's got Jan's stomach bug. He started throwing up about an hour after we dropped you two off at the airport.
Carol: Sinks. Oh no.
Cindy: In the background. Dad!
Mike: Hang on. He checks on Cindy and returns, deflated. Guess what?
Carol: Groans. Carolyn?
Mike: Yep.
Carol: Sighs. And our flight isn't until Sunday.
Mike: We'll be fine. You two just enjoy DC.
Carol: Tries to sound convincing. We will.
They hang up. Carol sits on the bed and sighs. Jan finishes her shower.
Jan: What's wrong?
Carol: Ryan and Carolyn caught the stomach bug. Ryan got sick not long after your dad dropped us off at the airport and Carolyn got sick while we were on the phone.
Jan: Ugh! I'm sorry.
Carol: That just happens sometimes. You'll understand when you're a mother. A mother wants to be there for their children, especially when they're sick. I know your dad can handle things just fine, but...
Jan: I think I understand.
Moving time forward. It's now the end of cheer camp.
Friday at Filmore Junior High
Cheerleader camp and tryouts are wrapping up. The girls have completed all their routines. Now, Cindy, Millicent, and guest judges Shelley and Kathy Lawrence, deliberate over the scores.
Shelley: Cindy, who do you like?
Cindy: I still really like Margaret Andress. Marisela Gonzales is good. Amanda Smith was super! She's a totally different person this year.
Shelley: She was a Junior Varsity alternate this year, wasn't she?
Millicent: Yes, she was and the year before that too.
Cindy: I also really like Liliana Gonzales.
Kathy: She's a ball of fire.
Shelley: Kinda like you were when you first tried out.
Cindy: She does remind me of me a bit.
Shelley: Well, do we have our list?
Kathy: Got mine done.
Millicent: Mine too.
Shelley: All right! Smiles. So Captain, go do your thing!
All the aspiring cheerleaders are anxiously awaiting the results. The tension is so thick in the air, that one could cut it with a knife. Cindy calls the girls to order.
Cindy: Okay! I've got the names of your 1976-77 Fillmore Junior High School Cheerleaders.
The girls erupt in cheers and applause.
Cindy: Before I announce these names, I want to say that this was a very tough decision for us. I've seen all of you work hard these last few days and have really improved. All of you should be proud of year, we have chosen ten cheerleaders and two alternates for each , without further rambling, I want to announce the members of the Junior Varsity team first. When I call your name, please join me. She begins calling out names. Gina Oleson, Eve Kendall, Kelly Brooks, Margaret Andress... Alternates are Tiffany Tripp and Tracey Johannes. Congratulations, Junior Varsity Cheerleaders!
The newest Junior Varsity Cheerleaders and alternates join Cindy.
Cindy: And now, I will call out the names of the Varsity team. When I call your name, please join me. She begins calling out names. Marisela Gonzales, Amanda Smith, Sarah Forrester, Lynne McHenry...
Liliana is just about to burst with worry.
Cindy: ...and Liliana Gonzales. Alternates are Christine Fletcher and Caroline Mobley.
Liliana excitedly jumps up and joins the cheerleaders.
Cindy: Congratulations,1976-77 Varsity Cheerleaders! Before our new squads cheer, I want to thank all of you for making this a great cheer camp. Cheerleaders, see Gina and the coaches after I dismiss you so that you can get fitted for your uniforms. Alternates, see me afterwards. The rest, pom-pom girl tryouts are held in the fall, but you are eligible to go to pom-pom girl camp a week before school starts. If you're interested, see Coach Clark. Now, let's join our cheerleaders and alternates in the school's cheer.
Cindy begins the cheer and the squads perform their inaugural cheer. Liliana is energized from the excitement of being selected.
Cindy: Calls Marisela and Liliana over. Marisela! Liliana!
The sisters see Cindy.
Cindy: I wanted to congratulate you on your performances during cheer camp.
Marisela: Thanks!
Lilana: Giggles. Thanks!
Cindy: How's the arm feeling?
Liliana: Better, and I can't wait to get the cast off.
Cindy: I want you to take care of that arm. Once your arm is healed up, I want to start you on flier. You'll be great.
Liliana: Excited. Thanks! I was hoping I'd get to do flier. That looks so much fun!
Cindy: Smiles. It is. I loved being a flier. And Marisela, I may put you as a tumbler. Thinks. Do you have any experience as a spotter?
Marisela: Some.
Cindy: How do you feel about being a spotter?
Marisela: I'd like to try it.
Cindy: Good! Well, congratulations to you both!
Marisela and Liliana: Thanks!
Millicent joins Cindy and they walk home together.
Millicent: We're going to have a great squad this year.
Cindy: Excited. We are! I'm thinking we put Liliana as flier, Marisela, Cassie, Lori and Jennifer as bases, you, Sarah and Lynne to cover the middle and Amanda with me as tumblers.
Millicent: I was thinking maybe Amanda as one of the people in the middle and Lynne as a tumbler. Did you check out her tumbling runs?
Cindy: Hers were good, but I thought Amanda's were a bit better. I may try them in different positions to see where they best fit.
Millicent: Good thinking! Pauses. You think it'll be okay having sisters on the same squad?
Cindy: I think they'll be fine. I couldn't put Marisela down on Junior Varsity when her little sister was a shoe-in for Varsity. Marisela was on the fence, but I just couldn't do it.
Millicent: I don't blame you. I wouldn't have put her on JV either. She could've gone either way, that's for sure.
Cindy: Yes. I wanted to move Gina, Eve or Margaret, but Gina and Eve are captain and co-captain of JV, and Margaret was also on the fence. It came down to Marisela being Liliana's sister and Margaret seems to prefer playing things safe and you know me. She smiles.
Millicent: Smirks. Yes, I do.
Cindy: Smiles. This next school year with the squad is going to be the best yet! I'm sure of it!
-End of Chapter 46-