The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 47
July, 1976. The twins are nineteen months old. Carolyn's last audiologist appointment in May showed no real improvement in her hearing: eighty percent in her right and seventy-five in her left. The older kids are out for the summer. The family's preparing to go on their annual camping trip.
Carol: Packing the food in the kitchen. Peter, can you carry the cooler to the car?
Peter: The red one or the blue one?
Carol: The blue one.
Peter: Picks up the cooler. Okay.
The phone rings and Carol answers to reveal her sister on the other end.
Carol: As she's picking up the phone. Ugh! I don't need this right now. We're already running late. Answers the phone. Hello?
Mary: Carol? It's Mary.
Carol: Mary? What's going on? You sound frantic.
Mary: Almost in tears. Carol, Christine's been impossible.
Carol: Not wanting to hear it. What's she done now? Regroups. I'm sorry, but I really can't deal with her stuff.
Mary: Annoyed. I'm not asking you to.
Carol: Then, what is it?
Mary: I was wondering if the four of us could go camping with you guys?
Carol: And how is that supposed to help?
Mary: Roger and I thought if we were able to take the kids away for a little while. He's been involved in a project near his folks' house this summer, and we figured it would be good for us to get away.
Carol: But why our camping trip?
Mary: Because your family's a better influence on my kids than Roger and I are.
Peter: Enters the kitchen. Do you want me to load the other coolers?
Carol: Hold on, Mary. She turns her attention to her son. Go ahead and load the bags too.
Peter: Okay.
As Peter takes the bags out, Carol turns her attention back to Mary.
Carol: Look, Mary. I know Christine's pregnant and you're having issues with that, but I can't handle that right now.
Mary: Offended. I'm so sorry that we're inconvenient for you. I just thought you and Mike could help. Jack's been mouthing off and he needs some good role models.
Carol: Stop. Just stop.
Mary: Indignant. What?
Unbeknownst to Carol, Peter and Jan walk into the den and hear the conversation.
Carol: Exasperated. I can't do this, Mary. Mike, the kids and I need this trip by ourselves, without any drama.
Mary: Carol.
Carol: No, Mary. Last year, I fell from a rope swing and gave myself a major concussion. It took forever to recover and I don't remember it. The kids do. They saw everything. We're all still trying to deal with Carolyn's hearing loss and Peter and Julie losing their baby. We can't deal with Christine and her baby or Jack and his mouth. Sorry. If you want to go camping, great, but you can't come with us. Now, I've got to go finish packing.
Mary: Huffs. Fine.
Carol: Mary, I love you. You're my sister, but I can't handle this right now. I have my own family to take care of.
Mary: But, Carol.
Carol: No "But Carol." I just can't, Mary. She pauses. I do think getting away for awhile might help, but you really need to find someone who can help. I've got to go. I love you.
Mary: Resigned. Love you too and have a good trip.
Carol: Thanks.
They hang up.
Jan: Shocked. Christine's pregnant?
Carol: Startled. You scared me!
Jan: Sorry. Regroups. Christine's pregnant?
Carol: Sighs. Yes.
Peter: Pained. When?
Carol: November.
Jan: What did Aunt Mary want?
Carol: She wanted your Uncle Roger, her, Christine and Jack to come along on our trip.
Jan: Annoyed. No way!
Carol: I agree. Now, we need to finish getting packed so we can get on the road. Who's looking after the twins?
Jan: Bobby and Cindy have them.
Mike: Walks into the kitchen. Pete, can you get the tents and sleeping bags loaded?
Peter: Sure.
Jan: I'll help.
They exit the kitchen. Carol sighs.
Mike: What's wrong?
Carol: Exasperated. My sister.
Mike: What's going on?
Carol: She tried to invite Roger, the kids, and herself on our camping trip, and got really offended when I told her they couldn't come along.
Mike: Sighs. I agree.
Carol: What we don't need right now is my sister and her family's drama. Regroups. I mean I do feel for them, but... She trails off.
Mike: We've got our own things to handle and we can't handle anything else right now. He gives her a light peck on the lips.
Carol: Exactly. We need to focus on our family right now. Frustrated. What business does Christine have having a baby? I mean, Mary and Roger will wind up raising it and you know what a great job they've done with her and Jack. Cries. And our grandchild is dead! She falls into her husband's embrace.
Mike: Comforts his wife. I know. It doesn't seem fair. And now, she's trying to unload on us.
Carol: Wipes away her tears. I'm sorry.
Mike: She got to you.
Carol: Yes, she did. Regroups. I just want us to have a good time, free of drama, and... She chuckles. Injury.
Mike: Kisses her. Yes. Listen, she'll get over it. He kisses her again. I'm going to help the older kids get the tents and bags into the car. Anything I can carry out?
Carol: Take out the red cooler. I've almost got the green one packed.
Mike: Okay.
He carries the red cooler out and sees Peter and Jan rolling up the sleeping bags. Peter seems very agitated.
Mike: Hey Pete, what's wrong?
Peter: Slams a sleeping bag down. Christine's pregnant and my baby's gone. He balls his fists up, trying not to cry. She's so... so... so...
Jan: Suggests. Irresponsible and annoying?
Peter: Yes. Tears flow down his cheeks. I wish Caryn were still here.
Mike: I know, son.
Peter regroups and they finish packing the car. Bobby comes out with his and Cindy's suitcases.
Bobby: I've got mine and Cindy's suitcases.
Peter: Mine's ready to go. Can you get it?
Jan: Mine too.
Bobby: Sure.
He retrieves Peter and Jan's suitcases and brings them out.
Bobby: Anything else?
Mike: Ask your mother if the twins' suitcase is ready.
Bobby: Heading back inside. 'kay.
As he returns with the suitcases, Carol and Cindy bring the twins out; Cindy's holding Carolyn's hand and Carol, Ryan's.
Carol: We're ready.
Ryan: Waves. Bye bye?
Carol: Strapping him in the car seat. Yes, we're going bye bye.
Cindy: Where are me and Bobby sitting?
Mike: We've got the back popup seat up for you two.
Bobby: Greg and Marcia going?
Mike: No, they've got work and summer school.
Bobby: Oh, okay. Changes the subject. Will we be able to go cliff diving in the Falls or rope swing in the swimming hole?
Carol: No cliff diving.
Mike: We'll be at the same campsite, so yes, you'll be able to go to the swimming hole.
Cindy: You and mom going to the swimming hole?
Carol: Pained. I don't think so. The twins are older and besides, I think my swimming hole days are over.
Mike: We'd better get going if we want to make it there in time for lunch.
The Bradys get in the car and they head to the campground.
Mike pulls the station wagon into the campsite. All the Brady kids are asleep.
Mike: We're here.
Carol: Peter, Jan, Bobby, Cindy, wake up.
The four older kids yawn and stretch.
Bobby: Sleepy. All ready?
Carol: Chuckles. Yes, all ready.
Mike: I'm going to need you guys to help me set up the tents and then get the fishing poles out.
Bobby: 'Kay.
Carol: Jan, I need you and Cindy to help get out the coolers out of the car, so we can set up lunch. I'll set up the playpen while the babies are still asleep.
Bobby and Peter begin unloading the tents and fishing gear, and then help their father set up the tents. Carol, Jan and Cindy set up the coolers and playpens. As they set up camp, Ryan awakens. He looks around and sees his family in the distance.
Ryan: Begins crying. Mommeeeee!
Carol: Hears her youngest son. Jan, Cindy, can you finish up while I get Ryan?
Jan: Sure!
Carol: Unbuckles and cradles Ryan. Aww, sweetheart. She smooths back his sweaty hair. You woke up and we weren't in the car. I'm sorry, baby boy!
Ryan: Wraps his arms around his mother. Mommeeee.
Jan: Approaches the car. Everything's set up. I'll get Carolyn.
Carol: Thanks, Jan.
Cindy: I'll get the duffels.
Mike: Who's going fishing?
Peter: I'll get the firewood.
Bobby: I'll fish.
Cindy: Me too.
Mike: Okay, Bobby, Cindy, grab the fishing poles and let's go. I've got the tackle box. We ready?
Cindy: Got 'em.
As Mike, Bobby and Cindy leave to go fishing, Peter chops some firewood.
Jan: Still holding Carolyn. Mom, you want me to fetch some water, and then start dinner?
Carol: Yes, but I'll take Carolyn.
Jan: Puts Carolyn down and walks her over. C'mon, Carolyn. Let's go see your mom and Ryan.
Carolyn giggles, while she signs and calls to her mother.
Carol: C'mon, kids. Let's play.
Carol gets out a dump truck and Jack-in-the-box for the twins as Jan gets water and helps Peter start the campfire. Ryan scoots the truck and makes truck "noises."
Carol: You got your truck!
Ryan: Uck!
Carol: Yes, "Truck!"
Mike, Bobby and Cindy return from fishing.
Cindy: Proud. Once again, I got the biggest fish!
Carol: That's great!
Mike: She is quite the fisherman... er... fisherwoman.
Bobby: Impressed. She does have skills, that's for sure.
Cindy beams as Carol puts the twins in the playpen.
Mike: Boys, help me get the fish cleaned.
Carol: Girls, we need the grill, a pot for boiling water...let's put that on first...a pan for the fish, and six mess kits.
As the girls cook corn on the cob, Mike and the boys return with freshly cleaned fish.
Bobby: We got the fish cleaned.
Carol: Great! Let's get it on the grill.
Mike: Men, let's get washed up. By the time we're finished, dinner will be ready.
Dinner is ready. Jan and Cindy dish out fish and corn on the cob for each family member. Mike grabs a plate for himself and one for Carol and carries them over to his wife, while Carol gathers the twins.
Carol: Lifting Ryan. Ready for dinner? Want some fish?
Ryan: Ish!
She carries her youngest son and sets him by his father.
Mike: C'mere, son.
Carol then goes back for her youngest daughter.
Carol: Speaks and signs: Dinnertime!
Mike: Hands his wife her plate. The fish is excellent.
Carol: Takes a bite of fish. Mmmm! That's really good!
Mike: Jan, Cindy, the corn is very well done!
Cindy: Thanks!
Bobby: Yeah! It's great!
Peter: The fish is really light.
Jan: Thanks!
Mike: Gives some to Ryan. Here you go, son! Try some fish.
Ryan: Ish! He giggles.
Mike: Yes, "fish."
Carolyn enjoys it so much, she takes pieces off her mom's plate.
Carol: Speaks and signs: Carolyn! Not so fast, sweetheart!
The Bradys finish their dinner as the sun sets. Jan and Peter wash the dishes as Bobby and Cindy pack up the leftovers. Ryan and Carolyn have fallen asleep, so Mike and Carol move the playpen into the tent and put them to bed for the night. Soonafter the older kids get ready for bed. Then, Jan gets out supplies for s'mores.
Bobby: All right! S'mores!
Jan: Beams. I thought they'd be fun.
Peter: Thanks!
The kids begin roasting marshmallows over the fire. Mike and Carol exit the tent and join their older children.
Carol: Got any left?
Jan: Hands her parents a couple marshmallows each. Here.
Mike: Thanks.
Cindy: Jan, can you tell us one of your ghost stories?
Jan: Sure.
Mike nods as the Bradys gather around, eating s'mores.
Jan: I'm going to tell you the story of The Girl in White. He was sulking a little, standing at the sidelines while all the other men danced with their pretty partners. His girl had not come to the dance that night. Her mother was ill, and so his girl had remained at her side. A fine pious act, he thought sourly, but it left him at loose ends.
His friend, Ernesto, came up to him between sets with a cold drink and some words of encouragement. "After all, Anita is not the only girl in the world," Ernesto said. "There are many pretty girls here tonight. Dance with one of them."
Bolstered by his friend's words, he started looking around the dance hall. His eye fell upon a beautiful young girl standing wistfully at the edge of the floor beside the door to the terrace. She was dressed in an old-fashioned white gown and her skin was pale as the moon. Her dark eyes watched the dance hungrily from her position behind a tall fern, and he felt his heart beat faster. Such a lovely woman should be dancing!
He made his way through the bustling crowd and bowed to the girl in white. She looked startled by his addresses, as if she had not expected anyone to notice her that night. But she readily assented to dance with him, and he proudly led her out onto the floor for the next set, all thoughts of Anita gone from his mind.
Ernesto and some of his other friends gave him odd looks as he danced with the girl in white. A few times, the man opposite them bumped right into them as if he had not seen his partner at all. He was furious and wanted to stop the dance and make the man apologize to the girl in white, but she just laughed and hushed him.
When the dance was over, he hurried to get his fair partner a drink. Ernesto approached him at the refreshment table. "When I told you to dance, I meant with a partner," his friend teased him.
"I was dancing with a partner," he replied, irritated by his friends remark. "The loveliest girl in all of Mexico!"
"You've had too much to drink, my friend," Ernesto replied. "You were dancing by yourself out there!"
He glared at his friend and turned away without answering him. Making his way back to the girl in white, he handed her a glass and asked her to stroll with him along the terrace. The night was beautiful, the sky full of stars, and he stared at the girl in white with his heart in his eyes as they stood looking out over the beautiful scene.
The girl in white turned to him with a sigh and said: "Thank you for the dance, Senor. It has been a very long time since I had such pleasure."
"Let us dance again, then," he said infatuatedly. But she shook her head.
"I must leave now," she said, catching up her skirts with one hand and drifting toward the stairs at the side of the terrace.
"Please don't go," he pleaded, following her.
"I must," she said, turning to look at him. Her eyes softened when she saw the look on his face. "Come with me?" she invited, holding out a pale hand.
His heart pounded rapidly at the thought. More than anything in the world, he wanted to go with this lovely girl. And then his mind registered the fact that he could see the stone wall of the terrace through the girl's hand. His desire melted away before the shock of that realization. He looked into her face again, and realized that she was fading away before his eyes.
At the look of horror on his face, the girl gave a sad laugh and dropped her hand, which was nearly transparent now.
"Goodbye," she said, her body becoming thin and misty. "Goodbye."
Then she was gone.
He gave a shout of terror when he realized he had been dancing with a ghost. He bolted from the premises, leaving his horse behind, and ran all the way home.
When Ernesto came the next day to bring him his horse, he told his friend the whole story. Ernesto whistled in awe. "You saw the spirit of Consuela, my friend," he said. "She was the daughter of one of the local aristocracy who lived in this region more than a hundred years ago. She died of consumption the night before her first ball and they say her spirit sometimes attends the local dances, hoping to claim one of the dances that she missed."
He shuddered at the thought of his dance with the ghost. "I will not be visiting that dance hall again," he told Ernesto. "From now on, all my dances will be with Anita!"
And he kept his word.
The Bradys sit, in rapt silence, as they absorb the story.
Bobby: Wow!
Jan: Thanks!
Cindy: Amazed. That was great!
Peter: Tell another!
Jan: Mom? Dad?
Carol: Sure!
Mike nods.
Jan: This is the story of the fifty-cent piece. There is a story told in Troy and Albany about a couple returning home from a trip to New England. They were driving home in a carriage, and were somewhere near Spiegletown when the light failed and they knew they would have to seek shelter for the night.
The husband spied a light through the trees and turned their horse into a small lane leading up a hill. A pleasant little house stood at the crest, and an old man and his wife met the couple at the door. They were in nightclothes and were obviously about to turn in, but they welcomed the travelers and offered them a room. The old woman bustled about making tea and offering freshly-baked cakes. Then the travelers were shown to their room. The husband wanted to pay the old couple for their lodgings, but the old lady shook her head and the old man refused any payment for such a small service to their fellow New Yorkers.
The travelers awoke early and tiptoed out of the house, leaving a shiny fifty-cent coin in the center of the kitchen table where the old couple could not miss it. The husband hitched up the horse and they went a few miles before they broke their fast at a little restaurant in Spiegletown.
The husband mention the nice old couple to the owner of the restaurant and the man turned pale.
"Where did you say that house was?" he asked. The husband described the location in detail.
"You must be mistaken," said the restaurant owner. "That house was destroyed three years ago by a fire that killed the Brown family."
"I don't believe it," the husband said flatly. "Mr. and Mrs. Brown were alive and well last night."
After debating for a few more minutes, the couple and the restaurant owner drove the carriage back out of town towards the old Brown place. They turned into the lane, which was overgrown with weeds, and climbed the hill to the crest. There they found a burned out shell of a house that had obviously not sheltered anyone for a long time.
"I must have missed the track," said the husband. And then his wife gave a terrified scream and fainted into his arms. As he caught her, the husband looked into the ruin and saw a burnt table with a shiny fifty-cent piece lying in the center.
Once again, they sit in silence, amazed.
Carol: Approving. That was excellent!
Jan: Thanks!
Mike: I think it's time for us to hit the hay. You guys got a hike tomorrow.
Bobby: You going with us, Dad?
Mike: Probably not. The twins aren't old enough to hike yet.
Bobby: Disappointed. Oh, okay.
The Bradys get ready for bed. Mike and Carol slip into their tent. The twins are still asleep.
Carol: Yawns. What a day!
Mike: Had a good one?
Carol: Yes. I was worried Roger and Mary would decide to join us. Sighs. I feel like such a bad sister for saying that, but...
Mike: Finishes. But you just can't handle their problems right now.
Carol: Exactly.
Mike: Kisses her on the cheek. We've had enough trials and heartache of our own to deal with.
Carol: Yes.
Mike: Yawns. I think I need to get some sleep. Begins kissing her neck. I've got some things planned for just the two of us when the twins go down for their naps.
Carol: Pants. Don't get me hot and bothered and then say you're going to sleep.
Mike: Smiles. It gives you something to look forward to.
Carol: Pretends to be resigned. Oh, all right. Kisses her husband. I can't wait until we're alone tomorrow, just the two of us.
They exchange one more peck and fall asleep in each other's embrace.
-End of Chapter 47-