The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 49
The next day
The older Brady kids quickly awaken and are ready to go to the swimming hole. They quickly eat breakfast and help their parents clean up and do as much packing as possible.
Bobby: Runs out of the men's latrine. Got my suit. I'm ready to get some airtime.
Peter: I'm ready. Grabs a couple towels.
Cindy: I'm game!
Jan: Heads to the women's latrine. Let me get my suit on and I'll be ready.
Bobby: Hurry. We're burning daylight.
Mike and Carol chuckle at the kids' banter. Jan comes out of the latrine, ready to go. Mike and Carol pack up the playpen and twins, so they could go as well.
Mike: Peter? Can you grab the playpen?
Peter: Sure.
Mike places Carolyn in Carol's carrier and Peter places Ryan in Mike's.
Carol: Jan, you got the cooler?
Jan: Got it.
Bobby: I got the towels.
Cindy: I got the diaper and toy bags.
Mike: Great! Let's go.
The Bradys trek over to the swimming hole and see Roger, Mary and the kids. Jack sees his aunt, uncle and cousins and runs up the hill.
Jack: Mom! Dad! Aunt Carol, Uncle Mike and the cousins are here.
Mary: Surprised. Carol! Mike! Hi!
Carol: Equally surprised. Hi! Where are you guys staying?
Mary: We're in the campsite east of here.
Carol: Chuckles. We're in the campsite west of here.
Mike: Let me get Carolyn. Lifts Carolyn out of the carrier. C'mere, Kitten!
Roger: Mike, I can get Ryan.
Mike: Thanks.
Roger: Lifts Ryan. Hey, Ry! Uncle Roger's got you!
Mary and Carol set up the playpen, lay a blanket down and get out some of the twins' toys. The older kids and Jack go to the rope swing and slide. Roger and Mike join them. Mary and Carol stay with the twins on the bank.
Carol: Where's Christine?
Mary: She's back at the campsite. She wanted to sleep in.
Carol: Concerned. How's she feeling?
Mary: A little rough. She doesn't just have morning sickness. It's more like "all day long sickness."
Carol: Frowning. Ugh! Poor kid!
Mary: Yeah. I really feel for her.
Carol: Inhales. Mary, I want to apologize to you. I was abrupt and harsh.
Mary: Dismissive. No, Carol. You were right. We had no right to intrude on your camping trip.
Carol: Still, I shouldn't have been so rude and abrupt. That was out of bounds and I'm sorry about that.
Mary: You've had a lot on your plate these last eighteen months. Sighs. I know Roger and I have been lax with the kids and it shows.
Carol: No one's perfect. We've made our share of mistakes with our kids.
Mary: Exhales and changes the subject a bit. I'm glad we went camping, just the four of us. It's been nice to get away.
Carol: I'm glad too. Hope it's been restful.
Ryan runs his truck over his aunt's lap.
Carol: Ryan, no!
Mary: It's all right. Addressing Ryan. You got your truck?
Ryan: Uck!
Mary finds another truck and rolls it alongside Ryan's. He giggles.
Carol: How are you, really?
Mary: Tries to blink back tears. It's hard. She sighs. I still can't believe Christine's pregnant. It broke Roger's and my heart when she told us. I'm not ready to be a grandmother.
Carol: I understand. Mike and I felt the same way when Peter told us he and Julie were expecting.
Mary: Realizes what she just said. Oh, Carol! I'm such a heel! I am so sorry! I wasn't even thinking.
Carol: Consoling. It's not your fault.
Mary: I suppose we can say both of our families have gone through some really tough times.
Carol: Pauses. So, what's going on with Jack?
Mary: Sighs. I don't know. He's so mouthy lately.
Carol: Oh?
Mary: Yes. He's been very rude and disrespectful, and he got a few after school detentions and he was suspended twice last semester.
Carol: Shocked. twice?! Wow!
Mary: I know. I just don't know what to do. Sighs. Carol, how do you do it?
Carol: What do you mean?
Carolyn crawls into her mother's lap and snuggles, holding her ear.
Carolyn: Speaks and signs: Mah-mee.
Carol: Groans. Are you getting another ear infection? Do you want to nurse?
Carol unbuttons her blouse and Carolyn latches on.
Mary: Does she get ear infections often?
Carol: She does.
Mary: Is it because of her hearing issues?
Carol: Her inner ear deformity, yes. She hasn't had one in months. We were hoping she wouldn't have so many after her surgery, but this may be her reality for awhile.
Mary: Poor kid!
Carol: When are you, Roger and the kids going back home?
Mary: Roger's project is wrapping up in a couple weeks. She exhales. It's been good for us to get away from home for awhile.
Carol: Sometimes it's nice to get away for awhile.
Mary: Roger's parents have been great. I know mom and dad wish we were staying with them, but his parents' house is bigger and we have a bit more privacy there. Besides, we stayed with mom and dad over Christmas.
Meanwhile, at the rope swing and slide. Roger, Mike and the kids take turns on the swing and slide. Christine joins her mother and aunt on the hill.
Jack: Edges out Cindy on the slide. It's my turn.
Cindy: I don't think so. You just had a turn.
Jack: No, I didn't. Bobby and Jan went before me.
Bobby: No, they didn't.
Roger: Jack, cool it.
Jack: Whines. But dad. It's my turn.
Roger: One more word of complaint out of you and you can sit out.
Jack: Goes ahead of Cindy anyway. Whatever!
Roger: Exasperated. Jack, go sit over there under that big tree.
Jack: Fine!
Roger: To Cindy. Sorry about that.
Cindy: S'okay, Uncle Roger. She takes her turn.
Roger: Sorry, Mike. He's been a handful lately.
Peter and Jan ignore the scene and take their turns. Bobby looks over at Jack.
Bobby: Uncle Roger, can I talk to Jack?
Roger: I don't know. He needs to learn not to mouth off.
Bobby: I know. That's why I'd like to talk to him. Can I, dad?
Mike: Roger, it couldn't hurt.
Roger nods and Bobby approaches his cousin, who is playing with a few blades of grass.
Bobby: Hey. Can we talk?
Jack: Looks up. Oh, hey.
Bobby: Can we talk?
Jack: Shrugs his shoulders. I guess so.
Bobby: Let's take a walk.
Jack: Stands up. Okay.
Bobby: Yells out. Hey Dad, Uncle Roger, we're going to take a walk.
Mike: Just don't go too far.
Bobby: We won't. We'll walk back to our campsite.
Bobby and Jack walk back to the Brady's campsite.
Jack: Whatcha want to talk about? Chess?
Bobby: No. Your mouth.
Jack: Offended. Whaddya mean?
Bobby: I hate to say this, but...
Jack: Fires back. Then, don't.
Bobby: Tries a different tactic. Jack, what's going on?
Jack: Shrugs. I dunno.
Bobby: Baloney!
Jack: Feigns interest in a tree. Nuthin'.
Bobby: Try again.
Jack takes a stick and repeatedly whacks a nearby tree.
Bobby: What's wrong?
Jack: Fumes. Mom, dad and Christine.
Bobby: Tell me.
Jack: Christine's such a pain in the neck. And mom and dad... Frustrated.
Bobby: What about them?
Jack tries to fight back his tears, but is unsuccessful.
Jack: It's all about Christine. Christine "this" and Christine "that!" Now, since she's having a baby, it's Christine and the baby "this," and Christine and the baby "that." I make it to the national chess tournament, and do they come? Nope! I had to go with my coach. Christine had a doctor's appointment with the baby, so mom went with her, and dad had to work.
Bobby: Identifying with his cousin. That stinks.
Jack: Christine's a pain! She's always out with Jay. She's rude and now, she's whiny. She's always sayin', "I'm sick! I don't feel good. I don't wanna have a baby." Exhales. She and Jay smoke weed too and it stinks.
Bobby: You feel pushed aside.
Jack: I do. Pauses. I don't like mouthing off, but what other choice do I have?
Bobby: Feels like he's lecturing himself. Why not be on your best behaviour? You said you don't like mouthing off. What has it gotten you?
Jack: I got suspended twice; I feel like I was in detention forever, and the principal tore up my ass I don't know how many times.
Bobby: Wrinkles his nose. So, was any of that fun?
Jack: Well, some of my in school detentions were, but nothing else was. He rubs his backside. I don't think my ass will ever recover.
Bobby: And what is it with the cursing?
Jack: Sullen. Sorry.
Bobby: Chuckles. I think I've taught myself a lesson too.
Jack: Confused. What do you mean?
Bobby: Confesses. I've kinda had a mouth on me too. I've felt a bit left out with Greg and Marcia graduating and being in college, Cindy with her cheerleading, Jan with her art stuff, the babies with all their stuff, and Peter with archery and also Julie and the baby. I didn't even get to go to Junior High by myself. Cindy came too. I have the spelling bee and baseball, but I feel lost sometimes. So, I decided to mouth off too.
Jack: Surprised. You?
Bobby: Yes. I was really awful to Peter.
Jack: Did you get detentions, suspended, or your ass busted... Corrects himself. oh, sorry... your backside busted?
Bobby: No, but I got grounded a lot.
Jack: Oh. Pauses. But, all mom and dad's attention is focused on Christine. How do I get them to pay attention to me if I don't mouth off?
Bobby: Why don't you try just being on your best behaviour? You know? Keep up with chess, get good grades, and earn back your parents' trust?
Jack: Mulls it over. I dunno.
Bobby: Do you want to get more detentions, suspensions, and paddlings?
Jack: Not really.
Bobby: Then, what do you have to lose?
Jack: Except for a torn up ass... uhh... backside!
Bobby: That too. C'mon, let's go back to the swimming hole.
Jack: Okay.
They go back to the swimming hole. Jan, Peter and Cindy are still playing on the rope swing and the adults and Christine are watching. The twins are napping in the playpen. Jack, with Bobby's encouragement, reluctantly approaches his parents.
Jack: Mom, Dad? Can we talk?
Mary: Sure.
Roger: Okay. Let's go back to the campsite and we can talk.
Mary: Christine, will you be okay here?
Christine: Umm, sure. Mom, can I go on the rope swing or the water slide?
Mary: Absolutely not.
Christine: Protesting. But mom, why?
Mary: To Roger and Jack. Go on ahead and I'll meet you two there.
Roger nods, while Jack shoots her a look, as they leave. Bobby sees and gives his cousin an encouraging nod.
Christine: Mom. Why can't I?
Mary: Because you're five months pregnant. That's why.
Christine: Argumentative. So?
Mary: It's not safe for you and the baby.
Christine: Sulks. I never get to do anything anymore.
Mary: I need to see after your brother. I'll see you in a few minutes.
Christine nods as Mary leaves.
Meanwhile, Bobby and his father talk away from Carol and Christine.
Bobby: Talking to Jack really made me understand what a pain I've been.
Mike: Oh?
Bobby: Yeah. Jack was telling me how left out he felt and so he mouthed off to get attention from Uncle Roger and Aunt Mary.
Mike: What are you saying, Bob?
Bobby: I know it's stupid, but I've kinda felt left out. I mean, Greg's in college, Peter's dating and in high school, and Ryan's cute and little. I didn't get to go to Fillmore by myself. Cindy got to go the same year I did. And I didn't even have the Spelling Bee by myself. Pauses. I'm glad Cindy did well in the spelling bees too, but other than baseball, I didn't have anything that was just mine.
Mike: Oh?
Bobby: Seeing how Jack was acting today really showed me how bad I'd been acting.
Mike: So, it really hit home.
Bobby: Yes.
Mike: What did you tell Jack when you were talking to him?
Bobby: I told him that it would be better to be on his best behaviour, keep up with his chess, and earn back his parents' trust, than to mouth off and get into detentions, get suspended, and betray Uncle Roger and Aunt Mary's trust. Pauses. I know I've tried to regain yours and mom's trust, but that's what I want to continue to do.
Mike: I'm glad you've learned from this. I am sorry you felt left out. That wasn't our intent.
Bobby: I know. Like I said, I know it's stupid.
Mike: No, it's not.
Bobby: Okay, maybe how I felt wasn't stupid, but the way I acted was.
Mike: Well, you're mending your ways and earning back trust. Taking initiative and speaking with Jack really does go a long way.
Bobby: Thanks, dad.
Meanwhile, Christine decides to talk with Carol. The twins are still napping.
Christine: Aunt Carol, can I talk to you?
Carol: Unsure. Sure. What's on your mind?
Christine: Shifts into another position, uncomfortable. I... I... She sighs. I dunno.
Carol: Consoles. It's okay. We don't have to talk if you don't feel like it.
Christine: I dunno. Exhaling. I've really made a mess of things.
Carol: How so?
Christine: Mom and dad are mad at me, and Jack, yeah, he's annoying, but he's been more annoying than usual. Somehow I feel that it's because me and Jay, we messed up royally.
Carol: Can't say you two made the wisest decisions, but messed up royally is a bit strong.
Christine: No, we did. I mean, we'd cut class, smoke weed, and have sex. That's pretty messed up. She looks down at her abdomen. I used to be a pretty good person, but I really went off the rails. Now, I've got a baby coming. Sighs and tears up. I don't want to be a mother! I'm not ready! I'm only sixteen.
Carol: Yes, you've made some pretty bad choices.
Christine: I used to never be in trouble. Yes, my grades are still good and I was able to skip my sophomore year and I'm graduating a year early, but Jay and I were planning on traveling the world or working for the Peace Corps. Guess that's out of the question.
Carol: Are you planning on keeping the baby?
Christine: Jay doesn't want to, and mom and dad don't want me to, but I want to. Mom and dad keep telling me they don't want to be grandparents yet, and Jay says he doesn't want to be a father right now. He says if I keep the baby, he's gone. I couldn't give my baby away to someone I don't know. Puts her hand over the baby. It's my baby. Pauses and mulls over her next question. Do you think I should keep my baby or give it up for adoption?
Carol: I don't know. It's a lot of work to raise a child, but being a mom has been the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I'd dare say your mom would tell you the same thing. Have you told your folks how you really feel about it?
Christine: No. Tears flow down her cheeks. I've really made a mess of things. My life is ruined.
Carol: Consoles. It's not ruined. It may be different from what you or your folks wanted, but it's not ruined.
Christine: I hope not. Sighs. I still feel like I've run my life into the ditch.
Carol: I understand. Pauses. Tell me something.
Christine: Sure.
Carol: Are you still smoking weed?
Christine blushes.
Carol: Christine. You've got to stop. It's not good for you or the baby.
Christine: I don't know if I can.
Carol: You've really got to try. Exhales. I know you may enjoy it or may feel like you're hooked, but you really need to stop.
Christine: Frustrated. That's what mom and dad said.
Carol: I know I'm a mom, but I care about you. I want the best for you. So do your mom and dad. It may not seem like it, but they really do.
Christine: Smiles. I know you do. Thanks, Aunt Carol. She pauses and then gasps, frightened. Aunt Carol! Something's wrong!
Carol: Concerned. Are you in pain? What does it feel like?
Christine: Panicked. I dunno. No, I'm not in pain, but something feels weird. Puts Carol's hand over the baby. Here.
Carol: Smiles. Honey, that's the baby kicking.
Christine: Bewildered. It is?
Carol: Yes, sweetheart. You're five months along?
Christine: Yes.
Carol: Grins. You're feeling the baby's first kicks.
Christine: Sighs, relieved. That's good. I never knew they felt like this. Laughs. This is real! There's really a baby in there!
Carol: Yes, there really is.
Christine: Amazed. Oh, Aunt Carol. I'm going to be a mother.
Carol: Kisses her on the cheek. You know your Uncle Mike and I are also here for you, but you really need to have a long talk with your folks. Tell them why you want to keep your baby and hear them out too. They only want what's best for you.
Christine: Thanks, Aunt Carol.
Mary, Roger and Jack, and Mike and Bobby return to the swimming hole. The twins awaken from their nap.
Mike: Calls out. Peter, Jan, Cindy, it's time to wrap it up. We've got to get on the road.
Mary: Sees her daughter smiling at her baby. Christine? Are you okay?
Christine: Excited. Mom! The baby started kicking!
Mary: Not excited, but humours her daughter. That's great, honey.
Christine looks at Carol, who nods encouragingly.
Christine: Mom, dad, can we talk later on, after we get home?
Mary: Unsure. Sure, honey.
Carol: Lifts Ryan out of the playpen. You getting hungry?
Ryan: Uh huh. He pats his mother's breast. 'Dis?
Carol: In a few minutes, honey.
Mike lifts Carolyn out of the playpen, and she snuggles on his shoulder.
Jack: To Bobby. Thanks, Bobby.
Bobby: Did the talk help?
Jack: I think so.
Bobby: Good.
Peter, Jan and Cindy run back where their parents, twins, and relatives are gathered.
Cindy: Are we going to stop somewhere for lunch?
Mike: I figured we'd go to the chicken place on the way.
Bobby: Great!
Carol: Mary? You, Roger and the kids are welcome to join us.
Mary: We're staying an extra night. We reserved our site through tomorrow morning.
Carol: Hugs her sister. It was good to see you guys today.
Mary: Kisses Ryan. And it was good to see you, Little Man!
Ryan feigns being shy and buries his head in his mother's shoulder.
Carol: Oh Ryan, you're not shy.
Mary: It's okay. He's had a big weekend.
Carol: Let me hear from you about how things are going.
Mary: I will.
The rest of the family says goodbye to each other and Mary's family starts to leave. Christine hangs back.
Christine: Aunt Carol?
Carol: Yes.
Christine: Hugs her aunt. Thank you.
Mary beams as she sees her daughter and sister.
Carol: You're welcome.
Christine joins her mother and the two families go their separate ways.
Back at the Brady house
Mike, Carol and the older kids have unpacked the car and put the supplies away. They put their dirty clothes into the laundry room and settle in for the rest of the day. It is evening and Mike and Carol have put the twins to bed and get ready for bed as well.
Carol: Dresses for bed. What a great weekend.
Mike: Kisses her on the cheek. Yes. It was. Kisses her again. And I'm glad everyone stayed healthy and injury free.
Carol: Smiles. Me too.
They finish getting ready and slip under the covers.
Mike: Did you have a good talk with your sister?
Carol: I did. Smiles. Still can't believe we wound up in neighbouring campsites.
Mike: Chuckles. Me either. Gives her a quick kiss.
Carol: Christine's going to have a hard time if she and her parents can't get on the same page.
Mike: Oh?
Carol: They're really butting heads, and she's really got some tough hurdles to overcome. If they don't come to some meeting of the minds, I'm afraid they'll lose Christine and the baby.
Mike: Concerned. Besides having a baby, what's going on?
Carol: Jay's threatening to break up with her if she keeps the baby. Of course, Roger and Mary want her to place the baby for adoption, and Christine want to keep it. She didn't even mention Jay's parents.
Mike: Wow. That's a lot going on.
Carol: And, she still smokes.
Mike: Weed?
Carol: Yes.
Mike: Exhales. She's got a lot to overcome, that's for sure.
Carol: Makes me wonder how Peter would be faring if Caryn had been able to be born.
Mike: Embraces his wife. I'd like to think he and Julie would've continued to do well. They were a real team for the baby.
Carol: Snuggles into his embrace. They were.
Mike: Kisses her forehead. Bobby really got through to Jack.
Carol: Oh?
Mike fills her in on Bobby's conversation with him.
Carol: It shows that he's maturing.
Mike: He really is.
Carol: Yawns. I'm about to (yawn) fall (yawn) asleep.
Mike: Yawns. Me too.
They exchange a quick peck and quickly settle to sleep.
-End of Chapter 49-