The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 50
A/N—I'm back! Sorry it's been such a long time since I've updated. I had massive writer's block with this story. Hope you enjoy! Happy reading!
September, 1976. School is back in session. The twins are twenty one months old. Greg is starting his junior year in college. Marcia's a sophomore in college. Peter and Jan are beginning their senior year. Bobby's in ninth grade at Fillmore, and Cindy's in eighth. Cindy rushes into the kitchen and grabs an apple and a piece of toast.
Carol: Hold it!
Cindy: Freezes in her tracks. What?
Carol: You need to eat some breakfast.
Cindy: I'm late. I've got to talk to Coach Muncie about the new routine for the game.
Carol: Fixes her a plate of bacon, eggs and toast. Here. Eat. You've got practice after school. You need to start the day right.
Cindy: Gives up. Fine.
The other three older kids file into the kitchen and dish up their breakfast.
Peter: I'm leaving in half an hour if you want to ride with me.
Jan: I'm just about ready.
Bobby: Sam wants me to work this week.
Carol: I really don't want you working during school.
Bobby: It's only this week. He's training a new assistant, so he wants me to work for a couple hours each day after school and half a day on Saturday.
Carol: I don't know.
Bobby: Mom, it's only for this week. He knows how important school is. Please, let me help him out. His assistant is really nice and just started last week. Sam thinks he'll be able to take on all his duties after this week.
Carol: Mulls it over. Okay. If he's sure.
Bobby: Smiles. Thanks, mom. I'll keep up with my homework. I promise.
Mike, carrying the twins, enters the kitchen. He sets Ryan, then Carolyn into their high chairs.
Ryan: Squeals. Wan Eggsth!
Carol: Places the twins' plates in front of them. Here you go!
Ryan: Eggsth!
Mike: Speaks and signs. Would you like some eggs?
Carolyn: Signs. Eggs!
Mike: Speaks and signs. That's right, eggs!
The older kids finish breakfast and leave for school.
En Route to Westdale
Peter and Jan drive to school. Anxiety builds within Peter.
Jan: Notices. What's wrong, Pete?
Peter: Sighs. Julie.
Jan: What about Julie?
Peter: It's been different since...
Jan: Since the baby?
Peter: Yeah.
Jan: Sad. I'm sorry.
As they pull up into the parking lot, Julie's waiting for them.
Jan: Good luck.
Peter nods as he exits the car.
Peter: Hi Julie.
Julie: Somber. Hi.
Peter: Moves in to kiss her, but she turns away. What?
Julie: My folks are moving.
Peter: Shocked. Moving?
Julie: Yeah. We're moving to Oregon. Dad got a job in Seaside. It's kind of a promotion for him and he couldn't pass it up. It's by the ocean, so there's a beach and stuff...
Peter: Crestfallen. When are you moving?
Julie: At the end of the week.
Peter: That soon.
Julie: Mom's withdrawn me from school. I came so I could say goodbye.
Peter: I can't believe this is going to be goodbye.
Julie: Me too. Sighs. I love you.
Peter: I love you too. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together.
Julie: I want that too, but...
Peter: Hasty. Then marry me.
Julie: What?
Peter: Marry me. Let's get married... today.
Julie: You're not talking any sense! We can't get married.
Peter: Why not? I love you and you love me. We want to spend the rest of our lives together, so why not go ahead and get married? We can get Jan and Billy to be witnesses.
Julie: Puts her hands up. Peter, stop. We can't get married. How would we support each other? Where would we live? We can't live with my folks and I doubt your folks would let us live there either. We already made one foolish decision and we got pregnant. I know Caryn died and everything, but...
Peter: Understanding. You're right. Sighs. I wish there was a way we could stay together.
Julie: So do I, but I don't see how. She hears a horn honk. That's mom. I've gotta go. Reaches into her purse. Oh, this is for you. Hands him a small package. Don't open it until after you get home from school.
Peter: Nods. I love you.
They embrace, ending with a passionate kiss. Then, the school bell rings, signaling the beginning of the day.
Julie: That's the bell. You'd better go.
They exchange one last kiss. Julie gets into her mother's car and Peter watches them drive off. Somberly, he enters the building, beginning his senior year without his girlfriend. Jan sees her brother.
Jan: What's wrong? Where's Julie?
Peter: She's moving to Seaside, Oregon.
Jan: Sympathetic. I'm so sorry. When?
Peter: At the end of the week. She's withdrawn from school and broke up with me.
Jan: Notices the package. What's this?
Peter: Julie gave it to me. She said to wait to open it until she was gone.
Jan: Well? Open it.
Peter: Later. Class is about to start. I'll open it when we get home.
Jan: Fair enough. I guess we'd better get to class before the tardy bell rings.
At Filmore.
Cindy arrives at school in time to talk to Coach Muncie before the school day officially begins. She knocks on the coach's door.
Coach Muncie: Come in.
Cindy: Enters. Do you have time to go over the routine for the game?
Coach Muncie: Sure. Have a seat.
Cindy: This is what I've planned. Shows her the plans she's sketched out. I still want to put Liliana Gonzales as flyer.
Coach Muncie: How's her arm?
Cindy: She said it's finally healed. I know she had complications with it over the summer, but she said the doctor has cleared her for flyer.
Coach Muncie: Reads over the plans. These moves look a little difficult for the team. Do you think they can handle it?
Cindy: I do. Every time Shelley, or I have put a challenge before the team, they've risen to the challenge. If it seems too difficult for them, I'll simplify it.
Coach Muncie: I just don't want the girls getting hurt.
Cindy: Me either.
Coach Muncie: Strikes a few moves. I'm vetoing some of these moves. They're just too dangerous. We've got a young squad and some of these moves are beyond them.
Cindy: Looks over the revisions. How 'bout this? She makes her own revisions and hands it back.
Coach Muncie: Looks it over. Okay, I think that looks good. Go ahead and run it at practice this week.
Cindy: Thanks!
Coach Muncie: In what positions are you putting the girls?
Cindy: I was thinking Marisela, Cassie, Lori and Jennifer as bases, Millicent, Sarah and Lynne to cover the middle and Amanda with me as tumblers. It's gone well this summer with them in those positions... well, I'd had Amanda as flyer since Liliana was out.
Coach Muncie: And what about Christine? You'd pulled her in as a tumbler because Liliana was out.
Cindy: Can we make an exception and put her on the team instead of an alternate?
Coach Muncie: Exhales. I want Liliana to bring in a doctor's note, by the end of the week, clearing her for cheering. As far as Christine is considered, I'll make an exception. She can cheer with the team at football games, parades and rallies, but she can't cheer in competitions. We're bound by the rules, which state how many girls we can have on the squad. So, if Liliana is able to cheer, Christine won't be able to cheer at competitions.
Cindy: I think she'll accept that. I'd like to train her on different positions, so she can step in at a moment's notice.
Coach Muncie: Fair enough. She looks at her watch. You'd better get to class. I'll see you at practice.
Cindy: Thanks.
Cindy goes on to class.
At the Brady house.
Carol and the twins are playing in the family room. Ryan hits his sister upside the head with a block. Carolyn cries.
Carol: Spats his hand. Ryan, no! You don't hit your sister.
Ryan: Frowns. No!
Carol: Kisses Carolyn on the head, speaks and signs. I'm sorry, Carolyn. Ryan, say "I'm sorry."
Ryan: No!
Carol: Warns. Ryan, say I'm sorry. Demonstrates the sign.
Ryan: No!
Carol: Takes Ryan's hand and signs, while speaking. I'm sorry.
Ryan signs on his own.
Carol: Thank you. She kisses him on the side of his head.
There's a knock on the sliding glass door.
Carol: Come in!
Kathy Kelly, with her eighteen and a half month old twins, Kara and Karen, enters.
Carol: Kathy, how are you?
Kathy: Takes the girls out of their stroller. Much better, now that the twins are over their Chicken Pox.
Carol: How in the world did they get that?
Kathy: Steve caught it from his friend and brought it home. Matt and Dwayne had it when they were little.
Carol: Pained. I can't imagine juggling three with Chicken Pox.
Kathy: I'm still not caught up on sleep.
Carolyn plays with her toy vacuum cleaner, Ryan, with his pull Snoopy toy. Kathy interests her girls in a doll each.
Carol: How are the rest of the kids?
Kathy: The boys are disappointed that they're not in each other's classes. Ken and I think it's best to keep them in separate classes for as long as possible.
Carol: Oh?
Kathy: They develop their own friendships and interests better when they're not in the same classes. When they go to Junior High, we may reconsider. Smiles.
Carol: Notices. What? You're not telling me something.
Kathy: The orphanage where we got the boys just found out that Steve has a younger sister, who has come up for adoption.
Carol: Eyes widen. Really?
Kathy: Grins. Yes. They asked us if we'd be interested in adopting her and of course, we said yes.
Carol: Excited. How wonderful! Congratulations!
Kathy: Thanks. She's six weeks younger than the girls.
Carol: So your boys are the same age and you'll have three girls the same age as well.
Kathy: Yes. Ken and I think that's perfect. The boys call themselves the Three Muskateers, and so I suppose we'll have another Three Muskateers.
Carol: Oh Kathy! This is the best news! What's her name?
Kathy: Her name right now is Kelly.
Carol: Kelly Kelly?
Kathy: Yes. We're changing it to Kayla Elyse. We thought it best that she kept her first initial, and this way, she also has the same initials as her sisters. She shows Carol a picture.
Carol: Oh, she's beautiful! When do you bring her home?
Kathy: This weekend.
Carol: Do you need someone to watch the twins?
Kathy: No, mom and dad are coming Friday to help out. Having three kids who are a year and a half is going to be a handful, and Ken's parents are coming the next weekend to take the boys to the local amusement park. Dwayne said they just opened a new roller coaster there and it's got his name on it.
Carol chuckles. Ryan turns the knobs on the TV.
Carol: Ryan, no!
Ryan: Scowls. No! He continues playing with the TV.
Carol: Retrieves her son and spats his hand. I said, no. Do not touch the TV. She holds the struggling toddler in her lap. Ryan, settle down and I'll let you go play.
Kathy: The "Terrible Twos" starting early?
Carol: I'm afraid so. The kids seem to "take turns" driving Mike and me crazy. Yesterday, it was Carolyn's turn, and today, it's Ryan's, I suppose.
Kathy: And I'll have three that will be turning two about the same time. These two haven't started that stage yet. I'm hoping they won't enter it at all.
Carol: Jan never did.
The kids play for a couple hours, and then the kids become sleepy. Kara rubs her eyes as Karen falls asleep underneath the table. Carolyn becomes fussy, while Ryan becomes still.
Kathy: I think the kids are worn out. It's around their naptime, so I'd better go and put the girls down.
Carol: Mine are down for the count too.
Kathy: Loads the girls into the stroller. I'll see you later.
Carol: You too, and congratulations!
Kathy leaves and Carol lays the twins down for their naps.
After school.
Peter and Jan return home from school, and make an immediate beeline into Peter's suite. He takes the package out, lays it on the bed, and stares.
Jan: Well?
Peter: I don't know if I want to open it or not.
Jan: I think you should.
Peter: Sighs. Well, here it goes.
He opens the package to reveal a Christmas ornament. It's a sleeping baby, with Caryn Faith Brady engraved underneath. Peter sits, stunned, fighting back tears.
Jan: Moved. It's beautiful.
A letter falls out of the package.
Jan: There's a note.
Peter: Swallows the lump in his throat. You read it. I don't think I can.
Jan: Opens the note and reads:
Dearest Pete,
I wanted to give you this around the time the baby was to be born, but since we're moving, I had to give it to you now. My aunt makes ornaments and she made one for me and one for you. That way, we can remember our baby girl.
Jan begins crying, and fights back tears as she continues reading:
I will miss you and always remember you fondly, but this may not be goodbye forever. Maybe we'll still get to go to the same university. I still want to go to State. I've enclosed my address in Seaside, and when we get our phone turned on, I'll give you that number.
You were and always will be my first true love.
Yours Always,
Julie
Peter: Crying. I can't believe they're both gone.
Jan: I'm so sorry.
Peter: Some senior year this has turned out to be.
Jan: Consoles. I know it's not exactly the way you'd want, but maybe you'll be able to take her to the Christmas Dance and prom. Who knows, maybe she'll be able to come for football or basketball homecoming.
Peter: Sighs, still looking at the ornament. Guess so. I may call her later on.
Jan: I think she'd like that.
At Cheerleading Practice.
Cindy leads her squad in practice.
Cindy: I've got a new routine I want to go over with you. If we learn it well, we'll debut it at the opening game, and use it at our next competition. If not, we'll save it for homecoming. Liliana, I want you on flyer, but I can't put you on there until I get a doctor's note saying it's okay for you to cheer.
Liliana: Pulls a note out of her bag. Mom thought you'd need one. We got it from the doctor last Friday.
Cindy: Receives the note, reads it and hands it to Coach Muncie. Perfect. So, we'll have Liliana on flyer, Marisela, Cassie, Lori and Jennifer as bases, Millicent, Sarah and Lynne to cover the middle and Amanda, you're with me as tumblers. Milicent, start the squad with some basic cheers while I talk to Christine.
As Milicent leads the squad, Cindy talks to Christine.
Cindy: I've talked to Coach Muncie. I know you made alternate, but have been practicing with the team with Liliana being out...
Christine: Disappointed. I know. I can't cheer with the team.
Cindy: Not in competition, no, but the coach has made an exception.
Christine: How so?
Cindy: You can still cheer with us at practices, games, rallies, and parades, but you'll be first alternate when we go to competitions.
Christine: Excited. Thanks!
Cindy: I'm going to keep you as tumbler for most of our routines, but I want to try you out in different positions for some of them too. Grins. So, are you ready to cheer?
Christine: Oh yes!
Cindy: Well, let's go! All right girls, are you ready to learn the new routine?
That evening at dinner.
The family gathers around the dinner table and discusses their first day at school.
Cindy: The squad began that new routine I was telling you about.
Carol: How did it go?
Cindy: Really well. I think we've got the best squad yet this year.
Jan: Did the coach allow the whole routine, or did she make some changes?
Cindy: She made some changes because she thought it was a bit too hard, but she liked the basic routine.
Peter: Solemn. Julie's moving... to Oregon.
Mike: Sad. I'd heard that. I'm sorry, Pete.
Ryan: Echoes. I sowwy, Pete.
Peter: Gives a weak smile to his youngest brother. Yeah. Some senior year this has turned out to be. I was hoping to spend it with my girlfriend.
Carol: Maybe she can come down for some of your events and maybe you can come up for some of hers.
Peter: I'm calling her later on so we can talk about that.
Mike: Good thinking.
Carolyn: Drops her spoon. Uh oh!
Carol: Speaks and signs. You dropped your spoon. Picks it up. Here you go!
Mike: How was your day, Bobby?
Bobby: Fine, I guess. I like Sam's new assistant. He's learning the ropes quickly.
Carol: So, you'll only need to work this week?
Bobby: Yes.
Carol: What about your day, Jan?
Jan: Okay. Billy and I are in most of the same classes. And, I think I'll like Sign Language II. There's a lot more conversation and less book work.
Peter: I guess it'll be okay. I need at least one class that won't kick my tail. Well, two if you count Advanced Shop. AP English and AP Calculus are going to kick me. I'm glad I've got Study Hall.
Jan: What about World History?
Peter: That one shouldn't be too bad.
Mike: What are you taking this year, Jan?
Jan: Sign Language II, AP English, AP Art, AP World History, Economics, and Study Hall. I'm most excited about the art class. Since I've taken a few college courses, it may not be so difficult.
Bobby: What's the deal with all these AP classes?
Jan: They're like taking college classes for high school credit and possible college credit. If you take enough, you won't have to take as many core courses in college. It makes tuition cheaper and you can take more classes that you want.
Bobby: I'm not taking any AP classes.
Mike: We'll talk about that later. Your mother and I want you guys to take at least a couple AP classes in high school.
Bobby: No thanks. I'll get a baseball scholarship and you won't have to worry about my tuition.
Mike: Later.
That evening.
Mike and Carol have put the twins to bed for the night and are getting read for bed. Carol sits at her vanity.
Carol: Smiles. Guess who's adding to their family.
Mike: Stops in his tracks, horrified. You're not pregnant, are you?
Carol: Laughs. No, I'm not pregnant... and neither is anyone else in our family, besides Christine.
Mike: Okay, who?
Carol: Ken and Kathy.
Mike: They're pregnant again?
Carol: No. They're adopting a little girl. The orphanage called and said Steve's eighteen month old sister is up for adoption, and they jumped on the chance for her.
Mike: Smiles. Well, isn't that something!
Carol: Laughs. Yeah, they're bringing her home this weekend. Dreamily. It would be so nice to have a new baby again.
Mike: Carol, no. Our family's complete. Starts pacing. You decided after Paige that our family was complete, and I'm deciding now. Eight is enough.
Carol: Gets up and kisses her husband on the cheek. I agree. I love our family just the way it is.
Mike breathes a sigh of relief. They give each other a quick peck and finish getting ready for bed.
-End of Chapter 50-