The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 56
Wednesday of Thanksgiving. Carol's fourteen weeks along. Ryan is playing with his trucks in the family room. Carolyn is asleep, hugging Carol's midsection.
Ryan: Crashing two trucks together. Vroom! Vrooom! Casssshhh!
Carol: Chuckles. You crashing the trucks together?
Ryan: Giggles. Tucks casshhh! Vroom! Casssh!
Bobby and Cindy return home from school.
Carol: Hi! How was school?
Bobby: It was school and now we're on break.
Carol: Okay, how was the spelling bee?
Bobby: Non-committal. It was okay.
Carol: Just okay? Cindy, how was the spelling bee?
Cindy: Dismissing. Oh, you know. It was a spelling bee.
Carol: Suppressing a grin. All right, tell me how it went.
Bobby: It wasn't a repeat of last year.
Cindy: Or the year before that.
Carol: Oh, c'mon...
Ryan: Echoes. Oh, c'mon!
Carol: Lemme guess, we've got another Brady-Brady showdown.
Cindy: Poker face. Perhaps.
Carol: Figures it out; face lights up. Bobby, you won and Cindy, you got second!
Bobby: You guessed right.
Carol: Congratulations!
Cindy: I flubbed up on the word scherenschnitte.
Carol: Eyes widen. WOW! I would never have been able to spell that one!
Bobby: I almost messed up on guetapens.
Cindy: He gave me a run for my money, that's for sure!
The phone rings.
Carol: Can one of you get that?
Bobby: Answers the phone. Hello?... hey, Greg.
Greg: Can I talk to mom or dad?
Bobby: Sure. Here's mom. Brings the phone over. It's Greg.
Carol: Thanks.
Ryan: Bobby, play? Hands his brother a truck.
Bobby: Sits with his brother. Sure. Cindy, can you take my books?
Cindy takes Bobby's books and leaves the room.
Carol: Greg, how are you?
Greg: I'm fine. I'm just calling to let you know Nora and I are on the way to her folks' house. Our flight leaves in an hour. We'll be back Sunday.
Carol: Have fun and tell her folks hello from us.
Greg: Will do.
They hang up. She puts the phone on the table next to the couch.
Bobby: Want me to make a race track?
Ryan: Wace twak!
Bobby: All right. We can get the blocks and make a track like this. Demonstrates.
Carol: Just don't make it too hard for him.
Bobby: I won't.
Jan and Peter come home from school.
Carol: Hi kids! How was school?
Peter: It was okay. Can't wait 'till Christmas Break.
Carol: Do you know if Julie's getting to come for the Christmas Dance?
Peter: Smiles. She is. She and her mom are staying at the motel around the corner.
Jan: I got another letter from Aunt Jenny.
Carol: What does she say?
Jan: Hang on. She opens it and begins to read.
Dear Soul sister,
I hope you're doing well. Haven't heard from you in awhile. I've been riding camels near the Pyramids of Egypt, swimming in the Jordan River, and floating in the Dead Sea. This tour of the Holy Lands is one of the best ever!
I suppose you're winding down the semester. One more semester to go before you and Peter graduate. Have you thought about what trip you want to take after graduation?
I hope you guys have a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. I won't be able to make it this year, but I plan on being at your graduation.
Tell your brothers and sisters and folks hello from me. And tell your mom and dad I've got a package coming for the twins' birthday and everyone's Christmas.
Love and hugs,
Aunt Jenny
Hmm! My last letter must have gotten lost in the mail.
Carol: How so?
Jan: I'd told her about winning homecoming queen and the new baby. I'll have to write her again and explain what probably happened.
Carol: What did your teacher say about your painting?
Jan: It's been selected again for the art show. She said it was my best one yet.
Carol: Wonderful! I can't wait to see it!
Jan: You will at the art show.
Carolyn begins squirming.
Carol: You waking up from your nap?
Carolyn screams, holding her ear. Ryan covers his ears.
Carol: Sighs. Oh no. Are you getting another ear infection?
Carolyn: Cries, Signs and speaks. Mommeeee!
Carol: Struggles to stand up, but gets on her feet. Sweetheart, let's get you some Tylenol. She carries her daughter into the kitchen.
Mike walks through the front door and hears Carolyn wailing.
Mike: Walking into the kitchen. Another ear infection?
Carol: Sighs. Yes.
They exchange a quick peck.
Mike: I'll call the doctor. Maybe she can prescribe an antibiotic.
Mike calls the doctor, while Carol rocks Carolyn in the nursery.
Carol: Tears rolling down her cheeks. I'm so sorry, baby girl. Mama wishes she could fix it for you.
Carolyn begins to settle down.
Mike: Enters the nursery. The pharmacy will deliver the antibiotic in about forty-five minutes.
Carol: Sighs in relief. Good. Fights back tears. I hate that she gets ear infections.
Mike: Me too.
Carol: It hurts my heart that I can't kiss it and make her better.
Mike: Same here.
Carol: Looks at her daughter sleeping against her abdomen, and smiles. Look at her. She just form-fits around the baby. She strokes her daughter's hair. I can't wait to see these three play together.
Mike: She's asleep. Would you like me to put her down?
Carol: Please.
Mike: Lifts their daughter from Carol's arms. C'mere, Kitten. Daddy's got you. Carolyn awakens, screams and holds her ears.
Carol: Holds her arms out. Let me take her. Mike places her in her arms. C'mere, sweetheart. Carolyn squirms in her mother's arms. Shhh. I guess the Tylenol hasn't taken effect yet.
The doorbell rings.
Mike: That's the pharmacy. He answers the door and receives the antibiotic, then returns to the nursery. Here it is. He gives Carolyn the medicine. Here you go, Kitten.
Carol: Kisses the top of Carolyn's head. I hope you feel better soon, sweetheart.
Jan: Knocks on the door. Mom, Marcia's on the phone.
Carol: Can you either take a message or have her call back later?
Jan: I will.
Mike: Would you like me to get dinner?
Carol: Please.
Mike: And, would you like me to call Marcia and see if she'll help with Thanksgiving Dinner?
Carol: Please.
Mike: Gives his wife a peck. I'll give her a call.
In the master bedroom
Mike dials Marcia's number.
Marcia: Hello?
Mike: Marcia, it's Dad.
Marcia: Jan told me Carolyn's sick.
Mike: Yes, she's got another ear infection.
Marcia: Sorrowful. Poor thing! Hows' mom?
Mike: Probably not going to be able to cook Thanksgiving Dinner. She was wondering if you, Jan and Cindy could cook. She's got everything lined up. Sam and Alice brought over a turkey this morning on their way out of town.
Marcia: Sure. I can be over by ten. I've also got the outfits Mom, Jan and Cindy are wearing for the fashion show. I need them to try them on so if there's any alterations, I can get them done over the weekend.
Mike: I'll let them know.
Marcia: Thanks. I hope they like them. If they do, they'll be able to keep them. If not, we'll donate them to a local consignment shop. Thinks. Would I be able to come over tonight and bring them? I know mom may not be able to try hers on tonight, but I was thinking tomorrow morning might be too busy with cooking dinner.
Mike: Sure. I'm calling in an order to Marioni's. Would you swing by and pick it up on your way over? I'll have it put on my account.
Marcia: Okay. See you soon.
They hang up and Mike returns to the nursery. Carol is rocking a sleeping Carolyn, and appears to be asleep herself.
Carol: Opens her eyes. You get a hold of Marcia?
Mike: I did. She's coming over for dinner. I called an order into Marioni's and she'll pick it up for us.
Carol: Groggy. Thanks.
Mike: Oh, and she's bringing the outfits for the fashion show for you and the girls to try on.
Carol: Closes her eyes. Okay.
Mike: Concerned. Are you okay?
Carol: I'm fine. Yawns. I just got sleepy rocking Carolyn.
Mike: Do you want me to put her down so you can lie down?
Carol: No. I'll put her down when Marcia gets here with dinner. Who has Ryan?
Mike: Bobby and Cindy. Apparently, Bobby's race car track is keeping Ryan quite occupied.
Carol: For this long? WOW!
Mike: Gives his wife a quick peck. I'll let you get some sleep.
Carol: Okay.
After Dinner.
Marcia, Jan, Cindy and Carol gather in Jan's bedroom and try on the outfits for the fashion show.
Marcia: Working on Cindy's hemline. How does that feel? Too long, too short?
Cindy: I think it's too long. Mom?
Carol: Studies the dress. Mmm, it looks about right. Any shorter and it may be a bit indecent.
Jan: I love mine! It fits perfectly!
Carol: Jan, it's beautiful!
Marcia: Hey! I like it! The style and colour are perfect for you.
Jan: Mom, go try yours on.
Carol: All right. She goes behind the curtain and changes into her outfit. Well?
Cindy: I love it, mom! It shows off the baby well.
The maxi dress is a red, white and blue floral, fully-lined polyester double knit with a tight stretch and has an empire waist and v neck, flared skirt, and floor length.
Carol: You think?
Jan: Yes! The empire waist shows off the baby.
Carol: It's comfortable. Wish I'd had this dress when I was pregnant with the twins. Nothing felt comfortable.
Marcia: You were pregnant with twins. I imagine it was hard to find things that were comfortable for you. Studies the dress. Is it too big, too small, just right?
Carol: It's just right. You did a great job.
Marcia: Thanks! Try on the next one!
Carol: Grins. Okay! She changes into her second outfit.
This maxi dress has a dark blue overlay with yellow, green, and white daisies all over. The lining is a bright blue. It features a high built up collar that is embellished with ruffles. The ruffles continue down the bust accenting faux buttons and lead to an empire waist marked with a satin green bow. There are long mesh peasant sleeves with ruffles at the wrist. A full skirt billows from the waist.
Marcia: How's this one?
Carol: This one's just as comfortable. Studies herself in the mirror and chuckles as she places her hand underneath the baby. I still can't believe I'm having another baby. Some days it's real, and other days, it's not.
Marcia, Jan and Cindy smile. Carol breaks the silence.
Carol: Cindy, how's your other outfit?
Cindy: The tank top and jeans?
Carol: Yes.
Cindy: The top is perfect, but the jeans don't fit. They're too big I'll use my favourite pair. It looks good with those bell bottoms I got before homecoming.
There's a knock on the door.
Jan: Come in!
Mike: Enters the room with a screaming Carolyn. Carol, can you take her? She's inconsolable.
Carol: Let me change out of the dress first. She quickly changes out of the dress and receives her youngest.
Mike: I gave her another dose of Tylenol about half an hour ago.
They walk to the master bedroom.
Carol: I'll rock her. Can you set up the playpen? I'd rather keep her in here, so she won't keep Ryan awake.
He sets it up while Carol rocks their daughter, who is sobbing.
Carol: I wish she hadn't weaned herself, but with the baby coming, it would be hard to start back up. Can you hand me a pacifier. Maybe she'll take that.
Mike: Hands her a pacifier. I hope she grows out of them. I hate seeing her like this.
Carol: Me too.
Carolyn sucks on her pacifier and eventually drifts to sleep.
Mike: Sighs with relief. Maybe she'll sleep for awhile.
Carol: Me too. Did Ryan go down?
Mike: Yes. He let Peter put him to bed. Smiles. After three books.
Carol: Chuckles. Three books?
Mike: Yes.
Marcia: Knocks on the door. Mom?
Mike: Answers the door. Carolyn's asleep.
Marcia: Tell her I'll be back tomorrow around ten.
Mike: I will. Thanks for picking up dinner.
Marcia: You're welcome, and good night.
-End of Chapter 56-