First mate's log:

February 8, 1973

Today Jan told me she had terrible news that she needed to share with someone. I was kind of afraid to ask, because of the whole Marcia thing, but I can't help it. I'm used to listening to the Brady kids' problems and I can't break that habit.

After first swearing me to secrecy, she said, "Well, Marcia is in love with an older man."

I didn't know if she was leading up to it gently, but I didn't say I already knew. I said, "How much older?"

"She's not sure, but maybe twenty-seven or twenty-eight."

The Bradys have known my age for over eight years. So I'm not Marcia's secret crush. I was relieved about that part, because I wouldn't have to let Marcia down gently, or explain to Mary Ann why we couldn't invite Marcia to our wedding. But now I was worried about Marcia definitely being interested in a man who's too old for her. And what if that man isn't as honorable as I am and would try to take advantage of poor Marcia?

"That is terrible."

"No, that's not the terrible part."

I was afraid to ask, but I figured it was better to know than to live in dread. "What is?"

"He's married!"

"Oh no!" It was worse than if he was a smooth-talking bachelor on the make.

"Yes, he's got a wife, a child, maybe even a dog."

I whispered, "Does Marcia know?"

"No, I just found out from one of my friends whose parents are friends with both Vogels."

"Vogels?"

"Uh, pretend I didn't say that."

"Um, OK. So are you gonna tell Marcia?"

"I have to, especially before their first date tomorrow night."

I was relieved that they haven't gone out yet. Maybe Marcia has fallen for him but they haven't actually started their affair. There's still time to save her. I urged Jan to tell Marcia as soon as possible, no matter how tough it would be.

Carol Brady's diary:

February 10, 1973

To my surprise and confusion, Greg and Marcia went to the pizza parlor last night, to meet Brenda and Eddie. For some reason, Marcia gave up babysitting for Dr. and Mrs. Vogel. I don't know if she decided that she felt funny about it because of her crush on him, or if she felt bad about breaking her date with Eddie.

But, yes, Eddie Anderson is a nice young man. He still works as a delivery boy at Garst's General Store, although we do some of our grocery-shopping at the supermarket on Blenford of course. Eddie's father is a farmer and Eddie is saving up to go to Blenford Community College, so he'll have something to talk to Brenda about. And, yes, he's the one that Alice tried to set up with Marcia when she was feeling ugly because of her braces. (I chose Harold Axelrod, who was painfully shy.)

I think Jan knows what made Marcia change her mind, since Marcia does confide in her more now that they're both teenagers. She started to say something after Greg and Marcia left, but then she said that Mike and I "aren't young enough to understand." I am curious of course, but I'll wait until Marcia is comfortable telling me herself. Sixteen is a difficult age, as I recall, although those were simpler, more innocent times of course.

February 12, 1973

Mary Ann told me she saw Marcia with a group of other high school kids, including Eddie as her date, at the pizza parlor Friday night. I'm relieved she came to her senses and is seeing a boy who's only a year older.

Peter, on the other hand, still has the crazy idea that getting out of the school play will make his classmates like him again, even though the play is only four days away. So now he's faking laryngitis. Well, not in front of me but at school and at home. He told me it worked this time, and he's really relieved.

"What about the play?"

"They can get some other poor sap to be Benedict Arnold. No one will hold it against him since it's last minute."

I was dubious about that, but it's too late to stop him of course. Even if he "recovered" by Friday, the damage has been done. I feel bad for encouraging him, but I don't know how to fix things.

February 13, 1973

Peter came home with "laryngitis" yesterday. Yes, that's very suspicious, especially since he got over his "limp" so quickly. And the play is on Friday.

And then Jan came home and said that the play was cancelled! It's too late for Miss Goodwin to find another boy to play Benedict Arnold. (And that it's not a sympathetic character probably doesn't help her search.) I felt terrible for all the children who worked so hard on the play, especially Jan of course. Oh, and Mike, too, for all his help.

Mike and I went to talk to Peter in his room. We told him what Jan told us.

Peter said, without a trace of a sort throat, "I guess if I don't play the part of a traitor, I'll be a traitor." He agreed to do the play after all, so as not to betray Jan, the rest of the cast, and Miss Goodwin.

We didn't make him tell Miss Goodwin about his lies, but we did make him tell Miss Goodwin he's feeling much better today.

February 14, 1973

Mary Ann and I had a nice, simple Valentine's Day date tonight. She made us dinner and we danced to the radio.

And I told her about the confusion with Marcia, because she knew something has been bothering me lately.

To my surprise, she laughed and said, "Oh, Gilligan!"

"It was an honest mistake."

"I know, but, well, I wouldn't ordinarily break a confidence, but Marcia told me about her crush. I'm not going to tell you who it is, but I talked to him and he said he just wanted her to babysit and she misunderstood. Nothing happened between them, but she 'gave him up' for the good of his wife and child."

I was relieved, although I suppose he could've been lying. Anyway, we mostly thought about each other tonight, and it makes me happy that we'll be married long before the next Valentine's Day.

February 15, 1973

Mike and I got to see the dress rehearsal for the play, since our family has been so heavily involved in the production. There were some little hiccups, like Peter accidentally wearing his boots on his deathbed, but the kids did a wonderful job overall. I was really impressed by Peter's acting, since it's a much more complicated role than palace guard, and he'd been so ambivalent about it. And the sets look amazing, so I'm proud of Jan and Mike for that.

After the rehearsal, Miss Goodwin said she was amazed by Peter's recovery from laryngitis. I said it was an old home remedy.

"Oh, the kind you have to take with a spoonful of sugar?"

Peter said, "No, Dad just gave it to me straight."

I don't know how much Miss Goodwin knew or suspected, but I admire her patience with our children, from Peter's recalcitrance to Marcia's prima donna act last year.