First mate's log:
April 30, 1973
Mr. Brady's grandfather has moved to Blenford! He's a retired judge, somewhere in his eighties, and his doctor thought the tropical climate would be good for him. Mr. Brady and the kids are his only surviving family, so he wanted to live closer to them. At the same time, he's pretty independent and doesn't want to actually live with them.
Yeah, he could've moved elsewhere on our island, but he thinks it's too primitive, even with all the developments in the last few years. At least Blenford has supermarkets and a TV station and, yeah, a courthouse, although like I said, he's retired. I met him once before, at the Bradys' wedding, and he seems kind of stern but not mean. He does have a sense of humor, but, like the Science teacher Mr. Price and sometimes the Professor, he likes to tell jokes in Latin. Yeah, he and the Professor can joke together now.
Carol Brady's diary:
May 1, 1973
Mike and I are very surprised by a new arrival on Blenford: his grandfather, Judge Henry Brady! According to Mike, and what I observed at our wedding, he's very stuck in his ways, so for him to move so far and so quickly, especially at his age, is amazing. It's not like my Grandma Connie, who's almost as old but still very spry and spontaneous.
But we're of course thrilled that he's living close enough that we can visit him. I love the idea of the kids getting to know him better. They're growing up without getting to see much of the extended family. I know that's partly my fault for agreeing to come back here after we were rescued, but at least it's better than when we were marooned. And we do keep in touch with my side of the family through letters and phone calls. Mike was an only child and his parents are gone, so it really means a lot to have his Grandpa Henry around.
I want to throw a belated welcome party for the judge, nothing fancy, maybe a barbecue. I'd do it this Saturday, but Mike and I are going to the Skipper's birthday party that the Howells are throwing. I think Saturday the 12th would work though. I'll start sending out invitations, not a lot, since I don't want to overwhelm him, and it would be easier to do a barbecue for a relatively small group. (Not to mention the high price of meat, although Sam would probably give us a good deal.)
May 2, 1973
Cindy is very excited about a chance to be on BITV again. The kids in fourth and fifth grade at her school are all going to take tests to see if they qualify for Question the Kids. (I would've called it "Kid Quiz," but I guess that's why I'm not in show biz.) The top two scorers for each grade will be on the team for this island. They'll compete against the kids from one of the Blenford grammar schools.
I asked, "Is Bobby excited about it?"
She shrugged. "I don't think so, but I usually get more excited about things than he does."
That's true, but I wished her luck and asked her to tell him that I wish him luck, too. I'm very glad they're not competing against each other, because I still remember what a mess that was when Greg and Marcia were both running for Junior High President.
May 3, 1973
Both Bobby and Cindy might be on television again! This time it has nothing to do with music. Their school is going to have a team on a new quiz show, Question the Kids. I remember Ginger mentioning it, but I thought it would mostly be kids from Blenford, for convenience. I wonder if she put in a word for the kids on our island. Of course, Bobby and Cindy will have to earn places on the team, fair and square. Only four students will be selected from each school.
Cindy is taking this very seriously, already studying the subjects that will likely be on the qualifying exam. Bobby is more casual about it, thinking he doesn't need to worry about the competition in his grade. They only have a week to study before the test next Friday, so I hope he'll buckle down soon. I know it's not going to affect his grades, but I still think he should try.
May 4, 1973
I met another of the Brady kids' great-grandparents on the ferry. Well, she's the only other one that's still alive besides Judge Brady. This is Connie Hutchins, Mrs. Brady's mother's mother. She lives in Kentucky and missed Mrs. Brady's second wedding because she was busy on her farm. But she's been meaning to visit for years and finally got the chance, now that she's sold her farm.
I told her that my fiancée grew up on a farm and how that was a big help when we were marooned. She already knew some about that because Mrs. Brady wrote to her about that time. She said she'd love to meet Mary Ann and try some of her pizza.
I asked, "How long are you staying for?"
She grinned, showing what looked like a good set of false teeth, and said in her twang, "I don't rightly know. I'm hopin' two weeks, but I'll need to see how Carol feels about it."
"Didn't you two talk about it first?"
She chuckled and said, "No, Sir. I just hopped on a couple planes and I'm gonna surprise everyone."
I don't know if that's crazier than Judge Brady actually moving to Blenford, but at least he didn't expect to stay with the Bradys, and she clearly does. On the other hand, I can't exactly see the Bradys turning either great-grandparent away.
I guess I'll find out tomorrow night. The Howells are throwing another evening party for couples, but this time it's for the Skipper's birthday. He confided in me he'd be fine with just a barbecue, maybe with Mexican touches for Cinco de Mayo, as well as "island" flavors. Like tacos and pineapples, beans and coconuts. Mary Ann said she'd be happy to make that, maybe for fewer people than the Howells are inviting. But Mrs. Howell has a new chef she wants to show off. And it's not like the Skipper is going to refuse a dinner in his honor.
It isn't a costume party this time. We're just supposed to dress up a little, so I'll wear a jacket and tie. I'm sure Mary Ann will look beautiful, whatever dress she wears.
May 5, 1973
My Grandma Connie is here! She didn't even tell me she was leaving Kentucky. I don't think my mother knows either, unless she was in on the surprise. I'd thrilled to see Grandma of course, and when she asked to stay two weeks, I immediately said yes. (I still regret that she couldn't make it to my wedding to Mike, although I understood of course.)
Mike has no objections to her stay, other than we're going to be at the Skipper's birthday party this evening and unfortunately can't take her along. Like the Easter Weekend costume party, the Howells are allowing adult couples only, so the kids can't go either. But they are already fond of their great-grandmother, so they'll keep her company while Mike and I are out.
I know I'm biased, but Grandma is fun, funny, and full of energy, charm, and plain-speaking. Mike teased me, "I see where you get it."
I think I'm more diplomatic than my grandmother, but I'm proud of the female line of my family. And I think Cindy especially is like her, since she's a tomboy who has trouble holding her tongue.
I'm glad Grandma will be here when I throw the party for Mike's grandfather in a week. I'm curious to see if they'll get along, since they're so different. I guess I can make it a welcome party for both of them, even though she's just visiting. Maybe a barbecue wouldn't be big enough, since I should probably invite more people to give them a chance to meet her, while Judge Brady can meet the others later.
Maybe we can do a Mexican meal, since the Howells aren't celebrating Cinco de Mayo tonight. I'll talk to Alice about it tomorrow, since I have to get ready for tonight's party.