First mate's log:

January 31, 1973

Oh no! I don't believe this is happening!

I know I shouldn't have listened to Cindy, especially since she found out by eavesdropping, but maybe it's better that I know.

She said she was hanging out with Jan in their bedroom yesterday after school when Marcia came home. Marcia wanted to talk to Jan privately about something personal. Cindy reluctantly went out into the hallway, but she resented it because it's her room, too.

She started to go downstairs but then she came back. Instead of going into the bedroom though, she went into the bathroom from the hallway, and then locked all the doors. That way no one would see her eavesdropping. Then she put her ear to the door leading to her bedroom.

She heard Marcia say, "He's so groovy, but what about the age difference?"

Jan said, "According to this month's issue of Teentime Romance, the perfect husband is ten or twelve years older, because he'd be more mature, financially stable, and understanding."

I said to Cindy, "Marcia's getting married?" I mean, she's only sixteen.

"Well, not yet. I think she just met this guy and she's still too young. But maybe they'll get married someday, after they go steady a couple years."

"Did she say who he was?"

Cindy pouted. "No, I didn't hear that part."

"Uh, well, you probably shouldn't tell anyone else. It's not nice to gossip, or eavesdrop."

"Oh, OK, but it's such big news I had to tell someone."

"I understand, but I won't tell anyone else. Especially if the guy doesn't know yet."

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks, Gilligan!"

After she left, I just stood there in shock. Marcia is in love with me! Or at least she has a crush. Why, after all these years?

And, yeah, I've seen her grow up and she's like a niece to me. I never should've told her I thought she was pretty, but I didn't mean it like that.

And why me? I'm not anything special. I'm not smart or handsome. I'm not even that mature or financially stable, although I try to be understanding.

It's not like when Greg had a crush on his teacher. She was a newcomer to the island and she was gorgeous. Plus, once Greg found out she was engaged, he backed off. Marcia knows I'm engaged to Mary Ann!

Gosh, what am I gonna tell Mary Ann? Maybe I shouldn't say anything until I'm absolutely sure. I mean, maybe Cindy misunderstood. And I don't know that I'm the older man Marcia's interested in. I'm just the one about twelve years older than her (almost thirteen) that she talks to the most.

Maybe I should talk to Marcia about this, but I don't really want to bring it up, no matter who she's interested in. If she brings it up, I'll let her down gently. And if she's interested in another man in his late 20s, well, I'll discourage that because she's barely old enough to date a college boy, let alone someone my age.

Carol Brady's diary:

February 1, 1973

Marcia went to the dentist a couple days ago. Dr. Gordon is on our island and Marcia is old enough that I didn't have to take her, as I would've done for Bobby or Cindy. I wrote the note for her to take to school and leave an hour early.

She came home in a daze. I thought maybe it was Novocain or some other drug, but it was infatuation. No, not with Dr. Gordon, who's in his fifties. Her appointment was actually with Dr. Stanley Vogel, Dr. Gordon's new young associate, fresh out of dental school. According to Marcia, he has wavy hair, dreamy eyes, groovy bellbottoms, and the best rock music in his reception area. She didn't even seem to mind the pain of her appointment because he was so "far out."

I think the crush is harmless. It's not like with Greg and "Linda," where he saw his teacher every day and was failing Math. If Marcia looks forward to going to the dentist, that's a good thing.

February 2, 1973

I haven't seen Peter recently, but he came by today and told me what happened with his "limp." Miss Goodwin told him that it was perfect, because Benedict Arnold injured the same leg! Peter said he can't limp for another two weeks, other than onstage if he has to.

Now that I think of it, that trick didn't work out for Cindy, who mixed up which ankle she twisted. Peter hasn't given up on getting out of the play though.

No, I didn't talk to him about Marcia's crush. I figure Marcia is a lot more likely to confide in Greg than in him.

February 3, 1973

Mike and Greg finally had their golf match against Mr. Howell and his nephew this morning. They lost but Greg didn't seem to mind, because he now has a crush on Mr. Howell's caddy's eighteen-year-old daughter, Brenda. I think this is a harmless crush, too, especially since she's close to his age. (She goes to Blenford Community College.)

Mike has an appointment with Dr. Vogel on Monday, so he'll let me know if the young dentist seems groovy, ha ha.

February 4, 1973

Mary Ann and I went over to Blenford again to try to find the right band for our wedding. We're still not having much luck, but at least the wedding is months away.

She noticed that I seemed distracted, but I just couldn't tell her about Marcia's possible feelings for me. It wouldn't be fair to Marcia, especially if I'm wrong. I know, I really should talk to Marcia, but you know I'm not good at this stuff, and it's complicated because Marcia is just a kid but not a little girl.

Anyway, I told Mary Ann I felt overwhelmed by all the music, which was true.

February 5, 1973

Mike said that Dr. Vogel seems like a very nice man and a good dentist. And Dr. Vogel asked if Marcia ever does any babysitting. Of course Marcia babysits for her younger siblings, with and without Greg, and has for a couple of years now. Dr. Vogel and his wife are going to the ballet on Blenford this coming Friday and they need someone to look after their four-year-old son.

Yes, Marcia will probably be surprised that Dr. Vogel is married, but I'm sure she'll be happy to pick up a little cash. Mike will ask her about it when she gets home from school.

February 6, 1973

Greg told me that Marcia broke a date with his friend Eddie. Well, Greg fixed them up and Marcia said OK.

I asked, "When was this?"

"Well, I asked her a couple days ago if she wants to be Eddie's date when a group of us go to the pizza parlor Friday night. She said sure, even though she thinks he's 'immature.' And Eddie's my age!"

That was after Cindy overheard Marcia and Jan. So at least she wasn't planning to wait until I'm available. Except that she told Greg today that she "has more mature things to do" that night. I hope she's not going to be writing me a love letter or something!

I know, I really, really need to talk to her, but I'll probably wait until Friday and then deal with it then. And I still hope I'm wrong.

February 7, 1973

Marcia told Mike she had plans on Friday, but I guess she cancelled them to babysit for the Vogels. Today she asked if I was all right with it. I know she's mostly sat for our family, but I told her it would be a good experience. And it's not a school night.

She hugged me and seemed incredibly grateful for my permission, even though Mike was the one who told her about the job in the first place. Maybe she doesn't actually have a crush on Dr. Vogel and just admires him, since knowing that he's a husband and father doesn't seem to have cooled her enthusiasm. But she ran off happily before we could talk further, and I decided to let it go.