First mate's log:

May 8, 1973

I saw Peter and Bobby on the ferry yesterday after school. Peter had promised his great-grandfather to meet him in the park to feed pigeons, since it's something they have in common, "and I thought it might cheer the old guy up after his fight with Great-Grandma Connie." Bobby was tagging along because he wanted to talk to the judge about "the olden days," which Bobby has been interested in at least since his Jesse James phase, although he's less interested in bad guys now.

I said, "That might help you with the history part of the quiz show exam. Like, he's gonna remember World War One and even the Spanish-American War."

He scoffed, "I don't need to study. I already know all I need to know for an easy test like that."

Peter shook his head. "Cindy's studying all the time."

"Well, she's not as smart as me."

Me and Peter, I mean Peter and I, smiled at each other, but Bobby didn't seem to notice. I asked about the fight between their great-grandparents, but they just shrugged and said it was Marcia's crazy scheme to set them up. I knew I was right! But I won't gloat over the Skipper, since I feel bad for both old folks.

Then on the next trip back to Blenford, I saw Cindy with her great-grandmother! I was surprised that Cindy wasn't home studying, but she said Marcia suggested she take a break and go to Blenford Central Park with Great-Grandma. I thought about warning them, but then I figured this was another scheme of Marcia's, and I wasn't sure if I should interfere with her interfering. In any case, I didn't get a chance to pull Cindy aside and tell her, and I wasn't sure about saying something in front of Mrs. Hutchins. All I could hope was that the old people wouldn't fight too much in front of the three kids.

The kids came back with their great-grandmother on the last ferry before dinnertime. I didn't get a chance to find out what happened, but everyone seemed happy, so I guess it went OK. Maybe the judge had gone home by the time Mrs. Hutchins and Cindy got there.

Carol Brady's diary:

May 9, 1973

Oh my Lord! Grandma Connie eloped with Grandpa Henry! That was the last thing I was expecting, even with Marcia's matchmaking schemes.

This morning, I found a note on the pillow on the couch where my grandmother had been sleeping these last few nights. Well, not last night apparently. All it said was "Hey Carol, Me and Hank are going to Honolulu to get hitched. We'll be back in a week. Love, Grandma Connie!"

You can imagine my surprise. Yes, they both have spontaneous sides, Connie especially, but even the judge. After all, he moved to Blenford very quickly. But he could move again if he didn't like that island. Marriage is a lot more serious. Then again, as Mike joked, "A lifetime commitment doesn't mean what it would at our age." He also joked about us being step-cousins now, which is strange to think about.

I am happy for my grandmother and my new grandfather, if this is what they truly want. It's just, well, they met only a few days ago and it doesn't sound like it was love at first sight. Despite my doubts, I would've been happy to throw them a wedding, probably after Gilligan and Mary Ann's wedding, since that's coming up next month.

I will obviously have to cancel the welcome party, since neither of them will be around this coming Saturday. I think I'll try for a belated congratulations party on the 19th, but as we're getting further from Cinco de Mayo, Alice and I are considering a Swedish smorgasbord instead. And that way, we can invite even more people.

May 10, 1973

Judge Brady dropped by again, this time past midnight and with company, Mrs. Hutchins! You can imagine my surprise. The last I heard they had a big fight, although I did hope they made up in the park. Well, they made up so much, they were going to elope!

The Skipper asked what their hurry was, and Mrs. Hutchins said, "At our age, Honey, we don't have a lot of time."

He said, "Does it have to be in the middle of the night?"

"Well, if Carol knew about it, she'd make a fuss and want a big wedding."

I felt guilty knowing something that the Bradys didn't, but, well, Mrs. Hutchins and Judge Brady are adults after all. And it's not like they've been living near/with their family that long.

The Skipper again refused to take the ferry out that late, especially for so few passengers. But he did let Mrs. Hutchins sleep on our couch. Judge Brady didn't think it would be proper to sleep in the same room with her before marriage, since he's real old-fashioned, elopement aside. (And, yeah, they've been married before and it's not like either of them is young and innocent.)

So I had to share my bed with the judge because we didn't have anyplace else for him to bunk down. And he snores worse than the Skipper. I thought about warning Mrs. Hutchins, but I figure she used to live on a farm and it wouldn't be worse than animal noises.

Yeah, we took them over on the first ferry out. From Blenford, they planned to fly to Honolulu, partly because it'd be harder for their grandkids and great-grandkids to go after them, and partly because it's a romantic setting that's not as far away as, say, Paris. But they are coming back to Blenford in a week, after their honeymoon.

Mrs. Hutchins did leave her granddaughter/ step-granddaughter a note, so hopefully the Bradys won't worry too much. I feel bad that they didn't get to go to the wedding, but it's made me think about including them in my wedding.

I talked to Mary Ann and she agreed that that's fine, as long as her Aunt Martha and Uncle George are the "mother and father of the bride." The Skipper is of course my best man. If we got married a few years ago, I would've asked Bobby and Cindy to be the ringbearer and the flower girl, but they're both getting a bit big for that.

We decided that we won't ask the Bradys to be part of the wedding party, but we will have them perform at the reception, if they say yes. Not just the kids but Mrs. Brady, too, kind of like the Partridge Family on TV. (Although they're not real and that mom never got remarried after her husband died.)

We won't ask Mr. Brady, since he doesn't like to sing. I figure between Mrs. Brady and her kids, they can do a lot of different styles, appealing to different ages. And, yes, we'll invite the new Mrs. Brady and her husband the judge when they get back.

May 11, 1973

We got a postcard from Grandma and Grandpa in Honolulu. I could tell she wrote it, not only because of the handwriting but because of the joke that she had to show her I.D. to "get hitched."

Meanwhile, we're getting closer to Gilligan and Mary Ann's wedding, and he surprised me today by asking if the kids and I would be willing to perform at the reception. But it was a pleasant surprise. Yes, sometimes I'm shy about performing in public, but I did have fun at the Family Frolics with Marcia, and I'm less shy if I'm not performing alone.

He said, "I'm afraid we can't pay you much, since we're kind of on a budget."

I told him we'd be honored to do it for free, because we're all so happy for them. Of course, Bobby will want to be paid, but he's not the one Gilligan approached.