Growing Up Brady And Johnson (Read 5,076 times)

[André DiMera]

Hope the rest of the school year goes well. Interesting that Carrie is putting on makeup despite Roman’s wishes, though I imagine she can wash it off before coming home.

[Kpatch]

Carrie is trying hard to fit in. Hope she succeeds.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 9

Carrie took some light pink blush, and carefully applied it to her
cheeks. She figured that would be enough make up, and she would just
wash it off once she got home. Her father would never know. Just then
the bell rang. Feeling better about herself, Carrie grabbed her books
and made her way out of the bathroom with her friends. She was ready
to begin her second day of junior high.
Carrie’s second day of school had gone just as smoothly as her first.
She liked buying her lunch the same as the other kids. Carrie
continued to noticed that all the girls were carrying purses and not
backpacks. Carrie had opted to stash her backpack in her locker again
for the day. She even noticed that Sarah was carrying a purse. In
study Hall, Carrie worked on the only homework that she had for the
day, Math. She and Sarah worked hard to get their homework finished by
the end of the day. Once the girls left school, and they were on the
bus, Carrie asked Sarah if she wanted to come over and hang out for a
while. The twins wouldn’t be home from school yet, and they'd have
the house to themselves. Sarah like this idea, and she agreed. Once
the bus dropped them off, Carrie and Sarah made the short walk back to
Carrie’s house. Once the girls got back to Carrie’s, Sarah called her
mom to tell her that she was at Carrie’s hanging out, and she’d be
home by dinner. They then went into the kitchen and got snacks,and
took them up in Carrie’s room. The girls ate, and listened to music.
As they ate, Carrie admired Sarah’s purse. “Where’d you get your purse
from?” Carrie asked.
Sarah beamed. “Jennifer gave it to me. She didn’t want it anymore.
Isn’t it cool?”
“Yeah,” Carrie said. “I wish I had one.”
Just then Sarah bounced up from the bed. “Why don’t you get one. We
could go to the mall, and you could buy a purse.”
Carrie was quiet for a moment. She did like Sarah’s plan. She had
money left over from what her mom had sent her. She figured that her
father wouldn’t mind,and it was just a purse. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Perfect,” Sarah said as she clapped her hands together excitedly.
“Let’s go now.”
“Now. I didn’t say now.”
“Come on Carrie,” Sarah begged. “I’ll call Jennifer and see if she can
take us to the mall real fast. It won’t take long.”
“I don’t know,” Carrie said unsure. “I’d have to ask my dad, and then
there’s the twins. They’ll be home from school soon.”
“Do you have to watch them?”
“No,” Carrie said. “My Aunt Kim should be here soon.”
“Okay, then we’re going,” Sarah said.
Before Carrie could say another word Sarah went downstairs,and into
the kitchen. She grabbed the phone from the wall,and dialed her cousin
Jennifer’s number. Sarah talked on the phone for a few minutes,and
then hung up smiling triumphantly. “She’s coming,” Sarah said. “Call
your dad.”
Carrie nodded. Sarah handed the phone to Carrie. Carrie dialed her
father’s work number at the police station. She asked to go to the
mall with Sarah and Jennifer. Roman asked for what, and Carrie said
that she wanted to use the last of her school money to get something
for school. Carrie then promised that she’d be home in time for
dinner. Roman said that it would be fine. Carrie thanked her father,
and hung up the phone. She then smiled at Sarah. “Good to go.”
Carrie ran upstairs and got the rest of her money.

[André DiMera]

Glad Carrie and Sarah called their parents, or other authority figures, before just leaving for the mall. Either way, it’s good that they’ll get to go.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 10

Just then the front door opened, and Kimberly Donovan, Carrie’s aunt
stepped into the house. She smiled upon seeing Carrie and Sarah. “Hi
there, girls.”

“Hey Aunt Kim,” Carrie said. “Um, Sarah and I are going to the mall
with Jennifer. Dad said it was fine. Okay?”
Kim looked a bit taken back. “Okay. As long as your dad knows.”
“He does,” Carrie said. Just then Jennifer Horton pulled up in her car.
Kim eyed Jennifer’s car, and gave a thumbs up to the girls. “Have fun.”
“Thanks we will,” Carrie said as she and Sarah rushed outside.
The girls got in the car, and thanked Jennifer for picking them up.
Jennifer said it was no problem, that she needed to go to the mall,and
start shopping around for a dress for the upcoming Homecoming dance.
Both Carrie and Sarah gushed upon the mention of a dance. Once they
got to the mall, Jennifer instructed the girls to meet her back in the
food court in an hour. They then parted ways.
Sarah knew exactly where to go for Carrie to get a purse. Sarah led
Carrie into a trendy store. “Here’s where all the cool purses are,”
Sarah explained. “Lisa got her purse from here.”
“Who’s Lisa?” Carrie asked.
“The captain of the cheer squad at school,” Sarah said. “I met her
today,and she told me.”
The girls began to look at the purses. Carrie found a purse that she
liked. Sarah agreed that it was cute, and that Carrie should get it.
Once Carrie picked out a purse, they made their way to the make up
area of the store. They began to look at the blush. “You should get a
blush,” Sarah said.
“I don’t know,” Carrie said.
“Come on Carrie. It’s just blush. Just get a light shade, like you
wore today. Besides, your aunt Kim didn’t even say anything to you
about it.”
Carrie thought about it for a moment. Maybe Sarah had a point. It was
just blush. What could it hurt. Carrie agreed,and she took the blush
and the purse to the check out line. Once Carrie paid for her
purchases, she and Sarah made their way to the food court to wait for
Jennifer. Within a few minutes Jennifer arrived at the food court.
Carrie showed Jennifer her purchases. Jennifer approved, complimenting
Carrie on the cute purse and blush. Carrie knew that she had made the
right choice in getting the items, if they had the Jennifer Horton
stamp of approval on them. The girls then left the mall.
Jennifer dropped Carrie back at home,and drove Sarah back to her
house. Carrie walked into her house. By this time, her father was home
from work. Kim was still there, helping Roman with dinner. “Hey
pumpkin,” Roman greeted. “How was the mall?”
“Good,” Carrie said.
“What did you get?” Roman asked his daughter.
Carrie looked around the kitchen. Sami and Eric were in the backyard
playing. She took her purchases out of the bag. “A purse and some
blush,” Carrie said innocently.
“Aw, your purse is so cute,” Kim said. “Love the blush too.”
Roman shot his sister a look. Kim knew not to say another word, at
least for the time being. “Carrie, honey,” Roman said gently, “Why the
purse? And you know how I feel about make up. I think that blush might
be too much.”
“Dad, please,” Carrie said. “All the girls carry purses at school.
They put their lunch money in them,and you know other things.”
“Other things?” Roman asked pointedly.
“Yeah, uh, things,” Carrie said. “Like.” Her voice froze. She looked
at her aunt Kim for help.
Kim knew that look, and jumped right in. “Yeah, you know big brother,
like feminine products. Pads. Tampons. Girl stuff.”
Roman put his hands up in surrender. “Okay. I get it. You can have the
purse. But the blush.”
“Please Daddy,” Carrie begged. “All the other girls are wearing make
up. Even Sarah is wearing it. Please.”
“Roman it is only blush,” Kim reasoned. “It’s a light shade,and it
looks really nice on Carrie.”
“And how would you know?” Roman asked.
“Cause she’s wearing it,” Kim countered. “And you didn’t even notice.”
Roman stared hard at his daughter,and realized that his sister was
right. He relented and told Carrie that she could keep the blush.
Carrie exclaimed with joy,and gave her father a hug. Carrie couldn’t
wait to go to school tomorrow and show off her purse and blush.

[André DiMera]

Glad the girls had a fun time shopping! And that Carrie gets to keep the purse and the blush.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 11


The next week went quickly for Carrie. She was busy with school and
cheerleading clinic to prepare her for that Friday’s tryouts.
Throughout the week Carrie met the eighth grade cheerleaders; Kelly,
Jessie, Lisa, Nikki,and Tori. Carrie had remembered Sarah telling her
the week before how she had met Lisa. The girls seemed nice. Carrie
paid careful attention during day’s clinic. She watched the
cheerleaders teach the tryout routine to the seventh grade girls.
Sarah and Carrie would go over to one another’s houses in the evenings
to practice the routine. Carrie got more confident and sure of herself
with each day of practice. Carrie did notice during the clinics that
Jennie seemed to be struggling to learn the routine. Carrie had wanted
to offer to help. She even went up to Jennie on Wednesday, and asked
if she’d like to come to her house that night to practice. Jennie quietly
and politely declined the invitation. Carrie couldn’t understand why
Jennie didn’t want to come over. Rachel and Megan reasoned that Jennie
didn’t stand a chance of making the squad, and Carrie shouldn’t waste
her time with Jennie. Sarah chimed in saying that it was better if
they just practiced by themselves. Carrie didn’t say another word
about Jennie for the rest of the week.
The night before tryouts came. Carrie ran through the routine one last
time in the living room. Sami stood in the hall watching her sister.
She clapped excitedly once Carrie was done with the routine. “You’re
gonna make it,” Sami said confidently. “You were great.”
Carrie smiled at Sami. “Uh, thanks. But how do you know, you’re just a kid.”
Sami put her hands on her hips. “I do so know.” Sami strode into the
living room,and positioned herself in front of Carrie. “I can do the
routine too. Wanna see?”
Carrie rolled her eyes. “Sami,” Carrie said slightly annoyed.
“I can,” Sami said determined. “I’ve been watching you all week. Watch!”
Carrie relented. “Fine.”
Sami beamed at her sister. “Music please.”
Carrie groaned slightly, and turned the routine music back on from
her cassette player.
Music came blaring from the cassette player. Sami grinned, and began
to dance. Carrie sat on the couch and watched her little sister.
Carrie was impressed. Sami was nailing all the moves in the tryout
routine. Carrie got up from the couch, and she joined Sami. Both
girls were now dancing and moving around the living room to the cheer
routine.
Just then Roman and Eric came into the living room. “What’s going on
here?” Roman asked over the music.
“Look Daddy,” Sami exclaimed, “I’m a cheerleader.”
Roman began to laugh. He watched his daughters dance around the room.
Eric then began to join in. Dancing in his own way.
“Eric,” Sami whined, “You’re not doing it right.”
“So,” Eric said. “It’s a dance party.”
“Good point, son,” Roman chimed in.
“Come on Dad,” Eric urged.
Roman began to dance with his children. Within a few minutes Carrie
stopped dancing and began giggling at her father and brother. “You
guys are doing it all wrong,” Carrie sputtered in between giggles.
“Nah,” Roman said. “It’s time to take a break from practice and just have fun.”
Carrie nodded. “Okay.” Carrie then turned off the cassette tape of
cheer music,and turned on the TV to MTV. Music videos flashed across
the screen,and the Brady family continued their dance party until it
was time to get ready for bed.

[André DiMera]

It’s nice to see the whole family having fun together.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 12


The next day was Friday, and the day for cheerleading tryouts. Carrie
practiced the routine one more time before leaving for school that
morning. Caroline Brady assured her granddaughter that she did a great
job, and Carrie would do great even if she didn’t make the squad.
Carrie hugged her grandmother,and grabbed her purse and backpack and
then left for school. Carrie thought about tryouts for the entire day.
She got more nervous as the rest of the day went on. She picked at her
school lunch, as did Sarah, Lindsay, Megan, and Rachel. Her friends
were feeling the same she was. Carrie managed to make it through the
rest of her afternoon classes. Tryouts finally came. She met her
friends in the bathroom after school,and they changed into their cheer
clothes, athletic shorts,and t-shirts. They helped one another put
their hair up in ponytails, all the while talking excitedly about
cheer. Just as they were about to leave the bathroom Jennie walked
into the bathroom.
Rachel scowled at Jennie. ‘Hey Jennie. Where’s your cheer outfit?”
Jennie didn’t say a word.
“You could at least put your hair up in a hair elastic,” Megan chimed in.”
“Uh. Um.” Jennie stuttered.
“Would you like a hair elastic?” Carrie offered. “I have an extra.”
Sarah shot Carrie a look. “Carrie,” Sarah gritted her teeth. “She
probably has lice. Don’t give her anything.”
“Sarah,” Carrie said in dismay.
Jennie then spoke up. “No. It’s okay.”
“Let’s go,” Lindsay said.
And with that the five friends left the bathroom, leaving Jennie alone.
The girls made their way into the gym. The eighth grade cheerleaders
were already there, along with the cheer coach, Mrs. Nelson. Once
everyone arrived, the tryouts began. Each girl took their turn
performing the routine, along with the cheer chants. Carrie watched
her friends try out, clapping excitedly for each one. Carrie thought
that all of her friends did a great job. It was now Carrie’s turn. The
music started,and Carrie moved smoothly and flawlessly through the
routine. Once finished, Carrie had a feeling that she had nailed the
routine, and finished her tryout with vigor as she chanted the cheer
chants. Once sitting back with her friends, Sarah gave Carrie a high
five. Both girls smiled at one another. The last girl to try out was
Jennie. Just as Carrie’s friends had predicted, Jennie had a difficult
time with the routine. She struggled to complete the moves, and she
did not sound confident when it was time for her to recite the cheer
chants. Jennie took her seat once finished
“Great job Jennie,” Rachel mocked. Rachel then started to giggle.
With tryouts now over, Mrs. Nelson said that the cheer list of the
girls that made the seventh grade squad would be posted later that
evening. The girls were instructed to come back to school by 7 that
evening,and they would see the list posted on the outside door of the
school.
Carrie and Sarah parted ways with their friends. They agreed to meet
up again at 7 that evening. Carrie went back to Sarah’s house for
dinner. Sarah’s father, Mickey ordered a pizza for the girls. As they
ate dinner, Sarah’s mother, Maggie asked about tryouts. Both Sarah and
Carrie said that they thought they did a good job. After dinner, Sarah
and Carrie finished their homework. It was then time to go back to
school to check the cheer list. Maggie drove Sarah and Carrie back to
school. Maggie got out of the car,and walked up with Sarah and Carrie
to check the list. Sarah and Carrie scanned the list nervously. Both
Sarah and Carrie let out a squeal of excitement in unison. Their names
were on the list, along with Megan, Rachel,and Lindsay.
“I made it,” Carrie said excitedly. “I’m a cheerleader!”
“We made it,” Sarah said excitedly.
Both girls hugged.
Carrie couldn’t wait to go home and tell her father. Seventh grade was
going to be great. Carrie couldn’t wait to begin cheer.

[André DiMera]

Glad Carrie and Sarah made the list! I wonder how Jennie did.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 13


Throughout the next week, Kayla was busy at the Riverfront Clinic. A
new doctor, Rachel Stanton had started working at the clinic during
the week. Both Mike Horton and Robin Jacobs were grateful for the
extra set of hands to their small doctor staff. Kayla had spent the
better part of the week getting Rachel acclimated to the clinic,and
her work responsibilities. Rachel was a young doctor, fresh out of med
school, but she was anxious to learn and help.
Kayla was just about finished for the day. Mike and Robin had already
left,and Rachel had volunteered to close up the clinic with Kayla that
day. Just as Kayla was about to clean up her area, the front door
opened. Ellen walked into the clinic. Kayla looked up expectantly.
“Ellen,” Kayla said brightly.
Ellen looked nervous. “Um, I came to get my stitches out. It’s time right?”
“Yep,” Kayla said. “You’re right on time,and it turns out that your
our last patient for the day. Why don’t you come on back.”
Ellen nodded,and follow Kayla back to an exam room. Kayla took Ellen’s
vitals,and charted everything. Kayla took notice of Ellen’s
appearance. She had a black eye,and a big bruise that was black and
blue under her left eye.
“What happened to your eye?” Kayla asked gently.
“Uh, I ran into a door.”
Kayla knew that wasn’t true. Kayla sighed gently. “Ellen, I don’t
think you ran into a door,”
Ellen’s bottom lip began to quiver. “It was my fault,” Ellen said in a
small voice. “I didn’t have dinner ready on time.”
Kayla rubbed Ellen’s arm comfortingly. “Honey, it wasn’t your fault.”
Ellen began to cry softly. “It was. Really.”
“Abuse is no woman’s fault,” Kayla said gently. “Is that what’s happening?’
“Maybe,” Ellen said sheepishly. “But my husband is stressed with work.
He’ll be kinder once his work becomes less stressful. Could you please
just remove my stitches, so I can go home.”
Kayla nodded. Her heart went out to Ellen. What Kayla had feared,
Ellen had just confirmed. Ellen was being abused by her husband. Kayla
examined Ellen’s chin,and told her that she’d be right back with the
doctor.
Kayla left the room,and went to get Dr. Stanton. Kayla explained the
situation to Rachel. Kayla wanted to tell Rachel about the abuse, but
she figured that Rachel would see Ellen’s appearance,and question her
about it. So Kayla decided to let it go. Kayla walked back into the
exam room with Dr. Stanton. Introductions were made between Dr.
Stanton and Ellen. Kayla then left to give the doctor and patient
alone time. Kayla went back to tidying her space in preparation to
leave for the day. Just then the front door opened. Carrie walked into
the clinic. “Hey Aunt Kayla,” Carrie said cheerfully.
“Carrie,” Kayla exclaimed. “Sweetie, what’s up?”
“I just came to say hi. I’m just on my way home from cheer practice.”
Kayla hugged her niece. “Aw, it’s good to see you. “How’s cheer going?”
Carrie beamed at her aunt. “It’s great. I love it. The girls are so
nice,and super cool.”
Kayla smiled at Carrie. “I’m glad you like it.” Kayla then looked out
the window. “Hey, it looks like rain. You better scoot home before the
rain starts.”
Carrie nodded. “Yeah, I have math homework anyways. Will you and Uncle
Steve come to the football game on Friday night? It’s gonna be my
first game that I’m cheering in.”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Kayla said.
Carrie gave her aunt a quick hug,and then left the clinic.
Just then Dr. Stanton and Ellen emerged from the exam room. Kayla
could tell that Ellen had been crying. Ellen stared down at the
ground,as she quickly left the clinic, not saying a word to either
Kayla or Rachel. The door shut loudly behind Ellen.
“I called her out on the abuse,” Rachel said.
“Did she deny it?” Kayla asked.
“No,” Rachel said. “But she assured me that she’d be fine. I
encouraged her to go to the police, but she didn’t want that.”
Kayla sighed sadly. ‘I wish we could help her. It breaks my heart that
we can’t.”
“You can’t help someone who doesn’t want the help,” Rachel said. “Even
if it’s abuse.”
Kayla remembered what Steve had told her. Kayla nodded. “I know.”
“Come on,” Rachel said. “Looks like a storm is coming in. Let’s get
this placed closed up for the night, so we can get home.”
Kayla agreed. “My husband Steve is picking me up from work. If you
want, I can close up,and you can get out of here before the storm
blows in.”
Rachel smiled warmly at Kayla. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m a team
player. I want to close. I know this is part of my job.”
The women set to work to close the clinic for the day.

[André DiMera]

Glad Kayla realized something was wrong with Ellen. Why do I have a bad feeling about Kayla being alone at the clinic during a storm?

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 14


Steve parked his car at the Riverfront Clinic. It had already started
to rain. He got out of his car, and made his way up to the front
doors of the clinic to pick up Kayla. As Steve walked in the rain,
something caught his attention. He saw something, or someone out of
the corner of his eye. He diverted his attention from the front door
of clinic,to a said alley along the building. Steve walked a short
distance down the alley, and found a little sneaker, looking to be a
child’s shoe in a mud puddle that had already started to form from the
rain storm. Steve picked up the shoe,and examined the sneaker. It
looked to be a boy’s shoe. He looked around the alley. “Hello,” Steve
called. “Is anyone here?”
The rain began to fall harder from the sky. Steve walked a little
further down the alley till he was behind the clinic, where the clinic
dumpsters were kept. Crouching next to the dumpster, Steve found a
little boy. Steve took the sight in that was before him. The boy
looked up at Steve with big scared eyes. He was soaked from head to
toe,and he was missing a shoe. Steve knelt down in front of the little
boy. “Hey little man,” Steve said gently. “What are you doing out here
in the rain?”
The little boy didn’t say a word. He continued to look at Steve,
shivering from being wet. Steve held the shoe out to the boy. “Is this
your shoe?”
The boy stared at Steve. He reached for the shoe,and grabbed it from
Steve. The little boy tried to jam the shoe on his left foot was bare,
but he cried out in pain.
At this point the rain was falling faster,and louder. Steve couldn’t
tell, but he thought that the little boy’s cry sounded muffled to him,
but with the intensity of the rain, it was hard to tell. Steve did
know that he had to get the child out of the storm. Steve acted
quickly. He had no idea how old the boy was. Maybe around his nephew
Eric’s age. Six perhaps. Maybe five. Steve scooped the little boy up
in his arms. The child was shivering, still holding his shoe. “Okay,
buddy,” Steve said calmly, “We’re going to get you some help.”
Steve had no idea what he was doing. He had no idea who this child
was, but he knew that the little boy needed help. He carried him back
around the alley,and straight into the Riverfront Clinic.

[Kpatch]

Benji!

Great chapter. It was very descriptive. I could picture it well.

[André DiMera]

Sounds like Steve’s just found Benjy!