Growing Up Brady And Johnson (Read 3,861 times)

[André DiMera]

That was such a sweet chapter!

[misfit]

What a great chapter! I loved Steve letting Benjy see him without the patch. Also, with the S/K/Johnson fam angst on last week's show, a sweet little scene like this was so nice to read! Looking forward to more.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 27


The next day Kayla stood at the kitchen counter mixing cookie dough to
make chocolate chip cookies. Benjy and Steve were in the living room
watching Scooby Doo as they waited for Carrie, Sami, and Eric to
arrive for the evening. That morning, Kayla had told Benjy that she
would interpret for him so that he could tell Carrie what he had
overheard last night at the pub. Benjy agreed, yet he seemed a bit
unsure that Carrie would believe him. Both Steve and Kayla reassured
him that things would work out. Just as the episode of Scooby Doo
ended, the doorbell rang. The light lit up at the top of the front
door, signaling that the doorbell was ringing. Benjy signed to Steve,
“they’re here.” Steve nodded. He got up and went to answer the door.
Eric and Sami rushed into the house in a flurry of excitement. “We’ve
come to play,” Eric said excitedly.
“And we brought toys,” Sami echoed. She held up her Barbie doll case.
“I brought the real toys,” Eric said, as he proudly held up his case
of GI Jo figures.
By this point, Benjy had slid off the couch, and had come over to
where Eric and Sami stood to examine the new toys.
Eric pointed to his GI Jo’s. “Want to play Benjy?”
Benjy nodded excitedly. He began to sign. “Yes. New toys.”
Steve began signing to Benjy, and explained what the toys were. Benjy
then signed that he wanted to play with Eric and Sami.
“Yeah,” Sami chimed in, “We can play barbies."
Eric rolled his eyes at his sister. “No, Samantha. We’re not playing
dolls. We’re playing GI Jo’s.”
By this point Kayla had made her way into the living room. Carrie and
Roman were in the house as well.
Sami put her hand on her hip in protest. “No, Eric, I’m playing too.
My Barbie gets to be the nurse, like Aunt Kayla. Army guys need a
nurse. Right Aunt Kayla?” Sami looked towards Kayla for assurance.
Kayla smiled at the exchange taking place before her. “Yes, Sami. All
good army guys need a good nurse.”
“Told ya,” Sami shot back to her brother.
Eric groaned in defeat. “Okay, you can play with us.”
“Yay,” Sami said triumphantly. And with that Sami took her dolls and
went into the playroom.
Eric took Benjy’s hand. “Come on. Let’s play.”
Benjy held back. He began to sign to Eric.
“What did he say?” Eric asked.
Steve spoke up. “Benjy needs to talk to Carrie, and then he’ll be in
to play. Why don’t we go play with Sami till they’re finished.”
Eric nodded, and took his toys into the playroom as Steve followed behind him.
By this point, Carrie was already sitting on the couch. Roman was
standing quietly waiting to talk. Benjy went to sit on the couch
beside Carrie. Roman looked towards his sister. “Kay, Carrie and I
talked a little this morning about what had happened last night. I
told her how the girls had called Benjy names.”
Kayla nodded. “Okay. Benjy wanted to tell her everything else.”
Roman looked questioningly at his sister. “You mean there’s more?”
“Roman, don’t worry about it,” Kayla said. “I’ll handle things. You
just have fun on your date.”
Roman relented, and said that he wouldn’t be out late, and that he’d
be back to get the kids by 9 that evening. He then left.
Kayla sat on the love seat. Carrie turned to Kayla. “If I talk slowly,
then Benjy can read my lips. Right?”
“Yes,” Kayla said. “And I’ll interpret for you as to what Benjy says.”
Carrie nodded. She turned to Benjy. Carrie began to talk slowly.
“Benjy, I’m sorry about what my friends called you last night. You are
not a retard. They never should have said that. I’m sorry that they
did. My dad told me, and so did Eric.”
Benjy began to sign to Carrie. “Benjy heard the girls say that they
are using Carrie to get free things. That’s why they want Carrie on
the cheer team. One girl called Carrie a wanna be.”
As Benjy signed all of this to Carrie, Kayla interpreted for Benjy,
saying everything that he signed.
Carrie was quiet for a long time. Benjy began to sign again. “Benjy is
sorry that they said mean things.” Again, Kayla interpreted.
Carrie finally spoke. “Benjy, are you sure that you overheard them
correctly? Maybe you didn’t read their lips right.”
Benjy crossed his arms in frustration. “Benjy did read lips right,” he signed.
“The cheerleaders are my friends,” Carrie said. “They aren’t using me.
I’ll talk to them about how they called you names. I am upset at them
for doing that, but they like me.”
Benjy began to sign. “Benjy did get it right,” he signed. “The girls
said mean things about Carrie.”
Carrie gently put her hand on Benjy’s arm. Kayla said what Benjy had
just signed. “It’s okay,” Carrie said softly. “They are my friends.
I’ll talk to them. Thank you for telling me though.”
Benjy sighed. “You’re welcome,” he signed back. “Benjy go play." He
then got up and went into the playroom.

[André DiMera]

Glad Benjy told Carrie what he found out, though I don’t think Carrie believes him.

[misfit]

I'm such a sucker for cute kid/fam scenes in fic and this one was no exception. "Army guys need a nurse." SO cute! Loved the Benjy scene too and all his concern for Carrie. Can't wait for more!

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 28

Kayla got up and joined Carrie on the couch. “Benjy went to go play,”
she explained to Carrie.
Carrie looked at her aunt with concern. “He had to read their lips
wrong. He just had to.”
Kayla rubbed Carrie’s arm soothingly. “I don’t know, honey. Benjy
seems pretty sure of himself.”
Carrie felt tears prick at her eyes. “But why would I get on the
squad,and they be mean to me behind my back?”
Kayla put her arm around Carrie. Her heart broke for her niece. “All
you can do is talk to them.”
Carrie nodded, as she brushed a tear from her eye. “I will. Did I do
okay talking with Benjy? Was I slow enough when I talked.”
“You were perfect,” Kayla assured.
“I do mean it,” Carrie said. “I am going to talk to the girls on
Monday about how they called Benjy names. I really like Benjy,and that
does hurt my feelings that they were mean to him.”
“Hey,” Kayla said, “If you ever need to talk about anything, you know
I’m here. Right?”
Carrie smiled at her aunt. “Yeah, I know. And it’s okay if I come see
you after school at the clinic to talk, if you’re not busy.”
“Yep. Just as long as I’m not too busy. I will always make time for you.”
“Can I help with dinner? Dad said you’re making tacos.”
“Of course,” Kayla said. “Why don’t we go in the kitchen and make some
cookies. I already have the dough mixed up.”
Carrie licked her lips. “Yeah, sounds good.”
Kayla and Carrie went into the kitchen and made chocolate chip
cookies,and then made tacos and Spanish rice for dinner. The rest of
the evening was spent playing with toys,and enjoying everyone’s
company. As promised, Roman had come to pick the kids back up at nine.
Benjy didn’t want Eric or Sami to leave. Roman assured the boy that he
could come over to play with the twins next weekend. Both Eric and
Sami were pleased with this prospect. Roman thanked Kayla and Steve
for keeping an eye on the kids. Carrie hugged Benjy before leaving
that night,and thanked him. Before walking out of the house, Carrie
reassured Benjy one last time that she would talk to her friends on
Monday about what had happened the night before. Deep down inside
though, Carrie did hope that Benjy was wrong about her new friends.

[André DiMera]

Glad Carrie talked to Kayla, and plans to talk to her “friends” soon.

[misfit]

Such a sweet scene between Kayla and Carrie! Looking forward to reading more.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 29


Carrie sat on the gym floor stretching after cheer practice that next
Monday afternoon. The other cheerleaders sat around her doing the
same. Carrie thought that this would be a good time to mention to them
about what had had happened the following week. “Guys,” Carrie began,
“can we talk?”
“Sure,” Lisa said. “What’s up?”
“I heard about what happened at the pub last Friday.”
“What do you mean?” Tori asked innocently.
“You called Benjy a retard,” Carrie said.
“Oh that,” Lisa said. “Listen, Carrie, he was listening in on our
conversation.”
“If you can even call it that,” Nikki interrupted. “He can’t even hear.”
“He can read lips,” Carrie said defensively.
“Hey, Brady,” Lisa said, “Calm down. Maybe I shouldn’t have called him
a retard. I’m sorry that I did.”
“He also told me other things,” Carrie said.
“What things?” Sarah asked. “All this happened when we went to get more fries?”
Carrie nodded yes before she began to speak. “Benjy told me that you
guys are just using me. That the only reason that you want me on the
squad is to get free things out of me. And that I’m a wanna be. Is
that true?”
Rachel and Megan snorted. “Come on Carrie,” Rachel said. “You’re
overreacting. Besides, Benjy can’t hear. He probably misread Lisa’s
lips.”
“I don’t think he would lie,” Carrie said. “He really seemed bothered by it.”
Kelly then spoke up. “Carrie, you’re one of us now. Why would we use
you. Besides, it’s not our fault if you can at times get us things
because your family are just plain nice people. You gotta share the
wealth. If you know what I mean.”
Jessie nodded in agreement. “Just let it go. Lisa apologized about the
name calling.”
“Carrie, you’re great on the squad,” Lisa said sweetly. “I won’t say
anything more about the kid. I promise.”
“His name is Benjy,” Carrie said. “And he’s my cousin.”
“He’s really not your cousin,” Lindsay spoke up. “Your aunt and uncle
are just fostering him, right?”
“Still,” Carrie said. “He’s family.”
“Point noted,” Lisa said. “Now are we okay?”
“I guess. Sure,” Carrie said feeling a bit defeated.
Lisa got up and walked over to Carrie. She sat down on the floor,and
put her arm around Carrie. “Hey, I’ll make it up to you.”
“Really,” Carrie said hopefully. “How?”
Lisa pat Carrie’s arm. “You don’t worry about that. I’ll think of something.”
Okay,” Carrie said. “I better get going.”
“Yeah,” Sarah said as she stood. “My mom should be here to pick us up.”
Carrie and Sarah gathered their things,and then left the gym. Once
they had left the other cheerleaders started laughing.
“What are you going to do?” Jessie asked.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Lisa said. “It’s going to be good. I can’t believe
that stupid retard told Carrie what we said.”
“What about Sarah?” Lindsay asked.
“Don’t worry about Sarah,” Tori said. “She wants to be just like us,
even more then Carrie does. We’ll get her on our side. Leave it to
me.”

[misfit]

Ugh, these mean girls! I'm nervous about whatever Lisa has in store for Carrie! Looking forward to the next installment!

[André DiMera]

Oh, those girls are trouble! I don’t believe a word they said to Carrie.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 30


Benjy arrived home from his first day of school now that he was living
with Steve and Kayla. Kayla had taken the next few weeks off from work
as a maternity leave so to speak to help get Benjy settled. Benjy
walked into the house after school. He found Kayla in the kitchen
beginning to make dinner. “How was school?” She asked.
“Good,” Benjy signed. “Benjy eat Lunch with Eric and Sami. Benjy
played ball with Eric at recess.”
“Good,” Kayla said. “I’m glad you had a good day.”
“What about Carrie?” Benjy signed.
Before Kayla could answer Benjy’s question, the doorbell rang.
Doorbell, Kayla signed to Benjy.
They both went to the front door. Kayla opened the front door,and
found Carrie standing on the front porch.
“Carrie,” Benjy signed.
“Hey sweetheart,” Kayla greeted. “Come on in.”
Carrie walked into the house. “Jennifer said that I could come over
for a little bit. I wanted to talk to Benjy.”
“Carrie talk to girls,” Benjy signed.
Kayla began to interpret for Benjy. They sat on the couch to talk.
“Yeah, I did,” Carrie said. “Benjy. Everything is fine. They didn’t
mean anything about what they said. The girls like me,and you must
have misunderstood them. Maybe you read their lips wrong.”
“Benjy not wrong,” he signed. “The girls said mean things. Not friends.”
Kayla interpreted what Benjy said, as much as she didn’t want to. It
broke her heart.
“Benjy,” Carrie said calmly and slowly. “I know you think that, but I
don’t. I really like them,and they like me. They did apologize for
calling you names,and they promised that they wouldn’t do it again.
Okay?”
Benjy crossed his arms and didn’t sign for a long time. He finally signed okay.
Carrie hugged Benjy. “It’s okay,” she assured him. Thank you though
for being worried. But I’m all good.”
Carrie got up from the couch. She turned to Kayla. “Thanks Aunt Kayla.”
“Sure,” Kayla said. “Are you sure that you’re okay.”
“Yeah,” Carrie said. “I talked to them. They’re my friends.”
“Okay,” Kayla said a bit doubtful, but not wanting to press if Carrie
didn’t want it. “Just remember I’m here.”
“I know,”Carrie said. “You and aunt Kim. I love you both for it. I
better get home though. I got homework.”
Carrie hugged Kayla slightly,and then left the house. Kayla moved to
sit closer to Benjy. She wrapped her arm around him. “You okay?”
Benjy looked at Kayla with concerned eyes. He began to sign. “Benjy
not have any friends. Friends should be nice. Those girls not nice.
Why? Why Kayla?”
“I don’t know honey,” Kayla said. “Sometimes we have to learn for
ourselves how someone really is. Carrie might have to learn that for
herself. And hey, you do so have friends. Eric and Sami are your
friends.”
Benjy nodded. “Yes, he signed, “but Benjy want a friend who is deaf
like Benjy. Eric and Sami can’t sign like you and Steve.”
Kayla nodded. “Yeah,” she said, “Maybe we could teach them some sign
language. Would you like that?”
Benjy clapped his hands together excitedly. “Yes,” Benjy signed. “Want
to teach Eric, Sami,and Carrie.”
“Then we will,” Kayla said.
Just then the garage door opened,and Steve walked in. “Hey Sweetness,”
Steve greeted.
Benjy jumped up from the couch,and went to Steve. “Hey, little man,”
Steve greeted. “How was school?”
“Okay,” Benjy signed. “Benjy played with Eric.”
“Glad to hear that,” Steve said.
Steve, Kayla and Benjy spent the rest of the evening working on
Benhjy’s homework for the day. Once Benjy had gone to bed, Kayla had
told Steve what had happened with Carrie that day. Kayla told Steve
how worried she was about Carrie,and how concerned Benjy was too for
that matter. Steve did his best to assure Kayla that everything would
work out. Kayla hoped that was the case for Carrie’s sake.

[André DiMera]

It sucks that Carrie believes those girls. Glad Steve and Kayla are there for Benjy.

[misfit]

Ooof, so tough to see Carrie being manipulated by the mean girls. Love though that Benjy and Kayla are gonna help teach the others how to sign! Can't wait to read the next chapter!

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 31


The next day Carrie sat in Science class. The teacher, Mr. Lowe was
assigning lab partners for the first semester of science projects.
This would be the partner that Carrie would have for the various
projects for the remainder of the first semester. Carrie was excited
to see her lab partner would be. She sat anxiously waiting to see who
she would get paired with. She noticed that Megan and Rachel were
paired together, and then Lindsay was paired with another girl,
Noelle Curtis. Mr. Lowe finally got to Carrie, and paired her with
Jennie. The class was then broken up into their groups, and given
their first project. Jennie quietly moved to sit next to Carrie. As
she sat down next to Carrie, Rachel started snickering. “Have fun
Carrie,” Rachel said snidely. “You’ll probably have to do all the
work.”
Carrie wanted to say something, but she didn’t know what. The truth
be told, she didn’t really know Jennie that well. They never talked to
one another, but Carrie did notice that the few times that she has
seen Jennie’s papers within passing, Jennie always seemed to get good
grades. So, Carrie hoped that her being paired with Jennie would be a
good thing.
Once the students were sitting with their respected partners, Mr. Lowe
gave the class their first assignment. The students were beginning a
unit on Biology and the human body. Each pair had to pick a body
part,and then research that particular body part, and present a
presentation to the class. He encouraged the class to choose a part
that interests them, and that he had to approve their selection. The
class would have the next two weeks to complete their projects, and
presentations would be done the following Friday. The students were to
work together in class as well as outside of class.
Carrie looked at Jennie with eager eyes. “So what do you want to research?”
Jennie was quiet for a long time. She just sat there, picking at her hands.
“Jennie,” Carrie said. “Did you hear me?”
Jennie looked at Carrie. “Uh, maybe we could do the ear.”
“Sounds good to me. Why don’t we start mapping out what we want to
research exactly,” Carrie suggested.
Carrie opened up her science notebook,and began to write out an
outline. The girls spent the rest of the period planning out what they
would research. Before class ended, Carrie had suggested that Jennie
come over to her house after school, so that they could begin their
project.
Jennie was quiet upon the invitation to Carrie’s. “I don’t know,” she
said. “Not sure if I can come over today.”
“That’s cool,” Carrie said easily. “Hey, if your mom needs to talk to
my dad first that’s fine.”
Carrie tore a piece of paper out of her notebook, and quickly wrote
down her address and phone number. She handed the paper to Jennie.
“Have your mom call my dad tonight. If it’s fine with her, then you
can just come over tomorrow after school.”
Jennie took the paper from Carrie, nodded, and put the paper in her
Science book. The bell then rang, and the girls parted ways for their
next class.