(End of July)
As I sit by the window, gazing at the beautiful summer day, I am reminded of how fast time flies! How much life has changed since Danny convinced Reuben that the Partridge Family band was worth managing. The band, known as The Partridge Family, has folded, and our lives have taken different directions. Keith is in college, and his solo career is in full swing. Reuben's his manager. Laurie and Greg Houser have reconnected and have gotten pretty serious. I have a feeling that wedding bells will be in the near future. Danny's in high school now. I'm not sure if he cares for it, but at least his grades are good. Chuck and I got engaged shortly after Laurie graduated high school, marrying a few months later, and I'm eight months pregnant with my sixth child. Notice I didn't mention Chris and Tracy. I can't mention them, because they're dead. They were killed when we got into a horrible accident during what wound up being our final tour. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
It was a year ago. I'll never forget that day.
Flashback to the tour:
"Mom!" Tracy whines, as she wakes up, "how much longer until we get there?"
"About another five hours."
"Five hours! That's an eternity!" She groans, sleepily.
Keith puts the finishing touches on a new song. "Hey Tracy, why don't you take a look at this song?"
"Me? Why me?"
"Well, you've been on my case about wanting to take the lead on a song."
"Yeah?" Tracy questions, full of doubt.
"Trust me," Keith smiles, "you'll love it."
Danny is curled up with his Wall Street Journal, passing the time.
"Hey, Danny!" the eldest Partridge child calls.
The red head turns to another article in the journal.
"Da Neee!" Keith sing-songs, as he yanks the magazine from his younger brother's hands.
"Hey!" He yells, indignant.
"I need your help."
"Yeah," the middle Partridge quips, "You definitely need help."
"Ha! Ha! Now, are you gonna help?"
"You might as well, Danny," Laurie pipes. "There's no way we can get any sleep now."
"Yeah!" Chris echoes.
"Since we're all awake," Keith suggests, "let's go over the song."
"What about mom?" Chris inquires. "She's driving."
"She can look over her part when we rehearse tonight."
"What's it called?" Laurie asks.
"Oceans."
"Hmm!" Chris peruses, "Interesting."
"Okay," Laurie concludes, "let's see what you got."
Keith leads the kids through the new song, making sure Tracy is able to get a handle on the lead part. "So, what do you think?"
"I like it!" Tracy excitedly exclaims.
"Hey!" Shirley comments, "Great job, guys!"
"Mom," Keith begins, "would you like to go over it?"
"While I'm driving?"
"It'll be okay," he insists, as he sings her part, going over the cues. "Got it?"
"Got it," she smiles confidently.
"All right. Let's try it one more time."
Danny stealthily rifles through his suitcase and grins.
"What are you up to now?" Tracy wonders.
"Oh! It's nothing," he dismisses.
Keith shoots his brother a look. "Let's get this." He counts them off and they sing."
"I like it!" Tracy squeals. "I can't wait for us to perform it tomorrow night! We are performing it tomorrow night, are we?"
"I'm glad you like it. I was hoping you would: Keith answers. "I think we can put it in. What do you think, Mom?"
"Mom," Tracy asks, "can we include it in our show tomorrow night?"
"I don't see why not?" She grins. "Just as long as we go over it tonight."
"Great! I've wanted to have a lead on a song."
"What other songs are we going to put in the show?" Danny inquires.
"I was thinking," Keith lists, "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat, Rollercoaster, One Night Stand, Storybook Love, Oceans, Together, and that one I wrote last week for mom."
"Which one was that?" Chris asks.
"Dreams of You."
"Oh yeah!" he pipes, "I like that one."
"Me too!" Tracy echoes.
"Okay," Shirley calls. "We're making a pit stop."
"Great!" Tracy adds. "I've needed to go for a long time."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I was asleep."
Shirley pulls into a gas station, allowing the family to use the restroom, buy some snacks, and refuel the bus. She places a call to her fiancé.
"Will you be able to meet us before the concert tomorrow?"
"I'll do my best to get away early," Chuck replies. "I miss you."
"I miss you too. I can't wait to see you," Shirley smiles.
"I can't wait to call you my wife," he smiles.
"And I can't wait to be your wife."
"Four more months!" He counts down.
"Mom!" Danny calls. "We're done here!"
"Chuck, I've got to go. I love you."
"I love you too."
They hang up and Shirley boards the bus.
"Mom," Keith asks, "do you want me to drive?"
"Sure," she yawns. "I may get some shut eye for awhile. I'm bushed!"
"Everybody here?" Keith calls.
"Yeah!" Chris answers.
"I'm here!" Tracy pipes.
"Yeah, I'm here," Laurie replies.
"I'm not!" Danny contradicts.
"All right! Let's get rollin'!" Keith finishes, as he shuts the door and turns on the engine.