"WHAT?" Danny gaped.
Shirley rolled her eyes. "You make it sound as if my falling in love is some great tragedy."
Danny stammered. "Well- it is a tragedy, for the lucky guy your crushing on. I mean, no offense, mom, but aren't you kind of old to live such a glamerous love life?"
Shirley heaved a sigh. "First of all Danny, it is not just a crush, he likes me back. Secondly, I'm not all that old and I could hardly describe my life as glamorous."
Laurie smiled knowingly. "Mom's right. Your never to old to have a love life." She said matter-of-factly.
Danny snorted. "HA!"
Keith nudged him, playfully."What, you don' t think mom is sexy enough to attract men?"
Shirley joined in, pretending to be offended. She turned around to face the back seats of the bus. "Yes Danny, is that what your trying to say? Because, pardon me if I say so, but I like to believe that men find me quite sexy."
Danny shrugged dubiously. "Well, that's true. I guess if you're related to me, that automatically makes you sexy."
It was Keith's turn to snort. "HA!"
Their argument ceased when Shirley turned the keys into the ignition and headed down the street. The colorful bus was on it's way to week-long tour in Los Angeles where they would perform at an extremely fancy theater for a talent show and stay at an extremely fancy hotel.
They hadn't driven yet ten yards when the bus skidded to a halt, turned a perfect U-turn and pulled back up to the house. "We forgot our luggage!" Shirley explained in disbelief.
Sure enough, Reuben was standing outside on the sidewalk, waiting for them. Having retrieved the fallen suitcases, his hands were now totally full, and he was waving Tracy's rag doll around, frantically trying to get their attention. His flushed face and bulging eyes made the whole thing pretty funny.
Shirley hopped out of the bus and helped Reuben load the bus.
"All right then." Reuben said, when they were finished. "I'll meet you at the hotel in three days.
Shirley nodded, relieved. "Uh-huh."
"DON''T HURRY!" Danny called, his head sticking out of the bus window.
Reuben smiled wearily, yet happily. "Don't worry, Danny. "Believe me, there's no hurry."
Once again, the Partridge Family loaded the bus. This time, Shirley was more cautious. "Everybody got everything they need to have, and did everything they need to do?" She asked finally.
"WAIT!" Tracy exclaimed, scurrying out of the bus and wrapping Reuben into a hug. "Bye Mr. Kincaid!" She grabbed her doll from Rueben and hurried back onto the bus.
As the colorful bus drove into the distance, you could hear the echoes of their "BYES!"They were finally on their way.
Usually, the activity on the Partridge Family bus varied from either the license plate game (or a game Chris and Tracy made up, where you have to sit in the back and wave at the people driving behind you through the back window. Whoever gets the most people to wave back wins) or singing along to the tunes they would be playing at their upcoming concert. Today, however, the conversation just kept coming back to Shirley's new boyfriend. It was understandable. It was, actually, the first boyfriend Shirley had ever had since the death of her husband. And, however much they hated to admit it, they were all a bit uncertain about the changes it would cause for them.
The typical conversation on the bus that day went like this:
Shirley: Well, kids, I hope you'll take this as good news.
Kids: What?
Shirley: Well you know my friend-
Danny: You mean your boyfriend.
Shirley (sternly) is in L.A as well. And the talent show- He's in it! In fact, our acts are right next to each other's!
Keith: So we'll meet him?
Shirley: I'd really like you all too. He's an old high school sweetheart of mine. We've just started to meet each last month. I think you'll all like him. He really is a very nice man.
Danny (sarcastically) I'm sure.
Laurie: Mom, I think it's great your finally reconnecting with some men out there.
Shirley: Well, I'm glad to hear that Laurie.
Danny: I don't think it's any good at all.
Shirley: Danny! What is it with you today?
Laurie: Yeah, Danny. What's wrong with Mom dating men?
Keith: Yeah, the only real reason you'd have to worry is if she wasn't dating men!
(silence)
Keith: (offended) Well I thought that was funny.
Laurie: Mom, I'm worried.
Shirley: About what?
Laurie:Well about your boyfriend being in the same hotel as you and all. I mean, let's not rush things.
Shirley: I'm sure I can handle it on my own, Laurie thank you very much. Besides, he's not in the same hotel as me. He's in another one nearby.
Tracy: Does your boyfriend have a name?
Shirley: Yes he does, it's Walter.
Danny: (sarcastically) I'll write that down.
Chris: Mom, can you promise me something?
Shirley: Depends on what it is.
Chris: Can you promise not to kiss your boyfriend in front of me?
Shirley: Chris, we're not kissing each other! just really enjoy each other's company.
Danny: Pretty soon they will be you know what that means...
That was when Shirley just snapped. "Danny! I've had enough! The next gas station we see we are pulling over and I'm going to have a talk with you! This has got to stop!"
Danny gulped.