Shattered

by

Numb3rsfan

Chapter Four: Call My Name

It was slow but the world kept turning and one day passed in to another and slowly a week made it's way by...and then another and another. The Partridge's were reluctant to leave the hospital but after the first week they knew that they had to resume a semblance of normality. The children went back to school while Shirley remained with Keith who was beating all odds given by the doctors. At the beginning of the second week Keith had been taken off of the ventilator and was now breathing on his own, though despite all of this he was still in a coma.

Danny had kept his word and had packed away his bass, putting it in the attic since he never wanted to see it again. He avoided the garage; avoided Reuben and all talk of music, concerts and money. His attitude was depressing but understandable to everyone however the one thing that was distressing to the rest of the Partridge's was the fact that Danny had almost more or less stopped eating.

Depression was written all over his face and nothing the others did seemed to snap Danny out of it.

It was now Monday. Danny, Chris and Tracy were in school and Laurie was at the hospital with Shirley. Every day they had hope that Keith would wake up and each day that hope was crushed when he remained unresponsive.

"Mom, what are you going to do about Danny? He's got to eat." Laurie said as she brushed her long, brown hair away from her face.

Laurie was seated in a chair by Keith's right side while Shirley was seated in a chair by Keith's left side.

"I don't know. He needs help but I think the only thing that can help him now is Keith." Shirley replied with a sigh.

She believed that if Keith woke up then Danny would snap out of his depression and return to his normal self. She missed her old Danny...heck she missed her family and the way it had been.

Laurie nodded, seeing the truth in her mother's words. It seemed that Danny's very health now hinged on Keith. If he died then...what about Danny? Would that drive him over the edge as well? Laurie couldn't imagine having to bury two of her brothers within weeks of each other. She knew her mom wouldn't be able to cope if that happened; heck she doubted she could cope if that happened either!

Slowly Shirley reached out and took Keith's limp hand in hers. Keith's injuries were slowly healing; some of the smaller scratches were almost gone and his broken leg was also on the mend. Soon enough she'd have her beautiful boy back but he would never be back unless he woke up.

"Keith, you've slept long enough. It's time to wake up. We all miss you sweety, especially Danny and Tracy. " Shirley began.

Laurie then listened to her mother begin to ramble on, talking to Keith like she always did. She told Keith different stories about when he was a baby and when the others were younger. The stories were sweet and a few times Laurie had to wipe her face to keep the tears at bay but the only one who never stirred or showed any emotions was Keith.

An hour passed by and still nothing, but Shirley wasn't giving up on her son.

"Do you remember how excited you were when Tracy was born? The minute you saw her you loved her so much. That's the way your dad and grandparents and I felt when you were born. We loved you so much." Shirley said, squeezing Keith's hand in a loving fashion. She then let go of his hand and nodded to Laurie who stood up and headed for the door, knowing that it was time now to go home.

Shirley stood up and was reaching down for her purse when she heard a raspy, "And I love you too mom."

Standing up straight as if she had been shot, Shirley had those 'deer in the headlight' eyes as she looked at her son who's brown eyes were locked on to hers.

"Keith..." Shirley whispered, at first not believing that her son was actually looking at her, but when the realization hit she exclaimed, "KEITH!"

Laurie, hearing her mom's startled exclamation quickly walked over to Keith's bed and nearly shrieked when she saw that her brother was awake.

"Keith!" Laurie proclaimed, bending down and giving him a hug while Shirley called for a doctor, using the call button by Keith's side.

When Laurie released her brother she had tears in her eyes, while Keith had a small, half smile on his face.

"Where's everyone else?" Keith whispered. His throat was so dry from lack of use that he could barely talk, but it wasn't all that surprising.

"They're in school. They'll be so glad to know that you are awake!" Shirley said, looking towards the door when a doctor and a nurse entered to find out why Shirley had tripped the call button.

Smiles came to the faces of the doctor and nurse when they saw that their patient was now conscious. Quickly they checked Keith's vitals, shined a pen light in his eyes and checked motor function by having Keith try to move his toes and his fingers; all of these tests he passed with flying colors.

Upon finishing, the doctor drew Shirley aside and said, "Mrs. Partridge, I don't know how but I believe your son is going to make a full recovery. He will need to stay in the hospital for a few more days; make sure there isn't going to be any kind of relapse, but barring any complications you should be able to take him home on Friday."

Shirley thanked the doctors before returning to her son's side just in time to hear Laurie finish filling Keith in on everything that had been happening the past few weeks...including the trouble with Danny.

Shirley was a little angry at Laurie because Keith didn't need all of this dumped on him moments after rejoining the land of the living, but what was done was done and by the look on Keith's face he wasn't surprised.

Shirley went over to the small, pink water pitcher and poured some water in to a clear, plastic cup. Placing a small straw in the water, she brought the cup over to Keith and held the cup steady while Keith slowly yet eagerly sipped the water through the straw.

When he finished about half of the cup, Shirley put the cup down, not wanting Keith to get sick from drinking too much too fast.

"Had a feeling he'd do something like that." Keith said after swallowing the water in his mouth. His voice was a little stronger thanks to the liquid he had drunk; it not being so raspy.

"How so?" Shirley asked.

"Well, believe or not mom, I heard a lot of what went on in here. I heard what Danny had to say and I could tell that he was pretty torn up over everything that had happened. More than anything I wanted to tell him that it was okay but I couldn't move...couldn't say anything. I just had to lay there and listen. Mom...Danny needs to know that this isn't his fault. He's carried the blame for long enough, he needs to let it go. I already have." Keith said.

"We've tried, Keith. Mom and I have tried to convince Danny...heck even Chris and Tracy have tried but you know your brother and that hard head of his. He always has to do everything big." Laurie said.

Keith looked at his sister and nodded his head, knowing full well that Danny always liked to do things the hard way.

"Mom, I need to see him. One way or another this thing is going to be settled...today. Even if I have to hold him hostage here." Keith said.

Ah there was that humorous side that Shirley had missed from her eldest. If he was feeling good enough to start making jokes then he was definitely on the mend.

"Well if you are up to it, we'll bring him by after school." Shirley replied. She didn't want to over tire Keith but seeing the look in his eyes she knew that he was ready, willing and able to discuss things with Danny, she just hoped that Danny would roll over and accept the fact that Keith was okay and it wasn't his fault. If he didn't and continued on his present course...she didn't look forward to placing Danny in one of those 'special places' that dealt with depression and anorexia; a disorder that Danny was now showing signs of developing.