Chapter 9
Keith had jumped over the side of the boat onto the dock and tied off the boat so the rest of the family could disembark easily. Reuben was handing Keith the picnic basket, cooler and towels when Connie walked up. "So, how was your day? Did you all get a chance to ski?"
"Oh hi, Connie. We had a wonderful day." Shirley agreed not wanting to make Connie feel bad about their almost tragedy. Why tell her about it when it wasn't her fault and she couldn't have done anything about it. "Thank you so much for the use of the boat."
"It was our pleasure. No one would have been using it today, so I'm just glad we could add to your vacation fun." Connie beamed at them. "However, I do have a small favor to ask in return."
"Oh?" Danny asked suspiciously.
Shirley shot a quelling look at her middle child and smiled at Connie saying, "After our wonderful outing, we'd be happy to return the favor. What did you have in mind?"
"Nothing too painful I assure you. Bob and I would love it if you joined us at our house for a barbecue." Connie added quickly wanting them to know that they wouldn't be an inconvenience, "I've already invited my parents. We usually spend one night a week together. It gives them a chance to spend time with the kids."
"If you're sure seven extra guests wouldn't be an inconvenience." Shirley wrinkled her nose at the thought of seven unexpected guests in her own home.
"I'm positive. Besides, my kids would love to meet you. They're big fans." Connie added.
"Sounds lovely, how many kids do you have?" Shirley asked as the group started moving towards the parking lot.
"We have three. Beth is 15, Sandy is 13 and little B.J. is 10." Connie explained.
Laurie caught the ages of the females and couldn't help but tease Keith quietly, "Oh, isn't that wonderful. They have two teenage daughters."
Keith just rolled his eyes and hoped the evening went quickly. Nights like this could be uncomfortable at best and sometimes downright irritating. He'd try to stick as close to the adults as possible. Teenage girls could be quite devious in trying to get him into compromising positions.
xoxo
The family had gone back to the Randall mansion to clean up and change and then headed over to Bob and Connie's house, following the Nelson's car so they wouldn't get lost. Keith had actually hoped a couple of times that Reuben would get a flat and they would be forced to stop. He had been 'this close' to begging off for the night and asking to stay home to work on his new song. But he knew his Mom wouldn't go along with that, she'd already chastised him for working on his vacation. He almost prayed for divine intervention when he caught Laurie looking at him for the third time already. She had that stupid Cheshire cat look on her face that said she was going to enjoy his discomfort all evening.
The Family followed the Nelson's to the door of a very stately home not too far from Kip's place. Apparently pediatric surgeon's made a very nice living, Danny pointed out as they waited for someone to answer the door. A few moments later, the door was opened by a young male. Keith was elated to find out that Sandy wasn't a girl after all, but a teenage son who sought out Laurie, blushed and thereafter stared at her in worship. Laurie stiffened in surprise at the brief predatory look that came to his face and was quickly hidden. A look that went unnoticed by everyone else.
"Oh, come on Laurie. You were so looking forward to this evening. What's the matter? Someone watching your every move and sighing makes you uncomfortable? I mean, when you thought it was going to happen to me you were downright happy." Keith whispered in her ear.
Keith smiled angelically at the young man when he glared at him for getting so close to the girl of his dreams - even if he was her brother, he was still jealous. When Keith made to move away from Laurie and make it clear to Sandy that he had an open shot at his sister, Laurie grabbed onto his arm and wouldn't let go.
"Oh no you don't." Laurie hissed at Keith. "You are not leaving me to that baby wolf."
"Laurie, he's thirteen years old. What's he gonna do? Moon you to death? He wouldn't know what to do with you if he caught you." Keith chided quietly. After all he didn't want the Nelson's or the boy's parents hurt by his comments.
"Hah, you'd be surprised. And, besides, think of how many thirteen year old girls have chased you and knew exactly what they wanted to do to you when they caught you." Laurie threw back.
"Hmmm…guess you're right there. However, you tell me all the time that girls mature faster than boys."
"Ok, then try this on for size. Did you know what to do with a girl when you were thirteen?" Laurie's grip was getting tighter as she watched Keith absorb that thought.
"Right. Maybe you better stick close to me." Keith frowned. "I'll make you a deal. I'll protect you from Sandy if you protect me from Beth."
"Deal." Laurie pulled Keith into the house as they couldn't delay entering any longer. As it was the rest of the family had looked behind them to see what was keeping them.
They were shown to the back yard which had been set up with several picnic tables. Bob had been manning the barbecue with B.J.'s help. The Nelson's took care of introductions, "Bob, B.J., this is Shirley Partridge, Tracy, Chris, Danny, Mr. Kincaid their Manager and…..oh there you are, and this is Keith and Laurie." The last was said just as Laurie and Keith finally caught up to the rest of them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Would anyone like something to drink?" As pleasantries were exchanged and drink orders taken, Bob handed off the barbecue tongs to Reuben as he took Sandy and B.J. into the house to grab the beverages.
"Keith, give me a hand would you?" Reuben asked. He looked up expectantly when Keith didn't answer right away. He noticed that he was having a hard time getting Laurie to let go of his arm.
"Laurie, for pete's sake, he's not even out here right now. Let go. Reuben needs my help." Keith was trying to pry Laurie's fingers from his arm.
"Let Danny help." Laurie continued to protest.
"Do you really want Danny that close to your food?" Keith's joking comment finally seemed to break Laurie out of her fearful mode.
"You're right. I'm being silly. What can happen with all of these people around, anyway?" Laurie let go and watched Keith walk away from her, trying to still her silly fears the whole time.
Keith got his first glimpse of Beth when the whole family came back out after fetching the drinks. She was a very pretty young girl, but also very shy. He blew out a breath in thanks - it looked like at best he would have to live with her throwing longing glances at him through her eyelashes all night. That would be easy enough to live with.
Laurie, after losing Keith as her protector, had moved over by Tracy and was now standing behind her with her hands on her shoulders. She was using Tracy as a human shield. And it was working nicely until B.J. offered to show Danny, Chris and Tracy his tree house. Once again, Laurie was left standing alone with Sandy moving closer with every second. When Connie mentioned that she was going back in the house to grab the rest of the food, Shirley offered to lend a hand with Laurie right behind her.
When Keith noticed that Sandy was going to follow them, Keith called him over and asked him to grab another tray as the one he was holding was getting full. Laurie shot him a grateful look over her shoulder as she headed out of sight with the rest of the women.
"So, Keith. I understand that you write the songs that your family sings." Bob said as he walked up and took the tray Keith was holding.
"Yeah, most of 'em anyway."
"I'm sure you hear this often, but I'm a frustrated musician myself. Maybe later you could give me some guitar lessons before you leave. Before I decided to become a surgeon, I played around with starting a band."
"Really, Dr. Kelley? What stopped you?" Keith asked.
"Bob, please. I realized that I was only a passable musician, but I was pretty darn good at science so med school won out. Besides, my father is an oncologist." Bob admitted.
"Ah, I see what you mean. I'm a much better musician than scientist myself." Keith said.
"That's a fact." Reuben piped in. When Keith looked at him as if he wasn't sure if that was an insult or a compliment. Reuben continued, "You should have seen him this past Monday. He put on quite a show at Mr. Randall's club in Miami. Completely won over Mr. Randal who agreed to produce the Family's next album."
"Really, that's pretty impressive. Kip's pretty selective about who he works with. It's not like record producing is his only source of income. He only works with the best." Bob was clearly impressed with this latest development. "Don't suppose you brought your guitar along?"
"Now why would the young man have brought his guitar along?" Connie asked as the women made there way outside with the rest of the food. "Sandy go get B.J. and the others. We're almost ready to eat."
"Why not, he's brought it along to some pretty unusual places before. Well, did you?" Laurie asked happy to see that Sandy had been sent off on an errand by his mother.
"Actually, it's in the trunk." Keith answered sheepishly as everyone laughed.
"That thing is like a security blanket to him." Laurie continued to tease.
Keith stepped over and whispered in her ear, "Keep it up little Miss Sunshine and I'll make sure you're alone with Sandy."
The smile quickly left Laurie's face. Thankfully only Keith noticed the change in Laurie's demeanor as the kids ran up making a racket.
xoxo
The food was excellent and at least one table had a great time. Laurie had maneuvered it so that she sat in between Keith and her mom and the Kelley's sat across from them with Mr. Kincaid. At the last second, Beth squeezed in between her parents giving her perfect access to gaze at Keith to her hearts content. The rest of the kids sat at another table with the Nelsons running herd over them. Sandy was not pleased.
Bob and Keith kept the dinner conversation lively. Bob with tales of his failed attempts at performing in high school and college and Keith with stories of life on the road with the family. Connie chipped in on Bob's stories as they started dating when he was in college and Shirley, Laurie and Reuben chipping in on Keith's stories. After all, they had been present for all of the Family adventures too. Keith, noticing again how shy Beth was, had gone out of his way to include her and had tried drawing her out on several occasions. By the end of the meal, she was contributing to the conversation and having a wonderful time. Beth was simply in heaven and every one of her friends was going to die with jealousy.
Everyone helped clean up the dinner mess which didn't take long seeing they had used paper plates and napkins. During the clean up, conversation turned to Bob's job as a pediatric surgeon. They discussed the children's ward at the hospital and how sad it was when children had to deal with illnesses. Shirley suggested that maybe they could stop at the hospital the next day to visit some of the kids. Bob jumped at the opportunity as he knew of several kids who were big fans. They encouraged kids to bring mementos from home that would help to cheer them up and some of them had pictures of Keith or the Family tacked onto cork boards. All of the Partridge kids agreed that a visit to the children's ward was definitely on the schedule for the next day.
Once finished they all moved into the living room. Bob asked Keith to get his guitar and disappeared to grab his from the back of his closet. They proceeded to jam on songs that Bob's previous bands had performed. Keith could see why Bob had decided on surgery for a living, but all-in-all was impressed with his skill as a recreational musician. Before long, Bob dropped out and Keith continued to play alone. He pulled Laurie into singing with him on some of the songs they had performed Monday night at the club.
Shirley was getting her first glimpse of how things must have gone in her absence. She was very proud of how good the two of them sounded as a duo. When they finished several songs, Shirley's applause was louder than everyone else's.
"That was wonderful!" She said beaming "Is that what you did at the club on Monday?"
"Sure is." Danny piped in, "They actually did about a dozen songs acoustically. Oh, Mom, I wish you could have seen the place. It was packed."
"Let's not remind her." Reuben jabbed Danny with his elbow and smiled uncomfortably at Shirley.
Connie, sensing that a touchy subject had been brought up said, "Does anyone want anything to drink? How about you Keith, you've been singing for about an hour now."
"That would be great! Water would be perfect."
As the rest of the drink requests were made, Beth and Connie left to fill the orders. Conversation flowed easily again among the rest of the room occupants. Laurie noticed Sandy watching her closely again and slid closer to Keith. She was sitting on the floor in front of the chair that he occupied and now she was practically attached to his right leg. Keith glanced at her questioningly and then followed her eyes to Sandy. He frowned at him hoping to discourage him, but Sandy appeared to ignore him.
Once the drinks were passed around, they talked Keith into continuing to play. He said the only way he would continue is if everyone joined in. They proceeded to have a very lively sing-along. The Partridge's could all sing, however, the Nelsons and Connie couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Thankfully the Kelley kids had inherited their father's singing voice which wasn't half bad. Mr. Kincaid had refused to utter one sound saying he 'managed' singers for a reason.
"Hey, Keith. Why don't you play your new song like you did at the club on Monday?" Reuben glared at Danny for bringing up the taboo subject once again, but thankfully Shirley let the club comment slide while picking up on the new song comment instead.
"What new song?" She asked.
"Oh, Mom. Wait'll you hear it. Go ahead Keith. Sing it for us." Laurie encouraged.
Keith performed 'Brown Eyes' to his second audience before it was even completed to his liking. Beth was once again in seventh heaven. She was sure she would be the most popular girl in school next week with all of the stories she would have to tell her friends.
Shortly afterwards, the party broke up with Shirley reminding everyone that the kids needed to get to sleep. As 'good-byes' were exchanged, they finalized plans to visit the children's ward at Bob's hospital. It worked out well as Friday's were days when surgery was rarely scheduled and Bob had an open morning to spend at the hospital. The Nelson's would bring the family over and they would meet with Bob around 9:00. Laurie was extremely grateful to hear that Connie and the Kelley kids were all scheduled for a school registration event and wouldn't be able to attend the hospital visit. Laurie didn't relax until they were in the car.
"Ok, you can let go of my arm now." Keith said as they drove away. "I'm going to have bruises you know."
"Sorry." Laurie said sheepishly and she finally pried her hands away.
"Yeah, I noticed you had attached yourself to Keith for most of the night. What's up with that?" Danny asked.
"Didn't you notice how that Sandy kid stared at me all night? It was downright creepy." Laurie shuddered as she thought about it.
"Ha, serves you right for teasing Keith about it earlier when you thought Sandy was a girl." Danny gloated. "Hey, come to think of it, that was a change of pace wasn't it?"
"What do you mean?" Shirley asked having been an avid listener to the conversation.
"Well, for once Keith wasn't the one who had to deal with the over zealous fan. Maybe you're slipping, Keith." He addressed his next comment to Mr. Kincaid. "What do you think? Should we start looking for another lead singer who's younger and better looking?"
"Keith's only seventeen, Danny. How much younger do you want?" Reuben pointed out.
"I was thinking maybe eleven, with loads of charm. Not to mention red hair and an impish grin." Danny said with a straight face.
"Anyone in mind, Reuben? We'll have to go outside the family for someone who matches that description." Keith tossed out.
"Not off hand. I suppose he should have some musical talent too. Don't you think? Shirley, any ideas?" Reuben passed the fun on to Shirley.
"Not a one. Guess we'll have to stick with Keith as lead singer until we can find someone." Shirley fought to keep a straight face.
"Shot down by my own family again." Danny muttered shaking his head. He had been sure he was going to get Keith with that one. Instead he ended up being the butt of the joke.
"Don't sweat it kid. In a few more years, with a total makeover and a paper bag to put over your head we might be able to sell your albums to the school for the deaf." Reuben added.
At Danny's crestfallen look the whole family erupted in laughter.
xoxo
Bob had informed the staff at the hospital of their impending visitors and there had been a buzz of excitement all morning. Especially excited were the younger nurses and the candy stripers that were all young enough to be excited to be meeting Keith Partridge. Well, meet may be too strong of a word; see from a distance was more likely to happen. The head nurse and the hospital administration had laid down the law – do your jobs or else. So, the excitement was muted, but not squelched completely.
Just before 9:00, an excited murmur started at the entrance to the ward and spread quickly down the hallway to the nurse's station set up at the center of the ward. They had arrived!
Bob had planned for the family to start in the solarium attached to the pediatrics ward. Here the kids who were well enough to be out of bed would be brought to meet the Family all at once. They would leave the youngest members of the family in the Solarium to play with the other children while Shirley, Keith and Laurie would visit those too sick to make it to the solarium. Bob and Shirley had thought it best that the youngest kids not be exposed to the reality of the sickest kids on the ward.
Danny perked up right away when he realized that he was going to have the same opportunity he'd had on the plane. All he had to do was position himself near the nurses who were congregated on the outskirts of the kids and listen to them discuss Keith amongst themselves. He was a little disappointed as the nurses seemed to be controlling themselves better than the stewardesses had. However, he struck gold when he got closer to the candy stripers that were all younger than the nurses. Every single candy striper was completely in awe of their current visitor. 'Isn't he cute', 'look at how good he is with the kids' and 'he is so sweet' were all comments heard on a regular basis.
At Bob's suggestion, Keith had brought his guitar along and soon they had a sing along going. Keith raised the kid's appreciation of Dr. Kelley several degrees when he talked him into playing the guitar on one of the songs. Bob paid him back by suggesting to the kids that it would be a good idea if the Family performed some of their songs for the kids. Soon Keith, Laurie and, a surprised but game, Shirley were playing an acoustic set for the very happy patients, nurses and candy stripers.
Reuben had brought along pictures that the family happily autographed and gave to each of the eager kids. If the nurses and candy stripers made requests for 'little sisters and nieces at home', no one commented, they just signed, smiled and handed them the picture.
After leaving the youngest Partridges in the solarium under the watchful eye of Mr. Kincaid, Shirley, Keith and Laurie headed out to visit the sicker kids in their rooms. This part of the visit was much harder emotionally on the three of them. Dr. Kelley accompanied them to each of the rooms, told them what was wrong with the child and whether or not they were expected to recover. Dr. Kelley didn't want them accidentally telling a terminal child that they were sure they'd recover.
After about the sixth child, Shirley and Laurie both had tears in their eyes as they left the room. "Only one more to go. Do you think you can make it?" Dr. Kelley asked. "I know this is really hard, especially when you're not used to being around sick children."
"How do you do it every day?" Laurie asked as she tried to collect herself for the next visit.
"Well, you celebrate the ones that you send home healthy and mourn, and move to a special place in your heart, each of the ones you lose. It's a skill that you have to build if you want to survive in this world. Thankfully, we send more kids home than not. And, with each passing year, with improvements to medicine, our success rate gets better."
"Makes me very happy I'm not that great in science." Keith went back to their conversation from the previous night.
"There must be a great sense of accomplishment in making people happy with your music and performing, huh?" Dr. Kelley said.
"Not as great as healing someone and sending them home to a grateful family, but it has its moments." Keith agreed
"Well, frame of mind has a lot to do with the healing process. And, I can tell you from experience, your visit today will go a long way towards helping many of these kids heal. Have you been paying attention to the look on the faces of all these young people? The fact that you're here and just talking to them will help some of them, your visit gives them hope."
"Well, let's continue to spread 'hope'." Keith tried to lighten the mood.
"That's the spirit. Ready for Megan? She's sixteen years old and has an inoperable brain tumor, but has outlived expectations several times over. She's a fighter, that's for sure. And, she's a HUGE fan. Wait until you see her room. It's plastered with your pictures Keith. You'll probably feel like your looking into several mirrors." Bob joked.
"Great, just what I need, multiples of my brother." Laurie played along.
Keith just rolled his eyes and followed Dr. Kelley into the next room. When they entered Keith was actually surprised – Dr. Kelley hadn't been exaggerating. There had to be at least two dozen pictures from fan magazines taped to almost ever surface in the room.
"Hey Megan!" Dr. Kelley said softly to the girl lying in bed with her eyes closed. She had very short hair that was growing back after her last bouts of chemo and radiation in an attempt to shrink the tumor that would one day take her life.
