Chapter 11
Laurie came quietly in the back door and just hoped that she wouldn't run into anyone. She was still so angry she could spit nails. What a jerk he'd been? And, then to act like he had no idea why she was mad.
When she came around the corner from the kitchen to the dining room, she hoped to just sneak upstairs and avoid talking to anyone. She should have known; the way her day was going, there was no way she should have expected to avoid everyone. Unfortunately for her, she almost ran head-long into Danny coming down the stairs.
"Oh, hey Laurie. How's Keith?" Danny said not realizing anything was wrong.
"Fine." Laurie said and went to push past him.
"Laurie, I didn't hear you come in. How's Keith?" Shirley turned around to see Laurie heading upstairs with her hair still tucked under a hat.
"Why is everyone so interested in Keith?" Laurie spat before she thought about what she was saying. Of course, everyone would be interested in how Keith was doing. They hadn't seen him in about a week.
"Laurie!" Shirley stood up and approached her daughter. "What happened? Is everything alright? Is Keith alright?"
"Sorry, Mom. I'm a little out of sorts." Laurie tried to quickly cover. "Everything is fine. Keith is fine"
"Are you sure?" When Laurie nodded and tried to fix a smile on her face, Shirley decided to change tactics. "So, what has you out of sorts?"
"Oh, it's really stupid." Laurie racked her brain for a reason she would be this angry. "I just overheard the reporters out front saying something not very nice….about Keith. It made me mad."
"Oh, I see." Shirley had no reason to doubt the explanation and turned her focus to Danny. "Danny, I thought I sent you to bed a couple of minutes ago."
"I forgot to kiss you goodnight." Danny lied but still went to his Mom's side to kiss her cheek. At Shirley's raised brow, Danny beat a hasty retreat. Well, as far as the turn in the stairs. There he took up a post to listen to the conversation he knew would take place between his Mom and sister.
As Shirley watched her middle child head upstairs she turned back to Laurie, "So, tell me everything about Keith. How's he doing? Really."
"Mom, he's doing really well." Laurie took sympathy on her Mom. She knew how worried she was – constantly. "Oh, Mom, you should hear the songs he's written. They are really something."
Laurie couldn't help but be honest about Keith's songs even if she was angry with him. "That's what Reuben said the other day." Shirley admitted.
"You sound unsure. What's going on?" Laurie asked.
"Well, come over here and sit down." When they were seated, Shirley decided to confide in Laurie. They'd always been close. She knew she would keep her confidence. "Reuben wants me to talk to Keith with him."
"What about?" Even mad at Keith, Laurie would do her best to protect him from anyone else ganging up on him.
"Oh Laurie, Reuben wants Keith to record a solo album." Shirley admitted.
"Is that all?" Laurie was relieved that it was something so simple.
"Is that all?! Laurie that would be a big change. You do realize that Keith would likely end up leaving the group. He's likely to become much more popular on his own. Are you ready to stop performing? I'm not sure if I am." Shirley worried her bottom lip as she thought about the potential changes.
"I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess that Keith probably is being held back by the rest of us." Laurie couldn't help but admit it. He was the song writer, musical arranger and lead vocalist for the group. They needed him, but he definitely didn't need them.
"Oh, Laurie, I don't think that's the case. In fact, I'm pretty sure Keith hasn't given it any real thought." Shirley frowned.
"Mom, he may not have thought about it, but it IS true. Mom, no matter how worried you are about him you have to talk him into doing that new album." Laurie urged.
"Why? What do you know that I don't?" Shirley asked.
"Mom, his new songs are really personal to him. They aren't Family songs. They're more sophisticated. They are Keith Partridge songs. They need to be heard. The only way to do that is to have him release an album of solo work." Laurie knew what she said was true and said it with such conviction that her Mom believed her without further questions.
"I guess I better plan on going to see him tomorrow." Shirley said with more confidence than she'd felt before her conversation with Laurie. "Do you want to come with me?"
"No!" Laurie said quickly; too quickly, drawing her mother's curiosity.
"Why not?" Shirley asked surprised. Her daughter had gone to see him once without permission and had almost snuck out a second time; now she didn't want to go with her? Something was definitely going on.
"Oh, well, ummm, I had promised Tracy to play with her all day tomorrow. I had to promise her so that she wouldn't tell on me about Skizzy. Even though I was found out I can't go back on my promise." Laurie was lying through her teeth, but she just couldn't go and see Keith so soon after finding out he'd lied to her. She just couldn't.
"Alright." Shirley said knowing there was more to the story than she was telling. She planned to ask Keith tomorrow.
xoxo
After Laurie had gone to bed shortly after their conversation was over, Shirley called Reuben to let him know that she would be coming over there first thing in the morning to talk to Keith about his solo album. Reuben was very happy to hear her say that and told her that he was now more sure than ever that they were doing the right thing.
He didn't bother telling her that he'd already booked some time at a local recording studio with some different musicians and backup singers. He'd just gotten off the phone with a record producer friend and made all the arrangements. The time was scheduled for later in the day due to the lateness of the arrangements. It was the only time available. Reuben was pretty sure that Keith wouldn't mind as he tended to be a bit of a night owl anyway.
He had planned to talk to Keith alone about it tomorrow if he had to. Shirley's call had been fortuitous. He hadn't liked going behind her back, but he'd have done it if she'd continued to balk at his plans. Keith had too much talent to waste it. A solo career was the next step and Reuben was going to make sure that Keith was allowed to reach his full potential. It just helped if Keith's family felt the same way.
Now that Shirley had agreed to his plans, it was a matter of getting Keith to agree.
xoxo
Shirley walked out to the station wagon at 8:00. She was due by Reuben at 9:30 and wanted to give herself enough time to drive around to make sure she wasn't being followed. She'd made several stops at different stores in hopes than anyone following would simply think she was running errands. She finally drove out of town after wandering what appeared to be aimlessly for more than fifteen minutes. She was confident she wasn't being followed.
xoxo
Olivia had waited for this opportunity for way too long. She'd almost given herself away a couple of times because she'd grown so impatient. In fact, she'd almost given up hope of ever finding him when luck had smiled on her once again in the form of Marvin Kimmel editor of the San Pueblo High School newspaper. He'd been mingling with the reporters trying to get an original angle on the story for the paper's first edition of the upcoming school year. Although Keith was no longer a student, Laurie was and thus fodder for his potential story.
Olivia had nonchalantly followed him as he'd questioned other reporters and finally accidentally bumped into him striking up a conversation. She'd been after one thing and one thing only – the address of the family's manager. She was almost certain that's where Keith was staying. He hadn't known the exact location, but he'd known that he lived in a swinging singles apartment complex not too far away. She'd check every one within a hundred miles if she had to.
She was so close to her goal she could almost taste it. Well, now that she'd kissed Keith, she could taste it. Before that, she'd had to imagine it. But, since she'd held him captive the last time and stolen several kisses while he'd been unconscious, she could draw his taste from her memory rather than her imagination.
She still craved a kiss in which he participated, but she knew that was just a matter of time now. Her plan was about to be set in motion. The one key missing piece had been Keith's whereabouts. She was almost giddy with excitement that she would soon have that oh so important piece of information.
A smile played about her lips the whole time she drove toward her love.
She was sitting in the parking lot of the first complex she'd chosen to check out when a familiar station wagon pulled in several spots away. Out stepped the one and only Shirley Partridge. Could she be that lucky? The first one she'd tried was where Keith was staying?
The smile playing about her lips turned into a full fledged grin.
xoxo
Reuben opened the door to an anxious Shirley. "You made good time."
"Well, with my son at the end of the journey, you didn't think I'd dawdle did you?" Shirley smiled and walked past Reuben and immediately scanned the room for her son.
"He's in the bathroom. He hasn't been up very long. He spent half the night perfecting the songs he and Laurie had worked on yesterday. He sure is a workaholic isn't he?" Reuben tried to keep it light knowing that Keith's absence from the room was a disappointment to his mom. "By the way, I didn't tell him you were coming."
"Why not?" Shirley asked surprised.
"I didn't want him asking any questions. I knew if I told him you were coming he'd ask why." Reuben told her.
"Right. How is he Reuben? Both physically and emotionally?" Shirley asked.
"He's getting better every day. Being here has been good for him, I think." Reuben led Shirley over to the couch. "He's been able to get away from the media circus that his life has become and he's concentrating almost exclusively on his music. I just try to stay out of his way and provide the occasional meal."
"He's eating alright?" Shirley couldn't help but ask.
"Better when Bonnie's in town, but I won't let him starve Shirley." Reuben couldn't help but smile at her concern.
"Sorry Reuben. It's just been too long since I've seen him." Shirley spun around as soon as she heard a door open.
"Hey, Reuben you're almost out of shampoo." Keith said as he walked into the living and then stopped in his tracks when he noticed his mom. "Mom?"
"Hi, honey." Shirley said and started to walk toward him. He met her halfway and they hugged tightly. Shirley pulled back first and put a hand on either side of his face. She looked closely at his features and saw that he looked rested and, though not happy, he didn't look too sad either. In fact, he looked just wonderful to her.
"What are you doing here?" Keith asked and then realized that it sounded like he didn't want to see her. "Not that I'm not glad to see you. I'm just surprised. Why didn't you call?"
"Come over here and sit down." Shirley said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him to the couch. She glanced over her shoulder to realize that he wasn't using his cane but was limping along behind her. "Where's your cane?"
"How are Chris and Tracy? And Grandma and Grandpa?" Keith ignored her question and changed the subject hoping she'd let it slide.
"Everyone is fine. Missing you terribly, but fine. Even Danny." Shirley smiled at Keith's obvious omission. "Now, quit changing the subject. Where's your cane?"
Keith looked down as he sat down next to his mom who had yet to relinquish his hand. "It's around. So, why did you come? Besides to see me, that is?"
"Reuben and I would like to talk to you about something." Shirley started and then paused.
"Oh? What?" Keith urged. He didn't like her hesitation. Was something wrong with someone in the family and she just didn't know how to tell him?
"Keith, Laurie told me that your new songs are really good." Shirley started again.
"She did?" Keith was surprised. As angry as she'd been when she'd left him yesterday he didn't think she'd have wanted to talk about him with Mom.
"She did. You seem surprised." Shirley cocked an eyebrow at him.
"She hadn't really said what she thought about them yesterday." Keith lied rather than telling his mom that they'd argued. He couldn't believe that Laurie would think the worst of him so soon after he'd told her he was done with one night stands. Her lack of faith had really hurt. He wasn't ready to talk about it with someone else even if that someone else was his mom.
It was Reuben's turn to raise an eyebrow. Laurie had been quite vocal about her feelings on Keith's new songs. Why was he lying? But, not wanting to submarine his own plans for this discussion he thought it best to hold his tongue.
"Keith, it's your new songs that we want to talk about." Reuben attempted to push the conversation along.
"Ok. What about 'em?" Keith asked.
"Keith, you know that we all love performing." Shirley said and paused again. She was totally bungling this conversation. Keith just frowned and nodded. Where was she going with this?
"But none of us love it as much as you do." When Keith's frown deepened, she quickly continued, "Keith, you are the driving force behind the Family's music. Without you, we'd be a bunch of backup musicians and singers."
"Mom, why are you putting yourself down like that? Are you trying to tell me that you want to quit?" Keith asked surprised.
"No. Not at all. Oh, I'm really making a mess of this." Shirley said and turned to sit sideways on the couch so that she could face him more fully. "Keith, what I'm trying to say is that…well, Reuben and I have been thinking and talking….."
Keith glanced between his stuttering mom and an eager but silent Reuben. "Go on, Mom." He urged.
"Keith, I, we, think it's time that you considered recording as a solo." As Keith began to shake his head at his Mom, she quickly continued, "We still think that you should record and perform with the family, but that you should do this too."
Keith looked from his mom's earnest expression to Reuben's hopeful gaze and then stood up to walk over by the windows. This wasn't the first person to mention recording as a solo artist. The girl in San Antonio had alluded to it. Trish had told him to do it and now his Mom and Reuben were telling him the same thing. Should he consider it?
He'd been wanting to try a little edgier sound but hadn't wanted to mess with the tried and true sound of the group. If he recorded solo, he could do what he wanted. Change things up without having to worry about ruining their established reputation. He could also make the arrangements a little more sophisticated. Chris and Danny were a little young and inexperienced to play some of the more difficult song ideas he'd had even if they were improving every day.
Shirley could almost see the wheels spinning in Keith's head. "Keith, would you play me some of your new songs? I'd like to hear them."
"Hmmm?" Keith pulled himself back from his deep thoughts. "I suppose so."
He grabbed his guitar and sang her 'Mae' and 'Sing Me'. He'd watched her the whole time he sang them and watched her eyes fill with tears. Why was she feeling like crying?
"Keith, Reuben was right. Those songs are definitely songs that need to be recorded. By you and you alone." Shirley smiled gently at him.
"Reuben? You've been planning this behind my back?" Keith asked surprised.
"Well, I wouldn't say it was behind your back. It was more a matter of not wanting to broach the subject behind your mother's back." Reuben assured him. "The first time I heard those songs, I knew they were great songs. I also knew that you would take too much of the feeling out of them if you tried to fashion them as Partridge Family songs. They need to be recorded as you've written them. They're that good, Keith."
"Keith, just because you record a solo album doesn't mean we have to stop recording as a family. Nor does it mean we stop performing as a family." Shirley reminded him. "You have always known that you wanted a career in music. I can't say that all of your siblings feel the same way. Someday, Keith, the family will stop performing as a group and you'll need to start a solo career at that time. So, why not now? You've got the material to record."
"And, the record company is very interested in having you start a solo career. In fact, if you agree, we can lay down some tracks later today. I talked to my contact at the local recording studio and we've lined up some musicians and back up singers." Reuben hoped he wasn't bringing this up too soon, but rather adding icing on the cake.
"Why now?" Keith leaned heavily against the wall. "I'm not sure I can handle any more change right now."
"Keith, the songs you've written tell me otherwise." Shirley went to stand next to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "You are very ready for this change."
"Keith, just give it a shot today. Go into the studio. If you don't like the outcome, we can chalk it up to experience and forget all about a solo career for now." Reuben added.
"Reuben's right, Keith. If you don't like the outcome, no one ever needs to know. If you're happy with the songs, then we can release the album." Keith still had uncertainty in his eyes so Shirley tried one more time. "Keith, I want you to do this. If you don't, I'll always wonder if I held you back."
"Mom, you're not holding me back." Keith quickly assured her.
"Then give this a try. I know you're ready for it." Shirley pulled him in for a hug.
xoxo
Olivia watched Shirley walk toward the complex but dared not follow her. She might turn around and see her. But, if she didn't follow her, how in the world was she supposed to find Keith in the three building complex? He could be anywhere. She needed specifics.
Just when she had decided to bolt out of her car and try to catch up with Shirley, she noticed the vacancy sign hanging on the fence. She decided to act like a potential new resident. She knocked on the door marked building superintendent and put on her most winning smile. She'd been shown two vacant apartments and had acted very pleased about the accommodations. She'd asked if he minded if she walked around and visited with some of the current residents to see if she liked not only the apartments, but the people she'd be sharing the area with. He'd readily agreed and just asked that she check back with him before she left so he knew whether or not to hold one of the open apartments for her.
She hadn't run into Keith's Mom or anyone else she recognized. How should she go about finding out where Keith might be located?
She wandered toward the pool. It was late morning and the pool was lined with about a dozen people who must have night jobs. She looked for the ones who didn't look like they were trying to catch some sleep while getting a tan. She passed a table of three residents and stopped to chat. They seemed nice enough, so she tried asking about the other residents. None of them seemed inclined to talk about the personal lives of their fellow dwellers so she moved on. She was looking for the resident gossip. Every neighborhood had one, so it went to reason that the complex would have one too. She just had to find her or him.
She was beginning to think that the gossipmongers all had day jobs when she watched an older woman sit down at a table and instead of reading the book she'd brought along, she watched everyone in the area from behind her sunglasses.
Bingo! She'd found the nosey resident who was sure to know if Keith was here and where he was if he was here.
She casually finished up her conversation with the boring man who'd been sitting and reading a book and made her way over to her new mark. She made her route look random. She made it look like she was going to pass on by after exchanging just polite smiles, but knew that if this was the resident gossip, she wouldn't let a new face pass without finding out all about her.
"Hi, you're new around here, aren't you?" Stacy asked as the pretty young woman who wasn't dressed for sunbathing had been about to stroll by. She must be a new potential resident. If she was, Stacy wanted to be the first to know all about her.
"Yes, I am. I'm thinking about renting one of the empty apartments, but wanted to make sure that I'd feel welcome in the community. I know how clique apartment communities can be. I wouldn't want to live here if I wasn't accepted." Olivia smiled again.
"Oh, well have a seat. I'll fill you in on our little world." Stacy invited.
Olivia tried not to appear too eager. "Oh, well, I do have to look at several other apartments yet today. I should get going."
"Nonsense. It's still early." Stacy would love a new set of ears to spill her tales to. "I'm Stacy."
"I'm Juliet." Olivia said as she sat down.
Olivia was sure her face was going to crack. She'd been smiling politely and listening to the old biddy tell her sordid tales of every single resident but the one she cared to hear about. When Stacy leaned in to say something quietly, Olivia was sure she was going to scratch her eyes out. Instead she widened her smile and leaned closer herself.
"We currently have one famous resident." Stacy said in a stage whisper.
"Oh, really? Who?" Olivia asked thankful that she had on sunglasses. She knew her eyes had sparked with interest. Finally, she was about to get the information she'd wasted way too much time on already.
"Well, I haven't seen him up close yet or without a disguise, but I'm absolutely certain that Keith Partridge is here." Stacy crowed. Olivia slumped back in her chair and smiled her glee at the information. Her face no longer felt plastic. Her smile was completely genuine for the first time since sitting down with the old windbag.
"Well, if you haven't seen him, how do you know that?" Olivia tried to make it sound as kind a possible, but she had to make Stacy prove her suspicion.
"Well, about a week ago, Reuben Kincaid showed up here with a guy on crutches. He had on a hat and sunglasses, but I went up close and talked to him. He sounds just like he does on his family's albums. It was him I tell you." Stacy was so glad to have a new audience.
"Oh?" Olivia urged her to add more.
"Well, then there was just yesterday when I was sure it was him again. He was with one of the other residents. Trish is such a bitch." Stacy said.
Who cares about Trish? Tell me about Keith, Olivia screamed in her head.
"They were all over each other. It was one of the most outrageous….well let's just say most people make sure they're alone before they do that kind of thing." Stacy gleefully informed Olivia.
Olivia had frozen at the mention of another woman who had apparently caught Keith's fancy in her absence. The man had no self-control. She was definitely going to enjoy tiring him out too much to even look at another woman. He was hers!
Stacy had gone into a long description of Keith and Trish's public display of affection and didn't realize that she was putting her new 'friend' into an almost desperate tailspin of anger.
"That's her. He's not with her right now, or I'm sure you'd get to see the show too. They apparently can't keep their hands off each other." Stacy nodded at Trish as she walked by.
"Which apartment is hers?" Olivia asked.
"What does that matter?" Stacy asked surprised by the question.
"Nothing really. I just wanted to make sure that one of the open apartments isn't right next to hers. Someone with that amount of sexual activity would likely be, well rather noisy." Olivia laughed conspiratorially.
"Oh, she's in apartment 523. It's right next to Reuben's. He's apartment 525 and she has a neighbor on the other side too so you won't have to worry about that." Stacy assured her.
Olivia sat back in satisfaction. She now knew where she could fine Keith.
It was time to put her plan into action.