The Keith Caper (Part 3)
The mob in front of the Partridge house was frightening to see as Reuben guided his car up the street. "Looks like word is out," he glanced in the mirror, where he saw Keith dozing against Laurie in the back seat. The swelling on his face has lessened some, but he still looked battered. "I'd better go fend them off while you get Keith in the back door."
"Good idea," Shirley agreed.
Reuben stopped the car about two houses away and got out while Shirley slid over behind the wheel. Once the crowd's attention was on their manager, she pulled seemingly unnoticed into the driveway.
The others got out of the car while Laurie gently prodded Keith out of his nap. "C'mon, Keith. We're home."
Danny watched Shirley help him out with Laurie right behind.
"Can you walk all right, honey?" Shirley smoothed the side of his head.
"Sure," he said, still a little dazed, and Shirley and Laurie moved him toward the house, where they quickly took him inside. Danny swallowed; hanging back until they were completely in, then followed Chris and Tracy into the house.
Laurie propelled Keith to the couch while Chris and Tracy ran to the window to watch Reuben's progression with the reporters outside.
Danny started for the front door, but Shirley stopped him. "Danny, run and get Keith a blanket from the hall closet."
"Uh, I…was going over to Punky's." Danny stammered. "He, ah, wanted to know how the search was going…"
"Punky's? Shirley frowned. "When was he here?"
"He called. Last night. I…uh, promised to let him know."
"Can't you call him ?" Laurie asked, adjusting the couch pillows behind her older brother's back.
Danny was edging closer and closer to the door. "I tried to call from the hospital, but his line was busy. 'Bye!" he was off like a shot.
"Strange child," Laurie shook her head.
"Yes, and so nervous all of a sudden. I wonder what's going on?" Shirley queried.
"Don't even try to figure it out," Laurie said. "It'll just keep you up nights." She smiled at Keith. "How's that?"
"Great," Keith sighed.
Shirley sat on the sofa arm. "Can I get you anything, sweetheart?" she asked Keith.
"No thanks. I'll be okay once I get my second wind. You guys don't need to fuss over me."
"Just trying to make up for lost time," Shirley's fingers lovingly passed under his chin.
"Here comes Mr. Kincaid!" Tracy announced.
Everyone turned to look as Reuben entered, closing and locking the door behind him. "There, that satisfied them. They wanted Keith to come out for a photo op, but I told them he was napping."
"Thanks, Reuben," Keith sighed.
"That's what I'm here for, kid. Hey, that lip's looking better and better."
Keith reached up self-consciously, touching his face. It was tender and he flinched. "I hope it goes down soon. That goon really packed a wallop."
"Speaking of goons, I wonder if the police caught the other guy," Reuben commented.
"Well, if he knows what's good for him, he'll turn himself in, too." Shirley said, matter-of-factly.
"Mom, when are we gonna decorate the tree?" Chris asked.
His question jarred Shirley. With everything that was happening, she'd completely forgotten about Christmas. "How about right now?" she said cheerily. "You kids bring the decorations down from the attic. Reuben, will you help me in with the tree? It's out in the garage."
Keith sat forward. "What can I do?"
"You sit there and don't leave this room. Ever!" Shirley shook her finger at him.
Laurie laughed, affectionately mussing his hair. "That goes double for me," she said in his ear. She motioned to Chris. "C'mon, Chris. I'll reach the high stuff. Tracy can keep Keith company."
Everyone went their separate ways and Tracy crawled up onto the couch next to Keith. "Wanna have a tea party?"
Keith smiled wearily, taking her small hand. "Maybe later, okay? "
"Okay," she said simply. Then: "Were you scared with those men?"
"No, 'cause I knew you guys would find me." Keith answered.
Tracy cocked her head. "You did? How?"
Keith tapped on his chest. "I felt it here, in my heart. I was praying really hard."
"Me, too!" Tracy's grin was a couple of teeth shy, and she giggled as Keith pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair.
"I know," he murmured. "I heard you."
"I know," she answered back with another giggle. "I heard you, too."
He let her go as Shirley and Reuben entered with a huge Douglas Fir, barely getting it through the door.
Keith pushed himself up. "Let me help," he said. Then he stopped dead still, wincing out loud.
Reuben grabbed his arm. "You okay?" he asked cautiously.
"Yeah," Keith waved it off unconvincingly. He was a little paler now, and he swallowed hard.
Seeing the pain in her son's eyes, Shirley spoke up. "Upstairs, Keith, now. You need to lie down and rest." Her voice was stern.
To her surprise, he didn't argue. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said softly, rubbing the back of his neck. He reached over, kissing her cheek. "Thanks, Mom, everybody." He smiled tiredly, then started up the stairs, taking them slowly, achingly.
"'Night, Keith," Laurie called after him, and he waved a hand, still pulling himself up the stairs. Everyone watched sadly until he was out of sight then went back to their decorating.
"Poor guy," Laurie murmured. "He's really hurting, isn't he?"
Shirley nodded, her eyes misting. Like any mother, she hated to see one of her children in pain, and she would gladly take his place a thousand times over. "Yes, he is," she said, a little far away.
"Maybe Keith should ask Santa for something to make him feel better," Chris stated.
"Yeah, like a puppy," Tracy nodded.
Their childlike innocence was so refreshing and so sorely needed at the moment that the adults had to smile.
The door opened and Danny came in quietly, as if he didn't want to be noticed. Trying to slip past the crowd in the living room, he was spied by Laurie.
"Well, well, it's about time you got back. Grab some ornaments and help us out, here."
Danny looked around the room. "Uh, where's Keith?"
"In his room, hopefully asleep by now. Did you fill Punky in?" Shirley unwound some garland.
"Punky?" Danny looked confused, then, at Shirley's look, interjected, "Oh, yeah. We…uh…talked. A lot." Now the eleven-year-old seemed more at ease as he joined them in the living room.
"Here," Laurie handed him a box of glass ornaments. "Start hanging."
"I think we need more lights," Shirley pawed through a box on the sofa. "There's a box of them way in the back of the upstairs hall closet. Danny, will you get them, please?"
Danny looked up, his eyes wide. "Upstairs? Me?"
"Yes, you. You know where they are, behind Keith's old tennis racket and you kids' roller-skates."
"But, I -" Danny stammered.
"I can get them, Mom," Laurie began, but Shirley cut her off.
"No, I want Danny to. Go!" she ordered firmly.
"Yes, ma'am," Danny muttered, obeying her.
"And look in on Keith for me, but don't disturb him if he's asleep!" Shirley called as he tromped up the stairs.
Laurie frowned, looking at her mother. "Mom?" she questioned.
Shirley shook her head. "Have you noticed, that for some reason, Danny has been avoiding Keith?"
"He has, hasn't he?" Laurie said after a second. "He didn't even help us get him in or out of the car, or get him a blanket like you asked him to."
Shirley sighed. "I think my number two son has a severe case of the guilts."
"Oh, but he can't be blaming himself for-" Laurie seemed stunned.
"Oh, but he is," Shirley said. "And he's not going to listen to anyone…except maybe Keith. If he ever dares speak to him again."
Having gotten the requested box of lights, Danny tiptoed back past Keith's room as if it were quarantined or something, but a moan from inside made him stop.
Swallowing, he hesitantly took the doorknob in hand, turning it gently. Pushing the door open about six inches, he peered inside. Keith was sitting hunched over on the edge of the bed, his head against the post and his arms around his stomach. Danny's heart skipped a beat. Gulping, he stared at his brother as Keith groaned again, doubling over even farther. Turning, Danny moved from the door and hurried down the hall.
"Mom." His voice shook, as he tried not to trip down the stairs. "I think you'd better come up here."
Alarmed, Shirley darted past him, with Laurie on her heels.
Unsure of what to do, Danny just sank to the landing, his own cherubic face just a little whiter than usual.
Reuben looked up at him, his own features twisted in concern. "Is he bad?"
Danny just nodded, feeling sick to his stomach. He wanted to cry, but not in front of the kids, he told himself. Then the tears won out. He swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand as Reuben joined him, sitting a couple of stairs below. The older man patted Danny's knee, speaking gently.
"He'll be okay, Danny. You've got to believe that. You've got to be strong for your mother and the others."
"I can't…" he shook his head.
"Sure you can. You're just about the strongest kid I know. "
Danny sucked in a shaky breath, looking up at the stairs above him, straining to see if he could hear anything
"You can go help, you know." Reuben nodded.
Closing his eyes, Danny shook his head. "No, I…I've helped too much already." He wiped his eyes and nose on his shirtsleeve.
Reuben sighed, squeezing Danny's knee.
Laurie appeared at the top of the stairs. Danny gulped, trying to read her face as she descended towards them.
Finally, Reuben spoke. "How is he?"
"We gave him a pain pill and he's resting. Mom's going to stay with him until he falls asleep," she answered wearily, slipping past them. "Danny, why don't you go keep them company?" she asked, turning towards him.
Shaking his fiery red head, Danny shoved the box of lights he still held at Reuben. "I…just remembered, I have homework."
"Homework? But it's Christmas Eve!" Laurie argued.
"It's for Church," he said, scrambling up the stairs and out of Laurie and Reuben's sight.
Hearing his room door shut, Reuben pulled himself up and joined Laurie and the kids in the living room. "Your mother's right. He's not going to listen to anyone."
"He'll come around. I know my brother. Besides, he can't avoid Keith forever." Laurie stated matter-of-factly. To herself, she murmured, "I think."
The peace that should be Christmas morning just wasn't happening in the Partridge household. First, Chris and Tracy raced one another downstairs to check out their booty, excited as they should be for their tender years. Shirley was already in the kitchen, cooking a healthy breakfast - a mother to the end - and admonishing the kids to stay away from the presents long enough to eat. Danny came down warily, and, seeing that his older brother was nowhere in sight, soon joined the younger ones in the eager anticipation of that one special gift he'd been hinting at all year. Laurie, her dazzling blue eyes still heavy with sleep, yawned and entered the kitchen, her lungs filling with the tasty scents of bacon, eggs and toast.
"Mom? Where's Keith? He's not in his room."
"I know. He was up before I was, way before dawn. He's in the garage, writing a song. I checked on him; he's feeling all right."
"Good," Laurie began to set the table, watching her siblings at the tree, "trying out" the gifts by shaking them one by one. "C'mon, you guys, you know the rules. We eat first," she called to them. Not surprisingly, they ignored her, and she smiled. "How about one gift before breakfast?" She asked her mother.
"Laurie, I'm surprised. Where's your willpower?"
Laurie nudged her. "Come on. Don't tell me your willpower's that strong, either," she teased.
Shirley giggled, feeling like a kid again. It was a good feeling; one that she hadn't had for too long; especially lately. "Okay. I'll get Keith."
She turned off the stove and grabbed a towel, wiping her hands and going out the back door.
She found Keith at the piano, a pencil clenched between his teeth. It was obvious that his dry spell had ended, because the paper before him was full of notes, clefs, and rests. She came up behind him, putting a motherly hand on his back. "How is it going?"
He looked up. "Not bad. Want to hear?"
"Sure," she took a seat in front of the drum kit and he began to play. She watched proudly as his long, thin fingers danced over the keys, bringing forth one of the prettiest melodies she'd ever heard. He finished softly, closing his eyes and she shook her head in amazement. "Oh, honey, that was beautiful. Are there words to it, yet?"
He shrugged almost modestly. "I have a few ideas kicking around in my head. The arrangement might be a little rough, but I should have it ready for Seattle."
Shirley eyed him apprehensively. "Do you think…you'll be able to make Seattle? I mean, it's less than a week away."
"I practically have to, don't I? " He said it with a heavy sigh.
Shirley knew he was right. She wouldn't be able to carry the show, not the whole way. Keith was the Partridge Family sound. It was he they came to see; all those young girls, the ones with the money. They bought the tickets, the posters, the fan magazines. Without Keith, the Family could not exist. It was a lot to put on a seventeen-year-old, but it was the truth. As he looked up at her with those killer brown eyes, she smiled through a mix of regret and prideful tears, nodding and squeezing his shoulder.
Laurie peered in the door. "You two had better come before we have a mutiny."
"We'll be right there," Shirley wiped at her eyes.
"Did you tell Keith about Danny?" Laurie queried.
"What about Danny?" Keith's forehead wrinkled.
"Well, honey," Shirley moved to the piano bench next to him. "It seems that he's doing his best to avoid you."
"Avoid me? Why?" Keith frowned, looking at his sister.
"We think it's because he feels responsible for what happened to you."
Taken aback, Keith scoffed, "Oh, come on. Are you serious? "
"Totally," Laurie affirmed.
"I….there…oh, man! " Keith shook his head in disbelief. "Sometimes, I think that red hair of his is from rust. That kid is somethin' else."
"Rust or not, he truly believes this is all his fault," Shirley explained. "And I'm pretty sure you're the only one who's going to be able to convince him it's not."
"You think I should have a talk with him." Keith didn't even have to phrase it into a question. "Great. Right after we get all the present opening out of the way, Danny Partridge and I are going for a little walk, just the two of us. And," he added glumly. "If he doesn't listen to me, then we'll come home and you can have another crack at him. Maybe a baseball bat will do the trick."
Shirley laughed, pulling him close.
It didn't take long for the exchanging of gifts to be over, not with five eager kids; it never did. It was the only thing Shirley disliked about Christmas. Six month's preparation and it was over with in one wild, chaotic hour. As she watched her brood sitting among the torn paper and ribbons and the spanking new things they'd been wrapped around, she couldn't help but count her blessings. She was thankful, most of all, that all the children were here with her, even though only 30 some hours before, it almost wasn't to be, ever again. She was thankful that they were happy and healthy…well, except for whatever it was that Keith received via the kidnappers' warped minds. She wasn't totally convinced that he would be all right after all, but even she would take that, for now.
Reading her pensive mood, Laurie put her head on Shirley's knee. "This is the best Christmas…" she smiled up at her mother.
Shirley petted her head, looking around at each child, one by one. Tracy, her baby, with her little girl look, pigtails and missing teeth; Chris's bright face and matching exuberance; Danny's awkward stage, somewhere between child and grown man, with the fiery red hair and freckles; Laurie's grace and elegance, maturing every day into such a beautiful young woman; and Keith, her first-born, a perfect blend of silly and serious, dark, wide-set eyes and alluring face. No wonder he was America's 'heartthrob.' She blew out a breath. "It sure is, honey."
But it wasn't a perfect Christmas, not by any means. Danny was still as far away from Keith as he could get in the tiny living room, and even Keith noticed it, now, to his dismay. Clearing his throat, Keith sat forward. "Uh, Danny," he began.
Danny's head snapped up, a wary look crossing his face. "What?"
"How about if we try out your new basketball? Over in Mueller's Park."
Danny looked uncomfortably at Shirley, who nodded ever so slightly. "I…don't know. I really don't feel like playing basketball right now."
"Oh, sure you do," Laurie prodded. "It'll be good for you to get out and get some fresh air. Be good for Keith, too," she said as brightly and as innocently as she could.
Danny still balked as Keith rose, snatching the ball off the floor. "Come on, shortstuff. Loser has to wash the bus."
Now Danny was indignant. "Yeah, like you're Kareem Abdul-Jabar!" He cried, jumping to his feet.
Keith grinned, passing him the ball hard. "Put your money where your mouth is," he said evenly.
Danny dodged past him, heading for the door as Keith turned to his mother. "Don't wait up," he smiled tiredly, following Danny outside.
Shirley and Laurie laughed.
Continued...
The mob in front of the Partridge house was frightening to see as Reuben guided his car up the street. "Looks like word is out," he glanced in the mirror, where he saw Keith dozing against Laurie in the back seat. The swelling on his face has lessened some, but he still looked battered. "I'd better go fend them off while you get Keith in the back door."
"Good idea," Shirley agreed.
Reuben stopped the car about two houses away and got out while Shirley slid over behind the wheel. Once the crowd's attention was on their manager, she pulled seemingly unnoticed into the driveway.
The others got out of the car while Laurie gently prodded Keith out of his nap. "C'mon, Keith. We're home."
Danny watched Shirley help him out with Laurie right behind.
"Can you walk all right, honey?" Shirley smoothed the side of his head.
"Sure," he said, still a little dazed, and Shirley and Laurie moved him toward the house, where they quickly took him inside. Danny swallowed; hanging back until they were completely in, then followed Chris and Tracy into the house.
Laurie propelled Keith to the couch while Chris and Tracy ran to the window to watch Reuben's progression with the reporters outside.
Danny started for the front door, but Shirley stopped him. "Danny, run and get Keith a blanket from the hall closet."
"Uh, I…was going over to Punky's." Danny stammered. "He, ah, wanted to know how the search was going…"
"Punky's? Shirley frowned. "When was he here?"
"He called. Last night. I…uh, promised to let him know."
"Can't you call him ?" Laurie asked, adjusting the couch pillows behind her older brother's back.
Danny was edging closer and closer to the door. "I tried to call from the hospital, but his line was busy. 'Bye!" he was off like a shot.
"Strange child," Laurie shook her head.
"Yes, and so nervous all of a sudden. I wonder what's going on?" Shirley queried.
"Don't even try to figure it out," Laurie said. "It'll just keep you up nights." She smiled at Keith. "How's that?"
"Great," Keith sighed.
Shirley sat on the sofa arm. "Can I get you anything, sweetheart?" she asked Keith.
"No thanks. I'll be okay once I get my second wind. You guys don't need to fuss over me."
"Just trying to make up for lost time," Shirley's fingers lovingly passed under his chin.
"Here comes Mr. Kincaid!" Tracy announced.
Everyone turned to look as Reuben entered, closing and locking the door behind him. "There, that satisfied them. They wanted Keith to come out for a photo op, but I told them he was napping."
"Thanks, Reuben," Keith sighed.
"That's what I'm here for, kid. Hey, that lip's looking better and better."
Keith reached up self-consciously, touching his face. It was tender and he flinched. "I hope it goes down soon. That goon really packed a wallop."
"Speaking of goons, I wonder if the police caught the other guy," Reuben commented.
"Well, if he knows what's good for him, he'll turn himself in, too." Shirley said, matter-of-factly.
"Mom, when are we gonna decorate the tree?" Chris asked.
His question jarred Shirley. With everything that was happening, she'd completely forgotten about Christmas. "How about right now?" she said cheerily. "You kids bring the decorations down from the attic. Reuben, will you help me in with the tree? It's out in the garage."
Keith sat forward. "What can I do?"
"You sit there and don't leave this room. Ever!" Shirley shook her finger at him.
Laurie laughed, affectionately mussing his hair. "That goes double for me," she said in his ear. She motioned to Chris. "C'mon, Chris. I'll reach the high stuff. Tracy can keep Keith company."
Everyone went their separate ways and Tracy crawled up onto the couch next to Keith. "Wanna have a tea party?"
Keith smiled wearily, taking her small hand. "Maybe later, okay? "
"Okay," she said simply. Then: "Were you scared with those men?"
"No, 'cause I knew you guys would find me." Keith answered.
Tracy cocked her head. "You did? How?"
Keith tapped on his chest. "I felt it here, in my heart. I was praying really hard."
"Me, too!" Tracy's grin was a couple of teeth shy, and she giggled as Keith pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair.
"I know," he murmured. "I heard you."
"I know," she answered back with another giggle. "I heard you, too."
He let her go as Shirley and Reuben entered with a huge Douglas Fir, barely getting it through the door.
Keith pushed himself up. "Let me help," he said. Then he stopped dead still, wincing out loud.
Reuben grabbed his arm. "You okay?" he asked cautiously.
"Yeah," Keith waved it off unconvincingly. He was a little paler now, and he swallowed hard.
Seeing the pain in her son's eyes, Shirley spoke up. "Upstairs, Keith, now. You need to lie down and rest." Her voice was stern.
To her surprise, he didn't argue. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said softly, rubbing the back of his neck. He reached over, kissing her cheek. "Thanks, Mom, everybody." He smiled tiredly, then started up the stairs, taking them slowly, achingly.
"'Night, Keith," Laurie called after him, and he waved a hand, still pulling himself up the stairs. Everyone watched sadly until he was out of sight then went back to their decorating.
"Poor guy," Laurie murmured. "He's really hurting, isn't he?"
Shirley nodded, her eyes misting. Like any mother, she hated to see one of her children in pain, and she would gladly take his place a thousand times over. "Yes, he is," she said, a little far away.
"Maybe Keith should ask Santa for something to make him feel better," Chris stated.
"Yeah, like a puppy," Tracy nodded.
Their childlike innocence was so refreshing and so sorely needed at the moment that the adults had to smile.
The door opened and Danny came in quietly, as if he didn't want to be noticed. Trying to slip past the crowd in the living room, he was spied by Laurie.
"Well, well, it's about time you got back. Grab some ornaments and help us out, here."
Danny looked around the room. "Uh, where's Keith?"
"In his room, hopefully asleep by now. Did you fill Punky in?" Shirley unwound some garland.
"Punky?" Danny looked confused, then, at Shirley's look, interjected, "Oh, yeah. We…uh…talked. A lot." Now the eleven-year-old seemed more at ease as he joined them in the living room.
"Here," Laurie handed him a box of glass ornaments. "Start hanging."
"I think we need more lights," Shirley pawed through a box on the sofa. "There's a box of them way in the back of the upstairs hall closet. Danny, will you get them, please?"
Danny looked up, his eyes wide. "Upstairs? Me?"
"Yes, you. You know where they are, behind Keith's old tennis racket and you kids' roller-skates."
"But, I -" Danny stammered.
"I can get them, Mom," Laurie began, but Shirley cut her off.
"No, I want Danny to. Go!" she ordered firmly.
"Yes, ma'am," Danny muttered, obeying her.
"And look in on Keith for me, but don't disturb him if he's asleep!" Shirley called as he tromped up the stairs.
Laurie frowned, looking at her mother. "Mom?" she questioned.
Shirley shook her head. "Have you noticed, that for some reason, Danny has been avoiding Keith?"
"He has, hasn't he?" Laurie said after a second. "He didn't even help us get him in or out of the car, or get him a blanket like you asked him to."
Shirley sighed. "I think my number two son has a severe case of the guilts."
"Oh, but he can't be blaming himself for-" Laurie seemed stunned.
"Oh, but he is," Shirley said. "And he's not going to listen to anyone…except maybe Keith. If he ever dares speak to him again."
Having gotten the requested box of lights, Danny tiptoed back past Keith's room as if it were quarantined or something, but a moan from inside made him stop.
Swallowing, he hesitantly took the doorknob in hand, turning it gently. Pushing the door open about six inches, he peered inside. Keith was sitting hunched over on the edge of the bed, his head against the post and his arms around his stomach. Danny's heart skipped a beat. Gulping, he stared at his brother as Keith groaned again, doubling over even farther. Turning, Danny moved from the door and hurried down the hall.
"Mom." His voice shook, as he tried not to trip down the stairs. "I think you'd better come up here."
Alarmed, Shirley darted past him, with Laurie on her heels.
Unsure of what to do, Danny just sank to the landing, his own cherubic face just a little whiter than usual.
Reuben looked up at him, his own features twisted in concern. "Is he bad?"
Danny just nodded, feeling sick to his stomach. He wanted to cry, but not in front of the kids, he told himself. Then the tears won out. He swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand as Reuben joined him, sitting a couple of stairs below. The older man patted Danny's knee, speaking gently.
"He'll be okay, Danny. You've got to believe that. You've got to be strong for your mother and the others."
"I can't…" he shook his head.
"Sure you can. You're just about the strongest kid I know. "
Danny sucked in a shaky breath, looking up at the stairs above him, straining to see if he could hear anything
"You can go help, you know." Reuben nodded.
Closing his eyes, Danny shook his head. "No, I…I've helped too much already." He wiped his eyes and nose on his shirtsleeve.
Reuben sighed, squeezing Danny's knee.
Laurie appeared at the top of the stairs. Danny gulped, trying to read her face as she descended towards them.
Finally, Reuben spoke. "How is he?"
"We gave him a pain pill and he's resting. Mom's going to stay with him until he falls asleep," she answered wearily, slipping past them. "Danny, why don't you go keep them company?" she asked, turning towards him.
Shaking his fiery red head, Danny shoved the box of lights he still held at Reuben. "I…just remembered, I have homework."
"Homework? But it's Christmas Eve!" Laurie argued.
"It's for Church," he said, scrambling up the stairs and out of Laurie and Reuben's sight.
Hearing his room door shut, Reuben pulled himself up and joined Laurie and the kids in the living room. "Your mother's right. He's not going to listen to anyone."
"He'll come around. I know my brother. Besides, he can't avoid Keith forever." Laurie stated matter-of-factly. To herself, she murmured, "I think."
The peace that should be Christmas morning just wasn't happening in the Partridge household. First, Chris and Tracy raced one another downstairs to check out their booty, excited as they should be for their tender years. Shirley was already in the kitchen, cooking a healthy breakfast - a mother to the end - and admonishing the kids to stay away from the presents long enough to eat. Danny came down warily, and, seeing that his older brother was nowhere in sight, soon joined the younger ones in the eager anticipation of that one special gift he'd been hinting at all year. Laurie, her dazzling blue eyes still heavy with sleep, yawned and entered the kitchen, her lungs filling with the tasty scents of bacon, eggs and toast.
"Mom? Where's Keith? He's not in his room."
"I know. He was up before I was, way before dawn. He's in the garage, writing a song. I checked on him; he's feeling all right."
"Good," Laurie began to set the table, watching her siblings at the tree, "trying out" the gifts by shaking them one by one. "C'mon, you guys, you know the rules. We eat first," she called to them. Not surprisingly, they ignored her, and she smiled. "How about one gift before breakfast?" She asked her mother.
"Laurie, I'm surprised. Where's your willpower?"
Laurie nudged her. "Come on. Don't tell me your willpower's that strong, either," she teased.
Shirley giggled, feeling like a kid again. It was a good feeling; one that she hadn't had for too long; especially lately. "Okay. I'll get Keith."
She turned off the stove and grabbed a towel, wiping her hands and going out the back door.
She found Keith at the piano, a pencil clenched between his teeth. It was obvious that his dry spell had ended, because the paper before him was full of notes, clefs, and rests. She came up behind him, putting a motherly hand on his back. "How is it going?"
He looked up. "Not bad. Want to hear?"
"Sure," she took a seat in front of the drum kit and he began to play. She watched proudly as his long, thin fingers danced over the keys, bringing forth one of the prettiest melodies she'd ever heard. He finished softly, closing his eyes and she shook her head in amazement. "Oh, honey, that was beautiful. Are there words to it, yet?"
He shrugged almost modestly. "I have a few ideas kicking around in my head. The arrangement might be a little rough, but I should have it ready for Seattle."
Shirley eyed him apprehensively. "Do you think…you'll be able to make Seattle? I mean, it's less than a week away."
"I practically have to, don't I? " He said it with a heavy sigh.
Shirley knew he was right. She wouldn't be able to carry the show, not the whole way. Keith was the Partridge Family sound. It was he they came to see; all those young girls, the ones with the money. They bought the tickets, the posters, the fan magazines. Without Keith, the Family could not exist. It was a lot to put on a seventeen-year-old, but it was the truth. As he looked up at her with those killer brown eyes, she smiled through a mix of regret and prideful tears, nodding and squeezing his shoulder.
Laurie peered in the door. "You two had better come before we have a mutiny."
"We'll be right there," Shirley wiped at her eyes.
"Did you tell Keith about Danny?" Laurie queried.
"What about Danny?" Keith's forehead wrinkled.
"Well, honey," Shirley moved to the piano bench next to him. "It seems that he's doing his best to avoid you."
"Avoid me? Why?" Keith frowned, looking at his sister.
"We think it's because he feels responsible for what happened to you."
Taken aback, Keith scoffed, "Oh, come on. Are you serious? "
"Totally," Laurie affirmed.
"I….there…oh, man! " Keith shook his head in disbelief. "Sometimes, I think that red hair of his is from rust. That kid is somethin' else."
"Rust or not, he truly believes this is all his fault," Shirley explained. "And I'm pretty sure you're the only one who's going to be able to convince him it's not."
"You think I should have a talk with him." Keith didn't even have to phrase it into a question. "Great. Right after we get all the present opening out of the way, Danny Partridge and I are going for a little walk, just the two of us. And," he added glumly. "If he doesn't listen to me, then we'll come home and you can have another crack at him. Maybe a baseball bat will do the trick."
Shirley laughed, pulling him close.
It didn't take long for the exchanging of gifts to be over, not with five eager kids; it never did. It was the only thing Shirley disliked about Christmas. Six month's preparation and it was over with in one wild, chaotic hour. As she watched her brood sitting among the torn paper and ribbons and the spanking new things they'd been wrapped around, she couldn't help but count her blessings. She was thankful, most of all, that all the children were here with her, even though only 30 some hours before, it almost wasn't to be, ever again. She was thankful that they were happy and healthy…well, except for whatever it was that Keith received via the kidnappers' warped minds. She wasn't totally convinced that he would be all right after all, but even she would take that, for now.
Reading her pensive mood, Laurie put her head on Shirley's knee. "This is the best Christmas…" she smiled up at her mother.
Shirley petted her head, looking around at each child, one by one. Tracy, her baby, with her little girl look, pigtails and missing teeth; Chris's bright face and matching exuberance; Danny's awkward stage, somewhere between child and grown man, with the fiery red hair and freckles; Laurie's grace and elegance, maturing every day into such a beautiful young woman; and Keith, her first-born, a perfect blend of silly and serious, dark, wide-set eyes and alluring face. No wonder he was America's 'heartthrob.' She blew out a breath. "It sure is, honey."
But it wasn't a perfect Christmas, not by any means. Danny was still as far away from Keith as he could get in the tiny living room, and even Keith noticed it, now, to his dismay. Clearing his throat, Keith sat forward. "Uh, Danny," he began.
Danny's head snapped up, a wary look crossing his face. "What?"
"How about if we try out your new basketball? Over in Mueller's Park."
Danny looked uncomfortably at Shirley, who nodded ever so slightly. "I…don't know. I really don't feel like playing basketball right now."
"Oh, sure you do," Laurie prodded. "It'll be good for you to get out and get some fresh air. Be good for Keith, too," she said as brightly and as innocently as she could.
Danny still balked as Keith rose, snatching the ball off the floor. "Come on, shortstuff. Loser has to wash the bus."
Now Danny was indignant. "Yeah, like you're Kareem Abdul-Jabar!" He cried, jumping to his feet.
Keith grinned, passing him the ball hard. "Put your money where your mouth is," he said evenly.
Danny dodged past him, heading for the door as Keith turned to his mother. "Don't wait up," he smiled tiredly, following Danny outside.
Shirley and Laurie laughed.
Continued...