HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEITH PARTRIDGE
PART 2
Laurie put her arm around her. "He'll be okay, mother. Dina just lives four blocks from here."
"I know," Shirley swallowed. She stared apprehensively at the now-empty street before her.
%%%%%
Shirley was angry. He'd been gone for half an hour! Four blocks, my foot, she thought. How dare he make her worry like this? Laurie had tried to preoccupy her by getting her to bake his birthday cake, and it worked for the first ten minutes. The last twenty, she spent visualizing every possible scenario…he'd crashed into a bus and was lying under it, drawing his last breath waiting for the paramedics to come…he'd been pulled over by the police and was right now being arrested because he didn't have his license…he'd taken Dina out to the beach and flipped the bike showing off for her, injuring the both of them…she tensed up more as each minute ticked off.
She was frosting the cake when she heard the motor. Dropping the knife and nearly the cake with it, she wiped her hands on her apron and hurried out the door. The other kids joined her as Keith pulled up into the driveway. There was a plastic bag hanging from the handlebar and Shirley all but ran to him, ready to give it to him good.
"Keith Partridge, where have you been?!" she cried. Now she didn't know whether to hug him or slap him.
He pulled off the helmet, sitting it on the seat behind him. Smiling, he handed her the bag. "Mrs. Monahan wants to know if you'll hem these slacks for her."
"Mrs. Monahan?" Shirley looked surprised.
He nodded. "I was coming back after my drive by of Dina's house when she flagged me down. I don't know how she knew me under the helmet, but she did. That's where I've been for the past twenty minutes." He shook his head. "That woman sure can talk."
Relieved, Shirley began to laugh, going to him and hugging him.
Chris and Tracy exchanged puzzled glances. "I thought Mom was mad!" Tracy said.
"Yeah, but she's laughing!" Chris shrugged.
"Women…go figure," Danny sighed.
Laurie and Keith started for the house. Laurie nudged her brother. "So, did Dina see you?"
"No, she wasn't home. At least no one was in the yard."
"You're lucky. Joey usually squirts at you with the hose."
Keith laughed. He remembered the first time he walked Dina home from school. Nine-year-old Joey surprised them from behind a large plum bush, drenching the both of them. Luckily it was a warm day and the cool water felt good, but Dina told him Joey got the spanking of his life that night when Mr. Firmly got home from work. "Joey…isn't coming to the party, is he?" Keith just had a horrible thought.
"I don't know. It depends on whether someone will be home to watch him." Laurie grinned. "You're not…afraid of him, are you?"
Keith looked defensive. "No, I'm not afraid of him." He paused. "I'm terrified of the little bugger."
Laurie laughed at his confession.
%%%%%
The party was going well. A good thirty of Keith and Laurie's classmates were there, milling about, dancing or eating. To Keith's
relief, Dina managed to leave Joey at home and Shirley packed Danny, Chris and Tracy off to the movies, so it was an older crowd, which suited Keith just fine.
"Hey, Keith, is that your cycle out in the driveway?" Gordy approached Keith and Dina as they talked near the staircase.
"Yeah. Groovy, huh?" Keith smiled.
"The most. I was looking at one just like it at the cycle shop the other day." Gordy shook his head. "You sure are lucky. Or crazy." He nudged Keith, smiling slyly and moving away.
"What did he mean by that?" Dina asked, tucking her blonde hair behind her left ear.
Keith shrugged. "Who knows, with Gordy. Did Laurie tell you I drove by your house this morning?"
"No, you did, really?" Dina's eyes sparkled. "On the bike?"
He nodded.
She smiled. "Did Joey get you with the hose again?"
Keith laughed. "No. I didn't see anyone."
"I think we were probably at the market. Sorry I missed the show." She moved in closer. "You can always come by again."
"Oh, I will, I will," he murmured, leaning down and kissing her.
When they parted, she put her arms around him. "By the way, Happy Birthday," she smiled.
"It sure is," he said, once again finding her mouth with his.
Someone nearby cleared their throat and Keith and Dina looked up. Laurie was standing there.
"Time to cut the cake." She knew she was interrupting.
"Later, huh?" Keith tried to wave her away.
Dina took his elbow. "Better do it now."
Keith frowned. "What is this, a conspiracy?"
"Yes," Laurie took his other arm. The two girls moved him into the living room where the huge, beautifully decorated cake rested on the counter between the kitchen and the living room.
Everyone gather around as Shirley handed him the knife. He looked at the writing done in blue icing on the chocolate background: 'HAPPY 18TH, KEITH.' "Thanks, Mom, it's great. Too nice to cut."
"Cut it!" came a chorus of his friends and family's voices and he grinned, slowly lowering the knife. As it sliced through the cake, everyone cheered, and Shirley began handing out the plates, which Keith filled as fast as he could.
The group took their food into the living room, but Keith took two plates for him and Dina, motioning her into the kitchen. "We can go out in the garage if you want to be alone."
Her smile made his heart skip a beat. "That's the best idea you've had all day."
They slipped out the back door, and Dina saw the bike sitting in the driveway.
"That is a cool bike, Keith. Can I sit on it?"
He shrugged. "Sure, if you want. I'd take you for a ride, but Mom would have kittens."
They moved toward the cycle and Keith helped her onto it while balancing the two plates of cake in the other hand. She looked the vehicle over, her eyes dancing. He smiled. "I didn't know you were so into motorcycles."
"Oh, yes. My boyfriend out in Omaha had one, and I just loved it." She looked up. "Can I see you ride it? I want to check out your form."
Her words, carefully and deliberately said, made him blush. "Well, okay. I'd better tell Mom, though. I think she has a small heart attack every time she hears me start it up."
Dina nodded, sliding down off the bike and taking the plates from him. He hurried back into the house and was gone only a minute. "Chee, mothers…I told her I was only going around the block and she acted like I was leaving town or something."
"She worries about you, Keith, and I think it's sweet," Dina said as he put on the helmet.
He climbed on just as a horde of kids came out of the house, led by Gordy. "Hey, everybody, Partridge is gonna ride his new cycle!"
Embarrassed, Keith just shook his head as Dina was joined by the entire guest list. "I'll be back." He started the motor. Dina leaned over, giving him a good luck kiss and he turned the bike around, zipping out of the driveway onto the street.
To Gordy's chagrin, all the girls ran forward to watch Keith as he zoomed out of sight.
"He looks great, doesn't he?" Dina sighed, and every female there agreed. "I just love a guy on a motorcycle…"
The boys all exchanged thoughtful glances. "Maybe we should get bikes," Gordy muttered to Skizzy and Ralph as they stood nearby.
"Yeah, right. Our mothers would kill us," Ralph shook his head sadly as the girls all but swooned.
%%%%%
This time, Keith had returned in almost record time, thanks to Shirley's prayers, and the party broke up soon after that. Keith walked Dina home, while Laurie and Shirley cleaned up.
"Mom?" Laurie asked while drying the dishes.
"Yes?"
"Do you really think it was a good idea, buying Keith that bike?"
At the sink next to her, Shirley took a deep breath. "I don't know. Part of me wants to take it back and the other part tells me that I'm just being paranoid. I know he wouldn't deliberately do something stupid with it, but sometimes things happen that aren't under your control." Shirley looked over at her. "Why, is there something you're not telling me?"
Laurie shook her head. "No…I just wonder what it is with guys and motorcycles." She wrinkled her nose. "It seems silly to me."
"Me, too. But did you see how Dina and the rest of those girls at the party acted about it? They couldn't wait to see him on the thing."
"Well, part of that comes from his celebrete`, I think. They see Keith as infallible…a sort of demi-god. To them he's perfect, flawless, while we who have to live with him know better."
Shirley giggled at Laurie's summary. She was right; they didn't see the 'real' Keith. There were plenty of mornings when his hair wasn't quite perfect, or he'd discovered a new blemish on his face…they didn't have to pick up after him, or see him struggle with his geometry homework, or watch him agonize over a song that wasn't quite coming out the way he'd wanted it to. Keith Partridge was far from perfect, and that's what made him so loveable.
The kitchen door opened and Mr. Loveable himself stepped in. "Hi."
"Hi," Shirley smiled. "You're dry. I take it Joey didn't greet the two of you again."
"No," Keith sighed. He went to the fridge, taking out a carton of milk.
"Doing anything tonight? Going out with Dina?"
He shook his head. "Nope. She has a family party in Sacramento. I thought maybe I'd just hang with the guys at the Taco Stand or something. A couple of them want a closer look at the bike."
Shirley's eyes met Laurie's, then went back to Keith. "You're riding the bike? Not after dark, honey. You're still not used to it."
"Relax, Mom, it'll be before sundown. And if I lose track of time and it does get dark, I'll push it home, okay? Promise." He got a glass, pouring himself some milk.
She smiled, still a little uneasy. "Well, I suppose. I'm just glad you like it."
"Like it? Man, it's the grooviest present I've ever had. Thanks again." He hugged her.
As he took his drink out of the room, Laurie waved her dishtowel at her mother. "If you have your doubts, now is the time to talk to him."
Shirley nodded, untying her apron and following her son into the living room. "Keith, can we talk?"
He stopped on his way to the staircase. "Yeah, sure, what about?" he joined her near the sofa.
"Sit down, honey."
Puzzled, he did as he was told, sipping on the milk. She joined him.
"Keith…"
He swallowed, reading her eyes. "It's about the bike, isn't it?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"You're not taking it away from me." It was half statement, half question.
"No…it's just that…well…it frightens me."
He smiled, letting that familiar dimple show. "I know. But I'm careful."
"You're not the one I'm worried about. Well, you are, but…it's the other driver. The one not paying attention that could turn in front of you. The angry driver who cuts you off in traffic because he hates motorcycles. Keith, a helmet only protects your head."
He reached over, putting a gentle hand on hers. "Mom, I know you're worried, but there's more of a probability of me getting hurt in gym class than on the bike."
"Where did you hear that?"
"The statistics are out there. Heck, I could kill myself in the bathtub sooner than I could crash on that motorcycle." He smiled sweetly. "If it makes you feel better, I'll cut out my gym class and take showers from now on." He stood up.
He had her for almost a full second. "Keith Partridge, you listen, and you listen good. If you so much as fall off that motorcycle, it is going back, do you hear me?" Shirley snapped.
After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Fair enough." he bent down, brushing her cheek with his lips, then sauntered upstairs.
%%%%%
Keith munched on a taco and watched with pride as Skizzy and Ralph checked out his bike. Gordy sat with Keith at the table, having eaten at least a dozen tacos himself.
"So your mom doesn't like it much, huh?"
"No…she worries a lot. You should have seen her face when I left to come here. But I think she knows I wouldn't purposely mess up on it." Keith took a sip of his root beer.
"Guys sure think it's cool." Gordy indicated Ralph and Skizzy.
"Girls, too," Keith added, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Dina's obsessed with it."
"Yeah, and what did she think of you before you got the bike?" Gordy prodded.
Keith frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. It's just that you two were on and off like a bad light switch."
Keith grunted. "Jealousy doesn't become you, Gordy."
"Who's jealous?" Gordy spread his hands. "I'm just telling you the truth. Let's just say that your having the bike isn't hurting your relationship."
Ralph and Skizzy wandered back over to where Keith and Gordy sat. "Man, I am telling you, that is one nice piece of machinery," Ralph plopped down next to Keith.
"Sure is. Maybe if I had one, Dina Firmly would be all over me, too," Skizzy agreed, nudging Keith.
Keith and Gordy exchanged looks as Keith rose from the table.
"Yeah, well, that won't happen in your lifetime, Skiz. Dina Firmly is mine."
"Until you shed the bike," Gordy added.
"Here's a thought, Gordy. Blow!" Keith pushed Gordy's head forward as Ralph and Skizzy hooted. Keith zipped up his jacket, grabbing the helmet off the table. "I'll see you derelicts in algebra tomorrow."
He moved away from the table, going towards the bike. A huge low-rider was pulling into the space next to the motorcycle, narrowly missing it. Keith winced, hurrying his step as the passenger door opened on the car, colliding with the bike and sending it crashing to the ground.
"Hey!" Keith cried, running forward.
A couple of beefy, mean-looking men got out of the car as Keith reached the parking lot.
"Got a problem, pretty boy?" The one who'd knocked over the bike stood by the hood of the car, blocking Keith's passage.
"Well, yeah. That bike's brand new." Keith really didn't want trouble, but…
The man looked over his shoulder. "Is it, now? Well, too bad. Looks sorta broken now."
Keith was fuming as he tried to push past the man.
The jerk put his hand on Keith's shoulder, stopping him. "I think you owe us an apology." He revealed tobacco-stained teeth as he spoke and reeked of beer.
"For what?" Keith glanced back at his friends. They had their backs to the fracas, and Keith wasn't about to call out to them.
"Your stupid motorcycle scratched our car door."
"But you…" Keith began, but decided against starting anything. "Okay, I'm sorry." He said it quickly.
"You'd better be," the man spat, moving aside.
Keith pushed past him. The man gave him a hard shove in his back, causing Keith to stumble, nearly falling onto the downed motorcycle.
Embarrassed and not a little angry, Keith reached down, bringing the bike up and looking it over. It didn't seem too bad off, and he leaned it back on its kickstand, put on the helmet and climbed onto it. He started up the motor, popped up the kickstand and sped off.
He was in such a hurry to get out of there, he didn't notice the low rider pulling out behind him.
continued...
PART 2
Laurie put her arm around her. "He'll be okay, mother. Dina just lives four blocks from here."
"I know," Shirley swallowed. She stared apprehensively at the now-empty street before her.
%%%%%
Shirley was angry. He'd been gone for half an hour! Four blocks, my foot, she thought. How dare he make her worry like this? Laurie had tried to preoccupy her by getting her to bake his birthday cake, and it worked for the first ten minutes. The last twenty, she spent visualizing every possible scenario…he'd crashed into a bus and was lying under it, drawing his last breath waiting for the paramedics to come…he'd been pulled over by the police and was right now being arrested because he didn't have his license…he'd taken Dina out to the beach and flipped the bike showing off for her, injuring the both of them…she tensed up more as each minute ticked off.
She was frosting the cake when she heard the motor. Dropping the knife and nearly the cake with it, she wiped her hands on her apron and hurried out the door. The other kids joined her as Keith pulled up into the driveway. There was a plastic bag hanging from the handlebar and Shirley all but ran to him, ready to give it to him good.
"Keith Partridge, where have you been?!" she cried. Now she didn't know whether to hug him or slap him.
He pulled off the helmet, sitting it on the seat behind him. Smiling, he handed her the bag. "Mrs. Monahan wants to know if you'll hem these slacks for her."
"Mrs. Monahan?" Shirley looked surprised.
He nodded. "I was coming back after my drive by of Dina's house when she flagged me down. I don't know how she knew me under the helmet, but she did. That's where I've been for the past twenty minutes." He shook his head. "That woman sure can talk."
Relieved, Shirley began to laugh, going to him and hugging him.
Chris and Tracy exchanged puzzled glances. "I thought Mom was mad!" Tracy said.
"Yeah, but she's laughing!" Chris shrugged.
"Women…go figure," Danny sighed.
Laurie and Keith started for the house. Laurie nudged her brother. "So, did Dina see you?"
"No, she wasn't home. At least no one was in the yard."
"You're lucky. Joey usually squirts at you with the hose."
Keith laughed. He remembered the first time he walked Dina home from school. Nine-year-old Joey surprised them from behind a large plum bush, drenching the both of them. Luckily it was a warm day and the cool water felt good, but Dina told him Joey got the spanking of his life that night when Mr. Firmly got home from work. "Joey…isn't coming to the party, is he?" Keith just had a horrible thought.
"I don't know. It depends on whether someone will be home to watch him." Laurie grinned. "You're not…afraid of him, are you?"
Keith looked defensive. "No, I'm not afraid of him." He paused. "I'm terrified of the little bugger."
Laurie laughed at his confession.
%%%%%
The party was going well. A good thirty of Keith and Laurie's classmates were there, milling about, dancing or eating. To Keith's
relief, Dina managed to leave Joey at home and Shirley packed Danny, Chris and Tracy off to the movies, so it was an older crowd, which suited Keith just fine.
"Hey, Keith, is that your cycle out in the driveway?" Gordy approached Keith and Dina as they talked near the staircase.
"Yeah. Groovy, huh?" Keith smiled.
"The most. I was looking at one just like it at the cycle shop the other day." Gordy shook his head. "You sure are lucky. Or crazy." He nudged Keith, smiling slyly and moving away.
"What did he mean by that?" Dina asked, tucking her blonde hair behind her left ear.
Keith shrugged. "Who knows, with Gordy. Did Laurie tell you I drove by your house this morning?"
"No, you did, really?" Dina's eyes sparkled. "On the bike?"
He nodded.
She smiled. "Did Joey get you with the hose again?"
Keith laughed. "No. I didn't see anyone."
"I think we were probably at the market. Sorry I missed the show." She moved in closer. "You can always come by again."
"Oh, I will, I will," he murmured, leaning down and kissing her.
When they parted, she put her arms around him. "By the way, Happy Birthday," she smiled.
"It sure is," he said, once again finding her mouth with his.
Someone nearby cleared their throat and Keith and Dina looked up. Laurie was standing there.
"Time to cut the cake." She knew she was interrupting.
"Later, huh?" Keith tried to wave her away.
Dina took his elbow. "Better do it now."
Keith frowned. "What is this, a conspiracy?"
"Yes," Laurie took his other arm. The two girls moved him into the living room where the huge, beautifully decorated cake rested on the counter between the kitchen and the living room.
Everyone gather around as Shirley handed him the knife. He looked at the writing done in blue icing on the chocolate background: 'HAPPY 18TH, KEITH.' "Thanks, Mom, it's great. Too nice to cut."
"Cut it!" came a chorus of his friends and family's voices and he grinned, slowly lowering the knife. As it sliced through the cake, everyone cheered, and Shirley began handing out the plates, which Keith filled as fast as he could.
The group took their food into the living room, but Keith took two plates for him and Dina, motioning her into the kitchen. "We can go out in the garage if you want to be alone."
Her smile made his heart skip a beat. "That's the best idea you've had all day."
They slipped out the back door, and Dina saw the bike sitting in the driveway.
"That is a cool bike, Keith. Can I sit on it?"
He shrugged. "Sure, if you want. I'd take you for a ride, but Mom would have kittens."
They moved toward the cycle and Keith helped her onto it while balancing the two plates of cake in the other hand. She looked the vehicle over, her eyes dancing. He smiled. "I didn't know you were so into motorcycles."
"Oh, yes. My boyfriend out in Omaha had one, and I just loved it." She looked up. "Can I see you ride it? I want to check out your form."
Her words, carefully and deliberately said, made him blush. "Well, okay. I'd better tell Mom, though. I think she has a small heart attack every time she hears me start it up."
Dina nodded, sliding down off the bike and taking the plates from him. He hurried back into the house and was gone only a minute. "Chee, mothers…I told her I was only going around the block and she acted like I was leaving town or something."
"She worries about you, Keith, and I think it's sweet," Dina said as he put on the helmet.
He climbed on just as a horde of kids came out of the house, led by Gordy. "Hey, everybody, Partridge is gonna ride his new cycle!"
Embarrassed, Keith just shook his head as Dina was joined by the entire guest list. "I'll be back." He started the motor. Dina leaned over, giving him a good luck kiss and he turned the bike around, zipping out of the driveway onto the street.
To Gordy's chagrin, all the girls ran forward to watch Keith as he zoomed out of sight.
"He looks great, doesn't he?" Dina sighed, and every female there agreed. "I just love a guy on a motorcycle…"
The boys all exchanged thoughtful glances. "Maybe we should get bikes," Gordy muttered to Skizzy and Ralph as they stood nearby.
"Yeah, right. Our mothers would kill us," Ralph shook his head sadly as the girls all but swooned.
%%%%%
This time, Keith had returned in almost record time, thanks to Shirley's prayers, and the party broke up soon after that. Keith walked Dina home, while Laurie and Shirley cleaned up.
"Mom?" Laurie asked while drying the dishes.
"Yes?"
"Do you really think it was a good idea, buying Keith that bike?"
At the sink next to her, Shirley took a deep breath. "I don't know. Part of me wants to take it back and the other part tells me that I'm just being paranoid. I know he wouldn't deliberately do something stupid with it, but sometimes things happen that aren't under your control." Shirley looked over at her. "Why, is there something you're not telling me?"
Laurie shook her head. "No…I just wonder what it is with guys and motorcycles." She wrinkled her nose. "It seems silly to me."
"Me, too. But did you see how Dina and the rest of those girls at the party acted about it? They couldn't wait to see him on the thing."
"Well, part of that comes from his celebrete`, I think. They see Keith as infallible…a sort of demi-god. To them he's perfect, flawless, while we who have to live with him know better."
Shirley giggled at Laurie's summary. She was right; they didn't see the 'real' Keith. There were plenty of mornings when his hair wasn't quite perfect, or he'd discovered a new blemish on his face…they didn't have to pick up after him, or see him struggle with his geometry homework, or watch him agonize over a song that wasn't quite coming out the way he'd wanted it to. Keith Partridge was far from perfect, and that's what made him so loveable.
The kitchen door opened and Mr. Loveable himself stepped in. "Hi."
"Hi," Shirley smiled. "You're dry. I take it Joey didn't greet the two of you again."
"No," Keith sighed. He went to the fridge, taking out a carton of milk.
"Doing anything tonight? Going out with Dina?"
He shook his head. "Nope. She has a family party in Sacramento. I thought maybe I'd just hang with the guys at the Taco Stand or something. A couple of them want a closer look at the bike."
Shirley's eyes met Laurie's, then went back to Keith. "You're riding the bike? Not after dark, honey. You're still not used to it."
"Relax, Mom, it'll be before sundown. And if I lose track of time and it does get dark, I'll push it home, okay? Promise." He got a glass, pouring himself some milk.
She smiled, still a little uneasy. "Well, I suppose. I'm just glad you like it."
"Like it? Man, it's the grooviest present I've ever had. Thanks again." He hugged her.
As he took his drink out of the room, Laurie waved her dishtowel at her mother. "If you have your doubts, now is the time to talk to him."
Shirley nodded, untying her apron and following her son into the living room. "Keith, can we talk?"
He stopped on his way to the staircase. "Yeah, sure, what about?" he joined her near the sofa.
"Sit down, honey."
Puzzled, he did as he was told, sipping on the milk. She joined him.
"Keith…"
He swallowed, reading her eyes. "It's about the bike, isn't it?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"You're not taking it away from me." It was half statement, half question.
"No…it's just that…well…it frightens me."
He smiled, letting that familiar dimple show. "I know. But I'm careful."
"You're not the one I'm worried about. Well, you are, but…it's the other driver. The one not paying attention that could turn in front of you. The angry driver who cuts you off in traffic because he hates motorcycles. Keith, a helmet only protects your head."
He reached over, putting a gentle hand on hers. "Mom, I know you're worried, but there's more of a probability of me getting hurt in gym class than on the bike."
"Where did you hear that?"
"The statistics are out there. Heck, I could kill myself in the bathtub sooner than I could crash on that motorcycle." He smiled sweetly. "If it makes you feel better, I'll cut out my gym class and take showers from now on." He stood up.
He had her for almost a full second. "Keith Partridge, you listen, and you listen good. If you so much as fall off that motorcycle, it is going back, do you hear me?" Shirley snapped.
After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Fair enough." he bent down, brushing her cheek with his lips, then sauntered upstairs.
%%%%%
Keith munched on a taco and watched with pride as Skizzy and Ralph checked out his bike. Gordy sat with Keith at the table, having eaten at least a dozen tacos himself.
"So your mom doesn't like it much, huh?"
"No…she worries a lot. You should have seen her face when I left to come here. But I think she knows I wouldn't purposely mess up on it." Keith took a sip of his root beer.
"Guys sure think it's cool." Gordy indicated Ralph and Skizzy.
"Girls, too," Keith added, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Dina's obsessed with it."
"Yeah, and what did she think of you before you got the bike?" Gordy prodded.
Keith frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. It's just that you two were on and off like a bad light switch."
Keith grunted. "Jealousy doesn't become you, Gordy."
"Who's jealous?" Gordy spread his hands. "I'm just telling you the truth. Let's just say that your having the bike isn't hurting your relationship."
Ralph and Skizzy wandered back over to where Keith and Gordy sat. "Man, I am telling you, that is one nice piece of machinery," Ralph plopped down next to Keith.
"Sure is. Maybe if I had one, Dina Firmly would be all over me, too," Skizzy agreed, nudging Keith.
Keith and Gordy exchanged looks as Keith rose from the table.
"Yeah, well, that won't happen in your lifetime, Skiz. Dina Firmly is mine."
"Until you shed the bike," Gordy added.
"Here's a thought, Gordy. Blow!" Keith pushed Gordy's head forward as Ralph and Skizzy hooted. Keith zipped up his jacket, grabbing the helmet off the table. "I'll see you derelicts in algebra tomorrow."
He moved away from the table, going towards the bike. A huge low-rider was pulling into the space next to the motorcycle, narrowly missing it. Keith winced, hurrying his step as the passenger door opened on the car, colliding with the bike and sending it crashing to the ground.
"Hey!" Keith cried, running forward.
A couple of beefy, mean-looking men got out of the car as Keith reached the parking lot.
"Got a problem, pretty boy?" The one who'd knocked over the bike stood by the hood of the car, blocking Keith's passage.
"Well, yeah. That bike's brand new." Keith really didn't want trouble, but…
The man looked over his shoulder. "Is it, now? Well, too bad. Looks sorta broken now."
Keith was fuming as he tried to push past the man.
The jerk put his hand on Keith's shoulder, stopping him. "I think you owe us an apology." He revealed tobacco-stained teeth as he spoke and reeked of beer.
"For what?" Keith glanced back at his friends. They had their backs to the fracas, and Keith wasn't about to call out to them.
"Your stupid motorcycle scratched our car door."
"But you…" Keith began, but decided against starting anything. "Okay, I'm sorry." He said it quickly.
"You'd better be," the man spat, moving aside.
Keith pushed past him. The man gave him a hard shove in his back, causing Keith to stumble, nearly falling onto the downed motorcycle.
Embarrassed and not a little angry, Keith reached down, bringing the bike up and looking it over. It didn't seem too bad off, and he leaned it back on its kickstand, put on the helmet and climbed onto it. He started up the motor, popped up the kickstand and sped off.
He was in such a hurry to get out of there, he didn't notice the low rider pulling out behind him.
continued...