HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEITH PARTRIDGE, PART 7
In spite of all the reasons she had for staying awake, Shirley dozed in the waiting room chair, her head on a pillow one of the nurses had been kind enough to give her. Across from her in another chair, Reuben nodded off, too. At least Laurie and the kids were in their own beds at home…
The doctor's voice woke Shirley. "Mrs. Partridge?"
Startled, her eyes flew open and she sat up straight in the chair. "Hmm? What…what is it?" Realizing her surroundings, she glanced at the clock. It was well past midnight. Reuben snored on.
The doctor took a seat next to her. He was smiling, which immediately eased her fears. "The surgery went well. Keith is in the recovery room and he's doing just fine. We repaired the torn ligaments in his leg. It's in a cast and will be for the next six to eight weeks. So, no marathons for him for a while."
Shirley smiled, feeling so relieved she could cry. "Can we see him?"
"Sure, when he comes out of the recovery room. His temperature is nearly normal and he should wake up soon. If he doesn't come out of it in a few hours, we'll see what we can do. There was no head trauma, so you can relax about that. I'm pretty sure it was the fever."
"Wonderful, thank you, Doctor."
The doctor smiled, patting her arm. "Give him another twenty minutes in the recovery room, then they'll put him back in bed and you can go in." He winked at her. "Now, remember, I'm just a beep away if you need me."
"Thank you." Shirley nodded as he moved off. Looking at Reuben, she smiled as he snored loudly then jumped awake. "Reuben." She reached over, nudging his leg.
"Huh? Whazzat?" he muttered, still half asleep. "Shirley? What's wrong? Is Keith okay? Where's the doctor?" He looked like his harried old self, now.
"The doctor was just here. Keith's out of surgery and we can see him in a few minutes. Why don't we go get some coffee while we wait for them to put him back in his room?"
"Good idea," Reuben stretched. "Man…I dreamed I was being chased with a power saw or something. Sure was noisy!"
"Reuben," Shirley said, her eyes dancing. "That was you snoring!"
He looked indignant. "I don't snore, Shirley! I have never snored a day in my life!"
"Really? Well, then your dreams must be extremely real, because I heard that power saw, too. I think it was cutting down an entire forest!" She teased as they stood up.
He laughed sheepishly, following her down the hall.
%%%%%
Shirley sat at Keith's bedside, clutching his hand as he continued to sleep. At least, sleeping is what they'd told her he was doing. His left leg was in a low sling atop the bed, the white cast gleaming in the dimly lit room, but other than that he was pretty much the same as he'd left her.
Reuben sat trying to keep alert in the chair nearer the window. Shirley didn't have the heart to make him stay awake, so she let him be and it wasn't long before he was in as deep as Keith was.
Sitting there was making her tired, as well, and she knew she'd better move or end up zoned out herself. Letting Keith's hand go, she stood up, stretching her dormant muscles. She moved past Reuben over to the window, looking out at the lights beyond. They were only on the sixth floor, but she could still see quite a lot of the town. There were a few cars passing by, their headlights cutting a path through the pre-dawn darkness. Her gaze fixed on a moving sign just east of the hospital: a coffee cup pouring its neon contents into infinity. She was so entranced watching it, that she almost didn't hear Keith's querulous moan.
She whirled. He was trying to lift his head off the pillow, but failing at the attempt. She dashed to his side.
"Keith!" she cried breathlessly, trying not to disturb Reuben.
Another moan. "Wh…where am I? What's going on?"
"You're in the hospital, darling. You're safe, now." Shirley leaned down by him, petting his head.
He blinked, staring up at her. His expression softened. "Mom?" It was if he finally recognized her.
"Yes, honey, I'm here." Shirley could feel the tears sliding down her face.
"What happened? My shoulder hurts…and my leg…"
"Don't you remember, Keith? You were shot."
The memory must have been buried, because it took him a moment. He closed his eyes, shuddering. "Yeah," he said softly. "They…stole my bike…and…" His words were beginning to fade, and Shirley just kept petting his head as he drifted away from her once more.
She swallowed back more tears. "Who did this to you, Keith?" she asked, not really expecting an answer. She didn't get one, anyway. He was out.
%%%%%
Laurie was shocked. The last time she saw her brother, he was fooling around on his guitar without a care in the world. Then he got on that idiotic motorcycle.
Now, here he was in a hospital bed, his leg in a cast from his knee to his toes, bruises gracing his delicately featured face, and his arm in a sling because of a bullet in the back. She was more than shocked; she was numb.
Shirley was taking a welcome break from her vigil at Keith's side, and Laurie had hesitantly volunteered to relieve her mother. Keith had been sleeping fitfully, Shirley explained, and although he seemed confused at times, he seemed aware of his surroundings. As long as there was a familiar face to greet him when he awakened, he would be calm. He hadn't talked much of the shooting or the circumstances surrounding it, but then again, Shirley surmised that he was just blocking it out for now, which was fully understandable.
Thus, Laurie was now alone with her brother, still feeling a tiny bit angry at him for worrying them, yet loving him with all of her heart.
He was sleeping again, thankfully, and Laurie leafed through a magazine, trying not to peek at him between pages. It was hard not to; he looked so pitiful.
He whimpered and she looked up, startled. It was a false alarm; and she sat back in the chair, glad and sad at the same time. As much as she didn't want to have to deal with it, she did want him to at least wake up.
Going back to her magazine, Laurie tried to concentrate on the article on the page in front of her. Suddenly he cried out, bringing her to her feet.
He was trying to sit up in the bed, his eyes wide with fear, and she dropped the magazine, putting both hands on his chest. "Lie down, Keith…it's okay…you're okay," she soothed, her heart racing from the initial scare.
She managed to get him back down onto the pillow, one hand remaining on his chest, the other stroking his forehead.
He swallowed, looking up at her. "Laurie…" he said hoarsely.
She smiled gently. "I'm here, honey…did you want something?"
He shook his head, closing his eyes. They flew open again. "I…I was dreaming…they shot me…"
Laurie frowned. "Who did it, Keith? Who shot you?"
"The…men in the car…they followed me…" he swallowed, breathing hard. This wasn't easy. His shoulder was throbbing.
"What men, Keith? What did they look like?" Laurie prodded him on, inwardly wishing her mother were here.
He didn't answer. He was too drained. He shook his head, empty, the tears forming in his eyes. It was so hard!
Laurie petted his forehead, swallowing back a trail of tears herself. "It's okay, honey…just rest, she told him softly, still caressing his face as he closed his eyes again. Darn it, where was Mom?
And, just like magic, Shirley appeared. Was it just Laurie, or did Mom have a way of doing that?
"Mom…" Laurie sounded distressed.
Shirley lost her tired smile. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, he woke up yelling. He had a nightmare about the shooting…he said two men in a car were chasing him." Laurie explained. "He was crying."
"Well, honey, he's having flashbacks…it's all coming back to him in bits and pieces. He's blocked a lot of it out, and it will come and go. We may never know the whole story." Shirley went to the bed, running her hand under Keith's chin.
"It's just so sad…whoever did this to him might get away with it? It's not fair, Mom."
"No, it's not…but if they have an ounce of conscious, it will eventually catch up to them."
Laurie nodded. A sound at the door startled them both. They turned to see Officer Fowler there with three young people they didn't recognize.
"Mrs. Partridge, I would like you to meet Lamar and Ta-mara Jackson. They were the children who saved your son's life."
Shirley immediately ran forward, her arms out. "I'm so happy to meet you!"
Shyly, Ta-mara and Lamar accepted her hugs.
Shirley smiled up at the officer and the other young woman with him.
"And this is Theresa Avila. She's a nursing student who lives in the projects as well. She tended to Keith while Lamar called the ambulance."
Shirley offered her hand. "Theresa."
Theresa took her hand. "Now I know who you are! You are the Partridge Family!"
"Yes!" Shirley laughed.
Theresa put her arms around the Jackson children. "I am sorry I didn't recognize your son right away…he looked familiar to me, but I couldn't remember from where." She smiled. "And, no offense, but your music isn't exactly played a lot in our neighborhood."
Shirley laughed again. "I understand."
Ta-mara spoke up. "How's Keith doing?"
"Well, he's coming along, thanks to you children. Would you like to see for yourself? He's asleep right now, but you can take a look."
Ta-mara's eyes lit up. "I'd like that."
Shirley led them over to the bed. Ta-mara went right up to it while Lamar stayed shyly back.
"His leg's broken?"
Shirley nodded. "They had to operate, but I'm sure it will be just fine."
"And his shoulder, where he got shot?"
"The bullet is out…in fact, they gave it to him as a keepsake."
Ta-mara swiped at her nose, starting to tear up.
Shirley frowned, her hand on the girls' head. "Is something wrong, honey?"
"He could have died, huh?"
Shirley and Laurie exchanged glances. "Yes, but he didn't, thanks to you and your brother."
"He was really sick, but I stayed with him. I tried to get the fever down. I even read to him, but he never really woke up."
Shirley nodded, her throat tightening. "He didn't know you were there?"
Ta-mara shook her head, her eyes watering even more. "I wanted him to see me, to let him know that I was there, but he didn't."
"Oh, honey, I'm sure he knew he was being taken care of. You were like his guardian angel." Laurie interjected.
Ta-mara looked up, sniffling. "You think so?"
"Of course. That's why he kept fighting. He knew someone was there watching over him." Shirley gave her another small hug. "Thank you again. I don't know how I'll ever repay you," she said, looking at Lamar and Theresa as well.
"It's amazing…you took a stranger and helped him out. Not many people would do that," Laurie said, taking Keith's hand as she stood by the bed.
"In our neighborhood, we all stick together. If a brother or sister is hurt, then we all hurt. He was our brother. For a little while, anyway," Theresa said proudly.
Swallowing a lump in her throat, Shirley hugged her. "Thank you," she whispered.
Officer Fowler stepped forward. "You kids ready to go home, now?"
"You're taking us home, too?" Lamar rolled his eyes. "You shoulda seen everybody's faces when he pulled up in front of our building. They thought it was a raid."
Shirley and Laurie laughed, grateful for the diversion.
"Officer, if you don't mind, I would be honored to take them home," Shirley said.
"In your bus?" Theresa looked very interested.
"No," Shirley smiled. "I have my station wagon with me today. Although, you're welcome to come over anytime for a ride."
"Cool," Theresa said approvingly. "You would like their bus, Lamar. It's painted all these wild colors."
Laurie grinned. "You sure know a lot about us."
Theresa bowed her head, a little embarrassed. "Well, I like a lot of different kinds of music, and yours just happens to be one of them. But if I had known that was Keith Partridge I was icing down…"
Laurie's eyebrow went up. "Icing down?"
"For the fever." Ta-mara's eyes remained on Keith. "But he was so hot, the ice just melted before it cooled him off." She looked up at Shirley. "Ma'am, before you take us home, would you care if I stayed with him a little while?"
"No, of course not, dear. Take all the time you like," Shirley smiled down at the girl.
Ta-mara eagerly sat down in the chair next to the bed as Shirley motioned the others toward the door. "You kids look hungry. Let me at least buy you something to eat in the cafeteria."
Lamar looked very interested, now. "Hey, yeah, thanks!"
Theresa shook her head. "That was the wrong thing to say…Lamar will eat everything in the kitchen!"
Shirley laughed, putting her arm around the young man as they started for the door. "Ta-mara, would you like us to bring you a sandwich?"
The little girl glanced back. "No thank you, ma'am. I'm fine right here."
"We'll be back in a little bit." Shirley led the group out.
Ta-mara sat on the edge of the chair, staring at Keith, wanting more than anything for him to wake up.
It didn't happen right away, but when it did, she was ready. He stirred in the bed, his eyes opening.
"Keith?" Ta-mara reached out, touching his arm.
His head rolled toward her and she waited until she was sure he could see her.
"Keith, you don't know me, but…"
He cut her off, softly, gently. "You're Ta-mara."
She was taken aback. "Yes!" she grinned, finding his hand with hers. "Yes!"
"Thank you," he said earnestly, his eyes scanning her face.
Tears sprang to her eyes. She petted his forehead as he continued to watch her. "You're welcome," she whispered, and he smiled at her.
The gesture was more than she could bear. She leaned over, pecking him on the cheek as he closed his eyes with a sigh.
She stared at him until he was back to sleep, then adjusted the blanket, her heart ready to burst with pride and love for this stranger who was now her friend.
And she knew he felt the same way!
%%%%%
Three days later, Keith was a new man. He was recovering nicely, now. The fever had gone, along with any sign of infection and although his shoulder was very sore and his arm remained in a sling, he slept comfortably at night, without the nightmares or the flashbacks. The only thing that remained a problem was his leg. He'd been to one therapy session, and while he was not able to even put his foot on the floor for at least another week, the limb hurt like the dickens!
He was returning from a "walk" from the solarium, just trying to get used to the crutches when he was greeted by Ta-mara in the hallway. She had another gift for him, a plate of brownies this time. Yesterday she brought him a bottle of 7-Up with a big balloon tied to it.
"Hi, Ta-mara," he grinned, slowly making his way up the hallway, the nurse at his side in case of a slip of the crutches.
"Hi. I made these for you!" she smiled. "Well, Mama did most of it, but I frosted them."
Keith sighed, hobbling into the room. "You're spoiling me, you know that."
"I don't mind. If you don't," she said almost worriedly.
He laughed, shaking his head and easing down onto the bed. "I don't. It's just that…well…you could use your money for something for yourself, couldn't you?"
"It's my chore money and Mama says I can spend it anyway I like," Ta-mara said, watching the nurse set the crutches against the wall, next to the bed. "Besides, I don't need anything."
Keith looked at her. This child, who had practically nothing, was spending her chore money on him. It made him feel terrible. He reached out, taking her hand. "Thanks for the brownies, sweetie. If we had some milk, we could eat them," he looked up at the nurse.
"Two milks, coming right up." The nurse got the hint.
She left and Keith tried to scoot backwards on the bed, finding it difficult because of the awkwardness of the cast. Ta-mara stepped forward, pulling the blanket aside and helping him, gently taking the cast in hand and setting it back into the sling.
Keith winced. Darn thing was aching again! "Thanks," he breathed, settling back against the pillow. "Looks like I owe you a lot, kiddo," he grinned tiredly through the pain shooting up his leg.
She looked embarrassed, looking at the floor, then back up at him. "I like to help. I want to be a nurse when I grow up."
"You'd make a great one! Is that why you come to the hospital so much?"
"Well, yeah, and to see you, too, of course. And to visit one of the kids in the neighborhood. He got hit by a car yesterday. He was playing kickball in the street with Lamar and some of the other kids."
Keith frowned. "Don't you guys have a playground or something to play in?"
Ta-mara shook her head. "Nope. Just the street and the alley way. You know, the one I found you in."
"Wow. That's terrible! That alley would make a great playground. All you'd need would be some equipment!"
"That's what Mama says. She's been after the owner of the buildings to put one in, but he says it costs too much."
Keith looked thoughtful. How awful it must be to not be able to play. That's what being a kid was all about. The Partridges and their neighbors all had Mueller's Park, and it was filled with kids nearly every day. Suddenly, he thought of a way the Partridges could thank the Jacksons and Theresa for their saving his life.
The nurse returned with the milk, and Keith and Ta-mara's conversation waned as they indulged in the brownies. They were as good as any Shirley could make, and made Keith forget all about his leg hurting.
%%%%%
"Keith, that's a wonderful idea!" Shirley cried when she heard of Keith's plan.
"Right on, big brother," Laurie agreed. "We could help them out and expose those kids to our music at the same time."
Keith nodded. A concert to raise money for the playground equipment was the perfect plan. Reuben had already begun the publicity campaign, and the date was set for a week from Friday. Now, he just had to make sure he was physically able to do it. The doctor said he would probably be out of the arm sling by then, but the cast of course would be on. It wouldn't be too much of a hindrance. He would just have to sit down the whole show and not move around like he was used to doing. He wasn't sure if he would be able to play the guitar because of the shoulder wound, but Danny was always available to do that.
"You should have seen Ta-mara's and Lamar's faces when I told them. They were in awe. Did you know that Ta-mara has never even seen a jungle gym? They only have a few swings and an old teeter-totter at their school." Keith shook his head in amazement.
"Well, I'm just glad we found a way to repay them for helping you out. I just know you wouldn't have made it in the alley without them." Shirley's eyes shone as she pulled him to her.
Keith swallowed, sensing the seriousness of it all. She was right, he knew that. He could have easily bled to death that night! If Ta-mara hadn't have come along when she did….
"Excuse me," came a voice from the doorway. "You the Partridge Family?"
Everyone turned. A plump black woman a little younger than Shirley stood there.
"Yes," Shirley stepped toward her. "I'm Shirley, and this is Laurie and Keith. You must be Mrs. Jackson."
The woman's smile was warm and friendly. "My name's Mildred; Millie. My kids just told me what you're doing for our neighborhood."
"It was Keith's idea," Laurie nodded toward her brother as Millie approached.
The woman extended her hand to him. "You have no idea what this means to us…to the whole neighborhood."
Keith shook her hand. "Our pleasure."
"Your children saved my son's life, Millie. It's the least we can do," Shirley told her, her face serious.
"When they told me what they'd done, I was furious. But then I got to thinking, what if that had happened to my child? I would want somebody to help them any way they could," she grinned down at Keith. "I'm glad I wasn't there to stop them."
"Thank you." He didn't know what else to say.
"Look at you, just look at you in that cast! You'll be walking around just like normal soon. I don't think the hospital food agrees with you, though. Look at how skinny you are. I'd better whip up some real food for you." Millie felt his collarbone.
He blushed. "I'm doing okay, really."
"No, sir, I mean it. The day of your concert, you are gonna have a good old-fashioned home cooked meal! All of you! You can't sing on an empty stomach. Just look at you people, all skin and bones. It's a wonder you even have the strength to sing, let alone stand up!"
Shirley laughed. "Thank you, Mrs. Jackson. We'll be there with big appetites, we promise!"
She started back for the door, shaking her head. "I'd better get cooking, then. How many kids you got?"
"Just five. And our manager." Shirley walked with her.
"Holy moley…that does it…I'd best start when I get home. You people like barbecued ribs?"
"Fine, fine! Whatever you fix is fine with us," Shirley glanced at Keith and Laurie as the two women went into the hallway. There was a look of 'help!' in her eyes.
The younger Partridges laughed, watching Shirley in her predicament.
%%%%%
Keith had only been out of the hospital for two days by the time Friday and the concert came around, but he was managing quite well. The crutches were like a part of him by now, and he could maneuver around almost as well as he would without them.
They hadn't had much time to rehearse, but Keith knew they were ready for a full-blown show. If not, they would know soon enough.
Having stuffed themselves on Mrs. Jackson's delectable ribs and the cobs of corn and the hominy grits, the Partridges gathered back of the huge makeshift stage in the very alley where Keith's life had nearly ended 18 years after it had begun. The crowd was a culturally mixed group: blacks, whites, latinos, asians. It was one of the most diverse crowds to which they would ever play, and it was wonderful to see everyone together, as Theresa put it, as not only a neighborhood, but a brother and sisterhood.
"Ready?" Reuben joined them, still a little bit of barbecue sauce on the corner of his mouth.
"Think so. Let me check my hair." Keith bent down, looking into the bus's rearview mirror.
"Oh, come on, Keith, your hair's fine. You've gotta go ahead of everybody or you'll never get on the stage!" Danny whined.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Keith started moving forward, crutches in place.
Ta-mara walked up to him. "Wait, I have another present for you," she said, her eyes sparkling.
"Another one? Ta-mara, I told you, spend your money on yourself!" Keith shook his head.
She bit her lip shyly. "This didn't cost anything." She coaxed him down to her level with her forefinger.
He leaned down and she threw her arms around him, kissing his cheek. "Good luck."
He grinned, hugging and kissing her back. "Thanks. That was the best present, yet."
She giggled, turning as he once again steadied the crutches. Looking at his family, he nodded toward the stage. "What are we waiting for? We have a show to do!" His grin was really wide, now.
Ta-mara blew him another kiss as he headed for the stage. She didn't know if he caught it or not, but she did know one thing: Keith Partridge had a way of making a girl want to fly!
%%THE END%%
In spite of all the reasons she had for staying awake, Shirley dozed in the waiting room chair, her head on a pillow one of the nurses had been kind enough to give her. Across from her in another chair, Reuben nodded off, too. At least Laurie and the kids were in their own beds at home…
The doctor's voice woke Shirley. "Mrs. Partridge?"
Startled, her eyes flew open and she sat up straight in the chair. "Hmm? What…what is it?" Realizing her surroundings, she glanced at the clock. It was well past midnight. Reuben snored on.
The doctor took a seat next to her. He was smiling, which immediately eased her fears. "The surgery went well. Keith is in the recovery room and he's doing just fine. We repaired the torn ligaments in his leg. It's in a cast and will be for the next six to eight weeks. So, no marathons for him for a while."
Shirley smiled, feeling so relieved she could cry. "Can we see him?"
"Sure, when he comes out of the recovery room. His temperature is nearly normal and he should wake up soon. If he doesn't come out of it in a few hours, we'll see what we can do. There was no head trauma, so you can relax about that. I'm pretty sure it was the fever."
"Wonderful, thank you, Doctor."
The doctor smiled, patting her arm. "Give him another twenty minutes in the recovery room, then they'll put him back in bed and you can go in." He winked at her. "Now, remember, I'm just a beep away if you need me."
"Thank you." Shirley nodded as he moved off. Looking at Reuben, she smiled as he snored loudly then jumped awake. "Reuben." She reached over, nudging his leg.
"Huh? Whazzat?" he muttered, still half asleep. "Shirley? What's wrong? Is Keith okay? Where's the doctor?" He looked like his harried old self, now.
"The doctor was just here. Keith's out of surgery and we can see him in a few minutes. Why don't we go get some coffee while we wait for them to put him back in his room?"
"Good idea," Reuben stretched. "Man…I dreamed I was being chased with a power saw or something. Sure was noisy!"
"Reuben," Shirley said, her eyes dancing. "That was you snoring!"
He looked indignant. "I don't snore, Shirley! I have never snored a day in my life!"
"Really? Well, then your dreams must be extremely real, because I heard that power saw, too. I think it was cutting down an entire forest!" She teased as they stood up.
He laughed sheepishly, following her down the hall.
%%%%%
Shirley sat at Keith's bedside, clutching his hand as he continued to sleep. At least, sleeping is what they'd told her he was doing. His left leg was in a low sling atop the bed, the white cast gleaming in the dimly lit room, but other than that he was pretty much the same as he'd left her.
Reuben sat trying to keep alert in the chair nearer the window. Shirley didn't have the heart to make him stay awake, so she let him be and it wasn't long before he was in as deep as Keith was.
Sitting there was making her tired, as well, and she knew she'd better move or end up zoned out herself. Letting Keith's hand go, she stood up, stretching her dormant muscles. She moved past Reuben over to the window, looking out at the lights beyond. They were only on the sixth floor, but she could still see quite a lot of the town. There were a few cars passing by, their headlights cutting a path through the pre-dawn darkness. Her gaze fixed on a moving sign just east of the hospital: a coffee cup pouring its neon contents into infinity. She was so entranced watching it, that she almost didn't hear Keith's querulous moan.
She whirled. He was trying to lift his head off the pillow, but failing at the attempt. She dashed to his side.
"Keith!" she cried breathlessly, trying not to disturb Reuben.
Another moan. "Wh…where am I? What's going on?"
"You're in the hospital, darling. You're safe, now." Shirley leaned down by him, petting his head.
He blinked, staring up at her. His expression softened. "Mom?" It was if he finally recognized her.
"Yes, honey, I'm here." Shirley could feel the tears sliding down her face.
"What happened? My shoulder hurts…and my leg…"
"Don't you remember, Keith? You were shot."
The memory must have been buried, because it took him a moment. He closed his eyes, shuddering. "Yeah," he said softly. "They…stole my bike…and…" His words were beginning to fade, and Shirley just kept petting his head as he drifted away from her once more.
She swallowed back more tears. "Who did this to you, Keith?" she asked, not really expecting an answer. She didn't get one, anyway. He was out.
%%%%%
Laurie was shocked. The last time she saw her brother, he was fooling around on his guitar without a care in the world. Then he got on that idiotic motorcycle.
Now, here he was in a hospital bed, his leg in a cast from his knee to his toes, bruises gracing his delicately featured face, and his arm in a sling because of a bullet in the back. She was more than shocked; she was numb.
Shirley was taking a welcome break from her vigil at Keith's side, and Laurie had hesitantly volunteered to relieve her mother. Keith had been sleeping fitfully, Shirley explained, and although he seemed confused at times, he seemed aware of his surroundings. As long as there was a familiar face to greet him when he awakened, he would be calm. He hadn't talked much of the shooting or the circumstances surrounding it, but then again, Shirley surmised that he was just blocking it out for now, which was fully understandable.
Thus, Laurie was now alone with her brother, still feeling a tiny bit angry at him for worrying them, yet loving him with all of her heart.
He was sleeping again, thankfully, and Laurie leafed through a magazine, trying not to peek at him between pages. It was hard not to; he looked so pitiful.
He whimpered and she looked up, startled. It was a false alarm; and she sat back in the chair, glad and sad at the same time. As much as she didn't want to have to deal with it, she did want him to at least wake up.
Going back to her magazine, Laurie tried to concentrate on the article on the page in front of her. Suddenly he cried out, bringing her to her feet.
He was trying to sit up in the bed, his eyes wide with fear, and she dropped the magazine, putting both hands on his chest. "Lie down, Keith…it's okay…you're okay," she soothed, her heart racing from the initial scare.
She managed to get him back down onto the pillow, one hand remaining on his chest, the other stroking his forehead.
He swallowed, looking up at her. "Laurie…" he said hoarsely.
She smiled gently. "I'm here, honey…did you want something?"
He shook his head, closing his eyes. They flew open again. "I…I was dreaming…they shot me…"
Laurie frowned. "Who did it, Keith? Who shot you?"
"The…men in the car…they followed me…" he swallowed, breathing hard. This wasn't easy. His shoulder was throbbing.
"What men, Keith? What did they look like?" Laurie prodded him on, inwardly wishing her mother were here.
He didn't answer. He was too drained. He shook his head, empty, the tears forming in his eyes. It was so hard!
Laurie petted his forehead, swallowing back a trail of tears herself. "It's okay, honey…just rest, she told him softly, still caressing his face as he closed his eyes again. Darn it, where was Mom?
And, just like magic, Shirley appeared. Was it just Laurie, or did Mom have a way of doing that?
"Mom…" Laurie sounded distressed.
Shirley lost her tired smile. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, he woke up yelling. He had a nightmare about the shooting…he said two men in a car were chasing him." Laurie explained. "He was crying."
"Well, honey, he's having flashbacks…it's all coming back to him in bits and pieces. He's blocked a lot of it out, and it will come and go. We may never know the whole story." Shirley went to the bed, running her hand under Keith's chin.
"It's just so sad…whoever did this to him might get away with it? It's not fair, Mom."
"No, it's not…but if they have an ounce of conscious, it will eventually catch up to them."
Laurie nodded. A sound at the door startled them both. They turned to see Officer Fowler there with three young people they didn't recognize.
"Mrs. Partridge, I would like you to meet Lamar and Ta-mara Jackson. They were the children who saved your son's life."
Shirley immediately ran forward, her arms out. "I'm so happy to meet you!"
Shyly, Ta-mara and Lamar accepted her hugs.
Shirley smiled up at the officer and the other young woman with him.
"And this is Theresa Avila. She's a nursing student who lives in the projects as well. She tended to Keith while Lamar called the ambulance."
Shirley offered her hand. "Theresa."
Theresa took her hand. "Now I know who you are! You are the Partridge Family!"
"Yes!" Shirley laughed.
Theresa put her arms around the Jackson children. "I am sorry I didn't recognize your son right away…he looked familiar to me, but I couldn't remember from where." She smiled. "And, no offense, but your music isn't exactly played a lot in our neighborhood."
Shirley laughed again. "I understand."
Ta-mara spoke up. "How's Keith doing?"
"Well, he's coming along, thanks to you children. Would you like to see for yourself? He's asleep right now, but you can take a look."
Ta-mara's eyes lit up. "I'd like that."
Shirley led them over to the bed. Ta-mara went right up to it while Lamar stayed shyly back.
"His leg's broken?"
Shirley nodded. "They had to operate, but I'm sure it will be just fine."
"And his shoulder, where he got shot?"
"The bullet is out…in fact, they gave it to him as a keepsake."
Ta-mara swiped at her nose, starting to tear up.
Shirley frowned, her hand on the girls' head. "Is something wrong, honey?"
"He could have died, huh?"
Shirley and Laurie exchanged glances. "Yes, but he didn't, thanks to you and your brother."
"He was really sick, but I stayed with him. I tried to get the fever down. I even read to him, but he never really woke up."
Shirley nodded, her throat tightening. "He didn't know you were there?"
Ta-mara shook her head, her eyes watering even more. "I wanted him to see me, to let him know that I was there, but he didn't."
"Oh, honey, I'm sure he knew he was being taken care of. You were like his guardian angel." Laurie interjected.
Ta-mara looked up, sniffling. "You think so?"
"Of course. That's why he kept fighting. He knew someone was there watching over him." Shirley gave her another small hug. "Thank you again. I don't know how I'll ever repay you," she said, looking at Lamar and Theresa as well.
"It's amazing…you took a stranger and helped him out. Not many people would do that," Laurie said, taking Keith's hand as she stood by the bed.
"In our neighborhood, we all stick together. If a brother or sister is hurt, then we all hurt. He was our brother. For a little while, anyway," Theresa said proudly.
Swallowing a lump in her throat, Shirley hugged her. "Thank you," she whispered.
Officer Fowler stepped forward. "You kids ready to go home, now?"
"You're taking us home, too?" Lamar rolled his eyes. "You shoulda seen everybody's faces when he pulled up in front of our building. They thought it was a raid."
Shirley and Laurie laughed, grateful for the diversion.
"Officer, if you don't mind, I would be honored to take them home," Shirley said.
"In your bus?" Theresa looked very interested.
"No," Shirley smiled. "I have my station wagon with me today. Although, you're welcome to come over anytime for a ride."
"Cool," Theresa said approvingly. "You would like their bus, Lamar. It's painted all these wild colors."
Laurie grinned. "You sure know a lot about us."
Theresa bowed her head, a little embarrassed. "Well, I like a lot of different kinds of music, and yours just happens to be one of them. But if I had known that was Keith Partridge I was icing down…"
Laurie's eyebrow went up. "Icing down?"
"For the fever." Ta-mara's eyes remained on Keith. "But he was so hot, the ice just melted before it cooled him off." She looked up at Shirley. "Ma'am, before you take us home, would you care if I stayed with him a little while?"
"No, of course not, dear. Take all the time you like," Shirley smiled down at the girl.
Ta-mara eagerly sat down in the chair next to the bed as Shirley motioned the others toward the door. "You kids look hungry. Let me at least buy you something to eat in the cafeteria."
Lamar looked very interested, now. "Hey, yeah, thanks!"
Theresa shook her head. "That was the wrong thing to say…Lamar will eat everything in the kitchen!"
Shirley laughed, putting her arm around the young man as they started for the door. "Ta-mara, would you like us to bring you a sandwich?"
The little girl glanced back. "No thank you, ma'am. I'm fine right here."
"We'll be back in a little bit." Shirley led the group out.
Ta-mara sat on the edge of the chair, staring at Keith, wanting more than anything for him to wake up.
It didn't happen right away, but when it did, she was ready. He stirred in the bed, his eyes opening.
"Keith?" Ta-mara reached out, touching his arm.
His head rolled toward her and she waited until she was sure he could see her.
"Keith, you don't know me, but…"
He cut her off, softly, gently. "You're Ta-mara."
She was taken aback. "Yes!" she grinned, finding his hand with hers. "Yes!"
"Thank you," he said earnestly, his eyes scanning her face.
Tears sprang to her eyes. She petted his forehead as he continued to watch her. "You're welcome," she whispered, and he smiled at her.
The gesture was more than she could bear. She leaned over, pecking him on the cheek as he closed his eyes with a sigh.
She stared at him until he was back to sleep, then adjusted the blanket, her heart ready to burst with pride and love for this stranger who was now her friend.
And she knew he felt the same way!
%%%%%
Three days later, Keith was a new man. He was recovering nicely, now. The fever had gone, along with any sign of infection and although his shoulder was very sore and his arm remained in a sling, he slept comfortably at night, without the nightmares or the flashbacks. The only thing that remained a problem was his leg. He'd been to one therapy session, and while he was not able to even put his foot on the floor for at least another week, the limb hurt like the dickens!
He was returning from a "walk" from the solarium, just trying to get used to the crutches when he was greeted by Ta-mara in the hallway. She had another gift for him, a plate of brownies this time. Yesterday she brought him a bottle of 7-Up with a big balloon tied to it.
"Hi, Ta-mara," he grinned, slowly making his way up the hallway, the nurse at his side in case of a slip of the crutches.
"Hi. I made these for you!" she smiled. "Well, Mama did most of it, but I frosted them."
Keith sighed, hobbling into the room. "You're spoiling me, you know that."
"I don't mind. If you don't," she said almost worriedly.
He laughed, shaking his head and easing down onto the bed. "I don't. It's just that…well…you could use your money for something for yourself, couldn't you?"
"It's my chore money and Mama says I can spend it anyway I like," Ta-mara said, watching the nurse set the crutches against the wall, next to the bed. "Besides, I don't need anything."
Keith looked at her. This child, who had practically nothing, was spending her chore money on him. It made him feel terrible. He reached out, taking her hand. "Thanks for the brownies, sweetie. If we had some milk, we could eat them," he looked up at the nurse.
"Two milks, coming right up." The nurse got the hint.
She left and Keith tried to scoot backwards on the bed, finding it difficult because of the awkwardness of the cast. Ta-mara stepped forward, pulling the blanket aside and helping him, gently taking the cast in hand and setting it back into the sling.
Keith winced. Darn thing was aching again! "Thanks," he breathed, settling back against the pillow. "Looks like I owe you a lot, kiddo," he grinned tiredly through the pain shooting up his leg.
She looked embarrassed, looking at the floor, then back up at him. "I like to help. I want to be a nurse when I grow up."
"You'd make a great one! Is that why you come to the hospital so much?"
"Well, yeah, and to see you, too, of course. And to visit one of the kids in the neighborhood. He got hit by a car yesterday. He was playing kickball in the street with Lamar and some of the other kids."
Keith frowned. "Don't you guys have a playground or something to play in?"
Ta-mara shook her head. "Nope. Just the street and the alley way. You know, the one I found you in."
"Wow. That's terrible! That alley would make a great playground. All you'd need would be some equipment!"
"That's what Mama says. She's been after the owner of the buildings to put one in, but he says it costs too much."
Keith looked thoughtful. How awful it must be to not be able to play. That's what being a kid was all about. The Partridges and their neighbors all had Mueller's Park, and it was filled with kids nearly every day. Suddenly, he thought of a way the Partridges could thank the Jacksons and Theresa for their saving his life.
The nurse returned with the milk, and Keith and Ta-mara's conversation waned as they indulged in the brownies. They were as good as any Shirley could make, and made Keith forget all about his leg hurting.
%%%%%
"Keith, that's a wonderful idea!" Shirley cried when she heard of Keith's plan.
"Right on, big brother," Laurie agreed. "We could help them out and expose those kids to our music at the same time."
Keith nodded. A concert to raise money for the playground equipment was the perfect plan. Reuben had already begun the publicity campaign, and the date was set for a week from Friday. Now, he just had to make sure he was physically able to do it. The doctor said he would probably be out of the arm sling by then, but the cast of course would be on. It wouldn't be too much of a hindrance. He would just have to sit down the whole show and not move around like he was used to doing. He wasn't sure if he would be able to play the guitar because of the shoulder wound, but Danny was always available to do that.
"You should have seen Ta-mara's and Lamar's faces when I told them. They were in awe. Did you know that Ta-mara has never even seen a jungle gym? They only have a few swings and an old teeter-totter at their school." Keith shook his head in amazement.
"Well, I'm just glad we found a way to repay them for helping you out. I just know you wouldn't have made it in the alley without them." Shirley's eyes shone as she pulled him to her.
Keith swallowed, sensing the seriousness of it all. She was right, he knew that. He could have easily bled to death that night! If Ta-mara hadn't have come along when she did….
"Excuse me," came a voice from the doorway. "You the Partridge Family?"
Everyone turned. A plump black woman a little younger than Shirley stood there.
"Yes," Shirley stepped toward her. "I'm Shirley, and this is Laurie and Keith. You must be Mrs. Jackson."
The woman's smile was warm and friendly. "My name's Mildred; Millie. My kids just told me what you're doing for our neighborhood."
"It was Keith's idea," Laurie nodded toward her brother as Millie approached.
The woman extended her hand to him. "You have no idea what this means to us…to the whole neighborhood."
Keith shook her hand. "Our pleasure."
"Your children saved my son's life, Millie. It's the least we can do," Shirley told her, her face serious.
"When they told me what they'd done, I was furious. But then I got to thinking, what if that had happened to my child? I would want somebody to help them any way they could," she grinned down at Keith. "I'm glad I wasn't there to stop them."
"Thank you." He didn't know what else to say.
"Look at you, just look at you in that cast! You'll be walking around just like normal soon. I don't think the hospital food agrees with you, though. Look at how skinny you are. I'd better whip up some real food for you." Millie felt his collarbone.
He blushed. "I'm doing okay, really."
"No, sir, I mean it. The day of your concert, you are gonna have a good old-fashioned home cooked meal! All of you! You can't sing on an empty stomach. Just look at you people, all skin and bones. It's a wonder you even have the strength to sing, let alone stand up!"
Shirley laughed. "Thank you, Mrs. Jackson. We'll be there with big appetites, we promise!"
She started back for the door, shaking her head. "I'd better get cooking, then. How many kids you got?"
"Just five. And our manager." Shirley walked with her.
"Holy moley…that does it…I'd best start when I get home. You people like barbecued ribs?"
"Fine, fine! Whatever you fix is fine with us," Shirley glanced at Keith and Laurie as the two women went into the hallway. There was a look of 'help!' in her eyes.
The younger Partridges laughed, watching Shirley in her predicament.
%%%%%
Keith had only been out of the hospital for two days by the time Friday and the concert came around, but he was managing quite well. The crutches were like a part of him by now, and he could maneuver around almost as well as he would without them.
They hadn't had much time to rehearse, but Keith knew they were ready for a full-blown show. If not, they would know soon enough.
Having stuffed themselves on Mrs. Jackson's delectable ribs and the cobs of corn and the hominy grits, the Partridges gathered back of the huge makeshift stage in the very alley where Keith's life had nearly ended 18 years after it had begun. The crowd was a culturally mixed group: blacks, whites, latinos, asians. It was one of the most diverse crowds to which they would ever play, and it was wonderful to see everyone together, as Theresa put it, as not only a neighborhood, but a brother and sisterhood.
"Ready?" Reuben joined them, still a little bit of barbecue sauce on the corner of his mouth.
"Think so. Let me check my hair." Keith bent down, looking into the bus's rearview mirror.
"Oh, come on, Keith, your hair's fine. You've gotta go ahead of everybody or you'll never get on the stage!" Danny whined.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Keith started moving forward, crutches in place.
Ta-mara walked up to him. "Wait, I have another present for you," she said, her eyes sparkling.
"Another one? Ta-mara, I told you, spend your money on yourself!" Keith shook his head.
She bit her lip shyly. "This didn't cost anything." She coaxed him down to her level with her forefinger.
He leaned down and she threw her arms around him, kissing his cheek. "Good luck."
He grinned, hugging and kissing her back. "Thanks. That was the best present, yet."
She giggled, turning as he once again steadied the crutches. Looking at his family, he nodded toward the stage. "What are we waiting for? We have a show to do!" His grin was really wide, now.
Ta-mara blew him another kiss as he headed for the stage. She didn't know if he caught it or not, but she did know one thing: Keith Partridge had a way of making a girl want to fly!
%%THE END%%