LUCK OF THE PARTRIDGE, PART 4
He must have been tired, because he didn't even realize he'd fallen asleep until he woke up several hours later. It was dark out, now, and as he moved to roll over, he was hit by more pain. He gasped, pressing into his belly. Man, he thought, what is going on?
He managed to sit up, and when he did, he had to double right over. This couldn't be good.
Waiting, he caught his breath, then eased his feet to the floor. Using the bedpost as leverage, he stood up. The pain stopped for now, and he shook his head, absently rubbing his side with the palm of his hand.
He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. Slowly feeling his way along the wall, he went to the top of the stairs. He could hear the television going and he gripped the railing, padding down the steps and wondering what time it was.
Chris and Tracy were still up, watching an old movie, so he knew it couldn't be too late. Still, Laurie had gone on her date; he'd missed the rehearsal. Why didn't someone wake him?
He moved into the kitchen, where he found Danny at the table. The kid had his usual supply of milk and cookies, and looked up when he saw Keith.
"There's more cookies in the cookie jar, if you want some," Danny said, his mouth still half full. It was a repulsive sight to Keith, and Danny knew that.
Keith shook his head. "Where's Mom?"
"The Monahan's. She said she would spare the rest of us, and go over there before Mrs. Monahan came here," Danny grinned.
Keith, looking quite rumpled from his long sleep, pulled out a chair and sat down.
"You look awful," Danny said, wide eyed.
"I'm fine," Keith fairly snapped at him.
"You're grumpy," Danny said, getting up and putting the milk back in the refrigerator.
"How long's she been gone?"
"About an hour. Why?"
"Why didn't someone call me for rehearsal? We need to work on the numbers for tomorrow's show!"
"We didn't have another rehearsal. Mom said you were resting, and it's a little hard to rehearse not having you there," Danny said, standing behind Keith and leaning down, peering into his face. "Do you know how pale you are?"
"Get your cookie breath out of my face!" Keith turned away.
"Personally, Keith, I think you're exhausted. Didn't you get enough sleep?"
"Look, doctor Partridge…I don't need your opinion. Maybe we should call Mom home from the Monahan's. We really need to rehearse."
"Laurie's not here, either. And I don't think she'd appreciate being called home from a date."
Keith slumped. "Oh, yeah, right. Well, that blew that idea to smithereens." He shook his head. He got slowly and carefully up.
Danny watched him. "What are you gonna do now?"
"I don't know…maybe tool around with my guitar," Keith answered. He paused. "Wanna have a little jam session, just you and me?"
Danny grinned. "Yeah!" He felt honored to even be asked.
Keith was still limping a little as Danny followed him outside and into the garage.
"Here, you sit here and I'll get your guitar." Danny indicated the piano bench.
Keith blew out a breath. "Okay, thanks." He sat down, holding his side as he did so. Danny retrieved the guitar, handing it to Keith, then he picked up his bass, slipping the strap over his neck.
They both took a minute to tune the instruments, and once things were square, Danny looked at his brother.
"What song?"
"Here, see if you can pick up on this one." Keith began to play 'Am I Losing You,' and Danny grinned, joining in perfectly. They exchanged approving looks as they continued to play. The song sounded different without the lyrics or the other instruments, and Danny concluded that he loved that way!
Keith ended the music, grinning tiredly at his brother. "That was pretty good."
"Pretty good? It was great! Let's do another one!"
"Okay," Keith's face was scrunched in thought. Then he began the riff for "Lay It On the Line." It wasn't a song that Danny was very familiar with; they rarely played it in concert, but after a few seconds, he managed to get into it.
Keith nodded at him, smiling, and Danny grinned back, plucking the bass with all he had.
The song was over, and Keith nodded. "Not bad, not bad at all. If the group ever breaks up, we can always be studio musicians."
"Yeah, that was cool." Danny slipped out of his guitar strap.
Keith went to put his guitar aside. As he did so, he felt a stab of pain and he winced out loud, nearly dropping the instrument.
Danny looked up and his smile faded as he saw Keith pressing hard into his side.
"Keith, you okay?"
Keith looked up, his eyes full of pain that even Danny could see. "I dunno…these pains are getting sharper."
"Want me to get Mom?"
"No…maybe I just need to go lie down again," he swallowed.
Danny nodded, swallowing as Keith slowly pushed himself up from the bench. Now he really couldn't straighten up. His fingers still digging into his side, he started for the door. Danny went to him, holding onto his arm.
They made it into the kitchen, where Keith stopped by the table.
"All right?" Danny asked.
"Let me rest for a second." Keith gasped. "Oh, man…"
"Wanna sit down?"
"I'll never get back up," Keith clutched the shoulder of Danny's shirt hard in his hand. Danny waited patiently, not taking his eyes off his brother's face.
Still hanging onto Danny's shoulder, Keith moved off toward the living room, where Chris and Tracy were absorbed in the television.
At the staircase, Keith stopped, looking up at the two half-flights.
"You gonna make the stairs okay?" Danny asked, ignoring the blare of the TV set.
"I don't know. Looks pretty steep." Keith gulped.
"How about lying down on the couch?"
"No, they're into their show. I think I can make it up to my room. Maybe," he added hesitantly.
Danny just waited patiently. He really wanted to go get Mom….
"Okay, let's go," Keith said tiredly, grabbing the banister.
Danny let him take a step, then followed. This was crazy. There was no way Keith would be able to make it up there, not hurting the way he was!
Two stairs later, Keith stopped dead still, bending over. "Oh, god…" he uttered softly, leaning harder on Danny.
"Keith?" Danny looked worried.
"I can't do this. Danny, go get Mom…hurry!" Keith pleaded.
"Okay, but…sit…sit down." Danny's heart pounded in his chest.
Keith sank down to the stair, both hands pressing into his side and a look of pure agony on his face.
Making sure he was okay for the moment, Danny leaped off the stairs. "Chris! Come watch Keith, he's really sick! I'm going to the Monahan's to get Mom!"
He flew out the door, leaving it wide open, and Chris got up, scrambling over to the staircase where Keith sat, tears streaming down his face.
"Keith, what's wrong?" Chris's young face looked worried as Tracy joined him.
Keith didn't answer. He was too busy trying to fight off the pain. Chris and Tracy exchanged frightened looks.
"Hey, why is the door open?" Laurie's voice startled them and the two youngest Partridges turned to see her come in.
"Something's the matter with Keith," Chris pointed at his brother.
Seeing him sitting there in agony, Laurie hurried to him. "Keith, what is it? What's wrong?"
"It's my stomach…" Keith managed to say, his face contorted in pain. "Oh, god, Laurie, help me!"
She put her hand on his shoulder. "Where's Mom?"
"Danny went to get her," Chris answered as Keith cried out,pushing his head against the banister.
Scared, Laurie sat down one stair below her brother. Not knowing really what to do, Laurie just rubbed Keith's arm and brushed the hair away from his face. "It's okay, Keith…come on, take it easy…"
Shirley and Danny burst in, both breathless from their run up the street.
"Keith!" Shirley cried. "Laurie, call an ambulance, then call Reuben!" She directed.
"Okay," Laurie jumped up and ran for the kitchen phone as Shirley put both hands on Keith's shoulders, trying to look at his face.
"Do you want to lie down on the couch, honey? Can you walk over there?" She asked, still a little out of breath.
He flinched, biting his lip hard. "Yeah…"
She and Danny helped him up and slowly and carefully walked him over to the couch, where they eased him down. Shirley put the throw pillows under his head.
"Danny, put his feet up, but be careful!" Shirley ordered.
Danny did as he was told as Keith lay there, holding his middle in agony.
"Let's get a blanket and keep him warm," Shirley called out and Chris ran upstairs to get one.
"Ambulance is coming!" Laurie called from the kitchen. "I'm calling Reuben, but there's no answer!"
"Maybe he's on his way over. He said he had something for me to sign," Shirley said, putting her hand on Keith's forehead. "No fever…what is it, Keith, what's happening to you?" She asked the questions almost absently, not really expecting an answer.
"Oh, Mom, it hurts!" Keith gulped.
"I know, honey. Let me look at your stomach." She pulled his shirt up. The bruise was even darker than before and seemed to have grown in size. It was reaching clear around to his back. She shook her head, baffled. "You're sure it's not your ribs, honey?"
"No…it hurts below my ribcage…" Keith breathed.
"Mom," Laurie stepped up to the scene. "I think that's where his spleen is."
Shirley looked up, her eyes wide. "Are you sure, Laurie?"
She nodded. "It was on my final in anatomy."
Had Ralph's blow ruptured Keith's spleen? If so, Keith was in a lot of danger! Swallowing, Shirley clutched her son's hand, not daring say anything.
There was a siren outside, getting louder by the second.
"Here comes the ambulance!" Chris announced as he and Tracy ran out the door.
"Kids! Don't bother them…Laurie, go get them, will you?"
Laurie obeyed her, following them outside. "Chris, Tracy, come back inside!" she cried. The ambulance was now sitting at the curb, lights flashing eerily in the darkness, and Laurie noticed Reuben's car pulling into the driveway.
It was chaos for a moment: the paramedics bustling to get their equipment, Chris and Tracy, having ignored Laurie's orders, jumping around the lawn excitedly, and Reuben getting out of his car, looking totally flabbergasted.
"Laurie, what's going on?"
"It's Keith…he's having terrible stomach pains. Oh, Reuben, Mom will be so happy you're here!" Now, Laurie burst into tears, and the manager put his arm around her, walking her back to the house, following the paramedics in.
The medics went right to Keith, taking their equipment out and began working on him as Reuben and Laurie stepped in.
"Shirley?" Reuben asked.
Having moved out of the paramedics way, Shirley joined him and Laurie. "Oh, Reuben, I think his spleen's been ruptured!"
Danny gaped at his mother. Her words sounded like serious consequences for Keith!
"He'll be okay, Shirley…" Reuben soothed. He wanted to add something about tomorrow's show gone kaput, but he held his tongue. It was small stuff, anyway, compared to Keith's well-being. "Boy, did this family run over a black cat or something? You've had nothing but bad luck all day!" He shook his head.
Danny whirled, staring. That was it! The chain letter! It had to be! First, Keith got hurt, then Laurie's shopping spree was a bust, then he fell off his skateboard…and now, Keith had a ruptured spleen! He didn't exactly know what that was, but it sounded awfully serious!
With a sudden burst, Danny bolted for the stairs, unnoticed in the confusion. He had to get that letter!
He practically dived into his bedroom, grabbing the trash can and dumping it on the floor. Pawing through the papers, he began to panic. It wasn't there! Where could it have gone…? Wait! Punky. He had it last!
He searched some more, then scoured the room, pulling books off shelves, looking in and under the bed. He came up empty. There was only one solution; Punky had it with him. So, back down the stairs it was.
The paramedics had put Keith on a huge stretcher and were wheeling him toward the door when Danny reappeared. Shirley was gathering her purse and sweater, talking to Laurie.
"Look for the insurance papers and bring them to me in the emergency room, okay? Danny will have to stay here with Chris and Tracy."
"Sure, Mom." Laurie sounded almost dazed.
Danny gulped, watching as they took Keith out the door. Reuben and Shirley followed right behind.
Laurie hurried for the stairs, her face almost as pale as Keith's had been. "Danny, watch the kids. I've got to find those papers."
"Can I use the phone?"
"Whatever, but don't stay on too long. Mom will probably call once they get to the hospital." Laurie called as she ran up the stairs.
Danny made a mad dash for the telephone. As he dialed, he looked around for Chris and Tracy. They were standing by the door, watching the activities going on outside, and he nodded, waiting for Punky - or anyone- to answer.
Finally! "Mr. Lazaar, is Punky there, please? This is Danny Partridge."
Keeping an eye on his siblings, Danny waited yet again, then: "Punky, it's me. Do you have the chain letter? Yeah, I need it! I'll explain when you get here! Punky, please, I need it tonight!" He looked harried. "Well, how long did it say I had to answer it? Oh, no! Then I really need it tonight! Come on, Punk, bring it over, will you? No, I can't come and get it, I'm babysitting!" He frowned in Chris and Tracy's directions. "Okay, okay, I'll come and get it. See you in a little bit. Meet me in front of your house. Bye." Shaking his head, Danny hung up the phone.
He called to Chris and Tracy. "Chris, come here!"
Chris turned from the doorway, and Danny saw the ambulance pulling away. As it did, the siren went on, staying rather loud for a minute, then slowly fading away into the night. "What?"
"I've gotta run over to Punky's. Laurie's upstairs, looking for some papers. You and Tracy sit here and don't move a muscle until one of us gets back."
"Why should we?" Chris looked skeptical.
"Because if you don't, I'll tell Mrs. Monahan to come over and sit with you until I do get back, that's why!"
Chris's eyes widened. "Okay, okay, we'll stay here."
"Thanks. I'll only be a minute. If Laurie comes back down, tell her where I went."
"Won't she be mad?"
"I don't care. This is a matter of life or death." The last words seemed to startle him, and Danny swallowed, starting for the front door.
continued...
He must have been tired, because he didn't even realize he'd fallen asleep until he woke up several hours later. It was dark out, now, and as he moved to roll over, he was hit by more pain. He gasped, pressing into his belly. Man, he thought, what is going on?
He managed to sit up, and when he did, he had to double right over. This couldn't be good.
Waiting, he caught his breath, then eased his feet to the floor. Using the bedpost as leverage, he stood up. The pain stopped for now, and he shook his head, absently rubbing his side with the palm of his hand.
He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. Slowly feeling his way along the wall, he went to the top of the stairs. He could hear the television going and he gripped the railing, padding down the steps and wondering what time it was.
Chris and Tracy were still up, watching an old movie, so he knew it couldn't be too late. Still, Laurie had gone on her date; he'd missed the rehearsal. Why didn't someone wake him?
He moved into the kitchen, where he found Danny at the table. The kid had his usual supply of milk and cookies, and looked up when he saw Keith.
"There's more cookies in the cookie jar, if you want some," Danny said, his mouth still half full. It was a repulsive sight to Keith, and Danny knew that.
Keith shook his head. "Where's Mom?"
"The Monahan's. She said she would spare the rest of us, and go over there before Mrs. Monahan came here," Danny grinned.
Keith, looking quite rumpled from his long sleep, pulled out a chair and sat down.
"You look awful," Danny said, wide eyed.
"I'm fine," Keith fairly snapped at him.
"You're grumpy," Danny said, getting up and putting the milk back in the refrigerator.
"How long's she been gone?"
"About an hour. Why?"
"Why didn't someone call me for rehearsal? We need to work on the numbers for tomorrow's show!"
"We didn't have another rehearsal. Mom said you were resting, and it's a little hard to rehearse not having you there," Danny said, standing behind Keith and leaning down, peering into his face. "Do you know how pale you are?"
"Get your cookie breath out of my face!" Keith turned away.
"Personally, Keith, I think you're exhausted. Didn't you get enough sleep?"
"Look, doctor Partridge…I don't need your opinion. Maybe we should call Mom home from the Monahan's. We really need to rehearse."
"Laurie's not here, either. And I don't think she'd appreciate being called home from a date."
Keith slumped. "Oh, yeah, right. Well, that blew that idea to smithereens." He shook his head. He got slowly and carefully up.
Danny watched him. "What are you gonna do now?"
"I don't know…maybe tool around with my guitar," Keith answered. He paused. "Wanna have a little jam session, just you and me?"
Danny grinned. "Yeah!" He felt honored to even be asked.
Keith was still limping a little as Danny followed him outside and into the garage.
"Here, you sit here and I'll get your guitar." Danny indicated the piano bench.
Keith blew out a breath. "Okay, thanks." He sat down, holding his side as he did so. Danny retrieved the guitar, handing it to Keith, then he picked up his bass, slipping the strap over his neck.
They both took a minute to tune the instruments, and once things were square, Danny looked at his brother.
"What song?"
"Here, see if you can pick up on this one." Keith began to play 'Am I Losing You,' and Danny grinned, joining in perfectly. They exchanged approving looks as they continued to play. The song sounded different without the lyrics or the other instruments, and Danny concluded that he loved that way!
Keith ended the music, grinning tiredly at his brother. "That was pretty good."
"Pretty good? It was great! Let's do another one!"
"Okay," Keith's face was scrunched in thought. Then he began the riff for "Lay It On the Line." It wasn't a song that Danny was very familiar with; they rarely played it in concert, but after a few seconds, he managed to get into it.
Keith nodded at him, smiling, and Danny grinned back, plucking the bass with all he had.
The song was over, and Keith nodded. "Not bad, not bad at all. If the group ever breaks up, we can always be studio musicians."
"Yeah, that was cool." Danny slipped out of his guitar strap.
Keith went to put his guitar aside. As he did so, he felt a stab of pain and he winced out loud, nearly dropping the instrument.
Danny looked up and his smile faded as he saw Keith pressing hard into his side.
"Keith, you okay?"
Keith looked up, his eyes full of pain that even Danny could see. "I dunno…these pains are getting sharper."
"Want me to get Mom?"
"No…maybe I just need to go lie down again," he swallowed.
Danny nodded, swallowing as Keith slowly pushed himself up from the bench. Now he really couldn't straighten up. His fingers still digging into his side, he started for the door. Danny went to him, holding onto his arm.
They made it into the kitchen, where Keith stopped by the table.
"All right?" Danny asked.
"Let me rest for a second." Keith gasped. "Oh, man…"
"Wanna sit down?"
"I'll never get back up," Keith clutched the shoulder of Danny's shirt hard in his hand. Danny waited patiently, not taking his eyes off his brother's face.
Still hanging onto Danny's shoulder, Keith moved off toward the living room, where Chris and Tracy were absorbed in the television.
At the staircase, Keith stopped, looking up at the two half-flights.
"You gonna make the stairs okay?" Danny asked, ignoring the blare of the TV set.
"I don't know. Looks pretty steep." Keith gulped.
"How about lying down on the couch?"
"No, they're into their show. I think I can make it up to my room. Maybe," he added hesitantly.
Danny just waited patiently. He really wanted to go get Mom….
"Okay, let's go," Keith said tiredly, grabbing the banister.
Danny let him take a step, then followed. This was crazy. There was no way Keith would be able to make it up there, not hurting the way he was!
Two stairs later, Keith stopped dead still, bending over. "Oh, god…" he uttered softly, leaning harder on Danny.
"Keith?" Danny looked worried.
"I can't do this. Danny, go get Mom…hurry!" Keith pleaded.
"Okay, but…sit…sit down." Danny's heart pounded in his chest.
Keith sank down to the stair, both hands pressing into his side and a look of pure agony on his face.
Making sure he was okay for the moment, Danny leaped off the stairs. "Chris! Come watch Keith, he's really sick! I'm going to the Monahan's to get Mom!"
He flew out the door, leaving it wide open, and Chris got up, scrambling over to the staircase where Keith sat, tears streaming down his face.
"Keith, what's wrong?" Chris's young face looked worried as Tracy joined him.
Keith didn't answer. He was too busy trying to fight off the pain. Chris and Tracy exchanged frightened looks.
"Hey, why is the door open?" Laurie's voice startled them and the two youngest Partridges turned to see her come in.
"Something's the matter with Keith," Chris pointed at his brother.
Seeing him sitting there in agony, Laurie hurried to him. "Keith, what is it? What's wrong?"
"It's my stomach…" Keith managed to say, his face contorted in pain. "Oh, god, Laurie, help me!"
She put her hand on his shoulder. "Where's Mom?"
"Danny went to get her," Chris answered as Keith cried out,pushing his head against the banister.
Scared, Laurie sat down one stair below her brother. Not knowing really what to do, Laurie just rubbed Keith's arm and brushed the hair away from his face. "It's okay, Keith…come on, take it easy…"
Shirley and Danny burst in, both breathless from their run up the street.
"Keith!" Shirley cried. "Laurie, call an ambulance, then call Reuben!" She directed.
"Okay," Laurie jumped up and ran for the kitchen phone as Shirley put both hands on Keith's shoulders, trying to look at his face.
"Do you want to lie down on the couch, honey? Can you walk over there?" She asked, still a little out of breath.
He flinched, biting his lip hard. "Yeah…"
She and Danny helped him up and slowly and carefully walked him over to the couch, where they eased him down. Shirley put the throw pillows under his head.
"Danny, put his feet up, but be careful!" Shirley ordered.
Danny did as he was told as Keith lay there, holding his middle in agony.
"Let's get a blanket and keep him warm," Shirley called out and Chris ran upstairs to get one.
"Ambulance is coming!" Laurie called from the kitchen. "I'm calling Reuben, but there's no answer!"
"Maybe he's on his way over. He said he had something for me to sign," Shirley said, putting her hand on Keith's forehead. "No fever…what is it, Keith, what's happening to you?" She asked the questions almost absently, not really expecting an answer.
"Oh, Mom, it hurts!" Keith gulped.
"I know, honey. Let me look at your stomach." She pulled his shirt up. The bruise was even darker than before and seemed to have grown in size. It was reaching clear around to his back. She shook her head, baffled. "You're sure it's not your ribs, honey?"
"No…it hurts below my ribcage…" Keith breathed.
"Mom," Laurie stepped up to the scene. "I think that's where his spleen is."
Shirley looked up, her eyes wide. "Are you sure, Laurie?"
She nodded. "It was on my final in anatomy."
Had Ralph's blow ruptured Keith's spleen? If so, Keith was in a lot of danger! Swallowing, Shirley clutched her son's hand, not daring say anything.
There was a siren outside, getting louder by the second.
"Here comes the ambulance!" Chris announced as he and Tracy ran out the door.
"Kids! Don't bother them…Laurie, go get them, will you?"
Laurie obeyed her, following them outside. "Chris, Tracy, come back inside!" she cried. The ambulance was now sitting at the curb, lights flashing eerily in the darkness, and Laurie noticed Reuben's car pulling into the driveway.
It was chaos for a moment: the paramedics bustling to get their equipment, Chris and Tracy, having ignored Laurie's orders, jumping around the lawn excitedly, and Reuben getting out of his car, looking totally flabbergasted.
"Laurie, what's going on?"
"It's Keith…he's having terrible stomach pains. Oh, Reuben, Mom will be so happy you're here!" Now, Laurie burst into tears, and the manager put his arm around her, walking her back to the house, following the paramedics in.
The medics went right to Keith, taking their equipment out and began working on him as Reuben and Laurie stepped in.
"Shirley?" Reuben asked.
Having moved out of the paramedics way, Shirley joined him and Laurie. "Oh, Reuben, I think his spleen's been ruptured!"
Danny gaped at his mother. Her words sounded like serious consequences for Keith!
"He'll be okay, Shirley…" Reuben soothed. He wanted to add something about tomorrow's show gone kaput, but he held his tongue. It was small stuff, anyway, compared to Keith's well-being. "Boy, did this family run over a black cat or something? You've had nothing but bad luck all day!" He shook his head.
Danny whirled, staring. That was it! The chain letter! It had to be! First, Keith got hurt, then Laurie's shopping spree was a bust, then he fell off his skateboard…and now, Keith had a ruptured spleen! He didn't exactly know what that was, but it sounded awfully serious!
With a sudden burst, Danny bolted for the stairs, unnoticed in the confusion. He had to get that letter!
He practically dived into his bedroom, grabbing the trash can and dumping it on the floor. Pawing through the papers, he began to panic. It wasn't there! Where could it have gone…? Wait! Punky. He had it last!
He searched some more, then scoured the room, pulling books off shelves, looking in and under the bed. He came up empty. There was only one solution; Punky had it with him. So, back down the stairs it was.
The paramedics had put Keith on a huge stretcher and were wheeling him toward the door when Danny reappeared. Shirley was gathering her purse and sweater, talking to Laurie.
"Look for the insurance papers and bring them to me in the emergency room, okay? Danny will have to stay here with Chris and Tracy."
"Sure, Mom." Laurie sounded almost dazed.
Danny gulped, watching as they took Keith out the door. Reuben and Shirley followed right behind.
Laurie hurried for the stairs, her face almost as pale as Keith's had been. "Danny, watch the kids. I've got to find those papers."
"Can I use the phone?"
"Whatever, but don't stay on too long. Mom will probably call once they get to the hospital." Laurie called as she ran up the stairs.
Danny made a mad dash for the telephone. As he dialed, he looked around for Chris and Tracy. They were standing by the door, watching the activities going on outside, and he nodded, waiting for Punky - or anyone- to answer.
Finally! "Mr. Lazaar, is Punky there, please? This is Danny Partridge."
Keeping an eye on his siblings, Danny waited yet again, then: "Punky, it's me. Do you have the chain letter? Yeah, I need it! I'll explain when you get here! Punky, please, I need it tonight!" He looked harried. "Well, how long did it say I had to answer it? Oh, no! Then I really need it tonight! Come on, Punk, bring it over, will you? No, I can't come and get it, I'm babysitting!" He frowned in Chris and Tracy's directions. "Okay, okay, I'll come and get it. See you in a little bit. Meet me in front of your house. Bye." Shaking his head, Danny hung up the phone.
He called to Chris and Tracy. "Chris, come here!"
Chris turned from the doorway, and Danny saw the ambulance pulling away. As it did, the siren went on, staying rather loud for a minute, then slowly fading away into the night. "What?"
"I've gotta run over to Punky's. Laurie's upstairs, looking for some papers. You and Tracy sit here and don't move a muscle until one of us gets back."
"Why should we?" Chris looked skeptical.
"Because if you don't, I'll tell Mrs. Monahan to come over and sit with you until I do get back, that's why!"
Chris's eyes widened. "Okay, okay, we'll stay here."
"Thanks. I'll only be a minute. If Laurie comes back down, tell her where I went."
"Won't she be mad?"
"I don't care. This is a matter of life or death." The last words seemed to startle him, and Danny swallowed, starting for the front door.
continued...