A PARTRIDGE FAMILY REUNION, Part 3
It was after eleven A.M. when Keith finally padded downstairs. The morning had been unusually kind; he felt so rested and refreshed it was almost scary. For the first night in a long time, he'd slept more than four hours.
The house seemed spookily quiet, but a mix of wonderful odors coaxed him into the kitchen, where he found a note taped to the oven door: 'Keith, your breakfast is warming as promised. The girls and I went shopping. See you later, love, Mom.'
Eagerly, he pulled the tray of eggs, toast, bacon and hash browns from the rack and set it on the table, his stomach growling happily. Now that he was home, perhaps he could gain back the weight he'd lost these past couple of months. As he went to the refrigerator for juice, Chris came in the back door, dressed as if he were Oscar Madison or something, which was unusual for him. He was always more of the Felix Unger type and Danny had always been the sloppy one.
"Great, you're up." Chris adjusted the ball cap on his head. "Danny and a bunch of the guys are getting a baseball game up over at Mueller Park. Want to come?"
Sitting before his feast, Keith shrugged. "Sure, but let me get some energy first." He eyed Chris's getup with amusement. "Did you and Danny switch bodies or something?"
"Hey, don't get nasty. I just thought I'd dress…casually today."
"The airline lost your luggage, didn't it?"
Chris smiled. "Just hurry up and eat. We need a right fielder."
Keith brought a loaded fork up to his mouth. "I'll meet you there in twenty minutes."
Sighing, Chris went out the back door.
###
In right field, Keith, dressed in a tank top and jeans, stood where he'd been assigned by the 'coach,' Danny's old friend Punky Lazaar, now twenty-six and a writer for the San Pueblo Times. Danny was pitching and Chris stood in left field. It was a little surreal to be playing this game today with the kids from the old neighborhood; everyone having grown into adulthood, with kids, wives, and lives of their own. It was almost like time had stopped for Keith. He didn't feel any older, and he certainly didn't look it. The guys who had been ten and eleven years old back then were the ones who had changed the most. Both Chris and Danny were now taller and heavier than he was, and they were a good five years younger.
"Hey, Keith!" Danny was calling from the pitcher's mound. "We've got a lefty up. Get ready!"
Keith waved his acknowledgement and waited, watching the batter. The pitch was thrown, horsehide and walnut made contact and sure enough, the ball sailed toward him in a high arc. Keith began to pedal backwards, keeping his eye on the orb that was dropping closer and closer with every step. As he reached out with the glove, the ball plopped into it, but his momentum kept him falling back. With a clang, he hit the fence, his left shoulder smacking the metal pole. Down he went, crying out in pain and clutching his stinging shoulder. And to top it all off, the ball had the nerve to fall onto the grass.
Chris and Danny were at his side in seconds as he sat there, hunched over, his fingers grabbing at his now numb arm.
"Where'd you hit?" Chris pushed him forward even farther, his eyes and fingers scanning Keith's back.
"Shoulder…I must've hit the pole," Keith said through his teeth.
"Can you move your fingers?"
Keith wriggled them as Chris ran his hand up and down his left arm.
"It's already swelling," Chris muttered, glancing up at Danny. "Come on, let's get him home and get some ice on this."
The two boys helped their brother up.
^^^^
At the kitchen table, Danny pressed the ice bag to Keith's shoulder as his older brother gingerly held his wounded limb. Chris was fashioning a sling from a dishtowel while his brothers watched, impressed.
"Is it still hurting?" Chris asked.
"Yes, it's still hurting," Keith almost snapped, " Why do I need a sling?"
"To take the pressure off your shoulder." Chris held the sling up for inspection. "There. How's that look?"
"Great. You can hide a lot of contraband in there. You know, cookies, chips…" Danny grinned.
Chris and Keith laughed as Chris gently slipped the sling over Keith's head and eased his arm into it.
"I will be able to play the guitar after this, won't I?"
"I don't know. Did you actually play before?" Chris teased.
Keith's jaw tensed. "Hey, I still have one good arm here."
"I know, I know. I was kidding. Yes, you should have complete and normal function in your arm once it heals."
"Which will be…when?"
"I'd give it at least a week. Just don't use it. Pretend it's not there, and you should be okay."
"Easy for you to say." Keith muttered.
"If everything's okay here, I'm gonna go back to the park." Danny stood up. "I was pitching the perfect game until that bugger nailed that ball."
"Have fun," Keith looked up at his redheaded brother.
"You, too," Danny mussed Keith's hair, grabbed his glove and was off.
Chris pulled out a chair and sat opposite his brother. Putting his hands on both sides of Keith's jaw, he began to press lightly, working his way down his neck.
"What are you doing?"
"It's just a routine check," Chris answered, his hands expertly moving along, finally ending up under Keith's arms. He looked up. "I know you've felt tired lately, and your diet's a disaster because of your touring, but has anything else been out of the ordinary?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Weird stuff. Have you had, say, back pain, night sweats?"
Keith tensed. "Yeah, actually. Especially the back pain. I thought maybe I pulled a muscle or something."
Chris's fingers were still under Keith's right arm, and Keith swallowed, trying to read his face. "What, is all of it connected or something?"
After a moment of silent thought and a little finger pressure, Chris pulled his hand away. "I'm not sure. I'd have to read up on it. Hopefully it's nothing." Chris smiled. "You should go lie down and put the ice bag under that shoulder. You've got one doozy of a bruise back there. Want some aspirin for the pain?"
Keith shook his head, feeling a little nauseous now. Chris helped him up and grabbed the ice bag as the two of them headed for the stairs.
^^^
Chris sat at the table, several medical books spread open before him. Danny entered the kitchen, his face smudged but happy, and tossed his glove on the counter. "We won. By one point, but we pulled it off."
"Good," Chris said absently as his brother opened the fridge, pulling out a cold can of soda.
Popping open the can, Danny took a huge swig, looking over at the medical library on the table. "What, you have a test or something?"
Chris looked up. "Huh? Oh, no…I'm just doing a little research. Is Keith down here?"
"Why, does he have a test?" Danny grinned, plopping into a chair across from his sibling.
"You could say that." Chris said solemnly, closing the book in his hand and leaning back in his chair. He blew out a big breath. "Danny, I think Keith may have Hodgkin's.
Danny looked perplexed. "What's that?"
"A form of lymphoma." Chris looked up. To Danny's still bewildered expression, he tried to simplify it. "Cancer."
Danny reacted as if he were slapped. Putting the soda down, he stared at Chris. "You're kidding."
Chris shook his head, his eyes sad behind the lenses. "I wish I were."
Danny swallowed hard. "Does he know?"
"No, and I'm not even sure it is Hodgkin's. But he has all the symptoms. Weight loss, fatigue…"
"He's been on a rough tour, for hell's sake!" Danny sat forward, looking angry. "You know how that can take a toll on you!"
Chris gave him a hard look, continuing. "Back pain, night sweats…he also has an enlarged node in his right armpit. I felt it myself when I did a little check on him."
Closing his eyes, Danny fell against the back of the chair. "Crap," was all he said.
"He needs a biopsy to confirm it. I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but…" Chris's voice trailed off into silence. He took another shaky breath, and this time his voice broke. "I don't know how to tell him…what to tell him." He took off his glasses, wiping his eyes wearily as Shirley, Laurie and Tracy entered through the back door.
Their arms were full of packages, but they could sense the heaviness in the room. They all three stopped.
"What's wrong?" Shirley's eyes went from son to son.
"Well…" Chris began, quickly putting his glasses back on.
"Nothing. Well, not 'nothing,' exactly. Keith got banged up during a baseball game we had over at Mueller's Park." Danny cut him off.
"What happened?" Shirley put her packages on the counter.
"He slammed his shoulder into a fence pole. Chris took care of him. Had to put his arm in a sling. He's okay, though. He's resting upstairs." Danny smiled, trying to ease their minds.
Tracy glanced at her mother. "Should we check on him?"
"Go ahead. See if he needs anything, and Laurie and I'll put this stuff away." Shirley nodded. As Tracy hurried out, Shirley opened the cupboard door. "The way you two looked, I thought maybe someone had died."
Chris and Danny exchanged somber looks as Laurie went to pick up one of Chris's books on the table.
"What's all this? Studying again?"
Chris tried his best not to snatch the book from her while Danny began to pile the rest up. "Yeah. You know how it goes…it never ends. I'll get this out of your way."
"It's not in the way, honey, you can leave them there. We'll be finished here in a little bit, then you can go back to your studies," Shirley said.
"Actually, I'm through now. Danny, you want to help me back upstairs with these?"
"Yeah, sure. You can check Keith's arm while we're up there. Maybe the swelling's gone down on his shoulder."
The two boys moved quickly, taking a stack each and heading out of the kitchen.
###
Tracy was sitting facing Keith on the bed as he sat with three pillows propped up behind him, his legs crossed at the ankles, when Chris and Danny came into the room with the books.
"Hey, how's it going?" Chris asked.
"You mean, besides going out of my mind with boredom? Are you sure I have to wear this thing? It's hot." Keith indicated the sling.
"Yes. Like I told you, it's to keep the pressure off your shoulder." Chris took the books from Danny, setting them on the dresser.
Tracy reached over, pinching Keith's knee. "If you don't need anything, I'm going to go call Ken."
"Thanks, darlin'," Keith winked at her. "If I think of something, these two goof offs will get it for me."
"Good luck," Tracy grinned.
"'Swat you think. I'm gonna get a Coke, a pizza and watch a movie downstairs." Danny looked up to see Chris looking at him, shaking his head.
"I thought you were going to help me," Chris said evenly.
"Do what?"
"Check his arm." Chris's voice got deeper.
"Oh, yeah. I guess I could do that." Danny nodded.
"Okay, okay, I'm going. Do your…guy things." Tracy waved, exiting.
Keith noticed the exchange and he rubbed his arm under the sling. "Okay, you two. What gives?"
"What do you mean?"
"There's obviously something going on here that involves me. Want to let me in on it?"
Danny and Chris glanced at one another. Danny nodded, sitting on the other bed. "Yeah. Uh, Chris has something to tell you."
Keith looked at his youngest brother, curious, now. "Oh?"
Chris took a big breath, taking a seat next to Danny, looking at the redhead rather apprehensively.
"Does this have something to do with that little exam you gave me?" Keith asked.
Chris nodded, feeling nauseous. "You have all the symptoms of Hodgkin's. The…night sweats, the back pain, fatigue, weight loss…the swelling in your armpit."
Keith stared at them, his face not registering any expression. "Hodgkin's. That's cancer, isn't it?" he said after a moment.
Chris nodded, his stomach churning. His first real diagnosis and it had to be his own brother. Suddenly, he didn't want to be a doctor anymore. He stood up. "I could be wrong. You're gonna need a biopsy." He turned away from Keith's gaze.
Keith gave a little chuckle, his eyes, sparkling with tears, now focused on the ceiling. "Wow. Cancer…it's a pretty scary word, isn't it?"
"It could be nothing," Danny reached over, gently nudging Keith's foot. "I mean…what are the odds? So you have a lump under your arm. It could be benign." He tried to be cheerful.
Keith nodded, wiping his eyes with the shoulder of his shirt. "Yeah, sure, it could be, I guess." He hauled in a breath. "Do Mom and the girls…do they know any of this?"
Chris looked at him. "No."
"Let's keep it between us, then, okay? Not until I have this…biopsy or whatever."
"The sooner you get it done, the better. I can go in with you." Chris sat down again, this time next to Keith.
Keith nodded as there was a knock on the door. The three boys looked up to see Shirley enter.
"Sorry to interrupt your powwow, fellas, but Reuben's downstairs. He says he has something important to ask us."
"Knowing Rueben, it's 'Can I stay for dinner?'" Danny smirked.
"I already asked him to," Shirley smiled, entering further. "How's your arm, honey?" she asked Keith.
"Sore. It's a good thing your youngest son's a doctor. He saved me a couple hundred bucks."
"Wait until you get my bill," Chris forced a smile.
Shirley went to Keith. "Mind if I look at it, just to satisfy my curiosity?"
Keith shrugged his good shoulder. "Sure, if you want." He leaned forward.
Chris reached over, pulling the tank top up and exposing the bruise. Keith's shoulder blade was a dark purple and Shirley winced.
"Oh, my…" she said, looking it over.
"That bad, huh?" Keith saw his mother's face.
"Oh, not at all, if you like bruises. And that one's a hummer," Danny craned his neck to see.
"Are you sure it's not broken?" Shirley glanced at Chris.
"I don't think so, but we could take him in for an x-ray."
"I think that would be a very good idea." Shirley nodded. "I'll get the car."
Chris and the others looked apprehensive. "I'll take him, Mom. I can probably get it done for him for free."
"Okay, honey. The car keys are on the peg in the kitchen. I'll tell Reuben that his news will just have to wait."
"You mean you want us to go now?" Keith looked nervous.
"Yes, now. If it is broken, you don't want it to get any worse, do you?"
Keith looked up at Chris. "No, I guess not."
Shirley smiled. "Then you'd better get cracking. I'll see you downstairs." She left the room.
Keith sighed, leaning back against the pillow.
###
"He did what?!" Reuben exclaimed the second he heard of Keith's accident. His usually harried features were even more pronounced, and he appeared unsteady for just a moment.
"He and a fence had an unpleasant meeting. His arm's in a sling, and his shoulder is horribly bruised," Shirley answered. "Chris is taking him in for an x-ray. We're hoping it's not broken. Why?"
Reuben moaned, sitting on the sofa arm. He clutched at his hair, still thick after all this time. The Partridges exchanged bemused glances as Laurie went to the older man, putting a caring hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Well, I was…" Reuben looked skyward. "Why me? Is it because I decided not to enter the priesthood after that incident in the foxhole? Is that it?"
"Reuben, what are you talking about?" Shirley put a hand on her hip. Now she was bursting with curiosity, as were the girls.
"It's futile now, Shirley. I'm sorry, but I just can't. Not with…him like that."
"Like what?"
"With his arm in a cast…"
"It's not in a cast, Reuben, it's in a sling," Shirley corrected.
"Cast, sling, what difference does it make? He still can't play the guitar."
"I'm sorry, I think we missed something here." Laurie looked as confused as the others.
"Yes, Reuben, you're leaving something out. Start from the beginning," Shirley pleaded.
The former manager took a deep breath as Chris, Danny and Keith descended the stairs. Seeing the sling, Reuben jumped up. "You're sure you can't move your arm? Not even to hold a guitar?"
"What are you talking about?" Keith backed up defensively as Reuben ran to him.
The manager let out another loud sigh. "When the mayor found out that you were all in town, he declared Saturday 'Partridge Family Day.' He wanted to know if you would do a reunion concert at the Pavilion. Part of the proceeds will be going to the new Children's Center."
The news brought a mixed reaction from the Group. While Keith was suddenly very attentive, the others looked a little hesitant.
"I don't know…it's been so long," Shirley said.
"I think it's great! We'd need a lot of rehearsal time, but we could do it." Keith's countenance was all but glowing now.
"But your arm," Laurie pointed out.
"I don't have to play, do I?" Keith looked at Reuben.
"No, I guess not…" Reuben's sorrowful look was slowly disappearing. "Then, you're saying, you'll do it?"
"We'll talk about it," Shirley affirmed. "After Chris and Keith come back from the hospital."
"She's not giving up, is she?" Keith looked at his taller little brother.
"Doesn't look like it," Chris smiled. "Come on, let's make her happy, just this once." He opened the front door.
continued...
It was after eleven A.M. when Keith finally padded downstairs. The morning had been unusually kind; he felt so rested and refreshed it was almost scary. For the first night in a long time, he'd slept more than four hours.
The house seemed spookily quiet, but a mix of wonderful odors coaxed him into the kitchen, where he found a note taped to the oven door: 'Keith, your breakfast is warming as promised. The girls and I went shopping. See you later, love, Mom.'
Eagerly, he pulled the tray of eggs, toast, bacon and hash browns from the rack and set it on the table, his stomach growling happily. Now that he was home, perhaps he could gain back the weight he'd lost these past couple of months. As he went to the refrigerator for juice, Chris came in the back door, dressed as if he were Oscar Madison or something, which was unusual for him. He was always more of the Felix Unger type and Danny had always been the sloppy one.
"Great, you're up." Chris adjusted the ball cap on his head. "Danny and a bunch of the guys are getting a baseball game up over at Mueller Park. Want to come?"
Sitting before his feast, Keith shrugged. "Sure, but let me get some energy first." He eyed Chris's getup with amusement. "Did you and Danny switch bodies or something?"
"Hey, don't get nasty. I just thought I'd dress…casually today."
"The airline lost your luggage, didn't it?"
Chris smiled. "Just hurry up and eat. We need a right fielder."
Keith brought a loaded fork up to his mouth. "I'll meet you there in twenty minutes."
Sighing, Chris went out the back door.
###
In right field, Keith, dressed in a tank top and jeans, stood where he'd been assigned by the 'coach,' Danny's old friend Punky Lazaar, now twenty-six and a writer for the San Pueblo Times. Danny was pitching and Chris stood in left field. It was a little surreal to be playing this game today with the kids from the old neighborhood; everyone having grown into adulthood, with kids, wives, and lives of their own. It was almost like time had stopped for Keith. He didn't feel any older, and he certainly didn't look it. The guys who had been ten and eleven years old back then were the ones who had changed the most. Both Chris and Danny were now taller and heavier than he was, and they were a good five years younger.
"Hey, Keith!" Danny was calling from the pitcher's mound. "We've got a lefty up. Get ready!"
Keith waved his acknowledgement and waited, watching the batter. The pitch was thrown, horsehide and walnut made contact and sure enough, the ball sailed toward him in a high arc. Keith began to pedal backwards, keeping his eye on the orb that was dropping closer and closer with every step. As he reached out with the glove, the ball plopped into it, but his momentum kept him falling back. With a clang, he hit the fence, his left shoulder smacking the metal pole. Down he went, crying out in pain and clutching his stinging shoulder. And to top it all off, the ball had the nerve to fall onto the grass.
Chris and Danny were at his side in seconds as he sat there, hunched over, his fingers grabbing at his now numb arm.
"Where'd you hit?" Chris pushed him forward even farther, his eyes and fingers scanning Keith's back.
"Shoulder…I must've hit the pole," Keith said through his teeth.
"Can you move your fingers?"
Keith wriggled them as Chris ran his hand up and down his left arm.
"It's already swelling," Chris muttered, glancing up at Danny. "Come on, let's get him home and get some ice on this."
The two boys helped their brother up.
^^^^
At the kitchen table, Danny pressed the ice bag to Keith's shoulder as his older brother gingerly held his wounded limb. Chris was fashioning a sling from a dishtowel while his brothers watched, impressed.
"Is it still hurting?" Chris asked.
"Yes, it's still hurting," Keith almost snapped, " Why do I need a sling?"
"To take the pressure off your shoulder." Chris held the sling up for inspection. "There. How's that look?"
"Great. You can hide a lot of contraband in there. You know, cookies, chips…" Danny grinned.
Chris and Keith laughed as Chris gently slipped the sling over Keith's head and eased his arm into it.
"I will be able to play the guitar after this, won't I?"
"I don't know. Did you actually play before?" Chris teased.
Keith's jaw tensed. "Hey, I still have one good arm here."
"I know, I know. I was kidding. Yes, you should have complete and normal function in your arm once it heals."
"Which will be…when?"
"I'd give it at least a week. Just don't use it. Pretend it's not there, and you should be okay."
"Easy for you to say." Keith muttered.
"If everything's okay here, I'm gonna go back to the park." Danny stood up. "I was pitching the perfect game until that bugger nailed that ball."
"Have fun," Keith looked up at his redheaded brother.
"You, too," Danny mussed Keith's hair, grabbed his glove and was off.
Chris pulled out a chair and sat opposite his brother. Putting his hands on both sides of Keith's jaw, he began to press lightly, working his way down his neck.
"What are you doing?"
"It's just a routine check," Chris answered, his hands expertly moving along, finally ending up under Keith's arms. He looked up. "I know you've felt tired lately, and your diet's a disaster because of your touring, but has anything else been out of the ordinary?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Weird stuff. Have you had, say, back pain, night sweats?"
Keith tensed. "Yeah, actually. Especially the back pain. I thought maybe I pulled a muscle or something."
Chris's fingers were still under Keith's right arm, and Keith swallowed, trying to read his face. "What, is all of it connected or something?"
After a moment of silent thought and a little finger pressure, Chris pulled his hand away. "I'm not sure. I'd have to read up on it. Hopefully it's nothing." Chris smiled. "You should go lie down and put the ice bag under that shoulder. You've got one doozy of a bruise back there. Want some aspirin for the pain?"
Keith shook his head, feeling a little nauseous now. Chris helped him up and grabbed the ice bag as the two of them headed for the stairs.
^^^
Chris sat at the table, several medical books spread open before him. Danny entered the kitchen, his face smudged but happy, and tossed his glove on the counter. "We won. By one point, but we pulled it off."
"Good," Chris said absently as his brother opened the fridge, pulling out a cold can of soda.
Popping open the can, Danny took a huge swig, looking over at the medical library on the table. "What, you have a test or something?"
Chris looked up. "Huh? Oh, no…I'm just doing a little research. Is Keith down here?"
"Why, does he have a test?" Danny grinned, plopping into a chair across from his sibling.
"You could say that." Chris said solemnly, closing the book in his hand and leaning back in his chair. He blew out a big breath. "Danny, I think Keith may have Hodgkin's.
Danny looked perplexed. "What's that?"
"A form of lymphoma." Chris looked up. To Danny's still bewildered expression, he tried to simplify it. "Cancer."
Danny reacted as if he were slapped. Putting the soda down, he stared at Chris. "You're kidding."
Chris shook his head, his eyes sad behind the lenses. "I wish I were."
Danny swallowed hard. "Does he know?"
"No, and I'm not even sure it is Hodgkin's. But he has all the symptoms. Weight loss, fatigue…"
"He's been on a rough tour, for hell's sake!" Danny sat forward, looking angry. "You know how that can take a toll on you!"
Chris gave him a hard look, continuing. "Back pain, night sweats…he also has an enlarged node in his right armpit. I felt it myself when I did a little check on him."
Closing his eyes, Danny fell against the back of the chair. "Crap," was all he said.
"He needs a biopsy to confirm it. I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but…" Chris's voice trailed off into silence. He took another shaky breath, and this time his voice broke. "I don't know how to tell him…what to tell him." He took off his glasses, wiping his eyes wearily as Shirley, Laurie and Tracy entered through the back door.
Their arms were full of packages, but they could sense the heaviness in the room. They all three stopped.
"What's wrong?" Shirley's eyes went from son to son.
"Well…" Chris began, quickly putting his glasses back on.
"Nothing. Well, not 'nothing,' exactly. Keith got banged up during a baseball game we had over at Mueller's Park." Danny cut him off.
"What happened?" Shirley put her packages on the counter.
"He slammed his shoulder into a fence pole. Chris took care of him. Had to put his arm in a sling. He's okay, though. He's resting upstairs." Danny smiled, trying to ease their minds.
Tracy glanced at her mother. "Should we check on him?"
"Go ahead. See if he needs anything, and Laurie and I'll put this stuff away." Shirley nodded. As Tracy hurried out, Shirley opened the cupboard door. "The way you two looked, I thought maybe someone had died."
Chris and Danny exchanged somber looks as Laurie went to pick up one of Chris's books on the table.
"What's all this? Studying again?"
Chris tried his best not to snatch the book from her while Danny began to pile the rest up. "Yeah. You know how it goes…it never ends. I'll get this out of your way."
"It's not in the way, honey, you can leave them there. We'll be finished here in a little bit, then you can go back to your studies," Shirley said.
"Actually, I'm through now. Danny, you want to help me back upstairs with these?"
"Yeah, sure. You can check Keith's arm while we're up there. Maybe the swelling's gone down on his shoulder."
The two boys moved quickly, taking a stack each and heading out of the kitchen.
###
Tracy was sitting facing Keith on the bed as he sat with three pillows propped up behind him, his legs crossed at the ankles, when Chris and Danny came into the room with the books.
"Hey, how's it going?" Chris asked.
"You mean, besides going out of my mind with boredom? Are you sure I have to wear this thing? It's hot." Keith indicated the sling.
"Yes. Like I told you, it's to keep the pressure off your shoulder." Chris took the books from Danny, setting them on the dresser.
Tracy reached over, pinching Keith's knee. "If you don't need anything, I'm going to go call Ken."
"Thanks, darlin'," Keith winked at her. "If I think of something, these two goof offs will get it for me."
"Good luck," Tracy grinned.
"'Swat you think. I'm gonna get a Coke, a pizza and watch a movie downstairs." Danny looked up to see Chris looking at him, shaking his head.
"I thought you were going to help me," Chris said evenly.
"Do what?"
"Check his arm." Chris's voice got deeper.
"Oh, yeah. I guess I could do that." Danny nodded.
"Okay, okay, I'm going. Do your…guy things." Tracy waved, exiting.
Keith noticed the exchange and he rubbed his arm under the sling. "Okay, you two. What gives?"
"What do you mean?"
"There's obviously something going on here that involves me. Want to let me in on it?"
Danny and Chris glanced at one another. Danny nodded, sitting on the other bed. "Yeah. Uh, Chris has something to tell you."
Keith looked at his youngest brother, curious, now. "Oh?"
Chris took a big breath, taking a seat next to Danny, looking at the redhead rather apprehensively.
"Does this have something to do with that little exam you gave me?" Keith asked.
Chris nodded, feeling nauseous. "You have all the symptoms of Hodgkin's. The…night sweats, the back pain, fatigue, weight loss…the swelling in your armpit."
Keith stared at them, his face not registering any expression. "Hodgkin's. That's cancer, isn't it?" he said after a moment.
Chris nodded, his stomach churning. His first real diagnosis and it had to be his own brother. Suddenly, he didn't want to be a doctor anymore. He stood up. "I could be wrong. You're gonna need a biopsy." He turned away from Keith's gaze.
Keith gave a little chuckle, his eyes, sparkling with tears, now focused on the ceiling. "Wow. Cancer…it's a pretty scary word, isn't it?"
"It could be nothing," Danny reached over, gently nudging Keith's foot. "I mean…what are the odds? So you have a lump under your arm. It could be benign." He tried to be cheerful.
Keith nodded, wiping his eyes with the shoulder of his shirt. "Yeah, sure, it could be, I guess." He hauled in a breath. "Do Mom and the girls…do they know any of this?"
Chris looked at him. "No."
"Let's keep it between us, then, okay? Not until I have this…biopsy or whatever."
"The sooner you get it done, the better. I can go in with you." Chris sat down again, this time next to Keith.
Keith nodded as there was a knock on the door. The three boys looked up to see Shirley enter.
"Sorry to interrupt your powwow, fellas, but Reuben's downstairs. He says he has something important to ask us."
"Knowing Rueben, it's 'Can I stay for dinner?'" Danny smirked.
"I already asked him to," Shirley smiled, entering further. "How's your arm, honey?" she asked Keith.
"Sore. It's a good thing your youngest son's a doctor. He saved me a couple hundred bucks."
"Wait until you get my bill," Chris forced a smile.
Shirley went to Keith. "Mind if I look at it, just to satisfy my curiosity?"
Keith shrugged his good shoulder. "Sure, if you want." He leaned forward.
Chris reached over, pulling the tank top up and exposing the bruise. Keith's shoulder blade was a dark purple and Shirley winced.
"Oh, my…" she said, looking it over.
"That bad, huh?" Keith saw his mother's face.
"Oh, not at all, if you like bruises. And that one's a hummer," Danny craned his neck to see.
"Are you sure it's not broken?" Shirley glanced at Chris.
"I don't think so, but we could take him in for an x-ray."
"I think that would be a very good idea." Shirley nodded. "I'll get the car."
Chris and the others looked apprehensive. "I'll take him, Mom. I can probably get it done for him for free."
"Okay, honey. The car keys are on the peg in the kitchen. I'll tell Reuben that his news will just have to wait."
"You mean you want us to go now?" Keith looked nervous.
"Yes, now. If it is broken, you don't want it to get any worse, do you?"
Keith looked up at Chris. "No, I guess not."
Shirley smiled. "Then you'd better get cracking. I'll see you downstairs." She left the room.
Keith sighed, leaning back against the pillow.
###
"He did what?!" Reuben exclaimed the second he heard of Keith's accident. His usually harried features were even more pronounced, and he appeared unsteady for just a moment.
"He and a fence had an unpleasant meeting. His arm's in a sling, and his shoulder is horribly bruised," Shirley answered. "Chris is taking him in for an x-ray. We're hoping it's not broken. Why?"
Reuben moaned, sitting on the sofa arm. He clutched at his hair, still thick after all this time. The Partridges exchanged bemused glances as Laurie went to the older man, putting a caring hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Well, I was…" Reuben looked skyward. "Why me? Is it because I decided not to enter the priesthood after that incident in the foxhole? Is that it?"
"Reuben, what are you talking about?" Shirley put a hand on her hip. Now she was bursting with curiosity, as were the girls.
"It's futile now, Shirley. I'm sorry, but I just can't. Not with…him like that."
"Like what?"
"With his arm in a cast…"
"It's not in a cast, Reuben, it's in a sling," Shirley corrected.
"Cast, sling, what difference does it make? He still can't play the guitar."
"I'm sorry, I think we missed something here." Laurie looked as confused as the others.
"Yes, Reuben, you're leaving something out. Start from the beginning," Shirley pleaded.
The former manager took a deep breath as Chris, Danny and Keith descended the stairs. Seeing the sling, Reuben jumped up. "You're sure you can't move your arm? Not even to hold a guitar?"
"What are you talking about?" Keith backed up defensively as Reuben ran to him.
The manager let out another loud sigh. "When the mayor found out that you were all in town, he declared Saturday 'Partridge Family Day.' He wanted to know if you would do a reunion concert at the Pavilion. Part of the proceeds will be going to the new Children's Center."
The news brought a mixed reaction from the Group. While Keith was suddenly very attentive, the others looked a little hesitant.
"I don't know…it's been so long," Shirley said.
"I think it's great! We'd need a lot of rehearsal time, but we could do it." Keith's countenance was all but glowing now.
"But your arm," Laurie pointed out.
"I don't have to play, do I?" Keith looked at Reuben.
"No, I guess not…" Reuben's sorrowful look was slowly disappearing. "Then, you're saying, you'll do it?"
"We'll talk about it," Shirley affirmed. "After Chris and Keith come back from the hospital."
"She's not giving up, is she?" Keith looked at his taller little brother.
"Doesn't look like it," Chris smiled. "Come on, let's make her happy, just this once." He opened the front door.
continued...