A PARTRIDGE FAMILY REUNION, Part 5
Ken Murdock was everything Tracy had said he was, tall, handsome, blond and very charismatic. Laurie surmised that the actor's life was perfect for him, because if he was nervous about meeting his future in-laws, he wasn't showing it. He'd joked around with Danny and Chris, and all but fawned over Keith; he'd even managed to charm her, Laurie Partridge, feminist. He'd bowled Mom over, too, Laurie observed, but then again, Mom had met him before and knew what to expect.
Right now, they were discussing show business; the ins and outs of being famous. Thus far, Laurie noted that Keith had been on the quiet side of the conversations, and rightly so. He looked tired, frazzled; nearly debilitated.
"I don't know…I hear a lot of complaints about how terrible it is to be recognized, but I don't see it," Ken was saying. "Tell me, is it that bad?"
"Well, as with everything, it's got a good and bad side." Shirley answered. She laughed. "Keith would be the one to ask on that one. He's been through it all."
Ken turned to Keith, sitting across the room in the director's chair he'd bought with his first real paycheck. "I can imagine. Tell me, Keith, what's so bad about this fame stuff?"
Keith hauled in a deep breath. "Well, it stifles your independence, for one thing. Freedom can be non-existent. You can't live like a normal human being. No just running to the store because you're out of milk. You just might not come back."
"Keith's right. He's been in some very precarious situations. We've very nearly lost him more than once," Shirley smiled at her son, reaching over and squeezing his knee.
Laurie saw Keith veritably tense, swallowing hard. She sat forward. "Then again, on the upside, it's not so bad when you're asked to meet the Queen, or sing for the President."
Ken looked impressed. "You've done those things?"
"Sure," Danny shrugged modestly. "I got sick on the White House lawn."
Everyone laughed, and Keith was grateful for the diversion. He rubbed his arm in the sling. "If you'll all excuse me, I think I'd better hit the sack…I've got an awful lot of work ahead of me in the morning, getting this ragtag band back to it's former greatness."
"No problem," Ken looked at Tracy. "I'd best be getting back to my hotel, anyway. I will call you in the morning."
She smiled, rising up off the couch with him. "I'll walk you to your car."
"Okay." Grinning, Ken turned to the Family. "Thanks for your hospitality. Dinner was wonderful, Mrs. Partridge, and it was both a pleasure and dream come true meeting all of you." He stepped forward, extending his hand to Keith. "You, especially, Keith. I really am one of your biggest fans."
Keith accepted the handshake and the compliment with the biggest smile he could muster. "Thanks, it's good to know someone out there likes my work. Let's hope you don't change your mind, once you become part of the family."
Ken laughed, shaking his head. "Never in a million years. Thanks again, everybody." He pulled Tracy close to him. "Won't be long, now, huh?"
"No, it won't," Shirley had to swallow back some tears.
"Mother," Tracy sighed, seeing the waterworks. "There's still a week…"
"I know," Shirley smiled through the tears. She waved them away. "Out, you two, before I start blubbering!"
""Bye, Ken…will you be in town long?" Laurie asked as he and Tracy started for the door.
"Only until your show on Saturday, then it's back to L.A. to tie up some loose ends. I should be back for the wedding."
"You'd better be!" Tracy pinched his arm and he laughed, waving and letting her push him out.
"Nice boy," Shirley said approvingly.
"Yeah, he'll fit right in. If he's crazy enough to marry into this family, he deserves what he gets." Danny shook his head.
"That's for sure," Keith agreed. "Mom, you need me to do anything before I crash?"
"No, dear. You get some rest. You've had a rough day."
Rougher than you think, Keith thought. "Okay, well, goodnight, everybody. Want me to leave a light on, Chris?"
"No." Chris watched as his oldest brother started up the stairs.
He gave Laurie a knowing look and she waved Shirley towards the kitchen. "I'll help you clean up the kitchen, Mom."
"Thank you, oh, and Danny, will you see that the garage is locked? I don't want anything to happen to the equipment." Times had changed since 1975…
"Sure, Mom."
The girls left and Danny turned to Chris. "I think Keith could use a painkiller. Did you see the look on his face during dinner?"
"Yeah, I noticed. I'll go see what I can do." Chris sighed. "I just wish he'd tell Mom and Tracy and get this over with."
Danny nodded. "He will…it might take him a day or two, but he will."
Chris frowned. "He doesn't have a day or two, Danny. The longer he waits, the worse it's gonna get."
Danny swallowed. "I know." He sighed, leaning back on the counter as Chris went up the stairs.
###
Keith was hot. He moved restlessly in the bed, kicking the covers off. Feeling as if he were suffocating, he sat up, pulling his pajama top away from his body. The shirt was drenched with sweat, and Keith gasped, feeling more sweat dripping down his face. He swung his legs to the floor and sat on the edge of the bed, panting like a puppy. Standing, he stumbled to the window, pushing it open as wide as it would go. A cool breeze touched his skin and he reached up, wiping his moist forehead with the back of his hand.
Chris had told him that this was one of the symptoms of his illness. Keith was just grateful for the explanation. He'd been getting these stupid night sweats for three months, and didn't know why. It was all clear to him, now.
Chris stirred in the other bed. " Keith? What's the matter?"
"Nothing, go back to sleep."
Behind him, he heard Chris fumble for his glasses, and he swallowed, staring up and out of the open window, reveling in the breeze.
Then Chris was at his side. "You okay, bud?"
"Yeah…"
Chris put his hand on his back. "Night sweat, huh?"
"Another one. I'm getting used to them." Keith's voce was filled with bitterness.
"You still shouldn't be in the draft. Let me get your robe." Chris moved off, but Keith snapped at him.
"No! You don't need to wait on me hand and foot. I'm not an invalid."
His words surprised Chris. "I didn't mean…"
Keith's eyes were watery. There was silence, and then, "Is this what I have to look forward to? Everyone feeling sorry for me?
Dammit, Chris, I want everything back the way it was!"
Chris took a deep breath. "Me, too, Keith. I wish I could change the diagnosis, I really do, but I can't. And yes, once people find out about the cancer, they will treat you differently, but it's only because they care. They're only human, and they care!"
Keith swallowed. He knew Chris was right. But all of this was just so hard to accept. Everything had happened so fast. One minute he's playing a friendly game of softball with his brothers and their friends, and the next minute he finds out he has cancer and could very well die! He sat back down on his bed, shaking and shivering from the cold air that pierced his damp clothing.
He sobbed and Chris grabbed the robe from the foot of the bed, slipping it over his brother's shoulders. "I'm sorry…" Chris said softly, rubbing Keith's back.
Keith shook his head. "No, you're right…" he swallowed, huddling in the robe. "I'm just so confused."
"Me, too," Chris assured him, sitting on his own bed, trying not to stare at his brother.
Pulling the robe closer around him, Keith stood up.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going downstairs for a little while…maybe work on some songs. I can't sleep, anyway."
"You want another painkiller? It should knock you right out." Chris offered.
"No…all I need is to get hooked on them. Let's wait 'til I really need one, okay? I'm sure it's another thing I have to look forward to." Keith's smile was sarcastic, as was his tone.
Chris nodded, watching as Keith exited the room.
###
Keith sat at the piano in the living room, softly playing a melody with his good hand. As his fingers danced across the keys, he closed his eyes, soaking each note in. And, there, alone in the darkness, he cried.
A light came on in the hallway upstairs. As he heard someone approaching, Keith wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his robe, squinting up to see just who it was coming down.
It turned out to be Tracy, in her robe and slippers. "Who's down here?"
"It's me, Trace," Keith answered softly, hoping she wouldn't turn on another light. He'd just as soon keep it dark.
"Keith, what are you doing up?" A lamp came on behind him. Rats.
He forced a smile. "Just couldn't sleep."
She moved toward him. "Me either."
He turned to face her on the bench, looking up at her countenance. She was practically glowing, and he smiled. "The wedding, huh?"
She nodded, reaching over and absently playing with his hair. "The more I think about it, the more excited I get." She looked down at him, her eyes bright in the dimly lit room. "I didn't get a chance to ask you. What did you think of Ken?"
He chuckled. "Does it matter what I think?"
Now the smile disappeared. "Of course it does. I respect your opinion; you're my brother! And I love you."
He took her hand. "He's great, Trace. I really like him. I can see he makes you happy, and that's all I care about."
Relieved, she hugged him. "I'm so glad," she said. "Because I love him so much, I can't stand it."
He grinned. "I can see that. You didn't take your eyes off the guy the whole time he was here! I was beginning to think I was invisible."
She mussed his hair. "Yeah, right. You, Keith Partridge, invisible! That would be the day!"
He smiled at the compliment, then swallowed. "Uh, Trace, I need to talk to you."
She continued to play with the hair at his collar. "Oh? Okay."
"Let's go out on the patio. It's warm in here."
"Okay," she said again, just the tiniest bit puzzled.
He got up and she slipped her arm through his as they walked to the back door.
It was a peaceful, starry, calm night, though a bit cool, and Keith guided his little sister to two lounge chairs at the edge of the lawn.
He arranged them so that they faced one another and they each took one. Tracy was getting more and more curious as the seconds passed.
He didn't speak for a long time, and she could see him struggling to find just the right words. Finally, she sat forward, her hand on his knee. "You wanted to talk, talk."
He swallowed again. Looking at her face, so fresh and naïve, he almost backed out of it. No, he told himself. Tell her. It was only right. He took a deep breath, then, "Tracy, you know how I went to the doctor today?"
She nodded, her eyes locked into his.
"Well, they…Chris found a lump under my arm, and…" His voice weakened. "They told me I have cancer, Trace."
She gasped, sitting back in the chair, still staring at him. "Oh, Keith, no…" She shook her head.
He nodded, his eyes shining. She looked so upset, he almost apologized. In the moonlight, he saw the tears streaming down her face. She began to sob, and he reached over, taking her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She sat forward, reaching for him and he took her in, letting her weep against him there in the cool night air.
###
In the morning, there was a meeting of Partridges, upstairs, without Shirley, who still had to be told. The kids gathered in Keith's old room, and for a good hour, there wasn't a dry eye to be found.
The girls clung to Keith as he stood by the bed, on which Chris and Danny sat. All five faces were pale, drawn and blotched. The news was still hard to take, hard to fathom.
"How will you tell Mom?" was the question of the day, and Keith still didn't have a clue. He'd been over and over it in his mind. He only knew one thing. He wanted them there.
They finally decided to tell her right after breakfast, should anyone find an appetite. It wouldn't be easy, but Keith knew he had to do it. And it was making him sick.
So, the five of them made their ways downstairs, going a few at a time, so as not to raise suspicion.
Danny and Tracy went in first. Tracy had to fight from crying when she saw her mother obliviously making pancakes. Even the wonderful scent of bacon frying could not bring a smile to either of Shirley's young red-heads. Greetings were exchanged and Tracy and Danny sat down.
Chris came in alone, hoping that his sad eyes were well hidden behind his lenses, and took his place at the table.
Next came Laurie. She was dressed for the day, trying to mask her tears under the light make-up she always wore.
The younger four Partridges did their best to chat idly as Shirley, still unaware of the coming news, was only happy to serve them their meal, doing so with a naivete that nearly unnerved them.
At first it seemed as if Keith had backed out of the plan, he'd taken so long to arrive, but when he finally did, it took everyone all they had not to dissolve into tears right then and there.
Shirley noticed the silence, though for the life of her she could not fathom why these normally upbeat children were so solemn. "Is there something wrong?" she asked, scanning their faces for some sort of clue.
Laurie smiled, unfolding her napkin. "Food looks great, Mom."
"Sure does," Chris agreed.
"Just great, Mom," Tracy added, glancing at Danny.
He sat up straight, clearing his throat. "Yeah. Almost too good to eat." His eyes shifted to Keith, who remained silent for the moment.
"Well, Keith, don't you have something to say?" Shirley asked, taking a seat across from him.
He nearly jumped out of his skin. "What do you mean?"
"About the food," Shirley nodded. "Your brothers and sisters all seem to like it, how about you?" She knew something was going on, but what?
He didn't have an answer, which was just as well. Reuben knocked on the back door, then came in.
"Hi, gang. Looks like I'm right in time for breakfast." He waited for Danny's cynical comment, and when none came, he too looked puzzled.
Keith blew out a breath. This was not exactly what he'd planned on, but it would have to do. In fact, it was better. Now he could tell them together.
Reuben stepped in farther as Shirley rose, nodding him away from the table. "Shirley," he whispered, staring at the solemn assembly before them. "What's going on?"
"I don't know," Shirley whispered back. "I'm trying to find that out. They're obviously upset about something." She handed Reuben an empty plate, now speaking louder. "Of course, you're welcome to eat with us, Reuben. Go ahead and squeeze in somewhere." She flashed him a perplexed look and sat back down.
Danny and Tracy moved their settings and chairs, making room for the manager as he glanced around the table. The gloominess practically hung in the air, and he began to panic.
"You kids still plan on doing that concert tomorrow, don't you? The posters are up and the tickets are selling like hotcakes!" He looked down at the stacks of one and the same there on the table. "If you'll pardon the pun."
"Sure, Reuben, we're doing the show," Keith said quietly. "We made a promise and we intend to keep it."
Reuben looked relieved as the others nodded in agreement with Keith. "Okay, then, what's really wrong? Somebody die, or something?" He asked innocently enough.
Suddenly four pair of eyes were upon Keith and he reddened a bit, the grip on his fork tightening. Shirley cocked her head, looking at him. Apparently, he was the center of this cockamamie silence.
"Keith?"
He put down the fork, clutching the napkin and pushing away from the table. The others now looked away almost uneasily.
"I…uh…wanted to wait until after breakfast, but I guess that isn't going to happen." He got up. Shirley and Reuben watched him intently as he walked around the table. "Mom, Reuben, yesterday I found out that I have lymphoma." To his own surprise, he said it so casually! Then again, he'd had enough practice. But the look there on Shirley's face…he felt something stab him in the pit of his stomach.
There was total silence, and then Laurie and Tracy started softly crying as Shirley stood up, her face a milky white. Reuben just cringed, putting his elbows on the table and resting his forehead against his clenched hands.
"Oh, Keith, are you sure?" she looked over at Chris, who could only nod.
"Oh, yeah," Keith answered softly, fighting back tears. If ever a boy needed his mother…
She reached up, touching his face, her eyes brimming. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry…I don't…I don't know what to say!"
He swallowed hard. "You don't have to say anything…just hold me, okay?" His voice was full of anguish. "Oh, god, Mom, just hold me…"
He went forward and she pulled him to her, her arms tight around him. She sobbed in his ear as he buried his face in her collarbone, crying right along with her. Swaying, they were barely aware that all around them, everyone, including Reuben, had just let go. It was about time.
continued...
Ken Murdock was everything Tracy had said he was, tall, handsome, blond and very charismatic. Laurie surmised that the actor's life was perfect for him, because if he was nervous about meeting his future in-laws, he wasn't showing it. He'd joked around with Danny and Chris, and all but fawned over Keith; he'd even managed to charm her, Laurie Partridge, feminist. He'd bowled Mom over, too, Laurie observed, but then again, Mom had met him before and knew what to expect.
Right now, they were discussing show business; the ins and outs of being famous. Thus far, Laurie noted that Keith had been on the quiet side of the conversations, and rightly so. He looked tired, frazzled; nearly debilitated.
"I don't know…I hear a lot of complaints about how terrible it is to be recognized, but I don't see it," Ken was saying. "Tell me, is it that bad?"
"Well, as with everything, it's got a good and bad side." Shirley answered. She laughed. "Keith would be the one to ask on that one. He's been through it all."
Ken turned to Keith, sitting across the room in the director's chair he'd bought with his first real paycheck. "I can imagine. Tell me, Keith, what's so bad about this fame stuff?"
Keith hauled in a deep breath. "Well, it stifles your independence, for one thing. Freedom can be non-existent. You can't live like a normal human being. No just running to the store because you're out of milk. You just might not come back."
"Keith's right. He's been in some very precarious situations. We've very nearly lost him more than once," Shirley smiled at her son, reaching over and squeezing his knee.
Laurie saw Keith veritably tense, swallowing hard. She sat forward. "Then again, on the upside, it's not so bad when you're asked to meet the Queen, or sing for the President."
Ken looked impressed. "You've done those things?"
"Sure," Danny shrugged modestly. "I got sick on the White House lawn."
Everyone laughed, and Keith was grateful for the diversion. He rubbed his arm in the sling. "If you'll all excuse me, I think I'd better hit the sack…I've got an awful lot of work ahead of me in the morning, getting this ragtag band back to it's former greatness."
"No problem," Ken looked at Tracy. "I'd best be getting back to my hotel, anyway. I will call you in the morning."
She smiled, rising up off the couch with him. "I'll walk you to your car."
"Okay." Grinning, Ken turned to the Family. "Thanks for your hospitality. Dinner was wonderful, Mrs. Partridge, and it was both a pleasure and dream come true meeting all of you." He stepped forward, extending his hand to Keith. "You, especially, Keith. I really am one of your biggest fans."
Keith accepted the handshake and the compliment with the biggest smile he could muster. "Thanks, it's good to know someone out there likes my work. Let's hope you don't change your mind, once you become part of the family."
Ken laughed, shaking his head. "Never in a million years. Thanks again, everybody." He pulled Tracy close to him. "Won't be long, now, huh?"
"No, it won't," Shirley had to swallow back some tears.
"Mother," Tracy sighed, seeing the waterworks. "There's still a week…"
"I know," Shirley smiled through the tears. She waved them away. "Out, you two, before I start blubbering!"
""Bye, Ken…will you be in town long?" Laurie asked as he and Tracy started for the door.
"Only until your show on Saturday, then it's back to L.A. to tie up some loose ends. I should be back for the wedding."
"You'd better be!" Tracy pinched his arm and he laughed, waving and letting her push him out.
"Nice boy," Shirley said approvingly.
"Yeah, he'll fit right in. If he's crazy enough to marry into this family, he deserves what he gets." Danny shook his head.
"That's for sure," Keith agreed. "Mom, you need me to do anything before I crash?"
"No, dear. You get some rest. You've had a rough day."
Rougher than you think, Keith thought. "Okay, well, goodnight, everybody. Want me to leave a light on, Chris?"
"No." Chris watched as his oldest brother started up the stairs.
He gave Laurie a knowing look and she waved Shirley towards the kitchen. "I'll help you clean up the kitchen, Mom."
"Thank you, oh, and Danny, will you see that the garage is locked? I don't want anything to happen to the equipment." Times had changed since 1975…
"Sure, Mom."
The girls left and Danny turned to Chris. "I think Keith could use a painkiller. Did you see the look on his face during dinner?"
"Yeah, I noticed. I'll go see what I can do." Chris sighed. "I just wish he'd tell Mom and Tracy and get this over with."
Danny nodded. "He will…it might take him a day or two, but he will."
Chris frowned. "He doesn't have a day or two, Danny. The longer he waits, the worse it's gonna get."
Danny swallowed. "I know." He sighed, leaning back on the counter as Chris went up the stairs.
###
Keith was hot. He moved restlessly in the bed, kicking the covers off. Feeling as if he were suffocating, he sat up, pulling his pajama top away from his body. The shirt was drenched with sweat, and Keith gasped, feeling more sweat dripping down his face. He swung his legs to the floor and sat on the edge of the bed, panting like a puppy. Standing, he stumbled to the window, pushing it open as wide as it would go. A cool breeze touched his skin and he reached up, wiping his moist forehead with the back of his hand.
Chris had told him that this was one of the symptoms of his illness. Keith was just grateful for the explanation. He'd been getting these stupid night sweats for three months, and didn't know why. It was all clear to him, now.
Chris stirred in the other bed. " Keith? What's the matter?"
"Nothing, go back to sleep."
Behind him, he heard Chris fumble for his glasses, and he swallowed, staring up and out of the open window, reveling in the breeze.
Then Chris was at his side. "You okay, bud?"
"Yeah…"
Chris put his hand on his back. "Night sweat, huh?"
"Another one. I'm getting used to them." Keith's voce was filled with bitterness.
"You still shouldn't be in the draft. Let me get your robe." Chris moved off, but Keith snapped at him.
"No! You don't need to wait on me hand and foot. I'm not an invalid."
His words surprised Chris. "I didn't mean…"
Keith's eyes were watery. There was silence, and then, "Is this what I have to look forward to? Everyone feeling sorry for me?
Dammit, Chris, I want everything back the way it was!"
Chris took a deep breath. "Me, too, Keith. I wish I could change the diagnosis, I really do, but I can't. And yes, once people find out about the cancer, they will treat you differently, but it's only because they care. They're only human, and they care!"
Keith swallowed. He knew Chris was right. But all of this was just so hard to accept. Everything had happened so fast. One minute he's playing a friendly game of softball with his brothers and their friends, and the next minute he finds out he has cancer and could very well die! He sat back down on his bed, shaking and shivering from the cold air that pierced his damp clothing.
He sobbed and Chris grabbed the robe from the foot of the bed, slipping it over his brother's shoulders. "I'm sorry…" Chris said softly, rubbing Keith's back.
Keith shook his head. "No, you're right…" he swallowed, huddling in the robe. "I'm just so confused."
"Me, too," Chris assured him, sitting on his own bed, trying not to stare at his brother.
Pulling the robe closer around him, Keith stood up.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going downstairs for a little while…maybe work on some songs. I can't sleep, anyway."
"You want another painkiller? It should knock you right out." Chris offered.
"No…all I need is to get hooked on them. Let's wait 'til I really need one, okay? I'm sure it's another thing I have to look forward to." Keith's smile was sarcastic, as was his tone.
Chris nodded, watching as Keith exited the room.
###
Keith sat at the piano in the living room, softly playing a melody with his good hand. As his fingers danced across the keys, he closed his eyes, soaking each note in. And, there, alone in the darkness, he cried.
A light came on in the hallway upstairs. As he heard someone approaching, Keith wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his robe, squinting up to see just who it was coming down.
It turned out to be Tracy, in her robe and slippers. "Who's down here?"
"It's me, Trace," Keith answered softly, hoping she wouldn't turn on another light. He'd just as soon keep it dark.
"Keith, what are you doing up?" A lamp came on behind him. Rats.
He forced a smile. "Just couldn't sleep."
She moved toward him. "Me either."
He turned to face her on the bench, looking up at her countenance. She was practically glowing, and he smiled. "The wedding, huh?"
She nodded, reaching over and absently playing with his hair. "The more I think about it, the more excited I get." She looked down at him, her eyes bright in the dimly lit room. "I didn't get a chance to ask you. What did you think of Ken?"
He chuckled. "Does it matter what I think?"
Now the smile disappeared. "Of course it does. I respect your opinion; you're my brother! And I love you."
He took her hand. "He's great, Trace. I really like him. I can see he makes you happy, and that's all I care about."
Relieved, she hugged him. "I'm so glad," she said. "Because I love him so much, I can't stand it."
He grinned. "I can see that. You didn't take your eyes off the guy the whole time he was here! I was beginning to think I was invisible."
She mussed his hair. "Yeah, right. You, Keith Partridge, invisible! That would be the day!"
He smiled at the compliment, then swallowed. "Uh, Trace, I need to talk to you."
She continued to play with the hair at his collar. "Oh? Okay."
"Let's go out on the patio. It's warm in here."
"Okay," she said again, just the tiniest bit puzzled.
He got up and she slipped her arm through his as they walked to the back door.
It was a peaceful, starry, calm night, though a bit cool, and Keith guided his little sister to two lounge chairs at the edge of the lawn.
He arranged them so that they faced one another and they each took one. Tracy was getting more and more curious as the seconds passed.
He didn't speak for a long time, and she could see him struggling to find just the right words. Finally, she sat forward, her hand on his knee. "You wanted to talk, talk."
He swallowed again. Looking at her face, so fresh and naïve, he almost backed out of it. No, he told himself. Tell her. It was only right. He took a deep breath, then, "Tracy, you know how I went to the doctor today?"
She nodded, her eyes locked into his.
"Well, they…Chris found a lump under my arm, and…" His voice weakened. "They told me I have cancer, Trace."
She gasped, sitting back in the chair, still staring at him. "Oh, Keith, no…" She shook her head.
He nodded, his eyes shining. She looked so upset, he almost apologized. In the moonlight, he saw the tears streaming down her face. She began to sob, and he reached over, taking her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She sat forward, reaching for him and he took her in, letting her weep against him there in the cool night air.
###
In the morning, there was a meeting of Partridges, upstairs, without Shirley, who still had to be told. The kids gathered in Keith's old room, and for a good hour, there wasn't a dry eye to be found.
The girls clung to Keith as he stood by the bed, on which Chris and Danny sat. All five faces were pale, drawn and blotched. The news was still hard to take, hard to fathom.
"How will you tell Mom?" was the question of the day, and Keith still didn't have a clue. He'd been over and over it in his mind. He only knew one thing. He wanted them there.
They finally decided to tell her right after breakfast, should anyone find an appetite. It wouldn't be easy, but Keith knew he had to do it. And it was making him sick.
So, the five of them made their ways downstairs, going a few at a time, so as not to raise suspicion.
Danny and Tracy went in first. Tracy had to fight from crying when she saw her mother obliviously making pancakes. Even the wonderful scent of bacon frying could not bring a smile to either of Shirley's young red-heads. Greetings were exchanged and Tracy and Danny sat down.
Chris came in alone, hoping that his sad eyes were well hidden behind his lenses, and took his place at the table.
Next came Laurie. She was dressed for the day, trying to mask her tears under the light make-up she always wore.
The younger four Partridges did their best to chat idly as Shirley, still unaware of the coming news, was only happy to serve them their meal, doing so with a naivete that nearly unnerved them.
At first it seemed as if Keith had backed out of the plan, he'd taken so long to arrive, but when he finally did, it took everyone all they had not to dissolve into tears right then and there.
Shirley noticed the silence, though for the life of her she could not fathom why these normally upbeat children were so solemn. "Is there something wrong?" she asked, scanning their faces for some sort of clue.
Laurie smiled, unfolding her napkin. "Food looks great, Mom."
"Sure does," Chris agreed.
"Just great, Mom," Tracy added, glancing at Danny.
He sat up straight, clearing his throat. "Yeah. Almost too good to eat." His eyes shifted to Keith, who remained silent for the moment.
"Well, Keith, don't you have something to say?" Shirley asked, taking a seat across from him.
He nearly jumped out of his skin. "What do you mean?"
"About the food," Shirley nodded. "Your brothers and sisters all seem to like it, how about you?" She knew something was going on, but what?
He didn't have an answer, which was just as well. Reuben knocked on the back door, then came in.
"Hi, gang. Looks like I'm right in time for breakfast." He waited for Danny's cynical comment, and when none came, he too looked puzzled.
Keith blew out a breath. This was not exactly what he'd planned on, but it would have to do. In fact, it was better. Now he could tell them together.
Reuben stepped in farther as Shirley rose, nodding him away from the table. "Shirley," he whispered, staring at the solemn assembly before them. "What's going on?"
"I don't know," Shirley whispered back. "I'm trying to find that out. They're obviously upset about something." She handed Reuben an empty plate, now speaking louder. "Of course, you're welcome to eat with us, Reuben. Go ahead and squeeze in somewhere." She flashed him a perplexed look and sat back down.
Danny and Tracy moved their settings and chairs, making room for the manager as he glanced around the table. The gloominess practically hung in the air, and he began to panic.
"You kids still plan on doing that concert tomorrow, don't you? The posters are up and the tickets are selling like hotcakes!" He looked down at the stacks of one and the same there on the table. "If you'll pardon the pun."
"Sure, Reuben, we're doing the show," Keith said quietly. "We made a promise and we intend to keep it."
Reuben looked relieved as the others nodded in agreement with Keith. "Okay, then, what's really wrong? Somebody die, or something?" He asked innocently enough.
Suddenly four pair of eyes were upon Keith and he reddened a bit, the grip on his fork tightening. Shirley cocked her head, looking at him. Apparently, he was the center of this cockamamie silence.
"Keith?"
He put down the fork, clutching the napkin and pushing away from the table. The others now looked away almost uneasily.
"I…uh…wanted to wait until after breakfast, but I guess that isn't going to happen." He got up. Shirley and Reuben watched him intently as he walked around the table. "Mom, Reuben, yesterday I found out that I have lymphoma." To his own surprise, he said it so casually! Then again, he'd had enough practice. But the look there on Shirley's face…he felt something stab him in the pit of his stomach.
There was total silence, and then Laurie and Tracy started softly crying as Shirley stood up, her face a milky white. Reuben just cringed, putting his elbows on the table and resting his forehead against his clenched hands.
"Oh, Keith, are you sure?" she looked over at Chris, who could only nod.
"Oh, yeah," Keith answered softly, fighting back tears. If ever a boy needed his mother…
She reached up, touching his face, her eyes brimming. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry…I don't…I don't know what to say!"
He swallowed hard. "You don't have to say anything…just hold me, okay?" His voice was full of anguish. "Oh, god, Mom, just hold me…"
He went forward and she pulled him to her, her arms tight around him. She sobbed in his ear as he buried his face in her collarbone, crying right along with her. Swaying, they were barely aware that all around them, everyone, including Reuben, had just let go. It was about time.
continued...