GOODNIGHT, SWEET PARTRIDGE
CHAPTER 6
The Partridge house was just as she expected it to be. She'd seen some photos of it before, and here it was now, in 3-D, living, beautiful color. She was still absorbing the fact that she was really there as she followed Shirley and Laurie to the guest room just off the stairway. Straight ahead, she saw Keith's room at the end of the hall and she felt her stomach flutter.
"Here you go. There is fresh linen on the bed, a closet there, and the bathroom is right next door. I have a private one in my room that you're welcome to use if you'd rather not share it with the troops; it can get very busy, especially on a school morning," Shirley was saying.
Carly barely heard her; she was still waiting to be awakened from this dream. Just two days ago, she was downing a handful of Lord knows what kind of pills, wanting to die because Keith Partridge had scorned her and now she was actually inside his house, with his very own bedroom just down the hall. It was so surreal!
Laurie saw Carly's awe and put her arm around her. "We're just normal, everyday people, really. Especially Keith. Well, except for the normal part."
That got her attention. Carly's head snapped around to face Laurie. "What do you mean?"
Laurie smirked, looking over at her mother. "Think we should tell her?"
"No," Shirley said with a sigh. "She wouldn't believe us anyway."
Now, Carly was very interested. "You can tell me. I won't tell him you said anything," she said softly.
Laurie nodded. "Okay, just one thing. He sleeps with an old, broken guitar string under his pillow. He says it gives him ideas for songs."
Carly smiled, relieved to know it wasn't something completely bizarre. This was kind of sweet, she thought. "Does it work?"
Laurie shrugged. "You've heard the songs. Pretty great stuff, so I guess it does." She laughed. "But don't tell Keith I told you. It was a family secret until now."
"Cross my heart," Carly swore.
"Okay, honey, dinner will be ready in a little while, then we have a rehearsal. I don't suppose you'd like to join us…?" Shirley said.
Carly swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. A real, honest-to-goodness Partridge Family rehearsal, all to herself? "Well, okay, if you insist." She smiled. At this rate, she never wanted to go home!
"Good. And tomorrow after school, maybe we can go shopping downtown, just you and me, how's that?" Laurie asked.
Carly's eyes watered. These women were almost too nice to her! "I…don't have any money, but I can window shop…"
"That's the best way," Laurie nodded. "But I still think you need a new outfit. You know, for your date."
Carly's heart leaped. "Date?"
"Oh, didn't Keith tell you? He wants to take you to the new movie playing at the Rialto."
Her stomach twisted within. "He does?" It barely came out.
Shirley nodded, smiling. "He said he feels he owes you at least that, seeing as you came all this way just for him."
Carly sank down onto the bed. A date; with Keith Partridge. Dear Lord, may she never waken from this dream! "He doesn't have to. He's done too much already. All of you have. I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you."
"Nonsense. We invited you, remember? You're here because we want you here. I don't want to hear anymore of that kind of talk, young lady. You are a part of this Family for the time being." Shirley scolded with a smile. "Now, I'm going to get dinner and leave you two to talk among yourselves."
She gave Carly's hand a squeeze as she exited and the girl shook her head in amazement.
"I suppose you'd like to see Keith's room, hmm?" Laurie grinned. "I can show it to you really quick. I think he's in the garage setting up for rehearsal. But if he catches us, play dumb, okay?"
Carly giggled and nodded, following her out. They hurried down the hall, looking behind them as they went. Laurie stopped at the door, putting her hand up to hush her co-conspirator and knocked softly.
"Keith?" She called, then turned to Carly, whispering, "Just checking."
All was quiet and Laurie twisted the knob, motioning Carly forward. Not two seconds later, they were in. Laurie stood guard by the door, her face showing amusement at Carly's reaction.
Her mouth hung open. She knew it was, but at the moment, she didn't care. Here she was in Keith Partridge's bedroom and she could utterly not believe it. She fought back the lump in her throat as she scanned the room. There was a four-poster bed against the wall, covered in a blue and red plaid bedspread, a poster of Jimi Hendrix on the opposite wall, a teardrop shaped peace sign hanging in a corner, and a semi-cluttered desk against the far wall. On it she saw schoolbooks and papers, pens and a radio. Then, leaning next to the closet door, which was closed, darn it, was an acoustic guitar that had a patina to it, showing that it had been used quite a bit. The entire scene took her breath away.
Almost reverently, Carly reached out, touching the bedspread as Laurie still hovered near the door, keeping watch.
"Check out the guitar string under the pillow," Laurie nodded.
Carly obeyed, lifting the pillow and peering under it. It was clear and hard to see at first, but then she spotted it, coiled there on top of the sheet. She smiled and gently lowered the pillow. "I think that's cute. I mean, I sleep with his picture under my pillow, so why not?"
Laurie crinkled her nose. "THAT would give me nightmares."
There was noise on the stairs and Laurie's eyes widened. "Someone's coming!" She grabbed Carly's wrist and literally yanked her out of the room, closing the door. They were halfway back to the guest room when Keith rounded the corner.
"Oh, there you are. Getting the grand tour, are you?"
Still breathless from nearly getting caught, Carly nodded.
Keith grinned. "I hope you didn't go into my room. It's a mess."
"Oh, it's not-" Carly began, but Laurie stepped hard on her foot.
"Why would we want to go in there? I was just going to show her Tracy's and my room." Laurie said, nudging Carly forward.
"I can hardly wait for rehearsal," Carly called back to him as he watched them move off, a puzzled look on his face.
Shrugging, he went into his room and closed the door behind him.
Dinner was wonderful, but seemed to last an eternity. Carly had a feeling that Shirley had told her children to behave, because it was almost eerily quiet. Keith had tried to draw her out; get her to tell more of her past, but she adamantly avoided complete answers. Besides, if they found out her last name, her hometown or anything like that, she would be on the next bus back to Muncie in nothing flat.
"Why don't we have dessert after rehearsal?" Shirley rose, starting to clear the table. "I'll make you all earn it for a change."
Keith wiped his mouth on his napkin, glancing at Carly who sat beside him. "I set up a place just for you to watch. If you get bored, though, we won't be insulted if you want to come back into the house and watch television or something."
"Yeah," Danny grumbled, pushing around the remainder of his carrots on the plate with his fork. "Rehearsals are b-o-r-i-n-g unless you know how to play. Do you know how to play anything?" He looked hard at her.
"No, not really. I can do chopsticks on the piano is all. And I don't see how a rehearsal with you guys could be boring!" Carly answered.
"Hah, fresh meat," Keith chuckled. "Just wait until you hear the same song five times. You'll change your mind."
"That's for sure. The same song, with Keith's voice changing pitch every time," Laurie teased.
He pulled a face at her, pushing his chair back. "Very funny, Laurie. At least I play the right chords each time." To Laurie's tongue, he put his hand on the back of Carly's chair. "Come on, I'll take you to the garage."
He led her out as the others stood, ready to join them. Only Danny stayed in his chair. Laurie looked over at him while the rest filed out.
"Coming, Danny?"
"Does she have to come to our rehearsal, too?"
"Why shouldn't she?"
"I dunno. She keeps…hanging around."
Laurie laughed. "What do you want her to do? She lives here, now. For a while, anyway."
"Yeah," Danny mumbled. "Whoopee."
Shaking her head, Laurie motioned him up. "Come on, let's not hold up the rehearsal."
Carly was literally being sung to sleep. Keith's voice, as gentle and soothing as it was, floated in her mind as she sat on the floor on the pile of comforters next to a large trunk. It had been such a long day and it was so warm in the garage that she found herself drifting off. At first she fought to stay awake, forcing her eyes to stay open, but the exhaustion finally won out and she fell asleep in the middle of the third round of "Morning Rider on the Road."
The Partridges all noticed their guest was no longer 'with' them and when Keith brought the song to a close, he put his guitar down, grateful for the break it gave them.
"Well, Keith, it finally happened. You bored someone to sleep with your voice," Laurie poked him.
"Oh, you're a laugh a minute." Keith stretched tiredly.
"Yeah, Laurie. You're a regular Red Skelton. Besides, I've seen plenty of girls fall asleep at our shows," Danny added with a sly grin.
"You should record a Lullabye album," Tracy suggested.
"Are you people through insulting me?" Keith demanded with a sigh.
The kids exchanged looks. "No!" they chorused.
"Shh!" Shirley hushed them. "Don't wake Carly up."
"Are we leaving her to sleep out here?" Danny asked almost hopefully.
"No, of course not. When it gets closer to bedtime, we'll take her upstairs," Laurie answered, leading Chris, Tracy and Shirley to the door.
"We?" Danny frowned. "Not me, I'm not carrying anything bigger than Simone. Or maybe Tracy."
"Look, Henny Youngman, we'll wake her up and then get her upstairs," Keith sneered. "You guys go on ahead. I've got some stuff to do in here."
"Like what?" Danny wanted to know as the rest of the Partridges exited.
"Like fixing your amp. You sounded like you were on a 50's radio broadcast or something."
Danny shrugged. "You would know." He slipped out of his guitar strap. "What can I do to help?"
Keith looked surprisedly at him. "You want to help? Since when?"
"Since SHE came here," Danny pointed a chubby finger at the still-sleeping Carly. "I don't like the fact that you'll be alone with her."
"Oh, really?" Keith smirked. "I don't recall asking for a chaperone."
"Well, as long as she's here, you've got one. She bugs me." Danny climbed up on a stool as Keith picked up the amplifier.
"Danny, I appreciate your concern, but Carly is my responsibility. I'm the reason she's here, and I intend to see this through. I'm sorry if that bothers you, but that's the way it's got to be."
Now Danny's face was oddly serious. "It does bother me. It bothers me a lot. Something's wrong with this picture, Keith. She gets you in a lot of trouble with the police and the media and you're treating her like some Princess or something."
Keith peered closely at the amplifier. "There's no point in arguing over this, Danny. You just don't understand. I have a responsibility to this girl. She's all alone here and it's because of me. Now, either shut up about it, get me the screwdriver and help me or go back in the house."
Danny glared at the back of his brother's head, sliding down off the stool.
Keith got Danny's answer when the door slammed behind him.
continued....
CHAPTER 6
The Partridge house was just as she expected it to be. She'd seen some photos of it before, and here it was now, in 3-D, living, beautiful color. She was still absorbing the fact that she was really there as she followed Shirley and Laurie to the guest room just off the stairway. Straight ahead, she saw Keith's room at the end of the hall and she felt her stomach flutter.
"Here you go. There is fresh linen on the bed, a closet there, and the bathroom is right next door. I have a private one in my room that you're welcome to use if you'd rather not share it with the troops; it can get very busy, especially on a school morning," Shirley was saying.
Carly barely heard her; she was still waiting to be awakened from this dream. Just two days ago, she was downing a handful of Lord knows what kind of pills, wanting to die because Keith Partridge had scorned her and now she was actually inside his house, with his very own bedroom just down the hall. It was so surreal!
Laurie saw Carly's awe and put her arm around her. "We're just normal, everyday people, really. Especially Keith. Well, except for the normal part."
That got her attention. Carly's head snapped around to face Laurie. "What do you mean?"
Laurie smirked, looking over at her mother. "Think we should tell her?"
"No," Shirley said with a sigh. "She wouldn't believe us anyway."
Now, Carly was very interested. "You can tell me. I won't tell him you said anything," she said softly.
Laurie nodded. "Okay, just one thing. He sleeps with an old, broken guitar string under his pillow. He says it gives him ideas for songs."
Carly smiled, relieved to know it wasn't something completely bizarre. This was kind of sweet, she thought. "Does it work?"
Laurie shrugged. "You've heard the songs. Pretty great stuff, so I guess it does." She laughed. "But don't tell Keith I told you. It was a family secret until now."
"Cross my heart," Carly swore.
"Okay, honey, dinner will be ready in a little while, then we have a rehearsal. I don't suppose you'd like to join us…?" Shirley said.
Carly swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. A real, honest-to-goodness Partridge Family rehearsal, all to herself? "Well, okay, if you insist." She smiled. At this rate, she never wanted to go home!
"Good. And tomorrow after school, maybe we can go shopping downtown, just you and me, how's that?" Laurie asked.
Carly's eyes watered. These women were almost too nice to her! "I…don't have any money, but I can window shop…"
"That's the best way," Laurie nodded. "But I still think you need a new outfit. You know, for your date."
Carly's heart leaped. "Date?"
"Oh, didn't Keith tell you? He wants to take you to the new movie playing at the Rialto."
Her stomach twisted within. "He does?" It barely came out.
Shirley nodded, smiling. "He said he feels he owes you at least that, seeing as you came all this way just for him."
Carly sank down onto the bed. A date; with Keith Partridge. Dear Lord, may she never waken from this dream! "He doesn't have to. He's done too much already. All of you have. I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you."
"Nonsense. We invited you, remember? You're here because we want you here. I don't want to hear anymore of that kind of talk, young lady. You are a part of this Family for the time being." Shirley scolded with a smile. "Now, I'm going to get dinner and leave you two to talk among yourselves."
She gave Carly's hand a squeeze as she exited and the girl shook her head in amazement.
"I suppose you'd like to see Keith's room, hmm?" Laurie grinned. "I can show it to you really quick. I think he's in the garage setting up for rehearsal. But if he catches us, play dumb, okay?"
Carly giggled and nodded, following her out. They hurried down the hall, looking behind them as they went. Laurie stopped at the door, putting her hand up to hush her co-conspirator and knocked softly.
"Keith?" She called, then turned to Carly, whispering, "Just checking."
All was quiet and Laurie twisted the knob, motioning Carly forward. Not two seconds later, they were in. Laurie stood guard by the door, her face showing amusement at Carly's reaction.
Her mouth hung open. She knew it was, but at the moment, she didn't care. Here she was in Keith Partridge's bedroom and she could utterly not believe it. She fought back the lump in her throat as she scanned the room. There was a four-poster bed against the wall, covered in a blue and red plaid bedspread, a poster of Jimi Hendrix on the opposite wall, a teardrop shaped peace sign hanging in a corner, and a semi-cluttered desk against the far wall. On it she saw schoolbooks and papers, pens and a radio. Then, leaning next to the closet door, which was closed, darn it, was an acoustic guitar that had a patina to it, showing that it had been used quite a bit. The entire scene took her breath away.
Almost reverently, Carly reached out, touching the bedspread as Laurie still hovered near the door, keeping watch.
"Check out the guitar string under the pillow," Laurie nodded.
Carly obeyed, lifting the pillow and peering under it. It was clear and hard to see at first, but then she spotted it, coiled there on top of the sheet. She smiled and gently lowered the pillow. "I think that's cute. I mean, I sleep with his picture under my pillow, so why not?"
Laurie crinkled her nose. "THAT would give me nightmares."
There was noise on the stairs and Laurie's eyes widened. "Someone's coming!" She grabbed Carly's wrist and literally yanked her out of the room, closing the door. They were halfway back to the guest room when Keith rounded the corner.
"Oh, there you are. Getting the grand tour, are you?"
Still breathless from nearly getting caught, Carly nodded.
Keith grinned. "I hope you didn't go into my room. It's a mess."
"Oh, it's not-" Carly began, but Laurie stepped hard on her foot.
"Why would we want to go in there? I was just going to show her Tracy's and my room." Laurie said, nudging Carly forward.
"I can hardly wait for rehearsal," Carly called back to him as he watched them move off, a puzzled look on his face.
Shrugging, he went into his room and closed the door behind him.
Dinner was wonderful, but seemed to last an eternity. Carly had a feeling that Shirley had told her children to behave, because it was almost eerily quiet. Keith had tried to draw her out; get her to tell more of her past, but she adamantly avoided complete answers. Besides, if they found out her last name, her hometown or anything like that, she would be on the next bus back to Muncie in nothing flat.
"Why don't we have dessert after rehearsal?" Shirley rose, starting to clear the table. "I'll make you all earn it for a change."
Keith wiped his mouth on his napkin, glancing at Carly who sat beside him. "I set up a place just for you to watch. If you get bored, though, we won't be insulted if you want to come back into the house and watch television or something."
"Yeah," Danny grumbled, pushing around the remainder of his carrots on the plate with his fork. "Rehearsals are b-o-r-i-n-g unless you know how to play. Do you know how to play anything?" He looked hard at her.
"No, not really. I can do chopsticks on the piano is all. And I don't see how a rehearsal with you guys could be boring!" Carly answered.
"Hah, fresh meat," Keith chuckled. "Just wait until you hear the same song five times. You'll change your mind."
"That's for sure. The same song, with Keith's voice changing pitch every time," Laurie teased.
He pulled a face at her, pushing his chair back. "Very funny, Laurie. At least I play the right chords each time." To Laurie's tongue, he put his hand on the back of Carly's chair. "Come on, I'll take you to the garage."
He led her out as the others stood, ready to join them. Only Danny stayed in his chair. Laurie looked over at him while the rest filed out.
"Coming, Danny?"
"Does she have to come to our rehearsal, too?"
"Why shouldn't she?"
"I dunno. She keeps…hanging around."
Laurie laughed. "What do you want her to do? She lives here, now. For a while, anyway."
"Yeah," Danny mumbled. "Whoopee."
Shaking her head, Laurie motioned him up. "Come on, let's not hold up the rehearsal."
Carly was literally being sung to sleep. Keith's voice, as gentle and soothing as it was, floated in her mind as she sat on the floor on the pile of comforters next to a large trunk. It had been such a long day and it was so warm in the garage that she found herself drifting off. At first she fought to stay awake, forcing her eyes to stay open, but the exhaustion finally won out and she fell asleep in the middle of the third round of "Morning Rider on the Road."
The Partridges all noticed their guest was no longer 'with' them and when Keith brought the song to a close, he put his guitar down, grateful for the break it gave them.
"Well, Keith, it finally happened. You bored someone to sleep with your voice," Laurie poked him.
"Oh, you're a laugh a minute." Keith stretched tiredly.
"Yeah, Laurie. You're a regular Red Skelton. Besides, I've seen plenty of girls fall asleep at our shows," Danny added with a sly grin.
"You should record a Lullabye album," Tracy suggested.
"Are you people through insulting me?" Keith demanded with a sigh.
The kids exchanged looks. "No!" they chorused.
"Shh!" Shirley hushed them. "Don't wake Carly up."
"Are we leaving her to sleep out here?" Danny asked almost hopefully.
"No, of course not. When it gets closer to bedtime, we'll take her upstairs," Laurie answered, leading Chris, Tracy and Shirley to the door.
"We?" Danny frowned. "Not me, I'm not carrying anything bigger than Simone. Or maybe Tracy."
"Look, Henny Youngman, we'll wake her up and then get her upstairs," Keith sneered. "You guys go on ahead. I've got some stuff to do in here."
"Like what?" Danny wanted to know as the rest of the Partridges exited.
"Like fixing your amp. You sounded like you were on a 50's radio broadcast or something."
Danny shrugged. "You would know." He slipped out of his guitar strap. "What can I do to help?"
Keith looked surprisedly at him. "You want to help? Since when?"
"Since SHE came here," Danny pointed a chubby finger at the still-sleeping Carly. "I don't like the fact that you'll be alone with her."
"Oh, really?" Keith smirked. "I don't recall asking for a chaperone."
"Well, as long as she's here, you've got one. She bugs me." Danny climbed up on a stool as Keith picked up the amplifier.
"Danny, I appreciate your concern, but Carly is my responsibility. I'm the reason she's here, and I intend to see this through. I'm sorry if that bothers you, but that's the way it's got to be."
Now Danny's face was oddly serious. "It does bother me. It bothers me a lot. Something's wrong with this picture, Keith. She gets you in a lot of trouble with the police and the media and you're treating her like some Princess or something."
Keith peered closely at the amplifier. "There's no point in arguing over this, Danny. You just don't understand. I have a responsibility to this girl. She's all alone here and it's because of me. Now, either shut up about it, get me the screwdriver and help me or go back in the house."
Danny glared at the back of his brother's head, sliding down off the stool.
Keith got Danny's answer when the door slammed behind him.
continued....