CHAPTER TWELVE
Tracy entered the front door cautiously, her arms loaded with groceries. She was hoping to find Keith still downstairs so she could talk to him alone, IF he would permit it, but he wasn't in the living room. Perhaps the kitchen; she thought, moving in there only to be disappointed once again. She put the bags on the table.
Ken was miniature golfing with her brothers, Shirley was with Reuben and Laurie was at the gym. Tracy had tried to kill time by shopping, but her heart wasn't really in it, so she stopped by the grocery store and picked up some much needed items and came home. She didn't really have a reason to talk to her brother, but they hadn't said 'boo' to one another since Tracy had made her announcement at Shirley's dinner a few nights ago, and she missed him.
Shaking her head, she set her purse next to the grocery bags and went back into the living room, starting up the stairs. She would just check on Keith, maybe he would still be willing to talk, and if not, she could always take a nice, hot shower.
She approached his room quietly. If he was asleep, she didn't want to waken him. The door was ajar and, puzzled, she pushed it open. It was dark, the curtains were drawn, and Tracy squinted, glancing at the bed. It was empty, that much she could see in the light from the hallway emanating on it. Then, just as she went to shut the door, wondering where he could have gone, she saw something on the floor. She opened the door wider, not wanting to believe her eyes. "Oh, my god, Keith!" she cried, turning on the light.
He was still in a fetal position, and only barely conscious as she ran to him, falling on her knees beside him, her hand on his shoulder. He moaned, and she gasped, seeing the blood on his face.
"Oh, honey, don't move…I'll call an ambulance!" She jumped up, dashing from the room.
In his delirium, Keith could hear a voice…a woman's voice. It sounded panicky and he tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't. He couldn't speak, he couldn't move; just thinking about moving brought him severe pain. He thought he felt someone or something touch him and he frowned. Had someone come to help him? Oh, god, if he could just open his eyes…
Again, he could feel the pressure of touch and he responded, only able to moan, then came the voice again, but he couldn't understand what she - if it was a female - was saying. It was just as well…he couldn't answer anyway.
Tracy was sobbing as she knelt beside her brother, petting his head. He wasn't fully conscious, but she hoped she could hear him anyway. "Keith, the ambulance is on the way…hold on, baby…I'm right here…Oh, Keith, what happened?" She looked around her for clues, and her eyes settled on the vodka bottle. Sobbing harder, she sat on the floor, trying to lift his upper torso so that he was in her arms. He moaned again, and she shifted, sliding her body underneath him. It was then that she saw the Valium bottle, and she picked it up, staring at the label. Had he been foolish enough to combine the two? And, how many had he taken? Still sobbing, she held him, stroking his face and head. "Come on, Keith…you have to pull through this…you're gonna be an uncle, remember? I'll name him after you, I promise…just hang in there…" She was babbling, but in her fear, she wasn't even listening. She just knew she had to talk to him.
He choked, the motion making him fold over even more and Tracy held on tighter, lying her head on his, feeling his hair as it tickled her face and throat. "Easy, sweetie…" she soothed as he moaned again. His head wound had stopped bleeding, and she stared at the dried blood in his hair, absently and gently picking it out as she kept talking. "This reminds me of the time I broke my foot…remember? I was five and we were at the park…you were supposed to be watching Chris, Danny and me, but you were busy talking to a girl and I fell off the monkey bars. You came running over and held me in your arms while Danny and Chris ran and got Mom. You sang me a song to keep my mind off of the pain…remember that, Keith?"
He writhed, moaning again as she gripped him tighter, lifting her head to hear if the ambulance was coming. It was silent around her, and she shivered with fear. Still petting his head, she could barely see him through the tears in her eyes. He was pale and moaning, but breathing well, and she shifted her position on the floor as her left leg began to fall asleep. He moaned with the movement and she looked down, whispering, now. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" She said, rubbing his shoulder, letting him know that she was still there. Dear God, what would happen when the ambulance did come? She would have to leave him to go let them in, and the thought scared her. She could only hope that someone else would come home…Please, God, she prayed…send somebody…
Still shivering, she pulled him closer. His skin was cool to the touch, now, too, and she thought about taking the bedspread off the bed, but it was too far of a reach, so, she began to massage his arm, trying to envelop him, keep him from going into shock. She was lucky he hadn't vomited, she thought, if he had indeed overdosed on the liquor and the painkillers… Overdosed. What a horrifying thought! She hoped it was an accident. To think that he would purposely try and take his own life made Tracy nauseous herself.
She heard a noise somewhere within the house, and, clutching Keith's limp form, Tracy began to scream. "Somebody! Help me! I'm upstairs in Keith's room!!!"
Her cry brought more noise as Laurie appeared in the doorway. Seeing the scene before her, the older girl cried out. "Oh dear God…!" as she bolted into the room. "What happened?"
" I don't know…I found him lying on the floor! I think…I think he may have overdosed…" Tracy wept. She held out the pill bottle. "The ambulance should be coming…"
"Over…?" Laurie couldn't believe her ears. She took the bottle from her sister, wincing. The valium! Then she spotted the vodka bottle and her stomach knotted. Damn him!
The wail of the ambulance siren broke through and Tracy gripped Keith tighter. "Let the paramedics in!"
Nodding numbly, Laurie stumbled for the door.
Tracy let Laurie take over as the paramedics took Keith downstairs to the ambulance. She was still in shock at finding him so helpless and now she needed to worry about herself. She was at a delicate stage of her pregnancy and she feared that this whole incident would cause her to lose her baby. Tracy expressed her fear to her sister, and Laurie told her to go to the hospital with Keith and get checked out herself. Laurie would wait for the family to come home and everyone would meet there.
The paramedic helped Tracy into the ambulance and she sat there, still sobbing, as they worked on Keith there on the stretcher before her, answering their questions as best she could. Yes, he was on the floor when she found him, no, she hadn't seen him take the Valium or the Vodka; no, he hadn't vomited, at least not to her knowledge, yes, he'd been unconscious when she found him. It was terrifying, and Tracy just wanted Ken there to hold her and tell her everything would be all right. They closed the ambulance doors and Tracy caught a glimpse of Laurie through the rectangular window as she and Keith were driven away.
****
"They won't let us see Keith; they're pumping his stomach," Shirley told her brood and Reuben as they gathered in still another waiting room. They'd gotten home to find Laurie in hysterics, sobbing something about Keith and Tracy in the hospital, and as soon as everyone had gathered, it was one big caravan to San Pueblo General. "They let Ken go in with Tracy…oh, dear God, I hope the baby's all right…" Shirley was already worn down and they'd been there only fifteen minutes.
"I can't believe this is happening," Laurie muttered, her face still blotched with tears.
"Neither can I," Shirley put her arm around her daughter.
"Well, do they think it was an overdose, or what?" Reuben asked.
"Dr. Barnes said he didn't think he took very many pills, but with them being mixed with the alcohol, they didn't want to take any chances. He'll be lucky to escape without liver damage."
"He only had five Valiums to begin with, not counting his other painkillers," Chris was pacing. "And I warned him about the alcohol…"
"So, you think he did it on purpose?" Laurie looked horrified.
"I don't know what to think! He's been so unpredictable since this all began! And if his irresponsibility has hurt Tracy, I swear, I'm gonna kill him." Chris looked anxiously toward the doors that led to the emergency room.
Laurie shook her head. "You know what Tracy would say if she heard you talk like that? She'd be all over you!"
"Yeah, and she'd be right. This isn't the time to point fingers! We just need for the both of them to be okay!" Danny swallowed, making himself sit down. He felt as nervous as a cat.
"I'm not pointing fingers. I am just as much to blame, giving into him. More liquor, more pills…I should have been firm. I SHOULD have just made him get the treatments and stopped babying him." Chris kept pacing.
Shirley looked up at him. "Honey, there's nothing anyone could have done. Keith's old enough to make his own decisions, good or bad. He wouldn't have listened to anyone."
They saw Ken coming towards them and everyone got to their feet.
"How's Tracy?" Shirley breathed.
He smiled. "She's okay. They did an ultrasound and the baby's still as perfect as ever."
His news was greeted with cheers and cries of joy, and he looked relieved as he went on, "She's resting right now, and then as soon as she's feeling up to it, she'll join you. I told them to keep her back there for as long as they could. I don't think she needs to be in on all this worry over Keith." He looked at Shirley. "How's he doing? Any word?"
Shirley clutched his hand. "Well, they were pumping his stomach."
Ken pulled a face. "Doesn't sound like much fun! Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to go be with my wife."
Shirley and Laurie both hugged him. "Give her our love, and tell her we'll do the worrying over Keith."
"I will," Ken smiled, moving off towards the doors from whence he'd come.
"That's a relief!" Laurie swallowed, clutching Danny, who held her tightly.
Shirley's eyes glistened with tears. "It certainly is! Well, there is a bright spot in this after all!" She was just about to sit down when Dr. Barnes appeared. "Doctor?"
He smiled. "Have seats, everyone. I have good news and…some not so good news."
Shirley clutched Danny's hand as her brood and Reuben sat down around them.
"There's no liver damage; he hadn't exactly overdosed, but there was quite a lot of alcohol in his system. You were smart to only give him five pills." The doctor nodded at Chris. "The two he did take we were able to bring up, and as soon as we can lower his blood alcohol level, we're going to put him on another painkiller. That means that he's really hurting right now, and he's very grumpy."
"That's our Keith," Danny smiled, squeezing his mother's hand.
"What about the Hodgkins?" Chris swallowed. "Has it progressed?"
The doctor winced. "Well, he's just below Stage 2 at this point."
Chris blew out a breath. "Oh, god…" He shook his head.
"He has to start his treatments up again, no if ands or buts."
Chris rose. "Can I go back there? I need to pop some sense into him."
Dr. Barnes nodded. "That's exactly what he needs right now. He's in treatment room four."
Danny looked up, grinning. "Go get 'im, Tiger."
Chris moved to the door like a man with a purpose.
Keith was lying back in the bed, his face trickling with sweat as he fought the pain. He was startled when Chris yanked back the curtain, the look on his face that of a warrior of some sort.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Chris said lowly, and Keith raised an eyebrow. Two swear words in one week. This was a new record.
"What are you mad at?" Keith queried.
"You're almost Stage 2, you know that?"
Keith looked away. "So they tell me."
"I'm having them schedule you for treatments starting tomorrow."
Keith pushed his head back into the pillow, making a face as the pain rose and then faded. "And suppose I refuse?" He gasped, tensing.
Chris grabbed a rag and dabbed at his brother's face. "I'll have them sedate you or something, but you're going."
Keith looked at him. The look on Chris's face told him he wasn't kidding. "Why? So I can puke my guts out some more? There's an incentive, huh?"
"Hey, it's all I've got right now. That and the fact that you have a little nephew or a niece that would like to see their uncle, and not just in some fan magazine poster." Chris paused. "Tracy almost lost the baby today, Keith."
Keith's eyes widened. "She did?"
"Yeah, because she was trying to help you out. I don't want to make you feel guilty or anything, but this whole incident very nearly caused a miscarriage."
Keith felt sick, now. "Oh, god…" He closed his eyes. It had been Tracy holding him all the while he was on the floor. He couldn't quite pinpoint who it was, but now he knew. "Is she okay?" He tried to sit forward, but Chris pushed him back.
"She's fine. But think about what you'll be doing to her, to all of us, if you don't continue fighting this, pal. You can't deny us our right to have you around, even if you are a pain in the butt sometimes." Chris smiled, squeezing his shoulder.
Keith swallowed. "I don't know…" he looked over at Chris, tears filling his eyes. "I'm just so damned tired…"
Chris nodded, "I know, me, too."
Keith eyed him as his little brother looked down at his lap. He'd been so wrapped up in his problems, he'd forgotten about Chris's quandary. "You can't give up being a doctor, you know. I mean, what kind of example are you to me if you do that, huh?" Keith said after a moment.
Chris looked up and Keith smiled for a brief second.
"Look, I'll make you a deal. You stay in medical school and I'll take my treatments." Keith swallowed.
Chris chuckled. "That's hardly fair. I have to get bombed at a frat party in order to throw up. You get to do it automatically."
Keith laughed, then winced from the pain it caused, pushing his head back hard into the pillow. Chris reached up, clutching his brother's hand and wiping off his forehead. After the pain faded, he swallowed. "How about it? Is it a deal?"
Chris sighed. "Okay, if it saves your life, I guess I can live with that."
Keith smiled tiredly. "Whatever it takes, huh? But I want to see report cards!"
"Sure, as long as you send me blood samples." To Keith's look, he shrugged. "Maybe I can get extra credit!"
Keith started to laugh again, but pain shot through him. "Oh, god…how about if I go to medical school and you fight this crap?"
Chris's smile faded. "I'd trade places with you in a minute, you know that."
Keith looked at him. The kid's face was grim, and amazingly, Keith got the feeling that he wasn't kidding. "Hey, Chris?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
There were tears in the younger man's eyes as the door opened, and Shirley entered.
"Keith Partridge, I have a bone to pick with you. I was just informed that you have given up on yourself, and I will just not stand for it!"
"Mom, I - " Keith began.
"Stop!" Shirley held up her hand, her eyes fiery. "You will continue with your treatments, young man, and you will do so until you have gone back into remission, is that understood?"
Keith looked over at Chris, who was trying so hard not to smile. "Yes, ma'am," he sighed.
She looked surprised at his quick agreement, then smiled, seeming rather proud of herself as Chris chuckled out loud. She turned to him. "And you, Christopher, are going back to medical school. Whatever gave you the idea that you wouldn't make a good doctor? You are my son, and you will make me proud!"
"Okay, Mom," Chris nodded, reaching over and kissing her cheek.
Taken aback, Shirley smiled. "Well, I'm glad you two are in good moods." She bent down, kissing Keith's forehead. "Feeling any better, honey?"
Keith nodded. "Yeah, but unfortunately, this is far from over."
She put a loving hand on his face, her eyes locking into his. "Just know that I love you, sweetheart, and I'm here for you any time."
He swallowed. "I know, Mom." He reached up for her and she gently took him into her arms as the door opened and Laurie, Danny and Reuben peeked in.
"See, I told you, no bloodshed!" Danny barked as Keith and Shirley parted.
"Did you read them the riot act, Mom?" Laurie wanted to know as she sat on the edge of Keith's bed, taking his hand.
"Yes, I did, and they've agreed to everything."
"Really?" Danny seemed impressed. "Treatments and all, huh?" He looked over at Keith.
"Yeah. I decided, hey, what's a little vomit between family members?" Keith said tiredly.
"And…medical school?" Danny eyed his younger brother.
"My scalpel awaits," Chris smiled.
"Oh, you're studying to be a surgeon?" Laurie asked.
"No, I just need one, to cut Danny's tongue out for snitching on Keith and me!" Chris replied, much to Danny's delight.
The door opened once more, and Tracy came in with Ken. "Well, I can see the fighting's begun again…everything's back to normal!"
"Oh, honey, I'm so happy you and the baby are all right!" Shirley said, hugging her.
"Thanks, Mom. Yep, we're up and running okay." She moved to Keith as he looked a bit uncomfortable. "I'm glad you're okay, too," she said, putting her hand on his head.
"Ditto, Trace. I'm sorry…" He answered softly.
"You are going to beat this, Keith. Little Keith here's counting on it," she patted her stomach.
He smiled. "You're really naming him after me?"
"You bet we are! We wouldn't have it any other way!" She sat down next to him.
"Can I teach him how to play the guitar?"
"Absolutely!"
He sighed. "I guess I'll have to stick around for a while, then, huh?"
Tracy nodded, her eyes moist. "Just, oh, for the next ninety years."
"I'll see what I can do about that," he said tiredly.
"See that you do." She went into his arms.
He closed his eyes, hoping it was one promise he wouldn't break.
THE END
Tracy entered the front door cautiously, her arms loaded with groceries. She was hoping to find Keith still downstairs so she could talk to him alone, IF he would permit it, but he wasn't in the living room. Perhaps the kitchen; she thought, moving in there only to be disappointed once again. She put the bags on the table.
Ken was miniature golfing with her brothers, Shirley was with Reuben and Laurie was at the gym. Tracy had tried to kill time by shopping, but her heart wasn't really in it, so she stopped by the grocery store and picked up some much needed items and came home. She didn't really have a reason to talk to her brother, but they hadn't said 'boo' to one another since Tracy had made her announcement at Shirley's dinner a few nights ago, and she missed him.
Shaking her head, she set her purse next to the grocery bags and went back into the living room, starting up the stairs. She would just check on Keith, maybe he would still be willing to talk, and if not, she could always take a nice, hot shower.
She approached his room quietly. If he was asleep, she didn't want to waken him. The door was ajar and, puzzled, she pushed it open. It was dark, the curtains were drawn, and Tracy squinted, glancing at the bed. It was empty, that much she could see in the light from the hallway emanating on it. Then, just as she went to shut the door, wondering where he could have gone, she saw something on the floor. She opened the door wider, not wanting to believe her eyes. "Oh, my god, Keith!" she cried, turning on the light.
He was still in a fetal position, and only barely conscious as she ran to him, falling on her knees beside him, her hand on his shoulder. He moaned, and she gasped, seeing the blood on his face.
"Oh, honey, don't move…I'll call an ambulance!" She jumped up, dashing from the room.
In his delirium, Keith could hear a voice…a woman's voice. It sounded panicky and he tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't. He couldn't speak, he couldn't move; just thinking about moving brought him severe pain. He thought he felt someone or something touch him and he frowned. Had someone come to help him? Oh, god, if he could just open his eyes…
Again, he could feel the pressure of touch and he responded, only able to moan, then came the voice again, but he couldn't understand what she - if it was a female - was saying. It was just as well…he couldn't answer anyway.
Tracy was sobbing as she knelt beside her brother, petting his head. He wasn't fully conscious, but she hoped she could hear him anyway. "Keith, the ambulance is on the way…hold on, baby…I'm right here…Oh, Keith, what happened?" She looked around her for clues, and her eyes settled on the vodka bottle. Sobbing harder, she sat on the floor, trying to lift his upper torso so that he was in her arms. He moaned again, and she shifted, sliding her body underneath him. It was then that she saw the Valium bottle, and she picked it up, staring at the label. Had he been foolish enough to combine the two? And, how many had he taken? Still sobbing, she held him, stroking his face and head. "Come on, Keith…you have to pull through this…you're gonna be an uncle, remember? I'll name him after you, I promise…just hang in there…" She was babbling, but in her fear, she wasn't even listening. She just knew she had to talk to him.
He choked, the motion making him fold over even more and Tracy held on tighter, lying her head on his, feeling his hair as it tickled her face and throat. "Easy, sweetie…" she soothed as he moaned again. His head wound had stopped bleeding, and she stared at the dried blood in his hair, absently and gently picking it out as she kept talking. "This reminds me of the time I broke my foot…remember? I was five and we were at the park…you were supposed to be watching Chris, Danny and me, but you were busy talking to a girl and I fell off the monkey bars. You came running over and held me in your arms while Danny and Chris ran and got Mom. You sang me a song to keep my mind off of the pain…remember that, Keith?"
He writhed, moaning again as she gripped him tighter, lifting her head to hear if the ambulance was coming. It was silent around her, and she shivered with fear. Still petting his head, she could barely see him through the tears in her eyes. He was pale and moaning, but breathing well, and she shifted her position on the floor as her left leg began to fall asleep. He moaned with the movement and she looked down, whispering, now. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" She said, rubbing his shoulder, letting him know that she was still there. Dear God, what would happen when the ambulance did come? She would have to leave him to go let them in, and the thought scared her. She could only hope that someone else would come home…Please, God, she prayed…send somebody…
Still shivering, she pulled him closer. His skin was cool to the touch, now, too, and she thought about taking the bedspread off the bed, but it was too far of a reach, so, she began to massage his arm, trying to envelop him, keep him from going into shock. She was lucky he hadn't vomited, she thought, if he had indeed overdosed on the liquor and the painkillers… Overdosed. What a horrifying thought! She hoped it was an accident. To think that he would purposely try and take his own life made Tracy nauseous herself.
She heard a noise somewhere within the house, and, clutching Keith's limp form, Tracy began to scream. "Somebody! Help me! I'm upstairs in Keith's room!!!"
Her cry brought more noise as Laurie appeared in the doorway. Seeing the scene before her, the older girl cried out. "Oh dear God…!" as she bolted into the room. "What happened?"
" I don't know…I found him lying on the floor! I think…I think he may have overdosed…" Tracy wept. She held out the pill bottle. "The ambulance should be coming…"
"Over…?" Laurie couldn't believe her ears. She took the bottle from her sister, wincing. The valium! Then she spotted the vodka bottle and her stomach knotted. Damn him!
The wail of the ambulance siren broke through and Tracy gripped Keith tighter. "Let the paramedics in!"
Nodding numbly, Laurie stumbled for the door.
Tracy let Laurie take over as the paramedics took Keith downstairs to the ambulance. She was still in shock at finding him so helpless and now she needed to worry about herself. She was at a delicate stage of her pregnancy and she feared that this whole incident would cause her to lose her baby. Tracy expressed her fear to her sister, and Laurie told her to go to the hospital with Keith and get checked out herself. Laurie would wait for the family to come home and everyone would meet there.
The paramedic helped Tracy into the ambulance and she sat there, still sobbing, as they worked on Keith there on the stretcher before her, answering their questions as best she could. Yes, he was on the floor when she found him, no, she hadn't seen him take the Valium or the Vodka; no, he hadn't vomited, at least not to her knowledge, yes, he'd been unconscious when she found him. It was terrifying, and Tracy just wanted Ken there to hold her and tell her everything would be all right. They closed the ambulance doors and Tracy caught a glimpse of Laurie through the rectangular window as she and Keith were driven away.
****
"They won't let us see Keith; they're pumping his stomach," Shirley told her brood and Reuben as they gathered in still another waiting room. They'd gotten home to find Laurie in hysterics, sobbing something about Keith and Tracy in the hospital, and as soon as everyone had gathered, it was one big caravan to San Pueblo General. "They let Ken go in with Tracy…oh, dear God, I hope the baby's all right…" Shirley was already worn down and they'd been there only fifteen minutes.
"I can't believe this is happening," Laurie muttered, her face still blotched with tears.
"Neither can I," Shirley put her arm around her daughter.
"Well, do they think it was an overdose, or what?" Reuben asked.
"Dr. Barnes said he didn't think he took very many pills, but with them being mixed with the alcohol, they didn't want to take any chances. He'll be lucky to escape without liver damage."
"He only had five Valiums to begin with, not counting his other painkillers," Chris was pacing. "And I warned him about the alcohol…"
"So, you think he did it on purpose?" Laurie looked horrified.
"I don't know what to think! He's been so unpredictable since this all began! And if his irresponsibility has hurt Tracy, I swear, I'm gonna kill him." Chris looked anxiously toward the doors that led to the emergency room.
Laurie shook her head. "You know what Tracy would say if she heard you talk like that? She'd be all over you!"
"Yeah, and she'd be right. This isn't the time to point fingers! We just need for the both of them to be okay!" Danny swallowed, making himself sit down. He felt as nervous as a cat.
"I'm not pointing fingers. I am just as much to blame, giving into him. More liquor, more pills…I should have been firm. I SHOULD have just made him get the treatments and stopped babying him." Chris kept pacing.
Shirley looked up at him. "Honey, there's nothing anyone could have done. Keith's old enough to make his own decisions, good or bad. He wouldn't have listened to anyone."
They saw Ken coming towards them and everyone got to their feet.
"How's Tracy?" Shirley breathed.
He smiled. "She's okay. They did an ultrasound and the baby's still as perfect as ever."
His news was greeted with cheers and cries of joy, and he looked relieved as he went on, "She's resting right now, and then as soon as she's feeling up to it, she'll join you. I told them to keep her back there for as long as they could. I don't think she needs to be in on all this worry over Keith." He looked at Shirley. "How's he doing? Any word?"
Shirley clutched his hand. "Well, they were pumping his stomach."
Ken pulled a face. "Doesn't sound like much fun! Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to go be with my wife."
Shirley and Laurie both hugged him. "Give her our love, and tell her we'll do the worrying over Keith."
"I will," Ken smiled, moving off towards the doors from whence he'd come.
"That's a relief!" Laurie swallowed, clutching Danny, who held her tightly.
Shirley's eyes glistened with tears. "It certainly is! Well, there is a bright spot in this after all!" She was just about to sit down when Dr. Barnes appeared. "Doctor?"
He smiled. "Have seats, everyone. I have good news and…some not so good news."
Shirley clutched Danny's hand as her brood and Reuben sat down around them.
"There's no liver damage; he hadn't exactly overdosed, but there was quite a lot of alcohol in his system. You were smart to only give him five pills." The doctor nodded at Chris. "The two he did take we were able to bring up, and as soon as we can lower his blood alcohol level, we're going to put him on another painkiller. That means that he's really hurting right now, and he's very grumpy."
"That's our Keith," Danny smiled, squeezing his mother's hand.
"What about the Hodgkins?" Chris swallowed. "Has it progressed?"
The doctor winced. "Well, he's just below Stage 2 at this point."
Chris blew out a breath. "Oh, god…" He shook his head.
"He has to start his treatments up again, no if ands or buts."
Chris rose. "Can I go back there? I need to pop some sense into him."
Dr. Barnes nodded. "That's exactly what he needs right now. He's in treatment room four."
Danny looked up, grinning. "Go get 'im, Tiger."
Chris moved to the door like a man with a purpose.
Keith was lying back in the bed, his face trickling with sweat as he fought the pain. He was startled when Chris yanked back the curtain, the look on his face that of a warrior of some sort.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Chris said lowly, and Keith raised an eyebrow. Two swear words in one week. This was a new record.
"What are you mad at?" Keith queried.
"You're almost Stage 2, you know that?"
Keith looked away. "So they tell me."
"I'm having them schedule you for treatments starting tomorrow."
Keith pushed his head back into the pillow, making a face as the pain rose and then faded. "And suppose I refuse?" He gasped, tensing.
Chris grabbed a rag and dabbed at his brother's face. "I'll have them sedate you or something, but you're going."
Keith looked at him. The look on Chris's face told him he wasn't kidding. "Why? So I can puke my guts out some more? There's an incentive, huh?"
"Hey, it's all I've got right now. That and the fact that you have a little nephew or a niece that would like to see their uncle, and not just in some fan magazine poster." Chris paused. "Tracy almost lost the baby today, Keith."
Keith's eyes widened. "She did?"
"Yeah, because she was trying to help you out. I don't want to make you feel guilty or anything, but this whole incident very nearly caused a miscarriage."
Keith felt sick, now. "Oh, god…" He closed his eyes. It had been Tracy holding him all the while he was on the floor. He couldn't quite pinpoint who it was, but now he knew. "Is she okay?" He tried to sit forward, but Chris pushed him back.
"She's fine. But think about what you'll be doing to her, to all of us, if you don't continue fighting this, pal. You can't deny us our right to have you around, even if you are a pain in the butt sometimes." Chris smiled, squeezing his shoulder.
Keith swallowed. "I don't know…" he looked over at Chris, tears filling his eyes. "I'm just so damned tired…"
Chris nodded, "I know, me, too."
Keith eyed him as his little brother looked down at his lap. He'd been so wrapped up in his problems, he'd forgotten about Chris's quandary. "You can't give up being a doctor, you know. I mean, what kind of example are you to me if you do that, huh?" Keith said after a moment.
Chris looked up and Keith smiled for a brief second.
"Look, I'll make you a deal. You stay in medical school and I'll take my treatments." Keith swallowed.
Chris chuckled. "That's hardly fair. I have to get bombed at a frat party in order to throw up. You get to do it automatically."
Keith laughed, then winced from the pain it caused, pushing his head back hard into the pillow. Chris reached up, clutching his brother's hand and wiping off his forehead. After the pain faded, he swallowed. "How about it? Is it a deal?"
Chris sighed. "Okay, if it saves your life, I guess I can live with that."
Keith smiled tiredly. "Whatever it takes, huh? But I want to see report cards!"
"Sure, as long as you send me blood samples." To Keith's look, he shrugged. "Maybe I can get extra credit!"
Keith started to laugh again, but pain shot through him. "Oh, god…how about if I go to medical school and you fight this crap?"
Chris's smile faded. "I'd trade places with you in a minute, you know that."
Keith looked at him. The kid's face was grim, and amazingly, Keith got the feeling that he wasn't kidding. "Hey, Chris?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
There were tears in the younger man's eyes as the door opened, and Shirley entered.
"Keith Partridge, I have a bone to pick with you. I was just informed that you have given up on yourself, and I will just not stand for it!"
"Mom, I - " Keith began.
"Stop!" Shirley held up her hand, her eyes fiery. "You will continue with your treatments, young man, and you will do so until you have gone back into remission, is that understood?"
Keith looked over at Chris, who was trying so hard not to smile. "Yes, ma'am," he sighed.
She looked surprised at his quick agreement, then smiled, seeming rather proud of herself as Chris chuckled out loud. She turned to him. "And you, Christopher, are going back to medical school. Whatever gave you the idea that you wouldn't make a good doctor? You are my son, and you will make me proud!"
"Okay, Mom," Chris nodded, reaching over and kissing her cheek.
Taken aback, Shirley smiled. "Well, I'm glad you two are in good moods." She bent down, kissing Keith's forehead. "Feeling any better, honey?"
Keith nodded. "Yeah, but unfortunately, this is far from over."
She put a loving hand on his face, her eyes locking into his. "Just know that I love you, sweetheart, and I'm here for you any time."
He swallowed. "I know, Mom." He reached up for her and she gently took him into her arms as the door opened and Laurie, Danny and Reuben peeked in.
"See, I told you, no bloodshed!" Danny barked as Keith and Shirley parted.
"Did you read them the riot act, Mom?" Laurie wanted to know as she sat on the edge of Keith's bed, taking his hand.
"Yes, I did, and they've agreed to everything."
"Really?" Danny seemed impressed. "Treatments and all, huh?" He looked over at Keith.
"Yeah. I decided, hey, what's a little vomit between family members?" Keith said tiredly.
"And…medical school?" Danny eyed his younger brother.
"My scalpel awaits," Chris smiled.
"Oh, you're studying to be a surgeon?" Laurie asked.
"No, I just need one, to cut Danny's tongue out for snitching on Keith and me!" Chris replied, much to Danny's delight.
The door opened once more, and Tracy came in with Ken. "Well, I can see the fighting's begun again…everything's back to normal!"
"Oh, honey, I'm so happy you and the baby are all right!" Shirley said, hugging her.
"Thanks, Mom. Yep, we're up and running okay." She moved to Keith as he looked a bit uncomfortable. "I'm glad you're okay, too," she said, putting her hand on his head.
"Ditto, Trace. I'm sorry…" He answered softly.
"You are going to beat this, Keith. Little Keith here's counting on it," she patted her stomach.
He smiled. "You're really naming him after me?"
"You bet we are! We wouldn't have it any other way!" She sat down next to him.
"Can I teach him how to play the guitar?"
"Absolutely!"
He sighed. "I guess I'll have to stick around for a while, then, huh?"
Tracy nodded, her eyes moist. "Just, oh, for the next ninety years."
"I'll see what I can do about that," he said tiredly.
"See that you do." She went into his arms.
He closed his eyes, hoping it was one promise he wouldn't break.
THE END