A PARTRIDGE FAMILY REUNION, Part 8
During the next few days, the family concentrated on Tracy's wedding; or tried to anyway. What with Keith going in every day for his treatments and inevitably getting sick every afternoon, it was a little difficult to deal with caterers, flowers, gowns and invitations, but still they managed. The wedding would take place in the Church at one o'clock Saturday. The reception would begin at 6, in the Partridge's back yard. Tracy was beginning to feel just a tad guilty, stealing some of the attention from her oldest brother, but he assured her that he wouldn't hold any grudges as long as he could still walk her down that aisle and give her away. She tried to get him to sing before the ceremony, and he told her he'd think about it, but that Mom was a better bet.
And so it went, the planning giving the women, at least, some respite from Keith's illness. The men, on the other hand, kept a close eye on their brother's progression, or digression, as the case may be. Some days, it seemed like he was winning the battle, and others, there was no win for losing. The nightmares had continued every night; the same one over and over. They were unnerving him and he knew it wasn't helping the physical side of this, let alone his psyche. The only good thing to happen lately was getting rid of the sling. His shoulder bruise had all but disappeared.
On the Friday before the wedding, Shirley decided to throw Tracy and Ken a luau at the beach, as a sort of wedding gift. It would be just the family, and a good excuse to get out and away from the hassles of planning the wedding and take everyone's mind off of Keith's troubles.
So, they packed up the bus and headed for the water: six Partridges, Ken, Reuben and the food. It was a deliciously glorious summer evening and they found a secluded spot near a wall of rocks that enclosed them in and away from the rest of the world.
Shirley and Laurie spread the blankets and food out while Reuben, Danny and Chris set up the barbecue and prepared to cook. Virtually exhausted from his treatment earlier that day, Keith was told to sit and watch the goings on, which he gladly did, having hardly any energy with which to move. Ken and Tracy took a short walk along the water, hand in hand; genuinely in love. The sight brought tears to Shirley's eyes as she watched them wander off.
Laurie joined Keith on the blanket. "Strange that the youngest Partridge is getting married, first," she sighed.
"Well, I knew it wouldn't be me, that's for sure," Keith smiled. "You came close a couple of times, you know."
"Oh, don't remind me." Laurie adjusted herself so that she and Keith were now back to back and she could feel him leaning on her.
Shirley joined them, now. Seeing Keith's obvious weariness, she reached over, squeezing his hand. "Oh, honey, I should have brought you a chair to sit in. I'm sorry."
"I'm okay, Mom. As long as Laurie doesn't move, she'll keep me upright." He grinned at her. "Question is, how are you holding up, what with your little girl getting married tomorrow?"
Shirley shook her head. "I still can't believe it's here already. When she told me, I thought, well, six months. I can handle that. But time sure flies."
"Yeah, one day she's in pigtails and the next minute…" Laurie said wistfully.
"Don't start, Laurie. Mom's already a basket case." Keith pushed on her from behind.
Danny, Chris and Reuben wandered over to them. "Ribs are on the grill. Hey, Mom, how come you didn't get the whole pig?" Danny grinned down at her.
"One pig at a luau is enough," Laurie poked him.
He retaliated by tugging on her hair and flopping down onto the blanket.
Chris and Reuben followed suit, the older man doing so gingerly.
Keith smiled at Shirley. "See, Mom, it's Reuben who needs the chair, not me."
"I didn't even think about it. Will you be able to get back up, Reuben?" Shirley asked him concernedly.
"Yeah, with everybody's help," Danny jeered.
"I'll have you know that the doctor told me I have the body of a 35-year-old man." Reuben leered back.
"Really? Aren't you afraid the cops will find it?" Danny faked surprise.
Everyone laughed and Reuben just rolled his eyes. "I give up, Shirley. I try to stay one step ahead of him, and he beats me every time."
"He's got his father's sense of humor, Reuben, don't blame me." Shirley laughed. "Keith got his looks, Danny got his sense of humor, and Chris got his intellect. The girls, on the other hand, take after the Renfrews."
"Oh, Mom, did you bring that picture you were looking for?" Laurie's eyes nearly danced.
"I did. It's right there in my bag, Danny, will you hand it to me?" Shirley indicated a straw tote bag nearby.
He did as he was asked, as Laurie went on. "Wait 'til you see this, guys. We wanted Tracy to see it, too."
"Want me to flag 'em down? Maybe I can interrupt a smooch session or something!" Danny looked just a little too eager.
"They're coming back, butthead," Chris nudged him with his foot as Ken and Tracy drew closer.
"Yeah, Danny, too bad for you." Keith shook his head.
"Trace, come here!" Laurie waved her over, almost letting Keith topple in the process.
"Hey, easy there!" Keith protested.
"Sorry." Laurie did some more adjusting so he was comfortable once again.
As Ken and Tracy approached, Shirley withdrew a photo album from her purse.
"What's up?" Tracy, still holding Ken's hand, joined her family there on the blanket.
"Look at this photo, honey, and tell me what you think," Shirley opened the book, and handed it to her.
Tracy looked it over, her eyes widening as her brothers leaned over, trying to see it, too. "Whose baby is Keith holding?"
Shirley smiled. "Keith IS the baby, honey. That's a picture of your Dad."
Tracy's jaw dropped. "You're kidding! He looks just like…just like Keith!"
Danny almost snatched the book from her, bringing it over so that he, Chris and Keith could take a look. "It IS Keith!" he exclaimed.
"Read the back," Shirley instructed.
Danny took the photo from the page, turning it over. "Daniel Allen and Keith Douglas Partridge, April 25, 1954," he read, then looked up. "Hey, cool. I've never seen this."
"Me, either," Keith added, taking the photo from Danny. "I never realized how much I look like him." He suddenly felt cold. There was that feeling again….
"You could be twins!" Chris shook his head, amazed, to Laurie and Shirley's grins.
"They sure could," Shirley said, catching her eldest's eye. "Why do you think I fell in love with him?"
Keith smiled, just a little embarrassed as Tracy sighed. "I don't remember Dad much. He died when I was what, two?"
"Yeah. I think I was six, Chris was three, Laurie was ten and Keith had just turned twelve," Danny nodded.
"I remember. Man, was that awful," Keith said gloomily.
"What happened, if you don't mind my asking?" Ken put his arm around Tracy's shoulders.
"Dan was a musician in his own right," Shirley answered. She smiled, thinking about him. "He was the one who got Keith hooked on the guitar, Keith taught Laurie the piano, and it sort of snowballed from there. Anyway, in July, 1966, he and a business partner were flying to Phoenix for a convention. The plane crashed in the desert. Here I was, with five small children, widowed, just like that. And, when my job at the bank just wasn't pulling in the money we needed, Keith decided to start the band, and here we are."
Laurie leaned back against Keith. "I've often wondered what he would say if he could see us, now."
"He would be the proudest father in the world," Shirley said firmly. "I believe that with all my heart."
Keith moved this time, clearing his throat. Silently, he climbed to his feet, his face sad and a little pained.
"You okay?" Chris asked.
He nodded. "I just need to walk this off."
"Cramping up again?"
"Oh, yeah." He winced, taking a limping step.
"Chris, go with him." Shirley ordered.
"I will, Mom," Tracy scrambled up. She hurried over, taking Keith's arm. They moved slowly and deliberately off.
###
They walked along the water's edge, Tracy's arm through Keith's, silently listening to the crashing of the waves and feeling the cool water lapping at their ankles.
He was limping and Tracy kept a firm grip on his arm, looking up into his face from time to time. It reflected the pain he was feeling more with each step and Tracy was rather surprised he'd come this far.
"How we doing?" She asked, squeezing his arm.
"Okay," he answered, trying not to flinch.
"If you need to sit down, just tell me."
He nodded. She noticed tears shining in the outer corners of his eyes and she put her head on his shoulder, feeling very melancholy.
"Let's stop," he said finally, doing just that.
She looked around them. "There's a rock over there about fifty yards."
He shook his head, pulling a face. "I can't make it…oh, god…" He gasped, beginning to sink down to the sand.
She kept hold of his arm until he was all the way onto his knees, both hands pushing into his thighs. She came down beside him.
"Hurts, huh?"
He nodded, pulling in a deep breath. "Yeah," he said, blowing it back out.
She waited, her arm around his shoulder, pressing her head into his as he fought the pain within.
There was a sob, then, "I'm not gonna make it, Trace…I'm losing this…" He looked skyward, as if awaiting some sort of answer.
She closed her eyes. "Don't say that. Of course you're going to make it."
"No…I've been having these nightmares," he gulped. "Dad's there, he keeps trying to take me with him."
She swallowed hard, rubbing his arm. "They're just dreams."
He shook his head. "And then when Mom had that picture…it was him…he said I have to go…I'm gonna die." He barely got the words out between sobs.
"Oh, Keith…" she soothed, her voice shaking. "Please don't…you're giving up. You can't do that. I need you. You're gonna pull through; you have to." She hugged him tight, crying with him.
Suddenly Chris was there. "Come on, Keith, let's get you back over here. You need to lie down." He knelt beside them.
Keith seemed to calm. "No, I have to walk…Please, just let me be alone for a while, okay?"
Tracy looked at Chris, her eyes wide. She shook her head.
To her surprise, Chris nodded, putting his hand on Keith's shoulder. "Okay, then, but don't go wandering off too far," he told him.
He and Tracy helped him to his feet. Making sure he was steady, Chris leaned in to look at him. "We'll wait right here for you, okay, bud?"
Keith nodded, pushing away from the two of them. He started off as Chris and Tracy stared after him.
"Chris…" she said uneasily.
"He'll be okay. He needs to get this out. He told me he does this a lot, whenever he needs to think."
"Chris, he's been dreaming about Dad. He says he keeps coming for him."
Chris swallowed. "I know, Mom told me." He put his arm around her. "But that doesn't mean he's gonna die, Trace."
They watched as their brother moved slowly toward the water, going about ten feet into the tide before sinking back down to the sand. He drew his knees up, hugging them, and started to cry.
Tracy looked panicked. "Chris!"
"Let him go, Trace. He's dealing with it in his own way," he said softly, fighting the lump there in his own throat.
Damn cancer, anyway!
###
The Church was filling up quickly with fans and friends of the Partridges, pouring in like ants at a picnic. So many people, in fact, that extra chairs had to be added in the back of the chapel and a temporary wall was moved to accommodate even more guests.
Danny and Chris, looking very handsome in their tuxedos, stood at the front of the chapel with Ken, another devilishly handsome creature in his simple white tux. They waited patiently for the girls to finish fussing with Tracy in another room somewhere, with Ken getting more and more jittery as each moment passed.
In a back room of the church, Tracy stared at herself in the full-length mirror. The wedding gown she'd chosen conformed to her figure perfectly, with a square lace yoke and thousands of little pearls sewn into the bodice and the skirt.
Shirley, of course, was teary. "Oh, honey, you look magnificent…" she sniffled, gently adjusting the veil that was topped with a pearl crown.
"I do, don't I?" Tracy whispered in awe.
"Breathtaking," Laurie added, standing back so she could get a full view of her little sister.
"I hope I don't trip…is Keith outside?" Tracy smoothed the front of the skirt.
"I think so. Laurie, you want to check?"
"Sure. Oh, Mom, get a picture of her, will you? I still can't believe how beautiful you look, Trace." She grabbed her hand, squeezing it.
Tracy smiled. "Don't, okay? All I need now is for my makeup to run!"
Laurie hugged her quickly, turning and going out the door.
"Oh, honey…" Shirley's voice trembled.
"Mom, please…my makeup!" Tracy had to look away.
"I know, but I just wanted to tell you how much I love you, and you know that I wish nothing but the best for the two of you."
That did it. Tracy went forward, pulling Shirley to her. The wedding gown rustled with the effort, and the two of them clung to one another. "Thanks, Mom. I love you, too."
They parted and both of them reached for the same box of tissue, giggling as they did so.
Shirley dabbed at her eyes. It was a tough day, and it seemed as if it was just going to get tougher for the mother of the bride.
###
Laurie found Keith sitting on a bench near the men's room. He was looking thin and worn, yet still handsome in his tuxedo. He was leaning back against the bench, his eyes closed.
"Tracy's almost ready, just a few last minute touch ups," Laurie informed him, sitting down. "You'll flip when you see her. She's a walking dream."
He smiled tiredly. "I'll bet." He leaned forward, elbows on knees, pulling a face.
"You okay?" Laurie put her hand on his back.
"Yeah…it's just that…I promised Tracy I'd sing before the ceremony and, right now, I don't know if I can do it." He spoke softly. He'd been sick all morning with the nausea and the stomach cramps, but he hadn't wanted anyone to know, especially his youngest sister.
"I'm sure she'll understand," Laurie's fingers raked across his back as she leaned down to look at him.
He swiped at his eyes. "Dammit, I knew I shouldn't've gone in for Friday's treatment!" he groused. "I swear, they're gonna burn a hole in my chest before this is over."
Laurie smiled sadly as he once again sat upright, his hand on his stomach. "Maybe Chris has something you can take to settle your stomach."
He just shook his head wearily. Down the hall, the door opened and Tracy stepped out, bouquet in hand. Shirley was right behind her, trying to manage the four-foot train. Keith stood up, staring at Tracy as she glided toward them.
"Trace?" He looked stunned.
She grinned. "It's me, all right. Can you believe this?"
They met in a long hug, and he kissed her cheek. "You're gorgeous!" He stepped back, looking her over.
She put her hand on his face. "Don't you start…Mom, I need more tissues!"
"Way ahead of you," Shirley smiled, pressing several into her hand.
"Tracy, you look like an angel," Keith said, his eyes shining.
She nudged him. "You don't look so bad yourself," she retorted, laughing through her tears.
He held out his bent arm. "Ready, pumpkin?"
She glanced at her mother and sister, taking a deep breath before taking his arm. "Ready."
"We'll tell them you're on the way," Shirley said, motioning Laurie forward.
"Good luck, you two." Laurie grinned, following her mother.
Now Keith and Tracy stood alone in the corridor, their eyes locking.
"Thanks for filling in for Dad, Keith."
"Hey, I figure I'm the next best thing, right?" he smiled warmly, over the turmoil brewing in his midsection. "You okay to go?"
"Question is, are you ready?" Her eyes were full of concern.
He nodded. "Don't you worry about me."
"Are you still singing for me?"
He hauled in a deep breath. "I think I can do that," he grinned tiredly.
She smiled as he reached up, adjusting the crown on the veil, and once more giving her a brotherly kiss on the cheek.
She returned the kiss and he patted her hand, stepping forward.
###
Tracy felt like a queen as she and Keith strode down the aisle to Laurie's rendition of the Wedding March. Everyone was standing, looking at her and she glanced at Keith self-consciously. He gave her a wink and a smile and she closed her eyes, waiting for her heart to get back to its normal rhythm. Up ahead, she saw Ken there waiting for her, his face beaming. Even Chris and Danny looked entranced as they approached the minister. Finally reaching the end of their walk, Keith eased her hand onto Ken's arm with a wide grin and stepped back, going to a microphone that sat by the piano. He picked it up, clearing his throat and looking around the room. All eyes, including the bride and groom's turned to him.
"Tracy asked me to sing a song for her and Ken. I wrote it on the plane coming out here for this wedding, never having met my future brother-in-law, but I can see now, looking at the two of them, that truer words have never been written. It's called 'Tenderly,' and I hope you like it."
He glanced at Laurie and she began to play.
Grinning at Tracy and Ken, he started to sing. The words came out gently, meaningfully, and he sang to the two of them as if they were the only ones in the room.
He ended it to thunderous applause, but he could only see Tracy and Ken smiling at him. Tracy wiped at her eyes with the tissues, mouthing "Thank you!" to him as he blew her a kiss, taking his place behind Ken and Laurie joined him, standing behind Tracy as the minister began the ceremony, simple as it would be.
"Please join hands and face one another."
They did so, and the minister went on.
"Do you, Tracy, take Ken as your husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
Tracy swallowed, hoping the words came out. "I do."
"And do you, Ken, take Tracy as your wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
Ken gazed into her eyes. "You bet I do."
"The rings, please," the minister looked at Danny.
He handed them to Ken and they did the exchange, staring into one another's eyes. Finished, they turned back to the podium from where the minister spoke.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
There was a pause, and the minister smiled mischievously.
"You may kiss the bride."
Ken grabbed her, putting her in a full lip lock as Keith and Laurie laughed behind them. Then it was virtual chaos as they turned to face the congregation. Shirley greeted them both with a hug and kiss, and soon they found themselves surrounded by ecstatic family members.
Tracy gave everyone hugs, waiting to give Keith one last. She pulled him close, whispering in his ear. "Thank you for the song, Keith. It was beautiful."
They parted and she was surprised to see tears in his eyes. Panicking, she grabbed his hand. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, sure." He tossed his head carelessly. "It's just that…well, I thought I was your favorite guy and now…" He forced a smile.
She laughed, kissing his cheek. "Don't worry. I still love you like a brother."
He laughed, too, wiping at his eyes as Ken came up, enveloping him in an embrace. "Thanks for that great song, Keith. It was just great."
"You're welcome. Now you be sure and treat my sister right, or I'll come after you."
"No need to worry. I love her more than anything in the world," Ken assured him, bringing Tracy's hand up and kissing it.
Shirley stepped up. "The photographers are waiting outside for pictures," she told them.
"Okay. See you later at the reception?" Tracy asked Keith.
"I hope so," he smiled, waving as Ken took her back down the aisle toward the door.
Feeling just a bit tired, he slipped away from the crowd.
###
It seemed as if the reception line wasn't ever going to end. The Partridges and Ken had stood now for two hours, greeting everyone that passed through. Just about the whole town turned out!
Keith wasn't up to standing that long, so he was taking frequent breaks in the house, away from the confusion and the few gate crashers that had turned up in hopes of seeing him, anyway.
He would last the better part of half an hour, then he would slip into the house, ease down on the couch and put his feet up, feeling like 71 instead of 31.
Chris would check on him routinely, this last time catching him in a serious phone conversation. Chris came in through the kitchen, stopping to eavesdrop.
Keith was sitting at the desk in the living room, his back to anyone who came in. "I know," he was saying to the person on the other end. "But I still have three, maybe four weeks of these radiation treatments! Yeah, but it's not…I can't do that. Jay, listen to me."
Chris knew it was Keith's manager he was talking to. He waited, unseen, as Keith went on.
"Really. That good, huh? Crap. Yes, yes, I know. Look, I'll talk to Chris and see what he thinks. Yes, and don't scrimp. I want the best you can find. It's my life, man. Okay, talk to you later." He hung up the phone as Chris stepped forward.
"That Jay?"
Startled, Keith looked up. "Yeah. I called to let him know what was going on." He pushed himself up and went back over to the couch, falling back on it.
"So, out with it."
"What?"
"I heard you say you needed to talk to me. What about?" Chris sat down next to him.
Keith nervously cleared his throat. "He's uh…come up with a gig I just can't pass up," he said, looking up at him. Chris's face remained stoical. "It's a two week run at Harrah's over in Tahoe. They want me there by Wednesday." He stopped, waiting for the repercussions.
Chris nodded. "I see. Well, are you taking it?"
Surprised, Keith shrugged. "I was thinking about it, yeah."
Again Chris nodded. "You still have a few weeks to go on your treatments. At least three."
"I know, and he's finding me a doctor up there so I can keep up with them. I told him I wanted the best guy in the business."
"Can you handle performing, what with the side effects? You've seen what they do to you."
Keith sighed, closing his eyes. "I'll have to deal with it as it comes up." He looked at him, his face dark and serious. "I can't stop my life because of this, Chris. The show must go on. I can't let a little thing like cancer bring me down."
Chris smiled, reaching over and squeezing his arm. "That's the Keith I know."
"Then you agree?"
"One hundred percent. As long as you keep up with your treatments, you should do okay. Can't guarantee anything, but…"
Keith looked relieved.
"Just one thing, though," Chris bit his lip.
"What?"
"How are you gonna tell Mom?"
"Hey, I told her I was dying. How bad can it be to tell her I'm gonna live?" Keith looked at him, his eyes shining.
Laughing, Chris pulled him close.
###
The reception was finally over, everyone had gone home, and Ken and Tracy were preparing to leave for their honeymoon, a week in Maui. They came downstairs with Tracy's bags as the rest of the family stood nearby to see them off.
There were hugs all around, of course, and the gifts. Danny, Chris and Laurie all pitched in to give them $3000 in spending cash, and Shirley had passed down a set of china she'd gotten from her grandmother. Only Keith's gift remained, and he was upstairs sifting through his luggage trying to find it.
"Thanks, you guys for the money…you're spoiling us!" Tracy told her siblings.
"Yeah, well, we want to see receipts. And a little change would be nice, too," Danny kidded as Laurie smacked his shoulder.
"Ignore him. Spend it any way you like," she smiled.
"Like they're gonna leave the hotel room to spend it," Chris said, to everyone's surprise.
"Chris!" Shirley said.
"I'm a doctor, I'm allowed," he grinned.
"And thanks, too, Mom for the beautiful china. Hope you don't mind us leaving it here 'til we get back."
"Oh, no, not at all. It's just that every time I see it, I'll burst into tears, but, I'll manage…" Shirley leaned over, giving them both a kiss. "Have a good time, kids."
Ken glanced at his watch. "Our plane leaves in two hours…"
Danny sighed. "Maybe somebody should check on our beloved lead singer. He probably pulled a muscle going through that mountain of luggage he has."
Keith came down the stairs, an envelope in his hand. "Sorry I took so long," he seemed a little out of breath. Grinning, he handed the envelope to Tracy. "Here's to your marriage."
She took the envelope as everyone gathered around. It wasn't sealed, so she opened the flap. Puzzled, she brought out a set of keys on a chain and a folded piece of paper.
"What's this?" she eyed her oldest brother.
He nodded. "Read the paper."
Unfolding it, she and Ken read the words, both looking up in shock. "The deed to your house in San Fernando?" Tracy was stunned.
Keith smiled. "Somebody should enjoy it."
"Oh, Keith, I…I don't know what to say!" Ken shook his head.
He shrugged. "It's nothing. The house is right in the center of all the action, you know, agents, studios. I thought you might like it. I never go there, I'm always on the road."
His words were cut short by a hug from both of them at once.
"Keith, how wonderful!" Shirley put her hand on his shoulder.
Keith looked at Chris. "Oh, and speaking of being on the road, Mom, everybody, I have an announcement to make."
"Uh oh," Danny folded his arms across his thick chest.
"Jay got me a job at Harrah's Tahoe starting Wednesday for two weeks."
They all reacted.
"No way!" Tracy said.
"You can't!" Laurie shook her head.
"Sorry, pal, but you'll have to cancel." Danny was adamant.
Keith looked over at Shirley. "Mom?"
"Oh, honey, I'm so glad you're going on with your life. You've been through so much; you need to get back out there and show 'em that nothing, but nothing is going to stop Keith Partridge!"
Her words surprised all of them, most of all Keith. He grabbed her, giving her the hug of her life. And his. After all, that's exactly what it was. His life.
###THE END###
During the next few days, the family concentrated on Tracy's wedding; or tried to anyway. What with Keith going in every day for his treatments and inevitably getting sick every afternoon, it was a little difficult to deal with caterers, flowers, gowns and invitations, but still they managed. The wedding would take place in the Church at one o'clock Saturday. The reception would begin at 6, in the Partridge's back yard. Tracy was beginning to feel just a tad guilty, stealing some of the attention from her oldest brother, but he assured her that he wouldn't hold any grudges as long as he could still walk her down that aisle and give her away. She tried to get him to sing before the ceremony, and he told her he'd think about it, but that Mom was a better bet.
And so it went, the planning giving the women, at least, some respite from Keith's illness. The men, on the other hand, kept a close eye on their brother's progression, or digression, as the case may be. Some days, it seemed like he was winning the battle, and others, there was no win for losing. The nightmares had continued every night; the same one over and over. They were unnerving him and he knew it wasn't helping the physical side of this, let alone his psyche. The only good thing to happen lately was getting rid of the sling. His shoulder bruise had all but disappeared.
On the Friday before the wedding, Shirley decided to throw Tracy and Ken a luau at the beach, as a sort of wedding gift. It would be just the family, and a good excuse to get out and away from the hassles of planning the wedding and take everyone's mind off of Keith's troubles.
So, they packed up the bus and headed for the water: six Partridges, Ken, Reuben and the food. It was a deliciously glorious summer evening and they found a secluded spot near a wall of rocks that enclosed them in and away from the rest of the world.
Shirley and Laurie spread the blankets and food out while Reuben, Danny and Chris set up the barbecue and prepared to cook. Virtually exhausted from his treatment earlier that day, Keith was told to sit and watch the goings on, which he gladly did, having hardly any energy with which to move. Ken and Tracy took a short walk along the water, hand in hand; genuinely in love. The sight brought tears to Shirley's eyes as she watched them wander off.
Laurie joined Keith on the blanket. "Strange that the youngest Partridge is getting married, first," she sighed.
"Well, I knew it wouldn't be me, that's for sure," Keith smiled. "You came close a couple of times, you know."
"Oh, don't remind me." Laurie adjusted herself so that she and Keith were now back to back and she could feel him leaning on her.
Shirley joined them, now. Seeing Keith's obvious weariness, she reached over, squeezing his hand. "Oh, honey, I should have brought you a chair to sit in. I'm sorry."
"I'm okay, Mom. As long as Laurie doesn't move, she'll keep me upright." He grinned at her. "Question is, how are you holding up, what with your little girl getting married tomorrow?"
Shirley shook her head. "I still can't believe it's here already. When she told me, I thought, well, six months. I can handle that. But time sure flies."
"Yeah, one day she's in pigtails and the next minute…" Laurie said wistfully.
"Don't start, Laurie. Mom's already a basket case." Keith pushed on her from behind.
Danny, Chris and Reuben wandered over to them. "Ribs are on the grill. Hey, Mom, how come you didn't get the whole pig?" Danny grinned down at her.
"One pig at a luau is enough," Laurie poked him.
He retaliated by tugging on her hair and flopping down onto the blanket.
Chris and Reuben followed suit, the older man doing so gingerly.
Keith smiled at Shirley. "See, Mom, it's Reuben who needs the chair, not me."
"I didn't even think about it. Will you be able to get back up, Reuben?" Shirley asked him concernedly.
"Yeah, with everybody's help," Danny jeered.
"I'll have you know that the doctor told me I have the body of a 35-year-old man." Reuben leered back.
"Really? Aren't you afraid the cops will find it?" Danny faked surprise.
Everyone laughed and Reuben just rolled his eyes. "I give up, Shirley. I try to stay one step ahead of him, and he beats me every time."
"He's got his father's sense of humor, Reuben, don't blame me." Shirley laughed. "Keith got his looks, Danny got his sense of humor, and Chris got his intellect. The girls, on the other hand, take after the Renfrews."
"Oh, Mom, did you bring that picture you were looking for?" Laurie's eyes nearly danced.
"I did. It's right there in my bag, Danny, will you hand it to me?" Shirley indicated a straw tote bag nearby.
He did as he was asked, as Laurie went on. "Wait 'til you see this, guys. We wanted Tracy to see it, too."
"Want me to flag 'em down? Maybe I can interrupt a smooch session or something!" Danny looked just a little too eager.
"They're coming back, butthead," Chris nudged him with his foot as Ken and Tracy drew closer.
"Yeah, Danny, too bad for you." Keith shook his head.
"Trace, come here!" Laurie waved her over, almost letting Keith topple in the process.
"Hey, easy there!" Keith protested.
"Sorry." Laurie did some more adjusting so he was comfortable once again.
As Ken and Tracy approached, Shirley withdrew a photo album from her purse.
"What's up?" Tracy, still holding Ken's hand, joined her family there on the blanket.
"Look at this photo, honey, and tell me what you think," Shirley opened the book, and handed it to her.
Tracy looked it over, her eyes widening as her brothers leaned over, trying to see it, too. "Whose baby is Keith holding?"
Shirley smiled. "Keith IS the baby, honey. That's a picture of your Dad."
Tracy's jaw dropped. "You're kidding! He looks just like…just like Keith!"
Danny almost snatched the book from her, bringing it over so that he, Chris and Keith could take a look. "It IS Keith!" he exclaimed.
"Read the back," Shirley instructed.
Danny took the photo from the page, turning it over. "Daniel Allen and Keith Douglas Partridge, April 25, 1954," he read, then looked up. "Hey, cool. I've never seen this."
"Me, either," Keith added, taking the photo from Danny. "I never realized how much I look like him." He suddenly felt cold. There was that feeling again….
"You could be twins!" Chris shook his head, amazed, to Laurie and Shirley's grins.
"They sure could," Shirley said, catching her eldest's eye. "Why do you think I fell in love with him?"
Keith smiled, just a little embarrassed as Tracy sighed. "I don't remember Dad much. He died when I was what, two?"
"Yeah. I think I was six, Chris was three, Laurie was ten and Keith had just turned twelve," Danny nodded.
"I remember. Man, was that awful," Keith said gloomily.
"What happened, if you don't mind my asking?" Ken put his arm around Tracy's shoulders.
"Dan was a musician in his own right," Shirley answered. She smiled, thinking about him. "He was the one who got Keith hooked on the guitar, Keith taught Laurie the piano, and it sort of snowballed from there. Anyway, in July, 1966, he and a business partner were flying to Phoenix for a convention. The plane crashed in the desert. Here I was, with five small children, widowed, just like that. And, when my job at the bank just wasn't pulling in the money we needed, Keith decided to start the band, and here we are."
Laurie leaned back against Keith. "I've often wondered what he would say if he could see us, now."
"He would be the proudest father in the world," Shirley said firmly. "I believe that with all my heart."
Keith moved this time, clearing his throat. Silently, he climbed to his feet, his face sad and a little pained.
"You okay?" Chris asked.
He nodded. "I just need to walk this off."
"Cramping up again?"
"Oh, yeah." He winced, taking a limping step.
"Chris, go with him." Shirley ordered.
"I will, Mom," Tracy scrambled up. She hurried over, taking Keith's arm. They moved slowly and deliberately off.
###
They walked along the water's edge, Tracy's arm through Keith's, silently listening to the crashing of the waves and feeling the cool water lapping at their ankles.
He was limping and Tracy kept a firm grip on his arm, looking up into his face from time to time. It reflected the pain he was feeling more with each step and Tracy was rather surprised he'd come this far.
"How we doing?" She asked, squeezing his arm.
"Okay," he answered, trying not to flinch.
"If you need to sit down, just tell me."
He nodded. She noticed tears shining in the outer corners of his eyes and she put her head on his shoulder, feeling very melancholy.
"Let's stop," he said finally, doing just that.
She looked around them. "There's a rock over there about fifty yards."
He shook his head, pulling a face. "I can't make it…oh, god…" He gasped, beginning to sink down to the sand.
She kept hold of his arm until he was all the way onto his knees, both hands pushing into his thighs. She came down beside him.
"Hurts, huh?"
He nodded, pulling in a deep breath. "Yeah," he said, blowing it back out.
She waited, her arm around his shoulder, pressing her head into his as he fought the pain within.
There was a sob, then, "I'm not gonna make it, Trace…I'm losing this…" He looked skyward, as if awaiting some sort of answer.
She closed her eyes. "Don't say that. Of course you're going to make it."
"No…I've been having these nightmares," he gulped. "Dad's there, he keeps trying to take me with him."
She swallowed hard, rubbing his arm. "They're just dreams."
He shook his head. "And then when Mom had that picture…it was him…he said I have to go…I'm gonna die." He barely got the words out between sobs.
"Oh, Keith…" she soothed, her voice shaking. "Please don't…you're giving up. You can't do that. I need you. You're gonna pull through; you have to." She hugged him tight, crying with him.
Suddenly Chris was there. "Come on, Keith, let's get you back over here. You need to lie down." He knelt beside them.
Keith seemed to calm. "No, I have to walk…Please, just let me be alone for a while, okay?"
Tracy looked at Chris, her eyes wide. She shook her head.
To her surprise, Chris nodded, putting his hand on Keith's shoulder. "Okay, then, but don't go wandering off too far," he told him.
He and Tracy helped him to his feet. Making sure he was steady, Chris leaned in to look at him. "We'll wait right here for you, okay, bud?"
Keith nodded, pushing away from the two of them. He started off as Chris and Tracy stared after him.
"Chris…" she said uneasily.
"He'll be okay. He needs to get this out. He told me he does this a lot, whenever he needs to think."
"Chris, he's been dreaming about Dad. He says he keeps coming for him."
Chris swallowed. "I know, Mom told me." He put his arm around her. "But that doesn't mean he's gonna die, Trace."
They watched as their brother moved slowly toward the water, going about ten feet into the tide before sinking back down to the sand. He drew his knees up, hugging them, and started to cry.
Tracy looked panicked. "Chris!"
"Let him go, Trace. He's dealing with it in his own way," he said softly, fighting the lump there in his own throat.
Damn cancer, anyway!
###
The Church was filling up quickly with fans and friends of the Partridges, pouring in like ants at a picnic. So many people, in fact, that extra chairs had to be added in the back of the chapel and a temporary wall was moved to accommodate even more guests.
Danny and Chris, looking very handsome in their tuxedos, stood at the front of the chapel with Ken, another devilishly handsome creature in his simple white tux. They waited patiently for the girls to finish fussing with Tracy in another room somewhere, with Ken getting more and more jittery as each moment passed.
In a back room of the church, Tracy stared at herself in the full-length mirror. The wedding gown she'd chosen conformed to her figure perfectly, with a square lace yoke and thousands of little pearls sewn into the bodice and the skirt.
Shirley, of course, was teary. "Oh, honey, you look magnificent…" she sniffled, gently adjusting the veil that was topped with a pearl crown.
"I do, don't I?" Tracy whispered in awe.
"Breathtaking," Laurie added, standing back so she could get a full view of her little sister.
"I hope I don't trip…is Keith outside?" Tracy smoothed the front of the skirt.
"I think so. Laurie, you want to check?"
"Sure. Oh, Mom, get a picture of her, will you? I still can't believe how beautiful you look, Trace." She grabbed her hand, squeezing it.
Tracy smiled. "Don't, okay? All I need now is for my makeup to run!"
Laurie hugged her quickly, turning and going out the door.
"Oh, honey…" Shirley's voice trembled.
"Mom, please…my makeup!" Tracy had to look away.
"I know, but I just wanted to tell you how much I love you, and you know that I wish nothing but the best for the two of you."
That did it. Tracy went forward, pulling Shirley to her. The wedding gown rustled with the effort, and the two of them clung to one another. "Thanks, Mom. I love you, too."
They parted and both of them reached for the same box of tissue, giggling as they did so.
Shirley dabbed at her eyes. It was a tough day, and it seemed as if it was just going to get tougher for the mother of the bride.
###
Laurie found Keith sitting on a bench near the men's room. He was looking thin and worn, yet still handsome in his tuxedo. He was leaning back against the bench, his eyes closed.
"Tracy's almost ready, just a few last minute touch ups," Laurie informed him, sitting down. "You'll flip when you see her. She's a walking dream."
He smiled tiredly. "I'll bet." He leaned forward, elbows on knees, pulling a face.
"You okay?" Laurie put her hand on his back.
"Yeah…it's just that…I promised Tracy I'd sing before the ceremony and, right now, I don't know if I can do it." He spoke softly. He'd been sick all morning with the nausea and the stomach cramps, but he hadn't wanted anyone to know, especially his youngest sister.
"I'm sure she'll understand," Laurie's fingers raked across his back as she leaned down to look at him.
He swiped at his eyes. "Dammit, I knew I shouldn't've gone in for Friday's treatment!" he groused. "I swear, they're gonna burn a hole in my chest before this is over."
Laurie smiled sadly as he once again sat upright, his hand on his stomach. "Maybe Chris has something you can take to settle your stomach."
He just shook his head wearily. Down the hall, the door opened and Tracy stepped out, bouquet in hand. Shirley was right behind her, trying to manage the four-foot train. Keith stood up, staring at Tracy as she glided toward them.
"Trace?" He looked stunned.
She grinned. "It's me, all right. Can you believe this?"
They met in a long hug, and he kissed her cheek. "You're gorgeous!" He stepped back, looking her over.
She put her hand on his face. "Don't you start…Mom, I need more tissues!"
"Way ahead of you," Shirley smiled, pressing several into her hand.
"Tracy, you look like an angel," Keith said, his eyes shining.
She nudged him. "You don't look so bad yourself," she retorted, laughing through her tears.
He held out his bent arm. "Ready, pumpkin?"
She glanced at her mother and sister, taking a deep breath before taking his arm. "Ready."
"We'll tell them you're on the way," Shirley said, motioning Laurie forward.
"Good luck, you two." Laurie grinned, following her mother.
Now Keith and Tracy stood alone in the corridor, their eyes locking.
"Thanks for filling in for Dad, Keith."
"Hey, I figure I'm the next best thing, right?" he smiled warmly, over the turmoil brewing in his midsection. "You okay to go?"
"Question is, are you ready?" Her eyes were full of concern.
He nodded. "Don't you worry about me."
"Are you still singing for me?"
He hauled in a deep breath. "I think I can do that," he grinned tiredly.
She smiled as he reached up, adjusting the crown on the veil, and once more giving her a brotherly kiss on the cheek.
She returned the kiss and he patted her hand, stepping forward.
###
Tracy felt like a queen as she and Keith strode down the aisle to Laurie's rendition of the Wedding March. Everyone was standing, looking at her and she glanced at Keith self-consciously. He gave her a wink and a smile and she closed her eyes, waiting for her heart to get back to its normal rhythm. Up ahead, she saw Ken there waiting for her, his face beaming. Even Chris and Danny looked entranced as they approached the minister. Finally reaching the end of their walk, Keith eased her hand onto Ken's arm with a wide grin and stepped back, going to a microphone that sat by the piano. He picked it up, clearing his throat and looking around the room. All eyes, including the bride and groom's turned to him.
"Tracy asked me to sing a song for her and Ken. I wrote it on the plane coming out here for this wedding, never having met my future brother-in-law, but I can see now, looking at the two of them, that truer words have never been written. It's called 'Tenderly,' and I hope you like it."
He glanced at Laurie and she began to play.
Grinning at Tracy and Ken, he started to sing. The words came out gently, meaningfully, and he sang to the two of them as if they were the only ones in the room.
He ended it to thunderous applause, but he could only see Tracy and Ken smiling at him. Tracy wiped at her eyes with the tissues, mouthing "Thank you!" to him as he blew her a kiss, taking his place behind Ken and Laurie joined him, standing behind Tracy as the minister began the ceremony, simple as it would be.
"Please join hands and face one another."
They did so, and the minister went on.
"Do you, Tracy, take Ken as your husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
Tracy swallowed, hoping the words came out. "I do."
"And do you, Ken, take Tracy as your wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
Ken gazed into her eyes. "You bet I do."
"The rings, please," the minister looked at Danny.
He handed them to Ken and they did the exchange, staring into one another's eyes. Finished, they turned back to the podium from where the minister spoke.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
There was a pause, and the minister smiled mischievously.
"You may kiss the bride."
Ken grabbed her, putting her in a full lip lock as Keith and Laurie laughed behind them. Then it was virtual chaos as they turned to face the congregation. Shirley greeted them both with a hug and kiss, and soon they found themselves surrounded by ecstatic family members.
Tracy gave everyone hugs, waiting to give Keith one last. She pulled him close, whispering in his ear. "Thank you for the song, Keith. It was beautiful."
They parted and she was surprised to see tears in his eyes. Panicking, she grabbed his hand. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, sure." He tossed his head carelessly. "It's just that…well, I thought I was your favorite guy and now…" He forced a smile.
She laughed, kissing his cheek. "Don't worry. I still love you like a brother."
He laughed, too, wiping at his eyes as Ken came up, enveloping him in an embrace. "Thanks for that great song, Keith. It was just great."
"You're welcome. Now you be sure and treat my sister right, or I'll come after you."
"No need to worry. I love her more than anything in the world," Ken assured him, bringing Tracy's hand up and kissing it.
Shirley stepped up. "The photographers are waiting outside for pictures," she told them.
"Okay. See you later at the reception?" Tracy asked Keith.
"I hope so," he smiled, waving as Ken took her back down the aisle toward the door.
Feeling just a bit tired, he slipped away from the crowd.
###
It seemed as if the reception line wasn't ever going to end. The Partridges and Ken had stood now for two hours, greeting everyone that passed through. Just about the whole town turned out!
Keith wasn't up to standing that long, so he was taking frequent breaks in the house, away from the confusion and the few gate crashers that had turned up in hopes of seeing him, anyway.
He would last the better part of half an hour, then he would slip into the house, ease down on the couch and put his feet up, feeling like 71 instead of 31.
Chris would check on him routinely, this last time catching him in a serious phone conversation. Chris came in through the kitchen, stopping to eavesdrop.
Keith was sitting at the desk in the living room, his back to anyone who came in. "I know," he was saying to the person on the other end. "But I still have three, maybe four weeks of these radiation treatments! Yeah, but it's not…I can't do that. Jay, listen to me."
Chris knew it was Keith's manager he was talking to. He waited, unseen, as Keith went on.
"Really. That good, huh? Crap. Yes, yes, I know. Look, I'll talk to Chris and see what he thinks. Yes, and don't scrimp. I want the best you can find. It's my life, man. Okay, talk to you later." He hung up the phone as Chris stepped forward.
"That Jay?"
Startled, Keith looked up. "Yeah. I called to let him know what was going on." He pushed himself up and went back over to the couch, falling back on it.
"So, out with it."
"What?"
"I heard you say you needed to talk to me. What about?" Chris sat down next to him.
Keith nervously cleared his throat. "He's uh…come up with a gig I just can't pass up," he said, looking up at him. Chris's face remained stoical. "It's a two week run at Harrah's over in Tahoe. They want me there by Wednesday." He stopped, waiting for the repercussions.
Chris nodded. "I see. Well, are you taking it?"
Surprised, Keith shrugged. "I was thinking about it, yeah."
Again Chris nodded. "You still have a few weeks to go on your treatments. At least three."
"I know, and he's finding me a doctor up there so I can keep up with them. I told him I wanted the best guy in the business."
"Can you handle performing, what with the side effects? You've seen what they do to you."
Keith sighed, closing his eyes. "I'll have to deal with it as it comes up." He looked at him, his face dark and serious. "I can't stop my life because of this, Chris. The show must go on. I can't let a little thing like cancer bring me down."
Chris smiled, reaching over and squeezing his arm. "That's the Keith I know."
"Then you agree?"
"One hundred percent. As long as you keep up with your treatments, you should do okay. Can't guarantee anything, but…"
Keith looked relieved.
"Just one thing, though," Chris bit his lip.
"What?"
"How are you gonna tell Mom?"
"Hey, I told her I was dying. How bad can it be to tell her I'm gonna live?" Keith looked at him, his eyes shining.
Laughing, Chris pulled him close.
###
The reception was finally over, everyone had gone home, and Ken and Tracy were preparing to leave for their honeymoon, a week in Maui. They came downstairs with Tracy's bags as the rest of the family stood nearby to see them off.
There were hugs all around, of course, and the gifts. Danny, Chris and Laurie all pitched in to give them $3000 in spending cash, and Shirley had passed down a set of china she'd gotten from her grandmother. Only Keith's gift remained, and he was upstairs sifting through his luggage trying to find it.
"Thanks, you guys for the money…you're spoiling us!" Tracy told her siblings.
"Yeah, well, we want to see receipts. And a little change would be nice, too," Danny kidded as Laurie smacked his shoulder.
"Ignore him. Spend it any way you like," she smiled.
"Like they're gonna leave the hotel room to spend it," Chris said, to everyone's surprise.
"Chris!" Shirley said.
"I'm a doctor, I'm allowed," he grinned.
"And thanks, too, Mom for the beautiful china. Hope you don't mind us leaving it here 'til we get back."
"Oh, no, not at all. It's just that every time I see it, I'll burst into tears, but, I'll manage…" Shirley leaned over, giving them both a kiss. "Have a good time, kids."
Ken glanced at his watch. "Our plane leaves in two hours…"
Danny sighed. "Maybe somebody should check on our beloved lead singer. He probably pulled a muscle going through that mountain of luggage he has."
Keith came down the stairs, an envelope in his hand. "Sorry I took so long," he seemed a little out of breath. Grinning, he handed the envelope to Tracy. "Here's to your marriage."
She took the envelope as everyone gathered around. It wasn't sealed, so she opened the flap. Puzzled, she brought out a set of keys on a chain and a folded piece of paper.
"What's this?" she eyed her oldest brother.
He nodded. "Read the paper."
Unfolding it, she and Ken read the words, both looking up in shock. "The deed to your house in San Fernando?" Tracy was stunned.
Keith smiled. "Somebody should enjoy it."
"Oh, Keith, I…I don't know what to say!" Ken shook his head.
He shrugged. "It's nothing. The house is right in the center of all the action, you know, agents, studios. I thought you might like it. I never go there, I'm always on the road."
His words were cut short by a hug from both of them at once.
"Keith, how wonderful!" Shirley put her hand on his shoulder.
Keith looked at Chris. "Oh, and speaking of being on the road, Mom, everybody, I have an announcement to make."
"Uh oh," Danny folded his arms across his thick chest.
"Jay got me a job at Harrah's Tahoe starting Wednesday for two weeks."
They all reacted.
"No way!" Tracy said.
"You can't!" Laurie shook her head.
"Sorry, pal, but you'll have to cancel." Danny was adamant.
Keith looked over at Shirley. "Mom?"
"Oh, honey, I'm so glad you're going on with your life. You've been through so much; you need to get back out there and show 'em that nothing, but nothing is going to stop Keith Partridge!"
Her words surprised all of them, most of all Keith. He grabbed her, giving her the hug of her life. And his. After all, that's exactly what it was. His life.
###THE END###