two years pass...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEITH PARTRIDGE
Part 1
It was early morning on April 12th, and five out of six Partridges were already up and moving. It took a long time to decorate for a party; after all, it was Keith's eighteenth birthday and things had to be just right. Laurie and Shirley hung a huge banner that read "Happy 18th, Keith" in the living room. Chris and Tracy blew up several dozen balloons and Danny tied them off, attaching them to everything he could think of. There were streamers and confetti…making Shirley's once neat living room look like a tickertape parade had just been by.
"Think he suspects anything?" Laurie stood on her tiptoes on the stepladder.
"I don't think so. He was pretty adamant about not having a party and I think we did a good enough acting job to make him think we listened. Personally, I think he would be hurt if we didn't come through with something. I mean, how many times do you turn eighteen?" Shirley smiled.
"Yeah. I can hardly wait 'til he sees the motorcycle!" Chris grinned.
"Me, too," Danny agreed. "I can't believe you actually gave in, Mom."
"Well, he's earned it. He's never once gotten a ticket in the car; he's been very responsible. I will tell you that I'm not thrilled with the idea of my son careening around town on a motorcycle, but I know I can trust him." Shirley and Laurie climbed down off their pedestals, stepping back to look at their work.
"Is it hanging straight, gang?" Laurie wanted to know.
"Perfect!" Danny nodded.
"Good. Let's go get the birthday boy up."
Everyone headed for the kitchen, where Shirley had prepared an elaborate breakfast in bed for him. The tray was loaded with buttered toast, strawberry waffles - with whipped cream, thank you very much -, and a tall glass of orange juice.
Shirley picked up the tray, leading the rest of them up the stairs.
%%%%%
Keith was on his stomach in the bed, the covers helter-skelter around his legs as the Partridges entered quietly. He faced the window, his head down on the mattress. The pillows were pushed to one side and he looked dead to the world.
Laurie crept around the bed, doing her best not to giggle. "Aw, he looks so cute…it's a shame to wake him up," she whispered.
"Yeah…let's do it." Danny's voice was more mischievous than usual.
Laurie raised her arms like a bandleader.
'HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR KEEEEEEITH…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!'
The song, loud, screeching and deliberately off-key rang through the room.
Keith opened one eye, seemingly unimpressed. "Mmmph," he grunted.
Laurie reached down, shaking his shoulder. "Come on, birthday boy…time to get up!"
He lifted his head, looking at her through blurry eyes. "What time is it?"
"Like I said, time to get up. Or would you rather do this the hard way? The kids are just aching to bounce you up."
Rolling over, he managed to get up on his elbows. "I'm up, I'm up…" His voice still reflected about four hours of lost sleep.
Laurie pulled the pillows over, placing them under his back. "Here's your breakfast."
Shirley leaned down, carefully placing the tray over his lap. "Happy Birthday, honey."
"Thanks, Mom," he murmured, running his fingers through his hair.
"It's your favorite," Danny pointed out. "Want me to feed it to you?"
Keith eyed him suspiciously. "I can eat it myself, thank you." He yawned, looking down at the tray. He seemed still half-asleep as he fumbled for the utensils and the napkin. Danny pressed closer.
"Are you sure?"
Keith glared. "Go away."
"Come on, kids, let's let him eat. We'll see you downstairs, honey."
Shirley did her best to gather them up and herd them out, smiling down at her very sleepy son.
He waved at her and as she closed the door, he dropped his hands, lying back against the pillow, the tray still over him. 'Just five more minutes,' he thought. After all, it was Sunday…
The door opened, startling him. It was Shirley. "Eat!" she commanded, and he forced himself to look as awake as he could get.
"I'm eating, I'm eating…" he muttered, taking the fork in his hand.
%%%%%
A good hour passed before they saw Keith again. This time, he was dressed and alert as he came down the stairs. Seeing the party trimmings in the living room, he stopped. "Hey!" he cried.
"Like it?" Shirley pushed a balloon out of her way.
He shook his head, coming down the rest of the stairs. "I said, no party!"
"Don't worry about it. We had the party without you. Everybody just left," Danny said smugly.
"Why don't you go with them?" Keith shot back. "Mom, really, I just wanted to spend a quiet day at home. No fuss, no muss." He sank down onto the couch arm.
"I know you did, honey, but, well, eighteen…" She crinkled her nose at him. "It's special."
He smiled one of his shy smiles. "Yeah, I guess so. So when does this get together…get together?"
"One o'clock. Everybody who's anybody from school will be there," Laurie said perkily.
"Dina Firmly?" Keith raised his eyebrows along with his hopes.
"No." Laurie's smile faded. "She had to leave town. Something about the witness protection program." To his speechlessness, Laurie laughed, poking him in the shoulder. "I'm kidding. She practically begged me to invite her."
Keith looked relieved as Chris got his mother's attention. "Can we give it to him, now?"
The other four looked at her eagerly as well, causing Keith to back up warily. "Give me what?"
"A wedgie, what do you think?" Danny bemoaned. "Your present, you dip!"
Keith smiled sheepishly. "Oh."
"Yeah, Mom, can we?" Tracy tugged on Shirley's arm.
Shirley sighed. "I suppose. Close your eyes, Keith."
He obeyed and was surprised to find himself being propelled forward. Laurie put her hands over his eyes as a precaution. "No peeking."
They took him out the door. He knew that, because it was suddenly cool and he heard the door close behind him. Then it was down the steps and another five feet before he was released.
"Happy Birthday!" they chorused around him and he opened his eyes.
There, like a dream in front of him, stood a brand new shiny motorcycle. A huge bow was tied to the handlebars and at first he swore he was seeing things, then reality hit.
His jaw dropped. "No way!" he said as he and the bike were surrounded. He looked at Shirley, saw the hint of tears in her eyes and knew right then it was for real. "Mom?"
She stepped forward, hugging him. "Happy Birthday."
"But you…I…you never…"
"Like I said, eighteen is special," she stroked his hair. "I just want you to promise me that you'll be careful, that you'll obey all traffic rules and show up for dinner once in a while."
He grinned, kissing her cheek. "I promise," he said, touching her nose with his. "Thanks."
"Let's go for a ride, Keith!" Danny's hands ran along the leather seat of the bike.
Keith looked at his mother.
"And no passengers!" Shirley added sternly.
"Sorry, pal," Keith shook his head. "Uh…what about a helmet?"
Laurie stepped forward, a big box in her hand. "This is from us kids," she said, grinning as she handed it to him.
He opened the box and withdrew a metallic blue helmet. His grin got bigger. "This is so cool…thanks, you guys! I'll think of you every time I put it on."
"Which will be anytime you get within 10 feet of this…monstrosity," Shirley said, and she wasn't kidding.
"Okay, okay," Keith laughed. "You have my solemn word."
"Take it for a trial run," Danny urged.
"Yeah, Keith. Dina's really going to flip when she sees you on this. Maybe you could just drive by her house," Laurie said.
Keith looked at Shirley. "Would you mind?"
"Yes, but I have a feeling that you're going to ignore that, so…" Shirley answered.
He leaned over, kissing her cheek and strapped on the helmet.
As he straddled the bike, Shirley began calling out her instructions. "Remember, just to Dina's and back. Don't speed, and no fancy maneuvers. And please be careful. You aren't officially eighteen until 3:46 this afternoon! I want to see you make it!"
She didn't know if he heard any of it. He started up the motor and pulled away from the house. Just the sight of it made Shirley's blood run cold.
continued...
― estela, Thursday, 4 October 2012 01:19 (thirteen years ago)
one year passes...
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