San Pueblo University
Part 5: Clouds in the Sky
Aura Thundera
deonii@yahoo.com

***

    "Mom," Keith said.  "Would you get the others?  I have something that I want to talk to everyone about."

    "Sure, honey," Shirley said.  "Your brothers and sisters are right outside in the waiting room.  I'll just talk to the doctors and make sure that it's okay to bring them in."  Shirley left Keith's room and headed for the crowded waiting room.

    "Mom!" Laurie exclaimed.  "What's wrong with Keith?"

    "Nothing, Laurie.  He asked to see all of you," Shirley said.

    The younger Partridges trooped into Keith's room.  The rambunctious energy of Chris and Danny made the room seem even smaller than it really was.

    Keith sat up as best as he could.  "Guys, this is important.  I want to do something, but you all have to agree with me that it's okay.  You too, Mom."

    "Keith, are you sure that you want to make a decision so important at a time like this, when you're hurt and not thinking clearly?"  Laurie said, frowning worriedly.

    Keith scowled.  "Yes, I do.  I want to ask Cabe to join the band.  She sang to me, and her voice is incredible.  I can help her, and she would make a good addition.  But I need all of you to agree to making her a member."

    Everyone started talking at the same time.

    "She's not a Partridge," Danny said flatly.

    "Keith, does this mean that you're going to propose to Cabe?"  Shirley asked.  Her eyes were misty as she imagined her son proposing marriage to Cabe.

    "It's a great idea!"  Laurie exclaimed. "She was practicing that song that she wrote for you, and she let me listen.  She has a great voice.  And I'd love to have Cabe as a sister."

    Keith looked at his mother.  "I suppose I do want to propose to her eventually.  But not just yet.  I don't want to get married until we're done with college."

    Shirley turned to her brood.  "All in favor of letting Cabe join the band?"

    There was general assent, except for Danny, who shook his head no.  "She's going to want a piece of the profits, and besides, having your girlfriend in the band won't be good for your image, Keith."

    Keith cuffed Danny on the shoulder.  "Get used to it.  She'll be your sister one day."

    "I guess it might be all right..." Danny gave in reluctantly.

    "Then it's settled.  Mom, could you make Cabe a costume?  I want to give it to her when I ask her to join the band.  And I want to do that as soon as the doctors let me go home.  I have her sizes from when I got her a blouse for her birthday.  They're written down on a piece of blue paper that's on my desk at home."

    "What kind of outfit do you want me to make for her?"  Shirley asked.  "The first time that she saw you perform, we were wearing the red velvet costumes.  How about that?  It should have sentimental value for her."

    "Good idea," Keith said, his voice sounding tired.  "A blouse and a vest like Laurie's, but with ruffles like yours."  Keith lay back and quickly drifted off.  Shirley guided the rest of her children out of the room so that her eldest son could get some needed sleep.

    The next week, Keith was allowed to go home.  Cabe and Laurie were preparing a party for Keith at the house.  Shirley had the box with the costume for Keith to give to Cabe.  Keith was wearing one of his handsomest outfits, a lace-up white shirt and snug jeans.  It was one of Cabe's particular favorites.

    The moment Keith entered the Partridges' living room, Cabe flung herself into his arms.  "Keith-luv," she murmured into his neck.

    The crowd of friends and family that had gathered for the surprise party that she and Laurie had planned seemed to melt away for Cabe.  Nothing else was important to her at that moment except the fact that she had her Keith back.  And he was just the same as ever, tender and loving and sweet.

    Keith gave her a firm squeeze, nuzzling his face into her hair and enjoying the scent of her shampoo.  Then he backed up and accepted the box from his mother.

    "Cabe, I have something to ask you," Keith said, his voice and face deadly serious.  All of the Partridges gathered around them.

    Cabe's breath caught in her throat, and she looked for signs of a ring.  Is Keith going to propose to me?  What am I going to tell him?  How can I even be considering refusing him?  Cabe thought, confused, but totally elated.  He's going to propose.  I always thought it would be on a moonlight walk or over a candlelit dinner, not like this, not in the middle of his birthday party like I was some kind of birthday present!  A small part of her began to resent Keith for assuming that he could just have her.

    "We heard you sing for me in the hospital, and we'd like to ask you to..." Keith whisked the lid off the box, revealing the neatly folded costume.  "...join the band and perform with us.  Will you?"

        "I..." Cabe stammered.  Keith's question had totally knocked the wind out of her sails.  She had been steeling herself for a diamond ring and a proposal, not this!  "Keith, I can't sing that well.  I'm just an amateur.  I don't belong in a recording studio.  Besides, the band is for you and your family.  I'm not a Partridge."

    The crestfallen look on Keith's face nearly broke her heart.  "Is that a no?"  His voice quivered with a hint of tears, and Cabe wished desperately that she could sing well enough to make his dream a reality.  But her mind was running through hundreds of reasons why she couldn't join the band.

    Cabe nodded.  "I'm sorry, Keith.  But you haven't thought this through.  I'm not a performer the way that you are."

    "You could be!  Give it a chance!"

    "Keith, I'm sorry, but I'm no performer.  I enjoy your company but I'm just not meant to sing duets and share your profession.  I'm an artist, remember?"

    "Go away, Cabe," Keith said.  He dropped the box on a nearby table and slowly began to walk up the stairs, his head bowed.  "Just go away and leave me alone."

    Cabe fled the house.


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