Fave - January 1971 (typed by Gale)

"He Was There When I Needed Him..."
A Fan's Heartwarming Story About Bobby

Bobby's great devotion to his fans is one of the most wonderful things about him. This is the story of how his love touched

Vicki Burkett is a pretty, blue-eyed blonde with a warm smile and a sparkling personality to match. She's the kind of girl who makes a friend out of everyone she meets, and those who know Vicki can't say enough good things about her!

Her former high school principal, James Hayslip, refers to Vicki as "one of the five top kids I've ever encountered in the 15 years I've been teaching!"

A BUSY, EXCITING LIFE! - Besides being an "A" student at Millington Central High School in Tennessee, Vicki's freshman days were filled with lots of other things, like cheerleading, football games and parties.

But as busy and exciting as her life was, Vicki always had the time to be an enthusiastic Bobby Sherman fan! Friday nights were special because "Brides" was on, she had all his records, and pictures of Bobby smiled at Vicki from all the walls in her bedroom.

When Bobby's TV show was cancelled, Vicki was saddened, but then she heard the great news that he was going to do a concert in nearby Memphis! Everything couldn't be any more beautiful! She was 15, looking forward to starting 10th grade in a few weeks, and to top it off, she was actually going to see Bobby Sherman in person!

THE SAD NEWS - Then a shadow fell across Vicki's young life! A growth on her upper right thigh that had been troubling her sent her to the doctor, and he diagnosed it: it was malignant! The only thing to be done was amputation of her right leg!

It was just two days before the concert that Vicki had so looked forward to that she got the news. But her bright smile never faltered. At a time when most people would be to the depths of depression, Vicki's bravery was a shining example to everyone around her!

When Vicki entered the hospital for her operation, her room was constantly filled with the friends, relatives, and teachers who loved her so much. Stacks of gifts and flowers were all over, and on the wall by her bed, were her favorite pictures of Bobby that she had brought with her from home.

Only once did Vicki's face show any trace of sadness. It was the day before her surgery, when the subject of Bobby's concert came up.

"My cousin Gloria and my sister Rita were visiting me", recalls Vicki, "and we started talking about the concert the same day. They told me it would be really groovy if Bobby came by to see me, and I kidded back saying it would. But I never believed it would be possible!"

But Vicki hadn't counted on the determination of her friends! They started moving on the idea right away, with the help of her former principal.

BOBBY LEARNS ABOUT VICKI - "I told her that if she wanted to see Bobby, we'd get him there somehow!" said Mr. Hayslip. "Then I called for help." He contacted the mayor, and in a short time Bobby was notified of Vicki's plight.

"They wanted Bobby to come by on Thursday, after his concert," smiles Vicki, "but I was in surgery, so he planned to stop in Friday on his way to the airport!"

Vicki was almost afraid to believe her good fortune. "I was really hoping he would come, though! Some friends of mine bought me the most beautiful peignoir set to wear for his visit, so I'd look pretty for him!"

But when Friday came, Vicki was too ill from the effects of the surgery to get dressed up. She was lying quietly in her bed when her door opened and she heard a familiar voice say "There she is!"

THE WONDERFUL VISIT! - And in walked Bobby, straight to her bed. He leaned over Vicki with a smile and kissed her softly.

"I felt so much better right away!" enthuses Vicki, "I couldn't believe he was actually there, sitting next to me and talking as if we'd been friends forever!

"I was so excited that I don't even remember what we talked about! All I know is that I kept looking at his pictures on my wall and back at him, thinking he was just like I thought he would be! He was wearing a black leather vest and a blue shirt and pants..." Vicki laughs, remembering, "I think the only reason I know that is because we took some pictures, though!"

"He brought me his "Here Comes Bobby" album, and he autographed that and the autograph hound I had in my room." Vicki's eyes shine with happy tears. "Then, just before he left, he talked a little about the concert and he said, "I wish you could have been there, Vicki. I want to see you at the next one!'"

All too soon, Bobby had to go - his plane back to Los Angeles was waiting. Before he left, he bent close to Vicki once more and kissed her gently. "See you soon, Vicki," he smiled, and he was gone.

But what Bobby did for Vicki is something she will never, ever forget! "He was there when I needed him most..."