Lotto

18

May 28, 1978

Stevie had become really close with Christine McVie as the school year ended often times they'd eat together because they both had the same lunch hour but School had been out for a couple of days and Stevie had invited her and her husband over for dinner. Seeing as how Freya was having a sleepover with her cousins. Greg and Eliza had two children. Max was the oldest, he was born in 1968, and Sherilyn was the youngest. She was born a couple of years after Freya was. 

And Stevie had really gone all out because Christine was one of the first really good friends that Stevie made in Santa Monica besides Robin.

They were eating their Pasta Salad and Grilled Chicken when Christine cleared her throat. "So how did you guys meet?"

"The Lotto." Lindsey shrugs.

"What is the Lotto, I've heard so many people mention it but we just moved here in January from the United Kingdom." Christine asks.

"The Lotto is the last Saturday of September. For some reason, in the late twenties the US Government set up a Lottery system. Once you turn eighteen you are registered for the Lotto and you are legally required to attend the ceremony on the last Saturday of September. You're in the Lotto until you die or you get married. Every year they choose 150 couples. Names are randomly drawn and then you and your partner go back to a little room and pick a wedding date, a house, a venue, a money voucher, we got married on November 23rd because Lindsey stuck his hand in a bowl and pulled out that date." Stevie shrugs.

"That is horrible. We should be able to choose our partners. I'm so glad that's not in place over in London." Christine shakes her head.

"I feel the same way. But I do love Lindsey, it took a while for me to fall in love with him but I did and I do love him with my whole heart." Stevie smiles.

"It honestly seems convenient." John shrugs.

"Convenient...I mean..."Christine scolds him.

"But that's not even the worse of it." Stevie shakes her head.

"Hmm?"

"Two years after your marriage you are required to have a child or you are taxed 1500 dollars a year until you do welcome a child." Stevie nods.

"You're kidding! And what happens if you can't have children?" Christine asks.

"You get taxed. You can appeal though, but we didn't have a good enough reason to appeal." Stevie explains.

"So did you only have her to avoid the tax?" Christine inquires and Stevie visibly shrinks.

"Did I say something to offend you? If I did...I didn't..." Christine jumps.

"We um...we...it's complicated, Lindsey wanted a baby but I didn't. So we had a baby. I think I was detached from her for like the first two years of her life, but something. I don't know I started...Lindsey has such a great relationship with her and I didn't and I hated it so when she turned three, I had an existential crisis and started trying to insert myself with her more and she was not having it. Everything I wanted to do with her she'd scream and throw a fit and say No Mama, Daddy and it killed me a little bit every time. I think the day that I took her to the carnival though...changed things because now she, she's better she doesn't throw a fit when I try to spend time with her." Stevie explains.

"So any more children in the future then?" Christine asks.

"No. Freya's it for us." Stevie smiles.

"It's a shame because you're so good with her and the two of you made a cute little baby." Christine smiles.

"Yeah she is cute isn't she?" Stevie asks her head turning to the wall in the dining room where some family portraits were hung up, Stevie's parents gifted them a photo session for Christmas.

"So Stevie works at the school, what do you do Lindsey?" John asks.

"Um, I'm a painter. I have this." He holds out his left wrist where his bracelet is located.

John takes it into his hand and examines it and then looks at him. "So you're a painter because you're epileptic?" John asks.

"With the medical bracelet here in the US it means you're undesirable. An undesirable mate because you could pass your genetic mutation onto your children, an undesirable staff member because I could Seize while I'm at work even though I'm on medicine and haven't had a seizure in about twenty years. So I really only can work by painting houses." Lindsey shrugs.

"That's bull shit you can come work with me." John states.

"What?" Lindsey asks.

"I own a record store in Downtown Santa Monica, it's partially the reason why we came here because it's cheaper and easier to run a business in the US compared to the UK. You can come work with me if you want. I'll teach you how to work the cash register I'm sure you can make change, I mean you graduated High School right?"

"Oh yeah, I did when I was seventeen." He nods.

"So come work with me." John tells him.

"Are you sure, I mean..." Lindsey starts.

"Yeah you're a nice guy I think we could be great friends. Our wives are already friends so what the hell."

"Well, what are the hours?" Lindey asks.

"Nine to nine." John explains.

"Would it be okay if I worked 9-12 and then all weekend? Stevie's home on the weekend to be with Freya but during the week she goes to daycare from nine to noon." Lindsey asks.

"How's this 9-3, take your lunch at noon to go pick her up and then bring her down to the shop until 3 she can play with Molly, Molly just turned three and she's there with me all day." John looks at him.

"Yeah um great, I mean it's summer now so she won't be with me until the fall but that'd be great." Lindsey nods.

"Come on let's leave the hens to cluck with each other and I'll bring you down to the shop, show you were it is and show you the ropes?" John asks.

"I'd like that." Lindsey smiles.

"He is right you know, just because Lindsey has Epilepsy doesn't mean he can't work. It's under control he's a nice man." Christine explains.

"I'm glad John offered. Lindsey loves painting but he hates painting with other people." Stevie smiles.

"I'm glad we could be of service." Christine squeezes her hand.