La Pantera

Ch. 36 Common Ground

How Stevie's perm looks and her in this era

Song for Chapter: Stand by Me by Ben E. King

The next day after set was finished, Stevie decided to visit her new friend Tommy again. She knew where the address was, only needing to take a 10 minute walk. She walked down the street, taking time to admire the sun setting over the ocean. It made her feel at home especially since it was the summer time. She was lost in her own head to where she almost missed the street to turn right on. She made it to the house, walking up the steps and knocking on the door. His bike was home, so there was no reason he wouldn't open the door. A moment passed before Tommy answered, his eyes perking up when he saw Stevie. "Come on in.", he opened the door and playfully gestured inside. "Thank you.", Stevie walked inside, noting some disorganization about the living space. "I woulda picked up had I known you'd be here.", Tommy chuckled. "We can go on the back porch, it's nicer out there.", he pointed to the back door. "Sure thing.", Stevie walked with him and headed to the porch swing. Tommy sat on the chair near her, smoking a cigarette.

"What brings ya here?", Tommy mused, looking out at the scenery before looking at Stevie. "Wanted to spend time with you.", she cocked her brow at Tommy and smirked. "Don't think I wanted Round 2 sweetheart.", she drawled out. Tommy laughed back, "Last night, you were sure showin' me something different.". Stevie looked at the cocky man and sat up taller. "I was drunk; I didn't have to think about what I was doing.", she snapped. The pain of the incident was fading, but it was still very much there. Any men being intimate with her caused her to be frightened, except for Matt and now Tommy. Matt she hadn't been drunk when they'd fucked, but Tommy she had needed to be wasted. Maybe it's cuz you know Matt well enough to where he wouldn't hurt you, a voice whispered in her head. Tommy noticed her scowling into space. "Hey hey, I didn't mean to step on your toes honey.", he chuckled trying to lighten up the mood. Stevie noticed her face was giving her away, which made her sigh and turn to face him. "You're fine.", she stated. "Yeah?..that's good.", he moved closer to her and offered her the cigarette. "Want it?", he asked. Stevie grabbed it and took a long drag. She blew smoke rings into the dim sky, feeling the placebo effect of the small item.

"You still in contact with that Matty boy?", he asked her. "Excuse me?", Stevie was confused and didn't know what he meant. "Everyone's seen ya two hanging around and stuff, it's just been a while since I've heard of you two being near one another.", Tommy was trying to get a feel for the new acquaintance of his, and also see if Matt would be a threat for the future. "We haven't spoken to one another for more than a year I think.", she said. "Damn...what did the idiot do?", he chuckled whilst smoking again. "He just said some stuff.", Stevie knew better than to let Tommy in on personal shit. She didn't know him well enough yet, and his crowd was more rowdier than she'd been in for a while. She could handle it, but had to be smart on what she said. "Like what? It had to have been something bad.", he pressed. "It's not important Tommy. I appreciate the concern.", she half smiled at him. "Well if you need help lemme know. My father was an American U.S. Army Sergeant, and he and my mom raised us in a Greek-American family, so I will rip his ass into two.", Tommy looked in her eyes sincerely. "That's cool...my parents immigrated here too. They're Italian, and my father was a Marine Sergeant.", she smiled. "Yeah, that's badass.", Tommy grinned. "My parents moved here when I was one, so I don't remember much of Greece.", he laughed. "I've never gotten to see Italy, I was born here on the U.S. soil.", she laughed with him. "He make you wake up early too?", he cackled. "Oh my God it was awful!", she laughed loudly.

They continued to exchange stories until Stevie became sad, remembering how her father had used to be. Tommy recognized the look on her face, having seen it on old friends' faces. "Your dad become a deadbeat?", he gently placed a hand on her leg. "One day I'll say the whole story.", she whispered. Tommy nodded his head, gently rubbing her shoulder. They smoked together, blowing rings into the evening sky.