Landslide (Original Series Prequel 2)

Can I Sail Through The Changing Ocean Tides

Paradise Valley, Arizona
Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 25, 1973
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"I figured you two could use this, with what you tell me about the heat never working in your place."

Barbara Nicks saw the look of joy on her daughter's face as she opened yet another Christmas present, a large, heavy down comforter. She had already given her a heavy knit sweater and new bathrobe among her other gifts, as well as a sweater and flannel pajamas for Lindsey, and her only regret was that she couldn't give them groceries for Christmas because they looked way too thin.

"Thank you, Mom!" Stevie was sitting cross-legged on the floor as she reached up to hug Barbara, who met her halfway from her seat on the couch. She held the end of the comforter up to Lindsey and said, "Check it out! You will never hear me complain that I'm cold again!"

"Thank you, Barbara." Lindsey tried his best to muster up a smile. It had been two weeks since Keith had called to tell them that Polydor had dropped their album, and therefore, them. It wasn't exactly the easiest thing for Stevie to smile either, but being with her family made it easier to at least try. The trip had been planned last minute one night on the phone as Lindsey slept in bed with the dog and Stevie had sat at the kitchen table and cried on the phone to Barbara over the album, Lindsey, money...and everything in between.

"So what happens now, honey?" Barbara had listened to her daughter cry for a solid twenty minutes  before shifting into practical mode. "What's the next step?"

"You mean after Mr. Buckingham is finished moping and telling me it's all meaningless?" Stevie said with a little more bitterness than she'd intended. She sighed. "We shop for a new label and con a studio into giving us free time to make a spec album - that's when..."

Barbara cut her off. "Oh, I know about a spec album because of your grandad." She shook her head, thinking she didn't know what which memory from her father-in-law's failed country music career was worse - his never getting a recording contract, or the pain she'd seen in Stevie's eyes when A.J. had seen the Buckingham Nicks album and looked back at her so green with envy he couldn't even be proud.

"I got a new job," Stevie explained. "Now that the contract money is about to disappear...the place is called Clementine's. I have to wear a flapper costume...but we need the money now."

"Have you started yet?" Barbara's wheels were turning; Stevie could hear it.

"No, I start the day after New Years," said Stevie. "Of course, if I had the New Years Eve tips I'd have been all set...I mean...WE would be all set."

"Well listen, if you don't have to be at work until the new year, why don't you and Lindsey come to Arizona for the holidays? Daddy will send you the free Greyhound passes, and you can come whenever you're packed up. Bring my little granddoggy, too. If they give you any trouble on the bus, just tell them Jess Nicks says it's okay."

"I could really use a little Christmas cheer." Stevie was drying her eyes with toilet paper and blowing her nose. "So could Lindsey...I swear to God, Mom, it's like he's given up on life! It's ten-thirty at night here and he's ASLEEP! Can you believe that?"

"Teedee..." Barbara cleared her throat. "Is he treating you okay? He's not taking it out on you, is he?"

"Surprisingly no." She was telling the truth - for once - when her mother asked if Lindsey was taking his frustration out on her. He had been clinging to her and being even more affectionate than usual, as if losing their recording contract meant he suddenly stood to lose other things in his life and he couldn't bear to lose her.