Let Me Help You

I could help you

Stevie woke up the next morning, not having enough energy to shower, so she just brushed her teeth and washed her face, then ran a brush through her hair, pulled her long golden locks into a ponytail and fit herself into a pair of jeans and a loose off-shoulder sweater.

The house was quiet, she realized nobody was home, passing Lindsey's bedroom on her way downstairs. She opened the fridge to make something for breakfast. She cracked two eggs into a bowl, poured some milk and added a pinch of salt into the mixture. While whisking, she looked through the window and saw Lindsey's car pulling into the driveway, so she added two more eggs.

"Morning!" Lindsey said cheerfully, as he entered the kitchen.

"Hey." Stevie replied, without turning to face him. "I just assumed you haven't had breakfast yet."

"You assumed right." He put the kettle on and took two mugs to make coffee.

"Where were you so early?"

"I drove Lisa to the airport."

"Wasn't she supposed to leave later on this week?"

"Mhm." Lindsey nodded, resting against the counter. "But she got a call that they need her to start sooner."

"Get the plates too?" She asked, turning off the stove.

They sat opposite each other at the table and ate in silence. Well, Lindsey ate and Stevie was shoving the food from one side of the plate to another and back again. She sighed and reached for the mug of coffee and took a sip instead.

"What's on your mind?" Lindsey asked, noticing how she seemed somewhere far away.

"Nothing, I'm not really hungry. Will you finish?" She asked, pushing her plate towards him.

"Do you have to ask?"

Stevie smiled at how adorable he looked at the moment. She knew if she didn't start talking about something, he'll ask what's wrong again. "So, do you know when you're going to see Lisa?"

"No, neither does she, but we both know you're not interested in that."

"She's great, Linds. If anything, you should marry her."

"Are you insane? Stevie, I don't love her! Just because she's great, doesn't mean I'm supposed to propose to her right this second."

"Right, sorry. This is not any of my business."

"Don't get mad, I'm just saying."

"No, you're absolutely right, Lindsey. It's just that I really like her and I want you to be happy."

"Yes, it's a well known fact that you always put yourself last."

Stevie shrugged, half smiling. She couldn't deny it. "I was thinking that I will start looking for a job."

"Oh God, not this again!" Lindsey sighed, rolling his eyes. "Steph, we've talked about this. You do not have to work!"

"Well, if I need to buy something or I want to go somewhere? I come to you and ask for money? Lindsey, I hate doing that."

"Get used to it."

"And you always used to say I'm the one who's stubborn!" Stevie got up to clear the table, while Lindsey had his eyes fixed on her, unable to ignore how natural it all felt, domestic even.

"You know, I was thinking too and I reckon my idea is times better."

"What might that be?"

"I want you to record music."

"No."

"Hear me out, will you?"

She exhaled deeply, crossing her arms over her chest. "Fine."

"It doesn't matter that I think you're the best. Record labels need to think that too. My plan is to just sit down, open a bottle of wine, read through some of your poems together, pick the ones you feel would make the greatest songs. Then we would make a couple of demos and send them out to the right people. And I know these people, Stevie. I can help you become a singer again."

"It hurt too much when it all failed the first time."

"I get it and I understand you being reluctant, and I can't force you into doing it, but please, at least give it some thought?"

"I can't promise you we'll do this, Lindsey."

"You don't have to, just think about it."

She nodded, giving in. "I'll do that." Stevie said and let the water run, to wash the dishes.

Silence fell upon them again, as Stevie cleaned the kitchen up and Lindsey picked up the newspaper. He barely got through reading the first headline, when she spoke up again.

"I'm pregnant."

"You're what...?"

"I took a test yesterday."

Lindsey was completely speechless. He didn't know what to do and neither did she, he thought, since she told him. He knew her too well and the tone of her voice made it clear she was asking him for help.

"Umm... To be honest, I'm not sure what to say."

Her natural instinct was to cry, she had been doing a lot of that lately. He saw her wiping away tears on her sleeve as she put away the last of the dishes into the cabinet. He came up behind her, pulling her in a hug.

"I don't even know who the father is. The chance of it being Frank's... I just..." Lindsey only tightened his arms around her. "I hate him, every fiber of his being. I want children, but I want them with the man I love, not someone who's been... well, raping me for years. Or worse, that it's one of my customer's!"

"Have you decided what you're going to do?"

"I just can't see myself loving this child, Lindsey." She began sobbing, her small body shaking in his embrace. "Not to mention I have nothing! I can't take care of myself, how am I going to care for this baby?"

"I could help you raise him or her." Lindsey spoke softly, stroking her hair, but he felt her shaking her head.

"I hardly slept last night, thinking what's the right thing to do in this situation. I realize that there is no right way. I've done this before... I'm going to hurt, physically and emotionally, but I'll heal in time. But having constant reminder of my past? Of how horrible it's all been? I just don't think I can do this. I can't..."

"I'm here for you, Stevie. Either way."

"I'd like it if..." She looked up at him, her lower lip trembling. "If you took me to a clinic."