Dreams

2

Stevie.

Stevie tugs at the sleeve of her black cotton and chiffon tunic, bunching it just below her elbows as she looks in the full length mirror in her closet. The slacks aren't her favorite but she figures leggings aren't exactly appropriate when she's meeting someone new and she's the matron of the group. Carolina is scheduled to be at her house in forty-five minutes. She's looking forward to it, but there's another feeling bouncing around her insides, too. Nervousness. She's been doing her research and this girl is great. Phenomenally talented, but a bit of a lost soul from what she can gather. How anyone manages to be divorced by twenty six she'll never understand, but this girl has managed it twice. There's an energy that keeps throwing Stevie off; makes her not want to like this kid despite all the signs saying she'll love her.

Stevie shrugs her shoulders as she takes one last look in the mirror. The delicate sling back pumps she chose don't exactly scream rock star, but she doesn't need to compete with this girl. She's the boss. Her hair is down and straight, bangs blown out, and she's gone a little lighter on her usual cut crease for her eyes. Classic. And classy.

"Karen," Stevie smiles as she descends the stairs with Sulamith in her arms, "lets make coffee, though I don't anticipate her being here for long. We need to solidify dates and ensure she has no conflicts. Its all sixty or nothing. I want every fan to have the same experience."

"Alrighty," Karen nods as she stands from the bar and saunters into the kitchen. She can see right through her boss. She's looking for an out; a reason to say Carolina can't go on this tour with her. "Her car is set to arrive in ten. I've got the front sitting room set up for you."

"Her car?" Stevie bristles. Surely this girl doesn't think she's so important she needs a chauffeur. "Interesting."

Karen shakes her head as she searches through the pantry for a serving tray. Of course Stevie would dislike any similarity to herself. "She doesn't drive. Sound familiar?" She smiles as finds the one she's looking for and sets it on the counter top.

"Why? DUI?" Stevie smirks. If this girl is anything like her when she was a budding star then she's still getting high on God knows what.

"No clue," Karen shrugs, because she genuinely does not care enough to have researched that for Stevie.

"I'll be out back with Sula. Please let me know when she's arrived," Stevie nods, accepting defeat. She refuses to look like she's waiting for her. She'll make it seem like she was busy doing anything but anticipating this meeting. She feels like this tour is already resting in Carolina's hands, and she hates that.

Carolina.

"Thank you. I shouldn't be more than an hour, George," Carolina smiles from the back seat of the SUV and brandishes a fifty dollar bill from her purse. "Here, go grab lunch on me." She flattens the bill against the center console and blows her driver a kiss, then hops out of the car. George has been with her now for three years; a driver, a body guard, and the most like a father she's ever had.

Carolina looks up at the imposing mansion with its Italianate details and swallows hard. Of course her house would look like this. She probably has a full Tuscan kitchen, too. With a heavy sigh she approaches the door and rings the bell, then shoves both her hands in her front pockets as she waits.

"You must be Carolina," Karen smiles as she extends a hand out to the young girl. She's in skinny jeans and an oversized black sweater and Karen is relieved she's not one of those stick thin model girls. She's thin, because everyone in Hollywood is, but not thin enough to send Stevie reeling down a rabbit hole of dieting again.

"Karen, right? Its a pleasure," Carolina smiles as she squeezes her hand firmly, then follows her inside. "Lovely home," she lies as she looks around, taking in the sight of Stevie's chiffon scarves and her strange dolls. So this is how rock royalty lives: like she's stuck inside a demented doll house.