Dreams

7

Carolina.

Carolina laughs as she holds the stage door open for Jackson and her little sister, Stella. She knew she didn't want to do another local show alone, and given how many missed calls she had from Stevie's home phone, today is going to be less than pleasant.

Carolina checks in with the crew, letting them know she's arrive thirty minutes early. She's not about to slip professionally, not while she knows Stevie is pissed at her. She leads her family to her dressing room and closes the door as they sit on the couch.

"When is sound check?" Stella beams up at her big sister, stars in her eyes. Stella is a senior in high school and the baby of all five of their siblings. She had to beg their aunt to let her take her out on a school night. Stella has been living with their mom's sister since she was twelve and their mother had her last stint in rehab. She disappeared pretty much altogether after that, surfacing only when she needs money or legal help from Carolina.

"Thirty minutes," Carolina smiles back at her in the mirror as she pulls her hair out of the ponytail and parts it so she can start on the waves.

It only takes five minutes for Stevie to get word that's she's arrived and show up at her dressing room door. "We need to have a conversation. Now." She doesn't recognize the strangers on the couch. She doesn't have time for pleasantries.

Carolina steps into the hallway and closes her dressing room door, trying to save her sister from seeing stevie be such a bitch. She's loved stevie for years. "What can I do for you?" Carolina keeps her tone calm and even as she speaks, silently reminding herself she has not done anything wrong professionally. If Stevie is going to yell at her about leaving then she has to recognize its personal.

"You will not leave in the middle of a show again," Stevie snaps as she crosses her arms, "what if I had needed to call you on for an encore?"

Carolina tries not to laugh at the excuse for her anger. Stevie has really thought about this. "Opening acts have never in the history of a show done an encore," Carolina shakes her head, "we have never discussed that possibility. We don't have a fourth song, Stevie."

"Who are those people?" Her eyes are narrowed and her lips are pursed and it makes Carolina want to smile at how cute she is when she's livid.

"My sister and my husband," Carolina shrugs, "and don't start. He is only here to drive Stella home."

"Wow," Stevie laughs bitterly, "after everything Karen and I have done to help you this last month and you being this man into my backstage."

"They're going in the arena and leaving out the the front," Carolina rolls her eyes, "I didn't ask you for help. You did all that all on your own, Stevie. Besides, I'm not taking the apartment so you have nothing to worry about."

"You're an idiot for that," Stevie practically growls at her, "I do not want to see him in the green room. You need to go home this evening, since you leave halfway through my set anyway, and do some serious thinking about your priorities."

Carolina resists the urge to fight back. It's none of Stevie's business why she isn't taking the one bedroom apartment that's too expensive. She needs another room for Stella. She needs the extra money to help get her through college next year. "Have I broken any rules professionally?" She asks quietly, hoping Stella can't hear Stevie.

"Well," Stevie starts to speak, then shakes her head. "No."

"Alright," Carolina nods, "I'd appreciate if you could at least fake politeness in front of my sister. She's looked up to you for a long time."

"Oh," Stevie nods. She feels like an asshole. "Of course. Bring her to sound check. I'll speak to her."

Stevie.