Understanding Me, Understanding You

Chapter 22. Agree to Disagree

Sitting across from Charles in the dining room, Stevie sat there, drinking water as she became nauseated---dreading what she was going to tell him.

She had opted ahead of time not to mention anything about being pregnant because a part of her didn't want to face those consequences, instead she felt like if she let him go easy without much context, it would help things move right along. Although, she also feared that lack of context would raise more questions about the matter.

Settling his hand over hers in the middle of a sentence, Charles was able to grab her attention.

She looked at him and rose a brow in order to acknowledge him and she smiled mildly. 

"Are you okay?" he wondered. "It seems like you have a lot on your mind..."

She sighed, looking down at the ring he placed upon her finger the night before. "I do..."

He glanced down at her hand, the way she fidgeted with her left ring finger. 

"We need to talk... about us."

"Mm..." he pulled his hand away from hers and he locked his hands together. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"I never even had first thoughts, you just put the ring on my finger..."

"This doesn't sound good... I thought we were on the same page."

"Charles, we started out that way and as I have mentioned, I adore the fact that you don't see some rock icon, you don't see my music but then that has also been a flaw, you don't appreciate what I do for a living..."

"That isn't true, I do. I just don't understand it all that much, maybe..."

"Maybe so, but as you've said, I don't have a normal job and I don't feel like you see my work as important which I would assume is normal from a perspective such as yours... You go on two to three day business trips and I leave for tour for months at a time... I have a lot of male friends who you've not totally been a fan of that including Lindsey. You're not even into rock and roll as it consumes me on the other hand..."

"If this is about your ex-husband--"

"Charles, maybe it s, but even if it had nothing to do with him, I'd be honest. We lack a common ground as far as interests go. You're looking for a full time wife, your kids are grown and not really in your life where as mine are constantly in and out of the house and I know you love the girls, but you don't love that aspect. If we were to get married, would you have an issue when I'm gone for a year, bouncing around the world... will you have an issue when I am out partying at four in the morning or will you still find me as some domestic housewife?" 

He kind of shrugged, unsure of what to say. "Do you have an issue when I leave on business trips?"

"No, but that's because I'm used to the lifestyle. It doesn't bother and for all I know, a business trip can be a cover for having an affair..."

"Why would you say that?" he wondered, creasing his brow. "I would never cheat on you... We've grown so close..."

"I'm not saying you have or are going to but I am being realistic... Either way, I have had a nice time getting to know you---we've gotten to know each other intimately and I cherish that, I always will but I feel like we're more friends than lovers and I just don't want that... You're tryna tie me down and I am not a person you can do that to. I don't listen and I don't want to be here for you one day, then gone for the next year. What would that do for you? You've already told me all you want is to be taken care of..."

He sighed. "Stevie, I am in love with you."

"I am complimented as usual and I love you, Charles, but I am not in love with you..."