The first couple of days were pretty routine. Stevie was at the restaurant until late into the evenings and when she got home, she could hardly sleep, so she found herself down in the living room. She would watch television until she literally couldn't keep her eyes open and then wake up the next morning curled up on the sofa.... it was easier than trying to get comfortable an oddly cold bed.
And on the road, things were going well.... Surprisingly. The boys had been a huge help, but they'd also been having a good amount of fun as well.
They were going to all the parties and staying out super late, only to get up early the next morning and hang out in a different city. It was exciting and new... different then the times their mother was on the road with them.
When she was around, things were a little bit quieter and everyone was a little more put together... including her husband.
~~~
Like almost every other Friday morning for the last fifteen years, Stevie found herself sitting at the circle table in Donna's kitchen, where they were gossiping over their own hectic lives, having coffee and doughnuts as they shuffled a deck of cards... The start of all their typical days together.
"How has it been being solo so far?" Carol wondered, turning her attention towards the blonde who had been incredibly quiet.
Stevie had just been listening, but her mind had wandered and she was in La La Land by the time everyone's attention had come to her. "It's been boring." She admitted with soft shrug of her shoulders. "I made dinner last night and there was so much leftover..." she shook her head, cradling her cup close to her lips. "I don't even know how to cook for one person anymore." She chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully.
"Next time you cook, let me know, I'll send my kids over to eat." Donna was teasing.... Kind of, but it got the other three women to giggle, which was her intent.
"But you've been working a lot, right?" Carol raised a brow, speaking up once the light laughter had died down.
She had hardly been home since the boys had left, which was weird to her friends, who had become accustom to more visits from her when Lindsey was on the road... It was like she had moved into the restaurant for the time being.
Nodding her head, she pursed her lips to the side. "I have people to hang out with there, and it's kept me busy." She held out her hands, another shrug following her words.
The truth was, she really felt needed there and she appreciated that. She had spent the better half of her life raising kids and taking care of people... it was in her DNA at that point, so sitting around at home all alone just wasn't comfortable for her at the time.
"But Claire asked me to go shopping with her to look for stuff for her college dorm, so I'm excited about that." She mentioned with a soft smile as she thought about how sweet Crosby's girlfriend had been to call and ask her to join in on that outing.... It really made her day.
"That'll be fun." Becky gave her a gentle grin as she dipped her teabag into her cup lightly. "And I'm sure you're already planning a trip out to see the boys, right?" She was honestly surprised, like the rest of the ladies, that Stevie didn't just tag along.
For a long time, when the boys were growing up and it was just her at home with them, she would mention all the time how fun it would be to do all again... All the cities, all the shows, all the adrenaline and excitement.
She couldn't wait to be able to tour with him again, but suddenly it was the exact opposite... She had no desire that time around.
"Kash and my parents are going to see them in Phoenix," she announced, eyes falling down to her cup of coffee in front of her. "So I think I'll surprise them in Reno in a few weeks and then go with them to Arizona." She wasn't totally sure, but when she had talked to Meredith the night before, they both figured that would be the best... Then she could have her entire family together for at least one night.
"They'll love that." Carol was totally certain of it, even though her friend didn't seem to be.
Nodding lightly, Stevie chuckled. "Or I might just wait for them to get home...."
~~~
"I don't think it's a good idea." Meredith stepped out of the dressing room and into the hallway first, with her boss right behind her.
Creasing a brow, Lindsey looked down at her as she quickly turned around to fix the collar of his shirt before he headed for the stage. "What part?" He wondered, a soft smirk on his face.
She pursed her lips to the side, giving him a very typical don't be stupid look. "She's not gonna be happy with you." She added, shaking her head as she motioned for him to lead the way.
"It's one show..." he lingered, one hand slipping into his pants pocket as the other cradled his crystal glass. "And they're excited." Lindsey added with a gentle sigh.
He knew that Stevie had asked him not to let them play on stage, but they had been practicing and hanging out... he felt bad telling them they couldn't do something they were both pretty passionate about.
The boys liked to play and they had an in to the musical circuit... Why not use it?
Biting down on her lower lip, the older woman wrapped her cardigan around herself tighter as she followed behind. "Whatever you say." She shook her head, not liking the idea in the slightest.
She knew it was going to get out of hand... It usually did in situations like that and she was already a little worried.
