I Think I'm in Trouble {Reimagined}

IV.

After picking up Jeffrey and making it to a Mexican restaurant, everybody went ahead and ate, chatted and had a pretty good time catching up with their oldest son and brother, though Shannon was on the quiet side and that had Stevie's attention.

Although it was a very happy time having Jeffrey back, although her stress levels were up and down due to her affair and her son having been gone, everything in her calmed down by a landslide and the mom in her could finally focus on her middle child as she slipped on a margarita.

The entire time, Stevie analyzed her child and she noticed just how quiet the girl was and even though she barely got any information out of her, she knew for sure she was going to be the one to take her daughter to work because she wanted to check in with her and see how she was doing. It was rare that Shannon gave much information, but as a mother, the least she could do was try and pry it out of her, even if it did piss her off a little. 

"I have to leave," Shannon mentioned, looking down at her watch as she took a drink of her diet soda. 

"I'll take you right now," Stevie assured.

The girl nodded.

"Are you alright to drive?" Robert asked after his wife, knowing she had a drink.

"Of course," she smirked. "You and your sons get to catch up and I am going to try and bond with Shannon," she widened her eyes.

"Joy," Shannon rolled her eyes. "I just have to go to the restroom really fast," she excused herself before hopping up in order to do so.

Based off that response, Robert looked over at his wife; "Are you sure you don't want me to take her?" he asked after the girl was out of sight.

"We'll be just fine, besides, you're just gonna yell at her..."

"I feel like I am missing something," Jeffrey commented. "I'm not trying to start anything, but I'm observant..."

"Nothing to miss, she's just a bit--"

Stevie glared at her 15 year old immediately.

"A witch?" he shrugged. 

"Now that is just offensive, look who you're talking to, child," the blonde commented.

Robert smirked. "I'll fill you in once the girls leave, son... I wanna hear about you though, the things you're leaving out for your mother's own good..."

He smirked. 

"He's right, I don't need to hear any hardships, I don't need to hear anything that is going to traumatize me," she stood up and grabbed her purse as soon as she saw Shannon returning from the restroom. 

"It was really good seeing you, I missed you so much, Jeff," Shannon leaned in, patting his shoulder. 

"I missed you too, sis," he stood in order to hug her and he rubbed her back gently as a form of reassurance. 

After taking a sip of water, "Let's go, doll," Stevie mentioned.

Shannon said nothing, she simply grabbed her oversized slouch bag and led the way out of the restaurant.

Just when they were far enough, Robert shook his head and sighed. "Those girls are going to be the end of me," he smirked, rubbing his face.

---

As soon as Stevie had Shannon alone, her stress levels rose just a tad as the girl lit a cigarette.

"So, how's work been, my love?" she wondered, trying to break the ice just a bit. 

"It's okay," she replied. "I'm really good at mixing drinks, I'm everybody's favorite bartender, so I get good tips," she shrugged.

"Have you been saving?"