I Think I'm in Trouble {Reimagined}

XXII.

When 5:30 in the morning rolled around, the phone in her studio rang causing her to flinch from her deep sleep. 

She shifted over and she picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey..." Robert sighed. "I was just wondering where you went..."

"I didn't go far," she assured. 

It was clear he was staking her out only because she could hear the relief in his tone when he mentioned he was wondering where she was.

There was a part of him that believed she would go straight to Lindsey's and although she wanted to, she wasn't cruel enough to do so, not when she had spent so many days and nights with him under his nose to begin with.

"Didn't Jeffrey have your keys?" he wondered. 

"Yeah, I have my spare set of keys..."

"Oh... You know where he went when he left after being with you? He didn't come home... It's not really like him to do that, did he mention he was going anywhere?"

"No," she shook her head. 

That early in the morning, she was not ready to converse with him about where their son could have gone, although, she had a fair idea that he remained with Kristen since he was supposed to be dropping her off at home. She just didn't wanna get into it. 

"Anyways, I'm gonna go to the work site. I think it would be best if I stayed busy..."

"Okay..."

"I'm just letting you know, in case nobody's here when you get back. I have no idea where Shannon is, but I assume at Becky's. She'll probably run in to change and head back to work since it's Saturday..."

She could tell he was rambling to simply keep her on the phone. 

"I guess, I'll see you later..."

"Yeah... I'll be home, but I think I should stay here a bit. Give you some space," she assured. "I know you're upset and I don't wanna force you to put up with me..."

"Although, that's thoughtful, you're wrong..." he paused. "All I want is for you to force me to forgive you and you're not. You're encouraging that we separate instead of fighting and that's what hurts me the most... You're so willing to give up."

"Believe me, Rob, it's not my first attempt at trying to put in effort," she shook her head. "I've tried so many times this year... I'm burnt out and it's not your fault. It's me... I'm having an issue with who I am as a person and it's time I run to the stage like I always do when I'm sad or displaced."

"Well, maybe..." he trailed and sighed. "Maybe when you get back from touring we can talk things out once you're more clear headed..."

"Yeah, maybe..." she agreed.

"Alright... Talk to you later..."

"Yeah."

"Bye," he hung up.

She sighed to herself and she settled her phone back on the cradle. 

...

It was around sunrise when she walked through her front door, taking in the sound of both the hummingbirds chirping and the sound of the garage door closing.

As she entered, she settled her purse down on the island and she walked over to pour herself a cup of coffee.

"Jeff, is that you?" Robert asked, making his way.

"It's me..." she replied. "He should be coming right now," she added. "Want me to pour you a cup to go?" she then asked while she had the cupboard door open.