Time Makes You Bolder

December 2023

"Sleep!" Stevie replied with a weary groan.

"That's what you're doing for 2 months?" Mary asked, bringing her glass up to her lips and taking a sip.

"Well, certainly for the first couple of days," Stevie added.

"So, you're not leaving your bed for 2 days? Does Lindsey know about these grand plans?" Mary grinned, taking another sip of her wine.

"Mary!" Stevie glared, her face instantly turning a shade of beetroot.

They were in San Francisco, having just finished the final show before their winter break. The plan was to fly back to LA in the morning, so the entire touring party had gathered for dinner and drinks in their hotel. A chance to relax and let their hair down, ahead of a well-earned rest.

One by one, the group dissipated, until Stevie was left with her loyal assistant Karen and four of her closest friends, and colleagues, Sharon, Marilyn, Eilynn and Mary. The six women finishing up their drinks before choosing to retreat to the comfort and privacy of Stevie's suite, for a final nightcap.

Mary fixed Stevie with a questioning look.

"We are NOT talking about this," Stevie assured them.

"Top up her glass!" Shrieked Sharon.

Stevie rolled her eyes. Her face still a deep shade of crimson.

Marilyn grabbed the bottle of wine and poured the remainder among the group, making sure to give Stevie the majority share.

Karen shifted in her seat, desperately trying to think of a way to politely excuse herself from this conversation. As if seeing Stevie and Lindsey becoming reacquainted wasn't bad enough, the thought of them re-establishing a romantic relationship made her nauseous. She and Lindsey had never got on. He'd always made her life, and her job, much more difficult.

Stevie sighed.

"We're not.... We've not -" Stevie fumbled, struggling to say the words.

"You're still not having sex?" Mary interrupted, bluntly.

Stevie cast her eyes down, suddenly finding the faint pattern on her plush grey carpet fascinating.

"Do you not want to?" Eilynn asked.

"Are you worried you'll break him?" Sharon added. "Oh honey, we can all see the work he's put in. He's in much better shape."

"More like he's worried he'll break me," Stevie admitted quietly, looking back up to meet Sharon's eyes.

"He's wonderful and considerate and sensitive. He really is. He's the Lindsey I always wanted."

Karen felt her eye beginning to twitch.

"It's just..." Stevie paused, looking across to Mary; her warm smile encouraging her to continue. "You know we agreed not to rush, but now it feels like he's given up trying." She sighed. "It's my fault, I know it is. I've not been clear. I stopped him once, and that got in his head." She exhaled. Relieved but slightly embarrassed to be sharing this with her friends.