I Think I'm in Trouble {Reimagined}

LXXXI.

~ The Year Previous ~

August 13, 1993

"I'm sorry to bother you, mom, but dad told me to call you in the studio," Jeffrey assured.

"You could never bother me... The sound of your voice, it really puts me at ease these days. We went so many weeks without getting to talk to you," she placed her hand to her chest.

Lindsey came around and he settled his hand on her shoulder, just being supportive of her situation like any friend would.

It had been just over a month into the recording sessions and although they were getting along so well, there was a definite distance they were trying to maintain.

She reached back, mindlessly settling her hand on top of his in acknowledgment.

"I love you so much, Jeffrey."

"I love you too, mama," he said on the smaller side, her soft voice only causing tears to appear in his brims.

Hearing his voice crack, she sighed, feeling her tears stinging. "I have to go, call as soon as you can, please."

"I will, I love you," he hung up before she could say anything that would make him cry.

If there was anything in the world to bring tears to his eyes, it was his mother and he just couldn't do it at that moment in time.

She settled the phone on the hook and she dropped her face into her hands.

"Hey, everybody, let's take a few minutes," Lindsey announced, settling his guitar down.

Lori and Sharon came to her aid.

"This is hell," she mentioned, wiping her tears. "I live in worry that something is going to happen to him every day."

Sharon hugged her, rubbing the side of her arm firmly.

"I'm gonna head outside for a minute, I need some air," she picked up her pack of cigarettes and lighter before making her way out.

It was in that moment, Lindsey felt like following her but he knew he shouldn't.

While she was halfway through the room, the phone rang.

Lori picked it up.

Stevie turned around as she lit her cigarette, waiting to hear who was on the phone.

"Robert? Hi," Lori widened her eyes, urging her sister to come back. "Yeah, Stevie's right here..."

Lindsey then created distance.

The singer sighed, walking back over with her cigarette hanging between her lips. Taking the phone she put her cigarette between her fingers. "It's me..." she answered coldly.

Sharon lifted her brow.

"Yes, I talked to him and he was almost gonna start crying," she inhaled once more before setting the cigarette to rest on the ashtray.

"You need to relax, because he doesn't do that with me. The moment he talks to you, he breaks down."

"It's not my fault, Robert," she arched her brow. "He's my son and I love him with everything I have in me. You claim the boys are too soft because of me, but don't you get they need that when you're too hard on them?"

"I have to get back to work, Stevie, I'll see you at home at a decent time, I hope?"

"It's Friday, we'll see," she hung up the phone and sighed.