Bleed To Love Her (B.N)

May 1968

“Lindsey, man, it’s time we got serious. We need a new lead singer.” Lindsey looked at his bandmates and knew that (for once) they were right. “Fine. We need a new lead singer. But where are we gonna find one?” Lindsey asked his bandmates, who went quiet. ‘Exactly.’ Lindsey thought. ‘You say what you want but you don’t actually know how to get it.’ Lindsey looked out of the window of the rented apartment he shared with his two bandmates. It was still fairly sunny outside. Days like this, where the sun was golden and it made him smile reminded him of… Suddenly, an idea popped into Lindsey’s head. “Hey. I know exactly who we need.” Lindsey said confidently, walking out of the room to make a phone call.

The Next Day

“Stephanie Lynn Nicks! Get you little butt up! You’ll be late for your lecture!” Stevie rubbed her eyes; she hated early mornings. She slowly rolled out of bed, got dressed and went downstairs. “Honestly, Stevie. One of these days, you’ll be so late for class you’ll be kicked out. Now is that what you want?” Stevie shrugged, grabbing a piece of buttered toast. “See ya later, mom.” She said, grabbing her shoes as she left the house.

“I can’t believe you almost missed lecture hall again!” Stevie looked at Robin, grinning mischievously. “I know. But I had another great dream. I didn’t wanna wake up from it.” Robin rolled her eyes, linking her arm through Stevie’s. “What was it about this time?” Robin asked. Stevie grinned. “Well, I was on stage, in front of thousands of people. They were all calling my name; chanting it even. And I had this really hot guitarist, which made the dream even harder to wake up from!” Stevie and Robin giggled as they walked down the street. “Hey, there’s my bus! I’ll call you later, okay?” Robin yelled goodbye as she ran to catch her bus into the city, and Stevie continued to walk down the street to her parent’s house.

“Stevie, a young man called for you about half an hour ago.” Stevie walked into the living room, standing by the door that led out to the hallway and front door. “Who was it? Did he leave a name?”  Her father picked up a scrap of paper and handed it to her. Stevie’s eyes widened. “Lindsey Buckingham” She read. Stevie looked at her parents. “Who is he, honey?” Her mother asked, folding some of the clothes she had just ironed. Stevie shook her head absentmindedly. “Just someone I used to know from high school. Did he leave a number?” Her father handed her another scrap of paper. This piece read: “Tell Stephanie – ‘Meet me at the park down town tomorrow at noon. You’ll know me when you hear me”. Stevie looked at her parent again, who were now looking at her with confused expressions on their faces. Stevie grinned and squealed in delight. She ran upstairs, already planning what she was going to wear.

“I don’t know what I’m doing Robin. I have a boyfriend. What would poor Dave think if he knew I was here meeting another guy? I shouldn’t be meeting some guy I met once three years ago. We… No we didn’t sleep together! We just sang together! And we talked a little. Yea well I know you wouldn’t know because I didn’t tell you anything about that night! Jeez… I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you later with any details. Bye.”

Stevie hung the public telephone back on its hook and left the phone box. It was almost noon and here Stevie was; at the park and waiting for Lindsey. She strolled through the park. Suddenly, her ears pricked up.

“All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey

I've been for a walk on a winter’s day.”

Stevie spun around so fast she thought she’d fall over. Standing not so far away, under the shade of a huge old, playing his guitar and singing the song they’d sang together the night they met, was Lindsey.

“I'd be save and warm if I was in LA

California dreaming on such a winter’s day.”

He grinned at her. She ran over and hugged him. “Lindsey! Wow. How are you?” “I’m good. How are you?” “I’m fantastic.” They sat down on the grass under the huge tree together. They caught up on what had been going on in the last three years. “I can’t believe we go to the same college! But I’ve never seen you!” Stevie exclaimed; he’d been right under her nose the whole time and she’d never known it. “Well, my course isn’t full time. And I have a band so…” Lindsey was cut off by Stevie’s dainty hand in front of his face. “Wait, rewind. You have a band?” Lindsey nodded. “Yea, we’re called Fritz. We’ve been opening for some really groovy people and playing some really groovy places but… Well, it’s why I called you.” Stevie’s attention hit a high note again. “My band needs a new lead singer. Our last left and I can’t do all the singing; I’m more of a guitar man. Then I said I had an idea. I told them about you and how great you are at singing and… I… we would like you to join the band.” Stevie stared at Lindsey for a second, taking everything he’d said. She looked at him for a moment. He was still tall and skinny, but he’d bulked up a bit since she’s last seen him. His hair had grown into an unruly Beatle like mop that was almost down to his shoulders and he had faint stubble. He looked every inch the man Stevie knew he’d grow up to be. He was no longer the young 16-year-old she had met in 1965. Bringing herself back to reality, Stevie smiled at Lindsey. “I’d love to join your band!” She exclaimed. Lindsey whooped in excitement. He stood up, pulling Stevie with him. He picked her up and swung her around. People stopped and smiled at them. “What a lovely couple you make!” An elderly lady called over as she walked by with her husband. Lindsey and Stevie sat back down, giggling to themselves like naughty children.