Bleed To Love Her (B.N)

Christmas Day 1970

Stevie helped her baby cousin walk through her aunt’s living room; she loved family time. “Aw, Stephanie you’re so good with children. You’ll make such a good mom when you’re older.” Her aunt said, using Stevie’s birth name. Stevie looked up at her aunt, trying to smile. ‘Kids? I’m only 22-years-old!’ Stevie thought, handing her cousin to her aunt. “Tee-Dee?” Stevie turned around at the sound of her childhood nickname. Her mom stood at the kitchen door, apron on and a tea towel in her hands. “Yea mom?” Stevie replied, walking over to her mother. “There’s someone on the phone for you, sweetie.” Stevie nodded. “I’ll take it in the hall.” Stevie dodged out of the way of flying toys and made it safely out in the front hall. She sat down on an old wooden chair by her aunt’s front door. Next to the chair was an old table with a phone and a vase of flowers on it. Stevie picked up the phone, admiring the flowers. “Hello?” She said. “Steph? Hi. It’s Lindsey.” Stevie’s hear stopped a beat. “Lindsey? Hi.” She could hear Lindsey chuckle to himself. “Hi Stevie. How’re you?” Stevie smiled; he wanted to know how she was. “I’m great. How’re you?” “I’m okay. Feeling a bit crowded. Lots of family here.” Stevie laughed, imagining Lindsey surrounded by people and unable to reach his guitar, the thing that made him feel his calmest. “What’s going on in the desert?” Lindsey asked. “Family stuff. It’s pretty hot too so no one is wearing the Christmas sweaters that I know they’ve all packed.” Lindsey laughed. ‘God, how I love his laugh.’ Stevie thought, staring off dreamily at nothing in particular. “Hey, so Stevie…” “Yea Linds?” “The reason I’m calling is that… I’ve been thinking of moving out of my parents place and I need a place to crash until I find my own apartment…” “You can stay with me if you want!” Stevie said quickly. “Really? I didn’t know if you’d be okay with it. I know you like your space…” “Well, my roommate Gloria has just moved out so I have a space open for a new roommate. You’d be helping me out if you moved in. I hate being alone in what actually if a pretty big apartment.” ”Great. When should I move in?” Lindsey sounded excited. “Well, I won’t be back home until the 2nd. Why don’t you just go ahead and start moving your stuff in tomorrow?” “Sure okay. Thanks. I’ll see you when you get home. Oh and Stevie?” “Yea Lindsey?” “Merry Christmas.” Stevie smiled. “Merry Christmas Lindsey.” Stevie put the phone down and let out a long sigh. ‘I think I lov- No. You can’t. You just can’t.’ She thought, determined not to let her feelings get in the way.