Bleed To Love Her (B.N)

August 1994

Lindsey smiled at the postman as he was handed his mail and newspaper. “Lovely day, Mr Buckingham.” The postman commented, looking up at the brilliant Beverly Hills sunshine. Lindsey smiled. “It sure is. Thank you!” He went back inside and walked out to his pool. Sitting down at the patio table, he opened up the paper. As he flicked through the paper, he caught a glimpse of Stevie’s face. Opening up the page, Lindsey frowned at the headline. Reading the opening paragraph to the article, his frown turned into a look of pure rage. It read:

“As most people know, Stevie Nicks has just set out on a promotional tour for her latest album, ‘Street Angel’. As always her vocals are memorable and the strongest they have been in years. But a constant distraction is present on the stage at ever concert, which takes the listeners attention away from the well-known songs: the singer herself. Ms Nicks’ weight has skyrocketed since her early days of singing Rhiannon along with former band Fleetwood Mac.”

Lindsey crumpled the paper up and threw it on the ground, and walked back into his house. He grabbed his phone and dialled Stevie’s number. He waited impatiently as the tone rang in his ear. “Busy line.” He muttered angrily.

3 Days Later

Lori left a sobbing Stevie to pick up the phone. “Hello?” She said. “Lori, it’s Lindsey.” “I’ll put her on.” Lori said, knowing immediately that Lindsey had read the article. Lori walked back over to Stevie, who was sitting at her dressing table, attempting to get ready for a show but was too busy crying. “Stevie, honey. It’s Lindsey.” Stevie held her hand out for the phone. “Thank you, Lori. Can you wait outside?” Lori nodded and left the room. “Linds?” Stevie said quietly into the phone. “Steph? Stevie, how’re you, baby?” Stevie burst into tears at the sound of Lindsey’s sweet voice, so full of care. “I told you I’m fat! And now they’ve all noticed too!” Lindsey calmed her down, whispering soothing words to her as she sobbed. “Stevie, listen to me.” Lindsey said when he eventually got Stevie to calm down. “I’m listening.” Stevie said, removing her ruined makeup. “You aren’t the problem; they are. So what if you’ve put a little weight on? You just beat your second drug addiction. And besides, you’re beautiful at any size.” Stevie smiled. “Aw Lindsey.” She said, removing the last of her makeup, revealing the bare face that not many were fortunate to see. “To change the subject, what’re you doing?” Lindsey asked. “I’m supposed to be doing a show in an hour and a half.” “You’ll be great.” “Lindsey, you always say that.” “But you will be.” Stevie bit her lip, looking at her tired face. “I need to do my makeup again.” She said, more to herself than Lindsey. “You don’t have any on?” He asked. “No. I cried it off.” Lindsey smiled to himself. He loved seeing Stevie without her makeup on and wished he could be there to see her now. “I’d better leave you then. Have a good show.” “Okay. I’ll try. Bye Lindsey.” “Love you, Stevie.” Love you too, Lindsey.”

Stevie emerged from her dressing room, ready to go on stage. She, Lori and Sharon walked behind the band and security up to the side of the stage. “How’re you now?” Lori asked. Stevie shrugged. “A bit better. Still feel pretty shit though.” Sharon rubbed Stevie’s back comfortingly. “Don’t worry, babe. We’ll get through this.” As they stepped onto the stage to take their places, Stevie sent a silent prayer to her grandfather. “I’ll make you proud, Gramps. I will.” She smiled and stepped onto the stage as the opening chords of Just Like A Woman began. She looked out at the audience, singing her heart out to them. As she looked across the crowd, she spotted two familiar faces out of the corner of her eye. Standing in the wings, stood Lindsey and Christine. Stevie forgot all her worries and fears and grinned at her lover and her friend. After the end of her fifth song, Stevie addressed the audience. “Hey everybody! Thank you so much for coming tonight! I just want to send a special thanks to two special people – who I was unaware would be here – Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie!” Stevie motioned for them to join her on stage. As they both walked towards her, the crowd erupted. The sound of their cheers was deafening. Stevie hugged Christine tightly, tears streaming down both their faces. Christine stepped out of the way, leaving space for Stevie to greet Lindsey. Stevie launched herself at Lindsey, embracing him in a loving hug. Christine stepped up to the microphone. “Hello everyone!” She said, her English voice echoing through the theatre. The crowd answer her loudly. “Lindsey and I were hoping that, although we have surprised our friend Stevie here with our appearance – she really didn’t know we would be here – that she would let us join her on stage for a song or two.” Stevie looked out at the crowd, who pleaded with her to let her former bandmates preform on stage with her. She left Lindsey’s side and took charge of the microphone. “I think a song or two from our Fleetwood Mac catalogue would be alright.” The three of them walked back to the band quickly discussing what songs they would do. It was decided on Rhiannon and The Chain. It became the best show of the tour and not one paper the next day commented on Stevie’s weight.