The Years Disappeared

A Stevie Sandwich?

"Good morning and welcome to Buckingham & Partners, what can I do to help you?"
"I'm here to see Lindsey. I'm his wife, and I just wanted to drop by and check something with him."
"Oh of course you are, I'm sorry," she laughed to herself. "You must get this all the time, but I love your writing."
"Oh thank-you so much," I blushed.
"No really, thank you!" She led me into the sparkling glass elevator, and I admired the spectacular view of the city as we ascended to the top floor.
"Oh there he is, just go straight through."
I saw him on the phone through the glass walls of the office, piled of paper littering the desk. He smiled and raised a finger up as I entered and sat down, playing with my hair as he finished his call. "Hey, what are you doing here?" He asked, coming round to kiss my cheek.
"I need a reason to want to see my husband's new office?"
"No, I just...Thought you were busy."
"Never too busy to check that your shoes are on the right fee-"
"I'm awfully sorry to interrupt you Mr. Buckingham but I was told you requested these files."
A busty blonde who I guessed could be no older than twenty-five handed him another wad of papers, and I raised my eyebrows at him as soon as the door sounded shut behind her.
"What?" He asked innocently.
"What do you mean 'what'?" I impersonated him. "Isn't it your job to be analytical?"
"Look I know what your going to say so let's just not go there," he stood and circled back round to sit behind his desk.
"I did have a reason to come here actually," I continued, still only allowing him a cold expression. "The publisher took a look at the novel, and they said they'll take it."
"Oh my god Steph that's...Brilliant, I'm so proud of you honey."
"Thanks," I softened, giving him a half smile as he dropped the pen he'd been twiddling and returned to me.
"Beautiful and talented, what did I do to deserve such a wife?"
"You're just trying to sweet talk your way out of something sweetie."
He smirked and checked his watch.
"I'm taking you to lunch," he stated.
"Are you now?"
"Yep, looks like Rena's taking her's too though, so I'll go check that someone else can take my calls." He left me waiting to stare out of the window at the beautiful view of the bay as he spoke with to someone.
"Rena's her name is it?" I said when the elevator doors slid to a close and we were alone.
"Oh dearest Stephanie, jealously is supposed to be my thing."
I eyed him with suspicion as he whistled cheerily- him usually being the more introverted of us two.
"What's gotten into you?"
"Oh, nothing."
I shook my head as we stepped out into the lobby. I smelled cigarettes as soon as we walked outside, as a few of Lindsey's employees stood around on breaks.
"Hey Rena, have a good lunch!"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help turning back with him to catch another look at her. She stood with a cigarette in one hand, but her other hand was closed around someone else's- a woman. Something clicked inside me but I still turned to glare at Lindsey as he gave me a told-you-so look.
"Her being a lesbian doesn't make it any better."
"Huh?"
"I know you have a thing for lesbians, most men do."
"Nonsense, I have a thing for you." He squeezed my hand.
"You're sweet talking is still not gonna work."
"...Then again, two Stevies...And then Me...Mmm a Stevie sandwich baby, if only it were scientifically possible."
"We're in the middle of the fucking street!" I checked that no one was behind us, my cheeks burning.

***

Lindsey arrived home from work around 6 o'clock, looking exhausted. "You're late dad! What's wrong?" Rachel asked as she rushed to greet him.
"Nothing sweetheart I'm just tired, I had a busy afternoon."
"Later," he whispered as he kissed my cheek and I questioned him with my eyes.
"Mom? Dad?" Leia came and sat down, smiling innocently.
"What do you want from us?" I said as I stood back up and took Lindsey's loosened tie off his neck so I could throw it in the laundry basket on my way back to the kitchen.
"Can Kristen say over tomorrow? It'll be more fun if we get ready for Lucy's birthday party together."
"Sure that's fine with me, Dad will pick you up."
"What?" Lindsey complained.
"You already said you would dad!"
"Ok, I'd rather you be safe, but I want cab fare," he joked and I slightly flicked the back of his head with his tie.
"Wait Steph, let me help you babe," he said following me and shutting the door to the dining room.
"You keep called me Steph and babe in the same sentence. This must mean you've murdered someone Lindsey."
"No I just...I'm fine...It's just that we got a child rape case through this afternoon."
"Oh Linds, I'm sorry," I hugged his middle and he rocked me against him.
"Yeh it's a real tough one...But it's just part of the job I guess."
"I guess," I sighed into him. "What can I do to cheer you up?" I placed my hands on either side of his face.
"A Stevie sandwich?" He suggested mischievously as Sara and Rachel burst in.
"Mom, when is dinner gonna be ready?" Rachel asked.
"And what's a Stevie sandwich?" Sara glanced at us quizzically.
"Wow girls, your mom's made lasagne!" Lindsey blurted as he looked across to the oven.