We Didn't Agree To This

Let me know

Lindsey wasn't able to reach Carol for days and it wasn't all that surprising. He finally got in contact with her about a week later and when Lindsey said, he would like to come over and discuss something, Carol didn't pay much attention to whatever it might be, simply saying, okay. She also didn't utter a word about Jamie. 

Now standing outside her apartment, Lindsey impatiently swayed on his feet back and forth, waiting to be let in. He rang the bell a couple more times, until at last Carol opened the door for him, wearing close to nothing. If anything, the image of the woman in front of him saddened Lindsey. Not too long ago, she was a beautiful young woman, whom he was attracted to and if Stevie hadn't come into his life, Lindsey could have seen the two of them having something more than what they did.

"So, are you just going to stand there?" Carol asked, bringing Lindsey back to the present. 

"Did I wake you up?" Lindsey noted her attire once more. "You look like you've just got up."

"I did, but I wasn't sleeping." Slumping down on the couch in the living room, she brought her feet up, resting them on the edge. "What do you want?"

"I-" Lindsey began, but he got cut off by a man emerging from the bedroom, only wearing jeans.

"Where the hell is my t-shirt?" He asked Carol, not acknowledging Lindsey at all.

"How the fuck should I know?" She shot back, causing him to grunt and leave as quickly as he had appeared.

Lindsey was very uncomfortable, looking around for a clean enough looking spot to sit. "What do I want, is that all you want to ask me?"

"Well, you called me, saying there was something for us to talk about." She shrugged, leaning forward a little to grab a pack of cigarettes from the coffee table. 

"What about the fact you haven't seen your son for over a week?"

Scoffing, she rolled her eyes. "I should have known it was about that."

"That? Are you kidding me right now? Jamie is not that, he's a boy, he's your son!"

"Oh God, Lindsey, stop! Haven't you got the message yet that like I've already said, I don't care about him? I don't want him! You can have him. Actually, I should have called you myself and thanked you for taking him. A massive weight has been lifted."

Lindsey sat staring at her, completely gobsmacked. After a minute, he composed himself, saying. "Let's make this legal then."

Carol frowned, turning her head to face him. "What do you mean by that exactly?"

"Stevie and I have discussed this and we want you to sign your parental rights away. We want to adopt Jamie." An unexpected burst of laughter from Carol made Lindsey's eyebrows crease. "What's so damn funny? I don't understand."

"Are you seriously telling me that your wife wants to be a mother to my baby, to a woman's baby, who's your ex? Who nearly ruined your marriage?"

"Believe it or not, yes she does. We both do. I've grown to care for Jamie and I can't just leave him with you. He won't have a life with you. Stevie sees it too. Of course it wasn't easy for her at first. A lot had gone wrong until now, but things have changed. She's been wonderful to him, taking care of him, despite that she's this close to giving birth and here you are. Look at you. You look horrible. When was the last time you took a shower? This place is a mess, too. Who was that guy? Since you don't have a job, he's probably your drug dealer, because clearly, you can't live without cocaine."

"Enough! Who the hell do you think you are? What makes you think you can talk to me like that? You're not my boyfriend, my friend, you're not my brother or father, or anyone remotely close to me. You have no right telling me how to live my life!"

"Can you two please stop screaming, I'm trying to sleep here!" Came a voice from the bedroom, to which Lindsey replied.

"Shut the fuck up." As he then turned his attention back to Carol. "You're right, I can't tell you what to do with your life. Quite frankly, I don't care one bit anymore. Jamie, however, I do care about him a great deal."

"He's all yours!" Carol snapped at Lindsey, crossing her arms over her chest. 

"Yeah, I wish it was that easy..." Sighing. "I'll have everything sorted, I'll get the documents drawn up and come back to you. All you will have to do is sign them."

"Great, I cannot wait." She jumped to her feet, going towards the door, indicating that it was time for Lindsey to leave. "Let me know when I can do that!"

Lindsey just shook his head at her on his way out, as he left without saying another word. He went outside and took big strides towards his car, checking his watch, seeing he was a little late already. He had already set up a meeting with his lawyer, before even seeing Carol. 

Later in the evening, once Lindsey had run all of his errands, he was parked in the driveway, gathering his things from the car, before climbing out. He fished for his keys and unlocked the front door, entering the house he was met buy Jamie's cries.

"Stevie?... Steph?" He frowned. "Steph, where are you?" He asked louder, but he didn't get an answer.