Enough Is Enough

IX

Finding herself a corner with less people around, Stevie sat down, avoiding any eye contact. She wore no makeup and her hair was up in a ponytail. She wore her usual black attire with her winter boots, even though they were unnecessary. 

There was still time until her flight. Stevie sent Karen away for some coffee and when she was left alone, she blindly rummaged through her bag, opening a small bottle without taking it out and retrieving a pill, which quickly found its way into her mouth. It was a little hard to swallow without any water, so when Karen returned, Stevie took her coffee and downed a couple of big gulps.

"Wow, careful. It's hot." Karen said, sitting down beside her boss. 

Stevie didn't say anything, now taking much smaller sips. 

Karen was never the one to get into Stevie's personal business, but even she had to admit this impromptu trip was a little unusual. She knew something was going on with Lindsey again, so she guessed that was exactly why they were waiting for a flight.

"You think running away will solve the problem?"

Stevie frowned, glaring at her assistant. "I've no idea what you're talking about."

Keeping her mouth shut for a minute, Karen then asked. "It's Lindsey, isn't it?"

"No, it-"

"It's Lindsey." Karen now stated, showing Stevie straight ahead of them. "I do not want to be here for whatever is about to happen." She said and got up from her seat, quickly moving away. Stevie didn't even get a chance to beg her to stay.

"Steph! I can't believe I caught you!"

"What the hell are you doing here, Lindsey?" Stevie asked, sounding calmer than Lindsey would have expected. "How did you know I'd be at the airport?"

"Christine told me. She said, you weren't doing so well and that you were leaving." He started explaining, out of breath, since he had been running around the whole place, searching for Stevie. "I went to your house, but I didn't find you there. All I did find was a note... It's not true, Steph." He shook his head, grasping her by the shoulders. "I drove straight to the airport, hoping that you haven't left yet and I'm so happy I got here in time." He smiled, pulling her in a hug, but she didn't reciprocate. 

Once she realized she was in his arms, Stevie placed her hands upon Lindsey's chest and pushed him away. "You shouldn't have come here."

"What?" Lindsey nearly gasped. "Baby, I-"

"Don't you baby me. I've given you enough damn time, Lindsey. How long was I supposed to wait for, huh? I think I've waited long enough. I don't know about you, but twenty years sounds about it to me."

"I know, I'm sorry." He reached for her hands, but she didn't let him touch her. "A lot is going on right now. Kristen filed for divorce, we still need to sit down with the kids... I'm just so confused by what's going on, baby. I was going to come to you, I was."

"You were going to, but you didn't. I'm tired of waiting around for you, of waiting until the time is right for you. I gave you yet another chance to make it right and you screwed up like you always do." Stevie said, folding her arms over her chest. The Stevie that Lindsey knew would have been yelling at him right now, not caring about other people and here she was, not getting overly emotional, her voice not raised. 

"Forgive me, Steph. Forgive me for everything I've done wrong, but I am ready to make it right." He insisted, looking her in the eyes, suddenly understanding what Christine meant by saying Stevie wasn't seeing her. He didn't think she was seeing him now either. "What is wrong with you, baby? You don't seem yourself."

"Don't turn this around on me, Lindsey. Again, you had your chance and you blew it. I'm done. I waited for you and you didn't come to me."

"I did! Stevie, here I am!"

She stared at him for a moment longer, then shook her head. "It's too late."

No words were coming to Lindsey, as he stood with his mouth agape, not believe what she was saying. "Steph, I swear... This time will be different. I understand that I've probably used up all of my chances by now, but please, baby, I'm begging you for the last one." The palm of his hand cupped her cheek, stroking the soft skin gently. 

"It's too late." Stevie repeated, pushing his hand away. "You need to leave, Lindsey."

"I won't."

"What good will it do, huh? You can't physically hold me down and not let me board the plane, Lindsey. I'll just call security and they'll cal the police, you'll find yourself locked up. Is that what you want?"

"Stephanie, I love you with all of my heart... Why are you doing this?" He was beginning to sound hopeless.

"Just leave, please." She sighed, diverting her eyes away from his. "I need to get on that plane. I need to go away for a little while. I need to."

Karen wasn't standing too far from them, having heard the majority of their conversation. She felt like it was about time to step in. "She asked you to go, Lindsey." Karen said, but not in her usual authoritative voice.

"But..."

"Lindsey, please. Do something she asks of you for once."

Dropping his head low, Lindsey sighed. "When are you coming back?" Stevie just shrugged her shoulders. "Steph..."

"I don't know, Lindsey."

"I love you. Please, baby, remember that. I love you." He repeated, hoping that maybe it will soften her and she will echo his words back to him, but she didn't. 

Holding her gaze for a moment longer, Lindsey gave up. Turning around, he went away the same way he had come from, while Stevie watched him. Karen wrapped her arm around Stevie's middle just in time, before she broke down.

Lindsey wanted to look over his shoulder, but he knew if he did, he would run back to Stevie. That was not what she wanted. Karen was right, he had to respect her wishes. Besides, he deserved this, he brought this on himself. It was hard to let her go, but if it was what was going to bring her back, Lindsey had to do it.

Leaving the airport, Lindsey knew he wasn't able to drive. His hands were shaking and he knew his blood pressure was high. Sitting down on a bench outside the airport, he closed his eyes, taking in deep breaths. He truly believed he was going to be able to stop her...

It was dark already. He sat hunched over, his eyes now fixated on the pavement under his feet. He saw a shadow coming closer, but he didn't bother looking up, thinking it was just someone passing by.

"It's not too late." 

Then he looked up.