Storms

How Is He?

Lindsey hadn't heard from Stevie in weeks. He knew that pushing her would make things worse so he backed off. It wasn't easy. He missed hearing her voice, her laugh. He missed the way she would dance about her house, effortless becoming the poetry she would so often write. He sighed, walking about his new apartment. White walls, tan carpet, white tile, light hardwood. More white walls, tan carpet, white tile, light hardwood. He made note of the textures as he paced. Focusing on that would help keep his mind away from Stevie for a little while. He had boxes lining the walls of each room, hastily labeled and yet to be unpacked. His days were empty and lifeless without her but his nights were the worst. It wasn't even the lack of sex that made sleep restless and uneasy. It was more that he missed the comfort, feeling her skin against his. Being able to reach out and touch her transported him back to the beginning of their relationship. When they were young and they had nothing more than each other, he felt the happiest. Money did nothing but tear them apart and on days like this, he wished they had never joined Fleetwood Mac. Maybe he would still have her and none of this would have ever happened. He grabs for one of the very few things in his kitchen cabinet, a bottle of whiskey and pours himself a hearty glass. He sips it, slipping his phone from his back pocket. He dials the only person he can think of talking to. He waits for it to ring and it is picked up right away.

"Hey, Dad! What's up?"

"Hey, Jen...uh, are you busy?"

"Kind of, why?"

"Oh, never mind then." He says quickly.

"No, no what is it? I'm on my way to Stevie's."

"You are?"

"Yeah, I wanted to apologize for everything. I called her last night and she agreed to let me come back. I have stuff over there, y'know?"

"Will you plead my case?" Lindsey asked.

"Daddy, I really don't think I'm the person to do it. After all I've done, I'm sure she never wants to see me again."

"But she's talking to you. She isn't talking to me"

"Have you tried?" She asks. Silence. "Yeah, that's what I thought."

"I don't want her to ignore me."

"Well maybe she thinks you're ignoring her."

"I guess"

"I tell you what- I will casually bring up your name and see her reaction. If she doesn't blast you, then I guess you have an in"

Lindsey chuckles. "Yeah, okay."

"I'm about to pull in. See you later?"

"Yeah, maybe you can come to my new pad for dinner tonight."

"I don't think they call it a pad anymore" she says with a giggle.

"Okay, miss smarty pants. So are you in?"

"Yeah, I'm in. I will bring food over though because I've heard stories about your cooking."

"Alright. And to be straight with you, I have nothing here"

"You're such a guy. Bye Daddy"

"Bye sweetheart" He hears the line go silent and he puts the phone back in his pocket. He knows he's going to drive himself crazy going over every possible scenario that could play out when Jenna mentions him to Stevie.

-----

Jenna knocked on the door and Stevie let her in right away with a smile. The younger blonde couldn't tell if it was genuine or forced. Jenna waited to be spoken to, not wanting to upset Stevie any more.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" Stevie asked.

"No thank you"

"Are you sure? It's no trouble" She looks at Jenna then shrugs. "I'm not angry at you" Stevie said as she filled her kettle with tap water and turned on the stove.

"You're not?"

"Honey, I've done a lot of thinking. I remember what it's like being young and unsure of yourself. You want to make people happy and family can be especially influential- for better or for worse"

"Yeah" Jenna said, growing silent. Stevie filled her mug and dropped in a tea bag, letting it steep on the counter.

"I...I was really hurt at first." She said, turning off the stove and turning around to face her former-assistant. "I tried my best to make you feel welcome and at home. We shared so many stories, secrets and bottles of wine. I care about you, Jenna. You were more than my employee and I honestly got very attached to you."

"I got attached to you too. I don't know why I didn't just tell my mother no. You were always so kind to me and you took me in and treated me like family. I betrayed your trust and I don't deserve to be forgiven." Jenna says, tears welling up in her big blue eyes. Stevie hates to see anyone in tears, going to her immediately. She embraced her and Jenna wrapped her arms around the older woman. "I'm so sorry"

"It will be okay." Stevie said comfortingly. "It's water under the bridge." The girl began to calm down and they pulled apart.

"Thank you, Stevie."

"You're very welcome." Stevie took a long satisfying sip of her tea and smiled softly at the warmth. "So! How have you been?"

"Me? Um, I've been okay. Writing a lot, staying home a lot or hanging out with my dad. He...he got a new place. It's nice, he says, is just really empty."

"Oh?" Stevie tried to play it cool but she couldn't help but be interested.

"Yeah, since Kristen was adamant about getting a divorce, he filed and she was served a couple days ago, I think."

"Hmm..."

"His apartment has nice amenities but he's been inside. Writing, playing guitar...y'know?"

"Yeah...typical Lindsey stuff."

"Right, but he wants a house. He's been looking a little but he's not really motivated."

"Why not?" Stevie asks and Jenna shrugs. "So...uh, how is he? How is he taking all of this?" Stevie couldn't stop her curiosity from getting the best of her. She still cared about him, she still loved him. Nothing he did would ever change that. Jenna's eyes became bright, hearing the question. Her lips curled into a small smile, leaning on the counter.

"You know, it's funny you should ask...."