****A/N shorter chapter, but crucial to the part that follows so I split it up. Small smut warning, nothing too graphic***
It's Saturday morning and Mom's got pancakes and sausage for breakfast. I have two helpings, as she beams piling more food on my plate and refilling my juice glass. "Well, someone woke up on the right side of the bed" I finish my last sausage link and pour syrup over my two pancakes. Greg's textbook is resting against the coffee pot as he studies, and Jeff is piling more eggs onto his plate. My father flips to the sports section, grumbling about the Clippers.
"Can I borrow the car today Dad? I want to take Stevie shopping, and to dinner" My mother looks at me a little shocked, Jeff stops about to shovel another fork full of eggs in his mouth "Why do you need the car so much? Maybe I want to go out and do something" Greg takes a sip of his coffee "You should be studying for your finals" he says, his eyes never leaving his textbook. Jeff glares at him "We're not all eggheads St. Gregory" he mocks and my father smacks him with the newspaper. He goes back to his breakfast.
"Well, I don't see why not Lindsey. Do you plan to get your physical next week? Coach Bradley called, and asked if you'd gotten a permission slip signed yet" I swallow hard avoiding his gaze. Shit. Well I have to do this at some point "I decided not to go out for swimming Dad" he furrows his brow at me, "I don't understand son, are your grades not up to it?" I shake my head. My grades have, surprisingly, been better than ever this year. "I got a job offer for the summer...a big record executive from Los Angeles signed me and the guys, and Stevie to a tour. We're going to be traveling with Janis Joplin this summer."
Greg, finally looks up from his book "The Janis Joplin?" he asks and I nod smiling. Jeff crosses his arms "When you open for Hendrix then I'll be impressed" Why, why is he such an asshole? My mother looks wary "You'll be away all summer then?" I run my hand through my hair "Yeah, I'll call every night Mom I promise. And I'll write, and take tons of pictures" she looks a little less fearful but I can tell she's not overly excited about it. My father still hasn't said anything, but he's looking me dead in the eye "Well...I'm not thrilled about you quitting the swim team Lindsey. But I also understand how much this means to you. If that's what you want to do, I support you". Wait, what? He supports me? Since when?
I look at him dumbly as I answer "Thanks Dad, that means a lot" he reaches into his front pocket and tosses me the key to the Lincoln "Since you're suddenly so flush with cash, get it washed and fill the tank" I jump up front the table grabbing my jacket "I will" I can't believe he didn't throw a fit about me quitting "Oh and Lindsey, tell Stephanie we said hello" with a last gulp of my orange juice I kiss my mother and run out the door. I start up the car and turn the radio on in time to hear Joe Cocker as I head to Stevie's house.
I'm too excited to realize that it's only nine-thirty and it's Saturday which means Stevie is most likely fast asleep. I knock on the door and a woman answers, it's Barbra Nicks and the second I see her I recognize Stevie's eyes, her nose and her very intense gaze "Hello Mrs. Nicks, is Stevie...erm Stephanie awake?" she looks me up and down, "You must be Lindsey, pleased to meet you" I shake her outstretched hand feeling rude, for not introducing myself. "I'm sorry, yeah I'm Lindsey Buckingham Stevie's boyfriend". Stevie's brother pushes past his mom kissing her cheek "I'll be back for dinner, sup Lindsey?" he says grabbing his bicycle from the front lawn and peddling down the street.
"Would you like to come in? TeeDee just woke up she's getting dressed." I walk inside the Nicks household, and remember that I'm not supposed to have been here before. Jess Nicks is sitting on the couch reading a newspaper a cup of coffee sitting next to him "Hello again Lindsey" he says smiling warmly at me I shake his hand "Good morning sir" he motions for me to sit down as Barbra approaches "Would you care for a cup of coffee Lindsey?" normally I don't but I don't want to be rude twice so I accept. "Cream and Sugar?" she asks and I nod "yes...erm both"
