Is a Dream Just a Dream?

The Games We Play

***A/N sexual content ahead***

October 3rd (Lindsey's Birthday)

Happy Birthday to me...the big 7---0. Seventy, well I guess I should be glad I made it that far with my lifestyle. There have been times when it was definitely up in the air as to whether I would live or die. The seventies, most of the eighties, the last half of the sixties, early nineties...I should stop now I really feel old. Kristen, thoughtfully, has invited a few guests over for a "private" celebration. An intimate affair with only our closest friends and relatives. So the boys and her riding buddies.

Nick, James, Margret, and Ralph. None of my friends make the cut, and the one person I want to see, have been dying to see, is banned from our humble abode. And I'm in no position to do anything about it. She let Stevie say goodbye to me in the hospital and I was ushered away in an ambulance for my home. Six weeks of at home care to see if I fare better here than the hospital. Six weeks without seeing Stevie, without her cuddled next to me in bed while we watch bad 80's T.V. together. Or her sappy black and white chick flicks, or even just a ball game.

Will and the twins do their best to look after me, to insure that I'm entertained. But they're teenagers and they have school to worry about on top of their convalescent father. Bryce was even proud to show me his report card last week, straight B's. I was so happy I wanted to throw my arms around him, I had to settle for a weak fist bump. He's apparently intrigued with the idea of competitive cooking and I'm all for it. It's a creative and constructive use of his time, and his dirt bag friends won't be interested in it so they'll leave him alone...that's my hope anyway.

As anticipated the job of feeding, dressing, and caring for me has been outsourced to an hourly care giver Kristen hired from some agency. She's kind and efficient, but I'm forced to watch Novellas while she's here. Which isn't too bad since the women on them have er...well developed assets. But there are only so many ways to slap your sister's boyfriend's uncle's boss for impregnating your daughter's roommate. Plus I only speak a little Spanish so the plot is lost on me most of the time.

Stevie and I text on a daily basis she's busy with her tour and rehearsals so she sends me video of them performing, and I feel like I'm there with her. Maybe when I learn to say some more I'll be able to Skype with her, which means I'll have to have Karen teach her how to Skype. I never thought I would live to see the day, but Stevie upgraded her phone. She's now an official owner of a smart phone, an honest to goodness Android device with all the bells and whistles. In order to send video, she upgraded, and I'm more than a little touched that she's so concerned with my loneliness and desire for company.

Speaking of Bryce dropped off a stack of birthday cards from her and the rest of the Mac. Of course Mick wants to know how soon I'll be able to play again...not anytime soon friend. To my surprise my strength is returning now that I'm at home, I chalk that up to being in a real bed with my things surrounding me. Of course I'm in the guest room down the hall from the master bedroom. Which is how things were before the crash, but now I'm stuck here twenty four hours a day.

Big Mike got me to bend my knee the other day and that was a huge milestone. Later he wheels me around the yard and we talk football. Stan the man has me sounding out whole words now and spelling out loud. My stutter is still present and noticeable but I'm not as slow with my words when I speak. I'd kill to be able to play my guitar though, that's not hyperbole either.

My phone chirps next to my hand and I roll over lifting it to my face (Have any big plans for your birthday?). Stevie. I smile opening up my app (Naw, I'm just gonna lay around the house). The phone buzzes again (Very funny...really what are you up to?). Nothing much just sitting here waiting on a delicious bowl of birthday mush. Just as I'm about to type another smart ass answer I hear Kristen's voice along with a deep masculine one...Great the freak show is about to be open for business.