Fleetwood Mac-Part III of Fritz Series

You're Fired

Hours later Christine and John, drinks in hand, are sitting red faced in our living room. Robin by coincidence stopped in to return Stevie's hot rollers and ended up staying to watch the kids for our meeting. It's technically her day off but since she's nosy and annoyed with Jeff at the moment she agreed, "You guys pay my bills, if you're broke I'm broke" good point. Pouring another Vodka orange juice for me Stevie hands me the glass putting her arms around my waist, she tips her face toward mine for a kiss and I bend down pecking her lips gently in thanks. John pays us little attention, but Christine scoffs rolling her eyes.

"We're here to figure out what Mick's done with all of our money, can we keep the love fest to a minimum?" I'm in the mood to fight and Stevie knows it, she hugs my middle tighter laying her head over my heart. The tenderness of her action touches me, and my anger diverts from Christine back to Mick "What did he say when you called him John?" our taciturn bass player swishes his scotch around in its glass "Not much, which isn't like Mick" true. I can't go a thirty-minute conversation with the man that doesn't devolve into a blow by blow account of what he did the second he got out of bed until the present moment. It's a character trait of his that I've grown accustomed to, but right now I'm in no mood for eccentricities.

"I'd like to punch him in his fucking throat, I've got a wife and kids you know" Christine squeezes John's shoulder gently in sympathy. They're the only two people I've ever met who could truly be friends after a break up. Chris is happy with her single fancy-free life as far as I can tell, but she's a bit too judgmental of the rest of us for being in relationships. I've started to suspect she's jealous that she's the only one without a family, and since I've been an ass to her for years she focuses on me and Stevie.

"Let's give him a chance to explain Johnny, if you don't like what he says then you can punch him in the throat" Christine taps cigarette ashes into the crystal dish beside her. John grumbles under his breath but says no more "I just don't understand how he could have run through all of that money, Rumors alone should have set us for life" I have no doubt it could have, it still outsells records to this day. "Rumors yes...Tusk on the other hand" Christine stubs out her cigarette looking me dead in the eye "What does that mean?" I can feel my temper rising.

"It means whatever the hell you want it to mean Buckingham"

"Chris, that's not fair. Tusk is an amazing album it was just not what our audience is used to hearing from us" sitting up Stevie fixes her bandmate with a stern look. Christine rolls her eyes again, I hope they get stuck like that "What a surprise, Lindsey flubs up Stevie picks up the pieces" I'm about to reach boiling point, just as I'm about to retort the doorbell rings and Ginny jumps off the couch rushing to greet the new arrival. Stevie excuses herself for a moment returning with a sheepish looking Mick Fleetwood in tow.

"Well, hello all" running a hand through his hair Mick looks around the room. The expressions on each face enough of a clue for him to know he really stuck his foot in it this time "Have a seat" John growls crossing his arms. Mick complies, sitting as far away from the rest of us as he can. When Stevie retakes her spot next to me she readjusts her hair nervously "Alright, what's this all about then?" as if he doesn't know, it's written all over his face. Guilt.

"What happened to our money Mick?" clenching his fist John puts his scotch glass aside standing to address his childhood friend. Looking away, Mick doesn't speak "Johnny asked you a bloody question, where's our money?" turning her ire from me Chris takes another pull on her cigarette. She's just about to sip her wine again then sets the glass down in annoyance when she discovers it's empty "I-I don't know what happened alright? I thought we were doing okay we had tons of money from the tours and record sales, but..."