A World That Is Not Mine

XXXI.

Lindsey started traveling back up the stairs to see Stevie. Now he had to tell her new news which he wasn't pleased about and he knew she wouldn't be either.

He knocked gently on her door again.

"Come in," her sweet but raspy voice responded.

He did so and entered slowly. His eyes had averted down and he was looking at the linoleum under his feet.

"What's the matter now?" she asked. "I don't like the emotion you just brought in."

"Rick has asked to take you home," he looked up at her and responded bluntly. He knew not to sugarcoat since she was quick to feel it. His eyes met hers and he started to see fear growing.

"Okay..." she paused. "That's what we needed, right?" she lingered. "I mean, at least I'll be out of here and all I have to do is play the part a little."

"Leonard told Rick only like ten minutes ago, that you had been shocked again."

"He was here?" she asked---sitting on the bed again.

"Yeah, when I came down, he was there. He left a few minutes later, but he asked to take you home and I said you were asleep and have been medicated and Leonard said you were shocked again."

"So, I have to act even more out of it?" she crossed her arms.

"I guess... I don't know what's going on right now. But I'm not going to lie---you may have to go home with him. I know you don't want to, but if you want to find your son, this may be the way to do it."

"How did he sound? when he talked..." she added. Her eyes were filling with tears since she was realizing she would have to stay with him. She didn't want to after all that he had done and she was able to see it. She hated him a lot and she couldn't imagine what life would be like if she had to live with him.

"He sounded very concerned and I see what you mean about the motionless part," Lindsey rubbed his hands together as he was going to sit down next to her.

"I love you, Lindsey," she whispered to him. "When this is over---we can be together."

"You're going to be fine," he swallowed hard as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

She rested her head on his chest and cried silently as she enjoyed him rubbing her back.

"I love you too," he kissed the top of her head---his own eyes filling as their departure was once again welcoming them. He hated that she was going to be living with her selfish and reckless husband. "I always will."

She tilted her head up so she could capture his lips for a moment. She knew it wasn't going to be the last time she'd see him---that was just a gut feeling, but she knew they would be away from each other for a while. She pulled away and reached under her pillow. "I want you to take these," she handed him her crystals, cards, and journal. "He can't know I was keeping up and I have a hunch that he got rid of all my things."

Lindsey took her things---looking at them intensely. It was like she was handing him her life, he knew how close she was to her things. He hated that she was so prepared to leave and be with the man she hated.

"Will you gaurd them with your life?" she asked---more in a whisper as she ran her fingers through the curls near his ear.

"If it means protecting you, yes---" he turned to look at her. She had tears developing in her brims and it just killed him. He hated to see her cry, it was heart breaking.

"You're the best protection I've had. You've always protected me---in dreams, and from the dreams in real life. Really having you is just a sign. I realized we are just meant to be one with each other. Solan wasn't born when I was sixteen---so that means, the day you got shocked was the day I started feeling for you. Solan just made sure I got to you, later."