The band had just wrapped rehearsal, and Mick was trying to convince everyone to grab a drink before calling it quits for the day. Rehearsal had gone on longer than usual because Stevie was struggling with "Free Fallin". Mike kept imploring her to scrap it, but she insisted. This was the last practice run before hitting the road. The tour was starting and the new band were going to board a plane to Oklahoma in two days.
"We need to work on our bonding, " jokingly shouted to his bandmates. "October 3rd is literally just around the corner" He bellowed with a chuckle. Christine opted out. The less time she needed to spend with Mick Fleetwood, the better. Stevie, Neil and Mike all agreed. Truly, the only people that needed to bond were Stevie and Neil. Actually, work on their chemistry more like it. All the reviews that came in after the "Ellen" show indicated they were lacking chemistry. Spewing love songs and hate filled diatribes back and forth to each other when they written for or by someone else, just didn't resonate.
"John, are you coming?" Mick inquired as he approached John and Christine.
"Not tonight. Julie and I are having dinner with Molly. She's heading out of town herself and I won't see her before we leave" glancing at his watch," and thanks to an hour and half of "Free Fallin", I am late."
Mick winced at his long time friends tone and turned his attention to Christine. "You know love, you can't avoid me forever. This is a long tour. Could be awkward?" He said winking, hoping to break the tension that had existed between the two of them since early February.
Very cooly, glancing up at him, her reply cut him to the core and had John shaking his head at the notorious quick wit that only Christine McVie embodied, "No more awkward than touring with Stevie and Lindsey for 40 years. Only difference is, this time it's directed at you, " she shot back at him before grabbing her bags and heading for the door.
If Christine and John were honest, Mick and Stevie appeared to be the only ones truly enjoying themselves. Mike and Neil were happy to be there, and truthfully, very respectful of Lindsey's legacy. When Mick suggested adding "Monday Morning" and "Second Hand News" to the set, in addition to "Go Your Own Way", even Neil questioned it. Mick was clearly going overboard to demonstrate togetherness, cohesiveness and moving forward. Christine had already divulged to John, she was out after this tour. Drama with Fleetwood Mac, and Stevie and Lindsey in particular was normal. But the lies Mick's been telling in interviews, as well as the way he, in particular treated her when this all went down, she was done. John was the one who convinced her not to quit this time.
"Stevie," Karen poked her head in the room, "the driver will come back for you after he drops me off. I need to finish a few things before we leave." Stevie just nodded in acknowledgment as she continued putting her things in her bag. Neil and Mike checked over the guitars one last time before they got loaded in the truck. Mick and John were doing the same with their instruments. Christine didn't care if her keys made it. She was beyond frustrated with the entire situation. She and Lindsey always had a good repoire, but the time spent in the studio making "Buckingham McVie" really solidified years of a beautiful friendship. She got to know Kristen and the kids during that time too. When Lindsey had made comments on social media recently that he had reached out and gotten no response, it hurt. It was of course true. Management strongly opposed any kind of outreach to Lindsey. She only hoped one day she would be able to repair the damage that was done.
"Christine, are you ready?" John inquired, "I'll walk you to your car." Christine nodded, but raised an eyebrow as to why he wanted to walk her to the car. While chivalrous, it was still light out and the parking lot wasn't that big. He approached her and grabbed one of her bags to help.
"Thanks Johnny. " Turning around she said goodnight to no one specifically. "Thanks for the help, but what's up?" She questioned her ex husband.
"Nothing, I just needed to get the hell out of there. I have a feeling this might be worse than Rumours and Tusk. Collectively."
John and Christine were just about to say goodnight to the guards at the security desk when one of them shouted, "Oh my god!" John and Christine looked up the the TV screen they were pointing too.
"Lindsey Buckingham, former guitarist of Fleetwood Mac was involved in a fatal car accident this afternoon on the freeway. No further details at this time."
