Timeless

54

1999-January-Stevie

My first interview is today. Ruth's funeral is right after. My parents flew in and Walt is still creepily fascinated with me. Even though we're about twenty years maybe thirty, older and I've gained probably twenty pounds. Jimmy got married and has a wonderful family but Walt is still living with Aunt Martha. He said as soon as he got here, that a baby on my hip was the hottest thing he's ever seen. I cringed and patted his cheek.

I'm in what used to be Morris' office with Karen when the phone rings.

"Hello, Stevie?" The guy asks.

"Yes Hi," I answer.

"You were supposed to be here today for a big announcement, but your not. I hope everything is okay." He says.

"Well, Sadly my mother in law passed away on the second so we're out in San Francisco," I say.

"Oh, I'm sorry. How's Lindsey doing?" He questions.

"Well, Lindsey's okay, It was hard the first couple of day but I think we're all glad that we had been here. Lindsey, myself, both of his sisters in law and his brother and all twelve of the grandkids came out for Christmas. My family was supposed to leave yesterday. I would've flown out to New York to be with you guys and he would've taken the kids back home. But that's obviously been changed." I explain.

"You were with her, which is the important part."

"Right." I nod, though he can't see me,

"So you had another baby, number four is it? What is the baby like? Has she gone easy on mom?"

"She's a great baby. Eight months old, she's saying mama and dada, nanas which stands for bananas. We have an Afghan hound named Brenwen that she calls Wen." I explain.

"So, I know you probably have a lot to do, so my last question, what was your good news?"

"Well, I have a new album in the works. It's called Trouble In Shang-ri La. And it will be released on May first." I explain.

"Do you know your first single?" He asks.*

"I do, but I haven't done anything with it yet, It's the first thing I'm doing when I get back to LA," I explain.

"Alright, thank you. Stevie." He ends.

"Shorter than I thought." Karen mumbles.

"I'm honestly glad. I have so much to do," I sigh.

"Why did you take on most of the funeral arrangements?" Karen asks.

"I was the first daughter in law. I kind of feel obligated. Ruth and Lindsey took care of all of it when His father died. Meredith went through it seven years ago with Greg. I feel like I owe it to them." I shrug.

"You can't do everything." Karen states.

"I can damn well try."

***

After Ruth's funeral, we were lounging in the living room when my mom speaks up.

"Teedee, You'll be married for twenty- three years. I think after all the shit you and Lindsey have been through, you should renew your vows." My mom says.

"YES! That way we could be there." Christi cheers.

"It's a good idea but how are you going to pull it off in twenty days. It took us a year to plan the first one which was literally not even ten people." I sigh.