Heart of the Matter

11

March 29, 2019

It was nine weeks after his surgery and he had been cleared to continue regular activities two weeks prior. That's why they were both in Boston. Lindsey was going to see a vocal specialist, he was speaking at a low gravely volume, not necessarily a whisper but it was quiet none the less. And Kendall was going to make her first appearance with her mother at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. 

She wouldn't appear with her mother until after the show because Stevie was opening it, but she had a spot at the table with Lori, Jessie, Alec, Chris, and Sheryl Crow. She was wearing a red-orange lace strapless dress, tan platform boots she stole out of her mother's closet, and a short jean jacket. Her hair was half up half down in their waves and as she was walking into the venue she was stopped.

"Kendall, Kendall...How did you find out your parents were Lindsey and Stevie?" 

"The woman that took me passed away and I was cleaning out her house and I found my birth certificate." She states. It wasn't a secret at this point, she had gone on Good Morning America.

"How's Lindsey?" 

"He's fine. Getting better every day." She replies walking in and dodging any more questions.

She knows her table number and when she spies it, she immediately makes her way over. Chris stands up and pulls out the chair that's next to him, there are two open spots and one she assumes is going for her mother. Before she sits in the chair he hugs her and she bends down and hugs Jessie and Alec too. Once she's situated she shakes hands with Sheryl Crow and they make small talk. 

As she was watching her mother she could tell something was wrong but she wasn't sure what. After Stevie accepted her award she made her way to the table and before she even sat down to eat the meal that was provided, she hugged her daughter. 

"Did you have any trouble getting in here?" 

"No...one reporter stopped me but that's about it." Kendall shakes her head.

"How's your dad?" Stevie questions once she takes her seat.

"He's okay...he's here...not like here-here, but he's in Boston. He's visiting a vocal specialist on Monday." She explains.

"I'm going to have to go see him afterward." She sighs.

"No, you're not..." Kendall shakes her head.

"What do you mean no I'm not?" Stevie asks.

"Mom, you're stuffy and you were scratchy on stage...You're sick aren't you?" Kendall observes.

"I don't think I'm sick-sick, My throat does hurt but it's probably just a head cold. I'm fine." She shakes her head.

"But you're still sick. Dad's immune system is shit right now and I'm not risking anything." She replies. 

***
After the awards ceremony, Stevie was finally walking a press junket carpet and Kendall was by her side. 

"Stevie, how does it feel to have your baby back after all these years?" 

"It's a wonderful feeling, getting to hold her and touch her." Stevie smiles.

"Any hard feelings towards the woman that took her." 

"There are so many, it's not even funny but I can't do anything about it right now because she's gone. She passed away. I'd like to say she got what was coming to her because she died in a car accident, but I'm not a bitter person and I can't like, say that because it's not true...At the end of the day, it all comes down to the fact that my daughter was raised well and she was taken care of and that's all that matters." 

"Kendall any plans to do a song with your mom?" 

"I don't know we'll see." She giggles.

"What about your tour?" 

"Um, My tour as of right now is not happening. But, I am going to start working on a new album so when things settle down and my dad's 100 percent healed I'll probably head out on tour. And besides, what good would a concert be with only twelve songs?" Kendall questions. 

***

April 3, 2019

She was just walking into Lindsey's house with him when her cell phone rang. Lindsey cocked an eyebrow but Kendall answered it anyway. 

"Hello." 

"Kendall, it's Karen...Stevie's assistant." 

"Yes..." Kendall grabs ahold of Lindey's arm as he looks at her. 

"She was just admitted to the hospital in Philadelphia with Pneumonia. I thought i'd let you know." 

"Um, do you need me to fly out there because I will without a problem." Kendall shakes her head.

"Stevie's shaking her head no..." Karen chuckles.

"Can I talk to her?" She asks.

"Hold on." 

"Hey baby," Stevie says weakly.

"If I'm right your mother died from Pneumonia so why don't you want me to fly out there." She states.

"Because you need to plan your wedding. If I'm right...you have people flying in and you're due in Santa Barbara with Jessie in a couple of days. I'll be fine...don't worry about me. Take care of your wedding and your dad. They're more important." Stevie tells her.

"You better keep me updated every single day. I just got you and I don't want to lose you this soon." Kendall scolds.

"I know, I'm working on getting better. I promise you that." She sighs.

"Alright, get some rest. And just for extra measure...I was right you ARE sick." Kendall states.

"You were right. I love you, goodbye baby." Stevie sighs.

"Bye, momma. I love you." Kendall sighs. 

"What's wrong with your mom?" Lindsey asks.

"She's got pneumonia. She's in the hospital in Philidelphia. She won't let me fly out there." Kendall pouts.

"Your mom's a fighter...she'll be okay." Lindsey takes her into his arms and gives her a hug. 

***

That night, Lindsey had made dinner and since Craig was on tour he didn't fancy eating alone so he ventured around the house until he saw the studio light on. He chuckled to himself before he made his way downstairs. 

She had his guitar in her lap and she was strumming. 

"Hey." She stops and smiles up at him. 

"What's running through that little head of yours?" He asks sinking down next to her. 

She does a lip twill and then stars strumming the guitar again. 

Once I fall in love then I'll be happy
But then you fall in love and there's still a hole
Once I get some money it'll all be easy
But then you get that money, you still feel broke

Once I get a little older, I won't worry
Then you get older and it don't feel like it should
I'm thinking once I learn to grow right where I'm planted
Maybe that's when life starts getting good

Once I get a car that don't stall in the morning
I can make it anywhere I want, just wait
But I can see it right now sitting in my driveway
Afraid if I take it out, I'll chip the paint

Once I get a house that I can hang my hat on
I bet I'll want to build a bigger one if I could, yeah
I'm thinking, once I learn to grow right where I'm planted
Maybe that's when life starts getting good

Oh, getting good
Getting good
Life starts getting good
I'm thinking maybe that's when life starts getting good

(That's when life starts getting good, oh)

I'm afraid of both my parents dying
I call my dad, he answers right away
And I didn't hear a word 'cause I was thinking
About what hasn't happened yet but will someday

And we hang up the phone before I know it
I'm crying over the conversation my fear took
I'm thinking once I learn to soak up every moment
I'll realize my life's already good

Already good
Already good
Life's already good
I'll realize my life's already good
Thank God that my life's already good

All Lindsey does is wrap her in his arms before pushing her into the booth.