Ties That Bind

Chapter 39. Moving Forward

~ Months Later ~

Lindsey had dialed her house phone more than a few times that day and each time---she never picked up. It had actually been that way for a while and he was starting to believe she had another number or something.

He had returned from tour months ago, but when he lost contact with her, he decided to just put his solo album out and tour some more before settling on a decision that would make or break his future with her. But all he could think; somewhere out there was Stevie and their baby who had to be about three to four months old by now and he didn't know where to find them because he didn't have anybody's number besides Sharon's since it was his old number.

Throwing back a swig of whiskey, he popped up out of his chair and he grabbed his car keys to make his way to the apartments---he had to see her whether she liked it or not.

Rolling up to the front of the apartments, alongside the curb, he sighed a little as he put his Mustang in park---his heart rate going up with his stomach churning. He got out and slowly made his way to the front door and he knocked on the black metal. When there was no answer, he walked over to the side door and he opened the white screen just to knock some more. "Stevie?" he called out quite loudly.

"Lindsey?" Sharon came out of her apartment and her eyes sort of lit up when she saw him.

"Oh, hey, sweetie..." he hugged her at the side when she approached him. "Do you know where Stevie is?"

"She's not been here for months," she shook her head.

"What do you mean, for months? Where did she go? Did she move?" he rambled rather quickly.

"No, she didn't move. She just left... She was well into her second trimester, maybe even in the third and she just packed and left. She left Mr. Jones the files for all the tenants and she left me the keys to her place," she shrugged. "I don't know where she went honestly, but she calls every now and again, but I don't have the number to where that is and she's written to me once."

"Did you save the letter?" he asked.

"Yeah," she nodded, gesturing for him to come in.

He entered, looking around with a small grin on his face because the girl had her place fixed up so nicely and in her own way.

"You know, you left Stevie pretty heartbroken... She told us what happened when she came back and I tried to defend you, but she saw other things that I clearly couldn't have known," she pulled out the off white envelope. "Do you wanna tell me what happened? At least you can have one of us rooting for you."

"Yeah, I'll tell you..." he sighed. He began explaining everything in detail, but all he could stare at was the cursive writing on the back of the envelope---it was her cursive writing and it had him on the edge of his seat.

"Did you tell her that?" she offered over the envelope finally---once she heard his side of the story.

"I tried, but she said it sounded like bullshit... Believe me, I haven't been able to get that conversation out of my head," he held his hand out to recieve the envelope. Opening it, just the prominent mark of her writing made him feel warmer and more connected even if it wasn't meant for him. "Do you write back?"

"I never got the return," she shook her head. "I don't think she gave me the number or return because she was afraid I would tell you."

"I'm sorry..." he handed her the envelope back.

"Last I heard from her, it was a good few months ago, but I haven't thought much about it 'cause I really don't have the time with school and work and I know she doesn't have the time either, I'm sure. With the new baby, I'm sure she's tied up."