Torches

2

June 20, 1983

"Hey here's something," Lori says pushing the morning paper towards Stevie. She took a shift for someone so for once she's opening the restaurant. 

"What is it?" Stevie yawns putting her glasses on her face and peering at the paper. 

Housekeeper wanted 827 22nd Street Santa Monica California

Four Bedrooms four bathrooms. The applicant must have experience and must be okay with children. Flexible hours, preferably in the mornings or during the day. The payment is up for discussion. The applicant must be able to pass a background check and must be able to drive. If interested please contact Dr. Lindsey Buckingham at 424 596 6722

"Well, I mean it's worth a shot I guess." Stevie sighs casting her gaze at the clock and then dialing the phone number.

"Dr. Lindsey Buckingham." A gruff male voice answers.

"Hi, my name is Stephanie Nicks and I saw your ad in the paper for a housekeeper." She sighs. 

"That's a quick response, this is the first day it's been in the paper." He chuckles.

"Well, I'm slightly desperate," Stevie admits.

"Well, if you're desperate we can set up an interview. How does today at four-thirty sound?" He questions. 

"Um, well I work until three, but I'll be there," Stevie tells him.

"Perfect, I'll see you then." Lindsey hangs up the phone and looks to Lori. 

"It's worth a shot." Lori grins.

"Exactly." Stevie nods. 

***

Pulling up to the house, it looks normal she thinks. Grey siding a two-car garage and a white picket fence. A picture-perfect house. A house she would love to own. She parks her car and she goes to walk up the stairs to the door when she sees the nasty striped smock and she rips it off and runs back to her car shoving it in the front seat and she heads back up to the front door. She swallows thickly and knocks at the red-painted front door. It opens to a man with dark curly hair and bright blue denim eyes. He looks good wearing a black button-down and some dress pants. His shirt isn't buttoned all the way and it looks like he ripped a tie off coming into the doorway. 

"Hi I'm Stephanie Nicks, I'm here to interview for the housekeeper position." She looks at him directly in the eyes.

"It's nice to meet you I'm Lindsey Buckingham." He holds his hands out.

"Pleasure." Stevie nods.

"Well, would you like to come on in?" Lindsey questions.

"Sure." She smiles sweetly.

"Can I get you anything, water, soda, tea?" He inquires.

"Oh no. I'm perfectly fine." Stevie grins.

"Well come on in and we'll set up shop right here the living room." He shows her into the house.

The door leads right into the living room where the walls are painted white on top and the bottom has dark wooden, almost black paneling. There are dark green curtains on a custom made giant front window. In front of the window is a white loveseat. There's a TV in the corner and a fireplace against the wall. There's a white couch across from the fireplace and two what looks like brown leather armchairs. He takes a seat on the couch and she perches on one of the leather chairs. 

He goes to say something but a cry comes from a monitor attached to his hip.

"I'm sorry, can you give me a minute I'll be right back. Make yourself comfortable." Lindsey tells her.