Chapter 2
“I can’t believe you’re here!”
Jeanie hugged Linds again. Secretly, after her conversation with Kevin, Jeanie
half-expected that she’d hear from Lindsay, but was surprised when she showed
up on her doorstep.
Lindsay grinned. It felt good to
be “home”… her second home. She looked around the media room. It looked a lot
different than when she lived here. Baby toys and pacifiers were scattered
everywhere.
“Jeanie, do you and Kevin own
stock in baby gates?” she giggled. “It’s like a damn obstacle course trying to
walk through your house!”
Jeanie hugged her again. “I wish
we did! Lindsay, I know for a fact, I was never like Madison. I was so laid
back. I can’t imagine Kevin being like that either. She’s so fast. It’s like
she’s on baby-speed or something!” Jeanie giggled. “You’ll see…she reminds me
of the cartoon roadrunner. It scares me because she’s already trying to pull up
on stuff, once she starts walking…my God…”
Lindsay retrieved a soda from the
bar. “Where’s the lady who helps you out?”
“Off. I thought Kevin was coming
home this weekend. I’m so screwed up on my days.” Jeanie began toss Fisher
Price toys into a Madi's playpen. When Lindsay didn’t answer, she glanced back
at her young friend. Lindsay was crying.
“Linds! Baby…” Jeanie rushed to
the bar and put her arms around her. “What’s going on? Did you and A.J. have a
fight?”
“No…” That was an honest answer.
They didn't fight.
Before Jeanie could pin her down,
Jess started screaming from the hall. “Look out! Here she comes! If it aint
edible pick it up! Quick!”
Madison, buck-naked and crawling,
came tearing into the room. She never looked up.
Lindsay was shocked. She thought
Jeanie was kidding…she burst out laughing.
“Jessica! Where are her clothes?”
Jeanie yelled.
Jessie trotted into the room. She
looked more like Jeanie’s daughter than Madison did. She was blonde with hazel
eyes, but much shorter than Jeanie. Seeing Lindsay, her “big sister” she
started shrieking. “Oh my God!”
Lindsay laughed. “What are you
doing home? I thought you’d be out on date.”
Jessie rolled her eyes.
“Grounded.”
“Why?”
“Cause my aunt is mean.” Her voice
was heavy with sarcasm.
“Go on, tell her Jess…tell her why
I’m so mean.” Jeanie walked to the French doors leading outside, picked up
Madison and turned her around. Like a wind-up toy, she took off in a new
direction.
“Okay, so my new boyfriend is a
little older…okay, so like maybe he’s twenty-one,” she groaned.
“Are you crazy, you dumb ass!”
Lindsay slapped her on the arm.
“Hey, I’m having emotional issues
because of stupid Brian, okay? You guys don’t understand. There aint no hurt,
like Backstreet Boy hurt.” Jess flopped down in an overstuffed chair.
Jeanie and Lindsay looked at each
other. That was definitely something they understood. “Do me a favor, get
Madi’s pajamas on, okay?” Madison was taking a break and chewing on a plastic
CD case.
Jess picked her up and tucked
Madison under her arm like a football and off they went, Madi's tiny little
naked bottom bouncing up and down.
“You’ve got your hands full,
Jeanie…” Lindsay giggled. “You know why Madi’s like that, don’t you?” she said
softly. “Think about when you were pregnant. You flew all over the world trying
to keep up with Kevin. The kid has a built-in need for speed!”
Jeanie laughed, then looked like
she would almost cry. “I know…I’m so tired, Linds. I wish Kevin was here.” She
closed her eyes and leaned back on the couch.
Seeing Jeanie trying to juggle a
baby, a teenager, a career, a life and still loving Kevin, hit Linds hard. She
knew she didn’t have the heart to tell Jeanie about what he’d done.
Tomorrow, she would tell her about
A.J., and maybe together they could figure it out. Lindsay slipped her arms
around her. The two women sat quietly on the sofa; no words were spoken.
The nice thing about real
friendship is that you don’t have to talk. Silence speaks volumes. A real
friend will always hear you loud and clear.
Jeanie instinctively knew that
Lindsay’s heart was broken. Loud and clear.