I Think I'm In Trouble

LXVI.

After seeing everybody out, Stevie wanted to go check on her son to see what was happening. Through the rest of the meal– she desperately wanted to check on him and see what was going on. But she didn't want anybody worrying. She was doing enough of that herself. She hugged and kissed everybody in a slight haste and with Lindsey on her trail, she made her way to the staircase where both were met by Grace.

"Can you tell us what's wrong with him?" Stevie asked her.

She nodded, "he's just sad. I think you should talk to him," she mentioned. "I'm gonna head home," she proceeded to head down the stairs.

"Lindsey, can you take her home, please?" She had figured that's why Grace was heading down.

"I can," he assured as he turned to head down as well.

"Thank you," Grace responded.

"Mm, no problem," he opened the front door and guided her out.

—

Before approaching her son's bedroom door, Stevie checked on Lily briefly– who was still out like a light. Then making her way to her son she gently tapped on the door and without a word she opened it.

"Hey?" she said softly as she furthered herself in.

"Hi," he responded, not making eye contact. He was sitting on the floor– back leaning against the side of his bed as he stared at the floor.

Stevie's heart, breaking as she took in her son's state. She had still no idea what was bothering him. She made her way over and sat beside him. "What's wrong?" she asked softly.

He shrugged.

"Oh, come on don't give me that," she gently nudged him in the arm with her elbow. "I know your upset. It makes me upset  that you are and I don't know why," she mentioned.

He looked up at her for a moment before his eyes averted to the ground once again.

"Come on," she urged gently, again, "what's bothering you, baby?"

"Everything," he said simply.

She creased a brow to herself and before she could ask he explained.

"Everything is so different, mom. I mean; first dad's gone, Lindsey moved in, then the new baby, Jeffrey and I don't spend that much time together because of his baby and then Shannon's moving. I thought at least we'd all be together after dad was gone. I know we were, but you were working and then you came back and Shannon left. And now she is leaving for good."

"She's not leaving forever, I know she'll visit everyday and–"

"That's not what I mean," he shook his head, "I miss when we used to fight with each other and she was doing crazy stuff. She was entertaining and now she is like a grown up," he said unhappily.

Stevie chuckled a little to herself.

"Jeff and I used to hang out a lot and now he is gone all the time. I need my time with him before he goes back to start training again," he said concerned and that in turn made Stevie's stomach churn.

She still couldn't fathom the idea of her son fighting in a war.

"It was a quick change and I didn't have time to adjust. Dad's being gone is the worst," he added.

"I know," she wrapped an arm around him, "I'm sorry," she kissed his head.

"Why are you sorry?" he asked.

"Well, because I know; I've not helped in making this any easier for you. But your father loved you so much and I loved him very much. I don't want you to ever think that I'd replaced him with somebody. I would never do that to you. But you understand that Lindsey and I love each other?" she asked.