"So," Billy began as we returned to the house. "Did you say there was a loose pull on one of your drawers?"

"Ah, no. I did not say that." Confusion clouded my brain at where that came from.

"Oh, maybe it was Ma. I should head over there to see." His head slightly shook as though he were deeply thinking about who was struggling with this nefariously loose drawer pull.

It suddenly dawned on me that this was a very poorly conceived avoidance tactic of his needed talk with Viv.

"Or maybe it was my mom," I teased. "Perhaps you should gas up the jet."

"Every once in a while, you could humor me," he noted.

"I could, but where's the fun in that?"

"Mmhmm, where's the fun in that?" Billy agreed as he reluctantly headed off to talk to Viv.

"I'll give Tess a call, so they are on the same page too," I called after him.

"Mmhmm." Billy's murmur bounced off the hall walls as he shuffled closer to his dread.

I headed to the bedroom so I could dispel the nervous tension by unpacking while we spoke.

"Hey," Tess answered after the first ring. "I love how annoyed Tim is that you're calling me instead of him."

"You may change your mind when you find out why I'm calling," I warned.

"Oh, no." I could hear movement in the background as Tess moved to a different spot. "What's up?"

"So, Viv and James," I began.

"Look at you, parenting," Tess giggled.

"I know, right? Billy and I just had a call with Sarah where the words sex, sexuality, and Viv were all used. The poor guy almost passed out."

"Oh, that sweet, unprepared man. The future is so bleak for him."

"His idea was to lock Viv up for ten years. Anyway, we decided on no at-home dates unless someone else was around. It all started because Viv wanted to have James over on Saturday for a movie day, but Jackson and I are planning on heading to the arena with Billy."

"Mmhmm, same page," Tess concurred.

"Perfect. So, now the awkward part. James is older than Viv," I tentatively began.

"He is, but as far as his mom knows, he's still a virgin." Tess had caught my thought.

"Okay, and thank you for not making me ask outright. Billy, Sarah, and I assume the same for Viv. Billy's talking to her right now."

"He is?" Tess giggled.

"Mmhmm, so... there's that..."

"Fun night at the Collins compound."

"Anyway, one other topic. New Year's concert... what do I wear?" I asked.

Tess let out a laugh. "You're more comfortable with sex talks and step-parenting than being a rockstar's wife."

"Shh, don't say that too loud. I'm trying to be cool."

"Oh sweetie, with cool, trying is the first step to failure. Has Billy ever told you his Wanda Jackson theory on cool?"

"Excuse me! That's not Billy's theory; that is my theory. He is such a thief!"

"Oh dear, I fear I have said too much. But what I will say is, wear what you want to the concert. It's chilly, so layers, but other than that... you're the rockstar's wife; you get to make your own rules."

"Oh yeah, that's me, fashion rule maker."

"Hey, I'll have Tim give James a refresher on being a gentleman as well, but for now, we're all on the same page. Chaperones for the win."

"Thanks, Tess. I may call you with one or a million questions about kids. Or just walk next door to your office," I baited.

"What?" Tess laughed.

"Oh, Billy is holding the office next to mine for one Tess Denning," I added.

"And what is Tess Denning doing in that office?"

"I don't know, but if he's smart, whatever the hell she wants," I offered.

"Hm, this is very intriguing information. Thanks for the tip." Tess shot before she hung up.

I was sifting through a box of shirts when a soft knock came on the door.

"Come in," I hollered with my head still in a box almost as large as me.

"Um, do you need some help?" Jackson asked.

"No, this is my mess; I should clean it up," I sighed. "What's up?"

"Not much." Jackson flopped back on the bed as he spoke.

"Are you excited about the concert?"

Jackson paused before answering with, "yeah, I guess so."

"Hm, I note hesitation."

"Not about tomorrow. I'm just..." Jackson collected himself again before adding, "I'm a little bummed about the tour."

"The tour? Why?"

He rolled over to face me. "I'm usually fine, but lately, I've been spending more time with Dad, you know? With the projects around the house and telling him about my music, it's been different... good different. And things are really good with him and mom right now. Did you see them at Christmas? They even joked around with each other!" There was an excited babble to his cadence.

"And you're afraid that will fray while he's away?" I offered.

"Things always get worse for them when he tours; honestly, for all of us. He and my mom just fight all the time when he's touring."

"Huh? Have you ever said this to them? They may not have realized it themselves?"

"Um, no. I'm just the kid."

"A very smart kid," I noted. "Touring is stressful for your dad. He doesn't like being away from you, but it's part of the job. And I'm sure it is stressful for your mom, too; it throws the normal rhythm off."

"Yeah, I know. I just wish things could stay like this for a little while." Jackson held his gaze on the ceiling above him, so I flopped down next to him to at least share that connection.

"I can talk to your dad," I offered.

"Yeah?"

"Of course, and just so you know, he loves spending time with you. Making that recording with you for your mom was self-described as his best day ever."

Jackson kept his gaze on the ceiling, but I could see a smile spread across his face.

"Can I ask you a question?" I added.

"Sure," Jackson curiously looked over at me.

"What do you see me as?" I asked.

"Huh?"

"I mean, I'm not your parent. I'm not your friend. What role do you see me having?"

"Oh, um, well..." Jackson pondered it for a few minutes. "I guess you are just Lily," he added with a shrug.

"Huh," I pondered the title. It was so obvious and yet so me.

Jackson added, "I like you being around. You add a different perspective, like with my mom and dad. I think you have mellowed them both out a bit. And, I don't know, I feel like I can talk to you. You're not like a friend, but I don't feel like you're a parent, like I'm going to get in trouble with you as much."

"Great, I'm the pushover," I teased.

"No, I don't think that. I know that if you catch me pulling some crap, I'll be in trouble, just like if Mom or Dad caught me, but if I have something I don't feel like I can talk to them about, I can talk to you." He shrugged. "You're like cool, but not in the creepy way that allows kids to throw ragers in the basement way. You don't try to be cool, you just... you're approachable, and you treat me like a human and not some kid. Plus, it's nice to see an adult who doesn't act like they know everything."

"Well, you're a human, and I don't know everything," I laughed.

"Mmhmm, most people don't think anyone younger than eighteen is an actual human with ideas and stuff," Jackson lamented.

"Well, I'm happy to be your approachable adult then," I nodded. "And for the record, I love you, Jackson. And because I love you... no ragers in the basement for you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." He slid off the bed as he spoke. "Love you too, Lil," he added before he escaped the room.