Lindsey had visited the diner several times, each time seeking coffee for unbearable hangovers. Stevie was his waitress each time and each time Ricky asked him for things.

Stevie was pouring Lindsey a coffee once more, when she spoke quietly

"I'm sorry Ricky keeps bothering you"

"It's alright." Lindsey waved her off. Stevie realised Lindsey didn't want to talk to her, he'd been in a few times now and none of those times had he actually looked at her for more than a second. "Can I get a refill?" Lindsey held up his mug, slumping over in his seat. "Sure...so are you um...touring at the moment?" Stevie said filling his cup up.

"Nah, we finished up the European leg so we are done. So...uh you're married to Ricky, are ya?"

"That's good...yeah, we've been married for a few years now..."

Lindsey nodded awkwardly, "How long have you worked here?"

"Since I was sixteen. Ricky let me come work for him...."

"Six...sixteen? How old are you now...?" He asked a little shocked. "That's not a question to ask a lady," she smiled softly at him. "No...I'm so sorry of course not!" He apologized. "I'm twenty five," she jokingly dismissed his question, looking around to make sure Ricky was nowhere to be seen. "Just slightly older than me then"

She nodded quickly and rushed away, Lindsey was confused as he saw Ricky approaching. "I apologize for my wife, she can be a chatter box."

"It's quite alright, she wasn't bothering me" Lindsey smiled. "She doesn't know when to be quiet sometimes," Ricky chuckled. Lindsey's brow furrowed slightly at the strange tone that Ricky used when talking of his wife. "She was perfectly fine. I don't mind," Lindsey assured him. "I spoke to her first."

"I'll be having words with her anyway" he said, giving Lindsey a final smile before going to find Stevie. The was Ricky said it did not sit well with Lindsey....

Scanning the restaurant with his eyes he tried to find where Stevie was. He saw her in the very back corner with Ricky, exchanging words. He had her by the wrist as he got in her face. He squinted his eyes a little to see whether that's what he was actually seeing. Stevie refused to fight back, cowering further into the corner. She glanced very quickly at Lindsey before looking at her feet once more.

The couple moved to the back-more like Stevie was drug to the back by Ricky. A waitress passed and he decided to ask her what she knew about Stevie's marriage.

"I don't know much, and we don't ask, all we know is he doesn't treat her well."

"Is she ever hurt?"

"More than we all care to admit" she said sadly.

"Have any of you tried to talk to her?"

"Of course...but she says that she loves him and that he just wants what's best for her."

"Hurting her is what's best for her?" Lindsey said shaking his head. The waitress shrugged, "I don't ask questions. No one does because we want to keep our jobs."

"Alright, thank you for your help!" He smiled and the waitress walked away, Lindsey found his eyes looking for Stevie once more. She was returning from the back of the restaurant, she seemed...fine. Not like she was hiding anything, she seemed her quiet usual self. Lindsey shrugged and returned to his coffee, slugging the last dreg and asking for one last refill. Stevie only nodded politely and refilled his mug, "Ready for the bill?"

"Yes please...I hope I didn't get you into trouble..." Lindsey said looking at her.

"No, of course not. Ricky just...never mind," Stevie shook her head and went to fetch his bill. He watched her closely, she was hiding something, shaking his head he realised it was none of his business whatsoever, he didn't even remember her name. She returned and placed his bill on the table, "Thank you."

"Sorry, this is going to sound terrible, but what's your name again?" Lindsey asked carefully.

"Stevie."

"I'm sorry I couldn't remember" he smiled softly. "It's alright, I don't mind at all,"she collected his money. "After all the aspirins you've given me" he chuckled and placed his hand on top of hers for a second

Stevie quickly removed her hand away from his, "Have a nice day." She rushed away. Lindsey realised he must have just come across as being creepy, he didn't mean to, he was just trying to be nice. As Lindsey drove home his phone started ringing, "Hello?"

"Lindsey it's Carol Ann."

"What do you want?" He sighed

"Your son wants to see you..."