Disclaimer: Not mine. Sucks to be me.

The Long Road

Chapter 2

Catherine leaned back against the door for a moment savoring the memory of Warrick's cheek against her lips. The light in his eyes and the sexy rumble of his voice as he told her their date had been special for him too made her want to hug herself and squeal with delight. Controlling the impulse she gave a sigh and called out, in her best Ricky Ricardo imitation, "Lindsay, I'm home."

Receiving no reply she pushed off the door and went in search of her daughter. Sticking her head into the family room, where the television was blaring, she gave a grunt of aggravation. She walked over and clicked off the offending object taking in the dirty dishes and general havoc left by a teenager with a shake of her head. Continuing her search, she headed down the hallway and peeked into Lindsay's bedroom and finally her own. Panic was scratching at the base of her spine as she reversed her steps and hurried to the kitchen. Finding that room empty she caught a sound that had her brow furrowing in puzzlement. Moving quickly she opened the door leading out to the pool and stood, without breathing, staring at the sight before her. There, on a lounge chair beside the pool, was her nubile, topless, fifteen year old daughter making out with her equally shirtless boyfriend. And from the looks of things Catherine wasn't a moment too soon.

"Lindsay Willows," she screeched, "What in the hell do you think you're doing!" Breaking the spell that had held her feet rooted to the floor, Catherine stormed out tostand beside the chair. "And you," she spat at Blake, "get out off my daughter and out of my house. You've got about two seconds before I actually hurt you."

"I don't have a ride. A friend dropped me off." The embarrassed boy mumbled while clambering off the chair and snatching up his shirt.

"Then I would suggest you call this someone and then wait for them on the front steps. Or, if you prefer, I can call your parents to come pick you up and you can wait inside." Sarcasm dripped from every syllable as she glared at the teenager.

"No, ma'am. I'll call someone." He hurried into the house and disappeared.

Looking back, Catherine noted that Lindsay was still sitting on the chair, arms folded to cover her breasts. "Get up and go inside, NOW! Because you don't want me to have to help you. Do you understand?"

For once, since her tenth birthday, Lindsay was silent. Eyes wide with fright, she stood up and picked up her clothes, clutching them in front of her. Shivering in the cool night air, she stood and studied her mother without speaking.

"Go inside and put on some clothes. I'll be there as soon as I check on Blake." Catherine had turned and pointed dramatically at the door. When Lindsay moved past her, she said, "Don't bother trying to lock me out. I'm not in the mood to let that stop me tonight."

Lindsay's only response was to quicken her steps as she avoided her mother's glare. Hearing the door slam Catherine stood for a moment, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm down. When the trembling in her limbs had stopped she turned and made her way into the house. Not seeing the boy anywhere inside, she opened the front door and found him sitting dejectedly on the steps leading to the street.

Making her way over to where he sat, she asked, "Is someone coming to get you?" When he nodded, she continued, "You know that you are getting off easy, right? She is not the only one to blame here. And I may still call your parents." When he opened his mouth to protest, she said quickly, "Save it. You might need it to defend yourself later." As she turned around to go back inside, a car pulled up and Blake hurried to get in.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

For the second time that night, Catherine locked the front door and leaned back against it. This time it was to gather herself for the confrontation ahead. Nothing with Lindsay had been easy since Eddie died. Why should this be any different? Resignedly, turning off lights and locking doors as she went, Catherine made her way to Lindsay's bedroom. Hearing the shower running in the bathroom across the hall she sat down on the bed and waited. After a few minutes, the door opened and Lindsay came in. Her look had changed from frightened to defiant and the set of her jaw promised that this was going to be a battle of epic proportions.

Drawing in a deep breath, Catherine said calmly, "Linds, honey, what were you thinking? Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

"Mom, please. Like it makes any difference." Lindsay's tone was accusatory, her eyes burning into her mother's.

"What does that mean?" Catherine snapped. "Of course it makes a difference. If I didn't care what you did would I be this upset?"

"You don't understand. I love him and he loves me. Besides, I thought you liked Blake."

"I did…do like Blake. I just don't like it that you and Blake think it's okay to have sex. You are fifteen years old. That is not old enough to deal with all the things that go along with being sexually active."

"How old do you have to be mom? Your age? You've done such a great job of showing me what not to do that I promise I won't make the same mistakes you have." Pain and anger radiated off the girl. Her words were designed to hurt and they did.

Catherine bit her lip, trying to reign in her temper. "I haven't always made the best decisions. I'll admit that. But we're not talking about me here. We are talking about you and the decisions you are making."

"Where do you think I learned it?" Barking out a laugh, she answered her own question. "At the hands of a master, that's where. Did you think I couldn't hear? Couldn't see? Did you think I didn't know? If I want a man to love me and stay with me then I have to put out." Lindsay's eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, Lindsay, no," Catherine rose to stand in from of her daughter. "You don't have to put out to get a boy to like you. There is a huge difference between love and sex. Love is about respect and admiration and friendship. Sex is just physical."

The tears that had been trembling on Lindsay's lower lashes spilled over and ran slowly down her cheeks. "So that's why, when dad died, you slept with other men like he didn't mean anything? Because you could still love him and have sex with them? Isn't that kinda screwed up?"

"Lindsay, that's enough." Catherine's voice betrayed her barely repressed anger. She stepped back and said, "I think we need to talk about this tomorrow."

"No mom. I want to talk about this now. You know, all those men never even tried to get to know me. They never bothered. Like they knew they wouldn't be hanging around. So, why do you have to go and pick on 'Rick? How could you? He's my friend too. Now, he'll be gone just like all the rest. You'll ruin it just like you ruin everything!" Flinging herself across the bed, Lindsay began sobbing as if her heart would break.

Astonished, Catherine sat down beside her and reached out to rub her back. "Lindsay, I don't know what to say. Those other men never meant anything to me. I did love your father. And that's why I was so angry with him. He broke my heart in more ways than you will ever know. But that didn't stop me from loving him." Continuing to stroke her hand slowly up and down Lindsay's back, she said, "But, honey, Warrick is special. If he was like any other man I wouldn't be just as scared as you are."

"You're scared?" Lindsay's croaked, her voice husky with tears.

"You bet. He scares me to death. I could love him Linds. I really could." She smiled when Lindsay raised her head.

"I'm sorry, mom." Sitting up she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck and held on tight. Catherine couldn't remember the last time that had happened and suddenly found tears running down her own face. It amazed her that her daughter, who was quickly becoming a woman, was still so much a little girl.

Rocking her back and forth, Catherine said, "I love you. More than I can tell you. And I'm sorry for a lot of things too." Setting Lindsay away from her, Catherine continued, "That doesn't mean I'm going to forget what I saw out by the pool. But we will discuss that tomorrow. Right now, let's both get some sleep."

Lindsay nodded and rubbed her eyes. "Can I sleep with you?" she asked tentatively. "Maybe watch a movie?"

Catherine smiled and kissed her forehead. "Sure. But I get to pick the movie," laughing when Lindsay rolled her eyes.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Catherine slipped out of bed the next morning, leaving Lindsay sleeping as only a teenager could. She used the time alone, straightening the house, to think about a suitable punishment for the girl. After a couple of phone calls, Catherine went in to wake her up.

"Come on kiddo, I'll buy you breakfast." Catherine laughed when Lindsay snarled. "Can't sleep all day. We've got big plans."

"What?" she mumbled. "I don't have plans."

"You do now. Up and at 'em girl! Let's go." Catherine swatted her on the butt and ducked the pillow Lindsay threw at her. "Come on. Time's a wasting."

After a fast food breakfast, the two set off across town. When they turned onto a familiar street, Lindsay asked, "Why are we going to Uncle Gil's house?"

"Wait and see," Catherine said mysteriously.

When Catherine rang the bell, a frazzled Sara opened the door and attempted a smile. "Boy am I glad to see you two. Come on in."

Mother and daughter entered the living room to find Jonathan crying and Sara frantically trying to change his diaper. "He picked up a virus at daycare." Sara explained when she saw Lindsay's reaction to the smell.

Catherine added, "That always makes diapers an even greater delight." The two older women shared a chuckle as Sara finished up and Jonathan, free to roam, ran over to hug Catherine and then Lindsay.

"Are you ready to go?" Sara asked. "I just need to get my bag."

Catherine nodded and turned to Lindsay. "We'll be back soon. We're just going to get a pedicure and manicure. Will you be okay here?" As the befuddled girl looked at her, she continued, "I thought this might be a nice way to show you why you're too young. So, I have volunteered you to baby-sit every Saturday and Sunday for the next six months. There will be no pay. Sara and I may go out. We may stay here. But you will be completely responsible for Jonathan and for the baby when she comes home. You will not go out with us. And, even though Gil will be here, you will not wake him unless it is a matter of life and death. Do you understand?" When Lindsay's face darkened, she held up a warning hand, "It could be a lot worse. Think about that before you speak."

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lindsay mumbled, "Yes ma'am," and went over to help Jonathan find a toy to play with.