Febuary 1999
Stella and Mac´s daughter Flora is now about a month old. Lindsey is getting better by the day and it seems as if Flora is a very good medicine and is cheering up the whole family. Stella and Mac are happy that Lindsey is getting better and that she seems to has been getting much better since Flora has been born.
"Stella how about we go to the park for a walk with Lindsey and Flora."
"That is a very good idea Mac but I am worried about Lindsey because we have to take the subway to get there. Why don´t we go to Forest Park or Flushing Meadows?" "Why do we not ask Lindsey and see what she wants to do." "Ok." They walk into the livingroom and sit down on the couch across from Lindsey. "Linds we want to ask you if you want to go to the park with us and Flora." "Sure." "Do you want to go to Flushing Meadows, Forest Park or Central Park?" "I would love to go to Central Park but I am scared to go by subway. I would rather go to Forest Park if that is alright with you." "It is alright with Stella and me Lindsey." "Thank you."
They go for a walk in Forest Park and have a good afternoon and Stella and Mac see that Lindsey is relaxing during tha afternoon and think that it was better to not go with the subway to the Central Park. After they return home from their afternoon at the park Stella notices that Lindsey seems to be exhausted.
"Lindsey are you alright?"
"I am. I am just a little exhausted. The walk has tired me and is has cost me more energy then I had thought."
"OK. Do you want to go to lie down or do you want to eat dinner with us?"
"I would like to eat a little bit but after that I will go lie down because I am totally tired."
"Ok. Mac could you make dinner please."
"Sure honey. I will call you when it is ready."
"Thank you honey." Mac walks over to the kitchen with Flora and Stella turns back to Lindsey and sees that Lindsey has something on her mind. "What is on your mind Lindsey?" "One thing." "Talk to me Linds." "I do not know where to start." "Lindsey I am your sister you can tell me anything." "I want this person to be put away." "I know. I need it to happen soon, too." "Stella I just need this to end. I cannot take it anymore." Lindsey has tears in her eyes now. "Lindsey I now how hard it is, especially for you. But I cannot do anything without evidence. Come here." Stella pulls Lindsey into a hug and lets her cry against her chest. Mac enters the livingroom a moment later. "Guys dinner is ready." "Mac I needs a minute. Stella go ahead I will be there in a minute." "OK." Stella and Mac go into the kitchen and give Lindsey a minute to compose herself. In the kitchen. "What is the matter?" "She sais she needs it to end. She wants the person to go to jail soon Mac." "I know that it is hard for you and for Lindsey." "it is hard for me, yes. But mom and Lindsey had a very special bond. She needed mom more tham I did. I need this to end for her Mac." "I know." Lindsey enters the kitchen and walks up to Stella lays her head on her shoulder. Stella puts her arm around her. Lindsey starts to cry and Stella soothes her. "Lindsey it is OK. Mac and I are here." She rubbed her back and after a few minutes the crying calmed down. Lindsey straitens up and Mac walks up to her and pulls her into a hug. "It is OK Lindsey. We are hear for you." After a little while Lindsey has calmed down and they sit down to eat dinner and after that they return to the livingroom. They talk about everything and try to cheer Lindsey up a little. After a while Lindsey falls asleep on the couch and Mac carried her to her bed. Then Mac and Stella go to bed and while they lie in bed Stella expresses her worried and her fears to Mac. "Mac I am worried about Lindsey." "Why?" "I mean I know that she has made some progress and maybe even a little bit more since Flora has been born but I am still really worried about her." "Well she has her problems but you do not have to be worried sick. She is doing quite fine." "No Mac she is not. I mean she seems pretty good but I know Lindsey. I mean earlier in the livingroom and in the kitchen that was so not Lindsey. She normally is totally capable of keeping her feelings to herself. And to tell you the truth it was not the first time that she has cried during the last weeks, I mean aside from when you saw her crying. I am sorry that I did not tell you earlier that she had been crying a lot without your notice. But I just hoped that she would come to you on her own. But I am not mad at her that she did not tell you because she is really dealing with a lot of stuff and just needs time." "I am not mad either that she did not tell me but now I somehow understand your concerns. But to be honest I have been worried about you too over the past weeks. Are you alright?" "No." "What is the matter?" "I will be alright when our parents killer is behind bars and when Lindsey is really feeling better. And as I know it will take a while. But aside from that I am fine." "OK. Like I said before I will get this guy. I promise." "Thank you." "Stella I think it would be best if we would go away for a vacation. You and Lindsey could really use a vacation and so could I. How does that sound?" "I think that sounds good but we have to ask Lindsey first." "I know." "Where do you plan on going?" "How about Lake George in up-state?" "Sounds good. I think Lindsey would like it."
The next morning at the breakfast table. "Lindsey we thought of going to Lake George in up-state for a week. We wanted to ask you if you would like to come. How does that sound to you?" "I would really like to accompany you. You are right I could really use a vacation." The family plans to leave on Sunday morning."