Note-Thanks to all my lovelies, aka my reviewers!
When Ted finally stumbled in, it was already nine in the evening. The gig had gone extremely well, as always, but he was freezing, so he switched on his electrical fire, and pressed the play button on his voicemails.
Beep! Hey, Ted, it's Roy! Great gig tonight. Sorry Crispin was out of order, I'll have a word with him about that…anyway, I'll see you tomorrow evening. We're at mine, right? See you then. Bye.
Ted snorted. It was sweet of Roy to apologize on Crispin's behalf, but he was still pissed off. Crispin had confronted him about how he bossed people around, that it was everyone's band, not just his. Idiot! What had he ever done for this band except hum out of tune? He was the sex appeal, nothing more!
Beep! For God's sake, Tom, get your ass over here and mow my lawn! And when you're done you can polish my car, and Baxter needs his poopy-box attended to! Wait a minute…this is Ted's number! Damn speed dial…!
Ted laughed out loud. Kelso's jobs were past him now! He went over to the fridge, and cracked open a beer as the next voicemail began to play.
Beep! Hey, Teddy! It's your old friend, the Janitor! You haven't been around recently, and I need to discuss the Brain Trust's winter sledging break. I had to get your number by breaking into your files. Anyway, call back!
Beep! Ted…its Kristen…
Ted's ears pricked up, and he nearly choked on the mouthful of alcohol. He stared, transfixes, dumbstruck, at the phone.
We haven't spoken for a while. We need to talk. Call me…Beep! You have no new messages in your inbox. To repeat, press one…
Ted dived at the phone, and dialed the number. He held it tentatively to his ear, as if it was red hot. It rang four times before he heard the cool voice on the other end.
"Hello?"
For a moment that flashed before his eyes, he saw her clearly. He saw her long, ginger hair falling smoothly down her back, and her bottle-green eyes. He heard her laugh, and he saw her smile with red lips. Then the icy cold voice brought him back to Earth.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"K-Kristen? It's me; it's…its Ted!"
"Oh…hi Ted. You got my message?"
"Yeah…how are you? Is everything ok?"
"I'm fine"
"How's Billy?"
"He's fine as well"
"You wanted to talk to me about something?"
"Yes. I've heard your band on the radio. You finally took off, huh?"
"Yeah"
"Reckon you could start paying custody then? You know, for your son?"
"Kristen, let me see him! Please!"
"I don't know, Ted. You couldn't provide for him then, whose saying you can provide for him now?"
"I can! Please, Kristen! I need to see him!"
"What about me, Ted?" said the crackly voice, suddenly seductive. "Do you need to see me? I missed you…did you miss me?"
"Kristen, I…you left me for my brother! Don't do this…"
"Are you sure? Don't you remember how much you needed me…?"
"Kristen, I've met someone else!"
There was silence. He could hear her breathing on the other end. The calm before the storm.
"Oh…what's she like?"
"She's…beautiful…" Ted murmured. He only had to think of the luxurious black curls and he was speechless.
"Fine. I'll call you about custody…"
"What about Billy? When can I see him?"
"I'll think about it. Goodbye, Ted…"
There was a crack on the other end where she'd put the phone down. Ted sank down onto his couch, and put his head into his hands, and sobbed.
He'd finally worked out what he was missing.