Connected: Part 4 of the On The Edge Series

"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."