"Riffs of Sorrow"

Prompt: Sons of Anarchy CHAPTER ONE: “Back to Blacktop” Scene 1 – The Return Setting: Road into Charming, early morning. A dusty old Bronco rolls into town. • Lindsay drives in alone, windows down, music low — a moody, instrumental version of a song she wrote years ago. • She glances at the “Welcome to Charming” sign, then at the small guitar case and worn camera bag in the passenger seat. • A silent flashback: Tara’s voicemail. The one Lindsay never deleted. We don’t hear it all — just her voice saying “I miss you.” • She passes Teller-Morrow, slows down when she sees familiar faces. Chibs notices the Bronco but doesn’t recognize her yet. Scene 2 – Home That Isn’t Setting: Tara’s old house, now quiet, occupied only by Jax and the boys. • Lindsay knocks. Jax answers, hollow-eyed, surprised. He wasn’t expecting her — but he doesn’t shut the door. • Awkward tension. Abel clings to her. Thomas stares like he’s remembering her from a photo. • She sets down her bags but doesn’t unpack. • Brief, quiet conversation between Lindsay and Jax. No big reunion — just an exhausted agreement that the boys need her. Scene 3 – The Clubhouse Setting: SAMCRO’s clubhouse, late morning. • Chibs, Tig, and Happy are mid-conversation when Juice spots Lindsay’s Bronco parked nearby. • Recognition hits — “That’s Tara’s sister, right?” • Gemma walks in just as her name is mentioned. Her face tightens. She hadn’t expected Lindsay to come back either. • Gemma plays it cool, but there’s unease. She knows Lindsay’s sharp — and has nothing to lose. Scene 4 – Ghosts and Guitars Setting: Backyard of Tara’s house, near dusk. • Lindsay sits on the back steps with her guitar, strumming. Abel watches from the porch. • She sings softly — not a full performance, just enough to make the air feel less heavy. • Jax watches from inside, glass in hand. He’s not ready to speak, but he listens. • As the sun sets, Lindsay tells Abel a story about his mom when they were kids — funny, simple, human. Scene 5 – Silent Distance Setting: Kitchen, late night. • Lindsay makes tea. Jax comes in, pours a whiskey. • They don’t talk much. Just a few lines: Jax: “You didn’t have to come.” Lindsay: “I didn’t come for you.” • He nods, respecting it. She doesn’t press. Neither does he. • She finishes her tea, leaves the room. But her presence lingers like the last note of a sad song.