《Frankie - Holly Springs Book 1》


 Prologue

    Eighteen Years Earlier¡­


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we should go in,¡± Rachel shouted to her best friend over the roar of music from inside the house. ¡°My parents would kill me if they knew I was here.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Rachel, your parents won¡¯t find out. It will be a blast!¡±


    ¡°But, I¡¯ve never been to a Frat party before.¡±


    ¡°It will be ok, I promise.¡± Mindy tugged on Rachel¡¯s arm and guided her inside.


    Someone shoved a red solo cup filled with beer into Rachel¡¯s hand, but it was too dark to tell who it was. She didn¡¯t know anybody at this party besides Mindy, and she didn¡¯t know a soul that attended this particular university. She felt like a fish out of water.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± Mindy announced as she headed across the room. ¡°I need to find the bathroom,¡± and was instantly swallowed up in the crowd.


    Rachel stood against the wall, staring into her cup, hoping to go unnoticed until her friend returned. Alas, no such luck.


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    ¡°Haven¡¯t I seen you in BioChem with Professor Keeling?¡± a deep voice asked from beside her.


    ¡°Oh, Uhm, no. I don¡¯t go to school here.¡± Rachel stammered, turned, and was met with the deepest brown eyes she had ever seen.


    ¡°What a shame,¡± the stranger winked, his dark curly locks framing his face making him look like he had just come from a photo shoot for GQ magazine. His smile was dazzling, making her knees go weak. ¡°This school needs more beautiful girls like you.¡±


    Rachel had no response to his compliment other than to gulp down the rest of the contents in her cup.


    ¡°My friends call me Junior.¡± He said and took the cup from her hands. ¡°Here, let me refill that for you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she replied meekly. ¡°I¡¯m Rachel.¡± She watched him walk toward the makeshift bar on the far side of the room, admiring how his jeans hugged his butt. She blushed at her thought.


    Junior returned moments later with a fresh drink and handed it to her. He leaned in very close, invading her personal space, and she caught a whiff of his cologne. She shifted from one foot to the other, but that didn¡¯t add any distance between them as she had intended. Not knowing what to say to him, she took a deep drink from the cup and felt her head tingle a little. Being inexperienced with alcohol, she wasn¡¯t sure if the beer or his cologne was causing the unfamiliar sensation; she just knew she liked it.


    The rest of the night dissolved into a blur¡­

 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    "Let''s go, Kiddo." Rachel Montgomery poked her head into her daughter''s bright yellow bedroom.


    Frankie peered at the clock radio on her bedside table, softly playing a local Christian radio station. 7:02 blared in big red numbers across the face.


    "Are you okay, Mom?" she scrunched her face in disbelief. "You are never on time, much less early."


    "Oh hush, you! I have a big meeting at work this morning, and I can''t be late. Move it!" Rachel disappeared down the hallway towards the kitchen, her heels clip-clopped on the hardwood floors.


    Frankie glanced down at the journal she had been doodling in just before her mom popped in. Her youth pastor asked her last week to design the banner for the church''s annual Father/Daughter dance in December. She, of all people, is the one without a dad. What was he thinking? Although the sketch was good in her estimation, she slashed a large X through the drawing and tucked the journal under her pillow. She knew her mother would never infringe on her privacy, but she liked it better, hidden from plain sight. You know, just in case. Grabbing her backpack and phone, she flipped off the light and followed after her mom.


    Frankie entered the kitchen to what could be described as a scene straight out of a science fiction comic strip. Her Mom''s hair had come entirely out of its neat bun, drawers were wrenched open, and the contents were strewn about the countertops.


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    "What in the world are you doing?" Frankie looked at her mom, eyes wide, a playful smirk on her lips. "If my room looked like this, I would be grounded." She shook her long silver locks in disbelief.


    ¡°I can¡¯t find my keys!¡± Rachel blurted out in complete frustration. ¡°But I know I left them on the counter.¡± Pens, note pads, hair ties, and the odd shrimp fork flew across the countertop. Frankie lurched sideways to avoid being impaled.


    ¡°You mean these keys?¡± Frankie twirled the keys around her index finger. ¡°I swear, Mom, you would lose your head if it weren¡¯t for me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you are a doll,¡± Rachel gushed. ¡°How did I get so lucky to have a daughter like you?¡± She knuckle-rubbed Frankie¡¯s head as she walked past and snatched the keys.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t make it a day on your own without me.¡± They laughed, arm in arm, and headed out the door.


    Frankie and Rachel were a lot alike. They acted and looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. Both were tall, standing at over five feet five inches, and slender. They both had long wavy blond hair streaked with silver. The exception was that Rachel¡¯s came from nature, and Frankie¡¯s came from a salon. Regularly they could be found raiding each other¡¯s closets. Their unique similarity was a perfect heart-shaped birthmark below the right eye. Frankie cherished the birthmark just as she cherished her mother. Rachel was striking with her ice-blue eyes. Frankie always felt like she missed out by having ¡°humdrum brown eyes,¡± as she liked to call them.


    The Montgomery girls hopped in Rachel¡¯s little red Toyota Camry, cranked up the radio, and took off toward town. It was just the two of them, closer than best friends, just as it had always been.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    Even though it was late September, the temperature in Holly Springs hadn¡¯t gotten the memo that the calendar proclaimed it was indeed autumn. Frankie couldn¡¯t wait to wear thick wool sweaters and boots and drink pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks. But for now, she donned T-shirts and tennis shoes and drank Diet Dr. Pepper.


    ¡°This food isn¡¯t fit for human consumption.¡± Faith Williams, Frankie¡¯s bestie, declared as she pushed her tray across the picnic table. ¡°It smells like dog food and tastes even worse.¡± She wrinkled her nose in disgust. ¡°It should be a Senior privilege to get real food from the cafeteria and not this¡­stuff.¡± Faith¡¯s face turned a slight shade of green. Frankie decided she wasn¡¯t about to sample today¡¯s installment of ¡°Mystery Meat Monday.¡±


    ¡°I think the government should investigate the school kitchen for alien life forms making this stuff. This can¡¯t be actual food.¡± Frankie giggled, ¡°Watch out for the pods!¡± They both deteriorated into laughter.


    ¡°Want to sleep over at my house tonight? We can order pizza and watch a Hallmark movie.¡± She bounced on her tiptoes. ¡°There is a movie coming on tonight that I want to see. It¡¯s called The Christmas Fiddle. It looks sooooo romantic!¡± Faith grabbed Frankie¡¯s arm for dramatic effect. ¡°I¡¯m not letting go until you say yes!¡±


    ¡°You are such a sap, Faith. Christmas movies in September? Really?¡±


    ¡°Well yeah! It isn¡¯t like you¡ª¡± Faith immediately began to defend her inner Cupid before getting cut off by, of all things, a boy!


    ¡°Hi, Frankie,¡± Steve Barnette, a tall, dark-haired, Adonis-looking football player, appeared behind Faith and cut her off mid-sentence. Steve wouldn¡¯t look directly at either of them; instead, he stared at his feet as he shuffled them.


    ¡°Oh, hi. Uhm, Steve. Are you ready for the trig test tomorrow?¡± Frankie admonished herself: What a stupid thing to say. I am such a nerd! Trig? Really?


    ¡°Hi, Steve,¡± Faith interjected sternly, making her presence known. Steve was oblivious to her sitting there and still failed to acknowledge her. She huffed loudly.


    ¡°Yeah. Uhm, I was wondering. Would you, I mean, if you aren¡¯t going with anybody, would you like to go to Homecoming with me?¡± his face turned red as Dorothy¡¯s ruby slippers.


    Frankie, taken aback, tucked a strand behind her ear and twisted it in her fingers so tightly it got caught in the prongs of her class ring.


    ¡°Oww,¡± she whimpered to herself. The more she tried to act like her own hair wasn¡¯t hog-tying her, the worse it got. Matters only got worse when she attempted to yank her finger free and jerked her head like she was having a spasm. She let out a little cry. The nerd factor was rapidly on the rise.


    ¡°Need some help?¡± Steve¡¯s hands fidgeted in his pockets. Frankie was mortified. The more she attempted to loosen the knot, the more the tangle tightened and held her hand hostage. Now her face was as red as his. Faith wasn¡¯t helping matters as she snorted in laughter at the two of them. Frankie cut her eyes at her best friend, and Faith immediately clamped her mouth shut.


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    ¡°Oh, uh, yeah - sure. No, I mean, I would like to go to the dance with you but can get the knot out myself.¡± She tried to play it cool but looked like she was the brunt of a comedy act with her hand plastered to the side of her head. She tried to pull the ring off her finger, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. Real cool, Frankie.


    ¡°Okay, great! Uhm, I will call you later to make plans. I¡¯ve got to get to work.¡± Steve declared, turned, and was gone.


    ¡°Bye, Steve,¡± Faith called out sarcastically to his retreating back.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I am going to Homecoming with Steve Barnette!¡± Frankie squealed, her hand still glued to her head.


    ¡°Not until you get that rat¡¯s nest off your finger!¡± Faith announced as she worked the ring loose from Frankie¡¯s. ¡°Only you could manage to tie yourself in a knot! Girl, that takes talent.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Wait!¡± Frankie screeched. ¡°He didn¡¯t get my phone number! How is he going to call?¡± Frankie panicked, and Faith dissolved into laughter once again.


    ???


    ¡°Mom!¡± Frankie burst into the Montgomery kitchen later that evening. ¡°Mom! Guess what?¡±


    ¡°Frances Tulsa Montgomery, calm down. You scared me to death!¡± Rachel admonished her daughter. ¡°What is it?¡± Rachel turned back to the pot on the stove, methodically stirring its contents.


    ¡°Remember the boy I told you about in my Trig class? Steve Barnette? He¡¯s on the football team,¡± Frankie drew a deep breath, ¡°He asked me to the Homecoming dance today at lunch!¡±


    Rachel didn¡¯t acknowledge her daughter¡¯s big news but continued to study the contents of the pot she was stirring.


    ¡°I need four hundred dollars for a stripper¡¯s dress,¡± Frankie tossed out casually.


    ¡°That¡¯s nice, Dear,¡± her mom replied flatly.


    ¡°Nice? Mom, you aren¡¯t listening! It¡¯s Steve Barnette! Homecoming Dance¡± A DATE!¡± Frankie blurted in one big breath. ¡°Faith and I are going to the mall tomorrow to look for a dress. The dance is next weekend! Mom! Earth to Mom!¡±


    ¡°What? Oh, I¡¯m sorry, Honey. Yes., I am listening.¡± Rachel placed the mixing spoon on the spoon rest and lowered the heat. Turning her full attention to her daughter, she continued, ¡°Isn¡¯t that the boy you have been fawning over since school started?¡±


    ¡°Fawning over? Nobody says ¡®fawning¡¯ anymore! Wow, how old are you, Mom?¡±


    ¡°Old enough, and besides, you have been.¡±


    ¡°How do you ¡®fawn¡¯ anyway?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. So when is the dance?¡±


    ¡°This weekend. I told you that you weren¡¯t listening.¡±


    Frankie grabbed her phone and started searching for formal gowns for the dance. ¡°What color dress should I get?¡± Frankie asked the air, ¡°What about red?¡± she kept scrolling, not noticing her mom¡¯s lack of response.


    After several long moments of silence, Rachel turned to Frankie and clasped her hands around Frankie¡¯s. ¡°Honey, the dress can wait a few minutes. I have to tell you something.¡± The tone in her mother¡¯s voice concerned her. ¡°Come and sit down.¡± They sat at the dinner table, and Frankie began to twirl a strand of hair in her fingers again. Remembering the earlier incident, she quickly put her hands on her lap.


    ¡°Mom, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Remember the meeting at work this morning?¡± Rachel shifted uncomfortably in her seat.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Frankie¡¯s eyebrows wrinkled.


    ¡°Burkhart Furniture is closing the plant in town,¡± Rachel explained slowly. ¡°Within three months. I was offered a transfer to the main office in Raleigh.¡±


    ¡°Raleigh? That is three hours away! They expect you to commute to Raleigh?¡±


    ¡°No, Honey,¡± her mom continued in a strained voice, ¡°Unless I can find a comparable job here, I will be forced to take the transfer, and we will have to move.¡± Frankie¡¯s eyes dropped to the floor.


    ¡°Move? To Raleigh? That¡¯s the other side of the state!¡± Frankie jumped out of her seat. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s my senior year! We can¡¯t move!¡± she began pacing across the kitchen floor, clenching her fists. ¡°I will get a job after school to help with bills. I will wear an old dress to the dance. I will do anything, Mom! Please! We can¡¯t move.¡± Tears welled in her eyes.


    ¡°Sweetheart, calm down. I will do everything I can to keep us here, but I can¡¯t make a promise I don¡¯t know I can keep.¡± Rachel reasoned. ¡°You will be going off to college next fall anyway. There are plenty of good schools -.¡±


    ¡°I am not moving!¡± Frankie whirled on one heel, took off down the hall, and slammed her bedroom door shut.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    ¡°Sweetheart, you look beautiful! I could have bought a new dress, though.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mom. We are saving money, remember?¡± Frankie smiled as she twirled in the mirror. ¡°Besides, Faith gave me this dress. So, for me, it is a new dress!¡±


    ¡°Remember how I used to try all the latest braid trends from the internet?¡± Rachel¡¯s eyes teared over, ¡°Can I fix your hair for you?¡±


    ¡°Oh no, you don¡¯t! You can¡¯t do a braid. Remember when you made me like Wendy from the fast-food chain, I still don¡¯t know how you managed to get my hair to curl up like that!¡± They giggled at the memory.


    ¡°Okay, I promise, no braids.¡± Rachel conceded. ¡°How about a few curls and an updo, then?¡± The doorbell buzzed and interrupted the potential disaster of styling Frankie¡¯s long locks.


    ¡°Saved by the bell!¡± Frankie sang out as she headed down the hallway, stilettos clicking on the floor.


    ¡°Comin¡ª¡± Frankie managed to get out before splat; she landed face-first near the end of the hallway, sliding into the front door, head first, with a loud thud.


    ¡°Frankie! Oh my God, are you okay?¡± Rachel ran towards her daughter. Frankie was splayed out across the hardwood in the most unladylike manner.


    ¡°Owww, owww!¡± Frankie cried out, holding her ankle with one hand and rubbing the knot growing on her head with the other.


    ¡°I told you not to wear those heels.¡±


    Frankie groaned. Undoubtedly, Steve heard the commotion inside the apartment and her squealing.


    ¡°Frankie?¡± Steve called from the other side of the door. ¡°Frankie, is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Just a second.¡± Rachel sang out as she did a cursory inspection of her daughter for any bones protruding through the skin.


    Rachel stepped over Frankie gingerly and opened the door to let Steve in. Frankie was rocking back and forth on her bottom, rubbing her ankle. ¡°I twisted my ankle and bumped my head in one fell swoop. I am such a klutz.¡±


    ¡°No, you aren¡¯t. Accidents happen.¡±


    Her first date with Steve¡ªactually, her first date ever, and she ends up injured. She was pretty sure this would be their first and last date¡ªa football star and a klutz¡ªnot exactly the peanut butter and jelly kind of couple. From her spot on the floor, she made awkward introductions. ¡°Mom, this is Steve. Steve, this is my mom, Rachel.¡±


    ¡°Uhm, hi, Mrs. Montgomery.¡± Steve stared at the ground, avoiding looking either in the eye.


    ¡°Hi, Steve.¡± Rachel extended her perfectly manicured hand, ¡°And it¡¯s Ms. Montgomery, but please, call me Rachel.¡±


    ¡°I should probably leave. You might need to go to the Urgent Care or something.¡± Steve mumbled, biting the inside of his cheek.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t need to leave. If you would like, you can come with us.¡± Rachel was pouring on the sweetness for her daughter¡¯s sake. ¡°It doesn¡¯t look too bad to me. A quick check with a doctor, and maybe you can salvage some of the dance. Without the heels, young lady!¡± Frankie groaned, crimson flooding her cheeks.


    ¡°That would be great.¡± Steve stammered.


    Frankie pulled the heels off; one heel was broken, and she attempted to stand. The first sign of pressure on her ankle, and down she went again. ¡°Ouch!¡±


    ¡°Here, I¡¯ve got you.¡± Steve gingerly picked her up like a newborn kitten and headed out the door, Rachel in tow.


    Frankie looked back at her mom over Steve¡¯s shoulder with a grimace and saw Rachel wink and mouth, ¡°He¡¯s a cutie.¡±


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    Frankie held on tightly with her arm wrapped around Steve¡¯s neck and thought: This is not how I imagined being in his arms.


    ???


    Frankie hobbled into the gymnasium on crutches three hours later with Steve by her side. One foot was wrapped in an ACE bandage, and the other adorned a clashing yellow dirty sneaker.


    ¡°What in the world happened?¡± Faith and her boyfriend, Hunter, rushed to Frankie''s side. Faith wrapped Frankie in a cautious embrace. ¡°I have been so worried about you! Why didn¡¯t you answer your phone?¡±


    ¡°I sprained my ankle in those red heels from Hades!¡± she cringed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°My phone was off while in the Emergency Room.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my goodness, the shoes I lent you?¡±


    ¡°Yup. Those are the ones.¡± Frankie lamented. ¡°Now I¡¯m stuck with these babies for the next couple of weeks,¡± indicating the crutches. ¡°They don¡¯t even match my dress!¡±


    ¡°I am sorry, but I assumed you could walk in heels.¡±


    ¡°Heels, yes. Stilettos, no.¡±


    ¡°She took a nasty tumble in her hallway.¡± Steve filled in the gaps in Frankie¡¯s story. ¡°She hit her head and was knocked out for a few minutes.¡± Steve exaggerated. ¡°She even had temporary amnesia in the E.R.¡±


    ¡°No way!¡± Faith was beside herself with guilt. ¡°I am so sorry!¡±


    ¡°No, he is just kidding,¡± Frankie glanced at Steve sideways. ¡°But these crutches are irritating my armpits. Now I wish I hadn¡¯t worn a strapless gown. Can we find a place to sit down?¡±


    ¡°Sure, there is a table in the corner.¡± Steve placed his hand on the small of her back and led her across the dance floor. An electric shiver ran down Frankie¡¯s back, making her giddy. Her stomach did an annoying flip-floppy thing that she was totally unaccustomed to. However, she mused, it wasn¡¯t at all unpleasant.


    Steve and Frankie sat at a table facing the dance floor. Bales of hay, pumpkins, scarecrows, and twinkle lights disguised the gym well. The decorating committee had even set up a small wagon with a miniature donkey to provide old-fashioned hayrides around the perimeter of the space. Pumpkin Spice was being diffused from candles on each table. The smell was heavenly, although Frankie suspected it was more to cover the smell of the donkey than to add to the ambiance. For that, she was thankful.


    ¡°Wow, I am impressed with how well this all looks and smells¡± Frankie marveled at the transformation and took a deep breath of her favorite scent. I would swear we aren¡¯t in the school gymnasium if I hadn¡¯t been running laps in here yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Miss Battleaxe Steele will have a fit if every sign of fun isn¡¯t gone by Monday morning.¡± Steve groaned. ¡°She is one brutal gym teacher. She is even worse than the football coach.¡±


    ¡°Battleaxe Steele is still here?¡± Hunter plopped in the chair beside Frankie, overhearing and joining their conversation. ¡°I thought for sure she would have keeled over by now. She was hardcore.¡±


    Hunter and Faith had been dating since she was a freshman. Everyone thought he and Faith would never make it since Hunter graduated two years earlier. Even though he was in college now, they were still going strong. They seemed to fit together. Even her parents were okay with the age difference. Most parents would freak but not Faith¡¯s. They were kind of hippies, though.


    Frankie envied Faith¡¯s family. The Hager household was a real family. They came complete with a mom, a dad, 2.3 kids, a dog, and a white picket fence around their house.


    ¡°I think she has gotten worse since you were here.¡± Faith offered, and everyone agreed in unison.


    ¡°Hey, does anybody want a drink?¡± Hunter opened his suit jacket and flashed a shiny flask hidden in the pocket. He cut his eyes around the room. Teachers were everywhere. ¡±It might help with the pain, Frankie.¡±


    ¡°Hunter Lively! Put that away!¡± Faith scolded him in a loud whisper. ¡°You can¡¯t have that in here!¡±


    ¡°I am not going to spike the punchbowl, Babe.¡± he closed his jacket to protect his precious cargo from prying eyes. ¡°This is just for us¡­later.¡± He winked at Faith flirtatiously.


    Frankie shifted in her seat. ¡°No, thank you. I will pass.¡±


    ¡°I will pass too.¡± Steve drew his arm tighter around Frankie¡¯s shoulder protectively.


    The evening was catching up with Frankie quickly. She suddenly felt exhausted and lightheaded, forcing her to rest her head on Steve¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Steve, I am sorry to be a joy kill, but can you take me home now? My ankle is starting to hurt.¡±


    ¡°Sure, Frankie. Let¡¯s go.¡± He flashed an apologetic smile at Faith and Hunter as he helped Frankie stand. ¡°Nice to see you again, Hunter.¡±


    Using Steve for support, Frankie limped across the gymnasium. Steve had his arm around her and drew her closer. ¡°Do you want me to carry you?¡± He whispered against her ear. His warm breath made her shiver slightly. She smiled weakly and shook her head. ¡°No, I can make it.¡±


    ¡°Are you cold?¡± Steve questioned Frankie, concern filling his voice. ¡°Here, take my jacket.¡± Frankie started to protest, but Steve wrapped her up in the softness of his sport coat that smelled heavenly of his cologne. She buried her nose in the lapel and inhaled deeply.


    Upon opening her eyes, she was horrified that Steve had caught her taking in his scent. She felt like a creeper all of a sudden. Steve, always easing the tension she created, responded lightly, ¡°It¡¯s Drakkar Noir, in case you are wondering for a Christmas idea,¡± and chuckled softly.


    The magic of the moment was shattered when she heard Faith scolding Hunter. ¡°What is wrong with you? You know Frankie doesn¡¯t drink.¡±


    ¡°I just thought ¨C¡±


    ¡°No, that is your problem, Hunter. You never think!¡±


    That is the last thing Frankie heard before everything went black.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    "Frankie!" Steve caught her as she slumped to the floor. "Frankie! What''s wrong?" panic filled his voice. Ignoring the stares of the entire gymnasium, Steve gently picked Frankie up and carried her to the small wagon pulled by the donkey, which was now stopped in the far corner. The band stopped playing as he walked through the crowd to the wagon. Loud murmurs of concern filled the air, but Steve only cared about the unconscious girl in his arms. He laid her carefully on the back of the wagon, the sound of the nearby donkey munching on hay now loud in the absence of music.


    "What?¡± Frankie asked wearily as she resurfaced to consciousness. ¡°What happened?¡± she shook her head slightly, clearing her vision.


    ¡°You passed out as we were leaving. Don¡¯t you remember?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± she groaned inwardly. She was mortified as she remembered the pink polka-dot panties she wore, sporting the words ¡°Free the Unicorns,¡± and secretly prayed a picture of her bloomers wouldn¡¯t end up on anybody¡¯s Twitter feed. She had an eerie feeling that the internet would be flooded with memes of her graceful collapse to the gym floor tomorrow. Being the center of attention was her worst nightmare.


    ¡°You probably should have eaten something before taking the pain medicine.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, probably.¡± She rested her head in her hands.


    Faith suddenly appeared at her side, her brow creased in concern. ¡°What happened?¡± she echoed Frankie¡¯s earlier question.


    ¡°She needs to eat something,¡± Steve explained, taking command of the situation. ¡°I will take her through Mcdonalds drive-thru on the way home. She took her pain meds on an empty stomach.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea.¡± Faith held Frankie¡¯s hand protectively. ¡°I will stay with her while you get your truck. Hurry up, though.¡± Steve dashed through the doors into the night.


    ¡°This has got to be the worst first date in history!¡± Frankie lamented, laying her head on Faith¡¯s shoulder. ¡°First, I twist my ankle before leaving the apartment, then we spend several hours in the Emergency Room, and when we finally get to the dance, I pass out! How embarrassing.¡±


    ¡°Oh, honey, it¡¯s okay.¡± Faith crooned. ¡°Look at the bright side; Steve is taking you to dinner!¡±


    ¡°McDonalds doesn¡¯t count as ¡®dinner,¡¯ Faith.¡±


    Faith shrugged slightly, trying to make light of Frankie''s embarrassing situation.


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    ¡°Here we go.¡± Steve had returned to the dance, his car parked outside the gymnasium¡¯s double doors. ¡°I¡¯ve got you, Frankie,¡± he said as he swooped her up in his arms.


    ¡°I can walk, Steve.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you said last time.¡± As he carried her outside, the corner of his mouth turned up in a slight smirk, making her stomach''s butterflies come alive. ¡°Oh, and just so you know, the unicorns are already free.¡± He winked as he settled her in the front seat of his Tiyota Tacoma.


    She tried, unsuccessfully, to shield her flaming red face from him. The last thing she needed was for him to see her blushing. He had seen too many of her blunders already. It was no use, though. The McDonalds sign was as bright as the beacon on a lighthouse, and there was no escaping it. She was mortified. Instagram was probably swimming in photos of her pink and white panties. She wondered silently, What else could go wrong on this date?


    Steve made her eat a Quarter Pounder, french fries, and a strawberry shake before he would agree to pull out of the parking lot. Frankie tried to protest. Steve had ordered more food than she usually ate and was getting pretty full. The seatbelt around her waist was starting to get uncomfortable. Steve was insistent, though, as he scarfed down not one but two Big Macs, a double order of fries, and a large chocolate milkshake. Frankie marveled at the amount of food he could put away. Then again, he was a football player.


    ¡°There. Are you happy now?¡± She asked incredulously. ¡°I finished every last fry.¡±


    ¡°Extremely.¡± Came his curt reply. However, relief was evident on his face. He no longer had worry lines on his forehead.


    ¡°I am glad I could oblige.¡± She retorted mockingly. The corner of her mouth tipped up in a shy smile.


    The food made her feel much better, and she was beginning to feel more comfortable with him. They sat in the parking lot listening to the radio for a long while. It was a beautiful night; even though half of it was spent in the E.R. and she passed out at the dance, she enjoyed the evening anyway. Steve didn¡¯t even seem to mind the plentitude of embarrassing moments the evening had been plagued with.


    Frankie shifted in her seat because her ankle began to throb again. The sudden movement caused her handbag to slide to the floorboard, spilling the contents all over her feet. ¡°Oh no!¡± she burst out and lurched forward before Steve could see the lipstick tube, her keys, and a tampon shining brightly against the black floormats. Leaning forward to retrieve the contraband was too much on her full stomach. An enormous burp erupted from within her. She clamped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide as saucers, and wanted to die of embarrassment.


    Sheepishly, she turned to look at him, hiding behind the hair that now draped across her face. ¡°I am so sorry!¡± her face glowing like embers in a dying fire.


    Steve¡¯s smile was broad, and he belched out a burp that could rival a drunken sailor on shore leave. Steve burst out laughing.


    ¡°Frankie Montgomery, you are the best.¡± He said in all sincerity once the laughter had subsided. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you got hurt, but I had a good time tonight.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± She squeaked out, not sure if he meant it or not. She sure hoped he did, though. However, she didn¡¯t have much time to ponder the thought because Steve suddenly leaned over the gear shift in the center console and kissed her softly on her left cheek, and Frankie¡¯s eyes bugged out. For the remainder of the ride back to her apartment, she kept her left hand against her cheek, not wanting the kiss to escape into the night.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    Frankie hobbled into her last class of the day on crutches to find a substitute teacher behind the desk. That was good since she didn''t finish her essay on Little Women over the weekend. She mostly slept and felt sorry for herself after her humiliating date with Steve. She had thoroughly convinced herself that the kiss on the cheek was a sympathy kiss since he hadn¡¯t kissed her again at the door when he helped her into the apartment. Depression loomed over her like a greyscale rainbow.


    "Wow, only the third week of school, and the teachers are already skipping out," she leaned over and whispered to Faith.


    "Why can''t we do that without getting into trouble?"


    The teacher stood behind the desk and cleared his throat, calling the class to order. "I am Michael Winters. I will be your teacher for the remainder of the year," he informed the class. "Mrs. Reid will no longer be with us." That was all the explanation the students received on the matter. She realized the rumor mill would buzz about conspiracy theories before class ended.


    "We know Martians didn''t abduct her; they would have already sent her back," some random kid said from the back of the room. A ripple of laughter floated through the air. Frankie giggled as well.


    "When I call your name, please stand up so I can put a face to a name," the new teacher announced. The class groaned in unison. Mr. Winters looked in his early 30s, with dark brown hair, milk chocolate eyes, a muscular build, and the sexiest dimples Frankie had ever seen. By her estimation, he was pretty nice-looking. Frankie decided that her English Lit class had just gotten much more bearable.


    "Jimmy Adams" came the first name. "Maryann Berkley, Amy Brock," Mr. Winters continued.


    "Mark Jones,¡± Frankie tuned the teacher out until he reached her name. "Frances Montgomery," she cringed at the sound of her given name and struggled to her feet.


    "Frankie," she corrected, balancing on her good foot. Mr. Winters froze ¨C staring at her without comment. She looked at Faith and mouthed, "Is there mustard on my face or something?" Faith shook her head in the negative. A wave of unease washed over Frankie, and she fought the urge to leave the room. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at the floor.


    "Excuse me?" he stammered.


    ''I prefer to go by Frankie." She stated, looking down at the floor.


    "Yes, of course. Frankie." Mr. Winters stammered as he made a note in his grade book.


    Frankie sat back in her seat, confused by his reaction to her. "What was that all about?" Faith whispered across the aisle to her best friend. Frankie shrugged, not knowing why he was being so weird toward her. Frankie was a bit shaken by his reaction toward her. She couldn''t dismiss the cold chill running up her spine. However, she had no choice but to shake it off, open her notebook, preparing for class.


    "Kelly Lanham." Mr. Winters'' voice sounded quivery as he continued with the roll call.


    "Scott Norris, Faith Williams." Faith jumped so quickly at the mention of her name that she knocked her books to the floor.


    "Smooth," the boy sitting behind her teased.


    "Shut up," Faith hissed and sat back in her seat.


    Mr. Winters shot them a warning look and continued with the attendance. He sat on the edge of his desk casually. Frankie initially thought he could be an exciting teacher, at least one nice to look at, but now she wasn¡¯t so sure.


    "After reading through the lesson plans of your former instructor, I have decided to take a different approach to this class." He began. "Mrs. Reid had a structured reading plan for this literature class. I believe you, the student, should have a voice in your education. Therefore, I will provide a list of reading materials that I believe will be of more interest to you, and hopefully, you will read the assigned books." Soft laughter floated through the air,


    "As a class, we will choose three of the books I suggest. In addition, as we move through the course, you will have the opportunity to make suggestions of titles you would like to read as a class." Mr. Winters continued, "We will alternate between a book from my list and a book the class suggests." His smile was warm as he glanced around the room, landing on Frankie and holding his stare just a little too long for her liking. Many students nodded. The overachievers hurriedly scratched titles on loose-leaf paper to supply Mr. Winters with their preferences. Frankie rolled her eyes. She was not an overachiever by any stretch of the imagination.


    Mr. Winters began a lecture on Little Women, finishing up where Mrs. Reid had left off. Frankie caught him scrutinizing her several times. Maybe it was her guilt for not writing the assigned essay over the weekend and being too sensitive to his glances. However, his gaze was fixed on her several times when she looked up from her notetaking. This guy is eerie, she thought to herself.


    "What is his deal with you, Frank?" Faith whispered when Mr. Winters had turned his back to the class to write the night''s homework assignment on the whiteboard.


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    "I don''t know, but it feels like the plot of a horrible horror story, and I am the lead character." She squirmed in her seat again. "This can''t end well."


    Just then, to Frankie''s relief, the final bell rang. Students quickly gathered their belongings and darted for the door. Because of her crutches, Frankie could not join the mass exodus and had to wait for the room to clear before rising from her seat.


    "Ms. Montgomery, can I see you a moment before you leave, please?" Mr. Winters requested. Faith shot her a sympathetic look.


    "I will be right outside." She assured Frankie and put up her fists as if to say she had her back. Frankie gave a weak "don''t leave me" look, but Faith vanished into the hallway.


    Frankie shuffled her way to the front of the classroom on her crutches, "I''m sorry I didn''t get my essay completed. I was in¡ª" she began her explanation in a hurried breath.


    "No, it isn''t about that." Mr. Winters began cautiously, "You remind me of someone."


    "Okay..." She dragged out, wrinkling her forehead.


    "That is an interesting birthmark you have," he began. Frankie''s hand flew to her face, covering the heart on her cheek.


    "Oh, that." She sighed in relief. He stared at her because of the birthmark, not some sinister plot. "Most people think it is a tattoo, but it isn''t. My mom has the same birthmark on her cheek." She offered.


    Mr. Winters'' face turned white like he had seen a ghost. "Your Mom, her name wouldn''t happen to be Rachel, would it?"


    "How on Earth would you know that?" Frankie asked in horror. The scenarios immediately running amuck in Frankie''s head were all over the place.


    ¡°I went to school with a girl, Rachel Templeton, with a birthmark similar to yours.¡± He cleared his throat several times.


    ¡°Oh, well, that isn¡¯t her.¡± Frankie declared decisively and hurried out the door to meet Faith waiting in the hallway as best as she could on crutches.


    ¡°Well?¡± Faith asked, jittering her foot against the linoleum floor. ¡°What did he want?¡±


    ¡°He asked if mom¡¯s name is Rachel,¡± Frankie¡¯s brow wrinkled. ¡°He said he went to school with a girl, Rachel Templeton, with the same birthmark.¡±


    ¡°Rachel Templeton?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Mom legally changed her last name to Montgomery when she left Dallas right before I was born. Something to do with not getting along with her parents.¡± The explanation sounded weak as she told the same story her mom continually repeated. ¡°I don¡¯t know the details. I have never met my grandparents.¡±


    ¡°So, what did you tell him?¡± Faith bounced on her heels.


    ¡°I told him it wasn¡¯t her,¡± Frankie stated, wanting to end the conversation.


    ¡°Why?¡± her bulged, and her mouth fell open.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who this dude is, Faith. He could be a serial killer for all I know,¡± Frankie said through clenched teeth, her jaw set. ¡°Besides, I was taken off guard when he said it. Just drop it, okay?¡±


    ¡°But wait, are you going to tell your mom?¡±


    ¡°Maybe. I don¡¯t know. She has been stressed out lately.¡± Her stomach dropped every time she thought of having to leave Holly Springs and her friends.


    ¡°I think you should tell her.¡± Faith¡¯s eyes glossed over suddenly. ¡°What if he was an old boyfriend?¡± Faith squealed. ¡°It could be like a Hallmark movie! You know, lost love reunited!¡±


    ¡°I doubt it. She has never mentioned a boyfriend named Michael Winters before.¡± She rationalized. ¡°Let¡¯s just drop it, okay?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she conceded. ¡°But I swear, Frankie, you don¡¯t have a romantic bone in your body.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, yeah,¡± Frankie retorted sardonically. ¡°I am a realist. Unlike you, I don¡¯t live with my head stuck in the clouds.¡±


    Faith sneered at her friend, hiked their bookbags on her shoulder, and stuck her tongue out at Frankie¡¯s retreating back as they headed toward the glowing red EXIT sign at the end of the hallway.


    The temperature was deceptively cool for late September in North Carolina. The late afternoon sun was blindingly bright as Frankie and Faith stepped out of the building. She spotted Steve standing beside Faith¡¯s dark green Volkswagen Bus, named ¡°Pickle,¡± and her insides began to quiver. Approaching Steve, she unconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, which caused her to lose her balance as one of the crutches slipped from underneath her armpit. Her arms flailed wildly as she lurched to one side, resembling a baby bird learning to fly.


    ¡°Whoa, steady, Frankie!¡± Steve lunged into action and caught her before her bottom hit the pavement. Once again, it was Steve to her rescue. She felt a flush creep across her cheeks. Steve set her back upright but held on to her until she was balanced correctly. Faith snickered, not so softly, behind her hand.


    ¡°Uhm, thanks. Again.¡± Frankie said sheepishly, her ears turning red. I am such a dope! she scolded herself.


    ¡°I wanted to see how your ankle was feeling today.¡± Steve smiled at her brightly.


    ¡°Oh, much better. Thanks,¡± she stuttered, trying desperately to regain her composure. He made her feel warm and gooshy from her twisted ankle to the top of her head. She started to sweat. ¡°I noticed you weren¡¯t in Trig this morning.¡± Great! She thought, now he thinks I was looking for him!


    ¡°Yeah, I was at the dentist.¡±


    ¡°You mean the filling station?¡± Faith said, cracking herself up at her silly joke. Steve looked at her blandly, then turned back to Frankie as she rolled her eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. I am glad you aren¡¯t in as much pain as you were Friday night,¡± He sounded pleased. ¡°Uhm, would you like to go to the movies this weekend? That is, if you¡¯re up to it. You know, with your ankle and all.¡± Steve asked, rubbing the back of his neck. Was he sweating too?


    ¡°Yes!¡± Frankie blurted out. ¡°I mean, sure, that sounds great.¡± Faith snorted out loud this time. She secretly prayed the ground would open and swallow her whole.


    ¡°Great,¡± his smile was dazzling, and she melted a little. ¡°I¡¯ve got to get to football practice. I will call you later. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay. Sounds good.¡± Did he just wink?


    ¡°Bye, Faith.¡± He said before trotting off in the opposite direction. Frankie¡¯s smile was all teeth and gums.


    ¡°Put your teeth back in your mouth, Frankie.¡± Faith teased her.


    ¡°Oh, hush!¡± she scolded her friend half-heartedly, still grinning as she climbed inside Faith¡¯s Volkswagen.


    ¡°Okay, Pickle, let¡¯s blow this popsicle stand!¡± Faith exclaimed as she patted the dashboard affectionately. Three cranks later, the engine finally turned over, and they headed out of the parking lot. Faith turned the radio up, and they sang eighties dance tunes as they headed toward Frankie¡¯s apartment.


    Life doesn¡¯t get much better. Frankie thought as they rounded the corner and turned onto her street. That is when she noticed the FOR RENT sign in front of her apartment building. Her pulse quickened. ¡°Oh, my goodness, Faith¡­.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that sign is for your apartment, Frankie. Your mom is still looking for a job here, right?¡± Faith tried to sound optimistic, but the quiver in her voice contradicted her words.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She confirmed weakly. Even if the sign wasn¡¯t for her apartment, it reminded her that the possibility remained that in two short months, she could be leaving Faith, Steve, and Holly Springs for good.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    ¡°Mom!¡± Frankie burst through their apartment door, screaming. ¡°Mom! Where are you?¡± panic filled her voice as she frantically called to her mom.


    ¡°Frankie! What¡¯s wrong?¡± Rachel emerged from the hallway bathroom, zipping up her jeans in a hurry. ¡°Is it your ankle?¡±


    ¡°Mom, no!¡± Frankie shouted as she hobbled on her crutches, maneuvering their living room¡¯s obstacle course. ¡°You have to keep looking! Mom!¡± tears were threatening to spill down her face. Unable to stop her momentum, she crashed into her mom, spilling her unceremoniously onto the sofa.


    ¡°Honey, what on earth are you talking about?¡± Rachel scrunched her brows and set herself upright on the overstuffed beige cushions and smoothing the wrinkles that didn¡¯t exist on the front of her purple t-shirt that read ¡°I drink coffee for your protection¡± across the front.


    ¡°The sign!¡± Frankie pointed at the door like that explained everything. ¡°I saw the sign!¡±


    ¡°What sign?¡± she asked incredulously. ¡°Do you mean the song ¡°The Sign¡± by Ace of Base?¡± Rachel started humming the chorus to the 80s tune.


    ¡°No! Gosh, Mom! The SIGN out front!¡± she demanded, stomping her foot, the one with the injured ankle, and grimacing.


    ¡°Again, I ask, what sign?¡± she asked sharply.


    ¡°The For Rent sign,¡± her expression had duh written all over it. ¡°Please, Mom, don¡¯t give up on finding a job yet.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Honey, it¡¯s okay.¡± Rachel smiled sweetly, relief washing over her face. ¡°Relax, and sit down¡± she patted the seat next to her and rearranged a few throw pillows to make room for her daughter.


    ¡°How can you tell me to relax?¡±


    ¡°Because you are overreacting.¡±


    ¡°But you put the apartment up for rent already!¡± Frankie¡¯s world was crashing around her; all her mother could do was placate her.


    ¡°Honey, that sign isn¡¯t for our apartment. The apartment for rent is Mrs. Zimmer¡¯s apartment across the hall.¡±


    ¡°What? It isn¡¯t¡­.¡±


    ¡°No, I would do that without telling you first.¡± Rachel smoothed her hand along Frankie¡¯s back. ¡°Mrs. Zimmer is moving to Arizona with her daughter. She is moving, not us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, wow. Okay.¡± Frankie fanned her face in relief. The adrenaline rush began to subside. ¡°That was close!¡±


    ¡°I do have something to tell you, but I was going to wait until dinner tonight. I thought we could go to Firetti¡¯s?¡± Rachel questioned her daughter.


    Frankie raised an eyebrow, ¡°We only go to Firetti¡¯s for celebrations or bad news.¡± The knot that had been relieved in her stomach returned. She felt the news wasn¡¯t what she wanted.


    ¡°I might as well tell you now since you have already gotten yourself worked up over the sign.¡±


    ¡°What is it, Mom?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Rachel began slowly, ¡°You know I have been looking very hard to find a job here in Holly Springs.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± beads of sweat began to form on Frankie¡¯s forehead. Her palms got clammy, and she rubbed them up and down on her pant legs.


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t been easy, as you know,¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Frankie¡¯s voice fell an octave.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Rachel tilted her head to the side, considering how she should break the news to her daughter. ¡°I accepted a position as Accounting Supervisor over the entire hospital at Valley Medical Center.¡± She exclaimed in one big breath.


    ¡°Wait! What?¡± shock washed over Frankie. ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°That means we aren¡¯t moving, Kiddo!¡±


    ¡°Oh my goodness! Really?¡± she grabbed her mom in a tight embrace.


    ¡°Yes, really!¡± Rachel sputtered, ¡°But I can¡¯t breathe, Frankie! Loosen the bear hug!¡±


    ¡°Can we still go to Firetti¡¯s? Can Faith come?¡± Frankie let loose of her mom¡¯s shoulders and bounced in her seat. ¡°Oh, can I invite Steve too? Please?¡±


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    ¡°Sure, Honey, it¡¯s a celebration! Let¡¯s go pig out on Italian food!¡±


    Frankie grabbed her cellphone and crutches and trotted her way down the hall to her bedroom. She quickly dialed Faith¡¯s number and fell back on her bed, thinking how her life had taken such a turn in a few short minutes. She didn¡¯t have to move! She didn¡¯t have to give up her best friend or her boyfriend. Life couldn¡¯t get any better.


    ???


    Thank you for inviting me to the celebration. He was perfect.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Steve. It wouldn¡¯t be a celebration without Frankie¡¯s two favorite people here tonight.¡± Steve chuckled under his breath, and Faith beamed a wide smile.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡± Frankie blushed. Leave it to her mom to embarrass her. She blushed a lot around Steve. She was thankful for the dimness of the restaurant to hide her flaming cheeks.


    Their waiter, Antonio, took their order and filled their water goblets, and Frankie sat back in the tall, velvet-cushioned seat to soak in the surrealness of the day. She went from thinking her life was over in one minute to sitting in the most romantic restaurant in town with mom, boyfriend, and best friend, celebrating that she wasn¡¯t moving across the state just a few hours later. Life was good.


    She loved this place; the atmosphere of Firetto¡¯s made her feel like she had stepped off a plane and landed on the streets of Italy. Twinkle lights sparkled overhead, replica MichaelAngelo marble statues filled dark voids in the corners of the room, and every table was adorned with beautifully lit candle centerpieces. A fountain in the center of the room tinkled quietly while an Italian opera played softly from hidden speakers to complete the desired effect. Once you toss in the fantastic aromas wafting from the kitchen, a magical experience is created.


    ¡°Uhm, Faith, what are you doing?¡± Frankie stared at her best friend as she sliced her meatballs into tiny little pieces, meticulously placing them in a pattern atop the mound of spaghetti on her plate.


    Faith beamed a wide smile at Frankie and her mom. ¡°Celebrating!¡± she exclaimed as she turned her plate to face them. She had arranged the morsels to spell Yippee in meat.


    ¡°Faith, you are such a meatball!¡± Frankie teased but secretly was ecstatic too.


    Frankie mused it was a perfect night as a smile crept across her face.


    ¡°What are you thinking, Sweetie?¡± Rachel inquired. ¡°You have a twinkle in your eye that I haven¡¯t seen for quite a while.¡±


    ¡°Just how perfect tonight is. You found a great job here, so we don¡¯t have to move. I don¡¯t have to give up my best friend and boyfr-¡°


    ¡°Faith? Frankie?¡± a male voice interrupted Frankie¡¯s recounting of the goodness in life.


    ¡°Mr. Winters?¡± Frankie slowly turned toward the voice behind her. Her teacher crashing her night was not fitting into her plan of life being perfect. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I heard this place has the best Italian food in town, so I wanted to check it out.¡± His voice was velvety smooth, but she still didn¡¯t like him.


    ¡°That¡¯s him!¡± Faith squealed in a hushed tone that everyone could still hear, leaning toward Rachel, who was utterly ignoring Faith. Rachel stared at their teacher, unable to speak for a moment.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, Mom, I forgot to tell you in all the excitement since school let out.¡± Frankie¡¯s stated in a droll voice. ¡°This is our new English teacher, Michael Winters.¡± She turned back to her teacher. ¡°Mr. Winters, this is my mom Ra-¡°


    ¡°Rachel Templeton, I can¡¯t believe it. After all these years,¡± he said in astonishment. ¡°Is that really you?¡± his face turned as white as the linen tablecloth, but his smile was toothy, and his eyes danced in the candlelight.


    ¡°Rachel Montgomery,¡± she emphasized Montgomery a little too sharply as she extended her hand in greeting. Noticeably, she gave him the stink-eye insinuating, ¡°now is not the place.¡± Frankie knew that look well and was glad she wasn¡¯t on the receiving end of it for once.


    ¡°Uhm, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance,¡± he released her hand and straightened his tie nervously. ¡°I hope to see you again at the school. Uhm, Parent Night, perhaps?¡±


    ¡°Yes, perhaps,¡± Rachel replied curtly.


    ¡°Enjoy your evening,¡± He bid them farewell and disappeared into the dimness of the restaurant.


    ¡°What in the crap was that all about?¡± Faith blurted out. The girl had no filter whatsoever.


    ¡°Yeah, Mom,¡± Frankie chimed in. ¡°What was that all about? How does he know you? How does he know your name was Templeton?¡± she couldn¡¯t stop the questions. Mr. Winters knowing her Mom¡¯s last name from years ago unnerved her, but her mom¡¯s reaction to him freaked her out.


    Rachel shot her the stink-eye now, and Frankie knew she wouldn¡¯t get answers publicly. She stared at her mom for a long moment, wishing she could read minds. The silence was awkward, at best.


    Regaining her composure, she merely said, ¡°Let¡¯s order, shall we?¡± as she refolded the linen napkin in her lap. Rachel pursed her lips tightly, and that made Frankie nervous as hell.


    ???


    The ride home from Firetti¡¯s was tense. Neither Frankie nor Rachel spoke. Frankie was allowing her mom to broach the subject of Mr. Michael Winters and her curious reaction to him.


    Frankie could not recall her mom ever mentioning anyone from her past named Michael, but that didn¡¯t mean anything. Frankie realized her mom had a life before she was born; she wasn¡¯t that nieve, but the look she gave Mr. Winters told Frankie there was more there than a casual acquaintance. Clearly, they knew each other, but how?


    Rachel pulled her Honda Civic into their apartment¡¯s designated parking spot and cut off the engine. She sat quietly, breathing slow deep breaths with her eyes closed.


    ¡°Mom?¡± Frankie questioned. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± concern filled her voice.


    She turned in her seat to face her daughter and took another cleansing breath. ¡°Honey,¡± she began slowly, ¡°I guess the best way to tell you this is just to tell you straight out.¡±


    ¡°Tell me what?¡±


    ¡°Your teacher, Michael Winters is your father,¡± she stated flatly. She did not elaborate; she gave no details. That was all she offered on the subject.


    Suddenly, all the air in the car evaporated. Frankie dropped the To-Go cup of soda from the restaurant into the floorboard but could not make a move to pick it up. Stunned did little to describe how she felt at that moment.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± Frankie¡¯s voice reverberated throughout the interior of her mom¡¯s car


    ¡°Frances Tulsa Montgomery! Watch your language, young lady.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± she shouted again. ¡°After that bomb you just dropped? How about you use your language to tell me what the crap is going on!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just go upstairs and talk, ok?¡± Rachel¡¯s voice quivered slightly in her throat.


    ¡°Fine!¡± Frankie got out of her mom¡¯s car and slammed the door. ¡°I hate these stupid crutches!¡± she huffed as she sidestepped, unbalanced on the crutches. They impeded what would have been an effectively executed rant as she headed toward the elevator. She threw them to the ground and marched on. Adrenalin flowed through her system, masking any discomfort she otherwise would have experienced in her ankle.


    ???


    Frankie stomped into the living room and plopped on the couch with her arms crossed across her chest. ¡°Ok, so talk!¡± she barked as soon as her mom entered the apartment carrying her discarded crutches.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t a good idea walking without these,¡± Rachel¡¯s voice had calmed to its usual tone.


    ¡°Talk!¡±


    Rachel ignored Frankie¡¯s demand and went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. She gripped the counter''s edge, steadying herself as the Keurig spewed hot Earl Gray tea into her favorite mug. She avoided turning to face her daughter momentarily.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she inhaled deeply, ¡°That gentleman, your English teacher, Michael Winters, is your father.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you said that already,¡± Frankie threw at her mother. ¡°But what I want to know are all the ¡°Ws.¡± You know, Who, What, Where, Why, and How! Well, technically, those are the ¡°Ws¡± and an ¡°H,¡± but you get the idea! You told me my dad¡¯s name was Junior! You said he was gone!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Frankie.¡± Rachel closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead slowly. ¡°I will answer all of your questions after I finish, okay?¡±


    ¡°First, let me say this¡­¡± she looked her daughter in the eyes, ¡°I am sorry for a lot of things I did in my past. But the one thing I am NOT sorry for is giving birth to a fantastic daughter. I love you with every fiber of my being.¡± Frankie¡¯s heart softened around the edges, but she remained silent.


    ¡°I met your father at a college party at the University of Tulsa,¡± she stared into her cup, and the teaspoon clinked the sides of the mug as she absently stirred the contents.


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    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°And, well, it was a college party with lots of alcohol. I was young and stupid,¡± she hesitated, allowing Frankie to digest the information she had just delivered.


    ¡°Oh my God, Mom! I am a product of a one-night stand?¡± bile rose in Frankie¡¯s throat. ¡°I think I am going to be sick.¡±


    ¡°Honey, please, believe me, you weren¡¯t a mistake. I always knew you are a gift from God,¡± Rachel pleaded with her daughter for understanding.


    Frankie clutched a pillow to her stomach and rocked forward and back on the couch. This had to be a bad dream. Everything she ever thought about herself and her life was turning into a lie.


    ¡°Wait, you always told me that my dad¡¯s name was Junior,¡± she rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans. Nothing was making sense.


    ¡°He told me his name was Junior. That¡¯s what all of his friends were calling him at the party. I never asked his last name,¡± Rachel hung her head in shame. ¡°I am so sorry.¡±


    A thought hit Frankie like a lightning bolt, and she jumped off the couch. Turning to face her mom, she yelled at her mom, ¡°You told me he was DEAD!¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart, I never said your dad was dead. I said he was ¡®gone¡¯ you assumed I meant dead.¡±


    ¡°And you never bothered to correct me? All this time, I thought I didn¡¯t have a father. All my life, I LONGED for a dad, and you just stayed quiet!? How could you, Mom?¡± tears streamed down Frankie¡¯s face.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know how to find him. My friend Mindy dragged me to that party while visiting her sister in Tulsa. I was back in Dallas when I found out I was pregnant.¡± Her mom stared off into space momentarily, visiting the ghosts of her past.


    ¡°So you never even tried.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I tried, Frankie! What kind of woman do you think I am?¡±


    ¡°A loose one!¡± Frankie shot back at her mom and instantly regretted her words. Deep down, she didn¡¯t want to hurt her mom, but on the surface, she did. But. damnit, she was hurt too. Her mom had been lying to her for seventeen years. Of all the secrets she could keep, this one was a doozy.


    The pain her accusation caused her mom showed clearly on her face, but she kept quiet.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mom. I didn¡¯t mean that.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s ok. I deserved that. I lied to you your entire life. I was just trying to protect you. I knew how much it would hurt you to grow up without a father around. I wanted to spare you any pain I could. I am so very sorry, Frankie.¡±


    She looked at her mom for a few minutes without speaking, mulling over her mom¡¯s confession. Realization floated to the surface of her consciousness, and she asked her mom slowly, ¡°Am I the reason we left Dallas, and you don¡¯t speak to Grandma and Grandpa Templeton now?¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t want me to keep you once I told them I was pregnant. They were ashamed of having a pregnant, unwed daughter. So, I packed up and left Dallas with you in tow,¡± she smiled brightly at her daughter, ¡°That might have been the only right decision I ever made in my life because I have you, and I wouldn¡¯t trade you for anything in the world, kiddo.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Mom, I love you too.¡± she ran to her mom and crushed her into the couch with the most heartfelt hug she could muster. They sat on the couch silently, holding hands, staring off into space for a long time. They would get past this; they were the best of friends.


    After some time, Frankie turned to her mom and asked, ¡°Can I stay home from school for the rest of the year ?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only September. I don¡¯t think so, young lady. We will figure out something.¡± She pulled Frankie closer, and they continued staring into the living room''s darkness.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    ???


    Frankie sat on her bed, staring at the walls until late into the night. Her mom had turned in hours ago, but she flipped and flopped under the covers until her back hurt. Her room was too quiet to sleep. However, at the same time, the swishing tail of her Sylvester the Cat wall clock sounded like thunder booms in her ears and kept her awake. Sleep was not in the cards that night.


    She clicked on her bedside lamp and grabbed her journal and a pen. She needed to get her thought down on paper. Maybe then she could sleep. Flipping the journal open to the last entry, she spied the flyer she had been designing for the Father/Daughter dance at her church. It seemed like years had passed since she drew the banner. Yet it was just a few short weeks ago. At the time, she longed for a father and dreamed of having a dad to take her for ice cream dates on Sunday afternoons like Faith¡¯s father did. Now, she knew she had a father, knew who he was, and wanted nothing to do with him. Violently, she ripped the drawing out of her journal and threw it to the floor. Her diary landed beside it with a loud thump.


    Frankie was going stir-crazy in her room as she waited for the sun to come up. She watched the numbers on her alarm clock and couldn¡¯t take any more. It was six A.M. She was in desperate need of coffee. She jumped out of bed, grabbed her fluffy yellow robe and slippers, and headed for the kitchen with her phone in tow.


    She sat with her steaming cup of joe and tapped out a text to Faith. She was pretty sure she was up by now. It was almost 6:30, and Faith was an early riser. Frankie was not.


    FRANKIE: You up?


    FAITH: Yup. Why are you up so early? Are you okay?


    FRANKIE: I haven¡¯t slept all night. My mind won¡¯t shut off.


    FAITH: What''s wrong?


    FRANKIE: Not much, just that my mom told me last night that #1 my dad isn''t dead like she let me believe my entire life


    FAITH: WHAT????


    FRANKIE: Wait, there''s more. #2 my dad is Mr. Winters!


    FAITH: OMG! No way! How? I mean, I know how, duh. But Mr. Winters?


    FRANKIE: I am a mess.


    FAITH: Staying home today?


    FRANKIE: No. Mom won¡¯t let me. She says avoiding the situation won¡¯t make it go away or get any better. Whatever. But I have an idea. I want to talk to you and Steve before 1st bell. Can you pick me up by 7:00?


    FAITH: A Pickle pickup is scheduled for 7 am. You can tell me all about it when I pick you up. Does Steve know too?


    FRANKIE: No, I will text him in a minute. This news is too embarrassing to explain face to face.


    FAITH: I get it, Chickadee! Chin up! It will be ok. C ya soon! <3


    Frankie smiled at one of the many nicknames Faith had given her over the years. Chickadee was a favorite of hers. She shot off a similar test to Steve, explaining the events of the previous evening and asking him to meet her and Faith in less than an hour in the cafe.


    STEVE: Oh wow, ok. I didn''t see that coming. I will be there... anything for you, Beautiful.


    Okay, maybe she likes Steve¡¯s nicknames better than Faith¡¯s, but still¡­She needed her best friend and boyfriend¡¯s support on what she was about to propose.


    FRANKIE: Thanks, Steve. That means a lot to me.


    ???


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Boss?¡± Steve asked as he leaned over to kiss Frankie good morning. ¡°Hiya, Faith.¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Faith nodded in greeting, ¡°She wouldn¡¯t tell me anything in the Picklemobile.¡± Exasperation was evident in Faith¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Let''s skip school today and drive to Charlotte to get tattoos!¡± Frankie twirled a strand of hair in her fingers. ¡°Something fun. We never do anything fun.¡±


    ¡°Uh, Frankie, I don¡¯t think that is such a good idea.¡± Steve ventured carefully. ¡°We could get into a lot of trouble for skipping classes. Coach Lee would be livid if he found out, and I would be benched for Friday¡¯s game..¡± Frankie hadn¡¯t considered how it would affect his football.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do that, Frank. We have a Chem test in 4th period, remember?¡± Faith wasn¡¯t usually the practical one, but she was the voice of reason this time. Disappointment spread across her face. Frankie¡¯s plan to avoid confrontation today was rapidly vanishing.


    ¡°Okay, fine.¡± Frankie relented. ¡°But can we at least skip English today? I am not ready to face him.¡± she gave Faith her best-wounded puppy face as her voice cracked when she said ¡°him.¡±


    ¡°Aww, Frank, I understand, but still¡­¡±


    ¡°But still, nothing!¡± her voice rose louder than she meant it, and other students turned to look in their direction to see what the commotion was all about. She leaned toward Faith and whispered, ¡°I mean, we won¡¯t get in trouble. What¡¯s he going to do? He¡¯s my dad, right? ¡° she almost choked on the word. She had never said that sentence in her seventeen years on the planet. ¡°He¡¯s my dad,¡± she repeated to herself. It left a bad taste in her mouth.


    ¡°Okay, just last period English. But if I get in trouble, you will be thrown under the Pickle bus in front of my parents!¡± Frankie knew her best friend was only half kidding but was grateful she gave in to her plea.


    ¡°Can we still get tattoos?¡± she wriggled her eyebrows excitedly.


    ¡°NO!¡± Faith and Steve responded simultaneously.


    Steve leaned over to brush aside Frankie¡¯s silver locks and kissed her temple. He whispered in her ear, ¡°If you did get a tattoo, are you going to get my name across your butt?¡±


    ¡°Ewww! No!¡± she punched Steve in the chest and pushed him away. He buckled over, laughing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I want to know,¡± Faith stated flatly and grabbed her books. The bell is about to ring for 1st period. I¡¯ve got to drop off a request for a new parking pass at the office.


    ¡°What happened to your old pass?¡±


    ¡°Penelopy ate it.¡±


    ¡°Penelopy ate it? Your pet skunk?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she got on my desk and chewed it up.¡± Faith said like it was an everyday occurrence that a skunk was loose in her room.


    ¡°Wait.¡± Steve¡¯s face was as white as a toilet bowl. ¡°You have a pet skunk? In the house?¡±


    ¡°Yup, her stinker has been removed, so she¡¯s just like a cat.¡± Faith quipped as she sashayed across the cafeteria and through the doors.


    ¡°I must say, Faith is an odd one.¡± he smiled, and Frankie giggled as she leaned against Steve¡¯s chest.


    ¡°What can I say? She¡¯s an acquired taste.¡±


    ???


    Frankie: Meet me in the parking lot right after 6th period. Okay?


    Faith: Gosh, I¡¯m nervous. What if we get caught leaving the school grounds?


    Frankie: We won¡¯t get caught. I promise.


    Faith: You¡¯d better be right. I will meet you by the Picklemobile.


    Frankie sat in 6th period American History glancing at the clock every 30 seconds. Time had never moved so slowly in all her life. She kept bouncing her right leg and tapping her pen on the desktop. Julia Matthews, the snotty redhead beside Frankie, kept scowling every time her knee hit the underside of the tabletop.


    ¡°What is wrong with you, Frankie?¡± her tone was that of someone that wasn¡¯t interested in a response.


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Well, cut it out!¡± she sneered. She had never cut class before and was nervous. Frankie rolled her eyes at Julia, stalked the clock on the wall, and waited for the bell to ring.


    ???


    ¡°Hurry up!¡± Frankie whisper-yelled behind her as she crept between cars in the parking lot.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to be inconspicuous!¡± Faith retorted a little too loudly.


    ¡°You failed.¡± came a male voice a few rows over. Both girls froze in place. Faith¡¯s eyes bulged, and she held her breath. Frankie pivoted on one heel and came face to face with Mr. Winters ¨C the one person on the planet she was trying to avoid. ¡°Are you ladies headed somewhere?¡±


    ¡°Oh. Uhm, no.¡± Frankie stammered. ¡°I just needed to get a book out of Faith¡¯s car.¡±


    ¡°I see. Well, get what you need, and I will see you in class in¡­¡± he looked at his watch, ¡°Exactly two minutes. Better hurry or I will be forced to be marked tardy.¡± He grinned and walked away.


    Faith blew out the breath she had been holding and collapsed against the closest car.


    BEEP BEEP BEEP


    The Camero¡¯s alarm system blared throughout the parking lot.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± Faith screamed and jumped away from the car like she had firecrackers in her britches. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here and back to class!¡±


    Both girls took off running straight into the building from whence they came.

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    Frankie slumped in her seat. Occasionally, she glanced at the front of the class, and Mr. Winters inevitably looked in her direction. Quickly, she averted her eyes and twirled a strand of hair between her fingers. The last thing she wanted was to be caught looking at him. They had the same brown eyes, she noted with a sigh. The thought that he was her father made her skin crawl. Frankie admittedly found that odd since she always wanted a father. Now that he was standing in front of her English class, she wanted nothing more than to run away from him.


    ¡°Ms. Montgomery?¡± Michael Winters called out, causing her to jump at his voice. ¡°Are you planning on participating in this discussion or just sitting there playing with your hair?¡± he smirked almost imperceptibly. A low ripple of laughter rolled through the classroom.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Frankie murmured, dropped her hands to her lap, and sat straighter in her seat. She hated to be called out in class.


    ¡°Very well,¡± he continued. ¡°As I was asking, are there any suggestions for the next classic we will analyze as a class? And be sure to give a reason you want to read that particular book.¡±


    ¡°Catcher in the Rye,¡± Mike Cupp suggested from the back of the class. ¡°We had to read it in the eighth grade, and I remember it. I won¡¯t have to reread it.¡±


    ¡°Typical dumb jock answer,¡± Faith muttered from the seat behind Frankie.


    ¡°A Lesson Before Dying by Earnest Gains¡± came another suggestion from a redhead in the front row. ¡°It was part of Oprah Winfrey¡¯s Book Club.¡± She touted as if she were personal friends with Oprah and was integral in picking the book for the book club. Frankie could feel Faith roll her eyes behind her.


    ¡°The Scarlet Letter,¡± Frankie yelled. ¡°It has all the drama of modern day - even though it¡¯s set in the 1600s. Adultery, a young girl with a father who doesn¡¯t want her, a devil child¡­.¡±


    Mr. Winters seemed unphased by Frankie¡¯s suggestion, as she thought he would be, and began handing out blank index cards. ¡°Great, we have three strong book suggestions, with mostly good reasons for wanting to read them,¡± he chuckled softly. ¡°We will vote using these index cards. Vote number one for Catcher in the Rye, number two for A Lesson Before Dying, or number three, for The Scarlet Letter. Mark your selection and pass the cards to the front. I will announce tomorrow which book we will read.¡±


    Michael Winters continued with the class as students passed their votes to the front. He was lecturing on the merits of in-depth analysis of classic literature, but Frankie tuned him out. She kept hearing her mom¡¯s words from the night before. Frankie couldn¡¯t help but wonder if her mom''s explanations had been accurate. He didn¡¯t know I was pregnant¡­ she told Frankie, I didn¡¯t know how to find him... doesn¡¯t know who you are to him... and, Of course, he would love you¡­


    Uninvited disturbing thoughts engulfed her consciousness like a tsunami. ¡°What if he did know about me? What if he knew mom was pregnant but didn¡¯t want me? What if he left Mom because she was pregnant with me?¡± The quicker the onslaught of questions bombarded her brain, the faster she twirled another strand of hair between her fingers again.


    Frankie¡¯s cell phone vibrated silently in her back pocket, indicating a text, and jarred her from the nightmares in her mind. Frankie scanned the room to ensure no one was watching so she could check the message.


    Faith: I can see you are freaking out. You¡¯re gonna twist your hair in a knot again. Remember, your mom said he doesn¡¯t know who you are.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Frankie sighed, slumped her shoulders, and replaced the phone in her pocket. She rubbed the back of her neck, massaging the tension out of the muscles, and took a slow, cleansing breath.


    The bell finally rang, and Frankie lunged for the door. She wasn¡¯t staying in that classroom one second longer than she had to. Frankie heard Mr. Winters calling to her as she pushed herself into the current of students rushing down the hallway, ignoring him completely.


    ???


    ¡°Dang, girl. You can really move now that you have ditched those crutches!¡± Faith gasped for breath when she finally caught up to Frankie at her Picklemobile. ¡°You should go out for track.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Frankie apologized as she climbed into the front seat of Faith¡¯s hippy bus. ¡°I had to get out of there.¡±


    ¡°He was trying to stop you, ya know.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I heard him. I am just not ready to talk to him face to face.¡± she stared at the Vans on her feet, avoiding eye contact with her best friend. ¡°My life has been turned upside down in less than twenty-four hours. How am I supposed to feel, Faith?¡± a tear silently slid down her cheek.


    ¡°Aww, Chickadee, I am so sorry.¡± Faith wrapped an arm around her shoulders. ¡°Don¡¯t try to figure it all out right now. Take some time and pray about it, okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I guess,¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you talk to Pastor Chris at Youth Group next week? Maybe she can help you sort it all out.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. I will think about it.¡± It wasn¡¯t a bad idea, Frankie admitted internally. But did she want others to know her father did not want her?


    ¡°Hey! I know!¡± Faith said in a chipper voice. ¡°Let''s go watch Steve and the guys practice. Muscular guys in tight football pants are bound to cheer you up!¡± she wriggled her eyebrows and made Frankie laugh. " I know that''ll make me happy! Just don''t tell Hunter." She winked at Frankie.


    ¡°You¡¯re the best, Faith.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t I know it!¡± she said and headed toward the football field.


    ???


    ¡°Hey, Babe. I didn¡¯t know you were coming to watch me today.¡± Steve sauntered over to the bleachers where the girls sat. ¡°I¡¯m happy to see you, though.¡± He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Worry lines burrow into his brow. He could tell that Frankie was upset.


    ¡°It was a rough afternoon,¡± Frankie replied meekly.


    ¡°We came to check out all the cute butts on the field!¡±Faith informed Steve with a mischievous grin.


    ¡°She did, I didn¡¯t. I came to get cheered up by you.¡± Frankie continued, ¡°We got busted in the parking lot by Mr. Winters before we could escape.¡±


    ¡°Ouch, of all people! Did you get hauled off to the office?¡±


    ¡°Perrett, get your butt back on the field!¡± Coach Lee shouted in their direction.


    ¡°No, we didn¡¯t get in trouble. But you had better go before you do!¡± Frankie smiled at her handsome boyfriend.


    ¡°Okay, I will call you tonight.¡± He kissed her again, sending tingle bells in her tummy.


    ¡°Okay.¡± she smiled as she watched him walk across the field. She couldn¡¯t help but check out the cutest butt on the team.


    After an hour or so, Faith exclaimed unceremoniously, ¡°My hiney is numb,¡± and wiggled her backside on the bleachers. ¡°Let¡¯s go to Starbucks. I need some caffeine.¡±


    Frankie glanced at her watch; she wasn¡¯t ready to go home yet, ¡°We always go to Starbucks. Let¡¯s go to that place over in Chandler. I think it¡¯s called Jitter Beans.¡±


    ¡°Chandler?¡± Faith questioned. ¡°That¡¯s twenty minutes away.¡±


    ¡°What else do you have to do this afternoon?¡± Frankie was more snarky than she had intended.


    ¡°Well, nothing,¡± Faith was utterly unphased by Frankie¡¯s sarcasm. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    During the twenty-minute drive to Chandler, Frankie and Faith chatted about nothing in particular, which Frankie was thankful for. She hadn¡¯t forgotten about her dilemma, but it was nice to clear her mind for a bit and laugh. She could always count on Faith to help her feel better.


    Faith found a parking spot near the entrance to Jitter Beans. That was the good part. The bad part was that she had to parallel-park Pickle. It took five attempts to wiggle her hippy bus between a Mercedes and a Kia. Frankie buckled over laughing and grabbed her ribs as she spilled out of the passenger¡¯s seat.


    ¡°I think I have whiplash!¡± Frankie gasped with laughter. ¡°You cannot park Pickle!¡±


    ¡°Oh, hush! You couldn¡¯t have done any better!¡±


    ¡°Next time, let me try!¡±


    The girls hooked arms, headed into the coffee shop, and ran smack dab into Rachel Montgomery and Michael Winters having coffee together. Frankie looked at her mom in surprise. She turned on her heel, and took off like a banshee out of the cafe.


    ¡°Frankie!¡± Rachel yelled after her, but it was too late. Frankie was gone.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    Frankie laid her stomach on Pickle''s floorboard to hide her whereabouts. Her nose was in the carpet, and she was thankful Faith was meticulous about keeping her baby bus spotless. She heard her mom yelling for her as she passed on the sidewalk searching for her daughter. Frankie had nothing to say to her mother then and chose to stay hidden.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drive around the block and look for her,¡± she overheard Faith reassure Rachel. ¡°She couldn¡¯t have gotten far.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, Faith. Call me if you find her.¡±


    ¡°Will do,¡± She hugged Rachel and hopped behind the wheel. With a crank of the engine, she slowly pulled away from the curb.


    ¡°Oh, Frank, where are you?¡± Faith asked the empty passenger seat beside her.


    ¡°I¡¯m right here, ding-a-ling,¡± Frankie barked as she popped up behind the second row bench seat.


    ¡°Oh, my gosh,¡± Faith yelped in surprise. and had to wrench the steering wheel to the left to avoid sideswiping a parked car. ¡°What are you doing in here? You scared me half to death!¡± she placed her hand over her heart, trying to recover from the shock.


    ¡°Hiding, Duh.¡±


    ¡°You could have told me you were back there.¡±


    ¡°I just did.¡±


    Faith cut her eyes toward Frankie, ¡°I meant without scaring the crap out of me.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°So why did you take off?¡± Faith started with the inquisition. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ask what in the heck your mom was doing with Mr. Winters? and why they were sneaking out of town to meet?¡±


    ¡°Because¡­¡±


    ¡°And what did she tell him? Did she tell him he is your dad? Did she tell him you know the secret?¡± the questions tumbled so quickly out of her mouth that Frankie didn¡¯t have time to respond.


    ¡°Faith!¡± she smacked her best friend on the shoulder, ¡°I am the one freaking out here¡­remember?¡± Frankie climbed into the front seat. ¡°Geesh.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sorry.¡±


    ¡°I panicked, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay, but I need to call your mom and tell her I found you. I promised.¡±


    ¡°Just text her, please.¡± Frankie pleaded. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to her right now, and you know she will make you put me on the phone.¡±


    Faith pulled into the Pick-and-Save parking lot and texted Rachel quickly. ¡°I told her you will call her in a bit. Don¡¯t make a liar out of me.¡± she gave Frankie a mock warning glare.


    ¡°Thanks. I owe you one.¡±


    ¡°One? How about a hundred!¡± Faith giggled, ¡°and I plan to collect someday.¡±


    ¡®Let¡¯s head back to Holly Springs. I will talk to Mom at home.¡±


    ¡°You got it, Chickadee!¡± Faith did a 15-point turn in the middle of the road and headed toward home.


    ¡°You can¡¯t drive, you know that?¡± Frankie teased.


    ¡°I can drive. I just can¡¯t park or do a three-point turn!¡±


    Thirty minutes later, they pulled into a parking space near Frankie¡¯s building. ¡°I would come in, but I need to get home. Hunter is coming over to watch a movie tonight.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s ok. Tell Hunter I said hi.¡± Frankie jumped out of Pickle and watched as Faith pulled away. She dashed around the building once Faith was out of sight and hid in the shadows. Her mom¡¯s car wasn¡¯t in the parking lot, and she couldn¡¯t risk being spotted if her mom pulled in. Frankie wasn¡¯t in the mood to play nice with her mom. Not right now.


    Frankie: Wanna hang out?


    Steve: Sure. Let me get a quick shower, and I will be over.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Frankie: Just meet me by the lake in Veteran¡¯s Park.


    Steve: Uhm, okay¡­what¡¯s going on, Babe?


    Frankie: Nothing, I¡¯m fine. See you there.


    Steve: Be there in 30 minutes.


    Frankie sat on a table under the picnic shelter. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the lake. The longer she waited on Steve, the darker the sky got, and the blacker her mood grew. When Steve arrived, she was deep in thought, twisting a strand of hair in her fingers. He startled her when he wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed the top of her head.


    ¡°What the hell?!¡± she jumped off the table and turned around with fists raised.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Steve¡¯s flinched. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to scare you. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Frankie lowered her fists and cast her gaze downward, slowing her breath. ¡°It¡¯s ok. I didn¡¯t hear you coming.¡±


    Steve grabbed her hands and pulled her close, engulfing her in a warm hug. She loved his arms around her. She felt safe and secure. The smell of his cologne intoxicated her.


    ¡°I am definitely getting you more Drakkar for Christmas,¡± she inhaled deeply and felt a chuckle rise in his chest.


    ¡°So, what are we doing here so late?¡± He asked. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t love spending time alone with you, but isn¡¯t it Golden Girls time with your mom?¡± he glanced at his watch.


    ¡°It was a rough day. That¡¯s all.¡±


    Steve grabbed her hand, and they strolled along the water¡¯s edge. ¡°Wanna talk about it?¡±


    ¡°I just can¡¯t wrap my mind around the fact that my dad is alive. Whenever my mom told me that my dad was ¡®gone,¡¯ I assumed she meant dead. Not ¡®gone¡¯ as in she had a one-night stand with a frat boy and didn¡¯t know his name!¡± The more she talked, the louder her voice rose. ¡°I mean, she lied to me my entire life! And NOW, this dude shows up as my English teacher, and it¡¯s him! This is like an awful Hallmark movie.¡± a tear trickled down her cheek. ¡°And on top of that, Mom says he doesn¡¯t even know I am his daughter. I still don¡¯t know if I believe that. I mean, of all places in the world, he shows up in Holly Springs, North Carolina, and they met in Tulsa!¡± Steve didn¡¯t speak. He patiently let Frankie vent. ¡°Oklahoma! That is the other side of the country.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and get this¡± she took a deep breath. "Faith and I went to that new place, Jitter Bean in Chandler, today when we left your practice to get a coffee. Guess who was sitting all cozy at a table when we walked in? Mom and Mr. Winters! I mean, what the hell?¡± Frankie was full-blown ugly crying now.


    Frankie¡¯s phone rang in her back pocket. She hit ignore on the screen and slid it back into her pocket again. Within seconds, it was ringing again. It was her mom calling for the second time.


    ¡°You¡¯d better get that. She¡¯s probably worried.¡± Steve suggested.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you care, Frankie.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t,¡± she stomped her foot in the dirt. ¡°She doesn¡¯t care about me. She has been lying to me my entire life!¡± the tears began to fall again. Steve wiped a few from her cheek and pulled her closer.


    ¡°You know she loves you, Frankie. You are her world. She was trying to protect you.¡±


    ¡°A lot of fat good that did.¡± she sniffled snot on his hoodie,


    ¡°Come on; I will take you home.¡±


    ¡°NO!¡± she demanded. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see her!¡± her phone buzzed again with a text.


    Mom: Sweetheart, are you ok?


    Frankie didn¡¯t respond.


    Mom: Frankie, Faith said she dropped you off a couple of hours ago. Where are you?


    Frankie still didn¡¯t respond. Seconds later, there was another text


    Mom: Frances Montgomery, either reply and let me know you are alive, or I am calling the police!


    With pursed her lips and pounded out a text in response:


    Frankie: Why don¡¯t you go be with DAD and don¡¯t worry about me! Not point in starting now!


    Frankie threw her phone to the ground, collapsed into Steve¡¯s chest, and continued to sob.


    ¡°Shhh, my silver-haired angel,¡± he whispered, softly stroking her hair. ¡°It will be ok.¡±


    ¡°I hate them!¡± she cried, ¡°I hate them both!¡±


    Steve walked Frankie to his truck and grabbed a blanket from behind the seat. "It¡¯s a nice night; wanna look for shooting stars?"


    Frankie sniffled a little and nodded her head in agreement. Steve climbed into the back of his truck and spread the blanket in the bed.


    "Come here," he extended his hand to her and helped her climb in.


    Frankie curled into Steve''s arms with their backs against the cab, and quickly fell asleep.


    Two hours later, Frankie awoke with a start. "Steve, wake up," she shook him from his slumber. "We fell asleep. I gotta get home,"


    Steve lept over the tailgate and lifted Frankie out. "Shit! I''m sorry. Practice was rough today. Let''s go."


    The engine was running before Frankie could get her door closed. They left the park and headed in the direction of Frankie''s place.


    ???


    ¡°Do you want me to go in with you? I''ll tell your mom it was my fault that we fell asleep." Steve said as he pulled his truck into a parking spot outside of Frankie''s apartment.


    ¡°No. That¡¯s okay. The apartment looks dark. She must be asleep.¡± the clock on the dash flashed 1:23 A.M.


    ¡°Okay, if you are sure.¡± he leaned over and kissed her sweetly. ¡°Text me before you go to sleep.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    She waved goodbye as she walked through the breezeway and headed up the stairs to her apartment. Quietly, she turned the key in the lock and slipped inside. She didn¡¯t want her mom to know what time she got in.


    Frankie tiptoed down the hallway to her bedroom and softly closed her door once inside. She had successfully avoided her mom. She was exhausted from crying all evening and wanted to sleep.


    To her surprise, the bedside lamp flipped on, flooding her room with bright light. Her mom had been sitting in the dark waiting for her.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice of you to come home,¡± Rachel said coldly. There was an edge to her voice that Frankie hadn¡¯t heard before. ¡°We need to talk, young lady.¡± Rachel pointed at a chair in the corner of Frankie¡¯s room, ¡°Sit!¡±

 Chapter 11

    Since you couldn¡¯t make it home by


    midnight curfew and were two hours late,


    you are grounded for the next two weeks.


    No Faith. No Steve. This is not negotiable.


    I will take your cell phone, too, if you argue with


    me over this. Think before you speak.


    Mom

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    Frankie¡¯s usually spent Saturday morning with Faith at their favorite coffee shop, ¡°Tasteful Beans,¡± but since she was grounded for the next week and a half, she was forced to find an alternate form of entertainment. Frankie curled on the sofa under her favorite ¡°Tulsa University¡± afghan, a birthday gift from her mom, with a steaming mug of hot chocolate on the coffee table and sent Faith a text before starting a Harry Potter movie marathon.


    Frankie: Hey, I was thinking¡­


    Faith: Uh oh, that¡¯s never good. =)


    Frankie: Very Funny. Seriously though, Mom said she didn¡¯t tell Mr. Winters that he is my dad¡­ right?


    Faith: Yeah¡­


    Frankie: I don¡¯t understand why. I mean, if she finally ¡°found him,¡± or rather he stumbled into her, why tell me and not him? It makes no sense. And what were they talking about at the coffee shop in Chandler?


    Frankie sipped her hot cocoa while waiting for her friend to come up with an explanation. Frankie had wracked her brain, trying to come up with a reason until her head pounded. Her phone dinged in her hand.


    Faith: Well, what if she¡¯s afraid to tell him? It¡¯s been seventeen years, so why tell him now? Did you ask her why they were there together?


    Frankie: No, I guess I didn''t want to know. But, again, the question remains...why not tell him now?


    Faith: What good would it do? He won¡¯t have any rights when you turn eighteen in August anyway. So why tell him?


    Frankie: So why tell me?


    Faith: Ugghhh! Which came first, the chicken or the egg? There are no answers.


    Frankie: This leads me to the ¡°I was thinking¡­¡± part. What if he isn¡¯t my father? That is the only thing I can think of that would lead Mom not to tell him.


    Faith: So why tell you if it isn¡¯t the truth?


    Frankie: That is the part I haven¡¯t figured out yet. But don¡¯t you worry, I will keep working on it.


    Faith responded with a string of emojis: a chicken, an egg, and another chicken. Frankie shook her head and tossed her phone to the side. She picked a piece of lint from her blanket and then screamed.


    ¡°Oh my gosh!¡± She threw the blanket off like it was crawling with ants. ¡°Ew, ew, ew!¡¯ she frantically brushed invisible germs from her lap. ¡°Mom!¡± she bellowed down the hall, ¡°Mom!¡±


    Rachel staggered from her bedroom, a silk eyemask pulled up on her head, holding the bangs out of her eyes, and tied a bathrobe at her waist. She had grown accustomed to Frankie¡¯s outbursts. ¡°What is it, Kiddo?¡± she asked with one eye open.


    ¡°It¡¯s this, this¡­ blanket!¡± Frankie spat the words like they were venom in her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s because of him, isn¡¯t it? Tulsa University. That¡¯s where you met him and¡­did the deed!¡± she shivered from head to two at the thought of her mother having sex at a frat party. Yuck!


    ¡°You woke me up, screaming like a banshee, on my one day to sleep in to ask me about a blanket?¡± Rachel was clearly not happy.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sorry! But don¡¯t you think it¡¯s sick you gave me that blanket for my birthday with the reasoning behind it?¡± she shuddered at the thought again. ¡°That¡¯s gross, Mom!¡±


    Rachel pulled the sleep mask off her head and tossed it to the side table, ¡°Let me get some coffee, then we will talk, Okay?¡± she yawned as she ran her hand over her face, clearing away the sleep.


    Frankie sat in the recliner, with her feet tucked safely under her rear, across the room from the sofa and the blanket. An observer could have assumed the blanket was contaminated with the COVID-19 virus, considering how Frankie had sidestepped the fabric lying on the floor.


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    Within minutes Rachel returned to the living room, coffee in hand, and sat on the sofa. She picked the afghan off the floor and laid it beside her, ¡°Now, what is all this about?¡± she took a long sip of the hot liquid.


    ¡°I thought you gave me that blanket because my middle name is Tulsa.¡± She slung at her mother with venom.


    ¡°I did.¡±


    ¡°I always thought it was because you had a strange affinity for that town,¡± Frankie¡¯s voice began rising. She attempted to control her anger but failed miserably. ¡°Which, by the way, I never understood.¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± Rachel was doing the calm thing so much better than Frankie.


    ¡°But only because that is where you did it with that sperm donor!¡±


    ¡°Frankie, don¡¯t be so crass,¡± Rachel spoke firmly without matching Frankie¡¯s pitch. ¡°I had that afghan tucked away in my hope chest for years. I bought it when I found out I was pregnant before I left Dallas. It¡¯s silly, I know, but I was young. I had no way of finding your father, so it was my only connection to him.¡± she had a far-off look in her eyes as she spoke, remembering the past.


    ¡°But why did you give it to me when I turned sixteen?¡± Frankie had regained a semblance of composure, but the scales could tip any moment.


    ¡°I gave it to you intending to tell you the whole story,¡± she sighed. ¡°You were always drawing pictures and writing stories about who your father was, and I thought you were ready to know the truth.¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t tell me.¡± Frankie accused.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t, and I am so sorry,¡± a tear slipped down Rachel¡¯s face. ¡°You might have been ready to hear the truth at the time. I just wasn¡¯t strong enough to tell it.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s just great, Mom!¡± Frankie¡¯s ire was up again. ¡°I am glad this was about your convenience and comfort instead of mine! You probably don¡¯t even know if Mr. Winters is the man you slept with! It seems to me that anybody could be my father! Maybe he just looks like the guy you remember,¡± Frankie was pacing the floor, and anger flooded her soul once again. ¡°Do you have any proof that he is the one? Is that why you didn¡¯t tell him? Or are you too ashamed of me too?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need proof, Frankie. He is your father,¡± Rachel stated solemnly. ¡°And, of course, I am not ashamed of you! You are my world, Sweetheart. I didn¡¯t tell him because¡­.¡±


    ¡°Because¡­?¡±


    ¡°Because I figured if you want him to know, we will tell him,¡± she reasoned with a shaky voice. ¡°If you don¡¯t, then we won¡¯t. We haven¡¯t had much discussion about that.¡±


    Frankie ran to her room and slammed the door as hard as she could. ¡°How could you do this to me? I hope you rot in hades for lying to me!¡±


    Rachel winced as the words registered in her heart. Frankie¡¯s sobs echoed down the hall. She placed her head in her hands, rocking on the sofa, and matched her daughter¡¯s tears.


    Frankie refused to come out of her room for the rest of the day. She spent most of her self-imposed prison sentence binging on NETFLIX specials and texting Faith and Steve. They, however, were free to go about their lives without much time to spare talking to an inmate. Several times her mom knocked on her door to ensure she was okay. Frankie kept her door locked and yelled for her to go away.


    She was starving when the sun disappeared behind the trees outside her window. The only food she had stashed in her purse was a pack of peanut butter M&Ms. They didn¡¯t last past noon. Frankie¡¯s stubborn streak was at war with her hunger pains and bladder. She really had to pee! Bullheadedness was winning the battle of hunger, but her bladder was about to wave the white flag. She had snuck to the bathroom earlier in the afternoon when her mom went to check the mail, but that was hours ago. Her mom was staying up exceptionally late tonight, or so it seemed to Frankie. She wasn¡¯t sure her bladder could hold out much longer.


    ¡°Goodnight, Frankie,¡± her mom called outside her door. ¡°I love you.¡±


    Frankie pressed her ear to the door and listened as her mom padded her slippered feet toward her room. Once she heard the soft click of her mom¡¯s door closing, she bolted across the hall to the bathroom. ¡°Oh, thank God!¡± she whispered emphatically as she squatted on the toilet. It had been the longest day of her life.


    ???


    ¡°Get up, Kiddo,¡± her mom knocked loudly on Frankie¡¯s door, startling her awake. ¡°Get ready for church.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to church!¡± Frankie yelled from beneath her covers. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you are going to church. Isn¡¯t that a little hypocritical after what you have done?¡± she regretted the words as soon as they escaped her mouth, but honestly, that is how she felt.


    Without warning, her door flew open. Rachel stood there, key in hand, glaring at her daughter. ¡°You listen to me, young lady, and you listen good! I have taken all the crap from you that I am going to take. I let you mope in here all day yesterday and have your little temper tantrum, but today it stops. Do you hear me?¡± she stood towering over Frankie, her hands anchored on her hips. ¡°And, as far as hypocritical, who are you to be my judge? I am your mother! And the last time I checked, the only one to walk on water was Jesus, and YOU AREN¡¯T HIM! Now, get up and get dressed for church before I really lose my temper.¡± she stormed out and slammed the door behind her.


    Frankie threw the covers off and jumped out of bed. If that wasn¡¯t her mom losing her temper, she didn¡¯t want to see what the real thing would look like.

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    Frankie waited on Faith outside the youth room door at their church. ¡°You get to see the light of day!¡± Faith flung her arm over her head in a dramatic arc. ¡°How does it feel to be temporarily on the outside?¡± she giggled as she wrapped Frankie in a bear hug. ¡°Tasteful Beans just wasn¡¯t the same without you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Frankie lamented, ¡°Believe me, I wish I was there. My day sucked!¡±


    ¡°Ladies,¡± Pastor Chris cleared her throat to get their attention, ¡°Come in, and we will get started.¡± Her smile was genuine and warm. Frankie liked Pastor Chris and found her teaching engaging. Pastor Chris wasn¡¯t much older than her students in the youth group and technically was a pastor-in-training. She was fresh out of college doing an internship for Seminary as their youth pastor and was relatable due to the proximity in age. Pastor Chris always seemed to teach on a topic that Frankie needed to hear. She hoped today wouldn¡¯t be any different.


    The youth room was set up with a coffee bar on the far wall, with loveseats dispersed throughout the brightly painted room. The students had arranged cafe tables and chairs in the middle of the room for those who wanted to take notes in front of a small raised platform for Pastor Chris to teach. Frankie and Faith settled into their usual loveseat and opened their bibles and notebooks as Pastor Chris stepped to the podium.


    ¡°Turn in your bibles to Ephesians 4:32,¡± she announced, ¡°Today, we are going to talk about forgiveness.¡± Frankie¡¯s heart sank. She knew this teaching was straight from God ¨C aimed directly at her. She also knew that she didn¡¯t want to forgive her mom. She was hoping for a sermon about righteous anger and when it is ok to hold a grudge or how being in the right gave her license to be hateful. However, she knew full well that none of those principles stood up to Scripture.


    ¡°Frankie,¡± Pastor Chris zeroed in on her, ¡°Would you please read the scripture for us?¡±


    Frankie sighed deeply before she began. She knew beforehand what the verse said, having memorized it several years ago. ¡°Ephesians 4:32," she recited from memory, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.¡± She folded her hands in her lap and closed her eyes. I hear you, God. Frankie thought to herself.


    ¡°Thank you, Frankie,¡± Pastor Chris turned to address the class, ¡°Today, we are going to talk about forgiving others. One of the hardest things to do is to be kind to others, especially when we feel we have a right to be angry with someone. The easy response is to get even, lash out or do something mean back to the person who did you wrong. However, as Christians, we are called to love others," she paused, letting the words sink into the hearts of those in her class. "This verse challenges us to be kind and forgive others regardless of how they treat us.¡± Frankie knew that God was speaking to her through Pastor Chris¡¯ words. However, she wasn¡¯t ready to forgive her mom for all the lies she had told, which led her to believe her father was dead. To Frankie, that was unforgivable.


    Frankie tuned out Pastor Chris as she continued her lesson on forgiveness and scribbled a note to Faith.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t believe Winters is my dad.¡±


    ¡°Well, it isn¡¯t like you can ask him. He doesn¡¯t know anything about your mom being pregnant.¡±


    ¡°I know. Too bad we can¡¯t get Jerry Springer to do a paternity test and have us on his show!¡±


    Faith grabbed her phone from her purse and began frantically tapping away.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Frankie whispered to Faith. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be texting Hunter during church!¡± Pastor Chris frowned at Frankie, so she sat up straighter and started paying attention while Faith continued on her phone.


    ¡°You can¡¯t change how you have been wronged, but you can choose to respond to them with kindness.¡± Frankie caught the tail end of what Pastor Chris was saying, and her words penetrated Frankie¡¯s heart, a little.


    ¡°Discreet Paternity Testing!¡± Faith scratched on the note they had been passing.


    ¡°What the heck is that??¡±


    ¡°I found it on Google. You get a DNA sample, like a hair sample or something, send it to this company along with a DNA sample from you, and then you can find out if he is your dad!


    ¡°Really?? How are we going to get a hair sample from him?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Chickadee. One step at a time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± Frankie informed Faith as they headed toward the EXIT sign when Youth Group was over. ¡°I need to talk to Pastor Chris for a second. I¡¯ll meet you outside.¡± Faith nodded and left the room to give them some privacy.


    ¡°Pastor Chris?¡± Frankie approached her, clutching her bible to her chest with one arm, twirling a strand of silver-blonde hair between the fingers of her right hand.


    ¡°Hi, Frankie,¡± Pastor Chris leaned over and enveloped her in a warm embrace, ¡°How are you?¡±


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    ¡°Uhm, I¡¯m ok,¡± she stammered. Did Pastor Chris somehow know what was going on in her life, or was she just passing a pleasantry? Frankie was being paranoid. ¡°I just wanted to tell you that your lesson today really hit home. I needed the reminder of being called to forgive.¡± She didn¡¯t know how much information she should divulge. So, for now, her statement would suffice.


    ¡°That makes me so happy,¡± Chris smiled lovingly. Frankie was a part of her flock, and Pastor Chris took the role of shepherding the youth in her group very seriously. ¡°The Holy Spirit always speaks to us when we need to hear what he has to say, even if it¡¯s through a song on the radio, a bible passage, or a pastor.¡± she winked at Frankie, which made her relax and feel safe and comfortable in Pastor Chris¡¯ presence.


    ¡°Yeah, he does,¡± Frankie chewed on her bottom lip, deciding if she should go on. ¡°I am struggling with forgiving someone that I love very much. This person lied to me my entire life, and I just don¡¯t know if I can.¡± tears began to form behind Frankie¡¯s eyelids.


    ¡°God gave up his only Son so that we might be forgiven,¡± Pastor Chris reminded her, ¡°He calls us, as Christians, to do the same. God didn¡¯t have to forgive us, but through Christ, he has," she paused momentarily, "Pray about it. He will help you find forgiveness for the person who wronged you,¡± she placed an arm around Frankie¡¯s shoulder and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m always here if you need to talk. You have my cell number. Use it day or night. Okay?¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Frankie promised. ¡°Thank you.¡± She hugged her youth pastor and left the building in search of Faith.


    ???


    Frankie hadn¡¯t said a word since they left the church. The silence was palpable in the car as Rachel drove them home. Frankie twirled a strand of hair through her fingers. ¡°Penny for your thoughts,¡± Rachel broke the silence.


    ¡°You can¡¯t buy anything for a penny,¡± came Frankie¡¯s snarky response. She stared out the side window, thinking about the paternity test ¨C and what Pastor Chris had taught about forgiveness. Her mind was a tornado of thoughts, each conflicting and bumping into the other. She should forgive her mom, but she was angry. She longed to disprove that Mr. Winters was her father so all the mess would go away, but why would her mother make up such a story? How would she get the money to pay for a paternity test anyway? How would she get Mr. Winter¡¯s DNA sample? What if he turned out to be her dad, then what? She leaned her head against the glass and sighed. Back to the chicken and the egg¡­no answers.


    ¡°Sweetheart, I know this is hard for you,¡± Rachel spoke gently, interrupting Frankie¡¯s thoughts, ¡°I have wanted to tell you for so long, I just couldn¡¯t.¡±


    Frankie remained silent.


    ¡°I have no excuse. I can only tell you I made a mistake, and I am sorry.¡± Rachel reached across the console to squeeze Frankie¡¯s hand, but she jerked it away. She didn¡¯t want her mom to be nice to her. It made it harder to stay angry. ¡°Do you want coffee at Tasteful Beans before heading home? My treat.¡±


    Frankie shook her head no without looking in her mother¡¯s direction. Rachel pursed her lips, muttered a soft ¡°Okay,¡± and quietly drove to the apartment complex.


    ???


    Frankie lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her head throbbed with a migraine. She wanted to nap but couldn¡¯t calm her mind enough to close her eyes. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She groaned and rolled over to grab it. Steve was texting her. She smiled for the first time that day.


    Steve: Hey Babe, how was church?


    Frankie: It was ok. I was glad to be out of the apartment for a while. I missed seeing you.


    Steve: I¡¯ll bet. Yeah, I¡¯m sorry. My truck wouldn¡¯t start. I can¡¯t wait to see you at school tomorrow.


    Frankie: Me too! <3 Hey, I have something to run by you.


    Steve: Okay, shoot.


    Frankie: What do you think of secretly having a paternity test done? I mean, what if Mom¡¯s wrong? You know, just to make sure Winter Wonderland is really my dad.


    Steve: Are you serious?


    Frankie: Yeah, kind of.


    Steve: How would you do that? I mean, you can¡¯t just ask him to take a test.


    Frankie: Well, no. But Faith looked it up. There is something called a discreet paternity test. We just need his signature and a sample, like a strand of hair or cigarette butt, but I don''t think he smokes.


    Steve: And how are you going to get those?


    Frankie: I have no idea.


    Steve: I don¡¯t know, Babe. It seems extreme to me, but if you want to do this, I know you will find a way to make it happen. I will help if you need me.


    Frankie: You are the best! And yes, I really need to find out.


    Steve: I have to work on my truck. I will see you in the morning, Babe.


    Frankie: Okay =)


    Frankie padded to the kitchen in her bunny slippers for some aspirin. After taking the medicine, she grabbed a Diet Coke from the fridge and went to the living room, where her mom was reading a manual from her job at the hospital. Frankie realized she hadn¡¯t even asked how the new position was going. A pang of guilt shot through her. This wasn¡¯t the relationship she and her mom had always shared. Anger was eating her up inside, and she didn¡¯t know how to squelch it.


    Frankie stood across the room from her mom and waited until Rachel looked up from the paper she was studying, ¡°I am sorry I haven¡¯t asked about your new job,¡± Frankie stated, ¡°but I am furious at you, and I need time to figure out how to deal with my feelings.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Kiddo.¡± Rachel smiled sadly at her daughter.


    ¡°I do have a question, though,¡± she began without looking at her mother, ¡°Why were you at Jitter Bean with Mr. Winters if you weren¡¯t telling him about me?¡± The question had been bugging her.


    ¡°I wanted to know what he was doing here in Holly Springs,¡± Rachel said flatly. ¡°I wanted to know if, somehow, he knew you are his daughter and came to try and take you from me.¡± Frankie saw the Momma bear start to rise in her mother. ¡°I was preparing for the fight of my life. Nobody takes you from me. You are my daughter.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It is purely coincidental. He wanted to be far away from his life in Oklahoma and his ex-wife. North Carolina is as far as he could go. Holly Springs High School posted a job opening for an English teacher, and he applied,¡± she pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows, ¡°End of story.¡±


    ¡°And you believed him?¡±


    ¡°I do. He didn¡¯t give any indication to the contrary,¡± she shrugged her shoulders. ¡°He is very nice, Frankie. You should try to get to know him. He is your father.¡±


    ¡®Oh, hell no!¡± Frankie spat. ¡°It¡¯s bad enough that he is my teacher, but that is as close as it¡¯s going to get!¡± Frankie turned on her heel, left the room without uttering another word, and remained in her bedroom for the rest of the night.

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    ¡°I need a job,¡± Frankie whined against Steve¡¯s shoulder during lunch one afternoon in the cafeteria.


    ¡°Why do you need a job?¡± Steve tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.


    ¡°Well. Duh, I¡¯m broke,¡± Frankie rolled her eyes at him. ¡°For one, I want to order that Discreet Paternity Test, and two, Christmas is coming soon. What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn¡¯t get you a nice gift?¡±


    Steve pulled Frankie closer and kissed her temple, ¡°You are the only gift I need.¡±


    Steve¡¯s smile told Frankie he adored her, and she felt the same for him. She smirked at him and giggled at his comment. God knew what he was doing when he got us together. How did I land such an amazing boyfriend?


    ¡°That is all well and fine, but I still need to get the paternity test, and it¡¯s expensive. I haven¡¯t given up on that. Therefore, I need a job. I can¡¯t very well ask my mom for the money. I can see it now, ¡®Hey, Mom, can I borrow $100 for a paternity test? I want to disprove your ¡®he¡¯s your dad'' theory. Thanks!¡¯ That will go over like a fart in church. Heck, we hardly speak as it is.¡± Frankie ripped the napkin on her tray into tiny pieces, not wanting to look at Steve.


    ¡°You are going to have to forgive her someday, Frankie.¡± Steve¡¯s voice was smooth as butter, calming the ire welling inside her. Whenever she thought about what her mom did, she got angry again.


    ¡°Well, today isn¡¯t the day,¡± Frankie shot a bullet at him.


    ¡°Today isn¡¯t the day for what?¡± Faith appeared at their table, lunch tray in hand. She was perky and happy, her usual state of emotion, and sat down.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Frankie locked eyes with Steve.


    ¡°We were talking about Frankie¡¯s unwillingness to forgive her mom,¡± Steve said and was the first to break eye contact. ¡°But, of course, she won¡¯t listen.¡±


    ¡°Sugarplum,¡± Faith cooed another term of endearment for Frankie, ¡°It isn¡¯t good for your soul to hold resentment. You know what Pastor Chris said about forgiveness.¡±


    ¡°Can we drop this, please?¡± Frankie pleaded with the two, ¡°And talk about something more important¡­like me getting a job.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want a job?¡± Faith asked as she bit into an apple.


    ¡°Paternity test and Christmas gifts,¡± Steve summed her reasons up in five little words. Frankie, however, would have taken the entire lunch period to give the same information.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t the only reason, smartie,¡± Frankie curled her upper lip as she admonished her man, ¡°Even though Mom and I don¡¯t speak much, I get a little squeamish being in the apartment alone at night. She either has to work late or has a meeting. She is out late at least twice a week with her new job. So, I could get a part-time job.¡± She shrugged her shoulder and twisted a lock of hair around her finger as she spoke with a tear in her voice.


    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t help with the buying Christmas gift part, but I did help with the paternity test thing,¡± Faith beamed from across the table.


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    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Frankie raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°I was going to wait until Christmas, but since you brought it up, I ordered the test kit for you. It should be delivered to my house in about a week.¡±


    ¡°You did what?¡± Frankie¡¯s eyes bulged.


    ¡°I had some money saved from working all summer, so I ordered the test,¡± she said this like ordering a paternity test was an everyday occurrence.


    ¡°What will your parents say when a paternity test shows up in the mailbox?¡± Steve raised an eyebrow in question.


    ¡°The lady on the phone assured me that the packaging is plain and doesn¡¯t say the company''s name on the label. So, no worries.¡± she took another bite of her apple.


    ¡°Oh my goodness, Faith!¡± Frankie ran around the table and hugged her best friend. ¡°I love you! You are the best!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve said it before¡­Don¡¯t I know it!¡±


    ¡°Five-minute warning bell. I will see you later, Faith,¡± he winked at Frankie before leaning across the table to kiss her, ¡°You too, Doll.¡± These two girls were too much. Steve shook his head from side to side and left the cafeteria laughing to himself.


    ???


    Frankie and Faith stood outside English class, spying on Mr. Winters. She hated being in this class but had no choice. This class was a requirement for graduation. Therefore, she was forced to sit through it, day after day, until graduation. She wondered how Winters, as she had taken to calling him, couldn¡¯t know his own child if she was his child. That was another reason Frankie needed an answer about paternity ¨C to prove her mom wrong. She had to admit, though, she had his nose.


    ¡°How are we going to get the sample?¡± Faith whispered.


    ¡°I want to puke every time I think about it.¡± Frankie chewed on the inside of her cheek and shrugged her shoulders. She had no idea how this would work, but somehow, it had to. ¡°Let¡¯s worry about that when the test comes in.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ???


    ¡°Just so you know, I am going to get a part-time job after school,¡± Frankie informed her mother that evening after sharing a silent dinner at the kitchen table.


    ¡°Is that a statement or a request?¡± Rachel peered at her daughter over her reading glasses. She studied a report while they ate, but it wasn¡¯t like they spoke now anyway. Dinnertime was always Frankie¡¯s favorite time of the day with her mom. They would chat non-stop about their days, make plans for the weekend, tell silly jokes, and talk about everything.


    However, those days were in the past. Frankie was still filled with resentment. She was now convinced that her mom hadn¡¯t told Mr. Winters that Frankie was his daughter. He treated her no differently than other students, which on some twisted level, hurt her feelings a little. She wasn¡¯t sure how she would feel once she knew the result of the test. Did she want him to be her father after all? She was so confused.


    ¡°A statement,¡± Frankie retorted sardonically.


    ¡°You can get a job after graduation,¡± Rachel responded in like manner. ¡°You know that is the rule.¡±


    ¡°You are so unfair! Why don''t I get a say?" Frankie burst out. She shoved her chair under the table, and the legs screeched across the floor.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a democracy. I make the rules in this family,¡± Rachel responded, as cold as a Siberian wind in January.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t like you are ever here anyway,¡± Frankie mumbled under her breath and knew by her mother¡¯s icy tone that the discussion was officially closed. She would have to find another way to get Steve a Christmas gift. At least, she mused, Faith was sweet enough to pay for the Discreet Paternity Test. Frankie stormed off to her room.


    Frankie: Mom ticked me off again.


    Faith: uh oh, what happened?


    Frankie: She won¡¯t let me get a job until after graduation.


    Faith: You knew she would say that. She has always said your studies come first.


    Frankie: Anyway, she wouldn''t even discuss it! She is so unfair.


    Faith: That doesn''t sound like your mom to say no without at least hearing your reasons. Did you ask her when she was busy or something?


    Frankie: I didn''t really ask her¡­I kind of just told her I was getting a job.


    Faith: Ugghhh, Frankie!


    Frankie: Whose side are you on?


    Faith: Yours, always yours, Chickadee.


    Frankie: Thanks to you, the DPT is on the way, but how will I get Steve a Christmas gift if I don¡¯t get a job? And don¡¯t say you will loan me the money!


    Faith: Okay. I won¡¯t say it. But you know I will. ??


    Frankie: November isn¡¯t a prime time for a car wash. How else can we make some money?


    Faith: What about a bake sale? Pastor Chris will probably let us sell brownies or cookies at our youth group meetings.


    Frankie: That¡¯s a good idea! You are so clever!


    Faith: That I am.


    Frankie: I will ask her on Sunday.


    Frankie¡¯s mood had slightly improved when she and Faith had finished texting. At first, she was happy with the idea of selling baked goods at church. She loved baking. Frankie¡¯s second thought was that she and her mom would spend all day Saturday baking as they had in the past, especially during the holidays. Together, they would bake snickerdoodles, make red and green hard candy, and the best peanut butter fudge on the planet for several of their neighbors in the apartment complex. Remembering those marathon baking sessions sent her right back into Dumpville. She quickly squelched the idea and sighed. She wasn¡¯t asking her mom for squat.

 Chapter 15

    ¡°I¡¯m leaving,¡± was the only goodbye Frankie offered before launching herself over the balcony¡¯s wood railing from their second-floor apartment.


    ¡°Take the sta-¡± Rachel yelled as Frankie disappeared. Rachel ran to the terrace to ensure she hadn¡¯t misjudged the landing. ¡°You are going to hurt yourself doing that one of these days,¡± she yelled after her daughter. Frankie rolled her eyes and got in the front seat of Faith¡¯s bus.


    ¡°Mom hates it when I do that,¡± Frankie smirked as she fastened her seatbelt.


    ¡°So why don¡¯t  you just take the stairs like a normal person?¡± Faith inquired.


    ¡°This way is quicker.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re crazy, Chickadee.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not crazy; you¡¯re just afraid of heights.¡±


    ¡°No, I''m Not. I¡¯d be afraid of not clearing that row of bushes along the sidewalk!¡±  Faith pointed at the hedge surrounding the building.


    ¡°You just have to know what you are doing,¡± Frankie assured her friend.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stick with the stairs, thank you,¡± Faith backed out of the parking spot and headed toward town.


    ¡°I wish you weren¡¯t going to your grandparents for Thanksgiving tomorrow,¡± Frankie complained as they cruised down Main Street and turned the heat up. ¡°It is going to be so boring this weekend without you. You are going to Charlotte, and Steve is skiing in West Virginia. I will be stuck here for four days with mom!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, SweetPea,¡± Faith stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. ¡°I wish you could come with us. Are you sure your mom won¡¯t let you?¡±


    ¡°I already asked twice. She is deadset against it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand, though,¡± Faith pouted. ¡°You have always gone with me to my grandparents for Thanksgiving. What¡¯s her deal?¡±


    ¡°She wants to start making Thanksgiving traditions this year. She is acting all weird. She doesn¡¯t even like turkey.¡± Frankie slumped in the passenger¡¯s seat, ¡°We¡¯ll probably have Kentucky Fried Chicken or Taco Bell for dinner. You know, ¡°traditional¡± Thanksgiving cuisine,¡± she made air quotes when she said it, ¡°Come to think of it, I don¡¯t remember her cooking a turkey my entire life.¡±


    ¡°Should be an interesting meal,¡± Faith quipped.


    ¡°Hopefully, she doesn¡¯t try to cook it in the microwave! She isn¡¯t exactly Betty Crocker, you know.¡± They laughed at Frankie¡¯s joke. She could imagine her mom forcing a turkey inside their tiny microwave, barely large enough to reheat a cup of coffee.


    ¡°Hey, do you mind stopping by Gamer¡¯s World so I can see Hunter?¡± Faith shot Frankie her best puppy dog eyes as she asked, ¡°I won¡¯t get to see him before I leave tonight. He has to close the store.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I don¡¯t mind,¡± Frankie wasn¡¯t a video gamer like Faith and Hunter were, but she wouldn¡¯t deny her best friend a goodbye kiss from her boyfriend.


    The girls entered the video gaming store, searching for Hunter amid the towers of video screens displaying the newest games available. Players ranging in ages from middle schoolers to senior citizens stood at the monitors, transfixed on the games. Some were playing the demo games while others stood and watched. Frankie did not understand her friends'' fascination with these games; they seemed senseless. Frankie turned to say something to Faith but found her staring at a screen displaying the latest version of  Destiny. Frankie shook her head and went to find Hunter on her own.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    She heard Hunter before she saw him. His voice was animated as he described the number of kills he had in Call of Duty. Frankie rolled her eyes. Why anyone would want to ¡°play¡± war while real wars were happening worldwide was beyond her.


    ¡°Hey, Hunter,¡± she said and tapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Faith is over ther-¡± she stopped suddenly. Was Hunter talking to Mr. Winters about video games? What the crap?


    ¡°Oh hey, Frankie,¡± he smiled, I will be with you when I finish here with Michael.¡±


    ¡°Michael?¡± her eyes grew wide, ¡°Mr. Winters, you are a gamer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not that old yet, Frankie,¡± he chuckled.


    Hunter darted his eyes between the two of them. ¡°You two know each other?¡± he was clearly confused.


    ¡°He¡¯s my English teacher,¡± Frankie glared at Hunter, hoping he wouldn¡¯t make the connection and blurt out the secret. Faith had undoubtedly told him about the situation and that Mr. Winters was clueless about who she was.


    ¡°Oh, cool,¡± Hunter said and was either completely oblivious to the situation or an outstanding actor.


    ¡°Hi, Babe,¡± Faith bounced around the corner but came up short when she saw the group before her. ¡°Oh, uhm. Hi Mr. Winters,¡±


    ¡°Hi, Faith,¡± his smile was genuine. ¡°I hadn¡¯t realized how much of a small town Holly Springs is. I rarely ran into any of my students when I taught in Tulsa.¡±  Frankie felt a cold chill run down her spine at the mention of Tulsa and began twisting a strand of hair between her fingers while staring at the linoleum tiles on the floor.


    ¡°Oh, you are from Tulsa,¡± Faith raised an eyebrow, ¡°Yet you know Frankie¡¯s mom. She is from Texas, not Oklahoma¡­¡± Frankie elbowed her in the ribs.


    ¡°I¡¯d better get going,¡± Mr. Winters cleared his throat, ¡°Thanks for the Call of Duty tips, Hunter. I¡¯ll see you girls on Monday. Have a happy Thanksgiving.¡± he hurried past the trio before they could respond.


    ¡°Now that¡¯s a guilty conscious if I ever saw one!¡± Faith wiggled her eyebrows. Frankie snorted in response.


    ¡°What are you two talking about?¡± Hunter¡¯s eyebrows squished together.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Frankie said in a sharp tone. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting in Pickle. See you later, Hunter.¡± she turned and headed toward the front of the store.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± Hunter asked as she retreated. She was through the front entrance before she heard Faith¡¯s reply.


    ???


    The girls sat at their usual table near the windows that overlooked Main Street at Tasteful Beans. ¡°We are here so much. We should own stock by now,¡± Frankie joked.


    ¡°No kidding!¡± Faith sipped from her steaming chai tea latte and glanced around the newly renovated cafe. ¡°I love how they have hung fairy lights all over the windows and the plant terrariums on each table. They have brought the outdoors inside the coffee shop.¡±


    ¡°You sound like a host on one of the home improvement shows on HGTV,¡± Frankie giggled but couldn¡¯t agree more with Faith¡¯s statement. ¡°I wonder if plants grow better to the smell of coffee?¡± A few moments of silence allowed the girls to ponder the question and enjoy their drinks.


    ¡°Oh! I almost forgot,¡± Faith¡¯s sudden outburst shattered the tranquility surrounding the table, ¡°I have something for you!¡± she bounced in her seat as she dug through the messenger bag in her lap. ¡°Look what I got this morning!¡±


    Faith¡¯s sudden outburst startled Frankie, and she jumped, knocking over the remaining contents of her mug. Hot brown liquid flooded across the table, headed straight for the package Faith had placed on the table. ¡°Oh, no!¡± Frankie screamed, and launched from her seat, sending it crashing to the floor. All the commotion caused every head in the shop to turn and look in their direction. Quickly, she tore a was of napkins from the dispenser to sop up the caffeinated torrent rushing towards the opposite side of the table. The cheap napkins did little to stop the flow. ¡°These sure aren¡¯t the ¡®quicker, picker, uppers,¡¯ are they?¡± she quipped as she cleaned the mess. Faith, as usual, sat and laughed at her friend¡¯s mishap.


    ¡°This was your fault!¡± Frankie demanded. ¡°You scared me to death!¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Faith replied in a most insincere tone. Frankie righted her chair and sat back down. The table was sticky from the sugar, so she scooted to the other side of the table that wasn¡¯t icky.


    ¡°So, what did you get me?¡± Frankie leaned in closer and rubbed her hands together rapidly.


    ¡°Tada!¡± Faith said with a dramatic flair and placed a plain cardboard box, about the size of a Big Mac container, in front of Frankie.


    ¡°Okay,¡± She raised an eyebrow, ¡°What am I supposed to do with a plain box?¡±


    ¡°Frankie, I sware!¡± Her friend¡¯s lack of understanding exasperated Faith. ¡°It¡¯s the ¡®Pop Test,¡¯¡± she said in air quotes.


    Frankie¡¯s eyes grew wide as comprehension settled over her. ¡°It¡¯s here already? That was fast.¡±


    ¡°I know, right? The representative said three to four weeks, but it got here in a week!¡± she squealed and then lowered her voice to a conspiratory tone, ¡°Spend the weekend reading the directions and thinking of ways to get his ¡®sample¡¯ (again with the air quotes). When I get back on Sunday, we will formulate a plan.¡± she whispered loudly and cocked an eyebrow. ¡°Operation ¡®Whose Your Daddy¡¯ is underway and cackled like the Wicked Witch of the West.


    Frankie smiled meekly at her friend. Now that the test had arrived, she wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to know the answer. Part of her wanted to disprove her mother¡¯s story, but part of her secretly liked the idea of possibly having a father around, even if he was clueless about the situation.


    Thirty minutes later, the friends parted ways. Frankie decided to walk back to the apartment; she needed time to think. Faith drove off in one direction, and Frankie set off in the other. She was armed with the ammunition that would change her life forever, one way or another.

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    Faith: Happy Thanksgiving, Sugarplum!


    Frankie: Thanks! You too.


    Faith: How are things on the homefront?


    Frankie: Crappy. Mom just informed me that she invited people for dinner AND I have to help her cook!


    Faith: What? Who did she invite?


    Frankie: God only knows. This day is going to suck! I wish I were with you guys at your grandparents.


    Faith: Me too. It isn¡¯t the same without you. I hate to cut out so fast, but I gotta go peel potatoes. I will be home tomorrow morning.


    Frankie: I can¡¯t wait! Have fun with those potatoes! Love you!


    Faith: Love you too, Sweet Pea!


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 Continuation of Chapter 16

    Frankie returned to the dining room and began clearing the table. Her stomach clenched in knots, and she broke out in a sweat. Did anyone see her snag the hair from Mr. Winter¡¯s coat? How would she explain herself if she had been seen anyway?


    ¡°Frankie.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± startled, she dropped a plate, which crashed on the hardwood floor. ¡°Sorry, what?¡± Everyone stared at her, making her face turn red.


    Michael rose from his seat on the sofa and came over to help Frankie pick up the pieces of porcelain that now littered the floor.


    ¡°Here,¡± he said in a low tone. ¡°Let me help you.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. I¡¯ve got it,¡± Frankie stammered, grabbing pieces of the plate; luckily, the dish was empty when she dropped it. Otherwise, it would have been a major mess.


    ¡°Okay. But I don¡¯t mind helping,¡± Michael offered once more before returning to the living room.


    Rachel followed Frankie to the kitchen with the remaining pumpkin pie and eyed her daughter carefully. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t tell you Michael was coming. I didn¡¯t think he would stop by.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t tell me a lot of things,¡± Frankie sneered with a shitty tone but didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°We will talk about this later,¡± Rachel raised an eyebrow at her daughter before returning to her guests in the living room.


    ¡°Whatever.¡±


    Franie was eavesdropping with her back turned from the kitchen and overheard Michael telling Mrs. Hubert an anecdote about one of his female student''s book reports on A Tale of Two Cities. ¡°The student said she  ¡®liked them both but preferred Minneapolis because that is where the Mall of America is located.¡¯ I¡¯d say she didn¡¯t read the book!¡± Everyone chuckled, including Frankie, as she dipped her finger in the whipped cream on the pie.


    Once the adults had their coffee and dessert, Michael stood and announced it was time for him to go. Frankie sighed in relief. Each time Mrs. Hubert or Mr. Winters went to the restroom, Frankie ducked in after them to make sure her precious cargo was still in its hiding place in the tampon box. She scolded herself several times that she shouldn¡¯t have hidden it in the bathroom but in her bedroom instead. She was such a dope sometimes.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Rachel handed Michael and Mrs. Hubert their coats and offered to walk Mrs. Hubert to her apartment. Michael insisted he would see her to her door safely.


    ¡°Goodbye, Frankie. I¡¯ll see you in class Monday,¡± Mr. Winters called to her as he left the apartment, escorting Mrs. Hubert out.


    Frankie nodded in agreement, said goodbye to Mrs. Hubert, and waited for her mom to close the door behind the visitors.


    ¡°What the hell, Mom?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°You invited Mr. Winters, of all people, and didn¡¯t think to fill me in?!¡± Frankie yelled at her mother, clenching her fists. ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve!¡±


    ¡°First of all, I can invite anyone I please. I pay the rent here, NOT YOU! And I have told you not to use that kind of vulgarity in this house. I won¡¯t tell you again!¡± Rachel¡¯s anger made Frankie flinch.


    ¡°Whatever!¡± was Frankie¡¯s big comeback to her Mom¡¯s reprimand. She was so mad; she was shaking.


    ¡°You were rude to our guests!¡± Rachel continued. ¡°I have never been so embarrassed in my life! How could you do that to me?¡±


    ¡°How could I do that to you? What about you blindsiding me by inviting my teacher?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t invite your teacher. I invited your father.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that!¡± Frankie yelled at her mom.


    ¡°What is that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°None of your damn business! I hate you for ruining my life!¡± Frankie spat, tore through the living room, opened the slider, and jumped off the balcony. The cold air blasted her in the face as soon as she landed on the grass below their apartment. She couldn¡¯t stay outside for long without a jacket but would rather freeze before going back inside with her mother.


    Frankie walked through their apartment complex with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her anger had gotten the best of her, and now she was in a bad situation. She had no place to go, cell phone, money, or keys to return to the apartment. She realized running out as she did wasn¡¯t one of her more brilliant ideas. She wished Faith or Steve were back in town; at least she could go somewhere to get warm.


    The snow crunched beneath her feet and echoed through the stillness of the night. She couldn¡¯t feel her nose any longer, and her toes were numb. Slowly. She climbed the stairs to their second-floor apartment and thanked God that her mom had left the door unlocked for her. Exhausted and frozen, she silently locked the door and crept down the dark hallway to her bedroom. Rachel¡¯s door opened long enough to see Frankie was home and closed again. She curled up in bed, fully clothed, and tried to get warm again before falling asleep.

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    Frankie jumped off the balcony as the sun¡¯s rays peeked above the horizon. She wanted to be gone before her mom got up. She wasn¡¯t in the mood to hash out the events of last night but was positive her mother did. Frankie pulled her coat tighter across her chest, fending off the biting wind. Snow began falling again as she crossed Main Street toward Tastful Bean, where Faith and Hunter waited for her.


    The windows were fogged over from the warmth inside the coffee shop, and snow clung to the outside sills. Strands of Christmas lights wrapped the telephone polls in a soft glow. It was magical. Christmas was coming, and it was Frankie¡¯s favorite time of the year. She and her mom would typically decorate the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving or Black Friday, but it held a whole new meaning for Frankie that year.


    Faith squealed from a corner table when Frankie pushed through the store''s front entrance. The place was packed with weary shoppers that had, most likely, been up since three in the morning, blowing all their cash at the mall in town. Strong black coffee mingled with the scent of blueberry muffins wafted around Frankie as she approached her friends.


    Faith jumped from her seat and pulled Frankie in for a hug. ¡°I have missed you, Chickadee!¡±


    ¡°Faith, you were only gone one day.¡±


    ¡°I know, but Thanksgiving wasn¡¯t the same without you!¡± she handed Frankie a steaming hot mocha latte. ¡°I ordered for you,¡±


    ¡°Hey, Hunter.¡±


    He looked up from his phone just long enough to nod a greeting. ¡°Hiya, Frankie,¡± he said before returning to the game he was playing.


    ¡°You are going to get carpal tunnel in your thumbs from playing that game so much,¡± Faith shook her head but didn¡¯t raise any other admonishment.


    ¡°You¡¯ll never guess what I got yesterday,¡± Frankie bounced in her seat.


    ¡°Salmonella?¡±


    ¡°Nope!¡± Frankie pulled an envelope from her purse and gingerly pulled out a folded piece of tissue.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Faith tilted her head to the side and quirked an eyebrow.


    ¡°The ¡®sample,¡¯¡± Frankie said in air quotes and whispered loudly. ¡°For Operation Who¡¯s Your Daddy.¡±


    ¡°From Old Man Winters? Oh, my gosh! How did you get that?¡±


    ¡°Mom invited him for dessert yesterday, and I stole it from the collar of his jacket,¡± Frankie puffed her chest out. ¡°Sneaky, huh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll say! But I can¡¯t believe he was in your apartment!¡± her mouth gaped open momentarily.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t even tell me she invited him. But that is a conversation for another. Right now, we have a problem with the test.¡±


    ¡®Uh oh, what kind of problem?¡±


    Frankie withdrew the instruction sheet and several forms accompanying the test kit from her purse. She glanced over her shoulder to see if patrons were paying attention to them. Satisfied their conversation was private, she pointed to one of the forms. ¡°I was reading the directions for the test kit, and we have a bigger issue than just getting a hair strand¡­We can¡¯t send in the test kit without Mr. Winter¡¯s signature and a copy of his driver¡¯s license.¡±


    ¡°How in the heck are we going to get that?!¡± Faithe exclaimed loudly. Several heads turned in their direction. Even Hunter looked up from his phone.


    ¡°Shhhhh!¡± Frankie admonished her friend.


    ¡°Sorry, but how are we supposed to get his signature and ID?¡±


    ¡°I have been up all night trying to devise a plan. The best I can come up with is breaking into the school office and getting ahold of his employee file. I¡¯m not into a breaking and entering charge against me.¡±


    ¡°There has to be another way.¡±


    ¡°What if we pickpocket his wallet?¡±


    ¡°We could get a fake ID made for him,¡± Faith voiced wairely. ¡°My cousin might know someone that knows someone¡­.¡±


    ¡°I can get that stuff for you,¡± Hunter joined the conversation unexpectedly. Frankie hadn¡¯t realized he was listening.


    ¡°How are you going to get that? Mug him in a dark alley and force him to sign?¡±


    ¡°No, Miss NCIS. Wow, you have such a criminal mind, I swear,¡± Hunter teased his girlfriend.


    ¡°Then how?¡± Frankie''s eyes bounced between Faith and Hunter like watching a tennis match from center court.


    Hunter leaned forward and whispered to the center of the table. ¡°He has an account at Gaming World. His license and signature are on file. I¡¯ll make a copy tomorrow when I¡¯m at work,¡± He settled back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°Piece of cake.¡±


    ¡°Oh my gosh, you can do that?¡± Frankie''s pulse began to race. ¡°What if you get caught?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t. I am opening tomorrow morning, and I¡¯ll be the only one there until noon when Nate comes in.¡±


    ¡°You are the best!¡± Faith shrieked as she lunged toward Hunter and smothered him in kisses.


    ¡°Wow, Hunter, you don¡¯t say much, but you pack a wallop when you do!¡± Frankie giggled. Hunter shrugged a shoulder and went back to his phone.


    Frankie carefully placed the tissue with Michael Winter¡¯s hair strand back in the envelope and secured it inside her wallet. In a week or so, she would know whether Mr. Winters was her father or if her mom had been living in a fairytale.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting crowded in here. Do you want to head out?¡± Frankie pouted her bottom lip as she looked inside her empty coffee mug. ¡°Nothing is sadder than the bottom of a cup of coffee.¡±


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°My roommate went home for Thanksgiving. We can watch a movie or something.¡± This wasn¡¯t the first time Hunter had offered all of them to hang out in his dorm room, but Steve was usually with them. Frankie started to decline; remembering when Frankie had asked to hang out with Faith and Hunter in his dorm room, her excuse was always, ¡°it doesn¡¯t look good for a young lady to be coming out of a boy¡¯s apartment.¡± She was one to talk!


    ¡°Sure!¡± Frankie piped up. ¡°I don¡¯t want to spend today day at home.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s go!¡± Faith¡¯s grin widened as she jingled her keys in the air, ¡°Pickle is waiting!¡±


    ¡°You two go ahead, and I will meet you there,¡± Hunter scooted back from the table and put his coat on. ¡°I¡¯ll stop at the store and grab some munchies and drinks.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Sweetie, we¡¯ll pick up the movies,¡± Faith leaned over and kissed her boyfriend.


    ¡°No sappy Rom-Coms!¡± he instructed the pair of girls.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Hunter, I hate them too.¡± Frankie assured him, ¡°I will pick out something with lots of blood and gore.¡± Hunter nodded his head in agreement.


    ¡°Nooo,¡± Faith whined. ¡°That isn¡¯t fair!¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Babe, you are outnumbered this time, and pouting won¡¯t help.¡± Hunter tweaked her nose and winked before heading to his Jeep parked outside the coffee shop.


    The girls stopped by a RedBox near the campus and picked a few movies to binge on for the rest of the afternoon. Frankie stayed true to her word and rented two Stephen King movies, but Faith rented The Princess Bride. Frankie to rolled her eyes at Faith¡¯s selection.


    ¡°What? I will watch it at home tomorrow while Hunter is working.¡± she gave her best innocent tone.


    ¡°You are such a sap.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Faith hurried them along the slushy sidewalk toward her VW after retrieving their selections from the machine.  ¡°It¡¯s starting to snow again.¡±


    ¡°I hope Hunter gets hot chocolate!¡±


    ¡°Me too!¡± Faith licked her lips, ¡°and jalapeno poppers!¡±


    ¡°You like the strangest combinations!¡±


    ¡°What can I say? I have an eclectic pallet.¡±


    It was warm inside the dorm room, and Frankie was thankful. Standing in the snow, scrolling through the screen at the RedBox, had chilled her to the bone. Not only had it begun to snow again, but the wind whipped around them fiercely. She expected to see Dorothy and Toto whiz by at any second.


    ¡°I don¡¯t ever remember it being this cold,¡± Frankie mused as she settled in a beanbag closest to the floor heater. ¡°And snow in November? That is crazy!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ¡®Global Warming¡¯ for ya.¡±


    ¡°I know, right?¡± Both girls laughed as Hunter walked in.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± they said in unison.


    Hunter quirked an eyebrow in their direction but didn¡¯t question them further. ¡°Okay, so I got the goods! Hot Chocolate, Hawaiian Punch, popcorn, corn chips, and jalapeno poppers.¡±


    ¡°You do love me!¡± Faith wrapped her arms and legs around Hunter, grinning like an opossum. Frankie rolled her eyes and picked at the nail polish peeling off her left hand.


    ¡°What are we watching first?¡±


    ¡°Pet Cemetary,¡± Frankie offered, handing him the DVD to queue up. ¡°Why did you get Hawaiian Punch? We aren¡¯t in kindergarten anymore.¡± Hunter could be just as odd as Faith sometimes.


    ¡°I saw a drink on Tic Tok that I want to try.¡±


    ¡°An alcoholic drink?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you don¡¯t have to try it. I know you don¡¯t drink. I learned that the hard way at the Homecoming dance,¡± He chuckled and rubbed his ribs. Faith must have taught him a good lesson. ¡°Faith, are you game?¡±


    ¡°Yup. I¡¯m not driving anywhere. I told Mom I was staying at Frankie''s,¡± she perched herself in the corner of Hunter¡¯s bed with her back against the wall facing the TV. ¡°Start the movie so already!¡±


    An hour into the movie, Hunter and Faith were finished with the hot chocolate and changed to the poppers and ¡°Drop Kick¡± drink Hunter had talked about. Blue Hawaiian Punch and Jim Beam didn¡¯t sound very good to Frankie, but they seemed to enjoy it.


    ¡°Can I have another one, Babe?¡± Faith cooed at Hunter with glassy eyes.


    ¡°Faith, are you sure you need another one?¡± Frankie asked cautiously. ¡°You¡¯ve already had three.¡± She had never seen her best friend drink before, which made her uncomfortable. She felt like a third wheel at their little movie marathon. She wished Steve was with her. He wouldn¡¯t be drinking, either.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need another one. I want another one.¡± Faith giggled loudly and burped. ¡°Ooopsie!¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon. Live a little, Frankie.¡± Hunter peered at Frankie over a red solo cup and swirled the contents. ¡°Just have a little one. I will make it weak. I promise.¡± She knew she shouldn¡¯t. She twirled a strand of hair in her fingers and pursed her lips.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I probably shouldn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on, Chickadee. Have some fun! It¡¯s Black Friday!¡±


    ¡°Thanksgiving is the holiday, not Black Friday.¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Faith slurred slightly, thrusting her almost empty cup toward Frankie. ¡°Here, just have a taste. It is soooo yummy!¡±


    ¡°Okay, just a taste.¡± Faith fell off the bed as she handed her cup to Frankie and rolled on the floor laughing.


    Frankie latched on to the drink before it landed on the floor and took a sip. It tasted like cherries, but the notes of whiskey burned as it lingered on her tongue after the sweetness of the punch dissipated. She took another tentative sip, emptying the solo cup of its contents.


    ¡°This is pretty good,¡± Frankie admitted.


    ¡°Told you!¡± squealed Faith. ¡°Now, gimme my drink back!¡±


    Frankie returned the empty cup to Faith and felt a slight flush rise in her cheeks; she wondered if two sips could affect her. She wondered if she could already be drunk but decided she was paranoid and asked Hunter to make her a drink. ¡°Make it weak, okay?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± he was already pouring Jim Beam into a fresh Solo cup and topping it off with the red punch. Frankie took the drink and sniffed it.


    ¡°There isn¡¯t much in here, right?¡±


    ¡°Barely a shot,¡± He promised, crossing his heart with the index finger on his right hand.


    Frankie snuggled back into the bean bag, feeling a warmth come over her as she continued sipping the red liquid from her cup. She liked the drink and had consumed two full Solo cups of ¡°Drop Kick¡± when the movie finished. Faith had fallen asleep, and Hunter was arguing with the film, making no sense. He seemed pretty drunk.


    ¡°I think I need to go home,¡± Frankie informed Hunter and a sleeping Faith. She peeled herself off the floor and swayed as she stood. Her stomach churned, and her head felt huge. She wanted her bed.


    ¡°Faith is passed out, so I¡¯ll take you,¡± Hunter fumbled for his keys and dropped them on the floor.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. I already sent for an Uber on the App.¡± Frankie assured him. ¡°What about Faith?¡± she could tell he wasn¡¯t in any shape to drive.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of here,¡± he slurred.


    Frankie nodded and stumbled over her own feet two feet as she headed toward the door. The room started to spin; she clutched the doorknob like it was her lifeline.


    ¡°Gonna make it, Frank?¡±


    She turned to look at Hunter, but there were two of him. ¡°Yeah, I think so,¡± she shook her head, trying to clear her vision, but that only worsened matters. She heard Hunter chuckle through the fog in her brain.


    ¡°Now, you know why it¡¯s called ¡®Drop Kick.¡¯ It drop kicks you in the ass when you stand up.¡± He roared, laughing as she stumbled her way out the door.


    The cold air hit her face and felt good on her skin. She pulled her coat on, made her way to the sidewalk, and waited for her ride. She noted the sun was low in the sky and judged it to be around 4:00ish in the afternoon. It was time for dinner, and her mom would expect her soon, but the thought of food made her tummy rumble again.


    Her Uber finally arrived fifteen minutes later. She climbed in the back seat, rattled off her address, and put her head between her knees to avoid puking. Her fingers were frozen popsicles because she didn¡¯t wear gloves. The chatty blonde driver talked nonstop from the university to the apartment complex, but Frankie could only grunt responses. She wished the driver would shut up and let her die in peace. She kept thinking the drink ¡°Drop Kick¡± should be renamed ¡°Drop Dead¡± because that is how she felt.


    Climbing the stairs to their apartment was equivalent to reaching the summit of Mt. Everest. The steps were slippery from the snow, or she was dizzy from drinking; she wasn¡¯t sure which was the case. The ten stairs to the second floor were kicking her butt. Frankie stopped twice to focus her vision. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, and she couldn¡¯t understand why people thought being drunk was fun. She was not having fun.


    Stumbling through the breezeway, Frankie finally reached the door to their apartment and was thankful she would be able to collapse in her bed within moments. She leaned her head against the door. More accurately, she banged her body against the door without the strength to pick her head up and rifled through her purse for her keys. Upon hearing Frankie knocking on the front door (with her head), her mom jerked the door open without warning.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Frankie cried out as she fell into the foyer of the apartment.


    ¡°Frankie! What is wrong with you? Are you hurt? Where have you been?¡± the questions came rapidly as Rachel helped Frankie to her feet.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Let go of me.¡± Frankie slurred in her mom¡¯s face. Rachel winched at Frankie¡¯s breath and backed away from her daughter.


    ¡°Oh. My. God.¡± Rachel enunciated slowly in disbelief. ¡°You are drunk!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sick. Bad Mexican food,¡± Frankie could not lift her eyes to look at her mom, which was good because staring at her feet, she saw four instead of two.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even try it, Young Lady! I didn¡¯t come over on the turnip truck yesterday! You reek of whiskey!¡±


    ¡°Move!¡± Frankie bellowed and ran past her mom to the hall bathroom. Ten minutes later, she lay on the cold tile, praying to the porcelain princess that the room would stop spinning.


    She woke up hours later with a pounding headache, vomit on her jeans, and a blanket was thrown over her. She had no idea how long she had passed out, but the apartment was dark, and she could hear her mom on the phone in her bedroom. Slowly, she crawled across the floor and climbed into her bed.


    She knew there would be hell to pay tomorrow, but right then¡­she didn¡¯t care.

 Chapter 18

    Frankie rolled over in bed and squeezed her eyes closed. Her head was pounding, the renegade light beam that escaped the dark curtains assaulted her vision, and the churning in her stomach was fighting its way up her esophagus. She. Was. Miserable.


    ¡°Alexa, what time is it?¡± she didn¡¯t dare to open her eyes to focus on her bedside clock.


    ¡°The time is 7:02 A.M.,¡± the digitalized voice announced, reverberating in her ears the way a cymbal clangs. In her present state of recovery from yesterday¡¯s drinkfest, she had no desire or strength to get out of bed so early. She was quite content to die right where she lay.


    ¡°Rise and shine!¡± Rachel burst through the door, banging a wooden spoon against a metal pot. ¡°Time to get up, Sleepyhead!¡±


    ¡°Mom, stop!¡± Frankie smashed a pillow against her ears and covered her face. ¡°Get out of my room!¡±


    ¡°No, ma¡¯am. Get out of that bed, get dressed, and meet me in the kitchen in five minutes.¡± Rachel flipped on the overhead lamp and threw open the curtains. Light flooded the room. ¡°You have chores to do today, Missy.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t feel good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t, but that¡¯s your problem. Not mine.¡± Rachel looked at her watch, ¡®You now have four and a half minutes. Move it.¡± Rachel grabbed Frankie¡¯s cell phone from the nightstand, ¡°And you won¡¯t be needing this today,¡± she informed Frankie as she slipped the phone into her back pocket and walked out of the room. Rachel had the spoon tucked under one arm but left the saucepan where the phone had been.


    ¡°MOM!¡± Frankie yelled from her bed, ¡°Give me my phone!¡± but got no response.


    ¡°Four minutes!¡±


    Frankie slowly rolled off her bed. Her mouth felt like tree bark, and sunlight burned her eyes. ¡°Chores?¡± She wondered aloud as she wrapped a pink fuzzy robe around her body and realized she wore the same close from the day before. She headed to the kitchen in search of strong black coffee.


    Her mom stood at the sink, loading the dishwasher. She banged dishes against each other and clinked glasses together, but the repeated dropped silverware crashing to the tile floor made her come undone.


    ¡°Mom! Do you have to make so much noise?¡± Frankie said irritably.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Rachel replied in a syrupy-sweet, mocking tone, ¡°Am I disturbing your hangover, Dear?¡±


    Frankie rolled her eyes and grabbed a coffee cup from the cupboard. ¡°I told you I ate something bad yesterday,¡± That was her story, and she was sticking to it.


    ¡°The alcohol reeking from your pores tells me otherwise.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re crazy.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re grounded.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Frankie shrieked. ¡°You can¡¯t ground me! I¡¯m almost eighteen!¡±


    ¡°¡®Almost¡¯ being the operative word,¡± Rachel said with air quotes. ¡°You told me you were spending the day with Faith, and I believed you!¡±


    ¡°I was with Faith!¡±


    Rachel snapped her head back at that revelation, ¡°You and Faith were drinking, underage, and she drove you home drunk?¡± Her mom¡¯s voice began to crack with either rage or disbelief. Frankie couldn¡¯t tell which.


    ¡°Faith didn¡¯t drive. I took an Uber.¡±


    ¡°From where?¡±


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    ¡°Hunter¡¯s dorm,¡± Frankie didn¡¯t want Faith getting in trouble with her mom by the admission but realized admitting they had been at Hunter¡¯s was a mistake.


    ¡°Hunter¡¯s dorm? How many times have I told you not to go there?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you mean don¡¯t follow in your footprints in the snow? I believe you went to a guy¡¯s dorm, got drunk, and SURPRISE; here¡¯s Frankie?¡±


    ¡°Now you listen to me, Frankie. This is the last time I am going to say this: I used poor judgment going to that party and drinking. I wasn¡¯t thinking clearly when I¡­did what I did. I have apologized and asked your forgiveness for lying, and you now know the truth about your father. I can¡¯t make you forgive me, but I am your mother. Drinking, especially underage, has always been forbidden, and you know that. I thought I could trust you. But now, you,¡± Rachel brushed a strand of hair out of her face, ¡°you are acting irresponsibly, going to places you have been told not to go, drinking, and speaking to me disrespectfully. I have had enough out of you.¡± she could feel her mother¡¯s anger rising as she counted off Frankie¡¯s behavior changes since finding out about her father.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°No ¡®buts.¡¯ You will spend the remainder of this weekend without your phone, no company, and no going out. You will clean this apartment from top to bottom. And, for the next two weeks, you will come straight home from school on the bus.  No Faith, no Steve, no phone. Do I make myself clear?¡±


    Frankie stomped her foot, glaring at her mother. ¡°That isn¡¯t fair!¡±


    ¡°Life isn¡¯t fair, Kid. Now go take a shower. You stink.¡± Rachel turned her back to Frankie. ¡°This discussion is over.¡±


    ¡°I hate you!!!¡± Frankie ran to her room and slammed her door.


    By the time the sun set that evening, Frankie was exhausted. Her mother had handed her a chore list longer than St. Nick¡¯s Nice List that morning. Frankie was made to hand-scoured the kitchen and bathroom floors (no mop was allowed) after she disinfected every surface in each room. She scrubbed the kitchen cabinets until they shined, cleaned out the refrigerator, wiped down every baseboard in the apartment, polished all the furniture, folded an unending amount of laundry, swept, mopped, washed dishes by hand after each meal, and any other form of torture her mother could come up with while lounging, sipping tea, and reading Pride and Prejudice on the sofa.


    ¡°Can I have my phone back now?¡± after Frankie completed the punishment list, her arms hung by her side as she sighed a long slow breath. She couldn¡¯t lift her head to look at her mother; she didn¡¯t have the strength to perform such a task.


    ¡°No, I am keeping it for the next two weeks.¡± Rachel quipped from across the room, flipping a page in her book, ¡°Without your phone and being confined to the house will allow plenty of time to think about what you¡¯ve done. Don¡¯t you ever pull a stunt like that again. Next time, I won¡¯t be so easy on you.¡±


    Frankie was too exhausted to argue. She returned to her room, didn¡¯t bother to undress, and collapsed on her bed. Although the hangover headache was gone, every muscle in her body ached.


    ¡°Be up in time for church in the morning,¡± Rachel called from the living room. Frankie groaned before she fell into a deep, exhaustion-induced coma of sleep.


    ???


    Sitting in the pew beside her mother, Frankie fought to stay awake during the morning sermon. Her mother¡¯s bony elbow poked her ribs every time her head bobbed, and she longed for her bed or another cup of coffee. Both would have to wait until later.


    Frankie spotted Faith across the sanctuary sitting with her parents and wondered how often Faith stayed in Hunter¡¯s dorm and used her as an alibi. She made a mental note to ask her friend that very question.


    Pastor Troy wrapped up his sermon, although Frankie had no idea what it was about. She was too tired to focus on what he said. However, she perked up when the worship band began playing again, and the congregation was dismissed. She grabbed her Bible and purse and sidestepped toward the center aisle. ¡°I will pick you up after Youth Group,¡± Rachel reminded her before she could escape.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Frankie groaned and rolled her eyes, then made a beeline for the coffee bar in the lobby.


    The robust nutty aroma of coffee filled the lobby. Tasteful Bean made a signature for Discovery Church. Frankie inhaled deeply the sweet, earthy goodness that filled her cup. The coffee was one of the best things about attending that church; Faith and Steve attending Discover was just gravy.


    ¡°Hey, Chickadee,¡± Faith appeared at Frankie¡¯s side as she poured an abundance of vanilla creamer into the caffeine-rich liquid. ¡°I sent you a hundred texts yesterday and this morning, and you didn¡¯t respond. Is your phone broken?¡±


    ¡°No, it got taken away for two weeks after I stumbled in the apartment smelling like a brewery, thanks to you and Hunter.¡±


    ¡°Oh no! Hunter just said you took an Uber home while I was sleeping,¡± Faith''s voice cracked as her volume rose, ¡°You stumbled in drunk?¡±


    ¡°Shhhh!¡± Frankie grabbed Faith¡¯s arm and pulled her away from the crowd at the coffee bar. Too many ears were about, and she didn¡¯t want her drunkenness known by the entire church. The two girls huddled together in the corner to talk.


    ¡°Yeah, you could say that. I woke up on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night, sick as a dog. Mom left me there after I threw up a couple of times.¡±


    Faith¡¯s eyes widened, and her mouth slackened, ¡°I had no idea. I thought you just had one to taste it.¡±


    ¡°I guess I liked it and had more than one. I don¡¯t really remember much. Anyway, Mom had a cow. She came into my room at 7:00 AM, took my phone, and I did chores all day,¡± her posture sagged. ¡°I¡¯m grounded from everything, except church, for the next two weeks.¡±


    ¡°Oh, wow.¡± Faith repeated several times as they headed to the Youth room.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know if Steve is home yet,¡±


    ¡°I will text him for you,¡± Faith offered.


    ¡°Is that some sort of olive branch for using me to stay at your boyfriend¡¯s, and just how often am I your cover?¡± Frankie quirked an eyebrow at her friend. The thought still bothered her.


    ¡°No, this is my olive branch,¡± Faith squealed. She produced a folded paper from her purse and handed it to Frankie. Frankie took a deep, pained breath as she gazed at the copy of Michael Winters'' driver¡¯s license and his signature from his video store account. There was no turning back now.


    Pastor Chris called the group to order and opened class with prayer. Frankie twirled a strand of hair in her fingers as she thought about the test she would drop in the mailbox before school the next day. She couldn¡¯t wait to see her mom¡¯s reaction when she shoved the test results in her face and proved her theory wrong. Frankie tilted one corner and smirked. It was time to get even with her mom for the lies and deception.

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    ¡°Oh my gosh! The waiting is killing me!¡± Frankie paced back and forth on the slush-covered steps of Holly Springs.


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t been that long, Babe,¡± Steve reached toward his girlfriend to draw her in a hug, but she turned on her heel and paced in the other direction, slipping through his fingers.


    ¡°It¡¯s been ten days since I sent off the test. The website said three to four days.¡± Frankie turned abruptly with a deer in the headlights look, ¡°What if there was a problem and they contacted Mr. Winters? What if they could tell we forged the signature? Oh my God, Steve, what if -¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Frankie,¡± he drew her close, ¡°You didn¡¯t give them his contact information, so how would they contact him? Besides, I think they would contact you if there were an issue. Not him.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you''re right,¡± she relaxed into his hug. She loved the strength and calmness he exuded when he held her in his arms. The warmth factor on chilly days was a perk.


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m right,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Now, let''s get inside. The tip of your nose looks like Rudolph.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe how cold it is, and we have snow for the first time in forever.¡±


    ¡°I know. I had to scrape my windshield with my debit card this morning. I mean, really¡­who owns a snow scraper in North Carolina?¡±


    Steve held the heavy entrance door open for Frankie, and the hot, dry air assaulted her senses as she entered the building. The familiar smells of floor wax and dust filled her nostrils, making her sneeze.


    ¡°You sneeze every time you walk in the school,¡± Faith emerged from the crowd of students flowing into the building. The head cheerleader, Eden Green, was among the multitude; with her stylish bouncy brown hair, a chest to die for, and legs longer than a giraffe''s, floated by in a cloud of perfume and hairspray. As Eden made her way down the hall, Frankie half expected her to grace her subjects with a queen¡¯s wave as if she were Queen Elizabeth herself. Frankie sneaked a peak at Steve to see if he was impressed. Her heart swelled when she realized he was looking at her and oblivious to the Queen.


    ¡°So, tomorrow is the big day!¡± Faith quipped as the trio made their way to their lockers.


    ¡°For what?¡± Frankie was still sailing on the ¡®Steve cloud¡¯ several feet from the floor.


    ¡°Parol, Silly!¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah,¡± Frankie¡¯s smile widened at the remembrance of getting her phone back and being allowed out of the house with Steve and Faith again. Even though her mom was upset with Faith and did not approve of what she allowed Frankie to do. She was under strict orders never to return to Hunter¡¯s dorm room.  Frankie was in no hurry to relive that weekend again, so it was not a problem to sincerely agree to her mother¡¯s demand.


    Steve squeezed Frankie¡¯s hand as they dodged students in their path down the hall, ¡°Saturday night, you belong to me,¡± Steve winked, ¡°Faith, you¡¯ll have to wait until Sunday after youth group for your turn with Frankie. Faith smiled sweetly and then stuck her tongue out at him. Steve chuckled before kissing Frankie goodbye, ¡°This is my stop,¡± he joked before vanishing into a classroom.


    ¡°He is so amazing,¡± Frankie said dreamily as she and Faith headed toward their homeroom.


    ¡°So you¡¯ve said like a million times.¡±


    ¡°Why, Faith, are you jealous?¡± Frankie said in a mock uppity tone.


    ¡°Hardly. Let''s go before we are late again,¡± Both girls took off in a sprint.


    ???


    Frankie stepped off the big yellow school bus when it stopped at the apartment complex and headed toward the bank of mailboxes for their building. The sideway was still slushy and slick. The wind blew her silver hair away from her face, chilling her to the bone.


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    She fumbled with the mailbox key but managed to open it. It was empty. She was pretty sure it wasn''t a federal holiday with no mail delivery. She sighed, closed the box, and headed upstairs to their apartment.


    Frankie pushed the front door open and stopped short in her tracks. Her mom was standing in the living room reading a sheet of paper. Frankie noticed the ripped-open envelope in Rachel¡¯s left hand and immediately got sick. The return address was El Paso, Texas. That, and the look of horror on her mom¡¯s face, was proof enough that the paternity test results were in her mother¡¯s shaking hands.


    Frankie began, ¡°What are you doing at home?¡± She stepped toward her room and away from her mom. Rachel was frozen, but her hands trembled. Slowly, she turned toward Frankie, fire in her eyes, and took several deep breaths. Frankie had never really been afraid of her mom, but at the moment, she was terrified.


    ¡°What in the name of God is this?¡± Rachel demanded, waving the paper in front of her daughter instead of answering her question.


    Frankie couldn¡¯t speak. She wrapped her arms around her belly to control the involuntary shaking her body was experiencing.


    ¡°A Paternity Test, Frankie? What in the world is wrong with you?!¡± she flung the test result on the floor and paced. ¡°You have some nerve, young lady. Michael gave consent for this? Why wasn¡¯t I told? Oh my God, Frankie! I have never been so angry or disappointed in you in my entire life!¡± Her mom¡¯s anger rose to a level Frankie had never seen.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe he is who you say he is. The odds of my father, who was presumed dead for seventeen years, suddenly showing up in little Holly Springs is a million to one!¡± Frankie shouted in return, matching her mother¡¯s tone. ¡°For all I know, you are just trying to land a man and using the ¡®he¡¯s your daddy¡¯ as leverage to snag him in your trap!!¡± using air quotes to accentuate her sarcasm.


    Rachel¡¯s nostrils flared, Frankie was aware she was pushing safety limits in her mom¡¯s presence, but she didn¡¯t care. She had carried the hurt, anger, rage, and heartache far too long to stop now.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you have already told him I am his bastard kid, and your plan is underway, or did those test results ruin your little scam?¡± Frankie could be pretty snarky when she wanted. She longed to see the paper that contained her one desire - to know if Michael Winters was her birth father, but Rachel was standing guard with the toe of her high-heeled dress shoe, securing it to the floor.


    ¡°Frances Montgomery, don¡¯t you dare speak to me like that! I am your mother, and you will show me respect!¡±


    ¡°I hate being your daughter and wish you weren¡¯t my mother!¡± she spat.


    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t have a choice, do you?¡± Frankie heard the sadness through her mother¡¯s rage.


    ¡°I will be eighteen soon, and I am out of here!¡± Frankie''s voice was getting sore from the screaming.


    ¡°August is a long way away, Kiddo. In the meantime, you will respect me in my own home!¡±


    Rachel¡¯s cell phone rang in her pocket just then. Frankie saw the display screen when Rachel retrieved the phone that it was Mr.Winters. Frankie stared at her mom, unblinking¡ªa silent challenge to see who mattered more - her daughter or the boy toy.


    ¡°Hello,¡± Rachel answered the call with a shaky voice. The boy toy won.


    ¡°I hate you so much, Rachel!¡± she spat. ¡°Get out of my life!¡±


    Rachel pressed a fist against her lips and swallowed hard several times before retreating to her bedroom at the end of the hall. Frankie knew she had wounded her mother with what she said, but damnit, Frankie had been hurt too. ¡°Paybacks are a bitch,¡± she whispered under her breath before snatching the test results letter from the floor and shutting herself in her own room.


    Before she could make it to her bed, Frankie heard her mother¡¯s heels clip-clop on the hardwood floor toward her room. She braced herself for round two of the epic battle with her mother. To Frankie¡¯s surprise, the door didn¡¯t open. Instead, she heard her mother sniffling as she passed Frankie¡¯s room and then the front door closing.


    Frankie plopped on her bed and waited to open the letter until she thought she heard her mom¡¯s Camry pull out of the parking lot. Her hands were trembling. This was the moment she had been waiting for; this was her victory lap; this sheet of paper would dictate her future and change her life one way or another. So, why was she hesitant to unfold the letter?


    She took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and opened the letter. Scanning the letter, her heart froze when she read the line, ¡°Probability of Paternity 99.8%.¡± She dropped the letter in her lap, and the tears began to flow unchecked. She had no idea how to process the information. Was she happy? Sad? Mad? Ecstatic? A million emotions swirled through her head and heart, all competing for acknowledgment. She didn''t know how long she sat there, but her room was growing dark when she came up from her fog. She assumed hours had passed as her mind whirled and her tears fell.


    Frankie heard her a phone ringing in the distance but ignored it. She didn¡¯t want to talk to Faith or Steve, and she was damn sure her mother wasn¡¯t calling to apologize. The ringing persisted, and Frankie finally realized it was her cell phone ringing from the living room. Reluctantly, she slid off her bed and made her way to the intrusive noise. She really didn¡¯t want to talk to anyone. She didn¡¯t recognize the number that flashed across the display and started to reject the call. Something in her spirit prompted her to answer.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Frankie?¡±


    ¡°Yes? Who is this?¡± the man¡¯s voice sounded strangely familiar.


    ¡°It¡¯s Michael, Uhm, Mr. Winters.¡±


    ¡°Why are you calling me?¡± Frankie was being rude, but whatever.


    ¡°Your mother has been in an accident, and it¡¯s pretty serious.¡±


    Frankie crumpled to the floor, clutching the phone to her ear, ¡°What? How serious?¡±


    ¡°She is being life-flighted to Duke Medical Center.¡± Michael¡¯s voice was shaky in her ear.


    ¡°Frankie, are you still there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m, uhm, here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up on the way to the hospital. I will be there in ten minutes,¡± Michael assured her, then the line went dead.


    ¡°Mom...¡± Frankie called out into the darkening room, ¡°MOOOOMMMM!!¡± she screamed from the bottom of her heart.

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    Frankie jumped from Michael¡¯s car before he came to a complete stop in the Emergency Room parking lot and ran toward the hospital.


    ¡°Frankie, wait!¡±


    She ignored Michael¡¯s call and ran to the building. The large glass doors made a whoosh as they slid open upon her approach, allowing her entrance into the hospital. A blast of warm air assaulted her senses, blowing hair from her tear-streaked face. The smell of disinfectant tingled her nose and made her eyes burn.


    ¡°My Mother, Rachel Montgomery, was life-flighted here from Holly Springs a few minutes ago. She was in a car accident. Can I see her?¡± Frankie wrung her hands together and bounced on her heels.


    A plump nurse shuffled to the reception desk and pecked on a keyboard but did not acknowledge Frankie¡¯s request. Reading glasses were perched on the tip of her nose, and her hair was in a severe bun with an ink pen stuck in it. Her nametag read ¡°Glinda,¡± with no last name. She didn¡¯t look like the Good Witch of the North to Frankie.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Frankie tapped on the glass partition. ¡°Can I see my mom?¡±


    Glinda looked down her nose at Frankie and peered over her readers, ¡°She is in triage. Have a seat in the waiting room, and someone will call you once she has been evaluated.¡±


    ¡°How long will that take?¡±


    ¡°Just have a seat, Miss.¡± Glinda said in a nasal voice, ¡°Someone will be with you as soon as they can.¡±


    Frankie plopped her butt in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs in the ER waiting room, drew her knees to her chest, and lifted a silent prayer Heavenward for her mom. Tears slid down her cheeks as the remorse of the horrible treatment she had directed toward her mother these past few months settled in her heart. She had been a spoiled brat.


    ¡°What did they say at the desk?¡± Michael sat beside Frankie, ¡°Did they have any news on her condition?¡±


    ¡°No, they told me someone would be out once she was evaluated.¡±


    ¡°I am so sorry, Frankie.¡±


    ¡°How did you know what happened?¡±


    ¡°I was on the phone with her when the accident occurred¡± Michael hung his head as he spoke, ¡°She was upset and crying when¡­.¡±


    ¡°It was bad?¡± Frankie¡¯s heart was in her throat, and she found it hard to speak.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just wait and see what the doctors say. Okay?¡±


    Frankie retrieved her phone and sent texts to Steve and Faith, giving them the Cliffnotes version of what she knew and asking them to pray for her mom. It was all so surreal.


    She was in a hospital, sitting beside her dad. It was all so surreal. After hating the thought of him being her father and taking it out on her mother, she wanted his comfort and support at that moment.


    She pushed the idea aside and slumped in her chair. Pastor Chris¡¯s words and advice on forgiveness flooded her brain. ¡°Jesus flat-out states that if we forgive others, God will also forgive us. And conversely, if we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us. When we refuse to forgive others, we believe we¡¯re better, or more deserving of God¡¯s grace, mercy, and forgiveness than the other person.¡±  Frankie knew in her heart that her Youth Pastor¡¯s words were valid, which made her unforgiveness toward her mom even worse. ¡°Many refuse to forgive the injustices of the past, even when they¡¯re not directly connected to the injustice itself. Instead, many would much rather allow the stain of the past to remain and poison the present.¡± She sighed deeply and wiped the newest batch of tears from her cheek.


    ¡°Mr. Winters?¡± Frankie turned to her father, ready to confess all to him, even the part where she had forged his signature, and beg his forgiveness. She prayed she would also be able to ask her mom¡¯s forgiveness.


    ¡°Michael.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Michael,¡± she cleared her throat and pulled the test results out of her back pocket, ¡°There is something I need to tell you.¡±


    ¡°Frankie!¡±  Steve burst into the Emergency Room waiting room and ran to her side. ¡°How/s your mom? Have you heard anything?¡±


    ¡°Steve! I didn¡¯t expect you to drive all the way over here,¡± she quickly shoved the paperwork into her pocket again. Thankful he was there.


    ¡°Of course, I came. Faith is on her way too.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard a word since we¡¯ve been here,¡± she gestured toward Michael. ¡°It¡¯s been about an hour, I guess.¡±


    ¡°No news is good news, right?¡± Steve kissed her forehead and held her tightly.


    "I guess¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get a cup of coffee. Would you two like anything?¡± Michael offered.


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± they replied in unison.


    ¡°Very well. I will be right back.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s he doing here?¡± Steve questioned as they watched their English teacher¡¯s back retreat down the hall in search of the cafeteria.


    ¡°He was on the phone with Mom when the wreck happened,¡± Frankie explained. Her voice was shaky as she spoke. ¡°He brought me here.¡±


    ¡°Uhm,¡± Steve quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Why were they on the phone?¡±


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    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Mom and I got into a huge fight. She got the mail before I got home and opened the test results. She was furious!¡±


    ¡°Oh, man¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it wasn¡¯t good. She was upset with me, obviously, and left. I don¡¯t know where she was going, but apparently, she called Michael.¡±


    ¡°So, does he know about the test?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. He hasn¡¯t mentioned anything. I was about to confess all when you walked in.¡±


    She handed Steve the folded envelope that contained evidence that Michael Winters was her father. He opened it slowly and read the results. He let out a long, slow breath.


    ¡°What will you do now?¡± he asked her quietly.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to tell him the truth,¡± she shrugged and chewed on her thumbnail. Steve didn¡¯t respond one way or the other. He simply wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.


    Michael returned and gave each one a can of soda and a bag of chips from the vending machine. ¡°The cafeteria was closed,¡± he muttered and sat beside Frankie. It gave her an odd sensation, being so close to her father. Comforting but odd. ¡°Have you heard anything yet?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Frankie jumped to her feet and began pacing before her dad and Steve. ¡°What is taking so long?¡±


    ¡°It takes time to make sure they don¡¯t miss any injuries she might have,¡± Michael remarked, but Frankie could hear the worry in his voice. He stared into his cup of coffee blankly.


    ¡°Babe, I need to call my folks and let them know I am here. I will be right back, okay?¡± Steve informed Frankie, kissed her forehead, and stepped outside the Emergency Room entrance to use his cell phone. She watched him through the glass.


    Frankie sat down beside Michael, comforted by his presence. She wasn¡¯t alone in this tragedy; he seemed almost as concerned as she was. She knew she had Steve to lean on, but having her father there made all the difference in the world. Hesitantly, she edged, ¡°So, what is going on with you and my mom?¡±


    ¡°Uhm,¡± he cleared his throat and turned to look at her. ¡°Your mom and I have been dating since October.¡±


    ¡°October, and nobody bothered to tell me?¡± Strangely, she wasn¡¯t upset; it seemed the right thing to ask.


    ¡°We were going to tell you when I stopped by Thanksgiving evening, but Mrs. Hubert stayed longer than expected. The timing wasn¡¯t right, I guess.¡±


    Frankie remembered that was the night she snagged the hair sample from his coat collar and felt a little nauseous.


    ¡°I guess.¡±


    ¡°Are you upset, Frankie?¡± he asked tentatively, crossing and uncrossing his ankles. ¡°We didn¡¯t want to hide it from you, but your mom thought it was best. She said you had some¡­ things to sort out before we told you.¡± He sat up and looked her in the eye.


    ¡°I have been dealing with a pretty big issue and didn¡¯t know how to handle it, and I haven¡¯t been very kind to Mom lately,¡± a sob escaped her throat. ¡°I have been a terrible daughter, and now I might not get the chance to tell her how sorry I am.¡± tears cascaded down her cheeks uncontrollably. Michael gently put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.


    ¡°You can¡¯t think like that. Your mom is in one of the best hospitals in North Carolina and is in good hands.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± she sniffled. ¡°I just want to see her and tell her I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°You will. I have no doubt.¡± his words were reassuring. ¡°Do you want to talk about what has upset you lately? Maybe an outsider¡¯s perspective and offer some clarity.¡±


    Frankie sat up straight, pulled the DNA paternity test results from her back pocket, and handed it to Michael. ¡°Mom found this today,¡± she began meekly. ¡°This is what caused today¡¯s fight. I didn¡¯t believe her when she told me, so I did this¡­.¡±


    Michael cocked an eyebrow as he unfolded the paper. He sat in silence for several moments. ¡°So, it is true,¡± he mumbled under his breath.


    ¡°She told you that I am your daughter? She promised she wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°No, she didn¡¯t tell me, but I had my suspicions.¡± He smiles at her, his eyes glistening with tears held back by his long lashes. ¡°You have my eyes and my - ¡°


    ¡°Nose,¡± they said in unison and grinned at each other.


    ¡°The fact that your mom disappeared from Tulsa coupled with your age and our similar features¡­ I hoped but wasn¡¯t sure.¡±


    ¡°You hoped?¡± Frankie was unprepared to hear those words from him. She always figured he would run if and when he found out she was his daughter. That was why she wanted to disprove her mom¡¯s claim. That and she was afraid he would reject her.


    ¡®I more than hoped, Frankie. I have prayed about it for months.¡± his smile was so genuine it made her heart melt. ¡°God answered my prayers.¡± Frankie¡¯s dad pulled her into a tight hug that she didn¡¯t resist. She felt all of the anger she was harboring dissolve within her. She returned his hug just as tightly.


    Steve reappeared in the waiting room with Faith by his side. They both stopped in their tracks when they saw the embrace between Frankie and Michael. ¡°Uhm, hey, Chickadee,¡± Faith broke the silence. ¡°I got here as fast as I could. Pickle wouldn¡¯t start!¡±


    Frankie pulled out of her dad¡¯s hug and ran to her best friend, flinging herself into her outstretched arms, ¡°I am so glad you are here!¡± Frankie sobbed on Faith¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I need to see Mom.¡±


    ¡°You will, soon. I¡¯m sure. Let¡¯s sit down,¡± Faith indicated some chairs across the room, ¡°Tell me what you know so far.¡±


    Frankie steered Faith back to where Michael and Steve sat and joined them. She filled Faith in on the argument with her mom and the accident. Then she informed Steve and Faith of the paternity test results and that Michael knew and was happy that she was his daughter. Faith plopped back in her chair and blew out a breath. ¡°Whew, that¡¯s a lot for one night,¡± she scoffed.


    ¡°We still need to talk about how you got my information,¡± Michael began, ¡°but we can discuss that at a later time.¡± he winked at his daughter, and Frankie smiled bashfully.


    ¡°Montgomery Family,¡± a doctor dressed in green scrubs, a white surgical hat, and white booties covering his shoes scanned the waiting room looking for Frankie.


    ¡°I¡¯m Frankie Montgomery,¡± she jumped from her seat. ¡°Can I see my mom yet?¡±


    ¡°I am Dr. Anderson. I have been caring for your mother since she was brought in. We are prepping her for surgery. She has some paralysis in her legs, but that could be temporary, with a pretty severe head injury and internal bleeding. We will know more once we get her into the OR.¡±


    Frankie felt the wind being knocked out of her, and her knees buckled. Her father caught her and held her on her feet. ¡°It will be okay, Frankie,¡± he whispered in her ear.


    ¡°Can I see her?¡± Frankie asked anxiously.


    ¡°Yes, but I warn you, she is pretty banged up. I can only allow you a few minutes. She has a ventilator breathing for her and has been sedated to prep her for surgery. Follow me.¡±


    Frankie turned to look at her best friend, boyfriend, and her dad with fear in her eyes. Then she followed Dr/Anderson through the security doors leading to the ICU.


    ???


    Frankie stepped into the unknown world of the Intensive Care Unit. The unit was vastly different than the rest of the hospital. All the patients were in private rooms, just like the typical floors, but the walls were glass. Patients were in various states of distress, from what Frankie could tell. She kept her head down and counted the floor tiles as she followed Dr. Anderson to her mom¡¯s glass cubicle.


    Frankie was unprepared to see her mother lying in the hospital bed. Tubes and wires connected to Rachel¡¯s body everywhere. Machines beeped, gushes of air pumped oxygen into her mother¡¯s lungs by a line attached to her mouth, and several IV bags were dripping medicine into her veins. Unlike the strong, robust woman Frankie knew her to be, her mother appeared small and frail Frankie stood against the wall twirling a strand of hair between her fingers, afraid to approach the woman lying in bed.


    ¡°You only have a few minutes, Ms. Montgomery, before they take her to surgery. Please be brief,¡± Dr. Anderson explained and exited the room.


    She nodded and stepped toward her mother. Gently, she took her mom¡¯s hand in hers and lowered her head in prayer. ¡°God, please help my mom. Make her better,¡± tears slid down her cheek and landed on Rachel¡¯s hand. Her mother did not respond; the only sound was the steady beep of the heart monitor and swooshing of the ventilator that kept her mom¡¯s breathing steady.


    ¡°Mom, I am so sorry. I have been so mean to you and did not believe you. This whole thing is my fault, and now you are paying the price¡­for me. Mom, I am so sorry.¡± her sobs grew more violent as she confessed to her mother how wrong she had been. ¡°I told Michael what I did and how stupid I was acting. He wasn¡¯t mad. He said he had a feeling I was his daughter all along. He said he prayed about it, Mom. Can you believe that? He said God answered his prayers. He is happy that I am his daughter.¡±


    Frankie wished, more than anything, her mom could open her eyes, but she remained motionless. Frankie¡¯s heart was breaking, piece by piece, as she replayed the events and arguments of the past few months. She had been a horrible daughter. Disrespectful, Belligerent. Rebellious. She wanted to rewind the clock and do it all over again. Those were the wishes of a child.


    ¡°Mom, can you hear me?¡± she asked, waiting for a sign. None came. ¡°Please, Mom, if you can hear me, I want to say I am so sorry. I am so very sorry for how I treated you and hurt you. Please forgive me. Please.¡± Frankie choked out the words. She prayed that somehow her mom heard and understood her heart.


    Suddenly, ever so faintly, Rachel squeezed Frankie¡¯s hand. ¡°Mom!¡± Frankie gasped, ¡°Mom!¡± she cried harder. She knew in her heart that her mom had heard her. Frankie smiled through the choking sobs. ¡°I love you so much, Mom.¡±


    Beep¡¯ Beep. Beeeeeeeeepppppppppp.


    Alarm bells sounded in Frankie¡¯s ears. ¡°CODE BLUE¡± rang out through the ICU intercom system. Nurses and doctors rushed into Rachel¡¯s room and pushed Frankie into the hall. ¡°Go back to the waiting room!¡± a nurse at her.


    ¡°CLEAR!¡± was the last thing Frankie heard before running back to Michael and her friends. Her face was ghostly white, her hands trembled, and her body shook violently as she ran into her father¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Frankie, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Michael questioned in a loud, frantic voice.


    ¡°Mom flatlined,¡± Frankie managed to say before she collapsed to the floor.

 Chapter 21

    ¡°Frankie!¡± Faith screamed across the crowded waiting room and ran to her side.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got her,¡± Michael assured Faith and Steve as he caught Frankie under her arms and behind her knees. He lifted her gently and held her against his chest. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Frankie. Everything will be okay,¡± he whispered in her ear.


    ¡°What?¡± Frankie fluttered her lids open, confusion swirling in her eyes. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°You fainted, Babe. You seem to be good at that,¡± Steve failed miserably to make light of the situation. Michael shot him a warning protective glare before gently sitting Frankie in a chair and telling Faith to get his daughter some water.


    ¡°Are you okay, Frankie? What happened while you were in with your mother?¡± Michael¡¯s voice cracked a little as he questioned her.


    Frankie sat up straighter in her seat and rubbed her forehead, ¡°I was telling Mom how sorry I am for how I have been acting,¡± she fiddled with her thumb ring as she spoke, ¡°And that I told you about¡­what I did. She squeezed my hand when I asked her if she would forgive me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Faith squealed and handed her a styrofoam cup filled with water.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I thought,¡± she turned to her dad and continued. ¡°But then, the heart monitor flatlined, and doctors and nurses rushed in and told me to leave,¡± tears started to flow down her cheeks. ¡°She died! I heard them shocking her!¡± Frankie buried her face into Michael¡¯s chest and sobbed. ¡°They kept yelling at each other, and I ran back here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I promise everything will be okay. Sweetheart,¡± Michael rocked her in his arms as tears welled in his eyes.


    ¡°We are here for you, no matter what,¡± Steve rubbed her back softly. Faith wrapped her arms around the trio and cried for her best friend¡¯s broken heart.


    ¡°Ms. Montgomery?¡± a nurse called from behind a surgical mask.


    Frankie wiped her face on her sleeve and stood. The nurse motioned for Frankie to come closer. Michael kept a protective arm around Frankie¡¯s shoulder as they approached the RN, who lowered her mask and said gently, ¡°Your mom is stable. Her heartbeat is steady and strong. She is being taken into surgery. You will be notified when the doctor knows more.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you, God!¡± Frankie exhaled a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank you so much for letting me know. I was so scared.¡±


    ¡°I saw your face when you ran out of the ICU. My heart broke for you. I had to let you know we got her back,¡± her smile was angelic. Frankie knew God sent her to watch over them all.


    The nurse squeezed Frankie¡¯s hand, just as her mother had done, and said, ¡°Oh, and the baby¡¯s heartbeat is strong too,¡± winked, turned, and walked away.


    A wide-eyed Frankie slowly turned toward her dad as they said in unison, ¡°Baby?¡±

 Epilogue

    Epilogue


    One Year Later¡­


    ¡°Dear God,¡± Frankie wrote in her prayer journal, ¡°I thought my world ended one year ago today. You knew my life was beginning.¡±


    ¡°Frankie, come help me with the groceries,¡± Michael Winters shouted from the garage.


    ¡°Coming,¡± Frankie closed her journal, tucked it under her pillow, and hopped off her bed.


    ¡°Did you get the coffee I wanted?¡± she grabbed a bag from the trunk of his car.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Nope,¡± he teased. ¡°I got you some apple juice and David Michael a can of Enfamil. Hey, you can put that in your coffee!¡±


    ¡°Funny, Dad!¡± she scoffed.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m a funny guy. What can I say?¡±


    ¡°You are a regular, Eddie Murphey,¡± Rachel said from her wheelchair inside the kitchen door.


    ¡°Who?¡± Frankie wrinkled her nose.


    ¡°Geeze, she¡¯s such a youngin¡¯,¡± Michael laughed. ¡°Speaking of youngin¡¯, come here, big boy!¡±


    Little David Michael giggled as his father, their father, tickled his belly and swung him up in the air.


    "You guys should leave by six tonight," Rachel reminded her husband and daughter. "The Father/Daughter dance starts at 7:00."


    "And I will have the most beautiful date there. All the other dads will be jealous," he winked at Frankie, and she blushed.


    Frankie was blessed, and she knew it. Her family was now complete. Her family wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was perfect for her.


    The End

 Note...

    Dear Loyal Readers,


    During the past few months, I have done several edits and rewrites to this book. I also added some content and introduced new characters. I will be publishing the final draft soon!


    .


    Thank you for reading the rough draft as I got the main idea of the story written. It has been a long, arduous journey and I appreciate that you, the reader, have traveled this road with me.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Frankie is my baby, and will always hold a special place on my heart.


    Watch for the next installment of Holly Spring which I am in the process of writing. I hope you will enjoy the upcoming events on Holly Springs as much as I have.


    Look for Frankie - Holly Springs Book 1 on Amazon in the near future


    Much Love,


    T. A. Perret