“That’s not an option.”
“Then, I do nothing to protect this information.”
“Boy…I always knew you didn’t really give two shits about my well-being, but out of all of the nasty things you’ve ever said or done, this has got to be the lowest.”
“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Mackenzie. I didn’t bring this into our lives. You did. So, I’ll let you figure out how you’d like to handle it.”
After my father left, the panic started to really set in. Speechless, I just sat in my kitchen for an indeterminate amount of time. I had no idea what to do. I couldn’t keep this information from Frankie, but at the same time, I felt the need to protect her from it all. I didn’t know if I believed that my father would actually go public with it. It could have been an empty threat, but there was no way to be certain.
On one hand, he was far too vain to let something like this tarnish his reputation. On the other hand, if he didn’t go public with it, he could’ve still let dangerous people know her whereabouts.
Aside from the day I found out Torrie was pregnant, I’d never felt more helpless in my life. I couldn’t even ask anyone for advice, since I didn’t want a single soul to know about this.
Paralyzed by shock, I was still sitting in the same spot in my kitchen nearly an hour later. The only difference was that the small amount of daylight that had been peeking through the window was now replaced by sheer darkness.
When my phone rang, I picked it up, not knowing how to react to her.
“Hi, Frankie.”
“Are you okay?” It amazed me that she could sense that something was off, even though I’d only said two words.
“This move back has been tougher than I thought. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. I went to visit Mrs. M. today.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. I know you can’t look out for her anymore. So, I stopped by to see if she needed anything.”
“Thank you. That was really nice of you. I appreciate it.”
“She sends you her love and a virtual rum and Coke.”
I thought my life had been difficult before. I would’ve given anything to just go back a month or two, lamenting to Mrs. M. about getting Frankie back. Anything was better than the current dilemma.
“I keep fantasizing about our time in the supply closet,” Frankie said.
I closed my eyes. I would’ve given anything to go back to that moment in time right now, too.
“I’ve been holding onto that,” I said. “And holding onto myself for that matter.” I’d tried to joke around so she wouldn’t suspect something was seriously off with me.
“Not for long. I was thinking of coming there next weekend.”
Oh, shit.
“Really?”
“Is that not gonna work?”
“Believe me, I want to see you more than anything. I just want to make sure I’m prepared. This apartment is not very homey.”
“It’ll feel like the old days. Is there a dingy basement where we could do laundry?”
“Actually, I don’t even have a washing machine in this temporary housing. I will have to go to the laundromat.”
“We can go together.”
I couldn’t tell her not to come.
“It doesn’t matter where we are. As long as I’m with you, that’s all that matters, Frankie.”
“Soon. Okay?”
After we hung up, the sickness in my stomach kicked in. I knew I couldn’t keep the information about her father from her. I’d promised myself I would tell her in person the next chance I got. Unfortunately, that day would be coming faster than I was ready for.
My flight was booked for my weekend trip to D.C., and I was going to see an apartment after work tomorrow. Things were finally moving forward.
Amazingly, Victor and I were getting along pretty well. He’d begun joining me for breakfast again in the mornings. We kept our separate ways at the end of each day overall, but it was comforting to know we weren’t going to be ending things on horrible terms. We were speaking, at least.
Wednesday evening, Vic and I crossed paths when he walked in the door from work. I was in the kitchen about to make some tea.
“You got a FedEx package,” he said.
“Really? I didn’t see it on the way in.”
“Sometimes they deliver late in the day. They must have just left it at the door.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the package from him.
Included in the envelope was a letter and a series of Xeroxed newspaper articles. The letterhead said From the Office of Senator Michael J. Morrison at the top. My heart began to palpitate.
Dear Francesca,
My reason for writing you is two-fold. As Senator Morrison gears up for re-election and the possibility of a future run for president, it’s my job as one of his top advisers to see to the well-being of his career, in addition the well-being of his family—which happens to also be my family. Given your inappropriate relationship with the father of my child, as due practice, it’s extremely important that we fully investigate any associates of Senator Morrison or any associates of the Morrison family.