“I said I’d think about it.”
“What’s there to think about? Isn’t this something you’ve always wanted? Tell the bloke yes and crack on with it.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Why? What’s holding you back?” Gemma brought the screen in closer to her face. “Are you worried about your dad?”
Frankie listened carefully and didn’t hear any signs of her dad stirring. “Yeah. There are some things that have been going on that I haven’t told anyone about.”
Except Charlie,she thought to herself. It was time to come clean with her friend.
“Do you remember the two weeks that I ‘disappeared’ from the show when we were in Spain?”
Gemma nodded. “I figured that something had happened and that when you were ready, you’d talk about it.”
“You’re an amazing friend for respecting my privacy. The thing is somethingdidhappen.” Her breath hitched. “I had to rush back to the States because Dad had suffered a bad fall and had to have surgery to repair a broken hip.”
“Frankie! Why didn’t you tell me?!”
A stray tear ran down her cheek. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. It’s my burden to bear.”
“Is that the real reason why you quit DOI? Because you’re caring for your dad?”
“I don’t have anyone else, Gem. I’m so scared that something might happen to Dad, and I won’t be around.” Her body trembled. “When he fell, it was only by happenstance that somebody found him. He was supposed to have lunch with a friend from the Navy. When Dad never showed up, his friend called me.”
The dam of tears burst as she relived one of the worst days of her life all over again. She’d repressed so many feelings and emotions over the last few months. She’d had to put up a facade that everything was fine, when it wasn’t.
“Dad had been alone for over twenty-four hours before I could get someone to do a wellness check on him. I don’t even want to think about what would’ve happened if—”
“Frankie, don’t say it. Don’t think it. Your dadwasfound. He’s on the road to recovery now. It’s okay to cry. We all need to cry sometimes.”
The tears kept flowing.
Gemma stood and paced the bathroom. “You are one of the strongest people I know. But I want you to remember that when things get tough, you aren’t alone. You have friends like me who are always going to be right by your side. All you ever have to do is say the word, and I can be on the first plane out to California. Your dad is like my second dad.”
“I know you would be.”
It took Frankie the better part of half an hour to get herself into a coherent state of mind. She was so lucky Gemma was a patient listener and instinctually knew the exact words she needed to hear.
“Take one more deep breath for me. Hold it. Hold it. Hold it. Now exhale. Feel better?” Gemma asked.
“Yeah.” Frankie dried the corners of her eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt.
“Good. Now here’s my two pence. If you don’t give this pairs skating thing a shot, you’re always going to regret that you were given a second chance and you said no to it. Everything happens for a reason. Skate with Mr. Blanks for a couple of weeks. If you’re still feeling like you made the wrong choice,thenyou can walk away.”
She nodded.
“I also think that you should have an open conversation with Mr. Blanks about your dad. Let him know what’s going on. I’m sure he’ll understand. Although, I’d wish you’d consider joining that support group for people with senior parents.”
“I should do both things, but I’m such a chicken.” Frankie’s cheeks flushed. “I value my privacy. I don’t feel like I could talk to a room full of strangers about my life.”
Gemma held the camera closer to her face. “Opening up is never easy, but if anyone can do it, you can. If you aren’t ready to go to a meeting, don’t. Just know you have that resource available to you should you need it.”
Frankie wanted to reach out and hug her. “You’re the best friend I have.”
“That’s why I’m irreplaceable.” Gemma winked.
They sat in silence for a moment.
