Charlie:I’m only a text away if you need anything.
* * *
Two Days Later
Charlie: Hey, Frankie, I heard from Nan that you spent all day at the hospital yesterday. I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s secondary infection. Is there anything I can do to help?
Frankie: No. It’s a waiting game.
Charlie:I’ll talk to Jack and let him know you need a couple more days off from the skating academy.
Frankie: Thanks.
Charlie: Do you need me to bring you food? Coffee?
Frankie: No. I’m fine.
Charlie: Okay, if you change your mind, let me know.
Frankie: *Thumbs-up emoji*
* * *
The Next Day
Charlie: Good morning, Frankie.
Frankie: Hi.
Charlie: I know you still have a lot going on, but how about I swing by and take you out for lunch?
Frankie:Thanks, but no.
Charlie: Even a piece of cake from Millie’s?
Frankie: Not interested.
Frankie:I’m also sorry to tell you this over a text message, but I’ve decided to scrap any plans on taking my senior test. I appreciate you putting up with me the last few months, but I’m done with skating.
Charlie: Frankie, you don’t mean that. You’re not thinking straight. You’ve been under a lot of stress.
Frankie: You’re wrong. It’s never been clearer to me that I’ve had my priorities wrong all along.
Charlie: Can I come over so we can talk about this in person?
Frankie: I’d rather you didn’t. I won’t change my mind.
Charlie: But Frankie . . .
Frankie: No. I’m done. I just want to be left alone.
* * *
Frankie sat on the couch with her knees to her chest. The TV was on, the only source of light in the darkened room. Her phone chimed, but she’d been ignoring it since she called things off with Charlie earlier that day. She didn’t want to speak to anyone. She had no energy left. Her reserves were gone.
I’m a failure. Nothing but a failure. Dad’s sick because of me. I won’t mess up again.
Suddenly, there was a pounding sound on the door, and she heard Leslie shout, “Francesca, open this door right now! Or else!”
