“I’m sorry,” I whispered, and even Aaron’s hand on my back didn’t make it better.
“So not only do you not have money to get your apartment now, we lost the money my mother gave us. That’s what you’re sayin’, right?”
I nodded. “But I can replace it. That’s why I’m here.”
My father finally spoke. “How?”
“I still have half my savings. That will coverNonna’smoney I lost. I’m really sorry. I guess I’m not cut out to be an investor like I thought.”
“Look at me, Frankie.” I raised my gaze to meet her somber one. “It don’t mean that. But I hope you learned you can’t rush in with a head full of big dreams and throw money at it. Like anything else, it takes time and hard work. Right?”
“Yeah.”
“And what do you have to say about all this?” She tipped her chin at Aaron, and immediately I tensed.
“I’m here to support Frankie. I got nothin’ to do with it.”
“Bet you got angry at him when he told you he lost all that money.”
“Ma—”
“No, it’s okay.” Aaron stepped out from behind me to my side. “Yeah, I got angry. But I didn’t yell or scream or curse him, if that’s what you’re thinking. We talked it out.”
Challenge thrown to my mother. And from her narrowed eyes, I could see her weighing Aaron’s words. Finally she gave him a nod.
“All right. Good. It was a dumbass move on his part, but screamin’ and hollerin’ at him won’t help.”
“And I didn’t.”
“So what does it all mean now?”
“Nothing for you guys. I gotta work a little harder now to make up the money. I’m gonna ask Tyler if I can go back to work at the dance studio, teaching the kids. As a matter of fact”—I pulled out my phone—“I’m gonna text him right now and ask. I’m never going to give up dance. That’s who I am. But I really am interested in business. Maybe not investing, but something else. And I love fashion, but after being in school with everyone, I know I’m not gonna make the big leagues.”
“Take your time to figure it out. You’re young. You don’t have to decide your whole future right now. And we took a ride and saw the house. Aaron, you’re doing a great job with it. It’s more up-to-date, but you kept my mother’s touch. Thank you.”
That she addressed him by name gave me hope, and I took his hand and squeezed it.
“It’s a special house. I feel it.”
“It is. And don’t touch the garden, especially her roses. They were her pride and joy.”
“We know, Ma. Don’t worry.”
“Gimme a hug, Frankie. I’ll always love you, no matter what.”
“I just wanna make you proud.”
“You do. My father used to say, ‘Sometimes we need to fall before we can even start the climb.’ Don’t give up.”
My father lifted his cup. “Okay, I think this calls for some more coffee and cake, right?”
“With family, it’s always the right time.”
I took my cup and slipped my arm around Aaron.
Family.
