Frankie sat on the chaise next to Willa’s. “Listen, about this whole thing with Buck…I know you want it to work out. I can tell you’re excited about the possibility of having new family. A grandfather, especially. But until we get to know him—”
“I know,” Willa said. “Things with Sharlene weren’t good, and you think it could go the same way, or worse, with Buck.”
Frankie nodded. “It might. We just have no way of knowing yet.”
Willa stared out at the water. “It would be really cool to have another grandfather.” She looked up at Frankie again. “But not at the expense of your wellbeing. If you and Aunt Harper decide he’s not someone you want in your life, then that’s it. It’s over. I’m not about to pursue a relationship with him separate from you two. You guys matter so much more.”
Frankie smiled and took Willa’s hand, feeling great affection toward her daughter for understanding. “Thank you. For your sake, I hope it works out.”
“Are you sure you mean that? You didn’t seem very enthusiastic when I first told you guys I’d found him.”
“Let’s chalk that up to being fresh off of meeting Shar. He might be a very different person.” Frankie didn’t completely believe that, but she was at least willing to see how the email exchange went.
Willa pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head and squinted against the sun. “You don’t really think he will be, though, do you?”
Frankie didn’t want to lie to her daughter. “No. I don’t. But I’m doing my best to keep an open mind. Now, I should get back upstairs. Your aunt is waiting for me so we can craft this email to him.”
Willa smiled. “You’re a good mom, you know that?”
“I try.” It was nice to hear the words, though. “Don’t forget about dinner.”
“Like I could.”
Frankie went back inside and up to Harper’s room. She stood in the doorway. “You want anything before we start this? Something to drink or whatever?”
“No, I’m good.” Harper picked up her laptop and got off the bed. “I’ll come out there and we can sit on the couch. It’ll be easier.”
“Okay.”
They settled in next to each other and Harper opened up a window in her email provider. She typed in the address Willa had given her.
“You know,” Frankie said. “He’s going to have your email address once you send this.”
She shrugged. “Shar has yours.”
“She does. And she’s been emailing me, trying to get us to talk to her again.”
Harper sighed. “Have you said anything in return?”
“Nothing. I don’t think I’m going to. What’s the point?” Frankie stared at the blank screen. “What do you want to say to him?”
Harper paused, then put her fingers to the keyboard and began to type. Frankie read as the words appeared.
Hello, Buck. My name is Harper Calhoun, but I was born Harriet Martin. There was no father listed on my birth certificate, just a mother, named Sharlene Martin. My sister, Frankie, aka Frances, is sitting here with me as I type this. We recently met with Sharlene and found out that you are our father. At least that’s what she led us to believe.
She looked over at Frankie. “What do you think so far?”
Frankie nodded. “It’s the truth. That’s always a good way to start.”
Harper started typing again.Our meeting with Sharlene…The cursor blinked on the screen. Harper sighed. “I don’t know what to tell him. I mean, the truth, obviously, but I don’t know how to phrase it.”
Frankie thought, trying to put words together. “Our meeting with Sharlene didn’t go as we anticipated, and we’ve decided not to pursue a relationship with her at this time?”
“Kind of harsh, but also really honest,” Harper said. “I think it’s good. It’ll let him know we aren’t going to be played.”
“The way I see it,” Frankie said. “The ball is in our court. It’s up to us if this goes beyond an email.”
Harper typed the line in. After it, she added some more.If you are our father and would like to talk further, please respond and tell us about yourself.
