Page 97 of Frankie and the Fed

CHAPTER39

Ayala

“I’m sorry, but I have to finish something. Give me a couple of hours.” Ethan insists on continuing to work on the laptop, even though it’s the weekend.

I decide to use the time to video call my parents. I miss them. “Hey, Mom.”

“Sweetie! How are you? All is well? Are you still seeing Dr. S—”

“Yes, yes, I’m fine. Have you seen my campaign?”

“Yes. I saw,” Mom says, and Dad’s face pops onto the screen. “We’re proud of you, sweetie.”

“How’s Ethan?” they ask. It’s code for “how’s your relationship doing.” Since the dinner at their place, they’re more interested in him than in me. How did he conquer them like that?

Same as he conquered me.

“We’re fine. He needs to get some work done, so I thought we’d talk.” We chat some more before I hang up.

I check on him again and see that Ethan is still working. But I’m bored.

Missing my parents reminds me of the fragile relationship between Ethan and his parents. I provoked a confrontation between them at the party and instead created a bigger rift between them just because they don’t like me.

His parents are important to him. He never cut contact with them, despite what happened. He always hoped that someday they would accept him back, and I ruined it.

I need to fix it.

“I’m going out for a bit,” I say, grabbing the Jeep keys and slipping out the door before he can question me.

What if they don’t let me in? I barely know them, and they don’t like me. But I know if I had called to announce myself ahead of time, they would lock the door and not agree to talk to me. Using the element of surprise, I still have a chance.

I knock on their door. And then louder when no one answers. Maybe they’re not at home? Shit. Why didn’t I think to check?

I raise my hand to knock again, and the door opens, leaving my hand in mid-air.

“Mrs. Wolf.” I nod to Ethan’s mother.

Her eyes widen as she takes a moment to speak. “Yes?”

“Can I talk to you?”

She’s blocking the door with her body as if I’ll burst in and cause a commotion. Then she moves aside and gestures with her hand for me to come inside. I got in.

Mr. Wolf is sitting on the couch, and I guess he didn’t hear it was me because he almost leaps from his seat when he sees me.

“What is she doing here?” he asks his wife.

She shrugs. “I don’t know. She asked to talk.”

“Thank you for agreeing to speak with me.” I thank her and wait for her to sit down as well. “First, I wanted to apologize.” I see the surprised looks on their faces. This is not what they expected to hear from me.

“I understand you don’t like me, and you have a reason for that. I got Ethan into a lot of trouble.” Lots. “But I love him, and as long as he wants me by his side, I have no intention of leaving.” I declare my intentions, pausing for a moment for the message to sink in.

“It was a mistake on my part to keep him away from you because I know how important parents can be. I know how important you are to Ethan. And he needs you in his life despite everything, even though I don’t think he deserves the treatment he receives from you.” Looking at their shocked faces, I remain silent for a moment.

“I wanted you to know that I intend to encourage him to renew the relationship and come here. I’ll stay at home so as not to cause conflict, and I’ll not stand between you anymore. If he decides not to be in contact with you, that will be his decision alone.”

“Do you love him?” Laura asks me.