Page 35 of Whiskey and Regret

Soon…

“I want to love something like that.” Stardust sparkled in her eyes and wonder coated her words.

“You’ll find something that makes you passionate, Frank. When you do, you’ll know immediately because you’ll start the slow descent into madness.”

“Madness?” She furled her groomed brows together and waited for me to elaborate.

“You didn’t think passion was sweet and easy, did you?” I cackled at the thought.

“Well, yeah. It’s a passion. It’s something you love to do all the time. Like you with the harp or Daddy with writing.”

“Is that his passion?” I quizzed, my ears burning and my mind happy to have any morsel of information about Evander.

“Definitely. If he doesn’t get time to write he gets evil.”

“That right there should let you know finding your passion isn’t as romantic as it seems. It’s like being married. Your passion will bring out the worst in you but it’ll also bring out the best.” I tried not to scare her too much but finding and unleashing your passion was no joke. I didn’t want her to be surprised when she found something that consumed her whole and spat out the bones.

I helped her with one last question on her homework then I finished dinner.

“The food is done and you’re finished with your homework. Wanna go to my house and look through the rest of my clothes?” I untied the apron and hung it up on a hook near the pantry.

“Is that even a question?” She smiled at me then started putting her papers and binder away. While she packed up, I cleaned up the kitchen a little. The smell of tart lemon with savory pepper and garlic was enough to make my stomach growl.

Normally, I would have grabbed me a small plate to go because I didn’t play about my food but I wanted to eat with Evander and Frankie. Something about their father-daughter banter and the way he lit up when he talked about her was adorable. I could stare at their interaction for hours.

“Before we go, let’s send your dad a selfie so he knows you’re safe.” I pulled Frankie close to me and we put our heads together after we stepped outside into the golden setting sun. It was perfect lighting to hit my best angle.

Head tilted slightly, chin tucked, eyes narrowed just a bit, and a small smile to top it off. Tyra Banks would be proud of that fucking smize.

“Okay, and send,” I said tapping Evander’s name on the screen.

“Why is my dad saved under DD in your phone?” Frankie asked, getting in the passenger side. I swallowed my laughter at the nickname Darling Dick and shrugged my shoulders.

“No reason. You pick the song, Frank.” Yesterday I let her sync her phone to my car stereo. She had decent music taste but nothing would pull me out of my 90’s time warp. I’d live in that era forever if I could.

Frankie was more of a HER and Ari Lennox girl and that was fine. I didn’t mind jamming to Ari while we blew down streets. The music thumping through the speakers filled the comfortable silence between us perfectly.

When we pulled into my complex, I saw Navy’s car pull into a visitor space. I said, “Oh, look. We have company.”

“I like your sister. She’s so nice,” Frankie said getting out of the car.

“She’s alright,” I laughed. “Hey, sissy. What’s up?”

“Oh, hi, Frankie. Hey, Xari. I wanted to stop by to see how you were making out with the move.” She got out of the car and hugged me.

“We were just coming to grab the last of my clothes. Sunshine is getting moved tomorrow so yeah, I’ll be a nervous wreck.”

“Sunshine?” Frankie laughed. “You really call your harp by name? I thought you were playing yesterday.”

“Oh, no. Xari never plays about Sunshine. It’s her kid.” Navy tossed an arm around Frankie and they shared a laugh.

“Sunshine is my kid. I’m not denying that. Come on, you can help me with my clothes,” I told Navy.

“I came to check on you, Xari. Not help you pack the rest of your things.”

“Well, now you can do double duty.”

While we walked inside the building, Frankie craned her neck, looking around the lobby. “I can’t believe you’re leaving this place to stay with me and Dad.”