A moment later, we heard Frank say, “Hello.”
We both stood up. I gave Teresa a hug and told her we needed to schedule a teatime.
I opened the door and Frank turned around. “There you are,” he said, holding a box from Ferry Wharf Fish Market.
“How’s my favorite person in the world?” I murmured, hugging him.
“Hi, Frank, it’s nice to see you,” Teresa said, smiling. “You know you always make our day a little brighter.”
Frank put his hand on Teresa’s shoulder. “Just seeing you gals brightens my day.”
“Teresa, will you let the others know I’m visiting with Frank?” I said.
“Sure. Frank, can I get you something to drink?”
“Tea,” he said to Teresa, then asked her, “Can you put this in the fridge for me? I bought smoked fish.”
Teresa took the box, and I thanked her.
I closed the door behind us. Frank and I sat down on the small sofa. “I’m glad you called me. I’ve missed you. Tell me about Frank.”
“It’s been awhile since our last visit.” He raised his eyebrows. “First tell me, how’s that red-headed belle adjusting these days?”
“Erin? She’s fine, thanks for asking. And thanks to you, she’s in good hands. I took her to see Dan’s therapist and Rose informs me that Judge Abrams is the best!”
“Rose? Oh, yes, I know her well. Her husband’s an attorney, you know.”
“She told us. Frank, you would be so proud of Erin.”
“Knock, knock,” Teresa said as she reentered the room. “Michael added a few slices of lemon and poppy seed pound cake and told me to tell you hello.”
“Give my thanks and tell the lad I said hello.” Frank took his cup from Teresa and set it down on the end table.
“Thanks, Teresa.” I reached up first taking the plate, and then my cup.
Frank gave his cake a quick sniff. “I told Dan that I wanted to tell you this myself.”
I sucked in a breath, remembering how many times I had noticed Dan and Jesse both acting peculiar.
“I’ll need to go away for a few months.”
“Go away? Where? When?”
“Apparently,” Frank confessed, “the doctors think I have cancer.”
My heart stopped. I tried to be strong. Trying to hold back my tears, I couldn’t. I cried, “I’m so sorry.”
“No crying now. I’m not done with you yet. I heard we have some more houses to build.” Frank tapped me on my leg. “I went and told those crazy doctors all about you. Said I can’t wait to watch you swim in your new pool.”
“Frank, where do they want you to go?”
“I don’t want you worrying about me. I’ll be back for your next project. I promise.” Frank licked his lip and then chewed on it for a minute, as if he were thinking about what to say next. He cleared his throat and said, “I’m only going away for a spell.” He cleared his throat again. “The prostate is not as bad as the bone cancer and that’s why–”
My eyes filled up fast. My heart was heavy. “Oh, Frank.”
“Doc said I could go to a number of places. He suggested New York.” Frank took several sips of his tea. “I hate the city. I’ll be in Georgia for, oh, I’m guessing a few months. Don’t you worry, my sister will look after me.”
I got up and hugged him. “I love you with all my heart. I’ll do whatever you need me to do. How can I help you?” I sat back down. “What can I do for you?”
He scrunched his nose at me. “I want you to be strong. Stand up for what’s right. Protest against the whole world, if you have to. Women like you are rare. You have a big heart, and don’t take no for an answer. Keep baking apple pies and building your dreams. Don’t worry about what others think or say. You keep loving that man of yours.”
His voice was authoritative and yet his demeanor calm. I knew he was more worried about me than himself.
I tried to hold myself together. But I couldn’t. Behind my chair, the slow sound of the clock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Outside, I heard crunching on the gravel. Frank shifted in his chair. His hand had a slight tremor as he reached for the tissue box. “I’m going to beat this or die trying.”
“You’re not going to die. And you’re not alone. Please say I can visit you…”
“I’ll be home before you’ve had a chance to miss me. In the meantime, Gina Marie will be taking over my business.” Frank raised his eyebrows. “She baked me a sweet potato pie. Mmm, mmm it was good. I told her there’s just one thing. I get to keep you and your new house project.”
I got up and kissed him on his cheek. “You’ll always have me!”