All this time I had convinced myself that she I was taking revenge for my brother’s sake when the truth was, I was really taking vengeance for myself. Kenny wouldn’t have wanted this. She might have married him for his money; she may have even treated him badly, but Kenny had loved her. The fact that he had been in the process of changing his will before he died was an indication that my brother had still thought highly of Frankie.
No, I had been punishing her on my behalf. For leaving me. I still wasn’t over her, so I had convinced myself that I hated her. Maybe I did a little but not really. If she had really done something to my brother, then karma would take care of her.
I walked over to the bathroom and knocked on the door. “Frankie, could you please come out?”
“Fuck off you, psycho!”
I deserved that. “I’m sorry. I took things too far.”
“You think?”
“Look, if you come I promise not to touch you.”
She didn’t answer, and I didn’t think she would. But the door opened. “Nick, whatever you think I’ve done or of my motives, I cared very deeply for Kenny and would never hurt him.”
“Then what happened?”
“Just leave it alone. As I said, if you keep asking questions, you’re going to get answers you don’t like.” “Look, I really need to pack, so if you don’t mind…”
I wanted to press her and demand she tell me everything, but I owed her space after what I’d done.
While she was packing, I went to the basement and collected my toolbox and the door I’d removed. By the time I had fixed the door, Frankie had finished packing.
She stared at it and rolled her eyes.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets as I followed her downstairs. She was a foot away from the door when the doorbell rang.
I wasn’t expecting anyone. I didn’t order any packages. I took out my phone to look at the security camera feed to see who it was. “Fuck.”
It was my mother.
It would have been a disaster if these two were to see each other. Frankie, why don’t you go out through the garage entrance?”
“Why? Who’s at the door?”
“My mother.”
“So?”
“So, do you want her to see you here?”
“I never asked to be here. This is on you. If she gets upset because I’m here with you, then tell her why. I’m leaving out this door, and you can deal with her.”
She opened the door, luggage in hand.
“You!” my mother screamed when she came face to face with Frankie.
“Don’t worry. I’m leaving.” Frankie pushed her way outside, but apparently my mother had other plans.
“May I help you?” The blonde receptionist shot me a friendly smile as I approached the day.
“I’m here to visit Adam Robinson.”
She typed something on her keyboard and examined the screen in front of her. “Oh, yes, he should be expecting you. The visitor’s room is down the hall and the second entrance on the right.”
I nodded in appreciation. “Thank you.”
Following the directions given, I steeled myself to prepare myself for the worst but still hoped for the best. At the very least it was a positive sign that I hadn’t received a call from the facility that Adam had left in the middle of the night. That had to mean something I was sure.