office building but I held Frankie’s gaze for a little while longer. When the driver opened her door, she got out in a huff and immediately buried her nose in her phone. I got out, snatched the phone from her fingers, and looked her square in the eye.
“I know I spoil you, Frankie but your attitude isn’t going to fly. I’m not your mother. I’m going to give you another chance to get your act together before you’re on lockdown.”
I hadn’t intended for my tone and words to make her brown eyes wet with tears but that’s exactly what happened. Frankie bit her bottom lip and sped into the building, leaving me with an impending headache.
“Good morning, Senator Freeman,” Tanya, the front desk clerk greeted me with a bright smile.
“Good morning, Tanya. Did you see which way my daughter went?”
“She got on the first elevator. I think she’s headed to your office, sir.”
“Thanks.” I winked and she grinned a little wider. As I strolled to the golden elevator doors, I felt my back heat up. I looked over my shoulder and saw Tanya staring at me while I walked away. An expertly tailored Brunello Cucinelli suit with double back vents was enough to make any woman stare.
When our eyes met, she dropped her gaze to the shiny marble floor and I chuckled. “Have a good day, Tanya.”
When I reached my floor, Apollo stood in the doorway of my office with a frowning Frankie. “There you are,” I sighed. “Let’s go inside so we can talk.” My office was modest and not nearly as big and glamorous as some other politicians but it was perfect for what I needed to do.
A heavy, ornately carved mahogany desk sat in the middle of the floor peppered with alternating crystal and silver picture frames all holding photos of Frankie at various stages. Those pictures carried me through so many long nights in the office when Alexis and I were going through our divorce. I moved around the desk to the high-back leather chair and had a seat after I unbuttoned my suit jacket.
“You lose something, Freeman?” Apollo said, flicking his stern gaze to Frankie.
“Yeah, got away from me,” I sighed, folding my hands on top of my desk. My assistant, Navy Lucas had already left folders stacked neatly in the middle waiting on my signature.
Frankie sat in the plush chair across from my desk and fixed her icy stare on me. “I need to speak with her privately. Thank you, Apollo.”
He grunted before walking out of the office and closing the door behind him. Once we were alone, Frankie came to life. “I don’t want a nanny.”
“I know that.”
“I don’t need one.”
“I disagree.” I leaned back in the chair and she pursed her lips together. “You need someone to pick you up from school when I’m unable to. You need someone to take you when I’m out of town. You need someone to cook for you when I have late nights, and since you can’t drive, you need someone who will bring you back and forth to my office.” I hoped my explanation helped her to understand but she was a preteen. Nothing I did or said would make her understand. “Work with me here, kiddo.” I softened my voice and leaned forward on my elbows.
Frankie’s brown eyes lost their ice once our gazes locked. She couldn’t stay mad at me for too long. She was a daddy’s girl to the core. I made sure of that when she was born. I rocked her to sleep every night, played her all the 90’s r&b classics to get her to take naps in the car, and read her books using my best voices. She was my world and I knew I was hers.
“I get the final say-so on whoever this old woman is. Deal?” She aimed a white painted nail at me and I nodded, letting a smile sweep over my face. I got her to come around at least a little. That’s all I asked for.
…
THREE
The only thing my parents let me keep was the money I had in my checking and savings accounts. It wasn’t much but it was enough to hire movers to pack my shit up and move it to a storage unit.
I didn’t have much time to get out of my beautiful apartment, so I was trying to get on top of it before they physically kicked me out. That meant they’d have to touch my harp and I’d fight