down there.” My heart stuttered when he called my harp by her name. He listened. He understood the bond I had with my harp.
“No…I didn’t hear anything so I figured she was in her room. You know how she is about her beauty sleep.”
“You’re right. Go check anyway,” he urged. I was grateful he managed to send her away so I could make a mad dash for my bedroom.
I popped out of the closet and Evander leaned in for a kiss. “Take your ass to your bedroom.”
“Going,” I smiled. My cheeks burned and ached as I rushed past him. Lately, all I’d been doing was smiling. Navy pointed it out after I told her I talked to Mom and Dad and told them I had a steady job and soon, I’d have a second when I started playing at events. She told me that if I kept fucking Evander like I was, then I’d fall in love and the smile would be permanent. I, of course, denied even breathing too hard in his direction and ignored everything else.
Now, I was busy massaging my cheeks and skimming my fingertips along my jawline to relax the tense muscles in my face. All because Evander smiled and kissed me.
That smile though…
“Xari’s not down there, Dad. I need to talk to her,” Frankie’s panicked and tear-soaked voice sent alarm ripping through me. I poked my head out of the bedroom and called into the hallway.
“I’m right here. What’s wrong?”
“Oh my god…” Frankie rushed down the hall with round eyes and shaky hands. When she stepped inside my room, she shut the door and locked it. “Where were you?”
“I was being nosey and checking out the other guest rooms. I didn’t even hear you come in looking for me.” I smoothed her wild curls back from her face and looked her over to make sure she wasn’t hurt. My heart raced against my tight chest worrying about her.
“I woke up bleeding,” she said, glancing down to her crotch then back up at me.
“Oh shit. Did you put on a pad like I showed you?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know if I did it right. Can you look?” She swallowed and the muscles in her neck flexed. “Please, please don’t make this weird.”
“Oh god,” I rubbed my forehead and groaned inwardly. I didn’t want to make Frankie self-conscious but looking at how another girl positioned her pad was not high on my list of fun things to do on the weekend.
Was this the type of shit that mothers had to go through?
How was I not supposed to act grossed out?
I didn’t want Frankie’s first period experience to be horrible or embarrassing because it was something she’d carry through life. So I sucked in a sharp breath and herded her to the bathroom.
She pulled down her leggings and held up her shirt so I could examine her. I smoothed a quick hand over her butt to feel for any bunching then I looked over the rest of her. Thank god everything felt and looked okay. I nodded and motioned for her to pull her pants up.
“You did good, Frank. Nothing looks out of place.” She buckled with relief. “I’m proud of you,” I said.
“Thank you. I was a little freaked out when I woke up.” She swiped at sparse tears that rolled down her cheeks. “I remembered what you told me about how to put a pad on.”
“See? And you got it first time out.” We went back into my room and sat on the bed. I spent the next hour putting off harp practice to talk to Frankie about everything she’d feel while she was on her period and what not to freak out over. We looked at things online and watched videos too.
When she was calm, we went downstairs and she began making bagels from a recipe she found on Pinterest. She’d even used the money on her debit card to get all the ingredients on her own. She ordered the groceries and had them delivered. I was impressed, to say the least.
I went to the formal dining room and lit candles around Sunshine so I could get to work. I knew I wouldn’t meet my goals for the day but I refused to consider it a waste.
I helped Frankie feel assured and comfortable on one of the most memorable days of her life. She sought me out and confided in me. I was honored once I got over being freaked out.