Hold on to Hope

Frankie edged forward, getting on her knees in front of him. YOU’RE NOT WEAK. YOU’RE THE STRONGEST PERSON I KNOW.

“That’s just dumb. You know I’m not.”

YOU’RE THE BRAVEST.

I’M SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF YOU. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. She watched his movements, enthralled by the motion of his hands, enthralled by the flash of his green eyes that made her feel like she was the most important thing in the world. She wanted him to feel that way, too.

She touched his arm. WE’RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

Evan huffed.

“We’re married, remember?” She figured the reminder would make him laugh.

So what if she spent too much time looking at the pictures her mama had taken of them out at the lake at their special rock. So what if she’d made a special book out of them and kept it under her bed.

Evan laughed that scraping sound. “That was fake. We were just little kids.”

“It’s not fake. We just have to do it again when we get big. You promised. Remember?”

He huffed like he thought she was ridiculous.

Her stomach hurt.

She didn’t like it when he was like this.

They were supposed to be happy together forever.

“What were those stupid boys bein’ mean to you about this time? They’re so dumb I don’t even know how they can say any words.”

He heaved a breath, all kinds of reluctance seeping from him before he finally reached over and quickly unzipped his backpack to reveal the stuffed froggy tucked inside.

Frankie knew it was stupid, that her daddy told her to be careful not to fill her head too full of fairytales, but she was sure this froggy kept Evan safe.

She peeked over at him, and it was hard to say it, but she made herself, anyway. “You don’t have to carry it everywhere. I won’t be mad.”

Evan looked angry again before he breathed a bunch of hard breaths and shook his head. NO, I WANT TO. I LIKE KNOWING IT’S THERE. I LIKE HAVING YOU WITH ME ALWAYS.

“That’s because I’m the best, best, best friend in the world, right?”

And she wanted to beg him to never, ever leave her, either. She wanted to press her hands to his chest and feel the drum of his heart that she’d promised she would hold together forever.

No matter what it took.

“I guess . . . even though you are a girl.”

Emerald eyes twinkled with the tease.

“Hey!” Frankie shouted, “that’s just rude,” and then she was hopping up, reaching out to flick him on the back of the head.

Snap attack.

“You’re it!” she hollered.

Then Frankie ran, and she knew the only thing in the world she wanted was for him to chase her.

Nineteen

Frankie Leigh

The front door creaked as I slipped inside. The sun was just rising over the horizon and steadily climbing to the sky, everything stilled and hushed except for the birds that were twittering through the trees.

I kept my footsteps light as I stepped into the house, carefully clicking the door shut behind me and twisting the lock. I tiptoed the rest of the way in, head down as I headed for my room.

“Where have you been all night, young lady?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin, hand smacking across my chest, a shocked shriek echoing through the living room. Trying to quiet my raging pulse and slow my breaths, I glared at Carly where she was sitting on the couch, legs curled under her and an arm leaned on the armrest.

“What the hell is wrong with you? You scared the shit out of me,” I whisper shouted, looking around to make sure we hadn’t disturbed Josiah.

“What the hell is wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you? Sneaking out in the middle of the night? I’ve been beside myself worried about you.”

My eyes narrowed at her. “You mean you noticed I was gone and you’re nosy AF and were dying to know where I went.”

She shrugged. “Same diff. Now sit your butt down and spill.”

“Nothing to spill. I woke up early and went for a walk.”

This time it was her eyes narrowing, calling my lie. “You should probs take a look at yourself in the mirror before you start making claims like that. You look like a scarecrow. Have you seen your hair? And I know exactly what that hair means.” She spun her finger around me in a circle like she was offering up the evidence.

Unease spiraled, and I shifted on my feet, trying not to sneak a peek at myself in the mirror hanging in the hall.

Too late.

Good lord.

I ruffled my fingers through the rat’s nest, all frizzy, matted curls sticking out two feet from my head, smashed down on one side from where I’d fallen asleep with it wet.

Rivers of mascara ran beneath my eyes.

Lips red and swollen.

Cherry on top?

My shirt was on backward.