Specifically, she says
Cal’s afraid Frankie’s Hollywood lifestyle wouldn’t be good for Junie.
Which is followed by a private text to me from Cassidy.
Hollywood lifestyle? Are you ninety?
Mom’s words. Not mine.
I love you, bro. But huge mistake.
I nearly fall out of my seat. If anyone in my family was going to be on my side, it was Cassidy.
Before I can answer her. Texts from my brothers appear one after the other.
Wes
Lots of stars don’t live in Hollywood.
Ben
Dude. LA is not that far.
Hayes
Mind if I ask Frankie out?
And that’s when I silence my phone.
But there’s no way to silence the Oatmeal Mafia.
“A movie star, Cal,” Larry mutters, shaking his head with disbelief. “Don’t get many chances like that in your life.”
“Don’t get many chances in life with a nice lady like Frankie,” Gerry adds with a sigh.
“Seems like you could’ve made it work.” Barry says slowly, then starts rocking his whole body again. Larry and Gerry join in. I sigh, then realize I’m nodding, too.
“Wasn’t that hard to keep her hidden here for a couple years,” Barry adds.
I crane my neck and stare at him.
And then I feel sick. Because Barry’s right. People here respected Frankie’s privacy and kept her secrets. They protected her when she didn’t want to be discovered.
They would have done it again for us.
I could have at least tried.
Even if it meant spending some time in LA.
I push my plate away and drop my head on the counter. “I’ve made a huge mistake.”
“Yeeeep.” Larry, Barry, and Gerry say simultaneously.
I moan.
“Mistakes can be fixed, you know,” Pearlbarks.
I lift my head and meet her steely glare. “You’re right. I have to call her. I’ve gotta fix this.” I push away from the counter, ready to dart to the door.
