“Incredible,” I say. “Have you decided where you’re applying to college?” I ask. “Application deadlines are usually around, what, January or February?”
“I bet they have a great equine program at Texas A&M,” Armani says. “I mean, they’re known for their animal studies degrees.”
Livvie stops chewing for a moment and shrugs a shoulder as she moves food around on her plate again. The shift in her attitude says I’ve touched a nerve.
Reading her sudden quietness as anxiety, my brother adds, “But I’m sure you can find something great here in California, if you don’t want to go out of state.”
“Um, it’s not that,” Livvie says haltingly. “College just isn’t in the cards for me right now. I’m going to focus on training horses.”
I voice my confusion. “Why’s that? With your AP classes, your GPA has to be higher than a 4.0. And you’ve got plenty of equine experience. You’d get into any school you want.”
She smiles warmly, but I see the defensiveness behind the warmth. “I’ve already qualified for a few scholarships, actually, but they barely make a dent in the tuition for the school I want. And I figure if I’m going to spend that kind of money on education, I should do it at a college I really want to attend. So I’ll have to take a gap year or two. I’m hoping to get a paid job at one of the local stables or riding academies, that way I can save up my paychecks for school.”
Well, that’s an easy fix. I glance at Armani, who nods and then changes the subject to something more light while we finish eating.
As we all push back from the table afterward, I ask Livvie to hang on for a second.
“I have to be honest,” I say. “I knew you were focused, and Frankie’s always singing your praises, but I don’t think I’ve ever met a teenager with such clear goals and self-possession.”
She nods. “Thanks.”
“So here’s the deal,” I go on. “Whatever this dream school of yours is, if you bring me your acceptance letter in the spring, the Bellanti family will cover whatever tuition your scholarships don’t.”
“Wha-what?”
Armani nods. “We’re happy to do it. Consider it a welcome to the family gift.”
I get to my feet, but almost get knocked down again by the bear hug Livvie gives me. It surprises me for a moment but then I lightly hug her back. The way these Abbott sisters are with all the hugging, I’ll have to get used to it eventually.
Just then, Livvie gives out a low squeal and leaves me to race across the room. I spy Frankie in the doorway, who opens her arms as Livvie embraces her. Livvie’s excited babble fills the room. Once Frankie catches on to what her sister is saying about equine programs and tuition fees, she looks over at me and Armani and mouths, “thank you.” But she doesn’t look thankful. She looks more upset than anything.
Livvie breaks free, saying she has homework, and gives a little wave before she leaves for the guesthouse. Armani quietly slips from the room, leaving Frankie and me by ourselves.
“I had Alain set a plate aside for you,” I tell her. “It’s in the kitchen. I’ll get it—”
“It’s fine, I can do it. I’ll catch up with you later.”
She forces a smile and heads into the kitchen, brushing past me without another word. I don’t know how or why, but something is broken between us, and I don’t know what it is.
Frustrated, I head up to my room, but I can’t seem to settle my thoughts. I go to the balcony, watching the sun set as the evening, mid-October chill creeps over me. Despite the cold, I let the dark fall all around me. I’m trying—really trying—to figure out what went wrong. What I might have said or done that would’ve upset Frankie. I feel like there’s more going on here than just Rico. And then I realize the obvious: I should just ask her. Isn’t that part of the partnership she’s been asking for? Open lines of communication and all of that?
The sudden glow of light from the bedroom startles me. I didn’t realize how dark it had gotten. I open the French door and enter the room, hearing the bathroom door shut just as I step inside. Something about the sound of that door makes me irrationally angry.
I storm to the bathroom door, wanting nothing more than to break it down. But I take a deep breath instead and remind myself to just take it easy.
I knock, gently.
“Occupied,” she says, like this is a stall in a public bathroom.
Even now, I can’t hold in a huff of laughter.
“I know something’s wrong, Frankie,” I say through the door. “I want to fix it, but I can’t even try if I don’t know what it is. Will you talk to me, please?”
The door swings open. Frankie’s eyes flash.
“Of course you want to fix it. You try to fix everything, even things that aren’t yours to fix, like Livvie’s education and my stupid marriage to Rico. But they’remyproblems to solve. I owe you too much already. You’re not going to get me out of another mess.”
I take her shoulders gently in my hands. “I will get you out of every mess, every time.”
