“We’ve got some Frisco connections in New Orleans,” Armani says. “They have an old safe house on Lake Pontchartrain. I’ve been there. It’s secluded, easy to guard, and comfortable enough to use long term. The women could stay as long as needed, even Miriam’s dog. I’m sure we could arrange for a private tutor to help Livvie finish out school.”
Livvie’s eyes go wide. “You think it’ll be that long? I—I can’t be gone for all that time.”
“I’m sure it won’t be that long,” Charlie says soothingly. “This is all going to get sorted out before you know it.”
I stare hard at Dante over Livvie’s shoulder as I give her another reassuring hug. “Listen to me, Livvie. I know there’s been a lot of broken promises in your life. And I know Dad’s done a lot of really shitty things. But I promise you, we are going to find him. And he’s going to pay for the damage he’s done to our lives.”
“It’ll be taken care of,” Dante says, formally accepting the task I’ve just given him.
I’m going to hold him to it.
“In the meantime,” I tell Livvie, “we need to make sure nothing happens to you. Okay? Baby is going to need their Auntie Livvie.”
Just then, there’s a knock at the door. Armani motions for everyone to stay where they are. His left hand moves beneath his suit jacket as he strides to the door. The back of my neck tingles when I realize he’s reaching for a gun.
I watch him peek through the peephole. “Dinner Dash?” he asks over his shoulder.
“It’s safe,” Dante calls back.
Armani visibly relaxes, and opens the door to reveal a food-laden delivery person. Clayton moves to help collect bags and boxes, and soon the small apartment smells like a home-cooked meal. After tipping the delivery person, Armani shuts and locks the door.
“Well, Dante. It looks like the feast you ordered could feed this entire apartment building.”
Dante shrugs. “I just wanted to be sure there’d be a Thanksgiving for the Abbott sisters. Albeit a few days early.
I look at Dante curiously. “You ordered us Thanksgiving dinner?”
He grins. “Well, it wouldn’t be a holiday without turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy, would it?”
Armani pipes up. “Don’t forget the pie.”
“Looks like there’s pumpkinandapple.” Livvie makes an appreciative sound.
Everyone scrambles to arrange the food buffet-style on my mom’s small dining room table. Before long, the feast is laid out with paper plates and plastic forks. We gather as many chairs around the table as we can. Armani even drags over the recliner and positions it in the corner of the narrow dining room.
I can’t describe the feelings going through me, knowing that Dante arranged this for us, and that all my family is here. The circumstances that got us here might be unfortunate, but having my sisters around is always nourishing for my soul, and I need them now more than ever. And even though I’m terrified of what might happen to Livvie, I feel better knowing that our mother will be with her.
Funny, I never would’ve felt that way before.
I go into the kitchen for napkins, and Mom follows me in.
“It’s okay, Mom, I’ve got it,” I tell her.
She lightly touches my arm and I turn to face her.
“Dante is a good man, isn’t he?” she says quietly. “It seems like maybe he just needs a bit of handling.”
I huff a laugh, and then sigh. “Yeah. Just a bit.”
“For what it’s worth, Frankie, he’s nothing like your father. But he could run you over. Don’t let him.”
She lovingly squeezes my arm before going back out into the dining room. Something flips inside of me and in that moment, I feel like the weight I’ve constantly carried for all these years has lifted. There’s still some resentment there, and it’s not like everything is perfect.
But I’m surprised to realize that I’ve honestly begun to forgive my mother.
10
Frankie
