Page 60 of Keel

“It is.”

Frankie tapped her chin. “I wonder if I should do Pilates.”

“That would be fun. You could join me when you want. We can go to a beginner’s class so you aren’t thrown into the worst of it.”

“I totally need a beginner’s class. I feel so weak after everything that happened.”

“You look so much better,” Ansley said.

Frankie held out her arms, no longer seeing her wrist bones poke out as much. “Yeah, I’ve put on seven pounds.”

“That’s great,” Garnet said.

“Still haven’t gotten a period, though.”

Garnet’s eyes went wide. “Wait, you aren’t, you know, um, pregnant?”

She shook her head, heat rising on her cheeks. “Um, no.” A nervous giggle escaped her lips. “We’re using condoms until I can get on the pill. But the doctor I saw wants to wait since I haven’t had a period in so long. She’s worried that there might be more problems which she won’t be able to diagnose until that happens.”

“I hope there’s nothing bad going on,” Ansley said.

Garnet shook her head. “Ugh, fertility and periods and all that stuff is just hard.”

Ansley’s eyebrows shot up. “Something you’re not telling us?”

Garnet rolled her eyes. “No. I’m still not sure if I even want kids. I mean, I’m fairly certain I don’t, but I’m learning to never say never.”

Frankie shrugged. “Ain’t that the truth. I kind of want kids, but then again, I don’t. It’s a lot of pressure. I mean, what if I do something wrong?”

Ansley’s laughter filled the room. “Oh, you’ll do stuff wrong. All parents do. But I think being loving through it all is more important.”

Frankie let go a long sigh. “With my history, I just don’t know if I’d be any good at it. Being a parent is hard. Before I escaped, one of my ex’s friends had kids. They came around sometimes. I always thought it was weird to bring kids into that environment. You know, the parents partying, doing drugs and stuff.”

Ansley and Garnet both wrinkled their noses. “That is weird,” Ansley said.

“So wrong,” Garnet added.

“I didn’t like it. I’d never want to put the kids in that position.” A shiver worked through her, and she pushed away the worst of her bad thoughts. “I’m so glad I escaped. Keel is a good man.”

Ansley nodded. “He is good. I’m glad you two found each other.”

Frankie chuckled. “When we first found each other, I’m not sure he was glad to meet me. I mean, Forest did pull a gun on him twice.”

Ansley waved her hand. “He’s used to people pointing guns at him.”

“I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t been there. I’m sure Forest would have killed me.”

Garnet nodded. “It sucks when people get stupid ideas like that in their heads. I’m glad you’re okay.”

Frankie checked the time. It was nearly ten. “I should head home.”

“You can sleep here if you want,” Garnet said.

She shook her head. “No, if Keel comes home, he’ll wonder where I am. Thank you for having us over.”

“Sure. Anytime. It was great.”

“I should probably head home, too,” Ansley said.