Lily Leaves Frank

“It’s time for me to leave,” Lily said.  They were having brunch at Eggs ‘R Us early Sunday morning before the church crowd arrived.  This way they got their choice of bagels, which could run out.  Lily’s favorite was blueberry, topped with chive cream cheese.  Frank always had the cinnamon raisin, with butter only.  He said he didn’t want to ruin the taste of the cinnamon.

“Just because the house is finished doesn’t mean you have to leave,” Frank pointed out.

“It has nothing to do with the house and it has everything to do with your sister.  Do you realize how hysterical Eden would be if she knew I was living with you?”

Frank wasn’t thinking of Eden so much as his mother.  Now, she would be the hysterical one.  “That was ages ago, Lily.  You were in high school.  She’s getting married, she’s found someone, she’s happy.”

“You know so little about women.  A grudge like Eden had, it’s not going to go away.  And I don’t want to be hidden away.”

“Problem solved,” Frank said, taking another napkin to wipe off the oozing butter.  “Eden and this Steve guy are coming up to my mother’s next weekend.  I’m told I have to make an appearance.  You’ll come along.  And if she throws a tantrum, well, so much the better for this Steve fellow.  He’ll see the real Eden.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.  And who do you think the real Eden is anyway?”

“A spoiled brat.”

Lily gave that some thought.  “If she were really a spoiled brat, wouldn’t she insist on an extravagant wedding with all the trimmings.  From what you say, it’ll be a simple affair in DC.”

“I didn’t say simple.  I said not the three-day trimmings so many of these couples get up to now.  That doesn’t mean she won’t be a bridezilla.”  Frank shrugged. “I’ll admit she’s changed since right after our father died and stopped supporting her.  Now she has someone else to support her.”

“Or her him.”

“No.  He’s some sort of security expert.  Riley found out from Eden that he makes six figures and travels all over the globe.  Just what Eden needs.”

“Well, you make six figures too.   You can compare portfolios.  But meanwhile, you know I can’t be your plus one.”

“You can if you marry me,” Frank said, head down.

Lily burst out laughing.  “That is the worst proposal I’ve ever had and I’ve only had the one.  Romance, thy name is not Frank Franklin.  And, no, I’m not marrying you and bringing all my family’s baggage into your life.”

Was he relieved?  Lily couldn’t tell.  But he made no protestations that the proposal was heartfelt.  So—  She’d just leave it at there.

That week while Frank was away at work in Hartford, Lily had to come to some decision.  It was so easy for her to say she had to leave and not do anything about it.  And probably she could have continued this way forever because, well, why not.  She adored Frank and he was definitely fond of her, despite that lame suggestion that they marry.  But with Eden getting married, everything changed.

Frank might say it wouldn’t bother Eden, and maybe he was right.  But what about the times Frank drove to Scarsdale to visit his mother and never suggested she come along.  She even asked one time if his mother knew about her, and he said he never brought it up.  Well, why didn’t he?  Was he ashamed of her?  Did he think his mother would object?  She had always gotten on perfectly well with Mrs. Franklin, but that was before her father defrauded everyone he knew in Scarsdale and probably beyond.

She had five days to make a decision because next weekend Eden would be up here and what if she decided to visit Frank’s house?  Not good.

Packing would be easy.  What did she have except her clothes and her computer.  Because she didn’t have to pay rent, she was very solvent financially.  So—but—where to go?  She had always lived in this area.  Time to make a change, go some place warmer in the winter, some area where everything was convenient, maybe Raleigh or Atlanta?  Some place between here and everywhere else.

But how to say goodbye when she really didn’t want to?

Maybe he would just say good riddance when he found her gone.  Or maybe he would search for her.  If it was meant to be, it would be.