Kutee: Glad you liked them. Bianca's education? Interesting question. We'll have to see.
Bianca sat and stared out the window watching the snow fall. She had pushed and pulled the heavy chair until it was as close to the large window as possible. A book lay forgotten in her lap. She had planned on reading, but the sight of the big flakes caught her attention instead. Her legs curled up underneath her, and she sighed dreamily. It was almost Christmas!
Everything was going to be perfect this year. They were going back to Chicago to visit Kendall and celebrate the holiday in the city. Bianca could already smell the Christmas roast and hear the tinkling of the bells on the passing cars and trolley horses. It had been so long since she had seen her sister; it was going to be wonderful to see her again. Maybe they could go to Joe's and get candy like they used to before.
A frown passed over the little girl's face. This would be her first Christmas without her father. It hurt to think he was not going to be there in the morning; a jolly smile on his face as he presented an arm load of gifts to her. She wouldn't hear his booming laugh or deep voice along with the carolers.
Brown eyes dropped from the picturesque landscape and closed. Was Christmas going to be very different this year? Who would put the star on top of the tree? Uncle Jack had done it in the house, but who would do it in Chicago? Who would take her ice skating and make sure she did not fall?
"Hi, Bianca."
Bianca sniffed and opened her eyes. Frankie stood at the entrance to the room. Her shoulders and head were dusted with snow, and her nose and cheeks were red from being out in the cold.
"Hi, Frankie." Bianca greeted back.
"Whatcha doin'?"
Bianca pushed her hair behind an ear, "Thinking about Christmas."
"Oh." Frankie shuffled her feet, "Must be excitin' to go back, huh?"
Bianca lifted her shoulders and didn't speak. Frankie narrowed her eyes at the action. She noticed the other girl's sad features and miserable eyes. She scratched at her face and looked around. Then, she walked over to the chair.
"Don' you wanna go back? I thought you liked it there." She stopped at the arm and looked at her friend.
"I do." Bianca sniffled. "I…I miss daddy."
Frankie looked down at her wet shoes, the melting snow leaving a trail behind her.
"He never missed C-Christmas. He loved it." Bianca continued, a lump forming in her throat.
Frankie scuffed her toe against the floor. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes to Bianca's face. She slowly reached out and placed her fingers on a lace covered arm, "It'll be fine. I bet he'd want ya ta have fun. You'll see your sister and get lots of presents. And…jus' cause ya can't see him don' mean he's not there. Like ghosts and stuff. He's prob'bly gettin' ready to leave heaven so he can visit you in Chicago."
Bianca's chin quivered and a tear rolled down her pale cheek. Was Frankie right? She had never lied to her before. Her daddy could be preparing to spend Christmas with her. He was likely watching her right now, and he hated it when she cried. A tiny smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Frankie was right. Just because she couldn't see him didn't mean he wasn't there.
Bianca rested her hand on the rugged and chipped fingers on her arm. She curled her fingers and palm around them and squeezed warmly, "Thank you."
Frankie felt her cheeks burning, "I didn't do nothing."
The pale hand slid down and wrapped completely around the colder dirt marred one. No matter how much Frankie scrubbed, it seemed a permanent layer of dirt had caked itself on the skin of her hands.
"You're my best friend." Bianca took comfort from their joined hands. "I cannot wait to show you Chicago."
Frankie's grin fell.
"Bianca! What are you doing?" Erica blew into the room, hands on her hips.
Frankie snatched her hand back and turned to face the woman, "Good afternoon, Mrs. Kane-Montgomery."
"Mary-Francis, should you not be outside with the animals?"
"Mother, she is keeping me company." Bianca cut in. She missed the feel of the hand in her own.
"Be that as it may," huffed Erica, "she was hired to work outside. If she is unable to do that, I see no need to provide her room and board."
"Mr. Montgomery does that." grumbled Frankie.
"Pardon?"
Frankie bit her tongue. "Right away, Mrs. Kane-Montgomery." She glanced at Bianca, "Be seein' ya."
Bianca watched her leave.
"Bianca, dear, why must you curl up like that? Put your legs down like a civilized person." Erica tutted and swept further into the room. "And why you must interact with that scoundrel I do not know."
"She's my friend." Bianca mumbled and set her feet on the floor.
"Back straight, dear. Thank goodness we will be leaving for Chicago tomorrow. I cannot wait to be back among our kind."
Bianca smoothed a hand over the cover of her book. Some of the things her mother said were so very different from what her father had said. "Mother?"
"Yes, Bianca?"
It might have been better to ask her uncle this, but he was very busy with last minute arrangements that he was barely able to talk with anyone in the household. "Can Frankie be in the same car as me?" It would be fantastic if they could sit in the same train car as each other on the trip.
Erica laughed, "Same car? That little thief will not be going anywhere near the train, let alone the same car."
"What do you mean?"
"That person will be staying here for the holidays. Of course, I do fear she will take every last piece of silver we have, but it is a risk your uncle is willing to take."
Bianca's eyes went wide, "Frankie is not coming with?"
"Of course not. She will be staying here with the other servants." Erica either did not notice or chose to ignore the absolute gloominess that overtook her daughter at those words.
Bianca slumped down the stairs. Ever since she had learned that Frankie would not be accompanying her to Chicago, she had been inconsolable. She had to spend the holiday without her father and Frankie. They were going to be in Chicago for at least three weeks. She had never been away from Frankie for that long.
Her feet scuffled along, and she went into the dining room. Her throat felt parched and a nice glass of cold milk would be lovely. She stopped, though, when she heard voices in the kitchen. She crouched against the wall and edged along toward the door. Maybe it was robbers!
A peek around the edge showed her Frankie and Opal. Frankie was sitting on the counter. Her hat was in her hands, and she was pinching and folding it recklessly. Opal stood a few inches away, sorting out the cups and saucers.
"What if she ain't fine, though? It's so far away." Frankie's eyes were riveted to her hat.
"Now don't you worry none about Ms. Bianca. She's a strong girl, and her uncle won't let anything happen to her."
"But, it's a big city. It could be dangerous. I could jump the train. I bet a bunch of luggage cars are open."
Opal flicked the dark blonde's ear, "You will do no such thing. Why, you young'ns think ya can do anything these days."
"I can too do it." Frankie took the stacked saucers from Opal and put them in the cupboard above her head.
Opal shook her head. She turned and jutted her hip against the counter. She reached out and grasped the girl's chin, pulling her around to face her. "You listen real good, Frankie. You ain't going anywhere. You are going to stay right here with me and Krystal and Tim. We're gonna make sure this place is runnin' smooth as silk while Jackson is gone. Ms. Bianca will be fine while she's gone visitin' her family, and when she gets back, you can get back into all that mischief I know you two get into. Couple of coyotes you two."
She let go and Frankie immediately looked away. The cook sighed and stepped in front of the girl. She grasped her shoulders and spoke gently, "You two'll see each other soon enough."
Frankie leaned forward and her forehead nestled against Opal's chest as the woman held her.
"Erica, darling, are you ready to leave? Tim has the carriage prepared, and we should get to the station soon." Jack called out.
Erica appeared with a flourish. "Here I am, Jack. I cannot wait for Chicago."
"I am certain Chicago cannot wait to see you." Jack chuckled. He adjusted his necktie and glanced around, "Now where is that niece of mine?" He searched the entrance foyer to no avail. Opal stepped in from the dining room, and he stepped over to her, "Opal, have you seen Bianca? It is nearly time for us to leave."
Opal pointed discreetly behind her, "She's with her shadow, Jackson."
Jack peered around her. He spotted Bianca standing on the other side of the large table, Frankie before her.
"Ah, right." He gave a knowing wink to Opal, "Best see if Tim has all the luggage packed correctly."
"You are a good man, Jackson."
"Remember that when I eat all of your famous peach pie when we come home." Jack walked away.
Opal chanced a glance back at the two children before walking away in search of Krystal. That woman had done the laundry wrong again.
Back in the dining room, Bianca was bashfully pushing her hair out of her face. Frankie alternated between crossing and uncrossing her arms, a brave face on display.
"I wish you could come." Bianca spoke first.
"Nah, it'll be much more fun without me there gettin' in the way."
"You do not get in the way. You are my friend."
Frankie bit her lip to stop it from shaking, "You better get out there. You gotta go."
Bianca stared at her with watery eyes. Then, without warning, she launched herself forward and flung her arms around Frankie in a giant hug. Frankie, surprised at the action, stiffened. Feeling the warmth of the body around hers and the nose buried in the contour of her neck, she slowly lifted her arms and awkwardly wrapped them around her friend. She fell into the embrace and burrowed into the arms.
They stood there holding each other until Jack slipped in the room and beckoned Bianca over before Erica saw them and had a fit. Bianca sought out Frankie's hand and held on as tight as possible until she was in the carriage beside her mother. Frankie stood and watched them drive away, Opal's comforting hand on her shoulder. Bianca gazed out the window long after her friend's small frame was out of sight.
Bianca hung back behind her uncle and mother. The train station was very busy. Hundreds of people were whisking through the terminal, cheerfully greeting friends and family or juggling newspapers and business ledgers in their hands on the way home from another long day at the office. Jack was engaged in conversation with one of the numerous porters. He explained their luggage situation to the man and handed him a generous tip for his services. Erica gazed at the hordes of people, her hair fanned out around her and a giant hat nearly smacking into anyone who dared get close enough.
The train ride in had been horrendously boring. Bianca was stuck with her uncle and mother in the train car. Her mother had talked nonstop the entire time. She twittered on about how wonderful it was to be going back to the city and all the fabulous parties they would be attending. Her uncle had listened as attentively as he could to the same subject for hours on end. Bianca, though, only wanted to forget that she would be missing her friend for three weeks and lose herself in the land of Oz. Her mother's voice, however, prohibited her from enjoying the trials and tribulations of Dorothy and her friends.
The shrill of a whistle and the cornucopia of voices drowned out any sound that might want to work its way into the station. Bianca moved closer to her uncle, afraid she might lose him in the jungle of humans.
"Bianca."
The girl lifted her head and looked around. Had she heard her name?
"Bianca."
There it was again. Where was it coming from?
"Bianca! Mother!"
A tall rail thin woman with an unfathomable amount of curly hair piled underneath her hat yelled at the top of her lungs. She waved her hand enthusiastically and sped over to them, dragging a harried man behind her.
"Bianca! It is so good to see you." The woman smiled happily and released the man's hand, using both her arms to pull the brunette into a hug.
"Kendall!" Bianca squealed, returning the hug with equal fervor.
"Let me look at you. You have gotten so big." Kendall held her out at arms length.
"Kendall, dear, how are you?" Erica stepped up to her two daughters.
"Fine, mother, just fine." Kendall remarked offhandedly. She grinned at her little sister, "I have missed you so much, Binks. You are going to love the Christmas tree we picked out."
Bianca listened and nodded along. It felt so good to be back with her sibling. She had missed Kendall terribly. Hearing that voice made her feel safe and loved.
"Kendall, we must get out of this filthy place. Come along." Erica tutted. She switched her focus to the man Kendall had brought with her. "Good evening, Mr. Slater."
"Good evening, Mrs. Kane-Montgomery." Zach replied in his deep voice. He stood off to the side, allowing his fiancée and Bianca their moment.
"Hi, Mr. Slater." Bianca greeted, Erica shooting her a stern look at her lack of manners.
"Hello, Bianca. Welcome back. And, please, call me Zach." The man gave her a half smile.
Kendall wrapped an arm around Bianca's shoulders and began to guide her out of the terminal, "This is going to be a great holiday. Mark my words, Binks, you will have so much fun."
Bianca giddily skipped beside her.
Bianca sat on the bed, her tiny legs swinging back and forth. Her patent leather shoes glistened in the light of the lamps and cast streaks of yellow across the floor and ceiling. She watched as Kendall sat at her vanity, perusing her selection of jewelry.
Kendall, Zach, Jack, and Erica would be attending a dance that evening. Bianca was allowed to stay home because of her age. Kendall had worked to get that done, and Bianca was grateful for the reprieve. She intensely disliked dances. They were boring. Everyone was stiff and formal in their tall hats, coattails, gowns, and corsets. She'd much rather sit alone with a few pieces of candy Kendall and Zach had bought for her and write Frankie a letter.
"Binks, you must tell me all about Pine Valley." Kendall selected a gleaming gold necklace and clipped it around her neck.
"It is fine." Bianca straightened out a wrinkle in her skirt, "There is a lot of snow right now. It gets really cold, too. I was afraid the horses would freeze, but there are blankets that get put over them to keep them warm. The lake froze over, and Uncle Jack said I could go skating on it when we return home."
Kendall slid a pearl ring on her finger, "That sounds wonderful."
"It is a lot quieter out there, but I have gotten used to it. I do not think mother enjoys it there as much. She would rather be in the city. She goes into town a lot."
"You like Pine Valley better than the city, though." Kendall looked at her knowingly through the mirror.
Bianca let her dark hair fall forward and obscure her face, "I do like Pine Valley."
"This has something to do with a certain Frankie you never forget to mention in your letters?"
Bianca shyly didn't respond.
Kendall raised an eyebrow and stood up. She pulled the chair so she could sit with her knees touching Bianca's. She pushed the child's hair back, "Tell me all about this Frankie. It sounded like you spend a good amount of time with her."
Bianca smiled, "She is my best friend. Mother hates her, but she is nothing like what mother claims her to be. She is nice and funny. She can read very well now, but she still gets nervous about it. There is no reason to, though. She is very good with the horses. Tim lets her do most of the work on her own. Besides you and father, she is the kindest person I ever met. She is never mean to me. She likes to play jokes, but she doesn't want to hurt me. I wish so much that she could have come with us."
Kendall clasped Bianca's face in her hands, "It sounds like she is someone I would very much like to meet one day."
"So do I. But, you mustn't listen to mother. Frankie is my friend. She helps me, and I help her. I…I have never met anyone like her."
"You do not know how happy that makes me. I was so frightened you would be lonely out there. With the way the other brats in this city treated you, I was not sure you would get close to someone else, especially someone your own age. That quietness you have holds you back."
"Kendall." Bianca self-consciously spoke.
"No, Bianca, there is nothing wrong with who you are. You are quiet. But, other people do not get to see how amazing you are because of it. But, this Frankie looks to have spotted it. You having a friend is the best thing in the world."
Bianca, overcome with emotion, sprung into her sister. Kendall hugged her back. To Bianca, having her sister's approval meant the world. She could not wait to write Frankie and let her know.
And that is how it went. Bianca stayed in Chicago for three weeks, writing almost every day to Frankie. Frankie sent her a letter or two back, the messy scrawl painstakingly written out with the utmost concentration and thought.
When it was time to leave, Bianca and Kendall shared a tearful goodbye. Kendall made her sibling promise to continue writing her and keeping her up to date on her adventures with Frankie. Bianca was excited the whole train ride back to Pennsylvania. Her enthusiasm kept awake more than one passenger in the Pullman car. She did not care, though.
Tim picked them up in the carriage, and Bianca was bouncing in her seat. Erica was visibly annoyed by her daughter's actions, but Jack only chuckled and drew Erica into conversation.
The moment the carriage pulled into the driveway and stopped, Bianca was out of the vehicle. She raced into the house. Where was Frankie? She searched high and low. She ran through the sitting room and the game room. She dove under the dining room table and clattered about in the kitchen.
No luck, until she stepped out of the side door. A small figure was trudging through the snow from the stable. The worn brown cap was pulled low over her ears and what looked to be a new dark coat was pulled tight across her body.
With a breathless "Frankie" Bianca tore out of the house and into the snow. She pumped her legs as hard as she could, the knee-high snow drifts having no effect on her speed. The other girl didn't see her till she was crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
"Oh!" Frankie felt the hard packed snow break her fall as a warm body clung to her.
"Frankie!" Bianca quickly pulled back, afraid she had hurt the other girl.
Recognizing the brunette, Frankie automatically dug her hands into her coat and drew her back into the embrace. She held her for long moments, afraid she might be a figment of her imagination.
After hour-like minutes had passed, Frankie let go and gently pushed her off. "Hi, Bianca." She rubbed her ear.
"Hi, Frankie." Bianca beamed at her.
Frankie jumped to her feet and swiped the snow from her trousers. She held out a hand to Bianca and lifted her to her feet, "What's the big idea? You shouldn't be out in the snow like that. Could get sick or somethin'."
Bianca giggled and locked their hands together, "I missed you, too."
Frankie shook her head and ducked her eyes, "You need ta get inside 'fore Opal yells about me gettin' ya into trouble."
Bianca let herself be led back through the snow. She poked at the dark coat, "I do not remember seeing this before."
"Opal and Tim got if for me." Frankie admired it. "Do ya like it? Opal got me a brand new waistcoat and trousers, too. They're grey."
"She did?"
"Yeah, I don' know why. She's real nice."
They arrived at the side door. Bianca stepped inside and Frankie hung back.
"Frankie, come on. There is so much I want to show you and tell you."
Frankie tilted her head, "I need ta help Tim."
Bianca frowned and Frankie nodded, "I will meet you after. Say in the sitting room before supper?"
Bianca reluctantly released her hands and agreed. As Frankie marched around to where the carriage was parked, Bianca watched. She grinned and waved when Frankie glanced back.
This continued on. As the years passed, Frankie and Bianca only grew closer. They got as close as two friends could get. Every Christmas Erica had her packed up and spending the holiday in Chicago. Frankie and Bianca would miss each other and write. Bianca would visit with her sister and her new husband and talk about her life in Pine Valley and her friend.
Life was good. Bianca spent as much time as possible with Frankie. They planned the adventures they would have when they were older. They would read books or explore the countryside. After the first year, Bianca gave up on perfecting Frankie's penmanship. That was the way Frankie wrote, and it was fine with her. Erica still threw a tantrum every now and then about her daughter mingling with a vagabond, but Jack ran interference like a pro.
Bianca could not ask for anything more. She had all that she could want.
Then, it happened.