kutee: Thanks! Glad you thought so. Someone better than JR? I'm not sure if Erica thinks there is. Maybe. I can think of someone who might be better than JR for Bianca...but that person isn't necessarily a man. ;) First kiss? Wait, they're supposed to kiss? Since when?
MelovePezberry: They were so close. Missed it by that much. Babe? Not sure Erica would like that. A beard? But who? Wonder how Frankie would feel about that.
Just as sand filtered through an hourglass, time moved on. The cold wintery wind gave way to light spring breezes, and the snow melted to reveal bright green grass underneath. The birds slowly returned to the trees and woods, their cheerful chirping adding a musical note to the surrounding skies. The sun's warmth and brightness replaced the cloudy coldness.
Kendall and Zach had returned to Chicago. The sisters shared a tearful farewell at the small train station. They had hugged, promising to write nearly everyday and call at times. Kendall imparted a few wise words to the younger woman paired with a knowing look. The youngest member of the family had found herself at a point where a big sister's advise was paramount. Kendall told her to be happy and let things happen. Bianca did not understand completely what she was talking about. When she said so, Kendall just hugged her again and told her she would. Oh, and when she did figure it out, to call her.
Kendall had not received a call, yet. She did get letters, though. Like before, the majority of the print was about the little blonde shadow that Bianca spent her time with. Somehow the two teenagers discovered a way to spend even more time with each other. Everyday they could be found together, strolling around town, conversing in the store, or shyly giggling by the lake. They grew closer and closer by the minute. Many a time they would be seen sitting as near as two people could sit, heads tilted toward the other, whispering quietly with bashful grins. Where one appeared, the other was sure to follow. Shimmering smiles adorned their young faces, and their eyes glittered with indisputable affection.
Not everyone was excited by these developments. Erica grew more furious and upset by the day. Bianca had stalled her attempts at setting up the girl. Numerous times when she invited young wealthy men from the city to visit, Bianca would literally disappear into thin air. At least once the carriage was seen racing away from the home as the gentleman's vehicle made its way up the drive. When approached about the subject, Bianca outright refused to meet anyone. She did not want to give a minute of her time to any suitor. She was happy with her life. Erica desperately kept trying. She spoke frequently with the Chandlers. While she invited men from the city, her first choice had always been Junior Chandler. However, Bianca thwarted her moves by escaping to that infernal store and Frankie Stone.
When another proposed meeting between Bianca and Junior disintegrated, Erica was angry. Opal could be heard warning the rest of the staff that the mistress of the house was as mad as a hornet's nest and prepared to strike like a thousand bees. The fireball rampaged through the sitting room, hands scrunched into fists and feet stamping the ground.
"Now, now, darling. Let's not get carried away." Jack soothed. He carefully stepped toward the irate woman, but halted as she spun around.
Finger jabbing in the air, Erica growled, "Do not tell me what to do, Jack. This is the last straw. Bianca is ruining her life, and I will not have it."
"Erica, dear, Bianca is still young. She is enjoying her life."
"No, she is not. She does not know what she wants or needs right now. There are men out there who show interest, and she does this? These men will not be around forever."
"Erica…"
"And she instead chooses to be with that little ingrate Frankie Stone!" Erica continued, talking over the man.
"They are friends, Erica."
"Friends?" Erica scoffed, "Please, Jack, do not insult me."
"Dear, who Bianca decides to spend her time with is her decision." Jack held his hands up.
"That thief will ruin my daughter's life, and you just stand there and let it happen."
"Ruin her life?"
Erica flipped her hair with a flick of the wrist, "Do you not understand, Jack? Bianca is throwing away her future. I will not have it."
"She is not throwing away her future. Bianca is a smart young woman."
Erica shook her head viciously, "You know as well as I do what is happening. You know, and you know it is wrong."
"Wrong?" Jack sighed, "Bianca is not doing a thing wrong."
"She should be out on dates with suitors, not wasting away in some small country store with a criminal."
"Erica, that is not completely true."
Erica nearly tore her hair out in frustration, "Jackson Montgomery! You know exactly what I am referring to, and you know I am correct. Bianca needs to be choosing a suitor…a suitor who is a wealthy young man with a good family and future. Junior Chandler possesses all those qualities. He would be able to give her what she needs."
"Bianca can make the decision on who can give her what she wants."
"And we both know she will choose wrongly." Erica shouted. Her eyes blazed with furry and…fear. "For Bianca to have a comfortable life, she needs to marry someone who can provide her with that. A wealthy gentleman can provide her with the life she is accustomed to. I want my daughter to be in a good position, and only a well-off man can give her that."
Jack let out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew what she was alluding to. While women had many conveniences, they did not have many rights or capabilities. Heck, women could not even vote. For Bianca to have a good life, she would have to be wed to someone that could produce such a life for her.
"Jack, I love my daughter." Erica's eyes were overtaken with worry and fear. "I want the best for my child, just as any mother would. Kendall did well with her choice in husbands. I want the same for Bianca."
Jack gathered his thoughts before speaking, "Bianca is a lovely young woman. I have no doubt she will do well in life. But, I do believe she will fight you on this. I believe she knows what she wants."
"That person will ruin her life!" Erica screeched.
Jack remained calm, a pitying look on his face, "You know what is happening between them. Even if they do not fully understand, yet, anyone can see it."
Erica turned away, tears glimmering in her eyes, "It is not true."
"Erica…"
"No!" Erica yelled, "They cannot be in love. Bianca cannot be in love with her."
"And if she is?"
"Then, her life will be horrendous." Erica shook at the thought. "What can that girl give her? What? Nothing. Frankie Stone has nothing and will always have nothing. What sort of future can she provide Bianca with? I ask you, Jack."
Jack bowed his head, conceding her point, "Frankie does not have a lot of income, I know. But, they make each other happy."
"For how long? Happiness only lasts a short while; then, life occurs. Bianca will be miserable. She is not meant to wallow in a small apartment with no money, no power, no life! My daughter deserves more than that. You know it is true, just as you know she must quit spending time with Mary-Francis and focus on finding a suitable husband. The longer that girl is in her life, the worse it will be."
"Money does not seem to matter to Bianca."
"It will when she is living on the street with no food or clothing. I will not have my daughter become that."
There was a light knock on the door, and Jack peeked up from the morning newspaper he was browsing. He lifted his feet down from his desk and arranged the chair so he fully faced the door.
"Come in."
The door squeaked open and Bianca slipped in. She shut the door and faced him, long dark hair hovering around her shy face. Jack immediately stood up and walked over to her.
"Come in, Bianca. Have a seat." he ushered her to a chair. "May I have Opal get you anything? Tea, perhaps?"
"No, thank you." Bianca politely declined.
Jack nodded and returned to his chair. He pushed the newspaper to the other end of his desk next to a pile of business papers he had been perusing earlier. He waited patiently as his niece seemed to think. Her hands were folded primly in her lap, and she sat with perfect posture. However, her head was bent, and she seemed to be staring at her clasped hands.
"Is there something you wanted to speak to me about?" he finally asked as it became apparent the brunette was to remain quiet.
Bianca bit her bottom lip in nervous contemplation. After a few moments she nodded.
"You can talk to me about anything, Bianca." He encouraged. "You are my niece, and I love you."
"I know, Uncle Jack. That is why I came here. I…I wrote to Kendall, but letters take so long to mail, and she was not home when I rang her." Bianca's words stumbled along.
Jack gave her a gentle smile and leaned forward. He placed a large comforting hand over hers, "What is troubling you?"
"I am…I am not necessarily…troubled." Bianca looked up at him, "I do not understand. I just don't understand."
"Understand what, dear?"
"It…why is it so difficult?" Bianca twisted her hands, "Why does it hurt to say goodbye everyday to Frankie?"
"Oh." Jack sighed, comprehending what she was talking of.
"It is not that she hurts me or anything." Bianca wrung her hands even more, "Kendall understood somehow, and she said I would too someday. But, I just…mother is upset with me."
"No, she isn't." Jack tried to soothe.
"Yes, she is. I know she is. She is upset that I want to spend time with Frankie and not with Junior Chandler. But…Frankie is…she…"
"She what?"
"I can't explain it." Bianca's eyes pleaded for an answer, "There are all these…these feelings inside."
"What sort of feelings?"
Bianca's eyes darted back and forth as she thought, "I do not know. It is like…when I see her I feel like it is my very first Christmas morning."
Jack smiled, "That sounds like a happy feeling."
"It is."
Jack scratched at his chin. He had to make a choice. Seeing the emotion in Bianca's brown eyes, he knew with whom he would back, "If they are happy feelings, there is nothing to worry about concerning them. Have you spoken to Frankie about these feelings?"
Bianca shook her head.
"Maybe you should." he suggested.
"Mother does not want me to speak with her at all."
"Do not worry about your mother." Jack offered a comforting nod, "You do what you feel is right, no matter what it is. If you are happy, that is all I ask."
Bianca took this in. "Thank you."
"You are welcome." He stood up, "Now, I believe it is about lunchtime. Will you be staying for Opal's chicken pot pie?"
Bianca bashfully shook her head, "No, I am going to town for lunch."
"Ah," Jack's eyes twinkled with mirth, "say hello to Frankie for me, would you?"
"Yes, I will." Bianca accepted his hug.
"Good, now you better be going before Opal hears you are passing up on her cooking again."
"She will be more upset she cannot saddle me with armloads of food for Frankie." Bianca giggled as she exited the office, mind already on the store and the person within its confines.
Jack chuckled to himself and went back to his desk. Sitting down, he picked up the newspaper, flipping back to the last article he had been reading.
"Lunchtime." Opal entered the office, a tray of food in hand.
"Smells delicious, Opal."
She set the tray on his desk. Jack frowned at the odd look on her face, "What is it, Opal?"
"I overheard you and Bianca talking. Walls are as thin as air in this home." The cook nodded her head, "And I have to say, you are a good man, Jackson."
Jack accepted the compliment with a twirl of the fork, "Remember that when I eat all the cobbler you just finished making."