Lizzie walked along the sidewalk adjacent to the sea. She marveled at the beauty of the setting sun. Off in the distance she saw a little boy. As she got closer to the docks she realized it was Frankie. He was walking along a pier gazing at the water. She watched him for a moment. The quiet world in which Frankie lived was a world of wonder. He always saw the beauty in everything. Even though he didn't say anything, she saw it in his eyes. She loved how he looked at her when he would wake in the morning. He always had a big smile on his face, and his eyes told her that he loved her unconditionally. She would miss his letters. They let her inside his world like a magical doorway. She was able to listen to his thoughts, and his desires. She could know and understand him through his words. She knew Frankie would also miss writing the letters. He was always excited to write about his own adventures. Now she would come face to face with him, face to face with the truth.
Frankie made his way to the end of the pier. He sat down on the edge and watched the sun disappear behind the horizon. The sky and the ocean blended together causing a gray void in the distance. Lizzie walked quietly, trying not to startle Frankie. She made her way to the end of the pier and sat down beside him. After a moment he made eye contact with her. That look of love and adoration was still in his eyes. Lizzie was relieved. His gaze was the same, except a hint of sadness. Lizzie knew exactly what sadness he was feeling. They both watched the horizon. They both thought of him out there on that ocean.
It was a quiet evening as they made their way back home to their flat. Finally Lizzie broke silence.
"Frankie…how did you know about your father?" Lizzie stopped on the corner of their street.
"I saw you and Marie talking that night at the dance hall." Frankie signed to his mother.
"Why didn't you tell me Frankie?" Marie persisted.
"Because, I wanted to pretend like you were. I wanted him to be my dad". Frankie signed. He had a distraught look on his face.
"So when I told you your Da was sick, what did you think?" Lizzie was stunned.
"I figured it was my real Da, but I couldn't talk to you about it….then I figured it all out, pieced it together. I knew that man wasn't my real Da when he said goodbye in my room. I pretended he was, because I wanted him to be. It felt like I was his son. Then after reading the obituary with you I knew my read Da had been sick. I didn't know how to ask you about it. I wanted to write the man, to keep in touch." After signing all of this to his mother he tried to speak, but his crying muffled his voice even more. He hugged his mother. "I-I loovveee you mum," his inaudible words soothed Lizzie.
Lizzie held her breath as she held Frankie close. Then she got on her knees in front of Frankie
."I love you Frankie. I am sorry I never told you the truth. I was trying to protect you. Your real Da was a good man….once. Then he got really sick, and hurt us. He hurt you. He took your hearing away from you Frankie. I had to get you away from him. I wanted to keep you safe. I knew about the bet and I wanted you to have a Da. I didn't want Ricky to take your stamps away. I didn't want you to be disappointed. Marie helped me find someone to play the part. I wanted to make up for the past that is why I wrote the letters. The letters also allowed me to know you better." Tears were streaming down her face. Frankie wiped her tears away with his finger.
"Thank you," he signed. "I think you are very brave. I had no idea that you were the one writing the letters, but I am glad you did. Besides a father, you were trying to give me something that I never had… a voice."
They held each other for a long time on that street corner. So many questions were answered for both of them, some new ones emerged. For now, they were content.
"It's getting cold Frankie, we better get inside and let Nana know we are safe". Frankie nodded.
Lizzie held Frankie's hand as they walked up the street to their flat. Once inside they explained everything to Nana. They sat around the kitchen table and for the first time they were all smiling and laughing together. They could finally be a family. No more fear, no more pretending, everything was out in the open. As Lizzie tucked Frankie into bed that night he motioned for her to sit down.
"Who was he?" Frankie signed.
"Who was the man?" Frankie nodded. "He was Marie's brother. His name is Sean". Lizzie smiled at the sound of calling him by his name.
"Is he coming back?" Frankie asked with pleading eyes.
"I don't know Frankie. Marie is sending him your letter." Frankie smiled as Lizzie tucked him in. "We will just wait and see what happens" she smoothed the hair out of his face.
Frankie smiled and turned over in his bead. As Lizzie got up she noticed he had taken the map down from his wall. He was ready to move on, so was she. As she shut his down she leaned her head back against the wall.
"Where do I go from here…" she thought to herself. She closed her eyes and thought about Sean. She wanted to see him again. She wanted to thank him for everything. She thought back to their last moment together. She couldn't say anything then, yet she had so much to say. She was still mystified by his kiss. It had been two months and she could remember every detail like it was yesterday.