The movie ended and Bianca had fallen fast asleep. Frankie sat staring at the sleeping girl. Bianca's feet were still across Frankie's lap where she had been massaging them moments before. There was a glaze over Frankie's eyes. The silence of the sitting room was shattered by the chirp of a cell phone. Bianca sprang to life and picked up the phone after observing Frankie's state.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Bianca…" Sarah greeted. "Did I wake you again?"
"No…I am up, I was just watching a movie." Bianca replied. She turned to sit up and shot a questioning glance at Frankie. Her look said it all. Please understand I can't do this in front of you. Frankie nodded and Bianca got up from the sofa and walked to the patio out front.
"How was your day?" Bianca asked sweetly.
"Long. But I am so glad that Thanksgiving break is approaching. I am hoping to get some time to come down and spend with my favorite girl."
"That would be lovely." Bianca's voice was almost a whisper as she fought off emotion. She could see Frankie through the window, picking up their dinner mess.
"What is wrong, Bianca?" Sarah questioned. "I know that something is going on, because you have been acting…well, different a lot lately. Talk to me, Honey."
"I haven't been completely honest with you…" Oh my god, I can't do this. "I mean about my feelings."
"Bianca, sweetie, you can tell me anything. You know that." Sarah assured her.
"I know how hard you are working. You have so much on your shoulders…I am being so selfish." Bianca said.
"Bianca…stop." Sarah whispered. "Just talk. It's gonna be okay." Sarah was now dreading the worst and fighting the tension from seeping into her voice.
"I have just been so incredibly lonely." Bianca began. "I know that this is what we agreed to and that you have suggested other things...I, I just never knew how hard this would be."
"The distance?" Sarah questioned.
"Yes." Bianca replied. "The distance. The waiting. The knowing I have someone to love and care for me, but I sleep alone and I eat alone. Even in a room full of people who love me, I feel so dreadfully alone because the one I love isn't here. It is hard. It is torture and I don't know when it will end, which makes it even worse."
"Bianca, I…" Sarah began, but Bianca cut her off.
"Please let me continue or I fear I may never be able to get this off my chest."
"Okay." Sarah agreed.
"I feel all of this, and then I feel so guilty and so very selfish. We have gotten past all of the hurt and pain. We made it through some of the toughest times together and come out stronger. I know that what you are doing now, is for a greater good. You are wrapping everything up so that I will never have to wait again….so that we will never have another obstacle in our way. How can I be so selfish?"
"Now stop right there." Sarah interrupted. "You stop that line of thinking right now. I have been the selfish one. I have hurt you before. The way I was in the beginning, pushing you away, that was weak and selfish. You have only ever been strong. What we are both trying to do here is solidify the future we have always wanted and deserved. The future that we should have had when we left Fairview. It is not easy though. It is normal to feel this way. I struggle with the distance, and I miss you too. You are going to be okay, you are being anything but selfish."
"I am…you don't get understand." Bianca insisted. "Sarah, I met someone."
The silence was almost deafening. Bianca tried to swallow the thick lump of tears and fear that filled her throat and threatened to collapse her lungs.
"I went with Reggie to New York, when he went to Syracuse to see Dani. We made a road trip out of it. I went with the intention of doing something selfish. To mingle and flirt and just let go. I wanted so badly just to feel something…I still cannot quite explain. I met a girl there. Her name is Frankie and she is really, really kind."
Bianca paused and Sarah said nothing. The silence was still there, yet Bianca could tell that the call was still connected. Sarah's ragged breaths could be heard through the line. What am I doing? I am breaking her heart, that is what I am doing. I can never tell her what really happened. Bianca exhaled and continued.
"We danced some and talked. That's it." Bianca cringed at the lie, twisting the fabric of her shirt in her fist. "It was just really good to talk to someone. Reggie thinks she is alright too. I told her about you and everything. I just…I have been struggling how to tell you. I hope you can understand why? She has turned out to be a good friend. I…I am so sorry, Sarah. Please say something."
Sarah cleared her throat. "So, umm…" She cleared her throat again. "So this Frankie, was she the visitor you had the other night? If she lives in Syracuse, then what was she doing in Pine Valley…in your room?"
Bianca bit her lip. "Well, that is the crazy thing…like I said, we talked a whole lot. Both in Syracuse, and over the phone. It turned out she is related to some folks here. "
"Oh, yeah?" Sarah asked, as she tried her best to relax a little. "Small world."
"It's a really small world. She is a cousin to Leo and David." Bianca said. "Anyway, she came up here this weekend to visit. She wanted to reconnect with them and we hung out some too." Another lie…what am I doing? No…no, she can't know. I have to protect her. "Mostly just talked and watched movies and stuff. No big deal." Bianca bit her lip in waiting for a response. She bit harder, unknowing until she tasted a hint of blood.
Sarah found it all pretty convenient, but she thought for a moment and knew that Bianca had no reason to lie. "Well, I think you are overreacting. You should not have been afraid to tell me this. Doesn't sound like you did anything I have not already suggested. I love you and trust you. I am glad you made a friend. I have never wanted you to suffer. You need to come to me when you start feeling this way again."
"I am sorry if I worried you." Bianca apologized. "I will. I won't be afraid to talk to you about this. Thank you for being so wonderful. It's why I love you so much…you know that, right? I love you, Sarah."
"I love you too, Bianca." Sarah replied. With a yawn, she stretched and said "Why don't you go on and get some sleep. I have an early morning at work and should probably go now."
"Okay. Night." Bianca said sweetly.
"Night." Sarah replied and disconnected the call.
Bianca stood silently in the darkness. She watched Frankie sit motionless in the easy chair. Her eyes stared blankly at the blue screen of the TV, as she awaited Bianca's return.
How can either of them not see how selfish I am? All I have wanted was to feel loved, safe and surrounded. Now that I am, I have to break someone's heart to keep it.
She slowly turned the nob and went inside.
The next morning Frankie woke up early and the pair shared breakfast. Frankie insisted she was needed back at work early. Bianca let the girl go. She knew that their talk the night before and the interruption by Sarah's call were upsetting. She did not want to push too hard and upset Frankie any more than she already had.
Later at the car as they said goodbye, Bianca could not hold it in any longer. "When can I see you again?" Bianca whispered as she hugged the shorter girl. I shouldn't have asked that. I can tell how tense she is. What have I done? What am I doing? "I'm sorry. I don't have a right to ask you that. I know you need space and I…I just want you to know that I care about you and I don't want to lose you."
Frankie bit the inside of her cheek and pushed back from Bianca's embrace. She sighed deeply and said "It's okay. I understand how you feel. I need some time. Reggie really wanted me to come back for Halloween. I told him I would…well, before all this happened. But I will keep my word."
"So…then I can see you in two weeks maybe? " Bianca asked.
"Yep." Frankie said curtly. "I really have to get going…work and all. I will call ya." Frankie leaned in and kissed Bianca on the cheek then abruptly turned and ducked into her car. Bianca stood in the drive and watched the car disappear around the bend. Her arms wrapped around herself tightly, she began to sob freely. As she shook, she felt a comforting arm ease around her. She looked to her side and saw Myrtle.
"Come inside, my darling girl. It's going to be alright."
Since that weekend in October, everything about Sarah and Frankie seemed to change. Sarah called more often and completely changed her holiday plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving break. She sent notes, cards and flowers…just because. Bianca was flattered. She was touched and thrilled that Sarah was stepping up her game, so to speak. She struggled with the reasons, however. Was it worry? Was it concern for Bianca's feelings…or was it just the green-eyed monster of jealousy creeping in?
Bianca had felt horrible for doing anything that caused Sarah to be jealous. All the while she was saddened at the thought that it took the presence of another to cause Sarah to understand what she was going through. And then there was Frankie…sweet, beautiful, kind-hearted Frankie. She was always there, despite the change in her demeanor. She called Bianca frequently and always accepted Bianca's calls. They would chat about current events, the approaching holidays and Frankie even reconnected with Leo once when he was having lunch with Bianca. Bianca was realizing she was the only one who ventured into any deeper discussions.
Frankie always had to go to work, or meet Jamie, anytime the subject of their relationship was brought up. The few times she would visit, after that heartbreaking night at Myrtle's, Bianca could physically see the change in Frankie. It pained Bianca so much to know that she was causing Frankie to shut down. Any chance she was able to hear the blonde's voice was like an answered prayer. She felt the girl was going to disappear someday soon, so she did everything she could to not mention Sarah or reminisce anymore. She just wanted to remember how great it was, talking and being with Frankie, so she could hold on to that memory if Frankie ever did as she feared.
On the night of Halloween, Bianca sat at the bar in ConFusion. She laughed as she watched Reggie act out amazing feats of strength in his Superman costume. Dani, clad in a sexy Supergirl costume, was glaring lovingly at Reggie's antics with exaggerated excitement. Kendall and her husband Zack were swaying on the dance floor. They had come as The Phantom and Christine and Kendall looked ravishing in her flowing blue gown.
Bianca stirred her drink and looked at the clock on the wall. She said she was coming. I guess I should have known. I have tried to keep our conversations light, but I finally pushed too hard and she is done. Bianca carefully wiped at the beginnings of a tear, taking care to not damage her eyeliner. A bartender approached Bianca and leaned in. "Can I get you something to drink, beautiful? It's on me." She asked. Bianca turned to notice the girl. She had to be in her mid-twenties….Just like Frankie and Sarah. Her build, the curves of her beautiful face, even the way her hair was pulled back…Oh God, could I have any more of a type? Bianca gave a cursing look to the heavens and smiled politely at the girl. "Sure. You don't have to buy me a drink though, I'd be happy just for the company."
"Nonsense, what are you having?" The bartender asked, while tipping her Captain's hat in Bianca's direction.
"I will have a rum and coke." Bianca responded. Gosh, I can still recall the taste of rum on Frankie's lips that first night we met. I don't know what I am doing? I should just go home. I am sure everyone would understand. The bartender set the drink down in front of Bianca and raised her own glass in a toast.
"I pray for the poor soul that put that tear in your eye…sure hope they get here soon. Pretty thing like you in a get-up like that, should not be alone." She shot her drink down and proceeded to wipe the bar.
"Great." Bianca mumbled. "I have become the sad sack on the bar stool that everyone pities." She quickly chugged a little of her drink and as she felt the tears well up in her eyes she signaled the bartender, who approached again. "Thanks for the drink. Would you mind telling Superman over there, that his cousin had to leave? I really don't want to deal with anyone right now." Bianca pleaded softly.
The bartender winked and replied "Sure, doll…you be safe out there." Bianca turned to go. She was making her way out of the club and he lowered her head to search her bag for her keys. This resulted in a collision into a body entering the doorway. "I am so sorry, I wasn't looking… That skull symbol and the trench coat…where have I seen?…Bianca raised her head and brown eyes met hazel. "Frankie! You came!" She wrapped her arms around the girl.
Frankie stood awestruck. She was taken back at first by the collision, then the shouting of her name by this scantily clad woman in red. "Bianca…oh hey! Well, I said I would, didn't I? I always keep my word. Traffic was just awful and I had to wait for some stowaways." She gestured over her shoulder at Jamie. He stood in the doorway clad in a sculpted Batman costume with a petite blonde girl on his arm. She was in a leather leotard with a pair of cat ears. Her curly blond locks cascaded around her face and fell on a rather ample bosom. That must be Jamie's heartbreaker…no wonder he is torn up over her. Wow! Bianca thought to herself.
"Bianca! It's good to see you." Jamie said and hugged the brunette and then stepped back, holding her arms out to examine her costume. "Damn, B…that has got to be the second hottest costume I have seen tonight. Speaking of which…this is Bella." Jamie turned to the blond. "Hey Babe, this is Bianca…Frankie's friend."
"it's very good to meet you, finally." Bella said as she shook Bianca's hand. "Who are you supposed to be?" She asked.
Frankie, who had been stuck in a trance, eyes glued to the shiny red material that scarcely covered Bianca's form, finally spoke. "Elektra. She…umm…she's Elektra."
Bianca turned, surprised by the sudden comment and a blush overtook her features as she noticed the adoring glares she was receiving from the older girl.
"Hmm…I don't know who Elektra is, but that is one hot costume." Bella replied. Jamie put his arm around her as he saw the energy building between the two lovers. "She is a superhero." Jamie said as he guided Bella to the floor. "Frankie's favorite ass-kicking female to be exact. Let's go dance, Babe."
After moments of silence and just taking each other in, Frankie spoke up. "He was right about one thing…you are incredibly hot tonight, but you are by far the hottest girl here. How did you know? I mean…that I like Elektra so much?"
Bianca laughed a little. "I didn't. I saw a comic at your place once and I remembered thinking -Wow, that is really hot!-But I didn't know. I just saw the costume when I went with Reggie and Dani the other day and thought it would turn some heads. I kind of feel bad now."
"Don't…don't feel bad. You look amazing." Frankie reassured her. "But you would have turned heads no matter what you wore." Frankie said as she scratched at her scalp.
"Uhh…you want to dance or something? I mean…should we?" Bianca asked nervously.
"Sure." Frankie replied. She tapped the side of her leg nervously as they walked to the floor.