Frankie woke up in the middle of the night. She was alone. She gathered her bearings and recalled the events that had transpired earlier. What am I doing? Robin is going to kill me for taking advantage of her friend. She is straight. A confused little girl who is caught up in some mess and I took advantage. It felt so good though. I mean, to just be close with someone. Every time I close my eyes, I see her. How am I ever going to get over this? Frankie heard a noise in the kitchen. Oh, wow. Brook didn't leave. Maybe I'm over reacting? I mean, she initiated this whole thing. Maybe she just needed a connection too?
Frankie dressed and went out into the apartment. When she turned into the kitchen, instead of Brook Lynn, she found Robin standing with the fridge open. "Hello." She said, surprised after noticing Frankie's presence. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Frankie nodded No. "Are you hungry? I'm starved. Is Brook here? I can whip you up some eggs or something." Frankie reached past Robin and took a beer out of the fridge.
"Nah, Brook left. I must have fallen asleep. You don't need to cook for me. I'm good with this beer."
Robin looked concerned and closed the door. She just watched Frankie as she took to the couch and staring off into nothingness again. "When did Maggie leave?"
"She left this morning." Frankie answered between sips. "We woke up a little late and went to have a late breakfast. That was when I had texted you about Brook Lynn. Anyway, she left when we got back."
"Oh. What was wrong with Brook Lynn? You said you were concerned about her." Robin fished some more.
"She just looked pretty upset. I think it is something with that Johnny guy. What is their deal, anyway?" Robin rolled her eyes and waved it off. It was an unspoken You really don't want to know. Frankie continued. "Well, whatever…we just hung out and talked." Frankie lied. "We shared some left over pizza and then at some point I must have dozed and she left." Frankie drank some more of her beer. Robin just examined Frankie with worry etched across her face.
Robin bit her lip in thought. Frankie just sat, drinking and staring. Robin got an idea. She subtly picked up Frankie's phone from the counter. She scrolled through the directory and jotted down Jamie and Maggie's numbers. She set the phone back as she slipped the note in her pocket. "I am keeping my eye on you Frankie Stone." She muttered under her breath. "I will not let you self-destruct."
Frankie turned her attention toward the kitchen. "You say something?" She hollered at Robin.
"Nope, sorry, I'm mumbling. I'm trying to decide what I'm going to eat." Robin said and then went about the business of making eggs.
The weeks dragged on. Robin came and went from the apartment. Frankie was always there. Robin would try to get her up and out, but was unsuccessful. Frankie would crawl away to her classes, but always in the same worn out sweats and some football jersey. She didn't seem to be eating as much, but her alcohol consumption had seemed to triple. When Maggie visited as promised, Robin shared her concerns, but Frankie seemed to brighten a little in her sister's presence. They left for breakfast and dinner a few times.
One night they all caught Brook Lynn's show at the Metro Court. Maggie and Frankie were having a great time. As the night wore on, Maggie noticed the increased consumption of alcohol that Robin was worried about. She also saw something else. There seemed to be something more going on between Frankie and Brook. It was like some underlying tension of some sort, that Maggie couldn't pinpoint. Maggie pushed it to the back of her mind as the night ended.
Robin and Patrick decided to leave the others and retire to his place, leaving the twins and Brook Lynn alone. "Hey, Brook? Why don't you join us? We can hang out at the apartment and watch a movie or something. Have a few more drinks…what do you say?" Frankie offered.
"Aww…you know me, Baby. I never turn down great company or free drinks." Brook Lynn laughed. Maggie turned her head from the pair and rolled her eyes. The threesome made their way back to the apartment. Frankie immediately turned up her radio and opened a few beers. Maggie went and adjusted the volume. "Jeez Frankie, it's late. We don't need to give the neighbors a concert."
"Aww." Frankie said, blowing a raspberry. "How are we the same age and you are so…so much older?" She laughed at her remark and walked back to her room. "I will be right back." She said. Maggie went in to the kitchen to clean up the spills Frankie had clumsily left in her wake and Brook sat on the couch. After Maggie had finished, she fixed herself a glass of water and a small snack and came out into the living area. Brook was no longer there. Maggie turned the volume down a little and started towards her guest room. I guess they were tired or something. I have had enough of the Drunk and Drunker show tonight. As she neared her bedroom door, she was startled by a loud crash. She worried about her sister and had images of a highly intoxicated Frankie falling or knocking something over and being injured. "Frankie?" she called out. Where is Brook? She thought and then noticed the bathroom light on. Now she was really worried. She approached Frankie's door and pushed it open.
Frankie was there, she was fine. She is apparently more than fine. Maggie shuddered. The books and contents of Frankie's desk were scattered about the floor. In fact the whole makeshift desk was knocked aside carelessly. In the darkness of the room, Maggie could see Frankie pinning Brook against the wall. Her hands caressed the younger girl as Brook's fingers clung to Frankie's hair and clothing. They kissed feverishly, and then when Brook's legs raised and wrapped around Frankie's waist, Maggie choked back the urge to vomit.
She pulled back from the doorway quietly and went into the living room. "Friends, my ass." She muttered as she paced. "Dammit, Frankie. This is no way to get over your heartache. Alcohol and flinging yourself around, having meaningless sex…sleeping till noon? This isn't you. This is our parents. This is trouble." Maggie paced and paced. She didn't want to disturb Robin. Robin had been witnessing this disaster day in and day out for weeks now. She deserved a break. I need someone that can reach Frankie. She remembered Robin talking about Jamie, when they discussed Frankie's depression. She knew Robin had been in touch with him and she had even forwarded everyone's numbers in case there was ever an emergency. Maggie went to her handbag and searched for the card she had scribbled the contact info on. When she found it, she quietly stepped out on the patio and dialed the number.
A week had passed since Maggie had left to return to Rochester. Robin had not witnessed a change in Frankie. Maggie and Robin were in constant contact, and now Jamie had been involved. He confirmed that this was Frankie at her worst and it wouldn't be long until school, eating and even showering fell to the wayside. He assured them that he was working out a way to make it to Port Charles to help out. Robin cringed at the news from Maggie about Frankie and Brook's relationship progressing to a different level.
"Brook Lynn is a mess." She confided in Maggie. "I mean, I love her, I do…I have known her mom and dad forever, but she has made some horrible choices over the last few years and she is not handling anything well currently."
"I will be joining David for Christmas in Pine Valley next week. Maybe we can get through to her then, with Leo and David as back up. We will see? Keep me posted, Robin…and thanks for looking out for her. I have been without her too long to lose her to poor choices. It's good to know there are others looking out for her best interests as well."
"No problem." Robin replied. "Frankie and I came a long way in a short time, and it has been nice having her around. This sloppy, sleazy version of her is not normal. I don't want to see her throw away the opportunities my mother is giving her come next May."
Robin and Maggie had many conversations like this over the following days. On the Monday before Christmas, Patrick and Robin were loading up the car and on their way to Pine Valley for the week. When they were set to leave, Robin walked to Frankie's room and knocked. She opened the door to find Frankie still sleeping. The desk had never been set right and there were bottles everywhere. She went over and nudged the girl. "Frankie, get up."
Frankie grumbled. "Hmm? Wha…What? Oh, hey Robin. What's up?"
"I told you to be ready by nine if you were riding with us. Aren't you coming?"
"Yeah, of course I am. I just figured I would come along tomorrow. Brook Lynn is really down about being let go from the bar and I thought I would hang out with her. She is headed to her Grandma's tomorrow, so I'll come down then, okay?" She buried her head back in her pillow and was snoring in seconds.
Robin left the apartment and they headed to PV. By that night, they were all enjoying dinner at the Inn with David and Anna. The whole family was there and Maggie had even just arrived. They were filling David and Leo in on all the problems that they were experiencing with Frankie. Leo confirmed that it was the same with Bianca. She had packed up and moved off to Boston without so much as a goodbye. The few times he had seen her, she just wasn't right. "It is like her body, but some creepy void pod person took her over. She says everything text book…like a mantra that has been rehearsed. She is totally lacking any of the life, and emotion, that make up my Bianca. The whole Kane family is worried sick."
"Well, I don't know about this Bianca girl." Maggie said. "It seems to me like Frankie will be better off without her. We just need to get her sober long enough to realize it." Robin's phone beeped and when she checked her messages, her face fell.
"That was Frankie. She said to give her regards, but she isn't going to be joining us. She just wants to be alone." The table fell silent.
Maggie picked up her phone. "That's it. I am calling in reinforcements." She pulled out her phone and dialed. After a beat, the other line answered. "Hello, Jamie? Yeah, it's Maggie. It's go time…We need your help and fast."