On a good day

 

Tori couldn't turn down the free vegetables. Frankie said he'd been to the Farmer's market and got too much. 

She nodded and let him in. There was something different about him, but she wasn't sure what that meant. He wasn't overly friendly and yet he was. He went to put the squash and tomatoes in the fridge. Even then, she was certain she was inspecting the contents of their fridge. There were already grapes, strawberries and blueberries. 

"You got a haircut," Tori realized aloud.

He nodded with a smile and then mentioned. "You must have really thought I was so gay with my long hair."

Suddenly, it sounded so funny. Those words coming from him. She couldn't help but laugh. When the baby kicked it almost made her jump, but she found that funny too. Frankie laughed with her even if he had no idea what it was about.

"I am gay." She looked at him seriously. He was quiet. She didn't want to say when she knew. But it was true.

Frankie cleared his throat. She offered him sugar-free lemonade. 

It felt good to clear the air with him. Sort of. She didn't know why but it felt as if this could be a new beginning yet, he said nothing with the information.

"I'm sorry," he finally winced after a sip of the sour drink. 

"About what? It's not something I'm sorry about." She wanted to know. 

"I mean,  I..I didn't mean to offend you."

"It's fine." Tori was even lipped. "I'm moody, that's all. Some days I really want to say, I'm done. Somebody take me home, but then I have no idea what that would mean." She smiled. "I am home. I just have to get through this, somehow."

Frankie nodded as if he'd agree with whatever she said. They went to sit in the living room. There wasn't a sign of any crochet project. She'd gotten the urge to clean. Perhaps the baby would be early. She wouldn't even have to wait until October. But that was only a hunch. Really, she didn't want the baby to come too soon. Yet, the fact remained..the days were numbered and she needed to use them wisely.

"So..so you haven't said anything about that someone you..you met." Tori wanted to know if she'd gone to the Farmer's market with him. How serious was he with this new person?

"Oh, no." He shook his head and scratched the back of his head in thought. "We..we're not really seeing each other." He then spoke of Pixie who was living at his place. "She's just..well, someone I knew growing up." He mentioned she used to be in ballet. "I think she could teach, but..well, she's Pixie..and she'd find that completely boring." Frankie practically smirked.

"Are you sure you haven't adopted her?" Tori joked.

"What?"

"Oh, you are always a good influence."

Frankie sighed and took another sip of the sour lemonade. "How..how do you get it so sour?" He wanted to know.

"Pickle juice." Tori shrugged.