the troubles brewing

 Frankie was in disbelief when he looked down at his phone and noticed it was Eddie. Frankie couldn't help but smile. Although, he knew he shouldn't. After all, Bea was in the kitchen making supper and she didn't want his help. He was politely watching the news and really wishing he hadn't. After all, April had brought more wind than rain. It was a chilly start to spring. It was good just to be cozy these days.

"Hullo," Frankie answered.

"I just remembered something," Eddie said.

"Okay," Frankie couldn't imagine what but he wasn't sure he wanted to know now. He knew he should have never asked Eddie about Bea and the mystery person. What he neglected to tell Eddie could possibly be female.

"You know, what you asked me, before."

"Uh-huh." Frankie winced not sure he should hear this.

"There was this doctor," Eddie said. "But I think she's gone now. She.. she went to this remote location. I think."

Frankie only cleared his throat.

"I used to see them talk. You know, friendly. Lots of laughter," he said about the two of them. "Um, I don't think they were telling jokes. I don't really know, but they seemed close, kind of."

"Do you remember who?" Frankie felt awful for asking. Why did he need to know?

"Um, Dr. Eva, she called her," Eddie told him.

"That's her last name?" Frankie winced and bit down on the knuckle of his thumb.

"First name." Eddie clarified. "I think it was Alvarez."

"Alvarez." Frankie found himself saying aloud, just about the time that Bea announced dinner was ready. "Oh, I gotta go," he whispered. "Thanks."

"Who already talking to?" Bea looked at Frankie when he got off the phone.

"Oh, it was just, Eddie," Frankie squinted a smile and went right to the table where the shrimp scampi was still hot. "Wow, this looks so good." He sat down to the salad.

"What did he want?" Bea looked at him as if that was out of the ordinary.

"Um, he wants to join my yoga class," Frankie instantly lied. "I'm not sure he likes ti chi." Oh, he'd said too much. All the while he wanted to know this Eva Alvarez. Did they have a thing? Should he be worried? He pressed his lips tight.

"Are you feeling OK, baby?" She put a hand on his back and Frankie straightened up as if he was perfectly OK. 

"Thanks so much for making dinner," he said he would make dinner next time.

"I wonder what it'll be," she smirked. "A salad?"

"You said you were supposed to have salad," he looked at her blankly.

"I know, but I would have rather had mashed potatoes and gravy with that rotisserie chicken you carved up," Bea let slip as she went straight for the shrimp and everything it had to offer.

Frankie knew his smile was waning. He knew it was time just to enjoy Bea's cooking and forget Eva Alvarez.