Page 13 of The Honest Affair

Frankie sighed. “Are you working again tonight?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I need to make the bills somehow.”

“What time? I could be home a little early. Get a cheesecake from Junior’s if you want. It won’t be Nonna’s, but it’s something…”

Frankie trailed off. Her meaning was clear. I’d stalwartly ignored any attempt to lure me up to the Bronx to celebrate getting older with my sisters and grandmother, who loved a party more than anyone.

“I have to be at work by five,” I lied. My shift didn’t start until ten.

Frankie’s brow rose. She could clearly see right through me, but didn’t say anything. Instead, she waited a moment more before speaking again.

“Mattie?”

“Yeah?”

“Are we…are we going to be okay?”

I frowned. “With what?”

“With…look, I have to ask. I noticed the mortgage is due in a few days, and, well, I know Jamie’s only been able to give you part-time shifts, and—”

“We’re fine,” I said a little too sharply. “Don’t worry about that.”

Frankie looked unsure. “I mean, I could probably pick up some shifts at Tino’s too, like I used to. Nonna could watch Sofia; I’m sure she wouldn’t mind—”

“I said we’re fine,” I cut her off again. “Frankie, I promise. This is your and Sofia’s house too. I’m not going to let anything happen to you two, all right?”

Even as I said it, a heavy weight lodged in my gut. I hated that she even had to wonder. I hated that we were both back where we started—Frankie working odd jobs because her teacher’s salary couldn’t pay for her and her little girl, me struggling to make mortgage payments I was way under-qualified to have. We had a tenant below who helped defray some of the costs of the red brick house off Van Duys Avenue. But it didn’t cover everything. Not even close.

“Zio!” Sofia interrupted as she scampered back over from the water. “Did you like it? I helped Mommy pick it out.”

I looked down at the tie in my lap, and immediately felt like shit. “Shi—shoot, kid. Yes, I love it. You did good, Sof. Real good.”

Sofia’s face split with a wide grin, minus two teeth. “See, Mommy! I knew it!”

She ran back to the water to continue throwing rocks.

“Okay,” Frankie said. “Well…if I don’t see you. Happy birthday, Mattie.”

I glanced at Sofia to make sure she wasn’t looking, then drained the last of my bottle. “Sure. Yeah. Thanks, Frankie. Thanks.”