Page 19 of Supernova

“Me too,” Jo says, following Frankie back out to the front room to say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Lombardi and then out the door and into the breezy late afternoon sunlight.

“Okay,” Frankie says, putting her hands into the pockets of her yellow dress as they walk. “I’m actually really glad to be outside. This is good.”

“A girl always benefits from a bit of fresh air,” Jo agrees. “My grandma always said that right before she kicked me and my sisters outside to play.”

They laugh as they stroll down the sidewalk together. “Sorry I’ve been so quiet lately,” Frankie says, “but having my parents here is keeping me busy.”

“No apologies necessary!” Jo bumps Frankie’s shoulder lightly with hers. “I was just worried about you.” They walk quietly for a minute. “Should I be—worried about you, that is?”

Frankie thinks about how she wants to respond to this question.ShouldJo be worried? “Can I be honest with you, Joey-girl?”

“I wouldn't want you to be any other way.”

Frankie stays quiet for a block before she starts talking. “Ed and I have been struggling with starting a family. And it’s not what you think.”

“Oh, Frankie. I’m so sorry.” Jo reaches out and takes Frankie’s hand in hers.

“We’ve been married for three years, and, you know—people start to ask questions.”

“But it’s nobody else’s business.”

“I know. But try telling Allegra Lombardi to keep her nose out of her daughter’s business and you’ll get whacked over the head with a giant salami.”

Jo laughs at this image. “Hey, she’s like every other mother, right? She wants to be a grandma, and she wants you to be happy. She just thinks that both of those things can happen with a baby or two.”

Frankie shuffles along, still holding Jo’s hand. A car passes by them, and a long, thin arm flies out the driver’s side window as their friend, Carrie Reed, waves at them before turning right at the stop sign. Jo and Frankie wave back as Carrie drives on, and then Frankie loosens her hand from Jo’s and instead loops her arm through her friend’s as they walk.

“I don’t disagree with her, but it’s complicated, Jo. More than I like to admit.”

“Okay.” Jo nods. “I don’t want to be nosey, so you tell me what you feel comfortable telling me. And just know that anything you say is locked up in our friendship vault.” Jo mimes locking her own lips and throwing away the key, which makes Frankie laugh.

“We have a friendship vault?” Frankie asks, feeling a warmth towards Jo that she hasn’t felt with another woman in a long time.

“Of course we do!” Jo stops walking and her face registers surprise. “You’re my best friend in Stardust Beach, and I’m here to listen to anything you want to say. I won’t even share what you tell me with Bill, and you know that generally husbands are considered free passes for sharing gossip with.”

“Naturally,” Frankie agrees as they start walking again. “But I do appreciate you not telling Bill any of what I say here. It’s just…of a personal nature.”

“Understood.” Jo holds up a hand as if to tell her to say no more.

“Anyway,” Frankie sighs, “Ed and I have tried—somewhat half-heartedly—and there have been months where I was sure I was pregnant, but then…nothing.”

Jo nods, lips pressed together.

“But before we even got married, Jo, I knew I wouldn’t be the kind of wife who could just give him what he wanted. I knew it, and I warned him, but he said he wanted to marry me anyway.”

“Why did you feel that way, Frank?”

Frankie inhales deeply and exhales before she answers Jo’s questions. “Because there have been men who have hurt me, Jo. And I have a hard time trusting that any man will love me forever and not hurt me again.”

“Even Ed?” Jo asks with blatant concern on her face.

“Even Ed,” Frankie says grimly. “I can’t even relax enough to truly let my husband love me, and I’m not sure how I’ll ever get that open, trusting part of myself back again.”

“Oh, Frankie,” Jo says with sympathy. “I’m so sorry. I want you to have that in your life—that trust. Especially with Ed.”

Frankie nods solemnly. “I know that Ed won’t hurt me, but sometimes I remember the things I’ve been through, and it’s hard to just be in the moment. Bad memories come back to me, and it’s easier just to shut myself away, you know? To make it all go away.”

Jo says nothing, but rests her head on Frankie’s shoulder as they walk. It’s precisely the show of female solidarity and love that Frankie needs right now, and in return, she rests her cheek against Jo’s head, a tear running from the corner of her eye and landing in Jo’s dark hair.

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