This Love: A Frank Adler Story

Two

"I don't wanna go!" Mary said. We sat in the kitchen. She stared at me. "I'm not going. Uncle Frank will continue tutoring me."

"I've taught you everything I know. It's time. You're going."

She cried softly. I knelt down to look at her. She looked away.

"You need friends."

"I have Roberta and Fred."

"Friends the same age as you. Honey Frank and I want what's best for you."

She sighed and hugged me. I hugged her back.

"It's okay babe. We have two weeks and I'll take you back to school shopping."

"Avery..." Frank said. I picked her up and looked at him. She wiped her tears.

"You don't need to do that." He said. Mary looked at me.

"Can I get a new dress?"

I nodded. "That and school supplies."

"Honey.."

I have Frank a look before kissing him. He sighed.

Mary got down and sighed. "I don't like school already."

Frank rubbed my back. "You're fine." He said. "It'll be fun."

She sighed and went to her 'bedroom'. I have Frank a look. He sighed and nodded.

"That went..a path."

I nodded and kissed his cheek. He sighed and smiled.

"Love you." He whispered.

"Love you too."

I sighed and hugged his side. He kissed my head.

"You don't have to spend your money on that.." he whispered.

"It's okay. I have money set aside just for you and Mary. Besides one twelve hour shift pays for a month of rent right now. I'm doing okay."

He nodded. "I just don't like when you spend money on us."

"I live here too. It's okay."

He sighed.

The roles sorta changed with us with Mary. When he was a professor, he bought everything for me. Now that I make more, the roles switched.

I wasn't bothered by it, but he was. He didn't like when I paid for things, but I still did. I wanted to give him and Mary a good life here.

I kissed his cheek and sighed. "You're fine grumpy."

He sighed. I smiled and hugged him close. He hugged me back. I pulled him away and smiled.

"I can buy you something too."

"No."

"You need new jeans."

He shook his head. "Too expensive."

"Thrift store? Please hun."

He groaned. "I hate shopping with you. You always wanna buy stuff for me."

I smiled and kissed him. He kissed me back.

"Auntie and uncle you both say you're not technically dating then do this." Mary said. I pulled away and looked at her.

"Just no labels Mary."

"You're both basically married." She said.

"Yeah whatever. Hey bug go shower up." I said. She nodded and went to the bathroom.

I smiled and looked at frank again. He gave me a soft stare.

"You're not going to go overboard."

"I promise."

He smiled and moved away from me. I went to the other room. He slapped my ass as I left.

I turned around and gave him a look. "Frank."

He giggled and walked away.

————

I brushed through Mary's hair while she sat in front of me in bed. I put some leave in conditioner before kissing her head.

She moved between Frank and I. I snuggled in with her. She watched tv with us.

"What color dress do you want?"

"Red."

"Okay. I like red."

She nodded. I kissed her cheek.

"You know even if you don't wanna go, I'm sad you're growing up so fast. I remember being in that delivery room. You're so big."

She gave me a look. "You watched me being born?"

I nodded. "So did uncle Frank. We were your moms helpers in the room."

Frank smirked to himself. I smiled at him.

"Why can't frank keep teaching me though?"

"I've got nothing left to teach you. I've taught you every little thing I know."

She sighed.

"Hey. You'll do good. You'll make friends and get on the honor roll. Don't dwell on it because then you'll be more nervous."

She nodded. Frank yawned. Mary yawned too.

"You want me to tuck you in big girl?"

"Yeah."

"Night mary." Frank said.

"Goodnight." She said as she got out of bed. I walked to her bed with her and tucked her in. She gave me a little smile.

"Night bug."

"Goodnight."

I closed her little curtains before heading over to bed with Frank. He pulled me in.

"I'm nervous for her." He whispered.

"I know." I whispered. "It's okay."

He nodded. This was gonna be okay.