Silent Night

3 - Stop With the Ribbons!

FRANKIE POV

"This chocolate chip cookie dough screams Lena," Callie laughs as she grabs it, and I turn to her and smile.

"Of course, toss it in the cart."

"So, you're with Logan now? You have his fancy ass car out there," Callie asks as I stop in front of the cereal and look at her.

"Wellllll, we haven't made anything official, but we were close to hooking up at my grandparent's vow renewal."

"Wait a minute! You did?????? SPILL!" Callie squeals as I can only shake my head and grab a box of cocoa puffs.

"My mom kind of caught us. Walked right in. I was in the moment and not putting any thought into it if I'm honest. I saw him with that fugly blonde, and I got so jealous. He's been flirting with me for WEEKS, and not made a move. So, I grabbed an extra bottle of champagne from behind the bar and asked him to live in the moment. AND HE DID," I whisper loudly as she beams, grabbing my hand.

"Oh my GOD! Lena caught you! Was she mad? You were pulling a Christopher and Lena moment. Of course she was mad!"

I laugh now as we make our way down the cookie aisle, and I grab a bag of marshmallows. "She wasn't happy. Then Dad came in and threatened Logan. THEN Stef came in. It was so embarrassing. Beyond!"

"Okay, tell me. Were you naked?" she whispers near my ear as I burst out laughing.

"Close enough."

"What the hell, Franks! You definitely were living in the moment," she giggles now as she tosses in a bottle of chocolate syrup.

"I know! I know! And he's kind of been calling and talking to me every day since. I even went to his dorm last night and fell asleep watching him and his friends play poker into the wee hours of the morning."

"So, no sex yet?"

"Noooo, not yet," I giggle again as Callie joins me, shaking her head.

"Oh my god! I just realized we have gathered a bunch of junk food, and no nourishing food for your mom. Usually we could grab some of Stef's burgers and fries, but since they're broken up, it'd be weird."

"Ya, it sucks. I'm mad at Stef too, you know. She definitely didn't give Mom a chance to explain. She loves Stef very much, and if she'd just stop being so damn ass stubborn!"

"Everyone in this town knows she's stubborn. But I feel she'll come around," Callie says as she grabs a couple packets of tuna.

"That's what  I told Mom, but she's so sure this is ALL her fault. She keeps repeating that if she had just told Stef about taking tequila to Dad's house when his dad died, they would still be together. It all added up and everything. It just boils my blood too, cuz I feel as if all of this could have been prevented had Grandma not gotten involved. Do you know Dad left half a dozen voicemails on my phone?????"

"Why? Does he feel guilty or something?" Callie rolls her eyes as I stop and look at her.

"Apparently because he kept rambling about how Grandma said Stef wasn't good enough for Mom, and begged him to propose. Made me FURIOUS! Dad had all of those years to make a move! ALL OF THEM! And when Mom and Stef finally stopped dancing around their feelings and became a couple, NOW he wants to propose? NOW?????"

"Makes no sense, Franks. You know I'm really sorry this is happening to you and your mom for the record. I know how badly you wanted your dad and mom to get together when we were little, but things changed. Now, I'm with you! He's an ass!" Callie flings her arm in the air almost knocking over Miss Patty who was right behind her.

"Oh dear! What happened now?" the town busy body asks us as I see Callie's face turn red, and I roll my eyes as I grab a pack of crackers.

"Nothing, Miss Patty. We're just shopping for my mom. She needed a few groceries."

"Won't they miss you at Ohio State? It's finals' week, right?" She further pries as Callie butts in.

"Oh, you know Frankie. She's always ahead of schedule. She'll get them done!"

"I heard about Stef and Lena," Miss Patty whispers rather loudly now as she picks up a pack of chocolate chip cookies from our cart.

"Yes. I'm not sure she wants it spreading around town though, Miss Patty," I say rather pointedly as the busy body drops the cookies back in the cart and laughs boisterously.

"I think it's kind of late for that, honey! The WHOLE TOWN is in an uproar! It's divided down the middle because Stef owns the diner, and Lena owns the new Inn! You'd think we were in a Civil War of sorts here in Mapletown!"

"Wait, what?????" I look at her really confused as Callie dips her head while picking out a few sodas. "Cals? You didn't say anything about that! Did you know?"

"You know it's unfortunate that your mom owns the Red Ribbon Inn, and Stef owns Stef's Diner, Franks. If they weren't such a prominent part of the community, maybe people wouldn't be acting like fools," Callie finally says as she tosses in a bag of pretzels, not baring to look at me.

I glare at Miss Patty now as I gulp. "I think we'll head up front to pay for our groceries now, Miss Patty. Have a good day."

"Of course, dear," she grins from ear to ear as she saunters on to the other aisle and I push the cart with determination as my heart about beats out of my chest.

"Frankie!" Callie whispers as she catches up to me. "Don't be mad! I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen!"

I stop now as I turn to look at her. "Stop who?"

"Miss Patty, Taylor and the whole town have been holding court about who's more Stef's friend and who's Lena's friend! It's annoying as hell! Taylor has even been handing out red ribbons so anyone seen wearing them know to steer clear of anyone not wearing a ribbon! It's wild! If they're wearing the red ribbon, they're pro-Lena and against Stef!"

"WHAT? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?" I screech as I finish pushing the cart to the front in time to hear Taylor holding one of his court sessions with people gathered around him.

"It makes more sense to back Stef because she has the famous diner all of the tourists flock to when they come to town. On the other hand, Lena has the Red Ribbon Inn where the tourists stay," he says. "Hmmmm, the quandary."

"TAYLOR!!!!! Where are they? Where are the ribbons????" I ask loudly as he stops talking and everyone looks at me.

"Why, hello, Francesca! You're home early for the holidays! Wasn't this week finals' week?"

"The ribbons, Taylor! Where are the RED RIBBONS?????" I hold my hands to my hips as I glare hard at the town councilman, for he was getting on my very last nerve at this point.

"Of course you'd want one, Francesca! She's pro-Lena, everyone, because she's her daughter!" Taylor reaches behind him and grabs a red ribbon from a bin, and I about leap over the counter now as I feel Callie pull me back by my little waist.

"Franks, not like this!" Callie hisses as Taylor jumps back as if he's been shot.

"I don't understand your hostility, Frankie! This is for Mapletown's own good! Red ribbons for those who wish to support Lena in this break-up and white ones for Stef's Diner!"

"There are white ones TOOO??????" I yell out as I barge behind the counter now, more furious than ever as I see both bins and snatch them, shoving one into Callie's arms as she had followed close behind me.

"Just ring up my groceries! There will be NO MORE passing out of ribbons! My mom and Stef don't need this foolishness! End of discussion! You should ALL be ashamed of yourselves!!!!!" I yell at the people who had been standing around as they mutter their apologies and leave the establishment.

Taylor frantically rings up the groceries now as Brian bags them for us, and I continue to glare as I pay for the food.

"Here, let me help you carry those, Frankie," Brian says politely as Callie nods and shoves a couple of bags into his arms before tugging on my arm.

"Come on, Callie. We got what we need."

"I mean it, Taylor!" I yell as she is pulling me outside. "NO MORE COURT! NO MORE RIBBONS!!!!!!!!!!!"