The Sweetest Devotion (The Affair Series Book 2)

The Truth

"So you actually asked her? What did she say?" Mariana said to Frankie as the two were cleaning up the diner. The girl was feeling rather frustrated after her conversation with Lena that seemed to go nowhere and she was back and square one with her search. She felt pretty bad for how she had spoken to her as well for it was unlike her to talk to someone in such a way and Lena had been very kind to her, but she was frustrated.

"Nothing."

"What do you mean nothing. I mean how do you say nothing."

"Well she told me she wasn't her."

"Ok so she is not but you don't believe her?"

"Nope. I mean I do but it's weird. Something is weird about it but I don't know what. She said she was talking to a few people to get more information for me but I don't believe her. I feel like she's hiding something."

"Ok well if she's not your mother maybe the problem is is that she knows who it is."

"Ok then why doesn't she just tell me instead of giving me the run around?"

"Maybe that person doesn't want you to know who they are."

"Well it's not like I would know who they are."

"Maybe you already do."

"What do you mean?" Frankie asked confused as Mariana looked behind her to see Stef had taken a seat at the counter reading her paper as usual. She was well aware of the generous tips the cop left her friend and how much they hung out and talked as well. "Look I know you are suspicious of Lena but you aren't at all of Stef. Maybe it's her."

"Stef? No she's just Lena's friend." she whispered back.

"Yeah. Maybe she is protecting her. I'm telling you. It's her. Lena disappeared right after you asked her for help and Stef started to show up. That's not weird to you?" Continuing to whisper and move her friend a little further away out of earshot of the cop Frankie furrowed her eyebrows as she turned to see Stef who had not noticed them. 

"Look no one said your mother had to be black and she is in here almost every other day just to see you. I mean either she's a creepy stalker who likes you or she's your mother. Because no one makes that kind of an effort or gives away that kind of cash without a reason.  If your not here she leaves. I'm telling you and if Lena is weird about helping you that's why."

Soaking up what her friend had told her it almost hit Frankie like a brick for some of it made sense. A good amount of it made Stef as she remembered how Stef asked her a good amount about her past, about her parents, how she grew up and if they treated her well. She asked about her education, what her plans were, and if she was happy. Lena had not asked her half of that and had didn't do half the things Stef had. But if Mariana's theory was true what would she do? She couldn't ask her for she didn't want to make a fool out of herself again.  She just didn't and she wasn't sure if she could face her today as her eyes fell on the cop and Stef feeling them looked up to see an expression on Frankie's face that looked like hurt and confusion. Just as she was about to say something the girl ran out and Stef instantly followed her.

"Frankie! Frankie don't run! What's wrong honey! Stop!" She yelled after her as the girl walked faster tears falling down her face. But because she was so upset Stef soon caught up to her and gently grabbed her hand turning around to see tears fall from her eyes.

"Baby what's wrong? Why did you run? Did someone in there bother you? MM? What happened?" She asked gently resting her hand on the girls shoulders.

With tears falling from her eyes Frankie wiped them as her tears started to fall even more.

"Baby talk to me. What happened honey? What's wrong?"

"I just, I just want to understand. I just want to know what's going on Stef?"

"With what? What do you want to understand honey? Huh?"

"Why do you come see me everyday? Why do you really leave me money? Why do you hang out with me? WHy do you ask me about my life. Why? Just tell me. Who are you?"

Seeing Frankie's tears ripped Stef inside as she realized she needed to come clean. She really did no matter of the consequences. The young girl was hurting, she was crying her eyes out.

"I called Lena I asked her, I asked her if she was my birth  mother and she said no. She said no and...

"I am." Stef blurted out as Frankie looked her dead in the eyes.

"What?"

"I'm your birth mother Frankie. I'm her."

"You, you are?"

"Yes baby. I am. I was going to tell you but I just, I didn't know how and I didn't know when. I didn't mean to mislead you or hurt you, I didn't baby."

Not knowing what to say as the two stood in the middle of the sidewalk Stef's walkie went off at one of the worst times as she cut it off trying to ignore it even if she knew she would get shit for it.

"Listen I can take the rest of the day and we can...

"No. I just. I need to think. I need to think. I need to go." Frankie said walking off quickly.

"Frankie. Baby please!" Stef yelled after her but the young girl couldn't talk right now for it hit her like a ton of bricks. All of it.