Epilogue
Widow
Three Years Later
Corry’s big day had arrived. He was finally graduating from high school—a day he swore would never come.
Being a typical eighteen-year-old male, he thought time passed too slowly, and his senior year was just dragging on.
I, on the other hand, thought time had flown by.
It seemed like only yesterday that I was pulling off on the side of the road to help Frankie.
Back then, I only had my brothers and an occasional phone call to my mother and brother.
Now, I had it all—Frankie, Corry, Sean, and our two-year-old son, Jackson.
My life was complete which was something I hadn’t expected at my age.
I’d just gotten Jackson dressed for graduation, and he was looking like a million bucks.
His crystal blue eyes seemed even bluer with the little grey dress shirt and khaki shorts his mother had picked out.
He was feeling quite proud of his new outfit and was all smiles as we went to find his mother.
I went to our bedroom and bathroom, and when I couldn’t find her there, I checked the kitchen and the boys room.
She was nowhere to be found, so after checking the bathroom one last time, I went to check outside.
I opened the back door and called out, “Frankie?”
When I didn’t get a response, I shifted my hold on Jackson and started down the steps. As soon as I got to the doorway of the garage, I called out to her again, “Frankie?”
Still no answer. I was just about to turn around and go back inside when I was hit with a whiff of cigarette smoke, which had me heading out to the front yard.
I walked over to the bushes by the front steps, and sure enough, Frankie was there puffing away on a cigarette.
When she spotted me standing there with Jackson, she immediately tossed it on the ground and stomped it out with her foot.
“I know. I know. I’m just having a hard time with all this graduation stuff. ”
“Why the hard time?”
“Because my oldest baby is leaving me, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for him to go.”
“He’s not leaving you, Frankie. He’s going to be here all summer, and even when he goes to college, he’s just going to MTSU. He’ll be like thirty minutes away.”
She stepped out of the bushes as she said, “He’s still leaving.”
“He’ll be back.” I cocked my eyebrow as I told her, “Didn’t know you still had a stash.”
“Momma,” Jackson cried as he extended his hands towards Frankie.
“I didn’t either until I went and looked, but don’t worry. It was my last one.” She took him into her arms and smiled. “Well, don’t you both look handsome.”
“I think we cleaned up pretty well.”
“That you did.” When she started back towards the garage, she asked, “You talk to your mother? Are she and Madden going to make it today?”
“Already told ya not to get your hopes up about that.”
“I know, and I haven’t. I just wanted to be sure she knew we wanted her to be there.”
“I called her and told her all about it. She said she’d try, which you know means she isn’t gonna make it.” I shrugged. “Madden has to take one of the kids to some birthday party, so they aren’t coming either. But Menace and Rafe are coming. Pretty sure Country is, too.”
“That’s awfully sweet of them.” When we got back inside, she handed Jackson back over to me and said, “Let me grab my purse, and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Okay. I’ll let Sean and Corry know it’s time to go.”
We got the boys loaded up and headed over to the high school for graduation.
Just as I’d expected, Mom didn’t make it.
Marc and his better half were there, but sat off to their own, making sure to keep their distance.
I was pleased to see that Menace and Rafe showed up with Country in tow.
Even Doc and Hawk tagged along with Marlowe and Remington.
They’d all come to show their support, and it meant the world to us both, especially me.
Frankie was a crying, blubbering mess all through the graduation proceedings.
I don’t know what I would’ve done if Marlowe and Remington hadn’t been there to console her.
I’d tried to ease her mind about Corry going off, but I hadn’t been able to get through to her like they had.
She wiped away her tears and was actually smiling when Corry stepped up on the stage and took his diploma.
We all clapped and cheered, calling out his name like he’d just won the fucking lottery.
I had no doubt we’d embarrassed the hell out of him, but he knew we were there, and we loved him.
That’s all that really mattered. When the graduation was over, Corry came rushing over to us.
As soon as he’d said a polite but brief thank you to everyone for coming, he turned to Frankie and said, “Sean and I are heading over to Joseph’s.
We’re gonna eat there, and then, I’m heading to Emma Grace’s house for the graduation party. I’ll drop Sean off on my way over.”
“So, y’all aren’t going to eat with us?”
“Come on, Mom. We can eat with y’all any time.”
“But this is your special day.”
“Yeah, I know.” He shrugged and smiled as he told her, “That means we can go, right?”
“Yeah, but you both owe me a dinner tomorrow night.”
“Sure thing.” He gave her a big hug then said, “I’ll be home by one.”
“By twelve-thirty, Corry.”
“Fine. Twelve-thirty.”
He was about to turn to leave when I called out to him, “Corry?”
“Yeah?”
“Remember the rules,” I ordered.
“I know. No drinking and driving.” He smiled as he said, “You might wanna make sure you keep your phone on tonight.”
We knew there would be times when they’d find themselves in a predicament, so I told them I would pick them up anywhere and at any time of night without any questions. All they had to do was call. I gave him a nod as I said, “I definitely will. You just be careful.”
“Will do.” He stopped and studied me for a moment, then walked over and wrapped his arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. “Thank you, Ro. Thank you for everything.”
Before I had a chance to respond, he let go and ran off to join his buddies. I stood there for a second, trying to swallow the knot that had formed in my throat. Frankie slipped her arm around my waist as she whispered, “The boys are very lucky to have you.”
I looked down at her and Jackson, and my chest tightened as I told her, “I’m the lucky one. Make no mistake about that.”
We thanked everyone for coming, then gathered up Jackson and headed back to the house.
Once we had him down for the night, Frankie came into the kitchen and stood in front of me, looking at me with nothing but love in her eyes.
“I wanted to thank you for tonight. Actually, I want to thank you for all the nights ...and all the early mornings and long afternoons. You being there has meant so much to me and to the boys.”
She brought her hands up to my face, pulling me close as she pressed her lips against mine. I’d never dreamed I could be as content as I was with her, but I was. I truly was. Frankie was my everything. I pulled back and looked down at her as I said, “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
“You know...we’ve got some time before Corry drops off Sean.”
“Yeah?”
“Um-hmm.” She started to step backwards, smiling mischievously as she whispered, “Bedroom?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Like two horny teenagers, we rushed to the bedroom, eagerly kissing and pawing at each other like we hadn’t just had sex the night before. “How long do you think we have before Sean gets home?”
“An hour?” She quickly unzipped her dress and let it drift aimlessly to the floor, then watched eagerly as I freed myself from my jeans and boxers. “Maybe longer.”
As I stood there looking at her gorgeous blue eyes and sexy smile, I couldn’t imagine loving her more.
My eyes zeroed in on her hands as she reached behind her and unhooked her lace bra.
She took her time letting the straps cascade down her shoulders and slowly down her arms, revealing her perfect breasts in her own time and way.
Damn. She knew just how to torture me in all the right ways.
Unable to resist a moment longer, I stepped towards her and pressed my mouth against her.
Her lips were so soft, so warm, and as her tongue brushed against mine, a deep moan vibrated through my chest. My hands became possessive, roaming, squeezing, and pulling her tightly against me.
Damn. I’d never get enough of this woman. Never.
Turned out, taking a chance on her was the best decision I’ve ever made.
I hadn’t just found the love of my life.
I’d found my home.
The End