Chapter 74: Hot Crazy Chick III
After breakfast, I went to school. I came back later with Summer and Marissa. We were sitting in the living room, with both of them working on school assignments while I helped where I could (with knowledge, mostly)
The door opened, and my dad's voice echoed, "Okay, here we are. This is it, right? One kid, no pets?" He looked at Frankie, since this time she was accompanied by an eight‑year‑old child.
"As far as I know," she responded.
We all greeted each other, Summer murmuring to me, "That crazy woman is still here?"
"Yep."
She signaled with her hands to Marissa that she would explain everything later.
The little girl glanced toward the deck and asked her mother, "Can I go look at the ocean?"
"Sure, just stay on the deck," Frankie allowed.
Then, she turned to Charlie and Alan, "Okay, who has the first question?"
"What the hell is going on?" Alan blurted out before they could decide who would start
"Oh, good one," Charlie acknowledged.
"Here it is. I married a really rich guy, and his parents always hated me." Frankie began to explain, "I don't know. Maybe it was because when we met, he was on the road to becoming a U.S. Congressman - and I was just, you know, on the road."
She continued, "Or maybe because we used part of his trust fund to finance my recording career."
Alan looked surprised, "You're a singer?"
"Well, as it turns out, no," she denied.
The crazy chick finished the story, "Then two years ago, Brad died. And ever since, his parents have been trying to take Joanie away from me."
Now understanding the situation, Summer said, "I think I'll go to the deck too," and pulled Marissa along with her.
Alan made a realization face, "So, the psychiatrist...?"
"Court ordered. They're suing me for custody, saying I'm an unfit parent," she revealed.
"Unfit, how?"
"Being crazy?" I deadpanned, "but I'd put my money on being dumb."
"Francis!" Alan snapped.
"What?" I stepped closer to them. "What do you call someone who trashed a car? Especially one that doesn't even belong to the person you're trying to get revenge on?"
"Wait, what?" Frankie blinked.
"The car you destroyed in the parking lot wasn't your psychiatrist's." I handed her a sheet of paper. "You're being sued for vandalism. And it won't be long before the police call you in for questioning."
She fell silent, her face turning pale.
I warned my dad and uncle, "They'll be here soon, since you two were also seen at the scene."
"What are we supposed to do?" Alan widened his eyes.
We? Where are we? I thought. But I gave him an idea.
"You can convince Judith to let them stay at her place for a few days - just until Frankie figures out where she's going," I suggested. "Just make some lies."
Since nobody was thinking clearly, he agreed. Alan, Frankie and Joanie headed to Sherman Oaks.
Charlie patted my back, "Uff, we dodged a bomb there."
I corrected, "We? You mean me, right, Dad?"
"Okay, smartass. You saved the day," he said with a mocking bow. "But you didn't have a better solution?"
"Oh, I had several better solutions. But then I'd have to compromise someone I care about, or I'd have to pay her way out with my money. Why would I do that for a stranger?" I shrugged.
I could solve everything with lawyers, money, and influence…
"And Judith seems like the perfect person to handle another crazy woman"
Charlie laughed and went to the kitchen.
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Summer, Marissa and I were out on the deck talking when Berta walked in holding a baking tray.
"I already heard about the mess your father caused again," she deadpanned, "and your uncle trying to make it even worse."
"Come on, Berta, if things were normal around here, you'd die of boredom," I said, already grabbing a cookie she had baked.
The other two took one as well.
Then Berta's phone rang, and for a moment, she actually gave a genuine, rare smile.
"Wow, that is almost new to me," I mentioned, looking at her.
"It's my grandchild - my little angel," she explained, smiling. "The only one who doesn't cause me problems and actually makes me proud."
"You have kids? And grandkids?" I asked, since we'd never talked about that before.
"Three daughters, all trouble. Only one granddaughter," she replied. "Reagan Lucas."
"Reagan Lucas?" Summer raised an eyebrow.
A different name for a girl.
"Yeah, I didn't like the name either - my dumb daughter named her after her two exes," she scoffed.
I winced. Jesus. "Lucas I understand, but Reagan is kind of rare for a man's name," I pointed out thoughtfully. It's a unisex name, but more common for girls.
"Nah, Reagan was a woman," Berta revealed. "You would love my granddaughter, Francis. She's 16, smart and stunning."
I was taken by surprise, and Summer spread her arms, "Berta, I thought you liked me."
"I do, or I would've already brought her here," she smirked. "You're a good girl, but my granddaughter doesn't lose to either of you."
and she went to finish the house chores.
Summer asked me, "Why the face?"
"I won't lie, I got really curious," I answered, pulling her closer to me.
"Humph," Summer pouted.
"Come on, Berta doesn't brag about anything, and judging by how she talked about her family, she doesn't sugarcoat things either. I'm just curious about who could put a smile on that thick shell of hers." I commented
Marissa saw a notification on her phone, "Huh, Haley wants to talk to me."
She went inside to call my cousin, while I took the opportunity to keep kissing Summer.
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