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“Hey!” Jessica’s voice startled Frances a little as she was standing off to the side by a tree.
“Shit! Hey Jessica..Man you are so quiet ya need to like make a noise when coming up behind me” Frances said laughing
“I apologize..” Jessica said
“It’s okay sweetheart anyways great party huh?” Frances said
“Yeah totally I’m just glad to see Zoe having a good time” Jessica said
“Me too she deserves to be happy and I feel her parents make it hard sometimes on her” Frances said as they glanced at Zoe who was laughing and hanging out with Lars and Tony.Tony met Frances gaze and waved at her as Frances smiled and waved back and then he turned his attention back to Zoe as she was talking.
“Oooo Frances I think he think he likes you look at the way he just looked at you..” Jessica teased
“What? Tony? Oh Jessica no were just friends..” Frances insisted going flushed
“Girl you’re blushing” Jessica said noticing
“Okay maybe I do like him..” Frances admitted finally out loud to herself and Jessica
“Aww well I don’t blame ya I may be Married and Tony may be old enough to be my dad but he is pretty hot” Jessica admitted
“Yeah” Frances said
“You’d be like a cute couple..if you want next time I talk to Tony I could put in a good word for ya” Jessica said winking
“That’s really nice of you Jessica you’d do that for me?” Frances said
“Ya huh you’re really pretty and super sweet and he’s a nice guy too you both deserve good people like eachother after all of you both been through..”
Frances noticed Jessica’s voice break slightly and her lips quiver. She reached over to rub her arm.
“Thanks. You okay?” Frances asked concerned
“To be honest no” Jessica whispered
“You wanna take a walk and talk about it?” Frances offered taking her hand figuring she just needed a mom figure to confide in here
Jessica nodded squeezing Frances hand as Frances lead the way as they decided to walk the path around the main treatment facility once they were out of earshot and sight by where the outdoor massage area was located they sat in the nearby white stools and Frances took both of Jessica’s manicured hands in hers and looked her right in the eye remorsefully and asked
“What’s up Jessica? You know whatever you say will be safe you can tell me”
Jessica felt tears start to stream down her face as she sniffled trying to contain her crying as Frances stroked her palms with her thumbs.
“I-I’m scared Frances..” Jessica managed to blubbered out shaking
“Oh honey okay okay…Cmere..” Frances said pulling Jessica closer to her and gently pushed her head down so she could cry on Frances shoulder as Frances wrapped her arms around her and reached up with one hand to caress Jessica’s hair and cheek. Jessica just sobbed as Frances held onto her and rocked her in her arms like she was a child who had a nightmare to try and calm her down resting her head on the top of Jessica’s.
“What’s wrong what are you avatar of baby huh?” Frances whispered into her hair rubbed her back
“I’m scared of losing Ben..” Jessica said
“Aw why do you think that’s gonna happen? I mean you two had me fooled with the way you were dancing real closely tonight at the party” Frances replied curious as to what she meant
“I mean we’re fine right now but we’ve had moments where we’re close as hell and then the next minute we’re struggling to keep our marriage together and the dark moments have been more constant and gotten worse since we came here and I feel maybe I’m realizing we could drift apart..if we separate or divorce I won’t have anyone left he’d get all the money and id be homeless I’ll be all alone..nobody in my life lately cares about us they care about our money. Not even my own parents want anything to do with me Frances..ever since they found out I was dating Ben im dead to them they disowned me being they didn’t like and still hate that I’m in love with a black man.” Jessica sobbed into Frances. Frances now understood why Jessica had Clung on so tightly to Frances since coming here being she saw her as this mom figure.
“Shhhh..oh no no I’m so sorry Jess that’s horrible no child should ever have to go through that…hey look at me..” Frances said tilting her face up and stroking her cheek and drying her tears
“Ben is a wonderful guy you aren’t Gonna lose love him cuz it’s clear he is crazy about you and even if what you said would happen between you two is true you wouldn’t be alone at all we all like you and care about you especially me you got me honey. I don’t care how much money you do or don’t have I think you’re a wonderful person and that’s all that matters and you are. You’re a beautiful girl Jessica..” Frances said pushing a strand of Jessica’s hair behind her ear
“You actually would consider me like a actual friend? Or even maybe like a mom?..would you adopt me?” Jessica asked half joking but also sorta serious feeling absolutely reassured by Frances comforting words
“Yeah of course I’d be happy to I know I don’t have kids but you can be like my kid..” Frances said now with tears her eyes feeling now like she had a purpose in her life to people especially to Jessica
“I would really like that!” Jessica sobbed this time in relief as she turned embraced Frances frontwards as Frances hugged her back tightly.
“Good me too!” Frances said. They stayed holding eachother for the next few minutes until Frances broke it off cradling her face briefly then kissing her head and then reached into her jumper pocket to pull out a pen and a used napkin and started to write on it.
“Frances what are you doing?” Jessica asked laughing through her tears
Frances then handed her the napkin showing her she wrote her phone number and Instagram handle on it.
“In case you ever need me and so we can stay in contact after this when we all get our cellphones back. Don’t ever be afraid to call me at any time if you end up in a jam I dont care if it’s 3am if you need help I’ll be right there and plus that’s so we can be Instagram buddies” Frances said winking pointing to the @ that read @francesweltywrites.
Jessica laughed as she folded the napkin and stuck it in her bra as it was the only place she could store it and just hugged the hell out of Frances again. Frances smiled and held her tight and kissed her cheek and patted her back.
“I love you okay? Don’t you forget that..” Frances whispered feeling Jessica didn’t hear that enough from other people in her life.
“I love you too momma Frances!” Jessica said crying again as she just drank in the hug for the rest of Gen evening feeling the motherly love she hadn’t felt in a long time and was so happy Frances would be willing to provide that to her.