The Guard’s Daughter

The shock

Luckily for me my father is supporting me and it was easy enough to have my Jeep tires replaced. My Aunt Annette still barely acknowledges me and Josh is still actively pursuing me.

I’m neither avoiding nor not avoiding Jackson at school. One thing though is I have found a coffee shop I love. It’s a small independent shop with awesome pastries and special blends. I go there everyday after school.

It’s unusually busy today at the coffee shop the line going from the counter to the door. A new someone comes to the front from the back and for a moment I freeze. It’s been years since I’ve seen her she’s supposed to be dead. The woman at the register though is most definitely Raphael’s first wife Sophia. I know it seems crazy. I know that but I know it’s her. I get out of line and go outside.

I call Gio biting my lip as I wait for either him or his voicemail to pick up. When I’m about to give up he answers. In a rush I tell him I need him to come that I can’t tell him over the phone. He tries to tell me he can’t just leave I insist he figure it out. I don’t wait for his answer before hanging up and heading back into the shop.

I wait impatiently in line until I’m right in front of her. She doesn’t seem to recognize me but why would she? We were all five when she died. There was a funeral there was a closed casket no viewing just her photo at the service.

She was blonde with blue eyes. She was naturally tan and petite. She still is. Valentina looks like her while Victor favors his father in looks and temperament.

She gives me my coffee and my sweet treat not seeming to recognize me at all. I don’t have much time they’re busy but I can’t just walk away.

“My name’s Frankie I’d like an application”, I tell her.

She hands me an application easily. Her smile though has changed she’s frowning. My name isn’t extremely common.