Come Home, Frances

C23: Free Do-over

Frances' POV

"Frances?" my dad called me when he arrived at the living room where I'm at.

"Yeah?" I said without looking at him. Still occupied with what I'm reading.

"We have to start writing out
those place cards after we eat." Mom said seemingly agitated.

"Yes." I said still without gazing at them.

"Before you start on that,

I have a little surprise for you, Frances." Dad said while holding a document I guess.

"You know Ray Porter, right?

He taught constitutional law at Northwestern.

He and I were on law review together. We've known each other 1,000 years.

He is the dean of the law school now." Dad said sounding excited.

"Okay..." I said trailing.

"And they're gonna let you back in." that finally spilled the tea.

"What?" I asked clueless.

"Well...

I didn't even apply." I told dad still in confusion.

"I took care of it." My dad's smiling like he's more excited than me.

"This is crazy.

I feel like I'm getting a free do-over in life." I said. I'm spinning off.

fast forward

Jaydee's POV

I'm currently here at Frances' Duke invited me here. Tsk.  It's his wedding anyway.

"You look like you could use a drink." The man said as he approached me.

"I've already had several." I said without bothering to look at him.

"But you haven't had this." He insisted and poured a glass of expensive whiskey in my glass.

"All right." I said and then drink what he gave me. He just laughed when he saw my face after drinking the whiskey. Dude the whiskey burns.

"I'm glad we're having a moment alone. I haven't gotten a chance
to really talk to you, Jaydee." the man started to talk.

"Yeah. Yeah, cool." I just said nonchalantly.

"Congratulations." I said to him about the wedding and he just poured me another glass.

"That's nice." I said once I drink it all.

" Yes, it is." The man said. It's like it's his favorite drink.

"I've been thinking.

And I think that it's probably time
to let us take it from here." He said.

"Take what?" I asked completely.

"Things with Frances.

Look, I know she didn't have
health insurance because

you chose to live in a certain way,

and I know you must be drowning in debt.

But I also know a way out of this" He said. I think I know where this is going.

"What's that?" I asked him sarcastically.

"Divorce her." He said and drink his whiskey. I just laugh at him.

"The bills have only just begun, Jaydee." He said still convincing me on his deal.

"Mr. Pinlac, I don't think
this is the time or the place to discuss this." I said shifting my gaze toward him with a serious look on my face.

"Fine. If you don't care
about losing your business,
which, clearly, you don't, what about Frances? What about doing what is obviously the right thing for her?" He said. So we're playing dirty card here. How come he know about my company's problem.

"And you know what's right for her?" I said laughing in disbelief. I let him saw how disgust I am towards him.

" As a matter of fact, I do." He said proudly.

" You're such a hypocrite." I said forcing a laugh.

"What did you say?" He said sounding annoyed.

"If you're such a family man, how come I...

I never once saw you come and try
to put things back together with Frances?

You're such a coward." I told him and left him without waiting for his response. What a man he is.