An Unexpected Affair by Elizabeth Lennox

Chapter 11

Evie saw the woman sitting on her front stoop as she drove down her driveway.  It had been six weeks since she’d first seen this Frankie woman.  Six weeks of challenging days of filming and gloriously happy nights in Brock’s arms.  They laughed and cooked.  He helped her with her lines and they argued about scenes and how they should be played out. 

But filming had wrapped up.  Everyone could tell the film was going to be good.  No, not good.  Epic!  It was going to be one of the most amazing films of the year!  Superficially, the story was about a woman who evolved into a serial killer.  But the sub themes of parental emotional abuse, abuse of power, politicians’ hypocrisy, the challenge of growing up in the shadow of powerful people…it was all there in both subtle and not-so-subtle detail throughout the film.  It was brilliant and she loved it! 

And she was also more than a little sorry that the filming was almost done.  There would be several weeks of editing and polishing, then the marketing would start up.  Interviews with all the major news channels and talk shows.  Evie and Brock, along with the rest of the cast, would fly all over the country, drumming up interest. 

Still, she wouldn’t see Brock every day and that depressed her more than she was willing to admit.

So finding Frankie on her front steps, a place where she should have privacy, sparked her temper. 

“What do you want?” Evie demanded, leaving her car in the driveway instead of parking in her garage.

The woman stood up carefully and Evie realized that she was pregnant.  Not very far along, but far enough that Evie could see her jeans weren’t buttoned and her tee shirt was stretched tight over her softly rounded stomach. 

“Could we talk?  Just for a moment?”

Evie sighed, and glanced up at the sun, which was blazing in the sky.  She had no idea how long Frankie had been sitting out in the sunshine, but the heat couldn’t be good for the baby. 

“Come on in,” Evie grumbled. 

Frankie followed obediently and Evie closed the door, leading her into the kitchen.  She immediately grabbed a glass and filled it with ice and cold water.  “Sit,” Evie ordered, eyeing a chair pointedly.  “What are you doing out in that kind of heat in your condition?” she demanded as Frankie sat and accepted the water.  “Nothing could be that important.”

Frankie gulped the water, then set the empty glass down, smiling with gratitude.  “Well, see, there is something that important.”

“Not my father!” Evie asserted firmly.

There was a long silence.  “You know Edward Meyers?”

Evie bristled and took another glass from the cabinet, pouring her own glass of water and refilling Frankie’s.  “I know about Edward Meyers, but he’s not my father.” 

“But…?”

Evie sighed and leaned against the counter.  “Here’s the deal.  My mother fell in love with Edward.  She knew his reputation and didn’t care.  He was charming and generous, and apparently, she enjoyed his company.”

Frankie shook her head.  “We must be talking about a different person then.”

“No.”  She rubbed her forehead.  “From what my mother told me, Edward was only charming until she gave in and slept with him.  She was his mistress for about six months.  He even proposed, gave her a diamond ring and everything.”

Frankie sighed, her shoulders drooping.  “Then this really can’t be the right man.”  She made a sound of disgust.  “After the last time we spoke, I thought I’d made a mistake. So, I did more research, which is why I’m here.  All the evidence I’ve discovered points to you as Edward Meyers’ daughter.”  She shook her head.  “I’m sorry.  I won’t bother you again.”

Evie put a hand on Frankie’s arm before she could stand up.  “Let me finish,” she said softly.

“Edward Meyers gave my mother a diamond ring and promised to marry her, but as soon as my mother told him that she was pregnant, according to my mom, he became enraged.  The bastard kicked her out of his house and, because she was working for him as well, he fired her.” 

Frankie cringed even as she nodded.  “Okay, that sounds more like the man I know.”

“Yes, well,” Evie sighed and looked up at the ceiling.  “The way Mother tells it, Edward asked my mother to attend several social events as his fiancé.  But he refused to pay for her clothes.  She used every dime she had saved up in order to look the way Edward wanted her to.  He had very expensive tastes and, if she wore anything from a discount store, he criticized her.  It was a hugely abusive relationship, from what she’s told me.  And I’m grateful that she got away.”

“So…what happened?”

Evie toyed with her water glass.  “My mother was sitting in a coffee shop, with me on her lap, when a talent agent asked if she was interested in allowing a photographer to take my picture.  My mom was so broke by that point, she was willing to do just about anything.  The way she tells it, we were weeks away from being evicted.  The expense of giving birth was horrendous, but she was on a payment plan with the hospital.  She was terrified that, if she didn’t pay what the hospital demanded, and I got sick, they wouldn’t help her.”

Frankie cringed.  “We have a horrible health care system in this country.”

“I agree,” Evie laughed, but the sound was oddly flat.  “Anyway, the photographer used my baby pictures in a marketing campaign.  And that was the start of my glorious career.” She said the last with a bite of sarcasm.  “But the thing is, Edward was absolutely livid when he found out that I was in the entertainment industry. He threatened to sue my mother for custody.”

“His bastardness just gets worse and worse,” Frankie grumbled.

“Exactly.  So you can understand why I don’t want to acknowledge his paternity.”

Frankie nodded. “Yes.  I can understand completely.  But here’s the thing….”

“I’m not going to talk to him, Frankie,” Evie interrupted firmly.  “There’s nothing you can say that will convince me that he doesn’t belong in a special place in hell.”

Frankie laughed, her hand unconsciously moving over her stomach. “I agree with you.  And since my little one here is that bastard’s grandson, I completely understand your feelings.”

Evie’s eyes narrowed as the implication of Frankie’s words registered.  “Do you mean…?”

“Yes,” Frankie said, nodding firmly.  “My husband, who was with me the last time we talked?” At Evie’s tense nod, she continued.  “He’s one of Edward Meyers’ sons.”

Evie blinked, still processing. Then a word struck her.  “One of his sons?” she choked out.  “Wait.  Does that mean that your husband is…?”

“Your brother,” Frankie nodded, starting to smile.  “Well, technically, Kade is your half-brother.  But,” she covered Evie’s hand with her own.  “Kade is a wonderful man.  So are the other two brothers.  They didn’t know about each other either.  But as soon as I introduced them, they bonded.  They are,” she smiled, shaking her head.  “Well, they’re really annoying, but very sweet, and they get together pretty often, getting to know each other.”  She looked into Evie’s eyes with understanding.  “They all have similar stories about Edward Meyers.  He knocked up their mothers, and kicked them out of his life without child support.  Because Edward is a wealthy, powerful man, he was able to threaten them with legal consequences if any of them demanded child support.”

Evie’s head dropped into her hands as her mind spun.  “Brothers?” she echoed.  “I have brothers?”

She used to beg her mother for a sister, someone she could whisper to at night about secrets and boys and all the things that she never wanted to tell her mother.  She’d never considered brothers, but the possibility was…amazing! 

“You might have brothers,” Frankie clarified.  “I need to do a DNA test to make certain.”

“Yes!” Evie gasped.  “Yes!  I’ll do it.  Just…yes!”

Frankie laughed, obviously relieved.  “Thank you!” she replied.  “I have one here in my…” she looked in her bag, then groaned.  “No.  I have the wrong bag.  I only brought my small bag here to talk to you today.  Would you have time tomorrow?  It only takes seconds. It’s just a swab of the inside of your cheek.  No pain.  No fuss.  It’s super simple and I’ll have the results back in a few days.”

Evie nodded, but she still felt a sense of…numbness.  “Yes.  Anytime.”  She glanced at her calendar on her cell phone. “Shoot!” she muttered, biting her lower lip.  “I’m at the studio tomorrow morning for some wrap up issues that I can’t get out of.  But I can slip away for this.  And I’d be happy to arrange for a private tour of the studios.  Would that be convenient?”

Frankie picked up her cell phone, nodding in agreement.  “Give me the address and I’ll be there.  Whatever time is good for you.”

Evie picked up her own phone and flipped through the schedule for the next day.  “I have a late morning call tomorrow.  It’s just reaction shots.”

“How about nine o’clock?”

Evie put her phone down and nodded.  “Nine o’clock.  I’ll put your name in at the gate so you can drive through to the studio.”

Frankie grinned.  “This is going to be awesome!  I have your phone number and I’ll call as soon as I have the results.”

A moment later, she was gone, driving away just as Brock pulled up. Evie watched, practically vibrating with excitement, eager to tell Brock about her conversation with the private investigator.  She hadn’t told him about Frankie’s visit the first time, dismissing Frankie’s comments from her mind.  But now there was the possibility of brothers.  She wanted to shout her happiness and hope to everyone.

Then something Frankie said hit her.  What if they weren’t her brothers?  What if they were just strangers and there was no relation whatsoever? 

She eyed Brock, not sure what to do.  On the one hand, she really wanted to tell him, to share this news.  But on the other hand, if she said something, would she jinx things?  Okay, that was absolutely ridiculous.  The DNA test was simple science.  She either was related to these men, or she wasn’t. 

Still, when Brock walked into the still-open doorway and hugged her, she wasn’t sure what to say.  “Are you okay?” he asked. 

“I’m fine!” She said, adding a bright smile.

He looked at her strangely.  “Are you sure?”

Evie pulled out of his arms and, unconsciously, started pacing.  “Yeah.  I’m sure.  Why wouldn’t you think I’m sure?” She nibbled her thumbnail as her gaze darted from the kitchen to the patio, not sure where she would be more comfortable.  In reality, Evie knew she wouldn’t be able to calm down until tomorrow.  No, not true.  She wouldn’t be calm until the DNA results were back and she could meet these men.  Brothers!  Good grief, not just one brother, but several!  Evie hadn’t asked how many brothers there were, but just the thought of having a relative, someone to call family, was…thrilling! 

Brock put the bag down and began unloading their dinner, bringing her attention back to the present. “Because you’re acting weird,” he replied.  “Who was the woman who just left?  She looked familiar for some reason.”

Evie shrugged.  “Her name is Frankie and she’s…” she stopped, worried that revealing that the other woman was the private investigator from several weeks ago might segue into questions about why she was back.  “She’s just a friend.”  That was sort of a fib.  But not really.  If the DNA came back showing she was related to Edward Meyers, then Frankie’s husband would be…!

Evie spun around, continuing to pace. What if she wasn’t related?  What if this was all for nothing and she was still all alone in this world?  What if she didn’t have brothers she could talk to and laugh with and…!

What if her brothers were horrible men?  No, that wasn’t the case, she thought and paced along the edge of the kitchen.  Frankie knew them, she had married one of them.  Evie suspected that Frankie was a good person and wouldn’t have married a man that wasn’t good.

But they didn’t live here in Los Angeles. Where had Frankie said they lived?  Evie wrung her hands, chewing her lip as she tried to remember everything Frankie had said.

“Evie, what the hell is going on?”

Brock’s harsh tone broke through her worried thoughts. “Um…!”  What could she say? 

“Did you take something?” he demanded, walking over to hold her upper arms.  His fingers didn’t hurt, but his words did.  “What are you on?”

Stunned, Evie pulled back, feeling as if he’d just slapped her.  “On?  What do you mean?”

His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he looked into hers, obviously trying to evaluate her irises.  “Drugs?  Did you take something?  Is that woman your supplier?”

Shocked at the outrageous question, Evie laughed, shaking her head.  “Are you kidding me?”

He dropped his hands and moved away, muttering under his breath.  When he turned back to face her, there was fury in his eyes.  “Evie, we talked about this.  You know how I feel about drugs!”

Evie jerked slightly.  “Yeah, we did talk about it. And as I told you then, I don’t do drugs! Brock, I will admit I have…crutches for difficult times, but…!”

“Damn it, Evie!  Why?” he snapped, turning his back on her, one hand fisted on his lean hip and the other rubbing his forehead. 

She shook her head slightly, trying to figure out why he was so upset.  “But Brock it’s not a problem.  I have it under control!”

He shook his head, his eyes on fire.  “My mother died of a drug overdose, Evie,” he said, his voice soft but shaking with fury.  “She couldn’t control herself. She couldn’t stop!”  He breathed in heavily, then slowly let the air out.  “Drugs are a no go for me. You knew that Evie. This whole time, you knew that.”

Evie couldn’t believe that he would do this!  Hadn’t he learned anything about her over the past several months?  They’d been together almost non-stop!  She slept in his arms every night.  He made love to her until she was screaming with pleasure and Evie was one hundred percent sure that he felt the same.

Damn it, she loved him!  She hadn’t wanted to love him, but it was true.  She felt things for him that…that she shouldn’t feel!  And he was about to walk out of her life?

With horrified eyes, she watched as Brock stormed out of her house, slamming the door behind him.  “I don’t do drugs!” she whispered, but it was too late.  He was already gone. 

For a long moment, she didn’t move, the pain in her chest too much for any sort of movement.  But slowly, her heart hammering behind her ribs, she turned around and walked over to the cabinet that held her secret shame.  But before she could open it, she turned away, closing her eyes and whispering, “Don’t do it!”

Evie turned and looked at the front door, firmly closed against all of her dreams.  Silly dreams that she’d woven into elaborate fantasies of a long life with Brock.  Children.  Vacations.  Working together.  Having a family!  Growing old with him by her side. 

She turned and ran for the basement.  But after a half hour of boxing, she still felt as if her heart was going to break in half.  Turning, she stared at the stairway that would lead back up to her stash.  Her secret shame.  Her crutch! 

“Don’t do it!” she told herself.  Getting into the shower, she scrubbed herself clean, washing off the sweat and tears. 

After she dried off, Evie pulled on a pair of soft, cotton pants and a sweatshirt, then looked around once again.  “I can resist!” she vowed.

Walking up the stairs, she felt better.  More confident. 

Then she entered the kitchen and saw the food that Brock had brought in and…abandoned.  Just as he’d abandoned her. 

“Oh, forget it!” she hissed and turned to glare at the cabinet.  Walking over to it, she opened the door and looked inside with a sigh.  It was there.  Her secret, shameful stash that was so bad for her body and her health.  But at this moment, she didn’t care! 

With shaking fingers, she pulled the packages down and laid them all on the coffee table.  Chocolate bars of all shapes and sizes, potato chips, Doritos, cheese puffs…ooh, she loved cheese puffs!  Tearing open the bag of cheese puffs, she walked over to the fridge and pulled out a diet coke.  Nothing tastes better with cheese puffs than a diet coke, she thought, settling on the couch.  With her last clean finger, she pressed the button that turned on the television.  Selecting a mystery, she tugged the blanket off of the back of her sofa to cover her legs and grabbed a chocolate bar.  With one hand holding the chocolate, she alternated eating the chocolate and the cheese puffs.  When those were gone, she grabbed the bag of potato chips.  But that still wasn’t enough.  She could still feel the pain in her chest so she grabbed the chocolate and peanut butter candies, quickly unwrapping one after another and popping them into her mouth.  When she couldn’t take the sugar any longer, she grabbed the chips again. 

Yes, this was her secret shame.  Apparently, Evie didn’t have it under control.  Brock was right.  Under the right circumstances, she fell right back into her old crutch, relying on the numbing qualities of carbs and sugar.  By the time the sun set, she couldn’t feel the pain in her chest because she was so sick from the sugar and fried junk food.  This.  This was her drug of choice.  She closed her eyes, tilting off to the side as she cried herself to sleep.