Mack Daddy(64)

“I’ve been holding onto that,” I said. “And holding onto myself for that matter.” I’d tried to joke around so she wouldn’t suspect something was seriously off with me.

“Not for long. I was thinking of coming there next weekend.”

Oh, shit.

“Really?”

“Is that not gonna work?”

“Believe me, I want to see you more than anything. I just want to make sure I’m prepared. This apartment is not very homey.”

“It’ll feel like the old days. Is there a dingy basement where we could do laundry?”

“Actually, I don’t even have a washing machine in this temporary housing. I will have to go to the laundromat.”

“We can go together.”

I couldn’t tell her not to come.

“It doesn’t matter where we are. As long as I’m with you, that’s all that matters, Frankie.”

“Soon. Okay?”

After we hung up, the sickness in my stomach kicked in. I knew I couldn’t keep the information about her father from her. I’d promised myself I would tell her in person the next chance I got. Unfortunately, that day would be coming faster than I was ready for.





My flight was booked for my weekend trip to D.C., and I was going to see an apartment after work tomorrow. Things were finally moving forward.

Amazingly, Victor and I were getting along pretty well. He’d begun joining me for breakfast again in the mornings. We kept our separate ways at the end of each day overall, but it was comforting to know we weren’t going to be ending things on horrible terms. We were speaking, at least.

Wednesday evening, Vic and I crossed paths when he walked in the door from work. I was in the kitchen about to make some tea.

“You got a FedEx package,” he said.

“Really? I didn’t see it on the way in.”

“Sometimes they deliver late in the day. They must have just left it at the door.”

“Thank you,” I said, taking the package from him.

Included in the envelope was a letter and a series of Xeroxed newspaper articles. The letterhead said From the Office of Senator Michael J. Morrison at the top. My heart began to palpitate.



Dear Francesca,



My reason for writing you is two-fold. As Senator Morrison gears up for re-election and the possibility of a future run for president, it’s my job as one of his top advisers to see to the well-being of his career, in addition the well-being of his family—which happens to also be my family. Given your inappropriate relationship with the father of my child, as due practice, it’s extremely important that we fully investigate any associates of Senator Morrison or any associates of the Morrison family.

A thorough investigation into your birth records and family history has uncovered a troubling finding regarding the identity of your father.

You are the only child of Frederick Higgins, an inmate currently serving a life sentence for extortion, narcotics, illegal gambling, murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. He was a member of Philadelphia’s Irish mob. Your mother, Karen O’Hara, fled Philadelphia shortly after you were born. Included in this package is a copy of your birth certificate with Frederick Higgins named as the father. Also included are numerous press articles in regards to his trial and subsequent conviction.

This information is troubling to me on many levels, namely the fact that if your identity ever becomes known publicly, there is a very serious chance that you could be in danger. This in turn would put my family in danger so long as you are associating with Mackenzie.

While Senator Morrison has no intention of bringing this news to light, he cannot control what information his political rivals may uncover. It didn’t take much for us to dig up this information, which disturbing as it may be, is par for the course in this day and age. It therefore wouldn’t take long for someone else to uncover it, as well. When that happens, it will not only put your life in danger, but the lives of my loved ones, including my son. And I cannot stand for that.

Mackenzie has known about the identity of your father for several days now. I’m sure he, too, is weighing what this means for his relationship with you in the long-term. I trust he will eventually draw the right conclusion, one that will be in the best interest of his child.

Do what you may with this information. But if you care for Mackenzie or care at all for my son, I hope you make the right decision.



Sincerely,



Torrie Hightower



My head was throbbing so hard, and my vision felt blurry. I could barely make out the sound of Victor’s voice.

He sounded muffled, as if he were talking through a cup even though he was right in front of me. “Francesca, what’s wrong?”

My hands were shaking as I handed him the letter.

After reading it and sifting through the articles, he pulled me into his arms and held onto me tightly.

“It’s going to be okay.”

“I can’t breathe,” I said, practically wheezing.

“Try. Try to breathe. We’re gonna handle this. We’ll confirm whether it’s true. And if it is, we will deal with it.”

Too afraid to see my supposed father’s face, I hadn’t even been able to look at the newspaper clippings.

“First step…we need to get your mother over here. Only she can confirm what’s true and what’s not.”