House of Frank

by Kay Synclaire

“It’s not Julianna’s love. It’s mine.”

“Marionette doesn’t need Julianna’s love. She just needs to know that she is loved. And I have much to give.”

“You pick out the fine linens, Saika. You pick out the extravagant fabric, and you wear them. You buy the expensive tea or the book you’ve always wanted. You eat the pie you’ve always wanted to bake, because after knowing how precious life is, those little moments start to feel quite damn big.”

It’s simple. I didn’t mean as much to them as they meant to me.

I spoke the truth, and the world didn’t end.

“Feel how you’re going to feel. Cry as much as you’d like to cry. And when you want to speak to Phil again, do it. Write to him and thank him. Write him letters upon letters, telling him about your day. Tell him what you had for breakfast. Some small part of me feels like he’s still listening.”

I trust you with my pain. I trust you with my heart. It’s all I can give to you.”

“I don’t want to use you, Saika.”