Okay, I'm back with the next chapter. I know you're not here to read an author's note, so, with out further ado...

If I Were Like Frank

Hi, my name is Callie Shaw. I am a typical American, teenage girl, with a not-so-typical boyfriend.

You see, he's always running off, putting some criminal in jail with that brother of his (Joe is a whole 'nother story.); and solving dangerous mysteries. I'm proud of him, of course; but when his case interferes with our time together... I just can't help feeling angry!

It's not that I don't want him to be happy, and solving mysteries makes him very happy; but I need some attention! I can't stand those times when we'll be out to dinner, and he'll suddenly spot a criminal and be like " 'Scuse me for just one second, Callie!" Then he runs off, out into the night to track down his suspect. And me? I wait for an hour; then I call up Chet and Iola to see if they can give a ride home.

I some times wonder what things would be like if the tables were turned. If I was the detective and he was the devoted boyfriend!

Frank and I were sitting in the homey restaurant, just finishing our lunch, when Frank suddenly grasped my hand. I looked at him adoringly, and he gazed soulfully into my eyes. He was about to say something, when-

" Oh!" I gasped. " Frank, don't look now, but that's the guy I've been trailing! I'll be right back!" I shot out of my seat like a rocket, leaving Frank behind to gape after me.

Someone who knew me, probably from seeing my picture in connection with some case, called out a cheery " Hello!" from my left.

The gang boss swang around, saw me, and bolted out of the restaurant!

I was hot on his heels, yelling to Frank not to worry, but to call my parents and let them know what I was doing. The suspect turned down a side a street, where I knew a cop would be patrolling.

" Help! Officer! I need a policeman!" I cried.

Curious onlookers stopped to, well, on look, as the cop came running up, slamming right into the criminal and making him fall to the ground. The guy blacked out.

I quickly told the officer about the whole case, then I demanded the criminal's arrest. After the cop had the bad guy in the patrol car and had driven away, I walked back to the restaurant, where Frank was still waiting.

" I called your house. Your mom answered. She said that if you weren't back in ten minutes I should track you down."

Glancing at my watch, I saw that the entire ordeal had only taken eight minutes.

Frank pulled out my chair for me. " Tell me all about it."

" I will, but first, you're not angry with me? You know, for running out like that?"

" Oh...no. Not a bit!"

I sighed happily. " Frank, you're a trouper!"

I could get used to that. In, fact, there was an article in the paper about a girl who does that. What was her name? Nancy... something.