Hi everyone! Here is the next installment. Big shout out to Laura001. She is really helping me a lot! Thanks for the reviews and feedback!

Chapter 3

Joe and Frank were sitting in the den watching the news. Well at least, Joe was. Frank was preoccupied and it did not go unnoticed by his brother. Joe purposefully put the channel on MTV, which never failed to drive Frank crazy. He waited for several minutes for the typical reaction, 'Joe do we have to watch this! I can feel some of my brain cells dying.' But it never came.

Joe turned off the TV and poked his brother on the arm.

This finally got a response. Frank jolted. "What? I thought we were watching the news?"

Joe rolled his eyes. "Frank, I turned it to MTV, you said nothing. What's bothering you?"

Frank didn't realize that he had drifted off that much. No wonder his brother was poking. Frank would have done a similar test on Joe, but instead he would have turned it to the history channel. The brothers were always there for each other when it counted. Frank was having a hard time processing HOW any mother could possibly be so cruel to their child. "I guess I do have a lot on my mind. I got to see a narcissistic woman with a god complex yesterday. You know Tabitha Holt right? She's in all my core advanced classes. Her mom is some CEO for an investment bank. She commutes to New York daily. Tabitha and I were paired for the history project."

Joe chuckled. "How does Callie feel about that? As I recall she was paired with who again?"

"Millie Greg; Callie's fine, she's irked because Millie is going to wait until the eleventh hour to do her part of the assignment and not want to communicate. Millie's very lazy. I honestly don't know how she manages the grades she gets."

"Sorry I shouldn't have changed the subject. Callie trusts you and you trust her. I'm really trying to be less of a jerk to her. Jeez I did it again! What happened with Tabitha that has you deep in your head. I'm surprised you didn't pull your keyboard out from under the bed."

Frank chuckled. "You weren't awake at 5AM like I was. I plugged in my headphones."

It wasn't well known but Frank could actually play the piano. When he was a small child he had been diagnosed with an illness that confined him to the house. Gertrude's late husband taught him how to play. Frank had written a few songs which he had only shared with his parents and brother.

Frank said rubbing the back of his neck. "She said some awful things to Tabitha. Her scores are just as high as mine, I only edge her out by a few points. Her mother acted like she was failing and couldn't believe we as advanced students had been given a group assignment. Said it was lazy. She didn't like her bringing home the competition. She actually grabbed her shoulders and started shaking her. Tabitha was in tears. I pulled her away and behind me. I told that wicked woman to stop among other things. Then she had the nerve to suggest that I was only there for sex. I kind of lost it at that point. Her mother didn't say a word when we left. We went to Ben and Jerry's to outline our assignment. I'm supposed to meet her at two to finish it. It just makes me grateful for our parents, and Aunt Gertrude you know." By the end of his tirade the veins in his neck were throbbing.

Joe wide-eyed, whistled, then said. "Wow! No wonder you're steamed! Jeez, after that I'd be counting our blessings too." Joe squeezed his brother's shoulder. "Our parents are the reason we are who we are. Dad's job and what we do, imagine all that Mom puts up with. She's never stopped us, or doubted us, and is always there by our side. Aunt Gertrude she's always been there for dad, then all of us. She knows when to ask questions and when she shouldn't."

"I feel bad for Tabitha. She only has her mom and a housekeeper. Her father committed suicide when she was twelve. I just wish I could do more for her."

"Maybe we can, invite her to eat lunch with us tomorrow. She's new to Bayport and could use some good friends. Having friends that she can trust could go a long way," Joe suggested. "She can do something normal sometime; bake cookies with Callie and Vanessa perhaps."

Frank smiled. "That's a great idea."

"I've been known to have one occasionally. Though I would talk to Callie. Inviting another hot girl to our lunch table without notice might be awkward."

Frank playfully shoved his brother. "Listen to you Mr. Sensitive. I'll call her. She already knows I'm meeting Tabitha today. But you are right...that could be very awkward."

On Monday, Frank met Callie beside her locker who was putting something away. Frank came up and tickled her side. She yelped and wheeled around. When she saw him, she smiled. "Morning."

Frank kissed her in reply. "Morning. Did you get anything done with the history assignment?"

Callie growled. "NO! I sent two emails to her which I bcc'd to Mr. Haskins. If I'm doing all the work then Millie is going to take a hit."

He leaned forward and kissed her neck. "I'm sorry it's causing you stress."

Callie rolled her eyes for form but was enjoying Frank's attention. He seemed to always know. "I'm okay. My parents are back from Albany."

Frank took her book bag. They headed to history. Once seated they took out their books.

Tabitha came in. She smiled in greeting. "Good morning Callie..Frank."

Callie smiled. "Good morning."

"How was your mother the rest of the weekend?" Frank inquired.

Tabitha snorted. "Oh she had plenty to say when I came home. Gave me the usual lecture; which I have memorized now. So I simply tuned her out."

Callie took her hand squeezed it. "I can relate. My dad's a politician. He's on the exact opposite of my political views. He can get pretty harsh, especially when he feels I'm not broadcasting a certain image."

Tabitha forced tears into her eyes. She had to connect with Callie for a bit anyway. "So you get it."

Callie nodded. "I do."

The bell rang and Tabitha took her seat. Which happened to be on the other side of Frank. Callie had never paid much attention to Tabitha before. Frank had told her about what happened at Tabitha's house. Callie had been both appalled and angry. Frank's concern was genuine. He was kind, generous, and loving. Callie had expected to get a different vibe from Tabitha. One more like someone who was wounded. Sure Tabitha showed tears just now, but they felt calculated. Callie glanced at the girl at the corner of her eye. Saw a hint of a glint there. She shivered. Then she chastised herself. Frank wouldn't give her a chance if there was something there! But a voice told her; something was off. Maybe she was jealous? Face it! Tabitha was drop dead gorgeous! Frank reached over and gently rubbed her knee. Callie smiled at him. Her worry vanished. Tabitha might have set her sights on Frank, but she knew who had his heart. She did.