Chapter 4

Frank felt like he had been waiting for an hour when Joe's station wagon finally pulled up in front of the hotel. Seeing that the front passenger's seat was full, he yanked open the back door and got in.

"Hey, Frank," His brother greeted with a grin. "Hope you weren't waiting too long."

"No. Wasn't too bad."

"Glad to hear it." Joe pulled onto the road.

"Joe?" It was the first time Chris had spoken all evening.

"Yeah?"

"Can I turn on the radio?"

"Go on ahead."

As Chris fiddled with the radio, Frank asked, "So? Did you get your homework done?"

"Yeah, finally," Joe responded with a laugh, "But I can tell you, it was not easy!"

"I believe it."

When Chris finally found a station she liked, she sank back in her seat, listening quietly to the Beatles.

"Pizza okay, Frank?" Joe asked, pulling into a lot outside of a pizza parlor.

"Gee whiz, Joe!" Frank laughed. "I haven't even been here for a day and you've already gotten me eating like a college kid!"

"Eh, you'll get used to it." Joe parked and killed the engine. "Well, let's go." The three young people exited the station wagon and entered the parlor.

"Okay with you if I order?" Joe asked Frank.

He shrugged. "Fine with me, as long as you don't pull any more anchovy jokes!"

Joe grinned. "Why don't you and Chris go get a table? I'll meet you there once the pizza's ordered."

"Um, okay. Come on, Chris." Frank walked over to a nearby booth and sat down. Chris followed and sat across from him.

"Nice to see you again," Frank greeted with a smile.

"Oh! You too! I've heard a lot about you from Joe."

"Good or bad?"

She giggled. "Well, truthfully, a little of both."

"I figured as much." Frank looked out the window.

"So? What do you do for a living?"

He jerked his face back towards Chris. "Oh. I uh-- Work for a small company and do some journalism in my spare time."

She nodded. "I see."

"And you?"

"I'm just a part-time waitress."

"Oh yeah. Down at the--"

"Rick's." She provided.

"Yeah."

Joe approached the booth and sat across from Chris. "They'll have it right out."

"Good. I'm famished." Frank said.

"So, Frank. Why don't you tell me a little bit about things back in Bayport?"

"Not much has changed, dear brother. You haven't been gone very long."

"I know," Joe replied. "Just thought I'd ask. How's Beverly?"

"Great."

"Who's Beverly?"

Joe answered his girlfriend. "Frank's fiancee. He's getting married, remember?"

"Oh yes. I remember, now. You showed me a picture."

Joe and his date were soon engulfed in conversation, leaving Frank bored. He looked around the parlor a bit and cringed at the overly 'pizza-themed' decor. He knew if Beverly was there, she would not be able to stand it.

The bells above the door jingled, and Frank jerked his head around to see who it was. He saw Didi entering with a dark-haired girl probably in her late teens to early twenties, and a dark-haired boy of about the same age. Didi spotted him and waved. Frank gave a slight wave back.

Joe, noticing Frank's wave said,"Man, Frank. First day here and you already know the locals?"

"She's just a woman I met at the hotel. Her name's Didi."

Joe grinned. "What would Beverly think?"

"Get off it, Joe. She's probably in her forties."

"I know. I was just just kidding. Why don't you invite her to sit with us?"

"I don't think I need to do that."

"Well, why not?"

A waiter came to their table, saving Frank from having to answer. "A large party pizza?"

"That's us." Joe responded, handing out the plates. "Thanks."

"Sure, dude." The waiter walked back to the kitchen.

"Okay, guys. Dig in."