Meanwhile, Joe and Fenton returned home, having dropped Ron and Elijah off at their respective houses. Laura Hardy was just starting dinner, and Joe called Iola to reschedule their date. It was a clear, beautiful evening, and Joe was very glad to be back home. (He took special care to comb his hair and change into his normal clothes so his mother wouldn't see him "greased up.") The scene was idyllic, but was missing an essential person.
"Hey Mom," He called from the living room, "Where's Frank?"
She walked in, drying her hands on a towel. "He was on a date with Callie, but he left before I did, around 11. I don't know where he is."
Fenton was walking down the stairs, having changed out of his work suit into more casual wear. "Where who is?" He queried.
"Frank," Joe answered. "Have you seen him?"
As his Dad shook his head, their mom suggested Joe call Callie. Taking her up on this, Joe called up the Shaw household.
"Callie? It's me, Joe."
"Oh hi, Joe!" Callie answered enthusiastically. "Glad to see you got home okay. Frank was worried about you."
"Thanks, Callie, but now it's my turn. Have you seen Frank?"
"You mean you haven't seen him?" Her voice turned anxious. "He left me to go talk to you. He was worried what would happen if you went on that date with Iola."
Joe sighed. Someday there'd be a way to instantly talk to someone, this was ridiculous. He thanked Callie, hung up, and returned to the kitchen and announced to his parents, "Callie last saw Frank 3 hours ago. We better go look for him."
Laura put her head in her hands.