The next morning Frank woke up to the sound of the bathroom door slamming shut. He could hear Joe open the medicine cabinet and close it again, loudly! Frank sat up and shoved his comforter aside, putting his bare feet on the thick carpet which covered the floor in his room. He winced as he heard a cup in the bathroom bang down on the sink.
Joe was really angry, Frank observed, frowning and feeling guilty. One a.m. had come and gone and still he had remained at Callie's. At twenty after one, a worried Joe had called to see what time Frank had left. When Callie told him Frank was still there but had forgotten to call, although he hadn't actually forgotten, Joe had said good night to Callie and hung up.
Frank heard Joe leave the bathroom which connected the brothers' rooms and go into his own. Standing up, Frank gave a leisurely stretch and obligatory scratch, then went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and shower. By the time he had finished, Joe had already gone downstairs.
Frank dressed then went down to the kitchen where he found his parents enjoying pancakes and maple syrup. "Sit down, honey," Mrs. Hardy said, rising. "I'll get you some pancakes and juice."
"Thanks," Frank replied, smiling gratefully. "Where's Joe?" he asked, sitting down on his father's right side.
"He went to Vanessa's," Mr. Hardy replied. "Her mother is still out of town and Joe didn't want to leave her alone for long, what with them being followed last night."
"Oh," Frank commented. Joe must not have told their parents about his not returning when he should have, otherwise they would have said something, Frank decided. All of the sudden, he wasn't very hungry. "Did you find out anything last night?" he asked as his mother set a plate of pancakes in front of him.
"No," Mr. Hardy said. "I can't figure why Joe would have been followed last night," he continued. "None of us are working on a case and there hasn't been anyone released that you two, or I, have put away for at least five months. You two will just have to be on your guard," he ended.
Frank nodded and picked up his fork. He pushed his feelings of guilt aside and dug in. He had to remember, he was doing this to Joe for his own good.
Joe flipped the radio off and slammed his hand down on the steering wheel. 'What's with Frank anyway? He never used to be so irresponsible,' Joe thought, his handsome face marred by a scowl. 'Doesn't he know how worried I would be?' This thought raced around in his head, his anger at his brother increasing to the point that he almost missed the stalled car and leggy brunette by the roadside. Almost.
Joe pulled Vanessa's Explorer to a stop and got out. "What's the problem?" he asked, grinning at the green-eyed beauty as he walked toward her.
"I don't know," she admitted, frowning. "My headlights started getting dimmer and then it just quit."
"Headlights?" Joe asked in surprise. "How long have you been out here?"
"Oh, about eight hours," she answered with a nonchalant shrug. "I was so sleey when it happened and no cars were coming by, I just crawled in the backseat and fell asleep. I woke up a few minutes ago when the sun started shining in my eyes."
"Pop the hood," Joe instructed. She did and he bent over for a looksee. A few minutes later he straightened up and looked back at her. "It looks like your battery died," he said, his eyes troubled. "Funny, though. I've never heard of a battery dying while the car was moving. Could be you've got a bad altenator and the battery went after you switched the engine off," he suggested.
"Great," she moaned, sagging agaisnt the car.
"Look, I'm on my way to my girlfriend's house," Joe said. "We'll call a tow from there and then we can give you a lift into town or wherever you need to go."
"Would you?" she asked, her eyes lighting up. "That's so kind of you!"
"No problem," Joe assured her, closing the hood on her car. "My name's Joe Hardy," he introduced himself as he led her to Vanessa's Explorer.
"Francessca Wyndham," she introduced herself. "But all my friends call me Franc."
"No way!" Joe laughed heartily. "I've got a brother named Frank."
"Well, I like his name," she said impishly. "And his brother," she added, climbing into the passenger seat as Joe opened the door for her. Joe grinned down at her and shut the door as she began securing her seat belt.
"I guess you're folks will be worried sick about you," Joe commented as he got in behind the wheel.
"It's just my dad," Franc told him. "And he is out of town until tomorrow."
"Oh?" Joe said, his voice lifting up in question.
"Daddy bought the Shillman house last week," she told him. "But he had to leave on business so I've been trying to fix it up."
"All by yourself?" Joe demanded in disbelief. He remembered the Shillman place. It had been deserted for as long as he could remember. When Shelby Shillman died, the house had gone to her heirs along with a few other things of importance. Her heirs had fought over the will until two years ago when the matter had been settled and the house had gone on the market. The place had been so run-down by that time, Joe was surprised Franc's dad had wanted it.
"Well, we've called contractors for all the major stuff," she conceeded. "But they told us they can't start working on the place until sometime next month."
"So in the meantime you've been trying to make it livable," Joe deduced. "That's a big job," he commented. "I've seen the house."
"Yeah, and it's going to be even tougher now," Franc said. "I have to start Bayport High tomorrow and what with Daddy's busy schedule, it's going to take forever."
"There's only a little over a week of school left," Joe said, frowning. "Doesn't seem fair to make you change schools for that long."
"Actually, I didn't have to. I went to a boarding school and the term was over," she admitted a bit sheepishly. "But I wanted to go to a public school my senior year and when Daddy agreed, I talked him into letting me finish out the junior year here as well. I figured it would be easier to fit in as a junior than a senior."
"You have a point," Joe conceded. "Tell you what, I'll help you fix up your place." Franc's eyes widened. "I'm not a great handyman or anything, but I swing a mean paintbrush."
"I couldn't ask you to do that," Franc quickly refused Joe's offer.
"You didn't," Joe assured her, coming to a stop in front of Vanessa's two story house. "I volunteered."
"Who have we here?" Vanessa inquired, opening the door at Joe's knock and seeing the beautiful brunette who stood beside her boyfriend.
"Vanessa, I'd like you to meet Francessca Wyndham. Franc, this lovely lady is my girlfriend, Vanessa Bender," Joe gallantly made the introduction.
"Hello," Vanessa greeted the young woman, moving aside to let the two enter. Joe explained about Franc's car. "Oh, you poor thing," Vanessa exclaimed, at once feeling sorry for the girl. "You must need to freshen up." Vanessa led Franc upstairs to her room while Joe called for a tow.
Vanessa returned as Joe was hanging up. "I'm going to fix breakfast," she told him. "Hungry?"
"And how," Joe admitted. "I left home without any."
"Why?" she asked. Joe's appetite was almost as notorious as that of Chet Morton, a close friend who enjoyed over-indulging.
Joe told her about Frank not coming home when he said he would. "Maybe he forgot," Vanessa reasoned. "You know Frank would never intentionally do anything to make you worry."
"You're right, of course," Joe admitted with a sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck absently. He looked at her and dropped his hand. "I'm an idiot."
"But you're so adorable, who cares?" Vanessa teased, giving him a quick peck on the lips as she passed by him to reach for a box of pancake mix.
"What can I do?" he asked.
"Forget it happened," Vanessa replied promptly.
"I will," Joe promised, grinning. "But I meant with breakfast?"
Vanessa laughed. "Set the table," she ordered, her laugh fading to a giggle.
"Can I help?" asked Franc, coming into the room.
"You can pour the juice," Vanessa suggested. "The glasses are in the second cupboard on the bottom shelf."
Over breakfast, Joe told Vanessa about Franc trying to make the old Shillman place livable. "I'd be glad to help," Vanessa volunteered.
"You and Joe are both so kind," Franc accepted gracefully.
"Why don't we drive you home and see what needs doing and we can start tomorrow after school?" Joe suggested.
"That would be wonderful," Franc said. "I did manage to get the swimming pool operational," she continued. "So if you want to bring a suit, we can go swimming."
"Great," Vanessa liked the idea. "Hon, would you stack the dishes while I go hunt out my suit?" she asked Joe.
"No prob," Joe replied, standing up after Vanessa had left the room. He started clearing the table and Franc went to the sink and turned on the water.
"It's the least I can do," Franc said, raising one shoulder and dimpling at Joe.
Joe handed her the dishes and picked up a towel. "Don't you have to run home and get swim trunks?" she asked him.
"I was a Boy Scout," he bragged. "I'm always prepared."
"Hey, tall, dark and handsome," a low sexy voice accosted Frank as he entered Mr. Pizza later that day. Frank's eyebrows shot up and he blushed as he turned to view the speaker.
"Callie!" Frank hissed, giving her a wiry smile.
"Come on," she urged him, looping her arm through his and steering him to the back of the restaurant. "Biff, Chet, Karen, Helen, Phil and Sandi are waiting on us."
"Uh, have you seen Joe today?" Frank asked as they made their way back to where two tables had been pushed together to accommodate the large group.
"No," she replied, glancing at him through the corner of her eye. "Worried about him?"
"Yes," Frank admitted. "But don't let him know," he admonished. "He has to learn to be self-reliant."
"Whatever you say," Callie agreed vocally, rolling her eyes and turning her head so he couldn't see.
Frank smiled at the gathered teens. Like himself and Callie, witht he exception of Sandi, all of them would be graduating in less than two weeks. Blond, chubby Chet Morton, his best friend since kindergarten had been accepted into Penn State. Blond and beefy Biff Hooper was going to be attending Bayport University with him and Callie while Karen and Helen were going to New York State. Phil, the brightest in the group, was off to Yale University.
"Where's Joe?" Biff asked as Frank and Callie sat down.
Frank shrugged. "He left early this morning to go to Vanessa's," he answered.
"Give them a call," Chet urged. "The carnival is in town."
"Yeah. They arrived yesterday and are opening for business this afternoon," Helen added, her blue eyes sparkling. She shoved a lock of red hair out of her face. "I love carnivals."
"Especially the Octopus," Karen put in. Biff smiled at her and put his hand on her long black hair. He liked to play with it.
"I'll call," Callie offered, standing up. She wasn't sure if Frank would have invited Joe and Vanessa or not but she saw no reason why they all couldn't hang out at the carnival together. Joe and Vanessa were their friends.
When Callie returned to the table, she was frowning. "No one was there," she said.
"I wonder where they could be?" Chet asked. "Helen and I have been here since Mr. Pizza opened and they haven't come in."
"Maybe you should call home and see if Joe's been in touch," Phil suggested.
Frank shook his head. "I'm sure they're fine," he said. The other teens gave him a peculiar look. "I'm starting college in a couple of weeks and won't be here to keep tabs on him," Frank defended himself. "He and Vanessa are probably on a picnic or something." His friends' faces all registered the same disbelief Callie's had the night before. "Look, if we don't bump into them at the carnival, then I'll call home. Okay?"
At eight-thirty, with no sign of Joe or Vanessa anywhere, Frank was more worried than he wanted to admit. He pulled out his cellphone and called home, wishing Joe had his own cell phone. His mother picked up on the third ring. "Hi, Mom," Frank said when he heard her voice. "Have you heard from Joe since this morning?"
"What do you mean, dear?" Mrs. Hardy asked, confused. "Joe called a couple of hours ago and said he and Vanessa were going to eat out with you."
"Mom, I haven't see Joe since yesterday," Frank said, starting to panic.
"Then why would Joe....oh, dear," Mrs. Hardy said. "I'd better tell your father."
"I'm on my way home," Frank promised, hanging up.
"What's wrong?" Biff demanded, seeing Frank's pale complexion.
"Joe called home a couple of hours ago and said he and Vanessa were with me," Frank told him. "Oh, God. If something's happened to him, I'll never forgive myself."
"Easy, Frank," Phil soothed him. "You couldn't have known Joe would get into trouble."
"Joe's always getting into trouble," Frank pointed out. "I should have called earlier," he moaned. "I've got to go home. Callie......"
"We'll take her home," Chet interuppted. "Call us if you need any help." Frank nodded and took off. Callie watched him go. She had known he would be this way. Letting go of Joe was harder on him than it would ever be on Joe. If only Frank could realize that.
When Frank arrived home, he raced into the kitchen, through the living room and was on his way upstairs to his dad's office when he froze. He turned around and returned to the living room where Joe was sitting on the sofa, TV remote in hand.
"Hey, Fr...." Joe's greeting died in his throat when he saw the anger in Frank's eyes. "What's..."
"What is wrong with you?" Frank demanded hotly, advancing on Joe. "How dare you tell mom you're with me! Don't you have any consideration what-so-ever? Didn't you think about how worried they would be if I called and you weren't with me?"
"Ease up," Joe ordered, preparing to explain.
"Ease up? Grow up! Try taking a little responsibility for yourself," Frank lectured. "I was having fun with Callie at the carnival but had to rush home because of your lie."
Joe's eyes hardened. Hurt by Frank's outburst, he did what anyone would do. He hurt back. "Seems you aren't the only one who isn't where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be."
"What do you mean by that remark?" Frank demanded.
"Like you don't know," Joe replied snidely. "You're leaving for college in a month and you're acting like you've already left! Well guess what? I wish you were gone!" With these words, Joe got off the couch and tossed the remote on the coffee table and headed upstairs to his room, slamming the door shut behind him.
"What's going on out here?" asked Mr. Hardy, coming out of the den and looking at Frank quizzically.
"Joe told mom he was with..." Frank's voice trailed away as his dad shook his head and held up a hand.
"It was a miscommunication," Mr. Hardy informed his son. "Joe told your mother he and Vanessa had met a new girl, Francessca Wyndham, then told her he and Vanessa were having dinner with Franc, which is apparently what she goes by."
"Oh," Frank said, feeling guilty. "I'd better go and apologize." Mr. Hardy nodded his consent then returned to the den.
Frank went upstairs and came to a stop in front of Joe's door. He held up his hand to knock but paused. 'If Joe were to stay mad at me, he would be more aware of his own safety, wouldn't he?' Frank wondered, then shook his head, angry at himself for even thinking such a thing. He wanted Joe to be more cautious and not have to depend on him. He didn't want Joe to hate him. Frank rapped lightly on the door.
"Come in," Joe's voice called out.
Frank entered the room and froze as Joe fixed him with a hateful glare. "Uh, Joe, about downstairs....I'm sorry. I should never had said..."
"You just said what you were thinking," Joe said, hurt killing his anger.
"Joe, I..." Frank tried again to apologize but Joe wasn't listening.
"I had no idea you considered me an inconvenience," Joe said.
"I don't," Frank tried to interrupt.
"I didn't lie," Joe continued as if Frank hadn't spoken. "Mom and I just got our lines crossed a bit. I would never worry them intentionally," he added, his voice cracking as he tried hard to control his emotions. "Or you," he added, his blue eyes sadder than Frank had ever seen them. "But then, you don't care. Not really."
"Yes, I do!" Frank shouted. 'Where did Joe get such a ridiculous idea? Of course, I care!' he thought.
"How worried they would be? Grow-up. Take responsibility," Joe repeated some of the hurtful words Frank had said to him. "Don't worry. You won't ever have to cut another date short because of me. I can take care of myself. I don't need you," Joe finished, saying what he thought Frank wanted to hear but praying he was wrong.
Frank opened his mouth to object but said nothing. Wasn't that what he wanted? Joe to be self-reliant? He closed his mouth. Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't see the last sparkle leave Joe's eyes.
"Get out of my room," Joe told him, picking up a book and pretending to read.
Frank exited Joe's room, closing the door behind him. He didn't see Joe drop the book and break into tears. He didn't hear the semi-silent sobs emanating from his younger brother. He was so wrapped up in his own warring emotions he wouldn't have noticed had he remained in the room.
Joe was really angry, Frank observed, frowning and feeling guilty. One a.m. had come and gone and still he had remained at Callie's. At twenty after one, a worried Joe had called to see what time Frank had left. When Callie told him Frank was still there but had forgotten to call, although he hadn't actually forgotten, Joe had said good night to Callie and hung up.
Frank heard Joe leave the bathroom which connected the brothers' rooms and go into his own. Standing up, Frank gave a leisurely stretch and obligatory scratch, then went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and shower. By the time he had finished, Joe had already gone downstairs.
Frank dressed then went down to the kitchen where he found his parents enjoying pancakes and maple syrup. "Sit down, honey," Mrs. Hardy said, rising. "I'll get you some pancakes and juice."
"Thanks," Frank replied, smiling gratefully. "Where's Joe?" he asked, sitting down on his father's right side.
"He went to Vanessa's," Mr. Hardy replied. "Her mother is still out of town and Joe didn't want to leave her alone for long, what with them being followed last night."
"Oh," Frank commented. Joe must not have told their parents about his not returning when he should have, otherwise they would have said something, Frank decided. All of the sudden, he wasn't very hungry. "Did you find out anything last night?" he asked as his mother set a plate of pancakes in front of him.
"No," Mr. Hardy said. "I can't figure why Joe would have been followed last night," he continued. "None of us are working on a case and there hasn't been anyone released that you two, or I, have put away for at least five months. You two will just have to be on your guard," he ended.
Frank nodded and picked up his fork. He pushed his feelings of guilt aside and dug in. He had to remember, he was doing this to Joe for his own good.
Joe flipped the radio off and slammed his hand down on the steering wheel. 'What's with Frank anyway? He never used to be so irresponsible,' Joe thought, his handsome face marred by a scowl. 'Doesn't he know how worried I would be?' This thought raced around in his head, his anger at his brother increasing to the point that he almost missed the stalled car and leggy brunette by the roadside. Almost.
Joe pulled Vanessa's Explorer to a stop and got out. "What's the problem?" he asked, grinning at the green-eyed beauty as he walked toward her.
"I don't know," she admitted, frowning. "My headlights started getting dimmer and then it just quit."
"Headlights?" Joe asked in surprise. "How long have you been out here?"
"Oh, about eight hours," she answered with a nonchalant shrug. "I was so sleey when it happened and no cars were coming by, I just crawled in the backseat and fell asleep. I woke up a few minutes ago when the sun started shining in my eyes."
"Pop the hood," Joe instructed. She did and he bent over for a looksee. A few minutes later he straightened up and looked back at her. "It looks like your battery died," he said, his eyes troubled. "Funny, though. I've never heard of a battery dying while the car was moving. Could be you've got a bad altenator and the battery went after you switched the engine off," he suggested.
"Great," she moaned, sagging agaisnt the car.
"Look, I'm on my way to my girlfriend's house," Joe said. "We'll call a tow from there and then we can give you a lift into town or wherever you need to go."
"Would you?" she asked, her eyes lighting up. "That's so kind of you!"
"No problem," Joe assured her, closing the hood on her car. "My name's Joe Hardy," he introduced himself as he led her to Vanessa's Explorer.
"Francessca Wyndham," she introduced herself. "But all my friends call me Franc."
"No way!" Joe laughed heartily. "I've got a brother named Frank."
"Well, I like his name," she said impishly. "And his brother," she added, climbing into the passenger seat as Joe opened the door for her. Joe grinned down at her and shut the door as she began securing her seat belt.
"I guess you're folks will be worried sick about you," Joe commented as he got in behind the wheel.
"It's just my dad," Franc told him. "And he is out of town until tomorrow."
"Oh?" Joe said, his voice lifting up in question.
"Daddy bought the Shillman house last week," she told him. "But he had to leave on business so I've been trying to fix it up."
"All by yourself?" Joe demanded in disbelief. He remembered the Shillman place. It had been deserted for as long as he could remember. When Shelby Shillman died, the house had gone to her heirs along with a few other things of importance. Her heirs had fought over the will until two years ago when the matter had been settled and the house had gone on the market. The place had been so run-down by that time, Joe was surprised Franc's dad had wanted it.
"Well, we've called contractors for all the major stuff," she conceeded. "But they told us they can't start working on the place until sometime next month."
"So in the meantime you've been trying to make it livable," Joe deduced. "That's a big job," he commented. "I've seen the house."
"Yeah, and it's going to be even tougher now," Franc said. "I have to start Bayport High tomorrow and what with Daddy's busy schedule, it's going to take forever."
"There's only a little over a week of school left," Joe said, frowning. "Doesn't seem fair to make you change schools for that long."
"Actually, I didn't have to. I went to a boarding school and the term was over," she admitted a bit sheepishly. "But I wanted to go to a public school my senior year and when Daddy agreed, I talked him into letting me finish out the junior year here as well. I figured it would be easier to fit in as a junior than a senior."
"You have a point," Joe conceded. "Tell you what, I'll help you fix up your place." Franc's eyes widened. "I'm not a great handyman or anything, but I swing a mean paintbrush."
"I couldn't ask you to do that," Franc quickly refused Joe's offer.
"You didn't," Joe assured her, coming to a stop in front of Vanessa's two story house. "I volunteered."
"Who have we here?" Vanessa inquired, opening the door at Joe's knock and seeing the beautiful brunette who stood beside her boyfriend.
"Vanessa, I'd like you to meet Francessca Wyndham. Franc, this lovely lady is my girlfriend, Vanessa Bender," Joe gallantly made the introduction.
"Hello," Vanessa greeted the young woman, moving aside to let the two enter. Joe explained about Franc's car. "Oh, you poor thing," Vanessa exclaimed, at once feeling sorry for the girl. "You must need to freshen up." Vanessa led Franc upstairs to her room while Joe called for a tow.
Vanessa returned as Joe was hanging up. "I'm going to fix breakfast," she told him. "Hungry?"
"And how," Joe admitted. "I left home without any."
"Why?" she asked. Joe's appetite was almost as notorious as that of Chet Morton, a close friend who enjoyed over-indulging.
Joe told her about Frank not coming home when he said he would. "Maybe he forgot," Vanessa reasoned. "You know Frank would never intentionally do anything to make you worry."
"You're right, of course," Joe admitted with a sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck absently. He looked at her and dropped his hand. "I'm an idiot."
"But you're so adorable, who cares?" Vanessa teased, giving him a quick peck on the lips as she passed by him to reach for a box of pancake mix.
"What can I do?" he asked.
"Forget it happened," Vanessa replied promptly.
"I will," Joe promised, grinning. "But I meant with breakfast?"
Vanessa laughed. "Set the table," she ordered, her laugh fading to a giggle.
"Can I help?" asked Franc, coming into the room.
"You can pour the juice," Vanessa suggested. "The glasses are in the second cupboard on the bottom shelf."
Over breakfast, Joe told Vanessa about Franc trying to make the old Shillman place livable. "I'd be glad to help," Vanessa volunteered.
"You and Joe are both so kind," Franc accepted gracefully.
"Why don't we drive you home and see what needs doing and we can start tomorrow after school?" Joe suggested.
"That would be wonderful," Franc said. "I did manage to get the swimming pool operational," she continued. "So if you want to bring a suit, we can go swimming."
"Great," Vanessa liked the idea. "Hon, would you stack the dishes while I go hunt out my suit?" she asked Joe.
"No prob," Joe replied, standing up after Vanessa had left the room. He started clearing the table and Franc went to the sink and turned on the water.
"It's the least I can do," Franc said, raising one shoulder and dimpling at Joe.
Joe handed her the dishes and picked up a towel. "Don't you have to run home and get swim trunks?" she asked him.
"I was a Boy Scout," he bragged. "I'm always prepared."
"Hey, tall, dark and handsome," a low sexy voice accosted Frank as he entered Mr. Pizza later that day. Frank's eyebrows shot up and he blushed as he turned to view the speaker.
"Callie!" Frank hissed, giving her a wiry smile.
"Come on," she urged him, looping her arm through his and steering him to the back of the restaurant. "Biff, Chet, Karen, Helen, Phil and Sandi are waiting on us."
"Uh, have you seen Joe today?" Frank asked as they made their way back to where two tables had been pushed together to accommodate the large group.
"No," she replied, glancing at him through the corner of her eye. "Worried about him?"
"Yes," Frank admitted. "But don't let him know," he admonished. "He has to learn to be self-reliant."
"Whatever you say," Callie agreed vocally, rolling her eyes and turning her head so he couldn't see.
Frank smiled at the gathered teens. Like himself and Callie, witht he exception of Sandi, all of them would be graduating in less than two weeks. Blond, chubby Chet Morton, his best friend since kindergarten had been accepted into Penn State. Blond and beefy Biff Hooper was going to be attending Bayport University with him and Callie while Karen and Helen were going to New York State. Phil, the brightest in the group, was off to Yale University.
"Where's Joe?" Biff asked as Frank and Callie sat down.
Frank shrugged. "He left early this morning to go to Vanessa's," he answered.
"Give them a call," Chet urged. "The carnival is in town."
"Yeah. They arrived yesterday and are opening for business this afternoon," Helen added, her blue eyes sparkling. She shoved a lock of red hair out of her face. "I love carnivals."
"Especially the Octopus," Karen put in. Biff smiled at her and put his hand on her long black hair. He liked to play with it.
"I'll call," Callie offered, standing up. She wasn't sure if Frank would have invited Joe and Vanessa or not but she saw no reason why they all couldn't hang out at the carnival together. Joe and Vanessa were their friends.
When Callie returned to the table, she was frowning. "No one was there," she said.
"I wonder where they could be?" Chet asked. "Helen and I have been here since Mr. Pizza opened and they haven't come in."
"Maybe you should call home and see if Joe's been in touch," Phil suggested.
Frank shook his head. "I'm sure they're fine," he said. The other teens gave him a peculiar look. "I'm starting college in a couple of weeks and won't be here to keep tabs on him," Frank defended himself. "He and Vanessa are probably on a picnic or something." His friends' faces all registered the same disbelief Callie's had the night before. "Look, if we don't bump into them at the carnival, then I'll call home. Okay?"
At eight-thirty, with no sign of Joe or Vanessa anywhere, Frank was more worried than he wanted to admit. He pulled out his cellphone and called home, wishing Joe had his own cell phone. His mother picked up on the third ring. "Hi, Mom," Frank said when he heard her voice. "Have you heard from Joe since this morning?"
"What do you mean, dear?" Mrs. Hardy asked, confused. "Joe called a couple of hours ago and said he and Vanessa were going to eat out with you."
"Mom, I haven't see Joe since yesterday," Frank said, starting to panic.
"Then why would Joe....oh, dear," Mrs. Hardy said. "I'd better tell your father."
"I'm on my way home," Frank promised, hanging up.
"What's wrong?" Biff demanded, seeing Frank's pale complexion.
"Joe called home a couple of hours ago and said he and Vanessa were with me," Frank told him. "Oh, God. If something's happened to him, I'll never forgive myself."
"Easy, Frank," Phil soothed him. "You couldn't have known Joe would get into trouble."
"Joe's always getting into trouble," Frank pointed out. "I should have called earlier," he moaned. "I've got to go home. Callie......"
"We'll take her home," Chet interuppted. "Call us if you need any help." Frank nodded and took off. Callie watched him go. She had known he would be this way. Letting go of Joe was harder on him than it would ever be on Joe. If only Frank could realize that.
When Frank arrived home, he raced into the kitchen, through the living room and was on his way upstairs to his dad's office when he froze. He turned around and returned to the living room where Joe was sitting on the sofa, TV remote in hand.
"Hey, Fr...." Joe's greeting died in his throat when he saw the anger in Frank's eyes. "What's..."
"What is wrong with you?" Frank demanded hotly, advancing on Joe. "How dare you tell mom you're with me! Don't you have any consideration what-so-ever? Didn't you think about how worried they would be if I called and you weren't with me?"
"Ease up," Joe ordered, preparing to explain.
"Ease up? Grow up! Try taking a little responsibility for yourself," Frank lectured. "I was having fun with Callie at the carnival but had to rush home because of your lie."
Joe's eyes hardened. Hurt by Frank's outburst, he did what anyone would do. He hurt back. "Seems you aren't the only one who isn't where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be."
"What do you mean by that remark?" Frank demanded.
"Like you don't know," Joe replied snidely. "You're leaving for college in a month and you're acting like you've already left! Well guess what? I wish you were gone!" With these words, Joe got off the couch and tossed the remote on the coffee table and headed upstairs to his room, slamming the door shut behind him.
"What's going on out here?" asked Mr. Hardy, coming out of the den and looking at Frank quizzically.
"Joe told mom he was with..." Frank's voice trailed away as his dad shook his head and held up a hand.
"It was a miscommunication," Mr. Hardy informed his son. "Joe told your mother he and Vanessa had met a new girl, Francessca Wyndham, then told her he and Vanessa were having dinner with Franc, which is apparently what she goes by."
"Oh," Frank said, feeling guilty. "I'd better go and apologize." Mr. Hardy nodded his consent then returned to the den.
Frank went upstairs and came to a stop in front of Joe's door. He held up his hand to knock but paused. 'If Joe were to stay mad at me, he would be more aware of his own safety, wouldn't he?' Frank wondered, then shook his head, angry at himself for even thinking such a thing. He wanted Joe to be more cautious and not have to depend on him. He didn't want Joe to hate him. Frank rapped lightly on the door.
"Come in," Joe's voice called out.
Frank entered the room and froze as Joe fixed him with a hateful glare. "Uh, Joe, about downstairs....I'm sorry. I should never had said..."
"You just said what you were thinking," Joe said, hurt killing his anger.
"Joe, I..." Frank tried again to apologize but Joe wasn't listening.
"I had no idea you considered me an inconvenience," Joe said.
"I don't," Frank tried to interrupt.
"I didn't lie," Joe continued as if Frank hadn't spoken. "Mom and I just got our lines crossed a bit. I would never worry them intentionally," he added, his voice cracking as he tried hard to control his emotions. "Or you," he added, his blue eyes sadder than Frank had ever seen them. "But then, you don't care. Not really."
"Yes, I do!" Frank shouted. 'Where did Joe get such a ridiculous idea? Of course, I care!' he thought.
"How worried they would be? Grow-up. Take responsibility," Joe repeated some of the hurtful words Frank had said to him. "Don't worry. You won't ever have to cut another date short because of me. I can take care of myself. I don't need you," Joe finished, saying what he thought Frank wanted to hear but praying he was wrong.
Frank opened his mouth to object but said nothing. Wasn't that what he wanted? Joe to be self-reliant? He closed his mouth. Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't see the last sparkle leave Joe's eyes.
"Get out of my room," Joe told him, picking up a book and pretending to read.
Frank exited Joe's room, closing the door behind him. He didn't see Joe drop the book and break into tears. He didn't hear the semi-silent sobs emanating from his younger brother. He was so wrapped up in his own warring emotions he wouldn't have noticed had he remained in the room.