Chapter Thirteen

Present

"So that's what happened!" Frank exclaimed.

Callie nodded. "Joe and I thought it was just easier that way. By checking with each other first before making plans, we were all able to make it work until you got used to handling the both of us. And then once Joe started dating Iola, we were able to double date."

Laura smiled. "Poor Joe. Every time Frank went to the next step, he felt so left behind. Fenton and I always tried to do special things with them separately, but they were always thinking about each other."

Frank stood and stretched. "I'm gonna go for a walk. Anyone want to come?"

The boys all agreed. Fenton stood as well. "I could do with stretching my legs. Be back in a while."

Once they had all gone, Callie turned to Laura. "I know what you mean," she said, picking up the conversation.

"What were they like when they were little?" Vanessa wanted to know.

"Pretty much like they are now," Laura answered. "Although, the lines of their personalities were very blurred. Frank was more prone to outbursts back then, and Joe wasn't quite so impetuous. It was as if they tried to be more like the other. Finally, they grew a little more independent of each other. That happened when Frank moved up to middle school."

"That must've been awful for Joe," Vanessa commented.

Laura nodded. "It was. Joe had such a hard time not seeing Frank on the playground everyday. Even though they were never in the same class, Joe always knew that Frank was close by."

"I bet the same thing happened when Frank moved up to high school," Callie observed.

Laura let out a laugh. "Joe acted like his right arm was missing. He only participated in extracurricular activities because we made him."

"Now that you mention it, Frank and Joe do seem like two halves of one person," Vanessa stated. "I mean, their interests, their strengths . . . Joe acts on feelings, Frank thinks things through."

"My boys are so different from each other that it surprises even me now and then," Laura admitted. "But I suppose that's what makes them work so well together. They complement each other."

As they were talking, Joe's doctor entered the waiting room. He approached the three women and cleared his throat to get their attention.

Laura jumped to her feet, paling. "Oh my God . . .Joe! Is he-."

The doctor held up his hands. "His condition hasn't changed."

"Oh." The older woman looked despondent.

"That's a good thing," the doctor continued. "I wanted to let you know that. His temperature isn't climbing anymore, we've managed to stave off any seizures, and he's responding to the extra oxygen we're giving him. I don't want to get your hopes up, but if this keeps up, we may be seeing a definite improvement within the next few hours."

A full-fledged grin blossomed on Laura's face. "Thank you, doctor. We'll keep our fingers crossed out here."

The others returned after a half an hour and were given the good news. Spirits were definitely higher as everyone settled back onto chairs.

"So, Frank, you got anything for us?" Biff asked.

"Yeah!" Chet exclaimed. "Just pick one thing"

"How about the first time you took Joe trick-or-treating?" Callie suggested.

"Or the time you guys camped in your backyard?" Phil added.

"Those are all good memories," Frank stated. "And I have so many, it's really hard to pick. But I don't think I told you guys about the time when one of the criminals Dad caught escaped from prison and came after us."

Callie and Vanessa gasped in horror.

"When was this?" Tony asked.

"Joe was seven, and I had just turned nine," Frank answered. "Mom was visiting Grandma in California, so Dad decided to take Joe and me on a camping trip. Well, we didn't hear about the guy escaping until it was too late."