The sun shining in from my curtains woke me up. It's been three days since I've called Frank, and he still haven't called me. But, going those nights without a single nightmare left me realizing it was just that: a nightmare. So I wasn't worrying yet.
I yawned and got out of bed, feeling the need to pour myself a nice, warm cup of coffee. That seems like the right thing to do. I began walking to the door when my foot hit a cardboard box, and I nearly fell over. I looked down and saw the box labeled "Pictures" in my hastily done handwriting.
I sat on the floor and opened up the box, smiling. The first picture on the top was of Frank and Joe in front of an old train. Joe was grinning like an idiot and Frank had his arms crossed over his chest, looking over at Joe. I think Joe was the only one who was aware I was taking a picture.
The next picture was of Joe and I sitting on a beach in southern California. My lips were puckered out and my shoulders hunched, wearing a swimming suit I felt really cute in. Joe was sporting his swimming trunks and a big, goofy grin. Beside him was a crab that later attacked one of his fingers and "Declared war!" according to Joe.
Another picture was taken during one of our investigations together. Frank sat on a bed, notes crumbled all around him and his notebook sitting in his lap. He starred intensely at a note we found, trying to decode it all. A cup of coffee and his cellphone sat next to him.
My mind began to wander into the memories of each photograph I found…
"Nancy, sometimes you've just gotta relax a little. Let me take your picture."
"Joe, we're on a case." I scolded, not even looking up from my notebook. "Pictures can wait until later."
He pouted, "It only takes a second. It won't break your focus."
"You're breaking my focus." I looked up from my notebook.
"Say cheese!" The case-distracting blond grabbed my shoulders and spun me around, making me face Frank who held a camera in his hands. Frank! of all people. He didn't look all to pleased that Joe convinced him to do this, but he took the picture nonetheless.
…
"Right there, Nance, is Apollo." Frank said. We were all laying on the cool, damp summer grass on a vacation in the Colorado mountains. It was amazing how many stars you can see in places where the air is completely clean. Thousands of millions of stars all above us, and Frank seemed to know every constellation.
He raised his hand and pointed at another. "The Big Dipper. Everyone knows that one." He pointed at another, this time a small cluster of stars. "That's Subaru, or otherwise known as the Little Dipper or the Seven Sisters."
Frank was going on a roll, pointing out every star he could see; "Hercules! I love that one. Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor. Very subtle difference. Leo…and there's Gemini."
I had my camera in my pocket. I couldn't help it. I quietly slipped the camera out of my pocket and aimed it at Frank staring up at the stars. I snapped the picture and he didn't notice.
And then came Joe. Laying on my other side, be started droning in a sarcastic imitation of Frank's voice, "That one right there is Big Booty. And of course, the twin star, Frank. Who, as everyone knows, is the know-it-all star, and…"
"Joe! Shush. You're going to attract Bigfoot."
"What?" He sat upright. "That doesn't even make any sense."
"Well, you know what?" Frank started, and thus the arguing began. Stargazing was peaceful while it lasted.
…
I was pulled immediately out of my memories by my phone ringing. It must be Frank! I grabbed the phone and my heart sank when I saw the caller ID. The police station.
My dad, then. He sometimes calls from the stations when he's on a case. But even so, I was fearing the worst. I pressed the talk button and held it against my ear. "Hello?"
"Nancy Drew?" A woman at the other end spoke. Ah, I'm screwed.
"Yes?" I pitched my voice to sound more like an adult. Did I get into trouble during one of my cases? Or is Dad alright? Or worse, is this about Frank and Joe?
"A man by the name of Fenton Hardy requested we call you. There's…been an incident."