Sorry for the delay! My best friend is visiting from L.A. so been spending time with her. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and all those who are reading. I'm very glad you are enjoying the humor!
Chapter 7
The rest of the afternoon had passed quickly and uneventfully, with the foursome arriving at the second pre-arranged location ahead of schedule. Joe had immediately taken Jamie down to the nearby stream to wash up. There seemed to be more dirt on Jamie than there was on the ground. Ford had followed them, while Frank sat down just outside the makeshift shelter that would be their home for the night, deciding to rest and enjoy the scenery for a few minutes before setting up camp.
It was only a few moments later when Ford settled himself down next to Frank. "Don't you want to join them?" Frank gestured to Joe and Jamie who were laughing and splashing in the small stream, doing a lot more playing than washing. "They look like they're having fun."
Ford shrugged self-consciously. "I washed up. That's all I needed to do." They fell into a comfortable silence, although Frank didn't miss the way Ford was nervously playing with a blade of grass, trying to surreptitiously glance at Frank every so often. "So," Ford began, hesitatingly, "are you and Joe like…friends?"
Frank looked at him, surprised.
"I mean you're brothers, but not all brothers and sisters really like each other," Ford observed sagely.
Frank thought about that and suddenly found himself getting a bit misty, realizing just how true those words were. Growing up, he'd known a lot of kids who merely tolerated their siblings, and a few who could barely stand each other. Even among their close circle of friends, he and Joe were always the exception. He wondered if maybe that was why, although they had a large number of acquaintances and casual friends throughout their school years, they usually kept to the same small group of very close friends. Those close friends accepted Frank and Joe as something of a package deal, not trying to exclude one or the other as some other would-be friends had done.
"Are you friends, too?" Ford repeated, uncertainly.
"Yeah, we are friends." Frank's gaze drifted to the stream where Joe was showing Jamie how to skip stones across the water. "Best friends." He watched as Joe expertly flicked his wrist and the stone easily skimmed across the top of the water. 'I taught him how to do that.'
Ford followed Frank's gaze to their younger siblings and smiled. "We are, too. Well, for now anyway. He still loves tagging along with me and doing everything I do. Right now he thinks I'm the smartest person in the world – he thinks I know everything." Ford stopped for a moment and when he resumed speaking, his voice had dropped. "I'm afraid one day he'll realize I'm really not all that much fun and won't want to spend time with me anymore."
The words cut Frank like a knife. As far back as Frank could remember, Joe always had a touch of hero worship for him and Frank loved it. When they were small Joe used to follow Frank everywhere, wanting to do everything he did and Frank always indulged him. He felt a sadness weighing on him as he recalled the year Joe started school.
Joe was naturally outgoing, always happy and had a smile for everyone. His ability to charm anyone even at that young age, had kids fighting over who got to be Joe's friend. Even the teachers, staff and administrators had been charmed by the youngest Hardy's irrepressible personality. Quiet and studious, Frank was just the opposite of his gregarious brother and as Joe's popularity grew, Frank's biggest fear was that Joe would no longer look up to him, no longer come to him for help and advice, no longer want him around.
Frank shook his head as if that would oust the haunting memories that had tormented him as a child and periodically resurfaced during his teens. He reminded himself that fear had never materialized. If anything, Joe looked up to him even more the older they got. As time passed their friendship grew and turned into the deep and unbreakable bond they now shared. Looking at Ford once more he realized these sudden melancholy feelings were not for himself, but for the young boy beside him.
While he'd kept it to himself, the thought that Joe would drift away from him as they matured had haunted Frank for years and he saw that same haunted look in Ford's eyes right now. His first instinct was to try and brush those fears aside but Frank knew that despite his young age, Ford would know if Frank was trying to humor him. And he remembered how he'd felt when, at twelve years of age, he'd mentioned his deepest fears to his Aunt Gertrude. In a misguided effort to comfort Frank she brushed them aside, assuring him Joe adored him and would never cast him aside for the 'in' crowd. She'd been right of course, but Frank often wished she'd delivered the message in a much different way. Looking at the sad boy beside him, Frank thought carefully about his words before finally speaking.
"Well, you know he probably will make more friends as he grows up. Kids he meets in school or on sports teams who share the same interests he does." Frank reached down and gently nudged Ford so the child was looking at him. "But just remember, you'll always be his big brother. That's something no one can take away from you."
Frank had noticed Ford always gave serious thought to what others said before speaking himself, so it didn't surprise Frank when Ford remained silent for a moment. "You and Joe - do you have other friends? Like your own friends? Separate from each other?"
"We sure do. We have a group of really close friends – we all went to school together – but I'm closer to a few of them and Joe is closer to some of the others." Frank smiled as Ford pulled his knees up to his chest and scooted a little closer to Frank, a silent request for Frank to continue. "Out of all of them, I'm probably closer to Chet and Phil and Joe is closer to Biff and Tony. Chet was one of the first kids I met when we moved to Bayport so we've known him the longest. He grew up on a farm outside of town. I used to love going there to play and eventually Joe started coming along, too.
"Out of all of them, Phil is probably my closest friend. We have a lot in common. He's a computer whiz. He already owns his own company. We were on the chess team in high school and the debate team, too. A couple years we ran cross country together." Watching Ford grow more enthralled and less melancholy as he spoke, Frank went on telling the boy about his and Joe's childhood friends.
"Biff and Tony had more in common with Joe than me. Tony's family owns the pizza place where we all used to hang out after school. Biff and Joe have been best friends since grade school. They're almost like carbon copies of each other." Frank stopped when Ford gasped and then laughed out loud. "Yeah, scary thought, isn't it? They love all the same kinds of things – mostly just having fun. They like sports, cars, motorcycles, girls…" Frank stopped, not having intended to relate quite that much, and rapidly moved on. "They played football together all during high school."
"Did you play too?"
"I was the quarterback. Joe and Biff were my best receivers. Chet played too, on defense." Frank smiled, thinking back on the three state championships Bayport won while the four of them were on the team. "And all of us, Phil and Tony included, were on the baseball team."
Ford wrinkled his brow, now deep in thought. "So, you were all friends, but you each still had your own friends; and you and Joe were best friends." Ford rephrased what he thought Frank had said.
"And we still are. All the guys still live in Bayport and we all still get together and do things or just hang out."
"So even though you and Joe have different interests and different friends sometimes, you still like each other the best."
"Exactly."
Ford settled back then, returning his gaze to Joe and Jamie who were now engaged in a stone-skipping contest by the stream. He watched them for a few minutes and Frank saw his expression change to one of understanding and then a sort of peaceful contentment. Frank felt a rush of relief and satisfaction for the little boy. 'He gets it.' He hoped Ford would remember this talk in the coming years, knowing from painful experience that the fears of losing his little brother would periodically resurface.
Eventually Joe and Jamie returned to the little camp and took charge of making dinner, while Frank cleaned up by the stream, with Ford tagging along for company. Once dinner was consumed and everything cleaned up, the little group settled into their 'home' for the night. Frank and Ford were playing cards. Joe poked at the fire restlessly, while Jamie sat nearby, fidgeting more with each passing second.
Grabbing his jacket, Jamie reached into a pocket and pulled out a small, hand held video game. His fingers hovered over the power button as he glanced at his older brother, arching an eyebrow in a silent request for permission. Frank watched the exchange, hiding an amused smile, as his small counterpart nodded once at his little brother. As soon as the game "beeped" to life, Joe was at the little boy's side, looking over his shoulder.
"Hey, which one is it?" Joe asked excitedly. Frank could swear he saw his brother's eyes gleaming in the soft light of the fire.
Jamie held the game up so Joe could see it clearly. "Gundam Wing," he said seriously. "Wanna play?"
Frank laughed out loud at the question. Joe glared at him in return.
"You bet!" Joe reached for the game, ignoring his brother's laughter. "I'll fly Deathscythe©."
Jamie suddenly pulled the game out of Joe's reach, clutching it to his chest, his little blue eyes reflecting horror and disbelief.
"Uh-oh," Ford murmured.
"Not good, huh?" Frank asked in an undertone.
"Definitely not good. Jamie won't play if he can't fly Deathscythe. And he won't let anyone else play either."
"We could have a stand-off here." Frank noted the look on Joe's face. His brother obviously had his heart set on flying Deathscythe, whatever that was.
"I am Shinigami©," Jamie told Joe reverently.
Joe pouted. "I can't be the God of Death?"
"No." Jamie shook his head seriously. "But I'll let you fly Wing Zero©."
Joe's pout deepened as he considered the offer. Chet and Biff always gave in to that pout and let him fly Deathscythe© whenever they played Gundam Wing©.
Frank cleared his throat capturing Joe's attention, giving his brother a look that said, "It's his game – play nice!"
After throwing Frank a dirty look, Joe turned back to Jamie and sighed heavily. "Fine. If I can't be the God of Death, I guess the Perfect Soldier will have to do."
Satisfied that the two younger siblings could indeed 'play nice', Frank refocused on the cards in his hand. Ford had been a worthy opponent, already beating Frank several times.
The foursome had passed a significant amount of time engaged in their distractions, when Frank realized how late it was getting and suggested they start getting ready to turn in. Exhausted by the day's exciting yet tiring events, Jamie didn't put up nearly as much of a fuss as he had the previous night.
While Frank and Ford laid out the thermal blankets, Joe scooted over to a corner out of their way. Digging into the side pocket of his backpack, he pulled out a laminated wallet size photo of Vanessa he kept there. 'God, I miss you.'
Jamie peered over Joe's shoulder. "Who's that? Your sister?"
Joe smiled. "No, this is Vanessa – my fiancée."
Jamie looked at him, puzzled. "Your fian…what?"
"Fiancée," Joe repeated. "Sorta like my permanent girlfriend. We're gonna get married."
"You're getting married?" Jamie stared at him in wide-eyed disbelief. "To a GIRL?!"
"Uh, well, yeah, I was kinda planning on it. Why? You don't think it's a good idea?"
"Girls are…are…girls!" Unable to find a word that adequately expressed his opinion of females, Jamie shuddered. "They're bossy and they cry a lot and they make googley eyes at you! Ewwww!" He sat down next to Joe and looked up at him earnestly. "You're not really gonna get married, are you?"
Recognizing the disapproval on the little boy's face, Joe realized he was about to take a major nosedive off the pedestal Jamie had put him on. Somewhere in the recesses of his childhood memories, Joe recalled feeling much the same way about girls at one time. But once he'd discovered how much fun they were he was hooked in a big way. Women in general, and Vanessa in particular, were his biggest weakness.
"Well? You haven't answered his question, Joe." Frank's voice, filled with amused sarcasm, echoed from somewhere behind Joe. "You're not really going to marry a girl are you?"
Sighing inwardly, Joe understood the tables were being turned, and Frank was going to make the most of it. "But she's not like other girls," Joe began, hoping to redeem himself.
"She's a girl!" Jamie scowled, disappointment creeping into his blue eyes.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen." Frank grinned from ear to ear at Joe's predicament.
"She can shoot a bow and arrow." Joe ignored Frank and absurdly wondered why it was so important to him that this seven-year-old boy approve of Vanessa.
Jamie seemed slightly impressed. "Yeah?"
"Yup. Better than me. And she can ride a motorcycle, too," Joe continued, ignoring the intermittent snickering coming from his older brother. "And she's tall. Almost as tall as me." he added excitedly. 'You're really grasping at straws now, Hardy!'
Jamie looked at the picture again. "She's real pretty. Prettier than most girls. You like her a lot, huh?" Jamie questioned Joe solemnly.
"Yeah, I'm afraid so."
"Hey, did you give her a ring yet? Cause if not you could just tell her you changed your mind!" Jamie cried out, apparently thinking he'd found an 'out' for Joe.
Joe heard the snickers from behind him turning into soft snorts of laughter.
"Sorry, pal. I gave her the ring."
Jamie frowned. "Oh, that's too bad. Guess you have to go through with it." He stared at Joe for a moment as if trying to decide if he really wanted to say what he was thinking. It didn't take long for curiosity to get the better of him. Leaning close to Joe he whispered loudly, "You don't, you know, kiss her or anything, do you?"
Joe felt his face flush when Frank howled with laughter. "Cause you shouldn't you know. Girls have germs, lots of 'em. You could get real sick if you kissed her. When you get married, when the preacher gets to that part where he says you can kiss the bride just say 'No thanks.' But try not to act too excited. You don't want to hurt her feelings and make her cry."
Hearing a strange noise, Joe glanced over his shoulder against his better judgment. Frank was doubled over, laughing so hard he was gasping for breath. 'I am soooooo not going to live this down.' He turned back around and saw Jamie staring at him pitifully.
"You really blew it when you gave her the ring, ya know," Jamie reprimanded him slightly. "Maybe if you're lucky she'll change her mind and you won't have to go through with it."
Noting the silence, Joe turned and looked at Frank once more. He was laughing so hard he wasn't making a sound. "Shut up, Frank," Joe muttered. "You're gonna hurt yourself."