Hello I'm back...Sorry I've been MIA I've been working some crazy hours and haven't had time to work on my story like I'd like too. As I've said before I will never abandon my story I'm determined to see it through to the end... Any way I've managed to fine time to write this chapter. I do want to thank everyone who left me wonderful reviews for my last chapter, and thank you to those who've favorite, following or just reading...and a thank you to my beta reader for helping me with my story...Until next time here's my new chapter hope you like ttyl. take care and be safe. :)
A Brother's Revenge
Chapter 21
Shit! That was close...too damn close. Luckily for him, the older Hardy boy was distracted by a man calling out his name and had begun talking to him, that was all of the distraction that Ryan needed and he quickly dashed behind a booth a few feet away from the bathrooms. He threw his broom and dustpan onto the ground and flattened himself against the wall. He took a couple of deep breaths to calm down, and adjusted the cap on his head, the gray wig he had on itched like mad and he just wanted to rip the latex mask off his face. But he couldn't worry about that now he had other things to deal with. He took his burn phone from the pocket of his shirt and hit a number on the speed dial.
"Yeah." Carolyn answered on the first ring.
"Is everything all set?"
"Yep, we're all set and ready to go."
"Good. Tell Picasso and Henry to get into their positions. Oh, and just so you know you guys need to watch your asses... Everything almost got screwed up because Frank Hardy nearly ran into me, so watch out for those kids."
"What! How?"
"Never mind that. I'm on my way. It's almost time for the fireworks. The Grand finale is going to be a blast."
"Will do."
Ryan quickly hung up the phone and put it back into his pocket. He was about to turn and leave when he heard a commotion followed by someone yelling, "Frank, what is it!" which grabbed his attention. He poked his head cautiously around the corner of the booth. It was the younger Hardy calling after his brother. He stayed out of sight, and observed the brothers.
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"Frank, what is it!" Joe called, grabbing his crutches and hurrying outside after his brother. Just outside of the bathroom door Frank came to a complete halt, causing Joe to bump right into the back of him and almost fall over. Barely keeping his balance Joe asked. "Frank, what's going on?"
Frank quickly scanned the area with his eyes, the maintenance man was nowhere in sight. He turned around to answer Joe. "I'm not sure, but I think I saw Bruce Linsky."
"Are you sure?"
"I mean the guy did fit Linsky's description." Frank turned from his brother and looked around again at the people walking past them and at his surroundings and by the bathrooms where he saw the man. There was no one there. "At least, I think? Then again it is getting kind of dark out, and I really didn't get a good look at him." His voice deflated as he said with a sigh, "I guess my imagination's playing tricks on me again, just like when I thought someone was watching me. Or maybe I'm just plain paranoid."
Frank was exhausted and there was an ache in his chest again, but he ignored it. Whatever was going on with Joe was not helping the way he felt either. He knew that he hadn't gotten all of the answers that he wanted from his brother. Joe was keeping something from him, he could feel it, and Frank knew that it was something that he was scared to tell him. He knew his brother though, and recognized that sometimes it was best not to push Joe into talking about a problem. He knew that if he pushed Joe for answers that he would just shut down and refuse to talk altogether. Frank knew that he had to be patient and give it some time and soon he would know what Joe was keeping from him.
"Paranoid my ass!" Joe said as his words interrupted Frank's thoughts. "Frank, you are the least paranoid person I know! If you feel like someone's been watching you then it's true. If you say you saw someone fitting Linsky's description. I believe you," Joe said, and with his crutches stepped out beside his brother. He too started looking around for the maintenance man, but he was nowhere in sight. He turned his attention back to Frank and saw there were tears in the corner of his eyes. What just happened? Joe wondered. A minute ago, he was on my case going all big brother on me and voicing his concern and care. Now he appeared to be lost in thought, and Joe hated to see that sad look on his face. He hated this damn depression!
Suddenly Joe's own anxious thoughts began flooding through his head. He was going about this all wrong, he thought. How could I be so stupid! How could I put my own selfish needs before my brother? Frank's the one in real trouble. He had to put all his energy into helping Frank. He was not going to jail. Joe refused to lose his big brother. Linsky or their mystery dark haired figure was the key in proving Frank's innocence of Hayden's murder. They had to be! Joe was determined to help him in every way possible even if it meant going against his father's wishes, not that it mattered much anyway, their relationship was already strained and Joe didn't know if it could be fixed, but he didn't care. Frank was more important and he would do anything to help him, even if it cost him his life!
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, little brother, But as I said, I didn't know if it was him or not. I got distracted talking to Pete and was in a hurry to find you." Frank replied snapping out of his thoughts.
"Well, what else do you remember about him?"
Frank thought for a minute. "He had grey hair poking out from under his blue baseball cap, and he had on a blue polo shirt with the Bayport pier logo in red print on the front. I saw the name Jim on the badge that was clipped to his shirt. He was over by those booths sweeping up the trash along the ground." Frank began looking around the area again for Jim. "There was something about the man's face that's bothering me."
"If he's wearing a shirt with a Bayport pier logo then that must mean he works here." Joe said.
"Could be." Frank agreed.
"The guy couldn't've gotten too far... we could... start looking for him." Joe suggested slowly, hoping his brother would say yes. "We could even stop and ask other employees if they know a Jim."
Frank just looked at him. Joe could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he pondered his suggestion. That's a good sign, he thought, that's a typical Frank thing to do, to think things through. Please say yes. Please say yes. Joe mentally pleaded.
Frank finally answered. He said with a sigh, "Well, we could look for him," Yes! Joe cheered inwardly and smiled.
"However, we can't really do any investigating because technically little brother, you're still grounded and I'd be violating the court order." Joe's smile dropped into thin line. That was also a typical Frank thing to do, knowing when to do the right thing.
Frank shrugged, "Besides, that's kind of a vague description. We probably should just head back to the picnic. We need to let Mom know that you're alright. She was pretty worried about you along with everyone else."
"But it wouldn't hurt just to ask someone if they know a Jim who works here, anyway." Joe pushed, hoping to convince his brother once more. "Come on I know you want to."
Frank was torn. Of course, he wanted to look into it. He wanted to know if the maintenance guy he saw was in fact Linsky. This guy could be the key in proving his innocence. That being said, he also didn't want to look like an idiot and get told he was just over-reacting. But what the hell. Frank huffed out, "I guess it wouldn't hurt, but we only ask the people we see on the way back to everyone."
Joe smiled, inwardly he was screaming, yes!
As the brothers made their way back towards the picnic area, they stopped and asked several of the workers that they saw if they knew a Jim who worked at the pier or anyone fitting Linsky's description. Unfortunately, Joe was disappointed to learn that no one knew a Jim or remembered anybody fitting Linsky's description. However, they did find out that a bunch of temps had been hired to help fill-in with the pier for the July 4th celebration.
"There has to be a list or something with people's names to show who's working here." Joe grumbled in frustration. "Jim would have to be on it, even if he is one of the temps."
"Let's talk to Dad and see what he thinks and maybe he can talk to Chief Collig and see about getting a list." Frank suggested.
Joe frowned. He wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of being around his dad at the moment. In fact, he was a little nervous about it. He wished he knew why he felt this way with Fenton, he did love his dad very much and he desperately wanted to work things out with him, but he just couldn't help how he felt. He took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Just suck it up he thought...just get through the rest of this night and tomorrow he would sit down and have a man to man talk with his father and get things straightened out. Hopefully his dark thoughts wouldn't take over and cause more problems between the two of them.
With that the brothers continued on their way back to the picnic area. Unbeknownst to them Ryan stepped out from behind the booth and watched as the brothers disappeared down the boardwalk, while an evil smile slid across his face. He took his ID badge off and threw it into a nearby trash can. He no longer needed 'Jim's' help. He then began to casually walk in the opposite direction of the boardwalk to begin the fireworks.
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Vanessa and Callie walked towards the parking lot to meet Andrea Bender. Vanessa was nervous about her mother meeting Joe and his family, especially with everything that had happened today and she didn't really know how to explain to her what had been going on. She was just going to have to pray and hope for the best and that everything was going to be okay.
She felt a warm breeze ruffle her hair as she glanced up at the cloudless evening sky as the stars started to appear, it was going to be a beautiful night. The perfect night for fireworks. She couldn't wait for them to start and it was her favorite part of the July 4th holiday. She was hoping for some alone time with Joe to watch the fireworks with him and maybe talk... and maybe a kiss. Even though she had rejected it when he had tried to kiss her at the agency, she had only slapped him because he was acting like a jerk. She did want to kiss him, she just wanted it to be right, and for it to come naturally and not be forced like it had been at the office. She wanted it to be all about her and him. Vanessa smiled softly; she couldn't stop thinking about his smile. He had a smile that lit up his handsome face, and his eyes...oh my word those electric blue eyes. She knew that she'd never seen blue eyes quite like Joe's before. The very thought of them brought a smile to her face. Suddenly, the image of a shirtless Joe flashed in her head, looking all hot with sweat rolling down his chiseled chest and abs to the band of those red gym shorts he always wore when he was outside during gym class. Damn, was he hot! She remembered how much she had wanted to scratch the other girls eyes out who were making suggestive remarks and looking at him like he was a piece of meat. None of those girls were good enough for him and, well, Joe Hardy was hers.
"I see that smile." Callie's voice broke into her thoughts. Vanessa shook the thoughts out of her head. She replied sheepishly, "I can't help it. Every time I think about Joe...I feel..." She shrugged because she couldn't find the right word to say.
"In love." Callie finished her sentence.
"Yes." Vanessa nodded, "I've never felt this way about a guy before." The girls saw an empty bench and stopped walking and went and sat down. She continued on, "I told Joe at the agency that I have trust issues with men because of my father. He left us when I was little. Plus, guys I've dated in the past have always turned out to be real jerks or wanted something from me that I wasn't willing to give. But with Joe it's different. I felt an instant connection with him when I met him at school for the first time, I just don't know how to explain it." she paused trying to find the right words, then asked, "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"Yes, I do." Callie answered. She smiled softly at the memory, "My parents and I moved from Boston to Bayport a few years ago when I was sixteen. I actually met Frank through a friend...a very good friend." Thinking of the late Iola Morton brought tears to Callie's eyes; she had been her best friend and she still missed her every day. She quickly looked away from Vanessa and wiped her tears from her face. "She was the first person I met and she welcomed me with open arms and showed me around the school. We even had a few classes together. We became instant friends and later that grew into best friends. During our lunch period she introduced me to her older brother and their friends and we were sitting with most of them today at the picnic."
"Oh my gosh, when I saw Frank for the first time," Callie blushed thinking of her fiancé. "He was tall dark and handsome, and he had the most beautiful chocolate eyes that were so deep you could quickly get lost in them. He was so shy at first. It took a while for him to ask me out. When he finally did, I quickly learned lots of things about him including that he's very smart and meticulous about everything he does."
"He has this old-fashioned quality about him that I find quite attractive. He's the kind of man who treats women with respect by being chivalrous but he also holds them to a standard. He's not the kind of person who throws himself at women or treats them like they are possessions. He has told me that he thinks of me as his equal and someone who is smart and kind to a fault. He's my voice of reason. And there's this protectiveness about him that makes you feel safe. I can already tell he's going to make a great father… someday."
Callie sighed and then continued, "Things were going great between us, we had officially started dating during our freshman year at Bayport High. Frank introduced me to his parents. He told me that his father was a detective and that he and his brother were planning on going into the family business just like their father. His mother does volunteer work at the hospital as well as the Red Cross. His father's sister lives with them on occasion and likes to travel with friends. The one thing I wasn't anticipating was Joe."
"Joe?" Vanessa asked. "What do you mean?"
"I had several different people warn me of how protective Frank is of Joe, and vice versa. At first, I thought it was sweet but then things changed over time. I told you Joe and I have a complicated history as to why we don't get along," Callie said with a sigh, "Please, don't get me wrong, I like Joe I really do. He can be funny, he likes to be independent and adventurous, and those are both qualities I like in a person. He's not afraid to stand his ground and to protect the people he cares about including family and friends, and he will stand up for those who can't protect themselves."
"And as I'm sure you already know Vanessa, Frank and Joe have a very strong connection with each other. A connection that nobody really understands but them, and even then, I think that they don't understand it either, it's just always been that way for them. And that's okay. I've told Frank so many times that I respect his relationship with his brother. However, one of the biggest problems I have with Joe is…is his blatant disregard for Frank, both physically and emotionally." She looked at Vanessa, "You saw his behavior tonight. That's just the way he acts sometimes."
Vanessa nodded so Callie continued, "You saw Frank rubbing his chest worrying and stressing himself out over Joe. Joe will quite often rush into a situation without thinking of his own safety or Frank's. He constantly takes advantage of Frank because he knows his brother will always be there to clean up his mess."
"The worst part of it is that Frank lets him get away with it." Callie said, with anger rising in her voice as she spoke, "I can't count the number of dates that Frank and I have been on that Joe has ruined, all because he can't seem to keep himself out of trouble. There have been times where we'd be sitting at a restaurant having a nice romantic dinner and then Frank gets a phone call that Joe's in some kind of trouble or Joe would call him himself with some kind of problem, and Frank would end our date early saying that he needed to get home."
There was a silence that grew between the two girls as each were lost in their thoughts. Vanessa began processing all of what Callie had said. It was a lot and she was trying her best to understand, but she felt that there was something more to the reasoning Callie gave for her anger with Joe. Vanessa had caught sight of the tears forming in Callie's eyes before she had turned away. "What was her name?"
"Whose name?"
"The friend who introduced you to Frank? I saw you tearing up, I was just wondering what her name was." Vanessa asked.
Callie paused for a moment trying to decide to if she should tell Vanessa. Iola had been her best friend and she had a right to talk about her. She wiped her tears from her face. "Iola Morton."
"Iola Morton." Vanessa said flatly.
"That's right. You know Chet Morton, one of the guys who was sitting with us at the picnic table? Iola was his younger sister."
"I've heard her name mentioned a few times at school." Vanessa said. "I also heard that she used to date Joe and that she died tragically about a year ago, but no one really talks about her. So, it got me curious and I did some research online and found out who she was and that she died in a car explosion."
"You did?" Callie asked as her eyes widened in surprise.
"I did. It was a horrible thing that happened to her. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone."
"Listen Vanessa, I should probably warn you this is a very sensitive subject to talk about. In fact, I probably shouldn't even be telling you this because I'd be treading on thin ice with Joe." Callie said quickly. "You see the car that exploded actually belonged to Frank and Joe. The explosion was meant for them, and Iola just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I'd recommend that you don't bring it up around the Morton's or Joe because of that. Chet seems to be dealing okay with her death and Joe will only talk about her when he's ready and everybody knows that when he does, it'll be with Frank."
Vanessa agreed not to say anything out of respect for Iola's family and for Joe. She didn't want to accidentally overstep any boundaries that were there and she didn't want to hurt anyone. She and Joe had just started going out and they weren't officially boyfriend and girlfriend. She just hoped that one day that she and Joe would be close enough that he would be willing to open up to her. Whenever he was ready, she wanted to be there for him.
"What were they like together? Joe and Iola, I mean?" Vanessa asked cautiously. "Oh, maybe I shouldn't have asked that! You don't have to answer that if you don't want to." She said kicking herself wishing she could take the question back.
"No, it's OK. Joe and Iola started out as childhood friends and by the end of their freshman year of high school they officially became a couple. They had been dating for a while before I moved here and met Iola. They were each other's first love." Callie said. She continued with anger in her voice, "Joe didn't deserve her really; he was too young and all macho. He was very immature and had a knack for walking all over her. Joe was also kind of a big flirt, and would flirt with any girl that would walk in his path. Iola was a good person with a big heart, but she was also a bit naïve. She would get into fights with Joe and threaten to break up with him because of his flirting all the time. Joe would then sweet talk her and say all the right things and the next thing you knew they were back together."
Callie slapped a hand over her mouth realizing she has said too much. She looked at Vanessa, "That doesn't mean he'll act that way with you. Maybe things will be different."
Vanessa didn't know what to make of all of the things that Callie had said about Joe. Why did she tell her this? She really did like Callie and wanted to be friends with her. She knew that Callie had some issues with Joe. Perhaps she needed to vent out her feelings and frustrations to someone. At the same time Vanessa wasn't sure that she was the right person to hear this. Should she be angry with Joe? Maybe in the slightest she was... is that the kind of guy Joe really was? Is that the way he really was with girls? Was he like all of the other guys that she had dated who turned out to be jerks? Could she really trust Joe with her heart? Or should she spare herself the pain and get out now before the relationship even really began? Was it fair to judge Joe's character as immature based on his past relationship with a previous love? After all, Callie had said Joe was too young and macho and very immature in his relationship with Iola, and perhaps Iola was all those things too. And perhaps they both were a bit naïve in their relationship, after all, everyone is naïve when you're young and, in a relationship, learning about what love is. Vanessa quickly decided it was time to change the subject because only time would give her the answers to the questions that she had.
"You know Callie, I had a conversation over the phone with Joe a few days ago. He told me about Frank's arrest and being accused of murdering Hayden. He said he was worried about how his brother was handling the situation along with him dealing with the depression and also his health problems with his heart which was something he had accidentally let slip. He didn't mean to tell me about that because Frank hadn't given him permission to talk about it. I did promise Joe that I wouldn't say anything to anyone, because that is Frank's private business, it isn't my place to gossip about another person's medical issues. I am only mentioning it now because you are his fiancé and know about it." Vanessa continued, "Joe also told me about this kid, Henry Jacobs, that he had befriended because he was in a bad situation. Joe told me about how he tried to help him and then he turned on them and did some horrible things. He didn't tell me exactly what happened but he did say that now Henry is wanted by the police in the deaths of a close friend of theirs, Phil Cohen and his cousin Seth. He told me that Henry even tried to shoot and kill Frank."
"Yes, that's right he did." Callie replied, she was a bit relieved of the change in conversation, "Henry is a horrible person just like his father. He accused Frank of spreading lies about him and tried to turn Joe against him." She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"That's what Joe said." Vanessa acknowledged, "Joe also mentioned the close special bond he and Frank share, and that sometimes they can communicate with each other through their feelings. Which I think is an amazing thing. He went on to tell me that he was slowly adjusting to the idea of Frank leaving for college and that he knew that the separation was going to be difficult but that it was part of growing up. As I was listening to Joe on the phone, I realized something. It occurred to me that when our conversation was all positive it was about Frank in some way. He kept telling me all these different and amazing qualities about Frank."
Callie just looked at her blinking. Vanessa started to tear up a little but managed to bat them away. She spoke as emotion filled her voice. "However, what bothered me the most was that throughout the entire conversation was when Joe would talk about himself it was all negative. Like, he didn't like himself and he saw himself as a screw up, always getting in to trouble with Frank having to come in and cleanup his messes. That conversation made it obvious to me that Joe idolizes his big brother."
"Frank Hardy must be quite an amazing guy." Vanessa thought for a moment about the older Hardy brother. She had to admit that at first, she had been hesitant about going out with Joe partially because of Frank. She heard from several different people at school about how protective he was of Joe. That if anyone ever hurt Joe, they would face Frank's wrath. He had seemed intimidating when she had first met him, but after being in his house a few hours ago, there was something about him that made her feel comfortable and welcome. Hopefully in time the two of them would get to know each other better, because they both had one thing in common; they really liked and cared for Joe.
It was true she really did like Joe. She was maybe even falling in love with him and she wanted to try and do something to help him. She started thinking about his actions with his panic attack followed by his erratic behavior at the agency and then again tonight at the picnic. She didn't know what the issue was that he was having with his father and then there was this thing with Frank's health and arrest. One thing was clear to her however and that was that Joe was in some kind of trouble. Her thoughts quickly went back to what Callie had said about Joe and it was making her angry.
"Callie, I like you and I think you're a good person, and I hope we can become really good friends." She paused, debated and then shook her head. She just had to get this off her chest. "So, I hope that you don't take this the wrong way, but… I don't think you're being fair to Joe."
"What? Why do you say that?" Callie exclaimed, immediately going on the defensive. "It IS Joe's fault that Frank is so stressed out all the time."
"I have to ask Callie, but why are you blaming Joe for a horrible tragedy that was completely out of his control? Could it be because you're blinded by the fact that YOU still blame Joe for Iola's death? From what I read it was Joe AND Frank who were targeted. You even said it yourself just now, that the both of them were targets. Even if Joe and Iola had been arguing at the time, he had just lost his girlfriend! I'm sure he was in shock, so what exactly did you expect Joe to be able to give? Don't you think that maybe the reason Joe is so clingy with Frank is because of all that he's been through?" Vanessa brought up another point, "Maybe part of Frank's depression and anxiety is based off of Joe's neediness and the dependence that he had on Frank to get him through that time and Joe is starting to heal and not need him as much. What if because they are so close there's a fear that Joe has of losing Frank. And maybe Frank is afraid of losing Joe too."
Vanessa ended with her last point. "And you may want to think about this. I would ease up on the jealousy and the accusations. I'd try to talk and work things out with Joe, because you could inadvertently end up pushing Frank to the point where he's forced to make a choice between the two of you, and I don't want to see that happen."
Once again silence grew between the two girls each thinking of what to say. This time it was Callie's turn to process all of what Vanessa had said. Oh, my God! Have I really been doing that? In all this time she had thought that the problem was her jealousy of Joe for taking Frank's time from her and perhaps it was that to some degree, she thought. But in truth I've been taking my grief and anger about Iola out on Joe... blaming him for what happened to her. Oh my God what have I done?
Callie opened her mouth to respond to Vanessa when suddenly a woman's voice called out, "Vanessa!" She looked up as a tall and slender woman came running up to them, clutching her shoulder bag. She was wearing a light blue summer maxi dress and sandals, her long curly blond hair cascading down her shoulders.
"Mom!" Vanessa smiled and quickly jumped to her feet and ran to meet her and threw her arms around the woman.
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"Ooooh, how's my girl?" the woman cooed holding her daughter tightly in her arms.
"I'm good Mom. Everything's good." Vanessa replied trying to hold back the tears that were currently welling up in her eyes. It felt wonderful to have her mother's loving arms around her. She needed this after everything that had happened earlier.
"Well good." Andrea patted Vanessa's back. "Listen Sweetie, I'm so sorry for being late. I had to finish up some work stuff for my boss that needed to be finished because of deadlines. And now here I am ready to spend the evening with you and watch the fireworks. I can't wait to meet your new friends, and of course, meet that hunky boy you can't stop talking about at home."
"Now let me take a look at you." Andrea Bender pulled her daughter back with a smile on her face it soon faded into a frown as soon as she saw her watery eyes, "Vanessa, you've been crying. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing Mom, I'm fine really..." Vanessa quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Vanessa Marie, don't you lie to me. I can see you're upset. What's wrong?"
"Joe wasn't feeling well earlier." Vanessa answer vaguely. "I'm just a little worried about him. His stomach was upset and he ate too many hot dogs, or something like that. His brother went to go check on him to make sure that he's okay."
"Are you sure that's all it is? You look really upset over someone who just ate too many hot dogs?" her mother repeated. She narrowed her eyes, and planted her hands on her hips. "Joe didn't try anything or hurt you, did he? I'm mean if he did, he's going to answer to me."
"No Mom." Vanessa rushed to say, "It's nothing like that. Joe's a really nice guy, and you'll like him I promise. He and his family are going through a rough time right now but I don't want to talk about it and ruin the evening. " She quickly changed the topic. "We're here to have fun and watch the fireworks." Vanessa linked her arm around her mother's arm and guided her over to where Callie was standing. "But first I want you to meet someone."
"Mom, I'd like you to meet my friend Callie Shaw. Callie, I'd like you to meet my mother Andrea Bender."
Callie blinked at Vanessa in amazement. She still considers me a friend after the horrible things I said about Joe?
"I am delighted to meet you, Callie. " Andrea said extending her hand.
Quickly pushing her troubled thoughts out of her mind, Callie smiled kindly accepting the woman's handshake, "It's nice to meet you too. Mrs. Bender."
"Thank you, please you can call me Andrea. It's much easier." Andrea smiled patting Callie's hand. "My, my, my look at that face, Callie, you are a beautiful young lady." She commented. "I'll bet you turn a lot of men's heads."
"Thank you, Mrs… um, Andrea." Callie replied. "But I don't know about turning men's heads?"
"Well, I can see by the gorgeous ring on your finger that you've already got one man's attention. I take it congratulations are in order."
"Yes, I'm engaged to the most wonderful man in the world." Callie nodded.
"Well than let me officially congratulate you on your engagement." Andrea asked. "So, who's the lucky guy? Is he cute?"
"MOM!" Vanessa groan and rolled her eyes embarrassed.
Callie smiled, and blushed. "Frank Hardy is his name. And yes, he's cute, and very handsome."
"Frank Hardy, Frank Hardy. Now...Why does that name sound familiar?" Andrea tapped her finger on her chin. She appeared to be mulling the name over in her head. At last, she spoke with a smile, "Ah yes, He wouldn't happen to be any relation to that famous detective Fenton Hardy from Bayport? I've read news feeds about him online of cases he's solved and the hardened criminals he's sent away to prison. Very impressive I might add." she concluded, finally releasing Callie's hand.
"Yes, Fenton Hardy is Frank's father. And Frank is also Joe's older brother." Vanessa answered her mother.
"Wait, Frank Hardy." Andrea's voice grew serious at once as she asked, "Isn't he the young man that I read about on a news feed a few days ago that was arrested for a man's murder?"
"Um well yes, but..." Vanessa started to say before she was interrupted by her mother.
"Vanessa, I don't know if I want you getting involved with Joe. I mean, exactly what kind of family is this? For all I know they could be untrustworthy and dangerous."
"Mom!" Vanessa exclaimed looking apologetically at Callie.
Callie flinched at the woman's comment. She started to tear up and began to defend her fiancé. "Frank didn't do it. He's being framed for that horrible man's murder, Jack Hayden. It's a wonder someone didn't kill him sooner. But I tell you Frank is innocent."
"But I read..." Andrea started to argue.
"All have you know Jack Hayden was a very bad man!" Callie interrupted, emotion clouding her voice. "He did very bad things! He hurt a lot of people, he abused his wife and almost killed his own son, he abused his students... including Frank and Joe. I will spare you the details of what he did to them, let's just say it would make you sick to your stomach. So, don't believe everything you read online."
Vanessa gasped at that bombshell...Callie had told her about Joe's kidnapping out at the Morton farm at over the phone. And that he was missing for three days and everyone had feared the worst and thought that there was a good chance that Joe was dead, but they hadn't given up hope. Thankfully he was found alive, however, Callie told her Joe had been shot by one of his abductors and was in the hospital fighting for his life from a dangerously high fever from the infected wound after the bullet had been removed from his left leg. At the same time Frank was going through his health issues. What she hadn't known was that Joe and his brother had been abused by their former teacher. It made her wonder what he had done to them, but maybe she didn't want to know.
Vanessa saw Callie was getting upset and quickly jumped to her friend's defense to remind her mother. "That's allegedly, Mom. Frank is innocent until proven guilty and the police are trying to prove his innocence. It's one of the rough things that the Hardy family is going through right now. Look, I'll explain everything to you later, I promise. They are a really nice family. And I know that when you meet them, you'll agree." She added softly, "Mom, you and I both know what it's like to go through hard times. Right now, Joe and his family could use all the friends and support they can get. We're here to try to have fun and watch the fireworks to get everyone's minds off of their troubles."
"You're right, baby girl." Andrea apologized her face reddening slightly from embarrassment. "I guess I shouldn't believe everything I read online. I'll reserve judgment until I know all the facts."
"Oh, and Callie," Andrea turned to look at her, she felt bad for jumping to conclusions, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to accuse Frank."
"It's okay Andrea." Callie replied, her voice cracking with emotion. She bit her bottom lip to keep from crying. She felt like a horrible person for all of the bad things she had said about Joe. Vanessa was right I really need to talk to Joe and apologize to him to make things right. But she was a little scared of how Joe would react. Would he talk to me? Would he accept my apology? Oh, my God! I don't want to push Frank away over this. She wished her own mother was here she could really talk to her, but her parents were away for the weekend. She failed to stop the tears they began rolling down her cheek.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you and for crying like this," She said quickly wiping her face. She sniffed back a sob. "It just been a really hard couple of days, with everything that's been happening. I'm scared for Frank because of everything he's going through. I love him so much! I don't want to lose him."
"Oh sweetie, Come here." Andrea quickly pulled Callie into a hug.
Callie melted into the hug; it felt good and comforting. She had only met this woman a few seconds ago but she couldn't believe how caring and forgiving she and her daughter both were.
Andrea said "It's going to be okay. Everything will work out for Frank. You'll see. You must have faith." She released Callie from her hug.
Then Vanessa gave her a hug as well. "Are you okay now?" Vanessa asked releasing her from the hug.
"Yes, I'm ok. thank you. Thank you both." Callie smiled, wiping away her tears and quickly getting herself together. "Vanessa, I don't know why you're being so nice to me after what I said about Joe."
"It's what friends are for. It doesn't matter whether we agree or disagree on things. Friends support each other through both good times and bad. And true friends will tell each other the truth about things we don't want to hear. Callie, I know that we're still getting to know each other but I can tell you're a good person and that you do care about Joe."
"I know that in your heart you didn't mean to say those awful things you said. You're still grieving and hurting too for the loss of your friend. That's why I'm not going to hold what you said against you, but there's just one thing. Talk and work things out with Joe. Who knows, if you're ever faced with a problem or in some kind of trouble, he maybe one of your greatest allies. And if you do work things out with him, it could strengthen your relationship with Frank." Vanessa added lastly, "I do consider you a friend, Callie."
Callie was deeply touched by Vanessa's words. She knew Vanessa could never take Iola's place for she will always be her best friend. That didn't mean she couldn't have two best friends, hopefully in time Vanessa will become that. Vanessa her new best friend. She liked the sound of that, "I consider you my friend too, Vanessa."
"Good, now that we've got all that settled let's go to the picnic area. Vanessa, you can introduce me to the Hardy's and to your friends" Andrea piped up. She linked her arm through her daughter's arm. As they began making their way to the picnic area Andrea leaned into her daughter and said with a wide grin as she wiggled her eyebrows, "I can't wait to meet your hunky boy."
Vanessa groaned. "Mom! Nobody says hunky boy."