Hello I'm back. I am so sorry for the long wait life has been busy. just know I have not abandoned my story I am working on it and will see it through to the end. Anyway, thank you to those you left me reviews on my last chapter and for those how are reading, following, and favorites, thank you. and a big thank you to my beta reader for your help. :)
Here's my new chapter it's kind of a long one hope you like it. :)
A Brother's Revenge Chapter 26
"Mom, will you please stop fussing. I'm fine."
"That's not what your friends told us. They said that your leg was bothering you from you overdoing it at the game area."
"I'm fine. It was just a little sore and I lost my balance. It's not bothering me now." Joe said shrugging off his discomfort.
"Maybe we should take you to the hospital just to make sure." Aunt Gertrude said as she got up from the table and stood beside Laura.
"No, Aunty, we don't need to do that." Joe shook his head. The last thing he wanted was a trip to the emergency room, his leg was still throbbing, but he was too stubborn to admit it to anyone.
"Then have a seat at the table please. You really should rest your leg." Laura said, her voice calm yet firm.
"Mom, for the last time I said I'm fine!" Joe shouted in frustration. He flinched when he realized it'd come out a little more forcefully than he'd intended. Self-recriminating thoughts started running through his head, I just yelled at my mother...I am truly going to hell. He began shifting anxiously from one leg to the other while he held onto his crutches. No mom, I'm not fine... I'm no good. A complete loser...Your baby boy is about to do something that's going to make you cry. I'm so sorry for that. You are the best mother any kid could ever ask for... I love you and I'm sorry. That's what he really wanted to tell her, he thought.
"Don't you raise your voice at me young man." Laura said, reprimanding him.
"Mom. I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you." Joe said softly. He took a deep breath to cool his temper. He still felt like a complete idiot having a panic attack again, not only in front of Vanessa, but also in front of his friends.
"Thank you." Laura replied calmly taking a deep breath. She knew that she had to keep it together, but she couldn't stop herself from worrying when Biff had told her that Joe had experienced another panic attack. Keep calm. she told herself. "You still need to sit down and rest your leg." She pointed at the picnic table.
Vanessa watched the exchange carefully. She knew that Joe was lying about being fine and she was still concerned about what happened with him at the game area. Now he was shouting at his mother. What is going on with him, she wondered.
"Mom, please I..." Joe started to argue.
"Give it up, little brother. You're not going to win that argument with Mom. Besides, I agree with her, considering the fact that you should've listened to me a while ago when I told you to take it easy." Frank said as he and Callie came up to them. "So, you might as well sit."
Joe knew his brother was right and when his mother shot him a stern look with her arms folded across her chest he huffed and did as she instructed, saying "Fine." He propped his crutches against the table and then carefully sat down across from the McNeely's, just as Frank and Callie sat down at the table.
"A word of advice Trevor, it never pays to argue with your mom. You'll never win." Joe advised the little boy slowly shaking his head as Trevor giggled at Joe's antics.
Frank began drumming his hands on the table as he looked right at his brother, his brown eyes narrowing. He could tell that Joe was deflecting. What are you hiding from me? He was bound and determined to get the truth. Looking over at his mother and aunt he could tell they were both upset, and he also noticed that his mother had been crying again. "Is there anything you'd like to tell me? Anything at all."
Joe's blue eyes stared right back into Frank's eyes. Oh no, you can't know my secret, not yet. He replied back evenly. "No. I'm sitting down resting my leg like you wanted. So now everyone can stop their worrying." He flashed his brother a half smile.
Frank narrowed his eyes at his brother and said nothing.
Laura hated keeping such a secret from Frank. Hopefully he would be cooperative and understanding once he knew the truth about what was going on with Joe. She knew that they would have a fight on their hands because her eldest son wouldn't be sold on the idea of sending Joe to Bellevue.
Callie fought the urge to roll her eyes at Joe's typical childish antics. No stop! she berated herself. Stop thinking this way with Joe.
Then she got to thinking of the comments Frank had said about Joe, 'We've always been able to talk to each other about anything...good or bad. We haven't ever kept secrets from each other, but now… He's having panic attacks; he's fighting with Dad. I know this thing with my arrest is bothering him, and I think he may be suffering from depression as well. I have this feeling something big happened tonight; but Joe's too scared to tell me what it is, and I have this feeling that my parents and our friends know.
Was that why Joe had been acting out? Callie wondered. It had to be something bad or why else would Joe be so scared to tell Frank? Even so, if Frank's parents and our friends all knew what Joe's secret was, why haven't they told Frank? Callie glanced over at Biff, Chet and Tony sitting on the blankets on the ground talking with their dates. What do they know? There must be something I could do to help Frank. I hate to see him so stressed out over Joe. I don't want him back in the hospital. I don't want to lose him. I love him. And the best way to do that she knew would be to help Joe. Maybe once I try to work things out with Joe, he'll confide in me of what's going on with him. If I can convince him to talk to Frank, it would ease some of Frank's stress away.
Callie glanced back at Joe and thought with a sigh. That is if Joe will even talk to me. I did say some pretty mean things to him. Really it was my own fault, I've been taking my anger out on him, just like Vanessa had pointed out to me, all because of what had happened to Iola. I'm pretty sure Joe will go ballistic on me when he finds out what I told Vanessa about Iola's death. Frank may not be happy with me about that as well. Either way, good or bad, I have to talk to Joe. Tonight. She concluded.
"Guess what Joe?" Little Trevor shouted excitedly, bouncing on his father's lap while hugging the footballs against his chest.
"What's that Buddy?" Joe replied tearing his eyes away from his brother and returning his attention to the little boy.
"I'm gonna play football." Trevor said beaming from ear to ear.
"You are! that's awesome." Joe smiled.
"Will you come watch me play?"
Joe's face fell at the little boy's question. What could he say to him? He didn't want to disappoint him or hurt his feelings. "I can't make any promises, Trevor but I'll try." It was the only answer he could give his little friend, but he still felt extremely guilty. He had just lied to the little boy. Tonight, was going to be his last night in this world. Again, he told himself it had to be done. It's what was best for everyone, his family and friends, especially Frank and Vanessa. He won't be around to hurt them anymore.
Frank's eyes narrowed at Joe's comment, and he wondered what he meant by it?
"Well, it's not set in stone," Pete piped in grinning, "Lindsey and I are still talking about it."
"Actually Pete, football may not be a bad idea for Trevor." Laura said as she joined them at the table. "Trevor is just like Joe was at that age. Rambunctious and full of energy. Fenton and I were at our wits end and began to look for solutions to try and channel some of his energy so that he wouldn't get into trouble. A friend of Fenton's suggested to us that we should sign Joe up for sports. We decided to let him try flag football to see if he liked it because it was a safer alternative to tackle football for kids since it's not about knocking heads. He loved it. But then later on as he got older, he got bored and needed a bit more of a challenge, so we decided to let him go out for tackle football." She was so hoping that Joe would be better and get back into his normal routine with those football workouts and playing the sport that he loved.
Joe looked away from his mother there was something about her conversation with Pete was bothering him... maybe it was the mention of his father. Joe was still so angry at him and yet ashamed of himself for the way that he had been treating him. Why am I feeling this way towards Dad? He wondered. Of course, there was his refusal to let me be part of Hayden's murder case. Not to mention turning over the only evidence they had to clear Frank's name to Chief Collig. Oh, and I shouldn't forget, I'm not his good and perfect son. He has Frank. His first-born pride and joy. The one who, according to his father, never does anything wrong and should be the person I aspire to copy. Then again, I can't say anything bad about Frank either. He is the best. He deserves the finest of what life has planned for him. He had a bright future to look forward to, like going to Princeton, marrying Callie, and working with Dad as a partner as a PI just as we dreamt of. I won't be a part of it, but that's okay they will be way better off without me, especially Frank. Without me holding him back he will be the best. But…what if Frank does know my secret? What if the guys told him...he can't know...he can't. he'll die!
Then out of nowhere the sound of little voices began screaming in his head...
"It hurts! Stop please! it hurts!"
"You're nothing!"
'You're no good!"
"It hurts! It hurts!"
"Bad things happen because of you!"
Where the hell did that come from? Joe thought.
"Even though it is a bit of a rough sport, believe me it helped a lot." Aunt Gertrude said joining them at the table.
Aunt Gertrude's talking now. Listen to Aunt Gertrude, focus on her. Joe was working hard to keep his panic at bay. Calm down. you have to calm down. Frank will sense something's wrong. calm down.
"Hmm, football," Pete said after giving it some thought. He rubbed his chin with his hand. "You know that doesn't sound like a bad idea. Trevor could play left tackle like his old man back in the day. I could even give him a few pointers."
"Honey, why don't we start him off with flag football first." Lindsey said patting her husband's arm. "To see how he likes it. Besides I like Laura's key words, safe alternative."
"Works for me." Pete said shrugging.
Joe was working hard to stay calm keep his panic at bay. He didn't want to have another panic attack and he didn't know where those voices were coming from. Am I having paranoid thoughts, like Frank was having? No Frank's not paranoid, he really did see Linsky I told him I believed him one hundred percent and I still do. Frank told me that Dr. Reese explained to him that paranoia is a symptom in some cases of severe depression. Is that what was happening to me? No that's crazy! I'm not depressed! It's not about me...this is about Frank...he's the one in trouble. He's the one fighting this damned depression, and the heart condition all while dealing with the added stress of the possibility of going to jail for that bastard's murder. I can't let Frank know I almost let the darkness take me. He can't know! He'll die!
Again, the sound of little voices began screaming in his head...
"It hurts! Stop please! it hurts!"
"You're nothing!"
'You're no good!"
"It hurts! It hurts!"
"Bad things happen because of you!"
Shut up! Shut up! Joe pleaded in his mind for the voices to stop. Am I going crazy? Calm down. Frank will sense something's wrong. calm down...NO. this has to stop... Tonight. It has to be tonight...I don't want to hurt anyone...They'll die...Frank will die...all because of me. I have to leave this world tonight. Wait, you idiot! it can't be tonight... I have to clear Frank's name first! Once that is done then I can do it.
Frank was listening to his mother's conversation with Pete when he felt a slight twinge in his heart. He put his hand to his chest in a gesture that was becoming very familiar to him. His brown eyes instinctively shifted to Joe. He immediately saw he was on the verge of a panic attack; his blue eyes were looking right at him pleading for help.
Lindsey rolled her eyes and sighed with a grin, "Any way, Joe, I want to thank you." She expressed gratefully. "Trevor, told us how you won the two footballs for him."
Lindsey's talking to you. Focus on her. "Hey, I'm happy to do it." Joe replied quickly snapping out of his trance-like stare at Frank. "It was fun and he's a cool kid." He plastered a fake smile on his face. Focus, he mentally chanted to himself.
"Well, I think we've imposed on you fine folks long enough. We are going to head out." Pete said noting the strange way Joe was acting. He remembered the discussion with Laura and Gertrude about taking Trevor to watch the fireworks at another part of the pier to give Joe and his friends a break. Mainly due to Joe's unpredictable behavior and the safety of his son. He nodded to his wife as she nodded back. He patted his son on the back. "Trevor, say goodbye to everyone and tell Joe thank you for the footballs."
Trevor said sadly. "But, Daddy, I wanted to watch the fireworks with Joe."
"I know, you do. However, you've already eaten hot dogs and played a game with him like you wanted. Now it's time to let Joe have some family time. Just like it's time for you, your mom and me to have some family time. Okay? Besides that, your mom has a really cool surprise for you."
"What is it?" The little boy perked up with curiosity.
"Well, you'll have to come with your daddy and me to find out." Lindsey said holding up the small sack with the sparklers inside. "We'll see everyone again another time. Okay, now tell everyone goodbye." The little boy reluctantly said his goodbyes and thank-you's and gave out a few hugs, before leaving with is parents.
FJFJFJFJFJFJ
Vanessa noticed Joe's panic state but before she could do something to help him, she heard, "Vanessa!" she looked up to see her mother just a few feet away coming towards the picnic area. "Mom!" She smiled running to meet her giving her a hug.
"Hey Sweetie. Did you have a fun time at the game area?" Her mother asked holding her daughter tightly in her arms.
"Um, sort of." Vanessa answered vaguely.
"What does that mean?" Andrea Bender pulling back and giving her daughter a look.
"Joe started not feeling well again." Vanessa said giving her a condensed version. "His leg started bothering him so we came back so he could rest. And to watch the fireworks, and of course, to meet you."
"Well, I'm looking forward to meeting him too." Andrea said.
"Mom, please watch what you say and be nice. I told you earlier he and his family are going through a rough time right now. I'm just a little worried about him, he's a really nice guy, and you'll like him I promise."
"Vanessa, Sweetie. It will be okay. I promise to mind my P's and Q's. I had a good talk with his mother, and she basically told me of what's going on. I really like Laura and I hope that the two of us will become good friends." Andrea replied softly thinking of her conversation with Laura and the nightmare her family were going through. She quickly changed the topic. "We're here to have fun and watch the fireworks. Now introduce me to your hunky boy. I wonder if he brought his little red gym shorts."
"Mom!" Vanessa groaned through clinched teeth as she blushed.
Andrea leaned into her daughter and said with a chuckle. "I'm only kidding, sweetie." She linked her arm through her daughter's arm. As they began making their way to the picnic area.
"Welcome back, Andrea." Laura said greeting her with friendly smile on her face. She felt better after talking with Andrea and found herself liking the woman. She was looking forward to becoming good friends.
"Thank you. Laura." Andrea smiled as she looked around taking in the teens spread around their picnic area.
That must be Vanessa's mom, Joe realized as he nervously sat up straight. When he saw the tall and slender woman standing next to Vanessa and talking to his mother, the palms of his hands were sweaty and his stomach felt like it was in knots. Absentmindedly, he began rubbing his hands intermittently absentmindedly across his shorts.
Again, he heard the sound of little voices screaming in his head.
"It hurts! Stop please! it hurts!"
"You're nothing!"
'You're no good!"
"It hurts! It hurts!"
"Bad things happen because of you!"
Stop it! Why now? Get it together Hardy! He took a deep breath trying to calm himself down. Oh God, he could feel a panic attack coming on...God please not now, not now, not in front of Vanessa's mom. He kept his eyes on Frank giving him a silent plea for help.
Just as Frank kept his eyes on Joe the twinge in his chest increased with discomfort as he fought the urge to rub at it not wanting to alarm anyone.
FJFJFJFJFJFJ
"Wow, is that Vanessa's mother?" Biff's mouth dropped.
He and his friends rose up off the ground. He couldn't take his eyes off the tall, slender, attractive older woman talking to Laura Hardy. She looked hot in her light blue summer maxi dress and sandals, her long curly blond hair cascading down her shoulders. "Joe's a lucky, lucky man."
"That's a totally weird thing to say." Marcy said wrinkling her nose in disgust. She picked the blanket they'd been sitting on up off the ground and began folding it and then draped it over her left arm. "Why would you say such a thing?"
"You're getting a glimpse of what Vanessa's going to look like when she's older," Biff answered, "I mean she's already hot, but looking at her mom. Wow, Joe's a lucky man."
"I have to agree, Biff." Tony said checking out the older woman.
Chet nodded in agreement with the guys. "You know, Biff, you're talking about your best friend's girl. Isn't that like against the code or something? Like you don't date your best friend's ex. Or check out the girl he's currently dating. And her mom even though they're hot. "
"Hey, I'm just making an observation. I'd never go against the code, and I know Joe would agree." Biff said in his defense. "Besides, I have my own hot girlfriend right here." He said putting his arm around Lizzy.
"Nice save." Lizzy said dryly, patting his face before giving him a peck on the cheek. "Careful, Biff, you're starting to drool." She said lifting his chin with the top of her hand to close her boyfriend's mouth and then patted his cheek.
"Boys." Brenda rolled her eyes and huffed in annoyance. "The woman is old enough to be your mother."
All at once a sour look spread across each of the faces of Tony, Chet, and Biff at hearing her comment, "Way to kill a fantasy, Brenda." Biff grumbled.
FJFJFJFJFJFJ
"Mom, I'd like you to meet my friends." Vanessa said making the introductions as Tony, Chet, Biff, Lizzy, Brenda and Marcy started to gather around the picnic table.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm so glad Vanessa has nice friends." Andrea smiled at the teenagers after they had all introduced themselves. "Oh, and Chet. I just found out from Laura that we are neighbors."
'That's awesome." Chet replied. "I knew we had new neighbors; I didn't realize it was you."
"Oh cool." Vanessa said. "I didn't realize that either. I have to say, Chet, that is a beautiful barn you guys have at your place."
"Thanks, we love it too." Chet said kindly with a smile. "You two will have to come over sometime to see it. I know my parents would love to meet you. Have Joe bring you over."
"We will, thank you." Vanessa and her mom replied. Vanessa then turned her attention to Frank and Callie who were sitting to the left of them to introduce them. "Mom, you've already met Callie."
"Oh yes, Callie, lovely girl. So nice to meet you again." Andrea smiled greeting the young girl.
"Thank you. It's good to see you again too." Callie said greeting her back.
"And you must be Frank, Joe's brother, I have heard so much about you from Callie and Vanessa." Andrea said turning to Frank.
Before Frank realized it, Andrea was extending her hand out to him. "Yes, I'm Frank. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bender." Frank politely replied extending out his hand to her. He tore a side glance at his brother looking at him in a panic. What's wrong Joe?
"It's nice meeting you too, Frank." Andrea smiled accepting his handshake, "Oh you're right Callie, he is cute and very handsome."
"Thank you." Frank replied blushing. Callie smiled and blushed putting her hand in his, suddenly she noticed he was slightly rubbing his chest and Joe's panic state. Oh no. It's happening again.
"Mom, you promised." Vanessa said through clenched teeth.
"What, Vanessa, I'm merely stating a fact," turning back to Frank Andrea added, "Congratulations on your and Callie's engagement. She showed me the ring and it's gorgeous." She looked between Frank and Callie. "My you two do make a beautiful couple."
"Let's see you and your brother are the young detective's following in the footsteps of your famous father Fenton Hardy. You know Frank, I haven't met your father yet, but I have seen his picture in newspapers. And I must say you definitely get your handsome good looks from him."
"Thank you." Frank said again rubbing his chest feeling Joe's eyes on him while trying his best to be polite and give Andrea his attention. "I'm sure my dad will be here for too long."
"And who is this handsome young man?" Andrea shifting her attention to Joe. She notices he was acting strange.
Before Frank could do anything; a movement caught his eye he glanced up. It was Vanessa walking around the table to where Joe was sitting and stopped behind him. She must've noticed Joe's panic state too. He watched as Vanessa place her hands on his brother's shoulders and began gently massaging them.
"It hurts! Stop please! it hurts!"
"You're nothing!"
'You're no good!"
"It hurts! It hurts!"
"Bad things happen because of you!"
Joe jumped a little when he felt hands begin to gently massage his shoulders. "Mom, this is Joe. My date." He heard Vanessa's calm voice as she continued to massage his shoulders. the movement felt good. He could already feel himself starting to relax. "Joe, I'd like you to meet my mother, Andrea Bender."
"So, this is the famous Joe Hardy " Her mother asked. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the boy my daughter can't stop talking about."
"It's a nice meeting you too, Mrs. Bender." Joe greeted her blinking as he tore his eyes away from Frank. Focus on Vanessa's mother. Don't make a fool out of yourself. Keep it together.
"Vanessa tells me you're the star athlete at Bayport High. How many sports do you play?"
"Oh, he plays all kinds, mainly anything outdoors. Baseball, soccer, football, the list goes on and on, but I think football is more your game, right Joe?" Vanessa said.
"Huh? Oh yeah...football. That's my game." Joe replied listening to Vanessa's calm voice. He felt his anxiety begin to ease up.
"Oh, mine too." Andrea said.
"You like football?" Joe questioned. He finally got himself together. He gave Vanessa's mother his full attention.
"Oh, yes I love it. Every year Vanessa and I have our own little Super Bowl party. We usually pig out on buffalo chicken wings with my homemade blue cheese dressing and have other snacks; sodas while we're sitting in the living room and watching the game."
"Really?" Joe replied, in disbelief looking up at his angel with a side grin. "Vanessa, you actually watch football and eat like that?"
Vanessa smiled back at him. "Oh yes, and I don't just sit and watch the game. I enjoy playing the game as well." She leaned into Joe's back sliding her arms around his neck and into a hug. She whispered in his ear, "I told you there were other things that I want to share with you eventually."
Wow, Biff slowly shook his head. Joe was a lucky man, he thought. Not only was Vanessa hot, but she was also a buffalo chicken wing eating, football playing kind of girl. Joe, you are bonehead if you let that girl go. Most importantly though he noticed how Vanessa was able to calm Joe out of his panic state. He hoped to God that Vanessa was an answer to their prayers in their effort to help save Joe. Biff tuned back into the conversation just in time to hear Andrea say, "Our favorite part though are the commercials."
"Oh yeah, there are some pretty cool ones." Joe agreed.
All at once Frank felt the twinge in his chest began to ease up. He shifted his eyes back to Joe. He, Laura and Gertrude were watching in amazement as Joe began to relax his breathing thanks to Vanessa's touch. Soon Joe was fully engaged in a conversation with Andrea about sports along with their friends. The next thing Frank knew a roar of laughter exploded from the group from Joe cracking jokes and being the center of attention. A big smile spread across Frank's face he took it as a good sign to see his little brother acting relaxed and more like his usual self.
"I'll go and get you some water." Vanessa offered patting Joe on the shoulder before going over to the cooler.
As Joe continued to talk with Andrea and their friends, Frank leaned over and whispered to Callie that he'd be back, Callie nodded her okay. Frank discreetly got up from the table to go talk to Vanessa. He felt like she was an answer to his prayer. When he had met Vanessa at their house when she came to pick up Joe for their date, he had found her to be a kind person and he really wanted to get to know this girl his little brother was interested in dating.
He had to admit that he was hesitant about Joe going out with this girl because of what had happened with Iola. Iola's death had almost destroyed Joe and he did not want to see his little brother hurt like that again. But after what Vanessa had done for Joe just now, he was hopeful that this could work out and he wanted to get to know Vanessa better. She was good for Joe and could possibly help them deal with handling Joe's issues. He wouldn't have to worry about Joe as much when he was gone, hopefully away at college and not prison...or if there was another reason that he was not there. With Vanessa, Joe would have someone else to focus on and support him.
"Vanessa, I..." Frank started to say.
Vanessa opened the cooler and reached down and pulled out three bottles of water. She handed one to Frank. "Water?"
"Thank you." Frank said accepting the bottled water.
Vanessa tucked the second bottle under her arm, then open the third and took a sip. "It looks like it's going to be a beautiful night." She said looking up at the starry night, "Perfect weather for the fireworks."
"Yes, yes, it is." Frank glanced up at the night sky. "Listen, I wanted to thank you for what you did for Joe. You have no idea how much that means to me." He said after taking a sip of his water.
Vanessa nodded as she took a sip of her water. "I'm glad I could help. I like Joe a lot. He was acting the same way with me at the agency, and I wanted to do something before it got too bad."
"Vanessa, I don't want to pry if my brother told you anything in confidence." Frank said debating with himself on whether he should ask her, but he decided to ask anyway ask she could always not answer. "I know you said earlier a bit of what happened with Joe at the agency with the panic attack and this resentment he seems to have with Dad. Did he tell you anything else?"
Vanessa wasn't sure of what she should tell Frank. She knew about Iola from what she found out about her death online and of what Callie had told her and she had made a promise to Callie that she wouldn't bring up Iola around Joe either. She thought that maybe Frank was sensitive to the topic as well but Vanessa could see the worry lines on his face. Frank's stress was one of the things that she knew Joe was concerned about. She really did want to do something more to help Joe as she liked him very much and here was Frank asking her for help.
"I know that he told me over the phone that he's very worried about you. He told me about your arrest and being accused of murdering Jack Hayden. He said he was worried about how you were handling the situation, especially with you dealing with the depression and problems with your heart. I don't think he planned on telling me that but he did accidentally let slip, but don't worry Frank, I promised Joe," She vowed holding up her right hand, "just like I'm promising you, that I won't say anything to anyone, because that is your private business. It isn't my place to gossip about another person's medical issues."
"Thank you." He replied gratefully.
Vanessa continued after taking a sip of her water, "Joe also told me about Henry Jacobs. He feels really guilty about him. He told me that he had befriended Henry because he was in a bad situation and how he had tried to help him but then he turned on you 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 death of your friend and his cousin. He told me that Henry even tried to shoot and kill you."
"He did. Henry is a sociopath just like his father. He accused me of spreading lies about him and said that I attempted to turn Joe against him. He tried to kill me because he thought I was trying to take Joe away from him." Frank squeezed his bottle tightly in his hand causing the water to spill as anger began coursing through him. "I wanted to help Henry. I tried to help him, but I drew the line when he hurt my friends. All because of his dangerous obsession with my brother."
"Dangerous obsession?" Vanessa questioned.
"It was innocent at first because Joe was there for Henry when he needed a friend." Frank nodded, taking a breath to calm down. "But then Henry began to get violently aggressive with everyone else, especially Chet, Tony, Biff and Phil and Seth. Henry dyed his hair blond to look like Joe; he even did a superhero drawing of Joe and made me out to be the villain. Plus, there was his constant need to be around him. I could see that Henry was becoming a dangerous threat to my brother. He did get violent with Joe one time...and that was one too many in my book."
All at once his mind flashed back to that day in Hayden's basement, his wrists tied to that bedpost as he laid on a dirty old bed. There was Hayden standing over him, with a belt ready to beat him in his hand. Thankfully his father and the police had gotten there in time, because any longer and he knew that he would've gotten his skin ripped to shreds. In truth, Frank would've allowed himself to go through that, just to protect Joe. He had been ready to take it. He pleaded with Hayden to let him take it, because Joe would've gotten the belt first otherwise and there was no way in hell, he would've let that happen to his brother if he could help it.
He had never really talked about the abuse, not even with Dr. Reese. He had pushed the issue aside at the time and hadn't thought about it until now. After all, it was his job as the older brother to protect his little brother and to protect the people that he loved and cared about. Unfortunately, he had failed to do his job so many times and Joe had gotten hurt anyway. Frank would never forget the helpless feeling that he felt watching as Hayden tortured his brother and the fear in Joe's eyes was forever ingrained in his mind.
"The last time I saw Henry..." Frank's voice trailed off as he recalled what had happened two weeks ago... "I had just left the hospital room I shared with Joe to go confront Henry in his room. I wanted to make it clear to him that he was to stay away from Joe. He needed to know that Phil and Seth were...that they were good guys...and they didn't deserve what he did to them. By doing that I made the biggest mistake of my life, I left Joe alone. It was selfish of me to go after Ryan Hayden when I came face to face with him on Henry's floor. But I had to. The only reason that he came out of hiding was to kill Joe. Only I had lost Ryan during the chase."
Then all of a sudden, Frank's mind flashed back to the Bayport General hospital and finding the second floor in a blaze of fire. Where the bomb had gone off in the elevator shaft, the room he had shared with Joe was right above the flames. That terrifying feeling of not knowing where Joe was...I shouldn't have left him. He was up there...thank God for Officer Baker and the male orderly who'd helped Joe out of there. Thank God that the firefighters had gotten to them in time. Frank shifted his thoughts back to his current situation with Jack Hayden's murder. Oh yes, he certainly hated the man, but the difference between him and Hayden was that he would never have actually acted on it, unlike Hayden, violence wasn't his way of thinking. And Frank was determined that he would never be anything like Jack Hayden. He had nothing to hide and he knew that he was innocent. He didn't murder Hayden, he just had to prove it. Frank shook his head and quickly brought himself back to the present when he saw Vanessa looking at him with confusion all over her face. 'Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I guess my thoughts trailed off there for a moment. It happens when there's a lot on my mind."
"Don't be sorry Frank. I get it. You have a lot of things to work through." Vanessa replied. "I also understand that you're worried about Joe as well. Both he and Callie have mentioned to me the special bond that the two of you share, and that sometimes the two of you can communicate with each other through your feelings. I think that that is very special and an amazing thing. Joe told me that he was slowly adjusting to the idea of you leaving for college and that he knew that the separation was going to be difficult for you both but that it was part of growing up. As I was listening to Joe, I realized something. It occurred to me that when our conversation was all positive it was about you in some way. He kept telling me all these different and amazing qualities about you, Frank." Vanessa started tracing the cap of the water bottle with her fingers as she began to tear up a little, as she spoke as emotion filled her voice. "However, what bothered me the most was that throughout the entire conversation we had was when Joe would talk about himself it was all negative. It was as if he didn't like himself and he saw himself as a screw up, always getting in to trouble with you having to come in and rescue him and clean up the mess. That conversation made it obvious to me that you are Joe's hero."
Frank just looked at her blinking. He didn't know what to say. He felt his heart shatter into a million pieces at hearing that Joe thought of himself in a negative way. Poor Joe. It had to be the depression that was making Joe think this way. He looked back at the picnic table at his little brother talking with Vanessa's mother. He blinked away the tears in his eyes before he turned back to Vanessa. He cleared his throat, "Thank you Vanessa for telling me all of this. I hope the two of us can sit and talk like this again. I want to get to know you better and I know it would mean a lot to Joe."
"I would like that too. " Vanessa said, getting herself together. " Because we both have one thing in common; we both really like and care for Joe.
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Tony sat listening and laughing at Joe's corny jokes over sports. While Joe became engrossed in a full conversation with Andrea Bender, Tony glanced over and noticed that Frank and Vanessa were standing over by the coolers talking. He exchanged quick looks with Chet and Biff to see if they saw it too and they all nodded at each other. It was time to get their plan in motion to tell Frank the truth about Joe. Biff indicated to Tony for him to go talk to Vanessa to ask for her help.
Tony nodded his okay. He let out a deep breath. Here goes. "I'm going to get a water." He said as he casually made his way to the coolers.
"Hey you two." He greeted Frank and Vanessa with a smile. He opened the cooler and reached inside to get a bottle of water. He glanced over to make sure that Joe and Mrs. Bender were still in a conversation. Yes! Thank God for small favors.
Frank noticed that his friend was acting strange and that he kept glancing over at Joe and Vanessa's mom. "Tony, are you okay?" He asked.
"Huh?" Tony said, turning back to Frank. His hand trembled when he opened the bottle and took a sip of his water only to spill some of it on his shirt. "Oh yeah, I'm fine. I just wanted to make sure that Joe doesn't see me talking to the two of you."
"Why?" Frank asked in confusion.
"Well, because we need Vanessa's help." Tony nervously answered Frank then looked at Vanessa. "The guys and I saw what you did for Joe. That was really awesome."
"Why do you need my help?" Vanessa just looked at Tony confused. "And with what?"
Tony huffed and just spit it out. "Yes, well, you see, Vanessa, we as in Biff, Chet, and me need you to continue your date with Joe. Spend some alone time with him maybe go to another spot here at the pier during the fireworks show. That way, Biff can talk to you Frank, about the thing with Joe."
"Why can't you just tell me what this is about?" Frank looked at his friend with curiosity.
"Biff wants to be the one to tell you." Tony answered Frank, "He needs to; you don't know how much this is weighing on him. He tried to tell you earlier, but he got interrupted when Joe had Trevor pull you away to go to the game area." He took another quick look to make sure that Joe and Mrs. Bender were still talking. To his relief they were. He turned back to Vanessa. "Will you help us?"
"Yes, I can do that, but I want to know what the big secret is." Vanessa answered letting Tony's words sink in. Again, she was being asked for her help-to-help Joe.
"Awesome. We will fill you in after Biff talks to Frank. Okay I got to get back before Joe notices and gets suspicious." Tony replied, feeling relieved. He quickly made his way back to group at the picnic tables.
"What do you think that's about?" Vanessa asked Frank.
"I'm not sure," Frank said slowly shaking his head, "But I think that I'm finally going to get some answers as to what Joe is keeping from me." He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach and he was pretty sure that he wasn't going to like it, whatever it was. He didn't know if Joe and Vanessa being alone to watch the fireworks was a good idea though, because of the threat against him and Joe.
"Do you think you can distract Joe? I have to admit, I was already impressed with you when you told us how you stood up to Joe at the agency when he acted like a jerk. There aren't too many people who can put Joe in his place and call him out on his crap, except for my mom and myself. My dad tries, but Joe can be rather difficult to handle and intense sometimes. It's probably one of the reasons why the two of them are fighting." He knew another reason Joe acted the way he did was because of what had happened with Iola, but Frank really didn't want to say too much about that. He didn't know what or if Joe had said anything to Vanessa about Iola.
"I'm sure I can distract Joe. All he needs right now is to have fun and relax, I can help him with that." She reassured him.
"Okay. Just to be on the safe side," Frank said, "I'll give you my number so you can text me if there's a problem."
"Good idea." Vanessa nodded. "I'll give you mine too."
The two quickly exchanged their phone numbers, then Frank added, "Vanessa, if you and Joe do go somewhere alone to watch the fireworks, please be careful and watch your surroundings, I don't know how alert Joe will be and Henry is still out there."
"I will. I promise." Vanessa reassured him once more and with that Frank watched as she made her way back to the picnic table to Joe.
Frank took a breath to calm his own nerves before he made his way over reassured that Vanessa would look out for his brother.
FJFJFJFJFJFJ
"Hey I'm back. Here's your water Joe." Vanessa announced, as she smiled placing the bottle of water on the table in front of him.
"Thanks, Babe," Joe said accepting the water. He hoped the little voices didn't come back. What the hell was that about anyway?
"Vanessa, Honey, you're going to have to let me know when the school's football season starts up next year. " Andrea addressed her daughter. "That way, I can make plans to come to a few games and watch Bayport High's star athletes in action." She smiled at Joe.
Joe forced himself to smile. He found Andrea Bender to be a really cool, easy going to talk to person who had the same spirit as her daughter. Then his dark thoughts began to take over, I hate to tell you this Mrs. Bender, but I won't be around next year, my senior year, because I won't be around once I clear Frank's name.
"I'll be sure to do that, Mom." Vanessa replied, sitting next to Joe. "I don't know about everyone else but I'm ready to watch the fireworks."
"It's too bad that Phil and Seth aren't here to celebrate the holiday with us." Callie said tearfully.
'Well, if it hadn't been for Henry Jacobs they would be." Frank said as he rejoined the group. He put his hand on top of Callie's hand giving it a light squeeze. The group fell silent thinking of their late friends.
"They're still with us, in some way. I like to think that they are looking out for us." Chet said breaking the silence.
"Like guardian angels?" Brenda asked.
"Yeah." Chet nodded; his voice full of emotion. "That's how I think of my sister. I try not to think about the senseless tragedy that took her life. Instead, I like to think about the person that she was. You know she drove me crazy sometimes, especially with that feisty and bossy attitude of hers, but I loved her for it." Chet quivered out her name. "Iola was such a beautiful person. She had a big heart, and was always willing to help someone in need. The way that she embraced life with open arms was just amazing. I'd give anything to hear her voice again or to give her a hug. I miss her...so much..." His voice trailed off.
Brenda put her hand in his giving it a light squeeze, as he broke down crying. The group fell silent each lost in their own thoughts and giving Chet time to collect himself.
Callie shed a few tears for thinking of her best friend missing her like crazy.
Joe turned his head away, not making eye contact with anyone and doing his best to keep the dark thoughts away. He wished Chet hadn't brought her up, but he couldn't take that away from him, he had every right to talk about his sister. But it still hurt like hell that she was gone, and he knew that that was his fault as well. He quickly wiped his tears away, hoping that no one else had noticed.
Frank glanced over to his brother. He knew that Chet mentioning Iola would be a hard thing for Joe to hear.
"Anyway, sorry about that." Chet said as he cleared his throat, tears still in his eyes.
"Chet, you don't ever have to be sorry for being emotional." Laura said gently. "Iola was your sister. You can talk about her all you want. It's the only way to keep her memory alive."
"Thanks Mrs. Hardy." After a few minutes Chet got himself together. "I was thinking that that's how we should remember Phil and Seth. We should focus on the good things about them and not the senseless violence that took their lives. They wouldn't want us to be sad, they would want us to live life for them. So, I'd like to propose a toast." He picked up his soda can as everyone raised their bottled water or soda. "To Phil, Seth, and Iola, the ones we've lost and love but are not forgotten." then everyone clanged their drinks together.
"That was sweet, Chet." Laura praised him.
Vanessa in keeping Tony's plan in her mind she turned to Joe. "Joe, I'll bet you know the best spot to watch the firework show."
"I do know a good spot." He nodded.
"Well how about you show me. After all, we are on a date. We could watch the show together, just you and me.'
"Well, that sounds good to me...but I don't know. You'll have to ask my mom; she has the final say." Joe hesitated and then looked at Laura. "May I, Mom?"
"I don't know..." Laura hesitated, thinking of everything that had already happened that evening.
"I think it would be okay, Mom." Frank said adding his two cents. Even though his big brother instincts didn't want Joe out of his sight. However, his detective side was bursting with curiosity in wanting to know what Biff had to tell him about Joe. He wanted the truth and he wanted it now. "I'm sure that Joe will be careful, not stress his leg and will watch his surroundings."
"And I promise you, Mrs. Hardy," Vanessa added, "I'll make sure that Joe takes it easy and doesn't overdo it. Mom is that okay with you?" Vanessa asked her mother.
"Yes of course, as long as Laura is OK with it." Andrea replied waving them off. "You two kids go have fun.
Laura glanced at Gertrude to see what she had to say. "Personally, Laura, I would advise against this," Gertrude answered. "However, Like Joe said, you do have the final say, after all you are his mother."
Laura sighed to herself. Gertrude wasn't wrong, it wasn't a good idea to let him go off. She really didn't want Joe out of her sight because of everything that had happened that evening. After all, Dr. Reese had told Fenton that someone had to be with him at all times. But after she had witnessed Vanessa calming Joe down with her touch, she thought that it might be okay for a little while as the fireworks would be starting shortly. After all she and Fenton had agreed to let Joe have his date with Vanessa to have fun and watch the fireworks. Laura thought as turned back to her youngest son Joe. Then she saw it, the sparkle was back in Joe's blue eyes and a there was a genuine smile on his face and she made her decision.
"All right Joe, you and Vanessa can go." Laura finally agreed. She quickly wiped her misty eyes, keeping her voice firm as she continued, "Just promise me you'll be extra careful, keep your cell phones on and on you at all times and you will call or text when you have arrived where you are going to watch the fireworks from and let me know where that it is. Call if anything suspicious or concerning happens, no matter how trivial you think it may be. And as soon as the fireworks are over, I want you to come straight back here."
"I will Mom, I promise. Thank you." An even bigger smile spread across Joe face. He was finally going to be alone with his beautiful angel even if it was just for one last time. He was going to make sure she had the best time of her life on this date. He just prayed to God with all of his might that his anxiety and those voices wouldn't come back.
Joe reached for his crutches which were leaning up against the table and carefully stood up and with Vanessa following close at his side. Frank, Laura, Biff and everyone else watched the young couple head towards the boardwalk.
Biff waited until Joe and Vanessa had gotten lost in the crowd. He was so nervous that he felt as if bats were flying around in his stomach. Frank had to know the truth of what was going on with Joe. He calmly reminded himself this had to be done to save Joe's life. He stood up from the table and went around to Frank's side. He lightly tapped the older Hardy brother on his shoulder. Frank cast his brown eyes up at Biff. He saw the nervousness in his friend's eyes. Then he discreetly motioned for Frank to follow him. Frank told Callie he'd be right back then got up and he followed Biff over to a couple of benches just a few yards away from their picnic area.
FJFJFJFJFJFJ
"Okay Biff, what's going on? What happened on the pier tonight?' Frank asked once they made it to the benches. "I told you, I'm not going to be angry at you or anything." Frank took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He refused to let his own depression take over, it was not going to beat him. "I can't help if I don't know what the problem is."
Biff casted his eyes down on the ground then he slowly lifted his head. "I told you that this isn't an easy thing to say. I told the guys because I didn't know what to do because I didn't want to add more stress on you. Damn, Frank, you're already dealing with so much already. But the guys… we all agree that you need to know. He'll listen to you and we think it's the only way to save Joe." Biff swallowed a lump in his throat and his eyes started to mist. "If we don't do something and do it soon, I'm afraid he'll try to do it again and then it'll be too late."
"Do what again?" Frank asked urgently, concern coloring his voice.
"You might want to sit down. What I'm about to tell you will shock you." Biff said.
"Biff just tell me." Frank huffed out, getting impatient.
Biff sighed, took a deep breath, and just spit it out. "Frank, Joe...tried to jump off the pier tonight. I was able to talk him down, but then he got into it with your dad again so I don't know where his head is right now."
"W-what? " Frank gasped. His face paled as he turned Biff's words over in his head. He backed away slowly from his friend. "No... no. You're wrong...Joe would never..."
"I'm afraid, it's true, Frank." Fenton announced coming towards them with Laura close at his side. He just arrived a few minutes ago. Laura had filled him in on what's going on and Tony and Chet told them that Biff was telling Frank about Joe, and they decided they needed to be present.
Frank saw his mother was in tears as she held close to Fenton. Fenton was doing his best not to break down, he had to stay strong for his family, but the hurt and devastation on his eldest son's face was making it hard. "What Biff said is the truth."
Biff and Fenton both took turns telling their part of about what happened with Joe on the boardwalk.
"I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. Joe was so upset after the fight with your dad. I thought for sure that he was going to jump when I saw him on the pier." Biff said.
"I know that I'm partly to blame for this, after the hurtful words I said to him." Fenton placed a hand on his chest and closing his eyes willing the image that was burned into his brain to go away. "When I saw Joe up on the railing looking over the water. It made me think of what I had witnessed with my father. The pain and sadness...the emptiness, I saw it all in his eyes." He opened his eyes and quickly wiped away a tear that had escaped.
"I sensed that something was wrong. That something had happened on the pier. But not that! Not that. I would have seen something! Why? Why would Joe do that!" Frank demanded rubbing his chest. He felt his eyes start to well with tears and quickly blinked them away before they could run down his face. He refused to cry...not now, not now...He was trying hard to be strong. He couldn't bring himself to believe his little brother would do such a thing.
"Joe thinks he would be better off if he wasn't around. That no one would get hurt or get killed because of him. Right now, he blames himself for what happened to Iola, Phil and Seth." Biff explained. "He believes he is the reason that you are stressed out all the time. He's having a hard time watching you battle depression. Then when you were in the hospital because of your heart problem...he thought that you were going to die."
"None of that is Joe's fault. Iola was killed by a terrorist, Phil and Seth were murdered by Henry Jacobs, and he isn't the cause of my health problems...I've told him that."
"We all know that, Frank." Fenton replied. "However, trying to convince Joe of that is like talking to a brick wall. He'll have to eventually work it out for himself. Unfortunately, it's heading in the wrong direction. We all know he's been through a lot with his anxiety issues and with the PTSD that he suffers from as a result of the ordeals that he has gone through in the past and adding the family history of depression in to the mix it not helping things."
"Frank, you are already going through your own ordeal with depression. And I think your brother is dealing with it as well and it's hitting him hard. It's to the point where his thoughts and behavior are becoming erratic and that is what brought him to the events what happened on the pier tonight."
"Your brother is scared of losing you Frank. You are the glue that's holding him together. If anything happens to you, Joe would be devastated." Laura added to the conversation. Her voice thick with emotion. "I don't want to put this on you, but it goes back to that special bond that the two of you share."
"We believe that's one of the reasons he's fighting with me," Fenton added, "and is so hell bent on wanting to clear your name of Jack Hayden's murder."
All this information Vanessa, Biff and his parents had said to him about Joe, was swirling around in his head. Frank slowly sank onto the bench, placed his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. He couldn't hold it in any longer. He broke down crying. He hated this feeling, but he didn't know what else to do. His heart just broke for his little brother. God why, Joe, why?
Laura knelt down in front of him, placing her hand on his shoulder. As Fenton sat beside him. Biff took a step back to give Frank time alone with his parents, but he stayed close just in case.
"Frank, Honey. I'm so sorry you had to find out like this." Laura said sniffing back tears.
The three sat quietly to give Frank a moment, to process it all in. Finally, Frank got himself together. He slowly raised his head, his teary eyes full of concern. He looked at his parents and keeping his voice strong he asked. "What can we do? How do I help Joe?"
Fenton and Laura exchange looks with each other. This was the part they were dreading, but it had to be done, in order to save Joe's life. Taking the initiative, Fenton said, "We have already starting taking steps to help him. I contacted Dr. Reese and she is coming back early from her vacation and is going to talk to both of you boys tonight. She is making arrangements for Joe to undergo a full mental health evaluation."
"Is she going to do the evaluation at her office?" Frank asked.
"No." Laura said softly.
"Okay, then...where?"
Feeling Frank's eyes on him, Fenton sighed wearily and continued, "at Bellevue Hospital in New York."
Frank just looked at his father, blinking as the word Bellevue flashed in his head. Unexpectedly, Frank exploded red faced and directing his angry filled eyes at his father. "After everything that happened to us there? He'll go there over my dead body!