19Hello everyone, I am back with the fourth installment of the Hardy Boys Pressure Series: Second Chances. I've only got a few chapters written and they are going through the editing process, thanks to the help of my beta who has done a wonderful job helping me with this story. I will post once they are ready.
I must warn you that this story will contain heavy subjects such as sexual abuse and I will place warnings on chapters when I get to that. Just wanted to give readers a heads-up. Here is the first chapter let me know what you think. Thank you ErinJordan :)
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Summary:
Joe Hardy has been tormented by memories of his ordeal with the Hayden's and the deranged Nurse Matthews. When an intruder in his hospital room snaps a photo of him mid-kiss, it triggers a perplexing flashback. As a result of the flashback Joe falls into a catatonic state, and his family struggles to snap him out of it. Out of options they opt to send Joe to a specialized facility in Cedar Lake, Maine, and plan to move there as well to support him. Frank is convinced that Fenton possesses the secret to unlocking Joe's mind. Fenton, caught between his deep affection for his son and his sense of duty, realizes the gravity of the situation. With Joe's life in jeopardy, it is up to Fenton to solve the mystery that ensnares his son.
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Chapter 1
"Here at Second Chances, we are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of our youth. Our mission is to guide teenagers away from self-destructive paths and to help them build their self-esteem. We focus on addressing mental health issues that are associated with several high-risk behaviors," Oliver Gregory, the director of Second Chances, explained to the Hardy's. Gregory, a tall, salt-and-pepper-haired, athletic man in his late fifties, wore business casual attire, and was seated behind his desk, while Frank, Fenton, and Laura Hardy were seated across from him in his spacious office. The director continued his spiel, "We specialize in caring for adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 20 who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma-related issues, co-occurring eating disorders, and other mental health challenges."
Frank sat next to his mother only half listening to what the director was saying. He was preoccupied with thinking about his younger brother Joe, who was currently in a dissociative state. The Hardy's had already toured the vast facility, which included three levels: the reception area, an activity center, and the hospital facilities. Joe would receive the physical and medical care that he needed on the second level, and once he improved enough physically, he would be moved to the third level's recovery ward where he would continue to receive treatment. Frank and his parents were meeting with the director of the center while Joe was being settled into his room by the staff. Despite being impressed by what the treatment center offered, Frank only wanted to see his brother.
As he sat there listening to the director drone on, Frank surreptitiously surveyed the office. Much like the rest of the facility, Gregory's office featured light coloured wooden paneling. There were large windows both in the office and throughout the facility which provided ample natural light and picturesque views of the surrounding woods and grounds. Much of the decor consisted of earth and nature tones, including warm shades of various browns and greens, which worked together to create a tranquil and calming atmosphere. The centerpiece of the office was the solid oak wooden desk that sat between Gregory and the Hardy's, with a matching table just behind it, underneath the window. On the table sat a family photo of Gregory with a blonde woman and two boys, who looked to be between 8 and 12 when the photo was taken. Comfortable chairs, in natural materials and neutral colors, were arranged for the director and guests, completing the room's aesthetic.
The most impressive feature of the office was the large window that offered a spectacular view of the lake that the town was named after. After giving his spiel, Gregory walked around his desk and settled into a deep brown leather chair, leaning back and steepled his fingertips, forming a pyramid.
Frank allowed his thoughts to drift back over the whirlwind of the past several days. The Hardy family had arrived in Cedar Lake, Maine, where the center was located, less than 48 hours before. While spending the night at Bayport General Hospital, after being kidnapped and tortured, Joe had found himself grappling with the haunting memories of his encounter with the Hayden's, while knowing that he was now safe and secure. He had drifted off to a restful sleep, assisted by a mild sedative. That restfulness had been shattered when an unidentified intruder, dressed as a maintenance worker, had infiltrated his hospital room while he slept and did something which had caused Joe to retreat into a catatonic state. The identity of the intruder remained unknown and they still didn't know why he had entered Joe's room and what he did while he was inside. Thanks to the surveillance footage from the cameras in the hallway, they knew that the intruder appeared to be a middle-aged male with fair hair, dressed in blue scrubs. The man was smart and seemed to know exactly where the cameras were located and had kept his face averted, so other than the general description they did not know what he looked like. He had given Officer Jason Riggs, who had been stationed outside of Joe's room for his protection, a cup of coffee that had been laced with rohypnol. Despite the Chief of Police and his team questioning Officer Riggs and the medical staff, no one could identify the man. Although the officer suffered from a headache as a result, he was examined by the medical staff and found to be in good health, though feeling extremely guilty for allowing the intrusion to happen under his watch. As a precaution Riggs had been admitted for observation and was released the following day.
Frank, Fenton, and Laura had all attempted to reach Joe and break through to him. They were becoming increasingly desperate in their attempts to reach Joe, however their efforts seemed futile until Joe had started to call for his father. Although the tears had stopped, Joe remained in a catatonic state and unreachable, when they were open, his eyes were vacant and staring, and he was not eating or drinking either. The family had consulted with Dr. Reese to determine the best course of action. It was decided that they would transfer Joe to Second Chances, a treatment center located near Cedar Lake, Maine. The Hardy's, with the exception of Gertrude, decided to relocate there as a family while Joe remained unresponsive. Frank believed that Fenton was the key to free Joe from where he was locked in his mind. Fenton, torn between longing for his son to get better and the weight of responsibility of the decisions that they were making, understood that this was no ordinary situation. With Joe's life hanging in the balance, it fell to Fenton to decipher the riddle that held his son captive in his own mind. Hearing Fenton speak, Frank tuned back into the conversation to make sure that he knew what was happening.
"We want to be sure that Joe receives the best care possible. It's of the utmost importance to us," Fenton said. "When Dr. Reese told us about this place, we discussed it as a family and felt that it was the best choice and right place for our son to recover."
"As you know, Dr. Elizabeth Reese is the chief psychiatrist here at the retreat. She oversees all of the psychiatrists on the campus," Oliver Gregory agreed. "She is highly skilled and well respected for her work and she tends to use unconventional methods which work and make her an effective healer. Dr. Reese believes in treating the root causes of the pain a person is experiencing instead of just the symptoms. Her unique approach sets us apart in helping our residents heal."
Laura then inquired about the physical medical care that Joe needed, specifically regarding his leg and the back injuries that he had received from the Hayden's and who would be overseeing it. As she spoke she reached for her husband's hand for comfort and support.
"Joe's care will be under the supervision of Dr. Jonathan Stephens, MD, MPH, and our Chief Medical Director here at Second Chances. He is a renowned provider of adolescent residential treatment."
When Fenton asked about the visiting rules at the center, the director said, "The policy changes based on what the patient is here for. For example, during a drug detox we limit the number of visitors due to the severity of the withdrawal process. There's also a typical blackout period of around 3 days to allow the patient to adjust to their new surroundings and treatment plan. However, Joe is an exception to that because of his current condition. Family members will generally be allowed to visit him for about 1-3 hours on specific days each week."
"Sorry, that's not going to work for us. I'm going to need to spend more time with Joe than just one to three hours a day," Frank interrupted, rubbing his chest unconsciously as he hoped for a sign from his brother. "I need to be here when he wakes up."
Oliver Gregory observed Frank and then his nose twitched and he smiled knowingly. "You and your brother are very close, aren't you?"
"Yes, we are," Frank answered in a defensive tone. "Joe is not just my younger brother. He is also my best friend. I would do anything in my power to protect him. It hurts me to see him suffer, and I'm sick and tired of people hurting him and using him. I wish that I could trust you and your team here, but he's been hurt by people that we trusted before and I can't stand to see him in more pain."
"Frank," Fenton said, giving his son a disapproving look before turning back to the director. The man was seemed familiar to him, especially after he twitched his nose, but Fenton couldn't place where he knew him from so he ignored the feeling for the moment, it would come to him eventually. He then apologized for Frank's rudeness, saying, "I'm sorry, Mr. Gregory. We're a tight-knit family, and we've been under a lot of pressure lately. We're all very concerned about Joe and we just want what is best for him."
"I completely understand, Mr. Hardy. As a fellow family man with two boys of my own, I can definitely relate to your concerns. I would go to great lengths to protect my own children as well," Gregory reassured Fenton, then turning to Frank he addressed his worries and said, "Please be assured that your brother is in excellent hands here. My staff is not only loyal and trustworthy; they take great pride in providing the best possible care for our residents."
"I certainly hope so." Frank said firmly, "That was one of the main reasons why we went with Dr. Reese's recommendation."
Trying to distract Frank slightly, Fenton changed the topic and motioned to the photo on the table asked about it, "Is that your family?"
"Yes, it is," confirmed Mr. Gregory, as he turned and picked up the photo placing it on his desk so that the Hardy's could see it. He smiled warmly and introduced his family, "My wife Ellen and our two sons; Zander, who's 12 and a keen student just like his mother, and Mikey, who takes after me and is always eager to help others. He's an energetic eight-year-old, and it's sometimes difficult to keep up with him."
"They seem delightful," Laura remarked. "Does your wife work as well? How do you balance family time while running the treatment center?"
"Thank you. We manage. She's very supportive of what we do and understands the significance and importance of our work here. She takes care of the household and enjoys spending time with our boys and I always ensure I make time for my family."
"That's wonderful." Laura smiled. Shifting the focus back to Joe, she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety, "When can we visit Joe? I'm eager to see how he's doing and to spend some time with him."
"Of course, the staff should have Joe settled into his room by now. Let's go and see him and allow me introduce you to Dr. Stephens."
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The Hardy's followed Mr. Gregory into Joe's room where they saw a doctor and a nurse discussing the patient in front of them. Gregory cleared his throat to get their attention and said, "Dr Stephens, I'm sorry to interrupt, but these are Joe's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, and his older brother, Frank." He said, gesturing to each person as he introduced them. Dr. Stephens looked up from Joe's chart and shook hands with Fenton and said warmly, "Hello! I know that this is a difficult time for you all. How are you doing?"
"We're coping as well as we can in this situation, but we're eager to hear how Joe is doing." Fenton answered, the worry for his son, clear in his tone of voice.
"Well, let me introduce myself and we'll see if I can allay some of your fears and answer any questions that you might have. My name is Dr. Jonathan Stephens, and I'm going to be the one who will be primarily responsible for your son's physical treatment and rehabilitation. I have received his medical chart from your family doctor in Bayport and have gone over it. I've also done a quick examination of Joe to make sure that nothing new has appeared during transportation. Currently his pulse and breathing are normal, the swelling in his left leg has gone down slightly and the wounds on his back are healing well. He is still in a catatonic state, however we have inserted an IV to keep him hydrated as well as provide a port for any medications that he might need. We are also planning on inserting a nasogastric tube to provide nutrition for as long as he remains in this state."
Laura went over to sit near Joe, brushing his hair from his forehead as she looked at the slowly fading bruises on Joe's face from the nightmare he had endured from the Hayden's. Tears welled up in her eyes and she tried to keep her quivering voice calm and encouraging as she spoke to her son, "Joe, sweetheart, it's Mom. You're not alone. I'm here with you, and so are Dad and Frank. We love you so much."
"Hey Joe, I'm here too, son, I love you so much and nothing is more important to us that for you to come back and get better," Fenton said softly, urging his son to get better and to open his eyes to reveal their bright blue color. Joe remained laying there in his catatonic state with his eyes closed, which left Fenton feeling angry, helpless, and guilty. He had a strong desire to find the person who had harmed his son and to make them pay for their crimes. Fenton knew that Frank believed that Fenton held the key to freeing Joe's mind and he vowed to find answers as to why his son was in this state if it was the last thing that he did.
On the other side of Joe's bed, Frank's hand shook as he reached out to touch his younger brother's cheek. He was hoping to feel their connection or for any other sign of a response. Tears coursed down his face as he leaned in and kissed Joe on the forehead and despite his best efforts, their connection remained absent.
"Joe, I don't understand why our bond is gone. It's already been two days now, and little brother, you have to come back. I promise to be here when you wake up. Please don't leave me. We're a team, and I need you. I love you." Frank pleaded, his desperation clear in his voice. He looked up at his parents, Dr. Stephens, and Mr. Gregory, who were all watching him with concern. "I'm sorry," he muttered before fleeing from the room.
"Frank!" Laura called to him.
"Laura, stay with Joe. I'll go and get him." Fenton said, putting his hand on Laura's shoulder to stop her from following Frank.
"It's okay, Joe," Laura reassured him holding his limp hand, but her worry was clear in her voice. "Frank just needs a moment. He'll be back soon."
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Fenton found Frank pacing back and forth on the outdoor patio of the rehabilitation center. It was a peaceful spot surrounded by pathways leading out to the gardens and plants. Fenton called out to him, "Frank!" and Frank turned to look at him tears streaming down his face.
"Dad! Joe won't wake up! It's been two days!" Frank exclaimed, clutching his chest. "I can't feel him anymore!"
"Frank, I need you to calm down," Fenton said firmly as he grabbed Frank by his shoulders and halted his pacing. "Son, look at me," he ordered and Frank slowly looked up at his father, his eyes swollen and red from his tears.
"Why aren't you upset, Dad? How can you be so calm about this? Don't you care? He called out for you! Who's hurting Joe?"
"I may seem calm to you, son, but trust me, inside, I'm a complete wreck," Fenton countered. "It's killing me to see your brother in this condition. I don't know what happened or why Joe called out for me, but whoever is hurting him or has hurt him, we'll get answers and we will make sure that they are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Getting upset right now won't help the situation any. We need to stay calm and to keep a cool head. Joe needs us to be strong for him." Fenton's voice trembled, and he battled back tears of his own.
Frank turned away from his father and slumped down on a bench, and hanging his head, he whispered, his voice trembling. "I know Dad. You're right," He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Joe needs us to be calm, but how can we leave him in this place? After everything that's happened how can I trust these people to care for Joe? What if he wakes up and we're not here…he'll be so scared." Tears streamed down Frank's face which was showing his exhaustion. "It hurts and I don't want to see Joe like this anymore, Dad." Frank's eyes pleaded with Fenton, desperately seeking answers that seemed elusive. "I can't bear the thought of losing my little brother. I just want him to wake up…"
Fenton placed his hand on Frank's shoulder, sat down beside him and pulled him into a hug. "I understand how you feel, son," he murmured. "I don't want to see Joe like this either. We are all feeling the ache and uncertainty of what is happening. I do know this though, Joe is strong. Even though it feels like he is drifting away from us, he's in there fighting to get back to us." Fenton looked at Frank and a silent promise passed between them. "We will stay by his side, Frank. We won't let him face this alone. I want to trust this place and the people looking after Joe. I think we have to, as hard as it is. I trust Dr. Reese and her word, she has helped you a lot and I'm hoping that she can do the same for Joe. She is certain that this is the best place for Joe and can help him the most, and I think that we need to trust her in this."
The two men sat there quietly for a moment with their hearts aching, both clinging desperately to hope.
"Okay, Dad. I'll try. I just want Joe back," Frank said, he closed his eyes as he willed his brother's presence to surround them. "Hang on, Joe. We're here, and we won't let go." He whispered before he began to break down again. He could feel his father wrapped his strong arms around him in a hug and they both allowed their tears to flow.
After they had cried and then calmed down, Fenton released Frank from the hug and asked gently, "Are you ready to go and see your brother now?"
Frank took a deep breath and wiped his face before replying, "Yes, but I just need a few minutes alone before I go back in."
"Okay, but if you don't come back in soon, I'm going to come back and check on you." Fenton said as he stood up and went back inside.
Frank sat there on the patio and gazed up at the clear blue sky and found himself praying silently. "I haven't done this in a while, but please, God, we need your help. Please bring my brother back to us," he thought, "I'm not ready to let him go."
Frank was jolted out of his reverie by the strong scent of cigarette smoke and a crude voice saying "Boo-hoo-hoo. What Father-son drama, if you ask me, it's a load of shit."
"Excuse me?" Frank said, wiping the remaining tears from his eyes and turning towards the direction of the voice. A shaggy blond-haired boy, smoking a cigarette stepped out from behind the bushes. He had an earring, and was wearing ripped jeans and a t-shirt with a crude picture on it and Frank could see a dagger tattoo peeking out of the bottom of his shirt sleeve.
"I said that was a load of shit." The boy sneered.
"Well, it's none of your business and you really shouldn't listen in on other people's conversations," Frank said, looking the boy over and not impressed with what he saw.
"You're Frank, right? I couldn't help but hear your sobbing from over there," the boy said with a smug smile as he jumped over the bench and sat down.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Frank asked.
"Elvis Presley and nothin' that concerns you."
Frank just glared at him until he finally answered, "Alright- alright. Don't get your panties in a twist. The name's Jason Dolton."
"Haven't you ever seen two men, deal with their emotions and hug each other and cry, Jason Dolton?"
"Nah, I don't think so. But, whatever works for you, man." Jason said, taking a drag from his cigarette and blowing out a cloud of smoke.
Coughing, Frank wrinkled his nose and waved his hand to clear the air and said. "You know, smoking is not only harmful to you its harmful to the people around you."
"So is breathing polluted air, but we do it anyway."
"How old are you?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but seventeen. What's it to you?"
"You're legally to young to smoke, and I'm pretty sure that Second Chances doesn't allow it."
Jason tossed his cigarette on the ground and crushed it out. "Dude, I don't care. It's just a cigarette. But I'd kill for some weed, ya got any?"
Frank's eyes widened at his words and Jason snickered, "Relax. I was kidding... well, not really about the weed part. Are you a saint or something?"
"No. I'm just a big brother and if you were my sibling, I would've snatched the cigarette from your mouth and smacked you on the head for picking up that bad habit. And don't even get me started on what I'd do if I'd caught you with weed."
"Whatever." Jason said shrugging.
"Have you always this much of a jerk?" Frank asked. He had to admit to himself that he missed hearing the snarky tone and it brought thoughts of his little brother to his mind. That was the attitude he normally got from Joe.
"What if I am? Are you always this nosy?" Jason snapped, getting irritated with Frank.
"Honestly? Yes, I am. You could say that I make a living by asking questions. Do you live at Second Chances, Jason?" Frank agreed.
Jason shrugged, "You could say that. My mom dumped me here when I was fourteen and I haven't seen her since. My dad visits me now and then though."
"How do you like it here?" Frank asked, making conversation and trying to find out more information about the facility.
"You never stop with the questions, do you?"
"Nope. So what's your opinion of this place?" Frank pressed. "Is it good, bad, what?"
Jason gave him a wink and said, "It's not a bad spot. The grub is good, the mattresses are comfy, and the sun is always shining. Beats being in the system. Gregory is a stickler for the regulations though. But I think that Dr. Reese is a babe, even if she's way older than me, so I'm happy to go along with whatever she plans." Frank shook his head and rolled his eyes at Jason's comment.
"The new kid they brought in, is that your kid brother?" Jason asked.
"Yes, he is."
"What's his name?"
"Joe Hardy."
"Hey, are you okay?" Frank asked as he saw Jason flinch and pale when he heard Joe's name. He wondered what was going on.
"Look, I gotta run. Don't tell Gregory you met me." Jason said quickly, before he dashed away. Confused by Jason's strange behavior and puzzled by his reaction, Frank left the patio and returned to his brother's room.
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When Frank entered Joe's room a few minutes later, he was still contemplating Jason's reaction. Why had he panicked and run away when he heard Joe's name? He had quickly changed from over confident to extremely frightened. Why? What was he hiding from Mr. Gregory? Was he afraid of getting in trouble for smoking or was it something else? And what did Joe have to do with it?
"Son, are you alright?" Fenton asked as he saw the look on Frank's face as he entered Joe's room.
The question brought Frank's attention back to the present and he saw his parents sitting by Joe's bed. Joe's eyes were half open and Laura was softly caressing Joe's hair and humming to him. Looking up and seeing his troubled expression she looked at Frank with concern and asked, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"It's okay Mom. I'm fine. I was just thinking and worrying about Joe," Frank said quickly, pushing aside his strange encounter with Jason. He didn't want to alert anyone to his encounter or the questions that he had until he had learned more. Frank sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "How is he?" He asked, moving closer to his parents as he looked down at his brother. His heart ached seeing Joe's vacant stare. He wished he could bring back the life and excitement to those blue eyes. He missed hearing Joe tease him, calling him a 'nerdy neat freak'. To hear that again would be music to his ears.
"There is no update, I'm afraid. Mr. Gregory is currently in a meeting, and Dr. Stephens has left for his rounds. He opened his eyes and started staring a bit ago and they think that Joe can hear us, so your mother and I have been sitting here and talking to him. We're hoping that that will draw him back." Fenton said sadly, shaking his head. He longed to hear the sound of his youngest son's voice and to see the light in his eyes again.
Laura continued stroking Joe's hair gently, saying softly. "We're here for you, Joe. You're safe and loved and we can't wait to see you smile again." Frank nodded silently as he continued to stare at his little brother, who looked so fragile and lost in his own world.
Fenton cleared his throat, drawing Frank's attention to him. "Dr. Reese will be here tomorrow. She wants to talk with you at 9 a.m."
"All right," Frank said. He didn't care about anything else. He just wanted to be here with Joe. He trusted Dr. Reese to help him and hoped that she would help his brother recover as well.
Fenton said, "Mr. Gregory said we can stay with Joe for a while today. Your mother and I think that you should spend some one-on-one time with your brother before we go to Sam's house. We're supposed to meet with Ethel Meyers there this afternoon."
"Really?" Frank asked, looking surprised at his parents. "Don't you two want to spend more time with Joe?"
Laura smiled sadly at Frank and said, "We can visit Joe every day as a family. And we will take turns staying with him. That way, he won't feel lonely and we won't exhaust ourselves so we will be ready to be there for him when he comes out of this."
"You can have some time alone with Joe now before we have to leave," Fenton said, standing up and helping Laura to her feet. "Your mom and I are going to go to the lounge and grab some coffee. Would you like anything?"
"Mom, Dad? Thank you so much for everything. You both are so supportive. I apologize for being so hard to deal with." He absent-mindedly rubbed his chest, "I just miss Joe so much. Even though he's right in this room, it feels like he's a million miles away."
"We don't know exactly what you are going through, but we understand Frank. You and Joe have a special bond. As you spend more time with him, I hope that your bond will grow stronger, and that Joe will wake up. I love you, sweetheart." Laura leaned over and kissed Joe on the forehead and then she turned and did the same to Frank. "And I love you too."
"I love you too, Mom." Frank replied. "But I don't think it's only me that he needs. Dad was the person that he called out to back in Bayport. Maybe he'll do it again." He turned to his father and asked, "Joe didn't respond to you at all when you and Mom spoke to him?"
"I'm sorry, Frank, no he didn't." Fenton said, shaking his head.
"Perhaps each of us spending one-on-one time with Joe might help," Frank suggested.
"I hope so," Fenton replied with a sigh. "I'll do everything in my power to reach him." The haunting quality of Joe's voice drifted through his mind as he remembered Joe pleading, "Daddy-Daddy, find me! It hurts! I'm sorry... I'm bad... I'll be good... Please don't send me away!" Who was causing Joe pain? Was it the Hayden brothers, Jack Hayden's son Jake, Nurse Matthews, or was it someone else? Fenton gazed at his youngest son and silently vowed to him, 'I love you, Joe. I'll find and stop whoever is hurting you.' After kissing Joe's forehead, Fenton embraced Frank and then left the room with Laura.
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Frank took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He looked over at Joe and said, "Well little brother, we're alone now." He wanted to share a peaceful moment with Joe after everyone else had gone. He walked over to the window and marveled at the stunning view of the woods with the lake in the distance. The sun was shining brightly, and it was bringing out the colors of the plants and trees and he could see the lake glittering in the distance.
"Joe, you have to see this view. It's amazing! It's so beautiful. You're really missing out." He turned around and dragged a chair over to Joe's bed. After staring at him for a moment Frank gently ran his thumb across his brother's cheek. "But I guess you're entitled to rest for a bit after the hell that you've been through. You know, I blame myself because it's partly my fault," Frank said, his voice trembling. "I'm sorry for being a bad brother to you. I failed to take things seriously and protect you from the Hayden brothers, Jake, or that insane nurse."
Joe continued to just lay there, his eyes now closed and say nothing, and Frank felt despair surge though him.
"Joe, please wake up. I have so many questions that only you can answer. Why are you so distant from me? What did I do? What are you thinking about? Why did you call out for Dad? Who's hurting you? You don't have to worry about the Hayden brothers because they are both dead; they can't harm you anymore. You don't have to worry about Jake either. He is currently locked up in a high-security prison for the mentally ill, at least until they deem him fit for trial. Nurse Crazy... well, she'll never touch you again. I'll make sure of it... and that's a promise, little brother."
Frank stopped talking and the room remained silent.
"Joe, please answer me. You have to be enjoying this drama, right? I know that you're making the most of it, you always do, but it's time for you to wake up, no matter what happened. You're so hard-headed. I apologize for leaving you before. Damn it Wake up and scold me!" Frank begged. Staring at his little brother's slack and motionless face he felt a surge of frustration. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're right, little brother. I should trust you more. I need to be quiet and to relax, be patient and wait. You're dealing with this in your own way. You'll wake up when you're ready." He gently squeezed Joe's hand and pressed it against his heart. "Know that I'll be waiting here for you, always." His voice faded, hoping for a sign from Joe. "I'll do anything you need to help you overcome this. Just come back to me first. Please, Joe... don't leave me." Frank sat quietly beside Joe's bed for awhile gently holding his hand.
After awhile Frank said, his voice laden with sorrow. "We only have a few hours left together, today before I have to go. Mom, Dad, and I will be staying at Sam's place. I've heard it's a beautiful spot right on the lake. It's a huge house with four bedrooms, a full kitchen, and all the necessary furniture. There's a grocery store near by, so we can stay there and unwind after being here with you. That way we don't always have to eat out. It's not far from here, just ten miles or so away. We'll come to visit you every day and we won't leave here, until you're fully recovered and released. After that, you can come see it all for yourself. The most important thing, though is that we'll stay united."
After two more hours of reminiscing, Frank steered the conversation towards the fond memories of their school days. He talked about the mysteries that they had solved and the games that they had played. He talked about his deep love for Callie and his hopes and dreams for their future together after they were done college. Frank's excitement about Joe being his best man and the potential godfather to his future children with Callie was palpable. He also told Joe that he had deferred his admission to Princeton due to an expected family crisis, but he was optimistic about starting the next term or the following fall if Joe was better.
Frank talked about the graduation gift that Phil Cohen had left them called HC Cyber software and how their father had collaborated with Phil and his father Christopher on the project. He told Joe about how they would use the software and gadgets in their new office, Hardy and Son's Detective Agency. He spoke about the gifts of the photos and Phil's computer that Phil's mother had given them and their friends.
"Joe, the pictures will amaze you and bring back so many happy memories. The software and gadgets are incredible as well and the new office is our dream come true. The only thing we still need is you. Dad is keeping the plans for the fifth office a secret, but I'm sure we'll discover who it's for when you wake up. Oh, I almost forgot! Vanessa sends her love and she hopes to hear from you soon. She and Callie are going to visit us once we get settled in. Biff, Tony, and Chet are all looking forward to hearing from you and visiting as well. Aunt Gertrude said to make sure that you know that she loves you too and even though she isn't here she wants you to know that she's thinking of you every day."
"Oh, you need to wake up! You know my birthday is this Saturday and I'll be turning nineteen—can you believe it? It doesn't feel that exciting; I don't even feel like celebrating it without you. All I want for my birthday is for you to wake up. That would be the best present that you could ever give me." Frank said, wiping away his tears and placing a hand over his chest. He knew he had to leave soon, but separating from his brother was unbearable. His feet felt heavy, as if they were anchoring him to the spot.
Seeing his parents at the door he sighed and stood up. "I have to leave now, little brother, but I'll come back to see you tomorrow. You can always count on me. I'm right here whenever you need me." He placed his hand on Joe's wrist and felt his pulse. "I love you, Joe." He said and he leaned over and gave Joe a gentle kiss on the forehead. He exhaled deeply and did the most difficult thing he had ever had to do. Dabbing his eyes, he turned away and walked out of his little brother's room.