Hi everyone, I'm back with a new chapter. Thank you all for reviewing, reading, following, and favorites, you are all awesome. As I said before my story will contain heavy subject matter topics like sexual abuse so just giving you some heads up. Here's my new chapter. Let me know your thoughts.
The fourth installment of the Hardy Boys Pressure Series: Second Chances
Chapter 3
Tuesday, July 23
As dawn broke, Fenton stood on the deck at the back of the cottage, coffee cup in hand, face turned towards the sun just basking in the early morning light. The water shimmered brightly and reflected the splendor of nature. The birdsong which had started during the sunrise brought him out of his reverie. In the aftermath of the turmoil involving their youngest son, Fenton, and Laura both relished the tranquility that the lake and the cottage provided. The previous day Fenton had contacted the director, Mr. Gregory, and arranged for a three-hour visit with Joe at the rehabilitation center.
Fenton, Laura, and Frank had decided to alternate visits to ensure that Joe would never be alone except at night and that hopefully someone would be with him when he woke and could reassure him when he found himself in a strange environment. Frank had scheduled his visit to take place after his appointment with his therapist. Laura intended to visit Joe at eleven before their lunch with Ethel, while Fenton had opted to wait until the following day. As Laura was getting ready inside, Fenton had stepped outside to collect his thoughts, burdened by Joe's predicament. Truthfully, he was anxious about the upcoming visit with his youngest son, especially after his reaction at the hospital in Bayport. Joe's desperate pleading echoed through his mind, "Daddy, Daddy, find me! It hurts! I'm sorry... I'm bad... I'll be good... Please don't leave me…" Fenton was reluctant to visit, especially after their conflicts prior to Joe's kidnapping, but he knew that his son needed him. Joe was struggling, and Fenton was determined to do anything that he could to support him, especially once he woke up. His son's anguished cries still haunted him and questions flew through his mind. Who was behind this? Was it related to what happened to him when he was younger? When would Joe wake up? Standing there looking over the lake Fenton prayed that he had the strength to re-connect with his son and to help him to recover.
Fenton's cell phone rang, startling him from his reverie. He pulled it from his shirt pocket and seeing Sam's name on the Caller ID he answered. "Morning, Sam."
"Good morning, Fenton," Sam's voice came through. "Are you enjoying that magnificent morning view?"
"Definitely," Fenton replied, "I understand the desire for privacy Sam, but why all the secrecy surrounding the house? Why did you keep referring to it as a cabin? And the black Durango for Frank — thank you for arranging that by the way, but you know that you didn't have too." He set down his coffee cup and eased into a deck chair as he spoke.
"Ah, Fenton, opportunities to spoil the boys are rare," said Sam. "I would be a neglectful uncle if I didn't indulge them every now and then and it's my privilege to do so. The Durango was just gathering dust in the garage and I know that Frank will put it to good use when he goes to college. As for the house," Sam's tone became serious, "it was built by my parents with the hopes of having a large family. However, life had other plans for us. When my parents passed away, I was only ten years old and became the sole caretaker of the family legacy."
"What do you mean by that?" Fenton asked, raising an eyebrow and leaning back in his chair.
"It's a long story, and one I'd rather not go into right now."
"Understood," Fenton said, changing the subject. "Ethel speaks highly of you."
Sam sighed, a sigh was audible. "I met Ethel about ten years ago at the library where she worked; she helped me in finding a book that I was looking for. She then introduced me to her late husband, Paul. We've been friends and neighbors for many years. Since his passing seven years ago, Ethel and I have maintained our friendship."
"Have you ever considered being more than just friends with her? She's been a widow for seven years, and you're still single."
"Let's just say, that Ethel and I are better off as friends." Sam said before swiftly shifted the topic, "How's Joe doing? Any improvement?"
Fenton understood his friend's desire to change the subject. "He's the same. He lays there in the bed and when his eyes are open, they are just staring vacantly into the distance, and he hasn't said a word or responded to anything since we left Bayport. We decided that it would be best to take shifts visiting and sitting with Joe so as not to overwhelm him and so that he wouldn't be alone. Frank is going to visit with him after his session with Dr. Reese and then Laura is going in later this morning just before lunch to relieve Frank. I'll visit him tomorrow."
"I hope that things get better for everyone," Sam paused and then continued, "I miss that kid…"
"Likewise, Sam. Likewise," Fenton replied, his mind burdened with thoughts of Joe. Shaking his head, he continued, "Listen, Sam, Ethel told us several interesting stories about her life here. Many of them are about her father, a retired lobster fisherman. Did you know that he owned and captained the Sea Spray, that vessel that weathered the Atlantic's storms in the late seventies and early eighties? I remember hearing about the Sea Spray back then, but I never knew the whole story or what happened to it."
"That's right. The Sea Spray operated successfully for many years out of Cedar Lake," Sam confirmed. "Paul, Ethel's husband, was once employed by the company. He was the one who helped Ethel's father with the logistics of maritime shipping and the loading of seafood onto trucks. He often would also drive one of the delivery trucks if they needed people."
"Ethel never mentioned that her husband had worked for Sea Spray. She did say that he died in a boating accident—was that on the Sea Spray as well?" Fenton asked.
"Yes, there were reports of an accident on the boat; Paul fell overboard during a storm and his body was never found. He was declared legally dead after seven years, which I think was last year? I know that Ethel has kept many aspects of their life private," Sam explained.
"What does that mean?" Fenton wondered why his friend was being so vague.
"That's another story I'd rather not get into, at least not now as it's not mine to tell."
"Alright," Fenton continued, "Ethel told us that her father had sold the boat and the company before his retirement and then he passed away a few years after that. She doesn't remember who purchased them or know who the current owner is."
"It has been quite some time," Sam reflected, "If I'm not mistaken I think that the last I heard, the Sea Spray was owned by a man named Allen Rogers, but I could be wrong or it could have changed hands since then."
"That name doesn't ring a bell," Fenton replied.
"Like I said, it's been a while."
"There's something else I wanted to ask you about," Fenton said and then swiftly elaborated on what Ethel had told them of the attempted break in and the young man vanishing into the woods after Sam's confrontation. "She said that this occurred about two years ago?"
"Yes, and it's still a mystery to me. I never did find out what happened to that kid. Despite searching the woods behind Ethel's home several times, I don't know where he disappeared to and it's still a puzzle to me. I even checked with Cedar Lake PD several times, but there were no reports of any other break-ins, and the boy seems to have vanished without a trace."
"Well, I might have a lead for you regarding that," Fenton told his friend.
"You're kidding," Sam said, surprised. "You haven't even been there a week! How?"
"Frank encountered a boy at the rehab center where Joe is. The boy is about seventeen, which would make him about the same age as the boy that you saw two years ago. According to Frank the kid has messy blond hair and wears ripped jeans. He told Frank that his mother abandoned him at Second Chances at fourteen and never came back, while his father makes occasional visits."
"Of course, if anyone could find a lead, it would be you," Sam said ruefully. "Did Frank mention the boy's name?"
"Yes. Dolton, Jason Dolton."
"Jason Dolton." Sam mused. "The name's not familiar to me."
"Correct," Fenton replied. "Frank said that he met him and had a strange encounter with him the first day that Joe was at the center. According to Frank, the boy panicked and fled upon hearing Joe's name, going from confident and brash to terrified in an instant. He begged Frank not to tell Mr. Gregory about their meeting. Frank was puzzled as to whether the boy's fear stemmed from being caught smoking or somehow at his dread at the mention of Joe's name. Which is perplexing." Fenton was bewildered, "As far as I know, neither one of my boys has never met Jason before. None of us had even heard of him until yesterday. And the story of the boy breaking into Ethel's house only deepens my confusion."
"I concur, it's baffling to me as well," Sam said. "But with a name now in hand, we can begin making some inquiries. I'll start running a background check once we are off the phone."
"Okay, that sounds good." Fenton agreed. "Frank said that he would try to find out more about Jason while he was at the center today." He looked at his watch, it was almost 9:30. "Sam, are there any updates on the intruder in Joe's room?" He heard a sigh from his friend on the end of the line followed by a long pause. Fenton gripped his phone tighter. "Sam, are you still there?"
"Yeah, I'm here," Sam finally replied. "That's one of the reasons I called. I do have some news, and I hope that you're sitting down because you're not going to like it. It almost made me sick when I found out."
Fenton's stomach churned as he gripped his phone while Sam informed him that Chief Collig had received a tip from an unnamed source saying that they should check out one of the maintenance workers who had fit the description of the intruder. Not wanting to leave any stone unturned, Collig had his people investigate the worker, a middle-aged man by the name of Shepherd. The anonymous source claimed that Shepherd had been implicated in something, but Sam's voice had trailed off before he elaborated.
"Sorry, Sam, your voice cut out. Shepherd is involved in what?" Fenton asked anxiously.
"Nothing good, that's for sure Fenton. He's a registered sex offender and escaped prisoner from Las Vegas Nevada." Sam said reluctantly.
"Oh my God," Fenton groaned, leaning back in the chair and feeling nauseous as he asked his friend to repeat what he had just said. Fenton sat back up, raking a hand through his hair, and exhaled sharply, "You're right, Sam. I don't like what I'm hearing. But I know that there's more, so continue."
Sam added, "After investigation, it's been confirmed that the allegations against Kirk Shepherd are accurate. He was indeed supposed to be serving a ten-year term at the Nevada State Prison for a category B felony. He was a multi-striker and he was found guilty of multiple counts of committing lewd acts with a minor and possession of child pornography, so there was no chance of parole. He was registered as a sex offender in Las Vegas, Nevada, upon his incarceration and he was supposed to pay a large fine to his victims and when he finished serving his sentence he was supposed to be under lifelong supervision. Chief Collig has been informed that there was a statewide manhunt for Shepherd in Nevada, after he fled. They suspect that he managed to escape in a laundry truck following a confrontation in the prison's laundry area, which caused the guards to be distracted. The laundry truck was later found deserted near a remote airstrip; with the driver tied up and unconscious inside. When the driver regained consciousness in the hospital, he reported that Shepherd threatened to harm him using bleach and other laundry chemicals and that when they arrived at the airstrip, he saw a small, white single-engine airplane. Currently, the police are looking into the aircraft's whereabouts which are currently are unknown, because the driver didn't get any of the tail numbers before Shepherd knocked him out."
"Damn, I saw that story on the news this morning! That was him!" Fenton exclaimed on the phone. "And now, he's somehow made his way across the country to Bayport!"
"I know. From what Collig's people and I have been able to track, the plane was privately owned, so it's possible that Shepherd knew the pilot, but as of right now that person's identity is unknown," Sam replied. "Meanwhile the search for Shepherd is ongoing as he didn't show up at the hospital for work today and nobody has seen him since he gave the officer the drugged coffee."
"Shepherd must have done something to Joe, causing his reaction," Fenton declared angrily. "After what Carolyn Matthews put him through, and now this! We have to find him, Sam!"
"I'm on it, Fenton. I promise you that we will find him," Sam assured his friend.
Glancing through the French doors and inside the house Fenton saw Laura moving around. Taking a deep breath he said, "I have to go, Sam. Keep me updated, please."
"I will. And you do the same. I hope that Joe wakes up soon. Give my best to Laura and Frank. Stay strong, Fenton. We'll find him," Sam encouraged.
"Thanks, I know we will," Fenton replied before he and Sam exchanged goodbyes and hung up before he put his head between his knees as he was starting to feel overwhelmed.
"Fenton? There you are," Laura called as she walked out onto the deck. She paused abruptly, seeing her husband with his head between his knees, seemingly hyperventilating. "Honey, what's the matter? What happened? Is it Joe?"
At her words Fenton straightened up and inhaled deeply trying to calm himself. "There's so much going on, especially with the boys," he said. "As far as I know Joe is fine. I'm eager to see him tomorrow, but I don't want to let anyone down. Joe asked for my help, Laura. What if he has a bad reaction to seeing me when he wakes up? The last thing I want to do is to worsen our son's pain."
Laura knelt before him and embraced him tightly. "Fenton, I'm truly sorry. We all greatly appreciate you and trust in your efforts to aid Joe. The strain between you two is noticeable," she said, stepping back to hold back tears, locking eyes with him, "But no matter what, know this. Joe loves you. He acknowledges the love that you hold for him. Right now, he's frightened. He needs your love to overcome this. So, when you go to Second Chances tomorrow, simply be there for him, and talk to him. Even a shared moment of silence may be enough to reach him and hopefully, he will reach out to you. Remember, Fenton, love triumphs over everything. We have to maintain a hopeful perspective."
Fenton nodded, wiping away a tear from his eye. "Thank you, Laura. I'm clinging to positive thoughts for Joe, for Frank. For our family's love, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep us united, healthy, and happy," he said, leaning in to kiss his wife. "I love you."
"I love you too," she replied returning his smile, then asked, "I heard you raise your voice on the phone. Were you talking to Sam? Any news?"
Fenton sighed, nodding. "Yes, I was talking to Sam. And yes, there's news, but it's not really good news." he admitted, his stomach clenching with anger from the shocking details Sam had revealed about Kirk Shepherd.
"Fenton, I've just watched the morning news. Please, tell me—is what they're saying about this Shepherd true? Is he the one who entered Joe's hospital room in Bayport?" Laura questioned, noticing the distress in his eyes. "What did he do while he was in there?"
"That's true," Fenton confirmed. "Sam's on it. He'll find Shepherd and we will keep Joe safe; I'll see to that."
"I'm confident that Sam will find him. And I trust you to protect Joe, but we need to tell Frank and make sure that he knows about this." Laura said, her eyes meeting her husband's.
"I agree," Fenton acknowledged, his gaze matching hers with a resolve to stay composed. "He's likely seen the news by now, so he'll know some of what is going on. We'll talk to him when he gets home and fill him in on the rest of the details that weren't released to the media. Right now, though, let's just let him enjoy his time with his brother."
"Frank's going to take it hard," Laura predicted, fighting back tears. "You know that Saturday is his birthday."
"Yes," he agreed.
"Should we do anything to celebrate?"
"I'm not sure that Frank will be up for celebrating. The only thing that he'll want is for Joe to regain consciousness," Fenton replied.
"We all wish for that," Laura agreed. "But we should still do something to acknowledge the day. It's his 19th birthday, and he needs something to lift his spirits."
"What do you propose?"
"Maybe we should invite Callie and Gertrude to come and visit. Perhaps his friends would like to join as well. There's plenty of room, everyone could stay here." Laura suggested.
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea. I'm not sure Frank's ready for that and it might end up overwhelming him. Not to mention that their friends will all want to visit Joe and I don't know if Second Chances will allow for that." Fenton said, shaking his head. He glanced at his watch and continued, "Let's discuss this later and maybe get an idea of where's Frank's head is at before we decide to invite everyone. You should probably head over to see Joe soon though. Frank is likely with him at the moment."
Laura nodded in agreement. "I do need to go see Joe. Even though it's only been a day, it's been to long."
"Are you certain you're OK to drive? What Sam told me and what is on the news is quite unsettling and upsetting," Fenton asked her, his tone full of worry.
"I'll manage," Laura responded, taking a deep breath. "Just seeing Joe will help me to feel better."
"Meanwhile, Fenton, you should try to get some rest. You hardly slept last night, you were so worried about Joe. It's important for you to be well-rested for your visit with him. You are going to need to maintain your strength. Frank and I will meet you later for lunch with Ethel." She suggested after seeing the weariness in his eyes and the way that he held himself.
Fenton agreed, and they both rose to their feet. Exiting the front of the house, he escorted Laura to her car. After she opened the door, Fenton gave her a farewell kiss and reassured her that all would be well. Watching her drive away, he remained stationary until her car vanished around the curve. With a profound sigh, he looked skyward, seeking fortitude for himself and his family, before returning inside to attempt to get some rest, with emphasis on 'attempt'.
FJFJFJFJ
Meanwhile back at Second Chances,
Frank sat beside Joe's bed, filled with regret over his earlier outburst in Dr. Reese's office. He knew that he was over-reacting and that he was overwhelmed and feeling helpless by Joe's current condition, especially since he felt that he had let his brother down too many times. Reaching out he touched Joe's hand while Joe remained laying motionless, curled up on his side, his bright blue eyes vacant and glazed, staring off into the distance. Frank spoke softly to his brother and vowed, "This won't happen again, little brother. I promise that I won't fail you this time. I just need to regain control and you need to wake up." Frank took his brothers hand and placed it on his chest, furrowing his brow and longing for the connection he normally shared with his brother. "Please wake up soon. So much has happened and there's so much that I need to tell you. I think there's a kid here at the center who's in trouble and weirdly, he seems to be connected to a friend of Sam's and scared of you, but I don't know how or why."
Frank kept his gaze on his brother, hoping for any sign of awareness as he narrated his encounter with Jason Dolton at the rehabilitation center. "Joe, he's your age and he fits the description that Sam and Ethel gave of the kid who tried to break into her house. The timeline fits as well because Jason told me that his mother abandoned him here when he was fourteen and never returned. He also said that his father visits him from time to time." Frank paused and brushed his brother's hair out of his eyes and then continued, "He was terrified and ran away the moment that I mentioned your name, and he went from being self-assured to scared in an instant. He begged me not to inform Mr. Gregory about our conversation. Do you think that he was afraid of being caught smoking? Or was it something else? To my knowledge we've never even met him until I encountered with him yesterday, unless you met him some place previously. I just can't understand why your name would scare him so much, though."
In anticipation of Joe's reaction, Frank continued, "Oh, I should tell you more about Sam's friend, Ethel Meyers. She seems to be a genuine and compassionate person. I like her and I think you would too. When she talks about Sam she shows a profound fondness for him. Did I tell you? Ethel's father once owned and captained the Sea Spray, a vessel from yesteryear. He sold it before he died and Ethel doesn't know who the current owner is, but we keep hearing about it, so maybe we should look into it and find out. You need to wake up Joe so you can see Sam's house. It's something else and I think you would love it! I'm pretty sure that Ethel plans to join Mom, Dad and I there for lunch later today. I sure wish that you could join us. The house must be seen to be believed, remember when he would talk about his cabin when he would go fishing? Well, let me tell you that it's a little bit bigger than what we imagined! And Sam even surprised me with a black Durango! It drives smoothly, but I know you will want to look it over and make sure that it's in good running order, so you'll just have to wake up so that way you can see everything for yourself."
"What will it take, Joe? We have a new vehicle and a mystery to unravel!" Frank asked as he looked at his brother who remained still. He took out the keys to the car and shook them in front of Joe's face in frustration. His voice dropped and he pleaded softly, "Please wake up, little brother."
The door swung open and Dr. Reese entered the room, crossing over to where Frank was sitting beside Joe. Standing next to him she asked, "Frank, are you alright?"
Gazing at Joe, Frank took a deep breath and then turned to the therapist. "Yes and no. I have to apologize to you for my earlier outburst. It was both inappropriate and unnecessary," he said as he rubbed his chest and turned back to his brother, "The connection between us is still gone."
Dr. Reese replied, "I understand what prompted your outburst, Frank. As we've discussed, there's more to address than just the separation anxiety that you are experiencing with your brother. Why don't we go back to my office so that we can discuss this further? You can always come back and visit Joe afterward," she suggested, trying to guide him out of the room.
"I would prefer to stay here with him," Frank insisted, returning his attention to Joe. "I just told Joe about the new Durango and the mystery... I half expected him to wake up and grab the keys and say, 'Let's go, big brother!' But there was no reaction from him at all, not even a twitch." Looking back at his therapist, he asked despondently, "What will it take for him to wake up?"
"Time, Frank. We have to give Joe time. He'll come back to us when he's ready," Dr. Reese responded quietly.
There was a knock at the door and Dr. Stephens entered the room, followed by a young, dark-haired nurse who caught Frank's attention as she reminded him of the crazy nurse. "Good morning, you must be Frank, Joe's brother?" he greeted as he introduced himself.
"I am," Frank replied, his attention completely focused on the nurse.
"I need to conduct a thorough examination of Joe, mainly to evaluate the healing of the injuries on his back and leg," Dr. Stephens said. "Marla, my nurse here, will assist me."
"No, not her," Frank said firmly, his eyes never leaving Marla. "I would prefer that she's not involved with my brother's care." Marla glanced at the doctor in surprise at Frank's statement.
"Marla is a key member of my team." Dr. Stephens said, "She's known for her compassion with her patients and her professionalism. May I ask why you don't want her assisting me with your brother?"
"She bears a striking resemblance to someone who hurt Joe. I'm afraid that if he wakes up while she is assisting you, it might send him into a panic attack." Frank reasoned. "Is there someone else available, perhaps an older nurse?"
"Marla is perfectly capable..." the doctor started to say before Frank cut him off.
"Please, keep her away from my brother!" Frank said firmly.
"Frank," Dr. Reese interjected, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, "it's alright. Our staff here is completely trustworthy. Joe is safe and in good hands. Let's go back to my office to discuss this further."
Hesitating, Frank took a moment to compose himself. He looked from the nurse to the therapist. "I'm sorry, Dr. Reese. I won't leave until he has a different nurse. Once that happens then I'll go. We thought that he was safe and in good hands in Bayport, and look what happened there. She looks too much like her!" He stared at Dr. Stephens, his voice rising as he spoke. "My mother will be here any minute to visit with Joe and I'm certain that she'll concur with me."
As if on cue, Laura entered the room. "What's happening here? Is everything alright with Joe? I could hear your voices from down the hallway." she inquired sharply.
"And who might you be?" Dr. Stephens asked.
"We met yesterday," Laura reminded him. "I am Laura Hardy, Joe's mother." Her gaze quickly shifted to Joe, who was still laying curled up on the bed, staring blankly at the wall, despite the commotion that was taking place around him.
"Ah, yes, of course," the doctor replied promptly, "My apologies. I'm here for your son's check-up and to assess the healing of his wounds. Marla, my nurse is assisting, and it seems that your other son is quite upset about that."
"Upset! I have every reason to be," Frank retorted. "I don't want her anywhere near my brother!"
Laura caught Nurse Marla's eye and immediately knew why Frank did not want her assisting with Joe's care. "May I stay in the room while you conduct Joe's examination?" she proposed, aiming to ease the tension and desiring to be close to Joe after the disturbing news from Fenton that morning.
"I'm sorry, but our protocol forbids it, Mrs. Hardy. You may see Joe later," Dr. Stephens said. "If you have any issues regarding Joe's care, please discuss it with Mr. Gregory."
"Then bring him here, right now!" Frank insisted, gritting his teeth.
"Fine." Dr. Stephens in frustration, he turned and instructed his nurse "Marla, go call Mr. Gregory,"
"Right away, doctor." she replied and hurried out of the room.
"Frank, please, calm down," Laura implored. "We don't want you back in the hospital either."
She cast a glance at her youngest son, Joe, who seemed focused on a spot on the wall. Normally, he would have responded to his brother's agitation and tried to calm him down, but now he barely moved, which caused Laura's heart to sink. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her composure.
"Why don't we all calm down and step outside into the hallway to talk. That way Joe isn't disturbed," Dr. Reese proposed.
"That sounds sensible," Laura agreed, turning to Frank. "Please, Frank, for me and Joe."
"Fine, Mom, for you and Joe, I'll step out, as long as they step out as well." Frank agreed, his reluctance to leave his brother evident. His gaze remained fixed on Dr. Stephens with an intensity that didn't wane. He paused and then leaned over to kiss Joe's forehead, whispering an apology for the upset and vowing that he would make sure that he would get a different nurse for him and that he would come back soon to visit him, before he exited the room.
Laura moved to Joe's side, gently kissing his forehead, and whispering words of love, promising to return shortly after sorting things out. Outside, she stood next to Frank, her hand resting on his arm in a comforting gesture. Beneath her hand she could feel his muscles coiled with tension as he stared at the doctor.
Laura addressed Nurse Marla, who had returned after paging the director. "With all due respect, this isn't personal. I'm sure that you're as competent as Dr. Stephens has said," she then turned to the doctor, "Dr. Stephens, I share Frank's concerns. You've been briefed on Joe's medical history and his past traumas. My husband and I have both emphasized this."
"I understand the medical history and trauma of your son." Dr. Stephens acknowledged, "But how does…"
"Then you will agree that it's in Joe's best interest to be assigned a different nurse, one that won't remind him of his past trauma. I also insist on being present for any examination, as we don't want to further traumatize him." Laura interrupted, turning to Dr. Reese. "You would concur, wouldn't you?"
"Considering the situation, I would agree that it's the prudent course of action," the therapist agreed.
Dr. Stephens began to protest and argue just as Mr. Gregory rounded the corner and cut in "Dr. Stephens, Marla filled me in on what has occurred. I must insist that you respect the Hardy's wishes in this matter."
"But Mr. Gregory, I need..." Dr. Stephens attempted to explain.
"Just comply with their request," Mr. Gregory interrupted firmly. Frank noticed a fleeting sharpness in the director's gaze aimed at the doctor, which disappeared as swiftly as it had come. Subsequently, he observed Dr. Stephens's complexion turn pale and his body begin to tremble.
"Very well, Mr. Gregory. I will arrange for a different nurse to assist with Joe's check-up," Dr. Stephens said after he composed himself, turning to Laura, he continued, "Mrs. Hardy, you're welcome to be present as we examine your son."
"Thank you, doctor," Laura responded with gratitude, "And to you as well, Mr. Gregory."
"It's my pleasure, Mrs. Hardy," Mr. Gregory responded. "Should you need any further assistance or if any other issues arise, my office is always open to the families of our patients."
"Frank, while your brother is having his check-up and your mother accompanies him," Dr. Reese suggested, "why don't we return to my office so that we can finish our session?"
"Okay." Frank said, feeling more at ease with the situation, now that a different nurse was being assigned.
"Before you leave, may I have a word with Frank?" Laura asked.
"Certainly," Dr. Reese responded.
Pulling Frank aside, Laura said softly but firmly. "Frank, after your session with Dr. Reese, I want you to go home and rest. Your father is going to be doing the same. Both of you need to preserve your strength."
"But Mom..." Frank protested.
"I understand that you're eager to see your brother and to spend time with him, but there will be time for that later. At the moment, you need to concentrate on yourself. You're not in your usual state, and it's clear to me that you feel adrift without Joe. We cannot afford another incident like the one today. If Joe's doctors protest, Mr. Gregory may not allow you to return, which is not in either yours or Joes' best interest. Remember, you are now a man and therefore you must behave maturely. Joe will need his calm and collected older brother when he wakes up, and he will wake up I am sure of that."
Frank took a deep breath. "Mom, I'm sorry for how I've been acting," he said, running his fingers through his hair. "You're right; without Joe, I just feel lost. I know I'm not thinking clearly. It's just difficult to trust anyone else with Joe's care, especially after what happened in the hospital. The thought of him getting hurt again is simply unbearable."
"Frank, I understand your worries, and I don't want Joe to experience any more pain either. It's my turn to spend some time alone with him," Laura replied, fighting back tears. "Please respect my wishes. I'll tell you about the results of Joe's check-up after lunch. Go home and get some rest before Ethel joins us for lunch."
"Mom, is everything alright?" Frank asked, fighting back his emotions and seeing that Laura seemed preoccupied and not just with getting a new nurse for Joe.
"It's your father. He's nervous about seeing Joe tomorrow," Laura explained, sighing deeply. "He's worried about how Joe might react if he wakes up and sees him. It's a heavy burden for him. He loves both of you boys dearly and would do anything for you. He fears disappointing everyone if he is unable to connect with Joe. We both need to support him, and I think he could benefit from some words of encouragement from you."
"I suppose. I never truly understood the amount of pressure we've placed on Dad," Frank conceded, reflecting on his previous behavior. He sighed, and said. "Alright, as soon as I finish my session with Dr. Reese I'll head home and get some rest, then I'll talk with Dad."
"Thank you, I love you so much sweetheart. Look after yourself; I need all of my boys strong and healthy." Laura said, her voice filled with relief. She gave Frank a hug and then sent him off with a hug to finish his session.
FJFJFJFJFJ
Once they were back in Dr. Reese's office and seated by the window, Frank asked, "Dr. Reese, to which other issues are you referring?" He was comforted by the knowledge that his mother was staying with Joe during the doctor's examination. Additionally, a different nurse had been arranged to assist with his brother's care.
"You're aware of them," she replied, retrieving her notebook and pen from the side table. "It's the topic that you evade every session. You've made great strides in handling your depression and health, yet you persistently avoid discussing the abuse that you endured from Jack Hayden."
"What is there to discuss?" Frank asked, shrugging. "Jack Hayden was ready to strike me with his belt and I would have taken it. It would have been better if it was me because Joe was the target, and he hated him so anything that he did to him would have been much worse."
"Frank, you need to acknowledge that you also suffered from his abuse and that it impacted you as well." she asserted.
"Dr. Reese, what do you want me to say? That it left me feeling angry? Sad? Scared? Honestly, I've felt all those emotions, but most of all, I'm furious."
"Alright," Dr. Reese began taking notes, "go on. What infuriates you the most about what happened?"
"Joe was harmed... by everyone connected to Hayden: his brother, his insane son, and that crazy nurse. I failed in my responsibility to protect him, despite my best efforts..."
Dr. Reese's pen paused and she looked up at Frank. "Let's revisit…" she started to say, but Frank cut her off, "Revisit what? My failure?"
"Yes, let's talk about that," Dr. Reese continued, ignoring Frank's interruption. "You had mentioned earlier an event from when you were about five and Joe would have been four, correct?"
"Yes," Frank confirmed with a nod.
"You were enjoying a pleasant trip with your grandparents when it was abruptly cut short because Joe fell ill and was hospitalized?"
"That's right."
"Your mother and grandparents were present, but you don't remember or know where your father was. They allowed you to be with your brother to console him because he was injured and crying, and then you both fell asleep."
"That's what I remember happening."
"Walk me through what came next," she urged him.
Frank sighed and began, "I remember waking up to the sound of my parents arguing outside the room. I could see Dad when he peeked into the room to check on us. I pretended to be asleep and watched through half-closed eyes. I could see a tormented look on his face as he peered into the room at Joe and me in the bed, his gaze lingering on Joe. That was an expression that I had never seen on him before. Following that, my parents and grandparents became exceedingly protective and anxious around both of us, but Joe especially, though the reason why was beyond me. From that point forward, I was constantly reminded that I needed to watch out for and to take care of Joe. Whether it was on family trips or while solving a case, the reminder was always, 'Keep an eye on your brother.'"
"What happened with Joe that prompted your parents and grandparents to ask you to take on such a responsibility?" she asked.
"I don't know if Dad was working on a case at the time," Frank reflected. "Mom might have been trying to reach him to tell him about Joe, maybe that's why they were arguing. But again, I don't remember much else," he admitted, sensing a disconnect in the story.
"And you were tasked with looking after Joe afterwards?"
"Yes."
"That's quite a burden to place on a five-year-old," the therapist remarked. "And you've felt compelled to fulfill that role ever since?"
"It was the norm for me, when we were growing up," Frank said, shrugging. "I've always deeply respected my father and his line of work. His career as a private investigator can be dangerous and is often fraught with peril. It would take him away from home, and would often leave us to wonder if he'd come back. As the eldest, I would try to step into the role of the man of the house during his absence, caring for Mom, Auntie, and Joe. It's probably why Joe and I share a special bond and a deep intuitive understanding of each other. However, it also comes with its challenges; Joe can be quite a handful at times. You're aware of his struggles following Iola's passing and the issues that we both have stemming from being targeted by my father's adversaries."
"It must have been difficult for both you and your brother with your father away," Dr. Reese observed, "especially during sports and school events."
"It was, but we managed," Frank responded casually. "When Dad was home, he made up for it by spending time with us, whether it was watching movies, going to ball games, or just being at home with us. He also made sure to go to all of the sporting and school events when he could."
"Would you classify your relationship with your father as good?"
"Yes."
"Do you ever get angry with him or have disagreements?"
"Sometimes," Frank answered.
"Could you provide an example?"
"Sure, a lot of times I would have to mediate between Dad and Joe during their arguments because I don't always agree with Dad's reasons." Frank said, "It's exhausting being in the middle. I believe that each of us—Dad, Joe, and I—are grappling with our own struggles, whether it's health concerns, depression, or the loss of someone dear, among other challenges."
"And where do you think the conflict stems from?" Dr. Reese inquired.
Frank paused to think before carefully responding. "I believe that the conflict between my father and brother stems from their differing beliefs, like their opinions on our justice system. I'm not sure what Joe has told you, or if he has at all. However, I do know that Joe was deeply affected by Iola's death. After she died he changed completely. He withdrew from a lot of things and instead of being extroverted and happy, he became more introverted and started displaying a lack of care about himself." Frank placed a hand over his heart, "There were times when calming him down was challenging, but I succeeded. It required a great deal of effort from both of us, but we persevered."
"Yes, I'm aware of Joe's challenging period following his girlfriend's death and the subsequent negative behaviors," Dr. Reese stated. "How did your parents manage Joe during that time?"
"They did what most parents would: they gave everything that they had. There was plenty of door slamming, yelling, and crying between them. They sought all kinds of help for Joe, even though he resisted." Frank responded. "Mom is more adept at handling Joe's erratic behavior and he seems to respond better to her more than to Dad."
"And why do you think that is?"
"It's likely because my mom is more patient yet assertive with Joe. She doesn't hesitate to confront him about his actions and ensures he doesn't just get his way. She makes him think about what he is going to do or has done."
"And what about your father?"
"Dad does try with Joe, but their personalities are so similar, so they end up clashing. They both have quick tempers and can set each other off with just a word... and then suddenly, it escalates to a full-blown argument," Frank mused aloud. "That's usually when I try to intervene to prevent things from getting out of control, especially if Mom isn't there."
"That goes back to the example you gave earlier of being caught in the middle and feeling angry."
Frank hesitated, before admitting, "Yes, I do get angry with them all. However, there were times when we were younger that I wished Dad was around more, especially for Joe."
"Why do you think that is?" Dr Reese asked while jotting down notes on her notepad.
"I think that maybe that's where some of the resentment that Joe feels for Dad comes from. It's because Dad wasn't around when Joe needed him the most."
"And because of that, you stepped into the role of a father figure for your brother." Dr. Reese said.
"I had to," Frank nodded. "Otherwise, I think Joe would've really hurt or killed himself a long time ago."
As their session ended and Frank left the center, he was thinking about some of Dr. Reese's questions. It had him thinking back to the story that he had told Dr. Reese about him and Joe, when Joe had been in the hospital. He couldn't remember why Joe was in the hospital and he wondered why not only his parents, but his grandparents and aunt were so worried and overprotective of both of them, but especially of Joe. He remembered hearing his parents arguing outside of the hospital room and his father showing up late. Frank couldn't help but wonder if Joe had really been sick or if something bad had happened that he hadn't understood at the time. He realized that only his father could answer these questions and he resolved to ask his parents about it later.