HDA - Where Troubles Melt by Cherylann Rivers Introduction

Friday morning, Frank Hardy opened his eyes and looked at the clock. It was 9:00. He groaned. Normally, Frank would have been up, showered, and exercised already, but this morning, it was all he could do to actually rise from his bed. Somehow, he wasn’t enthused about getting up, because starting his day meant that he’d have to think about his troubles, and that meant thinking about Callie.

The previous day, he had gone with her to the doctor’s office. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut remembering it, and tried to block it out. Sitting on the examining table, Callie had tried so hard to be brave and to make small talk. When the doctor had come in, he had been curt and abrupt, seemingly unsympathetic to the young woman before him. He wasn’t mean, exactly; he was just matter-of-fact. Yes, Callie could have cancer. It was highly probable. No, they wouldn’t know for a week or so. Frank had felt himself getting angry and wanting to knock some sense into the doctor, but he couldn’t; he had to hold it together for Callie.

And so, as the doctor inserted needle upon needle into the mass at the back of Callie’s head, it had broken his heart to watch her struggling not to cry. More times than he cared to remember, he had given her tissues, and watched as she blotted her eyes. He felt helpless, and he hated that feeling. She had been emotionally distraught after leaving the office with him, and though he had tried to comfort her, she just wanted to be alone. Fighting his instinct to protect her, he had honored her request. He hadn’t spoken with her yet today.

Frank forced himself to get up and to get dressed, thinking of Callie the whole time. The one thing he needed to do today was to buy her the ring. "Well," he thought sadly, "at least I can do something to cheer her up—a little." He had given Tony a call the other night, and he had agreed to meet Frank at 10:00 at the Hardys’ home. Frank made the decision to give Callie the ring immediately—at this point, there was no sense waiting. Tony had been curious about Frank’s sudden change of plans, but he had gone along with it without question. Good old Tony.

Downstairs, Frank realized he had about fifteen minus left before Tony was due to arrive and he thought he’d make himself some breakfast. As he entered the kitchen, Joe walked out of it and almost ran him over.

"Whoa!" Frank called out, surprised. Joe was never up this early. "Where’s the fire?!"

Joe looked at his big brother, who had been unusually quiet yesterday. He wanted to talk to him, but he decided that now probably wasn't the best time. "Hey, Frank. I’m off to see Vanessa. We’re going to the beach. Want to come?"

Frank looked at his brother, who was decked out in bright blue shorts and a yellow tee-shirt. "I guess I should have known that. No, thanks. Have a good time."

"Are you okay, Frank? You were quiet yesterday. I- um- was wondering if I could talk to you later about something." Joe hoped his way of slipping in a conversation would achieve its desired effect without seeming too obvious.

Frank sighed. Just what he needed- more problems. He could tell by the tone in Joe’s voice that he wasn’t joking around. Frank replied, "Sure, yeah."

Joe smiled. He knew he’d be able to talk Frank out of his ridiculous idea about marriage. He had probably just been caught up in the moment, like his father had said. Suddenly, he felt a whole lot better about everything. "So, bro, where’re you going today? We’re all going to Chet’s later tonight for a barbecue. He tried to call you yesterday, but he couldn’t get you. Actually, he couldn’t get Callie, either. I guess that makes sense. Were you together?"

Frank answered, "Yeah. Look, Joe, have a nice time. I’ll try to see you later. Tell Chet ‘hi’ if I don’t make it."

"Why wouldn’t you come?" Joe asked, puzzled.

"I- I just might not. We’ll see. I have to do something very important later."

Now it hit Joe- the proposal! It couldn’t be this soon- could it? He panicked. "Like what? What do you have to do?"

Frank looked at Joe like he was crazy. "Well, I have to see Callie, and take care of some things. I planned a surprise for her—it’s kind of personal." He looked apologetically at Joe.

Joe tried to be calm. "Frank- you’d tell me if there was anything that I should—know about—right? I mean, we don’t really keep important things from each other. Like, you know, especially any life altering info…" His voice trailed off.

Frank’s face grew pale, and Joe saw the reaction instantly. "Joe? I’ll tell you most things about what I can. However, some things are meant to be told later. Life throws you a lot of surprises. You just have to trust me that I’m doing the right thing."

"Oh, Frank…" Joe began, but was cut off.

"I don’t know what you know, Joe, or HOW you know it. But I’m doing what I HAVE to do- I have no choice. If you were in my position you’d do the same thing. I really can’t talk about it."

Joe’s head was spinning. What did Frank mean, if you were in my position?. Was Callie... Joe could barely think about it… pregnant? But she was so thin! Maybe… Joe had no idea. He felt the breath sucked out of him.

"What about college?" he managed. "What will you do? What will Callie do?"

Frank was taken aback. So, Joe DID know about Callie. But how? Callie had specifically said not to tell him. Still, it was apparent that he knew. In a weird way, Frank almost felt relieved. He needed to talk to someone about this.

"I don’t know Joe. Let’s hope it’s not out of the question. Just pray that it works out."

Joe looked at him. Was Frank losing his mind? Why would he pray for this to be a success?

Just at that moment, the doorbell rang. Frank looked at his brother an instant longer before begging him, "Joe- don’t say a word. Callie will tell people, or I will, when we can. It’s really a secret. I’ll explain more later, okay?"

Joe stammered, "W.. where are you going now?"

Frank looked him in the eye. "To the jewelry store. I have to do this today."

"TODAY?!" Joe exclaimed, shocked.

"Yeah. Today. The sooner the better."

"Is it that bad?" Joe asked, fearing the worst. "And why does Tony know?"

"It’s bad Joe. I never thought his would happen. As for Tony, he doesn’t know the whole story, only about the ring, which I’ve been planning for awhile."

The doorbell rang again. "Listen, Joe, I have to go. Remember, don’t talk and start trouble for any of us." With those words, Frank left the room, and walked out of the house with Tony. Joe, alone with his thoughts and utterly confused, sank to the dining room floor and sat down in shock. This couldn’t be happening.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow them without express permission of the authors.