HDA - Living in Darkness Trilogy - Pt 2 - The Search

“I know, Frank. And I like to hear you talk about Joe. When you speak about him, I can see how close the two of you are, and it makes me happy, because I can relate. Even though Brad is gone, I still feel close to him.”

Frank sat stunned. He wanted to somehow comfort his friend, but had no idea how anything he could say or do could help.

“James and Brad and I were very close.” Bix said softly. “James and I are still close.”

“But he must resent me, then,” Frank cried out unhappily. “Ever since I came, you’ve spent more time with me.”

“No,” Bix disagreed gently. “James would never resent you. I think he’s grateful to have you with us.” Bix paused, then continued almost shyly. “You see, I’ve told him that I’ve come to think of you as a brother. Not a replacement for Brad, or even James. But someone I can easily relate to. James will always be like a brother to me, and your presence in my life doesn’t threaten him.”

“He’s so much like Joe,” Frank said softly. “I noted that the very first day. In fact, the similarities between the two have been rather uncanny.”

“I kind of got that impression, after you told me a bit about your brother,” Bix responded with a smile. “And, I think he and James will hit it off wonderfully once he comes to live with you.”

Frank looked over at Bix with a sudden look of mock apprehension. “Do you really believe that we can handle two of them?”

Bix laughed. “I guess we’ll have no choice but to, will we?”

After a moment of companionable silence, Frank began again.

“I suppose, then, we should tell James. I’d hate to continue to ask you to keep anything from him.”

Bix nodded his head. “Not that I have minded, but I will feel better if I could confide in him as I used to. And Adrian is reliable and discreet. I’ve never been as close to him as I have to James, but he’s been one of the truest friends a guy could ever ask for.”

Frank nodded his agreement. He was troubled by the thought that his secret might have caused some friction between the two friends. Bix must have sensed his thoughts, because he added with a reassuring smile, “James has understood completely. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if he hasn’t had his own suspicions about you.”

“About me?”

“Yes, who you really are, where you came from. Of course, he’d never come out and ask you directly, at least not without good cause.”

“Does he think I’m not who I say I am?” Frank asked a bit apprehensively. If Bix recognized him on the first day, and James had his doubts, then perhaps others did too.

“Well, if he does, it’s probably only because he and I are so close. He knows I’m holding back on him, and he knows that it’s because of my friendship with you. Not that he’s ever said anything to me about it. But, you see, James is pretty smart; he can put two and two together quicker than most people.”

“Oh,” Frank responded. “Are you sure he doesn’t mind,” he pursued relentlessly, “because I would hate to come between the two of you.”

Bix regarded Frank with amusement. “Frank, you said yourself how similar James and Joe are. Would Joe resent you because you were honoring a friend’s promise?”

Frank said without hesitation, “No. That’s not in his nature.” Then he looked up at Bix and smiled. “All right, we’ll tell them both tomorrow.”

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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 original characters without express permission of the authors.