DISSONANCE
by
Duckling
Chapter 23
The Chapters
Part 3: The Fight
Later that evening the gang, minus Biff, gathered together at Tony’s house. Joe had been very delighted to see his friends and they, in turn, were relieved to find him looking so well. He was still weak from loss of blood, and the doctors didn’t want him moving around much, but all in all, he was doing very well. Having Frank back brought back the old Joe they knew and cherished; even in physical pain, Joe seemed more vibrant, more mischievous, more light-hearted.
Tony Prito had decided that a meeting was in order: the afternoon’s confrontation with Frank was only the beginning. Normally happy to allow one of the Hardy brothers to be the group’s de facto leader, Tony slid into that position easily now with both brothers absent. Brian, Frank’s new friend, had pulled the Italian youth aside and told him of the thick tension that had enveloped Joe’s room when he awoke, and how Joe had quickly noted and commented on it. Although leery of someone he regarded as his replacement, Tony was grateful to see that the tall golden-eyed boy seemed sincerely concerned about Joe. Anyone who looked out for Joe had to be okay, in his book. As soon as his friends had settled into the various chairs scattered around the Pritos’ game room, Tony spoke up.
“Given today’s run-in with Frank, I thought we might need to talk about some things.”
“What, are you going to lecture us?” Callie asked in a surly tone. She was still intensely angry at Frank and in need of an outlet.
Phil leaned over and took her hand in his, squeezing it tightly.
“Not at all,” Tony denied calmly. “But I thought I should tell you something that Brian told me.” He then went on to explain what Bix had related to him, and of Joe’s request that his parents and Frank take turns visiting him.
“He said that he couldn’t deal with all three of them there and the tension it generated,” Tony concluded solemnly. “Which made me think maybe we should set up a schedule of sorts, or at least do our best to keep Joe from feeling our anger and frustrations with Frank.”
Iola leaned against her cushions and sighed, a slight smile on her lips. “It was so good to see the old Joe,” she said happily. “I guess if putting up with Frank is the price I have to pay, then, well, I guess I can live with it.”
“I’m beginning to think,” hazarded Chet, “that maybe Frank really didn’t intend to abandon us. But if, like he said, he had to in order to help Joe.” He looked around at his friends, his eyes almost pleading with them to give Frank another chance.
“But how?” Callie demanded again. “How in the world does Frank just up and leaving, without even a good bye, help Joe? Could someone just explain that to me?”
Apparently Phil had been reflecting on this for awhile, because he said quietly: “I think Frank’s running away is all centered on Joe, somehow. And I think that maybe, just maybe, I might know why.”
All eyes turned to Phil as the slight youth continued. “Everything started to change last March, when Joe was last kidnapped.” The boy paused as he glanced at his friends. “When I say everything, I really mean Frank’s attitude towards us and his parents.”
Callie nodded her head in agreement. From that moment on, up until he had run away, Frank had been slightly more distant than usual. He maintained his friendships with the gang, of course, but Callie noted that he was prone to be more reserved than usual.
“Of course, we know that Frank is fiercely protective of Joe; that goes without saying. And we also know that about the only time Frank ever dares to argue with his father is when Joe is concerned.” Four heads nodded in unison.
“So,” the boy continued, “we can safely guess that Joe is the reason why Frank and his father are fighting. Since all this started the last time Joe was in danger, I would guess that Joe’s safety is at issue. Add to that Frank’s comment today that he only left for Joe’s sake, and that brings us to one possible conclusion.”
Four pairs of eyes were riveted on Phil. “Of course, there may be other reasons,” he cautioned, “But the one which makes the most sense is that Frank left because he wanted to set up a place where he could take Joe, to keep him out of harm’s way.”
Iola let out a shaky breath. “You mean he’s going to take Joe away? From us?”
Phil glanced at the girl with compassion. “I don’t know that, but knowing Frank, I think he just might.”
“But he can’t do that,” cried Tony. “He can’t just steal Joe away from us. We’re his friends!”
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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.