Finally, Frank was left alone with his brother. He stood by Joe’s bedside and looked down at his still form. “I’m going to find who did this to you,” he vowed. Frank stood there several more minutes, willing Joe to wake up but as his eyes remained closed, Frank gave up and sat down in the chair which had been brought in for his use.

Frank looked at the magazine his dad had picked up for him in the gift shop on the main floor but couldn’t concentrate. He tossed it down and leaned his head back. Maybe he could take a quick nap. He closed his eyes but sleep evaded him. He sat back up and propped his elbows on his knees. Lowering his head into his hands he sat there, his thoughts on happier times.

When the nurse returned to check Joe’s vitals Frank excused himself to go to the restroom. He hurried because he wanted to be back before the nurse left. He made it back to the room as she was exiting. “Any change?” he asked hopefully.

“No,” she answered, giving her head a small shake. “That’s not necessarily bad,” she added, seeing Frank’s face fall. “He’s no worse.”

Frank gave her a small smile. “You’re right,” he agreed, going over to Joe’s side as she left. “Hey baby brother,” he said, touching Joe’s cheek. “Wake up soon. You don’t want to spend all weekend asleep, do you?” There was no response from Joe so Frank pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down.

“Remember when I had my tonsils removed?” Frank asked but continued speaking because he knew he wasn’t going to get an answer. He just wanted Joe to know he wasn’t alone. “Mom and dad told you to stay at home with Aunt Gertrude but you hid in the back of their car. Dad had gone down the hall to talk with the doctor and mom had stepped into the bathroom and you thought they had left when you looked in my hospital room.” Frank paused and smiled fondly at the memory. “You saw only me and kicked your shoes off as you got near my bed then jumped in with me. Mom opened the door to the bathroom at the same time dad got back and they saw you there,” Frank broke off laughing. “Dad just shook his head like he knew he should have expected it but mom went all ballistic. She started yelling that you should never have come to the hospital without them because anything could have happened. You were only eight. But man! When you told her you did come with them she was speechless.

“Dad broke out coughing and left the room. I didn’t know it then but I think he was really laughing and had to leave so as not to encourage you. But you got to stay. Of course, the nurse wouldn’t let you stay in bed with me so she made you get out and sit in the chair but once she left, you got right back in bed with me. I think she gave up after the third time she caught you.

“Want to know something funny? That nurse is still here. She’s the one who has been coming in to check on you. I guess she’s glad we’re older. I don’t think she would approve of me getting in bed with you. Especially while you’re hurt,” Frank ended, sniffing.

Frank leaned back in his chair, and watched the IV deliver its life enhancing liquid. Soon, his eyes grew heavy and he fell asleep.

Joe’s eyes began to flicker. He moaned as he tried to move his arm and found he couldn’t. Hearing the sound, Frank was instantly awake and on his feet. “Hey baby brother,” Frank said softly as Joe’s eyes flickered once more before remaining open. “Just take it easy. You’re okay. The doctor put some restraints around your wrists and legs so you couldn’t move about and make your injuries any worse.”

“Where...Where am I?” rasped Joe. His throat was dry and sore but not as sore as the rest of him. “What happened?”

“You’re at Bayport General,” Frank told him, reaching out and pushing a strand of blond hair from his eyes. “I’ll get the doctor and let him check you out so we can get these restraints off,” he added, hitting the nurse call button. He didn’t want to talk about Joe’s acid trip until after the doctor had seen him.

When the doctor arrived, Frank left the room and went to the courtesy phone near the nurse’s station and called home. He was mildly surprised when his dad picked up on the first ring but when he took a glance at his watch, he understood why. It was a little after seven a.m. “Joe’s awake,” Frank said. “I don’t think he’s still experiencing any effects from the acid but the doctor’s with him now.”

“We’re on our way,” Fenton said, hanging up.

Frank returned to Joe’s room, relieved to see the doctor removing the leather restraints. “Are your parents coming?” the doctor asked Frank as he paused in his task to look at him.

“Yeah. I just called them,” Frank said.

“I’ll wait and talk to all of you in a little bit then,” the doctor said as he finished removing the restraints. “Don’t move around more than you have to,” he instructed, giving Joe a stern look before leaving the room.

“What happened?” Joe asked Frank as he came over to stand by him.

“Don’t you remember?” Frank asked, his brown eyes clouded with concern.

“If I did, would I ask?” demanded Joe a bit grumpily. He was hurting like there was no tomorrow and Frank wanted to play twenty questions?!

“You stabbed yourself,” Frank said.

Joe’s eyes widened in shock. “Yeah, right,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “What happened?”

Frank was silent for a minute and Joe looked at him curiously. “Frank!” Joe practically screamed. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Where did you get them?” Frank asked feeling miserable because he had obviously failed to be there for Joe. Had he been, Joe never would have resorted to drugs.

“Where did I get what?” Joe demanded in exasperation although his expression was one of bafflement.

“Joe, we have to know who gave them to you,” Frank pleaded. “Tell me and he can be stopped. You’re not addicted on anything. I don’t think so anyway,” Frank continued, noticing Joe’s eyes narrow. “I mean, I don’t understand why you would use them, especially the acid, but I’m sure it’s because of what you went through this summer. Just tell me. We can work this out. We’ll make you better. You don’t need them. You have me.”

“What. Are. You. Talking. About?” Joe stressed each word.

“The drugs,” Frank answered. “Who did you buy the drugs from?”