An hour later, Joe and Callie returned from the hospital. They went into Joe and Ned’s room and saw Ned was sitting on the bed and Nancy appeared to be asleep, leaning against his chest. Ned put his fingers to his lips to signal them to keep their voices down. Ned said, "She finally drifted to sleep. Any change in Frank?"

"No," Joe said sitting down. "He’s hooked up to several monitors. He looks pale and there doesn’t seem to be any life in him."

"We ran into the doctor and he told us the monitors are there to monitor his condition," Callie said. "I just wish he’d wake up. I have seeing him like that."

"Has there been any word from the Coast Guard?" Joe asked.

"Nothing yet," Ned said. "But Nancy’s aunt called. She’ll be here tomorrow with Hannah."

"That’ll be good for her."

"What will be good for whom?" Nancy asked sleepily.

"That you’re awake," Callie said. "Come on. It’s late. Let’s go get some sleep."

"All right." Nancy yawned.

Nancy went to her room with Callie and went inside with Ned watching. Once the girls door was closed, Ned came back into the room and closed their door. Ned looked at Joe. He said, "We need to do something. It’s frustrating waiting for word."

"We might be able to help search," Joe suggested getting to his feet.

"Slow down," Ned said sitting down on his bed. "They probably called off the search for the night. We should head over to the Coast Guard headquarters in the morning and see what we can do."

"Good idea," Joe said.

"Get some rest, Joe. You won’t do anyone any good if you’re exhausted."

"Yes, dad," Joe said sarcastically, but with small smile.

"Night," Ned said and stretched out on his bed.

Joe turned off the lights and went to sit by the window. As he looked into the sky, he could make out the different constellations. He easily recalled the times he’d been camping with Frank. They had such good times when they were together. He wondered if they would have those kind of good times again.

* * * * *

The next morning, Joe was still sitting in a chair by the window. He had dozed on and off all night. Every time he drifted to sleep, images of his parents popped into his head and he woke with a start.

He had been quietly watching the sunrise in the distance for two hours when Ned woke and asked, "Were you up all night?"

"I slept a little," Joe admitted.

Before Ned could ask another question, there was a knock on the door. Joe jumped to his feet and hurried to the door. Joe opened the door and gasped, "Aunt Gertrude."

"Joe! Are you all right?"

"I’m fine," Joe said ushering Gertrude into the room. He closed the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I came as soon as I heard about the explosion." Gertrude looked around the room. "Where’s Frank?"

"In the hospital."

"Hospital? What happened?"

Joe was about to answer when there was another knock on the door. Ned went to the door and opened it. Nancy and Callie hurried in. Nancy said, "We heard a knock on the door."

"Miss Hardy," Callie said. "When did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago." She looked at Joe. "Now, will someone please tell me what’s going on."

Joe sat down on his bed. "Frank was injured as we were getting away from the board. He’s in a coma." Joe went on to explain everything that happened.

When he finished, Gertrude asked, "Has there been any word about your parents?"

"Nothing yet."

"I want to see Frank," Gertrude said.

"I’ll take you to the hospital," Callie said.

"While you’re doing that, the three of us will head over to Coast Guard headquarters and see if we can help out," Ned said.

"Let’s meet back here for lunch," Gertrude said. She looked at Callie. "Whenever you’re ready."

"I’m ready now," Callie said. "Let me grab a sweater."

"Then let’s go," Gertrude said. They left the room and Ned closed the door.

Nancy asked, "Are we really going to headquarters?"

"We sure are," Ned said. "I know you can’t sit around and do nothing."

"You’re right," Nancy said. "Let’s go."