CHOICES
by
RM
Chapter 23
THE CHAPTERS
Two
weeks later, a large celebration was underway at the Hardy house, marking
Frank and Caren’s graduation from college. Frank had returned to his
classes in time for finals and had done well once again.
With
finals over, the next focus was on commencement and the ceremony was held
earlier in the day.
Friends
and family were enjoying the party. Also in attendance besides the Hardy
family were Vanessa, Caren and her folks, some neighbors and classmates of
Frank and Caren.
Frank
was happy to finally meet Caren’s parents, Richard and Melissa Anderson.
She had talked about them enough times that he felt like he already knew
them. Even though it had taken almost four years to meet, he was glad it
finally happened. He had apologized for missing them on their visits since
each time they came, he was off on a case with Joe.
Following
delicious food, the opening of cards of congratulations and the eating
cake, the day slipped into night. The guests offered their congratulations
to the graduates once again before heading out, leaving only Frank, Joe,
Caren and Vanessa to enjoy the night.
Caren’s
parents had returned to their hotel and the older Hardys had gone for a
walk.
As a
slow song drifted across the yard, Frank pulled Caren into his arms and
held her close. As the day had progressed, he started to feel a sense of
loss. It had taken him a little while, but he had finally figured out what
it was. It was that his time with Caren was coming to an end and she would
be heading south again. He felt very strongly about her and couldn’t
picture the future without her in it.
“You’re
awfully quiet all of a sudden,” Caren said softly.
“I’ve
been thinking.”
“You
don’t need to think now. We’ve graduated.”
“I
know.”
Caren
leaned back from Frank and looked in his eyes. “Frank, what is it? What
has gotten you so quiet all of a sudden?”
Frank
looked at Caren and knew that honest was the best, especially after all
they had been through. He reached up and brushed the hair back from her
ace.
“I’ve
been thinking about the future.”
Caren
looked perplexed. “What about it?”
“I
guess I’m going to miss how things have been. We’ve had a great time
and everything is going to change.”
“Things
will change because we’ve grown up. We now have the entire world at our
feet to make a difference. There are so many opportunities and experiences
that we really can take advantage of now.”
“I
know,” Frank said quietly. He could tell Caren was really excited about
the future, but he couldn’t muster up the same enthusiasm.
“Frank,
what else is it? I know it’s something more.”
Frank
let out a breath and knew the time had come. He cupped Caren’s face in
his right hand, caressing her cheek with his thumb. He leaned forward and
gave her a lengthy kiss on the lips.
When
they broke apart, Frank could see come color in Caren’s cheeks even in
the evening light. He said, “I’m going to miss you when you go.”
“I’m
going to miss you, too,” Caren said, moving close to Frank.
“I
know we can write, e-mail and call, but it’s not going to be the same.”
Frank hugged Caren.
“I
know it won’t. But it won’t be forever. I’ll be back.”
“But
who knows when?” Frank murmured.
Caren
leaned back from Frank after a moment and asked, “What did you say?”
Frank
looked at Caren. “‘But who knows when?’ is what I said. And we
don’t know when or if you’ll be back. You’ve probably got a big time
job already lined up and won’t be coming back this way for a long
time.”
A
smile appeared on Caren’s face and Frank had no idea why she thought this
was good news. It meant no longer being a couple to him, and he didn’t
like it. Her smile told him that she had landed a big time job. He was
proud that she had, but knew it wasn’t the best for their relationship.
“Frank,”
Caren said.
“So,
what newspaper are you working for? Or did one of television stations pick
you up?”
“Frank,
would you stop for a minute and listen,” Caren said. “Geez, you’re
awfully paranoid.”
“How
else should I be?” Frank asked. “When there’s been discussion about
the future, we’ve always talked about what I would be doing. While you
did graduate with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and English, you’ve
never once said what you would be doing.”
“And
we never got to it because we never got the chance. Each time we were
talking about the future, you were also working on a case. You would
suddenly come up with a theory and be on the go.”
Frank
stared at Caren for a moment. She was absolutely correct. They hadn’t
talked about her future because they never got to it.
“I’m
sorry, Caren.”
Caren
smiled. “It’s all right.”
Frank
took a breath, and even though he knew the answer, he asked, “Where will
you be working?”
“Well,”
Caren began, “I got a lot of job offers. There were some that had a lot
of potential and others that just didn’t feel right. But I finally
settled on one. And tomorrow, my parents will help me move to my new
place.”
Frank
turned his gaze away from Caren and looked at the ground. He knew he had
been correct.
“I’m
working at the Bayport Gazette.”
Frank’s
head snapped up and he looked at Caren. He had a feeling he had been
hallucinating. “What did you say?”
Caren
smiled. “I’m working at the Bayport Gazette. I’m staying here.”
“Really?”
“Really.
The managing editor offered me a full-time job when I finished my
internship. It’s a great paper and I would be covering the school
district to start with. There are a lot of opportunities for advancement
and this is the best place to perfect my craft.”
“So,
you’re not leaving Bayport?” Frank still couldn’t believe it was
real.
“I’m
not leaving Bayport.”
Frank
pulled Caren into his arms and held her close. He was so happy she was
staying, but there was something he had to know. He leaned back and looked
at her.
“Caren,
I need to know something.”
“What’s
that?”
“Why
Bayport? I mean, I’m thrilled you’re staying, but I just don’t want
you to regret the future.”
“I
chose Bayport because of the quality of the paper. That is the reason I was
offered the job and that’s why I took it.” Caren offered him a smile.
“And the bonus is that I get to be close to you as well.”
“I
think that’s a bonus for the both of us.”
Frank
pulled Caren to him and they kissed. He knew this was an opportunity
neither of them could pass up. They would have to take full advantage of
it. And he knew they would.
“I
love you,” Frank whispered.
“And
I love you, Frank Hardy,” Caren whispered in return.
Their
lips met again and Frank felt this was one of the best days of his life.
-
The End -
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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.