“Who?” asked Vanessa holding Jay in her arms. The younger girl was sobbing quite openly now, and Vanessa guessed that it was the first time that she had cried openly for years, possibly her whole life.

“My uncle,” said Jay.  Vanessa was horrified, and  tightened her hold on Jay even more until Jay’s tears had subsided.

“Have you ever been tested for HIV or any other diseases?” asked Vanessa. She hated asking, but knew that she had to be practical. First things first.

“No,” said Jay very quietly.

Vanessa looked at her watch.  She looked at Jay, she realized that they had to push this now or Jay might retreat to her hiding place.  They needed to go to the clinic, while Jay had the strength to admit what had happened to her.

“Jay, the clinic is still open,” said Vanessa.  “Let’s go and get you tested.”

“I don’t¼,”started Jay.

“You can’t put it off,” said Vanessa.  “I promise I will be with you the entire time.”

Jay nodded her head.  Vanessa smiled and grabbed her hand.  She pulled her to the living room.

“Joe, I need you to take us somewhere,” said Vanessa.

Jay didn’t want to add anymore problems to the Hardy’s, but she realized Vanessa was right.  Joe looked at Vanessa and Jay. He knew that something had happened, that Jay had admitted something to Vanessa, but he wisely chose not to ask any questions. Instead he nodded and grabbed his keys.

“Where?”  was all he asked.

“The clinic,” said Vanessa.  “No more questions.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Joe.

They drove to the clinic in quiet.  Joe was beginning to put it together.  Then it hit him like a ton of bricks.  All he could think of was, how much of an idiot he had been not to put two and two together sooner.

“Joe, please stay in the car,” said Vanessa after they stopped the car. Before Vanessa closed the door Joe said “Just tell me Ness, who?”

“Her Uncle” Vanessa spoke grimly, before following Jay into the clinic.  Joe nodded his head as he watched Vanessa and Jay enter the clinic. 

He was still trying to fathom what he had just figured, when his phone rang.

“Yeah,” said Joe, answering the phone.

“Ooh, you sound grumpy, where did you all disappear to?” Frank was surprised at his brother’s tone of voice.

“Sorry,” said Joe.  “I just made a realization.  That I am a complete idiot.”

“Aren’t you being a little hard on yourself?” asked Frank recognizing the tone of his brother’s voice.  He knew Joe was extremely upset about something.  “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

Joe told his brother about Jay and Vanessa going to the clinic.  He had asked Jay about the abuse.  But he didn’t even think about sexual abuse. 

“Its okay, Joe,” said Frank.  “I don’t think any of us did.  Let us know what we can do.  I think am going to go pray.  God saved you and Jay for a reason.  I need to thank him for taking care of you two.  We will be here, if you need us.”

“I will always need you,” said Joe his voice thick with emotion.  “Bye.”