When Joe, Vanessa and Jay returned everyone was in the living room.  As soon as they walked in, Laura grabbed Jay in a tight motherly embrace.  Callie, Frank and Fenton wanted to join in, but they were worried that it might scare Jay.  They remembered how Vanessa had been after her rape.

“Well, I think we had better get some sleep,” said Fenton.  “It has been a long day.”

“Alright, everyone to bed,” said Laura pushing everyone upstairs to their beds.

They said their goodnights and went to bed.  Jay tried to close her eyes, but she knew it was useless.  She had not slept since she was living with her mother.  So many dark nameless shapes came into her dreams and haunted her.  After a few years Jay had taken to working at night, usually down at the docks loading and unloading boats.

This night, she decided to go downstairs and find a book to read.  She remembered seeing some books in Mr. Hardy’s office and so went in and starting browsing the titles to find a selection.  She jumped when she heard a voice behind her say.

“I thought I heard someone in here,” said Frank.  “I am sorry.  I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I didn’t know anyone was still up,” said Jay recovering from her scare.

“I was finishing some paperwork.  I just went into the kitchen for a fresh cup of coffee.  Can’t sleep?”

“No,” said Jay.  She decided to be honest with him.  “I don’t sleep.”  She avoided looking at Frank thinking he would believe the worst about her.

Frank walked over to her and put his hand under her chin.  He raised her chin, so she was looking directly at him.

“I have a job in this family.  I am the big brother.  That means that if you have a problem then you can talk to me about it at anytime and at anyplace.  I will help you, no matter what.”

Frank knew he had her attention, but he needed to say something else.  “And I know you’re about to say that you are not in this family, but as far as we are concerned, you are.”

“Its just I haven’t been able to close my eyes and feel safe enough to actually sleep.  The monsters come after me.”

“Okay,” said Frank.  “Would you like to tell me about those monsters?”

“You really want to know?” asked Jay.

“Yes,” said Frank.

Frank and Jay sat down in the living room on the couch.  Jay started telling Frank about the different things she would see in her nightmares.  She told him about the things that she had to do to survive, living on her own.  She told him about her uncle abusing her.   

Frank moved closer to her as she talked trying to give her a sense of security.  He didn’t even realize it.  It was an automatic reaction. 

Jay stopped and looked at Frank with tears in her eyes.

She said, “I don’t think I have ever told so much about myself to anyone before, beside your brother.  This family seems to get me to tell everything.”

“Occupational hazard?” asked Frank.  “No, just kidding.”  Frank added when he saw the look on Jay’s face.  “It’s because we care deeply for you.  We want to help.”

Jay nodded her head and said, “Speaking of help.  Why don’t I help you do that paperwork?  That way you can get some sleep.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” said Frank.