PRESENT: THE LONGEST NIGHT II: A SECOND DESCENT

Frank could not sleep. The two brothers had stayed up until eleven just talking about everything but It. Joe had told him about Mina and Frank was very worried initially but he chuckled when Joe told him that Mina forced him and Shane to clean up their stinking room.

Hmm…Mina may be a good thing for Joe. It’s been a year…the way he talked about her…

Maybe…

Frank told him about Callie’s strangeness. Joe suffered a guilt trip then, thinking it was him who caused the wedge between them. But Frank assured Joe vehemently that he did no such thing.

"Joe, don’t feel guilty alright?" Frank rested a hand on Joe’s blond head which was hung so low. "If I am too pre-occupied with anything, it’s my own choice…not anybody’s else."

"Frank…what would make Vanessa choose…" Joe faced Frank again, after a long repose and implored him with eyes like twin stars, forlorn in the vastness of the galaxy. He always looked to Frank for answers. Moments like this night which was so rare, moments which Joe let his guard down and allow Frank to move a step closer to his new world- were moments to be treasured.

Never doubted you kiddo. Never. One or the other.

It’s the other.

"I don’t know Joe. At the end of day, we can get so weak that we lose ourselves…it’s probably not her choice either. How can we judge? Promise me you’ll forgive yourself and move on…"

Joe mustered up a smile for Frank but the searching look was still in his eyes. Frank knew. After the numbing period, Joe was beginning to ask whys. He had protected Vanessa for far too long. The burden was too much for him to bear and now, he was allowing Frank into the truth.

Not long after, Joe’s expression became a mask again, unfathomable. He stared into vacant space as his eyes once again became mirrors, a protection for himself. So he would not be exposed and naked when his own emotions were far too strong.

And he was gratified, really gratified that Joe was finally opening up to him. He recounted to Frank about the tree house- about the horrible night in almost full details. And while he did not shed a single drop of tear, Frank knew with each word, Joe’s heart was ripped with lost love, with remorse, with sadness.

"I called her a whore Frank. Then I left her…I don’t know for how long. I came back and there she was, gun in her hand. She…her head…it was blown…I remembered her suicidal past, her father’s own fate…I knew what happened…why she did not run after me. She probably thought it was pointless. She wrote a letter to Mina and she said she cannot live without me…that at the end of the day, she felt so weak. I remember each word…each breaking word…I wonder if she knew…I will never stop loving her.

You’re right. I was protecting her name. So you must too…because you’re my brother. Don’t tell anyone. Let the doubt be on me…please…"

And Frank had no answer to that request.

Yet, despite the many unlocking of secrets and feelings, they had not talked about one thing that Frank wanted to talk about, wanted to give Joe the assurance that everything was alright. The monster It seemed to pop its ugly head up all the time- making fleeting appearances- and yet eluding Frank from catching it and wringing its neck.

It was the one horror that he knew about; that Joe experienced so undeservingly. Of course it would be undeserving. It was one of those fates similar to suicide that no one deserved.

In fact, no one deserved any misfortunes at all. But people hurt people and accidents do happen. In a non-perfect world that do not hold love supreme, these evils exist freely; happily.

But love still exists. Love will still prevail. We only got to work towards it, to wait for that day…to endure the nights…and look for stars.

And always try our best.

He woke up. It was one a.m at night. The world was asleep but him and maybe Callie. She was a late sleeper as well, but she scheduled her lectures in such a way that she would always have afternoon classes. She told him that her inspirations to write those articles for Bayport Gazette always came at night because it was so quiet and she could concentrate.

There was still that one unsettled business of course. He had to assure Callie that he loved her, that he would always have time for her and not neglect her again. Together, he hoped, with the help of their old friends and maybe Joe’s new friends, they could help Joe back onto the path of recovery.

And he could have more time with the girl who was his pillar of strength- when he had no might left for himself.

Callie…I should go to her…

Frank threw his covers aside, got out of bed and picked up the cordless phone on his study desk. He called Callie’s mobile but immediately got connected to the automated operator. Thinking that she should be in her room at home and thus had switched off her mobile, he called Callie’s private number. He heard Mrs. Shaw’s voice on the other side instead.

"Lisa!" Frank was taken aback. Callie’s mother, Lisa, recognized his voice immediately.

"Frank…Callie’s not back yet…she went out…hmm…with a friend…"

So late at night? It’s one a.m…Where can she be? It’s Tuesday…she has classes on Wednesday right?

Oh…no…she has no classes on Wednesday. Mon, Tues and Thurs. Those are the only three days she has classes.

"Oh…thanks Lisa…I’ll probably try again later."

Frank put down the phone after bidding Lisa farewell. He was disappointed. He had wanted to catch her, talk to her. He missed those overnight conversations they had. Though he did not want to admit it to himself, he knew that while they still loved each other, still supported each other and weathered each ugly words thrown by friends and strangers alike- they had been slowly drifting apart in a way known only to themselves.

I can’t let this go on. I’ll go see her.

He ran for the stairs, passing Joe’s room. Pausing for a moment, he gently push open the door to watch his sleeping brother. Joe’s restless, addictive sleep was no secret to Frank. He had read about it. Depression often caused that syndrome.

And he’s in severe depression. In one night, he has lost so much. Too much for his tender age. I, his brother…can only sympathize. I cannot empathized. I do feel guilty at Vanessa’s passing, even more so when I had to taint her name in court. But it got him out. I will do it again if I have to.

He’s suffering for it now.

Half-expecting Joe to thrash about or just stir lightly, Frank was consoled when he saw Joe curled in a fetal position, in a seeming restful sleep. His covers were half on the floor and the night was only going to get colder. Frank saw Joe shuddered a little and stepped inside quietly, readjusting the quilt such that it covered Joe like a baby.

Smothering love. I know he complains that my concern for him gets too smothering.

But I only have a brother. And I won’t deny it. Though I love Maggie very very much…I love Joe the most and the best.

However, Callie has no reason to be jealous. It’s a different kind of love. For that kind of love…I only love her. There’s no one else who can take her place. No one at all.

A love that endures. That will be our love. Next week, the ring I ordered will arrive in Tiffany’s.

Frank left his brother’s room and hurried down the stairs, out of the house. The sudden urge to see Callie was pushing him, making him anxious to just hold her and let her melt into him; open up to her, tell her everything…tell her how sorry he was and he would never neglect her.

He drove fast to her house, smiling in anticipation at seeing her; surprising her. He pondered over who she could have been with and most likely, it was Elizabeth or Liz Webling, her best friend who was not really part of their gang.

Stopping a street across from her house, he got out of his car. If she spotted his car, the surprise would be ruin. He wanted to grab her from behind as she unlocked her door; holding on to her waist and whispering the three words into her ears.

He could visualize the scene in his mind, her turning around and smiling. A little peeved but she would smile slowly and forgive him, for whatever he had done. And they would kiss and he would linger on a while more, maybe they might even drive to the beach and just wait for sunrise.

Perfect.

Fate could be a cruel entity at times, ruining keyed up hopes and bringing on scenes totally unexpected from the one human being wished. The one Man thought was the perfect scenario.

Fate could turn heaven on Earth into hell with just a stroke of the brush.

The tall, dark and mysteriously handsome young man with that very alluring and intelligent aura about him stopped abruptly though as he was reaching the girl’s house. He blinked, thinking that his eyes were playing tricks on him. Then very slowly, he turned back and walked towards his car in a trance.

Hairlines cracks covered the delicate china that was his heart.

 

Next week, she will not be mine.

***

"I had a wonderful night Callie…really…so…you telling him? Finally?" Randall held on tight to his girlfriend who was so hard to win over.

He had set his eyes on her ever since last semester when they shared a class together. It was apparent that she was beautiful in a very approachable way. However, being rich and appealing, he had girlfriends who were prettier, sexier. Callie attracted him in a different way. She was intelligent, independent and feisty. And he knew he just had to have her.

So he befriended her and very slowly; worked his way into her heart. When he found out that she was dating Frank Hardy whom everyone in Bayport seemed to know, whom everyone had a good thing to say about besides the Bender girl’s trial, it just made Callie all the more attractive.

After many months of flirting, often ending up with her being embarrassed and blushing so adorably, they went on a date. And two, then three. Two months ago, they became a secret couple.

He had been alright with it while the relationship was budding, but now, he was not. He was possessive, he wanted her all to himself. Though she assured him that she and Frank were over, it seethed him to know that when she went out with him, dragging the inevitable, that Frank could still kiss her, hold her. Those days were over for Frank Hardy because Randall Ophir was her one true love now.

She kissed him on his lips lightly and smiled, her hazel eyes bright and determined. "Yes. I will. Trust me…soon, we can hold hands all over campus…you don’t need to hide anymore."

"I’m glad…I really am. Cal…"

"Hmm…"

"I love you."

She snuggled closer to him for a while more before going into her house. It was late, so he did not enter in with her, though he would like to.

As he drove off in his BMW M3, he thought he saw a familiar white Ford Mustang parked over a street away from Callie’s. But he was driving too fast to slow down and confirmed his suspicions. And even if it was Frank, Callie had given him the promise.

Callie was his girl, until he decided that she was not.

***

Frank saw the M3 wheezed past his Mustang and white, hot anger surged within. He gripped his steering wheel tightly, willing himself not to lose control.

Randall Ophir. Playboy extraordinaire. Yes, I have heard about you. The rumors. So much rumors. *in a mocking tone* The only guy who drives an M3!

How can I be so blind? SO DAMN BLIND!!!!

Callie…why…

I love you...

A surreal feeling washed over him. He felt like his life then was paralleled in some way to Joe’s. He knew then how betrayed Joe must have felt; how angry. However, at that moment, he had not the energy to think deeper. He only wanted to go right up to the Ophir creep and punch his face.

Punch it hard once, just once.

And tell him to take very good care of Callie.

She has chosen. She has changed her mind.

‘If you love her, set her free. If she comes back to you, she’s yours…’

"If she doesn’t…then she’s never meant to be." Frank whispered to the night and shut his eyes against the terrible image, the dread of losing someone he hold so very dear. As dear as life itself.

But like a broken VCR, the image froze on his mind. She was kissing Randall. She! His love…the one who stood by his side for so many years.

Got a class tomorrow morning. Got to go back and try to sleep. Thesis...my papers…

Lots of work to do…to keep me occupied.

Callie…God…Cal! Why? Don’t do this to me…not now…not ever….

He felt so alone. Yes, he had a effervescent little sister and a supportive set of parents. A group of wonderful friends he had regained somewhat.

And a brother that I loved fiercely who is bordering on lunacy.

Slamming his head back against the seat, he felt an unbearable wrenching of his soul, knowing that he had lost someone so awfully important to him. The knowledge gnawed its way into the depths of his brain, and settled down comfortably to cause him pain.

A single drop of tear fell from his eyes onto his cheek. As it hit the tender flesh, it hit his heart.

And the cracked piece of porcelain burst forth, sending jagged pieces perforating his being, unable to take the pressure of heartbreaking reality.