Growing Up Brady And Johnson (Read 5,351 times)

[André DiMera]

Can’t believe Carrie actually did it. Apparently being a cheerleader means more to her than being a decent person and friend. Wonder what she’ll say to Jennie.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 81

Jennie looked at Carrie, and then at Lisa and Tori. “Carrie, what are you doing with my notebooks?”
Carrie felt a pit begin to grow in her stomach. She had to tell Jennie something. She just couldn’t hand the notebooks over to Lisa and Tori, not with Jennie right there. Yet, at the same time, could she just hand them back to Jennie? Carrie sighed lightly. She knew what she had to do. “Here,” Carrie said. “I’m sorry.” Carrie extended her hand towards Jennie, notebooks out stretched.
Before Jennie could grab her notebooks, Tori quickly jumped in between Carrie and Jennie. “Not so fast,” Tori hissed. She grabbed the notebooks from Carrie. “I knew she couldn’t be trusted to do the job.”
“Give me my notebooks,” Jennie said in a small voice. “Please.”
“Please,” Tori mocked Jennie.
“Give them back,” Carrie said forcefully. “You’re right, I couldn’t do it, because it wasn’t the right thing to do.”
“You’re such a loser Brady,” Tori spat back.
“Come on, Tori,” Carrie said.
“What are you going to do about it?” Tori challenged. “Tell an adult, like a cry baby.”
Jennie looked towards Carrie. “Carrie, what is she talking about?”
“Tell her,” Lisa chided. “Since you couldn’t do this one thing for us, you might as well tell her.”
“Give the books back to Jennie first,” Carrie demanded.
“Seriously, Brady,” Tori said. “You’re dreaming if you think I’m going to give these stupid books back to this loser.”
Jennie tried to grab her books back from tori. Just as she was about to try to snatch them back from Tori, Tori quickly threw the books over to Lisa. Lisa caught the books. Tori glared at Jennie. “What are you going to do about it now?”
“Give them back, or you’ll have me to deal with,” Frankie growled as he emerged from his hiding place.
All four girls turned to face Frankie. Carrie breathed a sigh of relief. “Frankie,” Carrie breathed.
“Give them back,” Frankie repeated forcefully as he quickly walked to the girls.
Jennie looked at Frankie in shock and surprise. She slightly began to shake. Carrie noticed Jennie’s reaction.
“Or what?” Lisa asked. “I’m not afraid of you. My brother says that you’re a no body at the high school.”
“Besides,” Tori cut in. “You wouldn’t hit a girl to get those dumb books back,and that’s what you’ll have to do, if you want them back.”
“And if you hit me,” Lisa countered, “I’ll tell my parents, and they’ll go to the police.”
By this point Jennie was silently crying.
Lisa took notice of Jennie’s silent tears. “Aww, you little cry baby, you want your books back?”
Jennie nodded. “Okay,” Lisa relented. “I’ll give them to you, but before I do.” Lisa’s voice trailed off, as she opened the one notebook. “Let’s have a little story time first.”
Lisa opened her mouth to begin reading as Frankie shoved between Carrie, Tori, and Jennie. He dove at Lisa to get the books away from her. Lisa was quick on her feet as she tossed the books to Tori.
Carrie watched the scene unfold in front of her in slow motion, not able to do anything as things began to happen around her. Before Frankie could turn his attention to Tori, Tori threw the books into the river.
“No,” Jennie yelled. “My books.”
Jennie broke away from the group, and rushed to where she saw her books fall into the water. “No,” she said quietly.

By this point Lisa and Tori were laughing hysterically. “Awesome move,”Lisa commended Tori. “Much better then anything we could have had Brady do.”
Frankie’s face was red as he turned on Tori and Lisa. “I’ve never hit a girl before,” Frankie growled. “But.”
“No,” Carrie shouted. “Frankie don’t.”
Just then Steve, Kayla, and Benjy emerged from the pub. “What’s going on here?” Steve questioned.
Kayla surveyed the situation. “We heard shouting.”
Carrie groaned loudly. This situation had gone from bad to worse to now being a complete disaster.

[André DiMera]

Hopefully this experience will show Carrie that her “friends” are no good.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 82


Steve quickly surveyed the situation in front of him. “What’s going on here?” He asked in a stern tone.
Tori began to giggle nervously.
Kayla too began to take notice of what was happening. She peared down by the water front,and noticed Jennie sitting on the river embankment. “Someone mind explaining?” Kayla echoed her husband’s question.

Frankie was the first to speak. “Those girls,” Frankie said, as he motioned to Lisa and Tori took Jennie’s notebooks.”
Steve shot Lisa and Tori an icy glare. “Aren’t you girls who pressured my niece to drink?”
“We didn’t exactly twist her arm,” Lisa stammered nervously.
“Besides,” Tori spoke up, “Carrie took Jennie’s dumb books first.”
Kayla looked to her niece. “Carrie, is that true?”
“Yeah,” Carrie said sheepishly. “I did take them.”
“Why?” Frankie shot back. “I thought Jennie was supposed to be your friend. Why were you rooting through her things? I saw you.”
“Ugh,” Tori said loudly. “You were spying on us. What a creeper!”
Steve put his hand up. “I’ve heard enough out of you. You and you. Sit.” Steve waved his hand at Lisa and Tori to sit at the table where Carrie and Jennie had been sitting. Both girls did not protest,and quietly sat down.
Steve took in the group of four kids with his one eye. “Now someone better start telling us what’s going on, and why is Bright Eyes sitting on the river bank alone?”
“Who?” Lisa scoffed.
“Jennie,” Carrie answered. “My uncle is talking about Jennie.”
Tori began snickering. Steve shot her a warning look. Tori immediately quieted down.
“We don’t have to tell the one eye pirate anything,” Lisa spat back.
Steve stepped a little closer to wear Lisa was sitting. “I beg to differ, darling. See, I don’t like when kids back talk to me. Just ask my man, Frankie. He’ll tell you. So someone better start talking.”
“Or what?” Lisa countered.
It was Kayla’s turn to interject. “We’ll call your folks and let them know that you’re not where you’re supposed to be. I’m assuming like Carrie, here, you both are probably grounded after this past weekend’s drunken escapade. I’m sure your parents wouldn’t be too pleased to here that you broke your restriction.”
Lisa gulped and nodded slightly.
“I thought so,” Kayla said smugly. “Now, someone start talking.”

Carrie stepped forward, and began telling Kayla, Steve,and Frankie everything. She told them everything that had happened at the past weekend’s sleepover,and ow the cheerleaders had planned to steal Jennie’s notebooks,and blow up pages and hang them up all over school. She told them that she was supposed to get the notebooks from Jennie,and that then the other cheerleaders would take care of the rest. She then told them that if she didn’t do what the cheerleaders wanted that she would be kicked off the cheer squad.Once Carrie was done talking, Frankie then cut in and told his side of the story. He told Steve and Kayla that he had seen Lisa and Tori giving Carrie a hard time tonight, so he came outside to make sure that Carrie and Jennie were fine.

Once Carrie and Frankie were done talking. Lisa piped up. “Well, I meant what I said. Carrie, you’re off the squad.”
“Good,” Carrie spat back. “I don’t want to be on the stupid cheer squad, not after what happened tonight.”
“Good,” Tori said snidely. “The only reason why we wanted you on the squad was because you could get us free stuff.”
Carrie glared at Tori. “You brat!” Carrie said loudly. “Benjy was right.”
“Right about what?” Lisa spat back.
“A few weeks ago,” Carrie explained. “When Benjy saw you guys at the pub after the first football game. He told me that he saw you guys talking about me, but I didn’t believe him. I thought you guys were my friends.” Carrie’s voice broke off as she felt her eyes burn with tears.
“That dummy can’t even hear,” Tori said.
“Okay,” Kayla said loudly. “Stop. We’re not getting anywhere.” Kayla turned her attention to Benjy. He looked confused as he had backed up from the group,and kept looking to where Jennie was sitting alone. Kayla turned to Frankie. “Frankie, take Benjy inside to play with Max, please. And girls,” Kayla motioned to Tori and Lisa. “Get to steppin.”
“What?” Lisa said.
“Get up,” Kayla said forcefully. “I’m taking you inside to call your parents.
Lisa and Tori quickly got up from the table. Kayla then turned her attention to Steve and Carrie. “Steve,” Kayla said a little more gently. “Will you handle Carrie? I’ll be back once I handle these mean girls.”
“Sure thing, baby,” Steve said.
Carrie watched in amusement as Kayla escorted Lisa and Tori back into the pub. By that point, Frankie and Benjy had headed back inside too.

Carrie sank into a chair at the vacant table. Steve too pulled up a chair, sitting beside his niece. “You know what you need to do baby. Don’t you?”
Carrie nodded sadly. “I need to go talk to Jennie.”
Steve nodded. “She deserves an explanation from you.”
“She’s gonna be so mad at me,” Carrie countered.
“Maybe so,” Steve agreed. “But if she’s your friend, she’ll forgive you. You have guts, baby girl. You told the truth just now,and you stood up to those cheerleaders. You’re better off without them.”
Carrie nodded. She knew that her uncle was right. “Thanks,” Carrie said. “I’ll go talk to her.”
“That’s my girl,” Steve said as he patted his niece on the arm.
Carrie got up,and began to walk slowly down to the river bank where Jennie was sitting.

[André DiMera]

Glad Carrie actually told the truth. Wonder how this will go with Jennie.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 83


As Carrie walked closer to Jennie, she noticed that Jennie was sitting at the river’s edge, her body curled into the fetal position, her head buried in her arms on her lap, lightly rocking back and forth. When Carrie approached Jennie, Jennie did not move. Carrie thought she heard light sobs as she quietly sat down beside Jennie. Carrie placed Jennie’s bag next to the crying girl.

Carrie wasn’t sure if she should say something or not, but decided that she should. “Jennie,” Carrie said softly. “I brought you your bag.”
Jennie slowly lifted her head, and turned her attention to Carrie. Carrie noticed that Jennie’s eyes were red and puffy. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, and her nose was slightly running. Jennie wiped her nose with the back of her hand. She quickly snatched her bag,and held it protectively in her lap. “Why?” Jennie asked. Her voice was thick with tears. “Why did you take my books?”
Carrie hung her head in shame. She had betrayed Jennie. She had let her down,and for that, Carrie felt awful. “The cheerleaders wanted me to,” Carrie said quietly.
Jennie looked at Carrie. Hurt and disappointment shown in her eyes. “Why? What did they want with my books?”
Carrie gulped hard. She knew that she had to tell Jennie the truth. “They wanted to blow the pages up from your books, and hang them around school.” Carrie felt so ashamed as she continued to talk. “They told me that I had to get the books from you,and they would handle the rest.”
“Why you?” Jennie croaked out the question.
Carrie felt her throat burn as she began to quietly cry. “Because I’m your friend, and they figured that I could easily steal the books from you,and then easily put them back,and you wouldn’t notice.”
“But your supposed to be my friend,” Jennie said as she began to cry again. “I told you all the private things I wrote in those books, and you were willing to plaster my life and private thoughts all over school.”
“They would have kicked me off the squad if I didn’t do it,” Carrie said a bit defensively.
“So the squad is more important then me?” Jennie asked sadly.
Carrie shook her head no. “No, Jennie,” Carrie said softly. “You are my friend. I couldn’t do it. I tried to give the books back to you.”
“But you didn’t,” Jennie said a bit louder then she had intended. “Those dumb cheerleaders threw my books into the river,and now they are gone forever.” Jennie began to cry again. “You’re supposed to be my friend. Friends don’t do that. I don’t have any friends, but I at least know what a friend should and shouldn’t do.”
Carrie gently put her hand on Jennie’s arm. Jennie was shaking as she cried. “Jennie,” Carrie said softly. “I am your friend.”
Jennie pulled away from Carrie. She jumped to her feet, her bag clutched tightly in her right hand. She slightly backed away from Carrie. “No,” Jennie said angrily. “You are not my friend,” she said in an even tone. “I can’t trust you. I can’t trust anyone. You’re just like the girls at my group home, and you’re just like the other cheerleaders.”
Carrie got up from the ground, and walked over to Jennie. “Listen,” Carrie said. “I know you’re really mad right now,and I get that. I did an awful thing, but I’m not like the other cheerleaders.”
“Stop. Stop. Stop,” Jennie said loudly and panicked. “You are. Well, they’re not your friends, and neither am I. You hurt me,and I had let you in. I told you things that I’ve never told anyone before.”
“I know,” Carrie said. “And I’ve never told anyone those things. Those are still our secrets, Jennie.”
Jennie stared at Carrie long and hard. Her expression was a mixture of hurt, anger, and sadness. Jennie slowly continued to back away from Carrie. “No,” Jennie said quietly. “No. I can’t trust you. I can’t.”
“Jennie. Please,” Carrie said pleading with her. “You can trust me. I’m sorry.”
“No,” Jennie screamed. “We are not friends.” Jennie was loudly crying, and she turned away from Carrie,and ran away.
Jennie,” Carrie yelled after her. “Please.”

Jennie did not look back as she quicly ran away from Carrie. Carrie hung her head in shame and sadness. She slowly walked back to the pub. Upon getting back to the pub, Carrie saw Steve, Kayla, and Benjy waiting for her. Once seeing the group, Carrie burst into tears. Carrie ran to her aunt. Kayla wrapped Carrie into a hug. Carrie leaned into her aunt, as sobs took over her body. Kayla held her niece tightly as she continued to cry.
“She’s not my friend,” Carrie cried into Kayla’s embrace. She continued to cry harder.
Kayla continued to hold her niece, soothingly rubbing her back, knowing that at the moment, she couldn’t say anything to make things better. Benjy approached Kayla and Carrie,and began to rub Carrie’s lower arm with his little hand. Steve looked at the scene before him, knowing what had most likely had happened between Carrie and Jennie. Children were cruel. This was a fact that Steve knew all too well. He just hated that his niece had to learn this hard lesson. As he watched Kayla and Benjy with Carrie, Steve hoped that Benjy would never have to endear that kind of cruelty.

[André DiMera]

At least Jennie knows the truth now. I’m glad she told Carrie that she’s not her friend. If Carrie were really her friend, she wouldn’t have done what she did. Whether she felt bad about it, or didn’t want to go through with it or whatever, she still did. Being a cheerleader is clearly more important to her than being a good person. It sucks for Carrie that she lost a friend, but maybe now she’ll finally get into her head that the cheerleaders are not good people, and not her real friends.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 84


It was a rainy Tuesday morning in Salem. It was one of those chilly October rains that chilled you to the bone if you were to stay outside too long. A sure sign that fall was here,and winter would soon be close behind. Steve sat in his office, going over paperwork in Ellen’s case. He had promised himself that he would devote much of today in trying to find more information about Jennie. As he was about to pick up the phone to call Janet Banning, his office door opened. Janet Banning came into Steve’s office to escape the rain.
Steve looked towards Janet. “Goodmorning,” Steve said. “I was just about to call you.”
“Morning Mr. Johnson,” Janet said.
Steve motioned for Janet to sit. She perched in a chair across from Steve’s desk. “It’s really coming down out there,” Steve said. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“No thank you,” Janet said politely. “I have the information you requested.”
Steve rubbed his hands together excitedly. “That was fast,” Steve said, impressed with how quickly the social worker had come up with a possible lead. “What do you have for me?”
Janet removed a folder from her bag. She handed it to Steve. “Here is Jennifer Bosworth’s information,” Janet explained. “The information you gave me was enough for me to go on. I was able to enter her information into CPS database, and her name pulled right up.”
Steve nodded. “Aw, the wonders of modern technology.”
Steve opened the file folder,and began to read the information. As he read he noticed that the CPS information matched up perfectly with what Ellen had given to him. Jennie had to be his daughter. This information proved it. Steve narrowed his eyes as he finished reading,and placed the file on his desk. “What now?”
“Well,” Janet said. “I can go talk to Jennie today if you like. With Ellen Hawk now being deceased, if you are indeed truly Jennie’s biological father, then we do try to reunite children with their birth families whenever possible.”
“But I don’t know for sure if I’m her father or not,” Steve countered. “Ellen did tell me that, but I need to know for sure.”
Janet nodded in understanding. “We’ll get a paternity test. If the test is positive, and Jennie is willing, then she could come live with you and Mrs. Johnson.”
“And if the test is negative?”
“Well,” Janet said slowly. “That would be up to you and your wife. “You are technically fostering Benjy.”
Steve nodded, knowing what Janet was implying. “So, if Jennie isn’t my biological daughter, Kayla and I could still take her in?”
Janet nodded. “From what this information is saying, Jennie Bosworth is Ellen Hawk’s daughter, making Jennie and Benjy siblings. I know that the children don’t necessarily know that they could be siblings, but,”
Steve cut Janet off before she could finish speaking. “But if they are siblings, then you like to keep them together if possible.”
“Exactly,” Janet said.
“I like your thinking,” Steve said. “Kayla and I have talked about it,and it’s important to us that we do take Jennie in because she is Benjy’s sister. They need to be together, and every kid needs a good foster home.”
Janet smiled warmly. “Very true,” Janet echoed Steve’s sentiment. “Okay, then it’s settled. I’ll go talk to Jennie this afternoon once she gets home from school.”
Steve was quiet for a long moment. He shifted in his chair. Janet took notice in Steve’s change in demeanor. “Is something wrong?”
“Just a bit,” Steve admitted. “Um, Jennie’s living in a group home. Correct?”
Janet nodded yes.
“And do you know the circumstances as to why she landed into this current group home?” Steve asked. He was trying to fish for information, to see if Janet would disclose any of what he already knew about Jennie from talking to Frankie.
Janet looked at Steve inquisitively. “I know that Jennie was in a foster home prior to coming to live at the group home, but then things didn’t work out at that foster home, so she was moved into the group home.”
Steve nodded. “And you’re not Jennie’s actual case worker?”
“No,” Janet said. “But I’m only doing what you asked me to do, Mr. Johnson.”
“Hey, hey,” Steve said. “I know, and I appreciate that. It’s just could you hold off on going to see Jennie until maybe tomorrow?”
Janet sighed a bit exasperated. “Why? What aren’t you telling me?”
“It’s just, um, I know this kid Frankie. He just recently has been adopted by Kayla’s parents. He used to be in the system. He and Jennie actually lived in the same foster home for a period. He just recently has come back in contact with her. He wants to talk to her before some new CPS worker starts asking her all kinds of questions.”
Janet narrowed her eyes. “I suppose I could wait until tomorrow before going to see Jennie.”
“Thank you,” Steve said gratefully. “I promised Frankie that he could talk to Jennie before anyone else did, if she were to be found.”
“Mr. Johnson, are you sure there’s not anything else that I need to know about?”
This woman was good. Steve sighed. “No, nothing else,” he assured. “Just let the kids talk first. Okay?”
“Fine,” Janet relented. “Give me a call tomorrow and let me know when I can go see Jennie. I can tell that this is really important to you.”
“Thank you,” Steve said as he stood,and extended his hand to Janet. “Thank you.”
Janet rose from her chair,and shook Steve’s hand. “You’re welcome. Benjamin is a good kid,and I’m glad that he has found a good home with you and your wife. If I can help this Jennie Bosworth find a good home too, well, I’m willing to try things your way for a bit.”
“I appreciate that,” Steve said gratefully.

Janet gathered her things,and excused herself from Steve’s office. Now Steve had to wait. He just hoped that Frankie would go see Jennie today after school as he had promised.

[André DiMera]

Nice of Janet to agree to let Frankie talk to Jennie first.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 85


Frankie stood in front of Jennie’s group home. He shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. He had told Steve that he wanted to talk to Jennie before Steve did. Frankie wanted to make sure that Jennie was okay, especially after what had happened the day before. Yet at the same time, he was a bit scared. He wasn’t sure what kind of state of mind he would find Jennie in,and that worried him. Yet, Frankie was too proud to admit that to anyone. Jennifer had offered to go with Frankie after school, so he wouldn’t have to go alone. Frankie secretly thought Jennifer’s offer was sweet, but he knew that he had to do this himself. Frankie and Jennie had been through a lot when they had been living in their foster home together. Max was the only one who understood what that had been like,and Frankie was very protective of those memories, and what that had done to him, Max, and most likely Jennie. From watching Jennie yesterday, Frankie knew that Jennie was still deeply effected by what they had been through. Frankie knew that he had to handle this delicately, in how he approached Jennie about Steve.

Frankie took a deep breath, and knocked on the front door. Within a few minutes the door opened. Frankie came face to face with a middle aged woman. “Yes,” she said.
Frankie shifted a bit uneasily. “Um, is Jennie Bosworth home from school yet?”
“Who wants to know?” The woman’s tone was a bit stern.
Frankie did his best not to roll his eyes. “I’m Frankie Brady. I’m friends with Jennie. I just came to talk to her.”
The woman rolled her eyes. “Friends with Jennie,” the woman said in surprise.
Frankie nodded. “Yeah,” Frankie said. “We used to live in the same foster home. I’d like to talk to her. Is she home from school yet?”
“I see,” the woman said. She sighed again.” Well, Frankie, I’m sorry. Jennie is not home.”
“Oh,” Frankie said a bit surprised. “When will she be home? I need to talk to her. It’s really important.”
The woman was quiet for a moment. “I don’t know,” she finally admitted. “Jennie didn’t go to school today.”
“What,” Frankie said in dismay. He felt his stomach drop. He couldn’t help but think she skipped because of what had happened the day before.
The woman nodded. A soft expression washed over her face. “I got a call from school today, saying that Jennie never showed up. When I went to look in her room, I saw that all of her things were gone. Her case worker and I figured that she has run away.”

Frankie felt panic washe over him. “No,” Frankie said. “How long has she been gone?”
The woman shrugged. “Don’t know,” she said simply. “Maybe since last night, or early this morning.”
Frankie cut the woman off before she could continue speaking. “Let me guess, Mrs. Marshall is trying to figure that out.”
The woman nodded yes. “You and Jennie have the same case worker, I assume.”
“Had,” Frankie corrected the woman. “I’m adopted now.”
“I see,” she said. “Well, Frankie, I can’t help you. she’s not here,and the police have been notified.”
“Thanks,’ Frankie said dryly.
“Do you need anything else?”
“No,” Frankie said.
Without saying another word, the woman shut the door.

Frankie stood in front of the group home for a long time. His mind was racing. Jennie had run away from home. He had to find her, but where could she go. Frankie had no idea where to even start looking. He looked towards the sky,and noticed that it looked like rain. It had been raining for the better part of the day. Frankie figured that telling Steve what was going on was probably a good place to start. Frankie walked to Steve’s office.

Once arriving at Steve’s office, Frankie barged in. He didn’t even bother to knock. He felt panicked, and his mind was racing. Steve looked up from his desk in surprised upon seeing his door open abruptly. “Francis,” Steve greeted upon seeing Frankie burst through his office door. “What’s going on?”
Frankie briskly walked into Steve’s office. “She’s gone,” Frankie said in a rushed and worried tone. “Jennie is gone.”
Steve looked towards Frankie. “Okay,” Steve said calmly. “Have a seat, annd explain to me what’s going on.”

Frankie sank into a chair across from Steve’s desk. He began to tell Steve what had happened when he had gone to the group home to talk to Jennie. Frankie told Steve about what the group home worker had told him,and that Jennie’s case worker, Mrs. Marshall and the police were aware that Jennie had run away. Steve nodded in understanding and sympathy for Frankie. Steve remembered Mrs. Marshall,and how he and Kayla had briefly had dealt with the case worker when they had first found Frankie and Max. Steve was secretly relieved that he had to not deal with her again once Kayla and he had fostered Benjy. Steve quicly realized that he and Kayla would probably have to deal with her again though in terms of Jennie.
“We have to find her,” Frankie said sadly. “This is all Carrie’s fault, and those stupid cheerleaders.”
Steve put his hand up in protest. “Hey,” Steve said. “Blaming someone won’t bring Jennie back. We have to put our heads together to find her.”
“But I have no idea where she could be,” Frankie said frantically. “That’s the problem. I don’t even know her anymore. It’s my fault,” Frankie said quietly.
“No Frankie,” Steve said in a stern loving tone. “This is not your fault.”
“Man it is,” Frankie cut in. “I should have forced her to come with me and Max. I could have kept her safe.” Frankie’s voice trailed off as he began to cry. “Now she’s all alone. She probably feels like she can’t trust anyone. I should have.” Frankie stopped talking as he began to cry harder.

Steve got up from his desk,and went to sit beside Frankie. He wrapped Frankie in an embrace. Steve didn’t say a word. He let Frankie finish crying. Frankie finally pulled away. He wiped his tear stained face with the back of his hand. “Sorry man,” Frankie said a bit embarrassed.
Steve shrugged it off. “It’s okay, dude,” Steve said easily. “You’re worried for Bright Eyes. I get it.”
Frankie nodded.
“Listen,” Steve said. “I want you to go to the pub. I’ll make some calls to Janet Banning, and let her know about Jennie. I’ll also call Roman, and talk to him about Jennie as well.”
Frankie nodded in understanding. “I’ll walk around town tonight after my shift at the pub, and try to look for her.”
Steve couldn’t object to what Frankie wanted to do. Truth be told, Steve would probably have done the same thing if he were in Frankie’s shoes. “We’ll find her,” Steve assured.
“I hope so,” Frankie said as he stood. “Thanks man.”
Steve patted Frankie’s arm. “You’re a good kid,” Steve assured. We’ll find Jennie.”
Frankie nodded as he turned and left Steve’s office. Steve wrinkled his brow, as he pulled Jennie’s picture from his jeans pocket. He looked at the baby picture. “Where did you go Bright Eyes?”

[André DiMera]

It’s good that Frankie went to Steve about this. I hope they find Jennie soon!

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 86


Carrie was distracted as she worked her shift at the pub that rainy Tuesday afternoon. As she worked, her thoughts drifted to Jennie. Jennie had been absent from school that day. Carrie couldn’t help but think that Jennie might have purposefully skipped after what had happened the day before. That morning, Carrie had gone to see Mrs. Nelson, the head cheer coach,and told her that she wanted off the squad. Mrs. Nelson seemed concerned, and wanted to know why Carrie wanted off the squad, but Carrie coudn’t tell her the truth. Carrie just made up a lousy excuse of being too busy with school work, and not being able to keep up with her homework. Mrs. Nelson seemed to believe her, and didn’t question her reasoning. Carrie was relieved for that. She had sat alone at lunch that day. She knew that the cheerleaders would not want to sit with her. She figured that Lisa and Tori were probably telling the other girls what had happened the day before, and Carrie didn’t want to be in ear shot of that conversation.Carrie was thankful when the school day had ended,and she could leave.

Carrie was broken from her distractions when she saw Frankie burst into the pub. Carrie had taken notice that Frankie had been late to work, but she figured that he was probably hanging out with Jennifer, or something. Carrie put down the rag that she was using to wipe off a table. Frankie walked briskly towards her. “We need to talk,” Frankie said shortly.
“Um, okay,” Carrie said a bit taken back.
“Outside,” Frankie said as he turned away from her and began walking out of the pub.
Carrie knew that she should probably tell her grandparents that she was taking her break, but she could tell that Frankie seemed angry. She just decided to go outside and talk with him. She discarded the rag, wiping her wet hands on her jeans,and walked outside to meet Frankie.
She found Frankie staring out at the harbor. “What’s up?” Carrie asked.
Frankie turned his head to face Carrie. His expression was one of hurt and anger. “I hope you’re proud of yourself,” Frankie said coldly.
Carrie looked confused, yet she also knew what he had to be talking about. Jennie. “I’m sorry,” Carrie began to say quietly.
Frankie cut her off. “Just stop. Okay, Carrie. I don’t want to hear any of your stupid apologies. They don’t mean anything, anyways. They are just empty words, to make yourself feel better.”
“Frankie,” Carrie said in a cracked voice. “How can you say that? I really am sorry.”
“Really?” Frankie scoffed. “Well, your sorry’s won’t bring Jennie back. Now will they?”
Carrie felt dread in the pit of her stomach and confusion. “What do you mean?” She asked softly. “What happened to Jennie?”
“Thanks to you and your stupid cheerleader friends, Jennie has run away,” Frankie snarled.
“What,” Carrie said in disbelief. “She ran away?”
“Yeah, she did,” Frankie said angrily. “And it’s all your fault.”
Carrie stepped a bit closer to Frankie. She put her hand on his arm,and noticed that he was shaking. “How do you know?”
“I went to her group home after school to talk to her,and one of the workers told me that she had run away sometime early this morning, or late last night.”
Carrie didn’t say anything. She felt too awful. She knew what Frankie was saying was true. This was her fault. Jennie had trusted Carrie,and now Carrie had let her down. No wonder why Jennie had run off. She probably felt that she had no one to trust. Carrie finally spoke. “Where do you think she went?”
“Why do you care?” Frankie asked. “You’re not her friend anymore.”
“Frankie,” Carrie said evenly. ‘Yes, I am. I’m still Jennie’s friend.”
“No, Carrie. You’re not,” Frankie said loudly. “You were using Jennie to stay on the dumb cheer squad.”
“That’s not true,” Carrie said a bit loudly. She felt tears begin to burn her eyes. “I’m not on the squad anymore. I dropped out this morning.”

Frankie was quiet for a long time. He finally spoke. “Do you think I care. You might be off the squad, but you still hurt Jennie.”
Carrie nodded. “I know,” she agreed sadly. “I know I did,and I feel awful about it.”
“You should,” Frankie snarked. “I need to go find her.” Frankie began to walk away.
“Wait,” Carrie blurted out. “Jennie told me about how you taught her how to sign so that you guys could talk to Max.”
Frankie slowly turned to face Carrie. His hard expression began to soften at the mention of Max. “She did?”
Carrie nodded. “Yeah, she did,” Carrie said. “She told me how she wanted to go with you and Max, but she was scared. She told me how your foster dad had tried to hurt her, but she stopped him. She showed me the sign language book,and the sweet note that you had written to her. Frankie, Jennie loves you and Max so much.”
Frankie was quiet for a long moment. He finally spoke. His tone was softer. “That’s why I need to find her.”
“I want to find her too,” Carrie said. “Those cheerleaders aren’t my friends. They never were my friends. I know that now.”
“Yeah,” Frankie said simply. “Sucks doesn’t it?”
Carrie nodded. “Frankie, please can I go with you? I want to help.”
Frankie didn’t say anything for a long time. “I guess,” he relented. “But you’re going to listen to me. Got it?”
“Yep,” Carrie said. “You’re in charge.”
“And don’t you forget it,” Frankie snarked. “Now go tell Pop that you’re leaving early to come with me. Tell him that you and I gotta go do something.”
“But what if he won’t let me go?” Carrie asked.
Frankie sighed exasperated. “Just do it, Carrie. Sometimes you can’t be a goodie goodie and expect to get the job done.”
“Okay,” Carrie said meekly.

Carrie went back into the pub,and told her grandfather that she had to leave early to go help Frankie with something. Shawn seemed a bit concerned, but Carrie was relieved when he didn’t question her motives. She thanked him,and promised that she would work an extra shift on Saturday to make up for her laving early today. She then quickly left the restaurant. As the rain began to fall harder, Carrieand Frankie began to wander the streets of Salem, looking for Jennie. As they looked, Carrie kept silently praying that Jennie was safe and warm from the rain, wherever she may be.

[André DiMera]

I’m glad Frankie told Carrie what he thinks of her. She was not a good friend to Jennie, whether she thought they were friends or not. Still, at least she’s trying to help find her now.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 87


The rain fell faster and harder as Steve drove his car slowly back home. After talking with Frankie late that afternoon, Steve had spent the greater part of the evening combing the streets of Salem looking for Jennie Bosworth. Just as Steve had promised Frankie, he had gone to the police station after sending Frankie home. Steve had spoke to Roman about Jennie running away. Both Roman and Steve had spoken to Jennie’s case worker, Susan Marshall. Susan Marshall was no help in trying to locate Jennie. She simply told Roman and Steve that she wasn’t surprised that Jennie had run away, and that some children just couldn’t be placed in any kind of home situation. That comment had angered Steve. At that moment, he had wanted to tell the case worker about Jennie,and his hunch about Jennie possibly being his daughter, but after hearing how Susan Marshall spoke of Jennie, he thought better of it. Steve thought it would just be best to keep quiet about everything until he could locate Jennie. Susan Marshall was curious as to Steve involvement with the case of the missing child, but Roman had quickly covered for his brother-in-law, explaining that Steve was a private investigator,and that the Salem PD would use his services in cases of trying to locate missing people. Mrs. Marshall seemed satisfied with Roman’s response,and quickly left the station. Steve was grateful to Roman, especially since Roman had no idea why Steve was looking for Jennie. Roman had no idea of the personal stake Steve had in this case.

After Susan Marshall left the station Steve thanked Roman for his quick thinking. Roman nodded. “Hey, Jennie is one of Carrie’s friends. I know that Jennie has spent some time with Benjy,and you and Kay seemed quite taken with her that night when we had all gone out for dinner. I get why you want to help,and we appreciate it.”
“Thanks man,” Steve said gratefully.

Steve and Roman had spent the rest of the evening combing the streets of Salem, looking for Jennie. Susan Marshall had supplied the station with a recent picture of Jennie. Roman had made a copy of the picture and given it to Steve. They then split up,and began searching for the girl. Promising to check in with one another by the night’s end as to their progress. As the rainy evening drew to a close, neither Steve or Roman had any luck in locating Jennie. It was like she had disappeared from Salem completely. As Steve pulled into his garage, he sat in his car before going into the house. He pulled out the baby picture of Jennie,and the most recent picture of Jennie. He looked at the pictures, side by side. After looking at both pictures, Steve couldn’t deny the truth. Jennie Bosworth had to be his daughter. She just had to be. The only thing left to do was to find the girl, and get a DNA test to make his suspicion fact.

Steve sighed heavily as he took the pictures into the house. As he step foot into the laundry room, he was greeted with the aroma of clam chowder. He walked into the kitchen,and found Kayla standing at the stove, stirring a pot of chowder. “Hey baby,” Steve said warily.
Kayla glanced over towards her husband. She took his appearance in. He looked tired, wet, and disheartened. “Oh Steve,” she said sympathetically. “Looks like you had a rough day.”
Steve nodded. “It was brutal baby.” Steve glanced around the kitchen. “Sorry I’m so late. Benjamin already in bed?”
Kayla nodded. “He wanted to wait up for you, but I finally convinced him, after two mugs of warm milk, and me reading a chapter of Stewart Little that it was time for bed. Are you hungry? I made chowder. Thought it would be good on this rainy day.”
“I’m starving,” Steve admitted. “I’ve been working with the Salem PD all night.”
“Why don’t you go upstairs and change out of those clothes. I’ll have an ice cold beer and a steaming bowl of chowder waiting for you when you come back down.”
Steve kissed his wife on the cheek. “Sounds great, Sweetness.”

Steve went upstairs,and changed out of his damp clothes. Slipping on a pair of pajama bottoms,and a t-shirt, he quietly walked into Benjy’s room. He found the little boy fast asleep. He gently ruffled the boy’s hair,and kissed the top of his head. Steve then went back downstairs. He walked into the kitchen just as Kayla was dishing up a bowl of clam chowder.

Steve sat at the kitchen table, and Kayla presented him with a steaming bowl of chowder, a frosty beer, and warm bread with butter. Steve smiled gratefully. “This looks great, baby.”
Kayla sat across from Steve at the kitchen table. “You look cozy,” she observed as Steve began to eat his dinner.
“How was your day?” Kayla asked as she watched Steve eat.
Steve put down his mug of beer after taking a big swallow. “Carrie’s friend, Jennie ran away from home.”
“Oh no,” Kayla said disheartened. “What happened?”
“Frankie had gone to see her after school today,and the group home told him that she never came home from school. Apparently the school had called the group home, and told them that Jennie had never showed up at school today.”
“That’s awful,” Kayla said. “Any ideas as to where she might be?”
Steve shook his head in defeat. “Her case worker, Susan Marshall was useless. She has no idea where Jennie could be. Roman and I spent tonight looking for her,and we had no luck.”
Kayla rolled her eyes slightly at the mention of Susan Marshall. She remembered how unpleasant the woman had been to deal with when they had first found Frankie and Max. “Tell me,” Kayla questioned. “Has Susan Marshall become any kinder and gentler since we’ve last seen her?”
Steve took a spoonful of chowder,and swallowed the warm soup. “Not a chance,” Steve scoffed. “Dragon lady is mean and grouchy as ever.”
Kayla shook her head sadly. “That’s too bad,” she surmised. “I’ll never understand how that woman can be a social worker. She has no compassion.”
“You can say that again,” Steve echoed his wife’s sentiment.
Kayla looked out the kitchen as the rain continued to fall. “I just hope that Jennie is safe. It’s been raining cats and dogs all day.”
“So do I, baby,” Steve agreed. “Roman and I plan to go back out tomorrow to continue to look for her. The school has instructions to call the group home and the PD, if she were to show up tomorrow.”
“That’s good,” Kayla said. “Steve, did you tell my brother anything?”
“You mean about Jennie possibly being my daughter?”
Kayla nodded.
“No,” Steve said. “I thought better of it for the moment. I want to find her first.”
Kayla then noticed the pictures that Steve had sat on the counter before he had gone upstairs to change. She got up from the table,and walked over to the counter. She glanced at both pictures of Jennie. “Oh, Steve,” Kayla marveled. “Jennie looks so much like you and Benjy in this school picture.”
Steve got up from the table,and walked over to join his wife. He too looked at the pictures. “I know, baby,” Steve said. “We’ve got to find her.
“You will,” Kayla said in a comforting tone. “If anyone can find her, you can.”
“A bit biased baby,” Steve chuckled.
Kayla kissed Steve on the cheek. “I’m your wife. I’m allowed to be biased. Why don’t you finish your dinner before it gets cold.”

Steve went back to the kitchen table,and sat back down to finish his chowder and beer. Kayla continued to look at the photos of Jennie as Steve ate.

****

As rain fell loudly around her, Jennie sat curled up under the pier. She was frankly surprised that no one had found her yet. She never thought that she’d be any good at running away. She never thought that she would have enough courage and guts to do anything that daring. Yet, as she sat under the pier, shivering,and listening to rain, she knew that she couldn’t go back to the group home,and she definitely knew that she couldn’t go to school the next day either. Jennie began to cry as she hugged her bag to her chest. She was scared, wet, and tired. Yet, she knew that she couldn’t trust anyone. Carrie had proven that to her the day before,and if she couldn’t trust Carrie, who could she trust? A part of her wanted to try to find Frankie and Max, but she wasn’t sure if she could go to the Brady pub. If she went to the pub, then she would have to go back to the group home, and she didn’t want that. Jennie was sick of her life at the group home, yet she knew that she had no place else to go. Jennie decided to try to sleep as best as she could out in the rain,and try to regroup in the morning. Hopefully by tomorrow, the weather was calmer,and she could make her way out of Salem.

[André DiMera]

Nice of Roman to help Steve look.

Ah, so that’s where Jennie is.