Josh wasn’t sure he should be where he was. It was dangerous for him to be seen there. If anyone he knew saw him, it would all be over. He just couldn’t help himself. It had been so long since he had been in a school. He laughed, who would have thought he would want to be in school. He hid behind some lockers when he saw some kids walking towards him. He hadn’t known them before the accident. They had been at Jessica Hart’s party, though and he couldn’t take a chance that they would recognize him.

"Jessie!" Evan called as he saw Jessica come around the corner. Josh watched the exchange with interest. Jessica had always been nice to him while he was alive.

"Hey!" She said as she walked towards him. She was about to say more when she saw a shadow beside the lockers. Jessica eyed the shadow with curiosity and walked towards it. Just as she neared it the shadow moved and she saw him. She turned a ghostly white, quite ironically, really and let out an ear-piercing scream. By the time Evan and the rest of the students in the hallway had reached her he was gone.

"Did, Did you see that?" She gasped.

Katie McMasters, the girl who had been the only one to see the boy at Jessica’s party came forward. "I saw him. That was him, that was the boy at your party."

"What? That’s impossible." Jessica said, at a near whisper. This was all so unbelievable. "Do you know who that was?"

Katie and Evan both shook their heads no.

"That was Joshua Eagland. Josh’s mom worked at Mission Street when I was living there. He was always hanging around."

"So." Evan said.

"So…Josh Eagland died three years ago."

Jonathan sat at his desk just staring into space. This whole situation was just too confusing. The alarm company swore the alarm system was working fine. He couldn’t figure out how that boy had gotten in and out of the house twice without anyone noticing. He looked up when the door to his office opened.

"Hi Darling." Jennifer said cheerfully as she walked into the office.

Jonathan stood and walked to his wife. He hugged her close. "Hi Darling, what are you doing here?"

"What, do you want me to leave?" Jennifer said slyly.

"Not on your life." He grinned.

The moment was broken when the door Jennifer had closed behind her swung open with a vengeance. A man walked through with an angry glare. He appeared to be drunk, but he didn’t smell of alcohol. Jennifer gasped when the man ran over to them and fell to his knees on the ground. The man grabbed on to Jonathan’s pants legs as a way to help him stand again, but failed. Just as Jonathan was about to help him up, security burst through the door.

"We’re sorry, Mr. Hart. We don’t know how he got up here." One of the guards said.

"That’s ok, I know how he got up here."

"You do?" Jennifer asked, confused.

Jonathan nodded his head. "He has a key card. That’s my personnel director, Dan Eagland. It’s okay; I’ll take care of this. Thanks." The security officers looked at their boss curiously but left all the same.

After the security guards left, Jonathan helped Danny stand and then helped him to sit in a chair. Jennifer went to get a glass of water and held it out to Danny. He reached out his hand, which was shaking violently. Suddenly angered, Danny grabbed the glass from Jennifer so hard she was nearly knocked off balance.

"Are you ok?" She asked him as Jonathan watched.

"I’m fine!" He snapped. "Now, leave me alone!" Danny slapped the arms of the chair. "I said leave me alone!" Danny yelled at Jennifer as she stood completely still. He lunged at her to push her out of the way, but Jonathan put himself in between this man and his wife.

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you." Jonathan glared at Danny as Danny shrunk back into the chair.

"Help me. Please, you have to help me." Danny said as he cried. Jonathan was still standing protectively in front of Jennifer, but she moved around him. Jennifer touched Danny gently.

"We’ll help you. You have to tell us what’s wrong." She said quietly. Jonathan was amazed to watch his wife talk so calmly to a man who had almost attacked her. Jonathan pulled Jennifer away from Danny. He walked her to a corner of the room where Danny wouldn’t be able to hear them talking.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"What do you mean what am I doing? He asked for our help. That’s what I’m giving him."

"Jennifer, Darling." Jonathan put his hands on his wife’s shoulders. "He just tried to hit you."

"I know that, Darling. I don’t think he wanted to, though."

"What?" Jonathan was confused.

"I’ve seen abusive men before, Darling, he doesn’t have it in his eyes."

"Would you at least let me see what he wants?"

Jennifer shrugged her shoulders. "Sure." She smiled at her husband’s protectiveness. It came in handy on more than one occasion, that was for sure.

Jonathan walked back to where Danny was sitting. "Dan. What’s going on? Have you been drinking?"

"No, no! They did it to me! They shot me up with it! They, they…" Danny spoke in haste before collapsing into unconsciousness. His body slumped in the chair and would have fallen on the floor if Jonathan hadn’t caught him. Danny was sound asleep.

"Ouch. Oww. Ouch." Jessica repeated while she sat in the nurse’s office holding onto her stomach.

The nurse walked over to her and felt her forehead for the millionth time. Or at least it seemed like the millionth time to Jessica. "I can’t find anything wrong with you, Jessica…"

"Ouch!" Jessica cried out in pain.

"But, you are obviously in pain so I’ve called your mother. She’s on her way to pick you up. Ok?"

Jessica just nodded her head.

"Darling." Jennifer said. Jonathan was sitting behind his desk once more. The Paramedics had come and taken Danny away. They hoped tests would show why he acted the way he had. "I have to go get Jessie from school. The nurse said she’s having stomach pains."

"Oh? Is she ok?" Jonathan looked up worried.

"I think so, but I’ll take her to see Dr. Jensen on the way home."

"That’s probably a good idea." Jonathan said. "I think I’ll swing by the hospital and check on Dan Eagland while you’re doing that."

"Ok. I’ll see you at home later." Jennifer smiled and kissed Jonathan goodbye.

It wasn’t long before Jennifer had picked Jessica up from school. They were in the car heading home. Jessica was adamant that she didn’t need to see a doctor.

"Are you sure you’re ok?" Jennifer asked.

"I told you I’m fine. I just got a little…freaked. Seeing a ghost can do that to a person." Jessica snapped. "Sorry." She hung her head down. "I didn’t mean to snap at you."

"It’s ok. I understand." Jennifer said and patted Jessica’s hand gently.

Jonathan was driving along when he noticed a car swerving in and out of traffic. The car seemed to be following him and that made Jonathan very nervous.

"Mom, isn’t that dad’s car?" Jessica asked when she spotted Jonathan’s car speeding towards them from the other direction.

"Yes, it is. Something’s wrong." Jennifer said.

Jonathan panicked when he saw Jennifer’s car approaching. Before he could do anything about it the car that had been following him swerved into the lane beside them. It was on a head on collision with his wife. Jonathan beeped his horn as hard as he could, trying to get her attention. It wasn’t necessary for Jennifer saw the car coming towards her. Jonathan’s car was only feet away from Jennifer’s when she swerved into his lane to avoid the other car. Jonathan slammed on his brakes, but it was too late. All three Harts screamed in terror as Jonathan and Jennifer’s cars met each other with a bang. Metal met metal with a crunch and both cars went into spins. Jonathan’s car was the first to stop spinning. Jennifer’s followed shortly after. The road was empty except for the driver of the other car and the two cars that now sat silent in the middle of the road filled with dents and smoke.

The driver of the other car laughed. "Three Harts with one stone." He grinned evilly as he sped away from the scene.

(Ci)

Josh ran as fast as he could to get home.  His meeting with Mr. Steele had not gone well.  Mr. Steele wanted him to get back into the Hart’s house and plant a bug.  When he refused, Mr. Steele promised revenge.  Josh knew it would only be a matter of time before Mr. Steele tried to get back at him.  And he had a feeling Mr. Steele would get his revenge by hurting Helen.  Josh wanted to go to the Harts and tell them everything, but how does a boy who was supposed to be dead tell anyone anything.  Would they even believe what they were seeing? So, he decided to tell his mom. He hoped she would believe and understand.

When he reached the house, his mother’s car was in the driveway.  Helen had taken an extended leave from work.  She really didn’t want to have to explain her bruised cheek.  She needed time to gather her self.  She loved Danny but wasn’t sure she could take much more of his current state of mind.  "First Josh, now this.  I can’t go through it again."  She thought as tears began to flow down her cheeks. 

Josh peeked into the living room and saw that his mother was not there.  He snuck in the window and walked upstairs. There he found his mother, in her bedroom crying. Helen walked over to her dresser and picked up the photo of Josh.  She would never forget how sweet and loving her little boy had always been. She always thought he was just like Danny, but no more. Danny had changed. In a way she was grateful that Josh wasn’t here to see it.

"My baby.  My sweet baby." She whispered to the photo.

"Mama..." Josh called out.  Helen couldn’t be sure what she was hearing. She thought she had just heard Josh speak…but that couldn’t be.  She looked up from the photo to see Josh standing there behind her.

"Josh?  This can’t be."

Josh walked toward his mother and held out his arms.  Helen began crying harder as Josh walked towards her. Suddenly she felt extremely light-headed. She smiled through her tears as the world went blank and she fell into the waiting arms of her son.

The passengers inside were all still and silent. Jessica was the first to open her eyes. What she saw caused her to gasp. It wasn’t long before she could feel the bruises and bumps she must have received. She was sore all over. "Mom?" Jessica said as she lifted her hand and touched Jennifer’s head gently. Jennifer’s head was lying on the headrest. She began to awaken as Jessica talked to her. "Mom, are you okay?"

"I’m okay sweetie.  Are you okay?"

"I don’t know, I think so. Think I’m gonna be sore for weeks!" Jessica looked out her window to find Jonathan’s car. "Mom! Look!" Jessica said as she pointed to her father’s mangled car.  Jennifer followed Jessica’s finger to Jonathan who appeared to be unconscious.  Jessica tried to open her door, but it was stuck. Jennifer’s door opened with a creak and she helped Jessica get out on her side.

After they were both free of the car they ran over to Jonathan.  Jennifer began to try to loosen him from the binds of the seat belt.  She panicked as she noticed the blood trickling from his brow and that he wasn’t moving.  She had to be watchful not to cut herself for all the shattered glass that surrounded him.

"Darling!  Can you hear me?"  She took his head in her hands.  Jonathan moaned in pain.  "Jonathan, It’s me.  I’m here."  Jennifer reached for his cell phone but when she found it, it was mangled and broken.

"Jessica!" She called when she saw a house not far up the street.  " Go get the police.  Sweets, run to that house and call 911!"  Jennifer points at the house across the street.  By now the people in the other cars were beginning to leave their cars. One of the drivers ran up to Jessica and stopped her.

"Wait! I have my phone, they’re on their way."  He said. "Are you okay?" he asked Jessica. Jessica only nodded. She was visibly shaken and was about to cry when she saw something leaking from her father’s car.

"What’s that?" She asked the other driver.

He walked over to the car, knelt down beside it and smelled the substance. "Gas. We have to get him out of there, now!"

They carefully pulled Jonathan from the wreckage and took him to where Jessica was standing across the street. A woman from one of the other cars had wrapped a blanket around the girl. She was whispering soothing words into her ear.

Within minutes, the police, EMS and fire department arrive and Jennifer had to make a statement and give the officer details of what she’d seen.  She looked over at the mangled cars. Jonathan’s windshield was no longer in its place.  Jessica’s window was shattered.   It was a wonder anyone survived.   She couldn’t really remember the details. She was just barely able to give them a description of the other car. It had all happened so fast. The paramedics checked both Jennifer and Jessica while others assisted Jonathan.  They were all three shuffled into the ambulance and taken to the hospital. In the distance, Mr. Steele walked down the street past the abandoned car that helped him cause all this pain.

"Yes mom, it-it’s me."

"But, I buried you.  How-?"

"I do-don’t know.  One d-day I re-realized how much I miss-ed you and w-woke up in my bed.  But.... wh-when I got here, everything w-was such a mess."

"I’ve got to be dreaming.  Did I die Josh?"

Josh moved closer to his mother who was very confused.  "No mama, you d-didn’t die.  I c-came here, to you.  You c-called me here.  T-to help."

Helen vaguely remembered her prayer.  She grabbed her son and hugged him as if she were clinging to her life.  They cried in each other’s arms.

"Oh Josh!  Oh Josh!  How I’ve missed you.  I’ve wished to tell you all of the things I never got to tell you."  She hugged him tighter, still in disbelief at the things happening in this room.

"Mom, I’ve missed you too."  He sat back and looked at her, "What happened to Dad?  How did he get mixed up with the likes of Mr. Steele?"

"Steele?  What are you talking about?  I know nothing of a Mr. Steele."

"Daddy is in big trouble mom.  And Mr. Steele is not out for fun and games.  Dad owes him a lot of money."  Looking into his mother’s eyes, he reached out and touched her bruised face.  She closed her eyes as a single tear fell from the touch of her son’s hand upon her face. 

"He did this to you?"

"I don’t know what is happening to your father Josh.  He’s changed.  He’s not like before you-...."  She stopped speaking. 

"Died mom?"

"Yes, died Josh.  Tell me all that you know."

Josh moved to sit his back against the wall but his mother clung to him.  She didn’t want to let him out of her arms again. 

(Michelle)

Jennifer sat on the corner of Jonathan’s hospital bed and stroked his hand lovingly. He was sleeping peacefully, finally. She didn’t know what had happened between the time that her husband disappeared behind the huge double doors of the ER and when the doctor came out to tell her everything was going to be okay. Jonathan had a big bump on his head, a possible concussion and a broken arm. That was duck soup compared to what she had been imagining. She and Jessica had both walked away with just bruises, minor cuts and some muscle soreness. She had sent Jessica home, under duress, as soon as they had heard about Jonathan’s condition. Jennifer continued to absently brush her fingers against those of her husband’s. She leaned in to kiss him on the forehead when she heard the sound of the hospital room doors open.

"Good morning Mrs. Hart. I’m Dr. Laura Steele, I’m here to check on your husband." Laura held out her hand to Jennifer.

"Hello, Dr. Steele." Jennifer shook the doctor’s hand as Jonathan stirred beside her.

"Well, good morning Mr. Hart." Laura said as she saw Jonathan’s eyes open. "I’m here to give you a little examination." She then turned and directed her attention to Jennifer. "Mrs. Hart, why don’t you go home and get some clean clothes and something to eat?"

"I’d rather stay." Jennifer said.

"It’s okay, Darling, go. Give Jess a kiss for me?" He said groggily.

"But, Darling…" Jennifer started to say.

"Go on. I’ll still be here when you get back."

"You better." She said authoritatively as she kissed her husband’s lips and walked to the door. She took one longing look behind her as she left the room.

"So, Mr. Hart, how are you feeling this morning?" Dr. Steele asked as Jonathan watched his wife’s retreating form.

Jennifer returned to the hospital clean and refreshed a few hours later. She wanted to talk to the Doctor about Jonathan’s condition and when he would be able to come home. She was standing outside of Dr. Steele’s office when she heard a man’s voice coming from inside. She listened quietly even though she really shouldn’t eavesdrop.

"I don’t care about that! He owes me money and I want it." The man sounded extremely angry. Jennifer continued listening to the one-sided conversation.

"Listen kid, if you ever want to see your father the way he was you better do as I say!"…"Don’t you worry about what I’ve done, you just worry about what you need to do!"…"He’s here in the hospital. Jonathan Hart put him in here. No, don’t worry; I’ll take care of Jonathan Hart from now on. You just do what I told you to do." Jennifer jumped when she heard the phone slam into its cradle. She walked down the hall so that whoever the man was, he wouldn’t know she had heard his conversation. She turned around quickly and bumped into Laura Steele.

"Mrs. Hart? Are you okay?" Dr. Steele asked.

"Umm, yes, I’m okay. I, uhh, I just wanted to talk to you about Jonathan."

"Oh sure, why don’t you come to my office with me?" Laura headed to her office and opened the door. Jennifer stood, apprehensively a couple feet behind her.

"Jason?" Laura said when she saw her husband sitting at her desk. "What are you doing in here?"

"I was waiting for you. I wanted to take you to lunch, but if you’re busy…" He said looking at Jennifer who was still standing in the doorway.

"Oh, Mrs. Hart, this is my husband, Jason Steele. Jason, this is Mrs. Jennifer Hart."

"Hello Mrs. Hart." Jason said with an evil gleam in his eye. So this was the woman who had stolen ole’ Jonathan’s heart from his little sister. He had broken her heart and it had killed her and Jonathan would have to pay. But, first things first. Mr. Steele had to deal with Danny Eagland first, and then he would get to Mr. Jonathan Hart.