"So, tell me about your teddy bear!"
AJ was having a field day with the Care Bear incident. The entire conversation at breakfast this morning revolved around 'Friend Bear'.
I sighed. "It was Leslie's old bear. She snuck it into my suitcase and I felt obligated to bring it on the bus."
"Leslie?" Brian repeated, staring at me. "I thought you said it was BJ's bear."
"Oh, yeah."
"Then, why did you say 'Leslie'?"
"Gheesh, Brian, Nick has so many sisters it would be confusing to remember. Besides, what's so important about which sister it was anyway?" Kevin said plainly.
"Um...it wouldn't. He just normal always knows the difference."
"A Care Bear!" AJ whooped. "Can you do the 'Care Bear Call', too, Nicky?"
I shifted around uneasily. "No."
And, besides, the Care Bears did the 'Care Bear Stare' the Care Bear Cousins did the 'Cousin Call.' Didn't he know anything about 80's cartoons?
Kevin's forehead creased. "That's enough about the Teddy Bears."
"Care Bears," AJ and I corrected him in unison.
"Whatever. Eat your breakfast."
Howie stirred his coffee. "What's the agenda today?"
"Press from 9-12. Reharshal 2-4. Show at 7," Kevin answered. "Are you up for all that, Brian?"
Brian groaned. "Yes, Kevin, I am. You really need to stop worrying."
"I refuse not to worry about my cousin who was laying on an operating table having his heart opened up only eight weeks ago!"
My stomach was already aching, Kevin's statement sent it into overdrive.
"I am going to be fine. If everyone keeps on taking care of me, I'll never get to be myself again."
He wasn't the only one not being himself.
"Brian, you're going to take it as easy as we can make it for you. We all love you and we're going to help you end of story."
"Damnit, Kevin, you're not my father!"
Did he have to say that? That would hurt Kevin more than anything. Four pair of eyes stared at him in surprise.
He paled, gazing at Kevin, breathing deeply. "Kevin, I-I," he paused. "Um, I'm feeling a bit tired I'm going to um....go lye down."
Tears rimmed his cousin's eyes. "Yeah, I think that would be a good idea."
I stood suddenly.
"Where are you going?" Howie asked.
"To my bunk. I'll just play with my GameBoy until the press meeting or something."
"You have to eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"Nick-"
"Let him go, Howie." Kevin croaked. "Just let him go."
I hurried away from them, returning to the bunk area.
Brian stared up at me. "You must all think I'm a real jerk, huh?"
I shook my head. "No one has ever thought you were a jerk."
"I shouldn't have said that."
"Everyone says a lot of things they regret. He'll forgive you."
"Yeah, I guess. But with his dad..." He cleared his throat. "Did you eat anything?"
"Yeah, last night."
"Nick, you didn't touch your sandwich."
"I woke up in the middle of the night and ate some of AJ's chips."
Great. Now, I was lying to my best friend. I climbed up into my bunk slowly. I was tired and didn't feel like slipping, causing everyone to laugh at me. The Care Bear torture was bad enough.
"You nervous about the press conference today?"
I stared at the wall. "No, why would I be nervous?"
It was a typical meeting. Hot and stuffy, crowded with annoying reporters in the back of the small arena. 'How do you like the album? Do you like your fans? Do you have a girlfriend?'
I sat, massaging my stomach under the table, out of view to the press and my other band members. Sweat trickled down my forehead. Heat and an upset stomach do not mix. I continued to rub my stomach, allowing the others to answer the questions.
"Nick?!" But, of course, one of the reporters alway had to single me out. "Nick, tell us a little bit about your siblings."
"Well, right now BJ and Angel are interested in modeling and acting. And Aaron and Leslie are into singing."
"Aaron has his own career, correct?"
"Yes, he'll be opening for us later this year. But over in Europe he has been able to start his own tour and my sister Leslie opens for him."
"This is a big part of your family, then?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
There that was pretty easy. I answered without needing to pull a dictionary to check my definitions or phrasing.
Another question followed. "Mr.Carter, everyone knows you and Brian are very close. How do you feel about his surgery and him being on tour?"
I froze. Suddenly, my head pounded and my stomach churned. I tried to open my mouth, but my the words wouldn't come. I stared down at the table, feeling as sick as ever. Why couldn't I answer?
I felt Brian rubbing my back gently as Kevin took over. "Nick is still a little nervous about answering serious questions. He's the baby, you know. He was very worried about Brian, we all were. We're happy to have him back. And want him to be as healthy as he can possibly be."
Good save, Kevin. I stared at the floor the rest of the interview. I wouldn't speak and I wouldn't look up.