Family Ties - Chapter 21

"Leslie said she didn't want any for lunch, Dad," Aaron stated as he entered the kitchen grabbing a sandwich.

The older man rubbed his forehead in frustation. "Well, thanks for asking her. Make sure you get a good lunch in you before you rush off to reharshal."

"Will do," Aaron replied indulging in his meal. "Where is everybody?"

"Your mother took Angel to the doctor."

"Angel's sick too?"

"Yeah, she had a sore throat and was really tired, so, your mother decided to check it out before it had a chance to get any worse."

"Oh, I didn't even notice."

His father rubbed his back. "Well, you've had a lot going on with rehearsals and things."

"Yeah, now I know how Nick feels all the time."

"Things will look up," Mr.Carter promised his son.

Their conversation was interrupted as the sound of knocking vibrated off the kitchen door.

"I hope it's not some obsessed fan," Aaron groaned rolling his eyes.

Mr.Carter opened the door slowly preparing for a female fan to shout one of his children's names in hysterics.

"Nick?"

"Hi, Dad."

"NICK!" Aaron yelled rushing to him enveloping his brother in a hug.

"Hey, AC," he sighed returning the gesture.

"What are you doing here, son?" Nick's father asked shutting the door behind them.

Kevin and Howie arranged for me to get on a red-eye flight this morning so I could be here for Leslie tomorrow. The tests are tomorrow, aren't they?" he asked ruffling his brother's hair.

"Yeah, there tomorrow morning, son. But you didn't have to fly all the way out here."

"I had the time off. Besides, the tour just wrapped up. You sound like you don't want me here, Dad."

"No, it's not that at all. I just have a lot on my mind and I didn't greet you properly," he explained grabbing his son in a hug.

"It's okay, Dad."

Mr.Carter pulled away from the embrace. "I'm going to take Leslie some food and see if I can get her to eat. Make yourself comfortable, Nick, you must be exhuasted. Get some food in you," he told him pointing to the sandwiches sitting on the counter.

"Thanks," Nick replied taking a sandwich.

"Here ya' go," Aaron said pushing a cola in his older sibling's direction as he sat down.

"Thanks, Airboy." He slapped his knee lightly. "So, are you gonna' give me the real deal about everything that's goin' on here? Or the Brady Bunch version?"

"Real deal," Aaron replied clearing his throat. "As much as I know anyway."

Nick glanced around the quiet settings. "Where is everybody?"

"Mom took Angel to the doctor."

"Angel's sick too?"

"Yeah, sore throat and fatigue."

"I didn't know that."

Aaron shrugged. "Neither did I until five minutes ago."

"How's Mom and Dad?"

"Wore out. They've been rushing me to rehearshals, keepin' an eye on Angel or trying to persuade Leslie to live a little."

Nick frowned. "How is Leslie?"

"Sick. She's been staying in her room and pushing everybody away. Dad's the only one that can get through to her."

"And you and Angel?"

"I'm not home much right now and Angel's just confused."

Nick nodded. "I think that makes sense."

Aaron sipped his soda. "So, how are you?"

"Glad to be off that damn plane, I hate flying."

"Besides that."

"I'm okay, I guess, just concerned." Nick lifted his head watching his father re-enter the kitchen with untouched plate. "No luck?"

"She wouldn't give an inch," he sighed lying down the plate.

Nick bit his lip watching his father. It wasn't the same man he had left months ago. He was thinner, tired and somewhat silent in comparsion. He stood. "Let me try, Dad."

"Nick, I'm telling you're entering the lions den once you go up there," Aaron warned.

"It's a chance I'll take," Nick responsed making Leslie a new sandwich.

******************


Nick solemly walked up-the-stairs toward his sister's bedroom. Numerous thoughts raced through his mind. I have to stay strong. I can't let Leslie see I'm scared. What will she look like? Will she even speak to me? He paused at the door leary of what to do. He knew he had to knock, but he was afraid of the outcome. He brought his hand to the door knocking three times.

"What do you want?" came the sharp reply.

Nick took a deep breath forcing the door open. "I just wanted to see you."

Leslie turned to him. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came to see you."

"You shouldn't have bothered!" she spat returning her view to the window.

Nick swallowed hard. "I brought you some food. Peanut butter and jelly. Look, I even cut off the crusts."

"I'm not hungry."

"Oh, come on, you have to eat. And you gotta' admit it looks better than that disgusting sandwich Dad brought you."

"I'm not hungry," she repeated.

Nick stood beside her taking in her appearance. Her hair lay in a limp ponytail, her beautiful blue eyes glazed and bloodshot layered beneath with dark circles and her complexion deathly pale. She had easily lost fifteen pounds and looked hopeless. He sighed. "You need to eat, you've lost a lot weight, Les."

"So? That's what my record company wanted," she hissed.

"I don't give a damn what they want, you need to eat and that's final."

"It doesn't matter now, anyway. They dropped me from the label. I'm not good enough or pretty enough to make it."

"That's ricidulous!" Nick exclaimed. "You are beautiful and talented! Anyone could see that! Don't worry I'll set up something when you're better. Would you like that?"

She remained silent resting her forehead against the cool glass of the window.

"What ya' lookin' at?" Nick asked in desperation to begin a conversation.

Her eyes remained focused on the sky. "The birds."

"Well, you always were an animal freak," Nick chuckled lightly.

"Maybe I'm suppose to be like them," she whispered.

"What? Cause you're a bird brain?" he joked.

"No, maybe I'm just suppose to be free."

"You are free, you live in America," Nick said matter-of-factly.

"Not like that," she breathed. "Maybe I'm suppose to be there and not here."

"Leslie, what on earth are talking about?"

She faced him her bottom lip quivering. "Am I gonna' die? Am I suppose to die?"

"Leslie..." Nick whispered stroking her cheek taking a seat on the bed. "I...I..." his voice broke off as he struggled with his emotions.

"I don't wanna' die!" his sister cried crawling into his lap.

Nick ran his hands through her hair as she sobbed into his shoulder. "You can't die, Leslie," he whispered tightened his grip another her. "You just can't."

Chapter 22