Part 347
Howie and Sarah went downstairs together arm in arm laughing as they heard the front door slam.
"Kevin’s back," smirked Howie.
"Oh good!" said Sarah sarcastically as they both saw him storm though the hall looking like a thundercloud. "Looks like his head is about to explode."
In the living room, Kevin asked, "Where’s Vanessa?"
"She left shortly after you did," offered Brian.
"Fuck!" snarled Kevin and he started to throw the flowers he had in his hand.
Sarah and Howie were in the doorway as Sarah asked, "’Boo’, are you okay?"
"I will be," grumbled Kevin. Looking at the flowers in his hands and then at Sarah, he said, "Here. Might as well give these to someone who’ll appreciate them."
Sarah took the flowers as she gave Kevin a small peck, "Thank you, ‘Boo’."
"Let’s get going," said Kevin. "We’re late."
The other four looked at each other knowing that it was going to be a long day with Kevin in this foul mood. They shook their heads as they followed Kevin out.
************
"Uncle Nick, you're making a mess!" Jesse giggled, watching Nick slopping pancake batter all over the counter.
"Hey, no complaints from the peanut gallery. Peanut." Nick cracked up at his own pun, and Aaron and the others just looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Peanut," he explained. "That's what I call Jesse. Peanut …." He saw their blank stares and gave up.
"Never mind. Moooommm ….." he called.
"Nick, stop it, you're worse than the children." Jane took the bowl and spoon away from him and handed him a sponge. "Here, clean up that mess. For god's sake, Nick, you're 21 years old." Clucking her tongue, she began to rummage through the fridge.
"Whatcha doin'?" Jesse asked, peering under Jane's elbow and looking right along with her.
"Looking for your blueberries."
"I have to have blueberries with my pancakes. It's my favorit-est kind, and Aunt Becca said-"
"What did Aunt Becca say?" Becca asked, joining them and handing Garrett to his Uncle Aaron.
"You said you'd get me blueberries," Jesse whined.
"Jesse, stop it. They're right here. Billy went out for them yesterday after lunch, and he even bought the kind of syrup you like. Make sure you say thank you, okay?"
"Okay. Can I help?"
"Nope, not this time. Uncle Nick and I are cooking this morning, so you go sit by Aaron and help him with Garrett."
"Becca, I can-" Jane began.
"Not this time. Besides I kinda miss this. It'll be fun, right Nick?"
He snorted. "If you say so."
"Nick, you love to cook!" Becca scolded.
"Yeah, baby," he smirked, grabbing her around the waist. "Can I cook, or can I cook?" he leered, leaning her over to suck on her neck.
"Ewww!!!" Jesse frowned.
Aaron cracked up as he watched his brother, and Kathy blushed.
"Nick, really," his mother chastised.
"Aww, I think it's cute," BJ grinned.
"Come on Carter, breakfast," Becca laughed, pushing him away.
"Fine, fine," he sighed. "Guess I'll just have to wait till tonight." He grinned at her, knowing she knew nothing about their dinner plans.
"Tonight?"
"Just have to wait and see, Bec." He was suddenly engrossed in making pancakes and whistled as he worked, ignoring any further attempts to get the information out of him.
Finally the assembled clan was seated around the huge table, and silence reigned as everyone dug into their breakfast. As could only happen in this particular gathering, the silence was broken by a small voice with an astute observation to share.
"Grandma Jane?" Jesse asked sweetly.
"Yes Jesse?"
"Your hair is the same color as Uncle AJ's."
"It is? I didn't realize."
"Uh huh. Mommy says you dye your hair, too."
The silence was deadly. Aaron opened his mouth to say something, but Kathy kicked him. Nick looked like he was about to enter the discussion, but Becca dealt with him in much the same way.
Jane was silent, watching the blueberries on her plate as if they would spontaneously take flight any moment. "Well," she managed.
"I'll tell you a secret, Jesse," BJ whispered.
"What?" she whispered back.
BJ shot a glance at Nick before spilling the beans. "Uncle Nick does, too."
"He DOES?" she asked with wide eyes.
"BJ!" Nick exclaimed as Becca began to laugh.
"Well," she giggled, "you do, Nick."
"Bec!" He tossed his napkin on the table.
"But-" Jesse began, looking back and forth from Nick to Jane, and finally settling on Nick.
"What, Jess?" Nick asked seeing Jesse's confusion.
"But you're not a freak!"
Breakfast went downhill from there. The kids all began name-calling until Jane threw them out to go play by the pool.