Chapter Five

 

The next morning Nick awoke to find Angel lying beside him. "Angel, get up, sweetie."

"Hmmm..." she mumbled opening her eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

She sat up. "You seemed angry. I was afraid you'd leave today."

"I'm not leaving," he stated, "I have a lot of stuff to fix before I go."

"Like what?"

"Getting BJ out of her business world, cheering up Aaron and find out what's wrong with Leslie."

"That's a lot of work. Need some help?"

"Yes, I do. Thank you, Angel."

"You're welcome. Come on, Nick, I bet breakfast is ready."

Nick carried Angel into the kitchen. Where they found BJ hurrying about, Leslie picking at her food and Aaron half-asleep. BJ grabbed a beagel. "Bye, guys. I have to meet my agent. Then Jaime and I are going out."

"Jaime?" Nick repeated.

"My boyfriend!" BJ shouted as she shut the door.

Mrs. Carter entered and handed Aaron his jacket. "Come on, sweetie. It's time to go."

Aaron slipped on his jacket. "Bye, Nick," he yawned.

"Bye, bud," Nick replied hugging him.

Mr. Carter faced Angel. "You better get ready for school while I make you some breakfast."

Leslie set her fork down. "She can have mine. I'm not hungry."

Leslie's mother grew concerned. "Are you sick? Maybe I should stay with you."

"I'm fine," the teen said bluntly.

Nick spoke up. "I'll be here with her, Mom."

His mother smiled as she heard the kindness in his voice. "Thank you, son."

Nick found himself sitting with Leslie after the rest of the family had made their exodus. He glanced at the TV. "I never knew you watched 'The Fresh Prince.' "

"Now you know," she lifelessly replied.

"You like Will Smith?"

"Sure."

Nick fidgeted. "So, you got a boyfriend?"

"No, Jesse and I broke up," she snapped.

"I'm sorry."

Leslie stood up suddenly and ran out holding her stomach. Nick followed her rushing to maintain her pace. By the time he reached her he found her vomiting profusely in the bathroom. Sprawled out on the floor. He wiped her sweaty face with a cold rag. "Is this why you've been so upset? Because your sick?"

"Yeah," she said nervously.

Nick smoothed her hair. "Are you okay now?"

She weakly nodded.

"Wanna' go lay down?"

"Uh-huh," she barely whispered.

Nick wrapped his arms beneath her and pulled her to her feet. Leslie stumbled back against her brother. Nick braced her. "Maybe we should go to the ER."

"No," she moaned. "I'm just shaky." She breathed heavily. "Can you help me to my room?"

"Of course," Nick said holding her steady. Leslie stepped forward, but fell once again. Nick lifted her up and decided it would be best to carry her to her room.

Once they reached their destination Nick felt her forehead and took her temperature. He placed a cool cloth to her brow, gave her a quilt and a teddy bear. Then read her reading. "99.6.* You just rest. I'll take care of you."

"Thanks," Leslie muttered as she drifted off.

Nick stroked her cheek. "Thank God." He thought to himself. "She was only upset because she has the stomach flu. One sibling down. Two more to go."

 

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