"Hello," Nick stated as his mother and Aaron entered.
"Hi, Nickolas. Is Leslie's tutor here?"
"No, Leslie's sick, so I cancelled her lesson."
"Did you call the doctor?"
"Nah. I think it's just the stomach flu."
Mrs. Carter gave way to a sigh of relief. "I see. I'll go check on her. Does she have a fever?"
"A mild one. 99.6."
She faced Aaron. "Why don't you take your brother for a walk on the beach?"
Aaron looked at his mother wearily. "Do I have to?"
"It would be nice if you did, dear."
Nick smiled. "I'll tell 'ya what. I'll get you some ice cream for energy, since you're tired. Then you can guide me around the beach."
"Okay," the 12-year-old sighed.
"The beach is nice," Nick said as he sat down in the sand.
"Yup," Aaron replied nonchantly.
Nick noticed Aaron's tired eyes. "What's going on, buddy? Why are you so down in the dumps?"
"I'm sick of performing, Nick. I wanna' have fun. I'm not having any fun!"
"Have you told Mom?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to make her mad."
"She won't be mad, Aaron. Trust me."
Aaron fidgeted in the sand. "You're sure?"
"Positive." His little brother hugged him tightly as he whispered, "I hope."
"I don't have any homework and tomorrow's Saturday, and all I have in an online chat. And that's not 'til seven at night!" Aaron exclaimed.
Nick gave him a high-five. "I've got an idea. Why don't we get a pizza and rent some movies. And have 'Brothers Night'. "
"Cool! No parents?"
"No parents."
"And no girls?"
Nick chuckled. "Sure, no girls." He stood up. "Come on, let's get back to the house so the fun can begin."
Aaron took a few steps. "Hey, Nick, you know what I said about 'no girls?' "
"Yeah."
"Well, I changed my mind."
"Oh, have you got a girlfriend now, Aaron?" Nick snickered.
"Nope. I just got to thinking. Leslie can join us if she wants. Since she's sick."
Nick couldn't help but smile as he thought to himself. "Maybe, I don't have to worry about Aaron, afterall. Fame hasn't gone to his head, and love has stayed in his heart."