Chapter 11
"But I don't know how!" Nick wailed holding the thermometer in his hand.
Kevin glanced up from the stove. "Nick, how hard is it to take someone's temperature?"
"Very hard. I can't read this thing! It's the old fashioned kind! It doesn't beep or show the digital numbers."
"They're not that old. They had those when I was a kid."
"That proves they're old. And I thought you didn't get sick, Superman?"
"I don't! My mom used it on my brothers!"
Nick fidgeted. "I don't know how to take care of sick people."
"You lived in a retirement home before, Nicky."
"So? My parents took care of them-not me."
"What about your four siblings?"
"I wasn't my job to take care of them. I was a kid."
Kevin groaned flipping the blackened grilled cheese. "Just help me out, okay? Just stick the things in their mouths and I'll look at the numbers, okay?"
"That sounds dirty, Kevin!"
"Shut up, lil' man! Now, march your tiny little ass out that door and try to help me."
"And you say I cuss too much....Aren't all of them old enough to take care of themselves?"
"In a way-yes, but it's nice to take care of people when they're sick. Brian helped you last year when you had the stomach flu."
Nick shrugged. "So, can I just take care of Brian?"
"Nick, be polite."
"Why? AJ never is."
"Then, be the better person."
"But that's no fun."
"Kid, life isn't fun. Learn it know."
Nick opened the kitchen door. "I learned that lesson the day I signed the Backstreet contract."
He entered the living room filled with patients. "Kevin said I have to take your temperatures."
"Kevin, can shove those things up his ass!" AJ grumbled.
Brian nodded. "There's enough room, that's for sure."
"Guys, leave him alone. He's only trying to do what Kevin asked him to, cut him some slack," Howie said as he settled himself in his chair.
"We're grown ups, Howie, we don't need people taking care of us," AJ added.
"Oh really? You weren't complaining when Kevin was waiting on you hand and foot. You know, come to think of it AJ...You've been sick longer than the rest of us. Shouldn't you be better by now?"
AJ opened his mouth. "AHH!"
Brian chuckled. "Apparently, he likes being waited on-oof!"
Nick had placed the thermometer into Brian's mouth before he could finish speaking.
"Good thinking," Howie commented.
"Thanks, you're turn."
"My turn? Oh, no, I'm not that sick just a little cold."
Kevin joined them carrying the black sandwiches. "Howie, quit bothering Nick put the damn thing in your mouth."
"But Kev-"
Kevin shook his head. "I really expected better from you, Howie."
"Oh, fine!" Howie sighed pushing the thermometer between his lips.
"I hope you're hungry," Kevin announced passing around the sandwiches.
Nick took a seat on the floor. "Um.....I lost my appetite."
Brian removed his thremometer. "Me too."
AJ did the same. "Me three."
"Me four." Howie followed.
Kevin walked around collecting the items. "I slaved over that damn stove! Someone better eat a damn sandwich!"
AJ fidgeted as Kevin figured his temperature. "Um...my stomach still hurts. If I eat I'll puke."
"99.8," Kevin read. "Very well, AJ. Brian, let me look at yours."
"Kev, I'm not very hungry either."
"You need to eat."
"I just don't feel like it."
"Fair enough. 99.1. Better than yesterday. Howie...."
Howie stared at the black plate. "Kevin, I'll give it to you straight- you couldn't pay me enough to eat those things."
"Well, at least someone is honest. 99.6. You're off the hook. And, Nick, since you helped me you don't have to eat them either." He faced AJ and Brian. "That leaves the two of you."
AJ clutched his stomach. "Kev, you don't understand I really will throw up!"
Kevin shrugged. "Very well. Congratulations, Brian, you are the lucky winner of four grilled cheese sandwiches."
"That's not grilled cheese that's burnt cheese!"
"Tough shit. Bon apetite!"