Chapter 9
"Yes, Johnny, I'm listening!" Kevin growled into the phone. "Another four days? Oh, because Donna has it, too. I see." He paused. "Isn't kind of funny you or wife get sick and everything stops! But if it's one of us things keep on going!" He grasped the phone cord tightly. "No, I will not calm down! I am going off two hours of sleep because I was up all night with AJ and Brian!"
Howie took the phone. "Calm down, Kev. Go cool off!" He placed the phone to his ear. "Yes, Johnny, it's Howie.....Yes, we do realize this is one of our only breaks this year......Yes, we realize this will never happen again and not to get use to it. We know trust me......No, we are not enjoying it! Kevin's taking care of AJ and Brian while I tutor Nick!" He sighed. "Yes, two radio interviews today and keep practicing. Goodbye, Johnny."
Kevin sipped his water. "How you can be polite to that hog I'll never know!"
Nick looked up from his text. "I thought Lou was the hog? Johnny's just a rat."
Kevin chuckled. "You know, sometimes, you're damn funny, kid."
"Morning," Brian whispered taking a seat on the couch.
"Morning?" Howie repeated. "Brian, it's noon."
He shrugged. "Close enough."
Kevin handed him a cup of tea. "Is AJ still asleep?"
"Yeah. Out like a light."
He placed his hand to Brian's brow. "You're fever much lower, thank God."
"Yeah, I'm just drained."
Kevin yawned. "I know how you feel. But I'm glad AJ finally fell asleep."
"Yeah, you were up with AJ all night....And you still didn't let me sleep on the couch!" Nick exclaimed.
"Relax, Nicky," Howie said giving his stomach a light pat.
"Ow!" Nick whispered pulling away.
Howie frowned. "I'm sorry. Do you have a stomach ache?"
"No, Kevin and AJ stepped on me last night. And AJ came back for seconds," he explained lifting up his shirt.
"Good grief," Brian sighed staring at the bruising on his pale stomach.
"Kevin, did you guys stomp on him?"
Kevin rolled his eyes. "We didn't mean to hurt him!"
Brian crossed his arms. "You could've at least let the kid have the couch after that."
"Kevin, how many hours of sleep did you say you got?" Howie pondered.
"Two," he mumbled.
Howie nodded. "Why don't you got take the extra bed by AJ and get some sleep? I can keep an eye on things."
"Why would I do that?"
"Because you're acting like Oscar the Grouch?" Nick suggested.
"I am not!" Kevin argued.
"Kevin....." Howie spoke gently as if he speaking a small child. "Why don't you be a big boy and go take a nap?"
"Howie, I am not a child!"
Howie placed his hand on his hip. "Then, stop acting like one!"
"Fine!" he answered stomping toward the bedroom.
Nick frowned. "Howie, my tummy just hurts too much to do my homework..."
"NICK, DO YOUR DAMN HOMEWORK!" Kevin shouted before he slammed the door.