Chapter 3

The short ride seemed like an eternity as Lou continued to anger me with his poor choice of words regarding our careers.

"Here we are!" he announced as we came across the entrance door.

Howie undid his seatbelt. "Thank you for the ride and dinner, Lou."

"No problem." The big man glanced at Nick in the rearview mirror as the child climbed out behind me. "Now, Nick, even if you don't feel well tomorrow you still have to give one-hundred percent in the audition."

I helped Nick out of the van. "He'll give as much as he can, Lou."

Brian pulled the kid along sensing the tension between us. "Come on, Nick, let's go."

Lou shook his head. "You need to learn to bite your tongue, Richardson."

I crossed my arms. "And you need to learn to use your tongue to defend us against rude management companies and take pride in us and not yourself alone."

I walked off before he could response AJ trailing behind me.

"Man, you let Lou have it!" AJ beamed.

I shrugged meeting the others as they opened the door. "Sometimes you have to stick up for yourself."

Howie opened the door the rest of us following in behind him. He sighed. "I'm glad that team didn't sign us. It would stink to work for that lady."

"She wasn't a lady, she was a shrew," I corrected.

Brian removed his jacket. "I hate sitting in meetings like that. I hope the audition is better."

AJ began changing out of his clothes. "Me too, that chick was a bitch."

I rolled my eyes. "AJ, don't swear and secondly, can't you change in the bathroom?"

"Gheesh, dude, I'm not stripping. I'm sleepin' in my boxers and undershirt. Howie does the same damn thing."

Howie unbuttoned his top. "Don't bring me into this, kid."

I glanced at Nick who had curled up on the bed nearly asleep still shivering beneath my coat. "Nick, get up a second you can't sleep in those clothes and you need to take some more medicine."

He groaned. "You sound like my mom."

"Well, unlike your mom I won't baby you, so do as I say."

"Do as I say?" Brian repeated chuckling. "Kev, what guy your age talks like that?"

A guy who's trapped with children in a hotel......

I rolled my eyes. "Work with me, Nick."

"He does work with you," AJ stated flipping on the television, "you're in the same group."

"Ha ha, smartass."

Howie frowned. "Should we really swear infront of Nicky?"

AJ shrugged. "What the hell does it matter? He'll be swearing like a sailor by the time he's fifteen anyway."

"I don't swear like a sailor," Brian said simply as he pulled a Kentucky sweatshirt over his bare chest leaving on his boxers.

"Brian, you don't count," AJ decided as he attempted to find something to watch.

I glanced at AJ as I slipped off my jeans. "Shouldn't you be going to bed?"

He groaned glancing at the clock. "It's only nine-thirty, Kev."

I unbuttoned my top. "Fine, you have one hour. Lights out at ten-thirty, tomorrow's important."

Howie sighed as he joined AJ. "You sound like Lou."

I grimaced. "My sincere apolgizes, Howie."

I unbuttoned my top leaving on my undershirt just as Howie and AJ had while studying Nick. I sighed. "Come on, Nick."

Brian nudged him gently. "Get up just a sec, bud, you can go back to bed and get warm in just a few minutes."

Nick groaned pulling himself up. "I don't feel good."

"I know you don't," Brian sympathized, "maybe you'll feel better in the morning."

"Yeah, because Lou will have a shit fit if you don't," AJ bluntly commented.

Brian shrugged. "It's not his fault."

I nodded. "He's had a rough day if we bring up Lou at this time of night he might have nightmares."

Howie fought a smirk. "He acts like he's the soul of the group. I'd like to see him dance."

AJ paled. "I'd paid NOT to see him dance."

I grinned. Maybe these guys weren't so bad. We all seemed to share a bond of 'Pearlman bashing.'

Nick handed me my coat. "Thank you."

"No prob." I felt his forehead as he fought to push me away. "Hold still," I demanded. "I want to take your temperature."

He groaned as he changed into a baggy sweatshirt. "I hate thremometers."

Brian laughed. "Most people do."

Nick finished changing into his pajamas. "They make me gag."

I rolled my eyes. "You'll have to gag for a few minutes, then it'll be over."

He crawled under the covers beside Brian. "Can't I just take the medicine and go to sleep?"

"I want to know the numbers," I stated handing Brian the thremometer. "Take his temp." I shook my finger at Nick. "And don't bite him!"

Brian brust into laughter. "He bit you?"

"He tried."

Brian slid the thremometer under Nick's tongue without any hassle-showoff.

I glanced at television to the Looney Tunes characters still graced the screen. Didn't Elmer Fudd ever get the idea he'd never catch that damn bunny?

Nick began lightly coughing.

Brian faced me. "Can I take it out now?"

I nodded. "What is it?"

He sighed. "100.6."

"Good grief."

Howie frowned. "Should he be performing?"

Nick stifled a cough. "It's not that bad. I'm fine, I just don't feel so good right now."

"Take some more pills," I ordered.

Brian handed the medicine and a drink to teen making sure he swallowed properly.

I laid down on my cot. "Nick, if you're not better by tomorrow I'm calling and asking your mom if she wants someone to take you to the doctor."

Nick moaned clutching the new dog I had given him. "I don't want to see a doctor."

AJ turned to him. "Get better, doofus, and you won't have to." He paused as he began to laugh. "What the hell is that?"

Nick frowned. "What's what?"

"That ugly thing in your arms?"

"It's not ugly!" Nick yelled hugging the dog tightly.

"You still sleep with a stuffed animal?" AJ mocked.

I raised an eyebrow. "That's enough, AJ."

"Kevin, that thing is ugly as hell!"

Nick's jaw clenched. "At least I don't still need my damn baby blanket!"

Brian shot the child a look. "Don't swear."

AJ began breathing heavily. "Don't make a crack about my blanket! And it's not a 'baby blanket' it's just an um....regular blanket! Better than your stupid bear!"

"It's a dog!" I snapped.

Howie looked at me oddly. "Why are you so defensive?"

I shrugged. "I just don't think AJ should pick on Nick so much."

"Kev, you always pick on Nick. Aren't you being a hypocrite?" Brian said.

So much for family sticking together........

AJ attempted to grab the toy from Nick. "Let me see it."

Nick kicked at him. "No, it's mine!"

"Aw, the wittle baby can't part with his doggie?" AJ sang.

"It's all I have now!" Nick suddenly wailed clutching the toy as he buried his head into Brian's chest.

AJ rolled his eyes. "And now he's going to cry like a toddler over some damn dog toy."

"That's enough!" I yelled.

Howie winced. "What has gotten into you guys?"

I sighed keeping an eye on Nick as Brian continued to console him. "Do you guys remember Sabbath?"

"Black Sabbath? The band?" Howie asked.

"No, um...."

"Nick's dog? The black one?" Brian finished.

I nodded. "Yeah. Well, Sabbath uh...he was very sick when Nick left to come with us, and when Nicky called home today....He got some bad news." I couldn't bring myself to say that the dog had 'died'. The word was too painful for me, and I had no desire to make Nick hear it again.

Brian tightened his grip around the blonde. "I'm so sorry, Nick. Really I am."

Howie sighed. "Yeah, it's tough to lose a pet."

AJ ran a hand through his messy hair attempting to make nice with the youth. "Um..I'm sorry, Nick. Are you gonna' be okay?"

Nick kept his face in my cousin's shirt. "I don't feel good and I don't want to talk about it."

I cleared my throat. "You don't have to, just get some sleep. Things will look better in the morning."

Nick continued to shiver in Brian's arms. My cousin rubbed his back. "You still cold, bud?"

He nodded refusing to speak.

Brian pulled some of the covers away from himself. "Here, you can have some more of the blankets."

"You don't have to do that," I said glancing at AJ. "AJ, I think it would only be fair if you let Nick borrow your blanket."

"But Kev-"

"Do it."

He tossed the old blanket at the blonde. "Don't drool on it!"

**************************************

"Come on, Nick, wake up" I begged shaking him lightly, "we have to audition in an hour and we still have to warm up."

"Mmmmm...." he groaned.

AJ groaned. "Why don't you just throw water on him?"

"AJ!" Brian hissed. "Be nice the kid's been sick."

Howie smiled. "Besides, AJ, it would get your precious blankie wet."

"Bite the bullet," AJ snorted flipping on the television.

Brian joined me in the fight to wake Nick. "Come on, buddy, you gotta' get up!"

Nick set up slowly grimacing. "Okay, I'm up."

I frowned. "You okay?"

He stretched. "I'm sore."

Brian ruffled his hair. "Go get dressed and I'll get you some breakfast maybe that'll help."

AJ clutched his blanket as Nick walked into the bathroom. He observed the ragged material carefully.

Howie rolled his eyes. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure he didn't drool on it!"

Brian combed his hair. "Do you think Lou will get mad at us if we don't signed this time? He wasn't exactly pleasant last night 'ya know."

"I don't see how he could get mad at us, it's not our fault as long as we try our best," Howie commented passing me the poptart box.

Of course, they had to get smores poptarts. It was like eating colored cardboard topped with molding marshmellows.

I grimaced. "Um, I'll eat later."

AJ munched happily on the disgusting poptart. "I hope this group signs us today."

I tied my shoelaces. "I hope they sign us if they're worth working for."

Howie nodded. "I agree with Kevin."

Brian yawned. "I agree with Nick- let's go back to bed."

I had to smile, the idea was tempting.

Nick returned changed into our tacky vests and slacks.

Brian handed him a poptart. "Here's some breakfast."

"What kind?" he asked.

"Smores."

Nick handed it back. "No thanks."

Who knew? The kid did have taste. "How are you feeling?"

He slipped on his shoes. "I'll be okay."

"You still didn't answer the question."

He fought coughing. "I feel all right."

I stood placing my head on his brow. "Call your mom and tell her what's going on."

My thoughts were distracted as I heard a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," Howie offered.

"Howdy, boys!"

I cringed- I hated the sound of that voice.

Brian attempted to smile. "Hello, Lou."

The obese man smiled. "Let's hit the road! Today could be the day we've been waiting for!"

"We've?" I repeated.

Howie sighed. "Go with the flow."

Easier said than done when 'the flow' around here was the equilevent of a hurricane wave.

***********************************

"Come on, Nick!" Brian encouraged rubbing his shoulder. "Only one more song to go and the audition is over."

Nick had his head between his knees sweat pouring from his trembling body. "I'll be fine. I just need some water please."

Howie slipped a water bottle into his hand. "This is scaring me, he doesn't look so good."

I nodded patting Nick's knee. "Nick, do you want to go to a doctor when this is over?"

He shrugged. "I'm okay."

AJ sighed peaking out from behind the curtain. "Guys we gotta' go back on!"

We all ran back on singing our finally tune. I kept a steady eye on Nick as I sang.

'Tell me that I'm dreaming........'

AJ came forward belting his verse. Anything Nick was lacking in the performance AJ was more than making up for.

However, if I hadn't have seen the kid backstage I wouldn't have known he was sick. Nice to know he had acting as a fallback if the group fell through.

'You and me girl we were meant to be.....Together forever in harmony'

Finally, the song came to an end and we exited the stage.

Nick sat down holding his stomach.

"Nick?" Brian whispered softly kneeling beside him. "You okay?"

"You want some more water?" Howie offered.

Nick shook with head.

AJ fidgeted looking at me nervously. "Is he okay, Kev? He looks like a freakin' ghost."

Who knew.....the rebel had a soft side. "Relax, AJ."

Suddenly, Nick stood bolting away from us.

"Nick?!" Brian called running after him into the small bathroom.

Howie paled. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

Brian re-appeared quickly. "I've got some bad news."

"How bad?" AJ wondered.

"Let's just say I can't stay with him it's making me a little queasy."

"I'll go sit with him," I stated. I faced Howie. "Can you go sit in with Lou and the management team?  Make sure Lou isn't getting us some shitty deal that gives him more than us."

"Geesh, Kev, I'm not very good at being defensive..." Howie stammered.

I sighed. "Howie, you're a smart guy! Hell, you're in college- you'll be better than me at handling this."

"You're smart," he debated.

AJ smiled volunteering. "Hey! I could tell that mofo what's what!"

I groaned walking off to the small bathroom. "Brian, do me a favor and restrain AJ while Howie listens to the business deal...."

Figures, Brian is Nick's best bud; but when it comes to vomit send good ol' Kevin in to do the dirty work- literally.

I found Nick lying on the floor still vomiting in one of the stalls. "Nick, you okay, kid?"

He pulled away as he finished. "I don't feel so good and I don't understand what happened. My stomach wasn't hurting before..."

I grimaced flushing the toilet. "Well, you had been coughing and had a fever- the performing probably caused you vomit up phlem."

"Phlem?"

"Nasty sinus infection shit."

"Oh."

I rubbed his back. "You wanna' get out of the stall?"

I was hoping he said 'yes' the smell was quite revaulting.

He nodded. "Yeah."

I lifted him to his feet guiding him to the sink. I frowned gazing at his flushed, sweaty face. "You're going to a doctor and that's final."

He groaned. "I wish I was back home."

I wet a paper towel handing it to him. "Wipe your face off and you can call your mom as soon as we get some things worked out."

Nick wiped his face coughing roughly. He gazed up at me sadly. "Kev, please don't make me perform or go through interviews trying to get signed anymore today...please."

I stroked his damp hair. "I'll try my best." I felt his forehead. "I don't know what to do here, Nick."

He shrugged. "Not your fault."

I wrapped an arm around him. "Let's get you out of here."

Nick leaned against me as I guided him into the hallway meeting up with the other guys.

Howie reached out to Nick taking him in his arms. "Is he okay?"

"He's going to the doctor. I don't care what Lou says." I cleared my throat. "How'd the meeting go? It must have been short."

Howie wrapped Nick's shivering form in his jacket. "We're not signing with them. They wouldn't give Lou enough money."

I raised an eyebrow. "He finally helped us?"

"Uh...not really. They were offering 'us' plenty just not even for his personal wallet. So, now he wants us to meet the Wrights or something in Florida."

"Oh, I see."

AJ shoved his fists in his pockets. "What happens with the kid? He looks like he's gonna' fall over."

I glanced at Howie supporting Nick. "I'm getting Lou-"

"Well, boys!"

Speak of the devil.....

"Mr.Pearlman, Nick needs a doctor," Brian said softly.

Lou chuckled. "Aw, it's just a little cold. He put on an 'ok' show."

AJ shot daggers at him. "He did just fine in my opinion."

Howie nodded. "I agree."

"Lou, you're in charge of taking for Nick and AJ while we're on the road."

"Not so fast, Richardson. Anyone twenty-one or over is in charge of their well-being."

"I don't need anyone takin' care of me," AJ snapped.

"Regardless, Lou, Nick needs a doctor. He was vomiting up phlem and running a fever, he probably needs a prescription."

"All right, we have four hours before we start heading back to Florida- you take him."

"Me? And just how am I suppose to pay for that?! I spent all the money I had yesterday taking care of the kid."

Lou shrugged his huge sagging shoulders. "That's his problem then isn't it?"

"You can't deny a child medical treatment!" Brian hissed. "If anything happened to him YOU would be accountable in a court of law! His parents could sue your ass and I'd hope to God they'd win!"

I was shocked. I had never seen my cousin throw an outburst. Then again, the subject hit close to home. Too close.

I crossed my arms. "According to entertainment laws any performer under 18 should always have a guardian near- that would be you for now fiancially."

Lou tossed some cash at me. "Fine, take him. The rest of you get in the van," he huffed.

Brian turned to me. "I wanna' go too."

I glared at Lou. "I'm in a foreign state on my own. You better throw in some more for a cab, food and prescription. I'm not trapsing around New York with a sick kid not knowing where the hell I am. And I need his medical records you have to pack by law."

He tossed another wad of money at me along with Nick's medical record. "Be back at the hotel within four hours or we're leaving without you."

I shoved the money into my wallet. "Go ahead. I still have my car we'd all end up in Florida eventually anyway. So, you can't actually threaten us."

AJ glared at the big man. "Hey, Lou?"

"Yeah?"

"You said you think of us as your 'sons' right?"

"Sure do."

"Well, why would you try to with hold medical care from your 'son'?"

AJ had said the word 'son' so bitterly. His tone was almost hateful as if there were more behind it.

Nick tugged on my sleeve. "Can we go now?"

I nodded pulling him along at my side. "Sure. Give Howie back his jacket."

Howie shook his head walking off. "No, let him keep it. I'll get it later."

I sent him a thankful look. "Okay, guys let's find a cab driver willing to help us."

*************************************

"I'm glad we had a nice cab driver that helped us get around," Brian commented as we entered the crowded medical clinic.

I nodded. "I didn't even know they existed..."

Nick yawned. "We got lucky it was a chick. Girls are always nice when sick kids are involved."

I smiled. "Good point."

"How may I help you?" the receptionist asked in a Spanish accent bluntly but politely.

"My um...friend needs to be seen," I said gesturing to Nick.

She raised an eyebrow. "Relation?"

I sighed. "We're in a group. I can act as a guardian when we tour."

She shook her head. I couldn't blame her the circumstances were a bit confusing. "Could you please just show me some document?"

I handed her the medical records listing the that I qualified as a guardian for the time being and proof of identification.

She scanned over it. "Okay, this will do, thank you." She faced Nick. "What's wrong, honey?"

"I've been coughing, having bad headaches and my throat is sore."

"Any fever?"

Nick looked up at me.

"Yes, he's been running a fever since yesterday afternoon and today he started vomiting up phlem I believe."

Nick cringed in remembrance.

She turned to me. "How will you be paying?"

"Cash."

"Very well. Just take a seat and you'll be called back in about an hour."

"An hour?" Brian repeated his jaw dropping as we took the last three available seats in back.

I shrugged. "At least he's getting medical attention."

Nick groaned looked around the small and crowded waiting room of unfriendly faces. "I don't like it here," he whispered.

"Me either," Brian agreed.

I rolled my eyes. "Some help you are. Most of the people here are sick do you expect them to be jolly?"

Brian smiled innocently. "I was just stating the truth- I don't like clinics."

He paused as the man sitting beside him coughed roughly without covering his mouth. Brian spoke softly. "If you're not sick when you get here-you will be by the time you leave."

Nick fidgeted. "My head is pounding..."

I sighed feeling his forehead upset at how much warmer he felt. "It's going to be a long wait. Why don't you take a little nap or just doze?"

"I guess," he yawned burying himself deeper to Howie's jacket which swallowed his small body.

I glanced at Brian who appeared nervous being around so many sick people. "Bri, if you're so uncomfortable why did you come here? To get away from Lou?"

"Kinda'. Actually, I wanted to be with you."

"Ah," I said softly, "you didn't think I could take care of Nick with my temper?"

He shook his head. "No, I really did want to be with you. Sometimes, when it's just you and me I almost feel like I'm at home."

"Oh, you do?" I said quietly twiddling my thumbs.

"Of course, Kev. Heck, if for no other reason just to hear someone that talks like me."

I raised my hands. "Hold up, I don't have as much of an accent as you do. Heeeeey, ya'aIllll, how 'ya alllll doin'?" I mimicked.

He chuckled. "Okay, I have more of an accent. But at least I don't talk as slooooow as you do."

"For someone who 'wanted' to see me, you're not very friendly to your dear ol' cousin Kev."

He shrugged. "The truth can hurt."

I heard Nick's raspy breathing as I watched his chest rise gently up and down. "Looks like he fell asleep," I commented.

My cousin nodded. "Yep. Sleep might be the best thing for him right now." He smiled. "Better than him staying awake- you two seem to get along better when he's asleep."

"I guess." I rubbed my hands together attempting to warm my skin. I glanced up at him. "So, how are you?"

"How am I?"

"Well, yeah," I glanced back at Nick to make sure he was still sleeping. I spoke softly. "How are you-healthwise?"

He frowned. "Oh, you mean my heart?" He paled saying the simple words.

"Brian? What's wrong? Are you sick?!"

He chuckled. "Oh, no, nothing like that. I had a checkup at cardiology unit at Kentucky University awhile few months back and everything was as well as it could be. I just don't talk about it much."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, it's okay," he assured me. "It's fine to talk about it with you, but I don't want the others to know. Not right now anyway. I'm afraid they might treat me differently."

"I doubt that, Bri."

"Still.....could we keep it quiet for awhile? Kinda' like when you're um Dad-"

"Yeah, that's fine," I interjected.

He studied me. "You're still not over it, are you?"

"Of course, I'm not Brian. He died nine months ago...You can't get over losing someone you loved so much in that time frame. You can move on, but you never get over it."

He sighed. "I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't very helpful to you when it happened, was I?"

"You were seventeen-years-old, there wasn't a whole lot you could do."

"Not like Harold..."

I shrugged. "We were always closer, and the same age."

Brian looked up at me sadly. "Why did you call me to be in this group?"

"Why? You have one hell of a voice and you're a nice kid, that's why."

"Why didn't you ask my older brother?"

I rolled my eyes. "Because I asked you. I thought you'd do a great job and you do- end of story."

"Okay." He cleared his throat. "Do you miss it?"

"Miss what?"

"Kentucky. Your mom, your brothers- everyone back home."

I nodded. "Of course I do. But I've had a good exprience in Florida. I have a girl I care for back there."

Brian shrugged. "Can't say the same."

I smiled. "You will someday, I promise."

"I know, but sometimes I just wish I was back in school. With my friends, at my chruch playing basketball going to dances stuff like that. I just feel like it was ripped away from me and I didn't realize how nice to it was until now."

I tried smiled. "Hey, at least you're not at Long John Silver's now. You don't smell like fish anymore."

"True- but Missy always loved when I did."

"Missy? That damn tempermental cat of yours'? That ball of fluff is a little hellion."

He rolled his eyes. "She's nice to people who are nice to her."

"I was nice to the furry thing!" I debated.

"Oooooh, yeah, real nice, Kev. Whenever you wanted to pet her you'd say 'hey, c'mere furball!"

"So, what? She is a furball."

Brian sighed. "Maybe she was a little tempermental, but I loved her." He paused facing me. "Hey, Kev?"

"What?"

"I've been thinking..."

"This should be good," I groaned grabbing a magazine to distract myself.

He continued. "Well, I thought maybe getting a cat would help with my homesickness."

I cocked an eyebrow. "A cat?"

"Yeah! I thought since you, me and Howie share an apartment in Florida...Maybe it would help all of us! I had a cat and you and Howie had a cat once....It would help all of us!"

"Brian, we are not getting a cat."

"What if Howie said it was okay?"

"No."

"A dog?"

"No."

"A bird?"

"Hell no."

"A hamster?"

"They look like rats!" I snapped.

"They do not!"

"Yes, they do, Bri!" I lowered my voice as I saw Nick stirring. "Don't wake up the kid."

The eighteen-year-old crossed his arms. "I won't." He smiled at me sheepishly. "A goldfish?"

"I HATE FISH!"

"Okay, okay....I've got it!"

I gripped the magazine fighting to remain calm. "What?"

"A turtle!"

"A turtle?" I repeated.

"Yeah, they don't make a big mess. Heck, you were a turtle, Kev!"

I flipped through the pages. "I beg your pardon?"

"You were a turtle- a Ninja Turtle. You worked as one at Disney World."

I took a deep breath. "Brian, if you promise to never ever bring up the fact that I had to be a Ninja Turtle....And if it's okay with Howie.... You can have a damn turtle."

"Thanks!"

"Stupid green things in a shell that snap!" I grumbled.

"See?" he grinned. "You DO have a lot in common with turtles! You have green eyes, you wore a shell at work and you snap all the time!"

I stared up at him. "Ya' know the similarity between you and Nick is really frightening."

"Some things are more frightening."

I looked at him dumbly. "Such as?"

He smiled smugly pointing down at my magazine. "You're reading 'Women's Health: The Menopause Issue'."

I glanced down to see a wrinkled old woman in a bra gracing the page. "Gross!" I gasped tossing it back down.

Brian laughed at me grabbing an issue of People Magazine.

An odd silence came over us. I suppose he was thinking of a name for his turtle....

He looked up at me suddenly. "Do you like the group?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"Well, Kev, you don't seem very happy. I was just asking."

I bit my lip. "Do I give off that impression?"

"You don't seem to like us, the four of us that is: me, Howie, AJ and Nick. It's almost like you're too good for us."

"I don't think that!" I immediately replied. "It's just hard to relate to you guys, that's all. And if I didn't care would I have taken care of Nick?"

Brian shrugged. "Taking care of someone and liking someone are two different things, cuz. You're too mature to let a sick kid go unattended- regardless of who they are." He scratched his head. "Maybe that's your problem. Perhaps, you're too mature to see the positive that the rest of us see. You're too busy looking at a business deal or choreography to notice."

I massaged my forehead. "What are you Littrell? Are a singer or a therapist?"

"If I say therapist would you pay me for my services?"

"No."

"In that case, I'm a singer."

I stroked Nick's hair. "Are you happy, Bri?"

"Singing makes me happy and I like the guys. Once I get used to travel and getting those awful flying planes I'll be okay. I just get homesick from time to time."

I patted his knee. "Well, we could try to spend more time together. Ya' know doing things we might do back home." I paused suddenly feeling mushy. "Well, if you want..I mean we don't have to. I just don't want you to feel...to feel-"

"As unhappy as you do sometimes?" Brian offered.

I nodded. "Something like that."

"NICKOLAS CARTER!" the nurse shouted.

Brian fidgeted. "You want me to go back with him?"

I shook my head. "No, I"ll go. You just stay here and start making a list of things the turtle will need. It'll help you win Howie over."

"You just don't want to be left alone with the sick people," he scoffed.

"Damn straight." I stood leaning over Nick. "Nick....Nick...." I ruffled his hair. "Come on, get up it's time to see the doctor now."

He gazed up at me groggily. "Huh?"

"The doctor," I repeated. "It's time to see the doctor."

"Why?"

"Because you're sick."

"I am?" he asked drifting back.

"Oh, no ya' don't," I sighed pulling him up. "Come on."

He leaned against me heavily. "Okay."

The tall Africian-American nurse smiled down at him as she escorted us through the door. "Hi, Nickolas, I'm your nurse Anika. Could please just step up on the scale for me?"

Nick stepped onto the scale slowly struggling to open his eyes. "Okay."

"You'll need to take off your jacket."

The blonde lazily pulled his arms through the sleeves handing me Howie's coat.

The nurse adjusted the settings staring at the low reading in shock. "That can't be right..." She threw her black hair over her shoulder glaring at me. "Don't you ever feed this poor child?"

"Of course," I answered. Well, I fed him whatever the hog known as Lou didn't shove into his trap hole.

Nick yawned. "Can I get off the thing now?"

She nodded. "Yes, Nickolas. Now, just have a seat in the chair beside the scale."

Nick slumped into the chair as she slid a thremometer under his tongue. "Don't say anything, honey."

I tried giving him a reassuring smile. Apparently, when a 13-year-old is ill, far away from home and has a thremometer shoved in their mouth....The reassuring 'older brother' only gets a glare back in return.

The nurse removed the thremometer as a loud beep sounded. "Hmm..." she hummed, "101.2."

I felt his forehead immediately. "You poor kid."

The employee finished filling out Nick's chart glancing up at me. "Just take him to the room at the end of the hall to the left. Dr.Yentelli will be with you shortly."

I wrapped my free arm around Nick's shoulder carrying the coat in my other. "Let's go."

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