Ch. 3

"Come on, you guys," Kevin Richardson ordered to the younger men behind him as they walked down the vacant streets in the early morning light.

"Why are we up so early?" Nick yawned looking up at Brian. "What time is it? Seven?"

The teenager rubbed his sleepy eyes. "Six. Kevin opens the diner and starts preparing everything so he can start serving food at 7:00."

"You help him?"

"When he makes me." He shivered in the cold pulling his jacket tighter around his small form. "You might get to meet Kit today. Sometimes, she comes over from The Jazz Note when she's all done and the men go back home to sleep off their hangovers. That's why Kev is in such a hurry."

"Sounds great," Nick said sarcastically. He came to a stop as Kevin opened the diner's doors allowing them inside.

Kevin flipped on the lights. "Would you guys mind setting down all the chairs for me? And I'll go get you something to eat."

"No problem," Brian replied hanging up his coat.

Nick began lifting down the chairs following Brian's lead. "You got school today?"

Brian nodded. "Yep, it's Thrusday."

"You like it?"

He wrinkled his nose. "No way. Well, gym class is okay and so is choir. You don't have to study for those." Brian cleared his throat. "Do you ever miss school, Nick? Miss having a normal life?"

"Hell, my life was never was normal," Nick grumbled. "But I miss havin' a home. I like your home. And Howie and AJ, and even Kevin. You guys are a cool family."

Brian sat down at the counter after finishing his duties. "What do you mean, kid?"

"You guys are a family, and I guess this Kit girl you've mentioned and her sister are a part of your family, too. You all watch out for each other, help each other out. Isn't that what families are suppose to do?"

"Yeah Nick, that's what families are suppose to do. I just never thought of that way," Brian said slowly surprised at how much he was learning from the young man.

"I had a question," Nick said as he swayed back and forth in his seat.

"Shoot."

"Why are you guys always on a schedule? You almost got every minute of your day planned out."

"Well," Brian began shrugging his shoulders, "if you have your day all planned out you don't end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Because if you did you could really pay the price for it."

"Oh. I wouldn't know what that's like. I just gotta' go day to day hoping to make it through." The blonde paused squinting as he stared through the diner's window. "Who's that?" he pondered pointing in the direction.

Brian looked over his shoulder. "That would be Kit." He cleared with throat shouting. "Hey, Kevin!"

"Did you say something?" his cousin asked as he stepped into the dining area carrying a small breakfast for the two young men.

"Kit's coming."

"Oh," Kevin blushed quickly untying his apron. He ran his fingers through his hair. "You guys just eat your toast. Nick, if your thristy I'm sure Brian would be happy to get you some water or something."

Brian swallowed. "But I'm eating-" he cut himself off watching Kevin hurry to the door. He shook his head. "He's got it bad."

"What?" Nick asked lifting up his head. "What's he got? An STD?"

"No!" Brian exclaimed with a roll of his eyes. "He's got the love bug and it bit him bad."

Nick spun around in his seat listening to the bell hanging above the door ring as the young woman entered. "Wow," he muttered. "She's pretty."

"Uh huh," Brian said distractedly taking more interest in his meal.

"Hi, Kit," Kevin greeting politely taking her coat. "How was the gig?"

She shrugged handing him the item of clothing. "Same as always. Singing to a bunch of drunken assholes that would rather me listening to me moan and strip than sing."

Nick chuckled. "She's cool."

"They treat you okay?" Kevin asked protectively glancing at her arms and face. "None of them touched you, right?"

The redhead smiled looking up at him. "No, Kevin, no one hurt me. But thank you for being considerate."

"You..uh...want anything?" he stammered.

"Would it be all right if I had a glass of water?"

"Sure," he answered. "I'll go get it for you myself."

Kit grinned as she looked toward the counter making her way over. "And who might this handsome blonde be?"

"That's Nick," Kevin answered as he stepped back into the kitchen.

"Hi, Nick," she greeted. "I'm Kit O'Day."

Nick's eyes widened looking at her. "Hi."

The nineteen-year-old stood at 5'5 but appeared taller in her black high heels, her figure was covered by a black velvet dress and her long wavy auburn-colored locks hung loosely at her waist.

"You're pretty!" he said abruptly his cheeks turn a bright crimson.

Kit laughed. "Well, thank you, Nick. You're pretty handsome yourself."

"Thanks," he whispered noticing her dark eyes sparkled when she laughed.

She sat down beside him. "So, are you new around here, Nick?"

"I kinda' stumbled into town last night and met Brian," he told her honestly feeling comfortable in her presence. "I was um.. lookin' for a place to stay."

"Nick's an orphan and he ran away-" Brian began stopping when Kit lifted her hand.

"So, Nick's a nomad, Brian?"

Brian nodded preferring her definition. "Yeah, he's a nomad."

The blonde wrinkled his nose. "What's a nomad?"

"It's a person that travels from place to place. A person that travels vast areas taking in all kinds of sights. Nomads are very adventurous, cultural and intriguing people, Nick."

Nick beamed. "Yeah! That's me! I'm a nomad."

"Here, Kit," Kevin whispered returning to the counter with her water.

"Thanks, Kev." She glanced at the newest arrival to the group. "Brian was just telling me a little about Nick."

"Oh," Kevin sighed. "Well, Nick needed a place to crash last night. And with the rain and everything he just stayed with us."

"That was very considerate," Kit praised him. "I'm glad you let your overprotective sense of caution slide for one night to allow Nick into your home."

He cleared his throat. "Well, it wasjust for one night."

"One night?" she repeated.

"Yeah, one night," Kevin Richardson clarified.

Kit crossed her arms. "Brian, my sister was talking to me about a project for your science class. She made this huge model of the solar system, and I just don't know how Patti is going to be able to pack that heavy thing to school all by herself. So, I thought perhaps you could go help her? I mean, since you're already up and wouldn't be late for school if you stopped by this morning."

Brian stood quickly pushing his breakfast aside. "Sure, I could do that! I mean...um so Patti doesn't hurt herself or anything."

Kit nodded. "Of course. I'm sure she'd be very appreciative."

The teenager turned to his cousin. "Can I?"

"May I?"

Brian groaned correcting his grammar. "May I?"

"Go ahead."

"Thanks!" the blue-eyed teen shouted running out the door.

Nick glanced at Brian's unfinished meal. "Could I finish that?"

Kevin grimaced. "Nick, he already bit off it."

Kit pushed the plate in the child's direction. "Go ahead, honey." She smiled watching him eye the pin ball machine in the corner. "Here," she said reaching into her purse retrieving a few quarters. "Why don't you go finish eating and play some pin ball?"

"Thanks!" Nick shouted rushing over.

Kevin sighed facing her. "You didn't have to do that, Kit."

She sipped her water. "It's just a couple of quarters. Besides, tips were decent last night. I can spare a dollar's worth of quarters and it makes him happy. Seems like the kid could use some happiness from the looks of it."

"That's true," he answered unable to argue with her statement.

"Why can Nick only stay one night?" she asked.

Kevin stared down at the counter. "Kit, I would love to be able to put him into a good home, really I would. But I just can't. Besides, I could probably get arrested for kidnapping."

The singer threw her long tresses over her shoulder. "How could it be kidnapping? It's not as if you're taking him from anyone that wants him."

"I can't afford to chance it. It's hard enough having Brian with me."

"But what happens to Nick if you don't take him in?"

"I dunno. That's for the police to decide when I call them."

"What? Kevin, you can't."

"What am I suppose to do?"

Kit shook her head. "If that little boy goes into foster care he'll only run away again. And next time he may not stumble into someone as kind as Brian."

"I know, Kit, but I just can't take some strange kid into my home."

She tilted her head. "You let AJ stay there from time to time."

"That's different. And don't go trying to talk me into this."

"Fine." She said standing. "Then, Nick will stay with me. He can take the couch."

"Absolutely not!" Kevin dictated. "I am not allowing you to take in some street rat."

"He isn't 'some street rat'. He's a little boy. What is he? Eleven-years-old?"

"He's thirteen," Kevin stated. "That's old enough to cause chaos."

"Oh please," she replied with a roll of her eyes. "Thirteen is still a kid."

"And a perfect age to start a criminal record," Kevin growled. "Last week a kid tried to rob Tony that was that age!"

"But that kid wasn't Nick," Kit told him continuing the debate.

"He's lived a life on the street and had his family split up in adoption and foster homes, Kit. That's not the best the making for an innocent thirteen-year-old."

"Who says he's innocent? I didn't expect him to naive. Could you really blame him for running, Kev?" She paused looking up at him. "And you know in your heart that it could have almost been any one of us in that same situation if it wasn't for luck. This town is nicknamed 'Orphan City' for a reason. What if Brian didn't have you? He could be in the same ordeal."

Kevin's tone softened. "To be honest I'm scared to open our home as little as it is to him. With Brian I don't really need to try to raise him. He's got a good head on his shoulders. With Nick it would be different."

The redhead glanced at the orphan happily playing with the pin ball machine. His eyes narrowed as he concentrated on the game and a bright smile lining his lips. "He seems pretty harmless to me."

"You aren't going to drop this, are you?" Kevin groaned.

"No, I'm not and neither should you."

Kevin walked around the counter taking a seat beside her. "How do I start? He'll need new clothes, personal items, get enrolled at school. And I honestly don't know what to do there. What if I just went to the police and offered to be his foster parent?"

Kit sighed. "I think you're too young, Kev."

"I care for Brian."

"Yes, but you're also related."

"The more I think about it, the less I like this idea," Kevin stated in complete honesty. "Even if I am old enough."

"Well, what if you just skipped school the issue for now?"

"He has to be in school!"

"I know, I know," Kit whispered. "But I was thinking perhaps Nick could just stay with you a little while, and then maybe he'll build up the strength to go to the police himself. During that time you could be applying for foster care."

"Kit..."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, if you don't want to help out the kid, I will."

Kevin sighed. "You win, Kit. He can stay with me and Brian, until I figure out something better to do with him. What do I do with him through the day?"

"He could stay with me for a few hours today. I could take him down to the Salvation Army and grocery store. Buy him a few things he needs."

"Absolutely not. Kit, I will pay for the stuff. I'm not having you handle this, you've got enough on your mind. And you need to sleep, you just got out of work."

"It's okay. Tips were good last night. I have enough to buy the poor kid a comb and toothbrush."

Kevin gave in pulling out his wallet. "All right, if you insist, but nothing fancy just get him basic stuff."

She accepted the money. "I promise. So, I'll take him with me, then, I could bring him back here. He could help you."

"I bet," Kevin replied sarcastically. "What could that kid do?"

"Well, he's charming and cute. He'd be good at helping people to their seats, or just providing company. And the older women would probably shower Nick with tips. Tony would probably go for the idea."

"That's cause Tony is too nice for his own good," Kevin admitted thinking of his boss.

Kit smiled up at him. "Well, it's nice to know that some nice people still do exist in this world. And you're one them, you big softie."

"I am not a softie."

She rolled her brown eyes. "Whatever you say, tough guy." She stood walking over to the pin ball machine. "Hey, Nick?"

"Yeah?" he whispered distracted in the game. "Kev and I were talking and we think it would be a good idea for you to stay here a little longer."

"That is, if you want to," Kevin interjected.

Nick's jaw dropped. "You mean it? You really want me to stay?"

Kevin nodded. "Yeah, I guess."

Kit smiled patting his hand. "While Kevin has to work, I'm going to take you to get you some clothes and things."

"I don't want to be any trouble," Nick whispered staring at the floor.

Kit gently lifted up his chin. "You're not, hon." She looked over his shoulder. "Is he, Kevin?"

Kevin shoved his hands into his pockets. "No, of course not."

Nick looked up at Kit. "You know what?"

"What?"

"Kevin likes you."

"Oh, really?"

"Uh huh. He likes you a lot! He thinks you-"

Kevin promptly covered Nick's mouth with his palm. "Kids say the darnedest things."

Kit's eyes saddened. "So, you don't like me?"

"No!" he exclaimed. "I-I-I"

She chuckled. "It's okay, Richardson. I'm only joking with you." She extended her hand to Nick. "Well, come on, Nick. I need to go home and change out of this dress, then everything should be open to get you some stuff. You can watch television or something for a little while."

Nick's blue eyes widened. "You have a television, too?"

"Yes, it's nothing fancy, but you're more than welcome to watch."

"Cool!" he exclaimed taking her hand.

Kit chuckled as he pulled her to the door waving to Kev. "Bye Kevin, I'll have him back in a few hours!"

Kevin sighed watching her go. "Bye Kit." He shook his head. "I like her, but would she ever like me?"

"Hey, kid!" a short, stout man with a thick Italian accent called as he entered the diner.

"Hi, Tony," he greeted softly.

The man laughed taking in the young male's appearance. "You daydreaming about a girl?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"A girl you like, kid?"

Again he nodded.

A smile presented itself on the owner's lips. "She like you?"

"I don't know."

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