Chapter 20
(Brian's Point Of View)
Knock, knock, knock. I jolted awake and tried to remember where I was. I rubbed my eyes trying to clear my fuzzy brain. A hotel, I was in a hotel room. And someone was knocking on my door. I pushed back the covers and padded over to the door, opened it and found Howie on the other side. "Hey bro." I greeted.
"Morning Bri, I was waking you to see if you wanted some breakfast, AJ's ordering up some room service before we go and see Nicky." I wasn't very hungry, I tried to remember the last time I had eaten and couldn't. I guess I should have something if I'm going to be with Nick all day.
"Sure D, thanks." I told him flopping back on my bed.
"You doing okay Bri?" He asked, coming all the way into the room.
"Yeah, I'm good, I'm not that tired and I don't feel feverish today." He sat down on my bed.
"That's not what I'm talking about." He said gently. I knew full well he was talking about Nick. I had told him about the breakdown in the ambulance. I knew I could tell Howie and he would make me feel better.
"I'm scared D. He doesn't deserve this, he's just a kid! Why does he have to be so sick?" I told him in one breath. Howie put his hand on my shoulder.
"Look at me Brian." I looked up. "Nicky doesn't deserve this, but sometimes people get sick and we can't help it. You didn't deserve to be sick either, or have that operation." I hung my head.
"I wish it was me instead of him." I told him.
"We all do Bri, but he's going to get better, don't worry." He soothed me.
"I know, but why did he have to get so sick, right after my surgery. I want us both to be well."
"Sometimes you have to let fate do its thing." He said wisely. I knew that. I still prayed to God to watch over Nick, to watch over all of us. I looked at Howie.
"Thanks D." He patted my back.
"Anytime, now I'm sure the food is here by now, and you know how AJ gets when he's hungry." A yell came from inside.
"I HEARD THAT HOWIE!"
I cracked up.
"Lets go eat so we can see Nicky." I told them.
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I walked into the waiting room after dropping off Howie and AJ at the gift shop. They had wanted to get Nick something to make him feel better, well besides his Care Bear. Kevin was sleeping in the hard uncomfortable chair. I smiled. He had probably stayed with Nick all night till he fell asleep knowing him. Kevin hated when any of us got sick, he would do whatever he could to make us better, from sitting up with us if we were puking, to forcing medicine on us if we were coughing. He was going to be a wonderful father. Kev stirred as I sat down. He opened his eyes slowly focusing them on me. "Hey Bri." He greeted.
"Hi Kev, sleep well?"
"Not really, Nicky just fell asleep about 2 hours ago."
"How's he doing?" Kev sighed.
"Not that great Bri, he doesn't want you to see how much he's hurting. He was crying after you left." I felt tears well in my own eyes.
"Crying? Is he okay now?"
"Well, he'll be up soon and then they are giving him Barium for a test they want to do on him."
"Barium?" I made a face. "I hope he doesn't get sick from it." Kevin turned away.
"I just wish there was more I could do for him." I looked at him.
"Kevin, you are doing everything for him, you were there for him when he was scared and you stayed with him till he went to sleep. He knows you love him." I tool a deep breath. "And so do I." He looked at me puzzled. "I mean...I know why you were so scared for me these past few days. I just realized it before, how much you care for us, and I'm sorry I was so mean to you, I know you only meant well." I told him, my tears spilling out. Kevin pulled me to him.
"Thank you Brian, but sometimes I am a little hard on you and Nicky and the others. I was just scared, I mean after my father died..." He paused, drawing in a breath. "After he died, I swore I would protect anyone I loved so I didn't have to see anyone suffer like he did. And I love you guys, all of you. I love you and I don't want you to be sick or hurt, ever. I know I'm a hard ass too though, I'll try and work on that." He held me at arms length. "Now don't cry, it's okay, we're going to be okay, all of us. Why don't you go see your Frack now, before his tests?" I wiped my eyes and smiled. I stood up and walked towards Nick's room. I paused and looked over my shoulder.
"Kev?" He turned.
"Yeah?"
"Don't ever stop being a hard ass because I don't think I could live without your yelling." He grinned at me. I knew he understood what I was feeling, he didn't have to tell me. I entered Nick's room to find him sitting up wearing a hideous face. I went over and gave him a huge hug. "Hey Fracks, how ya doin?" He hugged me back tightly.
"Not great, they're making me drink this horrid stuff, Barium. I had two glasses already and I feel like throwing up...only this time voluntarily." I patted his head.
"Don't worry Nicky, you're going to get better and this is going to help."
"It's gross." He complained. I stuck out my lip.
"Poor Frack." I felt his forehead, still hot. "Man Nick, what's with this fever, it doesn't wanna leave huh?"
"No, and she gave me stuff through IV to make it leave and it's not." I rubbed his arm.
"They'll get it down, don't worry." I turned as I heard Nick's nurse come into the room.
"Okay sweetie, it's time to get started." She turned to me. "I'm sorry Brian, but he can't have anyone back here." Nick pouted, his eyes welling up.
"Hey, it's okay, here." I placed his bear in his arms. "You hold him and pretend it's me, hug him as hard as you want and you'll know I'm here with you." Nick nodded his tears spilling out on to 'Friendship Bear'
"See you later Frick." I hugged him one last time.
"You got it Frack, I love you."
"I love you too, hang in there." I said exiting his room.