Chapter Five: Nudity is a Family Thing
I finally fell asleep around 6 AM, on the bathmat. I awoke with a huge headache, and for some reason, really blue eyes staring into mine. Mike’s face was only about 3 centimeters from me and as I wasn’t expecting this, it was quite a shock.
“AAARRRGGHHH!” Oh no. One should never be that surprised when one is suffering from a stomach hangover.
“Sorry Nick!” Michael increased the distance between us. Might have had something to do with the smell of spew. “I was just checking to see if you were breathing. It didn’t look like it when I walked in.”
I sat up, thereby loosing the towel that Michael had the foresight to drape over me. “Excuse me.” I like to pee in private.
“Um...no problem.” I might be mistaken, but I think he was almost smiling.
I locked the door, not that I was trying to say anything about Michael, it’s just that an earlier bathroom experience left me suspicious of any Richardson within an eleven mile range. I took another shower, not as quickly as I would have liked despite having my own soap (I had finally learned) due to the fact that 1) I really needed a good scrubbing and 2) waves of nausea and a little light-headedness were my constant companion.
I managed to get out of the slippery shower without breaking my neck, an important accomplishment if I ever saw one though blood-shot eyes. Why can’t the guys be around to see these important moments? Oh, yea. We are not speaking. At least Kevin and Howie were not speaking to me - and I was not speaking to them. I’m not sure about AJ. As this is the usual state of our relationship I didn’t let it worry me.
In the bedroom I discovered a freshly made bed, which is better than a sour one. Nick logic. Fun, itsn’t it? I also discovered that I wasn’t going to make it to the bed. Another, stronger wave of nausea hit. I was too far from the bathroom. I am so glad the guys are not here to see this important moment.
I made a break for it anyway, heck the fates might be on my side just this once. And of course I have ocean front property in Arizona.
Halfway to my goal I was overtaken by a major dizzy spell which when combined with an already upset stomach had breath-taking results. In other words I wound up on my knees puking on the rug. Lovely. Just lovely.
“Nick?” Sorry to be such a poor host but I’m a bit busy here. “Here.” Suddenly I found a waste basket under my face and a cold cloth on the back of my neck. Just having the correct implements made me feel better. “Finished?” Maybe. You be the judge. Or the target. “Let’s get you to bed.” Sure. Fine. Whatever.
Putting his hand between my shoulder blades Michael guided me towards the bed. Good thing as I wasn’t capable of finding it without a map. Of course my chances of finding it with one weren’t much better.
While Michael turned back the bed I decided to be helpful and get undressed. I was unsuccessful in my attempt as I was already undressed. I’m nude. Hey, I’m nude! Not that I’m surprised, I’ve seen myself nude. The funny thing was Michael didn’t seem surprised. Had he seen me nude? When? And if so, why didn’t I remember it? Or maybe it was the Kevin influence. I mean Kevin had been the one to see me nude during my last serious stomach bout, now it was his cousin Michael. Maybe it’s a family thing.
Maybe Michael wasn’t even looking because he had seen himself nude and assumed that all nude men look alike. I might want to pass that “when you assume” thing on to him. On the other hand I might want to get my mind off this subject.
As quickly as I could I crawled in and pulled the covers up to my chin. I should have thanked Michael for getting me water, for getting me the waste basket, for helping me to bed, for not pointing and laughing, but I fell asleep the moment my head hit my pillow.
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