Chapter 11
(AJ's point- of- view)
"Mr.Dorough, how are you dealing with the death of your sister?"
I fumed inside. How could a journalist have the nerve to ask that? The woman had barely been placed in the ground.
Howie stared towards the floor. "I'm dealing, thank you. But I would like to ask the fans to keep my nieces and nephew in their prayers. They are very young to have lost a mother such as my sister."
Good answer. Maybe the alcohol gave him some benefit afterall.
Our manager took centerstage. "That will be all. Thank you to all of you for coming, good day."
******
"Damn hangover," Kevin mumbled as we climbed into the limo.
"Well, if you didn't drink like a sailor you wouldn't have this problem," Brian lectured.
"He's right," Nick added.
"Oh, Nick, bite the bullet."
"Kevin, leave him the hell alone," I snapped.
Howie lifted his head from his hands. "AJ, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Kevin gazed at me. I had never talked to him like that. "What crawled up your ass?"
I massaged my aching abdomen. "Nothing."
Howie frowned. "Are you sick?"
"No."
Brian fidgeted nervously with the hem of his shirt. "Everyone just calm down. We've got to pack and be ready to leave at four to catch the plane to Canada. Everyone can rest up then and cool down."
Leave it to Rok to be the parental figure while Kevin recovered from last night's events.
*******
"Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your seat belts to assure safety for your nonstop flight to Montreal."
I glanced across the aisle to see Kevin sipping some black coffee and Howie napping. Nick fidgeted in his seat. "Pity your mom couldn't join us."
I massaged my temples. "Yeah, pity." He looked so sad. I cleared my throat.
"Why don't you give your mom a call?"
He shook his head. "No, thanks."
"Then talk to your dad, he's a great guy."
"Yeah, he is," he paused. "If only my mom was a great woman."
"She is, Nick. Deep down."
"Yeah, whatever," he sighed pulling his cell phone from his jacket pocket. He dialed the number. "Hi, BJ. Do me a favor put Dad on." He closed his eyes waiting for his Dad to answer.
I turned to see Rok running his fingertips over his chest repeatively. "You okay, Bri?"
"Fine, AJ."
Howie rose his hand signaling the flight attendant as he awoke from his nap.
"Miss, would you bring me a glass of champagne?"
What? Is one hangover not enough? Suddenly, my head throbbed intensingly and my stomach churned. I stood up quickly.
"AJ, where are you going?" Brian shouted.
"I think I'm gonna' be sick!" I shrieked as I dove into the small airplane bathroom.
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