Ch. 22
(Nick's point-of-view)
"Hey, Aaron!"
"NICK!" my younger brother shouted throwing himself into my arms as I entered the Florida mansion. "I didn't know you were coming!"
"Hey, kiddo, I wanted to surprise you."
"You did!"
"Nick!" an excited voice shouted.
I grinned. "Hi, BJ. Man, you look beautiful, sis."
She hugged me tightly. "Well, thanks, Nick. What are you doing home?"
"We had to cancel a few dates. AJ got pretty sick."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
I sat Aaron to the ground. "Where's everyone else?"
"Mom and Angel are in the living room," Aaron explained.
I turned to my older sister. "And Dad and Leslie?"
"Dad took Leslie to a singing lesson. They'll be back in about three hours."
"Three hours? For a singing lesson?"
"They normally go out afterwards. Leslie's been clinging to him lately and Angel to Mom."
I lifted my brow. "And you and Aaron?"
"Each other."
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"Don't be," BJ insisted. "None of us are mad at you."
"Except Mom."
BJ sat down at the kitchen table. "She's concerned."
"Yeah, about controling my life and claiming my money."
"Calm down."
Calm down? BJ's lucky......Mom likes the people she dates.....
"Hey, Mom! Guess who's here?!" Aaron exclaimed running into the living room.
"Did he have to tell her?"
BJ shrugged. "What did you expect, Nick? It is her house."
Oh, how well, I knew. Despite the fact 'I' bought the damn place.
"Nick....." my mother breathed entering the kitchen with Angel at her side.
"NICKY!"
"Hey, brown-eyed girl," I whispered holding her in my arms.
"What brings you here?"
"My family lives here.....Do I really need a reason?" I asked lifting Angel onto my back.
"Well, I figured since you stopped by in Florida you would rush to Mandah."
"Her name is Mandy, Mom."
"Oh, really? Funny....I could've sworn it was Mandah...Or is that the laughing hyiena's stage name?"
"Mom, do you have to start shit? I just came home to see the family."
She sat down along side my oldest sister. "I thought you were on tour?"
"We were. AJ got really sick."
She softened. "I am sorry, honey. Will he be all right?"
"Yeah, eventually." I couldn't understand it.....She looked so cruel...Yet, at the mention of AJ's illness she returned to 'Mom-mode.'
She faced Aaron. "Honey, why don't you go Nick a drink?"
"Sure. What do you want, Nick?"
"Um.....water's fine."
Angel rested her head upon my shoulder. "We missed you."
"I missed you guys, too." My eyes rested upon my mother. "All of you."
My mother sighed. "Have a seat, Nick. You must be tired."
"A little," I replied setting Angel's small form in my lap.
My mother glanced through the paper. "How's Howie holding up? We were all saddened when we heard about Caroline."
"It hit him hard. He really wasn't expecting it."
"It's important to keep him in our prayers."
I nodded.
She visibly examined my appearance. "How did you take it, Nick?"
I was utterly surprised. "Me?"
"Yes-you. You have a hard time with things like this, I know that for a fact."
I shrugged. "I got a little shaken. It was really embarrassing."
My mom took my hand. "Nickolas, it's good that you have those emotions. I hope you never lose that."
Never lose embarrassing myself infront of the guys? Thanks Mom.... I was distracted from my thoughts as the door opened.
"Leslie, look who's here!" Angel smiled.
Leslie gave me a small grin. "Hi, Nick."
Angel hopped off my lap allowing Leslie to give me a hug. I froze. "Les, you okay? That is the weakest hug you have ever given me."
She shrugged. "Sorry."
I frowned extending my arms. "Try again." She returned this time with a bit more 'umph'. I rested my hand on her shoulder. "How was the lesson?"
"Good."
"You wanna' sing for me later?"
"Okay."
I stood. "Okay, Miss Leslie...you give me no choice but to force a smile out of you!" I threw her over my shoulder spinning her around.
"Nick, put me down!" she demanded as I swung her from side to side.
"Aw...Mom, do I have to?" I whined.
"I'm afraid so, son," a deep voice bellowed.
I spun around. "Dad!"
"Hi, Nick!" he shouted pulling me into his grasp.
'Umm...guys...." Leslie whimpered. "Could someone please put me down?"
I beamed as my dad took Leslie into his arms. "How's it been, son?"
"Could be better. Dad, could we go fishing or something maybe? If there's time?"
He shrugged. "I don't see why not. We could go while the kids have tutoring, I guess."
"Oh, yeah, BJ and Aaron have a tutor," I remembered nodding.
"Leslie, too," Angel added.
"BJ has a tutor because it's harder to stay close in high school while she tours with Aaron. And Leslie....school just really wasn't going to well for her. And now that she's Aaron's opening act.."
"Wait!" I exclaimed facing my younger sister. "You're opening?"
"Uh-huh," she answered meakly.
"That's great!"
My father walked to the refridgerator. "Yeah, she's quite the little singer. All the kids are doing great."
I smiled. "That's great. Really fantastic." I turned to my mother. "Could I use the phone? I need to call Brent to see if he's ready for me."
"Ready?" she repeated.
"Yeah.....I was gonna' stay with him."
She shook her head twirling her blonde waves. "You'll do no such thing. All you boys will do is eat pizza and stay up all night watching 'man movies'. You're looking quite pale to me and much too thin."
"But Mom...."
"Don't 'but Mom' me. You'll stay here and room with Aaron as always. Now, I understand you wanting to see Brent. If you like he's more than welcome to join us for dinner."
"And Mandy?"
She gripped the ends of her chair. I vaugely noticed her knuckles turning white. "Nick, I love you with all my heart, son. But I really would prefer you didn't bring her to the house just now. I don't want to embarrass myself infront of her. But I do encourage you to see her.....to attempt to stablize the relationship. It's hard to be apart, I know. Maybe that would hep you two."
I gave a weak grin. "Thanks."
She lifted her palm. "Don't mention it." She stood. "Well, BJ why don't you help me with dinner? Aaron, Angel, you can help me set the table in a bit...Bob why don't you take Nick for a walk?" She paused. "Leslie, honey, you okay? You're looking a little ghostly." She lifted her hand to my sister's brow. "You're a bit warm...Why don't you go lay down until dinner, okay?"
What was I thinking? My mom did love me.....She loved all of us. But yet something still wasn't right. However, why ruin a good thing while I've got it going? I spoke up. "Mom?"
"Yeah, Nicky?"
"I love you."
She rested her hand upon my cheek. "I love you, too. No matter what decisions you make."
It was obvious that my mother didn't like Mandy.........But it was also obvious that she didn't hate me.
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