Chapter Six
Brian’s Point of View
AJ’s mom stopped in to check on Nick. She always does that, no matter how busy she is. Even when Nick’s mom is along she checks in on him once or twice. He loves it. I think it bugs AJ but he’s never mentioned it.
Nick was asleep now, cuddled up around a pillow. He always slept like that, gripping something as if he might fall off the planet without a tight hold. Poor kid. Kevin is so hard on him and he has no idea what it’s like to be Nick. For that matter he has no idea what it’s like to be me, though he likes to think he does.
Heck. Nick is having a nightmare. He has them fairly regular, but they really come on strong when he’s stressed. I can hear him moaning softly. Soon it will escalate to screams. I hate it. I hate seeing him this stressed. I hate that I’m the only one he can turn to. God forgive me, at times I hate him when he does.
I know it’s not fair but I’m not his father. Nick is surrounded by people all day long, but in reality he is alone. His family loves him more for his money than him, Kevin and the other guys want him to act older than he is, and at times I just want a break. Poor Nick.
He’s revving up for a good screamer. So I should go over, I should get ready to comfort him. Do as I always do, get him a drink, talk calmly to him, tell him it will be OK. What a hypocrite I am. It’s not OK, and for the life of me I can’t figure out where it went wrong.
Nick’s thrashing in his bed now, getting ready for the main event. I put on my shoes, pull on my coat and quietly close the door behind me. I feel bad about this, I really do. I’m asking myself what I’m doing, and I have no idea. Well, yes, I do. I’m walking away when Nick needs me. I’m taking a hike. It’s not like me, not at all.
I stop by a mirror in the hallway and take a long look. Same eyes, same hair, but who is that guy? I don’t recognize him. I reach out to touch the glass - cold, hard, slick. Good adjectives to describe my actions tonight.
I hear him now, Nick. Through the think hotel walls I can hear him. . I push the elevator button for the first floor. Poor Nick. Poor me.
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