Chapter 6
"I'm hungry," Nick complained taking a seat at the kitchen table.
I sat across from him. "Just relax, Kristin is bringing back some grub."
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah- enough for seven not nine."
I sighed- I really hate it when blondie has a point. "Look, if there isn't enough-I'll order in pizza or something."
BJ entered with AJ at her side. "Kevin! Kevin!"
"Yes, BJ?"
"AJ just invited me to his Halloween party tomorrow night!"
"Tomorrow is a school day."
"Yeah, a school DAY but it's not a school night."
"BJ......"
"Oh, come on, Kevin," AJ said quietly. "Let her and Nick go."
I looked at AJ's rebelious appearance. "I dunno....she's only fourteen."
"So!" she shouted.
"So...I dunno. Ask your mom when she gets in. If she ok's it-it's fine."
"Great!" the young teen explained hopping up and down. She paused turning to her crush. "Come on, AJ, let's go watch tv in the living room."
"Sure, kid."
I pulled AJ aside as Nick's sister exited. "AJ! You can't seriously be interested in her-she's only fourteen."
"Oh, of course not. Just thought I'd invite her to be nice." He lifted his finger in Nick's direction. "You're invited, too, buddy. Be there at eight sharp lasts til midnight."
Nick nodded. "Sure thing, Bone."
"We're here!" Kristin shouted walking through the door with a twin at each side. She smiled down at them. "You two go wash up for dinner."
"Hey," I whispered taking the bags from her arms. "What are we having?"
"Taco Bell. I got tacos, burritos, nachos-all kinds of good stuff."
I sighed setting the table. "I hope you got a lot."
"Well, twenty-five dollars worth."
"That will hopefully be enough for nine."
She lifted an eyebrow. "Nine?"
"Leslie and BJ invited Brian and AJ for dinner."
"I see," she said giggling.
I opened the cabinet counting glasses. "What are you laughing about?"
"Nick's sisters. They've certainly got a bad case of puppy love."
I removed the juice and tea from the refridgerator. "Puppy love?"
"Uh huh. I just hope they don't get hurt."
"Hurt?"
She looked up. "You know- because AJ and Brian already have girlfriends, and the girls are simply too young to date them."
"Does this mean they'll be crying or something?"
"That's one of many things they'll be doing."
"Good grief."
Kristin sat out the last item. "Go ahead and call them for dinner."
I flashed Nick a glance. "Thank you for sitting at the table the whole time and not volunteering to help."
He grinned. "Anytime, Kevy-Kev."
I took a seat next to Kristin. "Go get everyone."
The blonde shrugged. "Sure thing." He cleared his throat. "BJ! AJ! LESLIE! BRIAN! AARON! ANGEL! DINNER TIME!"
Kristin faced me. "Suddenly, I feel like I'm in an episode of 'The Waltons'."
Nick tossed a taco on his plate. "Nah-besides, Kristin, they didn't have Taco Bell in the 1940's."
I poured myself some tea. "Thank you for the history lesson, Nicky."
"FOOD!" Brian and AJ shouted rushing into the dining area pushing chairs aside to reach the food.
"GUYS!" I hollered standing up.
The looked up at me sheepishly. I crossed my arms. "Form a line single-file."
The four remaining Carter children entered. "Kids form a line-Brian and AJ in back."
"But, Kevin!" AJ whined. "I'm hungry."
"And you'll eat-after everyone else fills up their plate."
Brian grimaced. "Man-this is REALLY IS the army!!"