Chapter 11
"Nick, what in the Sam Hell are you doing?" Howie asked as he stared at the blonde crawling about on the sofa.
"I'm lookin' for somethin'."
"Well, what is it exactly that you're looking for?"
"A thremometer."
"Why?" Howie pondered as Nick dug his way through each lumpy cushion.
"Cause Kevin told me to."
The Latino lifted an eyebrow. "Since when do you listen to Kevin?"
"Cause I'm bored and there's nothing else to do."
"Oh."
"Ah, cool a cheeto!" Nick exclaimed shoving the food item into his open mouth.
Howie clutched his stomach. "Nick, you don't know how long thats been there!"
"So?"
"I give up on teaching you logic, Carter."
"A dollar! Awesome!"
Howie rolled his eyes sitting down by the fireplace. "Nick, a dollar isn't worth that much."
"It is when you're fourteen and broke! I wonder what else I can find in here?" he wondered burying his body beneath the cushions continuing his search.
"Nick, going through the couch cushions isn't exactly a grand adventure."
"You're just jealous because I found a dollar!"
"Whatever, kid."
"Hi guys," Brian yawned joining them. "Nick, what on earth are you doing?"
"Looking for a thremometer. Ah, cool another cheeto!" he beamed chewing on the stale chip.
"That's disgusting!" Brian groaned.
"It's yummy!" Nick argued.
Howie sighed. "I think his temperature caused brain damage."
"I think he already had brain damage to begin with," Brian offered.
"Found it!" Nick exclaimed pulling out the thremometer truimphantly.
"Great, now go wash it off and take your temperature," Howie directed.
"But Howie..."
"Do it or you'll have to deal with Kevin."
"I'm going, I'm going," Nick sulked making his way to the kitchen sink.
Howie turned to Brian. "How are you feeling?"
"Not so great accuatly, I have a headache and I feel like I might have a bit of a fever. I think I'm coming down with something."
"Oh man.....This is gonna' be hell."
"What do you mean, D?"
"You're getting it."
"Getting what? The flu? Kevin just had it a few weeks ago."
"No, not the flu- chicken pox."
"That's impossible. I couldn't have caught it from Nick so quickly, even I know chicken pox doesn't appear until a few weeks after exposure."
"Were you around Aaron or any of Nick siblings awhile back?"
"Well...." Brian thought. "At practice a couple of weeks ago one of Nick's sisters was there and she was getting really bored and lonely,so, I gave her a piggy ride to cheer her up."
"Which sister?"
"Leslie, I think, the middle kid."
"Hey, Nick, does Leslie have the chicken pox?" Howie asked as Nick returned thremometer in hand.
"Yep."
Howie turned to Brian. "I'd say you're screwed."
Brian rubbed his hands together by the warm fire. "Oh, come on, it's probably the flu."
Howie pointed to Brian's palm. "Do you get red dots on your hands with the flu?"
"Aw, man! I'm too old to get this!"
"Never say never."
"Brian has it too?" Nick wondered staring at his friend's palm.
"I'd say so," Howie replied. "Now, take your temperature."
"Um, shouldn't we take Brian's temperature? I mean, we need to take care of him, don't we, Howie?"
"That's very thoughtful of you, Nick. Yes, Brian should take his temperature."
"Right!" the young blonde agreed passing over the item.
"After you take your temperature, Nick."
"Man!" Nick complained sliding the thremometer into his mouth.
"I cannot believe this," Brian exclaimed. "How could I get chicken pox?"
"I believe the word is 'contagious', Brian," Howie informed him.
"I know that! But this is a disease little squirming children get. Not robust guys like me."
"Well, children read comic books, play video games and watch cartoons religiously- and so do you, Rok. So, maybe the idea isn't so far fetched."
"Ha, ha," Brian laughed sarcastically.
The Puerto-Rican shrugged. "Just being truthful."
"Here!" Nick proclaimed shoving the thremometer into Howie's palm.
The man grimaced. "Thanks a lot, Nick, for shoving your saliva onto my skin."
"No problem," the teen assured him reclining back in his seat.
"100 even," Howie receited cleansing the item. "Your turn, Brian," he announced handing over the object.
"You've got to be kidding," Brian said glaring at the thremometer. "I refuse to be treated like a child, Howie."
"Does that mean I don't have to help you like I did, Nick? Wait on you, cook for you, bring you medicine? In other words, I don't have to be your servant? Thanks, Bri."
Brian reconsidered the situation shoving the glass tube into his lips.
"Thanks a lot," Howie grumbled.
"Argh...." Nick complained scratching at his skin.
"Don't scratch!"
"But, Howie, it itches!!"
"I know, but don't scratch. They could get infected."
Nick raised an eyebrow. "If it gets infected will it stop itching?"
"No, and don't get any ideas about scratching, Mister!"
"Humph!" Nick pouted crossing his arms.
"Here, Howie!" Brian sighed slapping the thremometer into his hand.
"Gag!" Howie exclaimed wiping his hand against his thigh. "You're as disgusting as Nick is!"
"Hey, that's an achievement!" Nick stated smiling with pride at his best friend.
"Thanks, Frack."
"99.1," Howie read. "I think it's safe to say you have it."
"Great, I'm going to look at a page of connect-the-dots."
Nick glanced at his skin. "Cool!"
"OW! OUCH! DAMNIT!" a loud stern voice boomed coming near the door.
"What the hell?" Howie questioned rushing out the door.
"Who could that be?" Brian wondered watching Howie leave.
Nick thought for a moment. "Maybe it's a psycho."
"Maybe it's the Grinch," Brian offered. He squinted taking a closer look. "Oh, it's Kevin. Same thing."
"Ow, pain," Kevin mumbled as Howie helped him inside, AJ trailing behind them.
Brian stood to help them. "What happened?"
"You should've seen it!" AJ whooped. "Kevin was trying to ski and he lost control and the thing nailed him right in the crotch!"
"Ow," Nick winced.
The two boys helped ease Kevin onto the sofa. "I'll get you some ice," Howie volunteered.
Brian set across from his cousin. "Are you in a lot of pain?"
The older man looked at him dumbly. "What do you think?" he squeaked.
His younger relative smiled sheepishly. "Stupid question."
"There you go," Howie said handing Kevin the icepack as he returned.
"Thanks," Kevin grumbled placing the pack on the injured area. "Aw, cold!"
The other four snickered as they watched him in delight.
"What's so funny?" he hissed.
"You!" AJ laughed loudly. "That's one way to make sure you stand out in a crowd, Kev!"
Kevin rolled his eyes. "AJ, you are perverted and heartless."
"Aw, now, Kevin, that's not nice.." AJ whispered.
"Oh, real nice, Kevin, you had to go and hurt his feelings," Howie lectured.
"Hurt him? I'm the one who's hurting here!"
"I might be perverted, but I am not heartless!" AJ argued unzipping his jacket. "In fact, I borught Nicky a present to make him feel better."
"You did?" Nick beamed rushing toward him.
"Here ya' go," AJ said presenting him with the gift.
"A BUNNY!" Nick hollered clutching the gray furry creature.
"A RODENT!" Kevin gasped.
"It is not!" Nick fought. "It's a precious animal!"
"One of God's creatures," Brian echoed.
"It's a nasty ugly, rodent!" Kevin proclaimed.
"It's better looking than you are!" Nick shouted.
"Take it outside! NOW!"
"NO! I'M KEEPING IT! AJ GAVE IT TO ME! IT'S MINE!"
Brian grinned. "It is kinda' cute, Kev."
"It could have rabies! It could have a number of diseases!"
"Kevin, it does look kinda' harmless. I think it's still a baby."
AJ crossed his arms. "I saw the poor little guy running around in search of food. I think he lost his mama and papa. Didn't you, little guy?" he cooed stroking its long ear.
Brian stared at the rabbit. "Um, AJ, it's a girl."
"Oh," AJ muttered. "I'm sorry, Miss Bunny, I apologize. What are ya' gonna' call her, Nick?" he wondered patting her tummy.
"Hmm...maybe Patches. See the white patches around her eyes and feet?"
"Aw, that's a good name," Brian agreed playing with her bushy tail. "She sure is a cutie-pie. Aren't you, Patches?"
"The only thing we are going to be calling the rodent is dinner!" Kevin hollered.
"NO!!! YOU CAN'T KILL HER!" Nick wailed running out the door holding the pet sercurely in his arms.
"Oh, nice one, Kevin!" Brian shouted following Nick. "The poor kid only has on a t-shirt!"
"You're such an asshole!" AJ hissed running behind them.
Kevin looked up at Howie. "Could things get any worse?"
"Umm...Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you, Brian has the chicken pox."