Chapter 18
38, 39, 40...Ok counting sheep wasn't working. Nick turned over in his messy bed, uncomfortable and hot. He had woken up about half an hour ago sweating and itchy. Damn these chicken pox, he thought. He knew what he needed, he needed Tylenol and calamine lotion but he didn't want to get up and get it. He pondered who he could wake up to do it for him.
He turned to his left and looked at Brian who was sound asleep on his side with the covers pulled up under his chin. His bright red bumps stood out against his pale face and he was shivering despite the fact that he was sweating. He was also tossing and turning every few minutes and looked about as uncomfortable as Nick. At least he was sleeping though. Nick sighed. He couldn't wake Brian. Howie? No, he had taken care of the three of them all day. AJ? He wanted to be able to walk on Christmas. Kevin? He wanted to live to see Christmas.
Sitting up, Nick realized he'd have to take care of himself. He slowly climbed out of bed and waited for his dizziness to pass. As he stood there, he noticed the snow falling harder and faster now. Nick smiled. He loved snow. How he wanted to play in it so badly. Stupid chicken pox. Wait! Maybe if he went outside he could cure himself without medicine or smelly creams! He had read somewhere that cold could reduce irritation. But what about the fever? Maybe, just maybe the cold would lower his temperature. Nick was so proud of himself for figuring it all out. Wait till he told the others about his brainstorm!
Nick looked down at his thin flannel pajamas. Well, they were flannel. That should keep him warm. He quietly opened the small closet and pulled on his boots. He didn't know where his hat was and he didn't want to turn on a lamp and wake anyone up. He slowly walked in the dark to the bedroom door, closing it softly on the way out. Brian never stirred. Nick grinned and walked to the coat closet to get his parka. On the way he stopped at Patches' box and pet the soft fur of his bunny.
"Hey Patches." Nick whispered. "I'm going out to play in the snow! See ya in a bit!" Nick buttoned his parka and carefully opened the front door. Right away a burst of cold air and snow came flying into the warm house. Nick smiled happily and jumped onto the snow covered stairs, shutting the door. He couldn't believe how much snow there was! In the dim lights that were outside the house on the porch he could see it for miles and miles. He took a hesitant step into it, surprised to see it up to his knees. Laughing, he plunged into it. He wished Brian was awake to play with him. Or even AJ, he could throw snowballs at AJ. Or stick one in his pants. Maybe that would help his problem. He wished it would snow in Florida, he liked the warm weather and all, he just really loved snow. He remembered back when he was much younger and still lived upstate in New York and the snowstorms they used to have. Those were nothing like this one though.
The snow hitting his cheeks was starting to hurt and he wondered if maybe he should go back inside. But then he saw a sled propped up against the side of the cabin and the hill that was less then 20 feet away from him. Surely another few minutes wouldn't hurt! Grabbing the plastic sled, Nick made his way over to the steep hill besides the driveway. He climbed aboard and pushed off. Whoa! Nick went flying down the hill and flew off the sled into a bush, snow flying everywhere. He sat there a moment and slowly stood, making sure he hadn't broken anything. Besides the scratches on his face, which irritated his chicken pox even more now, he seemed fine. Okay, that was it with the sled.
He pulled the death trap back up the hill and decided to make a snowman. Rolling the ball for the body, he peered at the cabin and noticed it was still dark and the guys were still asleep. This was the way to go! No one bothering him and all this snow to himself! And he was getting himself better! Well, besides the new injuries, but that wasn't his fault. At least he wasn't like Kevin, with messed up balls, Or AJ with spotted balls. Nick placed the snowman's head in place and removed his scarf, tying it around it's neck. He didn't need it, he was starting to sweat from all his running around anyway. Looking at his creation, he decided it needed a face. He went off into the woods in search of some rocks taking one last look at the cabin. They wouldn't even miss him!