“What are we supposed to do about this?” Nick questioned. “Should we tell your dad, but leave out the strangling part, and let them get into trouble for what they said?”
“I don’t know,” Brian said. “Jessica could easily tell him about Lenore trying to throttle her, just to get Lenore and the rest of us into trouble, and to try to weasel her way out of another punishment.”
“True, but we can’t let them continue threatening one another,” Howie said.
“It could get way out of hand, even more than it did tonight and one of them, probably Jessica, could wind up seriously hurt.”
“So, what exactly do we do?” A.J. questioned. “I can see why Lenore got mad, and I can kinda see why Jessica said what she did, but that still doesn’t give either one of them the right to argue like that.”
“Let’s sleep on it and figure it all out in the morning,” Kevin suggested.
“I’m too tired and angry to do anything about it right now.”
“You guys can spend the night if ya like,” Brian informed them. “We got plenty of room, and it’ll save ya the drive back home.”
“Nah, it’s okay Rok,” A.J. replicated. “We gotta go home anyhow; we need our clothes for the rehearsal tomorrow.”
“I’ll stay cous’; just in case one of them tries to kill the other again,” Kevin riposted. “I gotta talk to Lenore again any ways.”
With that Nick, Howie, and A.J. all left to go home, while Kevin and Brian went upstairs to get ready for bed. While Brian was in the bathroom, Kevin decided to go talk to Lenore.
“Lenore, are you still up?” Kevin queried. “May I come in?”
“Yeah, I’m still up, c’mon in.”
Kevin walked in to find her sitting on the floor in a corner curled up into a tight little ball. “Lenore are you okay?” He questioned. “You look like ya gonna be sick.”
“Fine, just fine,” Lenore replicated. “I’ve never felt better.”
“Ya sure you’re okay?”
“Kevin, I’m fine as long as Jessica doesn’t come in here,” Lenore snapped. “Would y’all just leave me alone already!”
“I wanna talk to you,” Kevin said. “I’m not too pleased with you right now.”
“That makes two of us,” Lenore riposted. “Look, Kev, I’m really sorry ‘bout earlier; I was just really upset and didn’t know how to handle it. I’m sorry that I took it out on you; Jessica just made me so mad.”
“I know she makes ya mad Lenore, but that doesn’t mean ya go and strangle her,” Kevin replied. “How would you like it if someone came in here and tried to strangle you?”
“I wouldn’t like it one bit, and would probably be really scared,” Lenore answered. “Gee, I never thought of it that way before.”
“Now you know how Jessica probably felt,” Kevin responded. “Next time, think before you speak and/or act.”
“I will, I promise,” Lenore stated, getting up and giving him a hug. “Thanks for the advice Kev, I really needed it.”
“Anytime Lenore, anytime,” Kevin rejoined kissing her cheek. “Now, don’t you think it’s time you hit the sack?”
“Alright, you’ve made ya point,” Lenore replicated. “Night Kevin, oh an tell Brian I said good night.”
“I will, sweet dreams,” Kevin told her as he left. “And don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
Lenore groaned, “Kevin! I’m a little old for that don’t ya think?”
“You’ll never be to old,” Kevin returned smiling. “Now good night.” With that he closed the door, bumping into Brian who was heading towards his room.
“So, I see you two have made up,” Brian replicated. “What she have to say?”
“She says she’s sorry, and promises to think before she acts or speaks next time,” Kevin informed him. “Oh, she also said to tell you goodnight, she’s really sorry, and loves you lots.”
“Thanks,” Brian riposted. “Bathroom’s free now Kev.” With that Kevin went into the bathroom, while Brian went into Lenore’s room to talk to her. “Hey, how ya doin’?”
“Okay,” Lenore said quietly. “Ya still mad at me?”
“Not as much as before,” Brian replied. “You feel okay?”
“I’m fine, now will everyone stop asking me that!” Lenore retorted.. She looked at him apologetically, “Sorry, Bri, I guess I am feeling kinda sick; I just don’t wanna admit it ‘cause I hate being sick.”
“You don’t look too good,” Brian told her.
“Gee, thanks a lot, some brother you are,” Lenore joked. “I thought ya liked me for me, but I guess not.”
“Not like that ya goofball,” Brian smiled. “I mean ya look real pale; how long have ya been feeling sick?”
“Since this yesterday morning, why?” Lenore asked.
“Just wondering,” he rejoined. “Ya sure ya gonna be okay though?”
“I’m sure,” Lenore replied. “Now if ya don’t mind I’d kinda like to get to sleep before dad gets home.”
“K.,” Brian replicated quietly as he leaned over and kissed her forehead.
”Goodnight, I love ya.”
“Night Bri, I love ya too,” Lenore whispered.
