| Chapter 29 Diane walked through the door with several bags in her hands. "Here let me get those," John said, taking them from her and setting them on the counter in the kitchen. "Thanks," she said, looking around, "Where's Nick?" "On the couch, he had a bad one about forty-five minutes ago, he's been sleeping since he came out of it," he told her. Diane walked into the living room, checking on Nick. He was sleeping soundly. She gently kissed his forehead and walked back into the kitchen. "Are there more bags?" John asked. "Yeah a couple," she answered. John headed into the garage and retrieved the last of the bags, bringing them in. "Thanks for staying with him," she said, unpacking a bag and putting the things away. "No problem, he's a good kid. You both are," John said, smiling. Diane grinned, "Thanks." "Well, I guess I should be going," John said, walking to the table to collect his cards. "Why don't you stay for dinner?" Diane asked, "A.J. and Howie are coming and I'm sure they'd love to meet you." "Naw, I don't wanna intrude or anything," he said. "Nonsense," she said, "I'm sure Nick would want you guys to meet, and you are not intruding at all. Besides, I won't take no for an answer." John laughed, "I see. Well in that case you've convinced me to stay, but on one condition." "Oh, what's that?" she asked. "I insist on helping you cook," he said. She smiled at him, "You got it." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Where did you learn to do that?" Diane asked, amazed. John grinned, "I had a friend that worked at one of those Japanese restaurants where they do all the fancy knife tricks at the table. He taught me a few things," he said, spinning the knife in his hand before bringing it down and chopping the carrots for their salad. "Well, that is truly amazing. Who knew you were so talented?" she teased. He laughed, "Oh my dear, I have many talents." Diane arched her eyebrow, "I bet you do." The door bell rang, making her jump. "Damn it," she laughed, "That thing scares me every time." John laughed as she went to answer the door. "Hey woman!" A.J. said as Diane opened the door. "Hey Alex!" she said as he pulled her into a hug. When A.J. let her down Howie hugged her, "Good to see you." "You too," she said. The guys walked in with their bags on their shoulders. "You guys can just drop those here, dinner is about ready," she said. "Umm smells good too," A.J. said, looking towards the kitchen, "Hey, who's the new security?" Diane laughed, "That's not security. That's Nick's speech therapist. Come on I'll introduce you." "Damn, coulda fooled me," A.J. mumbled. Diane turned to walk into the kitchen, the guys following her. "John, this is A.J and Howie. Guys this is John Martin, Nick's speech therapist," she said. "Nice to meet you," Howie said, offering his hand. John shook it, "You too. Nick's told me a lot about you guys." "Oh man, trust me whatever he said, it didn't happen," A.J. laughed. John shook his head, "He said you'd say that." Everyone laughed. Howie looked over seeing Nick asleep on the couch, "He not feeling well?" "He had a seizure a couple hours ago," Diane answered. "Poor kid," A.J. said. "Yeah, but it's something he has to live with now,"Diane said. "I know, I just hate that he has to, ya know?" he said. "I know," she replied. "OK, salad's done, anything else you need chopped, diced, or sliced?" John asked, grinning. "Nope, I think that's it," she said, "Guys if you don't mind setting the table, we'll be ready to eat." "Good, I'm starving," A.J. said. "Well you would be," Howie said, carrying the plates to the table. "Oh why's that?" Diane asked. "He didn't eat anything today, wanted to wait until we got here," Howie said. Diane laughed, "What if you didn't like my cooking?" A.J. grinned, "Hey, if you could make that stuff we ate in the woods taste like food, you've gotta be the greatest cook around." Diane laughed and blushed at the same time, "Thanks Alex, but you're confidence in my cooking ability is overrated." "Nope, don't think so," he replied, sitting down. Diane smiled, turning and going to the couch. She gently shook Nick, "Baby, wake up." Nick moaned, burying his head under the pillow. "Come on Nick, wake up," she prodded. He slowly opened his eyes, staring up at her. "Hey, you feel like eating?" she asked. He nodded, sitting up and running his hand through his hair. Nick looked at the table, surprised to see A.J. and Howie staring back at him, and horrified to find John sitting at the table with them. Nick got up and walked over, sitting down. He glared at John for a second, wondering why he hadn't left like he said he would. John noticed the look and shrugged his shoulders. "Nick, I asked John to stay for dinner so he could meet the guys," Diane said as she sat down, not noticing the looks the two men were giving each other. Nick looked over at her, "K." Everyone filled their plates and began to eat. "So Nick, how's your therapy going?" Howie asked between bites. Nick shrugged his shoulders, looking over at John. "Oh well, it's going about as well as can be expected," he answered, "The basic words are quick to come back, but it'll take a while for the rest. We're working on it though." "That's good," A.J. said, staring at him. John looked over, "Something wrong?" "Oh no, sorry," he said, "I just .... Nick said you were big, but damn!" Everyone laughed. John smiled, "Nick talks about me huh?" "Yeah, he said you beat him on his favorite game. That my friend is a freaking miracle," A.J. laughed. John glanced at Nick, seeing the fear flash in his eyes for a moment before he got it under control. "Well, just so happens it's my favorite game too," John said, "What else does Nick say about me?" "Oh just how good of friends you guys are," Howie said, taking the last bite of his food, "Di, this is great." "Thanks but I had help," she said. "Yeah, turns out I can make one mean salad," John laughed. Nick watched as the four continued their conversation. He saw the look John had given him when A.J. said he talked about him, and knew there would be hell to pay the next time they were alone. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He had to stay calm. He couldn't freak out in front of everyone, he'd never be able to explain it if he did. Diane and Howie got up to clear the table, and A.J. was talking about some new club that John would have to check out. Nick could tell John wasn't listening to him, instead he was focused on him. Nick quickly looked down, forcing himself to finish eating. I can do this, I have to. Now stop thinking about it and act like yourself for God's sakes! he told himself before looking back up. He was relieved to see that John had actually started paying attention to what A.J. was saying. "Baby, you finished?" Diane asked. Nick looked up at her and nodded. "OK, take these and go relax," she instructed, handing him his medicine. Nick took the pills, then got up and went back to the couch, flipping on the TV and surfing the channels. "He OK?" Howie asked. "Yeah, he just needs to relax for a while. His bad ones make him really tired and groggy afterwards," she answered. "Yeah, I remember that now," he said, setting the dishes on the kitchen counter. John gathered his things, "Well I hate to eat and run, but I really need to get going." "OK, see you on Monday," Diane called from the kitchen. "Thanks for dinner, it was great," he said, walking into the living room and leaning close to Nick. "We'll discuss what you said on Monday," he whispered. Nick closed his eyes and nodded. John patted his shoulder, "See ya buddy, bye guys, nice meeting you." "Bye," A.J. called as John left the house. Howie and A.J. went into the living room as Diane finished cleaning up the kitchen. "So, whatcha wanna do tonight?" A.J. asked, plopping down on the couch next to Nick. Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Wanna see a movie?" Howie asked. Nick shook his head, grabbing his computer: Don't feel like going out, sorry. "Naw man, that's OK," A.J. said, "We could stay here and order porn on the pay per views." Nick laughed, slapping A.J. across the back of the head: I don't think so Bone! "Aww come on, might give you some ideas," A.J. teased, wiggling his eyebrows. Nick rolled his eyes. "I heard that!" Diane called from the kitchen, "He doesn't need any ideas, he has enough of his own." "Well, well," Howie laughed, "Want us to get a hotel or something so you guys can um be alone?" Nick laughed. He needed this, needed the teasing and the love that only Howie and A.J could provide. It felt good to laugh, really laugh. Not the fake ones he'd been doing all week. Diane walked into the room, "Nope, you guys are staying here. I just hope you brought ear plugs, cause you're gonna need them," she grinned. "Ohh Nicky, done went and growed up, what are we ever gonna do?" A.J. laughed. Howie sat down a serious look on his face, "Nick, I think it's time for the talk." Nick looked at his friend confused, The talk? "Yeah you know, where babies come from, the birds and the bees," Howie laughed. "Oh God," Diane laughed as Nick pushed Howie over on the couch and tackled him. "Ahh, stop Nick, please!" Howie begged as Nick tickled him mercilessly. A.J. nudged Diane and smiled, "I'm glad we came down." "So am I," she said. Chaper 30 |