"I'm right here Kevin. Leave Lizzie alone," Brian said suddenly. "I take it Keith told you I quit."
"Damn right he did! What were you thinking?" Kevin yelled.
"I was thinking that I've had enough," Brian started cautiously. "For seven years, I haven't seen my family at just about every holiday, I've been traveling almost 24/7, having little to no vacation time, screaming girls chasing me. Ya know - it just gets to me. I almost quit last year, but I stuck it out for you guys. Only for you guys. And I hated it."
Kevin's face softened, "Brian, I had no idea. I mean, you should've told me."
"But I didn't. I didn't even tell little Monkey over here," Brian replied.
I stifled a laugh at Brian calling me Monkey. He called me his "Little Monkey." He hadn't used that nickname for the longest time. It brought back a lot of memories. I couldn't hold in my laughter - it just came out.
Kevin lost it again, "Just what is so funny?"
"It's just...monkey," I managed to gasp in between my laughter. "Funny...I just thought...never...mind...I'm...gonna...go...now."
Brian looked like he was watching a film of the past. Then he burst out laughing, too. We just stood there laughing hysterically. Kevin thought for a minute, then joined in our laughter.
I was lying in bed reading when there was a soft knock on my door. "Come on," I called.
Brian pushed open the door and walked in. He looked lost. I patted a spot on the bed next to me. My waterbed moved as Brian laid down. He folded his arms over his chest. "Bri, it's ok," I said. Brian uncrossed his arms and encircled me from behind. "It's been a long day, hasn't it?" I asked him.
"Yeah. And it only gets better tomorrow," he said sarcastically.
"What's tomorrow," I asked, clueless.
"Tomorrow morning at seven I have two seats booked on a flight to Orlando. I have to clean out my house, sign resignment letter, and hold a press conference. And I have nine days to do it all," Brian told me.
"That's gonna stink," I sympathized.
We just laid there for a while. Then something sunk in. I suddenly sat up, startling Brian. "You have two seats booked?" I asked incredulously.
"Yeah," Brian started slowly. "I want you to come with me."
Brian looked very hopeful. I thought for a second. "Well...as much as I adore you, I have to say," Brian's face fell, "yes."
Brian's smile lit up. "Awesome! We'll go to Disney World again. Nick can come," Brian kept going on with what we would do. His voice eventually lulled me to sleep.
Chapter Four is on the way!
Copyright Kentucky Girl 2001