Only in Your Dreams Chapter 17
Justin and Chris woke Lance and JC up and the group met downstairs in the living room. Justin and Chris had decided that a group meeting was needed after the phone call that they had received from Marty Kimble, Joey�s friend in LA.
�So what did crazy Marty have to say?� asked JC, gently rubbing his temples, trying to avoid the bruise on the right side of his head. He was still nursing a headache, a result of Joey�s latest nightmare last night and needed to take something for the pain.
�Headache?� asked Lance quietly, with a headache of his own.
JC nodded, before curling into a tight ball on the floor with a pillow under his head.
�I don�t want to take anything for it until after this little group session,� JC answered.
�Sorry guys, but this is real important,� said Chris as he sat on the floor beside JC.
�Don�t keep us in suspense then,� the sarcasm evident in JC�s voice made Chris and Justin wince. What they were about to say would probably make things worse for everyone.
Just as Chris was about to begin speaking, Jan entered the room unnoticed.
�Guys�what�s going on?� Jan�s voice caused the group to jump. �J�you�re supposed to be asleep. So are the rest of you.��
�Jeez Jan, you sound just like a teacher,� said Chris, trying to defuse the situation.
�Not funny Chris. Now, why aren�t ya�ll in bed?�
�Aunt Jan?�
�What is it Justin?� Jan asked as she plopped down on the sofa next to the young man.
�Joey got a phone call from his friend Marty Kimble.�
�Crazy Marty out in LA?�
�Yeah,� Justin answered.
The silence hung in the air for a moment before Jan spoke again, gesturing with her hands.
�And�?�
JC sat up and looked at Chris and Justin, noting how uncomfortable the two seemed.
�The deals fell through again didn�t they?� he asked, and, judging by their reactions, he knew he was right on target.
�That�s not the greatest news, but if that�s it, the meeting needs to have Joey included,� stated Lance as he made a move to stand but was pushed to sit back down on the sofa by Chris who had stood up himself.
�No�there�s more to it than just that, okay?� Chris said as he began to rock back and forth on his heels, while wrapping his arms around himself. He looked at Justin, nodded his head at him as indication that he needed to tell everyone about the phone conversation.
�Marty said that the deals had fallen through�another flame had been snuffed out,� Justin said quietly, watching as the reality of what he said begin to sink around the group.
�The candles�some of his dreams�he couldn�t light candles in some of his dreams.� JC ran his hands through his hair as he realized that this maybe the reason behind some of the dreams.
�Yeah�do you really think this it?� asked Lance in disbelief.
�Do we tell him?� Justin asked Jan.
�Wait a minute�let me think,� she murmured. She had not heard all of the details about the dreams, but the reactions that she was seeing displayed by the boys was enough to rattle her a bit.
�I say we do,� said JC
�Me too,� added Lance.
Chris remained quiet, giving Jan a chance to voice her opinion before giving his. All eyes turned to her as she began speaking.
�Guys�before the phone call, Joey and I had decided that we would sit down and talk about his dreams. I think if you go in and tell him about the phone call, things could possibly get worse.�
Jan looked at the faces surrounding her before continuing with her opinion.
�Why don�t you let me have the chance to hear Joey�s dreams from him? I won�t mention the phone call until we can all sit down together.� Jan looked at each of the young men and saw that they were all contemplating what she had said.
JC nodded his head in agreement, as did Lance.
�If you think that�s the best thing to do,� said Justin, trusting Jan�s judgment.
�Chris?� asked Jan. She could see doubts flying across his face before he gave in to the majority.
�I don�t know if it�s the right thing to do, but we don�t have too many choices here.�
�Okay�it�s settled. I�ll have my chance to speak with Joey.�
�When Jan?�
�I want to try this evening JC, right after supper.�
Nods and okays were the affirmations that she received to her last statement.
�Well, some of you look like you need something for headaches. Why don�t I go get a late lunch started while you go clean up,� suggested Jan as she stood up and made her way toward the kitchen.
�Sounds good to me,� said Chris.
�Got mom�s bathroom,� said Justin as he quickly stood and trotted toward the stairs.
�Hall bath for me,� said Chris as he followed Justin up the stairs.
�I�ll take the one downstairs,� said Lance as he stood and headed in the same direction as Chris and Justin.
�Well, I guess I�ll give you a hand in the kitchen Jan, if that�s okay with you,� said JC.
�Just weren�t quick enough were you honey,� said Jan with a laugh as she waited by the entrance of the kitchen for her helper to come. Jan gave JC a pat on the back and the two entered the kitchen to start lunch.
�Nah�I let them have their turns first. Just wanted to spend some quality time with you Aunt Jan,� the young man said shyly.
�Ooh�I just might have to pack you up and take you home with me if you keep flattering me like that.� Jan gave JC�s left cheek a small pat before going to the refrigerator to work on lunch.
JC chuckled. For the moment, Marty�s phone call was forgotten.