Chapter 5

Nicole parked the van in the garage and instantly panicked when she saw that Kevin’s truck was not there. She checked her cell phone only to find out that it was turned off. She immediately assumed the worst as she ran into the house. She ran into the living room and was shocked to see Sherry and Kylie sitting on the couch.

"Oh hi Mrs. Richardson." Sherry said.

"Hi Sherry. What are you doing here?" Nicole asked.

"Mr. Richardson said he needed to go out somewhere and he asked me to baby sit Kylie until you got home." Sherry explained.

"Do you have any idea where Mr. Richardson went?" Nicole asked.

"No sorry I don’t." Sherry said as stood up.

"Ok, well thank-you Sherry. Let me get you some money. Do you need a ride home?" Nicole asked.

"No, but if I could just call my mother, she’ll come and get me." Sherry said.

Ten minutes later, Nicole said goodbye to Sherry at the door and ensured that she made it into her mother’s car safely.

"Mom we don’t have any homework tonight. Can we go over to Justin’s and play?" Steven asked.

"No not tonight Steven. Your sister is sick." Nicole said.

"Well where is dad? He can take us over." Steven suggested.

"I have no idea where your father is Steven." Nicole said.

"Well can we go watch TV then?" Steven asked.

"Yes you can. I will start dinner for the three of us." Nicole said.

"Is dad not coming home for dinner tonight?" Steven inquired.

"I don’t think so honey." Nicole said.

"Is there something wrong between you and dad?" Steven asked.

"What would make you think that?" Nicole asked as she felt a sick feeling in her stomach.

"We do hear you fighting mom." Steven stated.

Nicole walked over to Steven and put her arms around Steven to hug him. "Your father and I do fight sometimes Steven, but we still love each other very much. You don’t need to worry about anything honey." Nicole said, trying to convince herself as well.

"I think we need a family vacation or something mom." Steven suggested.

"That’s a great idea honey. We should all sit down soon and talk about a vacation." Nicole said.

"Can we sit down and talk about it when dad gets home?" Steven asked beaming with excitement.

"I don’t know if he will be home before you guys go to bed tonight." Nicole said, hoping she was wrong.

"I’m gonna call him!" Steven said as he picked up the phone and hit the speed dial button for Kevin’s cell phone.

Kevin and AJ were just discussing the possibility of Kevin writing some songs for him, when his cell phone rang. "Hello." Kevin said after pressing the Talk button.

"Hi dad." Steven said.

"Hey Steven. How ya doing sport?" Kevin asked, genuinely pleased to hear his son’s voice.

"When are you coming home dad?" Steven asked.

"I’m just having dinner with Uncle Howie and AJ and I’ll be home after that." Kevin said.

"Will you be home before we go to bed?" Steven asked.

Kevin glanced at his watch and promised his son that he would be home in plenty of time. He quickly talked to Nick and Kylie on the phone and then Steven insisted that he talk to Nicole.

"Hi Kevin." Nicole said.

"Do you know what prompted the phone call? Is Steven all right?" Kevin asked.

"Kevin, the boys are picking up on the tension between us. Steven asked me tonight if everything was alright between us." Nicole said flat out.

"What did you say?" Kevin asked.

"I told him that things were fine Kevin, but to be honest with you, I’m not sure if I believe that." Nicole said.

"At least we’re on the same wavelength." Kevin remarked.

"I think we need to have a serious talk tonight Kevin. No fighting, no jumping down each other’s throat. Just talk about our feelings and listen to each other." Nicole said as she leaned against the counter for support.

"I’m just out having dinner with Howie and AJ. As soon as we are finished here I’ll come home." Kevin said.

"Has Julie had the baby yet?" Nicole asked.

"No she hasn’t." Kevin replied.

"Well say hi to the guys for me." Nicole said.

"I will. Look I should be going. I’ll see you a little later." Kevin said.

"Bye." Nicole said as she hung up the phone. She lifted her hand and wiped away the tear that had escaped. She was terrified of what would come out of their talk that night.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" Kylie asked as she stood in the entrance to the kitchen.

"Come here honey." Nicole said as she bent down and hugged her daughter. "Mommy and daddy are just having a few problems right now. But everything will be better real soon." Nicole said, again not sure whom she was trying to convince.