Part 391
Jesse stood staring at the game she’d been playing as sounds of screaming cars, dings of bells, and other assorted noises surrounded her in the game room. It was where everyone had gathered after sound checks. Well, everyone except her parents. Howie had insisted that Sarah rest before the show that night and she hadn’t argued.
Kevin was headed across the room to play air hockey with AJ when he saw Jesse. "What’s wrong, ‘Squirt’?" he asked as he knelt down beside her.
"I can’t make this work," she whined pointing to the ‘Alligator Bop’ game.
Kevin looked at it, pushed buttons, and even tried unplugging it to get the game to work for her. "I’m sorry, Jess. I can’t fix it."
Jesse rolled her bottom lip out and crossed her arms over her chest in her usual pout.
As he ruffled her hair, he said, "I tried, ‘Squirt’."
"I bet Daddy could fix it," she pouted. "He can fix anything."
"You’re probably right but he’s not here right now. Is there something else I can do to make you happy?"
Jesse looked up at him. "How ‘bout a piggy back ride?"
"Well, now…I think I can handle that," laughed Kevin as he scooped her onto his shoulders. "Hold on tight!"
With Kevin holding on to her hands, the two went tearing through the game room. Jesse’s squeals drew everyone’s attention and they joined in the fun. Nick and Brian tried to trap Kevin and Jesse but Kevin ducked between the games to get away with Jesse squealing the whole time. Rounding a corner, Kevin ran into AJ who grabbed Jesse off Kevin’s shoulders, put her on his, and took off in another direction. Everyone was in hysterics with the guys playing with Jesse.
Jeff came into the room looking for Howie and Sarah and Nick who now had Jesse on his shoulders just about plowed over him.
"Whoa! Sorry, Jeff!"
"It’s okay."
Giggling, Becca asked, "What ‘cha need, Jeff?"
"I’m looking for Howie and Sarah. Y’all seen them?"
"Get real, Jeff," said Nick. "Howie and Sarah aren’t here! Where do you THINK they are?"
Becca smacked Nick, "Be nice, ‘Blondie’!"
"I AM being nice, woman," smirked Nick as he bounced Jesse on his shoulders.
AJ spoke up, "Sarah’s asleep and Howie said he was gonna stay with her to make sure she wasn’t disturbed."
"And chances are, you’ll disturb them," smirked Nick again.
"What do you need them for?" asked Kevin.
"We got the information on David they wanted."
"And?" asked Brian as they all held their breath anxiously.
"He’s clean."
"Then why do you look mad as hell?" asked Nick.
"Uncle Nicky!" scolded Jesse leaning over his head to look him in the eye. "Does Mommy need to warsh YOUR mouth out with soap?"
"We had to buy out Sisqo’s contract for the rest of the tour."
"Why?" asked AJ.
"He was complaining about having to cut his set short and the amount of stage time Sarah gets. I’m not gonna listen to a one-hit wonder moan and groan because someone who’s got MORE talent in her little pinky than he does is getting more stage time."
"What are we gonna do for an opening act?" asked Nick.
Kevin rolled his eyes, "God! Just how blond ARE you?"
"He’s NOT, Uncle Kevin," answered Jesse innocently. "He dyes his hair just like Uncle AJ."
Everyone stifled their laughter as Kevin said, "I know, ‘Squirt’. It’s just…." Kevin stopped seeing that Jesse wasn’t going to let anyone pick on her Uncle Nicky. "Never mind. Nick, we’re gonna keep going like it is, with Krystal and Sarah doing their sets."
Jeff said, "Sarah’s gonna HAVE to perform whether she wants to or not. I need to go tell them."
Having watched Howie all day and knowing what Sarah had said about this morning, AJ was more than just a little concerned about what was going on in Howie’s dressing room. He also knew no one else seemed to realize there was a problem. Now was his chance to talk to Howie.
"I’ll go tell them," offered AJ.
"Are you sure?" asked Jeff.
"Yeah. I wouldn’t want you walking in on anything. Might piss Sarah off."
"God knows, I don’t need to do anything to make Sarah hate me any more."
"Sarah doesn’t hate you," said Becca.
From Nick’s shoulders, Jesse piped up, "Yes, she does. She says…"
Jesse was quickly silenced by Kevin’s hand on her mouth as Becca grinned, "Kids! Don’t you just love ‘em?"