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“Something wrong?” Nicky asked when he heard Booker groan out loud.
“Nothing you need to worry about,” Booker replied. “All you need to worry about is your paper for school. Need any help?”
“No thanks,” Nicky replied. “Not after last time.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Booker wanted to know. "I'm a fantastic help."
“Thanks to your help, I ended up writing in my paper that Columbus sailed to Norway as a young man,” Nicky smirked. “Do you know how much trouble I was in with my history teacher?”
“It isn't my fault,” Booker replied. “That your history teacher didn’t read the book I read about Columbus.”
Nicky raised an eyebrow.
“But you could help me with something,” Nicky said. “I need a copy of ‘Watership Down’.”
“You do know that it’s a book that will make you cry,” Booker said. “Just like when Hedwig died in that Harry Potter book.”
“I did not cry,” Nicky protested. “And I need to concentrate on my paper.”
Nicky turned a page in his history book, which made Booker chuckle.
“Stop it,” Nicky said. “And don’t you have something better to do?”
“Now that you’re saying it,” Booker replied. “I’m leaving you alone for the next hour.”
“Where are you going?” Nicky wanted to know.
“Just doing some boring adult stuff like buying socks,” Booker replied. “Do you want to come?”
“No thanks,” Nicky replied. “Then I would rather spend time with Francis Drake.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing out on,” Booker replied. “And don’t throw any crazy parties while I’m gone.”
Before Booker stood on the street, he could hear that Nicky had turned on the music even louder than before.
The next morning, Nicky woke Booker as usual.
“That’s a different groan than the usual,” Nicky said. “Are you in pain?”
“No,” Booker replied. “So, breakfast?”
Nicky pushed Booker down again on the bed and looked serious at him.
“You’re breaking one of the rules we have,” Nicky said. “We don’t lie towards each other, which is something you’re doing right now.”
“I just have a toothache,” Booker said. “It will go away.”
Booker tried to get up again but Nicky pushed him down again.
“We’re seeing a dentist today,” Nicky said.
“No, we’re not,” Booker protested.
“Yes, we’re,” Nicky said in a firm tone. “Or else you won’t be allowed to watch football tonight.”
Nicky crossed his arms with a serious mine on his face.
“Fine I give in,” Booker said.
“Good,” Nicky replied as he reached Booker his phone. “Call the dentist now.”
“Thanks for keeping me honest,” Booker said as he ruffled Nicky’s hair.
“Don't mention it,” Nicky replied. “Call the dentist now.”
In the afternoon they stood in the dentist’s office.
“You really didn’t have to come,” Booker said as he signed in.
“I know you, Seb,” Nicky replied as he crossed his arms. “If I hadn’t gone with you, you wouldn’t have shown up.”
“Thanks for the trust, brother,” Booker replied as he looked at the receptionist. “And he is just joking.”
“Are you flirting with the lady?” Nicky wanted to know. “I’m so sorry but my big brother is French and thinks he is SO charming.”
“Nicky!” Booker said as he blushed. “Please stop talking.”
The receptionist laughed as Booker directed Nicky towards the waiting room.
“We need a new rule now that you’re 15,” Booker said. “Stay out of my love life.”
“Why?” Nicky wanted to know. “Is it wrong that I think it’s ok for you to have a girlfriend even though I think it’s gross with all the kissing?”
Booker couldn’t stop laughing. Lately, Nicky has started to have some very strong opinions about the subject of having a girlfriend.
“This is not the place for that talk, Nicky,” Booker said. “We’ll have it another day at home.”
“Fine,” Nicky replied irritatedly.
Booker placed a hand on Nicky’s shoulder.
“But thanks for worrying about me,” Booker said.
“Don’t mention it,” Nicky replied. “Is there water in this room?”
“Only on the screen,” Booker replied. “It’s a movie from the Caribbean with water and fish.”
“Mr Le Livre?” The dentist asked.
“That’s me,” Booker replied. “You can wait here, Nicky?”
Nicky got up and folded out his white cane.
“You’re not getting the chance to run away,” Nicky said as he followed Booker and the dentist.
“You can sit down on the chair in the corner,” The dentist said.
“Ok,” Nicky replied as he sat down. “Let me know if you need a hand to hold onto, Seb.”
“Thanks for the offer,” Booker replied. “ I’m grateful for it.”
Booker was really happy that Nicky was blind because the last thing Booker wanted right now was that Nicky saw the look on Booker’s face.
“Deep breaths,” The dentist said in a calm tone. “And when you’re ready, open your mouth.”
The moment the dentist started his examination, Booker saw Nicky placing his hand on Booker’s leg.
“You have to get your root canal fixed,” The dentist said. “We can do it today.”
“Do it,” Nicky said. “That way you can better enjoy the football match tonight.”
“He got a point,” Booker said. “If you want, Nicky, you can take a walk.”
“I’m staying,” Nicky replied. “Just as you did with me when they removed my appendix.”
Nicky gave Booker a smile before Nicky once again placed a hand on Booker’s leg.
“Thanks,” Booker said gratefully. “Let’s do it.”
An hour later they stood outside again.
“I checked on the net, what you can eat,” Nicky said. “And one of the things is pancakes.”
“That’s more than fine with me,” Booker replied. “I’m too tired to cook anyway.”
When they got home it was just before the football match started, but Booker fell asleep during the match.
“Who won?” Booker wanted to know the next morning.
“Holland beat France 4-2,” Nicky replied. “As I predicted.”
Booker let out a groan, Nicky knew it meant that his big brother would spend the entire day complaining about the football match, so Nicky put on his headphones because he had heard it all before and decided to concentrate on his music sheets instead.