[Maybe Booker wasn't the only one of them that needed to be seeing a therapist. Nicky would never think of it himself, but the signs were there if one knew where to look.
At the question of calling Joe, he immediately nodded, then winced a little as the ice pack was jostled against his eye. No doubt Booker would use a video call instead of just sticking to voice. There would be no hiding, though Nicky was okay with that.
He was done hiding. He wanted his boyfriends, even if that meant Joe's anger.]
[Joe was the passion to Booker's steady nature and Nicky's quiet curiosity. His anger was bright and loud, but it fizzled easily enough. A shaken up can of Coke.
It made Nicky smile with it's familiarity.]
I'm alright, Joe. What's done is done and wasting all that money to come early isn't worth it. Stay there and get your things in order so that when you get here you can just stay and not have to go back. Besides...I'm not going anywhere.
[The unspoken 'I have no where else to go' lingered heavy in the air.]
Booker is fussing enough for the both of you, I promise.
[ Booker ran his fingers gently through Nicky's hair. ]
For you and for him. He needs to see you, right?
[ Joe agreed. He needed to come see Nicky for himself. They're all shaken up by this. Nicky's dad punched him. It's violence against someone they love.
Booker got to hold Nicky and kiss him and be reassured while Joe just had to sit there. It wasn't good for him. ]
I'll help pitch in for the plane ticket and we can see about my mom letting you stay here too so you don't have to pay for a hotel room. We'll spend some time together and figure out what's next.
[ How can they help Nicky? What do they do about his father? There was a lot to face. ]
[They were both set on Joe coming and Nicky couldn't really bring himself to be mad about it. He wanted to be. It was a waste of planning time for their lover, time that could be better used to set himself up better. And all because of a little black eye?
It seemed excessive, but Nicky wasn't really about to argue. A token one, sure, but he wanted to see Joe. Wanted both of their arms around him, wanted to taste Joe's lips and feel his hands. It wasn't even a sexual thing, it was a comfort thing. He wanted to go to sleep between them and know that no one could ever touch him again.
He claimed to be fine with his childhood. He was a liar.]
Okay. I can help with the ticket, too. I just need to get to a bank cause everything I have right now is in my bag. Kinda hard to wire it like that.
[ Booker and Joe shared a look of relief. Once Nicky was asleep though Booker would sneak away to help Joe get a ticket that would have him in Paris before the weekend was up.
He might even skip classes on Monday to spend time with the two men he loved helping Nicky build a new life in Paris. ]
Today, I will take care of you. You don't worry about a thing.
[ Joe promised he would be a text or a call away all day. If Nicky needed him for anything he would be there. He loved him. He loved them. ]
Do you want to tell us what happened or wait for Joe to be here in person?
He leaned against Booker's side as they fussed over him, closing his eyes and letting their voices soothe his frayed nerves. It had been what he'd been doing all week and it never failed to settle the swirling mix of anger and pain and crushing defeat that was in his head.
The question of what happened made him frown though, and he shrugged one shoulder.]
There isn't much to tell. I withdrew from seminary and they called the house to confirm. He took the call and was furious that I had done it. I told him why and he didn't like the answer. That's it. Nothing but a bitter man with hard fists.
[ Booker felt the first swell of rage in his chest. That bastard. He wrapped his arm more firmly around Nicky like he could somehow shield him from an event that already happened.
Joe asked a very important question: did he hit you anywhere else? Shit, Booker hadn't even thought of that. Was Nicky hurt elsewhere? ]
You're not hurt anywhere else, right? No busted ribs or anything?
[ His mind went to the worst options, of course, because that's what Booker did when he worried.
It was stupid though because Nicky wouldn't have been able to carry his stuff or pack with busted ribs. ]
[He fought the urge to roll his eyes a little at their fussing, shaking his head against Booker's shoulder.]
No, miei amori. No broken ribs. He grabbed my shoulders and shoved me around, but those are already fading.
[And just to prove it to his worried partners, he sat up and pulled off the over sized long sleeve shirt he'd been wearing. His skin was pale and unmarked save for bruises high on his upper arms and a few hints of what could have been something on his shoulder blades when he turned to show them his back.]
[ Booker's rage was incandescent for a moment seeing those fading bruises on Nicky's arms and shoulders. It was his worst nightmare come to life just on Nicky instead of himself which made it worse. ]
Oh... Nicky.
[ He would find a way to get revenge for this and make Nicky's dad suffer. It wouldn't be fast. Booker could nurse a grudge for a long time but as much as he wanted to hurt the bastard Nicky needs care first.
Booker leaned in and pressed gentle kisses against his shoulders and arms. It soothed him and he hoped comforted Nicky a little bit. ]
We're going to make sure nothing like this ever happens to you again. I promise.
[It did comfort him. A lot more than he expected it to, actually. Each kiss sent a jolt through him that seemed to unlock the part of himself that he'd locked away to protect from his father, and by the last kiss, Nicky was pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes again to stop the leak that had started.]
I'm fine...I am. I just...I'm tired.
[He was defiantly trying to convince himself more than he was convincing Booker and Joe.
He pulled his shirt back on, sniffling a little to help keep his emotions in check.]
[ Booker wrapped his arms around Nicky and pulled him to lie down. He reached over him and carefully propped his phone up against the lamp on his nightstand so Joe could see them.
Joe had the most tender expression on his face. Booker could also see the longing in his eyes. He wanted to be there with them. ]
You get some rest. Joe and I are watching over you. Nothing can hurt you now.
[ He trailed a few more tender kisses against Nicky's neck and made sure his arms were nice and secure around Nicky. ]
[He felt like all he'd been doing since getting on the train the night before had been sleeping. He dozed on the train, he dozed in the taxi...but here? Still and wrapped in Booker's arms with Joe's voice in his hears, he didn't doze.
He slept.
The exhaustion of the week caught up to him all at once. The nights spent in his bedroom, staring at his door and waiting for it to open. The days spent on high alert, always listening for the sound of a slamming door or a grumbled voice. He hadn't had a single moment to really relax. Even on the train he'd felt the need to keep one eye open to protect himself. Just in case.
In Booker's arms, he was safe. Nothing could hurt him with his loves there to watch for him.
[ And once Nicky was asleep Booker grabbed the phone and spoke softly with Joe while they made arraignments. He would be in Paris by tomorrow morning. It was a red eye flight for him but worth it.
Booker promised to look after Nicky and keep him safe until Joe got there. They would just relax with comfort food, soft touches, and words of love. They ended the call with the promise to see each other soon.
He didn't sleep while Nicky slept just emailed his professors to say he had a family emergency and wouldn't be in class on Monday.
There, everything was wrapped up nicely to look after Nicky. ]
[He would have glared at his two conspiring lovers if he'd been awake. He didn't need all this fussing, honestly. But he wasn't awake.
He wasn't awake for a long time, actually.
He'd arrived in Paris at 3 pm and they'd made it Booker's mom's no later than 4. An hour talking to her, another talking to Joe and Nicky must have passed out at around 6 at the latest.
He woke up with the sun just starting to kiss the horizon.
He was stiff as hell and was starving, but the most pressing piece of information his body had for him was that he needed to pee. Badly. It was the only thing that could have gotten him out of Booker's arms, if he was honest with himself. He moved quietly and careful, doing his best to not jostle his boyfriend as he slid out of bed and tiptoed out of the room.]
[ Booker lifted his arms so that Nicky could get out of them easier. ]
And dinner's waiting downstairs. [ He waved his phone. ] My mom texted me.
[ He had also beaten a few levels in the latest puzzle game he downloaded. It was a good just to be there and let Nicky nap against him. He felt pretty relaxed even though he hadn't gotten a nap. ]
I'll meet you downstairs, okay? Feel free to borrow any of the clothes I've got here if you want.
[ Booker stretched as he got out of bed and headed to have a nice home cooked meal. ]
[He startled a second, eyes going wide as he caught. He'd thought that Booker had been asleep and that way he was still there, still letting Nicky use him as a pillow. His need to take his bladder for a walk had made him not look and so the sudden voice was completely unexpected. He stiffed for a moment on reflex, but slowly relaxed as he turned to look at Booker.]
I..okay. Sorry if I woke you up. I'll be down in a minute.
[He seemed a little less worked up at least.
He was still in the same clothes when he finally came downstairs, though he had straightened himself out a little to look a little less slept in. He paused at the entrance to the kitchen, for a moment looking like he was going to chicken out and run right back to the safety of Booker's room, but then he was crossing his arms around himself and clearing his throat.]
I- I wanted to apologize for how I acted when I first got here. I really do appreciate you letting me stay here. I can pay a little, too. For my food.
[ Booker sat at the kitchen table with a good plate of food. His mom was also there and she listened while Nicky apologized.
And then told him he had nothing to apologize for. He had been through something awful and only a heartless monster would turn him away now. She invited him to sit down and eat.
He didn't need to help but if he insisted she would make him do the dishes. Booker was awful at remembering to do them. ]
Hey! Don't sell me out like that, mom.
[ She playfully ruffled his hair while Booker tried to dodge. This was the loving side of his family. ]
[It warmed his heart to see Booker playing around with the older woman. He'd met his dad, after all. He'd seen how miserable Booker had been in that house. He'd been able to relate.
Here, though, Booker was smiling and it brought one of those shy little smiles to Nicky's lips as well as he slid into a chair across from his boyfriend. Across, not next to. It would be a long while before he felt comfortable with any kind of PDA again.
Accepting a plate of his own, he nibbled at it dutifully..then visibly perked up and started to eat with much more enthusiasm.]
This is wonderful. Very good. I will happily do the dishes, of course.
[ It was a simple dinner of lemon and garlic chicken with potato and a little side salad. Simple and easy.
Booker's mom, of course, was curious about her son's boyfriend but tonight was clearly not the night to ask personal questions. ]
She's going to like you better than me.
[ Under the table Booker gently nudged his foot against Nicky's just a little sign of physical contact if he wanted it.
His mom would tell stories of Booker's childhood. Good ones about silly things he did and of course she got out the baby photos. Anything to distract the young man who had suffered unfairly. ]
[It would take him a while to really relax around Booker's mother. He had never really relaxed around even Joe's parents, even. Though, if he was going to be staying there, then he'd have to come out of his shell eventually. Even if it was just when Booker was there to coax him out of it.
He smiled at the stories and asked questions as needed, but mostly he was content to just listen to them banter back and forth. Eventually, he excused himself and moved to do the dishes. He washed everything and dried it all, but he had to stop and give Booker a pleading look at that point.]
[ Booker got up from the table and rubbed his hand up and down Nicky's back. It was a little sad to see Nicky scared to use pet names but he wouldn't push.
Nicky would need time to be comfortable here. Booker would do his best to help him along.
He showed him where things went while he helped him put away the dishes, occasionally gently touching his hand for a moment or brushing his arm. It wasn't like his mom scolded them for it. She actually left to go watch the news. ]
So you're comfortable, right? You feel okay to stay here even if I'm not? She's not an asshole like our dads.
[Once she left, he relaxed into those touches, though he kept them all short and discreet. She seemed as excepting as Booker said, but it was ingrained habit.]
Sì, mio amore. I am fine. I-I will be fine. She seems like a wonderful woman and I'm grateful that she is in your life.
[He took a risk and cupped Booker's cheek, running his thumb along his cheekbone before dropping his hand.]
Besides, this will not be for long. I fully intend on getting a job as soon as.. this [He gestured at his face] is gone.
She is. She's helped me through the darkest times in my life.
[ Booker gently drew Nicky into his arms and hugged him tight for a long minute. Then he left him go since he was still adjusting. ]
Okay. A job sounds good. What kind of job were you thinking?
[ A job wasn't a bad idea. It would keep Nicky busy but he hoped he would also look into further schooling. Nicky was so smart and he wanted to help. He could do so much with the right opportunity. ]
Come on, let's go back upstairs and get some of your stuff unpacked. You'll be a lot more comfortable not living out of your bags.
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flatlanders
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Date: 2020-09-01 11:01 pm (UTC)[ He pressed his lips against Nicky's temple and left them there. ]
Always thinking the worse. She doesn't. She's worried about you like she worried about me when things were bad.
[ And things were bad. Nicky's spark was real dull right now and Booker hated seeing him like this.
Even if Nicky would tell Joe not to bother he'd pitch in to get their boyfriend a plane ticket to come here. Nicky needed their support right now. ]
Do you want to call Joe now?
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Date: 2020-09-01 11:15 pm (UTC)At the question of calling Joe, he immediately nodded, then winced a little as the ice pack was jostled against his eye. No doubt Booker would use a video call instead of just sticking to voice. There would be no hiding, though Nicky was okay with that.
He was done hiding. He wanted his boyfriends, even if that meant Joe's anger.]
Yeah, I really do. I miss his face...
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Date: 2020-09-01 11:32 pm (UTC)[ Booker didn’t have his laptop here so he pulled out his phone for the video call.
Joe looked anxious at first and then he say Nicky’s eye with the ice pack. He started cursing and shouting seconds later. ]
Joe. Joe. Calm down. He’s safe now. That’s more important. Come on.
[ Nicky didn’t need more anger right now.
Luckily Joe’s temper burned out fast and he calmed fairly quickly. Then he was all sweet words and promises to come right away. ]
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Date: 2020-09-01 11:40 pm (UTC)It made Nicky smile with it's familiarity.]
I'm alright, Joe. What's done is done and wasting all that money to come early isn't worth it. Stay there and get your things in order so that when you get here you can just stay and not have to go back. Besides...I'm not going anywhere.
[The unspoken 'I have no where else to go' lingered heavy in the air.]
Booker is fussing enough for the both of you, I promise.
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Date: 2020-09-01 11:49 pm (UTC)[ Booker ran his fingers gently through Nicky's hair. ]
For you and for him. He needs to see you, right?
[ Joe agreed. He needed to come see Nicky for himself. They're all shaken up by this. Nicky's dad punched him. It's violence against someone they love.
Booker got to hold Nicky and kiss him and be reassured while Joe just had to sit there. It wasn't good for him. ]
I'll help pitch in for the plane ticket and we can see about my mom letting you stay here too so you don't have to pay for a hotel room. We'll spend some time together and figure out what's next.
[ How can they help Nicky? What do they do about his father? There was a lot to face. ]
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Date: 2020-09-02 01:37 am (UTC)It seemed excessive, but Nicky wasn't really about to argue. A token one, sure, but he wanted to see Joe. Wanted both of their arms around him, wanted to taste Joe's lips and feel his hands. It wasn't even a sexual thing, it was a comfort thing. He wanted to go to sleep between them and know that no one could ever touch him again.
He claimed to be fine with his childhood. He was a liar.]
Okay. I can help with the ticket, too. I just need to get to a bank cause everything I have right now is in my bag. Kinda hard to wire it like that.
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Date: 2020-09-02 01:42 am (UTC)[ Booker and Joe shared a look of relief. Once Nicky was asleep though Booker would sneak away to help Joe get a ticket that would have him in Paris before the weekend was up.
He might even skip classes on Monday to spend time with the two men he loved helping Nicky build a new life in Paris. ]
Today, I will take care of you. You don't worry about a thing.
[ Joe promised he would be a text or a call away all day. If Nicky needed him for anything he would be there. He loved him. He loved them. ]
Do you want to tell us what happened or wait for Joe to be here in person?
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Date: 2020-09-02 01:47 am (UTC)He leaned against Booker's side as they fussed over him, closing his eyes and letting their voices soothe his frayed nerves. It had been what he'd been doing all week and it never failed to settle the swirling mix of anger and pain and crushing defeat that was in his head.
The question of what happened made him frown though, and he shrugged one shoulder.]
There isn't much to tell. I withdrew from seminary and they called the house to confirm. He took the call and was furious that I had done it. I told him why and he didn't like the answer. That's it. Nothing but a bitter man with hard fists.
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Date: 2020-09-02 01:51 am (UTC)Joe asked a very important question: did he hit you anywhere else? Shit, Booker hadn't even thought of that. Was Nicky hurt elsewhere? ]
You're not hurt anywhere else, right? No busted ribs or anything?
[ His mind went to the worst options, of course, because that's what Booker did when he worried.
It was stupid though because Nicky wouldn't have been able to carry his stuff or pack with busted ribs. ]
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Date: 2020-09-02 02:04 am (UTC)No, miei amori. No broken ribs. He grabbed my shoulders and shoved me around, but those are already fading.
[And just to prove it to his worried partners, he sat up and pulled off the over sized long sleeve shirt he'd been wearing. His skin was pale and unmarked save for bruises high on his upper arms and a few hints of what could have been something on his shoulder blades when he turned to show them his back.]
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Date: 2020-09-02 02:08 am (UTC)Oh... Nicky.
[ He would find a way to get revenge for this and make Nicky's dad suffer. It wouldn't be fast. Booker could nurse a grudge for a long time but as much as he wanted to hurt the bastard Nicky needs care first.
Booker leaned in and pressed gentle kisses against his shoulders and arms. It soothed him and he hoped comforted Nicky a little bit. ]
We're going to make sure nothing like this ever happens to you again. I promise.
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Date: 2020-09-02 02:14 am (UTC)I'm fine...I am. I just...I'm tired.
[He was defiantly trying to convince himself more than he was convincing Booker and Joe.
He pulled his shirt back on, sniffling a little to help keep his emotions in check.]
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Date: 2020-09-02 02:18 am (UTC)[ Booker wrapped his arms around Nicky and pulled him to lie down. He reached over him and carefully propped his phone up against the lamp on his nightstand so Joe could see them.
Joe had the most tender expression on his face. Booker could also see the longing in his eyes. He wanted to be there with them. ]
You get some rest. Joe and I are watching over you. Nothing can hurt you now.
[ He trailed a few more tender kisses against Nicky's neck and made sure his arms were nice and secure around Nicky. ]
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Date: 2020-09-02 02:26 am (UTC)He slept.
The exhaustion of the week caught up to him all at once. The nights spent in his bedroom, staring at his door and waiting for it to open. The days spent on high alert, always listening for the sound of a slamming door or a grumbled voice. He hadn't had a single moment to really relax. Even on the train he'd felt the need to keep one eye open to protect himself. Just in case.
In Booker's arms, he was safe. Nothing could hurt him with his loves there to watch for him.
He slept. Hard.]
no subject
Date: 2020-09-02 02:40 am (UTC)Booker promised to look after Nicky and keep him safe until Joe got there. They would just relax with comfort food, soft touches, and words of love. They ended the call with the promise to see each other soon.
He didn't sleep while Nicky slept just emailed his professors to say he had a family emergency and wouldn't be in class on Monday.
There, everything was wrapped up nicely to look after Nicky. ]
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Date: 2020-09-02 02:56 am (UTC)He wasn't awake for a long time, actually.
He'd arrived in Paris at 3 pm and they'd made it Booker's mom's no later than 4. An hour talking to her, another talking to Joe and Nicky must have passed out at around 6 at the latest.
He woke up with the sun just starting to kiss the horizon.
He was stiff as hell and was starving, but the most pressing piece of information his body had for him was that he needed to pee. Badly. It was the only thing that could have gotten him out of Booker's arms, if he was honest with himself. He moved quietly and careful, doing his best to not jostle his boyfriend as he slid out of bed and tiptoed out of the room.]
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Date: 2020-09-02 03:00 am (UTC)[ Booker lifted his arms so that Nicky could get out of them easier. ]
And dinner's waiting downstairs. [ He waved his phone. ] My mom texted me.
[ He had also beaten a few levels in the latest puzzle game he downloaded. It was a good just to be there and let Nicky nap against him. He felt pretty relaxed even though he hadn't gotten a nap. ]
I'll meet you downstairs, okay? Feel free to borrow any of the clothes I've got here if you want.
[ Booker stretched as he got out of bed and headed to have a nice home cooked meal. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-09-02 03:10 am (UTC)I..okay. Sorry if I woke you up. I'll be down in a minute.
[He seemed a little less worked up at least.
He was still in the same clothes when he finally came downstairs, though he had straightened himself out a little to look a little less slept in. He paused at the entrance to the kitchen, for a moment looking like he was going to chicken out and run right back to the safety of Booker's room, but then he was crossing his arms around himself and clearing his throat.]
I- I wanted to apologize for how I acted when I first got here. I really do appreciate you letting me stay here. I can pay a little, too. For my food.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-02 03:15 am (UTC)And then told him he had nothing to apologize for. He had been through something awful and only a heartless monster would turn him away now. She invited him to sit down and eat.
He didn't need to help but if he insisted she would make him do the dishes. Booker was awful at remembering to do them. ]
Hey! Don't sell me out like that, mom.
[ She playfully ruffled his hair while Booker tried to dodge. This was the loving side of his family. ]
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Date: 2020-09-02 03:22 am (UTC)Here, though, Booker was smiling and it brought one of those shy little smiles to Nicky's lips as well as he slid into a chair across from his boyfriend. Across, not next to. It would be a long while before he felt comfortable with any kind of PDA again.
Accepting a plate of his own, he nibbled at it dutifully..then visibly perked up and started to eat with much more enthusiasm.]
This is wonderful. Very good. I will happily do the dishes, of course.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-02 03:27 am (UTC)Booker's mom, of course, was curious about her son's boyfriend but tonight was clearly not the night to ask personal questions. ]
She's going to like you better than me.
[ Under the table Booker gently nudged his foot against Nicky's just a little sign of physical contact if he wanted it.
His mom would tell stories of Booker's childhood. Good ones about silly things he did and of course she got out the baby photos. Anything to distract the young man who had suffered unfairly. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-09-02 03:48 am (UTC)He smiled at the stories and asked questions as needed, but mostly he was content to just listen to them banter back and forth. Eventually, he excused himself and moved to do the dishes. He washed everything and dried it all, but he had to stop and give Booker a pleading look at that point.]
I don't know where things go, mi- Booker.
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Date: 2020-09-02 03:56 am (UTC)[ Booker got up from the table and rubbed his hand up and down Nicky's back. It was a little sad to see Nicky scared to use pet names but he wouldn't push.
Nicky would need time to be comfortable here. Booker would do his best to help him along.
He showed him where things went while he helped him put away the dishes, occasionally gently touching his hand for a moment or brushing his arm. It wasn't like his mom scolded them for it. She actually left to go watch the news. ]
So you're comfortable, right? You feel okay to stay here even if I'm not? She's not an asshole like our dads.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-02 04:08 am (UTC)Sì, mio amore. I am fine. I-I will be fine. She seems like a wonderful woman and I'm grateful that she is in your life.
[He took a risk and cupped Booker's cheek, running his thumb along his cheekbone before dropping his hand.]
Besides, this will not be for long. I fully intend on getting a job as soon as.. this [He gestured at his face] is gone.
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Date: 2020-09-02 11:34 am (UTC)[ Booker gently drew Nicky into his arms and hugged him tight for a long minute. Then he left him go since he was still adjusting. ]
Okay. A job sounds good. What kind of job were you thinking?
[ A job wasn't a bad idea. It would keep Nicky busy but he hoped he would also look into further schooling. Nicky was so smart and he wanted to help. He could do so much with the right opportunity. ]
Come on, let's go back upstairs and get some of your stuff unpacked. You'll be a lot more comfortable not living out of your bags.
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