"I'm your baby tonight..." Nick bounced around the kitchen, drumming on countertops and singing as he made breakfast.
"What's up with him?" Howie asked. He took a seat beside A.J. at the table.
"Haven't asked yet," A.J. shrugged. He grabbed another tangerine. "But I can guess."
"Go ahead," Nick invited. He laid a plate of toast on the table. A moment later, Howie's favourite marmalade joined it.
A.J. tipped his chair back on two legs. "Girlfriend called back."
"Strike one."
"Girlfriend's coming today," Howie suggested.
"Close, but no cigar. Which is good, 'cause you don't smoke," Nick smirked.
A.J. thought a moment. Two and two made five, causing him to set down his chair with a sharp bang. "Wait, you mean she's here already?" A.J. stared. "She came in last night?"
"Picked her up at the bus station this morning, " Nick corrected, with the air of a man who is well satisfied with life.
"Bus station?"
"She didn't feel like driving by herself from Toronto, and couldn't afford a plane ticket this month."
"From Toronto?" Howie demanded. "You couldn't send her a ticket?"
"That's a long..." A.J.'s knowledge of geography failed him. "How long a bus ride is that?"
"Fourteen hours. She's sleeping now." To Howie, Nick said, "Tricia's stubborn about things like that. She won't let me spend money on her."
"She went on a fourteen hour bus trip to see you," A.J. repeated.
"Straight from work."
"I like her already."