Kyle stifled a yawn as he walked into the kitchen. Nicole was at the stove flipping pancakes while Josh and Lori fought over the box of orange juice.
"Good morning Kyle," said Nicole "Did you have a good sleep?"
"Yes." He said and smiled warmly at her.
"Where's Jessi?" She asked.
"I let her have the shower first." He grabbed a glass and plate from the cabinet and took a seat next to Josh.
"Kyle, she's not even been here a week yet and you're already letting her take over. It's just not right my man." Said Josh as he stuffed a piece of toast into his mouth.
"She's not taking over," said Kyle "we're taking turns."
"But it's your job as her big brother to make her life as miserable as possible. None of this happy, sharry cra-----."
"Oh yeah?" Lori piped in " What if I royally embarrassed you every time you leave the toilet seat up?"
"Our relationship is different, older sisters are supposed to be bothered by younger brothers. Besides, what makes you think it's me? There are three men living in this house."
"Because dad knows better and because Kyle is a gentlemen." She said and smiled warmly at Kyle.
"What about Declan? He could be coming here to put the toilet seat up for kicks." Lori gave Josh a dirty look as Nicole came to the table and put pancakes on their plates.
"Has Lou called yet?" Asked Kyle referring to the man who contacted Nicole with new patients.
"No, but don't worry, I'll be swamped with work before you know it." Said Nicole. Kyle got up to fetch the syrup from the fridge and grabbed another plate as Jessi walked into the room, hair still slightly damp.
"I think something is wrong with the shower." She said, "The hot water wouldn't come on."
"Great, see what I mean Kyle? Now she's the one making us miserable." Said Josh.
"Josh!" Yelled Kyle, Lori, and Nicole in unison.
"Wait, Jessi it's not what it sounds like. I was referring to … something else." Said Josh as he realized how his comment had come over.
"No, it's okay. I understand how hard it must be on everyone now that I'm living here." Said Jessi.
"Jessi, you're no burden here. We're the ones who invited you to stay, remember?" Said Nicole as she served Jessi some pancakes.
"But, you've had to pick your job back up."
"And you're worth every bit of it." Said Nicole as she kissed Jessi on the top of the head. Jessi managed a small smile at Nicole and began to drain syrup onto her pancakes.
"Great, glad that's settled, but this doesn't explain how the rest of us are going to have decent showers." Stated Josh. Nicole chuckled and said:
"I'll boil some water."
Just as Nicole set several large pots on the stove, the phone began to ring.
"Oh, hey Lou … No I'm not busy right now." Said Nicole and mouthed to Lori 'could you fill these up?' She walked out of the kitchen towards her office.
"Don't worry about it Lori. Jessi and I can check out the hot water heater. Do we have an owner's manual?"
"That's a dad question." Stated Lori.
"What question?" Said Stephen as he walked into the kitchen.
"Do we have the owner's manual to the hot water heater?"
"Yeah, I think it's in the cabinet in the laundry room." He replied
Nicole walked back into the room and set the phone back onto its console.
"I see my first patient today." She announced.
"You look nervous." Said Kyle.
"It's been awhile since I've seen someone. I just hope I'm ready enough."
" I'm sure you'll do fine." He assured her. Nicole gave him a warm smile and put her hand on his shoulder.
"So give us the dirt." Said Josh "Do we have another alien on our hands?"
"You know I can't disclose that information." Said Nicole "Besides, I don't know that much myself."
"What if we guessed? You wouldn't be revealing anything then." Said Lori.
"You'll find out when everyone else does." Said Nicole now more than a little annoyed.
"Everyone else?" repeated Jessi as she looked toward Kyle "As in mass media?"
"Has there been anyone in the newspaper or on the news for anything of a traumatic nature?" Kyle asked Josh and Lori.
"Oh! Oh! What's that girl's name that's been all over the news for disappearing in that park?" said Josh excitedly.
"Charlotte Brown?" Said Jessi.
"Yes! Nice teamwork!" Exclaimed Josh and put his hand up for a high five. But Jessi looked at him like he was crazy and he awkwardly lowered his hand.
"They found her?" Asked Lori.
"I guess so." Said Nicole, confirming their guess as correct.
"What happened to her? Where did they find her?" Lori asked Nicole.
"I told you I don't know anything. Now go take your showers before you are late for school." Said Nicole as she ushered them out of the kitchen. Kyle and Jessi headed toward the laundry room and found a dirty, slightly slimy owner's manual in the back of the cabinet above the washer and dryer. They flipped through the book and easily read the three hundred and fifty one page book in less than a minute.
"I'll look over the wiring." Said Jessi as she moved the water heater away from the wall.
"I'll check the connections to the water line." Said Kyle.
"Found it" Said Jessi "Looks like a rat chewed through some wires."
"They are our enemies." Said Kyle.
"What?" said Jessi confused.
"Nothing." Said Kyle as he caught an odd look on Jessi's face. "Is something worrying you?"
"I'm afraid that if the press finds out that Nicole is seeing that Brown girl it will increase the chances of our secret getting out." She admitted.
"We'll just have to be more careful." Said Kyle "But I don't think it will go that far. I'm sure Nicole has everything under control." Jessi didn't look too convinced. They spliced the wires together and slid the water heater back into position.
"Everything will be fine." Kyle assured her.
