CHAPTER 11
Johnny went to bed that night with a thousand things going through his mind. I should have knocked first.
I should have respected her feelings. What if I was too hard on her? What will Ava think? I was Nikki's age once and I did exactly what I wouldn't have wanted my father to do.
Johnny rolled over and looked at his alarm clock.
"Eight o'clock," thought Johnny, "Nikki won't be up until at least ten."
Johnny got out of bed and went through his regular morning routine. He wandered into the living room at eight thirty, and was surprised to see Nikki showered and sitting at the island in the kitchen.
Johnny went to the other side of the island and stood looking at her. He crossed his arms and continued to watch her for a few more minutes.
"Well?" said Johnny still looking a Nikki..
Nikki continued to stare in any direction except for Johnny's.
"Don't you have anything to say?" asked Johnny.
Hearing the same tone she heard the night before, Nikki lifted her eyes and said very softly, "I'm sorry."
"I know," said Johnny, "but sorry isn't good enough this time young lady. Your grounded for the next two weeks. No phone, tv, and no leaving the house."
Nikki nodded and stalked off to her room.
When Nikki had gone upstairs, Johnny shook his head and thought, "I just said young lady."
When Nikki got upstairs, she started a text message to Cameron.
Hey,
Johnny grounded me for two weeks, I can't talk long because I can't use my phone. I just wanted you to know why I haven't called you. I'll miss you.
Nik
Johnny walked into the room just after Nikki had put her phone down.
He extended his had and she put the phone in it. "I know you think I'm being unfair, Nik," his voice softer than before, "but I think that Ava would have done the same thing. Tonight when she calls, you're going to explain to her why you're grounded. Then she can decide what to do when she gets home."
Nikki just glared at Johnny.
"Glaring at me is not going to change anything," said Johnny. He left her room and went downstairs.
Nikki laid down on her bed and looked at the ceiling. "What am I going to do?" she thought.