[ - ]
Table of Contents [Report This]
Printer Chapter or Story Microsoft Word Chapter or Story
- Text Size +
You know how I was looking through my dad’s journal while Nick and I talked, before Kevin showed up? Well, I was able to read a good part of the next journal entry. I was wondering if Nick had read it that far, but the way he reacted to Kevin’s confession, told me that he had not read it. I was more prepared for what was coming, than I let on.

“I’m sorry, Baylee. I was wrong,” Kevin paced the floor and looked down at me. I just glared at him, not saying a word. Watching every single movement, I studied him as he continued. “I’m not sure why I acted the way I did. Obviously, you like being with Nick. I shouldn’t have interfered.” Kevin twisted his hands together as he looked at me, then the wall, then the floor, and then the chair. “I was wrong for the things I said. Hitting Nick was uncalled for,” he sighed as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

“Uhuh…” I responded sarcastically.

“I’m going to get help and straighten myself out. No more drugs. No more bad decisions. No court. No custody battle.”

“May I read something to you?”

“Of course, go ahead.” He nodded a little too happily. Shifting his eyes around the room again, he sat down in the chair.

“Alright here goes,” I flipped open my father’s journal.

“Everything okay in here?” AJ poked his head in the door.

“Yes,” I nodded. “Actually, I was about to read something to Kevin. You guys might be interested, as well.”

“Sure,” AJ shrugged and called the others. Everyone piled back into the room and sat down.

“AJ and Howie, you guys better stand over by Kevin,” I told them as I re-opened the journal. As soon as they got up and stood next to the chair, I began to read. “

August 5th, 2005.

Dear Journal,

You know, it’s really easy to tell when my cousin is lying. I bring this up because he did it to me today. He came and had the NERVE to lie to me and say he was sorry. He promised me all sorts of crap. ‘Oh Brian,’ he says, ‘what have I gotten myself into? I have gotten tangled in this web of drugs and I need help. I couldn’t handle the pressure,’ he says, ‘it has been too much for me to handle. I can’t be everything for everyone…I’m not that strong. I am too weak and AJ’s habits have rubbed off on me! I want help…no more drugs…no more yelling…no more fights. I want to be myself again.’

So why don’t I believe a word he says? First of all, when a person wants to get help, they don’t blame their problems on someone else. I know AJ well enough to know that he would never force anyone to do things like that. AJ is a good man, he has made mistakes and wrong decisions but he’s not a monster! How dare Kevin blame his drug problem on AJ!

I didn’t even realize Kevin was into drugs. How did I not see this? Maybe, this is why God made sure I didn’t have Kevin on the will as Baylee’s guardian. I can’t believe I didn’t see it! It all makes sense, all the pieces are there! What burns my butt the most is that Kevin would lie about wanting help.

How do I know he is full of horse manure? He couldn’t sit still, all he did was pace. He couldn’t look me in the eye for more than a couple second…his eyes get shifty when he lies. The other thing he does…he fiddles with his hands. The clincher, though, he cried. Yep. He cried through the whole confession, but as soon as I said we would get him help, the water works stopped. He was like ‘What about the fans?’ and then was all ‘Right…okay.’ Then it was over!

Kevin has fooled a lot of people in his day, but not me. I know his little quirks and I bet every penny I have, that he won’t go to rehab. My bank account has nothing to worry about because Kevin is full of it. I just pray that he WILL get help someday. Dear God, I hope it is sooner rather than later. May God be with us all because there is a long road ahead.

- Brian Thomas Littrell.

…interesting, huh?” I tilted my head to the side as everyone stared at Kevin. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

“Heya, Mason,” AJ walked his way. “Mind if I join you and your ‘I Hate Kevin Club?”

“Sure,” Mason shrugged, “the more the merrier.”

“It’s not true…” Kevin choked as he stood to his feet.

“Sounds pretty accurate to me. See, I read it earlier and I watched for the signs. They were all there, Kevin. And, you said all of that stuff to my dad, but never went to rehab. So, what are we to believe?”

“Baylee’s right, Kevin. But…” Nick’s face reflected disappointment and pain. “why would you lie to us? We’re like family, Kevin. All the years we spent together as a group working together, touring together…the five of us did everything, Kevin. I don’t get it. Do you not want help? Do you not want us in your life?”

“Screw this!” Kevin shouted and charged towards the door. He pulled it open and let the door fly into the wall. Storming down the driveway, he got in his vehicle and left.

“Well that sucks. Talk about two steps forward and five steps back! It did seem a little too easy.” Howie huffed as he plopped into the chair that Kevin had been sitting in.

“A little too good to be true?” AJ’s question was more of a statement.

“Exactly.”

“Well, boys,” Nick sighed as he came towards us. We both took position in front of him. “I am proud of you both. Other than a few inappropriate words, you both acted maturely. I just better not hear you talking to any other adults that way,” he smiled and pulled us into a three way hug. “But, since you were trying to help Kevin come to his senses and realize he needs help, we’ll let it slide, this time. Just remember that you are only 10 and 15, and you need to respect adults.”

“We know, Nick. It’s just that…” Mason trailed off as he looked at me.

“We’re frustrated.” I finished Mason’s sentence for him.

“I know. That’s why you’re sliding away with only a few extra chores. No matter how valid your reason was, you still should leave the harsh disrespecting to me…or AJ.” Nick laughed and AJ joined in. Howie wasn’t even paying attention.

“Yeah. I like to disrespect Kevin,” AJ nodded with a grin. “We’ll have to all sit down and concoct a plan to soberize Kevin.”

“Soberize?” Mason, Nick and I looked at AJ funny.

“It’s my word of the day,” he shrugged. “Seriously, though. Kevin needs to be soberized. So, first thing tomorrow, we’ll get to devising an intervention.”

“Sounds like a damn good idea,” Howie’s voice startled us all. “Plan tomorrow…that means sleep now.”

“Yes, Howie, go back to bed,” Nick rolled his eyes at the older man. “We should all get into bed. AJ, you can crash here, if you want.”

“Nah, I’ll head home. Call me when you want me to come over tomorrow.”

“Cool, good night,” Nick called as AJ headed to the door.

“Night everyone,” AJ shouted back as we all waved. Mason and I trudged up the stairs and said our ‘good night’s as well. Closing my bedroom door, I drug my feet towards the bed. I had become extremely tired, all of the sudden. I don’t think my head even hit the pillow before I was asleep and, probably, snoring.