Nicki&thePips

Chapter 39

Nicki took a deep breath. She was standing in front of Ray Ray and Princeton's bedroom door. She needed to psych herself up for this. She didn't know what to expect with Ray Ray. If he could do that to Prodigy and Roc Royal who knew what else he could do. But she had to remember one thing; no matter how crazy and violent and angry he was, he still loved her. He was just a little kid just like the rest of them. A mature little kid but a kid all the same.

She knocked timidly at first then remembered she was the parent in this situation. She banged on the door.

Princeton's calm soft voice answered telling her to come in. Nicki sighed a bit in relief. Princeton was in there and she knew what to expect from him. He would keep Ray Ray in check.

"Ray Ray." Nicki said sternly as she walked in.

"Yes Mother?" Ray Ray said in a submissive tone. He was sitting in a bucket of ice wearing only boxer shorts.

Nicki didn't know what to think. "What the hell are you doing?" She sounded tired and freaked out. What was this?

"I'm calming myself down." Ray Ray said as if this happened regularly. He closed his eyes for a moment as if the ice bath felt good.

Nicki groaned and shook her head. "Whatever. Listen mister I am very disappointed and upset with you." She pointed at him. "First of all what kind of sicko forces vinegar and lime down their younger siblings' throats? Why the hell would you do something like that?"

Ray Ray was silent for a moment then he opened his eyes. "I'm sorry about that Mother but those boys were saying too many things and needed to be punished. But I do agree that I went too far. I should have remembered that their inability to speak would have made you think something was wrong. It was just a misunderstanding and shall not happen again."

"Wait . . . so you did this because they told me things? What is wrong with that? Why do they have to be 'punished' for that? And what do you mean it was a misunderstanding? You're just not supposed to do that sort of thing!" Nicki found him confusing.

"They needed to be punished because telling you those things make you worried and afraid. I only have your best interest at heart Mom." Underneath that tough exterior was a crazy little boy trying to protect his mother from the world.

"That's sweet Ray but this is not cool. Do you normally do this sort of thing to them?"Nicki asked. She wanted to confirm that this was the reason Prod and Roc always seem so afraid of Ray.

"It was necessary and I do administer punishments when they are necessary." Ray Ray said looking Nicki in the eye as if he was cpompletely correct in his judgement. He simply believed that he was right.

Nicki cringed. Was there no reasoning with him? "Don't you think that's a bit cruel? They're just kids."

"Kids who run their mouths and would eventually hurt you." Ray Ray closed his eyes again. "Trust me. I know what I'm doing. I've been doing it for years. Nothing's going to hurt you in any way on my watch." Ray Ray looked rather comfortable in his ice. "Not even me." He put his arms behind his head.

"Oh my God." Nicki muttered. "Ray this is brutal. I know you beat them up too 'cause they're sore. You can't use brute force to make them behave how you want them to."

"Oh but I can. I've shaped them into what they are today and I will continue to shape them until they are perfect. Jade don't got nothing on me. I use brainwashing." Ray Ray smiled smugly.

"Wha??" Nicki was now beyond confused.

"That's right! The way they talk is because of me! Your welcome."