From: Bistander <vallucanbe@gmail.com>

This is a great site that provides tons of free stories in many genres, except they're not really free. It cost money and time to keep Nifty going. I know I appreciate a platform to post, and the effort the admin puts in. If you can, please support this site. A little bit from a lot of us goes a long way.

Warning:If you haven't read the updated version of the previous chapter (30), then you will see things that seem like you already read them. You have and you haven't. I made some big changes to the stuff that was moved from chapter 30 to 31.

I'm sorry this happens, but that is what happens when you post chapters as you write them and you are constantly trying to remember things that already happened. It's amazing this is the first time I had to completely repost a chapter.



Potential

by Bistander



Chapter 31

Mirror Mirror



. . . Hiding from something, under your shelter
But if you look in the mirror long enough to see yourself
If you look in the mirror long enough to free yourself
You would notice that you're alone waking up
If you look in the mirror, mirror you remember yourself, yourself. . .”

by Mario.




Candy’s Office

It hadn’t been more than ten minutes, but to Candy, it seemed as if Sally had gone to Deana's room an hour ago. She understood why Sally wanted to meet Deana by herself, but Candy felt left out. She wanted to see Sally's expression when she stepped in front of Deana. Would it say, Oh my God, you're Cindy's clone, or would her sister only see Sandra?

Candy turned on her chair when Sally entered the room. Her sister seemed lethargic and confused like someone emerging from a car crash. Tears had been wiped from Sally's cheeks. “You okay?”

Sally's head dropped. Candy stood. “What's wrong?”

I expected it, knew they favored each other, but I wasn't prepared for that. She's . . . she looks so much like Sandy. Cindy, too.” Sally looked up. “Don't you see it?”

Oh, I see it, Candy thought, I see it every day. “I know, it's amazing, she acts like Cindy, too.”

Sally asked again, “Don't you see it?”

Of course, I see it more every day, and it's hard . . . hard not to think about Cindy.”

No, Candy, not that.”

What?”

Nothing, I gotta go,” Sally said. “If Evan asks, tell him I'm sorry I didn't get to see him.”

Is there some reason you don't want to?”

Mm, no, not yet, it's not the right time,” Sally said. “Let me go, I got a lot to do,” Sally lifted her leather case, “with this.”

I wish you could stay. I feel better when you're here.”

I know, baby, but I gotta go.” Sally hugged her until it was uncomfortable. “Don't worry, I'll be back. I love you.”



Sally backed out of her sister's driveway and pounded her fists on the steering wheel before saying, “Call Cindy.” The car did what it was told, and Sally mashed the accelerator.

Hey, what's up? How did it go?” After a long pause, Cindy said, “Sally, you there?”

Yeah, I'm here.” Sally wiped her face on her sleeve.

Are you okay?”

I'm fine.” Sally looked at herself in the rearview mirror. “No, that's a lie. I'm not.”

What happened? Did something go wrong?”

Deana . . . Cindy, why didn't you tell me? You had to know.”

Cindy let out a long sigh. “I didn't, I mean, I do, but I didn't . . . not for sure, and it would have only made you—”

Mad,” Sally said. “What about Gloria?”

No,” Cindy said. “I hope not. Did Dee tell you?”

Of course not,” Sally said. “That's not how it works. I hoped it was because I was talking about Sandy, but it's in her eyes, like yours.”

Shit, Sally, please, we have to do this right . . . That's what you told me.”

We do, and we will,” Sally said. “We owe it to her.”

To us,” Cindy said.

Yeah. It must be hard on Candy . . . not having you there and seeing Deana. The girl is you and so much like your mother.”



The words, “Dee honey,” weren't enough to wake her, but they gave her aunt a voice in Deana's REM state. For a second, Sally was reaching out, gently touching her, but the physical contact broke the magic. Deana's eyes opened. It was Candy not Sally. “Mom?”

Yes, honey.”

Deana let her eyes adjust while her brain tried to focus. Candy was wearing a bathrobe, sitting side-saddle on the edge of the bed, twisting her upper body. The woman's weight, pressing into the mattress, tugged at Deana. She was on her side, leaning against Candy. Her mother was rubbing her back. “What's up, Mom?”

Just checking on you. You've been sleeping since . . . ah, since you talked to your aunt.”

After sleeping, Deana had to think about it, and as it came back, the whole thing seemed like a stupid overreaction. Aunt Sally talked about Sandra, which triggered Deana's sense of loss and longing for the woman who brought her and Evan into the world and nurtured them. Then, Sally left the room crying, so she jumped to a ridiculous conclusion. Aunt Sally probably hadn't thought about her father in years. Everything didn't have to do with him; that was all in her head.

I'm fine, Mom,” Deana said. “The sun today, I guess it made me tired.”

Candy reached across her body and ran her fingers through Deana's hair. The robe bowed open at Candy's chest. There isn't anything wrong with being fascinated, Deana told herself and continued to stare.

Okay, Dee, I'm glad,” Candy said.

She started to sit up for the hug she assumed her mother was about to give her. It wasn't intended, but Deana didn't stop; her hand continued around Candy’s waist, inside the robe. She put her other arm over Candy's shoulder and around her neck, pulling herself up. The full weight of her mother's tit was cradled in the crook of her arm. How can anything be that soft, Deana wondered, and flexed her muscles, pushing her bicep into the fleshy globe? Way down inside her subconscious mind, Deana could sense the awe and reverence Cindy must have had the first time she handled Candy's breasts. Deana suddenly burned with an intense desire to feel them, squeeze, lift and have her mother's tits smashed on her face. A stiffening nipple sent an abort message, but Deana inhaled deeply through Candy's hair and tightened her hold. The woman's scent melted Deana's fears. Her mother's strong, crushing arms were pulling her in. She wants this too, Deana thought. “Ah, Mom, oh, Mom, I love you so much . . . so much.” She pressed her face into Candy's neck and tasted the woman's skin.

I know, baby, I know,” Candy said and pushed back enough to look into Deana's eyes. The tips of their noses touched. “I love you, baby, I love you that way . . . too.”

That way, too, Deana thought and leaned against the invisible force that kept her from kissing her mother. Their foreheads pressed together, stopping Deana, again. Warm, panting breaths moistened Deana's face. She rubbed her nose on her mother's and opened her mouth. Their lips touched, but Candy turned. Her cheek skimmed over Deana's. Her mother's nose touched her ear, and wisps of air sent a taunting tremble of pleasure crawling down Deana's spine. She sucked in a whoosh of breath and blew out against tight lips. Candy didn't want her any more than Sally had been trying to seduce her. Shame and humiliation burned in Deana's chest. “Mom.”

Candy's hands moved up Deana's back. Fingertips followed the most sensitive trails over her neck. Deana looked into her mother's glistening eyes as fingernails raked across her scalp. She rubbed her face on Candy's, dragging it across her mother's brows, cheeks, and open lips. The word “Mom” came out again, but it sounded desperate and pleading.

With a slow nod, Candy said, “Yes, baby, yes,” and held Deana's face, squeezing it as their lips pressed together.

It was the same kind of kiss they had shared that morning in the kitchen, except this time, they both had the same intentions. “Dee, no, no.” Candy gasped and tightened her grip on Deana's face. Their lips were still touching. “Honey.” She kissed Deana slowly. They stared into each other's tear-filled eyes. “I'm sorry, so sorry. I don't know why I did that, but I'm really sorry. It was wrong.”

Deana slumped with disappointment and shame. It was wrong, but not because of anything Candy did. “No, Mom, it's my fault. I know what you're going through. I shouldn't have.”

Candy pulled Deana forward and kissed her on the forehead. “It's alright, Dee, I wanted you to kiss me, I did, but we can't.”

For a few seconds, she kept her eyes down, staring into Candy's opened robe. Her mother was naked under it, and Deana envied her cousin even more. “I know, Mom, I do.” She looked up into Candy's loving, compassionate gaze. “I hope everything works out for you.”

Candy kissed the tears off Deana's cheeks. “It will, honey, I promise it will.”



Deana remained on the edge of the bed for a long time after Candy left. She was picturing her mother standing, facing her. The robe hung open, a side snagged on the crown of each breast. Her mother made no effort to close it. Deana's eyes had moved from where the fleshy globes rested on each other, down over the flat pale stomach to the strawberry hair and back up to find her mother's hazel eyes. Candy leaned forward, kissed Deana on the head, and walked out of the room. Looking at the closed door did nothing to reduce Deana's shame, so she walked to the mirror and stared at herself. Her bent arm crossed her face and pressed to her lips. The memory of her mother’s tit would be stuck like a song in her head. There was only one way to get rid of it.

What’s wrong with you?” Deana asked her reflection. “You just proved what kind of person you really are and already you want”—Shaming herself wouldn’t make the desire for Candy go away. The woman was her mother, her father’s wife, and Cindy’s lover, so why did Deana want her more than ever? Obviously I’m not a good person, Deana thought.

Her father filled Deana’s mind. He would be home soon. What if he had gifts for her and told her how much he missed her? Maybe he would tell her how pretty she was, ask about summer vacation, and surprise them with plans for a trip to the beach? Wouldn’t that make it better?

What if her father had come to more of her ball games, cheered for her, coached her team, took her shopping, showed interest in her friends, in her life, and let her date boys? The man was her dad, after all, and everybody is supposed to love their parents. Once upon a time, was there a loving father who held her and brag to all his friends about the most beautiful baby girl in the world? She must have held his hand, sat on his lap, and rode on his shoulders. It didn't seem possible that the man never paid attention to her before things changed. At some point, he must have taken her to his room during a thunderstorm or chased monsters out of the closet. Now, she saw her father as the monster in the bed. Why?

Deana didn't know. There was a wall in time that blocked her memories. Not all of them, not completely, because Evan was always there, and to some degree, Candy. Maybe he did love her, and that was his way of showing it? I love Evan, Deana thought, he's my brother, and we have sex, and I went to great lengths to seduce him. Gloria, her kid sister, she had taken the girl to bed, even involved her in a threesome, but she loved Gloria. And Candy, oh, how Deana wished Candy hadn't walked away. She was fully aware that her mother was vulnerable, knew how she hurt, missing Cindy, and she took advantage of her likeness, and tried to make love to Candy. But I love them, Deana thought. Maybe her father did love her, and that was his way of showing it?

Aunt Sally said she was a mirror image of Sandra. Deana's back thudded against the wall; she slid down, rested her forehead on her knees and hugged her legs. When his wife died, her father needed her, and she looked so much like her mother. Maybe I was too affectionate, cuddling and rubbing against the wrong spot? Had she given him the wrong signals?

That must be what happened, I made him think that's what I wanted, and that was his way of loving me. Nobody would have a daughter just for the purpose of—Wait, did I ever tell him I didn't like it? No, Deana thought, I did everything he wanted as well as possible so he could finish quickly. Of course, he thought I liked it and considering all the things I have done, why wouldn't I? All this time, she had made John out to be evil, but as far as Deana knew, her father had never seduced his sister or committed adultery with his mother. Certainly, the man had never had a same-sex relationship. This is all my fault. Deana fell on her side in a fetal position and cried herself to sleep.



The following morning, Deana didn't remember how she got in her bed, or much of anything. Sleep has an excellent way of wiping the slate clean for a fresh start. She looked around the room. A clean slate lasts until the brain starts scribbling, and the memory express gets rolling. She cried herself to sleep like a child. The red light on Deana's phone was blinking, so she sat up and spotted the webcam. Shit, Aunt Sally, was Deana's next thought, followed by Candy, and how much did Rebecca see? Her fresh start staled quickly. Rebecca had sent multiple texts. "What happened? Who was that? You better call me." The last one read, "Don't make me come over there!”

Too late, Deana thought as her girlfriend charged into the room, kicked the door closed, and jumped on the bed, asking, “What the fuck?”

Yeah, what the fuck, Deana thought, as a bear-hug of panic wrapped around her chest. Think of an explanation, a lie to explain—No, to keep the secret. She forced a deep breath. "Who let you in?”

My wet dream,” Rebecca said.

Evan, where is he?”

No, his car is gone, your mother let me in, but that's not important.” Rebecca bounced. “What happened?”

Sorry, I fell asleep and didn't hear the phone. Yesterday was exhausting.”

"I can imagine," Rebecca said. "Now, you gonna tell me about it?”

About what?”

Rebecca pushed Deana on her back and straddled her. “Don't play dumb with me.” The tumbler giggled. “Although, an incredibly sexy woman came in here and fucked your brains out, maybe you are dumb?”

What the hell are you talking about? That was my aunt.”

Rebecca yanked her up into a sitting position. “You fucked your aunt?”

Shh, don't tell the neighbors.” Deana realized how that sounded and cut the crazy girl off before she could speak. “No, I don't know what you're talking about. We didn't do anything. Nothing happened. You were watching.”

Didn't do anything? My sore pussy,” Rebecca said, “and it is sore, but I watched her lift your shirt. I saw your ass and her hands right above it. I know how hands move when someone is trying to get in your panties. Except, in your case, you weren't wearing any. Why didn't you turn the camera so I could see the bed? I missed the whole thing.”

Thank god, Deana thought, she didn't see either emotional breakdown or Candy. "Reb, do you think I'd cheat on you with—"

Cheat? No, it's not cheating if you do it right in front of me,” Rebecca said. “But if you ever get a chance to have a woman like that, do it, regardless. I bet she would do things that—”

Stop, that was Aunt Sally. It's the first time I've seen her since I was little. I didn't even remember what she looked like.”

She looks like Candy and Gloria smashed into one glorious body with red on top. God, the tits on her," Rebecca said. "Oh, and in case you're actually that dense, she wanted you. You totally could have fucked her."

Deana wanted to argue the absurdity of Rebecca's presumption, but she flopped back and rubbed the sleep from her eyes instead. Maybe her aunt did, but that wasn't as important as what she would have done with Candy. "I need to cuddle, please."

"What's wrong, Dee?" Rebecca asked. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I don't, I guess, but I don't know,” Deana said. “Just lay down and hold me."

Okay, but first.” Rebecca quickly removed her clothes and laid on top of Deana. The spunky excited energy the tumble arrived with was gone when Rebecca's lips approached Deana's. It was a tender, meaningful kiss, infused with a deep sense of caring concern. Deana wanted to purge her soul. She needed to hear Rebecca say, “You're not a bad person,” but she was bad.

Rebecca rested the tip of her nose on Deana's. “Dee, I love you, really, really love you, and what you did for me, I'll never forget it. It was . . . ah, I don't know, beautiful, amazing, so special there aren't words for it.”

One of Rebecca's tears hit Deana's cheek. She wrapped her arms and legs around her girlfriend and crushed their bodies together. Her tears joined Rebecca's, sliding down her face, soaking into the pillow. Was it possible to love more than one person so much it hurt?

They clung to each other, both trembling.



Becky was on her side, curled up, her head rising and falling on the tide of her mother's breathing. Mary's mound of brown hair was inches away, fragrant with the smell of the previous night's shower. It had been the last thing they did together before falling asleep.

Now, they were both awake, and for the third time, Becky considered getting up, but her mother's fingernails started a crab-crawl on her scalp. She felt like a little girl and a grown woman, but Becky was neither. She was between those two stages of life, teetering. For longer than her years permitted, she had been acting the part of the latter and resisting the former because she feared her mother wouldn't respect her as an adult. Not anymore. During three lovemaking sessions and the blatantly honest conversations in between, Becky realized the two stages weren't mutually exclusive. Mary treating her as an adult didn't close the door on motherly concern any more than sex excluded the other aspects of their love.

Wasn't it forbidden, taboo, a sin, and illegal? Sure it was, but going to bed together had bridged the divide in their relationship. It showed them that love didn't fit in one box at a time. Mary could love her daughter with the caring, protective nurture appropriate for a young girl while still respecting and guiding Becky through the turmoil of her teens and into womanhood. And, Becky could yield to Mary's motherly compassion without losing her independence or feeling guilty for the adult desires that burned inside her.

When they were in bed, the omniscient facade of motherhood fell. They were two women, equally concerned with the other's pleasure. Mary got a chance to go back in time to the years that had been stolen from her. Back when everything concerning love, passion, and joy were new and all-consuming.

Becky was able to forge ahead, experiencing passion and pleasures in a way most women never achieved, no matter how many men they fucked. She had fallen in love with Mary, and loved her as a mother more than at any other time, and felt more loved than she ever imagined possible. “MmmMom,” she ran her hand down the top of Mary's thigh and dragged her fingertips back along the inside, “I love you.”

I know, baby, and I love you,” Mary said. “We need to talk about something.”

Becky turned and watched her mother stuff another pillow under her head. The tits she hoped would one day grow on her own chest jostled about, but it wasn't enough to distract Becky from the serious expression on her mother's face. They had already discussed Becky's impulsiveness and her relationship with Darlene. Mary had admitted she saw Evan and Becky together, and they talked about how long Mary had watched, touching herself, and how she cried after because she hadn't stopped it. Mary even told Becky what she had done to make Evan uncomfortable before he left that morning and confessed to intentionally leaving the bathroom door unlocked whenever Evan spent the night. The idea of her mother fantasizing about fucking Evan set Becky on fire, and she had immediately mounted Mary's face.

Now, there was only one thing left to discuss, Becky knew that, so she said, “Yes, Mom, we did, but it wasn't Jason's fault. He didn't—”

I know, Becky, it's not his fault, it's not anybody's fault . . . except maybe mine. I knew how you two were. I saw things. It was inevitable unless—I should have stayed on top of it, but . . .”

Becky read into her mother’s inaudible words and perked up. “I'll stop, um, you know, but maybe—”

Stop right there.” Mary asserted her Mom-face. “We have enough uncharted water to navigate without Jason. Does he know about us?”

I didn't say anything, but I've spent the last two nights in here. So?” She shrugged and sat astride her mother's stomach.

Mary inhaled deeply, pushing the silky softness of her belly into Becky's crotch. “Don't say anything. Let me handle it. Okay?”

Becky pulled an imaginary zipper across her lips, collected the woman's breasts, piled them together, and moved her mouth to the cone-shaped nipples. “One last time before we get up.”

Mmm, I can't resist you, baby, I can't.”



In Evan's car, Gloria asked, “Did you get my present yet?”

One glance at the girl in the passenger seat made Evan's insides do a little tumble. “I like that look, ponytail sticking out of your cap.”

Because Mom used to wear hers this way?”

Yeah, Evan thought, and I miss her. It had only been thirty-six hours, but it felt like days since they had been together. “No, because it's cute in a sexy way.”

Thank you.” Gloria's dimples showed. “My present?”

How come you can't walk or ride a bike to practice? I had to.”

So, you didn't get me anything. Does that mean we're not gonna do it?”

Jeez, it's not like that.”

Like what?” Gloria asked.

Like something that you plan out. It's way more complicated than that.”

Like what happened with Alex yesterday? You wanted to do it with her, right?”

Evan huffed. “That doesn't matter.”

So you did. You can, I know she'd let you. Jayda too.”

Stop, that's not what I meant. I don't want to do anything with your friends.”

You really kissed her.”

How do you know? Did she say that?”

Didn't have to,” Gloria said. “She thought you kissed me and didn't believe Jayda when she said it was a trick.”

I did kiss you.”

Why didn't you kiss Jayda?”

Because she would think I wanted to fuck her, again, he thought, and she'd be right. “She would get the wrong idea. And I wanted to fuck with the tomboy.”

She's not a tomboy.”

She has a boy's name.”

Evan,” Gloria backhanded him, “stop it. You keep changing the subject. Just answer my question.”

Okay, yes, I did want to, and that's my point. There is a big difference between wanting to fuck someone, that just happens, sometimes just because, but it's not like planned out, scheduled, arranged, or anything. What you want me to do is completely different.”

Evan saw his sister's eyes welling up, so he pulled over. “Gloria, listen, I want to, wanna be with you, but it will change everything.”

So?”

So you can't kiss me in front of Jayda's house or hold my hand or tell anybody about it. We'll never be able to go back to the way it was before.”

I know, but it's too late for that anyway. We already did those other things.” She shrugged. “So?”

Trust me, it'll be a thousand times worse after.” Dammit, that sure was the truth.

Like the way it is with Mom now?”

What the fuck? “What are you talkin' about?”

About when you're in love with someone, it's hard to hide it, hard not to touch them.”

Well, yeah, but not with Mom, that's how it would be with us and when dad gets back.” He turned his palms up.

It's already that way,” Gloria said. “Come on, let's go, I'm gonna be late.”

Since when does she care about being late? “I know it is . . . really it is.” He squeezed Gloria's arm and continued down the road leading into the ballpark.

Instead of dropping Gloria off in the parking lot, he drove across the grass and stopped behind the backstop. The few girls that were already there we're all staring. “I did get your present,” he said.

Gloria got out and dragged her ball bag from behind the seat. “If you are, it's okay as long as I get a baby sister.”

Evan opened his mouth, but Gloria slammed the door before he could speak. He had a lot to think about on his way to the race shop.



Evan used the cover of whatever music Cindy was streaming to a Bluetooth speaker on the workbench to sneak across the shop, but, just like Deana, Cindy’s cat-like senses perceived his approach. She turned, eyes wide, and quickly hit pause on her phone. “Evan.”

Yup, it’s me.” He hugged his cousin. “What were you listening to?”

Nothing, nobody you know.”

Hey, let’s see, turn it on.”

It was Iggy Pop.”

Mm, okay, I have no idea,” Evan said. “So, what’s going on?”

I’m checking the specs on Mike’s head work against the rules to see if it’s really legal.”

Evan tipped his head. “And?”

It’s not illegal, yet, but if it really makes the power Mike says, below three-grand, it won’t be long before they’re investigating.”

What happens then?”

I guess next year it’ll either be illegal or Mike will be really busy. So far, only one other person at the track has it.”

Sweet.” Evan grinned. “Oh, before I forget, Mom told me to say hi. You should give her a call.”

Mm, okay, say hi for me.” Cindy stuffed her hand in her pocket. “I got something for ya.”

Ooh, what?”

Two Ben Franklin's and a Grant, and a surprise.”

Wow.” He fanned his face with the three bills and said, “This is great, perfect timing, too. I can get Deana's present, and I’ll still have cash-money.”

A ring, I hope?”

He nodded suspiciously. “Yeah.”

Good thing,” Cindy said.

Why?”

You got one for Gloria, so you better have gotten one for Dee.”

Of course,” he said, feeling proud and confused. “How did you know?”

She told me.”

When?”

Cindy looped hair behind her ear and squinted one eye. “Mmmm, not sure.”

It must have always been there, Evan knew that, but suddenly it was all he could think about.

Ahem . . . are you thinking about me in my underwear?”

Huh, no. What?”

That's the same expression you had Saturday night in the hauler.”

I’m sure, Evan thought. “No, of course not, that's weird.”

And that incredible kiss you gave me wasn't?”

Incredible, wow. “I did it for a reason, I needed your attention, and you did it the first time.”

Aw, and I thought it was my sexy body that made you lose your mind.”

Well, that too, but I was actually—” Shit, I can’t admit I was thinking about how much she reminds me of Deana; she’ll think I’m into my sister. “I'm excited about the money, and having some cash left after Dee’s present. Maybe I'll get you a ring, too.”

What about, Candy?”

The word Cannn...deee, looped in Evan’s mind while he stared. It seemed as if his mother’s name had clung to Cindy’s lips. No, it must have been the talk about his incredible kiss playing tricks on his mind. “Deana didn't tell you?” Cindy shook her head. “I got her a toe ring.”

That was smart.”

He knew precisely what Cindy meant, but truthfully, Evan wasn't comfortable with his father knowing about Gloria or Deana’s rings, either. “Yeah, it’s better that way.”

Cindy sighed through pursed lips and rubbed his arm. “What did Deana think of Sally?”

What? She met Aunt Sally?”

Cindy nodded. “Yesterday.”

Does everybody know everything before me?”

Didn't you talk to her today?”

No, I had to take Gloria to practice. Dee was still sleeping.”

That girl is growing up so fast,” Cindy said. “Looks more like her mom every time I see her.”

Yes, she does.” Evan groaned inside and changed the subject. “You said you had a surprise?”

Cindy rested her hands on his shoulders, squeezed and held him at arm's length. "Dale wants you to drive his car again."

"You're kidding?" Evan bounced on his toes and pressed his fist into his palm.

"Nope, but legit this time. He said you gotta split the purse with him."

"Fuck.” He spun, kicked the air, and turned back to Cindy. “He can have the whole thing for letting me drive."

I told him you'd say that.”

Wow, this is great,” Evan said. “Oh, wait, what about—I'm not sure when my dad gets back. It might be Saturday?”

Candy said Sunday, but we'll figure it out. I told JC and—”

You told your father?”

Relax, he thought it was great.”

He did?”

Yeah, and he said, ‘This time you can let him win if Bill Davis doesn't run him off the track first.’ But don’t worry about that.”

He knew? How did he know?”

Cindy smirked. “I figured he'd hear about it eventually, but he was on it by Sunday afternoon. He does know everybody at the track.”

Your dad won't tell my father?” Evan asked.

Hell no,” Cindy said, “JC wants you in my car next year as much as I do. He'd never get you in trouble.”

Holy shit, my uncle wants me in Cindy’s car, Evan thought, that's great, but does he have a plan for making it happen? “Is Bill really mad about that three-wide move?”

No, he's a good sport,” Cindy said. “When Dale told him it was you, Bill laughed and said, ‘Cindy probably taught him that.’”

Listen, Cindy, this time you can't tell Candy. You have to promise me you won't tell her.”

Why? Candy wants this for you. She's on your side.”

I know, but she can't know. This is on me, I’m doing what he told me not to do. Candy can't be a part of that.”

Cindy grabbed him. “Did he do something to her?”

No, I told you, it's nothing.” Deana and Cindy shared the same intense dark eyes, but he had never been frightened by one of Deana’s stares. “He was mad at me, and I'm grounded, so it has to look like I disobeyed. Candy can’t know.”

Okay, fine, I won't tell her, but you better get used to not calling her Candy before he gets home.”

Evan looked at the red marks Cindy’s fingers left on his arm. “I wasn’t.”

Cindy nodded with her lips squished to one side. “You were, so pay attention. Let's go over your race. I had it recorded. We need to talk about a few things.”

He didn’t want to be reminded of all the holy-shit moments, but Evan was relieved the conversation was going in a different direction. “Okay, let’s see how bad it was.”

Cindy laughed. “I don't know how you kept it out of the wall between one and two on lap twelve.”



Gloria's leg bounced with nervous energy. It was her first time in an Uber, and the first time she had ever ditched ball practice. That in itself was a big deal because if Candy called Miss Tonya, the fact that she wasn't there would surely come up. Although, at the moment, Gloria wasn't thinking about that. The girl sitting next to her was on her mind. Despite the connection she felt at the mall, and during their strange voyeuristic affair at the ballpark, Gloria still didn't know much about Darlene. She had heard the redhead helped hold down a freshman in the locker room, so other girls could sit on her face. So, why was she in a car with Darlene? Calm down, Gloria told herself, but it didn't work.

The hand on Gloria's knee didn't stop the bouncing, but Darlene's thumb pressing into a tender spot did. "Relax, girl, I'm not a serial killer."

Great, Gloria thought, she reads minds, too. "Sorry, I'm a little nervous, I guess."

"There's no reason for that," Darlene said and rubbed her thigh. "We're friends, and we're gonna have a good time, skinny dipping."

Gloria made her eyes big and gestured with her chin towards the driver. Darlene grinned, thrust her crotch up and groped her pussy behind the middle-age Uber guy.

That's when it hit Gloria, nothing Darlene might do should surprise her. "So, how do you know Ms. Style?”

"She's a friend, but more like a friend of the family. You know, like Jayda's mother. I bet she's like that, an adult who you could talk to about stuff you didn't want your mother to know?"

Gloria nodded and thought about Miss Tonya's dildo and the things Jayda had hinted at. She was cool for an adult, but Miss Tonya would never be down with getting naked in the backyard or going at it with another girl. "Yeah, I guess so," Gloria said. "Is she gonna be there?"

No, Style is on a trip,” Darlene said. “She won't be back until tonight, I think.”

How much further?"

"Mm, not far."

I don't know how to get there, but my aunt lives somewhere out this way."

Darlene nodded, and the conversation became an uncomfortable quiet until the car's tires crunched over gravel, and Darlene said, "We're here."

After what seemed like a tunnel through the cover of trees, the view opened, and Gloria saw the large house with a wraparound porch. It surely is in the middle of nowhere, Gloria thought, but it's kind of inviting.

The car drove away, and Gloria turned in a circle. The lawn was plush, and the walkway leading to the porch and double front doors beyond was edged perfectly. Gloria smiled, knowing her big brother had done it. She looked at the woods, spider-webbed with vines so thick a machete would be required to find your way through. To her left, it seemed like miles of abandoned cotton fields. This is the deep south, Gloria thought, and it gave her a chill. Once upon a time, there had been slaves; she learned that in History class, and that conjured up ideas. Things suddenly felt different, more primitive or primal. She imagined depraved acts, a shotgun, and someone never coming back from a trip to the woodshed.

Darlene interrupted Gloria's musing. “Evan does a good job. Come on, let's go around back. I'll show you the pool. He takes care of it, too.”

Gloria turned, and it was as if she saw the redhead for the first time that day. Darlene wore tattered cut-offs and a tank-top, no bra. The girl's body was unreal, but it was her blue eyes that commanded Gloria's focus. They caught her like an unexpected shiver. The emotional atmosphere changed so suddenly that Gloria couldn't identify her feelings or even classify them in a category, but it was familiar. She smiled, and Darlene took her by the hand. The Redhead won't hurt me. It wasn't the first time Gloria thought that, but why was she so sure of it?

Darlene tugged Gloria toward the fence at the end of the empty driveway. The barn in the distance seemed entirely in character for the setting, and it also brought things to Gloria's mind. That's the place for naughty deeds that might warrant a trip to the woodshed.

They went through the small gate to the right of the large one. Darlene pointed in the direction of a hum that Gloria had already associated with a pool, but she couldn't see it at the top of the grass slope. That means it's in the ground like Aunt Sally's, she thought.

There was a screened-in room to the right, and a walkway leading to it, but Darlene led her across the grass. She grinned when the blue water, floats, diving board, cushioned lounge chairs, and patio table came into view. It all reminded her of skinny dipping with her mother and Aunt Sally, and that enhanced the naughty mystique of the afternoon.

A waist-high iron rung fence surrounded the concrete patio and pool. The gate lined up with a walkway that led down to the screen door at the center of the house. They walked over to the table and chairs. In the dressing room, at the mall, where it was expected, Gloria had been extremely reluctant to take off her clothes in front of Darlene, and even more so to look at the redhead while she did the same. Has that much changed since then, Gloria wondered? She still hardly knew Darlene, yet Gloria stared with growing expectations when the older girl started to undress. Darlene's tits were fascinating, and the broad valley of cleavage with its line of freckles made Gloria think about Evan titty fucking her.

Darlene wiggled the shorts down without opening them, and Gloria waited and watched. The thick triangle of red hair bursting from the plump wedge above Darlene's pussy made Gloria's breath catch. Hopefully, she would never be forced to not stare at something like that in the girl's locker room.

Once undressed, they piled their clothes on a chair and pushed their sneakers under it. Gloria turned, and Darlene was right there, facing her. As if caught off guard, neither spoke, but Darlene seemed to be evaluating her with the same awe Gloria felt for the redhead. The silence wasn't awkward or uncomfortable, but it was intense.

A noise caused Darlene to turn toward the house. “Shoot, Brutus must be going nuts.”

Brutus?” Gloria asked.

The dog, I need to let him out. Be right back.”

The gate clicked shut behind Darlene, and Gloria watched. The hill turned Darlene's hurried pace into a trot. Tighten, bulge, loosen, tighten, bulge, loosen, the girl's muscles worked in sequence, turning Darlene's ass into a spectacle of erotica. Gloria put both hands on her butt, wondering if it came close to being that sexy? It didn't have the mass or depth of Darlene's, but she thought the shape was similar.

Darlene disappeared behind the screen door and emerged a few seconds later. A black dog bullied past her, sniffed the air, glanced toward Gloria, and started pissing on a bush. His hair was short like a Doberman's, his head was huge like a Pit Bull's, except shaped like a German Shepherd's, and Brutus had a long narrow tail. He squirted two or three more times and bound back to Darlene. She grabbed his head, and vigorously rubbed his ears, then she wagged her finger at him. Gloria thought Darlene said something about behaving and scratched his head again. It wasn't possible to see what his cold nose touched, but Gloria got a chill anyway.

A third of the way up the walk, Darlene jumped like she'd been goosed and swatted the dog behind her. Gloria grinned. Brutus circled and his whip-like-tail slapped Darlene's thigh. She jerked and said, "Knock it off." His ears dropped and Brutus hung his head. Gloria thought he was sulking.

Darlene closed the gate, reached over and patted Brutus on the back. “Style doesn't let him in here because he'll jump in.”

Gloria felt bad for the dog staring through the rungs. “Can I pet him?”

Sure, but don't go out there,” Darlene said. “He doesn't always respect boundaries.”

Brutus was friendly, his hair was soft, and he smelled good, but his body was thick and solid with muscles. Gloria was glad there was a barrier protecting her boundaries, but she grinned again and tightened against another chill. Brutus has a long tongue, she thought and pictured what it must have done to Darlene's butt to cause that jump.



Darlene dove in and crossed the pool underwater. Gloria followed with a cannonball. The cold water on her hot skin stiffened her nipples and jolted her brain. Was this happening? Life had seemed surreal since Evan kissed her in front of the softball sisters. Poor Alex was speechless for twenty minutes after he drove away and remained distracted throughout practice. Today, Darlene showed up, leaving Jayda and Alex with their mouths hanging open. Now, she was naked in Ms. Style's pool with Darlene. Even if it ended with that, it would still be a wonderfully strange day.

Darlene returned with what looked like blow-up chairs, except they weren't actually seats, just floating arms and headrests. The result, they looked like a pair of bodiless heads and shoulders sitting on chairs. It made Gloria laugh, and once Darlene knew why she joined in. Then, they started talking. Although it was more like questions and answers than conversation. Darlene was very interested in her family. She wanted to know about Gloria's father, mother and Deana and Evan's relationship. She heard that twins shared a special connection, finishing each other's thoughts and stuff like that, and Darlene wanted details, but she didn't ask about Aunt Sally.

When Gloria saw an opportunity, she cautiously asked Darlene about her past. The older girl was blunt, even crude at times, and laid out her known family history like a rehearsed confession, then she jumped to the relationship dynamics of the softball sisters. “Are ya'll strictly friends with benefits or is there something serious with one of them.”

No, nothing like that,” Gloria said. “We just play around, it's more Jayda and Alex's thing.”

Darlene's lips tightened and her head nodded slowly. “So, the other night after you called me, you just watched them?”

Gloria wanted to dunk under the water to cool her flushed face. “Well . . . ah.”

You don't have to say anything, but I hope you know you can trust me? I've certainly done worse.”

Worse, Gloria thought, I want details. “I do . . . trust you.”

Is that why you asked me, you needed someone you can trust with your secret?”

Um, I guess.”

You must know someone who isn't a virgin?” Darlene shrugged. “Deana?”

As far as Gloria knew, Deana was technically a virgin. “Jayda says she has, but I think she's lying. She won't say who, but she said it doesn't hurt.”

"That depends,” Darlene said. “It might hurt.”

Depends on what?”

Let's get out.”

Gloria was ready for that, but the truth had started to seep into her conscious mind, and suddenly she was nervous. “Okay.”

At the top of the ladder, Darlene said, "Nice,” and poked a finger into Gloria's butt cheek like it was the Pillsbury Dough Boy's belly button.

Shit, Gloria thought, play dumb and make like you never look at your ass in the mirror. What girl would believe that? "Oh, is that still there?" She chuckled and turned around in time to see water cascading down Darlene's pale flesh. The large, ruddy rings atop the girl's tits puffed while their centers bulged with hard buds. Gloria lowered her eyes to the glistening beads clinging to the thicket of curly hair. She gulped and said, "I think Jayda did that playing around the other day."

Hmm, a mark like that seems like something someone serious about you would do.” Darlene smirked. “You know, like to let everyone else know they don't wanna share you?”

Gloria blushed, thinking about Evan being serious about her. “It's not like that.”

You sure it wasn't the boy you wanna have sex with? That is why you're here, isn't it?”

Ah, yeah.” She crossed her arms over her hard nipples. "Towels?"

Darlene pointed. "Let's rinse off."

At the far edge of the patio, Gloria saw what she now knew to be an outdoor shower stall. Darlene led the way. When her crazy-thick, kinky red hair was dry, it just covered Darlene's shoulder blades, but wet and straight, it swung at the sharp inward curve of her back and dripped droplets onto the thrust of the girl's ass. Gloria shook herself and tried to make her rump move the way Darlene's did. No wonder Evan had the hots for her.

When they reached the stall, Gloria stepped in under a dinner plate-sized showerhead, turned the knob on the right wall, and received spurting bursts of water that made her jump back. "Ooh."

"Give it a second," Darlene said. "It gets warmer."

Sure enough, before long it felt like rain on a hot summer day. Gloria got in, closed her eyes, and looked up, stroking her hands over her head and through her hair. This is the life, she thought.

A bump startled her, but in a second, she identified the plump cushions pressed on her shoulder blades and moved forward to make room for Darlene under the water. The redhead's fingers poked their way between Gloria's arms and body, then hands cupped the side swells of her breasts, pushing them together. She must have stiffened because Darlene said, "Relax," and crossed her arms under Gloria's breasts, hugging her. She shivered, knowing exactly why she called the redhead.

Teeth grabbed the side of Gloria's neck and raked upward over the sensitive skin. The girl's lips touched her ear. "The first time normally sucks, for the girl anyway. I don't want that for you."

An unexpected sound resonated in Gloria's throat when Darlene's fingers combed down through her pubic hair. She whimpered when the hand grabbed her crotch bone and yanked her into a thrust from the redhead's groin. "I want you to always remember today with a smile,” Darlene said.

When she nodded and sighed her agreement, Darlene turned Gloria sideways and grabbed her neck. Water ran down their faces. The girl was staring with an intensity Gloria didn't expect. Darlene opened her mouth around Gloria's chin, gently grabbed it with her teeth, and sucked. When she licked Gloria's lips, she opened her mouth for a kiss, but Darlene licked her cheek like a child chasing ice cream up the side of a cone. "It has to be special," Darlene bit and tugged her earlobe, "like you."

The redhead squeezed Gloria's face between her hands and licked her lips again. This time, Gloria sucked the girl's tongue in and turned her head so she could take it deep. Darlene tongue fucked her sucking lips, then licked her nose and nibbled each brow. Gloria closed her eyes, and Darlene pressed a kiss to each lid. The whole thing was wet and sloppy and sexual. Gloria thought of it as face fucking, and it was the most erotic thing that had ever happened to her.

Fingers mashed Gloria's pussy lips, forcing them apart and pulled upward, exposing her clit to the water running down her body. It raced over her mound and streamed off the swollen bud. She quivered and reached for her crotch, ready to climax, but Darlene stopped her. "Oh no, not yet."

The shower cut off, and Gloria found herself face-first against the wall; Darlene kissing her way downward. Gloria pushed her butt out, and Darlene's lips moved from cheek to cheek, kissing every inch. Gloria purred and gave Darlene more of her ass, wondering if the redhead was trying to make it special, or make her fall in love.

Darlene's tongue flowed upward along the sensitive crease where her cheeks touched together. It caused her to jerk and shove her ass at Darlene's face, but the redhead didn't mind. She grabbed Gloria's hips and pulled, smashing as much of her face into the ass cleavage as possible. Gloria stacked her hands on the wall and rested her forehead on them. Darlene forcefully licked upward across her asshole. Then she moved back between her legs and dragged her nose, mouth, and chin through the dripping pink flesh, over Gloria's anus, and up to the top of the ass groove. She used her hands to sandwich her face, then shook her head side to side, licking wildly across the puckered ring. Gloria bounced, humping the girl's face. Darlene tightened her grip and helped Gloria move while using her lips, tongue, teeth, and her whole face to devour Gloria's pussy and ass.

This time, I won't be denied, Gloria thought and slapped her clit, but Darlene sucked in a wedge of her ass cheek and bit into the flesh. It hurt, but Gloria never wanted the pain to stop.

Darlene's mouth came away with a loud, wet, pop, and Gloria thought, that's gonna leave a mark. She turned her back to the wall and looked down at Darlene, sitting on the floor between her legs. There they were again, those amazing blue eyes staring at her. The redhead gently kissed the hood that protected her clit. "Pleeeeasssse," Gloria begged in a quavering voice, but Darlene licked without any sense of urgency. "Please, make me cum, please."

The crooked grin told Gloria everything she needed to know. With her shoulders and head against the wall, she arched her body, shoving her pelvis out. Darlene's lips peeled away the flap, then a puff of air on the exposed nub lit Gloria up like gas thrown on a fire. She bucked and bashed her clit on Darlene's nose. The redhead licked and sucked the drooling flesh. Gloria twisted red hair around her fingers and pulled Darlene's face into her quivering pussy. Darlene grabbed her ass, yanked it, and smashed her mouth on Gloria's crotch. That image of Darlene's nose and upper lip pressed into her mound of blonde hair would forever be seared on Gloria's brain. As would the shameless grunts, slurps, and sucking moans.

She pulled harder on Darlene's hair and lifted her leg, searching for a foothold until finally, it found the water valve. Insane with a desire beyond anything she had experienced before, Gloria turned her knee out, opening herself for the two fingers that had joined Darlene's tongue.

Darlene's eyes communicated as her fingertips opened Gloria. They rotated and drilled into her, and for the third time, Gloria felt an approaching orgasm clawing at her insides. Darlene pinched the pulsing flesh between her lips, sucked it in, and whipped it with the tip of her tongue. Her eyes asked for permission, and Gloria moaned her approval, then as the rolling flow of climax started, three fingers plunged deeper than anything had ever gone before. They twisted and pumped; the thumb bashing her clit.

The sharp cutting pain was tempered with pleasure as her juices spilled over Darlene's hand. She gasped long slow breaths and slid down the wall to join the redhead on the floor. Darlene kissed her forehead, brows, and nose, then rested her lips on Gloria's. A slow, tender kiss made a tear spill from each of Gloria's eyes. It might not have been Darlene's intention, but it happened anyway, Gloria had fallen for the redhead. “That was . . . mm, wonderful.”

After a few minutes, Darlene helped Gloria up and turned on the water. The fragrance registered in Gloria's brain a split second before the creamy Dove body wash was on her shoulders. The tough high school girl who had just rammed fingers into her pussy was now touching her with the most compassionate, sensual hands Gloria ever had on her body. "Mmm, that's nice," she said and tipped her head forward. Darlene massaged the soap into her neck. She sighed and said, "Thank you."

Darlene slid one slippery hand down over Gloria's mound and the other through the crack of her ass. “You still worried that Evan is too big for you?”

If Darlene were looking at Gloria's face, it would have told the truth, but thanks to the hand soothing her crotch, she had an excuse for the surprise that escaped her lips. Darlene turned her around and backed Gloria up against the wall. The redhead's soapy tits circled and slid up and down over hers. "You can trust me. I've certainly done worse than sleep with someone who loves me," Darlene said. "Especially if he wants to. He probably has since you started—”She lifted Gloria's tits—“growing these.” Darlene reached around and grabbed Gloria's ass. "And this."

Gloria stood there while Darlene's grasping fingers tried to get hold of her slippery ass cheeks. "Would you do it, you know, if you—"

"Even if he was my real brother," Darlene said and hugged her lower back, pulling their creamy flesh together. "But, will he do it?"

"You? Yeah, three times every day, I'm sure."

"Funny, but you know what I mean."

"I'm not sure. He wants to, you're right about that, but he keeps saying no," Gloria said. "He thinks he'll hurt me, and I'm afraid if it hurts, he'll stop.”

Jayda lied, you're tight, that's for sure, so if he's big, it'll hurt.”

Gloria nodded. “He is.”

Darlene backed them up under the water. “It'll only hurt for a minute.”

They used their hands on each other to help get the soap off. “Did I hurt you?”

Gloria shook her head and stared at the girl who had washed her like a mother would their child. “Only for a second, or maybe longer, but I didn't notice.”

That's the way it should be, special, it should make you feel special.”

Darlene turned off the water and grabbed towels from the cabinet outside the stall. Gloria shook off the threatening tears and said, “Let me.” It was strange, but Gloria used a towel on Darlene's body the way she would have dried herself. Neither of them said anything until she was done.

Let's go sit,” Darlene said and led Gloria by the hand.

They sat under the sun, facing each other, their knees touched. The girl Gloria thought of as Darlene, the tough, older girl, had been replaced with a girl Gloria was as comfortable with as she would be with Deana.

When it happens,” Darlene said, “make sure you're ready, horny and wet, and get on top. That way you control how much and how fast.”

I'm worried he'll be disappointed because, you know, no cherry?”

Darlene leaned forward and placed a hand on each thigh. “Between sports, tampons, and friends with benefits, hardly anyone has that. The important thing is, do you really want to, and is it with someone who loves you?”

Gloria sat there, nodding, while the words looped in her head, do you really want to? At that moment, what she wanted was to curl up on a blanket with Darlene.

That's what makes it unforgettable,” Darlene said. “He'll know it's your first time, and he won't notice blood one way or the other. I promise.”

How did you know it was Evan?"

The way you acted at the mall, I was sure then, but I've seen you together at the ballpark, so I suspected it before the mall."

"I'm sorry about how I acted that day, you were so nice, but I . . . I guess I was jealous."

"I already told you, he's perfect for you. I mean it."

Gloria had been sure Evan would choose Darlene over her if the girl wanted him, and that scared her, but now it didn't seem important. The redhead's pleasant face and compassionate gaze made her heart flutter. "Why did you offer to help me find a bathing suit that day?"

"I wanted to get to know you, and I'm glad I did,” Darlene said. “We have a lot in common."

Gloria's head tilted to the side, and her brows rose. "Do we?"

Yes, we do,” Darlene said. “You wanna go inside and explore one of the things we both enjoy?"

The grin Gloria fought to conceal answered Darlene's question.



Evan's elation had him fighting to keep it under eighty on the way home from Cindy's. That was until he reached the seven-miles of Bayway, then he liberated his foot and let the Monte Carlo bang up against the factory-set speed limiter. At 115 MPH, his senses were honed, all thoughts focused on the road, eyes scanning for silver and black, the state troopers' colors. The only way they could catch him would be if he blew past one of them.



After reaching the house in record time, Evan avoided his mother and Deana. Neither of them could know, and one look at his face would have told either that something was up. At some point, he would have to tell his sister, she'd figure it out anyway, but for now, Evan needed to think and workout. Cindy had busted his balls about his undisciplined approach, so he put on sweats, retrieved his wireless earbuds and went to the basement.

Nobody considers the effort required to drive a passenger car, or wonders if they are in shape for it, but twenty laps on a dirt track is a full-contact sport. The constant G-force, being shoved back, slammed forward against the belts, thrown sideways, back, forward, over and over, and the whole time your arms and leg muscles are working. Driving down the street, it's a rare occasion when you suddenly have to slam on the breaks, and when it happens, there is usually an adrenaline assist. On the race track, Evan would be expecting that every second, and at the end of each straightaway, it was required.

He balanced on one foot with an Iggy Pop station playing on Amazon Music, his other leg raised, throwing quick chop kicks at the six-foot-high mark on the heavy bag. The bag might have been getting beat up, but Evan's fight was against his swirling thoughts and fears. It had been a great day. He got two-hundred-fifty bucks, a seat in Dale’s car, Uncle JC wanted him in Cindy's car next year, and his cousin had more good than bad to say while reviewing his race. A few times, he even impressed himself. So why the confused, frustrated, scared, and angry thinking?

His father could come home Saturday afternoon, then what? What kind of a pussy driver would turn down a chance to race? He'd make a fool of himself, and nobody would let him drive their car again. What choice do I have, Evan wondered? Fuck you, Dad, I'm leaving, going to race. Yeah, then he'd wake up two days later in the hospital.

Iggy sang something about a China girl, and Evan fell backward onto the crappy couch. Cindy had an unusual taste for music, and some of it he liked, but why this? He still hadn't heard anything that sounded like what Cindy had been listening to, and Evan's curiosity had waned enough to be done with Mr. Pop, but his phone was too far away, so he kept listening while catching his breath. Then, it would be time to start punching.

Evan jumped up, shook out his arms, and went for the phone. After two steps, he recognized the tune. He took another step and stopped short.

Candy, you were so fine

Beautiful, beautiful girl from the North
You burned my heart with a flickering torch
I had a dream that no one else could see
You gave me love for free

Candy, Candy, Candy
I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so

Candy, Candy, Candy
I can't let you go.”

Evan sat down, picturing Cindy's face and her rush to pause the song. It had only been a flash in his subconscious at the time, but now that weird moment got him thinking. Candy, Candy Candy, I can't let you go. She had sent him with a message for Cindy, and there was that day Candy called and only talked to Cindy. Individually, all insignificant blips in Evan's brain, yet pieced together while listening to Iggy Pop, they couldn't be ignored. His mother had been at the track the night Cindy drove worse than a rookie. What had Deana said, it's not a man? She had been so insistent that he stop and upset when he hadn't. Shit, Evan thought, I considered Candy being in love with Deana for a second. Oh, he was so stupid not to think of Deana's clone, but how could his mother and Cindy be lovers without him knowing? “My superior perception . . . ” Damn, he hated it when his sister proved she was right. “Somebody else was here, a woman . . . ” Could Cindy have been there that day? Oh my God, Evan thought, the day Candy's bed was trashed. It reminded him of Deana's bed after Rebecca had been there. His mother and Cindy used to spend a lot more time together, then something happened, but that was adult shit that he ignored.

The circumstantial evidence was stacked in favor of it, but Evan struggled to accept it. Maybe he just didn't want it to be true? He tried it in his head, Cindy, Candy, and Mom, Cindy, and Candy with my cousin who looks just like my sister. If he let his porn brain run, it was the hottest thing imaginable. The potential was staggering and terrifying. Evan jumped up and attacked the heavy bag, throwing punches until his arms were too weak to dent the leather. Then he alternated between knee thrusts and ferocious upward kicks into the bottom of the bag.



The Uber dropped Darlene off first, then took Gloria home. She used the front door, and hurried straight into the bathroom, relieved nobody saw her. They had explored their common interest to the point of exhaustion, but there was so much more, things Gloria couldn't have imagined or expected to feel. She stripped off the dirty softball clothes she'd been forced to put back on and looked at the red marks where her balled fists had driven fingernails into her palms. Why had Darlene shared her secret?

Darlene's virginity had been stolen from her the way Gloria feared hers would be. It made her cry. Darlene noticed and asked, but not even the girl who had been raped by her second foster father could know Gloria's secret. Thankfully, Darlene had stopped trying, but the way she held Gloria, stroking her hair and running her fingernails up and down Gloria's forearm seemed to say the redhead knew the truth.

Gloria stepped onto the toilet lid, twisted, and poked the deep-purple spot on her right butt cheek. Darlene's words, “Seems like leaving a mark like that is something someone serious about you would do,” made her smile. What if the redhead was serious about her?

They had stared into each other's eyes many times while they talked, kissed, and pleasured each other, but that last time, when Darlene said goodbye and got out of the car in front of her trailer, that was when Gloria truly saw it.

A spark of static electricity jumped from the tip of Darlene's nose to the mirror, then her breath misted the glass. She stared at the fractured blue rings and down into the black holes at their centers. The beautiful blonde girl's smile and tears flashed through her mind. Pain and suffering connected them, and that was fine; Darlene knew how to handle those feelings, but—She shook her head, backed away from the image, and fell. The beanbag chair ruptured, vomiting its Styrofoam guts onto the stained carpet. Is this what love feels like?

Their paths had crossed under false pretenses and gone in an unintended, an unimaginable direction. She touched the purple mark on her inner thigh, thinking about how Gloria had gone down on her. The girl did it like she'd die if she didn't make Darlene cum, then Gloria watched in amazement when it happened. Before bliss waned, Gloria covered her with the silky-softness of flesh and kissed her wet cheeks. That was when Darlene realized the orgasm had brought her to tears; it had broken her. For the first time in her life, she experienced something besides pleasure or pain. They kissed, and she sucked the salty moisture from Gloria's lips. It wasn't bitter the way all her other tears had always been.

The day had been spent mostly in her room, catching up on dictation and doing other mindless activities designed to keep Candy's brain busy. She still looked at her phone often, wishing it would ring. Sally told her to be patient the first two times Candy called, and the third time Sally said, "I'll be there later. Stop calling me."

Truthfully, it was Cindy's name that she wanted to see light up on her phone. Sally told her to stay away from Cindy, but what was the harm in talking on the phone? The sound of Cindy's voice, hearing the girl say she was fine, would go a long way in taking the edge off Candy's anxiety. The message she sent with Evan should have at least generated a text. Candy huffed and stared at the monitor, praying it would wake up and show Sally's car coming up the driveway.



Gloria came out of the shower, bent over, dangling her hair, collected it in a towel, and rubbed vigorously. She stood quickly, flinging the tangled mess over her head. During the brief bout of blurred vision, Gloria thought of the first time Darlene kissed her at the ballpark. That was the day the older girl wrote a phone number on her arm and left her standing there with Jayda and Alex. It shocked her too much to think about how it felt, but now, after hours of making out with the redhead, Gloria was giving it a lot of thought. She had always heard that kissing another girl was like kissing yourself. The first time she tried it, Jayda had convinced her that it was an experiment to see if it was like kissing yourself. The truth was, Jayda was horny and wanted a friend with benefits. Still, the forbidden nature of it, and the novelty had been exciting. Though, Gloria hadn't thought it was like kissing herself. Then it happened with Deana. The taboo of sisters kissing intensified the fearful excitement, and the love made it different from what the softball sisters had. Still, it didn't fulfill Gloria's expectations.

She closed her eyes, touched her lips, and moved her fingertip around her mouth the way Darlene had. The girl knew when to lick, suck, nibble or bite, and how hard or soft I wanted it, Gloria thought. It was like kissing myself. Darlene had surpassed her expectations and set the bar high for any future lovers. Gloria wrapped a towel around her chest and headed for her room with her butt half exposed. It had been one hell of a day.



It was dark when Sally finally arrived. Candy took a deep breath and forced herself to wait calmly. She had stomped her expectations down, hoping to lessen the blow if Sally wasn't able to fix the video.

Sally got out of the car, and Candy stood, but continued to watch the pop-up window that showed the driveway. Her sister went to the back of the car, looked around, then made eye contact with the camera mounted on the eave of the garage. The trunk opened, blocking Candy's view. When it closed, and Sally walked around the car, she was carrying the familiar leather case and something in the other hand. It was black, and it made Candy think of a police baton.

Candy would have gone to the kitchen to meet her sister, except Sally was staring into her eyes, walking toward the camera. Her face was tight, even angry. She stood under the camera, looked up at Candy and pointed the black thing at her. Sally's expression changed to smug satisfaction, and Candy jerked away from the flash. Poof, Sally was gone.

At the back door, Candy asked, “What happened? What is that thing?”

Shh, let's go to your room,” Sally said. “I rather not see Evan . . . see anyone.”

Fine.” The hidden nature of their relationship, the secrecy, disturbed Candy. “Come on.”

I'm sorry, it's just . . . for now. Let's go before we have to explain this.” Sally lifted the bag.

Candy was more interested in the lightning rod in Sally's hand, so as soon as the office door was closed, she asked, “What is that and what did you do to the camera?”

Relax, it's a taser, seven million volts.”

You, ah, you blew up the camera? Is he gonna know that I did something?”

Only if I use it on him.” Sally wielded the stick.

Sally!”

It's fine. We got lucky. There was a thunderstorm late, you were probably sleeping, but flashes of lightning activated the camera. I got rid of everything after that. He'll think the storm did it.” Sally shrugged. “Oh well.”

Could it be that easy? Candy wanted it to be, but she couldn't breathe a sigh of relief while Sally stood there with a seven-million-volt taser in her hand. As far as she knew, they were illegal, yet her sister handled it calmly and had used it confidently. “Are you some kind of agent, spy or something? Is that why you disappeared?”

What? Don't be silly.”

What then?”

Not now,” Sally said. “Leave the where and what alone for now. What's important is I'm here . . . here for you. Okay?”

It wasn't, but Candy nodded.

Good. I need to copy the stuff captured from out front since yesterday, add it to this,” Sally pulled the hard drive from the bag, “and put it back in.”

It's that simple? He won't see me leaving with my overnight bag or Evan?”

Nothing, Candy, nothing, but tell the kids that the right side of the porch steps triggers it.” Sally smirked.

She started to ask, but Sally held up her hand. “You don't want to know, but in case he has it replaced, they should know.”

This put Candy in the same position the camera in the bathroom had, knowing something she couldn't admit to.



The next fifteen minutes passed without conversation. Candy had checked to see that the kids were all in their own rooms. It was a little late for that, but it seemed the right thing to do while Sally was there. Knowing what she did about her daughters, maybe Candy should have said something about Deana and Gloria sleeping together, but at least Evan wasn’t in either girl’s bed. After, she got two glasses of vodka on the rocks. John would probably notice the missing liquor, but Candy was too embarrassed to tell Sally she wasn't supposed to drink without him, and she never drank straight alcohol. Well, except for when she was at Sally's house.

Done,” Sally said and pushed the power button.

Candy held up her glass for a toast. “To my sister, the secret agent.” She laughed and gulped down the rest of her drink. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

You may not feel so grateful in a minute.”

Her sister's somber mood and stern face made Candy nervous. “Is something wrong?”

Sally said, “Yes,” walked to Candy's desk and retrieved something from her bag.

She waited for more, but her sister was plugging in a USB stick. “What is that for?” Sally ignored her and clicked yes to the install pop-up.

The small object Sally placed on her desk made Candy queasy. “Wait a second.” She didn't like where this was going. “Sally, what are you thinking?”

Don't you see it?”

There was that question again, except this time Candy got it. “Oh, no, you're not.”

It's a last resort, and we won’t let anything happen, but we need proof.

Fuzzy spots floated across Candy's vision as the blood drained from her face. “What are you saying?” How dare she show up after all these years and imply that, Candy thought. “No, that couldn't . . . never.” She turned, marched toward the bedroom, angry indignation building. “No!” Not knowing Sally had followed her, Candy whirled around and ran into her sister. “How dare you? Don't you think I'd know if he were doing something like that? He'd never—”

Shut up!” Sally grabbed her and yanked Candy, whipping her neck like a snapped towel. “Open your fucking eyes!”

The expression on Sally's face was the same as when Candy said Darlene's name. Candy would have retreated, but her sister's fingers dug into her upper arms. “He raped you."

"What are you talking about? He never forced me, I let him. I wanted to."

"Really? So when you were the babysitter, and gave him head while he drove you home, that's what you wanted to do?”

In her mind, Candy was screaming, no. "Why do you think that?"

Did he stop in front of our trailer, cum in your mouth, then pay you for babysitting, so you felt like a whore?”

Candy gasped, fighting to stay upright. "You too?"

Sally's lips trembled and her chin wrinkled. "Did he fuck you after Sandra went to bed and make you think you were doing something wrong?"

A million thought synapses fired in her brain, connecting memories with pain. “Oh, God, Sally, fuck, oh fuck.” The bedsprings squawked under Candy's dropping body. She hugged her stomach, fell forward, and rocked. “No, no, no, please, no.”

Sally grabbed Candy in time to lessen the impact, then she sat beside her on the carpet and laid Candy's head on her lap. “Baby, it's not your fault. It's not.”

Hold me, please hold me.” It was as if Candy had regressed to that pregnant kid, terrified, helpless and hopeless, with Sally telling her it would be okay, except Sally wasn't the one married to John.

I will.” Sally’s fingernails glided up and down Candy's forearm. “I'm so sorry, baby, I'll never leave you again.”

For years Candy thought she caused all of her problems. Gloria hadn't asked to be born into this messed up world, so it was her responsibility to give the girl the best life possible. That meant doing whatever was necessary. Candy had been telling herself that was why she had sucked John's dick in the car, and let him cheat with her on Sandra. She loved Sandra like a mother, and Sandra loved her and did more for her than anyone else ever had. The guilt had been unbearable when she was letting John stick his dick in her in the next room, but he said she was a slut, and why wouldn't a girl who had been knocked up by her brother believe the adult in her life?

Sandra was just in the grave, and Candy was fucking John. Eventually, she had an affair with Cindy, seduced Evan, and almost jumped in bed with Deana. Didn't that prove John was right? “Sally, I never said no, I let him, and I knew it was wrong. I hid it from Sandra. It was my fault.”

Sandra didn't think it was your fault,” Sally said.

Sandra knew?” Candy sat up and leaned against the bed. “She knew I was sleeping with John?”

Sleeping with him? No, that mother fucker raped, raped, raped you. Just like me . . . and Sandy and . . .”

Sandra, Sandra.” Candy squeezed Sally's hand. “Help . . . why didn't she help me? She knew and she didn't make him stop?”

Please, Candy, please don't blame her, don't blame anyone except him. John did this to us, nobody else. This is all his fault."

What the fuck was happening? Candy stared at Sally through the blur of tears. “Okay, okay.” She gulped air and wiped her eyes. “She could have left him. Why didn't she?”

Baby, she wouldn't have left you any more than her own kids. She loved you and wanted to protect you.”

Candy thought about how things had changed back then. The fights were louder and more frequent. “But she didn't.” Maybe he choked her, too?

She wanted to,” Sally said. “Once she realized what was happening—Damn it, this is why I didn't want to tell you.”

You had to . . . ah, tell me how you even know any of this? Cindy couldn't know, she was a kid when Sandra died, so how do you know what was happening or what Sandra thought?"

"I talked to her," Sally said.

Talked to her?” A gut-punch of anger swept through Candy. “What?”

"I never stopped worrying about you and Gloria. I kept in touch with her."

"What about no money for calls?” Candy's fists balled. “Why didn't she tell me? She knew how much I worried about you. She was the only person I could talk to about you, and I did every day."

Sally placed her hands over Candy's and took two deep breaths. "She couldn't, we couldn't. You gotta believe me, I wanted to, I always wanted to, but I couldn't, and once you were married.” Sally winced. “What could I do?”

She shook her head, feeling more confused than angry. “Why would you talk to Sandra and Cindy and not me?”

For the same reason I don't want anybody to know I'm back,” Sally said.

There was no good reason for you and Sandra and Cindy to leave me in the dark. I didn't know what happened to you, where you were or if you were even alive.”

Sandra wanted to, and she tried to find a way out, but . . . Baby, look what happened to her."

Are you saying he—No, no, it was an accident, a car crash, he couldn't have made that happen.”

I can't prove it,” Sally said, “and it's too late for that now, but knowing what I do about him, I believe it, I believe he made it happen. He killed Sandy because she knew and wanted to do something. I know he did. He's a rapist and a murderer, and you're not safe with him. That's why I didn't want you to know any of this until—”

No, he isn't a great person, but killing—He couldn't make a car crash. How could he do that? Why would he? He was in the car.”

Candy, tell me if you and John went somewhere in one of his friend's cars, where would you sit?”

Without thinking about it, the answer came out of Candy's mouth, “In the backseat.” The implication of her words came a second later.

So why was Sandra in the front seat with Dad?”