CHAPTER TWO: LENDING A HAND
Cori left the jet and carried her bags through the airport. She hadn't told anyone she was coming, so no one was there to pick her up. She went to the front of the airport and, not surprisingly, had no trouble hailing a cab.
"You a porn star or something?" the cabbie asked as she got in.
"No, why, do I look like someone?"
"You look like you should be a porn star," the guy said, staring at her tits in the mirror. "Damn, you're a fine piece of ass. Dressed liked that? You're not a hooker or dancer or anything?"
"No, sir," Cori smiled, a little surprised by his directness. "I'm just a clerk at an auto body shop. I'm here to visit my step-father. He's sick. Can you please take me to the Sunny Day Regional Rehab Center?"
"Of course," he said. "What happened to him?"
"Stroke," she said. "He's been there for a week because he can't take care of himself. I'm going to take him home and take care of him until he gets better."
"He's a lucky man," the cabbie said. "You're as sweet as you are hot. You got a boyfriend? I'd love to take you out sometime."
Cori was actually tempted. She couldn't remember the last time a guy had asked her on a real date. Of course, at the shop her dates with the guys were all pre-scheduled. And so far on her trip, no one had said anything about dates. They just wanted to fuck. The cabbie probably did too, but at least he was trying to be civil.
"Thank you, I'm flattered," Cori said. "But right now I have to take care of my step-dad. But if you have a card or something, I'll be happy to call you if I get settled and have time."
The cabbie gave her his number, knowing she'd probably never call, but impressed nonetheless by her obvious kindness.
"Do you need a ride for your father to his house?" the cabbie asked when they got to the rehab facility.
"Well, yes, I suppose so," Cori said, "but I don't know how long it will take to get him checked out. I don't want to make you wait."
"No problem," the cabbie said. "I'll wait, no charge. Take your time."
"Thank you so much!" Cori said. "You're the nicest person I've met since I left Georgia."
Cori bounded into the hospital, her long legs carrying her quickly as her heels clicked along the pavement. The cabbie watched every step. As the saying goes, he hated to see her leave, but he loved watching her go.
As Cori would soon discover -- much to her delight -- in sunny San Diego with the beach and all that meant, skimpy clothing wasn't all that unusual. There were hot girls walking around in little skirts and bikini tops all the time. So, while any many would certainly take notice of her extra short "Hard Body" shorts, her visible thong, her long legs, her big tits and her barely visible nipples, it wasn't like she was scandalous. She was just hot, maybe a little slutty, but not entirely inappropriate. What a welcome change!
So, there was surprisingly little buzz when she walked into the center and approached the front desk. A friendly woman took her name and directed her to a room on the third floor where she'd find her step-dad. She got off the elevator and found the room, knocking once on the open door and poking her head inside the room.
Her step-dad looked very much like she remembered him. A little older, yes, but still tall and stout with a firm jaw and darkly tanned features which gave his skin a worn but distinguished look. He was sound asleep, but she was happy to see that he wasn't hooked up to any IV's or beeping machines. She quietly stepped in to use his restroom and, when she came out, his eyes were open, surprised to see her.
"Oh my, Cori!" he said, sitting up in bed. She noted that he used only his left hand to push himself up while his right hand remained motionless at his side. She knew sometimes that affected the facial muscles too, but his mouth seemed to be working fine. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to get you out of here!" Cori said, stepping forward to give him a hug, pressing her big tits against his chest.
"It's so good to see you," Norm said as Cori stepped back. His eyes looked her up and down, trying not to stare too long at his step-daughter's amazing body. "You look great."
"Thanks," Cori said. "You look pretty good yourself. You sure don't look too sick."
"Well, I am," he said, nodding toward his right arm. "I can hardly move my right arm or leg."
"I'm so sorry," Cori said, sitting on the bed, her tight shorts riding up even further on her thigh, her cameltoe clearly outlined and just inches from her step-father's fingers. "How do you feel otherwise?"
"Old," Norm frowned. "Not being able to do anything for yourself makes you feel old. I feel useless."
"You're not useless," Cori said in her bright, perky voice. "You're just recovering. You're going to get better and I'm going to help."
"Thanks, Kitten," Norm said, using his pet name for her. It had started when he called her CT (her middle name was Tamara), which evolved to Cat which became Kit or Kitten. She always called him Pap. "I appreciate you coming to see me, but they say I'll be here for a while."
"How long?" Cori frowned.
"Well, until I can take care of myself."
"You don't have to," Cori brightened up. "That's what I'm here for."
"I don't think you understand, Kit," Norm said. "I need lots of help. I struggle to feed myself, get dressed, shower."
"I understand," Cori said. "I want to help you with all that. You'll be happier at home, won't you?"
"Well, yeah, but I can't ask you to do all that."
"You didn't," Cori said. "I'm offering. No, I'm insisting. Now, please, I have a cab outside. Can we get you checked out?"
"I don't know," Norm said.
"I'll find out," Cori stood up and walked briskly out of the room. Norm found it impossible not to stare at her ass as she left. He had always thought she had grown into a beautiful young woman by the time she was 18 and from time to time he'd catch himself taking an extra peek at her tight little ass or those tits which had bloomed so nicely, but he never took it any further. He didn't want to ogle his own step-daughter right in front of her mother. But things were different now, weren't they? Her mother was out of the picture, Cori was here and looking better than ever, a fully grown woman. They weren't blood relatives. Was it really so bad for him to be checking her out, to be turned on by her dark tan, her magnificent curves, that incredible smile? Well, it didn't matter, he'd never have a chance to do anything with a babe like her anyway. He was old and breaking down. But, if she was going to take care of him, at least she'd be nice to look at.
Cori came back a few minutes later with a doctor and nurse in tow. The doc was blatantly staring at Cori's ass until he caught Norm looking at him, then pretended to look at some papers on his clipboard.
"Doctor Morton says you can go!" Cori said, excitedly.
"Really?"
"Yeah," the doctor spoke up. "You're still at risk, of course, for another stroke, but not a substantial one. With your medication, you should be fine. We'll want to see you back in my office in a week to monitor your progress, but otherwise, we were just keeping you here to help with your rehabilitation. If your step-daughter is going to be around, she can certainly help you. The important things are to do your exercises, rest as much as you can otherwise and keep your stress level down. It's just going to take time."
The nurse gave him a release form to sign and Cori packed up his bag. The nurse wheeled him out to the front door and Cori pointed to the cab. "That's our ride right there," she said. She and the nurse helped Norm into the cab, then Cori ran around and got in the other side.