The air was alive with excitement as the Southwest passenger jet left the tarmac. My older sister, Alana, and I were seated together toward the back, huge grins on our faces as we looked out the window, watching the city lights drop away. It was a red eye flight that we had booked at the last second when we learned that our scheduled flight the next day would have to face a potential delay or cancellation because of a huge winter storm that was rolling in. It was only the beginning of October, but forecasters had predicted blizzard conditions. Schools had already been canceling classes.
But we were heading to Las Vegas, and we weren't about to let a little snow keep us away.
Alana had won the trip at a charity drive. A $20 raffle ticket gave you a chance to win the aforementioned flight, limo service both from and to the Vegas airport, a three-night stay at the Luxor hotel, and a bunch of other goodies in between. Alana had bought one ticket. She felt so guilty, she quickly wrote out a check for $300 made out to the cause, to help our old high school build a new gym, cafeteria, and library.
But as we relaxed in our seats in the dim-lit jet, imaging all the fun we would have over the weekend, guilt was the furthest thing from our minds. It was 3:00 AM, and the plane was barely half full. Most of the passengers were near the front, and none were within ten feet of us. As soon as the steward came buy to take drink orders, Alana and I were as giddy as children on their first trip to Disney World. The raffle prize included six free alcoholic drinks...apiece.
Of course, with me being only 18, Alana had to order for me. The steward knew what was going on, but fortunately he didn't care as long as I didn't "start doing cartwheels down the aisle", as he put it.
We were well into our third drink when my thoughts turned to the obvious question: why did Alana invite her kid brother on a trip that was designed for a couple? Her reason when she had asked me two weeks earlier was because we hadn't seen each other much lately, which was true, and we both deserved time off work, which was also true.
But what Alana didn't know was that I was well aware of her recent explorations into lesbianism. She was keeping it a secret, and this trip offered her a great chance to get away with a girlfriend and really go crazy without having to worry about people finding out. So why invite me? Before I could analyze the situation too much, however, the alcohol and Alana's incessant talking had me drifting on to another topic.
Eventually we started talking about high school. The good times, the times we got in trouble. The parties and proms, football games and the teachers. And the first loves. Since our parents had died while I was a sophomore, talking about the romantic subjects wasn't uncommon for us. Alana had become my legal guardian, and we had raised each other and been best friends for most of our lives. But I must have been buzzing more than I thought, because suddenly I found myself describing my first time with a girl as my sister listened intently. I had told the whole story, in vivid detail, before I caught what my own mouth was saying.
And then, before I could stop myself or even realize that my mouth was still moving, I asked her about her sex life.
And in one little sentence, she told me.
She sighed and said, "Gavin...I think I'm a lesbian."
Certainly the drinks had loosened her up enough to admit this, and everything afterward. But part of the reason this confession came was because we were so close, and this was a secret she didn't want to keep from me. And yet another reason it came was because, I suspect, she was turned on—not by my story—but by recalling her own.
Before I could say another word, Alana began to tell me, in brilliant detail, of her first time. She began by recounting an incident at work, where her best friend and business partner, Rene, had been hiding under the service counter.
I smiled to myself, knowing that if anyone could lure my sister to the other side, it was Rene. Growing up, I had always had a crush on her, and while I grew out of my infatuation, she was no less desirable, no matter whom you were.
Though she had a goth quality about her, with pale skin, short, jet black hair, dark blue eyes, and a tendency to wear dark colors, Rene was very upbeat and playful, and always had an inviting smile. She was very thin, very busty, and very tall for a woman, at almost six feet. Few 26 year olds really look much older than they are, but with her delicate features Rene could have passed for 18 if she played it right. This mix makes her not just sexy, not just hot, but exciting. One look at Rene, and you know she could change your life for the better without breaking a sweat.
And my sister was just the kind of girl that Rene went for. Also 26 and younger looking, Alana was a bit shorter, with a slightly thicker, albeit more athletic body than her friend. Her firm, d-cup breasts were usually the first thing to grab a guy's (or girl's) attention, but her long, blonde hair and seemingly longer, golden-tanned legs were just as eye catching. Her bright blue eyes sparkled when she smiled, which was often, and she could—and has—worked a room without even realizing it.
As I listened to Alana tell her story under the counter, I recalled all those times that Rene had jokingly tried putting the moves on my sister, and how, Alana would, less jokingly, turn her down. It seemed to be little more than a tease for them, something to laugh about. But as Alana described what Rene's tongue felt like on her clit, there was no humor in her voice. Only lust.
Long story short, Alana's tale ended with her naked from the waist down, and both of them lying on the floor, gasping from orgasm. But they hadn't gone all the way. Alana had, for the first time, experienced getting eaten out by another woman, and Rene had fingered herself while doing it. They kissed afterward, but then things calmed down.
And this is the rest of the story, as told by Alana:
Things would've been awkward, if not for all the excitement. I knew what I wanted, but I was scared to death of it. And Rene, even though she's slept with countless girls, it could've been her first time, too. She was so hyper, so nervous, so happy.
Without talking, we composed ourselves, locked up the building, and met at the back door of the office. I had a feeling, since we didn't know where you would be, that she was going to suggest going to her place. But at the thought of that, I got scared. Terrified, even. So before we made plans to do anything, I suggested we got out for dinner.
Rene, I could tell, was a little disappointed, but she happily agreed. We went to the little Mexican place around the block and ate. And the whole time I'm thinking, can I do this? Can I really make love to another woman? I knew it was going to feel good. I knew I wanted it. But I didn't know if I was ready. I was trembling through the whole meal. At one point, Rene laid her hand across mine and gently stroked the tops of my fingers, then traced my palm.
"Just calm down, and breathe," she whispered, smiling, looking into my eyes.
And at that moment, I knew I wanted her. I just couldn't decide if I wanted her tonight.
By the time the check came, I was a wreck. I mean, I looked all right, and Rene didn't suspect anything was wrong. But I was really having second thoughts. Things seemed to be moving too fast, and I couldn't think of any way to stall. We walked back to the office to get our cars, avoiding the subject as if mentioning what was on our minds might jinx it.
But I jinxed it, instead. We were in the alley, just steps away from the office.
"I don't think I'm ready for this," I burst out, tears in my eyes. As if on cue, rain began to fall at that very moment. We stopped walking, and I forced myself to look at Rene's face. She was mortified. Confused. But she tried her best to hide it, and to show herself only as a concerned friend; not a jilted would-be lover.
"You are ready," she said. "You're just scared. But I'll help you through this."
I nodded, but she must have noticed that I wasn't convinced. Then, with her warmest smile, she took my hand again.
"I won't make you do anything you don't want to. If tonight isn't feeling right, I can wait. I don't want to push you to anything. And I'm sorry if I already have."
The rain was pounding on us now. I couldn't tell if those were tears under her eyes, or just streams of rain. But either way, I could tell she was extremely disappointed, not so much with me, but with herself. While I couldn't convince myself that I was prepared to go for what I knew I wanted, I had managed to make my best friend feel guilty about it. Though the rain washed them as quickly as they came, I really did have tears under my eyes.
I pulled her to me, and I felt her embrace—the hug of a true friend, the hug she had given me a million times before. This was not the hug you give someone when you're trying to get them into bed. It was the hug you give to a person you deeply love, and need.