A few comments from the author. This is a story about how terrible sex crimes actually are, as well as the power and love of family. It's a story I've wanted to tell for a long time. While it does have some sex in it, this is probably not the venue for it. But here we are.
This story will have one more chapter and an epilogue, so it's about done. I'm already cooking up some sexier stories. If you don't like the story, don't read it.
Thanks,
Thesergeant
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The Moore sisters were out of Frank's house as soon as humanly possible. In an effort to minimize Frank 'giving her away,' Mary opted to get married at a courthouse. No flowers, no flowing white dress. Mary asked Stephen, as a wedding gift to his new bride, to wear jeans and a t-shirt. She did the same. In fact, Mary picked out Stephanie's outfit (as Mary's maid of honor) as a pair of holey jeans and a tank top with a mustard stain on it. Frank showed up in his nicest suit, and Mary smiled from ear to ear.
Moving into Stephen's apartment was the happiest she had felt since she was in high school. But the pregnant girl still faced challenges. She had to pay medical bills for the pregnancy. She had an adolescent sister to feed. Stephen had student loans, and only made 35,000 a year. The opposite side was that she loved her husband deeply and totally. She didn't have to worry about any kind of abuse befalling her sister. What's more, she didn't have her uncle trespassing against her. Her body belonged to her again. And she was all too happy to share it with her husband.
Still, trust him as she might she couldn't bring herself to reveal the arrangement she'd had with Frank to Stephen. It wasn't that she thought he might leave her. She was embarrassed and angry. She told Stephen that her uncle was an evil man, and that he was to never contact him under any circumstances. Stephanie and the baby were also bound by this rule.
Three years came and went. Now a sophomore in high school, Stephanie assumed a lot of responsibility. She very often took care of her baby nephew, a mute little boy Stephen and Mary named Jax (on the basis of 'Jax Jackson' being funny to say). Stephanie walked into their dingy two bed apartment's dining nook holding the two-year-old, with whom she shared a room. She sat Jax in his booster seat and the toddler began nibbling cheerfully on a handful of dry cereal. She sat down and began hungrily scarfing down a plate of eggs that Mary put in front of her. The man smiled.
"Good morning to you too. I didn't see you all night. What time did you get in?"
She looked up at him and grinned.
"Varsity soccer tryouts. Got done with that around five. Then I went to the Comminskie's house and babysat for a few hours." She took a fifty-dollar bill and put it on the table. "Easiest fifty I ever made. Baby slept the whole time." Stephen's smile fell slightly and he opened his mouth to give her a hard time. "Relax Stephen. I earned my keep. Did all of their dishes and washed their dining room table and counters. Still easy money. Then I went over to Damien's. He's helping me study algebra and AP bio. Got back at around 8."
Mary shot her sister a stern look. "Really? Because I heard your key in the lock at 8:40. I'm pretty sure that's past curfew."
The teen rolled her eyes. "Tell you what, next time instead of studying for tests I'll go to the liquor store and shoot up heroine."
Stephen clapped his hands together. "On that cheerful note, how'd tryouts go?" He gave his wife a knowing smile.
Stephanie absentmindedly read the back of the cereal box. "Oh. Didn't make the team. And they don't want me on junior varsity either."
Stephen and Mary said 'WHAT?' simultaneously. Mary looked to Stephen and then to Stephanie. "That's can't be right! You were the best offensive player on the JV team last year! The varsity coach was chomping on at the bit to have you try out!"
Stephanie shrugged dispassionately as she finished her eggs. "Win some lose some." She stood, kissing Jax on the forehead. "Can you drive me today, Stephen? Damien's car is in the shop." Stephen nodded, still a little flabbergasted at this turn of events. Stephanie walked out of the apartment. Stephen turned to his wife, his voice a desperate whisper.
"What the hell? We've been to the varsity games. Those girls suck! Steph can run circles around half the team!"
Mary eyed the door. "I'm going to talk to the varsity coach. Maybe it's all a misunderstanding."
The day progressed uneventfully. Mary still didn't have her GED; they couldn't afford it. So, Mary spent her days cleaning houses, scrubbing public toilets, and doing temp work. When she had a moment, she went to the high school, toddler on her hip. She went to the athletic office and saw the girls' soccer coach at her desk. The woman stood immediately, a flash of anger on her face. The coach spoke. "You're Stephanie Moore's sister, right? Do you mind telling me what scheduling conflicts are preventing her from playing this season!? Look, I've already had college scouts come to a few of last season's games! I didn't want to tell you because I thought it might throw her off. But there's no doubt, she's got an athletic scholarship coming her way. Division one if I can have a few seasons to coach her up a bit."
Mary shifted uncomfortably. "Stephanie told us she didn't make either team."
The coach looked outraged. "DIDN'T MAKE THE TEAM!? I made her captain of varsity! She said she was too busy after school to play this year!"
Mary mumbled 'what the fuck' under her breath. "Is that position on the team still available?"
The coach nodded. "Absolutely. But only for another two days or so. I want her on my team!"
Mary nodded. "I'll talk to her."
Mary texted Stephen immediately. Then she texted Stephanie that she was to come right home after school. No babysitting, no studying, no boyfriend.
Stephen and Mary waited at the table as a guilty looking Stephanie walked through the apartment door that afternoon. She didn't meet their gaze. Mary spoke first. "Soccer. Explain. You were made captain of varsity. You lied to us. Why don't you want to play?"