All characters in this story are fictional and over the age of 18. This is Part one of two and part two will be out shortly. Enjoy.
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My name is Ally. I am 18 and a senior in High School. I live with my father who is 47, my mother who is 39, my older brother Jake who is 22 and a senior in college, and Hannah who is 20 and a sophomore in college. Two years ago my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and my family hasn't been handling things all that well.
About six months into her treatment, she was actually seeing some progress. We all were extremely optimistic that she would overcome her illness and it seemed we had been right; until three months ago.
I have trouble sleeping remembering coming home from school that day. It was close to homecoming and I just knew my crush Billy was going to ask me to the dance. I had been walking on cloud-9 until I opened my front door. My mother was collapsed in agony on the kitchen floor while my father gently rocked her trying his hardest to console her. My mother heard the door and her head popped up. I took in just how much weight she had lost since all of this happened. My mother was very fit but all woman, with generous curves most men, and women couldn't help but admire. Now her cheeks and eyes were sunken in and her once curvaceous body was thin and almost manly due to her lack of curves. Our eyes connected and I knew...
Since that day, it's like almost instantly she just let go, let her illness consume her. My father was working all hours. He blamed it on the medical bills but we've always been pretty well off and his health insurance is top dollar. I knew he just couldn't deal with the grief. He resented her for accepting her imminent death rather than fighting. I understood though, she didn't want to suffer anymore than she had to and hoped the sooner she was gone, the sooner our family could move on and find a sense of happiness once again.
Jake, being on a football scholarship couldn't afford to miss any school and was always gone for practice. When he wasn't he was usually out partying, trying to keep his mind off of my mothers illness. Hannah had a bit more time to help out around the house but at times it overwhelmed her and she couldn't take too much more. That left me to not only tend to my mother, but to take responsibility for the household.
I didn't skip a beat. The day I walked in and found out my mother's fight was over, I took over her role in the household doing what I could to make sure she was comfortable. My family just kind of accepted it without really noticing and I did my best to make sure no one saw the toll it was taking on me. Before school, I was up early cooking breakfast and getting things ready for everyone's day. When I came home from school, I took care of my mom. Feeding her, bathing her, I would read to her and confide in her until it was time to prepare for dinner, get her ready for bed then clean up and do laundry before finally getting to my room to take care of any school work I had. To say I didn't have time for any sort of normal teen life would be an understatement.
Before my mom got sick, I wasn't the coolest kid but I was pretty well off and had a great group of friends and a few crushes I thought I may have actually had a chance with. When all of this happened, I lost the majority of my friends and ANY chance I had at a love life. Being a virgin and not even been lucky enough to have kissed a boy, it was kind of a let down but for my mom and my family, it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.
One night about a week ago I was having an especially bad day and during dinner, with everyone eating in silence, avoiding eye contact, I was having a hard time keeping the tears at bay. That's when it happened. I felt Hannah's hand on my knee.
She began to caress my leg, trying to do anything to comfort me without embarrassing me and it helped more than I could have imagined. Once she realized I had regained my composure, she went to move her hand away but I was readjusting myself in my seat at the same time and she ended up with her hand between my legs. The jolt of pleasure I felt surprised me and I began to blush instantly. It was an absolute accident but I haven't had an actual connection with anyone but my mother in three months.
That night, after cleaning up and putting the laundry in, Hannah came to see me. I was sitting in the middle of my bed with textbooks and notebooks surrounding me.
"Hey Ally. Do you mind if I sit down?" She almost looked nervous as she asked, playing with the hem at the bottom of her shirt, Trying to avoid direct eye contact.
"Uhm, sure. Let me just move my books."
I gathered my schoolwork and moved it out of the way letting her sit at the edge of my bed, Indian-style, facing me. Then she began..
"I just want to start off by saying I'm so sorry. I knew the role you took on was a difficult one. But you handled it so well and I honestly didn't think it bothered you too much. Then I saw you tonight and it just clicked. How selfish we've all been, relying on you. It just isn't fair. I started thinking and I realized I can't even remember the last time you left the house just for fun. I just feel so terrible. I'm your older sister and I should be the one taking care of you. Making sure whatever time you have left to be young is spent doing just that. So I'm going to change. I'm going to help you more. As much as I can I'll be here. I want you to start going out again and living your life."
I was crying now. Not for any bad reason but because it was so nice to finally feel appreciated. Noticed. But I couldn't let her lose herself like I did. It was hard at times but it was the choice I made.
Hannah noticed my tears and hugged me tightly. "I'm okay. Really I am. I don't want you to help. Today was a bad day but I'm okay. I have nothing left anyway. None of my friends talk to me anymore and I don't want to be friends with anyone that just walks away from someone at such a difficult time. Mom needs me and I know her best. Even if I tried to go out and have fun I know I just wouldn't be able to enjoy myself. But thank you so much. Knowing that you know and appreciate all that I've done kind of makes things easier for me. All I want is to take care of this family. Make sure we don't fall apart."
The look she gave me was a look of complete awe. "Well I don't care what you say, I'm going to spend more time home. Whether you want to take advantage of that by getting your life back is up to you but I need this. I need to know I did what I could to help. And I'm going to." She grabbed my hands and kissed them.
"I know you've been pretty lonely lately, so if you want to vent or anything, just know I'm always here. My door is always open."
I thanked her and she left to get ready for bed.