The baggage claim area at the airport was full of people. Some had just flown into Austin. Others were here to pick up someone just arriving. I was in this second category. A glance at the overhead display let me know that Jessica's flight from Atlanta had landed. I hadn't seen my sister in nearly a year. Her last visit had been to attend the funeral for my wife, Lilly, who had been tragically killed in an auto accident. I had high expectations that this visit would be much different.
Jessica was 30 years old, about two years younger than myself. She was an attractive woman, about five feet five inches tall with shoulder length brunette hair, green eyes, a big smile, and a cute figure. We cared for, and looked out for, each other. You could say that we had a strong sibling connection. Up until the past few years we had been very close. It nearly broke my heart when she moved to Atlanta about four years ago to pursue a career. But recently her job had turned sour, and her relationship with her boyfriend had ended. Jessica wanted to start a new chapter in her life, and she decided to move back to Austin to make that new start.
At the time I was living in a large four bedroom house in the hill country just west of Austin. Lilly and I had it built as our dream home. We both loved that house, and the wonderful life we lived. Then one fateful day, that all ended. After Lilly's death, I thought I shouldn't continue to live in the house, but I also couldn't bring myself to leave it. That house had so many memories, mostly good ones.
Now I was happy that I had a place for Jessica to stay while she got back on her feet. She anticipated that it wouldn't take more than a few months to find a new job and then a place of her own to live. It would be good having her close to me again.
I looked up at the top of the escalator just as Jessica began to come down from the main concourse. I waved at her as she smiled and waved back at me. She looked beautiful. I moved through the crowd toward the escalator, arriving at the same time she reached the bottom. Jessica leapt into my arms and gave me a big kiss. It was normal that we always greeted close family members with a big kiss. Mom and dad had taught us that.
"So glad you're home." I told her. "I've missed you terribly."
"I'm so happy to be home." Jessica replied with a radiant smile.
We made our way over to the baggage carousel just as the flashing light and horn announced the arrival of the luggage from her flight.
"Those two are mine!" Jessica exclaimed as she pointed to her bags.
We were pleasantly surprised that her bags were the first ones deposited on the carousel. We grabbed them and made our way to the exit. It didn't take long to reach my car in the parking garage and we were soon on the highway. In less than an hour we arrived at my home.
After Jessica put her things into a guest bedroom, we sat in the living room, each of us holding a cold beer. We both were dressed comfortably, suitable for a warm, June day in Austin. I wore a knit sport shirt and Jessica wore a cotton tank top. We both wore shorts and sandals.
"This place looks the same. You haven't changed it very much." Jessica said while looking around the room.
"Not yet. Maybe someday." I replied. For me, the room had many memories of fun gatherings. On one wall were photos of couples, special friends to Lilly and me. I knew someday I would put some things away and start afresh. But not yet.
"I can't thank you enough for letting me stay here a while." Jessica said sincerely. "This really means a lot to me. I hope I'm not an inconvenience or in your way."
"Not an inconvenience at all. Stay as long as you need. I doubt you will be in my way." I replied with a smile. I was happy for the company, and happy I could help my sister.
"This place has such a great pool, and summer is just beginning." Jessica mentioned as she looked out the windows into the backyard. "I intend to do some sunbathing and swimming out there. You know I love pools."
"Yeah. I remember." I replied. "Swim, sunbathe, do whatever you like. The backyard is totally private and I keep the pool clean and maintained. Remember, I also love the water."
We sat and talked about our lives and our work. Jessica told me about the job interviews she had already scheduled. She really hoped that one of these companies would hire her. For the time being we avoided discussing relationships, or whether either of us were dating.
After talking for a few hours, we prepared and ate a light summer meal. Later in the evening, after the sun had gone down and it was beginning to cool off outside, we sat out on the patio by the pool, drank another cold beer and enjoyed the view of the stars.
I was first to turn the discussion to a topic we had been avoiding.
"Care to tell me about what happened with that guy you were living with in Atlanta?" I asked. "What was his name? I don't remember. I only met him once, a couple of years ago."
"Curtis." Jessica relied somewhat coldly. "His name was Curtis Price. Yeah, I lived with him for nearly three years, but we were never a good fit together."
"It took three years to learn you weren't a good fit?" I asked, a bit surprised.
"I was young and thought he would change his opinions about certain things." Jessica began. "My ego let me believe he would change in order to make me happy and stay with me. Eventually I realized that he wasn't going to change."
"His opinions about things? What things? And why were they that important?" I pressed back.
"I'd rather not say." Jessica responded quietly. "Let's just say it was fundamentally important to me, and I guess his position was important to him. Neither of us would give in. As time went by, it became a larger issue that we argued over."
Jessica paused for a moment, then decided to explain a bit more.
"A month or so ago, we had that argument again. It became a big blowout and he stormed out to stay with a friend for a couple of days. At that time, my job was also giving me problems. My career had stalled and I couldn't find a way forward, not in Atlanta. I decided I needed a new start in life." Jessica paused, then continued. "I hope by relocating to Austin I can find the career and lifestyle I'm seeking. I'm so grateful that you are letting me stay here to get back on my feet."
"I hope it all works out well for you." I replied. "Again, you can stay as long as you like. You won't be an inconvenience."
"But I'm concerned that I'm interfering in your social life." Jessica retorted. "You are dating, aren't you? You do have a sex life, don't you?"
There was an awkward moment of silence. I finally spoke.