In my most recent posting I indicated that Chapter 2 of Emmy and Her Daddy would be my next submission. While Emmy should be ready relatively soon, the editing of Chapter 2 of July 4, My Sister, the Lake went faster than anticipated; it beat Emmy to the finish line. So here it is. I hope you enjoy.
As always, all story characters are eighteen years of age or older.
* * * *
During high school, when I'd invite friends to the lake, the first thing the guys asked was whether Amelia would be there. Its not that we thought we had a chance, not only was she a fricking goddess, she was four years our senior. Still we'd march to the Hendersons, hoping she'd be there, hoping she'd be sun bathing. She loved the attention. She also turned us into serfs. We'd clean her car, get the boat ready, run inside to refill her glass, anything she wanted if she'd just let us hang with her. We'd come back home to Bella's merciless ridicule, but it was worth it.
And then, when I turned 18, Amelia said it was time for the gift. We went upstairs and I lost my virginity. When we got back down some of my friends were still hanging by the Henderson's pool. One brave, or maybe dumb, guy started to make a comment, but Amelia gave him the look, the look that says I will use you as dental floss. No one said a thing until we returned to the family cabin.
After that Amelia and I were occasional bed buddies. It was always on her schedule and at her convenience, but I never said no. A couple of times I tried to make it more, but Amelia was disdainfully clear: boyfriends were for money, fucking was for fun. And when summoned, I always showed up. In public Amelia was cold, detached, unattainable; in bed she was a hellcat.
After college she went to nursing school, took a job at a plastic surgery clinic on South Beach, corralled one of the doctors who owned it.
* * * *
Amelia worked her way though the crowd, heading in my direction, politely greeting each person she met. As she reached me she brushed back her hair, then looked at Bella, took a moment to study her. "Is this Bella?" Bella, a slight grin on her face, nodded yes. Her tone border-line condescending, Amelia said, "You look great, I love your hair."
"Thanks Amelia. You look spectacular, as always."
Amelia smiled, said, "Thank you, you're so kind," then turned her attention to me. "Sam, can we talk, alone."
I was not provided the opportunity to answer. Bella said, "I'll catch you guys later," and walked away. Amelia guided me to the edge of the crowd. My back was to the party, but still I felt Bella's eyes on me.
"Is that really Bella? She looks great. She was such a nerdy kid. My brother couldn't stop yacking about her, now I see why."
"Well Amelia, she's grown up, headed to Stanford on a full academic scholarship."
Amelia looked over my shoulder at my sister. "With those looks, properly managed, she could find her way to money with a lot less work."
"Well, that's not her way."
"You sound proud of her."
"Yes I am, real proud, we all are."
With a toss of her head Amelia said, "To each her own." She took my hand in hers.
"I was in Boston at a fashion show. I wasn't planning to come up to the lake, but I was talking to Mom and she told me you were up here. Why don't we go inside, get some privacy. I need to be fucked."
I'd like to claim I was impervious to Amelia's charms, but that would be a lie. I was turned-on; my dick was hard; I wanted her. When it came to Amelia my track record was unimpressive: I'd cheated on girlfriends with her, I'd once ditched a date at a party to leave with her, I'd lied to more than a few women about her. She was the sexiest woman, the best fuck, I'd ever known, but I couldn't get Bella out of my head.
I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
"I can't do that Amelia."
You never saw a crack in Amelia's facade, but there was a flicker of one now.
"Excuse me."
"I'm in a serious relationship with a woman in San Francisco. I'm being faithful to her or, at least, I'm trying."
Non-plussed, Amelia held up her hand, wiggled her fingers, displayed her wedding ring. Jeez, that was some rock.
"Sam, I'm in a serious relationship too; the guy's worth a fortune but he's a marginal fuck. It doesn't stop me."
"I appreciate it Amelia, but I told this lady I wouldn't stray."
"Sam, she's in San Francisco, she'll never know."
"Amelia, that's probably true and I'll probably regret this tomorrow, but I'll know."
She looked at me, studied my face. There was a hint of anger in her voice when she said, "You're serious aren't you." She gestured to her body, "You're going to turn this down, no one's ever turned this down."
"Amelia, you're stunning, but I'm not going to cheat on this lady."
Amelia kissed my cheek, her voice chilly-cold when she said, "Have a good life Sam. No one gets to say no to the gift."
Sheepishly, "Yeah, I'm sorry."
Amelia walked to the bar, poured herself some vodka, swallowed it, poured some more, merged with the crowd, heading toward her brother who was talking to Bella. She gave Bobby the look; he walked away. She took hold of Bella's arm, guiding her towards the water.
What the fuck were they talking about? I needed to chill. I went inside the Hendersons' house, used the bathroom, grabbed a beer from the frig, wandered into the living room. Its glass wall overlooked the party. Amelia was talking to the Johnson twins. She gestured towards her vehicle; the three of them headed up the hill. Those were lucky boys. I scanned the crowd. I couldn't find Bella.
"Well big brother, I've been looking for you. How was I supposed to know you were hiding in here?"
I turned to face her. Her tone had been sarcastic, but she had a gleeful smile on her face.
"Hey squirt."
Her voice enthusiastic, almost childlike, she said, "You've got a crush on me."
"What are you talking about?"
"What I am talking about, big brother, is that you've got a crush on me."
I opened my mouth to say something, but Bella didn't give me a chance. She skipped across the room chanting, "Crush on me, crush on me, crush on me," and lept into my arms. I caught her and, while continuing her chant, she covered my face with kisses.
Still holding her, I repeated, "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the story you told Amelia. She asked me about your girlfriend in California. It took me a second to get it, that you'd made up a girlfriend as a reason not to sleep with her. I mean, you couldn't tell her the truth, that you've got a crush on your baby sister. So I laid it on real thick - you should take notes in case you're asked - her name is Chan, Japanese parents, twenty-nine, went to college on the scholarship she won when she made it into the final round of the Miss California pageant and was named Miss Congeniality. Get this, she's a software engineer in Silicon Valley. Real frickin' smart, makes a ton of money. I told Amelia she's way too good for you, no one can figure out what she sees in you, but she adores you anyway. If Amelia checks out the details she'll figure out I made it up, but she's on her way to a good drunk, she won't remember the details.
"So admit it, you've got a crush on me."
I lowered her to the floor.
"Admit it."
I said nothing. She walked her fingers up my arm to my head, pulled my face to hers, and kissed me. I kissed right back, exploring her mouth. When done I was staring into her soulful brown eyes.
"Okay squirt, I've got a crush on you."
I kissed her deep and hard. I thought about the empty bedroom Amelia had mentioned. Then there were footsteps on the stairs. I let get of Bella just as Mom appeared at the top of the steps. My and Bella's flushed faces were undetectable in the dark.
"I was wondering where you kids were."
"Sorry Mom," I answered, " I came in to use the facilities, ran into Bella, we started talking and then..." Bella squeezed my arm. She was right, I was explaining too much, acting guilty.
"Well, I'm glad to see you two getting along, but come outside, stop being anti-social."
We rejoined the party. Amelia, her car, and the Johnson twins were gone.
* * * *
The party broke up close to midnight, families drifted to their cars. I thanked Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. Bobby Henderson asked Bella if she was going to the fireworks the next day. Bella said she wasn't sure. Bobby said he hoped to see her there. Bella said the same.
Back at the cabin Mom and Dad poured themselves a night cap. They offered me one; I declined. Bella, who had said she was cold, returned from inside carrying a blanket and said, "Hey big brother, make yourself useful." I was sitting on the couch and she slid between my legs, her back on my chest. She pulled the blanket over both of us. My arms lay across her body; my hands were on her legs.
Bella casually played with my hands. She ran the tips of her fingers up and down mine then, with thumb and index finger, palpitated my fingertips. She flipped my hands over and massaged my palms with her thumbs.
Dad was saying something, finishing, "So what do you think son?"
I turned my head. "I'm sorry Dad, I guess I was dozing off. What did you say?"
"I was saying what a beautiful woman Amelia has become. Her Mom told me she married well."
Bella yawned and stretched, squiggling against my body. "Yes, big brother, what do you think? She's about as sexy a woman as I've seen."
