Welcome to the third chapter of July 4, My Sister, the Lake. None of my stories have received a volume of readers' comments comparable to this one. I want to thank all those who wrote. Comments, both positive and negative, are always welcome. It helps to know what people think.
To place Chapter 3 in context, Sam flew from the West Coast to East Coast to spend July 4 with his family. While there he and his baby sister Bella became lovers and Bella confessed a past same-sex relationship with her best friend Shane. Chapter 2 ended with them rejoining their parents after having found a private place to consummate their affair during the fireworks show.
As always, all story characters are eighteen years of age or older.
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Bella was scheduled to drive me to the airport the next afternoon for my red eye flight to San Francisco. Before hitting the sack we told the parents we planned to get up early the next morning and explore the lake in the family canoe. This was somewhat true. We did got up early, but our exploration consisted of paddling to a nearby island we'd oft visited as kids. At its center was a lovely shaded knoll and there we unfurled a blanket and made love.
When done I was lying on my back; Bella was lying perpendicular to me, her head resting on my chest. Except for her baseball cap, we were naked. I was fiddling with her long red hair.
Now, I'd sworn I wouldn't ask this question, but I'm sure you guys will understand. I was in that post-orgasm place where all is well and nothing bothers you. You know what I mean: "Hey man, you want to borrow my car for the weekend? Sure buddy, be my guest. By the way, do I know you?"
Bella's sighs indicated she was in the same happy place.
So I asked.
"Bella, what's it like to make love to a woman?"
She turned, looked at me, made a face. "Sam, its kinda like what you just did. Almost exactly the same in fact."
"No, you know what I mean, with another woman? Is it different?"
"Sam, hand me my bag."
I slid the bag over. Bella pulled out her phone, pressed a few buttons, held it in front of her.
I asked, "What are you doing?"
"You'll see."
There was a female voice, "Hey Bella."
Bella said, "Cha-ching."
"Ohmigod, already? I'm going to need confirmation."
Bella shuffled over next to me, held the phone in front of both of us. It was on Facetime; I was looking at Shane.
Bella explained. "When I told Shane I was going to tell you about her and I, she said you'd ask me what it was like to make love to a woman. She said every guy she's told did so. I thought about, realized she was right, figured you'd ask in the first twenty-fours hours. She said you'd last longer than that. So we bet $5.00. Fess up brother."
Now here I was, lying naked in the forest, having just made love to my sister, talking to her best friend and former lover about my performance in a social science experiment. If I'd thought of something witty to say, I'd have said it. Instead I said, "Uh, yeah."
Shane's eyes swung back to Bella. "Well, I'll pay up tonight. See ya after droppin' your brother off; give him a kiss from me."
Bella raised herself up on an elbow and kissed my lips, blocking my view of the phone. I didn't know whether Shane was watching.
* * * *
I saw Bella once more that summer; she flew to San Francisco for three days so we could pick out a place to live. She'd already honed in on four potentials and we quickly signed a lease, which gave us more time for, well, you know.
At the end of the summer the plan was for me to fly east; Bella and I would then drive to San Francisco. We were going to take our time, play tourist. Thus, I think you can imagine my confusion when, two days before my trip home, I got a text from Bella asking if it was okay if Shane came along. Shane intended to take a year or two off before college and, after having heard Bella sing San Francisco's praises, wanted to check the city out.
I knew enough about women to know I had no idea what was going on. Why would Bella invite Shane along on our vacation? Was it some kind of test? Was I supposed to say no? Was I supposed to say yes? I decided to call and test the lay on the land.
Bella answered, put me on Facetime. She was in a pink bikini.
"Hey big brother, get my message?"
"Yeah."
The picture jerked wildly; someone had grabbed the phone from Bella. Now I was looking at Shane in a skimpy yellow bikini top.
"You're sister's such a liar. She asked me whether I wanted to come along."
Bella's head, pressed to Shane's, appeared on the screen.
"Well, you know you want to, even if you didn't ask. You've been talking about getting away, asking me about San Francisco."
"Yeah, just what I want, drive cross-country watching you and your brother make goo-goo eyes at each other."
"So whatta ya think Sam? Okay if Shane comes along?"
I was no better informed about what to say then when I started; illumination did not seem forthcoming.
"How about this, I'll live with whatever you two decide."
Bella stuck her tongue out.
"Chicken."
"Guilty as charged."
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