No doubt about it; Lisa's the brains of the family. She was doing very well in her first year of college and had a solid career path lined up ahead of her. Me, on the other hand, I wasn't doing so well. I had dropped out of high school 4 years ago and was having a hard time getting anywhere in the job market. A few weeks ago, however, a friend had offered me a job working in his company; all I needed was a high school diploma or some equivalent. I had decided to go for a GED, a high school equivalency certificate which was the next best thing to a high school diploma. A few weeks ago, I decided to ask Lisa for help. This wasn't easy for me; we had a real sibling rivalry built up after years of her achievements in school and my, for lack of a better term, under-achievements. I really resented the fact that it was easy for her. But I decided to rise above and see if she would help me study for the test.
Lisa was very shy and what most would call 'bookish'. She wore glasses dressed very conservatively. She has pretty eyes and...well, I guess that's it. She had never really dated in high school or college. She seemed more focused on her education than her social life. I guess that's why she was excelling, and I wasn't.
I was pretty cordial to her for a few days, then I asked her. She laughed at first. 'You really expect me to spend time helping you out with this? After all the crap I've taken from you about how 'smart' I am and how 'boring' I am, and how I 'have no life'? Now you want my help?'
I poured on the sugar. 'Lisa, I'm really not the same guy any more. I can see how you were right all along. I need your help so I can really change my life. Will you help me? Please?' She saw I was serious. 'I'll beg if I need to...' She smiled at me. Finally!
'OK. But we'll have to make some kind of a deal. And it's got to be something big, too! You've got a lot to make up for and you're really going to owe me for this!' She wagged her finger at me as she spoke.
'Anything, Lisa! You name it! Let me know and it's yours. I promise. Thank You!'
We worked out a schedule for when we could prep for the test. Then I kissed her on the forehead before I went off to work. I think this really threw her; she blushed and shooed me away, embarrassed. She looked really cute just then; it was a shame that she didn't really seem interested in guys. She was very awkward and self-conscious around guys, especially my friend Larry. I think she had a crush on him. Larry thought so too, but he found Lisa too 'plain', too 'quiet'.
Our first tutoring session went well. It was tough for me but Lisa was a good teacher; patient and thorough. I didn't bring up the 'deal' that we still hadn't finalized because I was afraid to hear what she might want...a year of free car washes? A date with my friend Larry? I knew she had been talking about having her bedroom painted; god that would suck. But I'd do it, I was a man of my word. I just wasn't going to be the one to bring it up...Lisa did. I should have known she wouldn't forget.
'So, Kenny; about that 'deal'...I think I might know what I want you to do...but I have a few questions first.' Her eyes darted nervously about the room as she spoke.
'Shoot! Ask me.'
'You said you'd do anything, right?'
'Yeah, I think I did...why?' Man. This was going to be rough, I could feel it.
'Did you mean it? Anything?'
'Well, yeah! I told you, I need to pass this test bad! What've you got in mind, Lisa? C'mon! 'Fess up!'
'Well...I...' There was a long pause. The suspense was killing me. 'I want to think about it some more...We'll talk again tomorrow night.' She had a very serious look on her face as she gathered her books up and started to walk away.
'Aw. Lisa, that's not fair! You gotta tell me!' I called after her to no avail. For the next 24 hours or so I wondered just what menial chore I'd have to do for her for the rest of eternity to pay her back not only for her help with my test, but for years of spitefully denigrating her about who she was. I guess I had it coming. At our next session, we sat on her bed. In the middle of an exercise I closed the book we were using. 'Lisa...are you going to tell me what it is that I owe you? It's torture not knowing...or is that your plan? Making me sweat?'
'No, Kenny. It's just not easy to...come right out and...say. I mean...' She was clearly very uncomfortable.
'Look, Lisa--say it! We'll both feel better! Really!' God, it was driving me mad!
'OK. What I was thinking...' Her voice dropped down to almost a whisper. 'I was...I want you to teach me some things.'
I looked at her confused. What the hell could I teach her? How to replace her alternator? She was dead serious and really nervous. 'Teach you? Lisa...what do I know to teach you that you don't already know?'
'Sex.' My head felt like it was just smacked with a mallet. She had never said anything like that to me before. No wonder she was so uncomfortable.
'Oh...well...um, OK,' I said, trying to act very mature and matter-of-fact. 'I guess after we finish with this stuff you can ask me anything you want...but jeez, Lisa; you're in college and--'
She interrupted me calmly. 'No, Ken. I don't want to talk to you about it.'
Now I was more confused than ever. 'Then what...'
'I want to do...things...' Her eyes met mine and she had to see the look of stunned disbelief on my face.
'I know all about sex. I've just never done any of it... I guess you've been right when you've said that I had no life. And I know you've had experience...I thought you could show me what it's like.' Lisa looked like she might burst into tears at any second. This was difficult for her. 'I mean...I'd like to find out what it's like with you...my brother, before finding out...you know, with someone I hardly know and stuff...' I didn't want to upset her, but what she was talking about was crazy! She was my sister! She was obviously really mixed up about some things and it was my job to help her straighten her head out.
I treaded lightly...'Look, Lisa...I can understand your curiosity if you've never had any...experience before. But for us to...We can't, Lisa! It's not right.' Her eyes had welled up with tears as she listened. Great. My refusing was hurting her feelings. Man, she had some serious issues...She started sobbing. I tried the only way I could think of...'Lisa, c'mon...It'll happen! You know it will! You just need to get out there and date some more...It's just a matter of---'
Sniffling, she interrupted again. 'Kenny, you said anything. Anything! This is what I want! I thought about this long and hard! You can't go back on your word!' Her words were coming out choked through the tears. 'Forget your test! Forget it! If the deal's off, then the deal's off!' Now she looked at me angrily. The tears were replaced by an angry scowl and she waited for my move.
'Lisa. It's wrong. Please don't do this. I need this diploma and...'
'We made a deal. And you promised.' She wasn't budging. She looked pissed.