My Sister Becki
by MDSW©
Writer's Notes:
Everyone in this story is 18 years old or older. Enjoy the story. If you're willing, please comment your likes and dislikes about the story. And vote!!!
* * * * *
It's the first Thursday in December and it's cold outside. The chill in the air goes through my clothes and I can feel the cold hit my skin with a shivering effect. It's a typical day this time of year so I'm almost used to it, but I'm not really a snow kinda guy.
On this Xmas party day, I spend most of it in court defending our company from a fake accusation by a sleazy client we now wish we never did business with. Ain't hind sight great? Anyway, as we complete our closing arguments, the judge says he will announce his decision in seven days, then dismisses the court. My gut feel is the company will win the counter law suit based on the evidence presented, but I never know until the judge renders his decision. Now I feel good as I return to work.
At the office, the family business Xmas party has already started as I join the festivities a little later than the rest of them. The early evening dinner has always been appreciated by the employees, but this year, things are a little different.
Mom and Dad own the business and paid for the party out of their pocket this year, for the first time since the company opened for business. It has run its course and is winding down as I single mingle and work my way through the work force in small groups.
From my conversations, the Xmas party is another hit with all employees in attendance. Everybody is enjoying all aspects of the party, including the fellowship, the band and choral group, the catered dinner and the free ride home for those who want it. There is more than enough food to go around and the left overs were given out to take home.
In her final speech, Mom announces the business has doubled, we added five employees, the gross income has tripled, and for the first time, bonus checks will be handed out as she reaches for them, handed to her by her husband. Each check is $2,200.
The cheer that comes from the employees warms her heart. Then she announces the final company gift to its employees, telling them the next day is a paid day off for everyone. An even louder cheer erupts the happiness in the room. With Mom's speech over, they all return to fellowship, listen to the band, mingle, wander away from the dinner table, and eventually go home with happiness lingering in their souls.
My sister, Becki, at the young age of 24, lost her husband eleven months ago because of a drunk driver on New Year's Day. Her emotional state is that of loneliness and despair with a poor outlook for her future. Eleven months later, she still suffers from his absence, having been a difficult year for her. This will be her first Xmas without him and she's already feeling the heartbreak and loneliness. They were only married a year before the accident and she took his death very hard, as most any newly wed would.
Noticing Becki is nowhere to be seen, I wander around looking for her with no luck. Unable to find her anywhere else, I check her office and there she is, sitting behind her desk with her head resting on her arms. She has fallen asleep so I silently pad behind her and gently rub her shoulders. Waking up, she raises up and looks at me with sadness written on her face.
"Hi Ronnie," she says with pain in her voice.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"Just wishing the holidays were over and the loneliness would go away so I can continue moving onward with life."
"I know, Sis. I can see it in your eyes and on your face. I can't know everything you're feeling these days, but I feel some of your pain and want to help."
"How can you help?"
Reaching into my pocket, I remove a mistletoe, a fake mistletoe by the way, and hold it over her head. Becki looks up and sees the object hanging above her, stands up and faces me with a smile replacing the pain that controls her expression. She gives me a hug as I hold the mistletoe over her head.
"You've always been there for me, Ronnie, knocking me out of low points in my life, and now you're doing it again. The only thing I can do to repay you is to say thank you for your continuous support and never ending love for me."
My free hand moves to her chin and picks it up to line her lips up with mine. Leaning down to her, our lips meet and instantly, a surge of energy flashes through our bodies as if we were hit by a lightening bolt and I know we both feel it. Both of us wince as we break the kiss and we look at each other with surprise in our eyes.
"I felt that jolt, Ronnie. Did you?"
"I did, Sis... Let's try that again."
As our lips meet again, there was no burst of energy, no spark, but her sadness and my expectation makes the kiss go beyond the normal brother/sister kiss. Her passion suddenly takes control of her and I go with the flow with no resistance, totally surprising me. Realizing what I'm doing, I break the kiss as soon as I get my senses about me.
"I'm sorry about that, Sis. I don't know what came over me..." I say, laying the blame on me. "Listen, I rather you not be alone tonight so, if you want, I'll take you to my place and we can talk about anything and everything just to get your mind off the holidays. Deal?" I ask.
"Deal. It's been too long since we've done that so let's go... But first, answer me one question."
"Okay."
"Are you doing this because I'm lonely, or is it because you are lonely?" Becki asks.
"Yes. Both. It's a fair solution to both our lonely hearts."
"I believe you're right... Are we going now?"
"Whenever you want, Sis," I tell her, pretty much knowing she's ready to dump the party.
"I'm tired so it's okay with me if you want to go now."
"Let's go then. Meet you at the door."
I pad off to tell our parents we are leaving, then get my overcoat and meet Becki at the door all dolled up for the cold weather outside. We pad together to my car and get in, feeling the heat because the car has been running for about five minutes, thanks to remote start. Taking off my gloves, I grab the heated steering wheel and off we go.
"Why didn't you open the car door for me?"
"I didn't want to start any rumors if anybody saw us, Sis. That's all we need is a rumor about us spreading through the company. Scandalous, my Dear."
"Good point."
* * * * *
When we arrive at my apartment, I open the front door and, being the gentleman I think I am, I allow her inside first, then follow her as I close and lock the door behind me.
"Can I take your coat?" I ask.
Saying nothing, she unbuttons it and shrugs it off her shoulders while I grab it, hang it in the closet near the door with my coat following soon after. I give my sister a hug just to warm us up and it works. She holds me as tight as I hold her, which is not what she normally does, but given the circumstances, I think nothing of it. I rub my hands all over her back to help warm her up and she looks at me with sad eyes. Jim must have done that to her too.
"Can I get you a drink?" I ask and release her, hoping to change the subject.
"A diet soda would be perfect. I'm pretty sure I've had enough alcohol today."
"Your wish is my command. Have a seat and I'll be right back with something a little more carbonated than liquor."
Becki smiles, takes a seat on the sofa that faces the fireplace and leans her head back to relax away from the pressures of the office, not forgetting for a second she's missing the man she loved very deeply. Just before I'm about to walk away, I pick up the remote and turn the fireplace on and dim the lights, then proceed on my journey.
First, I'm off to my bedroom to remove my suit coat and tie, then I'm off to the kitchen. When I return to Becki with the drinks, we talk about life and love between us, some of it very intimate. After talking for several hours, it's late and I feel the desire to sleep more than my desire to stay awake so I get up to refresh the drinks.
"Thinking about Jim, are you?" I ask as I return and hand her the drink.
"I am. Even after all this time, I still want him back," she says, taking the drink.
"Don't blame you, Sis... Do you think you will ever love again?"
"At this point, feeling the way I do, no, but I hope there's something in my future because I don't want to be lonely the rest of my life. Jim would want me to move on. I know he would... Ronnie, would give me another of your infamous hugs please. I could really use one."
"Infamous hugs?" I ask.
"Yes. One of the many reasons why I love my brother."
I accept her answer so we stand together and she gives me a hug I never expected, but I sure as hell enjoy it and my tired body doesn't seem to be as tired anymore. What a difference a hug makes... Or is it my sister... Or is it both? It's the tightest hug she's ever given me so I return the tightness and accept she is okay enough to do that.
With her head against my body, she asks, "Ronnie, did you ever try to sneak a peek at my naked body while we were in college, living in the same apartment with and without Jim?"
"No, but it did cross my mind several times."
"What stopped you?"
"You did. My sister is off limits to me, especially with her boyfriend living with us. I can't find it in my heart to disrespect you in that manner. It would completely destroy our relationship, and your relationship with your future husband, which was not and is not an option for me. I want to remain close to you like we always have," I answer.