This is a 6-part story that provides plenty of fun. The story builds as the main character grows as a person. Initially, the main character is hard to like, but he grows on you, have faith. This chapter is light on sex, but it gets better over the story.
Everyone having sex is at least 18. This story is a work of fiction. I made it all up. Check reality at the door and enjoy it for what it is, a fun story. Special thanks to rancher46 and RF-Fast for editing my story.
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Chapter 10 -- Christmas Day
Hal's point of view:
It's funny. I slept with my hands in front of me for eight weeks, not wanting any pressure on them. Now it is a habit I can't stop. My arms are straight in front of me rather than hugging a pillow like I used to do. For some reason, I find this funny.
It's easy to take off my boxers. I can pee on my own for the first time in forever. Some of the things my sisters did, they were not fans of. Helping me pee in the morning amused them to no end.
I took my own shower, combed my hair, brushed my teeth, and used deodorant. All these things people do all over the world. Yet, right now, it feels special. It's a right that I have earned again. I'm not about to wear jeans. I throw on a pair of shorts as I'm not going outside. The zipper needs strength, and the button would be challenging as well.
My fingers are clumsy and slow to react. OK, not slow, just not as dexterous. I don't feel like I have that natural subconscious control that I had before. I must use my brain step by step to make my hands work. Typically, it's automatic.
I go downstairs to check up on everyone. I want to see if I'm wanted. I hear showers going as I go down the stairs quietly. I investigate the kitchen and find Andrea getting pans and a griddle for breakfast. It looks like sausage, Denver omelets, hash browns, and pancakes rather than toast for breakfast.
I see whisky and a bottle of Champagne on the counter. That means the eggnog will be spiked with the whiskey, and we're also having Mimosas.
Andrea isn't looking at me, but I can see a smile spreading on her face. I try to hide, playing cat and mouse with her.
Without looking at me, "OK, Hal, get over here and sit down."
Still half-hidden, I ask, "Are you sure you want me here? I ..."
She turns to me with a knife in hand, "Stop it. Get over here. We need to discuss yesterday. You want some coffee?"
I walk into the kitchen and sit down at the island across from Andrea.
She reaches for a mug but puts it back and selects a taller thermal cup instead. She pours me a coffee and then slides it over to me. I wrap both palms and fingers around it, so I can taste the beverage of life.
Andrea states, "You didn't show up for dinner last night."
I ask, "When did you notice?"
Her shoulders slump in distress, "During dessert. We ..."
I finish her thought, "You've had enough of me. I get it."
Andrea's temper is back, "Hey! It's not like that. We're worn out from doing our things, all your things, and then watching after you. You have to admit, you were high maintenance for eight weeks."
I answer with a sad voice, "I felt bad for all you had to do, all you had to put up with. Worst of all, it's all my fault."
Gail comes from behind me, "NO. It was four assholes at fault."
I continue, "Had I not played guitar at the festival, Kate doesn't kiss me, and they don't try to blackmail us. I didn't have to call Becky, and I didn't have to save Kate. It's my fault."
Now Becky comes around the corner, "NO, get that out of your head NOW. Anyone who wants to do something illegal around you, I better get a call. If someone ever asks you for help from evil, how can you not help? I know you like Kate but forget it's Kate. It's still the decent thing to do. You did right; it just ended badly."
Now I feel miserable, "And now because of my actions, I may never play guitar again. I sure got the shaft on this one for being the 'good guy.' What's the lyric, 'Only the good die young?'"
Emma adds, "Kate's a great teacher, and you will play again. You followed orders, and it's your destiny. You know, it's like all those movies you watch. The hero does great stuff, but then the villain beats him down. The hero comes back stronger and kicks the villain's ass."
I point out the obvious, "This isn't a movie, I'm no superhero, and just as soon as something good happens, it's taken from me. That pretty much sums up my life."
I remember the message from Kate, "y the way. While I was in the hospital, Kate sent me a message. She moved back home to hide from the shame of the whole incident. I've ruined her life as well. She will never teach again."
Becky snaps at me, "You don't know that. She did nothing wrong. If she didn't leave, she would still have a job."
How little she knows, "No matter where she goes, a student will Google her name and find out what happened. It's with her forever. Any school board that looks at her background won't touch her. Officially, she's not blackballed, but effectively, she will be."
Casey comments, "I'm going to need salespeople ... once I get interest. I bet that girl can sell. With a voice and body like she has. Oh yes, she will be able to sell ice to an Eskimo."
Faith dreamily thinks out loud, "You knowwwwwww. You mentioned Kate's voice. I've heard a few women on the radio with a deep, husky voice. I wonder if she can sing."
I smile, "Can't hurt to ask. It will be a while; I have a lot of work to do before needing a vocalist."
Donna is now with us, and she asks, "Can you write songs? I mean, it's one thing to be able to play. It's another thing to write a song."
I try to answer her question, "I'm not sure. I have solos and riffs in my head, but everything is scattered. I don't have anything to connect the dots. Last night, I wrote some lyrics, but I've never married words to music before. I think there is software to do it, but I'm clueless."
Gail's excited, "Woah, woah, woah. You wrote lyrics last night? You've never done that."
Donna is livid, "You're not supposed to be writing!"
I put up my hands like a stop sign, "I'm using Casey's old laptop, and Andrea put voice recognition software on it. Doing papers and songs are a whole lot different. I improved a lot last night."
Faith inquires, "Can you share them with us?"
I blush, "Actually, I wanted each of you to sing them."
They all yell at me, "NO!"
I try again, "Yesterday, we came home. You all rushed to your rooms, and I'm still at the door, fighting to get my coat off. It hit me at how much I had ground you down. I took your days off and evenings and made you miss and make up classes. All because I tried to help a young woman in need. In one moment I risked my career, my life, and your happiness.
"I can't see me doing anything different. I don't see myself not helping someone in need, but I wouldn't have bothered saving my fingers. The financial price to the family plus your emotional strain wasn't worth it."
Andrea stops me, "I had a choice. I alone made the decision. Yes, it costs us financially and emotionally. It was eight weeks of hell. But I, too, would do the same thing again. We all deserve a chance to follow our dreams."
Casey got up and went upstairs when Andrea started. She's now coming down the stairs with the laptop. She turned it on and was going to hand it to me. I again put up my hands; I want no part of this.
I suggest, "Hand it to Andrea." She does. "I wrote a song about each one of you. While doing it, I had your voices in mind. On the final album, I would use eight different artists. I have some lines, a chorus, more lines, a chorus, more lines, and then a final chorus that slows to the end. If you're too scared to sing it, at least read it in your voice."
Each song starts off with a sweet stanza, something positive. The second stanza explores something darker or emotional. The third stanza reveals a funny and embarrassing situation. Each sister has a unique and witty chorus.
They spend an hour either saying or singing their song. Each is followed by laughing at the ending and, of course, the retelling of the whole story from two perspectives.
Andrea asks, "I thought you said there were eight parts. Where is your part?
A use a low, hauntingly sad voice to softly sing a poem about how an unnamed woman told the man that loves her; he just isn't good enough. As I finish my fourth chorus, the last line slowly unravels with each word slower than the last, "What? You? I don't think so. I'm getting a football player. Oh yes, I can do better thann youuu, cyaaaaaa laterrrrrrrrrr," then my voice is barely a whisper.
Yup, we're all in tears. It's a sad and depressing song. I get hugs, but nobody knows what to do. This is Christmas day, and we're all sad from my song. This was supposed to be a present. Instead, I've killed the mood.
Gail starts to say in a fun voice, "I found me a boy. He's my favorite toy. His love treated him like crap. I'll treat him to a roll in the sack. He'll see life still has lots of joy."
It took her a bit to work out the Limerick. I am amused with a smile on my face. My other sisters are laughing hysterically.
Faith tries, "I found a tall sad man. He was knocked on his can. The next man took a swing and a miss. I picked him up and gave him a kiss. We made love in the back of his van."
Oh my, these are terrible.
Donna tries, "She treated him like dirt. She even stole his shirt. I found him sad and alone. I helped him back to his home. I found his rod still able to squirt."
I can't take this anymore. These are terrible. How do I end this?
Emma takes her turn, "I hate that bitch, I hate that bitch. She's so mean; she must be a witch. He's a handsome young man. I suck him till he blows; then I'll do it again. She's now lonely, lying in a ditch."