Disclaimer: This is an incest story. It's also a love story. All charcters are 18 years or older.
Some view family gatherings as a pain and a waste of time. Others view it as parties to have a good time at. I view them as what they truly are, gatherings. Catching up with relatives lives, fondly remembering days long past, or for myself just plain being with the ones you love.
My mother is the rock of the family. Having lost my dad several years ago to cancer, she handled it like a trooper. One thing she insisted upon was that we all get together several times a year besides just on Christmas. She loved us all and felt that just like dad that one day we may not be here either. Family is always there no matter what else in the world goes wrong.
None of us are perfect for we all have those little skeletons in our closets. I know I do. My father once had an affair which almost tore our family apart years ago, but we all persevered. My older sister Tracy has been in a loveless marriage but still does her best to smile and hide the fact she is very unhappy. Lucky for her, she doesn't have any children which would depress her even more. But then there is Christie who is my youngest sister.
Tracy is the oldest at thirty-seven years old. I was the middle child at thirty-five while Christie is just twenty-nine. Mom said she was an accident of makeup sex with my father after that dreaded affair ended. Any way you look at it, Christie was a wild child. She never seemed to be in one place for very long. She had the body to attract men and use them for her benefit. When she was tired of them she would be off for another adventure and another guy.
I had many relatives and most were here now. We all got along but often everyone in the family usually didn't tell each other about their personal lives. I guess it was just to keep the peace and cause no disruptions. That is why these family gatherings worked out fine and had a cordial atmosphere.
There was my mother cooking with Aunt Sue, chatting and laughing in the kitchen where they would often be seen shooing away the younger kids. Mom's cooking was the best and I always looked forward to it everytime we got together. As I got up to get another beer, I saw my sister Tracy standing on the front porch with her customary mixed drink and a cigarette in hand. I joined her on this hot summer afternoon.
"Hi sis, how's life?"
After a puff from her cigarette she answered, "It could be better Mike. But I have my health and I have all of you, so it could be a lot worse. How's the photography thing going?"
"Not too bad. It pays the bills."
"Yeah, I think more than just pays the bills, Mike. I would love to be in your shoes. Beautiful home, single, and free to enjoy life without any worries."
"I don't know sis. I've enjoyed being a bachelor but maybe it's time to settle down. It's just so hard when I'm constantly in the company of beautiful models and trying to convince someone to join me in that glamorous lifestyle. But I am here for you whenever you need me. If you need money or a shoulder to cry on, really anything, just let me know."
"It's okay, Mike. I just need the weekly phone conversations with you to help me ease my pain. I guess I better go in and assist mom and Aunt Sue with getting dinner ready," she said as she flicked her cigarette away and turned away from me.
I sat down on the porch swing that has seemed to be a mainstay at this home forever. Growing up I enjoyed quiet times watching traffic go by while my family or friends would often join me to enjoy the country life. This house was my home until I moved out after high school. I was the first to leave and spent several years at a far away community college learning my photography skills. It was my love and my camera that always was around me no matter where I went. I already had several family moments taken for the family album today.
As I sipped my beer and brushed away a pesky bee, the screen door opened and there was my best friend Christie. Man how I had missed her. She soon sat next to me as I studied her features. Long blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes, and pert breasts. Yep, that was my sister Christie, the heartthrob.
"Hi brother, you look as good as ever. I missed seeing you."
"Hi honey, how are you? I missed you too. You haven't been around for years and if it wasn't for the occasional letter from you, I wouldn't have known if you were even alive. Where have you been hiding?"
She sipped her wine as she responded, "I've been living in hell, Mike. It's been crazy. I met some guys a few years back and they got me hooked on drugs. Since about six months ago I've been a recovering addict. I have no money or job and have been living off of men who would sleep with me, and in turn I got some free meals and a place to stay. My life sucks. I guess I finally found my way back home finally."
"Sorry to hear. I was just upset that after how close we were growing up, that you didn't find time to give me a call or come visit. But, I love you and learned it's best to let you have your way even though I fear for your life everyday. Screwing all of these guys isn't safe."
"I know brother, and I want to change. But I have nothing and not even a place to stay. I do need to ask you a favor."
"What's that, honey?"
Her upper lip trembled as she took a moment and then whispered, "I need a place to live. May I move in with you? Please? I promise I'll get my life back on track and move out as soon as I can get a decent job and a place to live. I don't know who else to turn to. Tracy and I weren't always the best of sisters, and besides, her life sucks and for me being there would be hard on her. I don't want to live with mom for she criticizes me for every mistake I've ever made. All I have left to do is ask you. I need you Mike."
"I would be glad to take you in. You know I'd do anything for you. But if you do, you must promise me no more of this running all over the country. You need to settle down for a while and get your ass straightened out."
"I promise, Mike. I'll help you around the house and stay out of your way if you want while being the best friend I can be to you. I won't interfere with your personal life."
"Oh, stop that! You would never interfere with my life. You can go home with me tomorrow. Now let's go eat as the smell of mom's cooking is making me as hungry as a bear."
As I stood up, my sister hugged me. It was a hug that I missed badly. It's been too many years since the last one. It would be nice to have her around. Maybe we could help each other to straighten our lives out.
We were all sitting at both of the two large tables in the dining room. Mom had used some of dad's insurance money to expand this room just for these occasions. I sat between my mother and Christie. There was so much food and drink was enjoyed by us all. Chattering and friendship was all around me.
Christie was telling of some of her adventures. Mom's eyes would roll in disgust while others just nodded or laughed. I sat there listening and not adding much to the conversation. As I looked across the table I could see Tracy sitting there while nibbling at her food and sadly looking back at me with a tear in her eye.
I felt for her. She married a guy who totally controls her. Hell, he doesn't even come to the gatherings for he believes our family isn't worthy of his presence. I could see the stress in her face. She is still very sexy in her own right, but looking into her eyes makes me shiver. She had gained a few pounds over the years and her dark brown hair began to show a few greying streaks. She doesn't even wear much makeup like she did when she was younger.
I felt a hand on my leg just above the knee. It was comforting for my sister always wanted to be close to me. Growing up, Tracy was the studious one and spent much of her time preparing for college. Christie was the opposite, always flirting with all the guys and hanging around with her girlfriends. But she was close to me. Often my two sisters would fight. They loved each other but each felt the other was invading their space. For me, I got along with both of them and we seldom disagreed. Christie loved her older brother and even before she'd go out on a date, she'd would look to me for approval and guidance. We spent many a day growing up walking to the park. I would take pictures of her and she was always the showoff. She would make faces or throw me kisses or just plain act silly. But every photo I took of her showed how damn sexy she truly was. I loved her and felt I had to protect her.
I blame myself. I left her when she was still young and just in high school. She no longer had that one person she could confide in. We drifted apart and soon she was gone and seeking to find unreachable happiness. Like the letters that sporadically showed up in my mailbox, only Tracy would update me if she had heard anything new. My mother seldom discussed her as she felt my sister didn't truly want to be a part of all of our lives. I do know mother was happy when she saw her younger daughter stroll into the house earlier today.
Now my aunt Sue was telling stories about the endless shopping trips mom and her did lately. I looked over to Christie and her smile just melted made me feel good. I think she was truly thankful that I was going to take her in. In fact, I know she did as I felt the tender squeezing of my leg. Only problem was it was a little higher on my thigh this time and sent tingles to a certain part of my body.
Finally, we all helped clean up and soon everyone sat or stood in small groups talking about how much fun we had. Byes and hugs were prevalent as the family gathering was breaking up and the gang began disappearing. I drove Tracy to the airport to catch her late flight. We hugged and held each other for what seemed like forever. I hated to see her go. I dreaded seeing her head back to hell.
I was staying over at mom's and leaving in the morning. When I got back to the house, mom was sitting in the living room doing some sewing with the television on in the background. I sat down beside her on the sofa and kissed her cheek.
I said, "Mom, I've always enjoyed our get-togethers. Your cooking is the best. Thank you mom."
"No problem Mike. It's always good to see everyone. It helps me to cope with life by myself here. My kids all have their lives. Some are better than others. I was glad to finally see my youngest daughter. For a while I felt she may have fallen off the face of the earth."
"Yeah, she always has been a little flighty. I was glad to see her finally. I'm glad she's not doing drugs anymore. She told me that you were going to take her in. That's a wonderful thing to do to help her get her life straightened out. She's going to need a friend to get over her addiction. We had a heart to heart talk after you left and she really needs your guidance. She's staying in my room tonight while I sleep here. Now go get some rest. You two have a long ride back tomorrow," she said before stifling a yawn.
I kissed the top of my mother's head and headed off to the room I grew up in. As I laid there falling asleep, my thoughts went back to my childhood. My thoughts were of my sister Christie.
