Chapter 1

It was about 6:00 PM. I was typing away on the fourth novel in a series that was boring me to death. I decided to hit the pool for a swim, and just as I headed out to the patio the doorbell rang. Actually, it was the bell at my front gate, about 50 yards from the house. I looked at the video monitor and was amazed to see my sister’s face.

I released the gate and went outside to meet the silver Audi roadster. It slid to a halt and Meg piled out. She ran to me full speed and threw her arms around me. I was astonished, since we’d never been that close. Then I realized that she was sobbing hysterically. I waited a couple of minutes until she could talk.

“Meggie, honey, what’s wrong?”

(Sob) “Mom told me she’s going on a cruise around the world with Al (the stepfather) and they’re leaving tomorrow and she says since I’m 18 now I can take care of myself so she’s leaving me alone in that big house and I’ve never been alone like that before and she’ll be gone for six MONTHS, Jack, and I don’t know what to do!” (More sobs)

We went into the house. I got her a damp washcloth to wipe her face, and brewed some coffee. I brought her a cup and said, “I don’t know what to do either, kid, but we’ll figure it out. We’ve got this.”

Meg burst into tears again, and suddenly I had a lap full of tiny, sobbing redhead.

I ended up just sitting there with my sister’s head on my chest while she sobbed her heart out for about ten minutes, thinking how life sucks sometimes and how 18 is too fucking young to get tossed out on your own with virtually no warning – although being “abandoned” in a nice home on the Intracoastal somehow didn’t exactly seem to qualify as being tossed out. I tried not to look down the front of her loose tank top, where two pert, unfettered little breasts were mostly exposed, appalled to discover that an anatomical reflex had reacted as well and was threatening to become obvious to the owner of the soft butt resting on top of it.

(Down, Little Jack! This is your baby sister, and she needs your help.)

After Meggie calmed down and was back at the other end of the couch I said, “I’m guessing you don’t feel like going home right now, am I right? And I assume that staying with Dad is out?”

“Oh God No, Jack! He looks at me so creepy now that I’m older! I don’t want to be anywhere NEAR that fucker! I think I can stay with my friend Beth for a while, but she’s on a trip with her ‘rents for the next MONTH! Can I stay with you for a few days? Do you have room? I can sleep on the couch! Please Jack?”

“Meg, you’re my baby sis! As far as I’m concerned this is your house too! I have plenty of room, and you’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”

“I knew I could count on you, Big Brother.”

Dazzling smile (my sister is gorgeous).

“What do you need, Meg?”

“I threw my makeup and a blouse and my little Glock and some shoes and slacks into my backpack and just ran out the door. I was SO angry and upset! I’m good for now. I can sleep in my bra and panties, but they’re all sweaty ‘cause I was playing tennis before I got home and Mom told me, and I was so pissed off I didn’t take time to shower and change. I just grabbed some stuff and ran out. I was so mad! I mean, they didn’t even tell me AHEAD of time! You can’t plan a cruise that fast ... they had to have knows for days at least! It’s just plain MEAN!”