Chapter 1

“Jim, you better start getting everything ready. The weather calls for a big storm,” Mom said from the living room.

“Okay, Mom, I’ll get started when I finish my breakfast,” I replied.

“What can I do to help?” My sister Sue asked.

“You can get the tote with the lanterns from the basement,” I said.

“I’ll run to the grocery store to stock up on a few things,” Mom said.

I finished my food and went to dress. My mom, sister, and I lived in central coastal Maine in a small house on five acres. We were used to the winter storms and made sure we were prepared for the loss of power.

Once I had my jeans, shirt, and boots on, I headed outside for firewood. When we lost power, the boiler went out, so we had to rely on the free-standing cast-iron fireplace in the living room for heat. We also lost the pump and had to fill containers with water to cook, clean, and flush the toilet.

My dad would have helped and told us what we needed to do in the past. We lost Dad to COVID last May, three months into the pandemic. In addition to not having a funeral for Dad, Sue’s high school graduation was virtual. I had graduated the year before. There were eleven months between Sue’s and my birthdays.

After filling the wood rack on the back porch, I removed my boots and coat then went downstairs to fill the water jugs. When I got to the basement, Sue gathered a few things we’d need. I took the five-gallon containers from a shelf and carried them to where I could fill them.

“I hope we don’t lose power this time,” Sue said.

“I hope so too, but it’s better to be safe than sorry,” I said.

“Have you heard anything about your job? The store I work for said they probably won’t open until summer,” Sue said.

“No, I haven’t heard anything. It seems almost everything is closed right now,” I said.

My sister, Mom, and I worked in town. Sue worked in a clothing store, I worked at a hardware store, and Mom worked for a doctor’s office a few days a week. Many of the town’s businesses were based on the summer tourist trade and were closed for the season. January was slow in this part of the state.

“Would you go upstairs and get the dirty clothing, please. I want to do a few loads while I can,” Sue said.

“Sure. You can finish filling the jugs while I get the laundry,” I said.

I grabbed a laundry basket, went upstairs, and gathered the dirty clothing from our rooms. When I emptied my sister’s hamper, I saw her underwear, picked up one of her bras, and read the label, noting she wore a thirty-two C, a size larger than the last time I checked. Sue always dressed conservatively and wore clothing that hid her body. In the summer, she wore oversized tee-shirts and baggy shorts or jeans. In the winter, she wore bulky sweaters or sweatshirts. My sister was about five-foot-seven, four inches shorter than me. I wasn’t sure how much she weighed but guessed her to be about one-hundred-twenty pounds. I’d read stories where the brother said he didn’t see his sister in a sexual way, but I did. When Sue began developing, I would think of her when I masturbated.

Leaving my sister’s room, I emptied the hampers in Mom’s and my rooms, took the basket to the basement, and put it on the floor near the washing machine.

When Mom got home from shopping, I went to the garage to carry the things into the house. Sue came up to help Mom put the items away while I made a few trips to get the bags. Mom made lunch, and we sat in the kitchen eating and reviewing what else we needed to do.

By two in the afternoon, we were as ready as possible. I checked the LED lanterns and the radio batteries, ensuring they were fresh. Sue went to her room, returned with the clothes she wore in her arms, and went downstairs to finish the laundry.

The wind picked up, and it began snowing at about four. I built a fire in the fireplace and made sure there was plenty of wood in the holder. Mom filled a couple of large pots with water, placing them on the cast-iron fireplace to warm. If we lost power, our electric stove wouldn’t work. We had a camp stove to cook and make coffee, but we used the fireplace to heat water for washing to conserve fuel.

Sue, Mom, and I sat in the living room, watching the weather reports on television and the radar showing the massive storm moving toward us from the northeast. The broadcaster showed our area map, pointing to the roads already closed.

Taking turns, we showered, not knowing when we would be able to do it again. We’d lost power for several days and had to wash up using a basin in the past. I went to the basement, grabbed two water jugs, took them upstairs, and put one in the kitchen and the other in the bathroom.

Mom showered first, coming into the living room wearing her flannel nightgown and a pair of socks. She took three goosedown comforters from a chest, placed two of them on the couch, and the other on her chair. If it got cold enough, we’d sleep in the living room to stay warm from the fireplace.

Sue went to the bathroom to shower while I watched the weather report. It seemed the storm had stalled just north of us, dumping snow and making travel dangerous, if not impossible.

“This storm may peter out before it gets here,” Mom said.

“I wouldn’t count on it, Mom. You know how these storms can stall then pick up again,” I said.

Sue returned a few minutes later wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. As she took her place on the couch, I noticed her breasts wobbling beneath her sweatshirt. She caught me looking and smiled.

I went to the bathroom, hoping there was enough hot water to shower. After getting into the tub, I turned on the water, washed, and shampooed my hair before the water went cold. I dried myself, then put on my sweatpants and a long-sleeve thermal shirt. I tossed my clothes on a chair in my room then went to the living room.

“I’m going to have a glass of wine. Would either of you like one?” Mom said.

“Sure, I’ll have one, Mom,” Sue said.

Nodding, I said I’d have a glass of wine too. Mom went to the kitchen, returned with three glasses of red wine, set two of them on the coffee table for Sue and me, then placed her’s next to her chair. Before sitting down, Mom went to the kitchen again, returning with a bottle of wine.

Mom sat in her recliner, lowered the back, and pulled her comforter close. She reached for her wine, held the glass up, and said, “Here’s to a safe and warm night.”

Sue chuckled, picked up her glass, and took a drink. I sipped my wine, feeling it warm me as I swallowed. Ever since we’d been confined to the house, Mom allowed my sister and me to have an occasional drink. Since Dad passed, I noticed Mom drank more often than I remembered. I would hear her crying in her bedroom many nights, but it became less over the past few months.

“This lockdown has been trying, hasn’t it?” Mom said as she refilled her glass.

“Yeah, but we’re doing okay, Mom. With the stimulus money and our unemployment, we’re getting along fine. This last forever,” I said.

“I know it won’t, but I still feel bad for you two. We’re doing fine financially. We still have most of your father’s life insurance money left. Fortunately, your father insisted on mortgage insurance, so the house is paid for. You’ve been cooped up in this house for almost ten months,” Mom said.

“It hasn’t been too bad, Mom. When the weather was warm, Jim and I went outside and did things in the yard. We had a great garden this year,” Sue said.

“I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that you two haven’t fought or gotten on each other’s nerves. I know Sue was disappointed she missed her graduation and prom,” Mom said.

Sue chuckled and said, “The graduation wasn’t a big deal. As far as the prom goes, no one asked me.”

“I thought Matt would take you, Sue. You two went together for months,” Mom said.

“Things didn’t work out with him. Matt wanted to get a room after the prom, and when I said no, he dumped me,” Sue said.

“I didn’t know he wanted to get a room after the dance,” I said.

Sue shrugged her shoulders, smiled, and said, “I don’t tell you everything, Jim. If I had told you about Matt, you might have done something stupid.”

Mom laughed and said, “I don’t know why big brothers feel it’s their responsibility to protect their sisters. Uncle Bob used to scare the boys who wanted to date me when I was your age. If he hadn’t joined the service, I doubt I’d have married your father.”

“I don’t feel I have to protect you, Sue, but if anyone gives you a problem, they’ll answer to me,” I said.

“Thanks, I’ll let you know if I need your help, but don’t do anything if I don’t ask,” Sue said.

“What did Uncle Bob do when he found out you were dating Dad?” I said.

Mom sipped her wine, smiled, and said, “He wasn’t upset because he and your father were friends. Bob said he was happy for me when I told him.”

“How is Uncle Bob doing? We haven’t seen him since the lockdown began,” Sue said.

“He’s doing fine, Sue. He calls me once in a while. Uncle Bob is in Portland right now. He said he would visit when he could,” Mom said.

A weather alert flashed on the television, saying the storm started moving again and ice was mixed with the snow. The winds had increased, blowing at twenty-five miles per hour, and gusting to forty. I got up, went to the window, parted the drapes, and looked outside. It was too dark to see anything, but I could hear the wind blowing.

I returned to my place on the couch and watched television. We all had our preferred spot in the living room. Mom sat in her recliner while Sue and I shared the sofa. She sat at one end, and I slouched at the other with my legs up on a footstool.

Mom put her chair down, got up, and refilled our wine glasses. When Sue mentioned getting drunk, Mom shrugged her shoulders.

“We’re not going anywhere tonight. You can drink as much as you want to,” Mom said.

When I looked at my sister, she grinned, took a sip of wine, and placed her glass on the table. Before returning to her chair, Mom went down the hall to the bathroom.

“Mom is acting strange, isn’t she?” I said while keeping my voice low.

“Not really. The past months have been hard on Mom. I know she’s drinking more, but I think she’s okay,” Sue said.

I nodded and took a drink from my glass.

“Have you talked to Karen lately?” Sue asked.

“No, we’re not going together anymore,” I said.

“Why? What happened?” Sue said.

“Things didn’t work out for us, Sue. I called it quits before the lockdown,” I said.

“I didn’t know,” Sue said.

I chuckled and said, “I don’t tell you everything.”

Sue laughed and stuck her tongue out. “So, are you going to tell me what happened?

“I found out Karen was cheating on me. When I learned she was screwing another guy, I broke up with her,” I said, then I laughed. “She wouldn’t do anything with me.”

“That sucks,” Sue said.

Still laughing, I said, “She wouldn’t do that with me either.”

Sue started to reply but stopped when Mom returned. She got up and went to the bathroom while Mom sat in her chair.

“Maybe we won’t lose power tonight,” Mom said.

Just as Mom finished her statement, the power flickered. I chuckled and said, “Maybe we will.”

The house went dark about twenty minutes later. I turned on one of the small LED lanterns and placed it on the coffee table. Getting up, I put a couple pieces of wood on the fire.

“Looks like we’re sleeping in the living room tonight,” Mom said. She picked up her wine, finished the glass, and placed the empty next to her.

Sue grabbed our comforters, handed me one, then settled at her end of the couch. Mom covered herself, snuggling under the cover.

“Is everyone okay?” Mom said.

“Yeah, I think so, Mom. Do you need anything?” Sue said.

“No, I’m fine.” Mom chuckled. “Maybe a little toasted, but I’ll be fine.”

I turned off the lantern, put my comforter over my body, and pulled it up to my neck. The fireplace lit the room with an orange glow. At the other end of the couch, my sister made herself comfortable.

An hour later, I added more wood to the fire, hoping it would last the night. Glancing at Mom, I saw she was sound asleep. When I sat down and covered myself, Sue grabbed a throw pillow, put it on my legs, and stretched out with her head on the pillow.

“Is this okay?” Sue asked in a low voice.

“Sure, make yourself comfortable,” I said.

Laying on her side with her back to my chest, Sue squirmed to get into a comfortable position. I glanced down and moved a few strands of her light brown hair from her face. She turned her head, looked at me, and smiled.

I felt myself drifting asleep when Sue shifted, put her hand under her pillow, and rested it on my leg. She moved her hand, placing it under my comforter, so her hand was on my sweatpants. When she began running her fingers over my leg, I wondered if she was asleep or knew what she was doing.

As she rubbed my leg, her hand moved closer to my crotch. When her fingers touched my genitals, I sucked in a deep breath, moved my arm from the back of the couch, placed it on her shoulder, and shook her gently.

“Sue, you have to move your hand,” I whispered.

Sue flattened her palm against my cock and rubbed me, nodding her head. After a moment, she removed her hand from my crotch, wiggled, and pulled her knees up. I left my hand on her shoulder, wondering if what happened was an accident or not.

A few hours later, I slid out from under Sue’s head, got up, and added wood to embers in the fireplace. I took the lantern and walked to the bathroom to take a leak before trying to get more sleep.

When I returned, I sat on my end of the couch, pulled my comforter over me, and tried to get some sleep. Sue rolled onto her back, resting the side of her head against my stomach. I closed my eyes, relaxing in the chilly room.

Mom woke me a few hours later and said she was making coffee. I got up, tended to the fire, then went into the kitchen to see if my mom needed help. Sue came in, poured coffee, and helped Mom and me make French toast and bacon.

“How did you two sleep last night?” Mom asked.

“I slept great, Mom. I don’t think I woke up all night,” Sue said.

“It was okay. I had to get up a couple times to stoke the fireplace. I’m a little stiff from sleeping the way I did,” I said.

“I don’t know why you don’t pull the couch out and make a bed,” Mom said.

“Maybe I will if we have to spend the night in the living room again,” I said.

When we finished breakfast, Sue said, “Jim and I will take care of the dishes if you want to clean up and get dressed.”

Mom left for the bathroom while I helped my sister clean the dishes. I wanted to ask about what she did last night, but Sue seemed usual. Deciding it wasn’t planned, I relaxed and washed the frying pans.

When Mom finished cleaning up, Sue went to the bathroom. I sat in the living room, turned on the radio, and searched for a weather report. When I found a local station, I sat back to listen. The report said the storm was still strong and expected to be in the area for another day or two. They listed the closed roads and businesses.

We had a man who plowed our driveway, but I felt he wouldn’t be around until the county cleared the roads.

Once we had cleaned up and dressed, we relaxed in the living room. Without power, we didn’t have our electronics to occupy us, so we read by the light coming in the windows.

By dinnertime, all of us were bored. Mom and Sue made our evening meal, serving the stew with wine. We chatted about things, but most of the subjects repeated previous conversations.

I checked the radio while Mom and Sue washed the dishes, learning there was no change in the forecast. After refilling the wood rack in the living room, I added a couple split pieces to the fireplace then took my usual place on the couch.

As she did the night before, Mom served wine while we relaxed. I wanted to say something about her drinking but refrained. With nothing else to do, having a few glasses of wine seemed okay.

When Sue went to her bedroom to dress for the night, Mom insisted we pull the couch out, making a bed for my sister and me. I tried to convince her we were okay, but she wouldn’t hear it. Sue returned and started placing sheets and comforters on the bed while Mom went to change.

“I tried to tell Mom we were okay with the couch, but she insisted,” I told my sister as she put two pillows on the bed.

“I know. There’s no use in arguing with Mom when she makes up her mind,” Sue said.

Mom returned to the living room, topped off our wine, then sat in her chair. I offered her the bed, telling her she could sleep with Sue and I’d take the recliner, but she refused.

“I like the recliner, Jim,” Mom said.

I nodded, accepting the fact Mom wanted to sleep in the chair. Before he passed, the recliner was Dad’s. He sat in the chair every night, watching television or reading. After he died, the recliner remained empty for several months, then Mom began using it. It became an unspoken rule the chair was hers.

While we sat watching the fire, I noticed Mom drank two glasses of wine for each one Sue, and I had. Her eyes began to drupe by eight o’clock, and her speech slurred. Sue took her glass and covered Mom with her comforter when she started nodding off.

Sue added a little wine to our glasses, emptied the bottle, then sat on the couch. I got up, added wood to the fire, then returned to my spot.

“I’m worried about Mom. She’s been drinking a lot lately,” I said.

“I know. I think she’s lonely. Since Dad died, she’s gone from grieving to feeling like she will be alone. Mom told me she was worried about what she’ll do when we move away from home,” Sue said.

“Mom seems to have her ups and downs. She seems okay most of the time but has days when she’s sad. I wish I knew what we could do for her. I have noticed she doesn’t cry in her bedroom as often anymore,” I said.

“I guess we just have to support her for now. I miss Dad too,” Sue said.

Reaching across the couch, I put my hand on Sue’s arm and said, “We have to support each other.”

Sue and I remained silent for a few minutes. I removed my hand, slid down on the bed, and put my arms behind my head. Sue hugged her pillow, lying on her side facing me. In the glow from the fireplace, I watched her face as she nodded, then sighed.

“Are you starting to go a little stir crazy too? I wish we could go out and do things again,” Sue said.

“Yeah, being stuck in the house is getting to me too. Hopefully, it won’t last much longer,” I said.

Mom stirred as she pulled at her comforter and rolled on her side, facing the fireplace. I watched for a moment, then relaxed.

“I have to admit, this is more comfortable than sleeping as I did last night. I Mom was right. I’m going to try to get some sleep. See you in the morning,” I said.

“Goodnight. See you in the morning,” Sue replied.

I closed my eyes and shifted to get comfortable. I felt Sue move a few moments later and felt her next to me.

“Can I have a hug?” Sue whispered.

Moving my arm from behind my head, I put it around Sue’s shoulders and pulled her closer. She draped an arm over my chest and wiggled closer.

“Thanks,” Sue whispered.

Sue slowly moved her hand over my chest as I held my sister. I rubbed her shoulder, feeling her press her body against my side. Moving my hand to her back, I stroked her as she continued running her hand over my chest.

“Do you know you touched me last night?” I said.

“Yes,” Sue replied.

“Was it an accident?” I asked.

“No.”

“Why did you do it?” I said.

Sue shrugged her shoulders, then said, “You’re going to think I’m weird, but I wanted to know what a penis felt like. I’ve never touched or seen one before,” Sue said.

After thinking about my response, I said, “I don’t think you’re weird. So, what did you think about it?”

Chuckling, Sue said, “I’m not really sure because you caught me. I thought you were sleeping. When I discovered you were awake, I thought you would yell at me, so I stopped.”

“Sorry, you surprised me when you put your hand on my crotch. I thought you and your boyfriend fooled around,” I said.

Sue kept her voice low. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t let him touch me, and I sure as hell never touched him. The jerk had a big mouth, and it would have been all over school. Did you ever tell anyone what you did with Karen?”

“There was nothing to tell. Karen and I never did anything more than kiss. Even if there was more, I’d never tell anyone,” I said.

“Not even me?” Sue said.

“I’d tell you. I don’t have any secrets between us. Before you ask, I’ve never done more than kiss a girl,” I said.

“One boy I went out with, besides Matt, tried to feel my boobs, but I stopped him.” Sue squirmed against me. “I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have done it. Too much wine and curiosity. I’m eighteen and don’t know squat about boys. If you weren’t my brother...,” Sue’s voice trailed off.

When I started chuckling, Sue smacked my chest and said, “What’s so funny?”

“You sound like a bad line in an internet sex story about incest. The brother or sister suddenly realizes their sibling is hot or wishes they weren’t related,” I said as I pulled Sue against me. “I’ve always thought you were sexy. As far as you being my sister, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Sue chuckled and said, “I think you’re hot and have since I was about fourteen. I only went out with a few boys and always compared them to you. None of them could measure up.”

I tickled Sue and said, “I thought you said you never touched a boy.”

“You know what I mean, you jerk,” Sue said.

Mom stirred, rolled onto her back, and put the recliner into its upright position. As Mom came out of her slumber, Sue moved to her side of the bed, laid on her side, and feigned sleep.

“Is everything okay, Mom?” I said.

“Yes, I’m fine. Too much wine, and I have to use the bathroom,” Mom said as she got up and grabbed a lantern.

While Mom used the bathroom, I tended to the fire, adding more wood. She returned, got into her chair, and reclined it.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up,” Mom said.

“No problem, Mom. I had to take care of the fireplace anyway. It’s chilly in here,” I said.

Mom settled into her chair, rolled onto her side, and pulled the comforter up around her neck. I got into bed, watching the fire and my mom. A few minutes later, I heard Mom’s soft snoring. Sue moved next to me, put her arm over my chest, and squirmed against my side as I moved my arm to rub her back.

“This is so nice. I like being in your arms,” Sue said.

While running my hand over my sister’s back, I thought about some things I’d read in stories. One thing sticking in my mind was that the siblings in the stories always said something about not being able to go back. I wasn’t sure where things would go with Sue and me, but going back wasn’t on my mind.

Based on what she did the night before and our conversation, I felt Sue wanted to explore sex with me, brother or not. The fact Sue was my sister was a bonus, not a problem. I don’t know if I would have felt different if we weren’t confined to the house, but at the moment, it didn’t matter. The longer we cuddled, the more I wanted her.

I decided to take a chance and test the water. Moving my hand lower on her back, I slipped it under her sweatshirt, touching the bare flesh above the waistband of her pants. Sue let out a muffled moan, put her hand under my shirt, and rubbed my chest.

Turning my head toward Sue, I touched her nose with mine. She moved closer, our lips touched, and we kissed for the first time. Our kissing started out as brief pecks, but our lips lingered as we continued. When I opened my mouth and pressed my tongue against my sister’s lips, she parted them. As we flicked our tongues together and our kissing heated, I moved my hand down, sliding it into her sweatpants.

Sue wiggled as I rubbed her butt, finding she was sans underwear. She moved closer, put her leg over mine, and rocked her hips. We broke our kiss, stared into each other’s eyes, and smiled.

“Wow,” Sue said.

“I agree. Kissing you is much better than I thought it would be,” I said.

“No kidding!” Sue chuckled. “So, I guess you don’t have a problem with kissing your sister.”

I flexed my fingers against her butt and said, “Nope. Are you okay with what we’re doing?”

Nodding, Sue moved her hand down my chest, slipped them into my sweatpants, and found my cock. “I’m okay with what we’re going to do too.”

I removed my hand from Sue’s pants and moved it to her stomach, then her breast. As I massaged her firm mound, she stroked my cock. We kissed again as we took our discovery to a new level. After a few moments, Sue removed her hand, sat up, and reached for the LED lantern on the table next to the bed. She went under the comforter, turned on the lantern, and pulled at the waistband of my pants.

Chuckling, I pulled the covers over my head to see what Sue was doing. She held my sweatpants away from my body, trying to examine my genitals. I gripped my pants and pushed them down, exposing my cock and balls. She wrapped her fingers around my shaft, stroking me while staring at my crotch.

While Sue studied me, I reached for the zipper on her hoodie, lowered it, and exposed her breasts. Using both hands, I held her firm mounds and ran my thumbs over her tiny nipples. We spent a few minutes looking and touching like a couple kids playing doctor. I moved one of my hands to the waistband of her pants, gripped them, and tugged. Sue continued stroking me with one hand while using the other to help me get her pants down her legs.

I grabbed the lantern, holding it to see my sister’s mons. I ran my fingers through her soft pubic hair using my other hand, causing Sue to part her legs. Moving my hand lower, I felt a pussy for the first time. As I stroked her, I felt her wetness.

Neither of us spoke as we explored each other with our hands and eyes. After a few minutes of Sue’s gentle stroking, I removed her hand from my cock.

“You’re going to make me come, Sue,” I whispered as I peeked out to ensure our mom was still sleeping.

Sue nodded, helped me pull my sweatpants up, then covered herself. I ran my hand over her breasts before she zipped her hoodie.

“You’re beautiful,” I whispered as we uncovered our heads.

Sue let out a muffled chuckle, put her hand on my crotch, and said, “You’re big.”

“Compared to what?” I asked.

Sue continued rubbing my cock and said, “Compared to my toy. It’s six inches, and you’re longer and thicker.”

I’d measured my cock before and knew it was just over seven inches when erect. Knowing my sister had a dildo surprised me.

“I didn’t know you have a dildo,” I said.

Chuckling, Sue said, “I don’t tell you everything, Jim. I girl has needs too, you know.” She rubbed my hardon. “I’ll bet you take care of this thing when you’re horny.”

I couldn’t believe how easy it was to have the conversation with my sister. It felt as if exposing ourselves removed any barriers we may have had. Maybe there was a chance my dream of having sex would come true.

Before I could respond, Sue said, “If Mom wasn’t in the room, I’d take care of it for you.” She squeezed my cock, removed her hand, and pressed her chest against my side.

I put my arm behind my sister, pulled her closer, kissed her, and said, “I’d take care of you too if you wanted me to.”

“You have no idea how badly I want you to take care of me. I’m so turned on I could bust,” Sue said.

I turned onto my side facing Sue, put my hand in her pants, and rubbed her mons. She opened her legs, giving me access to her pussy. Knowing Sue used a dildo, so her hymen was gone, I curled a finger into her opening, feeling the heat and wetness. After a moment, she grabbed my arm and pulled my hand out of her sweatpants.

“I thought you wanted me to take care of you,” I said.

“I do, but not like this. I want us to do each other when we do it. Besides, I can get loud when I get off,” Sue said.

“You’ve given this some thought, haven’t you?” I said.

“Yes, I’ve been thinking about us for a long time.” Sue chuckled. “I even named my toy Jimmy.”

I fought the urge to laugh when Sue told me she named her dildo after me. I kissed her forehead, “We better get some sleep, Sue. If we don’t, I’m not going to be able to stop.”

Sue and I hugged, shared a kiss, then she moved to her side of the bed. I got up, stoked the fire, went back to bed, and settled in for the night. My mind reeled as I thought about everything Sue and I said and did. It was clear our relationship was headed in the direction we wanted. My sister all but told me she wanted to have sex as much as I did.

I woke to the feeling of a hand on my crotch, opened my eyes, and saw Sue grinning at me. I jerked away and scanned the room for Mom.