Chapter 19

Marge saw light coming from Kim's bedroom door as she and her husband reached the top of the stairs. She held her finger to her lips to tell Don to be quiet and headed down the hall to their bedroom. Inside, she pulled a nightgown over her head.

"Don, I'm going to go see why Kim is still up, I'll be right back."

Don pulled up the boxers he wore to bed and told her to hurry.

Marge went to her daughter's door and knocked lightly, not wanting to wake her if she was sleeping.

"Come in."

Marge opened the door and walked to Kim's bed. She was sitting on top of the blankets, reading a book.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping young lady?

She sat on her daughter's bed and looked at her.

Kim gave her mom a halfhearted smile. "I guess so. It's just that I have so much on my mind I can't seem to sleep."

Kim put her book on the nightstand and leaned back against the headboard. Her mom sat next to her and put her arm over her shoulder. Kim lifted her bottom and adjusted the long pink nightshirt she wore.

Marge sat quietly for a moment then asked, "Is there something you want to talk about?"

The young girl leaned over and put her head on her mom's chest. She could feel the firm flesh of her mom's breast on the side of her face. Her mom tightened her grip on her and used her other hand to stroke her hair.

"Mom, I am confused by all the things that have happened over the past couple of months. It just seems like I am growing up too fast!"

Marge hugged her daughter and held back a chuckle. She knew what the teen was going through and wished she could help, but she knew only too well that only time and life's experiences could solve her dilemmas.

"Honey, you will get through all of this just fine. You are growing up, but not too fast. All of these new feelings are natural. All young girls and guys have to go through puberty. This time in your life can be fun, if you want it to be, or a nightmare. I know you are torn between dolls and boys... let me assure you, that in the long run, boys will win and you will get on with your life."

Kim cried softly as she listened to her mother, snuggling closer to her she said, "I guess I already knew most of what you said is true. It's just that I don't think about just any boy, it's my bro..."

Marge stopped her before she could finish. She moved her daughter so she could look into her teary eyes, using her fingers to softly brush Kim's tears away.

"Your hormones have no idea that Jack is your brother, he's just a guy that you spend a lot of time with. I can tell you have feelings for him, that's natural. Your body is telling you one thing and your brain something else. Whether you choose to act on your feelings or listen to your brain is up to you. Whatever you decide is ok with your father and I."

Kim tried to absorb her mother's words. Was she telling her that it was not wrong to have feelings for her brother? Was she telling her that it's all right to have sex at fifteen? Some of the teen's questions were answered, but her mom was also creating more things for her to think about.

"Mom, why don't Jack, and I ever see our grandparents? You and dad never even talk about them."

Marge was taken aback. She knew this question would arise someday and she thought she would be prepared. In reality, she had no idea what to tell her daughter. Marge sat stunned for a few minutes.

"Kim, that is a long story. I think we should wait until your dad and Jack are with us to discuss it."

Kim told her mom it was ok to wait for the rest of the family. "I am getting tired now and I want to go to sleep."

Marge kissed Kim and told her goodnight. She helped the young girl get under the covers and tucked her in. She turned the light off and pulled the door closed. Marge went back to her room, climbed into bed next to Don, and put her arm around his waist.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

Marge told him about their conversation and how Kim was just growing up.

"Tough times for teenagers. I am glad it is all behind us."

She pulled herself closer to Don. "She asked about our parents."

Don rolled over and faced Marge, put his arm around her. "Well, we knew it was going to come up someday. What did you tell her?"

She explained that she told Kim that it would be better if she waited until the whole family was there to talk about it.

Don kissed her and said quietly, "I guess we should get your brother, my sister and their kids together and go over it just once."

Marge agreed with him and said, "goodnight."

Kim lay in her bed unable to sleep, thinking about the things her mom had said. Maybe she was normal, and it was all right to have these feelings. It still was very confusing to her. She thought about Jack's reaction to the girl in the movie.

Kim tossed and turned then finally fell asleep.

The next morning brought a repeat of the one before. The alarm woke Kim at six o'clock. She headed for the bathroom, and performed her morning ritual. Before she dressed she knocked on Jack's door to wake him.

Jack and Kim met their cousins in the parking lot at school. Kim walked to first hour with Sally, telling her about the things her mom had said.

Sally said, "I'm glad that you told me Kim, I was beginning to think I was sick."

Kim laughed at her remark. "Me too."

Kim and Sally found Angela and Megan in the lunchroom and asked about Saturday. The two older girls told them that it sounded fun and would be there. Kim said, "That's great, be there about noon, and bring your bathing suits so we can go swimming."

After school, the girls met their brothers in the parking lot. Tom was showing Jack the photos he had taken.

Kim said, "Let us see them."

Tom handed the stack of prints to Kim.

The girls looked through the photos, making comments about each one.

"You need to learn to compose your shots," Sally said, "Some of them look funny."

Tom nodded his head. The new camera focused, adjusted the aperture and shutter speed, but it didn't compose the picture.

"I guess I just have to practice some more. I have been reading the books I have, but the only way to learn is to take more pictures." The four teens started to walk towards their cars. "Do I have any volunteers for models?"

Sally turned to her brother. "Not if you are going to make us look like we do in those pictures."

Kim, Sally, and Jack all laughed.

Tom said, "I will do better next time. When you see the pictures of Jack and I when we go fishing, you will beg me to take your photo."

Kim walked next to Sally as they made their way to the cars. Kim said, "You know, I should walk with Tom and you with Jack. If we are going to the dance with the guys, people should start to see us together."

"You're right Kim." Sally moved next to Jack and Kim walked along side Tom.

When the four teens were near Jack's car, Kim said, "Meet us at our house."

Kim put her arm through Tom's and said, "Let's go."

She walked to Tom's car with him and waited for him to unlock the door. Tom opened the door for his cousin and Kim got in. Tom ran around to the driver's side and climbed behind the steering wheel.

"Why are you riding with me?" Tom asked Kim.

"Because if we are going to the dance together, we should be seen with each other."

"Oh, I get it," He backed the car out of the parking space, and headed for the driveway.

Jack followed Tom back to Jack's house. The four teens went inside and to the kitchen. Kim took out four sodas and passed the cold beverages out. They sat at the counter and chatted about their plans for the weekend.

"Sally and I are having our big sisters over tomorrow." Kim bragged. "Do you guys know Angela and Megan? They are juniors too."

Kim felt good about having the two older girls over. Before moving, all her friends were her own age. She didn't mind the fact the girls in the old neighborhood were the same age, but hanging out with the two older girls made her feel special.

"No, I don't know them." Tom said. "Will Jack and I get to meet them? Maybe they will go to the dance with us."

Sally said, "I don't see how you guys will get to see them, your going fishing."

The two girls looked a bit hurt by Tom's comment about the dance. Jack saw the concern in his sister's eyes, but didn't want to let Tom know what he was thinking.

"Maybe Tom and I will stay home and meet your friends. Are they cute?" Jack said.

Kim was getting a little angry with the boys and Sally was too.

Sally said, "You guys just leave our friends alone. How would you two like it if we started to hit on the guys you know?"

Jack laughed and said, "Our friends are older. Why would they want to go out with you two?"

Tom joined in his cousin's laughter and said, "Let's go Sally. I want to get out of these clothes and into something more comfortable. Jack and I still have to get the boat ready for tomorrow."

Sally got up and finished her drink. She put her can away and followed her brother towards the car.

She said to Kim, "I'll be back in a little while, I am going to change and get my things."

The four said goodbye, then Tom and Sally left.

Kim went into the family room and talked to her mom and dad for a few minutes then went up to her room. She removed her school clothes and looked through her closet, trying to decide what to wear. Standing in her white bra and panties, she flipped hanger after hanger. She heard a knock at her bedroom door and went to answer it, putting on her robe and tying it closed. She opened the door and saw her brother standing in the hall, dressed in jeans and a tee shirt.

"What do you want?" she said sharply.

Jack knew she was upset. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for teasing you and Sally downstairs."

Kim looked at her brother. She was still hurt by his comment and wasn't going to let him off easy.

"Fine! I didn't really want to go to that damn dance anyway. You and Tom can just find someone else to go with you."

Kim closed her door, leaving her brother standing in the hall. Jack was a little shocked. He had never heard his little sister use language like that. Jack went downstairs to wait for Tom.

Kim sat on her bed seething. She thought about her mom's words the night before. Maybe it was just hormones. Why was she upset that her brother wanted to go to the dance with someone else anyway. She and Sally could certainly find boys that would take them. Maybe, she thought, Angela and Megan knew some guys that would go with her and her cousin. Kim went back to her closet, selected a pair of sweatpants, a bulky sweatshirt, and put them on. She went downstairs and joined her parents in the family room.

"What time are your friends coming? Marge asked her daughter.

"About noon."

The young girl sat on the floor and watched the program her parents had on the television.

Marge studied her young daughter, sensing there was a problem.

"Kim, is there something bothering you?"

Kim shook her head no, unconvincingly. Marge didn't press the issue, deciding to wait for a better time.

Kim sat with her parents for the next hour. She paid no attention to the program they were watching. Her mind was flooded with the things her brother had said and the memories of the last six weeks. The more she thought about these things the more confused she became. Kim decided that her brother really thought of her as his little sister and the sex games didn't mean the same things to him as they did to her. On the verge of tears, she got up and went to the pool area to be alone.

Kim sat in a lounge and stared at the blue water in the pool. She watched it swirl around the filter inlet, lost deeply in her thoughts. She felt empty and tears began to run slowly from the corners of her eyes.

She heard Sally call her name, snapping her out of her trance. Her cousin was walking across the tile floor, headed in her direction.

"Hi Kim, what's up?"

"Just thinking about stuff."

Sally sat down in a chair next to the perplexed girl. She studied her cousin's eyes, seeing that she had been crying. Sally reached over and put her hand on Kim's arm, squeezing it gently. "You want to talk about it?"

"I am just upset about what Jack said about the dance and staying home to meet Angela and Megan. I guess I'm just being stupid. I mean, why should we think that our brothers are anything more than just our brothers? They like us when we are messing around with them, but I don't think they want anything more than that."

Sally thought about what Kim said. She also thought about the other night when she and Tom almost went all the way. Sally moved her hand to Kim's face and wiped away her tears. Stroking her cousin's cheek with her fingertips she said, "It will be alright Kim. They are just being guys."

The two girls sat in silence, mulling over their private thoughts. Marge watched the young girls from the door wall. She could tell that something was wrong and walked out to the girls.

"Hi girls." Marge said. She pulled a chair close to the teens and sat down. "Is everything ok?"

Sally looked at the adult and replied, "Yea, just boy troubles Aunt Marge."

Marge smiled at the two girls. She knew what they were feeling. She could remember her youth and the conflicts with her brother Marc.

"You know, the boys may be just as confused as you two are. After all, they are growing up too. The things that have happened of late didn't just happen to you girls, the boys have been involved too. They see you guys as their little sisters, but you two tease them and act like they are just guys. You can't expect them to understand what you are thinking... you have to tell them." The girls listened intently as Marge talked. "I'll bet the boys never initiated any of the things that have happened. In fact, my guess is that you two started it, whenever things got sexual."

Kim and Sally nodded in agreement. They thought about the several times they had messed around with their brothers, and for the most part, Marge was correct. Kim thought maybe her mom was right. Maybe she was wrong about her brother and was just overreacting.

Kim looked at her mom and said, "It's just that sometimes Jack and Tom says such mean things."

Marge leaned forward and put a hand on each girl's knee. She looked at the two and, with a smile, said. "They are just trying to get to you two, and seem to be doing a good job of it. Boys would like to think that they are all God's gift to women. In reality, it is the other way around. After all, in the beginning, God created woman to be his gift to Adam. You two need to cut the boys a little slack. They really do like you two in a way that you don't understand. They just are not real good at expressing their feelings."

Kim and Sally were smiling now. The things Marge was saying were beginning to make sense.

"What should we do Aunt Marge?" Sally asked.

Marge leaned back in her chair and said, "Well... if you two really want my opinion, I will give it to you."

Kim begged, "Please."

"If you two want to really know how your brothers feel, back off. Don't run around half naked and don't tease them. If they ignore you, then you will know that they were just fooling around and you gave them their first glimpse of sex. My guess is that you both will be pleasantly surprised and the boys will come on to you."

Devilish grins filled the young girls faces. Their minds went into overdrive as each of them thought about the things Marge was telling them.

"Aunt Marge," Sally said, "did you and my dad have these problems when you two were young?"

"Oh yes, many times! I thought that Marc hated me and was just being nice to get sex. As you know, things worked out well for us. Someday you two will understand, but for now, just take it easy."

Marge stood up and put her chair back where it belonged. She started to walk back to the house when she stopped and turned to the girls. "For now," she said, "just have fun. You two will grow up soon enough." She smiled at them and went back to the house.

"I feel like such a fool," Kim said to Sally, "I guess we shouldn't take the guys so seriously."

Sally smiled brightly and said, "You're right Kim! Maybe we should take each other seriously instead."

Kim knew exactly what her cousin was referring to. She felt her stomach quiver as she reminisced the things she and Sally had done and enjoyed together. She thought to herself about the upcoming night and the fact that her cousin would be staying over.

"Let's go for a swim before dinner." Sally said as she stood up, grabbed Kim's hand, and pulled her up. The two girls went to Kim's room to change into their swimsuits.

Kim pulled her sweatshirt over her head and pushed down her sweatpants and panties. She unhooked her white bra and tossed it onto the loveseat with her other things. Standing at her dresser, she opened the drawer containing a growing assortment of swimsuits and selected an older two-piece. Stepping into the bottoms, she watched Sally strip off her jeans and top.

Sally said, "I only brought the white one we got up north" holding the bikini up. "Can I wear one of yours?"

"Sure, help yourself," pointing to her drawer. Sally pulled out a red one-piece suit and slipped it on.

The teens returned to the pool and dove from the side into the warm water. They swam around and splashed each other. While the two girls were playing in the heated water, Jack and Tom walked into the pool area. They stood at the side of the pool and watched their sisters romping around. The girls swam to the shallow end and sat on the steps, the water at neck level.

"Hi" Tom said. "What are you guys doing?"

Kim and Sally looked at the tall boys, Kim said sarcastically, "We're playing tennis!"

Jack chuckled at his sister's remark and Tom realized the stupidity of his question. Kim and Sally giggled quietly and whispered about the boys.

"We'll see you guys later, Tom and I are taking the boat to his house and leaving from there in the morning."

Kim and Sally turned their attention back to the boys and said, "goodbye," and resumed their conversion.

Jack and Tom left the pool, feeling shunned.

"I wonder what's eating those two!" Tom said to Jack, as they climbed into the Suburban.

Jack started the truck. "I think we pissed them off earlier when we teased them about their girlfriends."

"Oh well, they will get over it. Let's go."

Jack eased the truck and boat down the drive and onto the street. He drove slowly through the neighborhood, glancing at the large, widely spaced homes. He remembered the old neighborhood where the small houses were barely fifteen feet apart. He said, "I don't like the idea that the girls are upset with us Tom. Maybe we should go back and talk to them."

"I'm not too worried about it. They'll be fine. We can talk to them tomorrow if they are still mad at us."

Jack agreed with Tom and pulled the truck into Tom's driveway. He parked the truck and trailer off to the side so his Aunt and Uncle could get their car out of the garage.

Kim and Sally walked up the steps of the pool and sat in lounge chairs. Looking up at the glass ceiling, they could see the sun was setting. Sally looked at the clock on the pool house wall. "It's only six o'clock and it's already getting dark," she said to Kim.

Kim glanced at the clock to confirm the time and replied, "Yup, I think we should go and find out what's for dinner."

The two girls went to the pool house and removed their wet suits, hanging them to dry. They went into the shower room and each turned on a spray head. The two girls washed the chlorine out of their hair and soaped their bodies. The watched each other cover themselves with the white lather and rinse it away. The girls turned off the water, went back into the large common area, and took towels from the cabinet to dry with. Realizing they didn't bring any clothes with them, they wrapped a towel around their bodies, another around their heads, and headed back to the house.

Don and Marge were in the family room when the girls walked through. They watched them walk past and go to the stairs. The towels came down just below their bottoms and the adults could see the edge of their naked butts as they walked by.

Marge called out, "Are you two ready for dinner?"

Kim replied, "As soon as we get dressed," as she and her cousin rounded the corner and went upstairs.

Marge moved over to her husband and put her hand on his crotch.

"What's that all about?" he asked.

"I was just making sure those little girls weren't turning you on," she replied, smiling at him.