Chapter 6

Analise's stay lasted another five days, and each night she visited Allison's room. Allison was able to get herself off twice while going down on Analise, but neither was all that pleasurable. It was very apparent that all Analise wanted was her own pleasure.

Once, Allison tried to stop her, but Analise only had to mention Abigail's name, and Allison's defense would be breached. Allison loved Abigail too much to let her find out about her affair with Jack this way. Allison realized that she was beginning to draw into a shell, and she was sure that her family recognized it. But she couldn't help herself. She didn't know where to turn, and the only way she could think of to deal with it was let her mind go somewhere else during this week. Soon it would be over and she'd be no worse for the wear, she told herself. She spent a little time with Abigail and Jack, and that was the only time she felt safe. She and Jack had stolen some intimate time together. They'd not made love, but were able to hold hands and snuggle during a movie, and then kiss some when Abigail was looking the other way. Allison knew Jack sensed something different in her. He was tender and didn't press anything, but she could see some concern in his eyes. She wanted to tell him everything, but just didn't know how.

Soon, Analise's visit was winding down. She finished packing and their dad was loading the luggage into the car. Their mom called to Allison. Allison knew it was time to put on the false front and say goodbye to her "beloved" sister. She sighed and headed from her bedroom to the living room, where Analise was just finishing hugs with the family.

"Dear, I'm so sorry you'll not be able to come visit for the holidays," their mom said to Analise. "We'll all miss you. Won't we, Allison?"

"Um, yeah, Mom," Allison lied. She gave Analise a stiff hug. As she turned to make her escape, Analise said something that made her blood run cold.

"I may not be able to make it here for the holidays, but you won't miss me, Allison."

Without turning, Allison responded. "Um, what do you mean?" Could Analise be that aware of Allison's feelings from this last week? And could she be that brazen to bring it up in front of the family. When Analise didn't respond, Allison forced herself to turn around. Analise held a familiar looking envelope out to Allison. Allison immediately recognized the Delta logo, but the implications didn't register. As she reached out it began to sink in. With shaking hands, she took the envelope from her older sister, refusing to make eye contact. She felt like the envelope would burn her, so she held it gingerly. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she opened the envelope and read the dreaded itinerary. Two weeks. Her entire winter break. She held her breath and fought her emotions, doing everything to keep the tears from flowing. When she felt her emotions under control, she looked at the faces of her mother and sister. Analise's was covered in a smirk. Her mom's covered in a clueless grin.

She didn't know how to react. She wanted to scream and throw the ticket at her sister, but she knew that wasn't a normal response. Should she act excited to being going on the trip, or should she act disappointed to be missing Christmas with the rest of her family? Her mother obviously read the latter in her hesitation.

"Now, Allison, you don't need to worry about us here," she said. "We'll have a celebration before you leave or after you return. You won't even miss it."

Analise wrapped her arms around Allison. She whispered in Allison's ear. "You know we'll have a blast." And then loud enough for their mom to hear, "What do you say, sis?"

Allison stiffened and practically croaked the words out through her dry vocal cords. "Thanks, Analise." With that she turned and headed back to her room, leaving her mom to excuse her behavior to Analise by saying she was probably just sad Analise was leaving. Allison almost barked a contemptuous laugh at the thought, but by the time she closed her bedroom door, she'd broken down in silent sobs.

Jack didn't know what to think about Allison's behavior in the weeks since their threesome with Analise. She had hardly spent any time with them, preferring to remain in her room when they were visiting. On the few occasions she spent with Jack and Abigail, she seemed to cling to outward affection like it was a life preserver, from either of them. Yet, she didn't make any attempts to spend private time with him, and that baffled him. He was sure something was wrong, but he thought it was everything but what it really was. In his clueless state, he knew he needed to talk to her about it.

Finally, the opportunity presented itself one evening when Abigail was working and her parents and brothers were away. He knew he needed to reassure her and even allow her the opportunity to call off their relationship.

He went into the house and straight to her room. He saw Allison lying on her bed, on her side with her back to the door. Concern again crept into his mind. After a moment's hesitation, he lightly tapped on the door jamb.

"Allison," he said quietly. He noticed her body tense up, but she didn't respond. He hesitated again, but then came into the room and sat on the bed beside her. "Allison, I think we need to talk."

Suddenly, a sob racked her and she turned, sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck in one motion. Sobs coursed through her body as all her emotion seemed to pour out of her. She cried into his shoulder and he lightly caressed her hair.