Johnny Pulaski Chapter 11

Posted: March 15, 2006 - 11:35:13 pm

I walked Shelia to her room before heading back to mine. When I opened

the door to our room, Creole was just coming out of the bathroom. I

stood in the doorway, mouth agape, as he strolled to his bed wearing

maroon silk pajamas with a gold paisley design. He caught my look and

did a pirouette.

"Nice, huh, my mama bought them for me. If I ever get a job as a bouncer

in a bordello, I'm all set."

I swear I had to hold onto the door handle to keep from falling down.

His looked as if he were a circus hippopotamus dressed up for a parade.

Otis, the Mayberry town drunk, couldn't have hallucinated anything

weirder. And the pirouette was killer as he stood on his tiptoes and

spun around. I went into the bathroom to wash and brush then dived into

bed in my boxer briefs. I politely declined Creole's offer to see if his

mom could find a pair of the pajamas for me.

I stayed awake a few minutes thinking about Shelia and our kisses down

by the pool. How was I to know if me sending her arousal was really

responsible for her enjoying the kiss so much? If I had managed to

heighten her arousal was I taking advantage of her, or was I just adding

to her natural enjoyment? I was no closer to having an answer about

relationships than I was a year and a half ago. But maybe that was the

way it was supposed to be; maybe it was life's big mystery and we were

just along for the ride.

The championship games at the Swamp started at ten in the morning. The

first game was Division I and the last Division V. A game started every

two hours and fifteen minutes; since we were Division III, our game

started at two-thirty in the afternoon. We ate a light lunch at

eleven-thirty and left for the stadium at noon. We sat in the stands and

watched some of the Division II game before Coach rounded us up at one.

The sports complex at the university was called Florida Field. Ben Hill

Griffin Stadium was only a part of the first rate facility. We suited up

in one of the auxiliary locker rooms and had a team meeting. At

one-fifty we exited the locker room and ran onto the field from the

south end zone. We stayed at the south end of the stadium as one of the

assistant coaches led us in stretching and warm up calisthenics. After

our normal fifteen-minute warm up routine, we moved to the sidelines and

joined Coach Boyette.

We were the visiting team for our tournament pairing; our opponent was a

team from Panama City. The Panama City team was a juggernaut ranked

number seven in the nation. Their record was eleven and zero and they

hadn't been severely tested in a game all year. Watching them across the

field I decided they must grow them big up in the panhandle, their

smallest lineman was Creole's size. We had to be giving up at least

thirty pounds a player. Coach's game plan was to try to wear them down

and hope we were in good enough physical condition to win the game in

the fourth quarter. To that end we were going to play a more wide-open

style of offense than we normally did.

Panama City played a pro set type offense; they had a good quarterback,

a solid backfield and some fleet receivers. Coach said we'd be the

toughest defense they had faced all year. We lost the coin toss and

elected to kick with the wind. It was a nippy day with temps in the

fifties; it was also breezy, with the winds kicking up between ten to

twelve miles an hour.

Joe Moon kicked the ball deep into the Panama City end zone. The deep

backs standing at the ten let the ball sail over their heads. The ball

was brought out to the twenty and the game was on. Panama City's offense

was as good as advertised; they marched relentlessly down the field and

scored on the first drive. We didn't make it easy for them; the drive

took twelve plays and five minutes to move the eighty yards. We got a

nice run back on the ensuing kickoff. We ripped off a couple of first

downs, but ended up settling for a twenty-yard field goal.

We managed to stop Panama City on their next possession at our

forty-yard line, thanks mostly to Creole Sipes. The offensive tackle

matched up to Creole was big and strong but Creole was much quicker.

Creole beat his man on almost every play and spent a lot of time in

their backfield. When they double-teamed him I was able to back him up

and make the play. We exchanged punts and the quarter ended with us down

seven-three. However, Panama City had the ball and was driving. They

scored two minutes into the quarter. We answered back with our first

touchdown and another field goal set up by a fumble Creole caused. They

scored again right before the half ended. We went into the locker room

trailing twenty-one to thirteen.

The second half started like the first. As soon as Panama City got the

ball they marched down the field and scored. They out scored us by a

touchdown in the quarter and it was thirty-five to twenty after three.

Coach's plan bore fruit in the fourth quarter as their starters, not use

to playing an entire game, started to flag. We held them scoreless and

mounted a comeback. We fell disappointingly short, losing the game

thirty-five to thirty.

All was not doom and gloom in the locker room after the game. We had

played our asses off and lost to a superior opponent. We were

disappointed at the outcome but not with our performance. Most of the

team was returning next year so we really had something to look forward to.

We made it back to Palmdale at eight that night. When we pulled into the

school parking lot it seemed as if the whole town was there to welcome

us. It was a nice reception considering we had lost. Mr. Cavanaugh and

the twins found me and we chatted about the game some. Mrs. Cavanaugh

was not with them. Shelia spotted us and came over too. Before I left I

accepted an invitation to their house for a little cookout the following

afternoon after church.

Jane and Amanda also came over to talk to me. Both of them gave me big

hugs and told me how sorry they were that we had lost. I told them next

year would be a different story. And so it went, as friends and family

all offered their congrats or sympathy. I was surprise to see my mom

there with Dad and even more surprised that both had been at the game.

Papa and Nana had been there also. Dee-Dee was there with Jen, Richie

and the Hoffmans. I got nice hugs from all the women, even Jen.

The biggest surprise of the night though, was waiting by my truck in the

form of Rachael Scofield. My heart did that little double clutch she

always caused. I don't know why Rachael had that effect on me. Maybe it

was because she was my first, or maybe I was in love with her.

"Hi Johnny, I'm sorry you lost."

I shrugged. "We'll get them next year."

"I had my tests Johnny and everything is okay, so what happens next?'

That was the sixty-four thousand dollar question, wasn't it?

"For starters you could come here and hug me," I said.

Rachael whooped and jumped into my arms wrapping her legs around my

waist. With my hands under her butt I spun her around as she latched her

lips onto mine. It was one of those chick flick, love scene moments.

When we broke for air I asked her if she'd like to go somewhere with me.

She nodded. "My bed," she replied.

I followed her little red Beamer to her house calling my parents on the

way. I got permission to stay out until one. When I followed Rachael

into her house she headed straight to the bedroom.

"Wait here Johnny, I need a quick shower," she said.

"No you don't, you need a nice bath," I replied.

I kissed her again and helped her undress. She was still shy about her

body. For the life of me I couldn't understand why. She was one of the

few women I'd met who looked better naked than they did dressed. I

grabbed her silk kimono off the back of the bathroom door and helped her

slip it on. She sat on the toilet seat as I adjusted the water and found

the Calgon bubble bath under the vanity. When the water was warm and

bubbly I helped her up and took her robe. She gracefully slipped in to

the bath and sighed as the hot water rose to her chin. I put a rolled up

towel behind her head, found a washcloth and soap and gently washed her.

I had Rachael out of the tub and into the bed in fifteen minutes. Then

for two hours I proceeded to try to make her forget any man existed

except me. Rachael held nothing back that night, unlike our first time.

I don't know if it was the experience I'd gained or if Rachael's

dalliances had made her less up tight. She didn't protest a bit when I

started kissing my way down her body, nor did she stop me after she came

the first time that way. Her sweet nectar covered my face and she had

squalled through three hard climaxes before I moved up and penetrated her.

By eleven thirty the bed was a mess and we were exhausted. We slipped

under the sheet and cuddled, her head on my chest.

"Johnny, that was everything I ever dreamed making love could be."

I had to agree. Rachael told me that she was spending Christmas in Rhode

Island again. She said this time there would be no bad phone calls. I

told her I was dating some and could handle it.

"Don't wear yourself out, I'm only going to spend ten days up there this

year. I want to see you as soon as I get back, okay?"

Yes it was okay; matter of fact, it was way more than okay.

So I was full of guilt and remorse next day when I saw Shelia, right?

Nope, not a bit. Shelia and I had exactly one date so far, it was not as

if I was cheating on her.

The cookout at the Cavanaughs' turned out to be an end of football

season get together for the cheerleaders. Shelia was busy with her

friends and teammates; I helped Mr. Cavanaugh on the grill while Mrs.

Cavanaugh put out the rest of the spread. Mrs. Cavanaugh treated me much

nicer now. After we burned a big batch of burgers and hotdogs Mr.

Cavanaugh and I retired with our plates to what he called the 'media

room'. The room had a couple of sectional couches and two recliners plus

some high-end audio and video equipment. He and I watched the Tampa Bay

Buccaneers game on his sixty-inch plasma TV. At half time Mr. Cavanaugh

went to check on the girls cavorting in the big heated pool. I had

already snuck a few peeks at some fine bikini clad eye candy but was

studiously trying to be a gentleman.

I was sitting on the couch channel surfing when Elaine came in and asked

if she could talk to me for a minute. I said sure and patted the couch

next to me. Elaine said that Ellen had told her about the little thing I

had done at brunch last week. She said she really didn't think it was

all Ellen claimed and wanted me to show her the same thing.

I smiled at her guileless eagerness and said, "I'll tell you what, since

you asked so nice I'll do even better. Close your eyes and pucker up."

She blushed red enough to make her freckles disappear but did as I

asked. I leaned forward, pressed my lips against hers, and shot her a

blast of pure sex. I don't know whether it was because she was expecting

it or what but it hit her much harder than it had her twin. She

shuddered and fell back against the couch. When she stopped twitching

she gave me this doe-eyed look.

"Wow, do you do that with Sissie?" she asked.

I assumed she meant Shelia so I told her no.

"I don't know if it would work with her. And besides, it wouldn't be

right if I did that and she really didn't want it," I explained.

"Oh, it would work on her, no question, but you are a good guy for not

doing it. I think she's crazy if she doesn't want it."

Elaine thanked me for the demonstration, kissed me on the cheek and

scampered out of the room just before Mr. Cavanaugh returned. I went out

by the pool midway through the third quarter of the game. Tampa Bay was

not having a good day and were already losing by three touchdowns by

then. The girls all started hooting when I came out, inviting me into

the pool. I told them I didn't have a suit and had to get home anyway.

Shelia climbed out of the pool and walked me around the house to my

truck. She was wearing a modest black and silver two-piece that she

filled nicely. She thanked me for helping and gave me a chaste kiss. It

was a bummer that I didn't share a connection with her like I did with

her kid sisters, cause I thought we could definitely make beautiful

music together.

Monday and Tuesday passed like molasses, but finally the final bell rang

Tuesday afternoon and I was free for seventeen days. I had big

expectations for this holiday because I was staying at my grandparents

starting Saturday. I was baby-sitting Jethro for two weeks while they

went to Poland to visit Uncle Vik. Oh yeah! If things worked out like I

hoped old Jethro was going to meet some nice ladies during those two weeks.

Wednesday I help Papa deliver a computer desk he built and spent the

afternoon helping him tidy up his shop. Papa's shop was as

professionally outfitted as any fine cabinetmaker's. He had all the

toys: planers, joiners, a high end table saw, and anything else he could

possibly use. All of his tools were carefully maintained and well cared

for. Papa was a craftsman and the things he made showed the pride he

took in his work. One of his creations wasn't cheap, but whoever bought

it knew they had something of lasting value.

Wednesday night I took Jane Pullman out to dinner. It was a nice meal,

mainly because of the company. Jane was sparking that night, and she

looked very good in a long skirt slit up the side and a silk blouse. She

also had on a pair of black high-heeled pumps, a big plus to my

jaundiced eye. Amanda was out with Caroline so we went to her house and

hung out. Believe it or not we watched television sitting on the couch,

my head in her lap. It was comfortable and intimate. After the show we

were watching was over she took off my shirt, laid me on the floor and

gave me an incredible back rub.

After I was all relaxed, she went and got a comforter. We made love

right there on the floor, the comforter sparing us rug burns. She made a

teenage boy very happy by riding me to an orgasm wearing nothing but her

garter belt and nylons. Afterwards we snuggled on the couch under that

same comforter and talked. She told me she had accepted a date for

Saturday night, her first one since her husband died. She also promised

to spend the night with me at my grandparents' house one day next week.

Thursday my dad and I picked up Katrina at the airport. She had a

two-week leave for Christmas. She was spending ten days at home then

going back to Colorado for a few days of skiing. We met her out on the

concourse, just in front of the security checkpoint. She gave us both

hugs, something I couldn't remember her ever doing before. I guess she

might have missed me. Katrina looked awesome in her cadet dress uniform.

She looked like she had gained a few pounds, most of it in some

interesting places.

Once we were home she went to shower and change and I went to my room to

read. I was sitting at my computer reading my e-mails when she knocked

on my open door. I turned around in my chair and told her to come in.

She was wearing her favorite lounging attire, a pair of Joe Boxer silk

shorts and a crop top t-shirt. Only both were much tighter on her now.

She had a towel around her wet hair and her shirt was damp.

I couldn't help blurting out, "Wow, you've filled out some!"

She looked down then gave me a grin. "Yeah, I've finally grown breasts

like the rest of the girls."

"Boy did you ever, they look good on you, too."

"Thanks. You've grown too. I certainly can't call you Runt now. So how

have you been? I didn't get much information in our weekly telephone calls."

I brought her up to speed about school and told her about our football

season. I told her about my truck and mentioned that Dad had made sure

her Camry was all set for her stay.

"That's cool but I want to drive your truck once. What about your love

life?"

I told her it was pretty excellent. I mentioned Caroline and Amanda.

When I mentioned I had a second date with Shelia Cavanaugh I could tell

she was impressed.

"Good for you, I remember Shelia from last year, she's a cutie. You

didn't mention the married woman."

I told her that Dee and I still talked but had called a hiatus on our

relationship. I couldn't resist mentioning that I was seeing another

older woman but this one was a widow. Her eyebrows went up and down over

that revelation.

"How about Rachael? Mom said she was at your birthday party."

Moose didn't look happy when I said I was seeing Rachael again, even

though it was sporadically.

"I guess that it's your business Baby Bro. But I don't like the thought

of you getting hurt again."

Then she looked at me funny and cocked her head in thought.

"You know Johnny, something has changed between us. You seem so much

more grown up now and I feel closer to you. I am starting to see Dad and

Papa in you more and more." She paused for a second as if gathering her

thoughts. "This is going to sound weird but when I hugged you at the

airport I had this feeling that I was safe in your arms. Like I was your

little sister suddenly."

I though about what she said and it slowly dawned on me that she was

saying basically what women I was connected to said. I hadn't felt any

vibes from her when we hugged but that might have been because it was

quick and our skin never touched. I walked over to the bed and sat next

to her.

"Let me see your hands for a second," I requested.

She held out her hands and I took them in mine. Sure enough, I felt a

little electric current pass between us. More important, so did she. Her

eyes widen a little and she looked at me curiously. She kept holding my

hands as I attempted to explain the connection thing. I told her what I

knew for sure, namely that a few women and I shared this bond. I told

her that it didn't happen with guys but that it seemed easier to deal

with them now too. Finally, I told her about Amanda's theory. There was

no question about telling her everything she wanted to know, not when we

were now connected.

"No wonder you are having luck with the ladies; trust, and a feeling

that we'll be protected is a big thing with us women."

I agreed. I hesitated a few seconds then told her there was more to it

than just that.

"More as in what?" she asked.

"Well, there's a sexual component to it also," I said.

"A sexual component? How does that work?"

"Like this," I said and I sent her a small dose of arousal.

"Hmmm, that puts a sort of romantic glow on the feelings I get but it

wasn't really sexual."

I laughed, "it might be context, after all you are my sister."

She chuckled too. "Maybe, but I am a woman first, shouldn't I have felt

more?"

"Could be, but I held back because you are my sister, I didn't want you

to think I was perving you."

"In the interest of scientific discovery, I'll let you slide.'

"Thanks Trina," I said.

As soon as I called her Trina she squeezed my hands. Trina was what I

called her when we were little.

"You haven't called me that in ten years Johnny. I forgot how cute I

thought it was that you had a special name for me. So okay, show me what

the big girls get."

"All right, but this is just a demonstration. Close your eyes and think

of something sexual you like."

I waited a second or two after she closed her eyes then I leaned forward

and touched my lips to hers as I sent her my best shot. The lip touching

seemed to work on Elaine, so I figured what the heck. The difference was

that Elaine had no experience to put what she felt in context and

Katrina did. So the backwash of raw sex I got back was staggering.

I pulled back quickly. And dropped her hands. Her eyes popped open and

she eyed me speculatively.

"I have seriously underestimated you Bro. I felt that down to my toes.

Do you do that to all the girls you meet and connect with?"

I looked down at her chest and her nipples were trying to bore a hole

through the thin t-shirt. Katrina always had prominent nipples but they

seemed even bigger now.

"I can see that you felt it at least partway to your toes," I teased.

She looked down then chuckled, "yeah, it's hard to keep a secret with

those puppies giving me away."

I answered her question about how it worked with other women. I

explained that usually it occurred naturally and we fed the feelings

back and forth as we made love. I told her the big jolt of sex I sent

her was a recent discovery. I said I had never tried it as a seduction

tool and probably never would. I even told her about trying to send

Shelia a cut down version of the feeling but didn't know if it worked

because we weren't connected, and I didn't get that obvious feedback.

We talked about it for a while longer then Katrina said she was turning

in but would give this thing some thought. Then she fired her parting shot.

"I'm going to get myself off for the first time in seven months alone in

my room. Just think Baby Bro; it will be the first time you caused me to

have to masuturbate after all the ones I gave you. Oh, and speaking of

that, I'll be taking my shower at about seven tomorrow morning."

I was floored, she *had* been teasing me all those times, knowing

exactly what I had been doing in the shower every morning.

I felt myself blushing as she swayed out the door giggling. I couldn't

remember hearing her giggle since she was in grammar school. I was going

to be in the hall when she came out of the bath, and I was going to ogle

her blatantly to get even. I really enjoyed talking to my sister and I

was very pleased with our new relationship. Anything sexual, more than a

little teasing, was strictly off limits in my mind, but being closer to

her was great. It made me think about when we were little. It was nice

to have my Trina back.

At seven fifteen the next morning I was leaning against the wall next to

her bedroom door as Katrina exited the bathroom. True to tradition, she

was wrapped in a bath towel that was knotted between her breasts.

"Your growth spurt sure made it easier to hold up that towel," I remarked.

"It did but it also made it shorter," she replied turning around. "My

butt almost hangs out."

You could see the barest hint of the bottom of her cheeks.

"Luckily you have the nicest ass on the planet so you won't get many

complaints," I said sincerely.

"You really think so? Caroline has a gorgeous butt and although I'm

loathe to admit it, so does Rachael."

What the hell was happening at that Air Force joint I wondered? Here was

my totally self-assured sister fishing for compliments. Well, she was

talking to the right guy because I was speaking with conviction. I laid

my hand on her arm and answered her.

"Trina, both of them have great asses but yours is in a category all

it's own," I said sincerely.

She looked at me and smiled, "I could feel that you really meant that

Johnny, thank you."

I continued to watch her as she walked to her room, her hips swishing a

little more than was natural. I almost fainted when the towel fell to

the floor and I got a short glimpse of her naked butt before the door

closed.

"Oops," she giggled.

I took my shower and, of course, I thumped on the Kongster. I dressed

and headed downstairs. Katrina wanted to go see Papa and Nana so I went

with her. She wanted to drive my truck so I tossed her the keys. Katrina

immediately readjusted the seat, steering wheel and mirrors I had

carefully set to perfection. When she was comfortable, she cranked the

engine and backed out of the driveway. Katrina fell in love with my

truck in less than a block. Instead of driving straight to our

grandparents she took it out on the interstate. I didn't make a peep as

she gunned it up to a hundred. I wasn't about to let my sister wimp me

out. But my pucker factor was at its max when she passed one-twenty. I

had a death grip on the armrest when I told her to slow down. I used the

automatic fuel shut off as my excuse, even though it only kicked in at

one-forty.

She eased it back to ninety and gave me a grin.

"Think Dad could find me one of these?" she asked.

My grandparents were on cloud nine seeing Katrina. Nana fussed over her

and Papa couldn't quit telling her how proud he was of her. Papa asked

about the academy and Katrina told him all about her training. She came

across as if she were really happy there in Colorado Springs. Yet with

my heightened awareness because of our connection, I could tell that she

was hiding something. I resolved to find out what it was. You know the

deal by now, the connection made her happiness extremely important to

me. Add in the fact that she was my sister and it was even more imperative.

I didn't get to ask her that day though, because I had the long

anticipated second date with Shelia. I think Katrina had other things on

her mind also. My first clue was when she nonchalantly asked me if I

thought Richie Caldwell was doing anything that night.

For my second date with Shelia I was pulling out all the stops. I asked

Nana for advice and she came up with the idea of taking Shelia to a live

performance of the Nutcracker by the Orlando Ballet Company. It cost me

eighty dollars a ticket but I got primo seats that even included a back

stage tour and a chance to meet some of the dancers. I didn't tell

Shelia where we were going in advance, I just told her she needed to

dress up. I told her I was wearing a suit to give her an idea of what to

wear.

I pulled up to the Cavanaugh estate at six. Curtain time wasn't until

eight but I had to get us all the way to downtown Orlando where the

Performing Arts Center was located, in holiday traffic no less. I told

Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh where I was taking Shelia while sitting in the

family room waiting for her to finish getting ready. Mr. Cavanaugh said

I was stealing his thunder because he had matinee tickets for the same

production for Sunday. I apologized profusely and both he and Mrs.

Cavanaugh said not to worry about it. He said that I would have to amuse

Shelia Sunday while they were gone, thought. Had I known what that would

involve, I'd have turned around right then and gone home.

Sheila walked in about then, wearing a little teal cocktail dress that

screamed designer original. It probably cost ten dollars a square inch.

It was money well spent, in my humble opinion, because she looked

stunning. Shelia was one of those women whose individual features

weren't that noteworthy, but the totality of her was unforgettable. I

was trying to think of something to say as she glided into the room but

all I could force out was a "WOW!"

"So Johnny is this appropriate for where you are taking me?" she asked

guilelessly.

"Umm, I don't know, I was taking you to the ballet, but if you show up

looking that beautiful I think the dancers might quit in jealousy."

Mr. Cavanaugh liked that one. "I swear Johnny, are you sure you are not

Irish? I mean anyone who could utter that line must have kissed the

Blarney Stone."

Mrs. Cavanaugh came to my aid, believe it or not. "You hush, Thomas, it

wouldn't hurt for you to show a little of that sincere appreciation

toward me."

We made it to the Performing Arts Center in plenty of time. Shelia loved

the ballet and I — well I loved that she loved it. After the final

curtain I had one last surprise for Shelia. We were in the lobby when I

spotted an usher and flashed him our backstage passes. He motioned for

us to follow him and led us backstage where the dancers and other VIP

guests (other eighty dollar ticket holders) were grazing at a buffet. I

grabbed us a flute of nonalcoholic sparkling grape juice (most of the

dancers were too young to drink) and we mingled.

Wouldn't you know that the second dancer we met was visiting from the

Warsaw Ballet. Her name was Paullina Franzik. She was a slight little

thing with very muscular legs. When I shook her hand I grinned at the

vibes we shared. She grinned when I spoke to her in passable Polish.

Shelia and I nibbled off the same plate and mostly just people watched.

I knew that her dad could have hired the entire ballet company for the

evening if he had wanted to. Still, it was me that thought to bring

Shelia here, and she was suitably impressed. She showed me how much in

the cab of my truck as we were parked under the shadow of her house, out

of sight of the front door.

I don't understand how the dancers cavorting and jumping around on the

stage were arousing to her but I enjoyed the benefits anyway. Shelia was

worked up but I kept the tempo down to, as the Brits say, some serious

snogging. Well, I might have 'accidentally' copped a few feels, but in

general I was a good boy. I drove home with balls bluer than Shelia's

dress had been. At the same time, I was pretty darned proud of myself

for being such a gentleman. Snogging, doncha just love that word? It

sounds so much nastier than making out or sucking face.

I don't know if Katrina was home or not when I slipped in at ten till

one. I do know that despite the late hour, Kong had no intentions of

letting me sleep until he had been well and properly flogged. I guess

you could say that Kong was okay with the snogging but happier with the

flogging. Jeez, I crack me up!

So anyway I slept in the next morning and missed being at my post when

Katrina came out of the shower. She actually pouted about it when I came

down for coffee. I was really going to have to have a serious talk with

my sister, something just wasn't right for her to need affirmation of

her desirability like that. She went up to change and I did the same. We

were going back over to see Nana and Papa again. Katrina was even going

with me to take them to the airport that evening. Their flight left at

eight and would arrive in London at seven the next morning. They were

laying over in London for a two-day sightseeing trip then flying to

Warsaw Wednesday.

I was in a clean pair of Levis and a sweatshirt when Katrina called me.

I walked into her room just as she was hooking her bra, her back to me.

She turned around and I got the full effect of her new rack as the bra

she had on squeezed everything into the center and thrust it forward.

She reached on the bed and threw me an Air Force academy Falcons

sweatshirt in Air Force blue.

"I bought this for you Johnny, I thought you might want to wear it

today. I'll swap with you."

I nodded and stripped my shirt over my head. Katrina openly admired my

chest.

"I'm not the only one who has grown," she said. "How big are you now?"

I stood there for a minute and let her look, after all, fair is fair,

and I was ogling her breasts in the lacy bra like crazy. I swear I could

see all of her areola and nipple through the sheer fabric. Her breast

looked even bigger than they actually were because her abs were so

ripped. She was Bowflex model material.

'Six-two, two ten," I said.

"In case no one has told you yet, Bro, you are one hunky Polack."

"Back at you, Trina. You could be one of those Polish super models if

you wanted. All lounging around on the beach in one of those */Sports

Illustrated/* swimsuit photos."

She slipped on my old sweatshirt and we took off again, she was driving,

of course.

Katrina, Dad and I took my grandparents to the airport at four. We had

to have them at the International Terminal three hours before their

flight. We kissed and hugged them at the curb and Dad drove us back. He

dropped Katrina and me off at Papa and Nana's house, my new digs for the

next two weeks. I made sure Jethro was okay then I took Katrina out to

supper. We were getting along well and I still wanted to talk to her

about the way she was acting.

We had that talk at my grandparents' house sitting on the couch. I think

she was just as eager to get it off her chest, as I was to help her. Her

story left me shaking with frustrated anger. Here is what she told me.

Academically she was doing well at the academy; she was third in her

class after the first semester. She was also not having any trouble with

the physical fitness aspect of cadet life. The problem was an

upperclassman in her company, a member of the football team. Her

problems started when the creep tried to get her to have sex with him.

She turned him down and when he became persistent, she dislocated his thumb.

The football player, ironically, his name was Borkowski, claimed he hurt

his thumb at practice. Then he and his friends proceeded to make her

life miserable. First they found ways to load her down with demerits so

that she spent most evenings and weekends flanking a guard post, walking

off the Ds. When that didn't make her quit they started a rumor that she

was a testosterone laced lesbian and no female cadet was safe around

her. Katrina was close to tears when she told me the only reason she was

still there was because she was a Pulaski, and Pulaski's didn't quit.

She was disillusioned with the whole Academy and understood how the

climate that led to the current rape scandal there was perpetuated. Yes,

she could report Borkowski and a thorough investigation would be

launched, but in the end it would boil down to he said, she said. Her

hope was that if she stuck it out for the rest of the year he would

graduate and the bad feelings would leave with him. The problem with

that scenario was five more months of hell. She said she was clinging to

me because as soon as we share that first touch that showed our

connection she knew I loved her unconditionally. And she knew my only

expectation was that she loved me back the same way.

When she finished her story she was crying and, I'm not too proud to

admit, so was I. She sniffled and said she hoped that her teasing wasn't

bothering me. I told her that, to the contrary, I enjoyed it. She said

good, because she enjoyed being appreciated by a real man. Seeing a

vulnerable side to my sister that day made me love her even more.

Katrina drove my truck home, promising to have it back in the morning in

time for us to get to Mass. I had gained a sister but lost a truck. It

was different sleeping in my grandparents' guest room. I didn't have to

sleep alone as Jethro had climbed on the bed sometime during the night

and was taking up the big half of the queen sized bed.

Katrina arrived at nine-thirty Sunday morning to take me to Mass. She

was wearing a blue dress that hit just above her knees and low-heeled

shoes. She had curled her usually straight blonde hair and left it down

to frame her face. It was a nice change from her usual ponytail. I drove

us to church and we sat with Mom and Dad; it was the first time we'd all

been together in a long time. I was pretty content sitting there during

the service. I took Katrina's hand and let my contentment flow towards

her, she certainly needed it.

Shelia and I talked after Mass ended. I asked her if she would meet me

at the park where Papa took Jethro. I had promised Papa I'd take the

Doofus there so he could run around some. I told her I'd stop by Subway

and hook us up with a picnic lunch. Katrina came over and I introduced

her to the Cavanaughs. While Katrina was talking to Shelia, the twins

each grabbed one of my hands and walked me to my truck.

"Shelia was all dreamy yesterday, Johnny." Ellen said.

"Yeah, all she talked about was how much fun she had at the ballet and

how sweet you were," confirmed Elaine.

I told them I had a good time also. It was cool having her sisters on my

side. We were almost at my truck when the twins looked at each other and

in unison sent a wash of sexual energy toward me. They must have been

practicing because it was a good one. Kong twitched to life in my

Dockers. I stopped and looked at them in amazement. They giggled,

dropped my hands and headed back to their parents.

I called Shelia at twelve-thirty and told her I was on my way to the

park. She said her family just left so she'd see me there in fifteen

minutes or so. The park we were going to was on the edge of town. It

belonged to the Elks Club but was open to the public, unless the Elks

were throwing a function. It was a good place to bring Jethro because he

had lots of room to run. And that dog could run. I was willing to bet

that he would give a greyhound a race for its money.

Jethro's style was to run around for a while, come back to the truck to

make sure I was there, and take off again. When Shelia pulled up and

parked her new Mustang convertible next to me, Jethro had to check out

the new person. Shelia laughed when he gave her the nose in the crotch

treatment and pushed him away. The she held up a rawhide dog bone and

showed it to Jethro.

"I stopped by the Seven-Eleven and saw this. Can he have it?"

When I nodded yes she threw it and Jethro bounded on it. He lay down

next to us and chewed away as we sat on the tailgate. I had a blanket

spread out near the truck and was just starting to pull out the bag from

subway when I heard a woman scream. I looked up quickly and saw a woman

frantically trying to pull a small child out of the way as two snarling

pitbulls slunk towards her.

"Call 911," I yelled to Shelia as I sprinted the thirty yards to where

the woman and child were.

I was almost to them when one of the dogs lunged forward and snapped at

the little girl. I arrived just as the second dog was about to do the same.
Joe J
Chapter 12