Chapter 4: Easter



April 2004

Robbie drove to Tampa to see his battered sister Karen as soon as he could pack a bag. He was worried sick about her. His parents were already at the hospital and were keeping Robby posted on Karen's status by cell phone. In addition to the concern for his sister, Robby was also as pissed off at her asshole of a husband as he had ever been at anyone in his life. Robbie was an easy-going guy but his good nature had an edgy side when he was angry. Karen's husband Jason had been arrested for domestic violence but was already out on bail, courtesy of his wealthy parents and their compassionate attorney.

Karen was in a private room at the hospital; asshole Jason's parents were footing the bill for that as well, on advice of counsel. Jason Oliver was in hiding somewhere to avoid the bad press he was bringing his family; that was their main concern - bad press.

It broke Robby's heart to see his sister there in the bed, her face swaddled in bandages. She was so small and looked so vulnerable. Carl and Louise Davis were relieved to see their son arrive. Karen had been asking for him every since they had arrived. Carl and Louise went to the hospital cafeteria while Robby sat by the bed and held his sister's hand. Robby asked her what had happened.

"Jason came home after being gone for two days; I was angry and we started arguing. I told him I knew he was seeing other women and was involved in drugs and I wanted a divorce. He went crazy over that and started slapping me. He tore off my robe then started beating me while he raped me. He said he would kill me before he would let me have a divorce.

"I must have passed out because, when I woke up, he was gone. He had torn the phone off the wall but I called 911 from my cell phone and the police came with an ambulance. Jason showed up at the police station with his parents' lawyer. He spent the night in jail but then got out on bail. I am so scared, Robby, what if he tries to kill me like he said? He is mean and crazy," Karen sobbed.

"That's why I came here; and, when you are better, you are going home with me," Robbie promised.

"That's what I want, Robby; but what about school? I'll might be here another week," Karen said.

Then she started crying harder and touched the bandage across her nose and over her left eye.

"The bastard broke my nose and chipped my eye socket. The doctor fixed my nose but said it will not look the same. And he won't know if my vision has been permanently affected until the swelling goes down," she wailed.

"Take it easy, Kari; everything will be just fine. Besides, I'll still love you even if you end up with two noses and one eye," he teased.

"Thanks, Robby; I know you mean that even if you said it as a joke. You are the only guy I've ever met that loves me unconditionally. I can't believe I was stupid enough to marry that jerk. He was so sincere and loving when we were dating then he turned into an animal after we were married. Did you know he even tried to swap me with another guy on our honeymoon? I thought he was just drunk so I laughed it off. I am such an idiot. That's why we stopping coming over to visit. I did not want you or mom or dad to know anything was wrong; I was ashamed of the jerk I was dumb enough to marry."

"Don't beat yourself up over it, sis; he was a good actor. He even fooled mom and dad. I never liked him just because he was taking you away from me; but I could never imagine him doing this."

"Well, I've learned my lesson; I won't make that mistake twice. I feel so much better with you here, Baby Brother. Can I have a kiss, or am I too ugly?"

Robby leaned over the bed and kissed her gently. She wrapped her slender little arms around his neck and sighed.

"The pain medication is making me drowsy. I wish you could hold me. Will you stay with me if I fall asleep?" she asked.

"You bet I will. I'm going to do some schoolwork while you nap. I have all my assignments for the next week with me. I don't plan on you being out of my sight for a while."

Robby talked to Laura a couple of times a day while Karen was in the hospital. Laura said she was so lonely without him and missed him terribly. She would have felt even worse if it were not for their friend Jenna. Robby missed Laura also; they had been inseparable for four months. Laura told Robby that Jenna had met a man who seemed to be perfect for her. It was early -- but, so far, the guy had done everything right. Laura had met him and even gone out to dinner with them. Robby teased her about already stepping out on him even though he had been gone for only a few days. Laura said to not even joke about that; she was his and his alone. Although, she shot back, he was handsome and Jenna said he was a good lover.

Karen spent four more days in the hospital, mostly as a precaution for the slight concussion she had suffered. The bandages came off the day before she was discharged. Her vision was fine and her nose now had a slight bump on the bridge. Still, Robby's anger flared anew when he saw the livid purple bruises that covered her face. Mr. Jason Oliver had an ass-whipping coming if Robby got his hands on him. Anyone that hit a woman was a worm in Robby's opinion. But to beat his sister, who was barely five foot two and a hundred pounds, was truly despicable. Robby knew that he could kick big soft Jason's ass. His dad had boxed in college and taught Robby how to handle himself. Carl Davis had also insisted Robby take martial arts to counterbalance the music lessons Louise had Robby up to his neck in.

Carl had to go back to his business after a couple of days. He drove Robby's truck back to Orlando and left his wife and son his Caddy. Robby usually teased Carl mercilessly about his flashy maroon 'pimp-mobile'. Carl protested that he needed it to impress clients -- but even Louise said he had bought the car because he had always wanted one and could now afford it.

Robby and Louise bundled Karen into the plush back seat of the car and drove her to her house. Robby went in first, half-hoping Jason was there. Jason, however, was still lying low, hiding out at his parents place, and being a model citizen. When Robby had thoroughly checked the house, Louise and Karen came in and packed a couple of bags of necessities. From Karen's house, they drove straight back to Orlando. Karen said that she was never going back to that house or anywhere near Jason again.

At the Davis' home, Karen blanched and balked at the thought of being alone in her old room. She was petrified that Jason would come there and hurt her again. They settled on her sleeping with Robby in his room. Robby had always sought Karen's bed for comfort when he was small and something had scared him. So, it seemed only natural that he would provide the same comfort for her. But that was for later that night; for now, Louise and Robby made Karen comfortable on the couch where she could watch the television. Robby sat at the end of the couch with her feet in his lap. She cooed in contentment as he rubbed her tiny feet.

Louise Davis stood in the kitchen and watched them over the counter top as they shared the couch. She had never seen a bond between siblings as strong as her children's. Karen had never resented Robby for a second, not even when she was a teenager and was stuck baby-sitting him. Even with the seven-year difference in age, they were best friends growing up. Karen had been fiercely protective of her brother when he was a youngster. She had even once taken on the neighborhood bully to protect him, a boy considerably bigger than she. Their roles reversed when Robby hit puberty at thirteen. Now, he was the protector and comforter. Louise knew that if Jason Oliver showed up at their house he would be in for some serious trouble, even if her husband were not around.

Laura made a beeline straight to the Davis' house when she arrived home from work. She walked into the house and straight into Robby's arms. She knew she was probably making a spectacle of herself but did not care as she covered his face with kisses. Karen sat up on the couch wrapping herself in the quilt Robby had covered her with to make room for Laura to sit. Laura had met Karen a few times but did not actually know her very well. Karen had been in college, then off on her own since Laura had moved in next door four years ago. Laura was equally aghast at the lividly bruised and still-swollen face of her man's sister. She had never seen anyone that badly beaten in real life.

Carl arrived home shortly after Laura. They all shared a nice dinner and sat in the family room watching TV until ten. Robby walked Laura home and they talked on the porch for a few minutes. They exchanged a couple of passionate kisses; Laura began massaging Robby's hard dick through his covering trousers.

"If you come in for a minute, honey, I'll take care of this for you," Laura said.

"That sounds like the best idea I've heard lately," Robby said. "But if I go in I can't keep and eye on the house. I don't believe Jason is stupid enough to show up here, but you never know."

Laura glanced around, no one was outside, and it was dark on the porch. She pushed Robby backwards until he fell into one of the wicker rockers on the porch. His eyes widened in surprise as she sank to her knees and started unzipping his pants. For Laura it was the most wickedly brazen thing she had ever done. She finally managed to free his beautiful big penis from its cotton prison and enveloped it with her mouth. In fewer than three minutes, he filled her mouth with his seed. Laura had a small orgasm herself just from the act of pleasing him. She cleaned him up with her tongue and tucked him back into his pants.

Robby stood up and took her in his arms. When he had kissed her until she was breathless, he let her go. She started to turn and slip into the house.

"Not so fast, Blondie," he said as his hand snaked up under her skirt.

She spread her legs and clutched his arm as he fingered her to a very public and very intense climax. When she had stopped shaking and regained her composure, he pulled his finger out of her and licked it clean. After another kiss, she finally walked into the house on rubbery legs.

Robby returned home to find Karen in the family room by herself. Their parents had already gone bed.

"How are you feeling, Kari?" Robby asked as he sat down on the couch.

"Grungy, stiff, and sore, but glad to be out of the hospital," she replied.

"Well, maybe I can help you feel better. Stay here and I'll be back in a minute," he said.

Robby went to the shared bathroom that connected the children's rooms. He turned on the hot water to fill the tub, then rooted around under the sink until he found a bottle of Mr. Bubble bubble bath. He dumped a bunch of the mixture into the tub and, after the tub was full of steamy foam, went to retrieve his sister. Karen smiled when she saw the bubble-filled tub.

"You are the greatest, Robbie," she said kissing his cheek.

Robby went back to his room and shut the bathroom door. He was sitting at his desk when Karen called him from the bathroom. Robby peeked his head in the door and asked what she needed.

"Come wash my hair for me Robby, like you use to. I want to be pampered by someone who loves me."

Karen was submerged in bubbles up to her chin so Robby knelt by the tub and she handed him the shampoo. Robby had always loved washing his sister's long thick chestnut hair. He worked the shampoo into a lather on top of her head then scratched and massaged her scalp. Karen groaned and sighed her appreciation as he worked. When he had finished with the shampoo, he took a large cup from under the sink and rinsed her hair. He applied conditioner next and combed it through her thick mane with his fingers.

Karen sat up, leaned forward, and handed Robbie the washcloth. Robby soaped the cloth and washed her back. When he finished her back, he rinsed the conditioner out of her hair.

"Thanks, Sweet Baby; no one in the world makes me feel as good as you. I'm going to lie here for a while and soak out some aches and pains, ok?"

"Sure, sis; call me if you need anything."

Robby went back to his desk to finish the last of his school assignments. Tomorrow was the last day of class before Easter break and Jenna Billings, his friend and English teacher, was coming by on her way to school to pick up his week's work. He was just finishing gathering all his papers together to give to Jenna when Karen walked out of the bath wrapped in a towel with another turbaned on her wet hair. She opened her suitcase and took out a pair of tiny pink panties then rummaged through Robby's chest-of-drawers until she found one of his t-shirts. When she had her sleepwear assembled, she wriggled on the panties under the towel then with her back turned to him she dropped the towel around her body and removed the towel from her head.

Robby started at her unabashedly as she stood five feet in front of him semi-naked. The saying that dynamite came in small packages was coined to describe his sister. She was short and slender yet had long legs and perky breasts that were surprisingly full. Her ass was a perfect shape and jutted out saucily.

"You still have the nicest body I've ever seen," Robbie said admiringly.

"Thanks, Robby. Yours is the one opinion I know isn't a line of bullshit."

She slipped on his t-shirt then went back to the bathroom to blow dry her hair. Robby stood up, stripped, and hurriedly put on a pair of flannel pajama pants. He turned off the overhead light, turned on his bedside lamp, and crawled under the covers. It would not do for her to see he was hard. Robby was just nodding off when Karen slid under the covers. Robby rolled over on his side, snuggled up to her, and draped his arm over her.

"This is the first time in forever that I've felt comfortable in bed with someone. I'm sorry I'm keeping you away from Laura," Karen said, pulling his arm tighter around her.

"That's not a problem Kari, Laura understands and knows how close we are. Now go to sleep and let me hold you."

She did just that, and he followed her into dreamland.

Robby woke up the next morning with his morning erection pressed into the crevice of a delectable ass. He squeezed the plump breast that was somehow in his hand and sighed in contentment. Then he realized to whom the breast and ass belonged. He quickly let go of his sister and scooted backwards. Karen made a little disapproving noise at the loss of contact with him but thankfully stayed asleep.

Jenna came by and picked up his assignments at eight that Friday morning. Robby stood on the porch talking with her for a few minutes. She asked about Karen and said for Robby to relay her wishes for a speedy recovery. Robby teased her about her new 'friend'.

"So Ms. Billings, I hear that you have kicked us to the curb for some new guy," he said.

Jenna was on to Robby's teasing and smacked him on the arm.

"I actually met Stan at a curriculum workshop a month ago. He called me a couple of times and we went out last weekend. It was magical Rob; he is so romantic and sweet. He is older than me, divorced, and has custody of his six-year-old daughter. I have been out with him four times, two of them we brought his daughter with us. Seeing how he treats that little girl melts my heart. We are going to spend the weekend together at his place while his daughter is at her mom's. From his kisses and what little exploring we've done, I think I'm going to enjoy getting closer to him."

Jenna blushed as soon as she admitted that she planned to sleep with Stan that weekend. Robby grinned at her embarrassment.

"I hope everything goes right for you both. You deserve all the happiness there is. Laura says he seems to be a good guy, when can I meet him."

"As soon as I can figure out how to introduce you," Jenna laughed.

Robby hung out with his sister and even got her out of the house to the mall for a while. Her bruises were still vivid but the swelling in her face had almost disappeared. With some make up and dark glasses, she felt able to face some of the public. She drew a few stares but she drew more attention from males because of how good she looked in a cut-off t-shirt and Levis. She left a wake of whiplashed necks, yet she was seemingly oblivious to the stares she received.

Karen came home and helped her mom around the house while Robby practiced his violin for an hour. Well, actually he fiddled for an hour. Robby loved to play country, bluegrass, and folk music on his violin. Carl thought it was the payoff for the years of paying for lessons, but mom Louise gritted her teeth when he did it. Eleven years of lessons had netted her a hayseed want-to-be. Robby had even filled in for a local country band when their fiddler was ill. That her only son, her baby, was playing fiddle in a honky-tonk gave Louise Davis the vapors. To appease their mother, Karen sat down at the piano and she and Robby played part of Debussy's Sonata for Violin and Piano.

Karen was a gifted musician in her own right. Hell, she was gifted in about everything, Robby amended. Karen had graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Computer Science minor. His sister could get a computer to do anything but walk the dog. Karen played piano and cello; she also had a sweet voice that reminded Robby of Allison Krause.

Laura came over again after work and hung out with them for the evening. Robby walked her home, they kissed at her door but did not repeat last nights little escapade. Robby and Karen stayed up until Karen started yawning around eleven. They went upstairs and Karen raided his t-shirt drawer before she hit the shower. Robby put on a pair of Joe Boxer's with Scooby-Do on them and slipped under the covers. Karen had given him the boxers for this last birthday. Karen came out of the shower in his shirt and Robby's eyes bulged out. She was wearing an old wife-beater of his that was too small for him and he could clearly see the shape of her breasts and nipples through it.

Robbie woke up the next morning and extricated himself from under his sister. She was practically lying on top of him. Her hair was draped across his chest and smelled of coconut. Robby was surprised to see her naked hip when he pulled back the covers. Big sister was wearing a thong, and wearing it very well. Robby went into the bathroom and took a shower. Karen was awake when he returned to his bedroom. She stretched luxuriously and shot him a smile.

"That was the best night's sleep I've had in a while, baby brother. I feel almost human this morning."

Robby thought she was incredibly cute even with her raccoon eyes. Her hair was tousled and his t-shirt was about ten sizes too big for her. She looked as if she were about twelve. Karen slid out of bed and padded barefoot into the bathroom so Robby quickly dressed in some cut-off jeans and an old shirt. He was slipping on his rattiest sneakers when she reappeared.

"Were are you going?" Karen asked in alarm.

"Nowhere, Kari. It's Saturday, I've got to mow the lawn."

"Ok, sorry to be such a sissy; but I don't feel safe without you near me."

Robby went downstairs while she dressed. His mom and dad were sitting in the nook and drinking coffee. Robbie grabbed a bagel and popped it into the toaster then joined them. Carl was already dressed to go golfing; he had an eight o'clock tee time at the public golf course a few miles from their house. Karen came down a few minutes later and kissed her parents on the cheek. She told them she felt better today and was up for midnight mass that evening. Carl had asked if he should stay home but Karen insisted he go golfing as planned. She felt bad enough about disrupting Robby's life; she did not want to ruin her father's too. Carl finished his coffee then headed out. He reminded Robby to make sure the pool was clean and the chemicals right so his sister could use it if she wanted. The pool had been uncovered since the first of April and the pool's heater had the water temperature up to eighty-five degrees.

Robby followed his dad out to get his lawn equipment from the garage. He had three lawns to mow today, including Laura's and the next-door neighbor's on the other side. Cutting grass proved Robby what little disposable income he needed above his allowance. His parents had nixed the idea of a part-time job during the school year. They told him he was already stretched thin enough with school and band activities.

Robby checked the pool, cut his own yard first, then mowed the Fillmore's next door. As he was using the weedeater around Mr. Fillmore's prized Canary Island palm tree, Laura walked up to his house and waved to him. Robby waved back. Laura was carrying a beach bag and had on a pool cover-up. Clearly, Karen had invited her over for a swim.

Robby refilled his mower with gasoline and hurried over to Laura's. He was looking forward to a dip in the pool himself as it was already above eighty degrees and it was only nine-thirty in the morning. Robby mowed Laura's backyard first then headed for the front. He had just cleared the edge of her house when he spied a strange car in his driveway. His heart did a flip-flop as he let go of the mower and sprinted towards his front door. The door was standing wide open and Robbie skidded through it.

Robby took a quick look around; the house was deserted, but the French door leading out to the pool was open. Robby raced through the family room and out the door. Jason was standing on the deck taking off his shirt.

"Come out of the pool, bitch; if I have to go in there to get you, you'll be sorry," Jason said menacingly.

Karen and Laura were standing in chest-deep water in the center of the pool. Both women were petrified with fear.

"Get out of my house, shithead," Robby said as he stepped out the door.

Jason spun around and stared at Robby. Robby knew immediately that Jason was high on something. His eyes were fully dilated even in the sunlight and he had a feral expression on his face. Jason was a big man, probably six-four and two hundred and fifty pounds. He was thirty pounds heavier than when he played second sting tight end at the University of Florida.

"Well, well, well, if it's not the fag brother. This is between me and my wife, queer boy; stay out of it if you don't want hurt."

Robby backed towards the far end of the pool away from the door he had just exited. If Jason followed him, the women might be able get into the house and phone the police. Robby decided to give Jason some incentive to come after him.

"Seems to me you're the real faggot since the only person you can beat up is a defenseless woman," Robby taunted.

Jason bellowed and charged towards Robby. Robby noticed his mother was standing at the door with the phone to her ear. His mom looked as frightened as the other women as she franticly motioned for the women in the pool to come into the house with her. Robby stepped to the side to evade the charging Jason but, for all his flabby bulk, Jason was still fairly quick. Jason veered at the last minute and managed to sweep Robby off his feet with his extended arm. Robby fell against the plastic picnic set, sprawled across the table, and hit his head against the umbrella pole. Jason ended up stumbling over one of the resin chairs and fell onto the pool deck on his hands and knees.

Robby's head stung where the pole had smacked it -- but it was nothing serious. He jumped up and managed to regain his balance before Jason could stand. Robby drew back his foot and planted a football type kick into Jason's ribs. Jason grunted as his breath whooshed out. Robby was surprised that Jason continued to rise despite the kick.

Robby glanced at the pool to see if Laura and his sister were out yet. The pool was empty so he turned his attention back to Jason. This close to his brother-in-law, Robby could smell his acrid body odor. Jason smelled like the speed-freak skinheads at school. Jason was high on methamphetamine. That meant big trouble for Robby. Jason's reflexes would be heightened, he would feel less pain, and he would not tire as easily. Robby hoped Jason had been high all night and was starting to run down.

Jason was on his feet already and rubbing his side. His was breathing shallowly as if his ribs might be broken.

"You fight like a girl, queer bait; I'm going to tear your fucking head off for that," Jason spat as he came back at Robby.

The ribs were slowing him down some, thankfully, so Robby was able to avoid his rush this time and land a punch to his kidney on the side he had already kicked. Jason cursed and rounded on him again. This time Jason did not charge him blindly, he stalked him, trying to get Robby into the corner of the pool enclosure. Jason took a couple of swings that Robby blocked. The heavy punches hurt even though they were off his forearms and shoulder. Robby punched Jason a couple of times in the face, little flicking jabs that had to have hurt. Jason would stop, blink, and then move forward again keeping his big body between Robby and the door.

Robby knew that he was in deep shit when his back hit the aluminum corner pole of the screen enclosure. Robby hit Jason with a couple of combinations then covered up when Jason's bulk pushed him into the corner. Jason hit him with some hard shots, not all of which Robbie could block. He was starting to sag to the ground when Jason screamed. Robby did drop to the ground then to get out of the way of two deputies and their tasers. The deputies backed away as the enraged Jason turned on them. The female deputy put away her taser and drew her nightstick.

"On your knees, sir, and you won't get hurt," she said.

"Fuck you, bitch," Jason said and lunged at her.

In a well coordinated display of teamwork, her partner tased Jason in the side as she cracked him in the shins with her nightstick. Amazingly, Jason only dropped to one knee then staggered back up. A second pair of deputies arrived and the four of them were able to wrestle Jason down and hog-tie him. Jason had landed a few punches, including one to the nose of the female deputy. For the second time in two weeks, Jason broke a woman's nose. However, unlike Karen, this woman was not helpless and had friends with her. Jason took the ass whipping he richly deserved as they none too gently subdued him. The feisty female deputy with the bloody nose wore Jason's shins out with her nightstick. They must have looked as if they were hamburger, judging by the amount of blood seeping through Jason's pant leg.

The officers had a debate about calling Jason an ambulance as Robby sat shakily at the picnic table.

"He can suffer," said Deputy Melvin, then rephrased it as she wincingly wiped the blood off her nose, "Since this citizen does not appear to be in immediate need of emergency treatment, he can enjoy a ride to the hospital with us and get checked out while they fix my nose."

By now, they were all in the house except Jason. The other deputies ended up taking Jason to the emergency room, obeying all traffic laws and speed limits, while Louise Davis administered first aid to Deputy Melvin with an ice pack. Melvin's partner interviewed Karen while Laura fussed over Robby. Robby was a bruised about the arms and shoulders, and had a small mouse under one eye from a glancing blow; otherwise, he was fine. Deputy Melvin was definitely not a wimp; she stoically stuck to her job until the interviews were completed.

The deputies assured Karen that, this time, Jason was not getting out of jail so easily and then they departed for the hospital. Jason was facing a litany of charges, from breaking and entering, to multiple counts of assault on a law enforcement officer. Before it was all said and done, attempted murder and a major drug possession charge were added. Despite his parents' money and the slickest lawyers they could get to take the case, he received ten years in prison.

After the deputies left, Robby was the center of attention as all three women tried to mother him at once. When Carl came home from the golf course, the women filled him in on what had happened. Carl walked outside with Robby and they sat on the patio table. Carl told his son how proud he was of him; by all accounts, his intervention probably saved his sister's life. Robby protested that he was just doing what Carl himself would have done then went back to Laura's to finish her lawn.

Mowing complete, Robby put away his lawn equipment, checked on his sister, and then went back to Laura's to re-check her lawn. He was bone tired after the adrenaline wore off and was starting to get sore from Jason's punches. Laura ran him a hot bath then sat by the tub and bathed him.

"I was so scared when that crazy bastard came out of the house. But I was even more scared for you when you started fighting with him. You are so brave, Robby; he was so big and mean, yet you went right after him."

Robby laughed when she used a curse word, he had never heard her even say 'damn' since he had known her. The bath revived Robby -- and Laura's nearness and touch was making him erect. His hardening dick rose above the water as if it were a submarine's periscope.

"So, how do you plan on rewarding your hero, ma'am?" he asked.

Laura dried him off, took him to bed, and showed him how heroes were treated in these here parts.

Laura was dripping wet by the time she mounted her true love. She insisted on him just lying there while she did all the work. She sighed in contentment as she settled onto his implacable impaler. Robby played with her breasts as she rode him to her first orgasm. He came with her when she reached her second. When she recovered from her strong climax, she licked off their juices from his cock and sucked him hard again. Laura reached across him and retrieved the KY warming gel from the nightstand.

"A hero should get an extra special reward," she said as she liberally coated his shaft with the lubricant.

Laura, an intelligent woman, had enjoyed anal sex from the first time they had tried it. By mutual consent, they saved it for special occasions. Well, today certainly qualified as that, she rationalized. It took a little effort to get him seated in her sexy ass with her on top, but the results were worth the effort. As she raised and lowered herself in a steady rhythm, Robby manipulated her clit. She again came twice before he pumped his seed into her.

They showered off after their lovemaking and walked back to the Davis' house for supper. After supper, they watched a movie on HBO in the family room until Robby's eyelids started to droop. Midnight mass was definitely out for tonight -- but all agreed that they would try for the sunrise service in the morning. Robby walked Laura home again. Laura completely understood Karen's need to have her brother near her, especially after her traumatic day. Robbie kissed Laura good night and headed home.

Karen was already showered and in the bed with the covers pulled up to her chin. Robby slid in next to her and she snuggled into his shoulder.

"I knew you would protect me, Robby. I was scared but I just knew you would save me. When you burst out of the doorway all you needed was a white horse and shining armor. I've been doing a lot of thinking today, Robby -- and this time I'm not leaving you. I don't know what it's going to take or how we are going to make it work. I just know that I never want to be away from you again. When I saw you at the hospital on the day you were born I knew you were put on the Earth just for me."

Karen had felt that way his entire life. When she went to college she had missed him terribly but had coped. She started thinking in college that she needed to have a life of her own that was not centered on her brother. When handsome football player Jason Oliver, after they had been dating a year, had asked her to marry him, she eagerly accepted. Karen had convinced herself she was in love with Jason; so, she doted on him as she had Robby. Jason, however, was not Robby. Jason was selfish, arrogant, and took her for granted. He liked having her at home, the ever-dutiful little wife, but he also did whatever he wanted regardless of her wishes. Almost as soon as they returned from their honeymoon, Jason started going out at least two nights a week.

Karen had tried hard to make their marriage work. She let him have his rough way with her anytime he wanted. At his urging, she dressed sexily when his friends visited so he could show her off. But she would not suffer his drinking buddies' groping, as he wanted her to, and absolutely refused to include others in their sex life. Jason had belittled her for that and told her she was not a real woman. After a year of his steadily increasing abuse, she had had it and confronted him. That was when Jason exploded, beating and raping her on the kitchen floor. Karen snapped out of her reverie when Robby answered her.

"That's great Kari, but there is Laura to consider. I love her and can't even think about being without her."

"I know that, Baby; I won't interfere with the two of you -- but I am staying," she said with finality.

Now it was Robby's turn to think. He loved Karen as much as he loved Laura. His sister had been the center of his universe for fifteen years. He was crushed when she married Jason but knew it had to be. He would not hold her back from having a normal live. He loved her enough to let her go. Now she was unexpectedly back in his life, for good this time, she said. That was more than fine with him, and their might be a way to make it work. After all, Laura was the recipient of all that Karen had taught him. Yes, Karen was the mystery woman that Laura wondered about. Robby remembered how it started as if it were only yesterday.

Joe J

Chapter 5