Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 ï>¿The Trailer Park: The Road Trip A Story in the Wynter/Trailer Park
Universe by Wizard CopyrightÂ(C) 2007 by Wizard

   Chapter 6

   I woke, and it took me a few seconds to orient myself.

   Kelly was sleeping behind me.  But I was facing the same direction I had
last night, and then Kelly had been in front of me.  Was she a restless
enough sleeper that she rolled over the top of me?  In the tight sleeping
bag, that would have been a pretty good trick, especially without waking
me. If she'd gotten up during the night to go to the bathroom, why'd she
get in back when she got back in?

   I decided to chalk it up to one of the mysteries of the universe, since
my bladder had awakened when I did.  I wiggled out and pulled on a pair of
shorts.  Outside, I looked around.  All the other campsites were quiet.  I
guessed that everybody was sleeping in.  I looked at my wrist, but that
didn't help since I'd taken off my watch last night.  I decided the time
was another mystery to put off until later.

   I walked to the restrooms, pulled off my shorts, then took a piss and a
long hot shower.  Both very satisfying experiences, though for different
reasons.  I hadn't brought a towel, so I just pulled my shorts back on and
figured I'd air-dry.

   Back in camp, Kelly was still sleeping, and I didn't hear any noises
from the girl's tent, so I grabbed my MP3 player and my tennis shoes and
headed for the beach.  I found a playlist of upbeat favorites and clipped
the player to my waistband, then sat on a log and put on my shoes.  I did a
quick stretch and started running.

   Normally I only run to stay in shape or sometimes to shut out unwanted
thoughts, but this morning just seemed perfect for it.  I ran north, the
direction the girls had walked yesterday when Tami and I had headed south.
The tide had just started going out so I ran next to the waves on the wet
packed sand instead of the dry loose sand further up the beach.

   A couple of seagulls swooped down and paced me but decided that I wasn't
very interesting and, more importantly, had no food, and flew off.  A dog,
some kind of golden retriever mix, barked and ran with me for awhile, then
disappeared into the driftwood at he top of the beach.

   I could have been the last man on Earth.  As long as I wasn't the last
human on Earth too, I could live with that.  Then me and the girls would
have to live by the eleventh commandment, at least according to one of
Lester Del Rey's books, 'Go Forth and Multiply.' Repopulating the Earth
could be a hell of a lot of fun.

   I grinned as I ran, deciding that Tami would accuse me of evil thoughts.

   I made a wide turn and started back.  I wondered if my canine friend
would join me, but apparently he had another appointment.

   I wondered if I was packing us up after breakfast or if we were staying
another day or days.  I kinda liked the way Tami was keeping me in
suspense, but on the other hand, I felt a little out of control not knowing
what was going on.

   I thought about football.  Practice started the first week in August. 
Last year we'd gone all the way to the state championships and come in
second.  I wondered if we could go the distance this year.  That trophy for
second looked good in the school's trophy case, but a pair of championship
trophies would really look good next to it.  And a couple of baseball
trophies too.  Last year we missed out on the district championship by one
run.  This year, we'd taken districts, but lost in the first round of state
play-offs.  Maybe next year we could go all the way.

   "Somebody needs a shower," Tami said as I jogged back into camp.

   "I've already had a shower," I protested, though my body was covered in
sweat.

   "Where have you been?" Darlene asked.

   "Running."

   "You hate running," Robbie pointed out.

   "Not on the beach.  It was perfect."

   Robbie nodded, understanding.

   I went over and sniffed Tami, then Robbie.

   "What are you doing?" Robbie demanded.

   I ignored her and sniffed Mikee and her sister.

   "He's lost it," Robbie said.

   "Too much fresh air," Tami agreed.

   I ignored them both and sniffed Darlene and my sister.  Then I stood,
held my hands in front of me, palms up, and moved them up and down as if
weighing something.  I went back and sniffed Darlene, then Mikee.  I stood
in the center of the six girls, tilted my head to look skyward and
scratched the little bit of stubble on my chin.

   I held up a single finger in front of my face as if I'd just made a
decision, then walked to my tent.  I came back a minute later and dropped a
small bundle in Darlene's lap, then scooped her off her chair.

   "What the hell are you doing?" she exclaimed as I carried her off.

   "You need a shower," I said with a grin.  "They're no fun alone, I've
already tried that." With the hand holding her legs I pointed at the ground
by my right leg.  "Kelly, heel," I commanded.

   Kelly shrugged, stood up, and trotted behind us.

   At the men's shower room, I set Darlene down and peeked inside.  It was
empty.  I looked at Kelly.  "If anyone comes, the showers out of service
for about twenty minutes."

   "What do I get out of it?"

   I leaned down and licked her nose.  "Last night."

   Kelly blushed but nodded.

   I grabbed Darlene's hand and pulled her inside.

   "I can't go in there," she squealed.  "It's the guy's showers."

   "The park's experimenting with co-ed showers."

   "But..."

   I pulled, and she didn't resist much.  Inside I locked the door that
connected the showers to the restrooms, then kicked off my shoes and
shorts. Big Tony was living up to his name.  I stepped forward and kissed
Darlene's neck, then grabbed the bottom of her t-shirt and pulled it up
over her head.

   "Has anyone ever told you that you have perky tits?  You should be a
cheerleader."

   Darlene giggled and didn't protest as I pulled her shorts down.

   "No panties?  I'm shocked," I said with a grin, trying to sound shocked.

   "Neither did you."

   I grinned again.  "I never wear panties.  They tend to bunch up."

   "I meant you weren't wearing underwear."

   "Good girls don't notice things like that about guys," I said as I took
my bundle out of her hands.

   "Good girls don't stand naked in the guy's showers," she pointed out.

   "You got a point there," I agreed.

   I took her hand and led her into the showers.  I turned on the water,
and we stepped in.  The shower itself was smaller than the ones at school.
It had eight heads which all came on when I turned on the water, not very
efficient but not my problem.

   There were bars of soap on the wall.  I picked up two.  "I'll do your
back, then you can do mine," I suggested as I handed her one.  She
hesitated but nodded and turned her back to me.

   I lathered up my hands and started at her shoulders, then went down her
back to her butt.  I soaped each cheek really good, then pulled them apart
and soaped her crack, my fingers just grazing the bottom of her pussy.  I
knelt and soaped her legs.

   "Your turn," I said, standing and turning around.

   A few seconds later I felt her hands on my shoulders.  She took her time
working down my back, and it felt so good when her fingers started rubbing
my butt.  She hesitated, then pulled my cheeks apart and soaped my crack
good with her finger, then between my legs until she grazed my balls as
gently as I'd grazed her pussy.  She knelt and soaped my legs.

   As she stood I turned around.  "Want me to do your front now?" I tried
to smile reassuringly, but I'm afraid it was more of a leer.

   "You can do mine," Kelly piped up when Darlene hesitated.  She was
standing naked just inside the showers.

   "Aren't you supposed to be outside, standing watch?"

   "Traci's doing it.  She brought Darlene some clean clothes." Kelly
pointed at a bundle of clothes on the bench.  "I figured I needed a shower
too."

   "There's a girls' shower," I pointed out half-heartedly.

   "Showers are no fun alone.  You said so."

   I hate when people use my own words against me.

   "Come on," Darlene said, which saved me the trouble of inviting her.

   Kelly got under the water, and Darlene and I both soaped up her back. 
Then Darlene stood back and watched as I soaped up Kelly's front.  She knew
that Kelly had slept with me last night.  I started with her tits, just
slightly smaller than Tami's.  I soaped them good, paying special attention
to her already stiff little nipples.  It was a cleanliness thing.  You
know, the old saying, 'Wash behind the ears, wash around the nipples.'

   Kelly kept saying, "You missed a spot," so I kept washing them.  Kelly
sighed and looked like she could stay that way for hours.

   "I keep missing spots.  You want to try?" I asked Darlene.  She looked
shocked, and I knew I'd gone a little too far.  Apparently Kelly's backside
was her limit.  I gave Darlene my it-was-only-a-joke grin and went back to
Kelly.  I moved up and soaped her shoulders, then down to the perfect tight
stomach that gymnastics had given her.

   I looked straight into her eyes as I soaped her pussy, my fingers
pushing between the folds of her outer lips.

   "Oh, you definitely missed a spot," she moaned, but I ignored her and
knelt to wash her legs.  Watching the soapy water drip down her body and
into her slit, then drip off was one of the sexiest sights I'd ever seen. I
closed my eyes and stood, the picture burned into my permanent memory.

   "Your turn," I said to Darlene as Kelly stood, breathing hard.

   "Oh, God," she said, but nodded.

   With Darlene I started on her shoulders and worked down, giving her a
chance to get used to my hands.  Her breasts seemed huge in comparison to
Kelly's, about the size of half-cantaloupes.  In fact, from what I'd seen
when we skinny dipped she had the largest in the group.  Then Robbie,
Mikee, and Tami.  I thought Traci's were a little bigger than Kelly's, but
I wasn't sure, not having seen Traci's up close.

   I moved my soapy hands down to her ribs, but she grinned and said, "You
missed a spot."

   I grinned back and returned to her tits, washing her nipples extra good
and listening to her purr.

   I reluctantly moved my hand down to her ribs, then her stomach, but
couldn't resist giving each nipple a little kiss.  They tasted soapy, but I
didn't give a damn.

   Like with Kelly, I looked straight into Darlene's eyes, moved my hand
onto her mound, and rubbed my whole hand against her.  She sighed and
opened her legs a little more.  I pushed one finger against her slit,
feeling a tiny bump where her clit extended slightly.

   "You were right," she moaned.  "This is a lot better than a shower by
myself."

   "Or with the rest of the girls," Kelly added.  I noticed she was soaping
her own slit.  I guessed I missed another spot.

   I could have stayed like that for a long time, but I was conscious of
the fact that if Traci had to turn away too many guys, the park rangers
would eventually get into the act.  I knelt and finished Darlene's legs.

   As I stood, Darlene took the soap and started rubbing my chest.  Kelly
lathered up her hands and went straight for Big Tony.  As her hand closed
on my cock, it spasmed and started shooting my juice at the younger girl.
Kelly giggled and worked her hand back and forth, draining every drop.

   "A little worked up?" she asked when she finally let go and started down
my right leg.

   "Just a little," I agreed, and Darlene giggled too.

   "Now we're going to have to wash her again," Darlene said with an
exaggerated sigh, nodding at the semen on Kelly's crotch and leg.

   "Somehow, I don't think she'll mind." I told her.

   Darlene nodded and started soaping my stomach.  Kelly started back up my
left leg and cupped my balls with her soapy hand.  Darlene looked me in the
eyes, "She missed a spot," she said and started soaping my limp noodle.  It
didn't stay limp.  As my cock came alive, Darlene wrapped her hand around
it and kept washing.  I do love a girl who likes clean.

   "Oh, fuck!" I said as I felt my second orgasm start to build.

   Kelly reached around and swatted my butt.  "Tony, you know I don't like
that kind of language," she said with a grin.  Payback's a bitch.

   With Kelly's hand kneading my balls and Darlene's hand stroking Big
Tony, it didn't take long.  The first ropey string spurted out and landed
on Darlene's pelvis, the second, much smaller, one on her pussy, and the
third, hardly more than a couple of drops strung together, on her right
leg.

   Darlene released my dwindling little friend and looked down at the mess
I'd made.  "You are going to clean up your mess, aren't you?  If we come
back from the shower stickier than when we went, people will talk."

   I grinned, soaped up my hands, and started on their legs, Kelly with my
left hand and Darlene with my right.  A few seconds later I moved up and
cupped their pussies.

   "You know," I mused.  "If schools really cared about education, they'd
offer co-ed showers to everyone with an A average.  I guarantee grades
would go up.  Way up."

   "Ugh, showering with Robert Taylor," Darlene said.

   Robert was a senior this year who had the highest grades in his class
and could make a bull dog's butt look pretty in comparison.

   "He's a nice guy," I pointed out.

   "I'm sure there's a few smart girls you wouldn't want to shower with."

   "Yeah," I agreed.  "But I'm shallow."

   Traci gave us a strange look when we came out a few minutes later.  My
bundle had contained two towels and clean clothes for me.  And my electric
razor.  Shaving wasn't too much of a chore yet.  A quick once over with the
razor once a day and I was good.  I hoped it always stayed that way.

   "You look tired," Tami said as we walked back into camp.

   "I think I need a nap," I agreed, dropping into my chair.  Kelly took my
bundle of towels and tossed it into my tent before settling on my lap.

   "Some athlete you are.  Tired after a shower." Robbie always knew how to
make me feel better.  She just never did.

   "Hi," interrupted us before Robbie could pick on me some more.  I looked
up.  We had company, a boy about my age and a smaller version of him about
ten or eleven.

   "Hey, y'all.  How ya doing," I said.

   The bigger guy was eyeing the sexy little bundle in my lap and my hand
resting on the zipper of her cut-offs.

   "I'm Robby and this is my brother Greg," the older one said.

   I shook my head.  "Can't be Robby.  We already got us one of those."

   I smiled.  "You're a Robby too?"

   "Naw, but she-an is." I pointed at Robbie.

   He looked surprised.  "Your name is Robby?"

   I considered telling him that her name was Roberta but she went by
Robbie, but I decided that I needed more life insurance before risking it.
Robbie nodded.

   "I's Tony and this here's my fi-ance Kelly," I said, pronouncing the
word with two syllables instead of three.

   Robby's eyes bulged.  "She's your fiancee?  She's only twelve."

   "Kelly's thirteen." I shook my head.  "Ah know that's purty old, but her
mama wanted her to finish the fifth grade 'fore she got hitched, and it
done took her three tries." Kelly brought her elbow back into my stomach. I
grunted, then added, "She don' like to talk about it, but I's loves her
anyall."

   From the corner of my eye I saw Tami rolling her eyes.

   "Y'all from around here?" I asked.

   "Sacramento," Greg said.

   "You're kinda cute," I told the younger boy.  "Traci over there ain't
found her a husband yet.  Why don't you ask her."

   Greg looked ready for a strategic retreat.

   "Where y'all, I mean where are all of you from?" Robby asked.  Amazing
how infectious a southern accent can be.  Even a phony one like mine.

   "Ark-and-saws," I said proudly.

   "Have a good day, we'll see you around," Robby said, and the two walked
quickly away.

   "Don't you ever get tired of messing with people's minds?" Tami asked
after they were out of earshot.

   I thought for a second.  "Not really."

   "You need to keep him on a short leash," Robbie suggested.

   "Like you weren't ready to join in and help him," Tami retorted with a
sigh.

   "I need to go to town.  Want to come with me?" Tami asked a little
later.

   "What for?" I was comfortable lying on the grass soaking up solar
energy.

   "Just some errands."

   I raised up on one elbow to look at her.  What kind of errands does a
sixteen-year-old girl four hundred miles away from home have?  Tami smiled.
I guess there's only one way to find out.  "Sure," I said, standing.  "Just
let me grab a shirt and some shoes."

   "Awwww, I kinda like you topless."

   I flexed for my beloved, but I got a shirt anyway.

   We drove into Lincoln City, crossed the bridge over what the sign said
was the shortest river in the world, then back again when Tami realized
she'd missed the address she was looking for.  She found it across the
street from a local supermarket.  B & B Package Express.  I arched an
eyebrow, but she ignored me.

   I pulled in and parked.  Tami smiled and went in.  Through the front
window I watched her go in and talk to the woman at the counter.  Tami
showed her her driver's license and came out a minute later with a small
package.

   She got back in the van and pulled the seat belt across her, with the
package on her lap.  It was a little bigger than a paperback book and had
her name on the UPS label:

   TAMI SHARP

   Care of

   B & B PACKAGE EXPRESS

   LINCOLN CITY, OR 97367

   Who was sending Tami stuff in Lincoln City?  Who knew she was going to
be in Lincoln City?  Hell, I didn't know she was going to be here until
yesterday afternoon.

   "You got a package," I said as I started the van again.

   "Yep." She grinned.  "I love getting packages, don't you?"

   "Uh, sure." I hesitated.  "What'd ya get?"

   "Just stuff."

   Okay, this wasn't going to be easy.  "Who sent it, your mom?"

   She shook her head as I put the van in gear.  I pulled up to the street.
Tami had me turn North, away from the park.  "My mom?"

   She shook her head again.  "A guy.  Kind of cute too," she said with an
evil grin.

   I wasn't jealous, but I was curious as hell.

   We crossed over the short river again, and I looked for the Dairy Queen
we'd passed yesterday.  Tami had told me to turn there.  Lincoln City was a
strange town.  It was twenty miles long but only a few blocks wide on
either side of Highway 101.  I spotted the Dairy Queen and turned, thinking
an ice cream cone on the way back sounded like a good idea.

   We drove two blocks, and Tami had me park across from a ball field.  It
looked like a practice was going on.  Tami pointed.  "Go hang out.  You're
probably going through baseball withdrawal.  You haven't been on a ball
field since school got out."

   "Where are you going?"

   She pointed at the building we were parked in front of.

   "The Elks?  Are you an Elk?" I asked in surprise.

   "I always thought of myself more as a unicorn."

   It always amazed me how I could love someone and still want to wrap my
hands around her throat and squeeze tighter and tighter and...

   I got out, went around, and opened the door for her.  She got out and
set the package on the seat.  "You're going to leave it there?"

   She gave me another smile.  "I trust you."

   "You're not going to tell me what's in it?"

   "Make you a deal."

   "What?" I asked with more than a little suspicion.

   "You stop messing with people's heads, and you can open the package."

   I thought about it.  I'd been having a lot of fun meeting people who
didn't know anything about me and spinning whatever line I wanted.  "How
long?"

   "'Till we get home."

   "I don't think so." I'd find out someday, I'd just have to be patient.

   "A week," she countered.

   "Two days," I suggested.

   Our eyes locked.  "Four days," we said together.  I held out my hand and
we shook.

   She handed me the package.  "Knock yourself out," she said.  "I'll be
back in a while."

   I watched as she walked to the big building and in the front door.  I
looked down at the package.  The shipping label had Tami's name and the
Lincoln City address, but for a return address, all it had was a zip.  Our
zip.

   Okay, some guy in our town was sending stuff to Tami in a town no one
knew she was in.  I opened the package at the end.  Inside were three jewel
cases.  I pulled them out.  Each one had a gold CD-R in it.  One had an R
written by a green sharpie.  The next had a T, and the last one RT.  Well,
that was helpful.

   I was playing just behind third base.  The batter hit a slow roller.  I
ran forward, dove, shoulder rolled, and fired to first from my knees.  The
ball beat the runner by at least three steps.  Okay, I admit I could have
scooped the ball and made the same play, but it never hurts to hot dog a
little.  Especially when Coach Calloway isn't around.

   The short stop came over and gave me a high five.  "That was awesome
dude."

   I shrugged.  "Just routine." I saw Tami sitting in the bleachers.  "Got
to go," I yelled to everybody.  "Have fun." They waved as I jogged off the
field and tossed my borrowed mitt into the dugout.

   "You looked like you were having a blast," Tami said as I jogged up and
kissed her."

   "Just remembering my glory years," I said with a heavy sigh.

   Tami shook her head.  "Tony you're a junior, not over-the-hill," she
said as she stepped down from the bleachers.

   "Haven't you heard?" I asked as I slipped my arm around her and we
started walking toward the van.  "It's all downhill from sixteen."

   Tami laughed softly.  "Poor baby.  Well maybe you can coach our kids in
little league.

   It was almost two when we got back to camp.  Tami had called ahead, and
Darlene was just pulling some burgers off the grill as we pulled up.  "So
what are we doing tonight?" Darlene asked as we all sat down with our food.

   "Another movie?" Traci suggested.

   "Skinny dipping?" Mikee and Kelly said together, then looked at each
other and giggled.

   "More shopping at the mall?" Robbie added.

   "Nope, you have plans," Tami said around a mouth of burger.

   "We do?" we all said together.

   Tami nodded then concentrated on her burger.

   I decided that like most good things, surprises were best in moderation.

   About six, Tami loaded us up in the van and drove us into town.  She
parked at the Dairy Queen and bought us all ice cream.

   "You going to tell us what's going on?" I asked.

   "Why do you think something's going on?" Tami said innocently.  "Can't I
just buy my friends some ice cream?

   Robbie looked at me.  "You hold her and I tickle or vice versa?"

   I grinned diabolically.

   "Look, a baseball game," Tami said, trying to change the subject.  I
looked.  The field up the street was surrounded by cars, and I could hear
the noises of a crowd.

   Robbie looked at me.  "We can always tickle her after."

   I nodded, and we started walking up the street, licking our cones.  I
don't know how Darlene, Traci and the sisters felt about watching a group
of twelve-year-olds play baseball, but Robbie and I loved it.  Traci and
Kelly checked out the guys, deciding which had cute butts and which had
potential.  Potential for what, I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

   Robbie and I hung on the fence and yelled our heads off for a bunch of
kids we didn't know.

   Robbie even got into with the umpires.  It was the bottom of the fourth
inning with no score, two outs and runners on first and third.  The pitcher
checked the runners, then came set, watching the batter.  The runner on
first took off.  The catcher jumped up and started pointing.  The pitcher
stepped off, turned, and fired the ball to the second baseman standing on
the bag.

   The runner reversed and headed back to first, and the runner on third
headed home.  He was halfway there before the kids trying to run down the
runner between first and second caught on.  Somebody fired the ball.  The
runner coming home slid.  There was a lot of dust.  When it cleared, the
runner was sitting on the base and the catcher was holding his glove with
the ball on the runner's hip.

   The ump hesitated with everyone staring, then finally threw his thumb
over his right shoulder.  "You're out."

   That's when Robbie started.  "Have you even seen a baseball game before?
You do know for safe you're supposed to wave your hands in front of you? 
Did you leave your bifocals at home?"

   The ump lost it.  He turned and looked at Robbie.  "You think you could
do better?" he yelled.

   "In my sleep," she yelled back.  "Take the gear off and I'll show you
how it's done." The crowd in the bleachers laughed.

   The umpire charged over.  "This isn't softball, little girl."

   I pointed my thumb at Robbie.  "Baseball, old man.  She made varsity her
freshman year and went all-district this year.  How'd you do?"

   He pointed over our heads.  "You're gone!"

   "You're ejecting us?" I asked surprised.

   "You're out-a here!" he yelled.

   "Just cause you don't know how to ump?" Robbie asked sweetly.

   "What happens if we don't go?" I asked.

   "Your team forfeits."

   "That could be a problem," Robbie told him sweetly.  "Our team's three
hundred miles that-a -way." She pointed north.

   "Yeah," I agreed.  "We've been rooting for both sides."

   The umpire looked confused.

   "That's okay, blue," Tami said, using a nickname for umpires.  "I'll
make them behave." She guided us away from the fence

   Traci grinned.  "We just can't take you two anywhere."

   'If I came back without her, ' I wondered, 'would Mom notice?'

   "You two have an appointment anyway," Tami said and steered us out of
the ballpark.

   "We do?" we said together.

   "Over there." She pointed at the Elks building she'd visited earlier.

   "I'm not an Elk," I protested.

   "That's okay.  They have guest memberships for jackasses."

   "Excuse me!" I said indignantly.

   Tami planted her fists on her hips and looked at us.  "Arguing with the
umpire.  I thought I brought you up better than that."

   "That kid was so safe.  Besides, she started it," I said, pointing at
Robbie.

   "Thanks," she said with a sharp look.  "And that kid was safe."

   "I know he was," Tami agreed.  "But yelling at the umpire won't change
his call.  You both know that."

   "Yes, Mom," we said in stereo, then looked at each other and laughed
because we'd both called her Mom.

   Tami smiled and looked at the other girls.  "They're good kids.  They
just get caught up in the game."

   "Does that mean they're not grounded?" Traci asked.

   Robbie and I exchanged nods, and a second later Traci was on the grass
next to the sidewalk.  Robbie was holding her legs and tickling her thighs.
I had her arms and was tickling her armpits.

   "Enough!" Tami said after a minute.  "We can't take her in the Elks if
she wets herself."

   Robbie and I stopped tickling but didn't let her go.  "We could leave
her in the van," I suggested.  Tami shook her head.  I looked down at my
loving sister, though the look I was getting wasn't particularly loving. 
"If Robbie lets go of your feet, are you going to kick her or try to get
revenge."

   "Yes!" she said struggling against us.

   I shrugged.  "Okay." Robbie and I started tickling again.  A few second
later, I repeated the question.

   "No."

   Robbie let go of her feet and jumped back, watching Traci suspiciously.

   "Okay, if I let go of your hands..."

   "I'll be good."

   I let go of her hands and got off my knees.  I held my hand down to
Trace, but she ignored it and got up by herself.  As she dusted herself off
she glared at me, and I knew that good was a relative term.

   As we walked into the lobby of the Elks I figured out Tami's surprise.
"No."

   "No, what?" she asked innocently.

   "I don't do karaoke." The sign said Kid's Karaoke contest, with today's
date and a picture of a kid about twelve singing into a mike.

   "What?  You're too good to sing karaoke?  What's the difference between
this and singing on stage?"

   "Canned music," I said.

   "Lame canned music," Robbie amended.

   Tami sniffed.  "Okay, if you want to waste Gram's money, since I already
entered you two.  I just thought..." Sniff.

   I looked at Robbie.  "Don't you just hate getting played?"

   Robbie cocked her head.  "But she's so damn good at it."

   I shrugged and looked back at Tami.  "Okay, we'll sing.  But we
shouldn't be the only ones."

   "I signed up Darlene too." Tami said with a grin.

   "You what?" Darlene looked surprised.

   "You sang in the play after all."

   "But..."

   "Go with it," I advised.

   "Or she'll pout," Robbie added.

   Tami grinned.  "Anybody else?" After a few seconds hesitation, Mikee put
up her hand.  Then Traci surprised me by putting up hers.  I didn't
remember ever hearing her sing.  "I'll get you two signed up," Tami said,
then handed the four of us papers from a stack by the sign.  "These are the
songs they have.  Robbie, you and Tony can also sing your talent show
choices.  I have your music in here."

   She lifted her purse, and I saw the package she'd gotten earlier.  I got
it.  R, Robbie.  T, Tony.  RT, Robbie and Tony.  She'd had somebody make
her music for the songs we'd chosen.  But why?

   Surely, not just for this lame contest.

   Were we going to karaoke our way around the country?

   Hell, I didn't even remember what songs I'd chosen.

   I looked at the list and spotted the perfect song right away.  Robbie,
Mikee, and Traci were still studying.  I watched Tami go over and hand the
receptionist a twenty dollar bill.  When she came back, we all went in what
the sign said was the ballroom.

   Inside it was packed.  There were probably a hundred families.  If every
kid was singing, we'd be here forever.

   A guy, twenty-something and wearing a tux, came out and walked to the
microphone.  The DJ, sitting off to the side, pushed a button.  A loud drum
roll got everybody's attention.

   "Good evening and welcome to the fourth annual Kids Karaoke contest,
sponsored by the Lincoln City Elks Club." There was a polite smattering of
applause.  "This contest is open to anyone who has not turned nineteen or
graduated high school.  Tonight we have thirty-seven singers ranging from
eleven to seventeen."

   I did the math.  Thirty-seven performances.  Figure three minutes a song
on average with another minute to get them on and off stage. 
Two-and-a-half hours.  It could be a long night.

   "The order has been selected at random," The announcer continued.  "Each
contestant can choose one of the regular songs or bring their own
instrumental music.

   "Our judges tonight: our beautiful and talented mayor, Linda Cheney." A
woman seated at the front center table stood up and gave the crowd a wave.
"Our chief of police, Dave Lincoln." A man in a uniform stood and waved. 
"He's promised not to arrest anyone who's off pitch.  And finally, manager
of KCRF radio, Hal Ferris." Another man stood and waved.

   "Our DJ, Ben Thomas." The guy sitting by all the sound equipment gave a
short wave.  "Grand prize tonight is two hundred and fifty dollars.  One
hundred for second place, fifty for third, twenty each for fourth, fifth,
and sixth.  In addition, our fine sponsors have some great gifts for all
the participants."

   Another smattering of applause.

   "Let's have a nice hand for our first contestant, Amy Rose." Amy was a
cute little blond about Mikee's age who sang Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

   We sat and watched for an hour.  Then the announcer called for a short
break.  The first fifteen kids, twelve girls and three guys, ranged from
should-have-stuck-to-singing-in-his-shower to
should-have-tried-out-for-American-Idol, with Amy being the last, though I
seriously questioned her choice of song.

   There was a bar on one side of the room for the adults and a soft drink
machine on the other side for the rest of us.  I went over and got drinks.
There was also a dessert cart making the rounds, and when I got back to our
table I found a piece of chocolate peanut butter pie sitting in front of
me. Tami and Robbie had coconut cream, while the others all had German
chocolate cake.

   "Next up," the announcer said, then waited for the room to settle.  "We
have Michelle Temple, visiting us from Washington State." Mikee almost
choked on the bite of cake she'd just taken.

   "He could have warned me before I started eating this cake," she
muttered, taking a drink of the Coke I'd brought her.  She stood, said,
"Wish me luck," and walked up to the stage.  Mikee sang Hilary Duff's
Someone to Watch Over Me.  I figured it was a toss-up between her and Amy
for first place so far.  Of course, I might be prejudiced.

   As luck would have it, Darlene was up next.  She did Dolly Parton's I
Will Always Love You.  Not bad, but I figured Amy and Mikee still had first
locked up.  Thirteen more performers and the announcer called another
break.

   I got another round of drinks, though we skipped the dessert this time
around.

   Robbie was third after the break.  She did one of the songs she'd chosen
for Tami's imaginary talent show: Bridge Over Troubled Water.  I think we
had a new first place.  She was awesome.

   I was sixth.  I dragged Tami to the stage with me, sat her on a stool,
and ignored the audience as I sang straight to her.

   "It's a little bit Funny, this feeling inside.

   I'm not one of those, who can easily hide.

   I don't have much money, but, boy if I did,

   I'd buy a big house where we both could live."

   "If I was a sculptor, but then again, no.

   Or a man who makes potions in a travelin' show.

   I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do.

   My gift is my song, and this ones for you."

   "And you can tell everybody, this is your song.

   It may be quite simple, but, now that it's done.

   I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind,

   That I put down in words, how wonderful life is, while you're in the
world."

   "I sat on the roof, and kicked off the moss,

   Well, a few of the verses, they got me quite cross.

   But the sun's been quite kind, while I wrote this song,

   It's for people like you girl, to keep it turned on."

   I knelt on one knee and took her hand.

   "So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do,

   You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue,

   Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean,

   Yours are the sweetest eyes, I've ever seen."

   "And you can tell everybody, this is your song.

   It may be quite simple, but, now that it's done.

   I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind,

   That I put down in words, how wonderful life is, while you're in the
world."

   "I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind,

   That I put down in words, how wonderful life is, while you're in the
world."

   I stood and pulled Tami to her feet and kissed her.  By the applause, I
was in first, or maybe Tami was.  Though to be objective, Robbie had
out-performed me.

   Traci was up last and did Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music.
When did my sister learn to sing?  And why didn't somebody tell me?

   I'm not sure how the Lincoln City Elks felt about it, but it was a sweep
for Washington.  Traci took first, and I beat out Robbie for second, with
Mikee taking fifth after Amy Rose.  Tami made four hundred and twenty bucks
on her fifty dollar investment.  I guess there's hope for Road-Trip-O-Six.

   I drove us home, wondering what other surprises my one-true-love had
planned.

   "You can skip the moonlight walk with Tami and come straight to bed,"
Robbie suggested.  "It's my turn you know."

   "Or I could skip your turn and just sleep with Tam."

   "Nope, it's her turn," Tami said.  "I promised.

   "Well, she'll just have to wait until after our romantic walk."

   "She'll live," Tami agreed.

   "But our romantic walk will have to wait while I take an unromantic walk
with certain siblings of mine."

   "Traci, you're up," Mikee translated.

   We got to the beach and walked up to the waterline.  I'd picked up a
handful of small stones and tossed a couple sidearm at the waves.  "You can
sing."

   "I guess," she said.  I didn't have to look at her to know she was
blushing.

   "How come I haven't heard you?"

   Traci kicked at the sand, then took a stone out of my hand and flung it
at the ocean.  "Singing was your thing."

   I smiled into the night.  The moon was out, but playing hide-and-seek
behind a large cloud.  "Afraid you'd show me up, or afraid you wouldn't?"

   "Yeah," she agreed, not specifying which or both.

   "You know, you and I aren't in competition.  That doesn't mean we may
not compete now and then, but we're not in competition.  If you like
singing, you should sing.  And if you're better than me, great.  And if I'm
better than you, even better.  But don't not do something because it's my
thing."

   "I guess."

   "Or is it easier hiding behind your saxophone?"

   "I don't hide," she said indignantly.

   "You know, in the seventies there was a girl singer.  I think she was
the best in the whole decade.  And Karen Carpenter said she'd rather be
behind her drums in the back corner instead of out in front of everyone. 
Not everyone likes being the center of attention."

   "You do."

   I grinned.  "You got that right.  So does Robbie.  But we're talking
about Traci.  Like I said, if you like singing, sing.  If not, play the
sax. You got to find your thing, not worry about anyone else's.

   "You ready for this," Tami asked softly as we walked back into camp.

   "I'm not sure what this is," I whispered, then pulled her into an
embrace in front of the tents.

   "You know, fucking Robbie."

   "I know that.  I just meant Robbie and me.  Our relationship is like a
roller coaster, and I mean one of those really big exciting ones.  You
never know what to expect around the next turn."

   "Doesn't that keep it interesting?"

   "There's an old Chinese curse.  'May you live in interesting times.'"

   "Are you saying Robbie's a curse?" Tami asked.

   "No, all I'm saying is that life around Robbie is never boring, always
interesting, but sometimes it'd be nice to know what to expect."

   Tami smiled, kissed me, and slipped into her tent.

   I stared after her for awhile, then slipped into my own tent.  Robbie
was lying naked on my sleeping bag, watching me.

   "We don't have to do this," I said.  Robbie was my friend.  My pal.  And
we'd had so many problems.  I didn't want to blow it.

   "Spoken like somebody whose already been laid this week."

   "You did the brothers two nights ago," I accused.

   "Beginners," she said, dismissing them.

   "Robbie, I..."

   "You're Tony the worry-wart, and you're worried that this will come
between us."

   "I..."

   "Tony, you're my best friend.  I may forget that now and then, but you
are.  Sometimes, I wish you were more.  If you were anybody else but Tami
and Tony, I'd wait for my chance.  But with you two...  well, waiting for
eternity just doesn't seem like a good idea.  Then there was Zoe.  And as
much as I hated the idea of you hurting Tami, I thought maybe I had a
chance.  You were even exclusive with her."

   "It's what Zoe deserved.  It's what she understood."

   In the shadows inside the tent I could see Robbie nodding.  "So I
watched you go out with Zoe and waited for my turn.  I even got mad at Tami
'cause she didn't get mad at you.  I think I'm smart.  I should have
realized.  You know, she went out with a lot of guys, but never did
anything.  Just kissing, maybe letting them have a feel.  She knew.  I
didn't."

   "I'm sorry."

   "For being in love?  Don't be.  But your crazy girlfriend is either so
kinky or so understanding or so full of love that she doesn't mind sharing
you.  She told us all the very first day that we all got a turn to do with
what we wanted.  She also said that she didn't want you to sleep alone even
once on this trip." I could feel Robbie's eyes boring into me, trying to
figure that out.  I decided to help.

   "I've got a drinking problem."

   "You!"

   "I don't know how serious it is, or if it's still a problem, but I've
had a couple of drinks every night since Zoe died.  It helped me sleep.  To
deal with the ghosts."

   Robbie nodded.

   "I guess Tami's just finding you another way to get through the night."

   Now it was my turn to nod.

   "So what it comes down to, Anthony Marion Sims, my best friend in the
world, is that it's time for us to get in this sleeping bag.  Then you can
fuck me.  Or make love to me.  Or roll over and go to sleep."

   I stripped and we got into my sleeping bag.  Then I made love to my best
friend in the whole wide world.



   Chapter 7

   When I opened my eyes, Robbie was propped up on an elbow looking at me.
"Good morning, best friend," she said.

   "Good morning to you, too." My bladder was already calling for
attention, but I took time to kiss Robbie gently.  "I have to..."

   "Me too," she said.  "But I was waiting." We got up, dressed, and let
ourselves out of the tent.  It looked like we were the first.

   "How about a run on the beach," I suggested.  I figured I was getting
smarter.  This morning I wouldn't shower, then get sweaty.

   "Sounds good." Robbie hesitated.  She wasn't sure about something.  It
didn't happen often, but I could tell.

   "Yes?" I prompted.

   "Uh, tonight, with Darlene..."

   "Unh huh?"

   "Be gentle.  I think she's a..."

   "No way.  I have a very open mind.  I believe in leprechauns, Santa
Claus, and the Loch Ness Monster.  But an eleventh grade cherry
cheerleader, that boggles the mind."

   "I never thought you went in for stereotypes."

   "I don't," I protested.  "Well, maybe a little, with cheerleaders.  But
I don't think Darlene is..."

   "Just take it slow."

   I nodded and watched Robbie disappear into the girl's room.  I walked
around to the other side of the building to take care of my nagging
bladder.

   "Did you beat my record?" Kelly asked as we walked into camp after our
five-mile run.

   Robbie pulled Kelly out of her chair, sat down, and pulled the younger
girl onto her lap.  "Sometimes you don't need to keep track.

   Kelly looked like she was about to argue, then nodded and whispered
something into Robbie's ear.  I couldn't hear most of it, but I did make
out the words 'make love'.  Robbie nodded.

   "Okay, peoples, in two hours we hit the road," Tami announced.

   "Where to?" I asked.

   "Somewhere in North America.  I'll narrow it down when we're in the
van," Tami answered.  I decided she was having way too much fun with the
whole mystery thing.

   "Showers, then breakfast?  Or breakfast, then showers?" Darlene asked.

   "Well, they say you should wait two hours after eating before going in
the water," Robbie said.

   "Besides," Kelly added, "some of us really need a shower." She ran her
finger over Robbie's arms, then looked at the sweat on her fingertip.

   "Okay, everybody grab your stuff and we'll get showers, then figure out
whose turn it is to cook breakfast," Tami decided.

   Two minutes later we were trooping toward the rest rooms.  Traci jogged
on ahead.  When we got to the building I stepped toward the men's side, but
Robbie and Darlene hooked their arms in mine and turned me the other way.
Traci was sitting on a bench outside the women's showers.  She nodded, and
the girls pulled me in.

   The first thing I noticed was no graffiti on the walls.  The men's side
was covered in it, most of it sexual or sexual innuendo.  The second was
all the girls getting undressed.  Tami turned on the water and the girls
stepped in while I still stood in the changing area.

   "Don't you need a shower too?" Tami asked as she picked up a soap and
started lathering Kelly's back.

   "Trust me, you do," Mikee said as Darlene started soaping her.

   All I had to do was drop my shorts and kick off my shoes and I was
ready.

   So was Big Tony.

   "I think he likes us," Robbie said, pointing a soapy finger.

   "You should know," Tami said with a giggle.

   For just a second I wondered if this was one of my dreams.  It certainly
followed the pattern.  I decided not to worry about it.  I'd enjoy until I
woke up.

   I stepped under the water and started soaping Robbie's back.

   I was just getting to Robbie's butt when I felt arms encircle me.  Kelly
was behind me and had reached around to cup my balls and grab my cock.  A
good feeling started there and filled my whole body.  I closed my eyes and
enjoyed even as I pushed a soapy finger between Robbie's cheeks.  Then I
felt something else.  I opened my eyes and looked down.  Mikee was on her
knees in front of me, her mouth engulfing the head of my cock as her sister
rubbed the base.

   "Obviously some of us slept through the abstinence lecture during
health," Robbie said, turning around to watch.  I didn't bother replying. I
put my hand on the back of her neck and pulled her closer and kissed her.

   I saw an amused look pass between Tami and Darlene as they got out of
the shower and started drying off.  I thought I should say something but
had no idea what.  There should be an entry in the manual for
relationships, 'What do you say when an eighth grader is playing with your
balls, a sophomore is sucking your cock, and a junior is trying to tickle
your tonsils with her tongue, and your girlfriend and the girl you're
supposed to sleep with that night are leaving?' I'm sure the situation
comes up all the time.  Why isn't it covered?

   Tami waved as she went out the door, and a second later Traci stepped
in, her eyes bugging as she took in the scene.  That's when I blasted the
back of Mikee's throat with my cum.

   Traci undressed and stepped into the water, still eyeing me as Mikee
milked my shaft of every last drop.  I was suddenly embarrassed, so I
turned slightly away from my sister and finished washing the three girls.
Though different hands tried, Big Tony decided to be shy.

   The four of us stepped out of the water, and I started drying off the
two sisters.

   Robbie grabbed her towel and started blotting her chest.

   I took a deep breath and stepped over to her, putting my hands on her
shoulders.  "Why don't you help Trace with her shower?  It'd be a shame if
she had to shower alone." I looked deep into her eyes.

   "I don't..." I knew the exact second that Robbie knew I knew about her
and Traci.  I didn't know if there had been more than that one time, and
right then decided that I didn't care.  And I meant it.

   "I didn't...  I mean, I wouldn't...  I..."

   I lowered my voice almost to a whisper.  "It's got to be real
frustrating to be the only girl that I'm not..." I couldn't finish the
sentence.

   Robbie nodded and stepped back into the shower.  I dressed and ushered
the girls out.  I sat down on the bench outside the door.  "I'll wait for
them.  You two head back to camp."

   "Why?" Kelly asked.  "They don't need a lookout.  They're both girls."

   "Of course not," I agreed.  "I just thought I'd wait."

   I don't know if Mikee got it, but she took Kelly's hand and they walked
away.

   I watched a squirrel as it scampered up and down a tree.  And I made
sure that I didn't think about anything but that squirrel.

   I was in the back seat, propped up against the side of the van, my eyes
closed.  I wasn't asleep, but I wasn't awake either, somewhere in that
limbo between.  Tami was driving, and Robbie and Traci shared the passenger
seat.  Next to me I could hear Darlene's rhythmic breathing and was pretty
sure the gentle vibration of the van had knocked her out.  Mikee and Kelly
shared the middle seat.

   Something had gotten my attention, pulling me back from a daydream about
the morning's shower, but I didn't know what.  I decided it wasn't
important enough to actually open my eyes.  I listened.

   Tami had a Billy Joel CD playing, and she, Traci, and Robbie were
talking, something about the gymnastics team.  Mikee and Kelly were talking
too, but I could only make out a few words.

   "...  tell me." That was Mikee, her voice just a little deeper than her
sister's.

   ...  not important," Kelly said.

   "I just want to..." The rest of Mikee's sentence was drown out by the
CD.

   I didn't hear Kelly's reply.

   "You can't keep...  inside," Mikee said.

   I opened my eyes just in time to see a green sign on the road with
distances.  Ten miles to Coos Bay.

   "I don't want..." Kelly was saying.

   "Tami, stop the van!" I snapped.

   I think I scared her, but she smoothly brought the van to a stop along
the side of the highway.  Darlene woke, looking scared for a minute until
she oriented herself.  I stood, opened the side door, and grabbed Mikee's
arm, pulling her out.

   "You're hurting me," she complained.

   "Stay here," I told the others.

   "You're hurting me," Mikee repeated as I pulled her behind the van.

   "Good." I saw a boulder about fifteen feet away and pulled Mikee to it
and sat her down.  I stood over her and looked down.

   "What?" she said after a minute.

   "What did I say?"

   "About what?" she said defiantly.  I stared.  Mikee shifted and looked
away from me.  "You said not to ask Kelly about what happened."

   "So you did anyway."

   "I...  You're not the boss of me."

   "No, I'm not your boss, but I'm trying to help Kelly."

   "But, I'm her sister.  We're family.  You're not."

   "No, right now I'm her protector.  That makes me closer than family."

   "Her fairy godmother," Mikee said and giggled.

   I had to work hard not to smile myself at the image.  "It's important
that Kelly has someone to talk to about what happened.  Right now she has
me, she has your mom, and she has her therapist.  If she needs to talk to
anyone else, she needs to do in her time."

   "But, I'm her sister."

   "Right now she doesn't want to talk to her sister about it.  I heard her
telling you no."

   "But, why would she talk to you about it and not me?" I realized that
was the heart of the problem.

   "I'm sure you've seen movies and TV shows about rape.  Try to imagine
what it must feel like.  Someone else takes your body and does whatever he
wants with it.  Try to imagine being hurt and afraid to tell anybody
because you don't want the pity.  You don't want the shame.  You don't want
the knowing looks.  Can you imagine that it might be easier to talk to some
people instead of others?"

   "I guess."

   "Can you respect that?"

   "But, she's my sister."

   I could understand that.  If it had happened to Traci, I'd want to know,
'cause I'd want to help.  I understood it, but I couldn't allow it.

   "Tami!" I could see Tami check traffic, then get out of the van and come
around back.  "See if your cell has reception.  If it does, hook it to your
laptop, go to Greyhound dot com, and get a bus schedule from Coos Bay."

   Tami's eyes widened, but she nodded and went back to the van.

   "You can't send me home."

   "To protect Kelly, I can.  I will."

   "Kelly will have to go, too.  Mom won't let her stay without me," Mikee
said, her voice sounding panicked.

   "I'll call your mom and explain exactly why I'm sending you home.  I
think she'll understand."

   "I'll tell her what you and Kelly do."

   There it was.  All laid out.

   "You do what you gotta do," I said, more coldly than I meant to.  I
walked up to the van.  Robbie rolled down her window.  "Have you got that
schedule yet?" I asked Tami.

   "There's a bus at three thirty going to Portland, an hour layover, and
then an express to Seattle.  Another layover, forty minutes this time, then
an eastbound that goes all the way."

   "Thank you.  See if you can find out where the bus station is in Coos
Bay."

   "Tony?" Kelly said timidly from behind Tami.  "I don't want..."

   "I don't want either," I told her quietly.

   I walked back to Mikee.  She was sitting on that damn rock trying not to
cry.  "There's a bus at three thirty," I said.  "It's almost one now."

   She looked up at me.  "Don't make me go."

   I knelt so that we were eye to eye.  "Michelle, this is supposed to be
fun for everyone.  But there are rules.  Tami has rules about who does
what. I have rules about what we can't talk about.  This conversation is
off-limits.  If you can't accept that, none of us are going to have any
fun."

   "Would you really send me home?"

   "Yes."

   Mikee dropped her eyes.

   I gave her a few seconds, then reached over, cupped her face in my
hands, and used my thumbs to wipe away her tears.  "There's something I
want you to understand.  If something bad ever happened to you, I'd work
just as hard to protect you."

   "I know you would," she said and launched herself at me in a tight hug,
knocking me on my ass.  I held her and squeezed.  "I don't want to go home.
I promise, cross my heart, I won't ask Kelly any more questions."

   I pried her off me and gave her a light kiss on the forehead.  "You
know, you two have been sisters for more than thirteen years now.  More
than sisters, you've been friends.  Knowing you're there when she wants to
talk helps a lot.  And she will want to talk about it.  Maybe tomorrow,
maybe next week, maybe when you're old and grey, like thirty."

   Mikee smiled.  We stood and started walking back to the van.  "I'm sorry
about what I said.  Are we...  are we okay?"

   "Sure," I said, helping her in.  "We're fine." I hate when I lie.

   "Are you okay?" Tami asked as we walked on the beach that night.  We
were camping in Harris Beach State Park near Brookings.

   "Why?"

   "You've just been kinda quiet since...  since lunch." I knew she meant
since my talk with Mikee before lunch.

   "Just that kinda day," I said.

   "You didn't even get excited when we skinny dipped tonight."

   "I guess I just wasn't in the mood." Mostly, I'd sat on the sand and
watched.

   "There's a beautiful cheerleader waiting for you in your tent.  She's
probably already naked.  Most teenaged guys would be turned on."

   I smiled, though it was half-hearted.  "I'm more turned on by you in
seven layers of clothes in winter than anyone else naked."

   Tami kissed me.  "You told Mikee that you and she were okay."

   "I lied."

   "You don't lie."

   "Everybody lies."

   Tami appraised me.  "There's more to it than Mikee asking Kelly about...
about what happened."

   I stopped and turned to look at her.  "Tami, you're my life and my love.
And I know that sometimes you can reach in and pull my thoughts straight
out of my head.  This time, don't."

   Tami stared for a long time, then nodded.  She kissed me again, and we
started walking back to camp.

   "Hi," said a voice.  It was a dark night.  There were enough clouds to
hide the moon and most of the stars.  All I could see was her silhouette.

   "Are you lost?" I asked as I pulled off my shirt.

   "Lost?"

   "Yeah, your sleeping bag is in the other tent."

   "I..." Darlene was flustered.  I mean, what do you say in a situation
like this?  'I'm not lost, it's my turn to get laid.'

   I dropped my shorts and lay down beside her.  "As long as you're here,
you can help me."

   "Help you?"

   "Yeah, I'm doing an extra credit report for biology on female anatomy."

   "Report?"

   "Yep.  I thought I'd do it on what parts were most sensitive.  Is this
sensitive?" I reached down and cupped her pussy mound.  "Or this?" I cupped
her breast.

   "Lost!  God, I hate you." She reached down and stroked my cock.  Big
Tony jumped to attention.

   "Everybody does," I agreed.  'This is no virgin, ' I thought as I felt
her body respond to my touch.  I pressed my lips against hers, and her
tongue literally exploded into my mouth.

   "Has anyone ever told you you have nice tits?" I asked a minute later.

   Darlene giggled.  "A few guys."

   I leaned down and kissed one nipple, then the other.  "Has anyone ever
told you they taste good?"

   "A couple guys."

   I pulled away.  "You've let other guys kiss your tits?" I asked in
pretend shock.

   "A couple."

   I rolled over, turning my back to her.  "You're used."

   "What?"

   "I don't like sharing." I tried to sound pouty.

   "You're doing every girl in the camp," she protested.

   "That's different.  They're sharing, I'm not.  Besides, I was first."

   That took a few seconds to penetrate.  "You've got to be kidding."

   "Well," I said, rolling onto my back.  "I suppose I could look at it as
you're not used, you're experienced."

   "Don't do me any favors."

   "And you are a cheerleader.  That's big bonus points."

   "Bonus points!  You're keeping score?"

   "I went too far?" I asked contritely.

   "You went too far," she agreed.

   "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

   Darlene rolled on top of me, using her hand to position my cock at the
entrance of her cunt.  "You can make love to me right now."

   I decided that right now might not be the best time for my lecture on
the difference between making love and fucking.



   Chapter 8

   I woke a couple hours later.  The only sound in the tent was Darlene's
soft breathing as she cuddled close, but still I felt a presence.

   "You look beautiful tonight, Zo," I softly greeted her, her image
waltzing through my mind.  I wondered what she thought of all this.  The
road trip.  A different girl every night.  "I miss you."

   I've never been certain of the afterlife, but I hoped their was a heaven
for Zoe's sake.  "G'night." I lay my head back on the pillow and closed my
eyes.

   I woke when Darlene kneed me in the stomach.

   "Sorry," she said as she continued to wiggle her way out of the sleeping
bag.

   "Wouldn't it be easier to unzip?"

   "Zipper's behind you." I realized she was right.

   "I'll come with you," I said.

   "I don't need an escort to the bathroom," she said as she stepped into
her shorts and pulled them up.

   I slid out of the sleeping bag and found my own shorts.  "You're not the
only one with a bladder you know."

   Darlene giggled and nodded.  We walked to the restroom building and went
to our separate sides.  I could have gone with her, or guided her into the
men's room, but basically I had no desire to see her pee.  I used to read a
lot of stories on SOL and ASSTR, but now I just read a few from my favorite
authors.  When I was reading a lot, I was always coming across stories
where guys got turned on watching their sisters, cousins, neighbors,
girlfriends -"please insert one -"in the bathroom.  I just didn't get it.
And when they went on to serious water sports, well, I found another story.

   I emptied my bladder, washed up, and went outside to wait for Darlene.

   "Nobody else is up yet.  Let's take a walk," she suggested.

   I thought for a second about getting her back to my tent so I could play
with those soft-but-firm mounds that decorated her chest some more, but I
nodded.  I took her hand, and we picked a trail we hadn't been on yet.

   "Were you talking to somebody last night?" She asked.

   "Just Zoe," I said as I ducked a low hanging branch.

   Darlene seemed startled.  "Does she visit you often?"

   "She's always with me."

   "She's haunting you?"

   "She's watching over me."

   "Oh." Darlene seemed at a loss for words.  I squeezed her hand, and we
walked on.

   "Did you ever have an experience that was so good that you wished it had
been your first experience, 'cause your first time wasn't as good; in fact,
it was pretty bad?"

   I was glad they don't teach diagraming sentences anymore because I
wouldn't try to diagram that one.  "Not really," I said after I sorted it
out.  "Most of my experiences have been pretty good.  And even the bad
ones, well, you learn from them, either how to avoid them or how to handle
them.  Why?"

   "Well, I just wish that had been the first time I made love."

   "You mean it wasn't?" I said quickly.

   "Tony the diplomat." I decided it wasn't the right time to mention that
diplomats were only one step above politicians and two steps above lawyers
on the slime scale.  "Brad popped my cherry when I was twelve.  Six days
after my birthday, as a matter of fact.  He was seventeen."

   I didn't know what to say or what she expected, so I just gave her hand
another squeeze.

   "It wasn't bad.  It just, wasn't...  good.  The whole thing was over in
less than a minute.  I'd hear my girlfriends talking about how good fucking
was, but I thought it was better with my fingers, or my damn hairbrush."

   I wonder if the inventor of the hairbrush realized just how useful it
would be?

   "But you kept doing...  ?" I started.

   "Yeah, I kept doing Brad.  I mean, I was a sixth grader, he was a
junior. I couldn't believe he was interested in me.  After Brad was his
buddy Alan.  Then came his little brother Kyle.  And I still didn't get
off."

   Darlene stopped, then stepped in front of me.  "Last night was the first
time I've had an orgasm that wasn't self-inflicted."

   "That's sad." I put my hands on the sides of her head and pulled her
into a kiss.

   "Isn't it?" she agreed.  "I finally find a guy who wants me to get as
much out of it as he does, and the damn idiot is already in love.  Well, at
least Tami shares."

   "You know, there are guys out there who can do it right.  Don't settle.
Some of the rest can be retrained."

   "My new mission in life."

   "Everybody needs a hobby."

   Tami had surprised us, 'cause we packed up and headed south instead of
staying for a second day.  We stayed on Highway 101, stopped at a Pizza Hut
in Eureka for lunch, and got to the Van Damme State Park outside Mendocino
just before four.

   Just after I'd finished getting the tents up, Tami hauled out a huge
boom box.  I knew it wasn't hers and wondered where she'd gotten it and why
she hadn't taken it out until now.  The campsite had electricity, so she
plugged it in and set up a microphone too.

   "I suppose we should let Tony rest, so Robbie you're up."

   "Up to what?"

   Tami smiled.  "You get to entertain us." She put in three CD's, pushed
the play button, and an instrumental version of Bridge Over Troubled Water
started.

   Tami stopped the music.  "You missed your cue."

   "You really want me to sing?"

   Tami smiled again.  "That's the plan."

   Robbie shrugged and Tami started the music again.  This time, Robbie
came in right on cue.

   "Very nice," Tami said from her chair when Robbie finished.  We all
applauded.  So did the three spectators who had wandered over.  "Four
minutes and fifty-five seconds." She had a notebook and wrote that down for
whatever reason.  "Tony, you're up.  Daydream Believer."

   "With or without?" I asked, moving Darlene off my lap and standing up.
Robbie handed me the microphone.

   "With or without what?" Tami asked.

   "British accent." I'd learned the song listening to Davy Jones and could
do a passable English accent because of it.

   Tami laughed.  "With."

   She started the CD, and I sang Daydream Believer, complete with British
accent.  My applause was bigger than Robbie's if only because our audience
had grown by half-a-dozen people.

   "Three minutes and one second," Tami announced and made a notation in
her notebook.

   I handed the mike back to Robbie.

   "Traci, you're up."

   "Me?  I didn't choose any songs."

   "That's because you forgot to tell us you could sing," Tami said.  "Do
you know Unchained Melody?"

   "I think so."

   "Try it.  If you mess up they have wi-fi up by the visitors center, so I
can download the lyrics."

   Traci nodded and took the microphone from Robbie.  As Traci started
singing, I looked around.  Our impromptu audience had grown to a couple
dozen.  Traci finished and got the best applause so far.  If Tami timed it,
she didn't announce her findings.

   "Robbie on deck.  You're doing Puff."

   Traci gave Robbie the mike and sat on my lap.  "Have fun?" I asked.

   She grinned.  I nodded toward the audience.  "Maybe we should charge
admission and add to next year's roadtrip fund."

   Robbie did Peter, Paul, and Mary's Puff the Magic Dragon, then Frank
Sinatra's My Way.  I decided she should make that her anthem.  Then she and
I did If You See Him/If You See Her, which I thought of as our song.  And
Meet Me in Montana.  Tami kept calling out times and announcing what we'd
do next.  I wondered if she'd finally lost it.  Too much sex?  Or not
enough?

   Tami had me do Can't Help Falling in Love next, always one of my
favorites.  As I finished I noticed our audience had grown to about fifty,
all milling around in the street in front of our campsite.  "Hey folks,
glad you're enjoying the show," I said into the mike.  "If you want to get
out of the street, you're welcome to come on in and grab a seat on our
grass." They all started moving in.  "T-shirts and CD's on sale in the
lobby after the show."

   "Smart ass," Robbie said with a grin.

   "What's next, coach?" I asked Tami.

   "Traci, do you know Say a Little Prayer?" Traci nodded.  "You're on,"
she said as she fiddled with the boom box.  "Tony, here's your next one."
She handed me a sheet of music.

   "Lyrics?"

   "It's new.  By Rascal Flatts.  But I think it'll be special for you."
She handed me her MP3 player.  "It's cued up." I sorta kinda read music. 
By that I mean I can figure out a song by the music, but it's a hell of a
lot better if I can just hear it.

   I listened to the first part of Traci's song, then put the earbuds in my
ears and listened to the song.  Tami was right, it was special.  It
reminded me of Zo.  She was looking at me as it finished, and I nodded and
smiled, then cued it up again.

   Robbie was just finishing Love Child when I pulled the buds out of my
ears.  Without waiting for Tami's direction I took Robbie's place at the
microphone.  "I hope you're enjoying our impromptu concert," I said.  The
crowd was almost sixty people now.  Not bad for an unannounced concert in a
state park on a Friday afternoon.  "A few months ago I lost a good friend
to leukemia.  This song is for her."

   "Sarabeth is scared to death,

   To hear what the doctor will say.

   She hasn't been well,

   Since the day that she fell.

   And the bruise it just won't go away.

   So she sits and she waits with her mother and dad,

   And flips through an old magazine.

   Till a nurse with a smile stands at the door,

   And says will you please come to me.

   Sarabeth is scared to death,

   Cause the doctor just told her the news.

   Between the red cells and white,

   Something's not right,

   But we're going to take care of you.

   Six chances in ten,

   It won't come back again,

   With the therapy we're going to try.

   It's just been approved,

   It's the strongest there is,

   And I think we caught it in time.

   Sarabeth closes her eyes.

   I felt something in the corner of my eye, but I ignored it.  I could
imagine Zoe when the doctor told her, her own news.

   She dreams she's dancing,

   Around and around without any cares.

   And her very first love is holding her close,

   And the soft wind is blowing her hair.

   Sarabeth is scared to death

   As she sits holding her mom

   Cause it would be a mistake

   For someone to take

   A girl with no hair to the prom

   For just this morning right there on her pillow

   Was the cruellest of innocent cries.

   And she cried when she gathered it all in her hands

   The proof that she couldn't deny

   Sarabeth closes her eyes.

   I thought about the prom that Zoe never got to go to.

   She dreams she's dancing

   Around and around without any cares

   And her very first love is holding her close

   And the soft wind is blowing her hair

   It's a quarter of seven'

   That boys at the door

   And her daddy ushers him in.

   When he takes off his cap

   They all start to cry

   'Cause this morning where his hair had been

   Softly she touches just skin

   They go dancing

   Around and around without any cares

   And her very first true love is holding her close

   And the soft wind is blowing her hair

   For a moment she isn't scared."

   Zoe never showed that she was scared, but I knew she had been.  I hoped
she was somewhere without fear.  I hoped I'd see her again someday.  I set
down the mike and started walking toward the beach.  I knew Tami would
understand.

   It was almost nine when we sat down at the picnic table to eat.  Steak
again, not that I was complaining.

   "So what's the plan tomorrow?" I asked around a bite of rib eye.  "Stay
or go?"

   "That would be telling," Tami said as she gnawed on a corn cob.  I
decided that no jury would convict me.  Not if there was at least one guy
on it, anyway.

   "The concert was fun," Traci said.  "We should do it again."

   "Tomorrow," Tami said as she set down her cob.

   "Tomorrow?" Traci and I said together.

   "Why not?" Tami asked.  "You got better plans?

   I cocked my head as I looked her.  "I may have plans.  You haven't told
me yet."

   Tami grinned.

   "Guess whose turn it is tonight big brother?" Traci said after a minute.

   I looked at her.  She couldn't really be suggesting...

   "Hey, Tam, I'll trade my turn for your Swiss roll," Traci said with a
smile.

   Tami looked down at the package in front of her.  "One or both?"

   "Just one.  I wouldn't want to cheat you."



   Chapter 9

   The world is a pretty good place.  I knew that because I awoke with my
Tami in my arms.  I even decided to forgive Traci for her crack about me
not being worth two Swiss rolls.  Even my bladder cooperated by not
nagging.

   I lay holding her close, feeling her warmth, her spirit.

   "What are you doing?" she asked when she woke almost half an hour later.

   "Just holding on to the most special girl in all the world."

   Tami giggled.  "I'll bet you say that to all the girls who trade their
Swiss rolls for you."

   "No one else ever thought I was worth a Swiss roll."

   "I'll tell you a secret," Tami whispered.  "I would have given both."

   I kissed her gently.  I knew we were only talking about a pair of Swiss
rolls worth maybe a quarter, but the way she said it made me feel warm all
over.  I half-remembered the Dr.  Seuss book, How the Grinch Stole
Christmas.  When he discovered the meaning of Christmas his heart grew
three sizes.  I think it was three.  Right then, my heart grew four.

   "I was just thinking," I said as we cuddled.  "If we get married for
fifty years, we can do this about eighteen thousand times."

   "Eighteen thousand two hundred and fifty," Tami corrected.  "I don't
want to miss a day."

   "Well, if you want to get technical, eighteen thousand two hundred and
sixty-three."

   "Sixty-three?"

   "Leap years."

   Tami laughed.  "Okay, Mr.  Math Whiz, but I want a hell of a lot more
than fifty years."

   "That's just the start, babe.  Just the start."

   By ten o'clock we were on the road heading south.  Mikee drove as we
tooled down California-1.  She was getting a lot more confident behind the
wheel.  I wondered if Mom and Dad would thank me for that or want to kick
me in the ass.

   We had lunch at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet in Oakland, then took
the ferry to our new home, Angel Island State Park, right in the middle of
San Francisco Bay.

   About five, Tami organized another concert.  Today we drew almost a
hundred spectators, but it was a Saturday afternoon, so the park was
already full.  I think we were the only ones who came in today.  Everybody
else got here yesterday.

   Afterward, she and I took a long walk.

   The views from the beaches of Angel Island were fantastic.  The skyline
of San Francisco was impressive.  I've never wanted to live in any city,
but if I had to, San Francisco would be my first pick.

   Tami and I were heading back toward camp when I noticed Traci sitting on
a rock, staring out at the bay.  I gave Tami's hand a squeeze.  She kissed
my cheek and turned toward the trail back to the campsites.

   "Hey, brat, what you doing?"

   "Just thinking," she answered without looking up.

   There was a smaller rock next to the one Traci was sitting on.  I sat
down and stared out at the bay, wondering if Traci saw a different view
than I did.  "What'cha thinking about?" I asked after a while.

   "Nothing important."

   She sounded depressed, which surprised me, 'cause when we did our little
concert, she'd been positively euphoric.  Especially after a couple of
teenaged guys asked her when she was trying out for American Idol.

   "Is there something I can help with?" I asked.

   "Haven't you done enough?" she snapped, then stood suddenly and walked
to the edge of the water.

   Okay, that narrowed it down.  The problem was me.  But I couldn't figure
out what I'd done.  I waited a couple of minutes, but when Traci didn't
turn around, I followed her to the water's edge.  "I don't understand," I
admitted.

   Traci turned to look at me.  "Do you have any idea how hard it is to be
your sister?"

   I had no idea how to answer that?  "I..."

   "You're so fucking good at everything.  School, sports, singing."

   I decided that it wasn't the best time to correct her swearing.  "I..."

   Traci turned back to stare at the water.  "You know, last year I got
most of the same teachers you had when you were in seventh."

   "So?"

   "They all wanted to know why I couldn't get A's like my brother."

   "You work hard at school," I said.

   "And get B's and C's."

   "And you did gymnastics last year."

   Traci nodded.  "And you've been a football and baseball star since you
could walk."

   "You're talking about things that come easy to me.  You work a lot
harder at school than I do.  And you busted your tail for that gymnastics
team.  And I still don't understand why I never heard you sing before."

   Traci looked back at me.  "I didn't want to be compared to you.  I
didn't want anyone asking why I couldn't sing as good as you."

   "That's ridiculous," I snapped.  "You're a much better singer than I
am."

   "I am?"

   "You are.  You want to know the main reason why I've been in every
show?"

   Trace nodded.

   "Because I'm not afraid to make a fool of myself.  And I only did the
first show because I was a little afraid of Monster Girl."

   Traci giggled.  "Only a little afraid?"

   "Okay, a lot afraid.  But big tough football players aren't supposed to
be afraid of girls, so don't spread that around.  The point is you're a
better singer, but you didn't sing because you were afraid that someone
would compare you to me."

   "I..."

   "You could be the second best singer in the school, the high school that
is, but nobody but the seven of us knows 'cause you haven't shown them."

   "I'm sorry," she said contritely.

   I smiled.  "Don't be sorry.  If you like to sing, sing.  Don't worry
about what people say.  Or who they compare you to.  Look at it this way.
You love playing the sax, right?"

   She nodded.

   "Are you as good as Kelly Marshal?" Kelly was a girl in my class who'd
left last year because she earned a spot in Juilliard.

   "No."

   "So you should quit 'cause people might compare you to her."

   "That's ridiculous.  She's a junior."

   "Guess what, Trace.  So am I."

   Traci blushed, and I guessed that I'd gotten through.  "Can I ask, my
beautiful and talented sister, what brought on this unique bout of
self-pity?"

   "I, uh, Kelly was talking about it being her turn again soon.  And I
started thinking about my brother sleeping with my best friend.  One thing
kind of led to another."

   "In my defense, I was sleeping with her before she was your best
friend."

   Traci stuck her tongue out at me, and I decided she was okay.  She
smiled up at me.  "You said I'd be the second best?"

   I nodded.  "Robbie's better."

   Her face fell.

   "You wanted me to lie just to make you feel better?"

   "No, I..."

   "Just remember, you may be the second best singer, but Robbie's also a
junior, besides she can't play the sax worth a damn."

   As I drifted into sleep, I reflected.  I'd woken with Tami in my arms,
and now I was falling asleep the same way.  Life didn't get any better than
this.



   Chapter 10

   Mikee looked nervously at the guard rail as she eased the van off the
ferry.  I grinned, said nothing, and sent good vibes her way.  She hadn't
wanted to drive on and off the ferry, but some mean guy made her.

   Wait.  That would be me.

   At least we chose a good time.  It was just after ten.  The early birds
had left hours ago, and most of the rest of the campers were just starting
to stir.

   Mikee let out a sigh of relief and parked.

   "That wasn't so bad," I said with a big smile.

   The look she gave me wasn't friendly.

   We switched places.  A quick look showed the others had all nodded off.
In the middle seat Kelly was leaning against the side of the van, and Tami
had her head on Kelly's shoulder.  Traci was lying down, her head in Tami's
lap.

   It made a pretty picture.  Which reminded me that I still hadn't used my
camera.  I put the van in gear and headed out into San Francisco traffic.
At least it was Sunday.  That should help.

   Tami must have enjoyed her night, because she was downright forthcoming.
Mikee asked if we were staying or going, and Tami told her right away that
we were packing up right after breakfast.

   When Robbie asked where, Tami even answered.  "East." Which at least
narrowed it down.

   So, I packed up the tents.  Again!  And we were, in the words of Willie
Nelson, "On the road again."

   "We're heading east.  Maybe we can get out of California," I said as I
stopped for another red light.  They seemed to like me.

   "You don't like California?  I thought you used to live here," Mikee
said, glancing down at the driving directions Tami had printed off the
internet for me.

   "I did, though further south.  It's just, campers here get up too
early."

   "Too early?  What difference does...  Oh, poor baby.  You've had to
shower alone."

   "Worse.  With a bunch of hairy guys."

   Mikee laughed, and I guessed I was forgiven for making her drive onto
the ferry.

   We started out going west on the Embarcadero, turned left onto Powell,
then another left onto North Point Street, then right onto the Embarcadero
again.  And people wonder why I hate cities.  I mean, why not just drive on
Embarcadero?

   Howard Street, First Street, then I-80.  Now we were getting somewhere.
A few minutes later I merged on 580 heading towards Oakland.  Oakland? 
Wasn't Oakland north of San Francisco?  I mean we'd driven through it
coming down from Mendocino.  Why was I going north when I wanted to go
east?

   I decided that I didn't want to live in San Francisco.

   I turned off the interstate at the next exit and turned into a gas
station.  While I was filling the tank I checked the directions.  Mikee had
gotten everything right.  Now I was supposed to stay on 580 for sixty
miles. I folded the directions and handed them back to Mikee.

   "Hey, check it out," she said.  I followed her pointing finger.  It was
a record store.  But it was bigger than a supermarket back home.  "Can we?"

   I thought about it.  I had about a hundred miles of directions, but I
didn't know if there were more after that or if we were staying there.  But
most days, Tami didn't have us on the road more than six hours or so.  What
the hell?

   "What the hell?" I said and went to the kiosk to pay for the gas.

   Getting across the intersection was easier than I'd thought it would be,
though I wouldn't want to try it in weekday traffic.  Even though it was
Sunday, the parking lot was over half-full.

   "Should we wake them?" Mikee asked as I parked.

   I was tempted to say no, but the temporary satisfaction of letting them
sleep through this was outweighed by the sure knowledge of Robbie's
retribution.  They say Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but a woman
denied shopping...  I didn't even want to think about it.

   "Ladies!" I yelled.

   Slowly eyes popped open.

   "Are we here already?" Tami asked, lifting her head off Kelly's
shoulder.

   "I don't know where 'here' is supposed to be, but we're somewhere.  I
made a detour." I pointed.

   "Holy...  nirvana!" Robbie yelped and was out of her seat and pulling
open the van door.

   I started wondering if this was such a good idea.  Robbie was a music
junkie.  We might have to cancel our reservations wherever and spend the
next week sleeping in this parking lot.  At least there was an In-n-Out
Burger next door.  We wouldn't starve.

   While I mused, Robbie was halfway to the store, the other girls not far
behind her.

   "This was a great idea," Tami said as she got out.  "How'd you find it?"

   I buffed my fingernails on the front of my t-shirt.  "I used to live in
California.  I know my way around.  Mikee cocked her head and looked at me
but didn't blow my cover.

   The record store took three hours, and that was only because Darlene and
I each grabbed one of Robbie's arms and pulled her up to the check-out
stand, then out the door.  We had lunch at the In-n-Out next door, then hit
the road again with Darlene driving this time.

   Everybody had new CDs they wanted to play, so I let the expedition
leader decide.  She did the only fair and equitable thing: she played hers.

   An hour-and-a-half later we arrived.  San Luis Reservoir State Park.  I
was really beginning to appreciate the time that Tami must have put into
planning this thing.  She'd found all these great parks, made the
reservations, and printed out driving instructions, even breaking them down
into chunks to keep her surprises.  And she knew about the karaoke contest
in Lincoln City.  Now I knew what she was doing during my baseball
practices.

   Tami went in to the ranger station to check us in, and then we drove to
the North Beach campground on O'Neill Forebay.  Mental note: find out what
a forebay is.  It looked like a lake to me.  We should have set up camp,
but instead we changed into swimming suits in the van and hit the water
running.  The temperature was parked midway between ninety and a hundred,
and damn, that water felt good.

   We'd gotten here about three-thirty, but it was after six before I had
the tents up.  At first I thought we had this camping area to ourselves,
and thoughts of skinny dipping and other activities danced in my head, but
shortly after I got the tents up, people started showing up.  Just a couple
at a time, but nobody went to any of the other camping sites, they kind of
milled around the front of ours.

   "Tami!" I yelled into her tent.  "Is there anything you want to tell
me?"

   "What?" she said, then stuck her head out and saw the crowd.  "Shit! 
What time is it?" Apparently it was a rhetorical question, 'cause a few
seconds later she announced, "We're late."

   "Late for what?" I asked, though I was pretty sure I knew the answer.

   "The concert.  I told them at the ranger station to pass the word that
we'd be performing about six-thirty." Tami came out of the tent carrying
the huge boom box.

   I stopped her and cupped her face in my hands.  "Oh love of my life, did
you ever consider asking us if we wanted to do a concert?"

   She grinned.  "Like you and Robbie would ever pass up a chance to play
to a crowd."

   She had me there.  Robbie and I were both USDA Grade A Prime ham.

   "Besides, you have to practice," she aded.

   Practice?  Why did we have to practice?  I had a feeling there was
another karaoke contest or talent show in our future.

   "Ladies and gentlemen, Unrehearsed!" Tami announced a couple minutes
later.  We had a crowd of about a twenty campers and another dozen rangers.
Robbie and I started things off with Elton John's Don't Go Breakin' My
Heart.  Then Traci did a heart-pumping version of the King's Jailhouse
Rock. Damn, my little sister can rock the house.  Tami had found a karaoke
disk for it at the record store.

   Almost an hour-and-a-half later Tami took the microphone again.  "Hope
you liked our practice session.  Have a good..."

   "Just a minute!" I interrupted.  I slipped a disk I'd bought that
afternoon into the boom box and took the mike away.  "Folks, our tour
director is the girl I've asked to marry me, and though her mom says she
can't answer me until we graduate, every now and then, I like to remind her
just how I feel."

   I took Tami's hand and nodded to Traci to hit the play button.

   "When your body's had enough of me,

   And I'm lying flat out on the floor,

   When you think I've loved you all I can,

   I'm going to love you a little bit more."

   I slipped my other arm around Tami's back and into the back pocket of
her cut-offs.

   "C'mon over here and lie by my side,

   I've got to be touchin'' you.

   Let me rub your tired shoulders,

   The way I used to do."

   That reminded me: I still owed all the girls massages.

   "Look into my eyes and give that smile,

   The one that always turns me on.

   And let me take your hair down,

   'Cause we're stayin' up to greet the sun."

   Now that sounded like a plan.  Sunrise with Tami.

   "And when your body's had enough of me,

   And I'm lying flat out on the floor,

   When you think I've loved you all I can,

   I'm going to love you a little bit more."

   I stepped back and took both of Tami's hands in mine, looking deep into
her eyes.

   "Got to say a few things that have been on my mind,

   And you know where my mind has been.

   I guess I learned my lessons,

   And now's the time to begin.

   So if you're feeling all right, and you're ready for me,

   I know that I'm ready for you.

   We better get it on now,

   'Cause we got a whole life to get thru.

   And when your body's had enough of me,

   And I'm lying flat out on the floor,

   When you think I've loved you all I can,

   I'm going to love you a little bit more."

   Her eyes were like quicksand, pulling me deeper and deeper.  Not that I
was struggling.

   "And when your body's had enough of me,

   and I'm lying flat out on the floor,

   When you think I've loved you all I can,

   I'm going to love you a little bit more."

   I stood and stared.

   "You do realize we're done," Robbie said.

   "What?" Tami and I said together.

   "I said, the concert ended.  Everybody went home."

   I looked around.  Our audience was gone.  That was rude.  They must have
left before I was even half done.

   "You finished singing ten minutes ago," Darlene added.

   "They applauded like crazy, but I guess you didn't notice," Traci put
in.

   "Ten minutes?" Damn!  Those eyes are dangerous.

   "I was surprised when you introduced us as Unrehearsed," Robbie said
when we sat down to dinner just after dark.

   "So was..." Something clicked.  I got up, walked to the boom box, and
changed it from Robbie's new Red Nichols jazz CD to one of Tami's mystery
disks.  I listened closely as it played one of Robbie's songs, Bridge Over
Troubled Water.  "That's them."

   "Them who?" Robbie asked while Tami concentrated on her chicken leg.

   "Unrehearsed.  That's Toby on piano and Sally on drums."

   "You're nuts," Robbie said with a laugh.  Tami stared deeply into her
potato salad.

   "Miss Sharp, who's on the CD?"

   "Have you ever noticed how the different sized chunks in potato salad
make every serving unique?" Tami said softly.

   I stepped up behind her.  "I don't like potato salad.  Who's on the CD?"

   "You really should eat it," she said looking up over her shoulder at me.
"It's very good for you."

   "I don't eat anything green either.  Who's on the CD?"

   "It's been a beautiful day.  I wonder how many stars will be out
tonight."

   "Six thousand, three hundred and thirty-two.  Who's on the CD?"

   Tami looked across the table at the other girls, who were all wearing
curious expressions.  "Think we should go swimming later?"

   I laid my hands gently on hr shoulders.  "Robbie, you want to hold or to
tickle?"

   Robbie stood, a sly smile on her face.

   "Okay, okay," Tami said.  "It's them.  It's Unrehearsed."

   Robbie leaned forward over the table.  "And how did you happen to have
CDs of Unrehearsed doing the songs that Tony and I chose a few days ago?"

   "Plus others?" I added.

   Tami shrugged.  "I kinda called them and told them to add them to their
CD."

   The sixty-four thousand dollar question.  "Why?"

   Tami shrugged again.  "Why not?"

   I wanted to wring her neck.  Not because she wouldn't tell.  I just
hated that answer, "Why not?" My freshman year in basic comp, for our final
quiz Mr.  Becker asked "Why?" In forty-five minutes I wrote a brilliant and
concise dissertation on 'Why?' being the driving force of man in our quest
to understand our universe.  I got an A.  Twelve students wrote "Why not?"
They got A's too.  It still bugs me.

   "Mikee, how would you like to take a romantic walk on the beach in the
starlight?" I asked with a grin.

   Mikee jumped up and took my hand.

   "Kelly?" I invited.

   With a grin, Kelly was up and took my other hand.  I nodded to Darlene,
Robbie and Traci, and the three of us started toward the lake or forebay or
whatever it was.

   Behind me I heard Robbie ask, "Darlene, how would you like to take a
romantic walk on the beach in the starlight?  Traci?"

   Tami can be romantic with her secrets.

   Tami was sitting on a log staring into the fire.  I stepped behind and
kissed her neck.

   "Your sister cheats," she said, still looking into the flames.

   "I know.  I just haven't been able to prove it." We'd come back from our
walks and played Monopoly.  Tami was the first one out.  Traci had won as
usual.  If they ever have a professional Monopoly League, I'm gonna get
rich managing her.  "Want to take a walk?"

   Tami looked up and over her shoulder at me.  "I thought you already had
your romantic walk for the evening."

   I grinned.  No, I leered.  "Ah, the Temple girls.  They really know how
to put the romance in a walk."

   Tami stuck her tongue out at me.

   "But that was a romantic walk.  I was hoping to take just an ordinary
end-of-the-day walk with you."

   "Well, I suppose I don't have anything better to do." She stood.  "What
about Mikee?  Won't she be waiting?  It's her turn."

   "She'll keep my sleeping bag warm till we get back."

   Tami sighed.

   "Lady, say the word, and I'll kick her out and install you forever and
always."

   Tami giggled.  "That wouldn't be fair to Mikee." She stepped over the
log and took my hand, and we headed for the water.

   "You know, I read a lot." I looked around conspiratorially.  "Don't tell
anybody, but sometimes I like a good love story."

   "You, the big tough football player?"

   "Shush.  I said don't say it so loud."

   "Like what?"

   "Oh, Summer of Forty-Two was good.  Harold Robbins early stuff.  The
Cheerleader."

   "Wasn't that a porno flick?" Tami asked slyly.

   I grinned.  "That was The Cheerleaders, plural." I'd seen it on video at
a friends house.  Good, but over-rated.  "The book was just The
Cheerleader. It was about a girl going to high school and discovering life
and love and sex and stuff."

   "That sounds familiar."

   "Except she beat us to it.  The book was set in the fifties.  Sock hops
and the whole nine yards."

   "That's your favorite?"

   "One of them.  My favorite is There Should Have Been Castles by the same
guy who wrote Summer of Forty-Two."

   "I'll have to read it."

   "You'll like it.  Two people who meet and fall in and out of love over
and over again.  I'll give you my copy when we get home."

   Tami laughed softly.  "You own it?  I thought you checked it out of the
library."

   "Too dangerous.  With the Homeland Security Act, the FBI can check up on
things like that."

   "Got to protect that macho image," Tami agreed.  I squeezed her hand.

   "I have another you'd like.  Not exactly a love story.  Letters I Wish
I'd Written to My Ex-Husband."

   "Is that a hint?  We're not even married yet, and you're getting me
ready for the divorce."

   "Well, I am spending the night with one of my mistresses."

   "That's not grounds for divorce.  I'm making you."

   I squeezed her hand again.

   We walked in silence for awhile, just admiring the stars and how they
all managed not to fall down.  We were almost back to camp, and it looked
like everyone had gone to bed.

   "You know, I was making a point about the love stories but got
sidetracked."

   "And your point, my literate one?" Tami asked with a giggle.

   "My point was, I've read a lot of love stories, and ours has to be the
strangest."

   Tami thought about that for a minute.  "But it works," she said finally.

   I smiled and kissed her gently outside her tent.  "I'll have to give you
that.  It works."