I deliberately caressed the small of her back and she squeezed me on purpose to show that it didn’t matter this time. Just to drive the point home, we held each other longer than we had done previously. She lingered on as I was reluctant to open my arms. Our conversation about not being decent and about looking above my bellybutton had put some ease into our hug. We were relaxed about it and it was okay with both of us to be in each other’s arms like that. She was comfortable with my pretend semi-nakedness and I was comfortable with her breasts pressing into my heart. It was after all only a goodnight hug. Nothing more.
When we eventually separated, she said enthusiastically: “Well…goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Sis.” I responded with equal zeal. I had no guilt about hugging her and I enjoyed the softness of her body and warmth of her breasts with more contentment.
She stopped at the door and turned around to give me a full look. Then said: “Tomorrow. Early.”
I smiled and replied: “Yes, early.”
I had trouble sleeping again for a long time, but this time the restlessness was for different reasons.
We were barely two acres away from the house the next morning when one of the help came running after us. My mom had sent her to inform us that I had a special visitor. My sister asked her: “Who is it?”
“It’s Maria,” she replied.
I was surprised to hear that name. I didn’t expect her to come and see me, but she did come and I had to go and see her.
My sister wasn’t happy at this interruption in our plans and particularly because it was Maria who interrupted us. She said, rather gruffly: “What the hell does she want?”
“I’ll go find out,” I replied as I came back to the house.
Maria was my past and my sister knew the history. My heart was still bleeding from the breakup, when she had told me that she couldn’t wait for me while I went away to study. I had never quite gotten over her or over the fact that she didn’t even wait that long before getting married to someone else. Apparently, neither did my sister, who never forgave her.
After Maria’s visit, which lasted a couple of hours, another surprise came looking for me. The dean of the Imperial Valley College came to see me with a few of the faculty members and they took me for a tour of the campus. I ended up spending the whole day with them which was followed by a nice dinner afterwards. I didn’t get back home until late at night when everyone seemed to have turned in by that time.
I took my time freshening up as I mulled over the day’s proceedings. When I came out, I only had my towel wrapped around me, thinking that no one was coming into my room. I was somewhat surprised to see my sister sitting on my bed waiting for me. I felt a little self-conscious, but she seemed upset for some reason. I wanted to at least put my undershirt on, but seeing the gloom on her face, I decided to just tend to her. That seemed more urgent.
She asked: “So, how was the visit.”
I replied in a tired voice: “It was nice. I have the opportunity to start a new department at the college. Even though I only have a BS, the dean and the faculty are willing to …”