'This is Uncle Jeff, Sue. He got in from Frisco this morning.
'Hi.' Her voice was low and slightly husky.
'Hello, Sue.' Jeff turned to the boy and held out his hand. The boy looked, confused, then finally shook it.
'Turner Bukner,' he mumbled.
'Glad to meet you, Turner,' Jeff said, not glad at all but trying to pull off the meeting without embarrassment for any of them.
The boy mumbled something, then turned to Sue. 'I gotta get home. See you tonight?'
She shook her head. 'No, I'm busy.'
'Tomorrow?'
She shrugged. 'Call me.'
Looking more confused than ever, the boy blushed and hurried from the room. Minutes later the sound of a car came in the driveway and faded quickly. He was gone.
Sally grinned at her sister. 'What was that all about?'
She blushed. 'Nothing, he's just-' She shot a sidelong glance at Jeff and he knew she was embarrassed to discuss her private affairs in front of him.
'Same old thing?' Sally asked.
Blushing even more furiously, Sue hurried from 'the room. Jeff heard her steps as she ran up the stairs, then the closing of a door. He looked at Sally.
'Something serious?'
She laughed. 'No. Turner is a creep, all hands and no guts. He wants to play around with Sue and she won't let him. She's got some crazy kind of conscience or some dumb thing.' Sally winked broadly. 'Thank God we're not twins in that respect!'
Jeff had to laugh in spite of himself. He finished the drink he'd made for himself and then went up to shower and shave. The rest of tine family would be coming home soon, then dinner. He'd had enough sun for one day anyhow. His skin felt slightly hot and tight.
He found himself thinking about Sue while he showered. A virgin? More than likely, from Sally's remark about her conscience. How could two sisters, twins at that, be so different?
They were fraternal twins, not identical. Sue hadn't developed at the same rate as her sister, that was obvious. Smaller, less mature, yet on the verge of womanhood. Jeff had noticed the budding breasts under the sleek shirt, the widening hips tight in the shorts and the well curved legs. She would be a beauty when she was older, no doubt about it.
What would she look like without clothes?
Hey, man, cut it out. You sound like some kind of lecher. So you had a ball balling your niece but it was her idea, not yours, at least to start. This twin is shy and innocent. Forget it.
He tried, but he couldn't completely erase the thought from his mind. During dinner, at a plush restaurant in Beverly Hills, Jeff found his mind wandering from the conversation his sister tried to maintain. She come home from her afternoon date in a much better mood, pleased with herself, obviously. Jeff was convinced that Sally's remark about her mother having a lover was accurate. Edythe had the look of a woman satisfied in bed.
Larry had not put in an appearance, nor had the youngest daughter, Judy. Edythe offered the explanation that Judy was at camp, but she did not offer any for her husband's absence. She never mentioned him at all, and Jeff didn't ask. He had enough troubles of his own, and whatever was happening between her and Larry, it would never end in divorce. Edythe would put up with anything rather than give up her current life style.
Sally looked enchanting in dark jeans that clung to her curves like a lover's hand. Her blouse was tight enough to show she was braless, and Jeff couldn't keep his eyes off the delectable, bouncing, mammary flesh every time she moved.
In contrast, Sue looked childlike, a jacketed pantsuit covering her slight figure. She was quiet during the meal, answering questions that were directed at her but nothing more.
Edythe was getting bombed, drinking too many martinis before her dinner and too many brandies afterwards. By the tune Jeff drove them home in the big Mercedes, his sister was staggering. Sally grabbed her arm and helped her upstairs.
'Come on, mumsie, beddie-bye time.' She sounded like a patient nurse talking to a child. She grinned at Jeff and left him standing in the hall with Sue.
'Your mother's wound up,' Jeff said.
Sue pretended to accept the lie and went into the rumpus room, flopping into a big chair and staring out at the pool.
Jeff stood behind her. 'You got problems, Sue?'
'Doesn't everyone?'
'Can I help?'
She looked up so suddenly he wondered if he'd said the wrong thing. Her face was pale in the dim light. They hadn't turned on a light in the room and the only illumination was the light that spilled in from the hall and the glow of the lit pool reflecting outside. Looking out the window, Jeff was dazzled by the view of the city below the hilltop. The day had been hazy enough so he hadn't noticed it this afternoon. Maybe he'd been too busy with other things. Now he walked to the glass and stared out.
'I don't mean to pry,' he said, turning to look at Sue again. 'I just thought you might need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to bend.'
She twined her fingers in her lap and shook her head. 'Thanks, but there's nothing anyone can do.'
'Nothing?' His voice was soft.
She hesitated, then said, 'Nothing.' It sounded so helpless and so hopeless, it stirred something deep inside Jeff. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he didn't know how.
'Well,' he said, 'I've had a busy day. Think I'll turn in.' It was well after midnight and he was tired.
'Goodnight, Uncle Jeff, and thanks anyway.'
'Anytime, Sue. Goodnight.'
Upstairs, undressed and in bed, he found he couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about the events of the day, and about Sally's eagerness and willingness in sex matters. More, he thought about his own enjoyment. Where did he go from here?
He found himself straining and listening to tiny sounds in the unfamiliar surroundings. Was he hoping for Sally to come to his room? Christ, no! Not with Edythe right down the hall and not knowing when Larry might walk in. No way.
Then there was a step, he was sure of it. He lifted his head and listened, tense. Nothing. Imagination, or someone passing the door. The house settled down to silence again… He turned over and blanked his mind, willing himself to sleep.
He wasn't sure how much later it was when he came awake with a start. Something had disturbed him. What? He sat up as he heard it again. There was someone in the hall outside his door, someone who had stopped and was listening as he was listening. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and padded softly to the door. He was sure he could hear someone breathing. He put his hand to the knob and turned, pulling the door inward quickly.
The girl jumped back, hand pressed to her mouth to stifle her cry of surprise. The hall was dark, and Jeff had only an impression of the long pale hair and the wide eyes.
'Sally?' He grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. Crazy kid!
He closed the door, and the girl huddled against the wall almost as though she were frightened.
'What the hell's the matter with you?' He broke off, suddenly aware of something wrong.
'It's not Sally, it's Sue,' she whispered.
'My God!' It was his turn to be confused. He was suddenly aware of his nudity, even though the room was dark and he was sure the child couldn't discern his lack of clothes.
'I'm sorry, Uncle Jeff, I didn't mean to wake you. That is, I-' She buried her face in her hands and began to sob silently. He moved to her and touched her hair.
His whole body felt her warmth, and his pulse raced. He put his arms around her and held her close, petting her hair and stilling her sobs. His naked chest was wet with her tears.
