Soon after Barbara got home, David came too. Since they would be alone for a while, Barb suggested they go to her room and talk.
Of course, in contrast to David’s, Barb’s room was neat with no dirty clothes around. Barb sat pertly on her desk chair and David reclined casually on the bed. Why is it, thought Barb, that teenage boys with all their energy always seemed too tired to even sit up straight?
Barb started the discussion with careful reason and no emotion.
What had happened on Saturday did not have any special meaning. They had both been under a lot of stress from Friday night (especially herself) and emotionally worked up from Barb’s tearful retelling of her three weeks of nightmare. Dave had, of course, felt strong emotion for his sister to have suffered so much and felt very protective (something for which she assured him, she was very grateful.) And, naturally she had sought comfort, that he was very willing to give, in a brotherly/sisterly hug. When emotions were so aroused (Barb wondered why she used that word and blushed slightly) it was normal to want to share some physical closeness, even though their family was SO weird to avoid all NORMAL expressions of physical affection! Barb was very thankful that her brother, you, would give her such support. And, as to the little kiss, again it was little more than a normal expression of affection, of sibling love and concern. This weird family acts too much like siblings should show no care for each other. It was just a momentary slip and nothing more than a chaste gesture. It really proved nothing and they should just not worry about it at all and not let it hurt their good, healthy, natural love for each other.
All during Barb’s extended monologue, David lay quietly, nodding with a serious expression on his face and looking from her face to her feet. Barb was pleased that he maintained eye contact (gosh his eyes are a beautiful deep brown, she thought) and seemed to agree. But why did he look at her feet? Shyness?
When, finally she paused, David nodded and sat up. “You’re absolutely correct, Barb,” he said. There is nothing wrong with our affection. I would do anything to protect my sister.” At that he walked to her and pulled her out of the chair and gave her a big hug. It felt so good, thought Barb as he held her tight and rubbed her back.
Then she let got and he left her room.
As she turned to follow him downstairs, she noticed on of her bras on the floor beneath the desk chair. She hadn’t seen it before. Had Dave noticed it? She hurried to put it away and felt a fluttering in her stomach as she descended the stairs.