 
                   --===Warmth of a Touch, Ch. 9===--
 
Chapter 9
 
 
 
    The next few weeks went by very quietly for Martin. 
Finally, he understood Sarah's behavior, and of course, now they were
almost inseparable.  In fact, he'd had to get just a little nasty with
her in order to allow him to spend time with the two other girls who
were in need of his attention.  She understood, but she didn't have to
like it.  She'd spent sixteen years away from her brother, and now she
wanted to make up for all that time.  She knew that couldn't happen,
but it didn't stop her from wanting to spend every waking moment - and
most of her sleeping moments - with him.
 
    Martin was enjoying one of his rare moments alone when his
quiet semester came to a screeching halt.  There was a very soft, rapid
knock at the door that was repeated three times before he could get to
it.  Someone was obviously in a hurry.
 
    Martin opened the door, and was astounded by what he saw. 
She was shaking, and it looked as if she had been crying.  He pulled
her inside, and closed the door.  Turning, he pulled her against him,
and she began sobbing in great, heaving gasps, her body pushing against
him in waves.  He pulled her over to the bed, and got her sitting down.
 
    "Monica," he said softly, stroking her hair, "what's the
matter?  What made you come all the way down here?"  He feared that she
had missed him so badly that she couldn't stay away.  That would be a
serious difficulty.
 
    She could barely answer him at all, and when she did, her
answer was unintelligible.  He waited for a few minutes, hoping she
would calm down.  She did, to some extent, but he couldn't get her to
stop weeping.  He was grateful that the sobbing had at least subsided,
though.
 
    "Daddy's dead," she finally managed to sniffle out.  Martin
was shocked; it was a horrible thing to have happen.  He understood why
she would have come here; she wanted the comfort of her owner.  He was
happy to provide that to her, but he worried about some things.
 
    "Does Jen know?" he asked softly.
 
    "I don't know.  Mom hadn't gotten around to calling anyone
before I left. I... Master, I ran away.  My mom doesn't know I'm here. 
I'm so sorry!"
 
    Martin pulled her close once again.  She was on the verge
of sobbing once more, and she was already drained, so he knew that
wouldn't be good for her.  He held her, rocking slightly to help calm
her down.  After another several minutes, he did manage to get her
settled.  She was exhausted and drained.  He laid her down on the bed,
and continued to stroke her hair.
 
    "It's okay that you came here, Monica, though you should
have told your mother where you were going.  I'll take care of things
from here.  You rest, okay?"
 
    "Yes, Master," she said drowsily.  All the crying and the
emotional upset had taken their toll on her, and she was asleep in
seconds.
 
    A few seconds after that, he heard another knock on the
door.  He figured that would be Jen.  When he opened it, he was a
little surprised to find Sarah standing there.
 
    "Hey, Marty," she said, and leaned in to kiss him.  He
returned the kiss, but it was half-hearted at best.  She noticed. 
"What's the matter?"
 
    He motioned her into the room, and pointed at Monica.  He
didn't realize that Sarah had never met Monica.
 
    "Who's she?"
 
    "Oh, that's right, you've never met.  That's Monica.  She's
Jen's sister."
 
    "Oh, yeah, you mentioned her... what's she doing here?  She
looks like she's been crying."
 
    "She has been.  Her dad died, and she came down here, on
the bus I guess, to... um... well, I think she just couldn't handle it."
 
    Sarah looked at him with a nod.  "It makes perfect sense
that she would come to you."
 
    "Problem is, I don't know if Jen knows yet.  About her dad,
I mean.  I'm sure she doesn't know that Monica's here.  I'm going to
have to deal with this.  I'm afraid I won't have much time to be with
you for at least a couple of days."
 
    Sarah frowned, but nodded again.  "Of course.  You know
I'll do whatever you want me to."
 
    Martin stepped to Sarah and took her in his arms.  His kiss
was far less distracted this time.  "I love you, Sarah," he said
softly.  She leaned against him, lost in his embrace.
 
    "I love you, too," she responded.  Gently disengaging
herself, she stepped back.  "I'll let you get back to taking care of
this.  Call me if you need me for anything."  She kissed him again, and
then she left.  He figured she was upset, but there wasn't much he
could do about it right then.
 
    Martin took a deep breath as he walked over to the phone. 
Letting it out, he dialed Jen's number.  He wasn't sure he would get a
hold of her that way, but after a single ring, she answered the phone.
 
    "Jen?" he asked.
 
    "Yes, M...Marty?"  Her slip told him there was someone else
in the room.  Probably it was her roommate.
 
    "Have you heard from any relatives recently?"
 
    "No... should I have?"
 
    "I think you'd better come over.  I have to talk to you."
 
    "I'll be there in a minute."
 
    "Good."  He hung up, and then turned to look at Monica.  As
she lay, sleeping on his bed, he realized just how beautiful she was,
and he felt a strong need to protect her.  He wondered if he was
supposed to feel so strongly about all of his girls, or if that, too,
made him an unusual specimen of his family.  He frowned, thinking about
it.  His thoughts were finally interrupted by a soft knock at the door.
 
    He opened the door, and at least this time was not
surprised by who was standing there.  He motioned Jen inside, but kept
her standing at the door.  The way his room was arranged, she couldn't
tell who was sleeping on the bed, and took no real notice of the girl. 
She focused her attention on her master.
 
    "Jen, I have some bad news for you.  You might want to sit
down."  He led her over to a chair, keeping himself between her and the
sleeping girl.  She couldn't see who it was until after she had sat
down and Martin had moved out of the line of sight.  Her face paled as
she recognized her sister, but Martin motioned her to silence before
she could make any noise or say anything.
 
    "She's pretty worn out, so please, try to keep your voice
down.  I'll explain why she's here."
 
    Jennifer settled.  She knew that Martin would take care of
her, and do what was best.  She sat back in the chair and waited.
 
    Martin pulled his other chair over to her and sat in it,
taking her hand.  "Jen... I don't know how to tell you this, but...
Monica came down here because... your father died."
 
    The color drained from Jen's face, and tears welled up in
her eyes.  He pulled her to him, and she came willingly, dumping
herself in his lap, wrapping her arms around him, and burying her face
in his shoulder as the tears began to flow freely.  Her sobs were
quiet, but no less heartfelt than Monica's had been.  Martin held her
tightly, rubbing her back and stroking her hair.  He couldn't rock
easily in this chair, so he had to settle for his smaller actions.  Jen
had become so attached to him, however, that his embrace was more than
enough to comfort her.
 
    After a few minutes, Jen settled, and leaned back to wipe
her eyes.  Martin reached for the Kleenex box on his desk, and handed
it to her.  She smiled at him, and took one, wiping her eyes and
blowing her nose.  She made no effort to get off Martin's lap, though,
and he was perfectly happy with that.  He enjoyed Jen's presence, since
she had been tamed.
 
    "Jenny?"
 
    Martin turned to see that Monica was sitting up on the bed,
her eyes still red and puffy from her earlier crying.  Jen looked to
her master for permission, and then went to her sister, embracing her. 
The two started crying anew, but it was far more subdued now; it seemed
to Martin more like a sympathetic cry, as if they were crying for each
other now.  He knew there was something else that needed to be done,
and so he moved his chair back to his desk.  It didn't take long for
the phone call to go through.
 
    "Hello?" an unfamiliar voice said.
 
    "Hi... I'm looking for Mrs. Sarento.  Is she home?"
 
    "Who is this?" the voice asked.
 
    "This is Martin Gallagher.  I'm a friend of her daughters. 
Could I please speak to her?"
 
    "Just a minute."  The phone was set down, and Martin heard
voices on the other end, before the phone was picked up.
 
    "Marty?"
 
    "Mrs. Sarento?  Are you doing all right?"
 
    "Marty... I haven't even had a chance to call Jen yet...
Marty, her dad..."  He could tell she was close to tears.
 
    "I already know, Mrs. Sarento.  I'm so sorry."
 
    "Thank you, Marty... Marty, could you be with Jen when I
tell her, please?  I don't want her to be alone."  She'd already been
informed of the split between Jen and Peter, and she had not been
unhappy about it.
 
    "She already knows, too, Mrs. Sarento.  Um... Mrs. Sarento,
Monica is *here*."
 
    "What?" she asked, her voice shaky.  "I knew she'd left,
but... I didn't know where... she's down with you?"
 
    "She came to be with her sister," Martin said quickly. 
"She was very upset by this."  He heard Mrs. Sarento let out a long,
slow breath.
 
    "Martin... this is... so difficult for me...  I don't know
what I'm going to do... I can come down to get her tomorrow, I guess...
I don't want her riding the bus alone again."
 
    "Mrs. Sarento, if you're willing to let her stay down here
for a couple of days, I can drive her back on Friday night or
Saturday... You've got enough to deal with, without that kind of drive,
and you shouldn't be driving alone, either, right now."
 
    "Oh, Marty, are you sure you wouldn't mind?"
 
    "Not at all.  Anything I can do to help.  I know what
you're going through; I lost my grandparents recently."
 
    "Okay, Marty.  I guess she can stay with her sister... The
funeral will be Sunday, so... do you think you could bring Jen up for
the funeral?"
 
    "Yes.  I'll drive up on Saturday, and Jen and I can drive
back on Sunday night."
 
    "You're a savior, Marty.  Can you have Jen or Monica call
me, please?"
 
    "They're right here, if you want to talk to them," he said.
 
    "Oh.  Yes, I'd appreciate that.  Thank you so much," she
said.  Her voice was far more relieved now than it had been.  She had
apparently been dreading telling her daughter.
 
    "No problem, Mrs. Sarento.  I'll see you on Saturday."  He
pulled the phone away from his mouth, and said, "Jen?  Your mom wants
to talk to you."
 
    As Jen came to take the phone, Martin walked over to be
with Monica.  She was feeling much better, and being with her sister
and her master was helping immensely.  She hugged Martin tightly, and
he kissed her on the cheek.  The two sat quietly while Jen talked to
her mother on the phone.  Martin felt for both of them, and he would do
what he could to make this time easier for both of them.  Little did he
know they weren't the only ones he would need to help.
 
 
 
...---=== http://ericstorm.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    The next few days were a mixture of emotions for Martin. 
While he enjoyed having Monica close to him, he also could feel the
unhappiness within her.  Jen was also sorrowful, but she didn't seem to
be taking it as hard.  He'd asked her about it, and she told him that
she felt more closely tied to her master than to her father at this
point.  Martin had felt compelled to reward her for that comment, which
he could not say he hadn't enjoyed.
 
    Martin understood Monica's actions far better than she
might have guessed.  In fact, Monica was acting much as Becca had; she
depended on Martin to hold her world together.  At least this time he
knew he wouldn't have to figure out how to solve any school problems. 
He knew that it had caused Mrs. Sarento some grief to be without her
daughter for a few days, but it had been a help to Monica, and since
she was his concern, that was important to him.  He couldn't bring
himself to scold her for her actions, though he had told her that she
should have said something to her mother.
 
    He thought about all of these things as they began their
drive to Albuquerque on Saturday.  Both of the girls had decided to sit
in the back, so that they would not force Martin to pick one of them to
sit up front.  He thought that was sweet, and he didn't really want to
have to choose between them, anyway.  When he looked in the mirror,
though, he saw them talking very quietly to each other.  Their
conversation seemed very serious and urgent, but he couldn't hear what
they were saying.  He shrugged it off; if it was important enough for
him to worry about, he was sure they'd let him know soon enough.
 
    The three had gotten a late start to their trip, and by
lunch time, they had only reached Socorro.  Martin had skipped
breakfast, and he was very hungry, so there was no way he was going to
wait another hour and a half to eat.  He pulled into the parking lot of
the local Subway, so they could get something for lunch.
 
    Before he could get out of the car, Jen said, "Marty, is
there a picnic area around here anywhere?  Can we eat somewhere... more
private?"  Jen was still uncomfortable referring to her master by his
first name, but he had given her permission explicitly to do so, and
she would abide by his wishes.
 
    Martin reached over and got his map.  Looking, he saw a
rest area about ten miles out of town.  He thought that was a bit odd,
but the highway department often did odd things.  He restarted the car,
and they went through the drive-through to get their lunch.  In a
couple of minutes, they were back on the road, heading north.
 
    Soon enough, they pulled into the predictably empty rest
area.  No one stopped here, since it was so close to town.  What that
really meant was the facility was spotless and in good condition.  They
found a covered patio with picnic tables, and sat down to eat their
lunch.
 
    The first several minutes were quiet.  Martin was intent on
eating his lunch, and Jen wasn't yet ready to start the conversation. 
Monica was too insecure to start a conversation of this importance, and
so she sat, waiting for her sister to say something.
 
    Finally, Jen set down her sandwich.  "Marty, there's
something that Monica and I have been talking about on the way up."
 
    "I saw that," he said with a smile.  "I take it that it's
important."
 
    "We think so.  Master," she said, intentionally switching
back to his appropriate title, "we think that you need to take our
mother as you have taken us."  Martin had made it clear to Jen that her
sister was also one of his slaves.  She had reacted favorably to that. 
Her earlier reaction was the only reason her suggestion didn't make him
faint.
 
    "Jen... you realize just exactly what I did to you?"
 
    "Yes.  You made me your slave."
 
    "And... you'd want me to do that to your own mother?"
 
    "Master, I'm a happy slave.  I really enjoy serving you. 
Did you hear my mother's voice the day you called her?"
 
    "She seemed a bit shaky, but she'd just lost her husband..."
 
    "I've talked to her since.  She's even worse.  Marty, my
mother and father married right out of high school.  They went through
college together.  They've done everything in their lives together.  My
mother has never lived alone.  She isn't coping very well with this. 
If something doesn't change, she's going to be miserable for a very
long time."  Jen wiped away a tear.  "I don't want her to be like
that.  I'm happy.  Monica's happy.  Why can't you make Mom happy?"
 
    Martin dropped his head onto his folded hands.  It looked
almost as if he was praying, but he wasn't.  He was wishing Sarah was
here so he could talk to her about this.  He knew, though, that talking
to her wouldn't help.  He knew the questions she would ask, and, given
his answers, he knew what she would say.  He did find Katie Sarento
attractive.  He knew that being his slave would make her happy, because
all of his slaves were happy.  Of course, there was the dynamic of
having lost her husband, and he didn't know how that would affect
things...
 
    But could he really deal with having another slave?  And
another one who was so far away from him all the time?
 
    "Jen, let me think about it?  That's kind of a big request."
 
    Jen nodded.  She wouldn't bring it up again: her master had
heard her request, and he would make his decision.  The rest of lunch
was very quiet.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    Luckily for the trio, Martin remembered the way to the
Sarento house, and so they did not have to depend on Jen's directions
to get them lost.  It took only a little while before Martin pulled
into the driveway and shut off the engine.  He raised the top on the
convertible before he got out, though the girls had climbed out almost
immediately, and were waiting for him at the door.  He joined them, and
they all went inside.
 
    "Mom, we're home!" Jen called out.  It took a few moments
for Mrs. Sarento to come out from the back room.  Martin was astonished
at her appearance; her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had been
crying for most of the day, and there were dark circles under her eyes,
as if she had not slept very well.  She embraced Jen and the two almost
began to cry again.
 
    Martin stepped back from this scene, not wanting to intrude
on a family moment.  Katie Sarento would not allow him to disengage
himself completely, though.  After she had hugged Monica, she turned to
him, and embraced him strongly.
 
    "Thank you so much, Marty.  I don't know what we'd have
done without you.  I can't tell you how much you've helped me."
 
    Martin wrapped his arms around her, and squeezed tightly,
because he felt she needed the support.  He rubbed her back gently, and
held on.  She showed no signs of wanting to let go.  After a minute, he
turned his head and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.  He was only
trying to convey his support for her, and possibly a desire to be let
go.  She did release him, and gave him a tearful smile.
 
    As the girls led their mother over to the couch so they
could talk, Martin decided to return to the car to get the bags.  Both
he and Jen had packed small duffels for the trip.  Monica, however,
hadn't even thought ahead enough to bring clothes down with her.  He
shook his head at her behavior as he walked out to the car.  He
understood her desire to be with her master during a time of crisis, he
just wished she hadn't rushed so headlong into things.
 
    As he was getting the bags out of the trunk, he heard a
female voice behind him say, "Hello."
 
    Martin turned to see a middle-aged, but attractive, woman
standing at the end of the driveway.  "Oh, hi."
 
    She motioned to the bags he was carrying.  "Visiting the
family?"
 
    "Sort of.  I brought Jen and Monica back up from Rio Lobos."
 
    "Oh.  You're the boy I talked to on the phone that day."
 
    Martin nodded.  He thought he recognized the voice.  "Yes. 
That was kind of a bad day for everyone."
 
    "True.  I want to thank you for bringing the girls home. 
Katie really needs them here now.  Will Jennifer be staying here?"
 
    Martin shook his head.  "I don't think so.  If she does, it
will really destroy her grades at school."
 
    The lady frowned.  "That's too bad.  Katie... If I tell you
something, will you promise to keep it to yourself?"
 
    Martin nodded, and the lady said, "Katie is not taking this
very well at all.  As a matter of fact, I've felt like she's been
slipping deeper and deeper into despair.  The only thread she has left
to hold onto are her girls.  Without them... I worry.  Katie is a dear
friend, and I really don't want to see her suffer like this.  If Jen
were to be with her, I think it would be a lot easier for her to take. 
I know she has to worry about school and her future, but... her mother
really needs her, needs *someone*, right now, to be close to her and
comfort her."
 
    Martin nodded.  "I'll talk to Jen about it."
 
    The lady smiled at him.  "Thank you.  And please, don't
tell Katie I said anything.  I don't want to seem like I'm intruding."
 
    "Seems to me like you're just being a good friend.  But
don't worry, I won't say anything."
 
    "Thank you.  Well, I'll let you get back inside.  I
appreciate your help for the family."  The woman walked away, leaving
Martin with another endorsement of Jen's plan.  He still wasn't sure
what he should do about it, though.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    The hours that followed their arrival at the Sarento house
were strained, at best.  Martin insisted that they go out for dinner,
since he didn't want Mrs. Sarento to have to cook for them all.  They
all finally agreed on take-out, since none of them really wanted to get
fancy.  Martin went and got it.  He didn't think his father would
object to this use of some of his trust fund money, but either way, he
was going to help out.
 
    The evening went slowly, but at least it was uneventful. 
Finally, it was time for bed.  The two sisters each gave Martin a hug
and a kiss before departing for their bedrooms.  Martin looked over at
their mother, and could tell the kind of grief she was feeling.  He
went over and gave her a hug.  She quickly embraced him, and held on
tightly.
 
    Leaning away from her, he asked, "Are you going to be all
right?"
 
    She nodded, wiping away a tear.  "I'll be okay.  Thank you."
 
    He nodded, and then he, too, went to get ready for bed.  He
was very worried about Mrs. Sarento, however.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    It was roughly two in the morning when Martin woke up.  He
found himself to be terribly thirsty, and so he got up to get a drink
of water.  Once he stepped out of his bedroom, though, he saw an orange
glow coming from the living room.  He figured that was the fireplace,
but he decided he'd better check to be sure, plus he wondered what Mrs.
Sarento was still doing up.
 
    When he entered the living room, he found Mrs. Sarento
asleep on the couch, in front of a small fire.  In spite of the fire,
he saw that she was shivering in her sleep.  He looked around, and
spotted an afghan lying on the back of a chair.  He got that and gently
laid it over her, tucking it in very tenderly.
 
    Looking down at the woman, Martin's heart broke.  Her eyes
showed signs of recent tears, and even in sleep, her mouth was set into
a frown.  He could tell that her dreams were not pleasant, from the way
she was twitching.  Seeing her like this, and knowing that her
unhappiness would spread throughout the family, made up his mind for
him.
 
    Martin leaned down and softly kissed her on the cheek.  She
did not stir from her sleep.
 
    "Pleasant dreams, Katie," he said, and then left her to her
rest.
 
 
 
...---=== http://ericstorm.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    Martin did not have a suit with him at school, and so he
had to make due with some black dress clothes.  The girls, of course,
all had ample clothing available.  He thought they all looked
beautiful, even considering the occasion, and their teary eyes.
 
    The funeral home had provided transportation to the church,
and the four sat in the back of the limousine, communing in silence. 
Jen sat next to her mother, and Martin sat with Monica, holding her
hand and trying to show support.  He was surprised that Katie smiled at
him when she noticed they were holding hands.  She was holding Jen's
hand, as well.
 
    The ceremony at the church was somber and unpleasant, even
for Martin.  He had to wrap his arm around Monica's shoulder, because
he felt she was having trouble holding herself together.  Monica leaned
against him and cried silently.  He was holding Jen's hand, as well,
and he felt her squeeze it more tightly.  He knew she was also trying
to control her emotions.  He just hoped that his presence was making a
difference for them.
 
    After the church service, they headed back out to the
limo.  Before they got in, Martin took Jen's hand to stop her.  She
turned to him, and he said, quietly, "When we get there, I want to
stand between your mom and Monica.  Can you stand on the other side of
Monica?"
 
    Jen was unsure of why he was asking her this, but she was
not about to disobey her master, regardless of the request.  She
nodded, and he smiled softly at her, letting her enter the vehicle.  He
climbed in next to Monica, and resumed holding her hand for the slow
procession to the cemetery.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    Once they arrived at graveside, Martin stood next to
Katie.  He wrapped his arm around Monica, who was having a tough time
of it again.  Her sister put her hand on Monica's shoulder for support,
and she looked at Martin to indicate her concern for her sister.  He
nodded, but then he turned to look at Katie.  He could see the tears
welling up in her eyes.
 
    When Martin gently took Katie's hand and squeezed, she
looked over to him in surprise, but she gave him a tender smile for his
support.  He continued to hold onto her, paying little attention to the
ceremony, and far more attention to the ladies next to him.  Martin
could sense that Katie was struggling as badly as Monica was, and so he
let go of her hand to wrap his arm around her shoulder, as well.  He
didn't really care how it might appear that he was holding two women at
the same time; this was about them, not about him, and they needed
comfort at that moment.  Katie held onto him, weeping softly as the
ceremony continued.  It was, thankfully, not much longer before the
casket was lowered into the ground, and the final steps of the ceremony
were completed.
 
    While walking back to the car, Martin held the other two
back, letting Katie go ahead of them.  The two girls looked to him,
because they knew he wanted to say something.
 
    "When we get home, I need the two of you to disappear
somewhere for a couple hours."
 
    The two girls looked at each other, and knew precisely what
Martin was talking about.  They nodded in unison.
 
    Jen looked at him with heartfelt gratitude and said, "Thank
you."
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    Martin had to decide how he wanted to approach this
situation.  When they arrived at the house, the girls headed for their
bedrooms to change, and Katie headed for the bathroom.  This worked out
better than he could have hoped for, and he was ready to take advantage
of it.  Katie had not left the bathroom before Jen knocked on the
bathroom door.
 
    "Mom, me and Monica are going over to Amanda's for a little
while, okay?"  She listened for a second to a response that Martin
couldn't hear.  "Okay."  As the two walked past Martin, Jen said, "She
wants us back by dinner time.  When do *you* want us back?"
 
    "Dinner time is fine," he replied with a smile.  That gave
him three hours, and that was plenty of time.  Jen kissed him, and then
so did Monica, and the two left the house, so that their master could
enslave yet another person.
 
    Martin tried not to think of it that way, but it was
difficult.  He kept reminding himself that this really would be better
for her, at least from everything he'd heard so far.  He had to wait
until she left the bathroom, and that took her a while.  He didn't want
to consider what she was doing in there, nor why she had used the hall
bathroom instead of the master bath, so he let his mind mull over his
plan.
 
    Finally, Katie left the bathroom.  He counted to five, for
her to clear the hallway, and then stepped out.  He made his way down
to her room, and was surprised that she had not closed the bedroom
door.  He figured she was too distraught to think about it.  Peeking
in, he found her unzipping her dress.
 
    "Katie?  Can I talk to you?" he asked.  He intentionally
used her name, to help him begin to think of her in that way.  He saw
her jump slightly, as he'd startled her.
 
    "Um... sure, Marty.  C'mon in."  She stopped unzipping her
dress, but she didn't turn around.  He wondered what was going through
her mind.  He walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
 
    "How are you doing, really?" he asked.  His thumb was
massaging the base of her neck, as well as pouring warmth into her
body.  He wasn't blasting it at her; he didn't want to overwhelm her in
that manner.
 
    She tried to relax into his massage, but it was difficult. 
She said, "Not very good, I'm afraid.  It's... going to be very hard." 
He could hear the pain in her voice, and he knew tears would soon
follow.  That wasn't part of his plan.  He'd have to find a way to turn
this conversation.
 
    "Jen tells me that you and your husband have been married
since after high school."  Martin slipped his other hand onto her other
shoulder, and began kneading them.  Under normal circumstances, there's
no way he would get away with this, he knew.  But right now, her grief
and the warmth were making sure that things went his way.
 
    Katie leaned her head forward, trying to let him relax
her.  "That's right," she said softly.  "I've never been without him."
 
    Martin took a deep breath, and figured this was the best
opening in this particular conversation that he was going to get.  He
let his hands slip down off her shoulders and onto her back, slipping
inside her dress to slide along the silky skin there.  She shivered at
his touch, but she didn't say anything.
 
    "Do you think you'll be able to make it without your
husband?" he asked.  He wasn't trying to torment her; he was trying to
reinforce his plan of action in his own mind.
 
    "I really don't know, Marty, I... I've never considered
losing him before now."  He felt her body shudder, and it wasn't the
warmth's doing.  Everything he'd heard told him that what he was doing
would be so much better for her than letting her try to make it through
this herself.  He took a deep breath, and committed himself to it.
 
    Martin slid his hands up to the clasp on her bra, and
unhooked it.  He was a little startled to realize that even her
undergarments were black.  He arched an eyebrow at that, but continued
what he was doing.  He slipped his hand down, to finish unzipping her
dress, and then he slipped his hands, inside the dress, around to her
sides.
 
    Stepping closer to her, Marty whispered in her ear, "Maybe
what you need is someone to help you through it."  The warmth was
pouring freely into her now at its 'natural' rate.  He could feel her
growing flushed.
 
    "Marty, I..." she couldn't make a coherent thought; too
many emotions were pouring through her at the moment.
 
    Martin moved his hands upward, until he could push her
dress and bra off her shoulders.  Katie immediately crossed her arms on
her chest, keeping the garments from falling off.
 
    "Marty, I don't know..."
 
    Martin moved around to face her, keeping his one hand in
contact with her all the way.  He looked into her pain-filled eyes, and
saw the battle going on there.  He could sense her need, and her
desire, but that was being fought by her despair.  He brought both
hands to rest on her cheeks, brushing away the tears he found there.
 
    "Katie, your husband has passed on.  Now it's time for you
to move on."  He knew that sounded a little cruel, but he had a mission
to fulfill.  He tenderly pulled her head forward until their lips met. 
She didn't hesitate to kiss him, and it felt very good for both of
them.  Katie needed the support that Martin represented.  She allowed
him to bring her arms down from her chest, which then let her dress and
bra fall to the floor.  He embraced her, pulling her strongly to him.
 
    Soon, Martin's tongue was requesting entrance to her mouth,
and she granted it, parting her lips.  His tongue was soon caressing
hers, encouraging her to participate actively.  She did, and their
tongues were quickly performing their own dance.
 
    Meanwhile, Martin's hands slipped down onto Katie's ass. 
He squeezed her cheeks through her half-slip, and he felt her shiver at
his touch.  Sliding his hands to her waistline, he grabbed the elastic
of the slip and pulled it down over her hips, allowing it to fall to
the floor with the rest of her garments.  After a moment's
consideration, he did the same with her panties.  Katie was now wearing
only stockings and heels, and he intended to leave those on.
 
    Katie enjoyed the feeling of this young man holding her so
tightly.  When he moved slightly away from her, she wondered what he
was doing.  Since they were still kissing, she could not look to see. 
She felt his arms brush against her breasts, which caused her to moan. 
It also told her that he was probably undoing his own shirt.  In a few
more seconds, this was verified when she felt his bare chest pressing
against her tits.  She moaned again as she felt it, and then his arms
pulled her even more strongly against him, mashing her tits in between
them, which felt wonderful to her.
 
    Martin slid his hands down to her hips, and pushed against
her, but it was hard to feel anything through his pants.  He had
already kicked off his shoes, and so he reached down to undo his
pants.  Soon, those and his briefs were sliding down to the floor, and
he was also naked.  He finally broke their kiss, so he could step out
of his clothes and pull off his socks.  He immediately stepped back to
Katie, examining her body intently.  He was surprised at how beautiful
her body was, even in her early forties.  Her tits showed only the
slightest sag, and her small, pale areolas held thick, erect nipples. 
She had a body that still inspired him, and he intended to let
inspiration take its course.
 
    Martin took Katie's hand, and helped her step out of the
pile of clothes she was standing in.  He led her over to the bed and
gently laid her down on it.  He lay down with her, his hand dropping
lightly onto her breast, tenderly squeezing and caressing her flesh. 
She sighed as their lips met once again.  Martin didn't kiss her for
very long, only because his mouth decided to stray along her skin to
other parts.  He moved along her chin and up to her earlobe, licking
and kissing it for some time.  Eventually, he slipped down, moving to
her neck where he spent even more time, while both his hands fondled
her breasts.
 
    After a while, Martin finally allowed his mouth to wander
down off Katie's neck and onto her chest.  His lips and tongue soon
found her tit, and began to tease the sensitive skin there.  It wasn't
long before his lips found a nipple, and he took it into his mouth,
sucking on it and letting his tongue flick against it.  Katie moaned
loudly at this sensation.  The warmth was pouring through her now, and
she was entirely welcoming his actions.
 
    Martin switched back and forth between her breasts for some
minutes, pushing her to higher and higher levels of arousal.  When his
mouth finally continued its journey downward, his hands continued to
massage her tits, keeping her fully aroused.  It took only a few more
seconds before Martin was approaching the sensitive area between her
legs.  Katie parted her thighs for him, giving him easy access to
whatever he wanted.
 
    As his hands continued their motions, Martin's tongue
slipped out to press against Katie's swollen pussy lips.  She groaned
in bliss as his tongue slid against her cunt, worming between her outer
lips to flick against her inner lips.  When he found her hole, he
pressed his tongue firmly into it, and Katie's hips pushed against him,
trying to drive his tongue deeper inside of her.
 
    Katie was becoming more vocal as Martin worked his tongue
inside of her.  His fingers began to roll her nipples, and to lightly
pinch them.  She was soon lost to the pleasure she was being given, and
totally enthralled by sensations assaulting her body.  When Martin's
tongue moved from her hole up to tempt her clit out of hiding, it was
as if an electric shock ran through her body.  Katie shuddered at the
contact, and Martin kept it up, flicking his tongue against her swollen
clit, driving her closer to the edge.
 
    When Martin began to tug on her nipples, and at the same
time sucked her clit into his mouth, the pleasure was more than she
could stand, and she went plummeting over the edge, crying out in
orgasm, lost to the joy of the moment.  Her back arched and her hips
pressed her pussy down onto Martin's face.  Martin continued to suck
and lick throughout her orgasm, prolonging her enjoyment for as long as
he could.
 
    When Katie finally came down from her peak, she gently
pulled Martin up to lie alongside her.  She kissed him, tasting her own
juices and not minding one bit.  She could feel his hard cock pressing
against her thigh.  She pushed him onto his back as they continued to
kiss.
 
    When she broke the kiss, she said, "That was wonderful. 
Now let's see if I can make you feel that good."
 
    Katie slid down Martin's body until she was staring at his
fully-erect cock.  She wrapped her hand around it, and began to stroke
softly.  Martin groaned at the sensation.  Soon, Katie's tongue slipped
out and ran along the length of Martin's shaft, ending up at the head
of his dick.  She ran her tongue all the way around the head twice, and
then her mouth descended, her lips wrapping around his shaft.
 
    Martin placed his hands very lightly on Katie's head,
tangling his fingers in her silky black hair.  She continued to bob her
mouth on his dick, and the warmth was flowing intensely between them. 
He didn't really think he needed to give it any help, but just to make
absolutely certain this worked, Martin revved his warmth up as high as
he could get it.  The sensation flowing across his dick, along with the
feel of her lips and tongue sliding on his shaft, was intensely
pleasurable.
 
    For Katie, the warmth was assaulting what will she had
left.  It had been removing all her resistance since they had begun,
and it was now assaulting her central core.  Katie was intent on giving
pleasure to her partner, and ignored the assault on her psyche, not
that there was anything she could do about it, anyway.
 
    Martin knew he couldn't hold out much longer.  Katie was
simply giving him too much pleasure for him to resist.  Her lips were
sliding along his dick very lightly as her head bobbed rapidly up and
down.  Her one hand was caressing the shaft below her mouth, and her
other hand reached down to tickle his balls.
 
    That was more than Martin could take, and he immediately
grunted loudly in warning, right before his cum shot from his dick. 
Katie swallowed it all, and embraced the commands being sent to her
mind.  It all boiled down to one, simple, message, that now rested in
the center of her being.
 
    *<<YOU ARE NOW THE PROPERTY OF MARTIN GALLAGHER.>>*
 
    When Katie felt that message, her body shuddered in climax.
 
    Martin felt Katie's orgasm, but was too busy coming down
off his own to pay much attention to it.  In fact, Katie was coherent
before he was, and she climbed up his body.  He pulled her to him and
kissed her, tasting his cum on her lips, and not minding at all.  They
kissed passionately, for they were not finished.
 
    When they broke the kiss, Katie reached down to gently
fondle his prick.  "How long do you think before he'll be ready again?"
she asked coyly.
 
    "If you keep doing that," Martin said, enjoying the
sensation of her fingers, "not very long."
 
    "Oh, good."  Katie continued to massage his dick, and it
wasn't very long before he was becoming hard again.  They began to kiss
once more, and their tongues were immediately dueling pleasantly. 
Martin returned to fondling Katie's tits, and she moaned into his
mouth, her arousal rising again.
 
    When Martin's cock was fully erect once again, Katie rolled
on top of him.  She straddled his waist, but remained pressed against
him, her tits squashed against his chest, her lips locked onto his. 
She shifted her hips as her hand positioned his cock at her entrance,
and then she pushed her hips downward, forcing him inside of her.  They
both moaned as he entered her.
 
    Katie began to rock her hips, and Martin was thrusting up
into her.  The two were far too aroused to start slowly.  Katie broke
their kiss so she could sit up, though Martin's hands remained on her
tits the whole time.  He fondled her breasts, watching her to see what
she enjoyed.  She began to move up and down on his shaft, grinding her
hips and using her pussy muscles to massage his dick.
 
    Martin couldn't believe how good she was making him feel. 
Middle-aged or not, this woman knew a thing or three about sex.  He
continued to massage her tits as his hips tried to meet her every
move.  The pair were working together for mutual enjoyment, and they
were both moaning loudly.
 
    Martin slid his hands off her breasts and down to her hips,
to help him thrust up into her.  Katie leaned over slightly, to allow
him to take one of her swinging breasts into his mouth and suck on it. 
Katie cried out in ecstasy at the feeling of his tongue sliding over
her nipple.  The two moved together in wild abandon, lost to the
pleasure of the moment.
 
    After a while, Katie leaned back, releasing her tit from
Martin's mouth.  She climbed off him, and he looked at her in
consternation.  That look was quickly replaced with a smile when she
got onto her hands and knees and wiggled her ass seductively.  He moved
in behind her, and looked down at her wonderful cunt and tight ass.  He
ran his hands over her ass cheeks, and then he placed his cock at her
hole once again.
 
    Katie grunted loudly as Martin slammed home into her.  He
wasted no time, but set up a furious pace, ramming his cock deep into
her with each thrust.  Katie was moaning and screaming in her joy. 
Martin reached around and grabbed her tits again, groping them as he
continued to slam into her.  Katie was panting and screaming with each
thrust, encouraging him to go faster, to thrust harder.
 
    Martin could feel his own body rising to its peak, and he
was sure that Katie was not far behind him.  He pinched her nipples
lightly, twisting them to arouse her further.  The sounds she made told
him how well he had done.  He let one hand leave her breast, and it
wandered down to find her clit.  As he continued to ram into her, his
fingers strummed her clit, and that was the point of no return for her.
 
    Katie was lost in the white hot light of passion as her
orgasm rippled through her body.  Her muscles clenched and twinged, and
she screamed out once more in ecstasy.  Her pussy muscles gripped
Martin's cock and began to massage it, trying to milk him.  The effort
worked, and Martin could no longer hold back; he blasted his cum deep
into her cunt, which drove her even higher into the realms of pleasure.
 
    The two rocked and thrashed against each other for long
moments before they were able to calm down from their pleasure.  Martin
reluctantly pulled himself from within her, and he sank down onto the
bed, softly pulling her with him, so that she ended up beside him. 
They spooned together, with him stroking her side.  There, they rested.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    The pair lay in the bed for a long time before they got
up.  The first thing that Katie did was to close the bedroom door, in
case her children came home.  After that, they both went into the
master bath to take a shower together.  Although they did a great deal
of necking, they were both too worn out to do more than that.
 
    As Martin was scrubbing Katie's back, she said, "I guess
we're going to have to tell the girls that I'm your girl now... but I'm
not sure how to break it to them, so soon after their father's death." 
Martin heard sorrow in her voice, but it wasn't as prominent as it had
been only an hour ago.
 
    "They already know," he said as he reached her ass, and
decided to scrub it, too.
 
    "What do you mean?" Katie asked, leaning back into his
hands.
 
    "It was their idea.  They..."  Martin paused, because he
wasn't sure how to say that her daughters didn't think she could handle
things.  "They felt it was the only way for you to be happy."
 
    "And how would they know that being your slave would make
me happy?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
 
    "Well, because they have first-hand experience.  Both of
them have been my girls for a while now."
 
    "Mm," she purred.  "So, now you have a family set," she
said, pushing back against him.
 
    "Yeah."  Martin reached around and caressed her abdomen. 
Getting serious for a moment, he asked, "Were they right?"
 
    Katie took a long moment to answer.  "I don't know."  She
turned in his arms until she was facing him, and said, "And I'm glad I
never have to find out."  She kissed him lovingly.  Martin was still
uncomfortable with the whole notion of people who knew they were
slaves, and were happy about it, but that was just the way the warmth
worked, and there wasn't anything he could do to change that.  He had
to admit that this woman was sexy as hell, though, and he was just as
glad to have made her feel better about her life.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    After the couple exited the shower and dried off, Martin
left her for a moment to throw on some casual clothes.  He rejoined her
in the living room, sitting on the love seat where she had previously
sat with her husband.  Martin tried not to dwell on it.
 
    "The problem now," Katie said, her voice taking on a
distinct note of sadness, "is that you're leaving to go back to school,
and I'll be here all alone."
 
    "You'll have Monica..." Martin said weakly.
 
    "It's not the same, Master," she replied.
 
    Martin took her hand and squeezed gently.  "First off, you
can continue to call me Marty, especially around other people.  I
really don't know what to do about us being apart, though.  I didn't
like doing it to Monica, and I don't like doing it to you."  Martin sat
for a while, trying to come up with an answer.  He wasn't sure he was
ready to have all the responsibility of a family dropped on his
shoulders, but it was just a little late to worry about that now.
 
    The two were still sitting on the love seat together when
the girls came back from visiting their friend.  They were both a
little somber, but smiled when they saw their master sitting with what
they knew was his newest slave.  The sisters went over and hugged them
both, kissing Martin on the lips, now that they could get away with
that in front of their mother.
 
    "So, this is why you broke up with Peter," Katie said to
her daughter with a smirk.
 
    "Yeah... he, uh... didn't give me a lot of choice in the
matter."  Her voice softened as she said, "I'm glad he didn't."  Martin
smiled at her.  It was very weird, having conversations like this one. 
Lianna and he never talked about "before", and of course, Sarah was not
under his control, nor was Becca.  It felt very odd for him to be
sitting among people who were actually happy to have their lives
stripped from them.  Martin sighed at the strange twist his life had
taken.
 
    "I just wish I was as lucky as you are, Jen," her mother
told her.  "At least you get to be near him every day."
 
    "Mom, why can't you move down to Rio Lobos?" Jen asked. 
That stopped everyone cold for a long moment.
 
    "The problem," Martin said slowly, thinking it out as he
went, "would be Monica's school.  She's still got another... what,
three or four weeks?"
 
    "Three," she said with a frown.
 
    "I tell you what, guys," Martin said, coming to an idea. 
"The semester ends in a week.  That means Jen can come back up here
then, and spend the summer.  I'm planning on being away on vacation all
summer, anyway..."  They all frowned at that, but kept their peace. 
"So, if you could work it out to move over the summer, then when I get
back, we could all be together more often."
 
    "Do you have to go on vacation for the *entire* summer?"
Monica pouted.
 
    "Sorry, but I need to spend some time with my sister.  It's
a long story," he said, seeing the looks on their faces.  "If you get
moved down there quickly enough, maybe I could cut my vacation a little
short, to spend some time with you all before school starts..."
 
    "That sounds like a good idea, Mas... Marty," Katie said,
slipping just a little.  Martin kissed her softly, so she wouldn't
think he was mad at her for it.  "But will there be a job for me in Rio
Lobos?  It's a small town, and they probably don't have a need for a
lot of teachers."
 
    "If you can't get a job in the municipal schools, I bet the
college could use you, Mom," Jen said, warming to the idea.  Martin
nodded.
 
    "They're always short of people.  The bigger colleges
apparently can give more incentives to pull them away, though the pay
scale is mandated by the state."
 
    "No incentive could pull me away from you," Katie purred. 
Martin smiled at her, and rewarded her with another kiss.
 
    "So, that's settled, then?" Martin asked.  There were
nods.  "Okay, we'd better get dinner going.  Jen and I have to leave in
a couple hours, or it'll be awfully late when we get back to school."
 
 
 
...---=== http://ericstorm.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    The next day at lunch, Martin was sitting with Sarah,
telling her about the weekend, when Peter came over, looking very
distraught.  He sat down without so much as a greeting, and he looked
like he was ready to either cry, or to hit someone.
 
    "What's the matter, Pete?" Sarah asked softly.
 
    "They're going to suspend me at the end of this semester. 
Even if I ace the final exams, it won't pull my grades up enough to
improve my GPA into good standing."
 
    "Isn't there some kind of appeals process?" Martin asked.
 
    "Yeah, but I'd have to get someone else to speak for me. 
That's the way it works.  It's almost like I have to have a lawyer. 
They say the idea is that a third person would be more objective about
my difficulties than I am."
 
    "How have you been doing since... uh... you and Jen broke
up?"
 
    "A lot better, but it's not good enough.  I haven't had
enough time."
 
    "True, but I would think that would count for something. 
If you want, I'll act as your advocate."
 
    "Really?  I'd appreciate that, Marty."  It was obvious that
Peter was very upset.
 
    Sarah leaned over and whispered in his ear, "What are you
going to tell them happened to Jen?"  She was concerned about the
family secret.
 
    He whispered back, "Nothing.  They only need to know she
has a new boyfriend."  Sarah nodded at that, and continued eating her
lunch.
 
 
 
...---=== http://ericstorm.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    "This appeals hearing is now in session.  Mr. Rawlins, do
you have a spokesman?"
 
    Martin stood up at that point.  "I will be speaking for Mr.
Rawlins, Dean.  My name is Martin Gallagher, and I am a freshman
student here.  I am a close associate of Mr. Rawlins, and am extremely
familiar with both his academic and personal situation."
 
    "Very well," the dean said.  "You are aware of the reason
for his suspension?"
 
    "Yes, sir.  You wish to suspend him based solely on his
academic performance, as reflected by his cumulative grade point
average."
 
    "Correct.  You have a reason that we should not do so, I
assume."
 
    "Yes, sir.  When Peter Rawlins came to NMSS, he met an old
friend that he had known from high school competitions.  He and she
developed a relationship over the first half of the fall semester.  If
you'll note Mr. Rawlins' class grades during the first half of the fall
semester, you will see above-average work.  However, as this
relationship blossomed, it became apparent to those of us around Mr.
Rawlins that this girl was causing difficulties both in his personal
and academic life.  It was at this point that Mr. Rawlins' grades began
to decline, and you can see clearly that they were sliding for the
entire rest of the fall semester.
 
    "When Mr. Rawlins returned for the spring semester, the
relationship continued, and consequently his grades did not improve. 
Though we had counseled Mr. Rawlins that the relationship needed to be
ended, there were personal difficulties in managing that.
 
    "Then, just after Spring Break, the two broke off the
relationship, in a fairly abrupt manner.  If you'll review Mr. Rawlins'
grade records since Spring Break, I think you will find a steady
increase in the quality of his work, to the point that he is now
turning in work of the same quality as he was giving at the beginning
of the fall semester.
 
    "I know that personal relationships should hardly be an
excuse for academic failure, but we are talking about a freshman, away
from home for the first time, involved with a young lady that simply
didn't understand where the relationship's limits should be.  Since he
is now free of that burden, and, I might add, she has found another
boyfriend and so is unlikely to attempt to return to harass Mr.
Rawlins, I would ask the academic council to consider that Mr. Rawlins
is quite capable of doing the work, now that he is freed from the
distraction of the young lady."  Martin took a deep breath after
finishing his statement.  Talking to adults was much more
nerve-wracking than dealing with the kids at MOSI had been.
 
    "What if he gets another girlfriend?" a female on the panel
asked.  "Will his grades sink right back down?"
 
    "Ma'am," Martin replied, "this particular girl was... very
unusual.  I don't think a typical relationship would have affected Mr.
Rawlins' grades in the first place.  This girl was very manipulative
and overly dependent.  She gave him no space, and wouldn't take no for
an answer.  I have personally promised Mr. Rawlins that if he ever gets
involved with another such female, we will take him out behind the gym
and beat the living snot out of him."
 
    The council laughed at that.  They conferred very quietly
among themselves for a few moments, and then leaned back.  The dean
asked, "Mr. Gallagher, will you be staying for the upcoming school
year?"
 
    "Yes, sir.  I intend on completing my degree at NMSS."
 
    "What about the summer session?"
 
    "No, sir.  I'll be on vacation for most of the summer."
 
    "I see.  Very well.  Mr. Rawlins, we are going to suspend
you for the summer, then.  You will remain on academic probation for
the next academic year.  I suggest you listen more closely to the
advice of your friends.  Further, I'm making Mr. Gallagher responsible
for monitoring your academic progress.  Mr. Gallagher, I expect you to
be honest with us.  If Mr. Rawlins shows signs of an inability to
handle the work at this school, I want to be notified immediately."
 
    "Yes, sir," Martin said with a nod.
 
    "Very well.  Mr. Rawlins, your record will not show a
suspension, but do not attempt to enroll for the summer session, or I
will be very upset."
 
    "I have no intention of going against your wishes, Dean,"
Pete assured him.
 
    "Very well.  This hearing is adjourned.  Good luck, Mr.
Rawlins."
 
 
 
...---=== http://ericstorm.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    Martin was studying for his finals, which would begin the
next day.  It was nearly nine o'clock, and he'd sent both of the girls
away so he could do some final preparation for his exams.  He knew that
everyone else in the building was also probably studying, which was why
he was a little surprised by the knock at the door.
 
    He got up to open the door, wondering who would be coming
to see him at this time of night.  He was surprised, when he opened the
door, to find Georgia standing there, looking rather dejected.
 
    "Hey, Georgia," he said brightly.  "C'mon in.  What's the
matter?  You look like your dog just died."  He mentally slapped
himself for that.  Given the semester he'd had, her dog very well
*might* just have died.
 
    "Hey, Marty.  I just wanted to come to say good-bye."
 
    "Good-bye?  You're leaving school?"
 
    "I can't cut it here, Marty.  This is the third school I've
attended in three years.  I guess I'm just not cut out for college."
 
    "Well, you picked a hell of a tough school to attend..."
 
    "I know.  My parents wanted me to be really successful.  I
just... I'm not smart enough to go here!"
 
    Martin gave her a strong hug.  He didn't like seeing her in
distress.  "This school isn't for everyone, that's for sure," he said
softly, stroking her back.  "Will you try to go to an easier school?"
 
    "My grades here have been so pathetic, I don't know what
school would take me.  I'm going to take a year off and work.  Maybe
after that, I can try to figure out where I can go that I'm not too
stupid for."
 
    "Georgia," Martin said sternly, "you're not stupid.  Not
everyone is Einstein.  Okay, so your strength isn't necessarily in your
academic skills.  Maybe you have other talents that you should be
working on."
 
    She smiled at him.  "Thanks, Marty.  I always told Sarah
you were a good friend.  I wish we'd gotten to know each other better."
 
    "Me, too," he said, giving her another hug.
 
    "Marty, since I'm leaving," she said, with a shy smile, "I
was wondering..."
 
    Martin grinned at her, "Did you want to say good-bye in a
very... special way?"
 
    She nodded.  Nothing more needed to be said.
 
 
 
...---=== http://ericstorm.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    Martin and Sarah were just outside Albuquerque, heading
east.  They had just left the Sarento house, having dropped off Jen. 
They'd spent a little time there, so that Martin could catch up on what
his family's plans were for the summer.  It felt extremely
disconcerting to think of them as "his" family, but that's precisely
what they'd become.  He looked over at his sister, who had finally
openly introduced herself as such to the Sarentos.  She had told him in
no uncertain terms that he had to take care of his girls (she'd called
them slaves, but he still didn't like the word), and that he had done a
good thing looking after Katie.
 
    The two were expecting a long, tedious trip, although they
would both enjoy the company.  In fact, the trip took them almost five
days, since they spent a lot of time just being with each other, and
getting kicked out of hotels because it was past check-out time.  They
took their time getting into Florida, but as soon as they hit the state
line, there was an urgency to get home.  Sarah had not seen her parents
in sixteen years, and she had *never* met her little sister.  Martin
knew it was his responsibility to tell Becca; that would be an
interesting conversation.
 
    As they came into Clearwater, Sarah looked very nervous. 
Martin pulled into a parking lot, so he could talk to her first.
 
    "Are you okay?" he asked.  She looked frightened.
 
    "It's been a long time, Marty," she said, her body shaking.
 
    Martin reached over and took her into his arms.  She came
more than willingly.  He held onto her until she calmed a little. 
"They're not going to reject you, Sarah.  They love you, just like I
do."  He smiled and chuckled.  "Well, not *just* like I do..."  He
finally got her to smile at him.
 
    "But what about Becca?"
 
    Martin frowned.  He wasn't sure how Becca would react.  On
the other hand, if she was going to be mad at anyone, it would be her
parents.  "I don't think you need to worry about Becca."
 
    "Are you sure?"
 
    "She might be upset after finding out about you, but it'll
be at Mom and Dad, not at you."
 
    She considered that for a long moment.  Then she leaned up
and kissed Martin on the lips, very tenderly.  "Thanks, Marty.  I love
you."
 
    "I love you, too.  Are you ready?"
 
    She pulled away from him, and sat up in her seat.  She
nodded resolutely.  "Let's do it."
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    When Martin pulled in the driveway, he could see his sister
waiting for them, watching through the front window of the living
room.  He smiled and waved to her.  It was obvious that she called out
to the others right before bolting for the door.  She was out the door
and to the car in seconds.
 
    Martin had just managed to get out of the car - something
he knew he should do quickly - before Becca strangled him in a hug.  He
kissed her passionately, and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her
off the ground.  They remained like that for several moments, before
she finally let him go.
 
    "I missed you," she said unnecessarily.
 
    "Really?  I couldn't tell."  She punched him playfully. 
Martin could see his parents standing at the door, but they were
looking from him to Sarah, giving him a message.  He nodded, and then
motioned Sarah over.  He looked at his younger sister, and grew a
little more serious.
 
    "Small Fry, I have... another secret to tell you about."
 
    "Uh-oh.  I'm still getting used to the last one!"  She
smiled to show she was half-kidding.
 
    "Well, you won't have to keep this secret from anyone."
 
    "Good.  What is it?"
 
    Martin took a deep breath.  "Rebecca Gallagher, meet Sarah
Gallagher... your sister."
 
 
 
...---=== http://ericstorm.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
...---=== http://ericstorm.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    

