I met a young man Daniel almost three years ago. He told me a story I found hard to believe. He assured me it was true. Since then I know it to be. I have met almost his entire family. Daniel put me in touch with others he learned of over the years. I don't know how, I asked, he didn't say.
I am not a writer, far from it. Except for the names and places, the stories you read are true for the most part. Still they are not biographies. Artistic license has been taken to enhance or in some cases minimize the events described. All sexual situations were between consensual adults within the framework of their story.
The stories are somewhat long. Most of these stories cover several years. I will try to keep the chapters short. I suggest you save one for reference. None of the stories are mine, any personal friend, or relative.
This story is about a brother's sense of duty to his sister and her family. Buck struggles to help his sister fight against her demons. The first chapters can be a tough read. It was even more difficult for Buck and Rey Ann to tell it.
This is the fourth chapter. Rey Ann is out to prove she is a woman. Is her new acquaintance to be trusted? Has Buck pushed her too far? Can Rey Ann be trusted? Does she trust Buck?
*****
Rey Ann
Shopping was wonderful. Mom and Joy helped me pick out an outfit for my interview tomorrow. Maria and I went to Victoria Secrets to buy something special for the boys at home. Buck gave me $200, so I paid for Maria's too as a gift for Luis.
Maria has fallen hard for Luis. I am happy for them both. I explained she needed to be careful with Luis. He can get a bit ahead of himself a times. I suggested she tell him that she would date him but Luis was not to expect any commitments from her until she graduated. It was then that she assured me she has been on birth control for years. I didn't tell her I was not.
Joy took Maria with her for a short time so mom and I could talk. I only call her mom out of what little respect I have for her in that regard, and to avoid conflict. We had always had this love hate relationship. Since Bobby died and she cleaned up her act, it has been mostly love. That said she is more of a friend than a mother. What Luis and I went through as kids I still blame her for. Sob stories aside, I wiped her slate clean and with Joy's help we have few reasons to not get along.
"Rey Ann, I know I have failed you as a mother..." She said sitting down on a bench. "...I am so happy for you and Buck. I think he is everything that a mother could want for her daughter."
"Thank you." I replied letting her finish.
"There is no easy way to say this. I feel like I am on a TV show!" Karen fussed with her hands. "You know about Buck and me. What am I saying? Everyone knows about Buck and me." She was getting flustered. "I am not in love with him. We both know he is not in love with me. But he brings something into my life ..."
"Mom, you don't have to do this." I grabbed her hands.
"Yes Rey I do. Buck makes me feel loved!" She gripped my hands hard. "You slept with him, you know how it feels!"
In a way I couldn't believe she was talking about this but in another it was exciting to know someone else knew how I felt. Just looking at her I knew she was remembering how he makes you feel when he is with you. When he is inside you.
"Darling, I want you to know, Buck and I will never be intimate again. Joy made me promise her I would stop if he ever found a woman he loved." Mom was emotional and now so was I. "We may be moving back closer someday. Joy may have another job offer. He will always be welcome in our house, but not our bed! I promise you!"
It felt good to hug her. Not just a quick hello or goodbye. But a woman to woman real hug. We let our emotions out.
"Thank you Karen. It means allot you telling me personally." I replied. I wasn't sure I trusted her but I knew Joy would not allow her to break the promise.
As much fun as we had shopping I couldn't wait to get back to see Buck. We all went out for an early dinner. Luis took Buck's truck and we took his car to take Karen and Joy to the airport. I was confused when we drove straight home with Luis's car.
"You're not stopping to get your truck?" I asked as we passed the road to Luis's.
"How would it look if you showed up for an interview in an old truck?" Buck asked looking at me.
"I was going to take the Mustang." I replied
"I have taken the week off. I will be taking you." Buck explained.
"I would like that." I smiled at him.
This was the busiest time of the year for Buck. Taking time off now was definitely something I would have never expected him to do. We talked about our separate days. Buck told me about his conversation with Luis. I told him about mine with Maria. I also told him about what Karen had said about the two of them. Buck got quiet after that. I was not sure what to make of it. It scared me there might be issues he could not tell me. Maybe he was in love with her? We pulled in the drive he turned off the engine but did not open the door. I had a sense it was something he wanted to clear up before we went in.
"Talk to me Buck, what are you thinking?" I used the same question on him he used on me.
"Rey you know I come into this relationship with allot of baggage?" Buck turned to face me. "I am not proud of everything I have done."
"Are you in love with her?" I knew what he was referring to.
It hurt to ask, but I needed to know. He seemed shocked by the question. He took my hands and looked me square in the eyes.
"Is there a place in my heart for her? Of course. Do I love her? It's not that simple. In some ways I do. In other ways I despise what she was and what she did to you kids." He struggled to explain. "I am not in love with Karen. I have never been in love with her."
"Still you made love to her?" I said my emotions getting the best of me.
"I did what I thought was best to keep her alive. I wanted her know she was worth loving." He was searching to see if I understood. "She has Joy now."
"And if she needs you in the future?" It was the only question that needed answered. "She says she won't let you in her bed again."
"You don't believe her?" Buck asked.
"Do you?" I challenged him.
"No." He answered honestly.
"So you will you sleep with her again?" It was time to know if I had to share him.
"No Rey Ann, I won't. I would never do anything to hurt you." He replied. "Bobby is gone. It's time Karen stops using me as a crutch?"
"Buck, if she does need you though...what if I asked you too?" Buck looked at me in shock. "She is still my mother!" I added.
"Let's hope it never comes to that." He replied still taken back by my suggestion. "You are my love, my only love."
Buck kissed me letting me know there was nothing left to discuss. I heard everything I needed to know. We both knew Karen too well to know she was not strong enough even with Joy. Knowing I was the one he was in love with is all I needed to know. There was no looking back now, just forward.