*Author's Note: This is erotic fantasy. It involves sexual situations between consenting adults, all of whom are over 18 years of age. Since it is fantasy and it's my fantasy, I presume a world free of STDs. Makes it so much more fun, don't you think? I hope you enjoy the story. If not, such is life. Comments are always appreciated.
RAMIFICATIONS OF CAMPING
"Chet, it's Beth."
"Beth!" Chet exclaimed in surprise when he heard his baby sister's voice coming from the phone, seven years younger at 46. "What a surprise. It's been what, 2, 3 years?"
"Something like that," Beth replied. "It makes it even harder to be calling you."
"What's up?" Chet asked.
"I-I think that I'm going to leave Jim," Beth replied.
"Is that good or bad?" Chet asked.
"Both," Beth laughed. "Bad that I feel the need to leave, good that I've finally got the nerve to actually try."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Chet said. "One of the advantages of being a life-long bachelor is never having to deal with anything like that."
"Chet, I need someone to talk to that I can trust and you're the only family I've got other than the kids and I'm not ready to talk to them about this yet," Beth said. "Anyone else will have an agenda."
"Okay," Chet replied, surprised, as they had never been particularly close, first because of their age difference, then because of the divergent paths their lives had taken, though there were no other brothers or sisters and their parents had died about 10 years ago, after which they had had even less contact, though there had never been any type of a problem between them.
"Can I come visit you?" Beth asked. "I need to be away from here for a bit to sort things out, make up my mind."
"Well, sure," Chet replied, "but I'm leaving tomorrow for a week. Can it wait until I get back?"
"If it has to," Beth replied, "but I'm feeling desperate right now."
"If I could, I'd change my plans," Chet said, "but I'm meeting a colleague from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich for our annual adventure trip. We're going to hike the Kalalau Trail in Kauai and camp out for a week."
"Hawaii?" Beth asked.
"Yes," Chet replied.
"Hiking and camping?" Beth asked.
"That's right," Chet replied. "We've been doing this for about 10 years now, a different place in the world each time. It's about as good and total a break from astronomy as we can get. You're welcome to stay in my house until I get back if you'd like."
"Could I come with you?" Beth asked.
"Come with me!?" Chet exclaimed. "Beth, this isn't a Sunday hike, it's a hike through a tropical jungle in the mountains. It's always either up or down, almost never level. There are no bathrooms or facilities of any sort. We carry in most of our food, dehydrated rations, and we can fish, but it's a physically demanding hike. This time of the year, I can pretty much guarantee 100% that it will rain every day."
"Then why are you going?" Beth asked.
"To get away from it all," Chet replied, chuckling. "I can handle being wet and sleeping rough on a beach for a week. The fact that the weather is so bad this time of year means that there will be even fewer people on the trail. Since there is no infrastructure of any sort, the sky will be clear if it's not cloudy. I'll still have my stars."
"So, what will you do for a whole week?" Beth asked.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Chet replied, laughing. "It's my time to shut down my brain and just be. It's my favorite time of the year."
"Chet, I just don't want to be alone right now and I can't bear to be here," Beth practically pleaded.
"Beth, other than the question of whether you're physically capable of doing it, I'd have to ask Gerard," Chet said. "We've been doing these trips together for years, without women. It's also his break from everything, including Mari, his wife. What sort of shape are you in?"
"I'm 46, Chet," Beth laughed. "My ass is bigger, my thighs thicker, and my breasts have started to sag. I've even got enough grey in my hair that I can't deny it anymore."
"Well, mine's totally grey, if it's any consolation," Chet replied with a laugh. "Look, I'll give Gerard a call and explain the situation, see what he says. But I can't make any promises."
"Chet, I promise that I won't be a burden and that you'll never hear a word of complaint from me," Beth said.
"Give me a bit and I'll get back to you," Chet said. "This number is okay?"
"Yes, it's my cell phone," Beth replied. "Chet, no matter what, thank you."
"I'll be in touch shortly," Chet said.
"Okay, thanks," Beth said. "Bye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Well, it will certainly change things, won't it?" Gerard asked in his clipped British accent.
"Yes," Chet agreed. "I've done everything possible to discourage her without being blatantly obvious."
"Well, she is your sister, after all, even if you aren't particularly close," Gerard said with a sigh. "I'm sure that we'll manage."
"We always do. Give Mari my love," Chet said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Chet, Chet!" Beth called out, waving her hand and jumping up and down when she saw her brother waiting in the arrivals hall at Lihue Airport in Kauai.
"Hello, Beth," Chet said surprised to feel her trembling when she hugged him tightly, his arms automatically enveloping her. "It's great to see you," he said, holding her at arm's length and taking her in, her ass definitely starting to spread and her legs heavier, while the brunette ponytail that he remembered still hung almost to her waist, though it was now liberally streaked with grey. "You look great," he added, smiling into her hazel eyes.
"God, what a liar," Beth laughed, "but thank you anyway. I needed something like that. But you, other than the grey hair, you look the same," she said, taking in his 5'10" and 225lbs, his barrel-like chest and muscular arms standing in stark contrast to his ice-blue eyes and piano-player's hands with long slender fingers.
"Where's your friend?" Beth asked.
"Waiting for us at the resort," Chet replied.
"Resort?" Beth asked. "I thought that we were going hiking."
"We are," Chet laughed as he took her bag from her and led her from the airport, "but we always treat ourselves to a nice stay at the beginning and the end. You'll love the place, the Princeville Resort on Hanalei Bay."