If asked, Kathy and Phillip would have said they had a normal life. Normal for them meant the usual sibling friction and devotion. They had loving, responsible parents and never wanted for anything that really mattered. Their father always worked hard and provided for the family well. Wanting a bit of discretionary income, their mother decided to take part time employment and this compelled them to look to each other for support. Kathy, being two years older than her brother, met life's experiences before Phillip and he depended on her from that standpoint. For her part, Kathy discovered in her freshman year of high school that Phillip had his own value. When a rude upper classman crossed the line with her, she complained to Phillip. He confronted the boy a few days later, and even though smaller and younger, ended up teaching the malefactor that consequences always followed actions. Thus, as both youngsters entered young adulthood they came to share a common reliance.
When his sister went to college out of state, Phillip did not appreciate how her absence would impact him. For two years Kathy would be home on holidays and brief periods during the summer. Due to his own college ambitions, Phillip spent most of his summers prepping at a nearby academy. Then Phillip entered a distant university and their contact became even more intermittent. When their father passed away at the beginning of Phillip's sophomore year, the brother and sister found themselves interacting intimately for the first time in a long while. Their mother was not incapacitated by her husband's loss, but Kathy and Phillip directly handled many of the arrangements for his burial out of compassion for their mother's situation. As they walked to the car from the graveside, the days of little sleep, emotional stress and general grief took their toll on Kathy. It was a chilly winter day and she shivered as Phillip opened the car door for her. Noticing, he reached out and embraced his sister softly. She looked into his eyes, her elfin face showing sadness. Kathy closed her eyes and let her brother's strong arms envelope her. Laying her head on his shoulder, she felt her tears slide over cheeks as she released the restraint on her feelings.
"Ok, Kath." Phillip said. "I know it hurts."
Those simple words of shared grief uttered with a lack of embarrassment, melted Kathy's heart and she drew her brother closer with her own embrace. They drove home in silence, each contemplating their own pain while mindful of the other's.
The next few days brought a little relief. Kathy and Phillip decided to take time from college and stay home.
"I'm telling myself it's for Mom. But, it's as much for me as her." Kathy admitted to her brother.
"I feel the same way." He said. "I couldn't face school right now." Winter eventually turned to spring and the family's loss softened. Kathy approached her brother with an idea.
"You know Mom needs something to get her mind on life. The church is having a weekend retreat and I think it would be good for her to get out. To experience others in a, you know...sympathetic surrounding."
Phillip thought for a moment. "I think you're right. Do you think she would go?" He asked.
"She would if we both told her it was something that she needed." Kathy answered.
Their mother resisted at first, but she gave in as both children expressed their opinions over several days. She reluctantly agreed and the plans were finalized. They drove her to the church on a Thursday and saw her off. They were encouraged by the fact that their mother was in good spirits and greeted her friends warmly.
"I'm so glad she's feeling better." Said Kathy, as they drove home.
"How 'bout you, Kath? How are you feeling?" asked Phillip.
Kathy looked over at her brother smiling. "As long as we have each other, I'll be fine." She replied. Her outlook was much improved by seeing her mother experiencing a small bit of happiness.
On their arrival home Kathy and Phillip were in such good moods they decided that they would spend an evening on what they used to call "dates". Whenever they were not spending time with their "steadies", they would order pizza or Chinese and watch movies together. This seemed a perfect time. Neither had felt the yearning for outside company as they grieved for their loss and strove to support their mother and each other. As the heartache eased the siblings felt a natural need for diversion.
Evening came and the food arrived. Phillip had rented the DVD's they settled in the family room to eat in front of the TV. The movies were lighthearted entertainment. They laughed and teased each other as they shared the time together. It was just what they needed to distract them briefly from life's harsh intrusions. Between movies Kathy decided to change into her sleepwear. Her brother took this opportunity to go to the kitchen and pour himself a Bacardi and coke. He had taken a few sips and felt the alcohol warming his mood before his sister returned. Kathy came into the room and sat on the couch near him. She had donned her warm weather usual; loose fitting PJ shorts and an oversized tee. Both garments pink but in differing shades.
"No wonder you don't have a boyfriend, Kath." He laughed. "That's not what I'd call a flattering look."
Kathy scowled at her brother. Noticing the drink, she could smell the rum. "What's the matter? Those don't come in pairs?" she feigned anger.
He chuckled. "I'm not your slave. You know where the stuff is."
Kathy groaned as she rose to go to the kitchen. "You're mean." She stuck her tongue out at him as she left. Phillip watched her butt jiggle as she strutted away from him. He shook his head and thought to himself what a nice ass Kathy sported.
When Kathy returned with her drink she decided to take Phillip to task. "Since when did you worry about what I wear? You must be one of those freaks that like women's clothes."
He laughed. "I'm no panty boy!"
"Oh, I bet you fantasize about underwear all the time!" she shot back, laughing.
"Nah." He shook his head. "But...when I used to wash clothes I'd see your panties and wonder how you ever fit your big behind in 'em." Phillip was only joking about the size of his sister's derriere. As he pondered the subject his mind's eye constructed an image of a firm, smooth feminine ass.
Reflexively, Kathy punched her brother's shoulder. "Shut up!"
Her blow jostled his arm and some of his drink spilled out onto his jeans.
"Dammit." He muttered.
Kathy giggled. "Oops. Well, you'd better get into your PJ's now."
Muttering to himself Phillip rose and left the room to change. His sister giggled watching him trying to walk without letting the damp cloth of his jeans contact his body. Kathy caught her reflection in the glass doors of the china cabinet in the adjoining dining room. She got up from the couch and walked into the dining room. When she was close enough she turned slightly so that she could see her rear end. "It's not that bad." She thought to herself. She flexed the muscles of her legs by standing on tip toes. Nodding to herself, Kathy could see the definition in her slim but well toned calves and thighs. "When the weather gets warmer I have to get back in the pool." She thought. She enjoyed swimming the laps knowing that was all the maintenance her body required. Kathy returned to her seat on the couch and sipped her drink.
Phillip had donned some gym shorts and a fresh tee before coming back into the family room. "You better behave, sister." He remarked as he sat down.
