Chapter 1
Trisha turned back one more time to survey her nicely decorated apartment before heading out to her car. Everything was in its place. She picked up the large duffel bag by the door and stepped out. Locking the door behind her, she trotted down the steps to her car and put the bag in the back seat. She opened the door and slid behind the wheel of her red Mustang convertible. Her short skirt slid up, exposing the smooth, lightly tanned skin of her shapely thighs. She didn't mind that at all, and instead spread her legs wider to allow the breeze to caress her inner legs as she adjusted the seat back. Quickly looking in the rear-view mirror to make sure she had not forgotten to put on her light pink lipstick, she turned on the engine, and slowly slid out of the parking lot on to the street.
It had been a while since she had seen her dad and younger brother. She thought about her father often, remembering how devastated he had been when her mother was killed in a car accident three years ago. She vividly remembered how he had clung to her, and cried as she left to return to college after the funeral. Trisha's eyes filled up with tears, even as her heart became full of love and tenderness for her dad. He had always been the pillar of strength in the family, and it hurt her deeply to see him crumble like that, because no one could say or do anything to console him. She knew how much he loved her mom, and could feel his loss deeply.
Now that her finals were over, she could not wait to go home to him, and help him put his life back together. At 22, Trisha had turned into a stunning beauty, with her golden hair, slender but vivacious figure, and her athletic looks. She knew she was beautiful, and was quite proud of her looks. She loved her father very much, from whom she had inherited her looks, and zest for life. Her mother was also beautiful, and had instilled in her a healthy outlook about life in general. Trisha had learned early that her parents were not squeamish about sex and everything it entailed, and had a very open and liberated attitude about the human body. Even then, her mother would admonish her often for her tomboyishness when she was growing up.
After Trisha started to become a woman, her mother constantly fussed over her, making sure the hemline was low enough and the bust line was high enough. But at the same time, she had often heard her talk to her father about how their daughter was becoming a sexy young woman. It drove Trisha crazy, because she wasn't sure how she was expected to behave. She still loved her mother very much, and willingly obeyed her instructions, even though sometimes she felt that her mom was being unnecessarily prudish.
Trisha looked down at herself as she eased out on the highway, noting with satisfaction that her firm breasts jutted out provocatively under her chin, accentuated by her slim waist. It was a warm day in May, and so she had left the hood down. Skillfully she merged into the highway traffic, heading east. The wind sweeping through her golden hair scattered the loose strands across her face. She sighed with joy as the breeze caressed her thighs. She heard the horn of a passing van, and saw a friend from her class giving her a thumbs-up sign, as the vehicle passed her. She saw the surprise in his face as he caught a glimpse of her legs, and smiled at him when he whistled and blew a kiss at her. She waved at him, and turned her attention to driving.
Trisha felt the coolness of the breeze on her face and chest, and felt the unrestrained nipples harden under her blouse. She looked down, catching a glimpse of her cleavage through the open collar, and decided to open a couple of buttons to expose more of her flesh to the invigorating breeze. It was still quite early in the morning, and despite the warm temperature, there was still some lingering coolness, which she enjoyed. Her hand brushed against the erect nipple as she unbuttoned her blouse, and felt a shiver run down her tummy to her legs. She momentarily clutched her thighs together, and relaxed, enjoying the building excitement caused by the caress of the wind and the rubbing of the soft fabric against her full breasts. She felt her face flush as she eased into the seat, spreading her legs wider to feel the breeze caress her panty-covered womanhood. Her mind raced as the car sped down the highway, thinking about what her dad must be doing at this time. She knew he was expecting her by the late afternoon, and looking forward to seeing her after a long time. She wondered if he had recovered from the tragedy by now.
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Brian Mulford stretched and rolled out of bed. He had been too excited after talking to Trisha the night before. She had told him about her finals, and he could feel her excitement that it was finally over. She had finished college, and with flying colors. After the initial minor setback three years ago when the whole family went through some harrowing time following Amanda's death, Brian was now delighted that they had come through the loss of his wife pretty well. He knew Trisha would, because he knew her inner strength. She was like him - strong, but emotional, extremely loving and loyal, and just a lot of fun to be with. But he worried about Ben, her younger brother. Ben was now 18, but he had taken Amanda's death the hardest. Why, he was only 15 at the time, and utterly devoted to his mom. Worse, he was in the car with her when a drunk driver had rammed into them at an intersection, killing Amanda on the spot. Ben had walked away without a scratch on his body, but his heart had been shattered. He suffered the most from the loss of his mother, and the already introverted boy turned even more inward. Only Trisha could talk to him, and understand him.
Brian tried his best to pull his son out of the depression and guilt he felt at being alive when his mom died in his arms three years ago. But the father and son were never really that close, and it was hard for both of them to adjust to this new equation. Brian felt inadequate in his role, and with Trisha being away at college, he had no idea how to deal with the situation. As a result, Trisha spent hours on the phone, talking to her brother and her dad. That had helped a great deal, because Ben worshipped his big sister. He loved her very much, and was very proud of her beauty and achievements. They were close friends, despite the difference in age and gender. He slowly came out of his depression and guilt with her help, and also began to appreciate the struggle and hardship his father had endured, first because of his loss and then because of his inability to communicate with his son. Ben spent all the time he now could with his dad, helping him in his work around the house, and taking care of himself, so that his dad did not have to look after him. He looked forward to Trisha coming home, and planned on spending as much time with her as he could.
Brian called out to his son as he headed for the bathroom. Ben was already up, and done with his chores. He was in the kitchen, fixing breakfast. He called out to his dad, to let him know he was all done. Brian emerged from the bathroom half an hour later, and walked into the kitchen to the aroma of fresh coffee and omelette. He greeted his son, and sat down to eat breakfast. They ate in silence. As Brian got up, picking up his plate, Ben looked up.
"When is Trish coming home, dad?"
"She should be here about three o'clock. It's a long drive from Chicago. She said she would call when she stops for lunch on the way. You miss her a lot, don't you, son?"