Finally the twins do it!
Thanks to my editor Chadman95 for lending a hand.
*****
At two in the morning, Jimmy was roused by a loud noise. At first he thought it was his sister having another bad dream. Then he heard the doorbell. Jane too had been awakened by the clamor. They met in the hallway. Jimmy was shirtless and stepping into his jeans.
Jane, dressed in a soft tee shirt and panties, asked, "Who could that be at this hour?"
"I don't know. You stay here. I'll go check."
Jane disregarded her brother's instructions and followed him to the front door.
"Who is it?" Jimmy called out. No one answered, but the twins could hear someone crying. It sounded like some girl was bawling. Finally they heard a voice call out, "It's Joan. . . Joan Lyon."
Jimmy opened the door. He found Joan sobbing on the front porch. She had a large black trash bag in each hand.
"What's the matter?" Jane asked with concern. When she noticed that Joan's cheek was bruised and swollen she quickly added, "What happened to your face?"
Joan was too distraught to speak. She just stood at the door and sobbed.
"Come in," Jimmy beckoned. Jane went to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulder and led her into the house. Jimmy gathered up her makeshift luggage and dragged it into the foyer.
Jane led the shaken girl into the family room. The girls sat together on the sofa. The twins were quiet. They gave Joan time to compose herself. She blew her nose and dried her tears. Then she took a deep breath and started talking.
"Grandpa caught me trying to convince my mother to leave "The Colony". He and I got into a big argument. He said I had to go and I could never return. I cursed him and said he was only mad because he knew he was never going to fuck me again. That's when he slapped me."
The twins had been listening intently to her story, and her appalling admission given so casually surprised and shocked them. It showed on their faces. Joan had expected that reaction. She purposely made the horrible disclosure because she felt the need to come clean with them. After so many years of lying she was ready to tell the whole truth. How could she hope for absolution if she did not tell the whole truth, no matter how ugly?
She confessed, "Yes I've fucked my grandfather and every other male at "The Colony". I told you I wasn't a good person. I'm ashamed of my actions now, but when I was doing it, it didn't seem like a big deal."
Joan looked at Jimmy and Jane. She saw looks of astonishment. Joan continued:
"Aren't there things that you grew up with that you accept as true because everyone around you did? The Earth is round. You eat lunch at noon. Well, at "The Colony", Grandpa would announce that we were having a "love-in" and the adults would all have sex. No one ever questioned it or gave it a second thought."
Silently Jane prayed, "Thank you God for my parents". Out loud she said with authority, "You're staying with us."
"Oh thank you. I was hoping you would say that. I don't have any real friends. The girls that hang with me do so because I party hard and I have good drugs. They don't like me for me. I don't blame them, I don't like the "old me". I want to be a different person."
"You can stay as long as you like. I'm sure my dad will agree when he returns," Jimmy added.
The Wilson's lived in a three bedroom rancher. Their father slept in the master bedroom and the kids each had a small bedroom with a shared bathroom. Each of their rooms only had a twin bed, which was too small to have two people share easily.
Jimmy said, "Joan, you can sleep in my bedroom. I'll use the couch in the family room."
"I don't want to put you out . . ."
"No Joan. Its okay," Jimmy assured her.
Jane asked, "Joan, do you want to go to bed? Or talk? Are you hungry? Do you need something to drink?"
"I'm too wound up to go to sleep. Something to drink and someone to talk to would be nice."
"Jimmy, go make us some hot chocolate," Jane said. "Don't forget the little marshmallows."
Jane turned to Joan and gave her a reassuring look as she said, "So Joan, your mother refused to leave "The Colony"?"
Joan released a sad sigh and said, "Yes. She said she can't make it on the outside. Grandpa then gave me five minutes to leave, so I grabbed what I could and threw it in these trash bags. I'm alone Jane. My mom and all my relatives are under Grandpa's spell."
Joan cried. Jane hugged her and then said, "You're not alone. We are your friends. You will stay with us. "
"Are you sure? I was so mean to you." She sniffled and added, "I think I acted that way because I didn't like myself. I felt empty inside. Do you ever feel empty? Like your life lacks meaning?"
"Sometimes, but I have my father and Jimmy. I have my church and my goals. Oh, at times I have my doubts and struggles, but I do believe there is a purpose to my life."
Jane said sincerely, "That's what I want!"
Jimmy returned and handed out mugs. He also put a plate of oatmeal raisin cookies on the table. He sat beside his sister on the sofa. Everyone sipped their hot chocolate and then Joan continued. "I want to be a better person. I need to surround myself with people who will support and encourage the new me. That's why I came to your house."
Joan took a drink. She looked at them hopefully. She had never been so honest with anyone before. She felt vulnerable. Her heart raced. When Jane and Jimmy did not reject her or object to her seeking them out, she continued.
"I also feel that I have to atone for my bad acts."
Joan turned to face Jane and then said, "Please accept my apology for the many horrible things I did."
"Joan, I forgive you. You are also the girl that saved my life."
Jane hugged Joan tight. It was a warm, loving embrace. Joan felt it. She lay limp in Jane's arms absorbing the friendship and the acceptance that she so badly needed at this moment.
When their embrace ended, Joan turned to Jimmy and said, "I am sorry for how I treated you too. I was dishonest, manipulating . . ."
Jimmy interrupted her and said, "It's okay, Joan. When it counted, you did the right thing."
