Folks, I screwed up! I left out an entire section. So, ignore the last post. Read this one as the second part of the story. It includes the last post, so everything is in order. Sorry for the careless mistake.
QBikk, I might do some additions to The Prisoner at some point, but I think I've tied up the loose ends in it. The story that I've left hanging is Finish What You Start. I wrote myself into a hole and haven't quite figured out how to get out.
In any case, with regards to this story, I hope this post makes more sense.
While Wendy was a winner in the genetic lottery, Joey was not. As an eighteen-year-old, he had stopped growing at 5’4 and 115 pounds. A poor diet didn’t help. Joey’s mom took no responsibility for feeding him. A school lunch was all he had. Now, at the beginning of summer break, he didn’t even have that. The one bright spot in Joey’s life was woodworking. He had taken a woodshop class during his freshman year and discovered not only a passion, but also a remarkable talent. In the past year, he started apprenticing with a kindly carpenter in town, Mr. Franks, who ran a small business building high end furniture. He happily took Joey on after school and on weekends. Having one thing in his life that he was good at kept the young man sane. It also kept him fed. Mr. Franks would sell the small projects Joey completed and gave him the profits. The money allowed him to buy food.
As this summer began, things got difficult again. Mr. Franks and his wife went on a month-long vacation. Joey’s only source of money, food and distraction was gone. His mother went out nightly to binge drink and do who knows what. At least it was time without her around. On this day, Joey heard his mom fighting with someone on the phone. He tried to ignore the screaming, but the volume and ferociousness wouldn’t allow it. It took a moment, but Joey realized his mom was fighting with Wendy.
“What the hell do you mean you’re back in town?” his mom slurred. “Don’t you think you’re comin’ back here to mooch off of me!” She listened with drunk indignation for a minute. “Well good, cause I wouldn’t have ya anyway.” After more listening and eye-rolling, Joey’s mom mentioned him. “He’s fine I guess, how should I know. Little shit don’t do nothing except eat me out of house and home.” That had to mean Wendy asked about him. Joey wished he could talk to her again.
After Joey’s mom ended the call, she went upstairs to dress for her nightly jaunt. Joey ventured into the kitchen to see if there was any food. All he found was half a bag of potato chips and diet soda. Great. It had been two days since Joey had eaten anything substantial. He was starving and at his wits end. He noticed his mom’s phone still on the table. Desperation fed him an idea. He pulled up the recent call list from his mom’s phone and copied down the last number. It had to be Wendy. Joey didn’t know if Wendy would care about him, if she could help him or if she would even talk to him. Joey hadn’t spoken to Wendy since she left eight years ago. The immature anger he carried as a child had faded into understanding. He missed Wendy desperately and often wondered if he would ever see her again. The idea that Wendy might be back and nearby filled Joey with hope. With no other option, Joey decided he had to try to contact her.
Joey went outside and sat on the porch steps. He dialed the number and waited with anticipation. A sweet, slightly husky voice answered.
“Hello?”
Joey instantly recognized Wendy’s voice, even if it was a bit more mature than he remembered. Joey hesitated, questioning if this was a good idea. “Wendy? It’s…it’s Joey.”
“Oh my God, Joey! “ Wendy’s voice was soothing. Joey closed his eyes and let it wash over him. “Sweetie, it’s good to hear your voice. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing ok.” Joey lied as his voice choked.
Wendy knew instantly something wasn’t right. “Joey, what’s wrong? Joey?”
Joey gathered his courage and found his voice. “Wendy, I’m so hungry. I don’t know what to do.”
“Isn’t there food in the house?” Wendy asked.
“No, there never is. I haven’t eaten in two days. School’s closed, there’s no lunch. I…” Joey started to tear up.
“Joey, listen to me. Go upstairs and pack a bag. Pack up everything that’s important to you. I’ll be there in 20 minutes. Joey struggled to understand what Wendy told him. What did it mean? “Joey, do you hear me?
“Yeah. Wendy, I…”
“Just go pack Joey. I’ll be there soon.” The line went dead.
An emotion welled up in Joey. Was it hope? He ran upstairs and collected the few clothes and belongings he cared about and jammed them into a bag. He struggled to get the bag downstairs and went back out onto the porch. As he sat down, wheezing at the effort of carrying his bag, a fancy Jeep rolled up in front of the house. The woman who stepped out was staggeringly beautiful. Joey’s breath caught in his throat. The statuesque goddess was Wendy. Balled up fists and a clenched jaw gave away her anger as she stomped up the walk to the house. She was wearing a thin scoop neck t-shirt that fully displayed her deep cleavage. Her breasts bounced seductively as she moved. The sleeveless shirt also displayed Wendy’s thick, powerful arms. Joey watched as muscle flexed in her arms as they swung at her side. Stretch pants highlighted Wendy’s long powerful legs with thick quads and calves that snapped into hard definition with every step. To any other man, the sight of Wendy would cause an instant erection. Joey had no sexual feelings for his sister, only abiding love. He hoped she still loved him too.
Joey stood at the foot of the steps, his breathing heavy with nerves as he looked up to the approaching Wendy. She was so much bigger than he remembered. He stared into her deep blue eyes, framed in golden hair cut into a bob. Joey again wondered if this was a good idea. Wendy was clearly angry. Was she angry at him? Wendy’s look softened as she stepped up to Joey. She ran a hand through his hair and smiled. “Hi sweetie.” She said softly. “Is she here?”
“Yeah. She’s upstairs. Wendy, I..”
“Shh. Go put your bag in the Jeep. I’ll be right back.”
Joey watched as Wendy swooped past him and into the house. He manhandled his heavy bag down to the Jeep. He hadn’t taken two steps before the screaming began.
“What’re you doin’ here?”
“I’m taking Joey.”
“Yeah? Well good riddance to the little shit.”
“Unbelievable. Do you have any shame mom? Have you even looked at your son? He’s fucking emaciated!”
“Fuck you!”
“No, mom, FUCK YOU!”
Joey hurried down to the jeep and hefted his bag into the back before settling into the passenger seat. Wendy came striding out of the house with her jaw set and eyes on fire. At the bottom of the porch steps, Wendy paused and looked back. Joey’s bike was there, leaning against the wall. It was Wendy’s bike originally, handed down to Joey when she left for college. It was a heavy steel framed thing, but it worked. Joey always struggled with it, having to use two hands to get it up the steps to the porch. Wendy went back and picked the bike up, curling it with one hand before continuing to the Jeep where she easily lifted the bike into the back. Joey was impressed at her strength, knowing how hard the bike was for him to handle. Wendy said nothing as she got in and pulled away. Joey sat quietly, afraid to talk. He looked at Wendy out of the corner of his eye, keeping his head still and facing forward. He really believed that this might have been a bad idea.
When the Jeep was out of sight of the house, Wendy pulled into a deserted parking lot and stopped. She took a deep breath and got out of the driver’s seat. As Joey watched her walk around to his side of the car, he wondered if this was going to be the limit of her help; a five-minute drive before being dumped on the side of the road. Wendy opened the passenger door as Joey unbuckled his seat belt, ready to accept the inevitable. Joey turned in his seat, but before he could step down, Wendy wrapped her long fingers around his chest and plucked him from the car, setting him on his feet in front of her. Joey looked up at his 6-foot-tall sister with trepidation. A gentle smile slowly spread on her lips as she snaked her arms around Joey and pulled him into a hug. Joey let out a sigh as he lay his head against her big, round shoulder. Wendy’s arms tightened around his back and Joey felt his feet leave the ground. Her large breasts pressed firmly into Joey’s chest as their faces met. Wendy palmed the back of Joey’s head and kissed his cheeks tenderly.
“Joey, I’ve missed you so badly.” Wendy whispered to him.
Relief washed over Joey. He held his sister as tightly as he could, his body suspended over the rack of her chest. Tears welled in his eyes. The memory of his childhood cruelty to Wendy flooded his mind. “Wendy, I’m sorry I was mean to you!” he cried. “I’m so sorry! It broke me to think of you leaving!”
“Shh.” Wendy said soothingly. “Stop Joey. I know you didn’t mean it. I’m so sorry I left you with that witch for so long. I should have come back to get you sooner. I was wrong to leave you there.” Wendy held Joey until he calmed down. She set him back on his feet, but kept her arms loosely wrapped around him.
“How about we get you some food, huh? Then we can talk.”
“Yes please!” Joey answered.
They crawled back into the jeep and drove on to the first restaurant they could find. The two walked hand in hand, the size difference almost making them look like mother and child. They sat in a booth to give themselves a little privacy.
“You order anything you want, ok?”
Joey nodded in glee. They placed their order then settled in, sizing each other up after eight years apart. Joey caught Wendy up on school and the extra year he had left, his passion for woodworking and his apprenticeship with Mr. Franks, and about what life was like at home after she left.
“I knew I should have come for you.” Wendy shook her head in disappointment at herself. “I was afraid I would make things worse by interfering.”
“Wendy, please don’t beat yourself up.” Joey said earnestly. When I needed you, you came. Fast. I couldn’t ask for more than that.”
Wendy took Joey’s hands in hers and held him tenderly. “I love you. This will certainly be easier now that you’re 18 and a legal adult. There’s nothing Mom can do about you moving in with me.”
“So, I really get to stay with you?” Joey’s excitement at the idea was palpable.
“Of course you do. For as long as you want. I just bought a house and there’s plenty of room.” She said brightly. After a moment’s hesitation, she added “I have some news too. I’ve got a fiancé. I’m getting married!”
“Wow!” Joey said. “That is some big news.” He looked away thoughtfully, happy for his sister, but also a bit jealous that he would have to share her with another guy. “Are you sure he won’t mind me moving in?”
Wendy sat back in the booth and took a thoughtful breath before answering. “SHE is happy to have you live with us.” Wendy waited to see Joey’s reaction.
He started to answer but cut himself off as his brain registered what Wendy had just said. “She?”
“Yep.” Wendy said with a nod. “I realized early in college that I was a lot happier with girls. The relationships were just more comfortable and more fulfilling. And I met a woman who became the love of my life. I couldn’t deny the facts, so I didn’t fight it.” Wendy lowered her head and looked Joey in the eyes. “Are you ok with that?”
“Of course.” Joey answered. He felt relief on some level that he was still the only guy in her life. “What’s she like?”
Wendy smiled warmly. “Her name is Alyssa. She’s beautiful, smart, driven, intense. You’re going to like her, I promise. She’s been after me for years to get you away from Mom.”
“So she knows about me?”
“Honey, I talk about you all the time. I think she’s glad to get you under our roof, so I’ll shut up about you.”
Joey giggled, but turned serious. “Wendy, did you mean it when you told mom I’m emaciated?” Joey knew what the word meant, but never thought about himself that way. He was fully aware that he was shorter and skinnier that just about any guy in school. He often felt like a boy surrounded by men. But to him, “emaciated” sounded like someone who was sick.
Wendy’s cheeks turned red, embarrassed that Joey had heard her. “Joey, I…I…yeah.” She finally admitted. I do think you’re way underweight and undersized. If Mom hasn’t been feeding you, then it shouldn’t be a surprise. But we can fix it, ok? This is what Alyssa does for a living. She can help you.”
“What do you mean?” Joey asked.
“She’s a nutritionist and physical trainer. She works in a medical practice that helps girls recover from eating disorders.”
“I don’t have a disorder.” Joey said defensively. “I just didn’t get much to eat.”
“I didn’t say you have a disorder. And you didn’t get much to eat for years. That has to have had an impact on you. Alyssa can help build you back up. Both of us will. And she wants to. It’ll be good. I promise.”
Their food arrived, ending the awkward conversation. The cheeseburger Joey ordered looked as big as him and he dug into it with glee. Wendy was delighted that he had a strong appetite. After his first couple of ravenous bites, Joey remembered his manners and ate more like a gentleman.
“Sorry if I eat like an animal.”
“You’re fine Baby.” Wendy’s phone rang, and after checking who it was, answered with a big smile on her face. “Hey Babe. Yeah, I’ve got him. We’re getting a bite to eat, then I’ll bring him home. Ok. See you in about an hour.” Wendy hung up and leaned back, draping one arm along the back the booth. Joey’s eyes followed her arm, noticing the very thick tube of meat that rose from the crook of her elbow and extended all the way to her shoulder.
“What’s that Wendy?” He said half-jokingly. He knew his sister was strong, but her arm was just so thick.
“What’s what?” Wendy asked.
Joey pointed to her extended bicep muscle. “That!”
Wendy looked at her relaxed arm, realizing what Joey was looking at. “This?” She asked proudly. Wendy kept her arm straight and flexed her upper arm, making her unflexed bicep meat rise up even further.
“Jesus Wendy.” Joey said, “That’s impressive.”
“How’s this?” Wendy brought her arm down into the privacy of the booth and curled it into a bicep the size of an orange. Joey was astounded.
“I wish I had muscles like that.” Joey said wistfully.
“We can work on that, sweetie. You’ve got two good teachers who are going to take care of you from now on.”
