I wasn't sure what to do, so I let my hand glide across the back of her shoulders and squeezed her arm lightly.I wasn't sure what to do, so I let my hand glide across the back of her shoulders and squeezed her arm lightly. Comfort and reassurance was all I could offer so far. Janet raised her head and looked at me; the tear stains running down her cheeks reflected what little light there was. I wiped them away with a forefinger -- and suddenly her face was buried in my neck, her hands clutched at my back. I felt her body shake with stifled sobs. I've never felt so helpless. I put my arms around her and stroked her head and simply held her for a few minutes while she cried it out ... whatever "it" was. I also felt a bit awkward, sitting there in my underwear, holding a very attractive woman in my arms, especially when I became aware that nothing separated our bodies except the thin nightgown. Each time her breasts shifted, my attention focused on them. I was trying to help but my hormones kept getting in the way. Then she slowly sat up straight again and wiped her eyes and nose. She touched my cheek gently with her fingertips and smiled her thanks. And then she was up and gone. The door shut behind her and I lay down again and waited for sleep to return, but it never did. Janet was cheerful and laughing at breakfast the next morning and said nothing about her nocturnal visit, so I didn't either. But I'm afraid my clients got shortchanged that first day: I was tired from lack of sleep and distracted by concern about my sister-in-law. Rachel was at a friend's house for supper and videos that evening, which put Rebecca on the spot. She was bright, thoughtful, polite, articulate when she had to be -- and very shy when she was the center of attention. At nine, she was at least as knowledgeable as her older sister but she preferred to let Rachel front for her. Janet was an old hand at trying to get her youngest to carry on a conversation (usually unsuccessfully) but, as a guest, I was able to play on my niece's sense of duty as co-hostess. It was a struggle at first, but I discovered that asking Rebecca a direct question and letting it hang in the air forced her to reply, just to fill the uncomfortable dead space. |