I nodded silently. It was her first sign of real interaction with me.

Danielle was moving past the emotional venting of her story and really speaking to me.

“I thought I was messed up. But Cherys was the one who almost got raped, and even I can't pretend to understand what was going through her mind. Kids at school didn't know why we changed. But then it all made perfect sense to people when we came out as a lesbian couple,”

Danielle sighed.

“We had learned how to pleasure each other, and we were dick-free ever since."

Danielle squeezed my hand again and Looked down.

“So you see, Cherys could never be with a man. She could never date a man, or marry, because the very thought of it recalled this horrible memory of what

Uncle Verne tried to do to her. She was mine forever, until you healed her. You showed her that a man could be safe, that a man could love her without Losing control. You gave Cherys her heterosexuality back. And she had to leave me to go live that life."

The tears started rolling down Danielle's cheeks again, and yet there was a smile on her face. "I'm happy for her. Really... I am. And I thank you for that. I don't think she could've ever become whole as a person if it wasn't for you."

My big sister sniffled and leaned her forehead against my chest. Never before had she seemed this small and vulnerable. Her voice cracked as she whispered, “But I can't help but feel sad that she had to grow beyond me. And I can't help but wonder... who will be there for me?"

I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed tighter.

“I'll always be here for you, Dani. You know that."

She sniffled again and then looked up at me, her green eyes dull and lifeless. "You can't. Not Like you were for Cherys."

A very wrong thought came into my head just then. But I quickly stamped it out. I was her brother, here for support, not my own lustful urges.

But I couldn't help myself. I tilted her face to mine, our noses just an inch apart. Danielle's eyes went wide for a second, and her lips puckered and opened for me.

That was all it took as I leaned in and gently pressed my lips to hers.

It was only a soft, tender kiss. And then I pulled her head to my shoulder again and wrapped her in the most brotherly affectionate hug I could manage, squeezing her so tight I was sure she couldn't breathe.

Eventually, I released enough to let her gasp for air and settle in against my chest. And then, her body already worn out from typical

February influenza, Danielle closed her eyes and went to sleep. eek

As often happens when one roommate falls ill, so did the rest of us.

I was the first one to get Laid out for a day. Despite the throbbing headache, stuffed sinuses, and constant tickle in my throat, it wasn't that bad. How could it be that bad with four beautiful women doting on your every need?

Danielle was already on the mend and her mothering instincts kicked right in once I got sick. She was especially fussy over me as she considered it her fault that I had the flu in the first place.

Then of course, I gave it to Amber. And later the same afternoon, Diane succumbed as well. E-Beth held out an extra day beyond that. But after a week of rest, gallons of Gatorade, and a couple of lost pounds for everyone, we were all on the mend.

I'd already missed three days of classes, but I felt healthy enough to drag myself out of bed and at Least make the attempt to catch up on my schoolwork. I kissed Amber on the cheek as I slipped out from beneath the covers. She was pale and sweating and just moaned in miserable agony before rolling over.

I had been stuck in my own cold sweat all night as well, and a shower to wash away all the oil and bad poisons on my body sounded simply delightful. And besides, it was morning and I really needed to pee.