Did we just kill someone?

Everything seems to slow down around you as you watch Lee fall to the ground. Beth’s surprised scream is almost deafening or would be if it weren’t for the roaring in your ears as you bound to the side of the prone elderly man. To your relief, he’s still breathing, and he gasps out two words “Nitro... pocket...”

Your hand slides into his pocket and pulls out a small round metallic case. You unscrew the cap and pull out a small white pill, barely managing to not spill the remainder in the case. You pop it under his tongue and say your own two words. “Beth. Pillow!”

These words are all that it takes to spur your sister into activity. She jumps to the single bed and pulls a pillow off of it, slipping it under her father’s head as she kneels at his side opposite you. Lee is catching his breath and his skin color seems to be normalizing. He still looks a bit confused as his eyes begin to search yours, but this gives way to recognition and a happy smile begins to crease his thin lips. “James?”

“You’re the only one who ever called me that, Lee. There’s someone here you need to meet.”

He turns his head at your words and looks up at Beth. “Bethany? All grown up.”

“Yeah,” You’re vaguely surprised by the lack of bitterness in her voice. “So you’re my father. I thought you’d be taller.”

The laugh that Lee lets out shifts the entire mood of this impromptu reunion, and both his and Beth’s smiles are genuine as she helps him to his feet.

The next two hours are spent with he and Beth chatting about their lives and who they’ve become. He’s impressed by the fact that she’s teaching and she expresses her most heartfelt condolences at the loss of Steven. Out of habit you glance around the room noting valuables. It’s only as their conversation begins to wind down that you finally look out the window and see the snow is now blowing about with pretty excessive ****. Time to get to the reason why you’re here before you end up spending the night. And time is short, so you decide to cut out the tact and pleasantries and just get to the heart of the matter. “Mom’s dead, Lee.”

The tears in the elegant old man’s eyes at this new revelation would break a normal person’s heart. Even your unconventional emotions get a little battered. Beth squeezes his hand and you continue, telling him about the cancer and the extent of her illness. Finally you mention her last words, then go on to explain the research that you did last night, lying blithely and telling him that you tracked him down through Mom’s papers. He blanches when you do, the blood running from his face. “So that brings us to why we’re here. Like I said earlier... time for a family reunion. We need to find Beth’s sister. Do you know anything?”

“Your Mother was always very secretive. She kept her cards close to her chest and only played them when It was advantageous to her.” He sighs heavily, “I didn’t even know there were twins. All I can tell you is that she gave birth at St. Luke’s. I wish there were more.”

“It’s a start, Lee. Thank you.” You stand up and start toward the door. Beth stands up and hugs Lee gently.

“You’ll let me know if you decide to hold a service for Maureen? I’d like to attend. Even though our relationship was never really a physical one, I did love her.”

You smile. “I think she’d like that.”

Outside Lee’s room and once again loose in the palatial retirement home, you and Beth make your way to the stairs and you find yourself lost in thought. You may be scum but you’re generally honorable scum which is why you’ve never considered running a game on a place like this, but that may change now that you’ve seen that the hiring requirements here seem to be simply ‘young, attractive, and female’. There’s a pretty girl at every turn, all in uniform with name tags. Father Black may have to pay another visit at some point. Beth breaks your reverie as you descend.

“You wanna fuck her, don’t you?”

This is not what you were expecting from her, nor is her tone accusatory... simply curious. You turn so you can see what she’s talking about, and find her eyes fixed on Justine at the desk.

“Um... the thought crossed my mind.” Honesty doesn’t come naturally to you, but you’re curious about where this is going.

Beth looks at you, her eyes starting to dilate, and whispers “That’s so fucking hot.”

“Wait... what?”

“My Big Brother deserves to get whatever or whoever he wants.” She blushes a deep red, “The very idea of you taking your pleasure from that blonde bitch’s cunt is making mine kinda sloppy.”

You grin at this turn of events but just shake your head. “Some other time... we have to get moving. Snow’s getting ridiculous.”

By the time the two of you reach the lot it’s around 3:30 in the afternoon, and the snow is already up to your knees. Even if the roads are plowed your little subcompact isn’t going to make it over the bridge with these winds.