"Hey Abs, how ya feeling?"

Uncle Dwight and I went to the treatment center to see her. Even though it had been years since I saw her, she was still my baby sister. I still loved her and wanted to see her doing well.

"I'm doing ok. I want to get out of here though. I think I’ll be fine doing the outpatient program."

I didn’t agree, but I also didn't want to upset her. One wrong word and I feared she’d run. The last thing I wanted was to lose her again.

"Do you really think that’s a good idea? The facility is nice and you’re doing well. I don't want you to leave prematurely."

"I'm fine Reed. I don't need a bunch of people watching my every move. I’m not a child.  I've gone through the worst of the withdraws. I want out of this place."

There was an edge to her voice. I thought it was probably due to the stress of detoxing and everything that was going on. Uncle Dwight had yet to say anything, and I had no idea what he was thinking. I wanted him to back me up. Surely he knew that she’d benefit from staying longer. Knowing Uncle Dwight he did know that, but he was always one to pick his words and battles wisely.

Finally, he spoke.

"Abigail, let's get through this week and maybe you can come stay with me for the weekend. We’ll see how that goes and go from there. No need to go rushing things."

Abigail let out a huff. I didn't see what the rush to get out was. She was getting around the clock support, she had her own room, and she was able to have outside food brought in if she wanted. It wasn't like she was locked down. If she wanted to               succeed, it seemed like the best option.

"That sounds like a good plan. I want you two to meet my girlfriend. If Abby is going to be staying with you this weekend, then maybe we can have a family dinner and I'll bring Penelope."

"I'd say that's a good idea, Reed," Uncle Dwight said.

Abigail didn't say anything.

"Let's plan on Saturday at six. I'll even stop and get some of those cookies you used to like from Tulip's bakery."

That brought a faint smile to her face. I wished that I could go back in time and capture my sweet, innocent little sister before she experienced the pain and darkness of the world. Unfortunately, life wasn't fair, and we didn't always get what we wanted.

***

It was a long week, but things seemed to be back to normal for the most part. I went back to work, and I saw Penelope almost every day. I visited Abigail several times so she wouldn't feel alone.

Penelope agreed to have dinner with us, and I was on my way to pick her up. When I got to her house, I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror. Why was I so nervous? Penelope meeting my family for the first time was a big deal. I hadn't taken a girl home in my adult life. I wanted Penelope to like my family, and I wanted them to like her.

She answered the door in a black dress. It hugged her breasts down to her hips and then flared out. The results of our training were showing. I could tell that her body was starting to tone up. I knew that she wanted to lose weight, but I really hoped that she would keep some curves. I loved a woman with curves. I liked running my hands along her beautiful body.

"Reed? You're staring."

I shook my head and willed my eyes to meet hers.

"I'm sorry baby. I was admiring how beautiful you look. I'm not sure how I'm going to focus at dinner."

"Maybe if you're nice, we can have dessert after," she said with a wink.

I wanted to say forget dinner and carry her back to her bedroom right then. The woman had me hooked. Good thing I didn't want to be free.

"Let's get out of here before we don't make it to meet my family."

I held my hand out to her, and she placed hers in mine. My lips brushed her knuckles before I lead her to the car.

It didn't take us long to get to my uncle's house. Abigail greeted us at the door. I hugged her before pulling back to introduce her to Penny.

"Abby, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Penelope."

Abby waved at Penny and muttered a hi. Not the greeting I was hoping for, but I reminded myself that she was going through a lot. Penelope took it in stride, smiling and offering her own greeting.

"Uncle Dwight's in the kitchen. He's taking the roast out of the oven."

We made our way to the kitchen.

"Hey Unc,"

"Hey, Reed. This beauty must be Penelope."

I’d never heard Uncle Dwight sound so personable. Maybe it was because we never really had company over. Usually, he was quiet and gruff. Leave it to my Pen to have the old man softening.

"Hello, it's nice to finally meet you."

"Same, young lady. Reed seems smitten with you so I knew I had to meet you. You all go sit down and I'll bring the food over to the table."

We never used the kitchen table to eat. Uncle Dwight was doing his best to play the part of a good host. I appreciated the effort. A few minutes later we were all seated at the table with full plates.

"Penelope, what do you do for a living?" Uncle Dwight asked.

"I'm a web developer. I work at a firm here in town, but I hope to start freelancing on the side soon."

"Smart woman, you may find yourself working for yourself one day."

"I'd love to be my own boss one day."

"You could do it, Pen. You're smart," I said giving her thigh a squeeze under the table.

"Reedy," Abby interrupted "I really think I'm ready to leave the inpatient program. I know you think I should stay, but I'm doing really well and I'll still be going to classes and therapy during the day."

Why was she bringing this up right now? I wasn't in the mood to hash this out again. Especially when I wanted them to be getting to know Penelope.

"Abby, it's only been a week."

I felt Penelope's hand begin to rub circles on my back. It helped calm me.

"I know, but I just want to be able to spend more time with my family," she whined.

I glanced over at Penny, but her eyes were glued to her plate.

"I don't know, Abs."

"Let's give it a test run. If I need to go back in I can. Just give me a chance."

I looked over at Uncle Dwight to see what he thought. He gave a small shake of his head.

A subject change was needed, A.S.AP. I didn't want to keep hashing it out with Abby.

"Dwight, tell me what Reed was like as a kid. I'd love to know about little Reed."

Thank goodness for the beautiful woman next to me for breaking awkward moment.

Uncle Dwight leaned back in his chair and chuckled.

" Reed has always been a good boy. Never gave me any trouble. All the little girls followed him around like lost little puppies, but he was never worried about them. He stuck to himself, and Abby of course. He was always a serious young man. You’d have thought Abby was his responsibility. Always looking out for her."

"Sounds like he’s always been a sweetheart."

"Yeah, Reedy has always been my protector."

I felt my face blush with embarrassment. "Ok, that's enough talk about me. Do you guys want to go to the living room to get more comfortable? We can talk more in there."

We all gathered our plates and loaded them into the dishwasher. Uncle Dwight insisted that he would clean up the rest later.

In the living room, one of Uncle Dwight's old shows was playing a rerun. I got ready to change to something more appealing to everyone when Penny surprised me.

"Oh my, I haven't watched Little House on the Prairie in years. My grandma and I used to watch it every day after school. It brings back so many memories."

She'd be a woman after Uncle Dwight's own heart watching old shows like that.

Not wanting to interfere with nostalgia I left the T.V. where it was.

Uncle Dwight was in his chair and I was sitting on the couch with Penny and Abby on either side of me.

"Reed, you two don't live together do you?"

The question caught me off guard.

"No, why?"

I hoped the day would come, but I knew taking things slow was more practical.

"Oh, good because I want to stay with you when I get out of inpatient treatment."

I was not expecting that. I loved my sister, but I didn't know if her staying with me was the best. Uncle Dwight had more room. He also didn't have a girlfriend that he may want to bring back to his place.

"Abby, Uncle Dwight has more space. Plus he cooks and all you'll get with me are basic meat and veggies. I don't get too creative in the kitchen."

"I can cook, and I'll sleep on the couch. You won't even know I'm there."

"I don't know Abs. I don't even think you need to be leaving the facility yet."

"Please, I really think I'll be fine."

She sounded like the little girl that used to ask me for a piggyback ride on our walks home from school. Years of catering to her almost every whim, and feeling like I failed to protect her from the world weighed heavy on me. She was my baby sister, and I wanted her to be comfortable and happy. Even if it went against my better judgment.

"Ok I guess, but if you even think you may need to go back, you need to let us know."

Abigail's face lit up and she clapped her hands.

"Thank you bubby," she wrapped her hands around me for a hug.

She hadn't called me that since before our parents died. I patted her back in return hoping that I was making the right decision.

When I looked over at Penny, I couldn't read her face. She looked distracted in her own world. I reached down and squeezed her hand. She gave mine a small squeeze and a weak smile in return.