Siblings by K. J. Janssen Read Free Book Online Page B

don’t happen to know any pretty young nurses that want to go out with a felon, do you?”
    Maggie laughed.
    “No, seriously. Do you?”
    “I don’t know, I’ll have to think about it. I certainly hope that you don’t think doing time for an offense like distributing marijuana marks you for life, do you? Because I can tell you that some of the people I work with have records for offenses worse than that; both men and women. It’s a sign of the times, I guess. I just want you to realize that it’s not as uncommon as you may think.”
    “I appreciate that, Mag. Anyway, let me know if you think of anyone.”
    “I will, Bro. I hope you’re staying away from George and Bobby Abbott.”
    “I went to see a movie last week and when I came out I ran into them on the street. They wanted to go to a bar for a drink, but I refused. They seemed a bit pissed off. They have no beef with me, though. I didn’t squeal on them and they know it.”
    “After they left you holding the bag, you would think they’d be ashamed to show their faces around you. They’re walking the streets because you took the rap for them. I don’t know how they have avoided doing time all these years.”
    “Me neither. I guess they know the right people. Anyway, I promised you that I wouldn’t have anything to do with them when I got out and I’ve kept that promise.”
    “I’m proud of you, Wil. It would have been so easy to slip back into that life again, especially with society making it difficult for you to return to the mainstream.”
    “It matters what you think of me. You were my closest friend when we were growing up. Richard never cared about me, except as a punching bag, but you I could always depend on. Sometimes I wish we could go back to those days. I know that things would have ended better for me if only I had listened to your warnings about the Abbotts.”
    “I think a lot about those days too. I didn’t have a lot of friends or do a lot of dating, so the hours we spent together, smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, and practicing dancing and kissing meant a lot to me.”
    “Oh, my god, I almost forgot about that.” He raised his eyebrows and gave her a lascivious look. “As I remember, you were the one who taught me to French kiss.”
    Her face turned crimson. “As I remember, you were a quick learner. It’s a wonder that we didn’t land up in bed together.”
    “Well, we almost did. Don’t you remember that one day when we were practicing kissing and I got caught up in the emotion of the situation and felt your breast? Of course, nothing happened because Mom and Dad came home just then.”
    Maggie looked shocked. “I certainly hope that you don’t think that was the only reason we stopped. Don’t flatter yourself, lover boy. I wouldn’t have let it go any further. Give me credit for having some restraint. That would have ruined everything between us.” She shook her head. “You guys get so full of yourselves when you’re in puberty. From the sound of you now, it looks as if it doesn’t end there.”
    “It’s all those raging hormones. Anyway, you’re right, that would have ruined everything.”
    They walked back to the house, arm in arm. Richard and Theresa were standing by the front steps when they reached the house.
    “We’re going to be leaving now,” Richard said.
    Theresa hugged Maggie and Wilson. “I’m glad we finally met. I hope we can get together again before the wedding.”
    “I’d like that,” Maggie replied.
    Richard reached out his hand to Wilson. “No hard feelings, I hope.”
    “None as far as I’m concerned,” Wil answered, as he shook Richard’s hand.
    “I’m glad. I know that I go overboard sometimes and still try to bully my kid brother. Anyway, I am truly sorry.”
    “Don’t worry about it, Bro. We’re good.”
    Richard and Theresa waved as their car pulled out of the driveway.
    Maggie started up the stairs. “We better get inside and see if Mom and Dad need any help