A holiday for redemption 2

siblings

Evin knocked on the door. He could smell food. He opened the door and entered tentatively.
  She turned and smiled. James stood next to her, setting dishes on the rack.
"Hey bro."
Evin stood there a little appalled. He hadn't seen his sister smile in a long time, neither had he seen her so lively.
He set his shoes aside and entered the house.
"Morning ."

"I made lunch. " She motioned to the pans near her.
"I see." He replied.

He sat down on the couch and made himself comfortable.
James left the kitchen and sat opposite him.
They stroke up a conversation about sports.
  Jan surveyed their interaction, a little amused. She hadn't made a decision on what she'd do with this man, but she planned to see how she could get him gone.
She figured she was in too deep but she'd enjoy him a bit before she cut him loose.
The conversation was forced at first. Then James mentioned basketball and even showed his knowledge and avid interest in the sport.
He pushed forth his past desire to play. He knew most of the teams and players in the NBA.
At 6 ft 4inches, he was tall enough to play and had the talent. He'd played in secondary school and played regularly for a local sports club.
 
She served them each. She'd set their plates on trays and sat it on their laps.
She was glad that they were getting along. She stood at the kitchen island and ate, watching their interaction.
  Evin decided he liked this man. He was funny, well versed in his sports knowledge and he'd gotten his sister to smile.
And that's what he cared about. He hadn't seen that smile in months. And she had a beautiful smile. He hope that whatever relationship they had would blossom.
  He was glad to see her up and about. He'd been afraid that he would find her dead or unconscious someday soon.
  Yet now she seemed vibrant and looked more alive than he'd seen her in a while.
  He got up to leave. He would be back. He went next to his sister and squeezed her shoulder.
"I'll come by later this week. Be careful." He promised.
He waved at James as he left.
  "You guys are weird " James noted.
She shrugged knowing the truth of that statement.
  Jan cleared away any dishes that were left. While she cleaned up, James lay down , drowsy.
  The food had been delicious and he could feel the sleep over take him. He closed his eyes.
  He'd fallen asleep. She shuffled towards the couch. She noted the regular rise and fall of his chest.
He had long eyelashes that Jan was envious of. His right hand lay on his chest. The tank top accentuated his muscular chest and showed off his tan arms.
Jan swore she felt something. This man was too sexy. He was trouble. Her lips still buzzed from their make out session earlier.
  She smiled to herself when she realized how close Evin had been to catching them.
She wanted to capture this moment. She would draw him.
  She hadn't been blessed with a photographic memory but she was thankful for the great invention that was camera phones.
  She took some pictures of his sleeping form.
  She felt an urge to touch his face but she resisted. It would cause problems.   
Pregnancy seemed likely. She thought about how close she'd come to doing the deed.
  She slipped past him and went into her room before she made any rash decisions.
   He stretched and yawned. He cracked his neck and sat up. He was a little groggy and soaked in sweat.
The afternoon had been hot and muggy. He got up and drank a glass of water.
  When he was done, he went to look for Jan.
 
She didn't hear him come in. Her head phones were in her ears and her phone was on the loudest volume.
  She sat in a chair near the window. She had a sketch pad in her hand and the phone near her that she stared at periodically.
He stepped closer. He could finally see what she was drawing. It was a drawing of him asleep. It was nearly finished.
  She nodded her head in time with the music. The drawing was looking good.
  She'd caught the relaxed look on his face, the brisk look of his beard and those long eyelashes she was jealous of.
  He tapped her on the shoulder. Jan turned swiftly, her heart beating out of her chest.
  She smiled when she realized that it was him.
  She pulled her head phones from her ears. "What do you want?"
  She slipped the sketch pad over. She crossed her arms.
"You're really talented." He observed.
She pulled herself up off the chair.
  "Thank you."
"Can I see your sketch book?"
"No."
He stepped forward and she blocked him with her body.
"Let's go outside," she urged.
James wasn't ready to let up. He picked her up like she was a child and dropped her on the bed.
She'd been unprepared for his assault.
  She could feel her chest getting hot. She tried to suppress her anger. She hated when she wasn't listened to.
  Her chest tightened and she felt the choked feeling that came with her panic attacks.
  They'd returned with a vengeance after her mother had died.
  She pulled herself into a sitting position and wheezed as the air struggled to escape.
  Tears sprung to her eyes.

James sat down on the couch leafing through the pad. He was right. She was talented.
  There were a lot of drawings of him; some finished, others partly so.
  He decided to bring it back to her. She hadn't followed him into the living room.
  As he approached he could see her sitting up against the headboard.
Jan tried to wipe the tears from her face. But he'd seen. He picked up his pace and stood at the edge of the bed.
  She didn't want to see him. Not after what she'd just faced.
  She pulled away from him as he came onto the bed.
  "Please don't touch me."
  James had never been one for listening, especially when he had a crying woman in front of him.
  He figured he was the cause. She tried to get off the bed but he pulled her up and into his arms.
  Jan sobbed. She was still a little wheezy but she was exhausted. She couldn't fight him.
  She was glad he hadn't witnessed her panic attack.
  She nuzzled into him as he held her tighter.
"You need to stop getting me into your bed like this."
She giggled, surprised by his proclamation.
  "I'm sorry."
"Are you ok?"
"Panic attack."
She said it so matter of fact, that James swore she had spoken about something mundane. He wanted to ask her more.
  "I don't want to talk about it."
"Ok."
"Can I get a glass of water?"
"Sure." He kissed her forehead and got up.
  When he left, she allowed herself to be taken into the despair. She pulled the pillow over her head and screamed. It was like the day couldn't get any worse.