Pink Dragonfly

It didn't take long before Van was completely hard in her grasp. Enough pre-cum had come out of him so that her hand glided nicely up and down his shaft. She simultaneously ran her hand along the length of his penis while also rotating her wrist back and forth, just like she knew he had loved for all their years together. Van quickly felt himself getting close to orgasm, which was nice, but much too quick for his liking. He hadn't been intimate very much with Mack in a while, and he really wanted the moment to last longer that it was about to.

"Yes, baby," Van said as he ran his hand through her thick hair. "Can you use your mouth?"

At his request, Mack simply continued to use her hand, pumping him faster and faster with each passing second.

"Oh shit, Mack, I'm getting close. Can you finish me with your mouth?"

Harder and harder she worked his dick, until Van finally reached the point of no return.

"I'm cumming, Mack!"

Just as he said those words, Mack backed her body away from him as far as she could while still holding on to his penis, pointed him towards his own torso, and gripped him tight as a strong stream of semen shot all over his body. As soon as he had finished cumming, Mack let go of him.

"Oh my god, Mack. That was so good. But...I thought you were going to use your mouth?"

"Yeah, I wanted to sweetie, I really did, but...you know, you were just so into it, I couldn't stop pleasuring you, not even for a second. I'm sorry."

"Eh, it's okay. Believe me, I'm not complaining! But maybe when you get back, I don't know, can we look into that blowjob?"

"Of course."

Mack stepped forward and lightly kissed Van on his cheek. Then, she looked at her hand and rubbed it firmly on the front of his shirt.

"Sorry," she said, "but your shirt was already pretty messy, what's a little more, right?"

"No worries, Mack. And thanks again."

"You're welcome. Why don't you hop in the shower and get yourself cleaned up. I'll be gone by the time you get out. I love you, and have a great birthday."

"Love you too, Mack."

*

After his shower, Van found Tara sitting in the living room with Jeffrey, watching some kind of dramatic movie on the Lifetime channel.

"What's this?" Van asked as he took a seat on the sofa beside Tara, Jeffrey on the opposite end.

"I dunno, some sort of movie about a woman who loves a woman who loves a man who loves to kill people, something like that. I'm not really paying attention, Jeffrey just loves movies like this."

"But...he's a dog."

"Very astute."

"How can a dog love...forget it. So how's school going, Tara?"

"Great! This is the easiest senior year that anyone has probably ever had."

"Yeah, well that happens when you major in...what is it again, finger-painting?"

"Ha, ha. At least I can say that I went to college."

"Hey, I went to college! Community college counts, you know."

"I'm just teasing, Van. You know I don't judge you for that...like some others do."

Van just rolled his eyes and decided not to go down that road with her at the moment.

"How's working at da' club?" Tara asked.

"Oh my god, I hate it when you call it that. It's Sam's Club, and it's going really well. I won the award for manager of the year at our store, actually."

"I don't understand. You're the manager, aren't you the only one in that category?"

"No. There's the general manager, he's the one in charge of the whole store. Then we have floor managers, fresh department manager, front-end manager, night manager. It's really an interesting system, actually. In fact, I-"

Van looked over at his sister to find her head cocked back, eyes closed, and mouth wide open. She breathed deeply as she feigned sleep.

Van reached over quickly and covered her mouth with one hand and pinched her nose shut with the other. Tara briefly struggled, then licked his palm in an effort to make him let her go.

"Ew! Dammit, Tara!"

"Don't dish it out if you can't handle the payback, bitch."

"Whatever. Anyway, work is really great. I'm moving up the company ladder nicely, I think."

"As long as you're happy, I'm happy for you, Van."

"That's nice to hear."

"Just wish you heard it from everyone in your life."

Van instinctively started to take up for Mack, but decided just to be open and honest about things for once.

"It would be nice, actually."

Tara turned her body to face her brother, a look of extreme interest on her face.

"Ugh, finally! Come on then, spill it brother! Tell me everything that conniving little minx is saying."

"Conniving little minx?"

"Stay focused, Van. Come on, out with it."

"She just wants what's best for me. She thinks I should go back to school and get my business degree. And she's got a point, really. I mean, U.W. is right here, and-"

"But is that what you want, Van?"

"I...no, it isn't."

"Then that's not what's best for you. She shouldn't be pressuring you into doing something that you don't want to do, she should just be happy that you have a job you enjoy."

"I know, but I just want to make her happy, Tara. I love her, you know?"

"I know you do, and that's always been your biggest fault. You love her to a fault, and that's kinda great, but kinda debilitating too. I just think you should focus on your own happiness and everything else will fall into place like it's supposed to, you know?"

Van looked at his little sister as she spoke, suddenly very impressed by her wisdom.

"You know, you're too smart for your own good, Tara."

"That's what college will do for you, Van. But you wouldn't know, I guess."

"Bitch."

"Haha, just messin' with you. So how are things with you and Mack, seriously. You thinking about kids any time soon?"

"Oh, now way. Life is just a little too crazy right now for that."

"How so?"

"Hmm?"

"You said life is a little too crazy right now. What do you mean?"

"Well, you know, Mack's work this time of year is just-"

"Her work? She's a fucking librarian!"

"No, she's a media coordinator. There really aren't many true 'librarians' in existence anymore, actually."

"Where does she work?"

"You know where she works."

"Just say it out loud, please."

Van sighed with annoyance.

"University of Wisconsin."

"In what building at the University of Wisconsin?"

"Ugh...the library."

"Hmm," Tara said satisfactorily.

"It doesn't matter. The point is, work is just crazy for her."

"How so?"

"Well...I don't know. I don't fully understand exactly what it is she does, to be honest. But whatever it is, it sounds stressful."

"Yeah, okay then. Whatever you say, Van."

The two of them fell back into a brief stupor watching the movie on television. It was an intense scene where the viewer finds out that the woman who loved the woman who loved the murdering man actually was a murderer herself, and the murdering man was innocent...and also a woman.

"Can we change this, please?" Van asked as he grabbed the remote and brought up the channel guide.

From the other end of the couch a low growl emanated from Jeffrey as he shot daggers at Van.

"Jesus Christ, fine mutt! Watch your damn movie."

"Told ya'," said Tara. "He loves his Lifetime."

"That dog is nuts. What is he, anyway?"

"What is he?"

"Like, what breed?"

"Oh, I'm not quite sure. A mix of some sort. I think he's a third Shih tzu, a third Pomeranian, and a third Chihuahua."

Van stared at his sister with the most judgmental expression he could muster.

"Does your major require a whole lot of math, by chance?"

"No. Why?"

"No reason, just curious."

"How 'bout we go in the kitchen and find some food?" Tara suggested. "I'm starving."

"Okay, sounds good."

*

Moments later, the siblings could be found sitting across from one another at the kitchen table, a plate of raw vegetables between them. Tara munched on a carrot as she glared at her brother, chewing slowly, loudly, and with her mouth wide open.

"I know, I know," Van said, "but it's all we have in the house right now. Unless you want me to boil us some rice?"

Tara purposefully swallowed a large mouthful of carrot loudly, picked up a stalk of celery, and angrily took a bite out of it.

"Fine. Why don't we just go out and get something to eat then?"

Tara spit out the masticated celery into her hand and set it on the plate in front of them.

"There you go, there's an idea. You buying?"

"It's my birthday, shouldn't you buy?"

"I've already given you your birthday present, though."

"You did? What?"

"Duh...me!"

"Oh."

"Don't be like that. You know you're happy to have me here."

"I really am, actually. I would've been kinda depressed if I'd been here all weekend by myself."

"Why is that, exactly?"

"What do you mean? It's like I said, it's my birthday and I want to celebrate it with people I love."

"Since when? I mean, besides myself, you're the most introverted person I know. I don't remember you ever caring all that much about your birthday before. And you're turning twenty-eight. I mean maybe I'd understand if you were turning thirty or forty or something, but twenty-eight? Where's the significance in that?"

Van considered this for a moment.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I don't know, maybe it's not all about my birthday...I was just hoping to have an excuse to reconnect with Mack, I guess. Birthday seemed like a good reason for it."

Tara looked deeply into Van's eyes, but remained silent.

"Oh come on, don't that," Van said.

"What?" Tara said softly, not breaking eye contact with Van.

"You're doing that thing where you silently stare at me with that intense gaze of yours, knowing that it's going to eventually cause me to pour my heart out and tell you everything I'm feeling."

Tara continued to stare, turning her head slightly to the side, never batting an eye.

"Fuck it, fine, I'll speak. Mack and I haven't had sex in, like, I don't know, three months or something."

"Holy shit, dude. Weren't you guys just back in the bedroom right before she left, though? And didn't I hear you taking a shower?"

"Yeah? So?"

"So I figured you were rinsing off after a little afternoon delight. Is that not what happened?"

"Well, not exactly. I mean, we did...something. But we didn't have sex."

"Oh."

"She just...are you sure you want to hear about this? I mean, I am your brother, and all."

"I very much want to hear about it, thank you. I can handle it, I'm a big girl."

"Fine. She...gave me a quick hand job, but that was it. It was actually kind of awkward."

"How so?"

"Well, I wanted to kiss her, but she didn't really seem to want to do that. It almost seemed like she just did it out of pity, like it was some sort of chore she had to do before she left on her trip. She even...ah, never mind."

"Don't stop now! Come on, out with the details!"

"In the past when she used to get me off, she'd always let me, uh, finish, in her mouth, or maybe on her body somewhere. But today, for the first time in as long as I can remember, she purposely pointed me back at myself and had me cum on my shirt."

"Interesting."

"I know that may not seem like much, but it just felt a little weird, is all."

"No, I get it. It definitely seems weird."

"And before that we were having a conversation where she said, in so many words, that she'd appreciate it if I worked out a little more. I get the feeling she's not super impressed by my body anymore, now that she has toned herself up so much over the past several months."

"What a bitch."

"She's not a bitch. We're just at a weird point in our marriage right now."

"Maybe you guys could do with some counseling then. I know you've only been married five years, but you've been together more than ten years. Since your junior year of high school, right?"

"Yeah."

"That's a long time. Maybe you guys should talk to someone, someone who will help you figure out some issues that you don't even realize are there."

"Yeah...maybe."

Tara reached across the table and grabbed Van's hand. He looked up at her and smiled, feeling a little bit of gushy love for her in that moment. Not that he would ever share that with her, though.

"I love you too, Van," Tara said.

"Wait...huh?"

"Okay, well this session needs to go ahead and end. Like I said before, I'm starving. And if I don't get some meat and bread soon, I'm going to eat your face meat with a side of croissants."

"Well, we don't have any croissants here, so I guess we should go."

"Maybe afterwards we can hit up a bar or something, get you good and sauced."

"A bar? Me and you?"

"Sure!"

"But we've never done that before."

"Yeah, well I did just turn twenty-one a little while ago, so I am newly legal and all."

"Fair enough. But if I'm buying dinner, you're buying drinks."

"Fine. I'll gladly pay to get you shitfaced tonight."

*

"Could I have the house salad please," Van said to the waiter, "with a side of your raspberry vinaigrette, extra purple cabbage."

"Yes sir, not a problem. And for you, miss?"

Tara looked in disgust across the table at Van, then shook her head and turned to the waiter.

"Yeah, can I have twenty hot wings, extra buffalo sauce, extra ranch dressing on the side?"

"Of course," the waiter said. "And that comes with one side, your choice of potato wedges or curly fries."

"Yes," Tara replied simply.

The waiter stood there confused for a moment before realizing what Tara meant. Then he smiled and nodded and walked away.

"How on earth do you eat like that, Tara?"

"You know, I was just about to ask you the same thing."

"I'm just trying to make a real effort for the love of Mack. Seriously though, how do you manage to eat like that and stay so fit?"

"Fit? Me? Surely you jest."

"No, I mean it. I've seen you eat before, twenty wings with two sides of potatoes is kinda tame for you."

"Oh don't worry, I'll order more food if I'm still hungry."

"I know you will. But how do you manage to do that and, you know, look the way you do?"

"And how do I look, exactly?"

"Oh come on, don't do that."

"No, I wanna hear you describe me. I mean, I'm no Mack McCracken over here, that's for sure."

"Yeah, but you guys are different. She's more the athletic, lean type, and you're more-"

"Be careful here, Van."

"It's just...you're more...I don't know. It's like, do you like chocolate cake?"

"Mmmm...cake."

"Right. But do you also like pumpkin pie?"

"Mmmm...pie."

"Okay, so which one is better?"

"Cake, of course."

"Well...no, the answer is that there is no answer. They are both good, but they are in different categories. You can't compare two things like that. Who's to say which is better? It just depends on the perspective of the individual, you know? They are both good in their own right, but neither is better than the other."

Tara thought deeply about what Van was saying.

"Are you saying that you wanna order some cake? Because I'm down, if that's the case."

"Ugh, nevermind."

"I'm just kidding, big brother. I know what you mean. But what's your perspective? Do you like cake or pie better?"

"Hmm...I guess I like cake better, too."

"Okay, so who's the cake then?"

"What?"

"Was I supposed to be the cake in your metaphor? Or was Mack?"

"I...I don't know, I didn't assign either of you to a particular dessert."

"Hmm."

"Are you really trying to get me to compare my wife's body to my sister's? Because that's what it seems like you are trying to do."

"Yes."

"Oh...you were just up front with that information, then. Didn't expect that."

"Seriously though, Van, if Mack is 'athletic and lean', what does that make me?"

"Are you really going to make me do this?"

"If you don't answer, I'm going to eat my entire meal by plunging my face into my food with my hands behind my back, and I'll fuckin' do it too. You know me, I don't give a shit."

"Good god, I know you will. Fine then. I guess if I had to describe your body...I don't know, voluptuous?"

"Oh my, Van," Tara replied, fanning herself. "Well aren't you a smooth talker."

"Ahh, stop making this weirder than it already is!"

"Chill out," Tara said laughing. "I know what I am. Big boobs, thick lower body. Like I said, I'm no Mack over here."

"Yeah, but still, you...you look good just the way you are."

"Well thanks! And hey, so do you. No matter what some might say."

Van smiled at his sister.

"Seriously though," Van said, "you are quite thin considering your diet."

At that moment, the waiter brought their food over to them. The lettuce on Van's plate was various shades of white, green...and brown. He looked over at Tara's plate. The wings glistened attractively, the potato wedges were seasoned beautifully with garlic salt and chives, and the curly fries, well, they were fucking curly fries.

"Can I get you guys anything else?" the waiter asked.

Tara looked up and noticed Van checking out her plate. They made eye contact, and without a word, knew exactly what the other was thinking.

"Fuck it," said Van abruptly. "Let's have another order of everything on her side of the table please. And add a slice of cake to that."

"Certainly," replied the waiter. "And what kind of cake would you like? We have chocolate, we have-"

"Yep, chocolate would be superb."

Van looked back at Tara and winked as she dropped a pile of wings and wedges on his plate.

*

"Ew," Tara said as she slid another mixed drink towards Van.

"Again?" Van replied, taking the drink from her.

After the restaurant, they had made their way a couple of blocks down the street and into a bar, where they sat in a booth against the window that looked out onto the street.

"Yeah, it's gross."

"But that's three drinks you've ordered and you've thought they were all gross."

"I know."

"Well what drinks have you had in the past that you really enjoyed?"

"Pepsi."

"Pepsi and...?"

"Ice."

"Goddammit, Tara. If you don't like them, then why do you keep ordering them?"

"Because I like the idea of sipping on a drink, but not the practice. Like people who buy gym memberships but never go, you know?"

"That makes no sense."

"Whatever. Drink up."

Van had already had two drinks of his own and two drinks of Tara's, and now his third and her third sat in front of him. He was definitely feeling it.

"You remember when I was six and I got really sick with chickenpox?" Tara said out of nowhere.

"Yeah. You were in a bad way."

"I know. You remember what you did for me?"

"Of course I remember. Hell, I was, what, thirteen at the time? Anyway, yeah, I remember going outside and taking that big butterfly net we had and catching as many dragonflies as I could in it. Must have caught like twenty or something, took me forever."

"Mom got so pissed when you let them all go in my room, but oh my god, I loved it so much."

"Yeah you did. What is it with you and dragonflies? You've always loved them."

"Still do. Remember that pink one?"

"Yeah! That was so crazy! I mean all around our house we've always had green, blue, brown...but pink? That was the only one like that I've ever seen in my life."

Tara looked off into the distance at nothing in particular.

"That is the only clear memory I have from my childhood. Well, you know, young childhood. Earlier than, like, eight years old or whatever. I still think about it often."

Van smiled stupidly at Tara.

"What's with you?" Tara asked with a chuckle.

"I love you," Van replied.

"Oh boy, here we go. Is it time to switch to water?"

"Maybe...hey Tara?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Why do you think Mack doesn't want to sleep with me anymore?"

Tara took a deep breath and looked into Van's eyes.

"You want the truth?"

"Uh, yeah."

"You may not like it."

"Give it to me straight, doc."

"Okay...well, it's your fault."