I don't think Mom noticed that she was a lot more intimate than usual while taking care of me. Probably considered it part of the appreciation.

The next day I was sore, and stayed in bed with an icepack on my cheek and lip. Once Mom was gone, Teri showed up in my room dressed in a t-shirt and panties. She checked on my bruises, kissing my injuries. The kisses moved to my lips. "Thank you. You didn't have to, you know."

"Nobody hurts my sister, and gets away with it. Now he knows it, and so do all his asshole friends."

I laid her down next to me, and...