My Evil Stepsister

I told mom to sit still. I walked a little ways off and called Jake. I had told him everything that was going on. He agreed immediately to help me. I told mom to leave her car and come with me. She looked confused but did as I asked. We pulled up to Don's house and Jake's pickup was parked out front. As we got out two more pickups pulled up with men I recognized as crew members. Jake got out of his truck and nodded at me. I took mom's hand and Jake and the other two men followed us up to the house and through the front door. Don heard the front door open and came out of the den expecting to greet his wife. Instead he saw me and my mother and three other men standing behind us.

"What the hell is going on," Don asked confused.

"I'm here to get my mom out of this hell hole Don. I expected you to take care of her but it's obvious you don't love her enough to do that. Just sit the fuck down and keep your mouth shut and you wont get hurt," I yelled at him.

"Why are you leaving? I love you," Don implored my mom. Liz had heard the noise and came into the room.

"She's the reason," I yelled pointing at Liz. "She is the most conniving vindictive waste of human skin I have ever met. She drove me out of your house, now she has done the same to the woman you say you love. You turn a blind eye to every thing this vicious cunt does. You two deserve each other but my mother is leaving now."

Don looked at me with tears streaming down his cheeks. "Jeff, please. Give me one chance to prove how much I love your mother."

I didn't say anything, just stared at him. He went to another room and came back out with a check book. During this time Liz had just stood there with a smirk on her face. Don took a pen and wrote out a check and held it towards Liz.

"You are eighteen now and a legal adult. Here's a check for one hundred thousand. I want you out of this house today. This is all you will ever get. Don't come back."

"Daddy," screamed Liz.

"No, you are an evil vindictive bitch just like your mother. I have just been trying to deny it because you are my daughter. You drove Jeff from this house and now you want to drive the most loving caring woman I have ever met out too. Get the fuck out. You are no longer my daughter."

Mom and I both stood there with our mouths open. I realized I was wrong. This man did love my mom, he just had to be pushed to make the right decision. My mother ran to him and threw her arms around him sobbing into his shoulder. Liz realized she had lost.

"But, daddy. I don't have anyplace to go," she said sobbing.

"You should have thought that part out before you set out to drive my wife out of our home. And when I say our home I mean my wife's and my home. This is our home. And as far as I'm concerned, about where you go, frankly I don't give a damn."

Realizing she had lost, Liz ran bawling to her room. My mom asked us to wait and took Don into the den. I went and brought everyone some beers. We sat and waited. A half hour later mom and Don came out. Mom was too soft hearted to totally abandon Liz without making some effort to help Liz become a better person. Liz was offered the chance to stay in the mother-in-law apartment over the detached garage. She had to be there every night by no later the ten p.m. She was not allowed to have any male company. She would not get the money Don had offered her. Instead, Don would set her up an account that he would fund. He would only replace the money in the account if she had a receipt that she could justify as necessary. New clothes were not to be included as necessary as she had more now than any eighteen year old needed. She would be allowed to spend fifty dollars a week on herself that she didn't have to show a receipt for. Liz was not to have any contact with either mom or me. She was to never step foot in the house and if she needed to talk to Don she was to call him on his cell phone not the house phone. Upon graduation she had to find a job and pay her own way. She had to stay away from the little rich bitch group she ran with. She was eighteen now and she was free to leave at any time, but if she did, Don told her to not come back. In a year Don would decide if she had changed her ways. Then he might pay for her to go to the local college. She would still have to stay over the garage so Don could make sure she didn't go wild again.

Liz couldn't believe the rules she would be forced to accept. It was almost as bad as being in a convent. In the end Liz realized that she had no choice but to accept. Jake and the guys who had come to help mom move out instead moved Liz's stuff to the apartment over the garage. Her last act before she left the house was to apologize to mom and me for what she had done. She actually seemed sincere though I couldn't help but wonder if it was just because she was feeling sorry for herself.

As for me. Well mom, Don and Jake sat down with me and convinced me to move back in with mom and Don. I would quit my Saturday job. They told me that there would be years of work ahead and I should have this time to study and take part in the things other eighteen year olds did. I went back to Jake's and packed my stuff. I told him I couldn't thank him enough for his help. He told me that was what friends were for and if in the future I ever needed a job I would have one working for him.

Jake was a true friend. As for Liz's friends, when they found out she had been kicked out of the house and only could spend fifty dollars a week she became a social pariah to them. I hoped Liz was learning something about friendship. Now, friendless, on school days Liz would come into the cafeteria to get a sandwich and then find somewhere to eat alone.

Monday at lunch I told my friends about the turn around in my life and I was now back at home with mom and Don. For the rest of the week we all continued to eat together. Friday came and as we were putting our trays away after lunch Jenny cornered me.

"Jeff, have I done something wrong?" she asked.

"Of course not Jenny. Why would you ask such a thing?" I replied.

"Because it's Friday and you haven't said anything about us going out this weekend. If you don't like me that way, please tell me." I could see her eyes brimming with tears. I ached to take her in my arms and kiss her.

"Jenny, please understand. I could tell your father is not pleased that you are dating some common average guy, especially one who was working construction. He wants more for you. I care too much about you to cause problems between you and your father."

Jenny stared at me, then the dam broke and the tears began to spill out coursing down her cheeks. My heart was breaking. I went to reach for her but she turned and ran down the hall. I stood and watched. Several tears slid down my cheeks. I got myself under control and went to my next class. What I didn't know is that Jenny had left school and went home and ran to her mother. She was sobbing so hard it took Jenny's mom ten minutes to calm her down so she could understand why her daughter was so distraught.

When my last class of the day was over I headed for my car. I saw a big man standing there with his arms crossed over his chest. It wasn't another football player, it was worse. It was Jenny's father. I wasn't afraid for me, I knew I could stand up for myself with my martial arts training. I just didn't want to get in a fight with Jenny's dad. I walked up to him warily, never taking my eyes off his, trying to judge the threat level. Jenny's dad simply stood and stared at me.

"Jeff, I want to know if you think you are too good for my daughter?" he asked.

"No sir, absolutely not," I replied, totally confused.

"Then why didn't you ask her out again?" he said. His face remained free of any emotion and I couldn't get a read on him.

I was at a loss for words. "Well, sir. You see it's just. Well I didn't think..." I stuttered.

He cut me off. "If you care about my daughter I think you should call her before you get in your car. She's at home."

Jenny's dad turned and got in his car and drove off leaving me standing dumbfounded. Taking his advice I took out my cell phone and hit speed dial where I had stored her number. Jenny's mom answered on the third ring.

"Mrs. McDonald, this is Jeff Bradley. Could I speak with Jenny please?" I asked.

"Certainly Jeff. Hang on just a second," she said.

"Hello," I heard Jenny say tentatively. I could still hear her sniffling.

"Jenny, I was wondering, if you don't have other plans that is, would you allow me to take you out to dinner?" I groveled.

"Oh yes, Jeff. I would love to go to dinner with you," she squealed in the phone. I'll be ready by six." The line went dead. I looked at the phone in my hand and chuckled. I jumped in my car and raced home.

I was met by mom and Don when I came into the house. I hugged mom and shook Don's hand. Mom could always read my moods.

"What's got you so all riled up?" she asked me.

I had thought I was playing it cool but she saw right through me. "I got a date tonight," I replied with a big grin.

"Are you going out with Jenny McDonald again?" Don asked.

"Uh, yeah. How did you know?," I answered with articulate eloquence. I was wondering how he knew about Jenny. I didn't remember telling them about her yet.

"Jenny's father and I went to school together. We're old friends. He and I spoke a couple days ago about you," Don said.

"I'm sure she's a lovely girl," mom said. "I would like to meet her sometime."

"Tell you what mom. If she hasn't got tired of me and dumped me after a couple more dates I will bring her by," I laughed.

I kissed my mother on the cheek then bounded up the stairs to get ready for my date. As I showered I marvelled at how much my life had changed. In the last week alone I had gone from being a part time construction worker living at a friends house with the belief that I wouldn't have a chance to date Jenny any more to being home again and getting ready to take her to dinner. At five thirty I hurried down the stairs kissed my mom on the cheek and jogged to my car barely hearing my mother telling me to have a nice time. I arrived at Jenny's ten minutes early. Once again Jenny's mom answered the door. Instead of inviting me in she stepped out onto the porch and motioned for me to take a seat on a bench. She sat down beside me.

"Jeff, I want you to know that Jenny's father, Malcolm, looks like a big gruff bear on the outside and he does dote on his daughter. But on the inside he is a teddy bear with a heart of gold. He is putting his trust, as I am, in you to treat our daughter with respect and not hurt her. Understand?" Susan said.

"Yes, ma'am. I have only known Jenny for a short whilebut I think she is very special. I would never knowingly do anything to hurt her."

Jenny's mom smiled and patted my hand and led me into the house. Jenny's dad was inside and rose from his chair and offered me his hand. Jenny came out and saw us shaking hands and ran to her father and hugged him. Malcolm looked at me as Jenny took my hand.

"I will take good care of your daughter sir," I said.

"I believe you, Jeff," he said.

We had a nice meal at an Italian restaurant, her choice. The more time I spent with her, the more I could see she really was a sweet gentle person. We left the restaurant and took a walk in the park.

"Jenny, the more I get to know you I can't help but wonder how you ended up hanging around Liz and her friends. You don't seem to be like them at all."

"Jeff, Marilyn and I have been friends since kindergarten. We were always close. When Liz started to invite us to go places with her and her friends we felt flattered that they would ask us. We didn't run people down like they did but you were right. Just by being a part of their group we were condoning their actions. You made me take a good look at them and what I might have become and I didn't like what I saw. I owe you for that Jeff. Thank you," she said.

"No Jenny, you don't owe me anything. I'm just glad you aren't like them or I wouldn't have had the chance to get to know the real you."

We held hands and walked through the park. We told each other things about ourselves. It was nice getting to know one another better. She told me she and Marilyn had seen what happened in the parking lot the day the jocks wanted to fight. I learned she was responsible for making sure the others who had witnessed it went and told what really happened.

I had her back home by eleven. I walked her to the door as any gentleman would do but when I went to kiss her cheek, she put her hand behind my head and pulled me into a toe curling kiss. She then told me she would see me tomorrow and went inside. What I didn't see was her father turn from the window with a smile on his face He had watched his daughter initiate the kiss and had seen my hands only gently placed on her waist and they did not wander to anywhere inappropriate.

I drove home that night feeling wonderful. I had finally met a girl that made me feel that she was special, not just another date on a Friday night. I just hoped she felt something for me too.

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Jenny walked into the living room to find her father still up.

"Well, pumpkin, how was your date?" he asked.

Jenny ran to him and hugged him. "It was wonderful, daddy. He took me to that new Italian restaurant that I have been wanting to try and we had a great meal. Then we went for a walk in the park. He talked to me, daddy. He really listened to what I had to say. We held hands but he never once tried to grab at me like the other two guys I went out with. I really like him, daddy, he's so sweet. And I think he likes me, too."

"I'm glad you had a good time, baby. Now run along and get to bed," Malcolm said bending over and kissing his daughter on the top of her head.

As Malcolm got into bed his wife rolled over to look at him. "So?" she asked.

"I think Don was right. He does seem to be a remarkable young man."

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Saturday night I took Jenny to a chick flick she wanted to see. I didn't mind, I just liked being with her. We went and split a pizza afterwards. It was closer to midnight when I had her home that night. I was hoping for another kiss and she didn't disappoint me. I slept that night dreaming of her.

I went down and ate breakfast with mom and Don Sunday morning. Mom wanted to know how my dates had gone. She could tell by my smile alone what I thought. Then she suggested I call her and invite her for lunch. Don said he had a better idea. He hadn't actually seen Malcolm for a couple months. They had been invited to the wedding but he was out of town on business that day and couldn't attend. He would invite them all over for a barbecue and mom could meet them all.

Jenny brought her swimsuit and we spent some time in the pool while her parents and my mom and Don sat on the deck and chatted. I was glad for the cool water as it helped a certain part of my anatomy stay in control. Jenny wore a bikini, it wasn't racy, but I saw more of her than I had before and I was reacting as any eighteen year old would.

When we ate lunch mom sat Jenny between her and me. They spent most of the time chatting. The apartment over the garage that Liz lived in had a window that looked out over the pool and backyard. I noticed Liz look out a couple times at us. I couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking.

After Jenny and her parents had left, mom told me that she thought Jenny was a really sweet young lady and I had done well in choosing her to be my girlfriend. She did warn me to take it slow and not rush into anything that would end up hurting either one of us.

I got to school Monday morning to find Jenny and Marilyn waiting for me in the parking lot. Jenny came running over and gave me a quick kiss on the lips and took my hand as we walked into the school. It was official, we were now a couple. I walked her to her first class and we sat together at lunch as usual. Marilyn continued to always sit next to Bill and smile at him. He would always be grinning at her but I could tell he was afraid to ask her out. Bill was a good looking guy but had always been a bit insecure around girls. I knew he would love to go out with the pretty redhead.

"Jenny, the state fair is this weekend, want to go?" I asked.

"That sounds fun. You can win me some stuffed animals," she giggled.

"Why don't you two come with us," I said looking at Marilyn and Brad.

Brad started stuttering and stammering. Tired of flirting and getting no where Marilyn looked right at him. "Bill, would you like to take me to the fair?" she asked.

Bill just nodded his head vigorously. Bill's grin never left his face for the rest of the day. I walked Jenny and Marilyn to their next class. Bill had to go to the other end of the building for his next class. "Marilyn, I'm not trying to push you two together but I know Bill and he is looking forward to going to the fair with you. I've known Bill for several years and he really is one of the good guys. He just happens to be shy around girls. If you are interested in him you will probably have to lead him to where you want him," I told her.

"So what your saying is if I like him and want him to kiss me I will have to kiss him first." said Marilyn.

Jenny piped in, "Well sometimes a girl just has to take the lead or we might never get kissed, right Jeff?"

"Hey now," I spluttered as the two friends ran into their classroom giggling. I would have kissed her eventually. I just didn't want to seem to be pushy.

We had a great time at the fair, Bill and I both won the girls an armload of stuffed animals. Bill and Marilyn were walking hand in hand before the end of the night. I could tell they were really enjoying being together. We had so much fun we went back on Saturday night too.

The next weeks flew by. Bill and Marilyn were a couple and we double dated quite often. Liz had been living in exile for three months now. She continued to eat alone at school. Even if they hadn't shunned her, she wasn't allowed to associate with her old friends and none of the other girls in school wanted anything to do with her. She had been the leader of the group that had bullied and belittled them. She always went straight home from school and didn't leave until she went to school the next day. She would go shopping for groceries on Saturday then come straight back and not leave for the rest of the weekend. We did notice a change in her routine though for the last two weeks. She wouldn't return to her apartment until around seven on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Fearing that she might be up to no good, Don waited for her on the Friday of the second week her new pattern began. He came back in the house after talking with Liz.

"I'm not sure what to make of it but Liz says she's volunteering at a retirement home three nights a week. She says some of the older people live in small apartments and she helps them with housekeeping chores that they find difficult to do," said Don.

"Honey, I hope she is doing this out of the goodness of her heart and she is truly changing her ways. It's a good sign," said mom.

The next Monday I followed Liz to see where she was really going, and sure enough she pulled into the parking lot of a retirement home and went inside. I waited and watched until she had left the reception area and went inside. I walked over to the receptionist and asked if that wasn't Liz Wilson I had seen. She said it was and remarked how much the residents here enjoyed having her help them, that she was a really sweet young lady. I walked out amazed that someone had said that about Liz.

I kept an eye on Liz over the next three weeks. She still ate alone but seemed to be more at peace with herself. There was two months left to go before graduation and Jenny and her parents came over for another cookout. It was a little too cool for swimming but still nice enough to sit out on the deck. At one point I looked up at the apartment window and saw Liz watching us have fun. I could tell she was crying. I stood up and told everyone to excuse me and I walked over to the garage and up the stairs to Liz's door. I knocked and waited until I heard a soft voice tell me to come in. She was sitting on her couch trying to wipe away the signs of her tears.