I go back out into the hall to wait for him. The lights switch back on all but immediately. I still can't believe that I've only known Sam a few days, and I already have caught him twice. My mother never once caught me, not even close. Sure, my grandmother just missed me by a few seconds that one time. And there was that night when we stayed over at Will's house, when his dad almost walked in on us, but we covered because we had just come back from a late swim. He may have known better, but I choose to believe my recollection. Knowing teenage response times, somewhat, he could be trying to finish up. It could take hime anywhere from thirty seconds to a few minutes, but I doubt he will even try, The shock will return him to normal quickly.
He is out in under a minute. He is wearing almost the exact same PJs I am. I didn't notice I got him the same thing I normally wear. Navy blue top and dull grey shorts. I look him in the eyes. Man, we're practically the same height now. He has to have grown over half an inch since Thursday, maybe even an inch. Same mousy brown hair, his a little lighter and curlier. Same flat hazel eyes, with his maybe a touch darker. Same 'equipment,' although I'm thinking that he has overtaken me in that department already. I look at him, back in the eyes.
"We're going downstairs. I think that will be more comfortable and appropriate."
He doesn't respond, just barely nodding his head.
We reach the landing before the lights click off, and I switch on the chandelier as we pass by. As I turn left towards the library, I hear Sam gasp behind.
"Do we have to do it there? The living room or TV room will be better." I notice that his voice is not really squeaking. Not truly deep yet, but not pitchy either.
"Library. It is for the best."
We trudge along to the library. I flip on yet another light switch. Not as much overhead lighting here compared to the other rooms. I guess that the table lights would be better for reading anyway. I motion Sam to stand in front of the desk, while I take the swivel chair behind it. Normally, I should be the one standing, but I think this will allow Sam a chance to calm down.
"Before we go into our sister, I want to know how you got those naked pictures of me from earlier tonight." Direct, forceful, and blunt. At least I feel parental.
Sam turns his head down, looking at his feet. His hands are crossed behind his back. I'm not sure, but I think he might be holding something. Why didn't I catch that on the way down?
"When I got my computer last year, I detected a strange signal coming from an unknown source. I hooked into it. It turned out to be a camera system." Sam never quavers. In fact, his voice is a fairly steady monotone, fairly deep too.
"At first, I thought it was part of the security system. Dad always fiddled with it from his computer, or phone. But, this signal didn't seem to be connected to that one in any form. I was able to latch onto it, and I found that it was a private camera in my parents' bedroom. One of the first images I found was one of dad, naked, and posing in front of the mirror. And he was big."
My mind races. I knew that some couples liked to film themselves, and with dad's artistic nature and experience, it would have been simple for him to set up.
"Don't tell me you would watch your parents . . .'
"NO! I would never do that." Sam all but shouts. "The camera wasn't on all the time. Only when a switch on the wall was turned on. I set things up so that I would get a notification whenever the camera turned on. Most of the time, it was at night when I was sleeping. I wouldn't record anything that happened overnight, just to be safe. However, whenever it was just my dad there, I would watch and record. And do "other things" at times."
"I know I accidentally turned on the camera, but why record me. And why do "that" as well?" I had to get an answer. I needed a reason.
"Dad was so big. I would always try to catch a glimpse whenever he took my into the restrooms with him. You know how big he was. You saw him in that movie, too."
"Wait, Sam. How did you see any of that movie? The entry was blocked." I won't let on about the general state of the audience.
"I knew about the movies. He told my about them late last year, just before I started growing. After seeing him those other times, I just had to look at him in his full glory. You know, you're almost as big as him, I think. Maybe a lighter smaller."
I should interrupt, but I'm all but speechless. "How did you even, guess about my, you know?" I barely stammer out.
"That night, last night. When you got up, just as I was finishing for the first time. I could see the outline on your shorts. Just seeing that was enough to allow me to go a second time. First time I was able to go a second time so quickly." Rather frank talk, and unexpected. "I've seen picture of naked women, too, but, whenever I see someone as big as you, or dad, I think it makes me bigger too."
What is going through his head right now? I don't know what is happening. I'm afraid about what he'll say next.
"I was always kind of big. Not dad big, when I was a kid, but one of the biggest. Then, it just grew and grew. The last few weeks of school, I had to be the biggest there. I know I was bigger than Vinnie Johnson, and he was already six-two. I couldn't believe it." I can hear the pride in his voice. The tone even slightly goes up a bit, trying to crack again, but it doesn't.
"So, when I saw that you had the camera on, I checked you out. You were posing the same way he did all the time. I starting watching him just before Thanksgiving last year. I think it even helped with this growth spurt I'm having. You were just something new. Not as big as dad, but I think you might be above average."
I don't interrupt him to confirm his opinion.
"I woke up a few minutes before you caught me. I think I heard you come upstairs, and that woke me up. I was, well, you know, and I saw that you had the camera on. I just had to try it out. I know it was wrong, but it just clicked in me somehow. I'm sorry."
"Look. You know that what you did is wrong. The camera part, the other part is natural. I could go on about morality, exploration, and ethics, among other things. But, I will wait until tomorrow, and by that I mean later today, to go into that. Right now, I want to know about our sister and what happened to her."
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