They rented some movies and were popping some popcorn when the phone rang. Howie jumped up to get it. When he came back in, he was smiling.

“That was Polly. She’s coming to visit me tomorrow.”

“Great. How’s she doing?”

“She’s terrific. We’re working on her album. It’s coming along great. I never knew that she was so good. I guess that shows you how much I know about my sister.”

“No it doesn’t. All that says is you’ve been blind.”

“Hey!”

“Well, it’s true. You haven’t paid attention to your sister’s voice and you’ve been blind to the fact that she’s an awesome singer I could’ve told you that Howie.”

“Well thanks a lot Melissa. You know, you could’ve told me sometime. Think of all the things I’ve missed, all the time that could’ve been spent on getting her the deal and not worrying about everything else.”

“You worry too much. Now are we gonna watch the movie or what?”

“I guess so, but I got the couch.”

“Yeah right! I’ve already called it.”

“You can’t do that. You called it in the car. You have to be in the house before you call the couch.”

“God Howie, you sound like you’re eight again.”

“Well it’s true. It’s always been a rule Melissa. You can’t break the rules.”

“Who says?”

“The rule-maker guy.”

“As soon as I meet this almighty rule-maker guy, I’m kicking him right in the nuts.”

Howie laughed, “That might hurt just a little.”

“That’s my point! I want to hurt whoever made up the rule that you have to call the couch in the house because it’s a shitty rule. Why can’t I call the couch from wherever the hell I want to?”

“Because it’s not fair, that’s why.”

“Who says?”

“Let’s not start that again.”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

“All right.”

“Great.”

“Can we watch the damn movie now?”

“Let’s.”

He put the movie in and let her have the couch. He sat on the recliner and pulled it back. He glanced over at Melissa about halfway through the movie and saw that she was asleep. He picked her up and took her to the spare bedroom that would be hers once she moved in. As he was tucking her in, she opened her eyes slightly and whispered goodnight. He kissed her on the forehead and turned to leave when she grabbed his hand and pulled him back to her. She pulled his head to hers and kissed him on the lips. When he pulled away, he realized she was still asleep. Walking out, he took a deep breath.

“Oh boy,” he said, before closing the door and going to his own room, “This is gonna be a long night.”

The next day, Melissa didn’t have a single memory of the kiss, so Howie decided to overlook it. They ate breakfast and went for a run like they usually did. Melissa wanted to go to the gym for a while and Howie decided to join her. He hadn’t had a really good workout in a while because of his hectic schedule. He figured now was the best time to do it.

While Howie was working with the free weights, Melissa saw a guy that she was supposed to go out with and walked over to him. She talked with him for a second, flirting every chance she got. When he left, Howie asked her to come talk to him.

“What’s up Howie?”

“I thought you were going out with someone else.”

“I was, but we’re seeing other people.”

“Are you sure he’s seeing other people too?”

“Well yeah…I think. I don’t know. I mean, I don’t want this big relationship where we have to do the intimacy deal. I’m not ready for that. I can’t tell someone everything just because I’m sleeping with them. I have you for that.”

“Gee, thanks. I feel real special now.”

“You should. I don’t tell the men I sleep with every single little detail about my life. Hell, I don’t even tell my own mother everything. You know more about me than any person on the planet, including me.”

“Hey, that’s cool. So, who are you sleeping with now?”

“You’re making me sound like a slut Howie. It’s not like I go around screwing someone else every week. It takes a while for me to hop into bed with someone. I’ve been seeing this one guy for about two months now. We’ve talked about sleeping together, but we haven’t yet.”

“Is it the guy you were jus talking to?”

“Good lord no. That’s Warren. He’s just someone that I have this small interest in. I want to see I it will turn into something more serious than that. I doubt it, but he is good looking.”

“Oh yeah girl, I thought he was just fine,” Howie said, snapping his fingers.

“You know, you do that a little too well. Is there something you’re not telling me Howie?”

“Well, now that you mention it… No Melissa, I’m not gay.”

She laughed, “I know. I just like poking fun at you.”

“Believe me, I know.”

“Hey, isn’t it about time for Polly's flight to come in?”

“We’ve got 20 minutes. We need to get going soon.”

“Okay, I’ll get my things together. I’m done with my workout.”

“Okay, I’ll finish up then.”

Melissa ran off to get her gear from the locker room and Howie finished up with the weights and started his cool down workout. Melissa reappeared wearing jeans and a tee shirt.

“No fair! You know I don’t have anything to change into. You get to go out wearing nice jeans and I have to go out wearing shorts and an ugly sweaty tee shirt.”

“Honey, all’s fair in love and fashion.”

“I hate you right now,” Howie said smiling.

“Love you too Howie dear. Now let’s get going. We don’t want to keep Polly waiting.”

“Okay, okay, let’s go.”

“I love getting my way.”

“I know you do. Who knows you better than me?”

“Um… Me?”

“So not funny.”

“I thought it was.”

Howie and Melissa hurried to the airport to pick up Polly. As they rushed through the terminals, Howie prayed that no one would recognize him. He’d been having an okay day, he didn’t need dozens of teenyboppers and possibly reporters following him around while he was trying to pick up his sister.

“There’s the gate,” Melissa gasped, out of breath.

“Is the flight on time?” Howie asked the woman at the desk.

“Yes sir, the flight arrived a few minutes ago and will be unloading within minutes.”

“Thank you so much,” Melissa said, sitting down in one of the ugly orange plastic chairs.

Howie remained standing, awaiting the arrival of his older sister.

The passengers began to file out, some talking animatedly while others just looked tired. Howie searched their faces for the familiar smile.

“Howie!” Polly yelled.

He began to wave, but stopped in his tracks when he saw his sister.

“Oh my God, Polly!”

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