If These Walls Could Talk

If These Walls Could Talk

Although, Rachelle made no effort to blackmail her brother with her knowledge of his peccadillo, it is not in the nature of an adolescent to keep a secret autonomously. She saw no problem in telling a confidant; it was merely a matter of deciding in whom to confide.

Her choice was a statistical outlier, but her reasoning was cogent enough. Delancy is “cool,” she reasoned, and so she could reasonably share the knowledge with him, free of concern that he might over-react. Underlying this belief, and the reason she considered Delancy at all, was the observation that Darien was Delancy's son, and if Darien was to be disciplined, Delancy was the responsible party. New Year's celebrations had come and gone before she found an opportune moment, but in due time she confided in him.

From Delancy's point of view, this was a supreme affirmation that he was being a good parent. All kids make mistakes, and it is only when these are badly addressed that they become disastrous. Yet here was his step-daughter, trusting him above even her own mother. Sadly, teenagers are not the only one's who make mistakes.

Darien's offense was no longer fresh, so Delancy took some time to let the problem percolate. He thanked Rachelle for her good opinion of him, and assured her that she had “done the right thing.” His best avenue of advancement appeared to be to test Darien again. Would he attempt to repeat his indiscretion? The answer he did not know was a resounding “YES!” Not only would Darien re-offend at the earliest opportunity, he was exerting himself to capitalize upon his “success,” to re-offend even without opportunity. Despite his optimism, Sandra was not receptive.

However, the universe appeared to be on Darien's side. When Delancy suggested another long weekend away, Stephanie regarded it as reciprocation, and leaped at the chance. When the opportunity for another payday fell into Sandra's lap, she had incentive to agree beyond any social constraints of school mates. Plans were made, and the ever onward march of time made them reality.

Rachelle and Sandra did homework on Saturday morning, but the afternoon and night went as before... almost EXACTLY as before. Rachelle was treated to a new demonstration that was, if possible, even more instructive than the first: Darien convinced Sandra to let him leave a track light on, to improve his enjoyment. The holographic Civil War era cannon glowed subtly, and Rachelle could see everything that Darien could. Sandra's obvious enjoyment affected Rachelle by causing her to view her step-brother even more sexually than she had previously viewed her step-father. If it was a play, she left after the second act; she needed to attend to her libido.

Stephanie and Delancy returned, and Delancy took Rachelle aside almost immediately to query her. “Did Darien spend the night with Sandra again?” he asked. She verified what had happened without reservation, and Delancy had his smoking gun. However, he was not one of Elliot Ness's “Untouchables.”

Unbidden, the thought entered his mind that this was an excellent opportunity to make the baby-sitter squirm. It would be enjoyable to watch her reaction when he let her know that her activities were common knowledge. His avenue was simplicity itself; he would withhold her paycheck until they had their little chat. When it came up, he simply announced that he didn't have cash, would she come by the office.  His excuse went unanimously unchallenged - even Stephanie took it in stride.

The plan evolved over the next two days, into a quiet meeting after hours. No need to make Sandra's prospective embarrassment public, by holding court in front of the whole family. He didn't talk to Darien because he didn't want him to warn Sandra. Sandra thought nothing of coming to his office, and her school schedule conspired well with his work schedule.

The appointed hour came, and she knocked on the door of his office, entering at his invitation. She looked around the room. His status was reflected in two ways; the lighting was incandescent (instead of florescent,) and he had a lounge chair facing two perpendicular sofas, for impromptu small conferences.

Delancy rose from behind his desk, and waved her to a sofa, taking his own place in the chair. “So I noticed a few things at the house,” he began.

Sandra said nothing, but was slightly apprehensive. She hoped nothing was broken or had gone missing. “Is there anything I can tell you?” she inquired.

His chosen response was extemporaneous. “Did you make use of Darien, in my bedroom?” he asked. It would be hard to misconstrue that!

Sandra contemplated her options. Her father was not the forgiving type, and if he discovered that she was having sex “on the clock,” so to speak, he would castigate her as a whore. She was not a paragon, or Darien wouldn't have selected her, and the solution that presented itself was inexpensive and burned calories. She was not an experienced enchantress, but seduction has a built in incentive of its own. Her legs fell apart not too subtly, and she began to unbutton her blouse. “Is there anything I can do to keep it just between us?” she asked. She had no opinion of Delancy's age, but he was a pretty acceptable specimen... Stephanie knew how to pick them!

Delancy hadn't planned to blackmail her, but this assault on his moral fiber exceeded his weakened will. Experience counts, and his practicals were better than Darien's theoreticals. Sandra's pleasure compensated her well for her ethical lapse. By the time he was done, she was WELL done, and he finished with a thorough kiss, both before and after they got dressed again.

Delancy felt that compensating her for babysitting now, might be impossibly awkward, but he tried mightily to sidestep offense. “Would you like me to punish Darien by making him mow your lawn every week, till he's paid it off?” he offered. The words had hardly left his mouth before he perceived the possible double entendre.

Sandra was a practical girl. She knew that he could not blackmail her anymore. Meanwhile, her parents were not likely to welcome any arrangement that called for them to pay her, for work her “boyfriend” did. As a bonus, she actually found herself in a position to blackmail Delancy. “I won't be a bitch about it,” she replied charitably. “If you want to give me a check, I won't take it the wrong way.”

He took out his handkerchief and mopped his forehead, partially for the theatrical benefit. The check was on his desk, mercifully sealed in an envelope. “Sandra, thank you for baby sitting Rachelle,” he concluded. Their eyes met. “You did an excellent job.”

This was nearly the end of the matter.