Brian shook his head in a bewildered fashion, looking at his sister, not knowing what to say. And then he thought once again about Brenda, and his mind called out in bitter frustration, hell no, all I can do it seems is say it!

"Why don't you be a real friend and get lost," Brian said to his sister. "And you too," he added, looking at Susan.

"We will if you'll do us a favor first!" Beth said.

"Anything!" Brian said, exasperated.

"Anything?" Beth asked, and then looked at Susan.

"Well what is it?" Brian asked, irritation in his voice.

"Susan wants you to pop her cherry," Beth said. "And I said you would."

"You said what?!" Brian asked horrified, looking first at his sister and then at Susan.

"We've been talking about it all morning, and I told her that you must have fucked at least a thousand girls, and you'd be happy to do it."

"Well, you thought wrong. You both must be nuts!"

And then Susan spoke. Her voice was soft, tinged with an eager quality. "No, I'd like you to do it," she said, looking at the floor. "Please?"

There was something in her manner that made Brian stop. He looked at the young girl, her innocent eyes cast downward, her face prepared for rejection. And then his mind whirled to the memory of Brenda, and there was that exact same expression. He didn't know what to do, as he cast his eyes over the youthful figure of the girl, knowing what thoughts must be going through her mind.

The silence was almost deadening, as Brian licked his lips and swallowed hard. He felt like a ridiculous character in a ridiculous play, being commanded to act and say lines over which he had no control. And then as though from some director's command, he stood up and placed his hands on the teenage girl's shoulders, feeling her body tense up.

"Are you sure you want this?" Brian asked, his tone almost fatherly.

Susan looked up, her eyes moist and inviting. "Yes," she whispered. "More than anything."