RR Lori Warren - Chapter 50

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Reduction & Relocation: Lori Warren

Chapter 50 - A Few Hours Earlier…

January 28th, 2006

Gina’s POV

Victoria leaned forward and the front of the sofa cushion sank beneath her weight.  She distractedly fidgeted with the dangling drawstring of her pastel green loungewear shorts.  

“Okay, okay, but then what did he do?” she asked, the words tumbling out in a rapid action fire.  Her fingers kept toying with the drawstring, yanking it tight before letting it slacken back again with a bounce. “C’mon! Don’t leave us hanging!”

Gina remained composed, relaxing comfortably on the chase with her legs stretched out. As the oldest daughter, Gina had always commanded a certain degree of implicit respect from her two younger sisters, even if there was never a short supply of antagonistic antics (mostly from Victoria) sprinkled in here and there. But after just half-a-day into her first visit home since starting her college journey, Gina realized that things had changed a lot since she’d left home.  Victoria and Isabella seemed in awe of the girl who’d left home to go live in a dormitory.  

“Well, they were in his mouth.” Gina said with nonchalance as she flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. “What do you think he did?” Gina’s lips curled into a teasing smile.

Victoria’s jaw dropped, showing off that her mouth might have actually been even bigger than she’d led her sisters to believe.

“Wait, wait…you’re saying that he sucked on them?” Isabella chimed in from the nearby lazy boy recliner. “Weren’t you afraid your roommate would walk in?”

Victoria didn’t even give Gina a chance to answer. “No way that happened! You’re lying!” She declared. She pointed at Gina’s black-and-white checkered socks, poking out from beneath her fuzzy plaid pant legs.. “Your feet are way too ticklish for that! There’s no chance you sat through that without kicking him in the face.” Her voice was teasing but there was a genuine disbelief behind the playful accusation.

“She’s not wrong, Gina.” Isabella added, crossing her arms over her chest.  Her tone wasn’t necessarily accusatory but it was much more analytical than Victoria’s. Gina and Victoria were dressed for something between lounging comfortably and sleeping peacefully. Isabella was the best dressed at the moment. She wore a form-fitting black crop top, skinny jeans with trendy rips (taken from Gina’s closet which Gina had the grace to pretend she didn’t notice), and a pair of hoop earrings.  “You’ve always lost it when your feet got tickled.  How’d you keep it together?”

Gina let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes.  “Maybe once you start college, you’re no longer ticklish.”

“Oh, really?” Victoria’s eyes lit up and with a wicked grin, she lunged forward without warning toward Gina’s foot. “Let’s test that theory!” 

Victoria wiggled her fingers against Gina’s black-and-white checkered sole. With lightning-fast reflexes, Gina jerked her foot back and her fist shot out, playfully thudding against Victoria’s shoulder.

“Ow!” Victoria yelped, rubbing her shoulder with an overdone pout. “Rude!”

“That’s what you get, brat.” Gina fired back, sitting up straighter now so as to be more alert and adjusted the waistband of her fuzzy plaid pajama pants down, creating another layer of protection as her feet hid up in the pant leg cuffs. 

“At least I was right.  Your feet are ticklish.“

“It’s different when it’s a boy doing it, you dingus!  Boys know how to make things like that feel good.”

Victoria’s eyes flashed over to Isabella who was offering up a subtle, half-hearted nod of acknowledgment. She then narrowed her eyes, rubbing her shoulder. “Well, if it didn’t tickle, at least tell us what it felt like.”

Gina paused and tapped her chin thoughtfully. Her socked toes wiggled as if they were trying to summon the memory.  “Honestly? It was…weird at first; kinda tickly, but then it was almost soothing in this strange way.  It was his idea. I didn’t expect it to feel so good if I’m being perfectly honest, but I guess it kinda did.” She admitted with a shrug. “I’d let him do it again.”

“Really?” Victoria’s grin grew even wider, practically stretching from ear to ear. She turned to her fraternal twin. “Are you gonna get your toes sucked in college too, Bella?” Victoria reached out for Isabella’s extended foot on the footrest of the recliner.  

Isabella’s bare foot retreated even quicker than Gina’s did, the denim stretching around her thigh as she hugged her knee to her chest. She curled her toes and the black of her nail polish disappeared into the couch cushion. “Uh, absolutely not.” She said firmly. ”People can look all they want but no one’s even touching my feet except me. Especially not like that!”

“Boooooring.” Victoria said, rolling her eyes and flopping back onto the couch.

Gina chuckled, crossing her arms over her Abercrombie & Fitch lounging tee. “I’m guessing you’d let a guy do it to you, Vicky?” 

“Yeah, of course I’d try it!” Victoria puffed out her chest. 

Of course.  Gina wasn’t even slightly surprised. She felt sincerely sorry for the boy that would one day have the displeasure of satisfying that curiosity. How lucky the boy from Calculus’s first set of toes to suck were clean and well-taken care of like Gina’s. Imagine if he started on Vicky’s!  He might have sworn off feet entirely instead of wanting to do it again!

“I almost did. Twice, actually.” Victoria confessed.

“Yeah?” Gina snorted. “Which boy did you have almost sucking your toes?” Her tone dripped with skepticism, as if it were the most far-fetched idea ever. “Stepping on mom’s toy that one time doesn’t count.”

Oh god, even as the words came from her lips, Gina realized she hadn’t thought about that night since it happened. Screw feeling sorry for the poor boy that might pamper Vicky’s feet one day.  No one deserved more sympathy than her mom’s little toy as he disappeared under Vicky’s dirty sock.

“Fine. Once, then.” Victoria conceded.  “And for the other time, I’m not talking about Paddy. Even though that was awesome” Victoria let out a giggle that inspired an eye roll from her big sisters. “What I’m talking about happened last month; when I was sleeping over at Amy and Andrea’s house after the concert.  We were playing Truth or Dare and they dared me to go put my foot on Andrew’s face.”

“Their brother?” Gina laughed. He was a junior when Gina was a senior, but he looked more like one of the teachers.  Over six feet tall, already sporting the preface of a full beard, and muscles that made it their mission to make girls blush.  You’re talking about the one who plays lacrosse, right? I find it hard to believe he was playing Truth or Dare with you guys?”

“No, he was asleep in the basement.”

“Oh my god, Vicky. You didn’t actually do it, did you?” Isabella asked.

“I had my shoe and sock off, and my foot was like an inch from his face…”

Gina and Isabella both leaned in.  

“...but I chickened out.” Victoria grumbled.  “I was afraid he’d wake up.  That, or Amy and Andrea would tell him.  I wish I did though. He’s got the cutest pouty lips.  And that stubble. I bet they would have felt awesome against the bottom of my foot.”

“Well thank god for his sake.” Gina said.  

“Seriously.” Isabella agreed, scrunching up her nose, “That’s so gross, Vicky.”

“So gross?!”  Victoria said, baffled.  “But it's not gross when Gina’s new college boyfriend is literally sucking on her toes like lollipops? That makes a whole lotta sense, Bella.”

“What?” Gina’s brow furrowed up and her upper lip curled. “Devon is not my boyfriend, get real.”

Isabella redirected back to Victoria’s statement. 

“It’s just kinda gross in general…no offense to Gina or her friend.” Isabella clarified. “But anything that involves your feet instantly becomes about ten times worse.”

“Whatever.  At least I don’t have big ol’ clown feet like you.” Victoria shot back.

“Jeez, you guys are even worse since I left.” Gina laughed and shook her head.  “I swear, you two could start a fight over the color of the sky.”

“Well, if I can make it to June without killing her, I think everything will be okay.” Isabella said as she and Victoria stuck their tongues out at each other.

“Oh, so you’re definitely going then?” Gina asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

Isabella smiled. “It’s official. My application was approved with the committee.  Fully free ride.”

“Oh my god; that’s amazing, Isabella!” Gina said, bouncing up and pulling her younger sister in for a big hug. “Congratulations! When did you find out?”

A huge grin played on Isabella’s face. “Thanks! Just yesterday, actually.”

“Did you tell Mom yet?”

“Uh-huh.” Isabella said.  “That’s why she’s taking me out to the show tonight; to celebrate.”

“That’s awesome. What are you studying again?” Gina asked. “Something to do with fertility and reproductive health, right?”

“Like a baby doctor?” Victoria interjected.  “That’s…actually kind of cool.”

“Sort of. So here’s the plan.” Isabella bounced up and crossed her ankles, resting her elbows on her inner thighs. She always spoke with a more proper tone than her sisters but now her tone carried a maturity and confidence that made even them sit up a little bit straighter.  “First, I’m going to major in Biology.  I was thinking of minoring in bioengineering but the scholarship program says I tested high for nanotechnology so they want me to explore that. 

Victoria raised an eyebrow.  “Nanotechnology?  Is that a real thing? I thought that was just in movies.”

Oh, Vicky.

Gina leaned back, out of eyeshot of Victoria and discretely rubbed the bridge of her nose. 

“No, no; it’s definitely a real thing.” Isabella said with patience. “And after my undergrad, next will be medical school–it’ll take me four years to become a doctor and then I’ll do a residency in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.”

Gina’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open in disbelief. “Holy crap, Bella. That sounds insanely hard and complicated.” Gina said, shaking her head.  Like, are you even going to have time to sleep with all that?  I’m wiped out after three lectures and two recitations!”

Isabella chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. “Oh, come on.  It’s not that crazy.  I mean, yeah, it's going to be a lot of work but the Scholarship Fund people keep telling all of us the same thing: just take it one step at a time.”

“Well you sound like you’ve got it all figured out.” Gina said. “What about you, Vicky?  Are you gonna go to college when you graduate?”

Victoria scrunched up her face in mock horror.  “Pffft, no way.” she said, crossing her arms defiantly.  “Why would I sit through another four years of school? I’m barely gonna make it through high school without dying of boredom.”

“So what’s the plan then?” Gina laughed.

“I dunno.  Win the lottery?  Move out so that I can finally get a drum set and become a rock star?”

“I bet Mom would still drive to your house and tell you it's too loud.” The three girls burst into laughter.

“I’ll figure something out. Whatever it is though, it’ll be something that doesn’t have to do with staring at books all day like her.” Victoria said, gesturing toward Isabella with a playful smirk.  “But being honest for a sec, that all seems cool, Bella.  And really important, too. Even though it sounded like you were talking in another language.”

“Thanks Vicky.” Isabella smiled. “That’s sweet.”

“Not as sweet as Gina’s toes, apparently.” Victoria grinned and Gina rolled her eyes.

                    *

Just as the laughter began to die down, the sound of footsteps echoed from the upstairs hallway. A moment later, Lori appeared at the top of the staircase, dressed in a snug pair of jeans and a sleek black blouse that accentuated her figure. 

“What’s all the ruckus down here?” Lori asked, her tone playful but laced with a genuine curiosity as she made her way down the stairs. Her footsteps always fell with force, but now dressed in those clunky wedges that she swore went with everything, those foot falls practically rattled the framed photos on the wall. Gina’s mother didn’t often dress up like this.  It was usually either workwear, sleepwear, and the occasional change into gymwear.  But tonight was a special occasion.

Victoria shot a glance at Gina and Isabella before raising her hand in mock salute. “Just your average sisterly bonding time, Mom! Nothing to worry about!”

Lori raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “Average, huh? I think ‘suspicious’ is the better word for the three of you getting along so well. What are you girls plotting?  A world takeover?”

Isabella laughed and Victoria plopped back onto the couch with a dramatic flair. 

“I think they all just miss me so they’re trying to be extra nice.” Gina said; she then stuck her tongue out at Victoria. “Mostly, anyway.”  

Lori walked off to the kitchen, scribbling something onto the dry erase board on the fridge. Meanwhile, Gina repositioned herself on the chase and her left hand sunk into the cushions, rooting around. 

“They may even let me pick the Wii game we’re playing tonight.”

“Bowling…no! Wait!” Victoria rubbed her chin and then smiled. “Tennis.”

“I don’t care what we play.” Gina laughed. “I’ll beat you in whatever.”

Gina felt around blindly between the couch cushions, her fingers brushing against the rough upholstery, the occasional crumb, and then something else—thin and slightly stiff in some spots, oddly soft in others. Her brow furrowed as curiosity nudged her forward. She pulled the crumpled object free, and the second the stale, sour odor hit her, her stomach lurched.

Her lips curled in revulsion as she held the balled-up cloth at arm’s length, trying to process the full horror of what she’d just unearthed. “Oh, gross,” she muttered, but it was already too late—the unmistakable texture and smell had confirmed what it was.

“Oh my god!” Victoria squealed, lunging forward and snatching the crumpled, dirty socks from Gina’s hand. “I’ve seriously been looking everywhere for these! How the heck did they get between the cushions?”

Gina glared, shaking out her hand like she could somehow fling away the offensive odor that may very well have been permanently embedded on her fingertips. Her lip curled further as she wiped her fingers along the leg of Victoria’s shorts without hesitation. “Not sure how you think any boy would want their lips anywhere near your feet,” she said dryly, “when even your own socks are trying to escape from them.”

Victoria stuck her tongue out in playful defiance, but Gina’s disgust was palpable—a lingering sneer and narrowed eyes fixed on the socks like they might spontaneously combust.

Meanwhile, Isabella was noticeably still. She’d been perched quietly at the edge of the couch, but now her fingers toyed absentmindedly with the hem of her hoodie, betraying the faintest tremor. Her gaze flickered toward the crumpled socks, and then away again, quickly enough that no one else seemed to notice. Gina dismissed it as Isabella being even more revolted than she was.

“Are we ready to go, Mom?” Isabella said, standing abruptly. She fluffed her hair and smoothed her outfit, stealing one more glance at the crumpled socks that Victoria was now unfolding and stuffing her feet in. “It’s getting close to that time, I think.”

“Just about, sweety.” Lori said, coming back into the living room.  “I just have to set Michael up with Gina.”

“Oh, no!  Your thing…it’s tonight?.” Gina said, looking up from her flip-phone.  “I just got a text from Danielle a few minutes ago.  She’s home visiting family too and she wants to go to the movies and then hang out at her parent’s house for awhile.”

Lori set her hands on her wide hips.  “...okay?”

“Can I go with Danielle to the movies?”

Lori chuckled. “Gina, you don’t live under my roof anymore. You can come and go as you please.  But if you’re asking if you can do the movie AND babysit Michael at the same time, the answer is obviously no.”

Gina sucked her teeth and let out a long, dramatic sigh. “C’mon, Mom.  I don’t really have to just sit here all night, do I?”

“That depends. Do you want to get paid for babysitting him?”

“Ugh…why can’t he just come with me?  I’ll keep him tucked away; he won’t even know he’s left the house.”

“Gina, no.” Lori repeated, her expression tightening. “I know you remember the rules.  You stay in the house and he stays in your bottom.”

Gina frowned. “Mom, this is crazy.  He literally lives in your butt. What’d you say earlier?  Twenty hours a day?  He’s in your butt everywhere you go, right?  You even had him with you when you picked me up from the university today!”

“I’ve been housing Michael since September.  Believe it or not, but it’s not as easy and straight-forward as you think it is.”

“How about I go out just for the movie?” Gina bargained, not willing to give up. Danielle’s class schedule was completely different than Gina’s and she also lived in a dorm on the other side of campus; they hardly ever got to see each other! “...I’ll drop him in my butt and keep him in there for the whole movie. And after the movie I’ll run back here and stay for the rest of the night. I won’t take him out even once, I promise.”

“Gina, what part of ‘no’ do you not understand?” Lori’s voice was full-on firm Mom now. “I know you’re being genuine right now, but anything could happen out there. What if you mention him to Danielle and she wants to see him?  Lord knows you’ve never been able to say no to that girl.  And then what if someone else sees him and wants to take a closer look?  What if they try and hold him? Or take him?  That’s all assuming that he doesn’t get hurt or fall out of your clothing somehow.”

Gina’s upper lip curled in disgust. “Mom, seriously?  I wouldn’t go out in this.” She said, gesturing down to her comfy, baggy loungewear.  “I’d wear a pair of my jeans which are tight.  And I’m already wearing the lame, full coverage underwear. He’s not gonna get hurt and no one’s gonna see him!  He’s tiny!  Like a friggin’ bug!” Gina protested.  “I don’t see why I have to sit around here stuck in this house while babysitting a guy who’s barely even a person anymore.”

“Fine, if that’s how you want to treat it, think of him as property then.” Lori then pointed twice at her own chest. “But he’s my property.  And I need to make sure we don’t have a repeat of what happened to my favorite sunglasses.”

“Didn’t she sit on them? Kind of a bad example of her ‘responsibleness’.” Victoria said with a giggle, deploying some serious air quotes.

“Shut up, Victoria.” Gina said, stomping her foot.  So much for that mystical college aura of maturity.

“Also, I don’t think that’s a word.” Isabella added.

“Mom, there’s an easy solution to this whole thing.” Victoria said. “You really should just let me watch Paddy. Seriously, I’ll be sooooo careful with him! I don’t need to go out anywhere.  I’ll just stay up in my room for the entire night. And then Gina can go to her movie!  See, everybody wins!”

“No way, I’m watching him.” Gina said.

“No, I am.” Victoria retorted, her voice rising.

“No, I am!” Gina’s tone escalated to match Victoria’s

“I’ll take care of Paddy, and Gina can keep the babysitting money.” Victoria offered.

Gina’s lips parted–on instinct–to continue the argument but no sound came out. 

What an offer that was. Getting paid without having to keep her mom’s weird little toy in her butt crack? Yes, please!

 “Deal!” Gina shouted and Victoria flashed the cheekiest, most lopsided grin anyone had ever seen.  The two girls shook hands like they’d both just won the lottery and Michael, who had been watching the whole discussion from Lori’s palm, looked ready to faint.

“What? Excuse me! Absolutely not.” Lori cut in, thumbing a frantic Michael back down into her closed fist like a magician hiding a handkerchief.  “There are no deals to be made about who’s watching Michael.  No deals except the one I made with you, Gina, his RR Labs approved Alternate.  You…” Lori looked with daggers for eyes at Victoria who immediately averted her gaze to her feet. “..and only you…are going to house Michael while I’m gone.  And when I get back, you’ll be paid $100.  If you’d rather go to the movies, then do it.  But you will not bring Michael and you will not get paid. Is that clear?  To both of you?”

“Yes…” Gina grumbled.

“And you.” Lori said, turning her attention to Victoria. “You will not be babysitting Michael, much less taking him to your room for the evening.  My goodness, sweetheart!”

“Fine.” Victoria huffed, crossing her arms.

“So what’s it going to be?” Lori asked, her free hand anchored on her hip with sass resembling that which she passed down to her daughters.

“Fine, give me the little twerp.” Gina mumbled.

“What was that?”

“I said okay, give him here.”

Lori opened her hand to reveal Michael who had been listening to the conversation about his evening unfolding without so much as a syllable directed toward him.  That might have seemed weird but wasn’t all of this weird to begin with?  And besides, Gina wouldn’t have found it weird if the ‘babysittee’ was actually a baby.  And considering how helpless and dependent he was on Lori for his survival, he may as well have been.  

Gina extended her palm but then pulled it back, “You…uhh…washed him first, right?”

Lori rolled her eyes. “Yes, Gina. That’s what I was just doing in the bathroom. He’s perfectly clean.”

Despite her mother’s assurances, Gina still grimaced as Lori deposited Michael into her open palm.

~