Abandoned

Kristi stares at the piss stick on the bathroom counter. One line. Same bullshit, every month. Her stomach knots. Ben rubs her back, tells her they’ll get there, like he always does, but she can still feel the guilt chewing at her ribs. Ruby shows up out of nowhere, baggage in one hand, trouble in the other. Kristi almost slams the door, but Ruby’s voice cracks and the silence in the house starts sounding too loud, so she steps aside. Hours later Kristi carries a towel to the bathroom. Through the cracked door she sees Ruby stepping naked into the tub, wet hair stuck to her spine, tits full and heavy. The sight hits Kristi low and sharp. She leans against the wall, slips two fingers under her waistband, strokes fast and quiet while she watches. Ruby catches the movement, smiles like she remembers every dirty secret they ever shared, and parts her legs wider under the water. Kristi pushes the door open. No words. Just wet skin, slick fingers, the slap of thighs meeting tile. Ruby’s mouth on her, tongue working hard, Kristi grinding down until her legs shake. They don’t hear the front door. Ben stands in the hallway, keys still in his hand, watching the steam rise and his wife come on her stepsister’s face. His jaw tightens, then his belt hits the floor.