Unmentionables

Sam's mind began to wander as she sketched the little knight. She smiled as she thought about the sleepover she and Cindy had the night before. After they had arrived back at the house, Sam began to try on some of her clothes. Cindy squealed in delight as she tried on one outfit after another.

"You can actually see your figure in these clothes, Sam. I mean, if I was a guy..."

"Yeah, whatever," Sam interrupted.

"I mean it, Sam. Your Dad is definitely going to have to fight them off with a bat now. Not that you didn't look good before, it's just that..."

Sam smiled into the full length mirror as Cindy tried to take the foot out of her mouth. She had to admit, she didn't look half bad. Even though she wasn't as small as her Mother, she had inherited her narrow hips. They were flatteringly, emphasized by the tapered, black slacks she wore. Her, pink flowered, peasant top made her short waist look longer and leaner. It also emphasized a certain endowment she had gotten from her Mother's sister.

Cindy was still rambling, so Sam walked over and gave her a hug. "Thanks buddy," Sam said, as she pulled away and looked at her friend. Cindy smiled and then spoke.

"So," she started, "do you wanna show your Dad, now?"

"Sure, just be ready for the fireworks."

Sam put down her pencil as she thought about her Dad's reaction.

"Sure you can wear them," he had said, as he looked the third outfit in a row. This one in particular consisted of a brown, suede skirt, a red, off the shoulder sweater, and red, strappy sandals.

"You just can't leave the house."

After an hour of arguing with Sam, Sarah , and Karen, he finally caved in. Though you could tell he still wasn't happy about his little girl looking like a woman. After she had tried on her last outfit, her Dad practically in tears, she and Cindy headed toward the stair case. But, not before she ran into her big brother who had just returned from his date. For the first time in a long while, Toby was speechless.

"Oh, Hi Toby," the girls said in unison. They ran up the stairs before he could react. He walked with purpose into the living room. When he saw his family sitting casually in the living room he erupted.

"What the hell is my baby sister wearing!"

He had been so loud the girls could hear him at the top of the staircase.

Sam rolled her eyes at the memory, you would think she was dressing like a hooker, instead of a feminine woman. There is something she never thought of herself as, feminine. Sam look at herself. She was lounging around today, so she was back in her comfortable jeans. Only this time in place of her tee shirt, there was a blue, button down blouse.

There was also another change. Sam grimaced as she pulled at her lace, cheeky panties under the thick material of her jeans. When she had seen the lavender, lacy panties and the matching bra, she had fallen in love with them. She had fallen out fast though, when the devil panties had started giving her a wedgy. But, for the first time Sam chose beauty over comfort, so she stuck it out. Sam stopped pulling on her jeans when she heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it," she called, her clothing all in the right places once again.

"It's me," Sarah called from behind the door.

Sam shoved her sketch pad underneath her pillow, removing evidence of her Goblin King, experiences. Okay, so she promised she was going to be more honest with her family, but this was delicate. She would tell Sarah when the time was right. Like, if she asked her straight out, " Sam, have you met the Goblin King?" then, yes, she would tell her.

Sam shook her head at how ridiculous she was being. Another reason she held back was because; Sarah might think her own experiences through the Labyrinth had all been a dream. Then Sam would be on a one way trip to the nut house. Then again, maybe she was crazy. It wasn't exactly normal to dream of a cross dressing, rock star wannabee, Goblin King, who had a severe fetish with eighties hair.

Sam was shaken from her thoughts when she heard severe pounding from outside her door.

"Samantha Williams, what the hell is going on in there. I have been standing out here forever. Unlock this door!"

"Oh, yeah, Sarah." Sam walked over and casually unlocked the door to let her sister in.

Sarah was leaning against the door frame, with an obvious expression af annoyance on her face.

"Sorry, Sarah. My head was in the clouds."

Sarah sighed, and gave a hopeless smile. "Sam, who do you think you are, me?"

Sam smirked, her discomfort slowly melting away.

"So," Sam started, closing the door as Sarah entered. "Where are my personal clothes police?"

Sarah laughed. "They have retired for now." She walked over to her old window, taking in the sunset. Sam watched her, noticing her sister's stance. She stood with her arm stretched across her forehead, leaning against the windowsill. She seemed so serene ,so peaceful, as if being transferred to another time.

"Where are Mom and Dad?"

Sarah turned from the window, facing her sister. "They decided to go out tonight. They wanted to get away from the kids, quote, unquote."

"Well, how insulting," Sam joked. "and Toby."

"He has decided to barbecue for us tonight."

"Oh boy, is the fire extinguisher nearby?"

"Aw, the kid blows up one barbecue when he's fifteen and he's branded for life," Sarah said, laughing.

Sam let out a giggle and suddenly went silent when she saw the solemn look on Sarah's face.

"Sam, I came here to tell you something important. I know it has been a long time since I have shown my admiration for you. But, that doesn't mean it wasn't always there."

"Come on Sarah. I know I am improving, but, even I admit what a joke I was. But, I also see the potential in that girl now," Sam quickly added, when she noticed her sister was about to object to her own insult.

"Still, I always admired you. I know, you were a self centered, spoiled, unmotivated..."

"Sarah," Sam interrupted.

"and lazy, aloof.."

"All right, Sarah. I get it." Sam rolled her eyes and couldn't help but smile despite the insults.

"Anyway, what I meant was. I always admired that inner strength in you. Your integrity, your spunk, that underlying love for people that even you couldn't quite hide. Don't ever forget that, Sam. You are my baby sister, and I am very proud of you."

Sarah's eyes watered and she quickly brushed the would be tears away. Sam slowly walked toward her sister and wrapped her arms around her slender frame.

"I am proud of me too, Sarah," Sam joked, trying to lighten the mood. She pulled away from her sister and looked intently at her. "Thank you, Sarah. What you just said, well, it meant a lot."

"Well, I hope you enjoyed it, because, I have practically used up my lifetime allotment of compliments. Don't expect another one till your wedding day."

They both laughed, the air finally light once again.

"Well, I better check to see if Toby has burned down the patio yet."

Sam smiled and turned toward her bed and didn't here as her sister came up behind her.

"Sam, isn't that your sketch book."

Sam's heart stopped when she looked at where her sister was pointing. "Damn, I thoughtI had hidden that better."

Sarah, being the nosy sister she was, grabbed the book from under the pillow.

"Sarah, give that back, its private." Sam stretched as far as her 5' 3" frame could carry her. Of course, her height was no match for her 5' 8" sister. Sarah just stretched the book far above her head, smirking mischievously.

"Come on, Sam. It's just a sketch pad, not a diary."

Before Sam could stop her, Sarah started flipping through the pages, eyes widening more with each passing page. Sam swallowed hard, and stood hopelessly as Sarah looked at the last page. What seemed to be in slow motion, the book fell from Sarah's hand and onto the bed. The top page revealed the sketch of the barn owl, staring at the girls with those striking eyes.

Okay, so now would be a good time.

"Sis, we need to talk."

Author's Note: I know, cliffhanger. Trust me, the next chapter is worth it. I hope everyone is still reading. Oh, and please review.