Chapter 23

Greg had dressed and packed quickly. A backpack with toiletries and a change of clothes was all he needed. A note was left for his parents to explain the situation. Another note with the same contents was taped to the door of Dana’s apartment for her mother to read.

Greg ran down to his Chevy Cavalier and drove under the gateway, and out of Thomas Mill. His head was clouded with thought. He had sex with his sister twice today. That is the same number of times that he had met Dana. Yet, he was driving three hundred miles to see her.

He tried to rationalize the situation. Technically, they weren’t in a relationship. There was no verbal commitment between the two of them. He had never said he would not see other people.

His feelings for Dana were suddenly not as overwhelming. He had doubts if they could have a lasting relationship. Kristy was much prettier than Dana, and Greg estimated that Kristy was better in bed than Dana. Dana’s inexperience had the potential to be frustrating, and he didn’t want to teach her everything about sex.

Maybe Kristy wouldn’t get back together with Shane. Greg could try and talk her into going to Central Iowa State. Perhaps she could be persuaded to share an apartment with him. Greg explored the possibility of dating his sister. Children and marriage would not be an option. It would be difficult to keep such a close relationship a secret. If they had a falling out, it could destroy the Simmons family.

Greg’s thoughts were racing through his head, like the dotted white lane lines were dashing past his car. The solution could be to date Dana, and keep Kristy on the side. If he tired of Dana, he would still have Kristy. He and Kristy could have a no strings attached relationship. His whole relationship with Dana would be based on lies. Greg wrestled with the thought of living dishonestly.

Dana had done nothing to deserve that treatment. She had been warm, caring, and trustworthy of Greg. Greg didn’t know if he could continue breaking that trust. The girl who had just walked out on her father had asked Greg for help. Greg responded by screwing his sister. A pain from guilt hit Greg in the stomach.

Greg saw the sign for Interstate 55. He took the northbound entrance ramp. He would have three hundred miles to sort out these feelings.