Trina's Tale, Part 3

This fictional account contains adult language and themes.  If such language
and themes offend you, please do not read further.  The persons and events
described in this work are purely fictional, and any similarity to actual
persons or events is strictly coincidental.  Copyright 2000 by SSTORYMAN.
All rights reserved.  Permission is granted to reproduce this story in any
form and for any purpose as long as this notice is reproduced and no
financial remuneration is received, directly or indirectly, by the person
reproducing it.

TRINA'S TALE

3.	Round Three:  Forcing it Down.

   Now Roz was on board, so to speak, so it was time to turn my attention to
Kristin.  Since my sister Kim and I were both smoking, we had to do something
about Kristin.  Sooner or later she'd stumble onto the fact that her other
sisters were both smokers.  There was no doubt she'd turn us both in to Dad,
like I'd turned her in two years before.  The way Kristin had treated her old
roommate Paula after Kristin quit smoking made me sure she'd squeal to Dad
about us.  The possibility threatened me more than Kim, since Dad was still
paying for my college.  But Kim didn't want Dad's shit either.  So we needed
Kristin to start smoking again.  Even though she'd once been a real addict, I
suspected the task wouldn't be easy to accomplish.

   Dad made Kristin quit two years earlier.  Shortly after that she morphed
into a zealous anti-smoker.  I've since learned that happens a lot.  Reformed
smokers are often more rabid than non-smokers.  But even so, I still believed
Kristin could be compromised.  Even if she tried not to think about it, at
the core her body remembered the pleasures of nicotine dependency.  Kim and I
had to find a way to re-ignite that flame, so to speak, to restore her
dormant nicotine addiction.  Otherwise, eventually we'd be in big trouble.

   Our ray of hope was that Kristin's boyfriend, Rob, smoked.  Was her
fondness for Rob an unconscious admission that she wasn't as 'anti' as she
pretended?  I didn't know, but we had to find out.  In any case, Rob's a good
guy.  Kim and I like him a lot.  We arranged to get together with him one
night at a local tavern.  Kristin was on a field trip for her master's
thesis.  We asked Rob not to tell her about our meeting.  He was curious as
to why, but agreed to keep it secret.

   The whole bar, every table, allowed smoking.  There was no need to ask for
smoking instead of non.  Kim and I settled in a booth to await Rob's arrival.
We decided not to smoke till he arrived.  We wanted to explain what we were
thinking of before Rob saw us smoke.

   Rob was in a good mood when he got there.  To be honest, what man wouldn't
be, in a bar with two beautiful blonds?  Kim's damn good looking, and
frankly, I am, too.  That night I intentionally wore snug khaki pants and a
skin-tight guava sweater with thick suspenders.  I like that outfit, because
the suspenders conspicuously call attention to my big tits.  Kim, too, was
dressed to kill.  She wore a low cut, red silk blouse, body-hugging jeans,
and heels.  We both looked delicious, and we knew it, too.  It was part of
the plan.

   Rob ordered a Guinness.  Kim and I each had a Sam Adams.  I'm not a big
drinker, but it was imperative that everyone be loose, me included.  We made
small talk for a few minutes.  In deference to his supposedly non-smoking
companions, I guess, Rob hadn't lit up a cigarette.  Then Kim dropped the
bomb.

   She smiled lasciviously.  "Rob, honey, can I ask you a favor?  Would you
mind terribly if Trina and I smoked here in the bar tonight?"

   Rob looked surprised.  Actually, flabbergasted was more like it.  "Uh, no,
I don't mind," he stammered.  Then he grinned.  "God, I didn't know either of
you guys smoked."

   Kim gave him a serene smile.  "That's what we want to talk to you about,
Rob," she cooed.  She took her B&H Menthol Lights 100's from her purse.
Simultaneously I got my Marlboro Lights 100's from mine.  "We need your help
with Kristin's non-smoking mind-set."

   Rob recovered quickly.  He took a pack of Camel Lights 100's from his
jacket.  In a flash he had his lighter ready.  He lit Kim's cigarette, then
mine, and finally one of his own.

   "Thanks for the light, Rob," I sighed, exhaling a burst of smoke from my
painted red lips.  "We knew you smoked, of course, so we figured we all had a
common interest in this subject."

   "I don't get it," he interrupted.  "I thought you especially, Trina, were
against smoking."

   "I used to be against it," I smiled brazenly, batting my eyelashes.  "But
sometimes people change, Rob.  Just a week ago Kim introduced me to the joys
of smoking.  And now I am _such_ a smoker."  I gave a throaty laugh and took
long drag on my cigarette.  I sucked the smoke deep inside, making sure my
breasts visibly expanded in between the suspenders while I inhaled.  Rob's
eyes were riveted on my rising chest.  It worked!  I smiled.  "Now I love to
smoke, Rob, and so does Kim, as you can tell.  But if Kristin finds out we
smoke, we'd be up shit creek."

   Kim took over the conversation while I did a long, spectacular exhale.
"Kristin used to smoke, too, Rob, as I'm sure you know.  Two years ago Trina
made the mistake of ratting on her to Dad, and he made Kristin quit.  Since
then Kristin's turned into a fuckin' anti-smoker.  I'm sure you know that,
too."

   "Oh yeah," Rob smiled knowingly.  "I've heard the stories about things
she's said and what she's done to people who smoke, including that episode
with her old roommate, Paula.  God, it's amazing that Kristin used to be a
smoker herself.  She's pretty vicious about it.  She's always after me to
quit.  But I told her I won't till I'm good and ready."  He paused.  "I don't
really want to quit.  I'm sure you understand."

   "Oh, yes," I nodded.  "Kim and I understand totally.  So we're afraid if
Kristin finds out we smoke, she'll do to us what I did to her two years ago
and tell Dad.  If that happens, I'm in deep shit.  Dad forced Kristin to quit
by threatening to stop paying her tuition.  I can't let that happen.  I've
still got a year and a half to go for my undergrad degree."

   "I see," Rob replied.  "So, if you're not quitting, what do you have in
mind?"

   Kim exhaled a tight stream of smoke into the air between us.  "Rob, tell
me something.  Do you ever talk with Kristin about the possibility of her
starting again?  Is there any chance of that happening?  Because if she did,
then she couldn't rat on Trina and me."

   Rob tapped some ashes in the ashtray.  "Yeah, I've asked her about it.  I
didn't know her when she smoked, but Kristin says she used to smoke like a
chimney.  I've hinted around that I'd like her to smoke with me, at least
sometimes.  But she won't bite.  Not at all.  I mean, I know it's a terrible
habit and everything.  But I thought it'd be sociable if she'd have a
cigarette with me occasionally."  Suddenly, he grew defensive.  "Of course, I
didn't mean to suggest Kristin should start smoking all the time again or
anything.  I'd only want her to do that if she really wanted to."

   "Don't bullshit us, Rob," Kim interrupted.  "We're smokers, remember?  We
know.  It's a drag spending time with a person you care about, if she doesn't
share our - what shall we call it? - our dedication to these wonderful
nicotine delivery devices."  Kim held her cigarette in front of her face and
grinned.  "I know I'll never date a non-smoker again.  Don't you agree,
Trina?"

   "Yeah, I sure do agree," I smiled.  Actually, I hadn't yet thought about
what my status as a smoker would do to my dating preferences.  But Kim was
right; she made perfect sense.  Why in hell would I ever want to get
romantically involved with a non-smoker?  "Look, Rob," I went on.  "Are you
saying there's no chance you could ever talk Kristin into smoking again?"

   "I'm afraid that's the deal," he muttered.  "You want me to be honest?  I
like your sister, but I'll probably dump her eventually if she doesn't quit
nagging me about quitting.  Hell, it's not like I smoke that much.  From what
I hear, I only smoke about half as much as she used to."

   "How much do you smoke, Rob?"

   He shrugged.  "Between a half a pack and a pack a day.  Never more than a
pack."

   Kim nodded.  "That's nothing!  Kristin used to go through thirty
cigarettes every day, and sometimes more.  I remember when she was trying to
quit.  God!  She went through total hell!  Before she quit, Kristin's
cigarette habit was all-consuming.  She was super-addicted to nicotine.
Plus, she smoked regular Virginia Slims, not the lights.  In her prime, that
girl put away a ton of nicotine every day!"

   "No wonder it was so hard for her to quit," Rob grinned.  "You know, it's
selfish, but for my sake, I do wish she'd pick up the habit again.  At least
smoke a little.  It's terrible to admit, but it'd make my life a hell of a
lot nicer if she was smoking, at least occasionally."

   "And we agree," I interjected.  "But so what if it is 'terrible,' like you
say?  Who the hell cares?  We'd all like Kristin to smoke.  That's a fact.
Kim and I _need_ her to.  That's a fact, too.  So, we have to come up with a
plan to get that done.  We've got to get her smoking again."

   Rob shook his head.  "I don't get it.  If she's not willing, how can we
make it happen?"

   Instead of answering, I shook out a second Marlboro.  With a sweet, naïve
look on my face, I held it by my lips unlit.  After a second Rob realized
what I wanted.  He flicked his lighter and lit me again.  "Thanks," I sighed,
releasing more smoke into the air.  "I think much better with a cigarette.
Anyway, here's my plan."  While continuing to smoke, I explained to Rob in
detail the little plot Kim and I'd come up with.

   "God, I don't know," he finally said, shaking his head.  "If it doesn't
work, it'll be a fuckin' disaster.  Are you sure it's a good idea, that you
want to try this?"

   "Now, Rob," I gently purred, turning on my most seductive charm.  "You
have to take a few risks in life.  Besides, you have nothing to lose.  You
admit you'll dump Kristin eventually if she doesn't quit nagging.  Kim and I
are the only ones taking a risk.  We just want your help."  Under the table,
I began stroking my right leg against his and batted my eyes.  "Anyway, how
could you possibly say no to two beautiful women who want you to do something
as exciting and edgy as this?"

   "I guess I can't," he smiled.

   "Good," Kim declared.  Like me, she was using her most seductive, sensual
voice.  "Then it's settled.  Friday night we'll do it.  Make sure you're
ready for an exciting time, Rob."

   What was the plan we discussed with Rob?  Don't worry.  I'll tell you in a
minute.  That Friday, Kim and I arranged to have dinner with Rob and Kristin
at my sisters' apartment.  That was the time and place for the execution of
our scheme to get Kristin smoking once more.

   I arrived at their apartment at six.  Kim was working on dinner.  She'd
suggested she fix the meal for the whole group.  She told Kristin that she
and I liked Rob, but we wanted to get to know him better.  How better to do
that than over dinner?  Kristin was all for it.

   Kim's an excellent cook.  She loves creating interesting dishes, so it was
natural for her to coordinate the meal.  That night she prepared a pasta dish
with chicken, sausage and vegetables.  A couple bottles of wine were on hand
to keep things loose.  Kristin and Rob arrived at six thirty.  The apartment
smelled divine.  At my suggestion, all of us dressed up.  Kristin wore an
elegant, black slinky dress with a slit up the side of the leg.  I smiled
when I saw her outfit.  It would be an enjoyable evening.  If it went
according to plan, I'd see my sister smoke in that dress tonight!

   We ate Kim's meal.  It was delicious.  After dinner she served a chocolate
dessert, with coffee.  As master of the kitchen, Kim organized all the
preparations, including the coffee.  But the cup she handed to Kristin had
something extra added.

   Kim had an old friend at the pharmacy school.  With some prodding, he gave
Kim a dose of a tasteless, potent tranquilizer that could be mixed with any
colored drink, like coffee.  He assured her the recipient wouldn't be aware
of its presence.  Sure enough, Kristin ate the dessert and drank her coffee.
By the time she finished her first cup, she began to look sleepy.

   "Oh God, I don't know what's wrong with me," she smiled lazily.
"Suddenly, I'm absolutely bushed!"  She started to rise from the table, but
her legs collapsed beneath her.  "Oh shit," Kristin giggled.  "I feel like
I've been drugged or something."

   "Let me help you, sweetie," Rob offered.  He helped Kristin up from the
table and into the living room.  "Let's relax in here.  Do you want another
cup of coffee?"

   "No thanks," Kristin mumbled.  She settled onto the couch.  "God, I don't
know what's wrong with me.  Suddenly I feel like I could lie down and go to
sleep right here."

   "Why don't you just rest, Kris?" I suggested.  "Kim and I will clean up
the dishes while you and Rob turn on the TV.  We'll get everybody some more
wine, or coffee, if you prefer."

   "Okay," Kristin lamely replied.  "That'd be great."

   Kim and I cleared the dishes and began loading the dishwasher.  In a few
minutes Rob peered into the kitchen.  "It worked," he announced with a smile.
"She's out like a light."

   We hurried to the living room to see.  Sure enough, Kristin was sound
asleep on the sofa.  Kim giggled.  "God damn," she exclaimed.  "Roger knows
his shit.  He said one dose of the tranquilizer would put her right out.  He
was right.  It sure did!"

   "How long will she sleep?" Rob asked.

   Kim looked at her watch.  "Not long.  I told Roger I needed something to
put her out for an hour or so.  But with the wine Kristin had with dinner,
she'll sleep awhile.  Meantime, we should get her ready for the next part of
our plan."

   Rob gulped.  "God, I hope this works, you guys."

   I laughed.  "Rob, you worry too much."  I got my purse from a chair by the
front door.  "Hey, I don't know about you two," I announced eagerly.  "But I
really need a cigarette!  I need to smoke before we do anything else!"  I got
out my pack of Marlboro Lights 100's and a lighter.

   "Good idea, Sis," Kim agreed.  She hurried into her bedroom and returned
with her B&H Menthol Lights 100's.  "God, I am _so_ ready for a smoke!  Let's
do it!"

   Rob grimaced.  "I can't believe you're going to smoke while your sister is
passed out on the couch."

   I lit up a Marlboro and enjoyed a nice, long initial puff.  "Look, Rob,
fuck off!  I haven't had a cigarette in two hours.  And I'm stressed.  Right
now, I need one of these!"  I exhaled a long stream of smoke from my lips.
"Oh God, that's better," I sighed, sitting down by Kristin's unconscious body
and stroking her leg.  I took another drag and glanced at Kim, who was also
lighting up.  "Of course, if this works, neither of us will ever have to wait
to smoke again."

   "That's the idea," Kim sighed  happily.  She expelled twin streams of
smoke from her nostrils.  "Rob, why don't you join us for a smoke break?
After we finish, then we'll get to work.  We've got lots to do before Kristin
wakes up."

   Rob shook his head and sat down.  He lit up a Camel Light.  "Somehow I
have a feeling that if this does work, I'm going to wind up smoking a lot
more around here."

   I laughed.  "God, I hope so.  If we can get Kristin back in the groove,
eventually she'll out-do us all in terms of cigarette consumption!"

   We were all nervous.  Smoking together was a perfect thing to calm our
nerves and focus our attention on what was to come.  I was tempted to smoke
two, but decided not to.  I didn't want to get smoked out too soon.  After
all, we'd all be smoking a lot before the night was over.

   After an hour or so, Kristin groggily awoke from her drug-induced slumber.
At first she didn't know where she was.  She blinked and looked around.  Kim,
Rob and I sat staring at her.

   "Welcome back, sleepy-head," Kim chided.  "We're glad you could join us."

   "What, what's going on here?" she mumbled.  "What's wrong with my hands
and legs?"

   "You're tied up, Kristin," I cheerfully explained.  "We immobilized you,
so you'd participate in a little experiment we have planned.  Consider it a
game, of sorts."

   "What are you talking about?"   She struggled to move, but couldn't.  Her
hands and feet were indeed powerless.  "What the hell is going on?"

   "Kristin, it's simple.  Ace bandages are binding your arms and legs to
that chair," Kim explained pleasantly.  "I hope it's not too uncomfortable.
But in case you haven't noticed, you can't move.  Can you?"

   "No, I can't," she complained, still struggling.  She began to realize
what was happening.  "What the hell is this?"

   "This is a difficult situation, Kristin," I cut in.  "You need help with
something.  It's something you really want to do.  But you just don't realize
it yet.  Am I right, guys?"

   Rob and Kim nodded.  Kristin began thrashing violently, but in vain.  The
chair she was tied to was far too heavy.  She was unable to break free.  She
shook her pretty blond head, the only part of her body she could move.  After
a few seconds, she finally gave up.

   "Okay," she sighed in resignation.  "What is this?  Some kind of kinky sex
thing?"

   "Hey, that's a great idea," Rob replied happily, with a lecherous grin at
his cohorts.  "But unfortunately, no.  This is not about sex, Kristin.  This
is about smoking."

   "What?  Smoking?  What the hell are you talking about?"

   I stepped in.  It was time to explain.  "Kristin, I'm happy to announce
that Kim here recently started smoking."  Kristin stared in disbelief.  "And
she really likes it, too," I went on.  "Then Kim tricked me into trying it,
and I did.  Now I'm a smoker, too, just like Kim.  And I like to smoke every
bit as much as she does.  And neither of us intend to quit, either."

   "Then you guys are stupid," Kristin whined.  "I smoked once, you know.
Quitting was the best thing I ever did for myself.  Thank God I did."

   I smiled.  "I'm sure you sincerely believe that, Kristin.  At least, on
one level you do.  But on another level, you miss it.  You wish you still
smoked.  So tonight we'll make you realize that you do indeed want to start
smoking again."

   The lights began to come on.  "Oh, no!  Shit!  You're not going to make me
smoke?"

   Kim broke in.  "Kristin, I'm really sorry, but we _have_ to make you
smoke.  If we don't, you'll tell Dad on us.  That's not a big problem for me,
but it's a major one for Trina.  She can't afford for Dad to cut off her
tuition payments.  So we figured if we got you hooked again, like we are,
everyone here will be supremely happy, including Rob, but for different
reasons.  He's frankly sick of going out with a girl who doesn't smoke,
whereas we can't afford to have an anti-smoker for a sister.  So tonight,
Kristin, you'll start smoking again.  Won't that be nice?"

   "You little shits," Kristin exclaimed.  "This is too cruel.  Look, I
promise I won't tell.  Let me out of this chair.  I'll keep your stupid
secret safe.  I don't care if you want to kill yourselves.  Just don't make
me smoke!"  At first I thought she'd cry.  But instead she struggled against
the bandages securing her arms and legs.  It was no use.  They were fixed
firmly to the heavy chair.  "Rob, why are you helping them?  What have I ever
done to deserve this?"

   I think Rob was getting off at the sight of his lovely girlfriend's
helpless situation.  "I admit it wasn't my idea.  But after thinking about
it, I decided to help your sisters.  I'm sick of you nagging about my smoking
habit, Kristin.  I'm tired of you complaining about my smoking in your
apartment, and about the smell of tobacco on my breath.  Remember when Kim
talked you into letting me smoke when I'm over?  She did it so she could
smoke when you weren't around, and not get caught.  But as Kim's habit grew,
she got tired of sneaking around.  I don't blame her.  Tonight things will
change.  You'll never complain anymore about the smell of stale tobacco on my
breath because, after tonight, your breath will smell exactly like mine
does."

   "You guys are sick," Kristin raged.  "This is fuckin' crazy.  You'll pay
for this!"

   I smiled.  "We're taking a risk, I admit.  But I think we can change your
mind, Kristin.  Once we do, you won't want to make us pay.  In fact, you'll
thank us.  Despite your protests, you still want to smoke, honey.  That
desire for nicotine never completely goes away.  Once a smoker, always a
smoker.  It's like recovering alcoholics.  They're always fighting the desire
to drink.  Two years ago you were a serious nicotine addict.  If you get
enough smoke tonight, you'll be hooked once more, and this time for good.  Am
I right, guys?"  Kim and Rob nodded.

   I got my Marlboro Lights 100's and withdrew a cigarette.  Kim and Rob did
the same with theirs.  In unison, we all lit up.  A look of horror appeared
on Kristin's face.  I tried to look confident, but n fact I was damn nervous.
My hands shook as I held my lighter.  However, the thick, rich cigarette
smoke that immediately filled my chest proved to be a welcome antidote!

   "God, Kristin, that tastes so good," I sighed, releasing a plume of smoke
through smiling lips.  "And it feels good, too, having smoke inside of me.
Now, before we begin, let me ask an obvious question.  This doesn't have to
be hard.  Will you cooperate and smoke willingly?  That'd be easier.  If
you'll work with us, Kristin, this doesn't have to be unpleasant at all."

   "I won't cooperate!  Do your worst, you bitches," Kristin snarled.  "I
won't help this perverted plan of yours."

   I smiled.  "Okay, Kristin, then here's what we're about to do.  We'll take
turns blowing smoke in your face.  Tonight we intend to completely inundate
you with smoke.  Don't try to hold your breath.  It's a waste of time and
effort.  We'll exhale enough smoke right at you to force you to breathe the
stuff into your lungs, whether you want to or not.  Won't that be great?"

   Kristin merely grimaced, readying herself for the worst.

   I shook my head.  "If you won't cooperate, Kristin, then we have to make
you do it."

   For the next few minutes the three of us repeatedly took turns taking long
drags, every fifteen seconds or so, and leaning in to relentlessly exhale
smoke directly into Kristin's face.  At first she tried to hold her breath,
timing gulps of air to avoid getting smoke.  But we timed our exhales to
match her gasps each time she had to breathe.  We settled into a pattern
where it was no longer possible for Kristin not to breathe in our smoke.  By
the time we finished our collective first cigarette, she'd reluctantly
breathed in loads of smoke, in between curses.

   Kim was the first to crush out her cigarette.  "How did you like that,
Kristin?  Are you ready to say 'uncle'?"  There was a wicked tone in her
voice.  Kim was really enjoying herself, too.  I have to admit it was
sadistically entertaining to watch Kristin squirm in the smoky haze.

   "No," Kristin snapped.  "I'm not giving in."  She remained unrepentant.

   "That's okay," I cheerfully replied, after a last drag from my cigarette.
"It's no problem."  I crushed it in the ashtray, following with another
exhale into Kristin's face a few inches from her nostrils.  "All of us like
to smoke, honey, so we can do this with you all night.  Can't we, guys?"

   "You bet we can," Kim sneered.  "It's fun doing this.  Kristin, for God's
sake, you should just surrender.  You can't get loose, you know.  And we
won't stop till you reach a place where you start begging us for more smoke.
Admit it.  You know you like it.  Doesn't it smell good?  And doesn't it
taste heavenly, too, breathing that thick, rich, wonderful substance down
into your lungs again?  God, I know you've really missed it so much.  Mmmm!"

   Kristin said nothing.  She sat staring sullenly.

   With a grin I picked up my pack of cigarettes to get out another one.
"Hey, guys, don't stop now.  Let's keep it going.  Eventually Kristin will
lose her will to resist.  You can't be as nicotine addicted as she was and
hold out for very long."

   I lit up again and took a nice, long drag.  But this time, the inhale was
for me and me alone.  For just one good puff, I didn't want to maximize the
amount of smoke I was exhaling.  Instead I wanted to - actually, I needed to
- maximize my inhale, and I did.  I sucked the smoke deep into my lungs and
  held it there for a long time.  It felt _so_ good.  God, I loved to smoke!

   Kim and Rob also lit up their second cigarettes.  We began our smoke
barrage again.  Once more we continually bathed my sister's face in exhaled
smoke, forcing Kristin to breath the substance into her lungs over and over.
After awhile, she seemed to be resisting less fervently.  Instead of holding
her breath when we exhaled towards her, she simply breathed regularly, though
shallowly, the entire time we smoked at her.  And she stopped muttering
curses under her breath, perhaps because she knew it took extra breath to
talk.

   I was happy with how it was going.  Kristin wasn't cooperating, but she
wasn't really fighting us anymore, either.  Not that it'd have done any good.
We were in it for the long haul.  Actually, I kind of enjoyed the exercise.
Repeatedly blowing smoke in Kristin's face was strangely and wickedly
gratifying.  I wanted to crush her will to resist.  I wanted her to need to
smoke again, to crave it.  Ultimately, I wanted her to beg us for a cigarette
all her own.  I knew we'd eventually succeed if we kept doing what we liked
to do anyway, that is, smoking heavily.

   We finished our second cigarettes.  Kristin was sullenly silent and the
room was thick with ambient smoke.  I decided it was time to initiate more
direct contact.  "So, Kristin," I began.  "How are you feeling about this
whole process by now?  Are you ready to give in and smoke?"

   She said nothing for a few seconds.  Finally, she groaned.  "God, you
don't understand.  I _can't_ start smoking again.  I worked too hard to quit.
It was pure hell.  I don't want to do that again!  I don't!"

   Kim laughed deviously.  "There's an easy answer to that problem, Kristin.
Just don't," she suggested sarcastically.  "What I mean is, don't ever quit
again.  For God's sake, you're an adult.  If you want to smoke, then smoke.
That's what I'm going to do.  You can, too.  You know what I think?  I think
you made yourself into an anti-smoker because deep down you knew you liked it
so damn much.  It was a defensive maneuver.  You wanted to smoke, but thought
you couldn't, or shouldn't.  Well, I've got news for you.  You can, and you
will."

   "It's not that easy," Kristin whimpered.  "When I smoked, I couldn't stop
myself.  I smoked all the fuckin' time.  Do you remember?  I couldn't get
enough cigarettes.  There were times I chain-smoked all day long.  It seemed
my body always wanted more nicotine."

   "Kristin, we understand," I broke in.  "Kim and I feel the same way now as
you did then.  We both want as much nicotine as we can get.  All three of us
have the same genes.  We're sisters, remember?  We all respond to nicotine
the same way, I'm sure.  Our bodies like it.  We want it.  We need it.  We
can't fuckin' live without it.  So why even try?"

   Kristin began to sob quietly.  "But I can't go back," she sniveled.  "I
just can't."

   "Oh, sure you can, Kristin," I said cheerfully.  "And you know what?  You
will!  That reminds me.  I have a surprise for you.  Let me show you."  I
opened my purse and removed an unopened pack of Virginia Slims.  I held it up
for her to see.  "There.  See what I have?  I bought you a pack of
cigarettes, Kristin, your old, favorite brand!"  I tore off the cellophane
and opened the pack of Slims.  "Hey, wouldn't it be nice to have one of these
between your lips right now?"

   She said nothing.  She continued to cry softly.

   "Well, I bet it'd be awfully nice," I went on gleefully.  "So I tell you
what, Kristin.  I'm going to light up one of these Slims and put it right
there, right between your pretty little lips."  Without waiting, I clicked my
lighter and lit it up.  These weren't lights, so the tobacco taste of the
cigarette was much richer and stronger than mine.  "Mmmm, these _are_ good,
Kristin," I sighed happily, exhaling smoke as I spoke.  "Mmmm.  Delicious!
You know what?  I think you're really going to like this cigarette.  In fact,
I know you will."

   She didn't respond, so I kept talking.  "Now, I'm going to take this
wonderful, delicious, mouth-watering cigarette, and put it right between your
lips, honey.  And don't even think about letting it fall out of your mouth.
Because if you do, Kristin, I won't pick it up.  It'd be a damn shame to burn
a hole in that nice, pretty dress you're wearing tonight, wouldn't it?"  I
took the burning Slim and moved it toward her mouth.  She stared straight
ahead and didn't move.  I touched the white filter tip to her lips.  Her
mouth remained closed.  So I nodded to Kim, who sneaked up behind Kristin and
pinched her on the upper arm.  Kristin involuntarily said "Ouch," and
immediately I put the burning cigarette into her mouth while it was open.

   "There," I said with a satisfied smile.  I was still holding the cigarette
between my fingers, because she refused to close her lips around the filter.
But that wasn't all bad.  The smoke from the burning Slim was wafting into
and around Kristin's face.  I continued to hold it there for several seconds.
I worried she might bite my fingers in retaliation.  But she didn't.
Instead, she sat there and refused to close her mouth.  I rested the
cigarette against her lower lip.

   "Look, Kristin," I said impatiently.  "You can make this easy or you can
make it hard.  It's your choice.  But at the count of five, I'm going to let
go.  If you don't close your mouth, the cigarette will fall into your lap and
burn your pretty dress.  That'd be a shame, but I won't do anything to stop
it from happening.  I'll just light up another cigarette and do this all over
again.  And I'll keep doing it till you close your mouth around one of the
Slims.  Do you understand?"  Again, no response.  "Okay, here we go.  One,
two, three, four . . . ."

   Before I finished, Kristin had sealed her lips around the filter.
Success!  I took away my fingers.  The burning cigarette now hung from her
mouth.  I was relieved.  For a moment I actually thought she'd let me ruin
her dress.  But instead she now had a lit cigarette in her mouth, which was
exactly what we wanted.  I continued my verbal assault.

   "Okay, Kristin.  That's a good girl.  But now I need you to take a puff.
You're going to smoke for us, honey, whether you want to or not.  And it's so
easy to do.  You've done it a million times.  That cigarette is just waiting
for you, Kristin.  It'd feel so good to take a nice, big, long drag right
now, wouldn't it?  Will you do that one thing for me?  Please?"

   Once more, no answer.  The dangling Slim protruded from Kristin's lips
while she sat motionless.  Then, for the first time in quite awhile, she
spoke.  "What about the ashes?" she whined softly, expertly speaking around
the dangling cigarette.  "The ashes are going to fall onto my nice dress
pretty soon."

   I smiled.   Good!  She _was_ worried about her dress.  "Then I'll make you
a deal, Kristin," I said pleasantly.  "If you take a puff for me like a good
girl, then Kim will hold the ashtray beneath your cigarette to catch the
ashes as they drop.  But if you won't puff on it, well, the falling ashes
might ruin your dress after all."

   Kim picked up the ashtray, ready to do her part.  Kristin looked down at
the cigarette fixed in her mouth.  The ash was growing longer.  She was
upset.  She was backed into a corner and couldn't escape.  So finally,
reluctantly, she sighed and applied suction to the Slim perched between her
lips.  The tip burned bright orange as she took a respectable puff.  Of
course, it made the ash longer.  Kim immediately put the ashtray under the
cigarette and caught the ash as it fell.

   I don't think Kristin intended to take such a long drag, but she was
acting on instinct, after all, and old habits are hard to break.  It turned
out to be a pretty decent hit on the cigarette, though she hadn't inhaled the
smoke much.  Still, it was progress.

   "Very good," I said approvingly.  "Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?"
Kristin shook her head from side to side.  "I thought so," I went on.  "Now,
Kristin, I'll tell Kim to catch the next ash that falls, too, but only if you
inhale for me this time.  You didn't pull the smoke into your lungs, did you?
Shame on you!  But do you think you can you do that for me now?"

   Kristin gently nodded yes.  "Okay, then," I grinned.  "Let's see you take
a nice, big, long drag on your cigarette, Kristin, and suck some of that
terrific smoke way down deep inside your hungry body this time.  Trust me.
It'll feel really nice.  Are you ready?  Then let's see you do it."

   During her life as a smoker, Kristin was accustomed to having a cigarette
in her mouth.  She manipulated the Slim with ease.  She applied suction
again, this time pulling much harder.  Then, opening the side of her mouth
just a crack, she expertly sucked the smoke into her lungs, this time in
earnest.

   "Excellent," I exclaimed while she kept the smoke inside.  "Doesn't that
feel marvelous, honey?"  I watched as my older sister slowly released an
exhale around the dangling cigarette.  As if on cue, Kim moved the ashtray
beneath the protruding Slim to catch yet another falling ash.

   "God this is working out great, isn't it?" I exclaimed triumphantly.
"Doesn't it feel good to have smoke in your lungs again, Kristin?  Isn't it a
great relief?"  Without waiting for her answer, I went on.  "And do you know
what, Kristin?  You look good with that cigarette in your pretty mouth.
Don't you think so, Rob?"

   Rob smiled and nodded enthusiastically.  "God, I sure do.  Kristin, I have
to admit something.  Seeing you with a cigarette in your mouth is like a
dream come true.  No kidding!  As long as we've been going out, I've wanted
to see you smoke.  It's so nice seeing that cigarette in your mouth now, with
you puffing away, inhaling and exhaling the smoke."

   I felt it wouldn't take much more to completely break her will.  "Okay, do
it again, Kristin," I ordered forcefully.  "Take another puff.  Another big
one, too, if you don't mind."  In response, Kristin slowly and deliberately
sealed her lips around the filter again and sucked hard.  This time she
inhaled without being told.  And she did it naturally.  She deeply pulled the
thick, rich smoke way down inside her lungs.  It was exactly the kind of
maneuver you'd expect from a truly veteran smoker.

   "See?  That's not hard, is it?"  As I watched, thick clouds of smoke
slowly escaped from Kristin's lips and nostrils, flowing out around the
dangling cigarette.  Tears were still running down her cheeks, but her
sobbing had largely subsided.  I had one more idea, something else that would
seal her fate.  By now the Slim was half gone.  I took it between my fingers
and removed it from her mouth.  For a moment I almost thought I detected a
hint of disappointment on Kristin's part.  But it didn't matter.  Because I
had something else in mind that was even better.

   I handed the Slim to Rob.  "Rob, let's try something.  Puff on Kristin's
cigarette and inhale the smoke.  Then put your lips on hers and give her a
nice, big, smoky kiss.  Are you up for that?"

   We hadn't talked about this maneuver.  Rob looked flustered.  But he
recovered nicely.  "Okay, sure," he nodded, now understanding what I was up
to.  "I'd be delighted to give lovely Kristin a cigarette kiss."

   The truth is, I wanted to reinforce the connection in Kristin's mind
between smoking and her ongoing sexual relationship with Rob.  If this
worked, it'd further reward her for her compliance, and it'd also strengthen
her mental tie between smoking and her bond with Rob.

   Rob took a deep drag and pulled the smoke in his lungs.  He circled in
front of Kristin and planted his lips on hers.  He began kissing, forcing
smoke into her mouth.  Luckily, she at once kissed back.  While their lips
were joined, smoke escaped from their nostrils and the corners of their
mouths.  It was a sensual moment.  Of course, I was delighted.

   Rob finally drew back with an embarrassed look.  "God, I've never done
that before," he gasped.  "It was great.  Where did you come up with that
idea, Trina?"

   "I have my sources," I answered.  In fact, Ellie had suggested it to me.
I guess she often smokes while making love.  She says it's highly enjoyable,
and it sure looked that way watching Kristin and Rob share a smoky kiss.
Obviously Rob thought so, too.

   As for Kristin, she maintained the same stoic pose.  But her silence
didn't bother me.  After all, I didn't expect her to jabber like a talking
doll while all this was happening.  I motioned to Rob to keep the Virginia
Slim, and turned my attention back to my sister.

   "You're still not talking, Kristin.  I'm sure you feel conflicted.  You're
not sure what you want, are you?  But trust me, any remaining uncertainty
will go away real soon.  But it sure does feel good to smoke again, doesn't
it?"  She didn't answer.  I looked at my co-conspirators.  "Well, I don't
know about anyone else, but watching Kristin smoke her first cigarette in two
years makes me want to have another cigarette myself.  Smoking is so nice.
Don't you agree, Kim?"  My other sister enthusiastically nodded her blond
head.  "So I think I'll go ahead and light up again myself, because I love to
smoke."

   I shook a Marlboro Light 100 from my pack and inserted it in my lips.  My
plan now was to mirror for Kristin the smoking pleasure I knew she'd just
felt.  So I lit up and took a long, luxurious first drag.  "Oh, God," I
gasped breathlessly, with a grin on my face.  "That tastes _so_ fuckin'
good!"  I tipped my head back and slowly, reluctantly, released a thick
stream of smoke into the hazy air.  "Wow," I sighed.  "That's great.  Do you
know what I love best about smoking, Kristin?"  It was a rhetorical question.
"I love pulling that thick, creamy smoke way deep down into my lungs.  God,
it feels so damn good every time I do that.  Don't you just love it?"  To
emphasize my point, I took another extended drag, and then turned it into a
double pump.  "Oh, yeah," I moaned, as smoke burst from my nostrils.  "Holy
shit!  That's so fuckin' wonderful!"  I held the smoke inside my chest for a
long time, and then let it dribble out as I kept talking.  "For smokers like
you and me, Kristin, there's just nothing quite like the extraordinary
pleasure of smoking a cigarette, is there?  It feels so nice.  Aren't I
right, Kristin?"

   My sister didn't respond.  But her eyes were riveted on me as smoke
cascaded out of my smiling lips in successive bursts.  I knew she heard and
understood every word.  I also suspected my sentiments were hitting a
responsive chord in her own soul.

   Meanwhile, Kim, too, was smoking again.  She chimed in.  "God, Trina is so
right, Kristin," she sighed happily.  "You know what I like?  I love feeling
my mouth fill up with smoke each time I take a long drag.  And I absolutely
adore the warm feeling of having all that thick, delicious smoke travel deep
down inside my body when I inhale it.  Honestly, it makes me wonder why
anyone in her right mind would ever decide to quit smoking!  It's so
pleasurable, so rewarding.  Smoking is so damn enjoyable."  Kim paused for
another hit.  "Oh God, yes," she moaned.  "This is the best!"

   Finally Kristin had had enough.  She broke her silence.  "Look, guys,
knock it off!  You aren't telling me anything I didn't know.  Remember, I
smoked for a whole year till Dad made me quit.  I fuckin' loved it!  All I
wanted to do in those days was smoke.  I loved everything about smoking.  I
loved buying cigarettes, I loved opening up a fresh pack, and I loved putting
those nice, long, thin Slims in my mouth.  I adored lighting 'em up."  She
sighed, and a lone tear fell onto her cheek.  "There's no doubt smoking feels
damn good, guys.  Shit, I know that real well."

   "Okay," I smiled.  Taking the pack of Virginia Slims, I shook out another.
"Kristin, I think you should smoke another cigarette.  Not having the use of
your hands is no problem for a veteran smoker like you, is it?"  Without
waiting, I stuck another long, white cigarette in her mouth.  She didn't push
it out.  It hung unlit in her lips.  "You should definitely enjoy another one
with us, dear.  Don't try to kid me.  I know you want it.  You want it bad,
too.  Real bad."

   With my own cigarette perched between my lips, I held the lighter for
Kristin.  She slowly moved the cigarette in her mouth toward the flame,
catching it and taking an initial drag.  This time she inhaled the smoke
without hesitating, sucking it in her chest.  She seemed much more relaxed.
Thank God, nicotine was working its patented magic on her, just as we
planned.

   Kim watched Kristin with approval.  "Yeah, keep sucking on it, Kristin,"
she urged shamelessly.  "Yeah, that's right.  Take another puff.  I know you
want it.  So just do it, baby."  Kristin did.  She dragged again.  The
cigarette in her mouth moved up, and then down, as she pulled on it.  There
was an audible whooshing as Kristin sucked the smoke forcefully into her
chest.  A few moments later, from deep inside her lungs large quantities of
smoke began flowing out of her mouth and nostrils on all sides of the
dangling cigarette.  Despite herself, Kristin seemed contented.  Immediately,
she applied suction again, and the tip of the Slim burned bright in response.
Once more smoke traveled down her windpipe and into her impatient lungs.
After what seemed like an eternity the smoke cascaded back out, this time
through Kristin's nostrils.

   Kim put the ashtray under her chin.  Though her hands were bound, Kristin
gently flipped the cigarette with her lips, causing the lengthening ash to
drop into the glass ashtray.  Then she took a further drag, once more pulling
the smoke deep inside her immobile body.  "Good girl," Kim smiled
approvingly.  "You're doing great.  Rob, Trina, I think we've finally got
ourselves a smoker here!  Kristin really likes her cigarette.  You want it
now, don't you, honey?"

   Gently, almost imperceptibly, Kristin nodded in agreement, careful not to
let her cigarette de-ash while dangling from her quivering lips.  "Oh God,
yes," she whimpered.  "You're right!  It does feel good.  I've missed this
_so_ goddamn much!  It's wonderful.  Damn, I always loved to smoke, didn't
I?"  She followed with one more long drag, sucking added smoke into her
chest.  As Kim caught another falling ash, Kristin weakly smiled and looked
right at me.  "You win, you little bitches," she sighed, her dangling Slim
bobbing between her lips..  "I fuckin' give up.  I'm finally smoking again.
Will you untie my hands now?"

   "Not so fast," I cautioned.  "It's not that easy, Kristin.  How do we know
you won't put that cigarette out as soon as we let you free, and pick up the
phone to call Dad?"

   Kristin sighed deeply.  As she did, without meaning to she pulled
additional smoke into her lungs from the Virginia Slim.  "Hell, I don't what
to say to that, Trina.  If you're still worried about that now, then I guess
you shouldn't have tried this little stunt to begin with."

   "I agree," I said.  "And that's why we're not untying you yet.  It's not
that we don't trust you, Kristin.  If you say you won't call Dad, I believe
you.  But that's not the only thing we want to accomplish tonight.  As
important, maybe more important, we want to make sure you're completely
recommitted as a smoker.  We want to be certain you'll return to being a
hard-core addict again.  Only two cigarettes don't give me enough
confidence."  I took another long drag of my own, and continued talking while
exhaling smoke.  "So, smoke some more.  We have to be sure you and our mutual
friend, Lady Nicotine here, have been properly reintroduced.  I want you to
be best friends, but forever this time.  Once you really bond, you won't have
a choice anymore.  You'll need lovely Lady Nicotine's help, over and over, at
least twenty times a day.  She'll be there for you, too, giving you the
nicotine you need from these wonderful Virginia Slims!"

   Kristin took another puff on the cigarette hanging from her lips.  Her
tone of voice had softened considerably.  "Look, Trina, I understand
completely what you're doing.  Hell, I thought about doing the same thing to
you two years ago."  While she talked, smoke flowed from her lips.  "I so
desperately wanted to keep smoking then.  I tried to think of every
conceivable way imaginable to co-opt you.  If there'd been any way to get you
smoking two years ago, I'd have done it in a heartbeat.  It was that
important to me.  So, don't worry, I understand."

   Now we were _really_ making progress!  I smiled at my sister.  "Then you
understand why I can't let you go till you smoke at least one more cigarette.
And frankly, Kristin, the more aggressively you puff on these things, the
sooner I'm inclined to let you go."  In response, Kristin took another drag,
sucking the smoke inside and then releasing it through her nose.  I nodded.
"I hope you realize we're not being mean.  We're doing you a favor, Kristin.
We want you to be a smoker along with us.  We know deep down you want it,
too.  Our plan was to force you to come to grips with your own desire to
smoke.  Can you honestly tell me right now you wouldn't like to keep
smoking?"

   As Kim caught another ash from the rapidly shrinking Slim in her lips,
Kristin smiled.  "Hell, no, Trina, I can't say that.  I'd love to keep
smoking.  I've always liked it.  I told you that already.  Continually
breathing in and out the smoke from this cigarette is like dying and going to
heaven.  It feels so good!  It's just that I'd hate to see all the effort I
invested in quitting two years ago go up in smoke, so to speak."

   Kim interrupted.  "But Kristin, if you didn't want to quit, then why do
you care?"

   "I don't know," Kristin admitted.  She paused for another drag, opened the
corner of her mouth, and inhaled again.  "I really don't.  Maybe it's because
I don't want to face Dad on the issue again.  I'm not done with my masters
degree either, you know."

   "I know," I giggled.  "And that insures you'll keep your mouth shut if
you're smoking again.  Dad's still paying the bills for your schooling, too."

   "Right," Kristin agreed, exhaling smoke.  It was uncanny how well she
could talk while balancing the cigarette between her lips.  "But Dad's such a
bastard.  Believe me, you've never seen his wrath till you hear him yell
about nicotine addiction.  And both of you'll hear it, sooner or later.  You
can't keep your habits hidden forever.  Trust me.  It'll come out.  Even if I
don't rat on you, eventually you'll need to sneak out for a smoke while
visiting Mom and Dad.  And when you do, well, I wouldn't want to be there
when Dad realizes what's going on!"

   Kim jumped in.  "Kristin, we know how much Dad hurt you two years ago.
But there's safety in numbers.  If all three of us smoke, what's he going to
do?  He can't disown all of us.  It's funny, but I don't think Mom cares that
much about smoking.  She never once raised her voice two years ago when you
smoked.  But like everyone else, she's afraid of Dad's ire.  If we told Mom,
I think we might be able to convince her to help us, to keep it secret from
Dad.  She might not approve, but I don't think she'd want Dad going ballistic
on us.  And I like our chances a whole hell of a lot better if we stick
together."  She smiled.  "Of course, we have to make sure Dad doesn't find
out till both of you finish school."

   Kristin's cigarette was about spent.  I reached in, removed it from her
lips and proceeded to crush it in the ashtray.  There were traces of her
lipstick on the filter, which looked incredibly sexy to me.  But now is not
the time to get onto _that_ subject.

   "Thanks, Trina," Kristin smiled gratefully.  "You know, you make a good
point, Kim.  I was totally alone and vulnerable two years ago.  It'd be much
tougher for Dad to raise Cain if we all hang together.  I hadn't thought of
that."  Suddenly she made a face.  "Hey, can one of you scratch my right
cheek?" she asked.  "I've got a terrible itch."  Rob went over and began
rubbing the side of her face.  "Oh yeah, there," she sighed.  "That's better.
By the way, there's another problem with leaving me tied up much longer,
guys.  Pretty soon I'm going to have to pee!"

   "Ouch," Kim exclaimed.  "We never thought about that."  She laughed at Rob
and me.  "I guess there was no way to take her to the bathroom before putting
her out, was there?"

   "How bad do you have to go?" I asked.

   "I had two glasses of wine with dinner, and then that cup of coffee," she
replied.  "It's imminent, I'm afraid.  C'mon, guys.  I told you I give up.
Let me out.  I'm not going to retaliate.  To be honest, I appreciate what
you've done."  She looked right at me.  "If I could've done this to you two
years ago, Trina, things might have been different."

   Kristin can be pretty sneaky when she wants to.  I still wasn't sure
whether to totally trust her.  "Scout's honor?" I asked.  "You promise you
won't tell Dad about Kim and me smoking?"

   Kristin laughed.  "Why would I, Trina?  Do you think after smoking two
cigarettes tonight I could go back to being a non-smoker again?  Or that I'd
want to?  God, get real!  You both told me how much you love to smoke.  Do
you think I'm any different?  You guys were totally right.  Once I felt smoke
inside my lungs again, hell, my resolve totally evaporated.  If you undo
these bandages and let me out, the first thing I'll do is pee.  The second
thing will be to come back in here and smoke another cigarette with you
guys."  We hesitated, and Kristin became totally frustrated.  "Good God, I
promise!  Okay?  What else do you want?"

   Kim looked at me.  "Trina, I think we should trust her.  We don't have a
choice.  After all, I don't want her peeing on the chair.  At some point we
have to take her at her word.  Maybe this is the time.  She did look like she
enjoyed smoking those cigarettes."

   "I know," I said thoughtfully.  I was still worried, but Kim was right.
It was time.  "Rob, what do you think?"  I didn't want to leave him out of
the decision.

   "I'm with Kim," he said confidently.  "Look, I know Kristin pretty well.
If she says she won't screw you, she won't.  I say, let her go."

   I finally knew I agreed.  I walked to Kristin's chair and smiled.  "You
know what?  I wish you _had_ forced me to smoke two years ago.  It would've
been totally awesome.  I mean, I missed out on two years of smoking pleasure
because you didn't make me understand."  I softened my tone.  "I'm so sorry
for what I did back then, Kristin.  It was totally wrong of me.  I apologize.
I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.  I mean that.  Really."

   For a moment I thought Kristin would cry.  "It's okay, Trina," she smiled.
Her eyes were glistening.  "You did what you thought was right.  You were a
little brat.  But I accept your apology.  Don't worry about it.  Now we're
even."  She took a deep breath and smiled.  "But just get me out of this
thing before I wet my pants."

   I carefully undid the clasps on the Ace bandages holding her wrists to the
arms of the chair.  I unwrapped them, letting her hands go free.  At the same
time Kim undid the bandages tying her legs to the chair.  As soon as she was
loose, Kristin grasped her arms and rubbed them.  "God, you had those suckers
wound damn tight, didn't you?"

   I blushed.  "Yeah, I guess we did.  But we didn't want you to get out
before we worked you over."  Kristin stood up and stretched.  Despite her
promise, for a moment I was afraid she'd take me by the throat and strangle
me.  But she didn't.  Instead, she just continued to rub her arms as she
walked toward the bathroom.

   "I wasn't shitting you.  I do have to pee."  She smiled impishly.  "But it
wasn't all that bad yet.  I could've waited a little longer."  She closed the
bathroom door.  "Be out in a second."

   I collapsed into a chair.  "Oh, God," I panted.  "That was totally
stressful, wasn't it?"

   Rob also let out a big sigh.  "Yeah, it sure was.  But you know what?  We
got the result we wanted.  And it was kind of fun, in a perverse sort of
way."

   "Yeah, it was, wasn't it?" Kim agreed in relief.  She lowered her voice.
"I just hope Kristin isn't going to slit our throats now by telling Dad.  If
she's not with us, we're screwed."

   "Oh, she's with you," Rob confidently predicted.  "I think Kristin was
totally sincere in saying her determination to be a non-smoker has vanished.
Did you see the look on her face while she smoked that last cigarette?  God,
I wish I had a camera!  It was picture perfect!  She sucked on that Virginia
Slim like nobody I've ever seen.  No, I'm not worried.  You were right.  Once
a smoker, always a smoker.  She only needed a little push to get back in the
groove."

   The bathroom door opened and Kristin reappeared.  She was smiling while
swaggering into the room.  "Son of a bitch, you guys were mean," she scowled.
"Despite what I said, I hope you know you'll all still pay for what you did.
Somewhere, somehow, there'll be a payback."  Then she laughed.  "Trina, did
you say you bought that pack of Virginia Slims for me?"

   "Yes, I did," I smiled back.  "Would you like to have it back now?"

   "Yes, please," she said demurely.  "I'd like that very much."

   I handed Kristin the Virginia Slims.  Taking the pack, she turned it over
in her hands.  "God, it's been awhile since I've held one of these."  She
stared for a few seconds.  "God, I'd so like another cigarette right now."
She looked at us.  "Do you think it'd be okay?"

   "Kristin, if you didn't want one, we'd be worried," I said pleasantly.
"I'm going to have another cigarette, whether you decide to or not."  I got
my pack of Marlboro Lights 100's.  Tapping one out, I put it in my mouth.
"C'mon, Kristin," I urged.  "What's the point of not lighting up right now?
If you want to, then do it.  You said you would."  I proceeded to light up.

   "You're right," Kristin sighed.  She shook loose a Slim and sniffed the
tobacco end.  "God, it's been too long since I held one of these in my
fingers."  She sniffed again and laughed.  "Hey, can anyone tell me why in
the hell I ever quit smoking in the first place?"  She put the unlit
cigarette in her mouth and grinned.

   "Kristin, we have no idea," Kim replied.  "We really don't."  She tossed
her older sister a lighter.  "Go ahead.  Light yourself up this time.  We
want to see you do it voluntarily."

   Kristin clicked the disposable lighter and touched the flame to her
cigarette.  The tip burned bright orange as she pulled on it.  Then her
cheeks seriously caved in, and she drew a huge amount of smoke into her eager
body.  "Oh, God," Kristin happily sighed, holding the smoke deep inside her
lungs.  "Oh, God," she repeated.  "I can't tell you how many times in the
last two years I lied to myself and told myself I didn't want to do this."
She tipped her head and released a thick stream of smoke.  "But it was a lie.
Because I did want to.  And now I am doing it.  I'm smoking again!"  She
chuckled.  "I can't fuckin' believe it.  It's great."

   I felt completely satisfied.  Everyone was smoking.  Rob, Kim, Kristin and
me.  The air was thick with smoke.  But no one cared.  We'd accomplished our
mission.  Kristin was finally back.  There'd be no more worrying about her
finding out I was smoking.  And Kim could smoke in the apartment all she
wanted.  No more sneaking out for her.  It was great.  And I suspected Rob
intended to do more of that smoky kissing stuff we'd just turned him on to.

   It'd been risky, but it worked like a charm.  Ellie said it first, and she
was right.  Once a smoker, always a smoker.  Kristin was smoking like she'd
never quit.  It was not only a relief.  It also made me happy, just to see my
oldest sister enjoying cigarettes again.

Previous part | Next part