Time Out (15 page)

“I don’t get it.  I’m not gone much more than usual.  Have I neglected her? I know she’s possessive, but still….”

“Don’t you remember how she got in Suzanne’s face when they first met? This time, though, it sounds like she feels she’s competing for the relationship as well as your attention.”

“She’s gotten my attention, all right. And not in a good way,” Bryon sighed sadly, shaking his head. Rob stood, reaching his hand out to heave his unhappy brother up off the ground and then clapped him on the shoulder. “Cheer up, Bro. This, too, shall pass.”

Bryon stayed quiet as they slowly made their way back to the house. He wished he could be more like Rob when it came to disciplining Cassie. Rob was all business and had no problems in detaching his feelings from the session.  Bryon, on the other hand, sometimes felt that he personally experienced everything he handed out.

Rob eyed him. “I can handle all this, Bry. She’s my responsibility,” Rob volunteered.

“Not true.  She needs to get a little taste of her daddy’s strap.  That is,” he said, staring at the girl p
a
ssed out on the couch, “when she wakes up from her drunken rebellion. She’s too shit-faced.”

“Agreed. What are you doing tomorrow night after work?”

“I have a date with Krissy.  I could cancel it…”

“No, don’t do that.  I just want to make sure that you have time for Cass when we’re done.  Especially with how she’s feeling about Kristina.  We need to be careful otherwise we might end up with a chick fight.”

“She had better not.  I won’t put up with behavior like that. Let’s put her to bed and plan for Friday, then.  It will give her something to talk with Suzanne about over the weekend when we’re gone.”

“Good idea. Damn, she’s like a rag doll.”

They tucked her into bed and laid down on either side of her, watching as she slept. Bryon touched her cheek. “Rob? What am I going to do? If she and Krissy have problems….”

“Then WE handle it as though we have two little girls that don’t get along.  They will both be given Time Outs and educated in proper behavior. Our little one here is the instigator and will be issued strict boundaries.”

“I don’t know…. I suspect Krissy isn’t really going to want to share me, either.”

“Then she will have to deal with her Uncle Rob.  Let’s worry about that when the time comes. I’m going to sleep.”

“Do you care if I stay in here tonight with you guys? I want to be here for her if she wakes up.”

“You’re a good dad, Bry,” Rob chuckled, “Of course.  Just stay on your side of the bed and don’t try to cuddle me, ok?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. You are so not my type.”

After changing for bed, with Cassie between them, the two brothers chatted, recalling their frequent camping trips together when they were kids. Cassie slept through their long walk down memory lane and the reminiscence of all the pranks they used to pull together on their father.

“I never realized what a handful we must have been for him,” Bryon snickered, reaching across to stroke Cassie’s pale cheek.

“You weren’t the one who got his tail blistered all the time.  That man knew how to wield a switch.  Believe it or not, I had a little rebellious streak in me,” Rob sighed, his hand resting on Cassie’s right hip. “You don’t know half the things I got myself into.”

“Is that why you’re so casual about this one?” Bryon asked, nodding towards the girl, “It doesn’t seem to bother you to punish her like it does me.”

“I guess I have a more sadistic nature than you do, plus my personality.  You’ve always been a nurturer while I’ve been the fixer.  Just relax, everything will work out.  Trust me.  Now shut up and go to sleep.  I need to get up early for work.”

* * *

Glenn escorted Suz
anne into the large, dark house and turned on the lights for her.  She looked miserable. “Let’s get you to bed, darling,” he said gently, reaching for her hand.  She followed, each step sent agonizing pain down her legs from her swollen and bruised bottom. Glenn started to undress her and she held out her hand.

“Not tonight.  I’m not in the mood.”

“I didn’t ask if you were in the mood.  I’m getting you ready for bed to sleep.  I want to see what Bryon left you with and talk to you about some changes.”

“I don’t want you to look.”

“Suzanne, right now you are going to do as I tell you. I doubt I could ever be as severe as my dumbass brothers, but I have my limits.  Now lay down on that bed and let me see your bottom.”

Reluctantly, the fight spanked out of her, Suzanne obeyed.  Glenn gently peeled off her slacks and gasped.  She wore her standard undergarment, a thong, which clearly framed the dark blue and purple stripes that were imprinted across her perfect, firm gluts.

“Oh shit, Suzy.  Your butt is painted with every color of the rainbow. No wonder you’re so quiet.”

“I deserved every bit of it,” she whispered into the pillow.

Glenn gently rested his wide hand on top of the right cheek. “Maybe, but that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.  I have to agree; one of my brothers will deal with you for anything severe. I couldn’t hurt you like this.  Shhh, it’s just cold cream.”

Suzanne relaxed as his fingers gently glazed the soothing ointment over her colorful posterior.  His quiet, tender care gave her the courage to speak. “Glenn?  Have you ever heard of switching?” she asked his hands now rubbed her back.

“Bryon mentioned it.  Would you be interested?”

“I’m not sure.  Part of me says yes, then the bitch in me says, fuck no.”

“Yeah, I feel the same.  Without the bitch part, of course. How does this feel?”

“Nice.  Th
ank you. I’m sorry I’ve been such a bear, honey,” Suzanne said, turning to look at him.

“Forgiven.  But next time, I won’t be so understanding, got it?” Glenn’s handsome face showed seriousness as he looked down at her. 

“I got it. Hold me.  Please.” Suzanne reached for him, sounding like a little girl. 

Glenn promptly complied, holding her tightly to his body and covering her face with gentle kisses. “I love you.  Don’t you ever worry about that changing.  You are mine.”

Suzanne sighed, believing him.  She liked his decisive firmness and maturity, and it surprised her.  Maybe this switch thing would work after all?

* * *

Cassie woke with a pounding headache the following morning.  She found herself alone in the house with instructions on how to care for her hangover and
a short list of
expected chores to be completed. Plopping down
a
t the kitchen table, she hid her face in her arms.  Wh
a
t the hell was she thinking last night? The phone rang and, cringing, she answered it.  It was Bryon.

“Good morning, baby.  How’s your head?”

“Hurts like hell. Bryon, I….”

“Have you disowned me? Are you too grown up to need your Daddy anymore?”

“No, but…”

“Cassandra, I don’t know how to get through to you.  I am NOT going anywhere.  If I bring Kristina into our circle, then she will be a sister to you, NOT a replacement. You are being a little selfish, don’t you think?”

“I don’t want to share you.” Cassie admitted.

“I know, but I share you with Rob, right? He’s my brother and that’s what brothers, and sisters, do. I will be out late tonight, but tomorrow evening, the three of us are going to have a long talk about the rules of this house and what is expected of our little girl.  We will also deal with your unfortunate choice to get yourself plastered.  You’re smarter than that, Cass.”

“I was hurt because you all went out without me.”

“My brothers and I met with Suzanne because she’s having some personal issues. Kristina wasn't there, either.”

“Suzanne sees HER more than she sees me.  She’s going to like HER more.”

“Now you’re sounding like a spoiled rotten little brat.  Suzanne is Kristina’s teacher and they work together on Suz’s project.  You need to get this jealousy thing under control, young lady.  It’s not only unbecoming, but is downright disrespectful to all of us who love you.” Bryon reprimanded her as he glanced at his watch. “Now get yourself cleaned up.  Pop is coming over to get you.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.  He should be there in about thirty minutes. I love you and expect you to behave yourself. Understand?”

“Yeah….”

“Cassandra Lynn….”

“Yes, sir,” she sighed, refusing to address him in the familial context.  Bryon knew, at that moment, that he was facing an uphill battle of the wills.

“I don’t want to hear any bad reports about you, little girl.  Daddy is already very disappointed in how you’ve been acting and is not looking forward to having to punish you tomorrow night. Can I trust you to be a good girl today and not earn another spanking?”

“Yes, Daddy.” Cassie caved, unable to ignore his p
a
rental tone.  It always set her into motion and he knew it.

“That’s my sweet baby.  Go get dressed.  I’ll talk to you later.”

Cassie quickly showered and threw on some jeans and a sweater.  It was the end of February and still very chilly and rainy outside. She quickly cle
aned up the kitchen then sat to
sip some coffee as she waited for her step-f
ather
to arrive.

“Where’s my favorite daughter?” Bill’s voice boomed through the house as he walked in without knocking. 

Cassie cringed, walking into the living room to greet him.“ Hi Bill.  Not so loud, please,” she begged, hugging him tightly. 

His kissed her forehead before holding her chin up. “You look like something the cat dragged in.  Are you okay?”

“I got a little toasted last night. Suffering for it today,” she admitted, accepting the j
a
cket he handed her.

“The boys let you get drunk?” Bill frowned, “Th
at doesn’t sound like them.”

“They didn’t let me, I just did it.  I’m guessing that’s why you’re here.  To babysit me.”

“I was wondering what happened when Rob called me this morning to come get you. He also ordered me, under no uncertain terms, to ‘watch you like a hawk.’  What have you been up to that deserves house arrest?”

“You wouldn’t understand. It’s
a lifestyle thing.
” Cassie climbed into his car and buckled her seat belt, closing her eyes to the gloomy d
aylight and dark clouds
. The d
ay matched her mood perfectly.

“Try me.”

Sighing, Cassie unloaded her fears to her step-father.  Bill listened carefully as he drove back towards his house.  When she finished, she sat silently, watching out the windshield and staring at the fat droplets of rain splattering on it.

“Do you realize this is the very first time you opened up to me, Cass?  Thank you.” Bill said softly.  Cassie held back a tear.

“You’ve always been so good to me.  I don’t know why I’ve been so mean.  I’m so sorry,” she whispered, still staring ahead.

“You’re forgiven.  It’s my fault, too.  I should not have treated you differently than I did my boys.   I promise, no more of that.”

“I kind of wish that you would have been firmer with me.  Maybe then I wouldn’t have been so scared all the time.”

“Maybe so. Here we are.  It’s slippery outside, be careful.” Bill warned as they exited the car. 

Cassie walked into her old house, looking around. “Something’s different…. Did you finally buy a new couch?”

“Yeah.  The old one kept getting broken by the boys while rough-housing and I got tired of fixing it.  I was hoping they outgrew the wrestling, but apparently not.”

“It must be quiet here with all of us gone.  Are you lonely?”

“Glenn’s still around and I get Bry on occasion.  Plus, I’m seeing Julie. Nothing serious, just companionship. I still miss your mom. A lot,” he sounded sad.

“Me, too. Bill?”

“What, honey?” he made room for her on the couch and held her as she crawled under his large arm to snuggle
against him
.

“I know you don’t understand this thing we’re doing, but I need to ask a favor of you.” Cassie said quietly, her guilt growing deeper as she cuddled, for the first time, against her step-father.

“Whatever you need. I’m here for you.”

“That’s my problem.  You always have been there for me, taking care of everything and never asking for anything in return except for respect and obedience.  Which I gave you none of.  I’m so sorry.”

“Cassie, we talked about this when you three approached me with your arrangement.  I thought it was settled.” Bill frowned, watching her shake her head.

“I s
aid the words but, well, I still feel bad about it. You deserved so much more from me than a bad attitude and defiance. I need to make it up to you.”

“No, there is no…”

“Bill, I need you to sp
ank me. Treat me like you would one of the boys.”

“I certainly will not.  I switched them.”

“I don’t care. I need to know that you think of me as one of your kids, not a step-child.”

“You’ve done nothing to me to warrant discipline, kiddo.  It’s not right for me to just ‘give it to you’ without a reason.  I’m sorry, but no.”

Cassie looked at him straight in the eye. “I swear, Bill, if you don’t make this right with me, I will do everything in my power to make sure you do. I’m being honest with you right now and it’s humiliating and scary for me.”

“Truth.  Do you want me to do this?” Bill returned her stare. 

She shook her head. “Truth.  No, I don’t want you to do it.  But, being honest, I need you to do it.  Both of us have some healing to do with each other and this is how I’m being taught to get there.”