It wasn’t the time for admonishments, it was the time to be a sister. “I’ll pack a bag and head out in about fifteen minutes, Mason. Don’t worry about the kids.
I’ll be there with them soon.”
I could picture the little faces of Francesca, Nick, and Alex, confused and lost without their momma. They probably had no idea what was going on and were terrified for their mother. I’d be there soon enough to reassure them.
Gallbladders weren’t so bad, but if hers was bad enough it was about to rupture, she was in trouble. She was definitely in a lot of pain and probably had been for a long time. Which was probably why she had forgot my birthday, I thought as I drove to the airport. This wasn’t something sudden; it was something she’d been dealing with for a while.
My mother had to have hers out when I was thirteen, and even as a teenager, I’d been afraid for her. I could remember how sick she’d been before it was removed, how much pain she’d been in. Poor Laura, and there I’d been like a whiny brat, having a fit because nobody remembered my birthday. Guilt wracked me, but I kept driving.
I’d make it up to her now and keep her children safe until she could take that job up again. It wasn’t that hard; they were small children. They needed to be kept entertained, fed, and cared for, and I’d had a lot of practice at that. I sat in the leather seat of the beautifully decorated jet and waited. The flight wouldn’t take long, and I’d be in Charlotte before I knew it.
The trip was long enough that I had time to wonder about Mr. Dark and to
think about the way I’d spent the previous night. Was he thinking of me?
Remembering? I felt stupid for it, but I’d hoped he was. He’d offered me three days, but I wondered if I could talk him into more? Like him, I didn’t want a relationship, or I’d have found a man some other way. I’d wanted an education, to be pleasured, and to get on with my life.
But was that all? He’d made me aware of what I’d missed out on my whole
life, and now, I wanted to be greedy. I wanted it all, desperately. Maybe I should be afraid of myself, the need I felt, or afraid of him, and the things he planned to do. The things he made me want. I wasn’t afraid, though, not with him.
He made me feel safe, secure, and empowered. Like I could say no if I wanted to. He made me feel as if I could make a demand that would be met.
Like my input would have some relevance to a final decision. Like I’d found a
missing piece of me with him. Or maybe he was that piece?
That was an even scarier thought, and I pushed it away. I didn’t need to do something like fall in love with a man, just because he’d made me come. That was stupid. Anybody with the right skills could get a woman off. We were known to even get ourselves off. That wasn’t love. That was appreciation. Or something like that; I wasn’t sure what to call it exactly.
Freedom, perhaps? That sounded right, and I smiled a half smile. Imagine, finding freedom in submission. But I had, as I knew I would, from the moment I saw a woman in a video tied to a post. The expression on her face had been one of complete satisfaction, maybe even blissful. I’d known that was what I wanted right then. The whole scenario.
Tied down so I couldn’t move, with someone else in control of what I did and felt. Even down to whether I moved or not. That had been so hot, when he’d tied me to the bed and told me not to move. I’d wanted to tell Mr. Dark I’d be his forever in that moment, but I knew it was stupid and had kept quiet. I’d kept still, as he told me to do.
A call came in on my Facebook messenger, and I answered it with a secret
smile. “Hi, Roxie.”
“How are you, baby?” Despite the fact that I was flying through the air, Roxie sounded as clear as a bell. I even heard the small laugh she gave as I groaned.
“I’m so sore now! But I don’t mind. I earned that sore.” I’d talked to her earlier, but I didn’t mind going over it all again. I was doing that in my mind now anyway.
“He called me a little while ago. He canceled his appointment. Wants to know if you’re available tonight?” She sounded pleased with herself again, as if she’d known all along he and I were meant for each other. At least for a short time.
“Damn!” I looked out the window as Charlotte came into view, a city of lights from above. “I had to come to Charlotte. My sister-in-law is sick and has to have surgery immediately. I promised I’d watch the kids.”
“Oh, honey! You should definitely be there for your family. I totally
understand! Can I do anything on my end? Do you need some plants watered or anything?” I could hear the concern and felt honored. Not many people earned Roxie’s respect anymore, and for her to offer that meant a lot to me.
“No, I haven’t had time to find any plants, so there’s nothing to worry over.
An orange that might start to go moldy on the counter, but I can deal with that when I get back. Do you think he’ll wait for me?” I knew she knew who I meant, although I didn’t say his name.
Mainly because I didn’t know it, and I didn’t want to call him Mr. Dark where someone might hear me. It sounded silly when I wasn’t in that environment or with Roxie alone. I did feel a thrill that he’d called for me so quickly. Obviously, he’d been pleased with my performance. That made my shoulders straighten, and my head tilted back with pride.
“I think he will. The fact that he called me right away means he’s definitely interested and wants more of you, missy.” She gave a throaty laugh, and I joined her.
“Damn, I didn’t even do that much, if I’m honest. He did all the work,” I said, and sighed. “But then, I guess that’s the point, isn’t it?”
“It is, indeed, sweetie. Listen, I have to go; Freddy’s just come in. You call me later, alright?”
“I will. The plane’s about to land anyway, so I should go. Take care. And thank you!”
“No problem, Em. Take care now.” She hung up, and the plane started to descend.
I hated that part of flights, but I still couldn’t stop as I watched the plane descend to the ground once more. I closed my eyes when I thought the tires should hit the ground and held my breath. When the tires held and didn’t sling the plane sideways, collapse, or cause the plane to burst into flames, a crazy idea but still one I worried about, I took a deep breath and relaxed.
I was soon out of the airport, in a car my brother had sent for me, and at the house with two noisy children and a baby who wanted to sleep. I put Francesca down in her crib and took Nick and Alex into the family room to watch a movie.
Mason had taken to fatherhood well, and one of his proudest moments was when
he had this family room built. He’d thought of the children and had the room decorated with a zoo theme. Toy animals filled shelves, stood on their own as giant, almost life-sized giraffes and elephants, and were painted on the walls.
Pastel colors made the room seem soft, and the overstuffed wraparound couch in front of a giant television screen invited all to sit and relax.
The couch, in a muted brown shade, was wide enough to allow two adults to
lie side by side, so it was big enough that both boys could surround me while we watched their favorite movie. Only they didn’t really want to watch it.
