by Thianna D
“I will, I promise, please stop, it hurts so much.”
“Soon,” he said, “but I decide when.” He rubbed the cool wood in circles around her burning cheeks. Zach held his wife still while he started the last set of rapid fire spanks. The spanks weren’t hard at all but they were fast with no break in between. One coming directly after the other, giving her no time at to process the pain. Within minutes she burst into tears and he stopped, dropping the paddle and laying over his wife to comfort her. He pressed his lips against the back of her neck, kissing her gently as he whispered soothing words in her ear.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “It’s just...”
She was crying hard again and couldn’t get the words out. “Tell me baby,” he whispered. “Tell me what’s wrong.” He knew already but he wanted her to say the words for her own sake.
“I’m sca...red,” she stuttered. “S...o scared. What if they don’t like me?”
He helped her up and hugged her tight. “That won’t happen, baby.” It dawned on Zach how much alike Avvy and Erin really were. Both scared of being judged my others, but both their own worst critic.
“How do you know?”
“Because I know these people and they’re nice.” He kissed his wife’s lips, puffy from crying. “And I know you. How could anybody not like you? You’re adorable and I love the food you make for us.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Now I have to go back to work. My kids will be waiting. I asked one of the other teachers to watch my class if I was late.”
“No!” Erin said. “You didn’t tell him why?”
“Erin, you do know where we live. This guy owed me a favor for the very same reason. Everyone in this town either gets spanked or spanks their partners. Your pride is safe here.”
The counter was so clean that Erin could see her face in it. She stared into it blindly for nearly a half an hour. What did she make that her family really loved? The mousse cake had been a disaster as had the cheesecake that had come out of the oven with a giant crater down the center of it. The flan had curdled and the pineapple upside down cake was a mess; the sweet glaze stuff had stuck to the pan and the rest had fallen into a pathetic pile of crumbs when she tried to turn in on to a plate. Maybe Zach was right. Maybe it was time to try some things she knew how to make. The plate of cupcakes she’d made the kids caught her eye. Maybe. They could be made to look more adult and fancy. And lasagne was a family favorite and she could do that on her head. A few different salads. Done, she’d decided.
Chapter 5
You look fine,” Zach said, admiring the fourth outfit that Erin appeared in. “This is a casual evening, honey. Relax.”
“I’m trying, I really am trying. Did you talk to Jordan?”
“I talked to both the girls. There will be no arguing, no telling of family secrets and no bad table manners. Everything will be just fine.”
“Okay,” Erin said, taking a few deep breaths. “They’ll be here in a few minutes. I’m going to check on the lasagne and the table.”
Erin admired her work, their work. Even the girls had helped. They had been very excited that people were coming. It made her feel good that she’d actually made the effort. She knew that Zach was mostly doing this for her, but she could tell he was really happy about this as well. She gave the kitchen table the once over and decided it was fine and then moved on to the dining table, examining it closely for the sixth time that day.
Zach had let out the leaves in the extendable dining table in the large living room and she’d set it with her best table linens and glasses. The dinnerware, she’d stacked in the kitchen where she was going to get people to put the food. She and the girls had made a centerpiece for the table that she’d seen in a magazine.
She wiped invisible smudges and held the glasses up to the light. They were still sparkling. The napkins were just sitting there next to the plates looking boring. “Should I try some origami or something with these napkins?” she called out.
“No!” Zach came into the room, looking handsome in his jeans and button down shirt. “No more changes. Everything is fine.”
“Maybe we should have done place cards.”
“Are you serious? How would we know who wants to sit next to who? I think it’s better to let everyone sit where they want.”
“I guess. Are the girls ready?”
“I am,” Jordan said. “When are people coming?”
“Very soon,” Erin said. “Where is your sister?”
Jordan shrugged. “Gettin herself ready.”
“Getting,” Zach corrected.
“Isn’t she dressed? I told you both to get dressed an hour ago.”
“She’s dressed.”
“Is her hair done?”
Jordan shrugged non-committedly.
There was a twinkle in her younger daughter’s eye that worried Erin no end. She was just about to go and see for herself what was going on when simultaneously the doorbell rang and Avvy appeared, wearing a full face of makeup and a dress she’d worn a year before when the girls were flower girls at Zach’s sister’s wedding. Her aunt had chosen the dress and her taste was questionable. It clearly wasn’t big enough anymore.
“They’re here,” the excited little girl squealed.
Erin’s mouth dropped open. There wasn’t even a hint of worry on Avvy’s face, no sense of danger like a child who was about to get into trouble, nothing. It was like it was an everyday occurrence for her to look like a clown. On a normal day she would have just taken it as kids play, but their neighbors were about to arrive. A new wave of panic filled Erin. Zach was by her side in a second, he raised her hand and kissed her knuckle.
“You wash her face and ditch the dress,” he said. “I’ll get the door.”
She nodded and hustled her daughter back in to her room.
“We’ll be talking about this, Avvy,” Zach hissed.
“Jordan said you said I could,” Avvy said desperately to her Mom.
“Did she now?” Erin said. She didn’t doubt it for a second. She’d known that child was up to something.
Jordan winced at her Daddy’s withering look. “It was a joke?”
“So, so very not funny,” Zach said, shaking his head as he opened the door. “We will be talking about this, as well, Miss.”
“Hi!” Diana said, bustling in with a casserole dish in her arms.
Rick was behind her with a cooler. “We brought drinks and ice,” he said.
“Thanks, guys,” Zach said with a smile. “Welcome.”
“Where’s Erin?” Diana asked.
“She’s just helping Avery with a wardrobe malfunction.”
“Oh?”
“Long story,” Zach said. “She’ll be out in a minute.”
“Sorry, Di,” Erin said a few minutes later. Avvy was beside her, looking fresh-faced and embarrassed, wearing an outfit appropriate for the occasion.
“I was just telling Zach there are extra drinks and ice in the cooler if you need them,” Rick said.
“Thanks, Rick,” Erin said, almost shyly. It felt a bit odd, entertaining a man who gave your husband advice on a regular basis about how best to bust your ass.
“I hope it’s ok that I put that on the table in the kitchen,” Diana said. “It’s only just come out of the oven so it should stay warm for a while.”
“Of course it is,” Erin said. “Did you get a drink?”
“I’m fine. I can help myself. There’s the door. You go and greet your guests with Zach,” Diana said.
Erin had her heart in her mouth again as she walked to the door where her husband was already greeting their first real guest. “Hi Jonathon,” she said holding her hand out in greeting. ‘Thanks for coming. It’s a shame Benjamin’s away, I would like to meet him.”
“I’m sure he would have loved to come. We’ll set something up one weekend when he’s home. Thanks for asking me, anyway. Where would you like me to put this?” He held a large flat foil covered bowl.
He took her outstretched hand and pulled her closer to peck her on the cheek.
Erin flushed. It was a simple friendly gesture and it immediately put her at ease. “Hot or cold?”
“Cold,” he said with a smile. “It’s an Asian chicken salad with crispy Ramon noodles.”
“Yum!” Erin said, peeking under the foil.
“That sounds great,” Zach said.
“Sure does,” Diana said. “I’ll take it if you like Jonathon.”
“I don’t mind taking it. You could show me where though, Di,” he said, kissing the woman’s cheek.
“I’ll show you,” Jordan said, suddenly appearing. “I’m Jordan.”
“Well, hello, Jordan, I’m Jonathon. That’s very nice of you.”
“Sure thing, follow me.”
“Come sit with me, Avery, I need someone to talk to,” Di said.
“Okay,” Avvy said.
“You’re not excited about the party?” Di asked.
Avvy smiled. “I am. I was. I hate my sister. She tried to get me in trouble.”
“No, I didn’t,” Jordan said, coming into the room with Jonathon at her side. “It was a joke. I thought they’d laugh.”
“They didn’t. Now we’re both gonna get in trouble.”
“Na-uh.”
“Yes. Daddy said he was gonna talk to both of us.”
“You know what, ladies?” Jonathon said. “Whatever this is about, I bet you’ll both end up in a lot less trouble after the party, if you just let it go for now.” He tried to throw his eyes towards the bi-fold privacy screen but neither of the girls caught on.
“I agree,” Diana said. She did a zipping motion across her lips.
“Okay,” Avvy said.
Zach rolled his eyes and Erin smiled. Obviously neither of their girls realized the thin Japanese divider didn’t hide their voices. ’’
The door was left open by now while Erin and Zach waited for the next guests. They didn’t have to wait long. Carol and Crystal arrived with Jen and Brock not far behind.
“Hi guys,” Zach said warmly.
“Hi Erin, Zach,” Carol said.
“Please to meet you, Erin.” Crystal was only a minute behind her girlfriend. She shook their hands. “And you Zach.”
“Um, I’m really sorry, Erin, but the dessert I was going to make, didn’t happen, so we bought a cheesecake. I hope that’s ok.”
“That’s fine,” Erin said. “Everyone loves cheesecake.”
“Lucky,” Crystal said giving her girlfriend a heavy-handed pat on the behind.
“Long story,” Carol said with a roll of her eyes as Crystal passed her with the cheesecake to follow the voices inside.
“I cooked.” Jen teased, loud enough for Carol to hear. “Hi Erin, I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced. I’ve seen you around at school but not often.”
“No we haven’t,” Erin said. “I go to meetings and such, but obviously Zach takes the girls to school because he has to go there anyway. He teaches sixth grade.”
“Yes I know, Zach, he’s my Charity’s teacher,” Jen said.
Erin shot Zach a look but didn’t say anything.
“I’m Brock.” A large man held out a hand to Zach. “I believe you’re Charity’s teacher.”
“That I am. Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, I missed the last open house night sorry. Work.”
“That’s fine. You can’t help work commitments.”
“And you must be Erin,” Brock said giving her hand a gently squeeze.
“Hi Brock.”
“Nice to catch up finally.”
“Yes it is.” Erin smiled.
“I’ll just go and find the others and see where Jen’s gone,” he said.
“If they’re not in the living room they’ll be in the kitchen,” Jordan said, creeping back around the screen. “I can show you where the kitchen is, the living room is just there.”
“Thanks, honey.” Brock followed the little dark-haired girl into the house.
“You didn’t tell me you were Charity’s teacher,” Erin said.
“And give you something else to worry about? It didn’t matter. Just relax Erin. Here comes someone else.”
A portly man with a receding hairline walked up the path, holding hands with a pretty woman with dark hair. As they got closer Erin could see she had beautiful green eyes. A real contrast to her black shiny hair. These were two of only four guests still to come so this must be Bethany and Kirk or Brittany and Trevor.
“Hello, Erin, I'm Bethany. We’re not too late are we? Kirk got stuck in traffic getting home.”
That answered that question. Erin smiled. “Of course not. Welcome.”
“That I don’t miss,” Zach said, shaking both their hands. “The traffic I mean.”
“Yeah, I wish I could figure out how not to have to commute,” Kirk agreed.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a lawyer. I’m back now for week. Every second week I stay in Denver to work from my office there.”
“Well enjoy the peace,” Zach said.
Erin relaxed. The new guests moved into the living room and she silently congratulated herself. She’d managed to greet all of their guests warmly without feeling like she might just throw up on their shoes. Diana had been right. These seemed like lovely people. Everyone was laughing together in her living room and she didn’t feel like they were laughing at her. They were just friends enjoying themselves. She actually felt excited. It had been too long since she’d relaxed with grown-ups, apart from her husband, that is.
“Seems the rush is over for now. Shall we join the others? We can greet Brittany and Trevor as soon as they get here. They’re the last aren’t they?” Zach asked.
“Yep, that’s the last. Sounds good.”
Zach was just about to close the door when the last couple reached their front gate.
“No, no. Here they come.”
“Sorry we’re late,” A tall red-head man with a friendly smile said. “Brittany was a little late getting home from work and I was still finishing off this.” He held up a platter.
Brittany smiled warmly. “Mixed skewers and dipping sauces. They’re good,” she said proudly.
“I’m sure they will be,” Erin said. “Thanks!”
The two couples made their introductions. Erin and Trevor took their platter through to the kitchen and then came back and joined everyone else.
“How is everyone for drinks?” Zach asked.
“We’re fine,” Diana said. “We all made ourselves at home and Jordan kept us entertained.”
Erin’s tummy dropped. “How?” Was the only word that sprang to mind. “Giving away the family secrets, Jordy?” she asked.
“Not all of them.”
“We really don’t have any secrets, I was only joking,” Erin said.
“I didn’t tell anything about the family.”
“It’s my fault,” Jen said. “I asked the girls what it was like to have your Daddy work at school.”
“I told them it’s not always that great,” Jordan said. “Like when your yoyo manages to break his classroom window.”
“Especially when said yoyo should never have been at school in the first place,” Zach said.
“I wasn’t gonna spin it Dad, I was just gonna show Buddy how fast it was. Besides, Dad, I also said it was good to have you there if you slip off the monkey bars and twist your arm. You’re real kind when someone gets hurt.”
“Nice to know I’m not always an ogre,” he said with a grin.
“No, not hardly at all.”
“I think we should sit down to dinner before the hot dishes get cold,” Erin said, changing the subject. There’s plates in the kitchen. She felt like she should be serving or something. “We’ll get the wine.”
After filling their plates, they moved to the table and found seats.
“Do you think it’s going okay?” Erin asked, sitting down next to Diana.
“I do. Everyone�
��s eating and talking at the same time, that’s always a good sign.”
They all complimented each other on the food and swapped recipes. “I love your chicken salad Jonathon,” Zach said. “And these sticks are great. You’ll have to talk me through the sauces Trevor. They’d go great with barbecue.”
“No problem and they do.”
“Maybe you should share your recipe, honey?” Crystal said, raising her eyebrow at Carol.
Never one to ignore a challenge, Carol grinned. “Sure thing. You take a cheesecake from the freezer that you have previously bought for just such an occasion at the Cheesecake Factory, and hope that it thaws out in time.”
“You didn’t actually make anything?” Brock teased.
“You know damn well I didn’t,” she answered, poking out her tongue behind her hand. “I’m sure you’ve been told twice already by now. Once by your lovely wife and my best friend, and once by Crystal who just loves to talk about my punishments.”
“Ildrenchay esentpray,” Jen said.
“Wow! You know pigs Latin, too,” Jordan said.
“It’s Pig Latin, not Pigs Latin,” Avvy said.
“Eat your salad,” Zach said.
“Sorry,” Carol said. “And, Erin, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to make anything for your party, because I had plans to make chocolate mousse, they just went sort of wrong.”
“It happens,” Erin said with a smile.
“Besides, who doesn’t love cheesecake right?” Jonathon said.
“Well I do,” Brittany said.
“Me, too. What does it matter if it isn’t homemade?” Bethany agreed.
“It doesn’t,” Crystal said. “If that’s what the plan was. If however someone has promised to clean up the house on several occasions and they don’t, and they promise to make a dessert and they don’t, but what they do find time for is goofing off at a friend’s house all day.”
“I ran out of sugar,” Carol said with a grin.
“Not picking sides here,” Kirk said. “But wouldn’t you have been better to go to the store and not Jen’s house?”
“Who said I was at Jen’s?”
“Where were you then?” Brock asked.