by Maren Smith
“Please tell me this was just a rest stop and that you’ll soon be on your way,” Sammie spewed after a loud exhale. “I can’t believe you want to serve more time than ten years in the slammer.”
He stared at her strangely, his eyes boring into hers. “Why do you always have to be such a cunt? For your information, I’ve always wanted to enjoy this holiday like everyone else. Didn’t I just tell you how I always spent Christmas alone? Don’t you have a heart, or is it two sizes too small like the Grinch’s?”
“I can’t believe you’re still blaming your mother for that. For God’s sake, everyone knows that Jews don’t celebrate this holiday. She probably worked, so her co-workers who celebrated the holiday didn’t have to.”
“Enough!” he shrieked, his round eyes widening with rage. “Don’t you dare defend my mother. You don’t know anything about her!”
Pete shook his head at Sammie. “Be careful,” he mouthed.
“My family never celebrated this holiday, either. That’s why Sammie and I were looking forward to it this year,” Jessie quietly added while Trent shot her a worried glance.
Ben’s demeanor and tone instantly changed as his neck swerved in her direction. “You rarely mentioned your mother and father. Were there problems at home?” he asked, pulling himself up on the counter, casually crossing one foot in front of the other.
“For fuck’s sake. How do you switch personalities like that?” Sammie bit out. “Am I the only one not keeping up with Sybil over here?”
There was a strange look on his face as he swiveled toward her. “By any chance, is your husband the head of this house?”
As she nodded, Ben’s angry stare made the hair on the back of her neck prickle.
“Good. Because I believe he just quietly suggested that you keep a lid on your large pie hole. So, take a hint and shut the fuck up!” he shouted. Inhaling a cleansing breath, his attention quickly returned to Jessie. “Now, as I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted by your sister. If you want my opinion, I’m thinking your mother resented her role as matriarch of the family.”
“My father had a girlfriend and a bunch of kids in California. Of course, we didn’t know that until we were adults, but that’s where he spent every Christmas. We always seemed to be a burden to Mom, but even more so at that time of year. She was absolutely miserable around the holidays.”
“I wish you would have told me all that when we were dating; we could’ve commiserated. My mother, she should rest in peace, was absolutely suffocating,” he said in a nonchalant tone, picking a piece of lint off his navy pants. “She treated me like I was an object she owned instead of loving me like a son. I guess it’s pretty obvious where I learned all my control techniques.”
“You must’ve had a terrible childhood, but it sounds like you’ve been spending a lot of quality time with a psychiatrist.”
“Jesus, Jessie. I can’t believe you’re feeling sorry for him,” Sammie interrupted. “This man doesn’t feel empathy for anyone. He’s only pretending to have emotions. He couldn’t care less about you.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed, and he pursed his lips in her direction before continuing. “Individuals with an antisocial personality disorder, such as mine, usually don’t believe they have a problem, so they’re generally uncooperative where counseling is concerned. But unlike the norm, I’d like to function better in this world, eventually. My boring day in prison consists of going to therapy, reading novels and working in the kitchen. It certainly wasn’t the way I intended to spend my adult life, but that’s pretty much how it will be for the next ten years.”
“Don’t inmates wear orange jumpsuits anymore?” Sammie blurted out, looking him up and down, once again interrupting the conversation.
“What in the hell possessed me to take that bandana out of your mouth?”
“Sorry, I was just curious...”
“Those who work kitchen detail are usually assigned navy scrubs. I’m guessing I wasn’t considered high-risk material because it’s the inmates they deem most dangerous who wear the brighter colors,” he casually explained, pausing to collect his thoughts. “Come to think of it, I really could use a change of clothes before I head out tonight. Think I could borrow a blue shirt from either of you cowboys? I’m guessing you have an entire wardrobe in denim,” he sneered.
Trent’s brow lifted as he gave the request some thought. “Sure. But you’ll have to untie us first.”
“Yeah, well that’s not going to happen until I make a solid plan for myself, cowboy. After all, we haven’t had dinner, yet. Which reminds me, it’s probably time to baste the turkey and put the potatoes on to boil,” he said, opening the refrigerator. And is it possible that there is a ham in here I should be reheating?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
JESSIE TITLED HER HEAD toward Trent. “How does he expect us to eat if our hands are tied?”
“I don’t know, sugar pop, but he’s standing right there with his back to us, stirring the gravy, so I’m sure he heard the question.”
Sammie’s shoulders rose as she sucked in a deep breath and sighed dramatically. “It’s our first Christmas together as a family, and I can’t believe we’re spending it this way, Pete.”
“I’m just grateful he put that boxcutter away. He seems to have switched into an almost festive mood. For the life of me, I can’t figure this man out,” Pete whispered in her ear.
“Festive. Now that’s a word I’ve never heard to describe me. But I like it. And I know I’ve mentioned this to you before, Jessie. But I really think there’s a possibility I can change,” Ben said with firm resolve as he passed out full dinner plates to each of them sitting around the kitchen table.
Sammie nodded at the plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, and a slice of ham in front of her. “Nice technique carving the bird, Ben. You must’ve been a real maven in that prison kitchen. I’ll bet they’re all waiting for you to return with baited breath.”
“Maven?” Pete mouthed, looking confused.
“It means a person who knows a lot about a subject,” Ben acknowledged with a nod. “It’s Yiddish, and probably the only decent thing I learned from my mother. Where would you learn such a word, Sammie?”
“When you were dating my sister, she used to throw some of that slang around. Although in full disclosure, I always wondered if she was pronouncing all the words correctly.”
“Hey, this food looks and smells delicious, Ben. The color and consistency you managed to achieve on the gravy is genius. You definitely have a culinary talent.”
“I’ll take that as a huge compliment, Jessie. You know, I haven’t been in prison long, but I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on my life, and I’ve discovered that I do have a few redeemable qualities. Of course, the one issue I’m working on is trying to achieve a goal without taking it by force.”
“And how is that working for you? Because it certainly isn’t working for us,” Pete rejoined, inclining his head toward his wrists. So, are you planning to cut these zip ties from our hands, or are you going to feed us?”
“I guess there’s no worry about you going anywhere as long as your ankles are still secured,” he said, pulling the boxcutter from his pocket. “And I’ve decided that after we eat, I’m going to head back to the prison and turn myself in.”
“Oh, I don’t think you’ll be joining them for dinner, Mr. Levy,” a booming voice bellowed in the open doorway, and everyone in the room watched as Trent’s friend Dan Polizzano pointed a gun at Ben’s chest. “The house is surrounded, and if you come with us quietly, no one will be hurt. Now put the implement down, slowly and peacefully, so I don’t have to shoot you.”
As he complied, Dan headed toward him and spun Ben around to secure his wrists in handcuffs. “I know it’s Christmas, but I’m going to need statements from everyone around the table.”
“I’m sorry for ruining this holiday for you guys. It seemed like a good idea to run, but once I was out, well, the truth is, I didn’t have anywhere
to go. This is going to sound strange, but you’re the closest I’ve ever come in my adult life to having anyone to turn to,” Ben murmured sadly, swiveling his neck to face the four of them. “And I do wish you all the best with your new family, Jessie. Remember to eat healthy for that little one growing inside you.”
“Thanks, Ben. I know you still have plenty of issues to deal with, but I believe if you stay positive, things will work out for you.”
He nodded as Dan and a uniformed officer started to lead him away, but then he stopped and turned toward the family. “I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come around—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys,” he said intently, speaking in a British accent.
“That’s from Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, isn’t it?” Jessie asked.
Ben nodded. “It’s always been one of my favorite classics!”
“Hey, Dan, I’m sure Mr. Levy will be punished for breaking out of prison, but I’m not interested in pressing additional charges. Am I the only one who feels this way?” Trent interrupted.
“Hell, who wants to be considered a Scrooge on Christmas?” Pete agreed. “And if it’s okay with the official powers that be, we’ll come down to the station tomorrow, first thing. Now, if it’s not too much trouble, do you think one of your men might cut us free from these zip-ties, so we can eat our meal?”
JESSIE PUT HER FORK down and pushed the full plate of food away. “Okay, am I the only one who feels bad for Ben?”
“I’m not surprised you’re feeling this way, sweetie. You had a relationship with him once, so I’m assuming he had some redeeming qualities,” Trent said with a softness in his voice, leaning to gather her in his strong, loving arms.
“I knew his father ran out on the family when he was young, but I never told him about our past, Sammie. Maybe I should’ve shared with him. It might’ve made him feel like he wasn’t so alone in this world.”
Sammie nodded as her lips tightened into a straight line. “He doesn’t know a soul in town beside us, and probably hasn’t had one visitor in prison since he was sentenced. Jesus. Even Ted Bundy had visitors.”
“Well, Ben obviously made friends with some of the inmates, or he wouldn’t have secured those fancy zip-ties,” Pete added, rubbing his wrists. “Look, I know that Christmas is a time for forgiving, but that man held a boxcutter to your neck, Sammie.”
“There was something sad in his eyes, though,” she defended, taking a minute to gather her thoughts. “Not when he first took me, but later. I think he was telling the truth about not having any friends. Besides our brother, Jessie and I always had each other to lean on, but Ben’s an only child. And being raised by his mother, the control freak, what chance did he have to survive in this world? He was a desperate, lonely soul.”
“I imagine there are probably a lot of Ben Levy’s in this universe, sweetie,” Pete acknowledged, cradling her hand in his.
Her eyes darted from Jessie to Trent as they filled with tears. “I see so much of myself in him. While he was obviously jealous of people that had a loving family, I was envious that you’re able to start one and I’m not.”
“You’ve already admitted that to them, and it’s still too early to say we won’t have children,” Pete reminded gently.
“And to think I was jealous that Sammie and Pete are embarking on the same fun and kinky lifestyle that we used to enjoy,” Jessie said to Trent, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “You’ve done a wonderful job of trying to bring it back, and I’m not complaining, but I admit to having the green monster living inside me. What kind of a person am I? It seems I’m always wallowing in my own troubles instead of helping someone else with theirs.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “You’re only human, sugar. I think everyone has a little envious streak running through them occasionally, and we all can be narcissistic at times. What do you think, Pete?”
“Okay, brother, guilty as charged, but my self-absorbed thoughts that I’ve managed to spew are to remain between you and me,” he said, finally pointing his finger at himself, his eyes narrowing. “You know, in our darkest of moments, we’ve all had someone to talk with, and Ben never did. It must be awful to feel that desperate and sad. Maybe the thing to do would be to visit him in prison now and then. I’ve read articles written by people who were traumatized, and many say that forgiving the person who wronged them helped speed their healing process,” he stated, scrubbing a hand over the side of his bristly face. “They say there’s something liberating in lifting the burden.”
“I’ve read some of those articles, too and admit to being skeptical at first. But now that I’ve been a victim, I totally can see the power of being positive rather than negative. There is something so cleansing about forgiveness,” Sammie acknowledged, stretching her neck to meet Jessie’s gaze. “But honestly, can you believe that he didn’t think the white tile works in this kitchen?”
“Maybe you should’ve gone with the polished parquet floor like I suggested,” Jessie teased, waggling her eyebrows.
“I love how easy it is for our wives to change their channel, don’t you, Pete?”
He raised his glass and chuckled. “Before this holiday is over, allow me to switch the station one more time and make a toast to the most memorable Reynolds Christmas Day ever! I have a feeling we’ll be telling and re-telling this story for years to come.”
All four of them lifted their glasses in response. “God bless us. Every single one!” Jessie said through a wide grin as she peered around the table at all their smiling faces.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“YOU BOUGHT ME A SPANKING bench for Christmas?” Sammie asked, inclining her head as Pete opened the spare room door.
He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms as he cocked one leg over the other before turning to watch her expression. “And it came with a paddle that I had inscribed especially for you.”
“I thought that the beautiful turquoise necklace you bought me was more than generous,” she said, nervously fingering the brand-new pendant around her neck as she noticed that the evil oak instrument he’d just mentioned was leaning up against the padded bench.
“Are you kidding? I can never do enough for the love of my life.”
She bent over and narrowed her eyes to read the inscription on the varnished surface. “A Stiff Reminder? Seriously? You paid to have this thing inscribed?”
“Nope. The paddle was offered as a bonus gift. And I think my cheeky girl could use a few swats on her behind, right about now,” he scolded, picking up the implement as he gently patted the lacquered oak against the flat of his palm. “Don’t you agree?”
Her hands instinctively flew to her twitching backside. “Why? What did I do?”
His sigh was deep and exasperated. “We didn’t know how things would turn out with Ben Levy today, and you did everything in your power to infuriate him. It’s one thing to sass your husband, but that man, who is known to have a psychotic disorder, held a boxcutter to your neck. What in the hell were you thinking, Sammie?”
“I don’t know. Every time I looked at Ben today, my memory just kept going back to when he was dating Jessie. We were always at odds, and I wasn’t afraid of the guy then. In hindsight, I admit it was wrong to bait him today. But you know my mouth tends to have a mind of its own on occasion,” she muttered before chewing on her cheek, knowing full well that she should’ve kept her thoughts to herself earlier.
“I know all about your loose lips, little girl. Now push those jeans and panties down and bend your sweet tush over this padded bench, so I can give you a good stiff reminder of what happens when your sassy mouth forgets to close.”
“You want to spank me now? For
God’s sake, it’s still Christmas!”
“Uh-huh. And I can’t think of a better time to christen this gift than today. Your naughty bottom deserves a good hard tannin’ right now, and you know it. So, get those pants down around your knees, or I will do it for you. Shall I start counting?”
“No, I’ll do it,” she hissed, jerking her pants and underwear down in one motion before putting her knees on the lower level to position herself over the leather padding. And then she twisted her head to meet his firm glare. “But I can’t believe you’re going to do this on Christmas Day. I’ve read that wood packs a punch, and it really hurts. What if I make you an offer to suck that hardening dick of yours? The blood must be coursing through your veins right about now, watching my bare ass bent over this bench.”
His expression instantly turned from serious to incredulous. “Are you kidding? You’re going to bait me?”
“Don’t look at me like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Your cock is absolutely doing a happy dance beneath your zipper. Come on, big guy, I’ll even swallow in honor of the holiday.”
Crack! Just the noise of the wood making direct contact with her bare flesh, caused her petite body to bolt upright. Shit. That lacquered personalized bonus gift from Amazon burned like it came straight from hell.
“Fuck, Pete! That hurt!” she shrieked.
“Yes, I’m sure it did. Now, get back into position and behave yourself,” he growled in a low voice, cupping her small pink cheek in his large hand. “Maybe those loose lips of yours should tell your little tushie that I’m about to land a paddle on it. Again.”
“Shit, I can’t believe you bought this damn contraption.”
Crack! The paddle struck for the second time, and his measured tone that accompanied the searing pain made the hairs on her arms stand up. “Even though you knew Ben could be dangerous, that thick tongue of yours still wagged uncontrollably at him...”