Her husband, Trevor, joined her at their black barstool table just off the kitchen. He spread an unhealthy gob of cream cheese onto his cinnamon raisin bagel and dropped a half dozen brown sugar cubes into his travel mug coffee. “It’s Haley’s birthday, so yeah.”
Haley was Trevor’s sister. Eliana recalled her own twenty-fifth birthday. She couldn’t imagine wanting to spend it with her parents and brothers. Instead, she’d partied half the night away with friends and the rest had been spent more intimately with Trevor, first in a hotel hot tub and then onto a plush sofa before ultimately ending in naked, euphoric exhaustion on the suite’s carpeted floor. Parents and siblings didn’t leave much room for that sort of fun.
She set aside her mug and hugged her red winter robe tighter. “It’s really not a party? I mean doesn’t she want to celebrate with her friends?”
Trevor chuckled. “Haley has never been much for parties. It’s just going to be dinner and dessert. Other than Chuck, it’ll just be family and that’s how she wants it. I don’t know why it bothers you.”
Eliana sighed and shrugged. “It doesn’t really. I guess I’m just not big on feeling like we’re obligated to do all this stuff. When I agreed to move here, you promised we’d still live our own lives.”
He pushed his half eaten bagel aside and frowned. “I don’t think of celebrating my sister’s birthday as an obligation.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you mean? I thought you liked Haley.”
“What I’m saying is the only time we do anything social anymore it involves your family. We haven’t spent anytime with my family since our wedding.”
“Your closest family lives fifteen hundred miles away. Mine is less than a mile. You want me to pretend it’s all equal?”
Eliana groaned. “Just forget it. I’m wrong, you’re right, same as always.” She grabbed her mug and took a big sip that burned her tongue. It didn’t matter. Nothing she felt mattered.
“You know what?” Trevor slid out of his chair and pressed the lid onto his travel mug. “If you don’t want to come tonight, then don’t. I’ll tell everyone you’re sick or something.”
“You’re not getting what I’m trying to say to you and I don’t know how to make it clearer. That’s why I told you to forget it. We’ll go, make everyone happy. It’s all fine.”
“Obviously it’s not all fine.”
“Yeah, well it’s not going to get fixed before dinnertime either.”
He took a deep breath and stepped back from the table. “If you’re going to be in a bad mood—
“I’m not. I told you it’s fine.”
“Look, it’s Haley’s birthday, don’t ruin it.”
“Is that what you really think of me?”
Trevor grabbed his car keys from the nearby junk counter. “I’ll be home around 5:30. If you want to go, be ready and be in a better mood. Otherwise, I’ll go by myself.”
Eliana glared at his back as he walked to the front door. When he turned back with his hand on the knob she fluttered her eyelashes and said, “Love you.”
“Same, Babe. See you tonight.” Shaking his head, he left and locked the door behind him.
Eliana donned her favorite sweater dress for the evening and matched it with tights and a pair of suede boots. Her husband’s family didn’t really do formal outside of weddings. Something else she missed about life before moving to Trevor’s hometown. She pushed the thoughts aside. He’d be home any minute and she didn’t want another fight. Especially since she couldn’t articulate the problem. It was real. It needed to be dealt with. But not before dinner on Haley’s birthday. Patience and a little extra time to understand what she was feeling wouldn’t hurt.
Trevor came through the front door, punctual as always. He looked tired. His hair was windblown as if he’d drove with the windows down. He stripped off his tie and threw it on the back of the couch. It slid over and pooled onto the left cushion. “You ready to go?”
Eliana smiled and took his hand. “Bad day?”
“I’m beginning to think Dad is never going to trust me to run the place on my own.”
She slipped her hand onto his back and massaged. “Probably not a good night to have this conversation.”
He forced a chuckle and kissed her. “You’re right. But we do need to talk about all this. I didn’t move us back here to be miserable.”
“I know and I’m really sorry about this morning. I’m not angry with you.”
He put on a smile and said, “It’s OK. Are you ready?”
She picked up the wrapped present for his sister from table and nodded. “I am if you are.”
Soon after Eliana and Trevor arrived, his mom, Laura, called the family to dinner. Laura had prepared a feast of beef ribs, baked beans and corn on the cob. The aroma of smoky barbecue permeated the entire house. It was self serve with Haley getting first pick on account of being her birthday. Her boyfriend, Chuck, complimented Laura on the meal following his first taste of the meat. Eliana assumed he’d have praised the culinary skills even if it had tasted of charcoal and sand. Not that it did.
Trevor’s dad, Paul, raised his glass of beer and said, “Happy birthday to my baby girl!”
Haley smiled and took a sip of her red wine. “I’m not a baby anymore, Dad.”
Paul shrugged. “No need to throw a tantrum.”
Haley shook her head and picked up the spoon beside her plate. “Would you rather I catapult some beans your way?”
Paul laughed. “If you did that I’d have to send you for the paddle.”
“Aren’t you going to anyway?” Haley asked with a raised eyebrow.
Chuck shifted in his seat.
Paul said, “I would think by now you’d know the difference between a birthday spanking and a punishment.”
Haley set the spoon down with a short giggle. “You’re too easy to tease, Dad.”
Paul leaned back and smiled at Haley. “Probably true, but as I recall, about a decade ago, you actually flung those beans.”
Haley nodded. “Gotta watch that memory in your old age. It was nine years ago on my sweet sixteen.”
Chuck blinked. “Seriously?”
Laura said, “She did indeed.”
Eliana leaned forward. “I can’t imagine that ended well.”
Paul polished off another rib. “Just a spot of fun, Eli. Don’t tell me you’ve never enjoyed a good food fight?”
Laura shook her head at the ceiling. “Only someone who has never scrubbed the stains out of laundry can call a food fight fun or good.”
Haley laughed. “That’s not true. I helped scrub those stains out.”
“You mean you helped smear them in better,” Trevor said.
Haley shrugged. “Six, half dozen.”
Laura said, “Yeah, like cleaning your room is synonymous with shoving everything under your bed or into your closet.”
“Whatever works, right Dad?” Haley said.
“I’ve never said anything of the sort.” Paul chomped into his corn.
Haley said, “Agree to disagree, I guess.”
“So you weren’t punished over it?” asked Chuck.
Laura said, “Only if you count making her help me with the laundry as a punishment.”
“Don’t let Mom fool you. She’s a real taskmaster when it comes to chores.” Haley eyed her mom as she sipped her wine.
Laura shook her head.
Paul said, “I would never punish my daughter over a joke. Even a bad one.”
Chuck said, “I don’t think my parents would have considered me throwing food at them a joke.”
Eliana said, “Mine would have definitely sent me to my room to think about my behavior.”
Paul finished the last of his beer. “I’m not going to punish my kids for having fun. I’m going to laugh and have fun with them.”
Haley said, “And that’s why we love you, Dad.”
Eliana helped Laura clear away the dinner dishes. Paul and Trevor repopulated the table with gifts. And Laura brought out a homemade chocolate birthday cake with a pair of numbered candles. Originally the candles indicated 52. Haley popped up from her seat and hunched over taking small steps and rubbing her lower back. In a creaky voice, she said, “I gotta stretch the old bones out.”
Everyone laughed. Paul switched the candles around. “To have a baby girl that old, I’d had to have been robbing the cradle when I was still in the cradle.”
Laura grinned. “The perfect cover for a cradle robber.”
Haley straightened and put her hands on the back of her chair. “Please, I don’t need to picture my parents in diapers together.”
Trevor nodded. “It’ll happen soon enough.”
Laura laughed. “I better have a house full of grandkids before that day.”
“Not as long as we’re still living in a crappy apartment,” Eliana said.
The laughter faded.
Trevor said, “I think it’s time for my baby sis to open her presents.”
Eliana bit her lip. Apologizing seemed like it would only make things more awkward.
Haley slipped back into her seat and picked up the biggest box. She shook it and frowned. “No rattle.”
Chuck leaned into her. “Three guesses.”
Haley sized up the package. “Something small wrapped in too much packaging.”
“What makes you say that?” Chuck asked.
“It’s about as heavy as the box should be.” Haley sat it down and carefully peeled the tape on the end.
“You haven’t guessed yet.” Paul said.
Haley waggled her head. “It’s jewelry.”
Chuck exhaled. “How do you do that?”
Haley laughed and finished unwrapping the box. A second rectangular box rested in the center of it surrounded by wads of tissue paper. She slipped the lid off the second box exposing a heart-shaped locket on a thin gold necklace. Three small diamonds were set in the face of the locket. She leaned into Chuck and kissed him. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Eliana watched the couple with a smile. Chuck wasn’t her type, but he was sweet. His love for Haley was obvious. The way he looked at Haley reminded her of Trevor back in their dating days. Somewhere along the way the magic had faded. Maybe what they had now was better, but she missed that spark in her husband’s eyes whenever he looked her way. Was it wrong to want the thrill again?
Trevor pushed their gift toward his sister. “Eli insisted on wrapping it.”
Haley took the gift and locked eyes with Eliana. “You’d think boys would understand that unwrapping is half the fun.”
Eliana nodded. “Trevor is still on the fence when it comes to trusting my judgment.”
Haley sighed. “So, it’s a gift card instead of something for Chuck to unwrap later.”
Chuck blushed.
Eliana laughed. “I tried to tell him.”
Haley turned to her brother. “Next year, trust your wife.” She unwrapped the small box and removed the plastic gift card. “Well, at least you let her pick the store.”
“As long as you’re happy,” Trevor said.
Haley got up and rounded the table. She kissed her brother’s cheek and hugged Eliana. “Thanks.”
“Happy birthday,” Eliana said.
Haley returned to her seat and spent the next several minutes unwrapping gifts from her parents. She guessed each item with unwavering accuracy. They’d loaded her up with a variety of new clothes and an expensive new phone. She gave her parents each a hug and a kiss with her thanks.
Paul leaned back and asked, “Did you get everything you wanted?”
“I can’t complain.”
Laura said, “It’s almost time for cake then.”
“Right,” Haley said. She chewed on her lip for a moment while staring at the table. “I suppose I should go get the paddle.”
Paul said, “You’ve got a few things to work on for the year ahead, most notably, punctuality. If not for that, tonight really would be just a few token swats.”
“I know.” Haley nodded. “I’ve only got myself to blame.”
Eliana raised an eyebrow, but decided to keep her mouth shut. She wasn’t entirely up on the Hanson family traditions, but she’d never considered a birthday spanking to be more than a lighthearted joke. Between the expressions on Haley and Paul’s faces, she gathered they weren’t discussing a joke. Or maybe the somberness was part of their family joke. She wasn’t sure and didn’t want to spoil anything.
Haley got to her feet. “Be right back.”
“Hold up,” Laura said. “I think this lesson needs to have a clock and some urgency on it. You need to be back with paddle in less than five minutes or you’ll be getting double the swats. And before you head out to the shed for it, I want you to strip down to your birthday suit and fold all you clothes neatly onto the seat of your chair.”
Haley gawked at her mom.
Paul eyed his wristwatch and said, “The clock starts now.”
Haley whirled toward her dad and seemed to realize her parents weren’t joking. Her cheeks flushed. “It’s freezing out.”
“All the more reason to be quick,” Laura said.
“Please,” Haley said with her big eyes focused on her dad, “I promise I won’t waste a second.”
Paul shook his head. “You’re already wasting time. Keep it up and this punishment could follow you to office as well.”
Haley’s jaw quivered.
Eliana watched in a combination of shock and fascination as Haley looked from her mom to her dad and then sighed. A moment later Haley was tugging her boots off. Her jeans followed. She folded them into a square and placed them on the seat of her chair. Her shaking hands pulled her thick sweater up over her head and tugged it free of her wavy hair. It took her three attempts to fold it properly. She kept her gaze low and away from everyone else at the table. Her socks went next.
Haley’s hand hovered with momentary indecision and then quickly moved to unlatch her bra. She hid her breasts from view as long as possible and then gave up as she laid her fold bra atop her sweater. Her fingers found the waistband of her panties and she yanked them south. It was clear there was no longer a point in stalling or trying to hide anything. Naked and red faced, Haley stood still for a moment with her hands dangling beside her legs.
Laura huffed and her lips parted as if to say something.
Haley jolted. She popped up on her tiptoes and raised her hands to the back of her head.
Laura settled back in her chair.
Paul said, “Best get moving. You’ve got less than the two minutes to get back here with the paddle.”
Haley sucked in a deep breath, turned and darted from the room on her toes. A moment later, the back door off the kitchen rattled open and clapped shut.
Eliana tried to ease her discomfort with the situation by shifting in her seat. It didn’t help. She wanted to ask Trevor about the situation, but feared it would spark trouble with his parents. The last thing they needed. Not to mention Trevor had good reason to still be frustrated with her, given her thoughtless response to his mom’s desire for grandkids.
Paul focused on Trevor. “Something on your mind?”
“I guess I was just hoping things had changed a bit more than they have.”
Laura said, “Haley has known for a good month that tonight was going to involve a motivational birthday spanking. She agreed it was deserved.”
“Would her disagreeing change anything?” Trevor asked.
Paul sighed. “It’s a parent’s job to give their kids what they need even when it’s not what they want. One day you’ll understand this.”
Trevor grabbed Eliana’s hand under the table and squeezed. “I just hope she doesn’t catch a cold. It really is freezing out there.”
“A couple minutes chill isn’t going to hurt her,” Laura said. “However, the paddle striking her cold butt will light a fire she won’t soon forget.”
Chuck said, “I’m not thrilled about the situation either, Trevor, but she really does need to learn to be on time.”
“I suppose it’s not really any of my business,” Trevor said.
The kitchen door rattled open and slammed shut. Haley tiptoed back into the room shivering. Her skin was covered in goosebumps. She still held her hands to the back of her head with the paddle’s handle pinched between them. Her cheeks were rosier than when she’d left.
Paul looked at his watch. “14 seconds to spare.”
Haley’s teeth chattered.
Paul stood and took the paddle from her. “Let’s get this over with. Touch your toes.”
Haley didn’t hesitate. She bent forward and dropped her arms to stretch out toward her feet. The paddle crashed into her buttocks. She whimpered. Paul raised the paddle and swung it down. It impacted like thunder. Haley’s body swayed under the force. She grunted and sniffled. Paul drew the paddle back and slammed it into her buttocks.
“Oh! Ow!” Haley stretched and wavered.
Paul was unfazed. He delivered three more swats in quick succession.
“Ow! Oh, it burns! Ow! Ow! Ow! Oh, please!” Haley wriggled and swayed under the onslaught.
“It’s only going to get hotter,” Paul said. “Hopefully, you’ll learn the lesson this time.”
Haley sniffled. “I have, I swear.”
“Not yet,” Paul said. He delivered six more swats in the same harsh fashion. The thunderous claps echoed off the walls.
Haley’s movements intensified as did her yelps and pleas for mercy.
Paul ignored them. He rested the paddle against her buttocks. “What time should you arrive at work?”
Haley choked back tears and gasped for air. “8 AM.”
“Wrong.” Paul delivered two hard swats. “Try again.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. At least five minutes before 8.”
“Better,” Paul said. “How long do you have for lunch?”
She sniffled. “An hour.”
Paul laid on two more swats. “You’re to be back at your desk within an hour. If you spend an hour away, you’ll be late. Understand?”
Haley’s body jiggled. “Yes, Dad. I’m sorry.”
He delivered three hard swats. “Don’t be sorry, be punctual.”
Haley yelped and squirmed. Her voice squeaked as she said, “I will. I swear.”
Paul raised the paddle. He brought it down six more times hard and fast. Haley gasped for air between sobs as her body roiled under the swats. Paul raised the paddle high and paused. His jawline hardened. “Last one, to think and grow on.”
The paddle clapped against her reddened buttocks. Ripples jolted through her body. Her head jerked up. She cried out in shock and pain. Fresh tears burst from her eyes. New sobs racked her body.
Paul lowered the paddle and said, “Up you get.”
Haley gasped for air and sniffled a few times before raising herself upright. Her hands wriggled in the air near her waist as her legs trembled. She looked around the room, face flushed red and tears streaming down her cheeks. Her gaze lowered. “I’m sorry.”
Paul touched the bottom of her elbow and she immediately moved her hands to the back of her head. A breath later and she was back on her tiptoes. He placed the paddle on the table next to the cake. “I think you could use a few minutes in the corner to collect your thoughts and fully appreciate the motivating power of a well-spanked butt.”
Her lips quivered. “Y—Yes, Dad.” She tiptoed into the corner.
