Chapter II - Punishment is the Answer
Susan immediately noted the anxiety in Chris's voice, the sense of urgency, and
butterflies ran through her body. "Chris what is it?" she asked in alarm.
"Susan, did you make the payment on the summer house last week?" he responded
with a sound of defeat in his voice. Together, they had taken a sizable loan out
on their ideal vacation house in the country. A beautiful place situated on 5
acres of land that included a small lake. The beautiful house was a dream. This
payment was crucial, because the deal they made was one that could backfire on
them and crush them. The payment had to be made on time; it was the most
important thing in the world. Susan froze in panic and she stammered almost
incoherently, "Ch-Chr-, Chris, I, I," but she couldn't get the words out. Tears
were streaming down her cheeks as she pressed the phone to her ear and heard
Chris choking back his own tears. "It's all lost, everything, we've lost it all,
the house, the land, all our furnishings." Susan was choking now on her own
sobs, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I forgot," she sobbed quietly. The phone was dead,
and Susan sat devastated.
She called back, her voice a tiny whisper, "Chris please forgive me, I beg you,"
feeling that she was loosing everything. Chris was quiet, and then said evenly,
"It's in the past, we can't go back now, we just have to go on." Susan denoted
the little bit of hope in his voice and it gave her hope too. "I am so sorry,
Chris, I know I need to be punished, please you must." "I don't know Susan,"
Chris replied, "I just don't know what to do." Susan was pleading, "Chris I
deserve it, and it's all my fault. Please, I want us to go on from this, I need
this." she begged. "It will be punishment Susan, not pleasure," Chris said
determinedly. "I know, I agree, it must be, and I deserve it," Susan confessed
in a weak voice, knowing that if it happened, it would be hard on her, but it's
what she wanted. Chris's voice changed now, and it took on an aura of authority
and command, and it made Susan feel more reassured even as it made her shiver.
"You have arrangements to go shopping with your friend Carol tomorrow. Call her
and cancel, but be sure to tell her why you are canceling and that you are going
to be punished. Do you understand Susan? Don't lie to her, because I guarantee
that I will find out. When that is done, call me back," and the phone went dead.
