“I’ve always thought she was the best of your friends, Heather.” What he really thought about the little waif was not something he’d willingly share with his daughter.
Heather got up and cleared the table, then returned and stood beside her father, leaning back against the table.
“Daddy? Do you think that something like that might help me?” She asked quietly, her head bowed.
“Like what?” Harold asked.
“Punishing me when I’m bad. Not just take things away, but… you know, like Lynn.”
“I’m not sure I do. How is Lynn punished?” He asked, intentionally obtuse.
“She gets spanked.”
“Oh.” Harold was lost for words. Could this be for real?
They were both quiet. Several seconds of utter silence.
“Do you think that might help? I really do want to do better,” she asked, pushing.
“I… I guess it might. I mean, immediate feedback is always good. And that way the punishment is over with and you can go ahead with trying to do better.”
Heather leaned down and hugged her father tightly. “Thank you, Daddy. I hope I’ll never need it, but I’m so glad you’re willing to help me.”
Harold could barely think straight. The image of his daughter bent over his lap, lifting her skirt and spanking her firm ass was burning in his brain.
Heather walked away with a smile and a sway in her step. “There,” she thought, “that was easier than I’d expected.”
* * *
The next day, Heather maintained the good girl routine, and after dinner, Harold thought she deserved a reward, a little positive reinforcement. While she loaded the dishwasher, he retired to the family room, and waited for her. When she appeared in the doorway he broke the good news.
“You know, Heather, I’m proud of you. Really. I don’t say it very often but I am. And I think we can return some of your privileges. You can have your phone back, and you can have a friend over.”
She ran to him, and climbed into his lap, something she hadn’t done in years. “Oh! Thank you Daddy. I’ll try to keep you proud of me.” She hugged him, and wiggled in his lap.
“Now don’t get carried away. You’re not off the hook yet.” He explained, shifting a little, feeling an uncomfortable stirring. “None of those boys are welcome over yet. You can have one of your girl friends visit, but you have to clear it with me, and no sleep-overs.”
“Thank you, thank you!” she gushed and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. She slowly crawled off of his lap. “I’m glad you believe in me.”
She disappeared into her bedroom, and Harold thought some time spent in the study would be really good right then.
He shut things down before 9:00pm, thoroughly relaxed. He expected Janice to call soon, and check in. Her nightly calls were like clockwork, usually just for a couple of minutes. He wanted to update her on Heather’s new behavior.
Janice’s call was on time, as always, and they shared a short chat before he let Heather say hi. He told his wife that things were going well, and Heather was still behaving. He explained he’d returned her cell-phone to her.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Janice asked.
“No, but really she’s been so well behaved, I think she’s earned it.”
“That’s a pleasant surprise. I’m glad you’re getting along.” She didn’t add the words ‘for once’, although she thought them.
“Your project still going well?” Harold asked, not wanting to hang up quite yet.
Janice was reclining in the bath tub, soaking her aching body. Roger was only staying over every two or three nights, but she was still sore all over from the previous night. He was so rough while they made love, tossing her body around like a rag doll, stretching her legs out like some high-school gymnast. During the moment it was wild and wicked, but afterwards it was just painful. The relaxing bath was perfect.
“Great. We’re still lining up our two key partners, so we can present a complete solution to the guys from Singapore. It looks like we may be able to lock-in our first choice. Tomorrow we could make the partnership official.”
“I’m so glad the trip is paying off. I may have a possible job lead here as well, pretty exciting, as an aide to Bart Quinn.” Harold broke his good news.
“The congressman? That’s a change.” Janice was pleased to hear him looking for work, but wasn’t sure if that was the best direction.
“Yeah, but it’s nearby. It’s a first step into local politics, and although it doesn’t pay a lot, the potential is there, and there’s even the possibility of a second pension, if I stick with it. The title is staff assistant, but the next step up would be aide.”
Janice was surprised at how excited Harold sounded. It was good to hear him happy for once. “That’s great honey. I’m sure you’ll knock their socks off.”
In spite of Heather’s being just across the room, Harold couldn’t help himself. “I wish you were here, knocking my socks off.”
“Just a couple more weeks, babe, if everything goes well. Then we’ll see if I can’t knock a lot more than your socks off.”
“I love you. Talk to you tomorrow?”
“Of course. Love you too,” Janice responded, unexpectedly meaning it.
When the call was over, Heather stood in front of him, looking awkward. She was dressed in her nightshirt, and kept shifting from one bare foot to the other.
“What’s up, baby?” Harold asked. He looked her over, happy with her new look. She used to walk around with a tight t-shirt and panties, which seemed so sluttish for a teenager. Tonight she was wearing a long over-sized night-shirt, light pink with a big eyed puppy on the front. She had big pink slippers on, as well. Damn she was cute, and looked so much like her mother.
“I’ve got a confession. I told you I’d applied to some schools, but it was only one, and that’s not looking too good. I’m afraid it’s probably too late for any others. I shouldn’t have lied about it.”
Harold took a deep breath. He had suspected as much. “I’m disappointed in you.”
“I know, it was stupid. And I thought I might have Lynn over tomorrow to help me fill out some applications. She’s already done all hers, and is already accepted at Tech. She can help me.”
“I’m glad you’re taking responsibility for it. Thank you for being honest with me. If you need me to do anything, let me know.”
“I’ll need some checks to send in with the application,” Heather said softly.
“Just let me know how many and how much,” Harold replied. He expected her to go, but she just stood there, as if she was waiting.
“Is there something else?”
“Are… are you going to punish me?” she asked.