Fantasy Friday -Train Shack Mystery

We've made it to Friday again.  I love realizing the weekend's here and we can just  looking forward to an new Fantasy Friday.  Today we have a wonderful story from one of our favorite writer - Minelle.  Minelle has written for us several times, here and on her blog, My Breath.  Many of her stories come from real life - we're none too sure just how wild she was in the past.  

Today's story shows a young girl getting exactly what she deserves.  Now don't get mad - this will be in two parts.  The second part will be at Minelle's tomorrow and I'll have a link to it. And who knows we may just be able to read about a spanking tomorrow that we've all wanted to read about for a long time.  For now enjoy...

Train Shack Mystery

Needing a break, I put my murder mystery thriller aside, and looked out the large picture window daydreaming as I watched a train sail past across from the residential street. The very early morning sunlight hadn’t quite risen, so there was no need to squint. I felt a shiver slip up around my neck and head. That last scene from my book was gruesome. I had the house to myself for now. I uncurled my bare feet from under me as I stood up from our couch. I reached over to a side table and clicked on another lamp. Furtively, I looked around reassuring myself that I was safe.

 I felt a moody funk coming on, but I tried to think about the positive in my life.

 I was very happy in this old Victorian house, but reading books about crazed serial killers shouldn’t be done while alone in the early twilight of the morning! Of course reading until three in the morning wasn’t helping my mood either.

Thinking to distract myself, I thought about recent happy events. My old roommate Lisa and I graduated this past May. That precipitated me finding a new place to live since I was beginning my Masters in Early Childhood Education. Gina offered me a room in her quaint house. I still couldn’t believe I was lucky to share an old three bedroom house with the girls. Glancing around the beautiful Victorian room that we decorated with an eclectic mix of furniture, including antiques, I smiled. Everything worked out perfectly. Ana, Gina, John and I were great friends. It was a match made in heaven. John and I were also looking forward to taking the next big step. We had high hopes for getting married in a year. Wow how far we’d come. However I wish we were able to marry now. I didn’t care about a big wedding.

After the corn field debacle two years ago this fall, John and I became a couple. Despite our love, we had some rough moments. He was very particular about my safety. I was used to doing what I wanted. I certainly grew up with guidelines and restrictions just as any other normal person. But frankly I wanted to spread my wings and have fun. Not too much fun- just more than John was comfortable with concerning my well-being. In my mind there was plenty of time for being responsible later on in life. I loved John so very much, but I never thought I would be comfortable living in the type of relationship I found myself in.

John and I were still working out the kinks in our relationship. Everyone said our love was picture-perfect. I frowned; I guess it was ‘almost’ perfect. If only he didn’t have a tendency to re-direct some of my poor decisions in a succinctly painful manner. I learned that he spanked when I acted foolishly. After I was spanked for making dangerous decisions the first time, he made me aware that I controlled whether I’d be spanked. We didn’t have rules per say, more common sense stuff. I have to admit I knew the lines not to cross. So did he for that matter. But, getting spanked at my age was embarrassing. Exhaling air I groaned loudly. I couldn’t argue that it got my attention, and often made me stop and think about my decisions.

 Ahh! I sighed audibly, what the heck, it hardly ever happened, lately.

I shifted looking out the window again. I could feel that ‘mood’ barreling in just thinking about things. Why couldn’t John and I be together all the time? I guess my mood could be exaggerated by my lack of sleep! I walked over and unlocked the front door as the sun began shinning in the large window. I wasn’t scared now.

At least I wasn’t the only person spanked in this household. Gina was a bit like John in that manner. She didn’t tolerate certain behaviors from Ana. Their friendship began long ago and I guess they were much more comfortable in the dynamic. Ana may not like being spanked but she agreed to it and recognized the benefit of the discipline. Gina was actually very approachable and often helped me see things from John’s point of view. It was confusing to me at times, but I reluctantly accepted that it often settled things. Although there were times I fought tooth and nail.

Plopping my body ungracefully onto the couch once again, I looked at the clock.

Bah! I thought. I really didn’t want to analyze it. Sometimes you just couldn’t explain things to a satisfactory conclusion.

I was waiting for Gina and Ana to return with the groceries for our murder mystery dinner party the following evening. The sun just rose and they’re out shopping, I thought. We were so excited; we had found an old mystery kit at a garage sale a week ago. Everyone was dressing in character. It was a 1940s high society murder and my name was Darla. I loved my costume which was a beautiful black lace dress. The neck was low and scooped down toward a high waist skirt that flowed down to the floor. The mood was so Hollywood glamour.

 I giggled softly, of course Ana was grumbling since her Character was supposed to wear a low cut evening gown.  Her name was Myrtle May and she was a socialite celebrating her 24^th birthday. The dinner was going to be the scene of a gruesome poisoning.

Shopping for her dress was the highlight of my week. Visiting all the second hand thrift stores was time consuming but like a treasure hunt. We finally found something that fit and looked lovely on her. It reminded Gina and I of a Carol Lombard evening gown that fit Ana like a glove. Inevitably, she had to spoil the look by snagging a fake flower to modestly place in her décolletage. Gina and I just rolled our eyes.

Gina was going to wear a ‘snood’ hat and skirt suit since she was Lucy the newswoman.

Even though it was cliché John was going to be the police detective. We only needed to find him a black fedora styled hat, otherwise he was wearing his black suit. Come to think of it our neighbor Mrs. Conrad had one she promised to lend to John.

All in all there were ten of us, five men and five women for the dinner. One of my professors and his wife were coming. I adored that man; he looked like Einstein and was like a second father and friend to John and me. I suspected that he spanked his wife since I often caught hints in the actions they shared. Steven and Laura seemed so connected at times. He could give a look that would curdle milk, she would give right back until he placed a hand surreptitiously on her bottom. Of course I knew, if she felt he was stifling her she would have mangled him, I smiled. Maybe Ana and I were not so unusual in getting spanked, by the ones who loved us.

My crazy brain flitted from one thought to another. I just needed to process. I think my brain was short circuiting from all my sleepless nights reading and missing John. I wasn’t used to caring so much about another person. That is why I hated that we were waiting until next year to marry. For goodness sakes I knew what I wanted. John was being too practical about saving a bit of money before we got married. I needed to communicate and tell him I didn’t care about sacrifice, I wanted to be with him.

We couldn’t decide on a menu since the nineteen forties was all about rationing. Eventually we just went with a huge salad, bread and quiche. I think that John was worried we wouldn’t have enough food, so he suggested we make at least two giant pans. Didn’t he trust me, sheesh, I thought becoming irritated, and completely forgetting it was a joint party. I wasn’t the only one involved. All of us were making decisions.

As I daydreamed; out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a man step out of an old shack next to the tracks. He was lumbering bent over under the weight of a huge black bag. My imagination kicked into high gear. Fleetingly, I thought, he is carrying a body. I leaned nearer to the window as if I could will myself closer.

Faintly I heard the door open and Gina call out, “Hey we’re home” as she and Ana walked the groceries back down the long hallway toward the kitchen.

Mesmerized, I watched as the man by the tracks slowly bend down turning left and right looking at something. Standing up he went back into the shack. He returned with a blanket and a shovel. Unfortunately my imagination was still actively engaged from reading the descriptions of the serial killer in my current book. I was completely focused on the man outside.

 Ana walked up to me and said, “Hey what has you so captivated here?” She twisted to focus her eyes in the direction out the front window. She startled me so that I jumped back knocking us both to the floor. I saw the upset dust speckles in the sun as my butt hit the ground.

I screamed and Ana laughed uproariously.

“ Ffff what in the name of,” I shouted! “Hey, don’t,” Ana cautioned. She peeked around to make sure Gina wasn’t in the room.

“Sheesh Ana, Gina is in the kitchen.” I grumbled. “You scared the crap out of me. Besides I haven’t decided if I want to get into her crazy psych experiment. I mean I didn’t like rules. Sometimes I just want to say F*c* at the top of my lungs…Ya know?” She just looked at me and rubbed her behind absent mindedly.

“Well at the party tomorrow, she is making everyone stay in period time, so absolutely no swearing.”

“Anyway what has your knickers in a bundle?” Ana snorted quietly at her analysis of my temperament, seeming to recognize I wanted our interchange to be secret. She slowly lowered her bottom to our lovely wing backed chair.

Hmmm, I thought she is acting like a spanked woman! I wonder how she got herself into trouble yet again! Probably her potty mouth I snorted quietly.

I couldn’t resist, “sore bottom?” She ignored my question, and squirmed to get comfortable.

“Look over by the tracks.” I whispered making sure Gina didn’t hear me. I turned furtively to make sure Gina wasn’t listening. She would think me seriously off my rocker.

Ana jumped up from the chair and squinted out the window, trying to see something, but at a loss as to what she was meant to grasp.

 “Ugh, yessss? I see a shack and train tracks up on a hill.”

“I saw this crazy guy carrying a huge bundle. I think he was up to no good.”

Ana laughed and said, “you are reading too many scary books Audra!”

She walked over to the couch and said, “I am taking this away. You are sleeping with your light on every night. When I wake at night I see you cautiously open your door looking both ways to run terrified across the hall for the bathroom.”

Even though she was right and I was scared out of my gourd. I wasn’t having it. She wasn’t the boss of me! I knew I was just being childish. Maybe the sleepless nights were interfering with my judgment.

“Hand it over right now!” My hand snaked out to grab it. She was taller than me so she held it high above her head. Not even caring any more I shouted at her to, “give the book back,” as I jumped up trying to knock it out of her hand.

Hearing the commotion, Gina walked in with a look that would have been comical if I was in the mood.

“What are you guys up too?” Her voice sounded like she was reasoning with crazy people. Her feet padded softly across the worn wood floor. She reached up to gently extract the book from Ana’s hands, handing it over to me. I hurriedly placed it on the side table by the window.

Ana’s face turned almost purple, in embarrassment. She wanted to clock me, I could tell. We never acted like immature school girls, well almost never.

I took mercy on her and after suggesting Gina sit in the wing back chair by the window; I paced in front of her and explained about the strange man. “Ana thinks I am letting my imagination run wild, because I am reading this book about a crazed killer.”

Gina went right into logical mode. “I know you are missing John and reading late into the night because of it. Maybe your imagination is playing tricks on you. But, I think we should ere on the side of caution. I mean it may be nothing and the explanation could be perfectly reasonable. Let’s run down to the police station and talk with someone. They need to know about this even if the guy is harmless.”

Even though I was panicked moments ago I was raring to go. “I think we should go over there tonight with a flashlight and see if there is anything buried. I mean the ground would appear different, right? What if it’s a ton of money or dead bodies?”

Both Ana and Gina just stared at me with their eyes wide open. Ana burst out, “why in the world should we put ourselves in danger?”

My emotions taking over I reacted fervently. My body language suggested my dissatisfaction with their responses. My theory was sound! Now I am mad, they always act like I am so impulsive. Maybe it had something to do with how we met.  My erstwhile rescuers from the impulsive cornfield walk. Sheesh that label would never go away!

“Gina and Ana, stop treating me like I am always impulsive. I think it is perfectly fine for me to check out the area where the crazy guy was. If you two don’t want to go, then I will do it myself. I mean…what if I save the day?”

If I thought their eyes were wide before it was nothing like how they seemed just now. I think Gina was steaming, if she could spank me, my butt would be dead meat. Ana placed a calming hand on her arm, whispering in her ear.

“Maybe a nap would help you today,” Ana suggested while backing away.

Just then as luck would have it, John walked in the front door, gosh he looked sexy! “Why is the door unlocked ladies? I heard on the University radio station that there have been some home robberies in your neighborhood. Just to be on the safe side, make sure you keep all doors locked.”

I could tell Gina was mortified; she turned around and said, “I am so sorry I must have forgotten.

“No Gina, I unlocked the door in case you wanted to come the front way with the groceries.”  

“From now on just lock them, its ridiculously unsafe to keep them open,” John frowned.

“Okay Mr. Worrywart,” I teased and leaned down to give him a kiss of welcome. Gosh I loved him! We walked hand in hand to sit on the couch. I leaned into John and absorbed his scent. I was trying hard not to crush his newly ironed shirt.

He leaned down and enveloped me in his arms to continue the kiss from moments ago. Both Ana and Gina scooted back to the kitchen to give us privacy.

We talked about everything; John was working full time managing a small publishing company. It actually was doing very well cornering the market on e-books of a sub-genre. This quiet early morning time was precious to us. We often snuggled and discussed our deepest desires. I had gone home for this past summer so we had missed seeing each other daily. Our schedules would soon make it difficult to connect as easily. So right now we counted on this early morning connection.

The conversation went down-hill after I shared my morning, describing the eerie man by the tracks. “I think he is up to something nefarious. After you leave I am going to walk over there and see what is up.”

Twice in one day I saw that look of amazement in reaction to my statement. I knew he wouldn’t like the idea, but I think I was baiting him. I just was so frustrated about our inability to see each other often.

“Audra, do not even think about doing something so senseless. Tonight after I get off work we will go to the police station.”

Even though Gina said the same thing I was ticked at John, just because he said it.

“Right and they will look at me like I am some dumb chick with an active imagination.”

“Nooooo, I don’t want you to act like you are a Nancy Drew.” He said in that very logical voice that irritated me. Have you been staying up late reading again?”

Fuming I almost shrieked.

“You know when you talk like I am some addle brained nit wit, I feel like doing just the opposite to spite you. I was turning red faced and huffing angrily. “One minute I am thrilled to see you…then you start barking out orders, and insulting me.

“I have no clue why you are insulted,” John sputtered. “I am slightly concerned that you would consider doing something possibly dangerous on your own.”

“Well fine then come with me now.” I knew he couldn’t take the time this minute since he only stopped by to connect before he went to work. I was just bent out of shape and being obstinate, even if it was childish. I knew my lack of sleep contributed.

I saw that look in his eyes. The one where he knows he cannot say anything right.

With John he just goes all….matter-of-fact.

“Well just so you and I understand each other,” he stated. That just started me steaming. My face froze.

“You will NOT go across the street to spy on your own. We will go to the police station after work. And Lock the door!”

He looked at me expecting agreement, “Now give me a goodbye kiss, love.”

 I was in a mood and my kiss was lame if I was completely honest. John just kissed me the same passionate way as always. I believe he sensed my F**k off, even though I didn’t say the words.  He deftly bent me over tucking me under his left arm pulled my jammy shorts down and to lay some very hard spanks on my backside.  “Stay in the safety zone Audra.” He gently lifted me upright, while hugging me to him.

Pulling away from him while rubbing my bottom and snagging my pants back up, I raised my arm and punched him in the arm, not once- but twice. “Hey! No fair!” I was peeved.

Oh no I thought, He raised his sleeves and then pulled me back over to the couch. John quickly tipped me over his lap and yanked both pajama pants and undies down to my ankles. He raised his hand high and began spanking fast reddening both my nether cheeks, while speaking in a clipped stern voice.

“How could you even imagine it was okay to punch me not once, but… SMACK, twice… SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!”

He lifted me once again, this time pulling up my pants and underwear himself.

When he just folded his arms and looked at me with a slightly stern countenance, I just frowned, rubbing my rear end red faced, and walked to the front door.

Pulling open the heavy door and standing to the side. I didn’t want him to leave while I was mad but I couldn’t seem to break the mood. What was wrong with me I thought?

John walked over, shut the door and picked me up in a big bear hug. I slowly put my arms around him and sighed, melting into the embrace. “I am not sure why I am acting so out of sorts, John. I just can’t explain why I feel so combative with you.” Yes I did, I thought… we need to get married, soon.

“Do you need me to help you some more?”

Ack! I knew what his idea to help me would entail. I had a feeling I wanted him to just take the bull by the horns, so to speak. However, not now, my butt was sore and I wasn’t going there even if it might help me.

Sliding me back on my feet, he kissed me good-bye. This time I was participating eagerly. He always got me when he went all ‘manly.’

Some of my stress was dissipating. Grrrr! I didn’t want to respond to the spanking this way!

I watched John leave, and then took my position by the window again.

The conclusion of the story can be found here.

~o~

Thanks Minelle! You have done it again and I know everyone will be anxious for the conclusion tomorrow over at your place.  You are getting better and better at this! Now as for the rest of you - it's time to try your hand at writing.  If you are willing to share a story with us please send it to elisspeaks@yahoo.com