12 Naughty Days of Christmas - 2016

by Jenny Plumb

  Tell Trixie. Tell Trixie what? That she was his spankee for the evening so treat her right. Dashing out of the back area, she hurries into the locker room, and dresses in record time. She didn’t even bother with her shoes, just carries them in her hand. Once in her car, she grips her steering wheel, laying her forehead against it. What a mess? What an awesome night? In shock that she went through with it, she giggles like a mental patient at herself as she cranks her car and heads home.

  Chapter 5

  Realizing the banging in her dream is actual banging in her apartment, she rolls over and sees the time on her clock. Eleven-thirty in the morning! Throwing the sheet back, she runs to the bathroom as her two Chihuahuas bark at her sudden flurry of action.

  Brushing her teeth, the banging continues. It’s not the people who live above her, so she walks into her living area and it grows louder.

  “Jana! Jana! Are you all right?” her mom calls.

  Because the last three performances at the theater went so smoothly, she gave everyone the day off until two hours prior to show time. She planned to meet her mom for some last minute Christmas shopping, but her mind was racing when she lay down to sleep, and she didn’t fall asleep until around six AM.

  Turning the deadbolt, she opens the door. Toothpaste flies from her mouth as she greets her mom, “I’m sorry.”

  Staring at her, wiping toothpaste from her cheek, her mom pushes past her into the apartment and shuts the door. “Are you okay? I called your cell, left numerous texts, and beat on your door for the last five minutes.”

  Cupping her chin to catch any excess toothpaste and spittle, Jana runs to the kitchen. Rinsing her mouth, she responds, “I’m so sorry, Mom. I’ve been putting in a lot of long hours with the show, and I couldn’t get to sleep last night. I didn’t expect to sleep in, so I didn’t set an alarm. My phone is on silent.”

  “I was just worried. I don’t have much time to spend with you before we fly to Seattle.” Her mom rounds the kitchen island and embraces her. “I feel so torn about not staying here for the holidays. I just want to spend some time with you.”

  Her sister, husband and two boys live in Seattle. Last year they came down to Alabama for the holidays, but this year they couldn’t work it out. Jana had insisted her parents go there. She knew with the Showstopper, her time would be limited. Squeezing her mom back, she reassured her. “Mom, I want you to go up there and see Kate, Will and the boys. Don’t feel bad. Please. I’m the one that should feel bad for oversleeping and missing a few of the hours we have together.” Releasing her mother, she kisses her cheek and grabs the coffee and filters out of the cabinet. “If you will, please put some coffee on. I will jump in the shower and be ready as fast as I can.”

  Within an hour, the two enter the mall. The ringing bells, Christmas music, decorations, all bombard the senses. Spying a coffee vendor, Jana tells her mom to go on ahead, she’ll catch up. She is in dire need of some additional energy. Hobbling over, she stands in line, when her phone buzzes. Pulling it from her purse, it shows a text from an unknown number.

  How’s that beautiful ass today?

  To answer honestly, sore as hell, she knows it’s evident when she sits, or walks. Standing in front of her full-length mirror earlier, she admired the evidence of last night’s activities. She has red and purple bruises across her backside, and recalling how they got there had her imagining doing it again.

  Are you ignoring me?

  Excuse me? Who is this?

  Damn it, Jana! You know who the hell this is.

  Smiling, her tummy flutters remembering his voice and the affect it has on her.

  How did you get my number?

  Answer my question. How’s that beautiful ass today?

  How did he get her number? He asked someone for it? He said what transpired between the two of them was just that – between the two of them. Ordering her coffee, she pays and worries over who he asked.

  Jana, am I ever going to be able to spank you for pleasure, or are you intent on continuing to challenge me?

  Damn him. Why did he have to go and make her like him? Just the thought of seeing him again has her heart racing. The thought of another spanking has her sweating. Fantasizing about receiving a spanking solely for pleasure, that has her pacing at the counter.

  Have it your way then. I’ll just have to come see you and find out myself.

  Come and see her where? Not at the Showstopper? Tonight her parents will be there.

  It looks like it has been spanked with a belt. Now, tell me how you got my number.

  So, you remember I’ve been there then? You know who owned that lovely ass?

  Do you play this little game with all your spanking partners? Oh gee! Why did she ask that? Why should she care?

  Why don’t we discuss it over dinner?

  He’s asking her out? Doesn’t he realize she’s his ex-wife’s best friend? She would love to, if not for that. When was the last time she had a date? Before she moved back home to Alabama?

  Can’t. Have shows the next two nights. Then Christmas Eve.

  Why didn’t she just say no? Why give him any reasons she couldn’t?

  “Jana, what’s taking so long?” her mom asks, as she walks up to her. How long had she been standing there? She’d grabbed her coffee when they called her name, and moved to a high-top table, texting Matt.

  “Crap. Mom, sorry, I got some texts and… You didn’t find anything in there?” Gripping her coffee, she scurries off behind her mom.

  Her mom waves her arms around as she speed talks, “No, nothing in there. It’s not that I didn’t finish my Christmas shopping weeks ago, but I wanted to pick up a few little things. I just don’t know what and hoped something would just jump out at me.” Throwing her head to her right, she looks to make sure that Jana keeps up. “Speaking of, why are you such a humbug this year? I didn’t see even a wreath on your door today.”

  “Mom, I haven’t been at home much this holiday season. Just wait until you see the Showstopper tonight. It’s decorated to the max. You’ll love it.”

  Scrunching her lips, her mom berates her more. “And what about Mame and Vera? I know your landlord put in that doggy door so they can go in your tiny courtyard, but what about your attention?”

  She bites her tongue, as she knows this is her mom’s personal guilt and anxiety talking. And yes, Jana did name her dogs after characters in the classic musical Mame. “Did you happen to get Kate any of that perfume she loves so much?”

  Skidding to a stop, her mother raises her pointer finger in the air. “No, I didn’t. Great idea, thanks Jana.”

  “And after tomorrow’s show, I should have a couple of weeks down time. I told you I have Beth, the college student next door, that comes over and plays with Mame and Vera, every day.”

  Linking her arm through Jana’s, her mother delivers a few love pats to her daughter’s elbow. “I know. I know you take great care of them. I was just being persnickety. Come along and show me which perfume it is I need to get Kate.”

  A couple hours later, she finds herself sitting in a restaurant. Her butt aches, her feet ache, and her legs are tired. Her mom dragged her in and out of store after store. And her incessant chattering gave Jana a dull headache. Maybe her mom wasn’t wholly to blame. Jana had so many thoughts flying through her brain, she must take some responsibility and not pin it all on others.

  After Matt’s texts, she was starting to think he liked her too. He wanted to explore something more with her. She also wanted that. Was he interested in just more spanking? Well, she was interested in that. They would be over before they ever got started. Between Macy and… Macy. Wasn’t that enough?

  What kind of person would it make her if she dated her best friend’s ex-husband? What kind of friend would that make her? Did Macy still love him? She didn’t think so. As a matter of fact, once Macy got pregnant, she never spoke much about Matt. Jana had speculations about why their marriage ended, but no facts.

  “Jana
, what’s going on? Just talk to me. You’re worrying me.” Her mother’s pleas interrupt her thoughts.

  Deciding she can talk to her mom, if anyone, she states, “Mom, I like someone. I mean I think I may really like them.” Rolling her eyes, she picks up her glass and takes a drink of some of her wine. “That sounds so juvenile when I say it out loud. It’s just not good, Mom.”

  Leaning forward, her eyes wide with concern, her mother whispers, “Why? Does he mistreat you?”

  Chuckling, she thinks, Only if I’ve insulted him as a father, and even then, I like it, but she shakes her head. “No. No, nothing like that.”

  Her mom’s shoulders relax and she sits back in the booth. “Whew. Does he have a drug problem? It is a he, right? It’s okay if not. Is he married?”

  Matt being Macy’s ex didn’t sound so catastrophic compared to the scenarios her mom just presented. “It’s Matt.”

  It was obvious the name didn’t register. Her mom has a puzzled look on her face. “Matt? Not that guy from D.C. you dated on and off while you were there, is it? You didn’t seem that into him.”

  “No. Macy’s ex, Matt,” she blurts, waiting for her admission to sink in and a look of shame to follow as a response.

  Lifting her hands from her lap, her mother clasps them and sits them on the table. “That hunky cop guy?”

  That’s the one, she smiled recalling him shirtless wielding his belt. “Yeah, Mom. That’s the one.”

  “And… the problem here, Jana? They’ve been divorced quite some time now, and where does Macy live now?”

  That wasn’t what she expected. “They got divorced over a year ago. Macy lives on the coast, works with a big property management company. But she’s my best friend. Isn’t there a girlfriend code of ethics against this kind of thing?”

  Taking Jana’s hand in hers, she peers into her face. “Honey, why don’t you talk to Macy about it. Did they split on good terms? Do you think she still has a thing for him?”

  “Well no, yes… Yes, I think they split on good terms. She has a pretty serious boyfriend. So, I don’t think she has any unresolved feelings for Matt.”

  Letting go of Jana’s hand, she pats the back of it a few times. “Then just talk to her. You are both adults. What about Matt? Have you talked to him?”

  “Oh no. This is all new. I haven’t decided if I really want to pursue anything with him.”

  “I think you have, darling.” her mom declares.

  Chapter 6

  After having worried herself nearly sick getting to the Showstopper in time for preparations and greetings, everything went great. The show was one of the best they’d performed to date, and she, the cast and crew received standing ovations and many accolades.

  With most of the audience cleared out, Jana’s parents approached her, excited to praise her for her success. Behind her, she hears his voice. She had decided that after Christmas she would feel Macy out on her feelings for and about Matt, but it seems he isn’t sharing her idea of that timeline. “How about that coffee?”

  She teeters between flattery and frustration. He is persistent, but she is with her parents. Twisting her head, she glares at him.

  Reaching his hand out, he shakes her dad’s hand, pairing it with an amplified smile. “Mr. Erickson, a pleasure to see you again.”

  Her dad nods as he accepts the all man handshake. She knows how manly Matt’s hands are.

  Turning his attention to her mother, he pecks her on the cheek. “Looking lovely as always Mrs. Erickson. How’s Ollie doing?”

  Her mom beams like a flirty cheerleader. “Thank you. Ollie is back to his old self again. Barking too much, eating too much, sleeping too much, but not running out the front door into the street, so all is good.”

  Ollie is her mom’s dog, he was hit by a car six months ago, but Jana has no idea how Matt knows any of that. She sneers at him, but it doesn’t deter him, he winks at her. “Now how about that coffee? My treat. Josie is long asleep and my sister is over, so I thought a coffee sounded good.”

  “It’s a great idea, don’t you think, Tom?” Mom looks from me to Dad.

  “It’s kind of late, but I suppose I can do a decaf,” her father answers.

  Since the time she was in junior high school, her parents have been in bed by 9:30 PM. Persistence can be an admirable trait, but Jana wasn’t a fan of it at the moment. Stepping behind her, Matt grabs her ass, then taps it twice. It’s out of sight of her parents, but it conjures up one of her concerns with him. He wants a spank buddy, a spank skank. Not that she is “anti” casual relationships, but she is thirty years old and more interested in a partner in and out of the bedroom.

  “I know a little place a couple of blocks up. They have great pie and coffee.”

  Her dad asks, “Is it a donut shop?” Following it with a boisterous laugh. Putting his arm around Matt’s shoulders, he leads him toward the exit, discussing police related issues.

  In the parking lot, Matt addresses the three of them, “Mr. and Mrs. Erickson, it’s on the corner of Bradley and Jackson, but you can follow me. Jana, why don’t you ride with me? I’ll bring you back. Scout’s honor.” He feigns an innocent pout, and holds his fingers up in some form of a symbol.

  “No thanks. I’ve got my—” Jana tries to decline his offer, but her mom butts in.

  “Jana dear, don’t be rude with Matt. It’s late, and he’s a police officer. You couldn’t be safer.”

  Grunting, Jana considers that statement and holds back a retort of if you only knew. “Mom, I come out of the theater late by myself all the time.”

  Lifting one eyebrow, her mom expresses her feelings on the matter. “And you don’t have to tonight.”

  Leaning against his SUV, his enjoyment of this situation plastered across his handsome face, Matt comments in a sarcastic tone, “Gee, Jana. Have you always battled your parents? If so, you must have received a great many spankings as a girl.” He winks at her again.

  Seething under the surface, she stomps to the passenger door, not looking into his smug face as she passes in front of him.

  Giggling like a schoolgirl, her mom replies, “Oh no, not Jana. Kate was the challenging one. I don’t know if I recall… Tom, did we ever have to spank Jana even once?”

  “I don’t think so, Victoria. Come on, let’s get in the car.” Her father puts his arm around her mom’s shoulders, and they head to their car.

  Pulling out his key fob, Matt unlocks his car, comes around and opens the passenger door for Jana.

  Buckling her seatbelt, she waits until he is seated and his door shut before confronting him. “Why are you here? I didn’t agree to go out with you.”

  Resting his elbow on the center console, he leans close to her. “Does that mean you don’t want to?”

  His smile is confident, and his eyes are bright and piercing. She finds it annoying, because not only does she want to, but he knows it. Deciding it best to be direct with him, she voices her objections. “You’re Macy’s ex. With the club, and the success and acceptance of erotica in literature and cinema, you can’t be hurting to find someone that shares your proclivities.”

  Forming a fist with his hand, he shakes it, and turns in his seat, starting the vehicle. “Why are you fighting this so hard?”

  “We can’t. We just can’t. I’m not like the girls you want.” Even as she said the words, she didn’t want to believe them.

  “Girls? Girls? I want a woman. I want you, Jana. Just because I have an interest in some activities exercised at PillowTalk, doesn’t mean I’ve practiced them.”

  He drives out of the theater parking lot, Macy looks over at him. “How do you know about Ollie?”

  Glancing at her for a brief moment, he looks back at the road. “I got assigned to your parents’ neighborhood to follow-up with residents after complaints of a possible prowler a few months ago. We got to talking, had coffee, and it became a bi-weekly thing.”

  Sinking into her seat, she wants to disappear. “Oh no. Is this a
setup? You’re single, I’m single. Have Mom and Dad decided to try their hand at matchmaking?”

  “No. Gee, no. Do you always consider the negative aspects of things first? I knew you from Macy. Your parents talked about you being back down here, and the Showstopper. Until you dropped Josie off the other day, I never entertained any idea of a possible us.”

  He seems to always say the right things. She wants to go home and climb in her bed with her dogs. Why start something that you know will just end? And most likely, not end well. She gazes ahead, out the windshield.

  “Jana, you probably feel the same as I do. You’re Macy’s friend. I’m her ex-husband. It never crossed my mind to pursue you until Wednesday. You came in… all confident, yet vulnerable, an intoxicating combination. I want to get to know you.” He parks the car at the diner, and stares at her, quite possibly waiting on a response. “And I want to get to know this obviously new side of you.”

  She has to give it to him, he’s good with the lines, and mega easy on the eyes. “My parents are here. Let’s go have coffee.” Swinging her door open, she steps out of the car.

  It’s not that she wished for their time at the café to go bad, but it went as opposite of that as it could. She hadn’t had such great conversation, and laughed as much, in as long as she could remember. They stayed for almost two hours, but Jana thought her parents could have stayed longer. It was after midnight, and Jana couldn’t stop yawning. Matt noticed and bowed out first, stating he needed to get her to her car so she could get some sleep. She hoped he didn’t think she was bored or not enjoying herself.

  She learned a lot about him. He spoke of Josie a lot. From the sounds of it, he and Macy worked out a great visitation schedule. He had Josie every other week from Wednesday until Sunday, and sometimes more. Macy travels with her job, so it creates many additional opportunities.

  They shared funny Christmas stories. Her mom laughed so hard, she had to excuse herself to the restroom. Matt has a large family, and his youngest sister lives down the street from him. She’s a newlywed. Her husband joined the police department, and works third shift, so she spends a lot of time at Matt’s.