Haunting Astrid

by Dara Ames

  I didn’t see Joseph on Sunday, but he did call, and he made sure that I had his private cell phone number. I promised to call him if I needed help of any kind, and even if I just wanted to visit.

  I couldn’t help but wonder how strange it would feel to go to work on Monday, but other than a wink when he passed my desk, it was business as usual from Joseph. I was relieved about that. Also, Astrid looked like hell. Her normally perfect hair was awry, and there were dark circles under her eyes. I asked her if she was ill, and she shook her head no, but she didn’t offer any other explanation.

  Joseph picked me up at my apartment and we went out to dinner, but made an early evening of it because he had to be in court early the next morning. Joseph is considered one of the best criminal lawyers in our city, and he kept some pretty long hours. He ate right, exercised, and made sure to get enough sleep. I was truly proud of him.

  The next couple of weeks passed in much the same way. Joseph and I kept a low profile romance alive, even though it was getting more and more difficult to do because we were in love and wanted to shout it from the rooftops! I always thought that song lyric was ridiculous, but I knew better now. I’d been to dinner at Joseph’s family home and met his mother and grandmother and his younger sister who lived at home but attended college. I was treated like a royal princess and his family made me feel at home. Even when I was alone with his Mother and Grandmother while the attorneys went elsewhere to discuss a legal matter that popped up from a phone call during dinner, the two women were friendly and gracious. They didn’t seem to mind that I was poor, and his Grandmother made a point of telling me she found it admirable that I took on raising a child when I was still a child myself. I didn’t expect praise for doing the right thing, and I told her so. Brian was only ten years old and frightened, and taking care of him was my priority. “Jodi sounds like you, Mother Chantry,” Joseph’s mother said softly.

  Joseph's grandmother nodded. “I was supporting myself and my two sisters by waiting tables. That is how Father met me; he used to eat lunch and dinner in the restaurant where I worked, and he made sure to sit at my table.” She laughed. “The dear man used to tip me outrageous amounts, and if not for him, I don’t know how the girls and I would have survived some weeks.”

  “I waited tables after our folks were killed,” I admitted. “It’s hard work.”

  “Compared to you two, I lived like a princess,” Joseph’s mother said with a smile. “I was only expected to help out on the farm. My Daddy didn’t think girls needed college, but Mommy talked him into letting me go to barber college. My Jonathan came in one day for a haircut, and we fell in love. The Chantry men are faithful, Jodi,” she told me, and then she blushed. “They can also be quite firm if they feel it necessary.”

  “What Gloria is trying to say is that our men have old-fashioned values, and if you cross a line, they will spank.” She looked at me and I just knew my face was a telltale red. “I can see by your expression you already learned this the hard way, Jodi.” She shook her head in sympathy, and I found myself confessing.

  “Joseph was concerned because I told him I never use seatbelts… and when he took me home he learned I didn’t normally lock my apartment door. It was a big shock when he put me over his knee, but Joseph certainly got my attention, and I learned that lesson very well.” The other two women laughed in understanding. A few minutes later Joseph poked his head in the room and asked if I was ready for him to drive me home. It was a weeknight, and we had to be at work early.

  In addition to my relationship with Joseph, my ongoing prank on Astrid was moving along swimmingly. Astrid was obviously not sleeping well and she jumped at the slightest little noise. I overheard one of the women asking her what was wrong and Astrid finally whispered, “The house I bought is frightening me. I hear sounds at night, and now I am starting to hear voices, too. I keep wondering if I am going out of my mind, but I would hear the voices all the time… not just in my home.”

  “You must have a trapped spirit in your house.”

  “I do not believe in ghosts,” Astrid said firmly, and I wanted to snicker. She sounded like she was trying to convince herself of that.

  “You need to call in some true Ghostbusters,” another lady spoke up, offering her two cents worth.

  “Oh, it’s probably just creaks. It’s an old house and settling at night.” Again Astrid said the words, but by her tone I - and everyone else in the office - could see she was not convinced. Yes, life is good.

  Once again, armed with detailed blueprints for Astrid’s house, I made another excursion after dark, while Astrid was out of town visiting with her sister. I couldn’t help but wonder if Astrid knew of the secret passages in the old mansion. The doors were squeaky from nonuse, and there were cobwebs in the old passages. I rigged a few items that would go off each night, but at different times. I was upping the terror, and keeping track of all the upgrades that she and her construction crew were making in the house.

  I was surprised to hear through the grapevine that Astrid was, indeed, planning a Halloween Costume Party, but it was only for her upscale friends… not anyone at the office, especially those of us who worked under her supervision. I decided that I would definitely be a guest that night and give the partygoers a big thrill. After all, Astrid lived in a haunted house, didn’t she?

  The party was set for the last Saturday in October, and knowing Astrid as well as I did, I was positive the party was really an open house in the guise of a party. The renovation would be complete, or nearly so, by then, and the house ready to sell. Astrid hoped that someone would see the mansion and make an offer to purchase it. A party was just a gimmick to get people to come and see the place.

  *****

  I immediately knew that something was bothering Joseph, but when I asked about it, he told me not to worry; it was nothing. I decided I had to know, so I persisted in my questioning. Joseph told me rather firmly that he didn’t want to talk about it, but I still didn’t have enough sense to drop it. Finally, Joseph reached for me and flipped me over his lap and gave me ten really firm spanks. He asked me if I was ready to stop nagging him, and I tearfully agreed that I would stop. My feelings were hurt and Joseph didn’t like my pouting, either. When he asked me if I wanted him to leave, I told him yes, even though it was the last thing I really wanted. Joseph put on his jacket and left, and I felt terrible. I went to bed early, and for the first time since Joseph and I started dating, I cried myself to sleep. My bottom was burning, too. My telephone rang some time later, and I reached for it, trying to wake myself up. It was Joseph.

  “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, Jodi. I had a bad headache and I should have stayed home.”

  “Is that all, Joseph?” I was sure there was more. “If you’d told me I could have given you some pain relief tablets.”

  “I don’t like to take meds unless there is no choice, honey. I’m sorry I was such a grump. I’ll take you out tomorrow night instead of you cooking for us.”

  “I don’t mind cooking. Besides, I have a new recipe for the slow cooker. You could bring some wine if you want to.”

  “Red or white?” he asked.

  “I prefer white,” I answered. “I’m not all that smart when it comes to pairing wine with foods.”

  “I’ll bring something that goes with everything he promised, his tone telling me he was in a good mood once again. “Is your bottom still smarting?” he asked.

  “A bit.” I wasn’t going to lie.

  “When I tell you to let something drop, honey, I really do mean it. I promise I won’t ever shut you out of something that concerns you… or us… but tonight I was being a bear and you kept tugging on my fur.”

  “I was worried about you.”

  “I know, and that I am sorry about. But, I won’t apologize for swatting your butt. No man likes to be nagged, Jodi Lynn.” I was surprised to find myself on the verge of tears again.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s over now, honey. I’l
l see you in the morning at work. One of these days real soon we are going to have to have a serious talk about things.”

  “Okay…? Could you tell me what it is you want to discuss?”

  “I think you know,” he replied, then told me goodnight and turned off his phone.

  “No, I really don’t know!” I said to my apartment. I also shut off my phone and tried to go back to sleep.

  *****

  Okay, I’ll admit that I was thrilled when Granddad Chantry raised his voice in obvious anger over a mistake that Astrid made. She stood there, red-faced, trying to apologize, but Chantry One wasn’t having it. He continued to scold her and told her he was sending her home for the day and he expected her to get some sleep. He was tired of her dragging around the office and not doing the things expected of her. “That damned house of yours is consuming your every minute and your job is suffering. Jodi, will you please come over here and handle this matter for me…? You will be in charge of the office today.” The look Astrid gave me would have killed a much weaker person. My only regret was that none of the special aids in Astrid’s house were set for daytime.

  That evening Joseph and I went to the restaurant we went to on our first dinner date. When he asked for Devon, he was told that Mr. Jacobs was taking the evening off. I was certain the hostess remembered us, however, because we were given a great table with a view, and our service was impeccable. I was relaxing and trying to decide what I wanted from the menu when Joseph asked, “Do you know what is going on with Astrid, Jodi?” I looked at him in surprise. “She isn’t herself lately, and Granddad is talking of letting her go. I just wondered if you knew if she was going through something the rest of us didn’t know about? She always speaks so highly of you, and I know you are good friends.”

  “That isn’t true, Joseph. Astrid doesn’t like me at all, and she treats all of the secretarial staff like we are her personal slaves.”

  “What? Why haven’t you mentioned this to me before?”

  “And have you think that I am a jealous witch because she got the promotion that I wanted!”

  “You never turned in an application for the position, and we wondered why you didn’t.”

  “Yes, I did!” I felt my temper taking control of my mouth. He looked at me like I had two heads.

  “Honey, Astrid’s application was the only one presented for consideration. That’s why she got the position.”

  “But, I turned in an application!” I was so angry I felt ready to burst. “Ohhhh, I’ll bet she managed to find it and make sure you didn’t see it!”

  “Jodi! That is a serious accusation.” He wasn’t one bit pleased with me, but I was too angry with Astrid to care what Joseph was thinking.

  “It’s the truth, Joseph. What I want to know is why you and the other partners can’t see what is right in front of your eyes? Astrid Butterfield is a conniving, lying witch!” I was yelling now.

  “Your temper is out of control, young lady. We’ll discuss this matter privately when I take you home.” The server approached to take our order, but I was in no mood to be reasonable.

  “I don’t want anything to eat. Please take me home.” I knew that Joseph was embarrassed, but I didn’t care. I jumped up and left the restaurant to wait for him beside his car.” It took him a few minutes to pay for the glasses of wine we’d consumed, and I could tell when he approached the car that he was not happy with me. He unlocked the door and opened it for me. I was so frustrated to learn that Astrid did something to my application that I forgot all about buckling the damned seatbelt. With a meaningful look, Joseph leaned over me and fastened the belt over my body. He then buckled up and started the car. The drive to my apartment didn’t take nearly long enough. Neither of us said one single word, either. When he parked, I struggled to get the seatbelt undone so that I could run inside, but it wouldn’t come undone. Joseph lightly pushed my hands away and the fastening clicked open for him without any difficulty. He helped me out of the car, and took my arm firmly, walking me inside and up the flights of steps until we reached my floor. He held out his hand for my keys, but he tried the door first to make sure it was locked.

  Chapter Four

  “It’s locked!” I snapped at him as I slapped my keys into his large hand.

  “What has gotten into you tonight?”

  “How would you feel if you learned you were overlooked for a promotion because your application didn’t make it to the desk to be considered? The only other person who knew I was applying was Astrid. You draw your own conclusion.” I led the way into my now unlocked apartment.

  “Why didn’t you say something at the time, Jodi?”

  “And sound like I had a mouth full of sour grapes? I didn’t know until this evening that you didn’t even see my application to consider it. At the time I thought you preferred Astrid!”

  “Dad is the one who made the decision, and I can tell you that he wasn’t real sure that he wanted to give her the position. But, the only other applicant was from outside, and Dad prefers to promote from within.”

  I decided it was time to change the subject. “I’m sorry I spoiled your evening, Joseph. I’ll fix you something to eat.”

  “Not just yet,” he said, and when I looked at him I was suddenly convinced that I was in trouble. I learned quickly that I was right. “Your behavior this evening at the restaurant was unacceptable. You raised your voice and continued to yell at me for something I knew nothing about. What’s more, you have had a problem with Astrid for some time now, and not once did you come to us to make us aware of the problem. Why not, Jodi?” Joseph asked.

  “Because I couldn’t afford to lose my job, Joseph. Simply put, Brian and I live from paycheck to paycheck. Nearly every penny I earn is spent before I get it. If I get fired, then Brian has to drop out of school. I won’t let that happen, even if it means putting up with Astrid’s meanness.”

  “What makes you think we would fire you?” Joseph asked in dismay.

  “I thought you hired her over me, remember? I wasn’t feeling too secure. She is the office manager. In a very real way, I work for her too…”

  “I’m unhappy that you didn’t trust me enough to confide in me, Jodi.”

  “And think how that would look…! I complain to you, my boyfriend, and Astrid gets fired. I just couldn’t win, Joseph.”

  “That’s enough of that kind of talk. You need your fanny smacked for thinking I would allow something like that to happen.” I didn’t get a chance to complain. Joseph had me pinned over his knee in nothing flat, and my dress pushed up to my waist, leaving my red panties on display. “Very pretty,” he said, his hand caressing me over the silken fabric that was trimmed in a very soft lace.

  The panties were an indulgence, and I’d dreamed of the day that Joseph would see them for the first time, but I never dreamed it would be like this! The first spank caught me off guard and I cried out in pain. “Owwww! Please don’t spank me, Jos—Ouch!”

  “Yes, I am going to spank you. I am pretty darn upset with you, Jodi. You are my girl, the woman I hope to marry someday; you didn’t come to me with a problem you’re having…? That is spankable.” He punctuated his words with another crisp smack on the skin that was peeking out beneath the lace.

  “Please, Joseph! Please! It hurts!”

  “Good. It also hurts to learn you don’t trust me.” He spanked me several more times and it really hurt.

  I could feel Joseph’s hurt and upset in each spank he delivered to my panties. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I really am sorry, Joseph. Please stop now.”

  “No. You earned this spanking, and you are going to get every bit of it.”

  I cried, but my tears made no difference at all to Joseph. He gave me a spanking that would leave me sore for a few days. And if the spanking wasn’t enough, he gave me an assignment to write, an essay on trust in a relationship, and I had to put it on his desk first thing in the morning. I promised I would and he finally put me on my feet and then he said, “It’s
time we share our relationship openly, Jodi. I’m tired of sneaking around. You are my girl, and I want the entire world to know.”

  I could only nod in agreement, knowing full well that Joseph’s decision was final.

  *****

  I didn’t want to go to work the next morning. Besides the fact that my butt was way too sore, I was dealing with a lot of emotional concerns. How would Joseph handle announcing to the office that we were dating? What about confronting Astrid about her dishonesty? I didn't want to have any part of either of those things.

  Joseph had meant the spanking, and I felt bad that I didn’t simply go to him and tell him about Astrid’s behavior. My essay on trust wasn’t very long, but I think I expressed my thoughts clearly and openly. I left the essay lying on Joseph’s desk before he arrived, and then went to my desk to start typing up some notes I’d taken the day before. I’m afraid I wasn’t getting a lot done. It hurt to sit, and I was restless, so I kept drinking coffee. Of course, that meant I had to go to the bathroom more often. Astrid was all over the room, doing her best to make sure that everything was getting done as it should. She must have slept yesterday when she had the time, but it was clear to see that she wasn’t at the top of her game, and that suited me just fine. I’d been ‘nice’ so far, but now that I knew she sabotaged me when it came to getting the Office Manager position, I was going to get tough.