by Misty Malone
"Are you okay, Alana?" Cal asked.
"Of course I am," she answered.
"We were watching a sad movie," John explained.
A light bulb came on in Cal's head and he had a pretty good idea what happened. "Well, that explains it," he said. "Sorry it took me awhile to say good night to Kelli."
"No problem," John said. "I figured you two were getting to know each other better."
"We were." Seeing the anxious look on Alana's face, he added, "We're going to dinner Tuesday."
Both John and Alana smiled. John admitted, "We're going out Monday."
All three of them laughed, and Cal said, "I think we all had a good time tonight."
Chapter 4
As soon as John and Cal were in the car headed to John's house, where Cal left his car, Cal asked, "So what did she do?"
"What did who do?" John asked, looking at his brother.
"What did Alana do to earn a spanking?"
"You knew, huh?"
"Yep. So what did she do?"
"The other night when we rescued them, she'd bought seven pairs of shoes, which she did not need. I looked in her closet tonight and she must have forty pairs of shoes at least, not counting the seven pairs she just bought. She paid for them with money she had saved for the down payment on a car."
"I thought you said she wanted to get her license and a car so she could have the job she trained for."
"That's why I felt I needed to spank her. I couldn't just let her keep spending her savings and throwing her future job away."
Cal was nodding his head as he said, "I understand. How'd she do with it? You two seemed okay when I got back."
"She wasn't real fond of it, but after a lot of talking I think she's okay with it."
"Good," Cal said.
"So is Kelli going to bed with a sore bottom tonight, as well?"
"She is."
"How'd she take it?"
"Apparently about the same as Alana. She wasn't happy about it, but we did a lot of talking, too, and I think she'll be okay."
"Good," John said this time.
Cal sighed and asked, "You don't suppose those two will give us sore hands at the same time too often, do you?"
"I was wondering the same thing," John answered. "They're awfully close. I guess we'll find out."
* * * * *
As soon as the guys left, Alana called her friend. "Kelli, you weren't in bed yet, were you?"
"Of course not. I was waiting for your call."
Both girls giggled. Alana asked, "So how did it go? I hear you're going out again Tuesday."
"We are."
"So do you really like him?"
Kelli paused a moment before saying, "Mostly."
Alana had been thinking about John's comment that Cal had a way of getting his point across, and since she and Kelli were such close friends, she asked her point blank, "Kelli, did Cal spank you?"
"What? Did he tell you guys? I'm going to call him and cancel Tuesday."
"No, he didn't say a word about it, Kelli. Don't cancel your date with him. He never mentioned one word."
"Then how did you know?"
"It was just a hunch," Alana told her friend.
"Oh, come on. Something had to give you that idea. What was it?" Kelli demanded.
"Well," Alana said, hesitating a bit, "John spanked me, too."
"He did?" Kelli was shocked!
"Yes."
"Did it really, really hurt?"
"Oh, yes."
"Did you hate it?"
"Definitely."
"Did he hold you in his arms and cuddle with you afterwards?"
"Yes."
Kelli giggled as she asked, "And did you love the cuddling enough that it made the spanking bearable?"
"Oh, yeah."
"And did you want to stay there all day?"
"Most definitely."
The girls giggled again. "Tomorrow we've got to get together to compare notes," Alana said.
"For sure," Kelli agreed. "But did you mean notes about the spankings, or notes about how we felt afterwards, or how we feel about it in the future, or how we feel about the men as men?"
"Yes," Alana said, laughing. "We need to compare notes about all of that." They were both laughing as they headed to bed that night.
* * * * *
Saturday morning when Alana's phone rang, she smiled, guessing who was calling. She glanced at the caller ID to confirm her guess, and answered. "Good morning, John."
"Good morning to you, Alana. You sound happy this morning."
"I am."
John chuckled softly as he said, "I guess we'll have to have the kind of discussion we had last night more often then, huh?"
"Uh, no."
"So our discussion last night had nothing to do with your happiness this morning?"
"Not really. My happiness comes from the way you held me afterwards and made me feel special."
"You are special," he quickly clarified. "And the cuddling you liked always follows the, uh, discussion, so I guess in a way our discussion is what's making you so happy, right?"
"Um, well, uh—"
"So that means you're anxiously awaiting our next discussion, looking forward to it with eagerness, right?"
"Um, see, I, uh—can we start this conversation over? It's not quite coming out the way it should, I don't think."
John laughed. "Don't worry, honey, I think I understand exactly what you're saying. I'm glad you liked the cuddling afterward last night. I did, too. And I'm really glad you're happy this morning."
"Why's that?"
"Because then maybe you won't be too upset with me this afternoon when I suggest we talk a little bit more about your finances, and possibly set up a loose budget for you, to try and help you get back on track."
"Back on track?"
"Well, last night you said you had several hundred dollars more toward the down payment, but you've been slowly whittling away at that amount. I want to help you get your license, but I want to also help you make sure you have the money to buy a car once you get that license."
Alana was surprised, but not angry, although she wondered why she wasn't. As she thought about it, she realized she really was having problems financially lately, and hadn't been able to get back on track on her own. Maybe his help was exactly what she needed. She tentatively said, "You know, that might be really helpful."
"Good. We'll work on it after your driving lesson this afternoon."
"Okay. Thanks for your help, John."
"My pleasure," he assured her. "I'll see you around 2:00."
Half an hour after she hung up with John, Kelli called. "Hey, Alana, I just got the neatest phone call."
"From Cal maybe?"
"How'd you know?"
"Because the brothers seem to be alike in a lot of ways."
"So John called you?"
"Yep, to make sure I'm okay, he said."
"That's pretty much what Cal said, too. You know, this whole spanking thing is really different, but while I was thinking about it in bed last night it occurred to me, I'm really glad you're going through the same thing."
"Yeah, me, too. At least we have each other to talk to about it."
"And commiserate with," Kelli said, chuckling.
Later that afternoon Alana and John went on a drive to a nearby town, with Alana driving. Again, John was patient with her, pointing out a few things she needed to be careful of. He was pleased with her progress. The only thing he had to tell her about a few times was stopping too far back from a stop sign. The third time she did that same thing that afternoon he said, "Alana, there's nothing behind us, so don't move yet. Stay right where you are."
"Why?"
"What's the next thing you're going to do?"
"Look both ways before pulling out onto that road."
"Okay, look both ways, but don't pull out yet." She did, and he watched her sit up closer to the wheel, trying to see better. "Okay, now what would you do?"
"Pull out."
"You're sure nothing's coming either way?"
"Well, as sure as I can be."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, this is a bad spot. You can't really see very well."
"Why not? Is something blocking your view?"
She looked both directions again, and cautiously said, "I guess not really. You just—"
When she paused, he offered, "You just can't see because you're back too far from the intersection." When she didn't say anything he asked, "Is that the problem, Alana?"
She blushed as she said, "Yes, I guess I am."
"I've told you this before, honey. This is the one thing you still have a problem with, and I don't understand it. It's vital that you be able to see both ways before you pull out, and you can't from back here. There's absolutely no reason that you can't pull up closer to the intersection."
"But what if the front of my car's out in the intersection?"
"Honey, the front of your car's not even close. You can pull up another six feet before you'd even need to consider that. But let me show you something. Edge up just a little bit, like maybe a foot, then stop again." She slowly moved up about a foot and stopped. "Now look both ways." When she did he asked, "Can you see any better?"
"Much better," she admitted.
"Can you see if anything's coming?"
"I can see much better from here, yes."
"Now move up another foot." She did, and he said, "Now look again."
After looking both ways again she said, "Now I can see everything, both ways."
"And look at the front of your car. Are you in the intersection?"
"I don't think so," she admitted. "I can't really see the end of the car, though, so I've been afraid of being too far out."
"You're not even close." He looked behind them again and said, "There's not usually much traffic on this road, honey, and nothing's behind us now, so put the car in park."
She looked apprehensive, but said, "Okay," as she put it in park.
"Now get out of the car and go to the front and see where it is in relation to the intersection."
She did, and he saw the surprise on her face. She quickly came back to the car and got back in. "You're right, I'm not even close. I always thought it looked like I was really getting close to the intersection."
"I'm glad you saw for yourself then how far away you are. Maybe that'll help you."
"I think it will. Thank you."
"I think you just needed to see it for yourself." After she fastened her seat belt he said, "Okay, honey, go ahead and look again, then pull out and drive us back to your apartment."
She was rather quiet on the return trip, and when she pulled into a parking space she turned to look at him. "John, thank you for being so patient. I'm sorry I'm doing badly. I'll try to do better."
He told her, "Honey, you're not doing badly. Stopping too far back at stop signs is the only thing you really need to work on yet. You're doing so much better than the first time I rode with you, I can't believe you're the same driver."
"Really?"
"Honey, you should know better than to even ask me that. Do I say things I don't mean?"
"No," she said, smiling.
"As soon as we get you in better command at stop signs, I think you're ready to take your test again." He grinned as he said, "And maybe you'll have a nicer examiner this time and you'll pass it now."
She laughed as she said, "I don't know about the nicer examiner, but maybe I'll pass it this time because the last examiner I had was nice enough to teach me how to drive."
He opened her door and helped her out of the car. As they were walking into her apartment she asked, "Do you really think I'm about ready to take the test again?"
"I do, honey. As soon as you master stop signs I think you're ready. And trust me, I wouldn't let you take the test again if I didn't feel you were ready."
"That's true," she said. "Thank you. That's a real boost to my confidence, because you're right, you wouldn't even let me take it if you didn't think I was ready. I hadn't thought of that." As they went inside she said, "Huh. You really are looking out for me, aren't you?"
John came inside to look over her finances with her. She had set out her checkbook, the last three month's bank statements, a box of receipts and her recent utility bills. She showed him what she had tried to do, and she had had the right idea to start with. She had a good head on her shoulders… just not quite enough willpower. She had to learn that she couldn't splurge on non-essentials, because she didn't have a slush fund in her budget.
John helped her to redo her budget, updating the figures as there had been minor increases in some of the utilities since the last time she'd written a budget. He taught her about having two savings accounts, instead of one. The first one was for big-ticket items, like a car. The second one was not to be touched! It was only for emergencies, otherwise, it would collect until there was enough to invest, and then it could be rolled over into CDs or stocks. He said that the biggest problem people had today was to write a budget on 100% of their income, when really, they should learn to budget on 80%, and put the rest in savings.
They had consumed several cups of coffee during the budget ordeal, and Alana was feeling a bit jittery by the time they finished. Then as he bent to kiss her good-bye, she wasn't entirely sure if the jitters were caused by the coffee or by him.
* * * * *
John and Alana continued with the driving lessons for the next two weeks, scattered among a few more dinners together and a movie. They even went to try mini golfing on their own, just the two of them, and had a wonderful time.
Cal and Kelli were likewise getting to know each other better. Cal steered them clear of anything that could be at all competitive, at least for the time being, and they likewise got along great.
John had decided Alana was ready to take her driving test again, and planned to tell her that over dinner. They were meeting Cal and Kelli at a new restaurant. It would be the first time the four of them had done anything together since the ill-fated mini golf fiasco. He hoped tonight went well because he knew how close the two girls were, and he and his brother were equally close.
His patrol shift was about over, so he turned to head back to the police station. He noticed what appeared to be Kelli's car two vehicles ahead of him. The car directly in front of him turned off, and as he got closer he could tell it was Kelli's vehicle, but Alana was driving. She was probably heading home, going the same direction he was.
He was watching her driving closely, and was proud of her. Until she came to a stop sign. He watched as she stopped too far back. He instinctively held his breath, waiting for her to edge up closer so she could see better. Unfortunately, she didn't move up any. She looked several times and he saw her straining to see better, then slowly started to pull out, right in front of a car. His heart jumped into his throat. Luckily, the car was far enough back, he honked his horn and Alana quickly hit the brakes.
He could tell she was shaken up, which was understandable. He was, too! After a few moments she inched up closer, looked again, and pulled out. He followed, and when she was in a clear spot he turned his blue lights on to pull her over. He had to make sure she was okay. Knowing her like he did, she was probably shaking like a leaf, and he was going to suggest Kelli drive them home.
She pulled over, and he walked up to the car. It was a rather isolated area, not many cars around, and he opened her door and helped her out. He quickly took her in his arms and gave her a hug. "Are you okay, honey?" He felt her shaking, just as he'd thought.
"You saw me?" A few tears were streaming down her face now and he knew she was upset. "I'm so sorry, John."
"Sshh, honey. It's okay, you were lucky this time." She was clearly upset, and he didn't think this was the proper time for any lectures or 'I told you this would happen' speeches. They would talk about it later, after she'd calmed down.
For now he just bent down to look into the
car. "Kelli, maybe you should drive the rest of the way home. Alana's shaking like a leaf."
Alana quickly said, "No. No, that's okay. I'm fine, John. I can drive us."
John looked at Alana. She was suddenly very nervous about something, and that worried him. "Honey, you're shaking. You shouldn't drive like that."
"I'll be fine. Just give me a minute to calm down and I'll be fine."
Suspicious now, and being a good police officer, John asked Kelli, "How come you're so quiet today, Kelli? Everything all right?"
"Of course it is," she said. "Just fine and dandy!"
Something didn't seem quite right to John. Kelli was usually a happy person, but she seemed almost too happy today. He went over and opened her door for her and offered her his hand. Instead of taking it and getting out of the car, she reached out and shook it! She was giggling as she got out of the car, and stood next to him. John was shocked when he smelled alcohol. He looked from her to Alana, who was now looking down at the ground, not meeting his eyes.
Thinking a second, he took out his phone and called Cal. When he answered he asked, "Are you home from work yet?"
"I just pulled in the lane. Why?"
"Good. Stay there. We've got a problem and I need your help. We'll be there in about ten minutes."
"What do you mean we have a problem? We who? What's wrong?"
"I'll be there shortly and you can see for yourself." He hung up and said, "Come on, girls. Get in the cruiser." He went to help Kelli walk to the cruiser.
She looked up at him and said, "You can't arrest me. I wasn't even driving."
"I'm not arresting you, Kelli, I'm taking you to Cal's house."
She seemed content and went with him, but stopped when they got to the cruiser. "No, wait. I don't want to go to his house right now."
"I can't really say as I blame you, but we don't really have a lot of choices here. Get in the back, Kelli."
"No, I don't want to."
He sighed. "Kelli, my shift is just about over and I need to get the cruiser back to the station. Don't give me a hard time, please. I don't want to have to explain what I'm doing because I really don't want you and Alana getting in trouble. Now get in, please."
Alana had heard the exchange between them and looked at John with a 'deer caught in the headlights' look. "We could get in trouble?"
