Aunt Daisy's Secret Read online

  Melanie gave her husband a gentle smile and took off for the kitchen, where Tony heard her rattling pans and opening the refrigerator. She'd changed the subject of their conversation—something, that on most occasions, he would have let go without another word. But there had been a strange look in her eye, something he'd never seen before. A look as if she was haunted by something from the past, or something in herself. And this odd talk of spanking, she sounded as if she really meant it.

  Tony had the strangest suspicion that the answer was upstairs, in the attic. Maybe it was time to do a little research to find out what captivated his wife so much. Just as soon as he had a moment, he planned to take a really good look at her Aunt Daisy's world, and find out just what was the mysterious fascination.

  Chapter Four

  The Dairy was open in the middle.

  This is such a long amazing journey. I don't know where to begin this time. It's been weeks since I've written and I can hardly keep up with the changes that have taken place in my life. But I've got to put some of this down on paper, perhaps it will help me be more at peace with everything that has unfolded.

  I know it was Joey's call to duty, Such a intensely loyal man, it shouldn't have surprised me when he enlisted in the Navy.

  But the shock! Seeing him in that fine uniform just sent my blood boiling. All the feelings I've had for him raced through me, I felt as if I was soaring. My only worry was that his talk of marriage would suddenly be forgotten in the mad whirlwind of this great change.

  Oh! It was horrible, I cried for days before and after Joseph left. He was angry with me for being so selfish and petty.

  "There's a war going on Daisy," he said taking my shoulders in his hands, and forcing me to look at him. "Do I have to spank you, or are you going to buck up and be brave?"

  "I'm trying," I told him. "But our plans?" I asked with my most pitiful look. He had no idea how devastating this was for me.

  "Plans change," he reminded me. He looked at my distressed face, and his own stern one began to brighten. "Now don't you worry, Daisy Markham., you will be my wife. I'm not going to have spent all this time and energy keeping you in line for nothing." He gave me a little pat on my rear to accompany his knowing look. "I've invested far too much in this bottom, and that pretty head, to run out on you now. But we do have to wait. I have to ship out tomorrow, so let this be a good night."

  He put his arms around me and held me tightly to him. We kissed long into the night. I just didn't want to say good-bye. I think I might have let him spend the night with me, but he wouldn't do that.

  "I won't do anything to smudge your reputation, as much as I'd like to go to bed with you," he said.

  When we parted, I was close to tears again.

  "Now don't you start, or I'll give you something to really cry about," he warned me.

  At that point I was almost ready to ask him to spank me again. We would have at least been together for a few more minutes. Another trip over his firm strong lap would almost be pleasant. I imagined that fine broad hand of his coming down on my bottom. It would burn terribly, but all that pain would be worth it, just to feel that powerful sensation that passes between us after he's finished.

  But alas, Joseph left before I could kick up enough of a storm to warrant a spanking. I watched him walk down the street. He turned and waved to me, then walked on until he was just a tiny speck in the distance. I was so afraid I'd never see him again.

  The three weeks that followed that goodbye were sheer torture. I heard nothing from him and was beginning to think that he'd forgotten me. I know he was in training and that he'd have a problem getting time free to call, or even write me; but I was so anxious, I couldn't stay at home any longer. I had to do something.

  "You'd better not go traipsing off to some city you know nothing about," Mrs. Darnell told me, when I announced that I was taking a week off to visit Joseph. "You'll regret it young lady," she warned so sternly, it almost sounded like Joseph's stern admonishments.

  "Maybe, but I can't stay here and wonder. It's just a morning's bus ride. I have the money. Certainly a quick trip to reassure myself would be all right. Then I'll come home."

  She shook her head the way she does, all exasperated with me. It was too bad, I was going and that was it!

  The bus ride was horrible. I was sick to my stomach when we finally reached the bus terminal. There were nasty fumes because the bus was having some kind of mechanical trouble. We were suppose to arrive by one o'clock, but we didn't get to our destination until 6:00, and I had to scurry to find a room at the YWCA. There was no way I could look into Joey's situation until the morning.

  When I called the Naval base bright and early the next day, I got no where with the officer on duty. Apparently Joseph was on some kind of maneuvers and couldn't be reached. He asked if this was an emergency, and I couldn't lie to him, as much as I was tempted to. If Joey found out that I was fibbing just to get a hold of him, he'd be furious. I wasn't sure if he wasn't going to be furious with me anyway, just for making the trip without his knowing.

  I had to wait two days in my room by the phone, hoping Joseph would get my messages and call. But the longer I waited the more anxious I got. I was about to march off to that base and knock on a few doors when the phone finally rang.

  "Daisy?" I heard his voice, it sounded so welcome and so sweet.

  "Joseph, I'm so glad you called."

  "What are you doing here?" His voice changed almost instantly to one of concern, and irritation.

  "I had to come," I told him.

  "You didn't get my letter?" he asked.

  "No. Nothing."

  "I can see why you might be worried, but my love, you've been very foolish." I could tell by his tone that I was in trouble.

  "I had to be sure you're okay. I have to see you!" I pleaded my case.

  "I'm fine Daisy, but I'm very busy, and I don't have much time. I want you to go back home right now."

  "Not until I see you," I told him, with every ounce of determination I could muster.

  "Daisy you're being unreasonable. I won't be able to get to see you until at least Sunday."

  "Then I'll stay until then."

  "You're being a stubborn brat," Joey said. I could hear that old familiar sternness that he uses just before he's about to punish me. Oh! How it makes me shiver! "Daisy, you're going home."

  "I'll book a ticket for Sunday night," I told him. "You just tell me when I can see you Sunday." Joseph may think he's adamant, well I can match him easily!

  "Daisy," he said, in that warning tone again.

  "Yes," I answered. I stood my ground.

  "I'll have to call you later in the week, when I find out if I can get off," he finally relented.

  I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled to myself, knowing that I'd have my way. I'd likely pay for it, but that didn't matter. At least I'd see him.

  I cooled my heels in town for three days. Joey called very briefly Friday afternoon to tell me I could see him on Sunday at Chapel, 10:00. Then he had until 2:00 in the afternoon before he had to get back. It wasn't much time, but it was all I was going to get, and the way I was feeling, I was happy for any time I could spend with him.

  Sunday was glorious, and Joey was all smiles when I met him. He whisked me up in his arms and kissed me very hard. He looked so handsome in his starched white uniform, my whole body pulsed with such lively lust that I blush just writing it.

  After chapel services, Joseph took me into town and we had the most romantic meal, even though it was at a corner diner. I wished I could serve him a full meal, but this was as perfect as it could possibly be, just because we were together.

  He told me a lot about his work. I knew right off that it would take him away from me for a long time; but then I also knew that this horrible conflict is going to require sacrifice from us all! Oh! How I wish those Germans would fall into the sea, that they'd be drown in some ocean! Such a terrible cost already. I tried not to let my concern for
Joey's welfare show. I only wanted to think of the positive even though I knew that there were many dangerous times ahead.

  After our meal, Joseph and I strolled along the main thoroughfare of the once quiet coastal town. It was now bustling with activity. There was a curious prickly feeling in the air. Excitement and yes, fear. I guess like every place else, it's hard now not to be wrapped up in the war effort and all that it means.

  I'd love to have taken Joseph back to my room at the YWCA, but I was afraid we might get caught if I tried to sneak him upstairs. He could get in trouble for that at the base. Instead, Joseph and I were content to enjoy the lovely day, arm and arm. We found a park with some lovely shade trees and benches along a path that meandered through the grassy areas, and then into some denser woods.

  As we ambled along the path, I was beginning to sense that Joseph had some purpose in mind for this increasingly ambitious walk. When we were well into the woods he stopped beside an old but sturdy wooden bench.

  "Well now," he said, turning me around so I faced him directly. I looked up at him seeing a very grim expression. "My dear Daisy, I think it's time to get your due for this little fiasco of yours.

  "Oh?" I said innocently. I knew exactly what he was going to do, and as much as I always want to protest, I think I might have been disappointed if he hadn't punished me that afternoon.

  Joseph sat down on the bench while I stood in front of him, looking down into his dark and very determined eyes.

  "You have no idea how angry I am with you for making this foolish trip."

  "But Joey, I protested. "I hadn't heard a thing from you. I was getting scared."

  "I told you when I left that it might be a while before I could reach you. I really wasn't suppose to get the day off today, then what would you have done?"

  "I would have waited until I could see you," I told him.

  "And that would have wasted your money. Daisy Markham, you were wrong to have pulled this stunt, and you deserve every bit of the spanking you're going to get."

  Even though I expected this, I couldn't believe the way Joseph's eyes flashed when earlier they had been so soft and loving. I knew he must have been storing up his irritation with me, and like opening a nest of angry bees, I was going to feel the sting very soon.

  "I just did it for us, don't you care about us?" I protested.

  "Of course I care about us, and especially you. But this is not the time for you to be running around the country. You could end up in some kind of trouble." He pointed a finger at me, his eyes becoming more and more intense with every word he spoke. It all went straight inside me as I began to appreciate how serious he was about this. "You get over my lap right now," he ordered, and before I could say a word, he'd grabbed my wrist and pulled me over his knees, across his uniform clad legs.

  "Please, Joseph, not here!" I wailed.

  Joey ignored me, and I felt his hand go down to the bottom of my pleated plaid skirt. Drawing it up over my legs to my waist, I felt so exposed in just my thin slip and panties. But of course he didn't stop there, for he raised the slip too, so that my legs were completely bare. Then he lifted the elastic edge of my panties, and very slowly pulled them down over my bottom to my legs, so that my rear end was naked right there for him to see. A wild tingle raced through me, the one I was sure was associated with my carnal urges. I was embarrassed, the ideas that were going through my head at the very thought of Joseph seeing my white rear cheeks again.

  Apparently Joseph wasn't concerned about such things, because he wasted no time at all delivering several stinging wallops to my poor cringing rear. He had punishment in mind, nothing else!

  "Sometimes, Daisy Markham, you're a foolish silly girl." His hand kept coming down on my rear end, and I was in tears right away. Stroke after stroke, I cringed with each new blow vibrating through me.

  "Oh, please, Joey, no more," I must have begged a dozen times.

  But he was deaf to my wails. After a time, Joseph stopped and placed his hand on my hot bottom. I was sure that he was finished, the way he gently massaged my burning cheeks; and I groaned softly realizing how this simple gesture was really arousing me, especially as the pain was diminishing and the welcome rush of warmth was beginning to permeate my whole back side, and even the mellow spot between my legs. I'm glad no one else reads this journal, because certainly they'd think I was some kind of loose woman to respond like this to being punished.

  But then, all erotic thoughts aside, Joseph surprised me with another hearty smack, and then he was pelting my rear end more ferociously than ever. I was wailing loudly, completely forgetting that I was in this semi-public place. Any minute someone might happen by and find us here, me with my red bottom wagging in the breeze. It seemed as if Joey would go on forever, one spank on top of the last, hurt on hurt. I was sobbing, praying that he'd stop.

  "Please, Joey, I'm so sorry."

  "Maybe you are," he paused for a moment, "but I intend to make certain." He continued on, the rain of smacks accumulating into one horrible burn. I didn't know how I was going to take anymore. As much as I squirmed and wailed, it seemed like Joey would never stop.

  Either I got used to the spanking, or Joey finally began to soften, for it seemed as if he was backing off, decreasing both the intensity and the pace. Still, he didn't stop, and I found the crazy glorious feeling of arousal again, and my plaintive cries changed into soft moans.

  I'd never had my body respond so sweetly to be treated so brusquely, and the closeness I felt on Joseph's lap was so special in those final moments of my punishment, I felt one with him. I understood him, and he seemed to understand me.

  When he was finished, this time I knew the spanking was over. He again laid his hand gently on my bottom and lightly caressed it. I could almost sense a tentativeness in his gesture, realizing that Joey was unsure how much longer he should soothe me this way.

  "I'd better stop now," he finally said, as he removed his hand. I was sad. I wanted to remain that close and intimate forever, knowing how my heart would be breaking in little less than a hour, when we'd have to say goodbye.

  Much more gently than he'd earlier dismantled my clothes, Joseph restored my panties to their proper place over my sore and aching rear end. Then he lowered my slip and skirt.

  It was a surprise to me when I was on my feet again, and staring into his eyes. The anger in them was certainly gone, but not the serious mood. I think he was as sad as I was.

  "Sit down," he said.

  That was difficult to do, but I obeyed, I wouldn't even think of not minding him.

  "We're going to be married Daisy, as soon as I have a decent leave and can arrange things. It'll be getting easier to have time to write and call, but I don't, now you hear me well, I don't want you coming down here again. Unless I send for you. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, Joseph."

  "I could still work up another good spanking, but I don't want to waste the time we have left being angry. If we were going to be together for a few days, I'd have you over my knee at least twice a day for the shenanigans you pulled." His eyes bore into me, "you had better behave, because next time, I will not forget the hairbrush; and you'll have the devil of a time sitting down for a week, I'll blister your bottom so hard."

  "You did very well for yourself today," I reminded him, as I squirmed uncomfortably on the bench.

  "I hope it burns ALL the way home. Maybe then you'll remember, and think twice the next time you think you want to go running off on a whim.

  I wanted to explain myself again, but I bit my lip knowing that he would not be pleased, after he'd already made himself very clear.

  "We are going to get married?" I said changing the subject back to a much more delightful topic.

  "Absolutely. But if ever there was a time to be patient, now is the time. You've got to grow up, be brave and pray a lot because everything is moving very fast." He had his arm around me, holding me. The sunshine had reached into the glade where we sat, and all the cold shiver
s at such talk seemed to be "warmed" away in a few brief seconds. Nothing else mattered, just Joseph and me. I felt as though eternity was spent in that time, an eternity that I would hang on to forever.

  I didn't cry as I waved good-bye to him on the bus. I watched his face disappear as the big coach pulled away from the station, and then turned the corner on its way back home.

  I didn't cry all the way home, it already seemed as if I'd cried enough while Joseph spanked me. And while those tears were justified in immediate response to the pain on my bottom, the feelings I had leaving Joseph at the bus station wouldn't be well served by tears. My life with the man I loved so dearly— so bright and promising as it seemed—is destined to be filled, at least for a while, by the melancholy of sad partings, thrust upon us by a time that is fated for such unrequited longing.

  Tony closed the journal, just halfway through Daisy Markham's chronicle. It was all he needed to read that afternoon, and indeed it had taken up the better part of his day.

  He heard some birds squawking just outside the window and thought that there was likely a bird's nest in the corner of the roof. Melanie would likely react to his cleaning them out, so he decided to let them stay. They'd keep her company, he supposed.

  Leaning back in the dusty old armchair, Tony thought for a moment about the surprising journal he still held in his hand. Then, after thumbing through the pages one more time, he carefully stored the book away in the trunk's secret compartment. Closing the lid, he pushed the creaky old piece back where it belonged.

  Realizing that his stomach was growling from lack of food, he decided to go downstairs and open a can of soup.

  Chapter Five

  Melanie looked out at Nell's lovely backyard and its manicured garden, thinking how her own garden at home might look one day. It certainly didn't come close to resembling this beautiful one, though in her mind she could see it all perfectly arranged, just as her Aunt once had hers so perfectly arrayed.

  Yet, she wondered what price she might be paying to have this little piece of perfection: her Aunt Daisy's estate restored to its once immaculate state. Two days before, she and Tony had another major donnybrook. The two of them engaged in the worst screaming fit of their four year marriage—all concerning the house, the gazebo and the estate's endless need for repair.