away. “So that's where
you get it from.”
“ What
from?”
“ She
probably gave you the feeling that taking care of yourself wasn't
important when you were a child. I'm glad you are learning it now.
You are more than just your work.” Ryan reached under my arms and
picked me up. He set me on my feet and I started to forget why I was
so mad at him. He walked me into his bathroom. I watched him turn off
the water and check the temperature.
“ Is
that my toothbrush from the last time I stayed here?”
“ Sure
is. Can you open the buttons by yourself?” He was already opening
the ones at the end of my sleeves. He stepped back and watched me
open one just using my right hand.
“ Let
me. It will go faster.” He swiftly opened them. My heart was
beating like mad. “The towels are on the counter. Call me if you
need any help.” With that he left closing the door.
I
sighed relieved while I got undressed and folded my things and laid
them on the countertop. I got into the tub and washed myself as
quickly as I could. Washing my long hair was the hardest. I wasn't
looking forward to combing it either.
I
wondered about my toothbrush. Had he just not gotten around to
throwing it away? Weird, very weird.
He
had forgotten to lay out fresh clothes for me. I wrapped the towel
around myself and peeked into his bedroom. He was reading on his bed.
He
jumped up as I came out. “This drawer is full of T-shirts. My
boxers are in here. Maybe you could use them as shorts. Whatever you
find you can wear.” He left again closing the door. He was being
nice enough now. I didn't feel afraid of him.
Had
I overreacted? It was just a spanking. He had just caught me off
guard. He thought that that was why I was here. That I liked that
sort of thing. Maybe we could be friends again if I explained that I
tried it and didn't like it. If he sent me packing then I wouldn't
have to worry about getting rid of him again.
I
put on some of his clothes. I looked like I was his girlfriend would
after they had had – You know.
I
went out to the living room. He was still reading. He laid the book
down on the coffee table and I saw what he was reading. I looked at
the book and then at him.
He
looked at the book too. Only he looked confused.
“ Did
you go through my things?”
“ No.
Of course, I didn't.” He looked offended.
I
continued to look pointedly at the book. “Really?”
“ Are
you reading the same book?” He looked pleased. “That's great, we
can talk about it when you're finished. I'm rereading it. It's
great.” If he was acting than he was a great actor.
“ Oh,
I've read that book at least a hundred times.” I continued to eye
him.
He
looked very surprised. “Is it your favorite book, or something?”
He looked genuinely astonished.
“ One
of them,” I answered still watching him.
“ Why
don't you sit down, and I'll get you something to eat.” He helped
me to the sofa like I couldn't have sat down by myself.
“ Where
is my laptop?”
“ It's
under the sofa. I was afraid it would fall on the floor while you
slept. I didn't even take it out of the bag. If you don't want me to
know who you are, then that's fine with me. I'll respect your wishes.
By the way, thank you for letting me take care of you. I know this
isn't easy for you.” He disappeared into the kitchen. I could hear
the microwave. He brought me boiled potatoes with a broth on it.
I
watched him closely for signs that he knew I was worth a couple
million. I had to wonder who he would send a ransom note to. My
parents wouldn't pay. They'd inherit and keep the cash.
“ I
think we need to talk about something.” I set the half eaten plate
down and sat up straight. “I umm.”
He
was waiting patiently with my medicine in his hands. He was pushing
the next pill out of the foil.
“ The
thing is – It was just a whim. I tried it and I honestly didn't
like it. I don't want to, never again.” I waited to see what his
reaction might be.
He
slowly
Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Martin A. Lee, Bruce Shlain