AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We all start somewhere; just be proud that you started at all.”
After doing some warm-up stretches, we walked over to the monkey bars. I giggled as I wrapped my hands around the bars and then said, “Wow! My training is really paying off!” I easily made it to the other end while Stephanie laughed.
“I think that’s called cheating,” she said when I released the bar and gave a bow. “I’m pretty sure your feet aren’t supposed to touch the ground.”
I laughed, having forgotten that the bars from my childhood had been much shorter. She showed me that I needed to bend my knees and hang by my arms before traversing the bars. After she’d completed the length, she came over.
“Don’t worry. I’ll spot you.”
It was embarrassing as I didn’t even make it halfway across, but she refused to accept my apologies.
“Hannah, I’ve been training for a month longer than you have.”
“I’m just afraid I won’t be anywhere near ready to sign up for the Mudder,” I said, flexing my fingers to get ready to try again.
“Well, if you had Gary for a coach, you’d make sure to scamper across like the monkey these are named for.”
Cocking my head, I gave her a long look. “That’s twice now you’ve mentioned him giving you some sort of motivation.” I wanted to know what he used to inspire her into working so hard, but just couldn’t bring myself to ask. Instead, I gripped the bars again. “He’s taught you. You can teach me. What’s my incentive, Coach?”
She laughed as she moved to stand beside me to break my fall if I let go—which I would, of course. “Let’s just say I’m not sure you’d appreciate Gary’s methods. But, if you make it further than the first time, I’ll pop for a Starbucks on the way home.”
“Sounds good.” I didn’t earn the prize until the third time and still didn’t make it to the end, but from the way we both shouted and did a happy dance, you’d have thought I’d won a marathon.
We did some pushups, ran along some beams that were low to the ground, and then jogged around the track. Cooling off on the swings, we laughed as we tried to outdo each other to see who could go highest. Climbing off, I staggered a bit, but I loved every quiver of my muscles. Driving through the Starbucks, the barista informed us that today was National Friend’s Day, and the drinks were buy one and get one free.
Stephanie laughed. “I swear I didn’t know when I made that offer. Hey, if you come out with us tonight, I’ll make it up to you and I’ll buy you a drink.”
“Out where?” I asked as I pulled up to the window.
“Lieutenant Dawson, Kelly’s brother, has a band and they’ve got their first gig. A bunch of us are going to a club out on Brewster Street. It’s a bit far, but Kelly asked if we’d go help support them. Besides, he said that Fridays are ladies’ night and they’ve got this free buffet.” She paused while I passed her phone to the guy at the window so he could scan her app to pay for the coffees.
It was Friday. I’d totally forgotten what day it was. Brett had mentioned dinner, but had not said anything about what would happen after we’d eaten. Perhaps he’d decided one week was enough of his camp? Somehow, I rather doubted that.
I shook my head. “Sorry, it sounds like fun, but I can’t go,” I said as I handed her phone back.
She rolled her eyes. “God, you’re going to think I’m some sort of cheapskate. I mean your coffee didn’t cost me anything and the drinks at the bar are like half-price.”
“No, it’s not that,” I assured her, giving her coffee to her and accepting my own. “I’m all for cheap drinks. Any other night and I’d jump at the chance. But, well, Fridays are when Brett and I…” True, I felt that we were becoming close friends, but I was not ready to share such an intimate detail with her… with anyone really. “It’s sort of our date night.”
“Oh, that’s too bad, but I understand. Gary and I are the same way.”
“You are?” I asked, wondering if some instinct in me had drawn me to another wife who practiced this dynamic.
“Yeah, but on Sundays. We always go out to brunch somewhere after church.”
Church and brunch… not dinner and spanking. Thank God I’d not said more about my own ‘date night’. I just smiled and nodded, glad when Stephanie steered the conversation back to training after I reached up to rub my shoulder, which ached a bit.
“What you need is a good massage,” she said.
Her words made me think of the massages that Brett always gave me after our runs. I’d had a better week than I’d had in as long as I could remember. And why was that? As much as I hated to admit it, it was because we’d made those vows, Brett had enforced them, and we had started over. Smiling for real this time, I turned to her. “I’ll make you a deal. If I can actually be ready to do this Mudder, and live through it, I’ll treat you to a spa day when it’s over.”
“You’re on!” She raised her cup. “The only thing I love more than coffee is getting pampered. You can bet your ass you’ll make it!”
After dropping her off at her house, I went home and finished the project for the welcoming baskets for the newcomers to the base. They were now lined up in a neat row along the back wall and would be picked up by another committee member tomorrow. I spent some time watering and checking our garden, glad to see green shoots beginning to appear in the pots we’d started as seeds.
Realizing I actually had some free time, I tried to read but couldn’t concentrate. Instead, I made a few more flowers, enjoying the process instead of being freaked out that I’d never finish. As I worked, I thought about the week. I’d not broken any of our rules, and Brett and I hadn’t had a single harsh word… well, if you didn’t count those few grumblings I’d made when forced to get up so early. But I’d even stopped doing that.
When it was about time for Brett to get home, I went into the bedroom to change. Pulling a dress from my closet, I reconsidered. Even though I had done nothing wrong, had nothing to confess, and there was no reason for me to worry about getting a spanking, I’d worn a dress last Friday and look what had happened. He couldn’t expect me to remove my pants and panties in the middle of a restaurant. Putting the dress back, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater. If he questioned me, I’d simply state that it wasn’t our anniversary and going to a pizza parlor didn’t require a dress and heels.
