whatever it was we shared. I prayed she wouldn’t take offense at the lack, but I needn’t have worried. She never mentioned it.
Val returned home on the second week as promised. To my surprise, she didn’t summon me. I’d expected her to step up my training in preparation for my impending debut. Should I call and ask to see her? Would that incur her wrath? Another source of anxiety.
I wondered if Val’s trip and subsequent aloofness were work-related, or whether she’d grown bored with me and found other amusements. This was our longest separation, and I was shocked by the size of the hole it left in my life.
Millie, however, was the biggest unknown.
§
Val called at 8 o’clock on Wednesday, the 20th.
“I hope you had a pleasant trip?” I said. It was as close to asking what she’d been up to as I dared.
“It was productive. Is doll making progress on her artwork?” she asked. No small talk, just straight to business.
“I am,” I replied. “Well, three of them anyway. I haven’t started the last one. I can’t seem to come up with anything.”
“I’m confident you’ll find your inspiration.”
“Thank you.”
“And you still have eleven days before it’s due. I look forward to the fruits of your labor. Now…are you free Thursday? Say at nine pm?"
Yes! I thought, but forced myself to sound nonchalant. “I’m supposed to go bowling with a few friends from work. But I can ditch that.”
“Are you quite sure? I wouldn’t want to deprive my doll such exquisite pleasures. I imagine the beer is quite good."
I laughed, even as her words stung.
“No, they won’t mind,” I assured her before blurting, “I do miss you, Ma’am."
She heard the honorific, but didn’t take the bait.
“Nine o’clock on Thursday then, my place. Bring whatever art you’ve finished, so I can send the files to the printers."
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Ta."
“Should I also bri—” I began, but the line was already dead.
§
Thursday night was windy, cold, a little drizzly. I wore a gray long-sleeved turtleneck sweater dress which came down to my knees, and Val seemed to approve when she greeted me at the door. I was surprised to find her there, not the maid, and knelt reflexively on the tiles.
“I’m here for you, Ma’am,” I said. The chill wind swirled about my legs.
“Good doll.” She stroked my hair for a moment, and I studied her pretty black wedge pumps as I kept my head lowered. “Do come in.”
She took my purse and brought me to the study, where she sat in her stuffed plum-colored armchair. I knelt on the throw rug before her.
“Yolanda’s away for a couple of days, visiting family out of the country,” she explained, anticipating my question. “It’s convenient to have dolls, at such times."
I nodded, unsure if she was referring specifically to me, or her dolls in general. However deeply I craved Val’s attentions, the thought of doing her housework did not appeal to me in the least. I nearly laughed aloud at this realization. Spanking? Check. Standing nude in the presence of strangers? Sure. Dusting and laundry? No way. I didn’t mention my strong aversion to house chores, however, as I knew Val would find a use for that knowledge, in the most dreadful way.
“I apologize for being rather more busy than I expected. Work has been unusually demanding.” She smiled. “But here you are, and I’m eager to see your creations. Have you made good use of your time?”
“Yes, Ma’am, though I’m still stuck on the last piece.” She nodded. “My phone is in the purse, if you want to see them.”
Rather than puzzle out how to use my phone, Val simply handed it to me. I brought up the first image, the shark, and passed it back to her.
After donning her glasses she studied it for a long time, completely absorbed. “How odd,” she said, with a touch of concern. “I’m quite certain I brushed my teeth that morning, but perhaps I am mistaken.” Because of her grave tone it took
Val returned home on the second week as promised. To my surprise, she didn’t summon me. I’d expected her to step up my training in preparation for my impending debut. Should I call and ask to see her? Would that incur her wrath? Another source of anxiety.
I wondered if Val’s trip and subsequent aloofness were work-related, or whether she’d grown bored with me and found other amusements. This was our longest separation, and I was shocked by the size of the hole it left in my life.
Millie, however, was the biggest unknown.
§
Val called at 8 o’clock on Wednesday, the 20th.
“I hope you had a pleasant trip?” I said. It was as close to asking what she’d been up to as I dared.
“It was productive. Is doll making progress on her artwork?” she asked. No small talk, just straight to business.
“I am,” I replied. “Well, three of them anyway. I haven’t started the last one. I can’t seem to come up with anything.”
“I’m confident you’ll find your inspiration.”
“Thank you.”
“And you still have eleven days before it’s due. I look forward to the fruits of your labor. Now…are you free Thursday? Say at nine pm?"
Yes! I thought, but forced myself to sound nonchalant. “I’m supposed to go bowling with a few friends from work. But I can ditch that.”
“Are you quite sure? I wouldn’t want to deprive my doll such exquisite pleasures. I imagine the beer is quite good."
I laughed, even as her words stung.
“No, they won’t mind,” I assured her before blurting, “I do miss you, Ma’am."
She heard the honorific, but didn’t take the bait.
“Nine o’clock on Thursday then, my place. Bring whatever art you’ve finished, so I can send the files to the printers."
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Ta."
“Should I also bri—” I began, but the line was already dead.
§
Thursday night was windy, cold, a little drizzly. I wore a gray long-sleeved turtleneck sweater dress which came down to my knees, and Val seemed to approve when she greeted me at the door. I was surprised to find her there, not the maid, and knelt reflexively on the tiles.
“I’m here for you, Ma’am,” I said. The chill wind swirled about my legs.
“Good doll.” She stroked my hair for a moment, and I studied her pretty black wedge pumps as I kept my head lowered. “Do come in.”
She took my purse and brought me to the study, where she sat in her stuffed plum-colored armchair. I knelt on the throw rug before her.
“Yolanda’s away for a couple of days, visiting family out of the country,” she explained, anticipating my question. “It’s convenient to have dolls, at such times."
I nodded, unsure if she was referring specifically to me, or her dolls in general. However deeply I craved Val’s attentions, the thought of doing her housework did not appeal to me in the least. I nearly laughed aloud at this realization. Spanking? Check. Standing nude in the presence of strangers? Sure. Dusting and laundry? No way. I didn’t mention my strong aversion to house chores, however, as I knew Val would find a use for that knowledge, in the most dreadful way.
“I apologize for being rather more busy than I expected. Work has been unusually demanding.” She smiled. “But here you are, and I’m eager to see your creations. Have you made good use of your time?”
“Yes, Ma’am, though I’m still stuck on the last piece.” She nodded. “My phone is in the purse, if you want to see them.”
Rather than puzzle out how to use my phone, Val simply handed it to me. I brought up the first image, the shark, and passed it back to her.
After donning her glasses she studied it for a long time, completely absorbed. “How odd,” she said, with a touch of concern. “I’m quite certain I brushed my teeth that morning, but perhaps I am mistaken.” Because of her grave tone it took
Similar Books
