Slave To Love by Bridget Midway

see you get spanked on TV.” Connie put her hand against Taren’s cheek. “Baby, why are you doing this?”
    Taren stared into her mother’s soulful brown eyes. She pulled her mother’s hand from her face. “Because I can. I’m strong enough and I want to.”
    “You don’t have to do this to confirm anything to me or your father. You know that. We know you’re capable.”
    Taren backed away from Connie. “I want to be more than capable. I want to be normal.”
    Connie chuckled. “You want to be seen as normal by doing a show with freaks.”
    The back door slammed and Del stormed into the dining room. He looked at Taren and pointed at her but said nothing. Then he looked at his wife, pointed to her but uttered nothing. When he brought his attention back to Taren, he finally got himself together to speak. “I love you.” He kissed her forehead and marched back outside again.
    “These people aren’t freaks.” Taren sat back down and picked up her fork although her appetite had vanished.
    “How do you know?” Connie put her hand to her chest. “Are you already a part of this life and this is how you’re telling us?”
    Taren shook her head. “No. I’ve been curious about it since—”
    “It’s that damn Dori, isn’t it?” Connie screwed up her lips. “When she did that show a few years ago, I didn’t like her then. I knew she was a bad influence on you. That’s why I don’t like her. I don’t like you hanging around her either.”
    “Dori is a good person. She only did that show because of me.” Taren straightened her back as she talked to her mother. “A mutual friend of ours asked us if we wanted to be on the show. I wanted to, but I was only seventeen at the time.”
    “Oh, my God.” Connie covered her mouth.
    “I had graduated high school so he assumed I was eighteen at least. Dori agreed to go for me. She didn’t want to do the show. When the producer asked her to do another show kind of like the other one, she refused. She hated the whole experience.” Taren realized she’d been gripping her fork like a baby holding a pacifier. She placed it on her plate.
    “I guess she is somewhat smart.” Connie folded her arms over her chest. “She still shouldn’t have done the show. She should have come to us and told us that you wanted to do this freaky mess.”
    “This is something I’ve always wanted to try but have been too afraid.” Fear dissipated from her body the more she spoke. “I’m tired of always being afraid.”
    The back door slammed again. Del stomped hard enough that Taren thought he would put his feet right through the floor.
    Del stared at Taren. “If one man puts his hand on you, I’m—” He clamped his mouth shut, turned to Connie again, then looked back at Taren. “I love you.” He marched out again.
    “Your father and I appreciate you always sharing things with us, but we can’t support your decision this time.” Connie closed her eyes for a moment, then redirected her attention to her child. “I love you. I will always love you. We will always love you. This decision will not change our perception of you as our little girl. Understand that what you’ve chosen will irrevocably change your life forever. Employers will look at you differently. If you don’t find the love of your life on this show, men will view you like you’re not worthy.” Connie shook her head. “I’m not going to lie. Some family members may think about you a certain way.” She stood and walked over to Taren. “You are my baby. You always will be. I love you so much.” She hugged her. “Please think carefully about this decision.”
    Taren hugged her back. “I love you, too, Mom. And I have thought about this. I want to do this.” She pulled back from her mother, who still smelled like roses and meatloaf. “I want to start my own business. I’ve told you and Dad that before.”
    Connie rolled her eyes. “You know how hard it is to start a business. You remember all those