Usual disclaimers apply. This chapter does include spanking. You have been warned.
Chapter 7
"Sam wake up," I felt myself being shaken and groaned, turning back over and pulling the covers over my head.
"Sam it's time to get up," Mama insisted, pulling the covers down and waiting until I finally opened my eyes. Opening one eye and then the other I looked at her in horror. She was already dressed and looked happy to be up so early on a Saturday.
"It's too early to get up," I protested.
She chuckled. "You are so your mother's daughter. I have to be at the dojo soon and you need to get dressed and eat breakfast. Come on, get downstairs."
She waited until my feet were on the ground and I was actually heading to the bathroom before leaving my room. I slowly did my morning routine and walked into the kitchen with a loud sigh.
Grabbing the leftover Chinese food from the refrigerator, I heated it up and sat down to eat. Mama came back from the barn just as I was finishing up and I grabbed my tennis shoes before heading to the door.
"Grab your book bag," Mama instructed.
"Why?"
"Because I got all the schoolwork you'll be missing from Mrs. Penway. You won't get full marks because of the suspension, but at least you'll get partial credit. You are also going to work on a paper about weapon safety for me and your mom."
I groaned and grabbed my bag. "Do I even get to train today?"
"Nope."
I groaned again and followed her to the truck. No training meant that I'd be cooped up in her office. It had a large window that looked over the dojo so I'd be able to see all the training, but not participate in it. She was torturing me for sure.
We reached the dojo and I walked inside as slowly as possible. Mama went to get changed and pointed toward her office. I nodded and stomped there as loudly as I could. Before I had even reached the door, I felt one hand on my elbow, and the other hand giving my backside one hard swat as she guided me through the door. She never said a word to me but I got the message loud and clear.
Sniffling and rubbing my backside, I dropped my bag and threw myself on her couch. Lying on my stomach I sniffled some more before deciding what to do. As much as I didn't want to do school work or write a paper I wasn't dumb enough not to work on something. Mama had made it clear what I was to be doing today, and I didn't want to be in even more trouble with her.
I heard her footsteps coming toward the office and I jumped off the couch and into her office chair behind her desk quickly. Grabbing my book bag I groaned once more as I pulled out the school work that been added. Pulling out my math book I decided to get all the math for the week out of the way before moving on to my Greek goddess project.
Mama entered the office and gave me a kiss on the top of my head. "Glad to see you're working."
"Like I have a choice," I muttered.
She chuckled and she ruffled my hair. "You do have a point there. My first class will be here in a half hour, I'll be warming up. Answer the phone if it rings and come get me if you need to."
"Okay Mama," I answered, sighing with envy as I stopped working to watch her start her warm up.
The day had been uneventful. I had managed to finish all my math homework and was thrilled that I didn't have to worry about it anymore. I was just getting ready to start cleaning the mats when the door opened. I smiled and was ready to run to greet her when I remembered the reason she was home early. My face fell and I turned from her heading for the cleaning supply closet instead.
"Sammy," her voice was soft and I turned around. My eyes locked with hers for a brief moment and then she smiled and held her arms open. I ran to her and sighed as the scent of vanilla and honeysuckle reached me. She was home.
I pulled back and looked up at her, "Are you really angry with me Mom?" I asked.
"Yup, actually I'm furious with you. However, I am also very glad to see you." She kissed the top of my head and looked around. "Where's Mama?"
"Right here," a low voice rumbled. Coming toward Mom, Mama lifted her up for a brief second before their usual greeting. I shook my head and closed my eyes. No kid should ever have to see their parents that much in love.
Finally finishing their kiss, Mama noticed the bag by the door. "Your luggage?"
"No, I stopped by home and got changed. I thought you might be up to a little sparring warrior," she teased as she took her sais from the bag.
Grinning Mama nodded and Mom removed her shoes before walking onto the mat. Getting her sword from the office, Mama met her in the center of the mats.
"You ready for this, my bard?"
"Bring it on, my warrior."
I sat down at the edge of the mat not able to move my eyes off the two figures sparring in the middle of it. I had only seen Mom with her sais a few times and this sparring match was like nothing I'd ever seen from them before.
The fight was intense and non-stop. There were flips and turns and moves I had never known my parents could do. They were obviously going all out and it was amazing to see. No wonder Mama had been called the Warrior Princess and Mom the Battling Bard.
I watched my parents spar for over an hour. They easily switched out steel blades for staffs and back again before finally stopping. They were now sitting on the mat, legs crossed, holding hands. Their foreheads were touching and both seemed more at peace than I had seen in a while despite their heavy breathing.
"We need to do that more often," Mama said.
"Yeah, without the daily road fight or occasional warlord to battle we've gone soft," Mom teased.
I slowly walked over and sat down by them on the mat. "That was amazing."
They both started and looked at me as if they'd forgotten I was in the room. Grinning at each other they kissed before turning to face me.
"Look at us Sam," Mama's voice directed and I reluctantly lifted my head until my gaze met theirs.
Mom looked at me hard and I braced myself for her lecture. "We have a lot of things to talk about when we get home, don't we Sam?"
I gulped not liking what Mom was implying. Still I answered, "Yes ma'am."
Mama stood, pulling Mom up next to her. A moment later blue eyes were studying me. One dark eyebrow arched, summoning me to my feet. "Get started on the mats, while I talk to my bard."
The drive home had to be the longest trip in history. We had stopped to pick up a pizza on the way and the smell of it reminded me just how hungry I was. Finally reaching the house I followed slowly behind my parents and focused all attention to my dinner rather than my company. Had it been up to me, the meal would never have ended and thus my 'chat' with my moms would have to be put off forever as would the punishment.
Finally I heard the words I'd been dreading all night, "Sam, go get ready for bed and then come meet us in my study." My head popped up at the last part of the instructions. Mom's study? My heart began to race as I realized just how much trouble I was in. Her study was reserved only for times of really serious talks and punishment. Like the time I decided to cut the braid off of Nikki in Kindergarten.
I stood up without speaking and headed to my room wondering how I got there moments later. It took all of my courage to do what I was asked and far too soon I was walking into Mom's office and my certain doom.
My moms were sitting on the couch and had placed a chair across from them in the room. Motioning to the chair, I sat down and waited. There was no way I wanted to begin this discussion.
I didn't have to wait long before Mom decided to start the conversation, "Sam, I don't even know where to begin tonight. Stealing from us, going into the attic, sneaking around behind our backs, using a weapon that you'd never seen before and have no training to use…" she stopped and looked at me.
"What were you thinking Sam?" Mom asked.
I shrugged.
"Answer me!" The sharpness in her voice made my head jerk up and I put my hands under my legs.
"I was just curious about what was in the attic."
"You were just curious? Just curious?" She was getting her stride now and I knew to wait until it all came out, "So was your curiosity satisfied when you stole the key from my jewelry box or took my scrolls and satchel or your Mama's chakram? How about when you used that chakram on a playground full of children? Are you done being curious now?"
I shook my head, "No Mom, I'm not done being curious. I still want to know about Eve and the other things you wrote about in those scrolls." The words flew out of my mouth before I could censor them and both hands immediately flew to my mouth to cover it. I wondered if my wish would be granted and the earth would now swallow me up and take me whole.
"No! No you're not done being curious?" A flow of unintelligible Greek came from her mouth and she looked at me with her eyes blazing.
I pulled my knees up to my chest and hugged then tightly, burying my face on top of them. The louder Mom yelled, the more I began to shake until I finally raised my head and whispered, "Mommy, you're scaring me." I didn't realize it then, but the tone in my voice using the name I used for her when I was very small must have triggered something in her. I saw Mama catch her hand, and for a moment they locked eyes. The next thing I knew, my bardic mother had crossed the room and squatted down in front of me. I looked up to find two very concerned emeralds locked with my eyes.
"Oh Sammy," her voice was quieter now. "I'm sorry. You know I love you, right?"
I nodded. "I love you too, Mommy."
She smiled at me, and for a moment I almost forgot why she was yelling in the first place. "I know you found some things in that attic and have questions that need answered, but those things were there for a reason. Xena and I decided long ago that there were some parts of our history that you don't need to know about."
"At least not yet," Mama added. She'd left the couch, and was standing next to Mom. "I know this is hard, and you don't understand, but we are your parents, and you're just going to have to trust us on this."
I scowled, and Mama laughed. She held a hand down to Mom, who graciously took it. Now both parents looked down at me.
"Right now however, "Mama continued, "We're going to discuss what happened on the playground yesterday."
"And the events leading up to it," Mom added.
Mama took Mom's hand to her lips and gently kissed it. If I knew they weren't currently planning on killing me, I would have rolled my eyes at the mushy gesture.
They returned to the couch and sat down still holding hands and glanced at each other briefly before once again making me the center of their universe. I tried to stay focused on them, but it was impossible. In fact, I cringed. My Mama had given me her 'warrior stare' over the years, but never did it look quite as scary as it did at that moment.
"Let's start with the stealing, Sam," Mom's voice suddenly started. "You know that it's wrong, don't you?"
I nodded before mumbling, "Yes."
"Then what made you think it would be okay to take the key to the attic, my chakram, and your mom's scrolls and satchel?" Mama's stern voice continued Mom's questioning.
I looked back and forth between the two of them a little stunned. "I didn't think you'd find out," I answered honestly, knowing that trying to apologize or lie right now would make the reaction even worse.
Mama just shook her head and sighed, "I thought we'd taught you better than that, Sam."
I lowered my eyes and watched as my fingers twitched in my lap. Twice in as many days, my warrior mother's words burned into my soul. I fought the tears that threatened to come, but lost the battle. A lone tear rolled down my cheek, escaping, and I didn't have the strength or the will to wipe it away.
The next half hour or so was filled with "Yes, ma'ams", no ma'ams, and the appropriate "sorry" and promises that I would never do anything like this ever again.
Truth be told, by the time the lecturing was over I almost no idea of what either of them had said, but I was one thoroughly chastised little girl. It wasn't until Mama stood and left the room, and I was left alone with Mom did I once again start to pay attention.
I swallowed hard as my sweet, gentle, bardic mother transformed into a stoic, regal, Amazon Queen. I knew that she was a queen and I a princess, but rarely did we take on these roles. Something told me that today I was going to see more of that queen than ever before along with a healthy dose of Amazon justice.
I suddenly found myself wishing that Mama was still there. Mama was tough, but she was nothing compared to Mom when she decided to don the mask of the Queen. I was so dead. I was frozen in place and before I knew it she had traded places with me. She was now seated on the chair and I stood in front of her standing between her legs.
"Please, Mom," I tried to no avail. For once she said nothing as she reached up and helped me step out of my sweats. I shivered and it had nothing to do with the temperature of the room. Before I could protest, I found myself studying the pattern on the carpet. Grey, with flecks of blue and green. How appropriate, I thought.
Mom had her hand on my back, rubbing little circles on it, like she did when I was sick or scared. "Samina," she prompted. I gulped, hearing my full name was never a good sign. "Tell me why you are here."
My mind suddenly went blank. Of all the times to go blank, my brain would pick now. I couldn't help but squirm and hoped my motions could stall for time. Thinking hard I kept coming up empty until I felt a half-powered swat to my seat. Regaining immediate focus I began to list my transgressions. "I stole from you and Mama, went into the attic, and, um, and…"
"And what Samina?" She prompted again, this time laying a heavy hand directly on my backside.
I yelped before answering, "And I used Mama's chakram at school on the playground where there were a lot of people that could have gotten hurt and I lied to you both."
"Lied?"
I nodded and then felt like a dunce for doing so. It wasn't like she could see my face. "I purposely went behind your backs, and misled you about my Halloween costume."
"You forfeited Halloween, so the costume really isn't an issue anymore," Mom explained.
I did? That must have been in the part of the lecture that I tuned out. I suddenly wondered what else I had missed. "Mom, I'm really sorry."
"I know, honey, but that doesn't excuse what you did. Still, you're only half right." She continued her attack on my backside as I began to wiggle, squirm, and kick. I'm sure my cries and yells also belied the fact that I was supposed to be a mature ten year old. But let's face it, when confronted by the Amazon Queen, wouldn't you be crying if you were over her lap?
I tried to think in order to answer her question but as I yelped again, nothing came to me. Minotaur shit, what did I forget? I quickly ran through everything that I'd done; The key, check, the attic, check, the chakram, check. What had I missed? "Um, Mom?" I finally asked, not being able to come up with anything else.
She sighed as her hand stopped. "Sam, I am going to spank you, but this is only for taking the key from my jewelry box and entering the attic without permission. Your Mama is going to deal with the rest of your punishment," she finished, pulling my underwear down to my knees.
I winced and made a mental note to pay more attention the next time they lectured me, but before I could dwell on it too much, the talking part of the spanking was over and mom proceeded to continue with the non-verbal part and she was really outdoing herself this time.
I felt like I had been over my mom's knee for a very long time, but as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Mama pulled my underwear up and I found myself being guided into a standing position and then guided over to the couch. Once there, Mom gathered me close to her and I melted into her loving embrace. I may be ten years old and fairly mature, but at that moment I was very much my mommy's little girl.
I don't know how long we cuddled on the couch, but the throbbing in my backside had settled into a dull ache by the time my tears had dried. I was beginning to get drowsy as I felt my mom kiss the top of my head.
"Sam, your Mama's waiting for you in the barn."
"I don't wanna ride tonight," I protested into her chest. I was half asleep and didn't realize what she was telling me.
"No, Sam," she half scolded. "You won't be doing any riding tonight and probably won't want to ride for quite a while actually."
That got my attention. I sat up, wincing as the leather couch connected with my backside. I groaned. "Do I hafta, Mom?" Okay, I admit it, it might have been more of a whine, but my self-preservation was finally starting to kick in.
She leveled her gaze at me, "Would you rather your mama come in here looking for you?"
I shook my head quickly. "No ma'am," I mumbled.
"Then I suggest you get moving," she encouraged me with a pat to the backside as I left the couch.
I had finally located and returned my sweats to their proper place when Mom called out reminding me not to forget shoes or a jacket.
Heading to the back porch, I pulled on my tennis shoes and favorite windbreaker before braving the familiar path to the barn. It may have only been a few hundred yards away, but tonight it felt as if I was walking a marathon.
I was beyond nervous. Mama had threatened to 'take me to the barn' many times in my life, but this was the first time it had actually happened. I was pretty sure I was in for the tanning of my life, and the change of venue certainly made the butterflies that were already flittering in my stomach double-time it.
I paused at the barn door and seriously considering running. I wasn't given the chance however, when the barn door swung open and I was suddenly met with ice blue eyes.
"Mama," I greeted her meekly. She said nothing, but held the door open so I could slip beneath her arm, and into the barn.
"Your mother and you talk?" she asked.
"We didn't do much talking," I admitted, rubbing my backside for emphasis.
Mama gave me a sympathetic half-smile before she once again returned the stoic mask to her face. "Good. Come with me, Sam, I want to show you something."
Her tone surprised me. I was expecting her to yell or start lecturing me. I half expected her to just yank me over her knee. I should have known however, that she had other plans. My mama never did the usual thing if she felt something else would work better.
We walked quickly to the far end of the barn the eerie lighting casting shadows as we walked. I looked at her in confusion when I realized we were at the door to her private place. A small room had been built into the barn that Mama used sort of as an office. It was her place, where she went to think or just be alone when she needed to. She usually only came here when it was too cold to be outside and it wasn't used often.
She entered flipping on the light, and crossed the room to the file cabinet as I slowly entered behind her. Opening the top drawer she pulled out a large leather pouch. She handed it to me and told me to open it.
Curious, I did so and nearly dropped the whole thing when I saw what was inside. I started to put the bag down on her desk, but her hand stopped me.
"Go ahead," she insisted. "Take it out."
I shook my head, but when her eyes met mine I knew I wasn't being given a choice in the matter, I had to obey. Reaching into the pouch I pulled out her chakram.
"Heavy, isn't it?" Mama prompted. "Heavier than the first time you picked it up?"
I nodded, realizing that it was true. The chakram did feel heavier. It's funny that I didn't realize that before. I looked at Mama questioningly.
She shook her head, "No Sam, the weight didn't change. What you are feeling the responsibility. I know that feeling well." She leaned back on the edge of her desk and crossed her arms across her chest. I want you to remember this feeling Sam; every time you pick up a weapon, every time you get into a fight, every time you try to fix something, or help someone. Remember this weight."
I was confused. "But Mama, I thought it was good to help people."
Her voice softened and a small smile appeared on her lips. "It is, but you also have to remember that every action you take has a consequence. Whether that consequence is good or bad, your actions affect other people."
I frowned. Maybe being nine wasn't so bad. Things had gotten a lot more complicated since I'd turned ten.
"All I'm saying Sam is that even though your heart was in the right place, and you had the best of intentions, you still need to think carefully before you act. What you did was so dangerous; I can't even begin to think about how many people…how many innocents could have gotten hurt by what happened."
I shifted uneasily and I could have sworn that the chakram grew heavier in my hands. "I'm so sorry, Mama. You're right, I should think more. What I did was so stupid and dangerous and…" I trailed off, the tears returning to my eyes. I didn't think I had any tears left, but here they were once again.
Just then, my Mama held out her hand and relieved me of my burden. She laid the chakram on her desk and took my hand. She led me around the desk, to the room's only chair. There, she sat down and pulled me into a tight embrace. I felt safe once again as she cuddled me in her lap, holding me tight as she rocked me and hummed a sweet lullaby.
After a while my tears subsided, and I felt my eyes begin to droop. I felt Mama kiss me on the top of my head. "Don't fall asleep little one, we're not done yet."
"Um, what do you mean, Mama?" I asked as innocently as I could.
"We still have to talk about the playground, and using my chakram."
I looked up at her and wrinkled my nose.
"Just like your mother," Mama admonished, tapping the end of the aforementioned nose. She then set me back on my feet, before standing herself. Picking up the chair, she moved it so that it was clear of the desk, and almost in the middle of the room.
I tried to back up a little, but was stopped by the desk. "But Mom already spanked me," I protested.
Mama shook her head while I watched in horror as she undid the buckle of her leather belt. Slipping it out of its loops, she put the buckle in the palm of her hand, wrapped it around the palm and then doubled it over. "I'm not planning on spanking you, Sam."
I was in too much shock to run, hide, or even protest. I was usually spanked with just Mama's or Mom's hand. Once or twice I'd felt the wooden spoon or hairbrush, but never something like Mama's belt. Just as I was about to react, I realized my sweats and underwear were around my ankles and I was in a much too familiar position.
I felt Mama's hand on my back and she asked the question I was dreading. "Why am I about to strap you, Sam?"
I gulped as my brain raced for some type of excuse, anything to get me out of this position. My eyes looked up and locked in on the chakram, the edge of it just poking over the edge of Mama's desk. Just looking at the weapon made me feel heavy. I took a deep breath and resigned myself to my fate.
"Because I took your chakram and used it, not realizing just how dangerous it was or even thinking about how I or somebody else could have been hurt."
"Well said, little one," Mama praised me.
I would have smiled if my thoughts hadn't been refocused suddenly. I felt Mama stiffen and the attack to my backside began. I found myself wiggling, squirming, and kicking much more than the mature ten year old I thought myself to be. I decided then and there that if this is what 'going to the barn' meant, I'd be ecstatic never to see the inside of this structure ever again. From now on Mavri would just have to sleep in the garage, I'm sure he'd adjust quickly.
I'm not sure just how long the legendary Warrior Princess raged a war on my backside, but the next thing I remember was being held once again in her arms. My entire backside along with my upper thighs were on fire. I was pretty sure I'd never want to see, much less, touch the chakram again. It was way too heavy for me to hold.
Mama began to rock back and forth humming as she did so and I once again felt myself relaxing against her as my sobs finally quieted and turned into the occasional sniffle. She gently stood me in front of her and pulled my clothing up before standing herself. Picking me up, I wrapped my legs around her waist and laid my head on her shoulder. Shifting just a little, I felt her hand leave my back for a moment while she turned off the light. The last thing I remember is Mama carrying me into the house from the barn, my head buried in her neck and realizing as long as I was in her arms, the smell of leather would always make me feel safe.
