"Are you ready to apologize yet McGee?" Andrea asked, sipping on a glass of carbonated water as she came back from the kitchen.
Molly was lying face down on the cold wooden floor, having not moved since Andrea had left 5 minutes earlier. Her butt stung when motionless and felt excruciating when she moved even the slightest. Her eyes were blurry with tears and a soft ringing drowned out the softer sounds of the room.
"I… I… I had no idea it hurt that much!" Molly wailed.
"What are you talking about? You mean being disciplined? That wasn't even that bad you big wuss. It was only 25 spankings with my bare hands. I didn't even slap your bare bottom. I'm sure you've gotten worse than that before." Andrea said, rolling her eyes at Molly's melodramatic antics.
"What? No… I've never been spanked before." Molly whimpered.
"You liar."
"I'm serious. My parents said that spanking was barbaric and that they would never punish me or my brother like that."
"Are you kidding? No wonder you're such a weak loser. I've gotten like twice that many from my dad and my mom uses her hairbrush instead of her hand when I really piss her off." Andrea told Molly nonchalantly.
Andrea was caught off guard by how quick Molly moved, seemingly going from face down on the floor to being on her feet with her arms wrapped around Andrea instantaneously.
"I'm so, so sorry that your parents do that to you. It's not your fault and you don't deserve to be abused like that. If you don't feel safe here we should find someone who can help you."
"What the fuck are you talking about McGee? Just because your parents were loser hippies who let you run wild doesn't mean I'm being abused." Andrea scolded Molly as she pushed her away, getting angrier as she felt Molly desperately try to cling to her, "And if you ever even IMPLY something like that ever again I'll make sure you understand what real cruelty is."
Molly was about to respond when Andrea reached out and placed her index finger firmly on Molly's lips.
"McGee, stop and think about what you are going to say because the next words out of your mouth are going to mean the difference between getting to relax in my warm, snuggly bed with me, a bowl of popcorn and movie and being tied up and left in the laundry room until someone remembers to let you out."
"I… I really would like that first option please. I'm sorry I made you mad. It's been a hard day and I wasn't thinking straight. I know that's not a good excuse so I hope you forgive me." Molly told Andrea, looking down at the floor in defeat. Her emotions were split, half of her hating that she was forced to apologize despite not doing anything wrong while the other half of her actually felt bad for making Andrea angry.
"I suppose I can't blame a little half breed like you for taking a while to figure out how to behave." Andrea told Molly, patting her on the head condescendingly.
"Miss Andrea, is there anyway… that maybe I can get something more to go with that popcorn. I haven't eaten anything since… yesterday… and I'm really hungry. It doesn't need to be a lot though… I'd prefer if it's a lot."
"I suppose I'm a bit peckish myself. I could order us a pizza." Andrea suggested.
"Oh, that would be amazing!" Molly beamed.
"Though I don't know if you behavior today really deserves to be rewarded like that."
"Pretty please Miss Andrea. Maybe… maybe there is something I can do to convince you?"
"What did you have in mind McGee?" Andrea asked cautiously.
Molly's mind swirled through every interaction she could think of, trying to find something that she could offer to Andrea that might win her over without making her own terrible day worse. Every memory that popped into her mind she tossed aside, having next to no resources to work with. Everything she had ever tried to convince people of something in the past had required time and prep work and energy. As the seconds ticked by the look on Andrea's face started shifting from pleased curiosity to increasing annoyance. Molly could see her chances of eating and having a restful night slipping away as the corners of Andrea's glossy lips dropped further and further down.
"I could give you a backrub maybe?" Molly suggested, blurting out the only thing she could think of as she saw Andrea's mouth about to open, cutting her off, "I mean, if you want one."
"I suppose I have had a rough day and little pampering wouldn't hurt." Andrea eventually replied, "Very well. Follow me. I'm going to lay down on the couch in the living room. You can massage my back while I order the pizza. If by the time it arrives you've done a good enough job then you can have some."
"Alright." Molly said with a smile. Andrea looked at Molly and gave a little cough, hinting to Molly to change her response. "Thank you Miss Andrea. I'm sure I'll make you happy."
"I'm sure you'll try."