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A little more than a week later I met Howard at Dana's Diner and we got to chatting over breakfast. When I looked at the clock I said, "Oops, I better get going. I'm more than an hour late for work."
We said our good-bys and I scurried to the Journal office. Mr. Denner was not happy. "Well, how nice of you to stop in. Where have you been?"
I explained and he replied, "That's hardly an excuse. I believe you know how I feel about reliability and punctuality. I'm very disappointed in you."
I blushed. I hadn't had a lecture from a parental figure in years but I was just as ashamed of myself as I was back then. I repeatedly said I was sorry and swore that it would not happen again.
Just then George walked and said, "Oh, you found the missing person."
Mr. Denner had been concerned when I didn't show up. He called my phone and when I didn't answer he had George check my apartment to see if something had happened to me. He's a sweet old man and in some ways, more like a loving uncle than a boss. Of course, this just increased my disgrace. After receiving a brief explanation of why I choose not to come to work on time George smiled and said, "The important thing is that she's safe and sound. I'll go now since I'm sure you intend to correct the situation."
I didn't like the sounds of that. Especially since George was looking at the thing that was hanging on the wall.
His remark deflected some of Mr. Denner's anger. "Don't be so smug young man. If I remember right you didn't think it was a joke when you brought it into my office."
George deflated a bit and apologized to both of us. Then he left and my employer said, "We have work to do but it can wait a few minutes."
He took the old oak paddle off the wall and handed it to me as he sighed. "I'm not going to like this any more than you will. I'll be waiting in my office."
On the first day I worked there he told me I was not going to be immune from that form of punishment. I always thought he was kidding a little but now I saw that he was serious about it. As he walked away I put my purse on my desk and closed my eyes. I had not seen anyone get a Denner but I heard the recipients when it was applied. Gathering my courage I admitted to myself that I deserved it. I picked up the dreaded object and went to meet my fate.
I waited while he moved papers and things off his desk. Rather nonchalantly he put one stack of documents aside and said, "When we're done here I want you to file these."
I said, "Yes Sir." and when the top of the desk was empty he held out his hand for the paddle. He was avoiding my eyes as he took it and said, "You can leave your dress on but everything below the waist goes to your ankles."
He busied himself with something so he didn't watch me reach under my dress. When he turned towards me again he frowned. "Sorry, I should have told you to stand by the desk first."
He was pointing to where I should go and the bunched up pantyhose and panties required me to shuffle with tiny steps. Then I bent forward and put my upper body on the flat surface and grasped the far side. He put the clock where I would have no trouble watching it and then moved behind me. I felt him raise my dress and tell me to watch the second hand on the clock. He reminded me that it was my responsibility to monitor the time and if I missed the one minute limit the spanking would continue. I said I understood and stared at the clock.
I had to wait for forty seconds until the hand got to the top and it was the longest forty seconds of my life. However, it was going to be surpassed by a much longer minute. During that time I tried to mentally prepare myself but it was a useless effort. This was going to hurt and there were no two ways about it. I had felt a paddle back there during my Community Service but the strokes were spaced about ten seconds apart. Now I was about to get the full sixty or more compressed into one minute. As the time got closer I just gritted my teeth and closed my eyes.
Then it began. My head shot up at the first swat and any hope I had of my loving boss showing me special mercy were shattered. Before I knew it the second one landed and we were off on a trip to Hell.
You may be wondering why and/or how I was able to remain in that position during the Denner. I'm going to leave my body in indescribable agony for a moment to explain.
Don't forget that this is Riverton. Spankings are an integral part of their lives both for sexy fun and externally applied discipline. The thought of avoiding deserved punishment would never even enter their minds. If you earned the spanking you accepted it without question. Vocal protestations and pleas are OK but nobody really ever expects them to do any good. In fact, one of the humiliating aspects of Community Service is the inference that you need to be restrained. In my case, it was more of a necessity than just embarrassment since I would have bolted for the door at the first swat. Now I was receiving something that was even worse and chose to endure it as a proper Riverton resident should. But let me tell you, it was not an easy task.
Oh well, enough of this out-of-body narrative. Back to the girl holding onto the desk for dear life and trying to peel the paint off the walls with my screams.
Actually, there's no real way to describe what getting a Denner feels like except to say that every fiber of your being is praying that it is a once in a lifetime event.
My eyes were clouded with my tears but I was able to see the clock and loudly announced the end of the punishment. I was only dimly aware of Mr. Denner saying, "Stay there as long as you wish. I'll be back in an hour." I was not so out of it that I didn't notice a catch in his voice. Almost as if he was crying with me.
After a moment I pushed myself off the desk. I was tempted to rub my bottom but chose to follow the unwritten but still set in stone rules of punishment in Riverton. No lotion or any method of assuaging the sting until your punisher gave his or her permission. I couldn't provide any relief to myself but at least I could attempt to get my underclothes back in place without adding to the discomfort.
My boss had done me a favor by giving me that stack of papers to file. Most of them went into the top drawer so I only had to squat down and feel my pantyhose squeeze my sore rear a few times. Well, it was better than sitting at the desk. But all good things must end and I eventually had to plant my aching backside on the chair. I was still squirming when he returned. He handed me a small package. "This is a pager so I can get a hold of you if an important news story comes up."
I knew what it actually was for. Ever since the incident at the Miller farm he's been hovering over me like a protective mother hen. That was why he was worried when he couldn't find me this morning. I tried to stay aloof and act as if the pager was nothing more than what he described. He was avoiding my gaze and there was a short uncomfortable silence. At last I threw my arms around him and burst into tears.
Howard came by a little later and asked if I got into trouble. "My Dad was really pissed at me for coming late. How did Mr. Denner take it."
I pointed to the oak board and said, "I have another fifteen minutes before I can put some lotion on my rear end."
He scowled but said nothing except to express sympathy.
The rest of the day seemed to drag by. The lotion removed the sting but not my shame until Mr. Denner said, "You're the best reporter I know including me. I'm sorry about this morning. I should've just given you a warning. I don't know how I could run this place without you but I'll understand if you don't want to stay."
I got up from my desk and hugged him. "You did give me a warning when I first started here. It's my fault for not taking it seriously. You said you would use the Denner if I was late and you are a man of your word. I violated one of your most important rules and you punished me for it. Nothing more and nothing less. In my old world I would've gotten a letter of reprimand in my personal file which could affect my career. Thank you for dealing with it in the Riverton way. I love this job and the sweet old man who hired me. Why would I want to go anywhere else?"
He harrumphed, "Sweet old man, indeed. Get back to work. I'm not paying you to just stand around."
Just about then the phone rang. Normally I answer it but since he was standing there he beat me to it. He listened for a while before speaking. "Yes, I understand. It is very responsible of you but I'm not sure it's a good idea. OK, I agree. Meet me here after supper. Good-by."
I assumed it was one of his carriers who wanted to talk with him and didn't give that call another thought until the next morning.
When I arrived at the office a full fifteen minutes early my boss asked, "So, did you and your boyfriend compare notes?"
I said, "What boyfriend? What notes? And what are you talking about?"
He drew back. "Emil's Simmons' boy. That was him on the phone yesterday. He said he was as much at fault for you coming in late as you were and deserved the same punishment. He came here last night and was across my desk for a Denner. I thought he'd head straight to you for mutual commiseration."
I was shocked. "Howard voluntarily came here to get a Denner? I don't believe it. Why would he do that?"
Mr. Denner smiled. "You'll have to ask him yourself. Be back here by 9."
I stayed calm as I walked to the hardware store but I guess it was obvious why I came. Emil took one look at me and said, "He's in the storeroom in back."
When I confronted my "boyfriend" he shrugged. "It was just like I told Mr. Denner. I was the reason you got spanked and it was only fair that I get the same. Do me a favor? Don't be late again."
He rubbed his rear end as he ended and I followed suit. I smiled and said, "That was very sweet. Stupid but sweet."
He shrugged again. "It seemed to be the right thing to do until I was over his desk. That thing really hurts."
I hastily agreed. "You're telling me. I hope I never get paddled again."
He was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Never is a long time. I was sort of hoping I'd get the chance to do that."
I was momentarily confused. His meaning slowly sunk in. My voice quivered as I asked, "What are you trying to say Howard?"
He took my hand and said, "This should be in a more romantic setting but I wasn't really lying to that waiter. The only deceit was in regard to timing. Will you marry me?"
Just like that day at the restaurant I shouted out my answer. This time he wasn't startled. However, my outburst drew the attention of his father who came into the room and asked what the commotion was all about. I said, "Your son just asked me to marry him."
He smiled and answered, "It's about time."
Howard added, "And she said Yes."
The older man said, "That much was obvious to everyone in the store. I'm pleased for both of you but you cost me a dollar."
As he hugged us both he explained. "I was so sure he'd never get off his butt and ask you that I put some money on it."
Then he asked, "Are your parents still around?"
I knew what he was driving at so I said, "No, they're gone but the Olsens have already volunteered to act in that capacity."
He nodded and said, "That's a good choice. Morris and I don't always agree but he's a good man. He thinks he's the mayor but everyone knows it's Agnes that runs this town."
He asked Howard if he wanted to have the rest of the day off but I answered. "Can you let him take that tomorrow. The paper has to go out today and I hate to leave Mr. Denner to do it by himself."
He scowled and said, "That old goat was able to do it before you came along and I hope he realizes what a treasure you are."
Howard put his arm around me and said, "I know what a treasure she is to me."
Mr. Simmons shook his head and left while Howard's lips and mine were locked together.
I was walking on air on the way back to the office and my boss was looking at the clock when I came in. "Harrumph, that was cutting it close. Only 5 minutes to spare. What are you smiling about?"
I answered, "Oh, nothing much. Can I have tomorrow off?"
He asked why and I said, "My boyfriend, as you call him, and I need to go the Jewelry store."
His eyes sparkled. "May I ask what for?"
I teased. "Can you keep a secret?"
He smiled more. "Of course not. I'm a newspaperman. When are you going to announce it?"
I replied, "Tomorrow night I think. The Olsens said they would act as my parents for the official engagement approval ceremony. I have to call them and see if they are still willing and are free tomorrow."
He hugged me and asked, "Are you actually going to be any use to me today?"
I acted insulted and then shyly looked down. "No, I guess not."
He smiled broadly. "Get out of here. Agnes Olsen would never forgive you for telling her your news on the phone. Get Emil to give Howard the day off and tell him he owes me a dollar."
I opened my mouth. "That was you? What made so sure he would ask me?"
He looked proud of himself. "Like I said, I'm a newspaperman and I notice things. He's been in love with you for a long time. And it didn't take a genius to see the way you lit up when he stopped by. Now get out of here. One of us has work to do."
Another hug and I floated back to the Hardware store. Apparently Emil was having the same problems with his star employee and we met halfway. We had wonderful and very interesting sexual adventures but none of them came close to the thrill of walking down the street with him holding my hand.
At the combined Town Hall and Police Station and Firehouse and Municipal Courtroom building we were met by Mrs. Olsen. She said, "Hello kids. What can we do for you?"
I asked if the His Honor the Mayor was busy and she said, "I doubt it. There's not much to do and he's probably working on a crossword puzzle."
She called out. "Morris, there's some people to see you. Put the puzzle down and come out here."
He greeted us just as warmly and his wife did and asked what we needed. I looked at Howard and then back to them. I said, "We were wondering if you had plans for Friday night. We'd like to take you to the Moving Finger."
They both smiled broadly and said, "We would love to. Should we meet you there?"
I smiled back, "No. We'd like to come to your house first."
She said, "That's wonderful." and her husband playfully chided her. "Let's not jump to any conclusions Dear."
Then he turned to me and asked, "Not that he needs the money but is your boss about a dollar richer?"
I briefly wondered how many people in this town knew about that bet. I never actually answered his question directly but my wide smile and the way I leaned against Howard told the whole story. There was a group hug and he shook Howard's hand. "Congratulations. You're a lucky man."
Howard pulled me closer and said, "I know."
Mrs. Olsen gushed. "It's going to be so much fun to have a daughter's wedding. Have you set a date yet?"
We hadn't but that was just one of the many things we had to talk about.
Then they asked who else knew and Howard answered. "Dad, Mr. Denner and we're going to see Mom and tell her."
By tradition, the engagement would not be public knowledge until after the Riverton Engagement Ritual on Friday.
Howard's mother was overjoyed at the news and invited us to dinner with them that night. I couldn't help looking at this woman and imagining her tied up complete with the dowel enhancing her exposure her.
Then to the jewelers. Riverton folks aren't into engagement rings so we just had to pick out our wedding set. Margaret showed us some and it was really special to put a ring like that on my finger. We choose the ones we liked and she said they would have to be resized but would be ready before we actually needed them. She would keep our order a secret until an appropriate time but she seemed happy with our choices and she wasn't talking about the rings.
That night was the first time I really got to know Emil. Under his gruff exterior he was witty and insightful and very gentle but there was no doubt who really ran the household. I began to wonder which one of them spent more time in ropes.
After stopping at my apartment so I would have clean clothes in the morning I followed Howard's truck to his house. You could say we celebrated our new relationship in a more intimate manner.
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