Painful Consequences Page 5

  Brittany bit her lip as she picked up the phone to call the man. After questioning her whereabouts, he agreed to come right over, also proclaiming starvation and adding that his ‘cupboard was bare.’ She swallowed, wondering what else would be bare when the boys discovered that she had been smoking again.

  * * *

  On the way to the station the next morning, Reed chatted about Harry’s newest game. The parrot discovered how to open drawers and was throwing items onto the floor on days that Brittany was not visiting. Brett suggested either making her a permanent fixture in Reed's kitchen, or as another option, installing childproof locks. As the two men laughed, Brittany silently stared out the window.

  “Nervous, kiddo?” Brett asked, glancing over his shoulder from the passenger’s seat. His sister just nodded, saying nothing. “Reed’s gonna take you down to HR. I have to get some things done. Is that okay?”

  “I guess.”

  Reed glanced at the girl in the rear-view mirror. Something was up. He waited until her brother departed and took her hand to lead her into his office. “Sit down, Britt. Coffee? Okay, what’s eating you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Woman, you sorely test my patience sometimes. You know, I’m not going to give up my line of questioning until I’m satisfied with the answer. I’m getting to know your moods, and this isn’t one of them. Out with it. It's your chance to 'fess up.”

  Brittany looked at him, tears in her eyes, fear flooding through her. Or was it guilt? She couldn’t tell, for they were both unpleasant. “I fucked up, Reed. Bad.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked, leaning forward with a frown.

  “I’m gonna blow the piss test,” came the quiet admission. She tensed, ready to hear the roar. Only silence followed.

  “When did you smoke?” Reed asked gently.

  “Yesterday. I got stressed and took a few hits in the woods. It was the first time since I got here.”

  “I see. Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “I’m your sponsor, Britt. That means I’m available to you day or night. We talked about this.”

  “I know. I just never needed it before, so…”

  “So you caved in to your addiction. This also means that you actively sought out a dealer with intent to purchase. That doesn’t happen on a whim. It is something thought out and pursued, which means you have been considering smoking for a while. Britt? Look at me. It’s hard getting clean. I know that. I also know that we have consequences when we make choices and ignore doing the right thing. One consequence is that you won’t be getting this job.”

  “I know. I’m sorry,” she stared at the floor, ashamed.

  “The other is that you will be attending a special meeting with your sponsor tonight after the regular meeting. I do expect you to share your relapse with the group.”

  “Why? I mean, what good is talking my ear off when I already know I screwed up?”

  “The group will help you see the effort you took to get yourself in this situation, and maybe provide some ideas about how to avoid it in the future. You need their support.”

  “I wasn't talking about them talking too much. I was talking about you. Why do I have to deal with your lectures and scowls on top of this? I already know you are disappointed in me.”

  “I don’t plan on doing much talking tonight, Brittany. No, our meeting this evening will be about how I intend to help you stay clean and sober. Stay here while I find your brother and let him know what happened.”

  “Reed, he’s going to kill me!”

  “I think he’s going to be more upset that you lied to him. You should have been honest enough to tell him that you fell into your temptation and then accepted the consequences. Don’t you move from this spot.”

  Brittany held her hands in her lap, wringing them nervously as she waited for Reed and her brother to return. When they did, she slowly looked up into Brett’s face and swallowed. She had not seen him so angry in a long time!

  “Brett, I’m so sorry…”

  “I warned you that you had one chance and you blew it. Find yourself another place to live.”

  “Whoa down, boy. Sergeant Wallace!” Reed intervened, seeing the panic on Brittany’s face, “You are over-reacting. Throwing her out is not going to help her sobriety, or your relationship. Chill.”

  “I don’t need a pothead living in my home, Reed.”

  “She’s not a pothead. She slipped. We all do in the beginning. She also confessed to it prior to being discovered. She obviously has too much time on her hands during the day, so we need to find something to keep her happy and occupied. Am I right, Brittany?”

  “Yes, Reed,” came the pseudo-contrite response intended simply to calm her angry brother.

  “Why did you do it, Brit?” Brett finally asked, sitting in the chair across from her.

  “I got stressed and was lonely. I get it. It was stupid. I really didn’t mean to upset you. I probably should have baked you muffins or something instead.”

  “Do you think it’s appropriate to ground a 26-year-old juvenile delinquent for two weeks?” Brett asked Reed, his sense of humor returning.

  “Absolutely. After she gets a good, hard paddling for being a bad girl.”

  “Oh, she’ll get that alright. Right when we get home,” Brett said threateningly.

  “I don’t know…” Reed contemplated the situation, watching as Brittany began to turn dark red in the face, “She has group tonight, and it would be good for her to have some time to anticipate what will be happening to her bottom after she confesses. And, as her sponsor, I really would like to handle this. What do you think about me taking her to my place and conducting a little one-on-one session with her?”

  Brett looked at his friend, immediately catching his meaning. “I think that is an excellent idea. Just don’t let her out of your sight for one minute. She’s slippery. Two weeks, Brittany. You will do your chores and then stay in your room with no TV, no computer, no stereo. You may leave only to work over at Reed's place and attend meetings or any other functions that I feel are necessary. If you thought you were lonely and bored before, little sister, then you’ve got something to learn. Excuse me,” Brett said, walking out of the office and closing the door behind him.

  Brittany looked at Reed, exhaling loudly in relief. “Thanks for patching that up. I couldn’t take getting kicked out or the spanking he was intending.”

  “You’ve always got a home to go to. As for the spanking, you and I will discuss things tonight, and I will decide the severity of your punishment. I’m going to have one of our patrolmen take you home. I’ll pick you up after work. I strongly suggest you be in your room as Brett ordered.”

  “You are not going to spank me,” Brittany colored again, glaring at him.

  “Like I said, we will discuss matters after the meeting tonight.”

  Brittany gulped, her future looking dim. Not that she was worried… She knew she would be able to talk him out of anything he had planned. She was confident in her ability to distract the man in ways she could not do with Brett, “Reed? Are you angry?”

  “Yes. But more at myself. I should have made things clearer to you about each of our responsibilities in the process. I’ll see you later, Brittany.”

  Brittany silently followed the uniformed patrolman to his car and climbed in. She thanked him as he dropped her off, and then entered the house. She paused, looking around, then slowly went upstairs to her bedroom and sat on the bed. Two weeks? She would go bat-crap crazy with nothing to do! She plopped back on her pillows. Guess that’s why being grounded was a punishment. Groaning, she picked up the only book she had. The Big Book by AA. With nothing else to do, she opened it and began reading.

  * * *

  “I’m guessing you are going to go all sponsor on her tail tonight,” Brett stated on their way home.

  “I should write a book. The Spanker’s Guide to Sobriety. I don’t think she knows w
hat’s coming,” Reed sounded sad. He would rather have made love to Brittany than discipline her, but that wasn’t in the stars for them tonight.

  “Just tell me how it ends. I hate surprises. And be aware that she will try to seduce you. Like I said, she can be a conniving and manipulative little brat. Think you can handle her?” Brett asked thoughtfully.

  “I have no doubt. Don't worry, she will not get her way with me. She might have second thoughts about pursuing a relationship with me after this, but I don’t care. She can’t keep messing up her life.”

  “I lost count as to how many times I decided that I hated my sponsor. I still do at times, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, but we both know it’s our rebellious nature talking, not our common sense. Well, here we are. Do you think she’s ready to go?”

  “I doubt it. Are you sure you want to drive tonight?” Brett asked, hopping out of the car.

  “Yep. I’ll be back to pick you guys up in about an hour,” Reed smiled, waving as he drove to his cottage. Harry starting squawking as soon as he heard Reed’s car pull in, demanding food. Reed released the bird from his cage and scratched his head affectionately as Harry began to purr. “I wish Miss Brittany was as easy as you were, buddy. I can just put you in your cage when you act up and don’t have to worry about you hurting yourself. Or my heart.”

  * * *

  Brittany bit her lip when she heard the front door close and the rattle of keys as Brett ‘deuniformed’ himself, transferring from police officer to brother. She held her breath as his footsteps approached her room.

  “Britt? You in there? I want to talk to you.”

  “It’s open.” Brittany looked up at her brother from the bed. “Brett, I’m really sorry. Please forgive me. I wasn’t thinking of how you’d feel when I smoked.” She looked close to tears and reached for his hand.

  “I shouldn’t get so worked up. But you can see that this is a problem now, can’t you?” Brett asked gently, squeezing her hand as he sat on the bed next to her. “This is going to ruin your life. I also don’t want it destroying the chance you might have with Reed.”

  “I don’t have a chance with Reed. First, except for kissing me, he’s not interested in being anything to me other than a sponsor. It’s his job. Second, he’s not… wealthy. I can't even imagine how much of his salary goes to paying for that house he bought. Even I know how expensive homes are in this area. I will have to marry someone who can support me. I have no skills to get a job, and Reed can’t afford for me not to work.”

  “Are you kidding?!” Brett looked offended, “I’m affording you! I make a hell of a lot less than he does, and you know damn well that I refuse any help from Dad. For crying out loud, Britt, I thought we were making headway here. You still look at yourself like the poor little rich girl that needs a sugar daddy.”

  “I do not! I mean, I can’t contribute anything worthwhile. I’m useless except as a trophy wife,” Brittany insisted. “You have no idea how it feels to be me!”

  “Oh, boo hoo. I swear, sister, if I hadn't promised Reed to keep my hands to myself, I’d blister you here and now,” Brett stood up, clearly irritated. “Get dressed for the meeting and grab something to eat. Reed’s driving.”

  Brittany pondered the situation as she quickly threw on a pair of jeans and a bright pink tank top. She dabbed on some pink lipstick and stared at herself in the mirror as she brushed her long, dark hair to a shine and put it into a tight French braid that hung over her left shoulder. She knew she was pretty. She had an exotic, dark complexion, full mouth, high cheekbones, and curves that would stop a train. She hated her ‘Greek’ ass, though. It was too full and plump to be considered ‘svelte’, and her tiny waist and generously endowed breasts made it look even more pronounced. She had begged her father for plastic surgery, but he was adamant when he refused to waste his money on something so insignificant. “You have your mother’s ass and its perfect, which is why I married her,” he had insisted loudly.

  She thought of Reed as she slowly stroked the braid that rested on her chest. He was smart, funny, boyishly charming, and had a strong, secure manner about him that made her feel safe and protected. He was also incredibly handsome and made her tingle whenever he looked at her. She had lied to her brother. It wasn’t his lack of money which kept her distanced from Reed. No, it was the fact that once he really got to know her and could see how worthless she was, she knew that he would grow bored and dump her. Just like every other decent man she had been around. Including her father.

  She fought back tears as she thought of Carmen Wallace. As much as she fought with him, she loved him deeply and always felt that she could never compete with the things most important to him—his business and his social status. It was as though he was too big to see the little girl who craved his undivided attention and desperately desired his approval and acceptance. Yes, big was just the word to describe him. He was larger than life in everything. His bankroll, his home, his business, his voice, and even his size. His friends used to tease him that the Red Sea parted because one of Carmen’s ancestors shoved Moses aside and glared, daring the water to disobey. To make things even more difficult for the father and daughter was that Brittany had inherited her father’s temperament and had not learned the fine art of finesse when it came to talking to him. Then again, she never had too. She would simply scream, throw a fit, and get whatever she wanted.

  “Thanks, Dad. You turned me into a total bitch and then got rid of me because I finally stood up to you,” she grumbled, glancing at a picture of their parents hanging in the hallway next to several frames of her with her brothers as children. She missed the times when she and her father got along as she looked at the picture of him pushing her on a swing when she was five-years-old. She had been happy way back then. What had happened?

  “Reed’s here, Britt! Move your butt and get down here!” Brett demanded.

  “Hey, Britt, you look pretty. How was the rest of your day?” Reed asked kindly, kissing her cheek.

  Brittany shrugged. “As eventful as it could be. I sat in my room and looked out the window once I was dropped off this morning. I discovered that I could not will the birds to come to my windowsill and there were no handsome princes coming to rescue me from my golden cage.”

  “You spend too much time watching Disney movies about neglected princesses,” he chuckled. “I am pleased that you decided to obey your brother and follow your restriction. Good girl, I’m proud of you.”

  “I’m not a child, Reed,” Brittany snarled, not letting him see that his praise pleased her. “And it is very disturbing that you know about Disney princesses and what they do when they are locked away in their towers by wicked brothers. As for being obedient, I just didn’t want to hear any more boring lectures.”

  “Hmm, I understand. I assure you that the time for lectures is soon ending, so have no fear. Did you eat?”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Well, I am. We’ll stop at the deli on the way.”

  * * *

  Reed watched Brittany throughout the meeting that evening. She attempted to engage a little, but then shut herself off when Kraus reprimanded her for being an immature, naive snob. Her eyes flashed angrily, and she finally told him to go to hell.

  “Little girl, let me tell you one thing. I’ve been to hell. In fact, I’m living in hell right now. If I had someone tell me to grow up and get my head out of my ass when I was your age, then I wouldn’t be here today listening to you shine about how hard you have it. I would have made something useful out of my life instead of destroying everything in my path. Brett, you need to take this kid home and give her a good walloping! Maybe if she can’t sit on her fat ass for a while, she’ll think twice before opening her damn mouth!” Kraus yelled.

  “Enough, dude. You’re pissing off the cops,” another man said, eyeing both Brett and Reed as Brittany fought back humiliated tears. Kraus had hit her weak spots, and it hurt deeply.

  “Too bad. They know I’m tell
ing the truth, don’t you, boys? Neither of you are doing this kid any favors by coddling her. It seems she’s already had a lifetime of that, and look at where it got her.”

  “Brett, sit. Kraus, you may be right, but there are proper ways of speaking your opinion without being insulting. Brittany isn’t the only one here who’s struggling with problems, so don’t go picking on her as she’s starting to open up,” Reed reprimanded.

  “I’m not picking on her. I’m trying to get her to see that if she doesn’t take some responsibility for herself, then she’s going to be as fucked up as I am. Damn it, Reed!” Kraus’ face was red with anger, “If I had gotten my shit together when I was her age, I might still have my daughter!”

  “You had a daughter? You never said anything,” one man said quietly.

  Kraus glared at him hatefully. “No, I did not because she’s dead. I got into a wreck driving her home from a school dance because I was loaded. She would have been 25 this month. Happy?”

  The room was still. While it was not unusual for things to be exposed during closed meetings, this news was a hard pill to swallow. Brittany bit her lip and stood. She silently walked over to the weeping man and slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly.

  “I’m so sorry. I’ll try harder. I don’t want to hurt my family like this. Or my friends.” Brittany said softly. “You’re right. You’re all right,” she said to the room, avoiding looking in Reed’s direction. “I screwed up my life today because of my drug use and hurt my brother and our friend. I need to stop this ugly cycle. And I need a lot of help.”

  “You’re too special to be anything other than spectacular, little girl. I’m a mean old bastard, but I don’t want to attend your funeral,” Kraus said to her with red eyes.

  She kissed his rough cheek. “Nor I yours. I’ll need all of you to get me through this, and I promise that I'll do as best as I can.”