Spankings were common after that first one, ranging from what Lucille referred to as, “a nice little spanking,” applied when she wanted to get my attention, to an all-out and prolonged punishment paddling to correct some willful misbehavior. Always fair, Lucille was also always strict and demanding. Always, that is, until two weeks ago when she suddenly left me, losing a brief but spirited bought with cancer. The imperious demand: “What do you think you are doing?” suddenly snatched me from my reverie. “You were told to clean this place up!” Vera had entered the room without my noticing. I can’t, can’t I?” Vera said, a glint of purpose in her eye. “Shall we put that statement to the test?”

Do you recognize this?” Vera demanded, thrusting a photocopy of the confession and spanking contract I wrote at Lucille’s direction eight years ago. Ummmm, since when would a voluntarily accepted, and cooperated with, spanking between consenting adults be considered “assault”? William is obviously bigger and stronger than Vera, despite her physical fitness, so the police would likely laugh off assault charges. Now, I want you to copy this document in your own handwriting. And your work had better be neat and legible if you do not want me to motivate you further.” With those words, she shoved a second copy of the statement and confession I wrote for Lucille those eight years before, but where the words “Lucille” and “wife” appeared, Vera had amended the wording to read “Vera” and “sister-in-law.”

I could not help but feel sorry for the unknown person who provided my sister-in-law with the experience to master the application of paddle and strap, but I had very little doubt whose bottom would keep her in practice well into the future. To my surprise, I found this thought strangely comforting.

Next weekend, I’ll be moving out of my apartment and into the master bedroom here,” Vera stated as I copied what she’d written. “Make certain it is ready for me. You may take one of the boys’ rooms. I’ll need to be near my sister’s records, and all her other responsibilities, if I’m to do an adequate job with them.” Howdy Jon, I like your stories, fantasy and real life. If I put my John Henry on a document, agreeing to be spanked, how some ever the spanker deemed to spank. that would make said document legal and binding, correct? Ask and ye shall receive 10-4… Yes. Yes, I do,” I blurted after only a short pause, sensing a slight twitch in the paddle resting on my hypersensitive behind. Thank you, William,” Vera said shortly. “Leave me now and don’t disturb me while I sort things out in here. You may put the time to good use in straightening up the rest of the house,” she added. “I’m sure you never would have let it get to this condition while my sister was alive.” When I completed my writing assignment and signed my name, Vera reviewed it and nodded with satisfaction.I brewed a pot of coffee and took a cup to Vera, prepared as she’d requested (no need to be boorish, even if she had been a little rude in the manner of her request). For what seemed like the longest time, I stood there dumbfounded, staring at this diminutive but imperious female before me. I wept openly at the loss. Lucille was my rudder, my anchor—my disciplinarian, yes, but also my wife, guardian and lover. Although all of our friends knew Lucille was in charge, no one ever knew the details of the agreement and relationship we shared, at least not in full. I found I was lost without her. My performance at the office suffered significantly, and in my depressed state I ignored the solicitations of our friends, finding little remaining joy in life.