Kinky Confessions

“Because the giving is the important part. You say the gifts are nothing because you care more about the relationship. It’s a ceremony! And for the record, this is one of those times when you drive me crazy. Just shut up and listen, will you?”

“Yes, dear,” I said as contritely as I could.

“Better. And thank you. Anyway, give her the gift. With both hands. Tell her it’s nothing. She’ll refuse, but probably only once. You insist. If she refuses again, you insist again. Got it?”

“Got it,” I said.

“Okay. Let’s go over it again—”

“No. I said I got it.” I repeated the entire process and finished with, “Then we all bow and say goodbye.”

Christy had been nodding along. When I finished, she bounced up, kissed me, and said with a grin, “Daisuki da.”

“What’s that mean?”

“What do you think?”

“Oh. In that case, I love you too.”

“Mmm, I know. But now I really need to go. I’m going to be late as it is, and I don’t want to miss Communion.” She gave me another kiss and ran out with a flash of legs.

I listened to the patter of her shoes as she ran down the stairs and out the front door. Sometimes she drove me crazy as well, but usually in a good way.

Trip stuck his head through the door. “Ready in five minutes?”

“Yep. Be right with you.”

He nodded and headed downstairs. I put on my shoes and picked up the present.

“What’s that?” he asked as we headed out.

“A present.”

“No shit, Sherlock. Who’s it for?”

“Long story.” I said. “I’ll tell you when we’re done.”

We spent the next three hours going over the boarding house, top to bottom, every closet, cupboard, nook, and cranny. We even checked the crawlspace and roof. The crew had done a good job, and we only found a handful of things they needed to fix or redo.

I explained the present and the gift-giving ritual as we walked to Sayuri’s house to deliver our final report.

“Seriously?” Trip said. “We have to refuse? How many times? Never mind. You handle it.”

“Your wish is my command.”

“Don’t start that shit with me.” He glared, but it was more friendly than angry. “But since you brought it up… What’s going on with Christy? She ready to join the party? Although,” he mused, “I don’t know when we’ll have time. I mean, we couldn’t even be bothered to plan anything for my birthday.

Wren’s been totally slammed with school, and I don’t know if she’ll hold it together till graduation. She was ready to crack after she found out how much work we’d have to do for that stupid dance class.”

“I thought you liked dancing,” I said.

“I do, but not all that formal nonsense. It’s just an excuse for the girls to play dress-up and pretend to be princesses.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Dude, I’m trying to break Wren of her princess habits. I don’t need some silly dance class giving her ideas.”

I shrugged noncommittally. “Different strokes, I guess.”

“What’s that s’posed to mean? Never mind. I get it. I guess I’m just cranky. Wren’s been so busy lately that she’s been too tired to do anything.”

“Sorry about that.” I paused and tried to decide what I wanted to say next.

I had to be diplomatic. “Um… you know that Christy isn’t the answer, right?”

“I know.” He laughed ruefully. “I guess it’s my turn to be impatient.

Usually it’s Wren. But… you know.”

“Yeah, I do. Maybe you can get away for the weekend? Or… not.”

“What d’you mean?”

“Christy and I are planning to go to West Virginia next weekend. So you

and Wren’ll have the house to yourselves. It might be a good time to plan something, if you know what I mean.”

He nodded and lowered his head in thought. “That isn’t a bad idea. I could really pamper her. Run a hot bath, give her a massage, champagne, roses.”

“Mmm hmm. I think it’d do you both some good.”

“Yeah, good idea. Thanks.”

Sayuri was expecting us. She ushered us inside and to the dining room table. She and Trip went over the problems we’d found. Then they spent some time reviewing the final invoice and pay request.

“Your contractor did good work,” Trip said at last. “You made an excellent choice when you hired him.”

“After my first one was such a bad choice,” she said.

Trip shrugged. “It could happen to anyone. Crooked contractors are good at ripping people off. It’s even happened to me, and I knew better at the time.” He glanced at me and added, “Before your time.”

Sayuri nodded and smiled politely. Then she lifted two small, beautifully wrapped gifts from the chair next to her. Trip glanced at me sideways, so I sat forward.

The exchange followed Christy’s script almost to the letter, and Trip let me negotiate the whole thing. Sayuri didn’t seem a bit surprised that I knew what to do. She didn’t come right out and say it, either, but I got the impression that she strongly approved of Christy’s relationship with me.

Christy herself was waiting for us back home. She looked up nervously when we came through the front door, but she relaxed when she saw the gifts in our hands.

“What do we do with these?” Trip asked me. “I mean, should I even bother opening it?”

“What do you mean?” Christy asked.