The Art of Discipline: Running Toward Trouble (The Mockingbird Chronicles) (16 page)

Sitting on the couch, Anna curled into Stevie, as Stevie asked, “So what’s up?”

Emma sat down, addressing Stevie directly. “I have a few questions for Anna and wanted you here for it to. Since I’m not her top, I thought it was only right.”

Anna shifted and immediately looked at her hands. “What do you want to ask me?”

“Tell me how it is that you told Dani that Stevie was going to cane me.”

Stevie turned and eyed Anna closely. “Anna Marie, I told you that Dani was not to know what you brought to me.”

Anna’s eyes stayed focused on her hands. “I told her I wasn’t supposed to tell her, but I had to.”

“And exactly why did you feel you had to tell her?” Emma probed.

“I don’t want to tattle,” Anna whispered as she shifted uncomfortably.

Stevie took Anna’s chin in her fingers and looked into her eyes. “I would forget about the brat’s code right now, little girl. Tell Emma what she wants to know.”

Sniffing, Anna looked at Emma. “She told me she wanted a cupcake, and I could either go with her to babysit her,” Anna sniffed again, “or she would go alone. I didn’t want to close the store up and I didn’t want both of us to get into trouble for breaking her grounding, so I caved and told her.”

Emma nodded. “Thank you, Anna, that’s all I needed to know.”

Stevie ran her hand over her face and stood up quickly, pulling Anna to her feet. Putting her foot on the edge of the coffee table, she yanked Anna over her knee. She then proceeded to deliver a dozen rapid swats to Anna’s backside, before leading her to the other open corner in the room. “Stay there until I tell you otherwise,” she directed with a final stinging swat.

Anna nodded, blinking back tears. “Yes, Stevie.”

Returning to her seat, Stevie turned to Emma. “I’m sorry, Emma—”

“For what?” Emma cut her off. “Anna didn’t blackmail Dani, it was the other way around. Anna was stuck either way. I think to avoid this in the future, Anna shouldn’t babysit Danielle anymore.”

“That’s not fair!” Dani turned and glared at Emma. “Who else is going to do it?”

Dani’s eyes then went wide as Emma stood and strode to the corner. Turning Dani back around, she gave her a firm swat. “Now is not really a good time to push your luck, young lady,” she directed before walking back to the middle of the room.

Sharing a look with Stevie, Emma added, “I think we need to talk.” Then announcing loud enough for both corners to hear, she said, “Girls, Stevie and I will be in the kitchen; do not move from those corners.”

* * *

Dani shifted from foot to foot. This was by far the longest she’d ever been in the corner, and probably the most trouble she’d ever been in as well. The worst part was knowing that she’d dragged Anna along with her. Finally gathering enough courage, she reached out an olive branch. “I’m sorry, Anna,” Dani tried in a projected whisper.

“Danielle Elizabeth, one more word from you and I will take you over my knee right now.” Emma’s voice was firm and Dani couldn’t help as her eyes again began to sting with tears. Pressing her forehead into the wall, she could only hope that Anna would somehow be able to forgive her.

It seemed like an eternity before Anna and Dani were released and invited to sit next to each other on the sofa. Stevie had perched herself on the edge of the coffee table, directly in front of them, and Emma was just off to the side in one of the overstuffed chairs.

“Dani, do you have something to say to Anna?” Emma prodded as one would a toddler.

Dani grimaced at the tone. “I’m sorry I got you into this, Anna.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “I shouldn’t have tried to blackmail you, and I’m sorry I told on you to Emma.”

Anna turned and hugged her friend. “It’s okay, we brats have to stick together,” she whispered in to Dani’s ear. “No hard feelings, okay?”

Dani managed a smile. “Thank you.”

Anna nodded, but before she could respond, Stevie stood and held out her hand to Anna. “Come on, we need to open the store.”

“Is Anna in a lot of trouble?” Dani squeaked.

Stevie stopped and looked hard at Dani. “If I were you, Danielle, I’d worry about your own backside right now,” she stated before winking at Emma and leading Anna from the apartment.

* * *

Moving from the chair, Emma switched to the couch and wasn’t surprised when Dani moved toward her. Opening her arms, she hugged her tightly before patting her lap. Giving a small smile, Dani immediately lay down, with her head on Emma’s thigh.

Running her fingers through Dani’s hair, Emma sighed, “Oh, Danielle, what am I going to do with you?” Getting no answer, she stopped and prodded Dani to sit up. “I love you, Danielle Ryan, and nothing will change that,” she began. “However, you are in so much trouble right now, I’m not sure where to begin.”

“I’m sorry, Emma,” Dani tried.

“Sorry isn’t going to cut it this time, Danielle.” Emma looked into Dani’s red-rimmed eyes. “Do you really feel as if I don’t trust you?”

Dani sniffed before replying, “Yes.”

“Is this just about yesterday or do you feel that way at other times?”

Dani shrugged. “I don’t feel it all the time, it’s just that yesterday and last night, it really hit home. You wanted me to trust you, but you weren’t willing to trust me. And when you showed up at breakfast with Stevie, I just figured you were checking up on me because I didn’t tell you where I was going.”

“So it felt like I didn’t trust you again?”

Dani nodded.

“Danielle, I called Stevie because I was worried about you. I also was missing you and wanted to have breakfast with you. I wasn’t checking up on you, I just thought it would be nice for us all to have breakfast together.”

“But I needed to talk to Anna, and you and Stevie showing up that way…” She trailed off, her eyes once again focused on her hands. “Why didn’t you call me if you wanted to know where I was; why did you call Stevie?”

“Because you left your cell phone here,” Emma answered. “I did call it and then heard it ringing in the study.”

“Oh, so why not call Anna?”

Emma smiled. “Because I truly thought it would be nice to surprise you after the rough night we had.”

“And you weren’t mad that I left without telling you?”

“I would have preferred it if you would have told me, but you left a note.”

“Am I really not allowed to spend time alone with Anna anymore?”

“You can spend time alone with Anna, but she won’t be babysitting you anymore,” Emma gently explained. “You manipulated her, Dani, and that wasn’t fair to her, or Stevie, or to me.”

“Then how will I spend time alone with her?” Dani whined.

“By talking to her when Stevie or I aren’t in the room.”

“For how long?”

“Until you are no longer grounded, which I think will be another month.”

“Next month?” Dani shot off the couch. “Are you out of your mind? It’s already been two weeks!”

“Sit down, Danielle,” Emma said firmly as she waited for Dani to return to her seat. “You are grounded for another four weeks.”

Dani sniffled. “It’s not fair.”

Emma took Dani’s chin between her thumb and index finger and tilted until their eyes met. “What is not fair is the way you spoke to Stevie, the fact that you blackmailed a good friend, and how you tried to manipulate me last night into showing you my backside.”

Releasing Dani’s chin, Emma took her hands once again. “I love you, Danielle. I am not going anywhere, and the sooner you realize that you don’t have to test me all the time, the happier your backside is going to be.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that you still don’t trust me,” Dani huffed.

“Danielle Elizabeth, now that is enough. I’m tired of hearing about this. It’s over. I am not going to tell you why Stevie caned me. You’re just going to have to accept that.”

“But she knows, doesn’t she? You trust her more than me!” Dani pulled her hands from Emma’s and ran down the hallway, slamming the study door once again. She then did something she hadn’t since she was a child; she locked it, sealing herself in and Emma out. Sliding down the length of the door, she sat on the floor as she pulled up her knees and hugged them to her body. Resting her head on her knees, she then let the tears come freely.

Chapter Nine

“Emma, Emma, wake up.” Dani shook her girlfriend on the shoulder and waited until she started to move.

Stretching, Emma found herself still on the floor outside the study door, a bit more sore and stiff now than when she had first sat down. When Dani locked her out earlier, she curled up outside the door and apparently cried herself out. “What time is it?”

“About 3:00 in the afternoon,” Dani answered, extending her hand.

Taking it, Emma slowly got to her feet. Trying to shake the cobwebs from her brain, she followed Dani as she headed to the bedroom. Emma then sat on the bed and watched as Dani went to the closet and removed her overnight bag. “I need some time. I’m going to spend a few days with
Zio
Frankie and
Zia
Toni,” she said softly, bringing her bag to the bed.

“Dani,” Emma’s voice shook with panic. “I don’t want you to leave, please.”

Dani sat on the bed and pulled Emma into her arms. “I’m not leaving because of you, Emma. I’m leaving because I need to think. I love you, Emma, and I’ll be back in a few days. I promise.”

Emma’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled back. “I love you, Dani. I never wanted this, our lifestyle, to push you away.”

Brushing the tears from Emma’s cheek, Dani fought her own tears. “I know and it hasn’t. I just need a little time, okay? Trust me, please, the way I need to trust you.”

Nodding, Emma wiped Dani’s cheek with her thumb. “Okay, Dani, I’ll trust you. See you in a few days.”

Dani gave her a small smile. “You can count on that,” she whispered, gently kissing her girlfriend before standing and grabbing her bag. “I’m getting a ride with one of
Zio
Frankie’s boys. I’ll have my cell phone on.” She turned to go, but stopped again. “Oh, and
Zio
Frankie says to tell you that you’re still safe and he’ll take care of me for you.”

Emma bit her lip, wanting to plead for Dani to stay, but knew that Dani had made up her mind. The only thing she could do now would be to wait. Her heart breaking, she couldn’t help calling, “I love you, Danielle Ryan.”

“I know,” Dani responded quietly as she walked quickly down the hallway.

* * *

Feeling the car stop, Dani wiped her eyes once again. They were raw and sore and she knew she must look a mess. Hearing the car door open, she slid out and into the arms of her godmother. “Ah,
piccolina
, let’s get you settled. We’ll talk when you’re ready.”

Dani let out a long low breath as she allowed herself to be led into the house and up the stairs. “Dani, let’s get you unpacked and comfortable and then I’ll be in with some tea,” Toni fussed as she unpacked Dani’s bag and pulled out her pajamas. Making a face as she saw the condition of the red flannel, she shrugged it off before addressing Dani again. “Okay,
piccolina
, you put these on and get under the covers and I’ll be right back.”

Dani stayed silent, merely nodding as her godmother left the room. Putting on her favorite pajamas, Dani slid under the covers without noticing much of her surroundings. She hadn’t realized that she’d packed these pajamas, but just wearing them made her feel a little better. She still wasn’t sure why she felt the need to run, but then, she always ran. This time though was different; she planned to go back.

Dani’s eyes darted back to the door when she heard it open and she saw Toni return with a fully loaded tray. Placing it on the top of the dresser, she fussed a bit before handing Dani a bowl of soup. “I brought you some minestrone. You loved it as a little girl,” she smiled. “Besides, I heard that tummy of yours growling. Upset or not, you have to eat.”

“Thanks, 
Zia
Toni.” Dani took a small taste of soup and relaxed. There was something familiar about it and she ate the rest in silence as Toni sat with her. Handing Toni the empty bowl, she leaned back against the pillows. “I guess I should tell you why I’m here, huh?”

“Only if you want to,
piccolina
.” Toni scooted onto the bed and smiled as Dani moved toward her. Putting her arm around Dani’s shoulder, she kissed her temple. “You and Emma have a fight?”

Dani sniffled again. “Kinda,” she breathed. “It’s hard to explain, but I felt like she didn’t trust me and I took advantage of some things to get my way.”

“Ah, I see, but something tells me there is more?” Toni responded.

“I kinda abused the trust of a good friend, getting her in trouble with her wife, and then we both got in trouble with Emma.”

“So you came here, why?”

“I needed time to think and I didn’t have any place else to go. I didn’t want to be alone.” Dani sniffed again as Toni held her tighter.

“Oh,
piccolina
, you’re still running when you get scared, huh?”

Dani couldn’t help bursting into tears once again. “I love her,” she stammered. “I don’t know why I left.” Crying again, she buried her head in Toni’s shoulder as she rocked her.

Feeling her finally calming, Toni brushed the hair back from Dani’s tear-stained cheeks and slowly moved to allow Dani to lie down in the bed. “Time for you to sleep, Dani. We’ll talk more tomorrow,” she whispered, giving her goddaughter a kiss to the forehead before tucking her in and leaving to find her husband.

* * *

Dani woke slowly. Her head was pounding and her eyes ached. Looking for the bedside clock, she stopped to get her bearings when she remembered that she wasn’t at home. Moving gently, she crawled out of bed and dressed in the sweats and t-shirt she had brought. Pulling socks on, she spotted her phone; flipping it open, she was shocked to find that it was past 8:00 in the morning. She never slept this late and suddenly wondered if there was something more than pasta and vegetables in the soup.