Country Mile

OFFICIALLY UNLOCKED

"A word, Adam?" Anne suddenly asked in a tone that made the warm atmosphere drop several degrees.

The petitioned man looked hard at her before shaking his head.

"I've got a strong inklin' of what it is you wanna talk about, and I think it'd be best if we discuss it as a family."

Anne's eyebrow quirked. "You think so?"

"Yep."

She straightened her back, then shrugged. "Fine."

"Alright."

"Okay."

"Oh my god," Genna sighed with a roll of her eyes as she pulled away from Adam.

Anne gave her a small smile, then looked back to Adam—she quickly decided the fast approach would be best.

"I don't think you should have spanked Delilah and Genna differently for the same infractions. Especially when one punishment was so much more severe than the other. It's unfair and I don't like it, Adam."

Adam felt anger and pride clash within him. He looked over to Genna who was looking at Anne with conflicting emotions of her own, except hers were that of guilt and adoration.

Part of him was irked by her accusing him of treating them unfairly, but it warmed his heart that she would stand up to him on the girls' behalf.

"Anne, I appreciate you steppin' in when you think they've been treated unfairly..."

"I don't think it, I know it," she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

"But they weren't."

Anne scoffed, "I heard you spanking Delilah." She quickly looked to the now vividly embarrassed girl and gave her a small smile. "Sorry, honey."

Turning back to Adam, she shook her head. "Genna's cries.. what I heard coming from in here was not the same. The belt on the bed confirmed it, Adam."

Delilah reached out and grabbed Genna's hand, squeezing sympathetically.

Adam shook his head. "Anne, Genevieve did a lotta things today."

"Okay?? They both ran off, they both got piercings.. I don't see how—"

"She shop lifted. Again."

"I didn't tell him," Delilah quickly said to Genna. "I swear, I'm not a princess cry baby... I didn't tell."

Genna opened her mouth to speak, but quickly shut it when Adam spoke sternly first.

"That reminds me.. you quit callin' her names like that. Next time I hear you speakin' poorly 'bout your sister to your friends, or even just in general, it'll be your ass. Got me?"

"Yes, sir... I'm sorry, Li."

Delilah leaned her head onto Genna's shoulder. "It's okay."

"I'm sorry," Anne quietly apologized to Adam. "I thought.. I didn't know."

"I know.. but this is a good time to talk about somethin' I think we've all been avoidin'... you girls call Anne 'Mama', and for good reason. She's more a mother to you than.." his eyes left Delilah's and looked sadly to Genna's. "Well.. she's your mama now and I know I've drilled it into you both that you'll respect her.. but I think it's time that she has a say in punishments 'round here, 'specially when it's her ya'll disobey."

"Have a say like.. how exactly?" Delilah asked.

"How you're punished.. even dishin' 'em out herself if she sees fit."