Caustic Cousins: The Cleaning Caper (Part 1)
The night of Crystal's first whipping ever, she had slowly climbed the stairs to her bedroom, dreading having to see her cousin, Danielle. She was just SURE she had seen that brat peeping in on her, and was bound and determined to find out.
Getting the information out of her cousin wasn't nearly as difficult as she had presumed it would be. Danielle was sitting up in bed in a lacy white nightgown, brushing her long, curly, auburn hair. A smirk was plastered on her rather large face.
"What's with you?" Crystal asked grumpily.
"Heh," came Danielle's reply. "You sure squealed loud tonight for such a small whipping."
"So you were there!" Crystal yelled as loud as she dared.
"Yep. What're you gonna do 'bout it?" she sneered.
"I'm gonna tell!" Crystal said resolutely, her hand going to brass doorknob of her room.
"I wouldn't do that if I were," her cousin warned in a very bratty tone.
Crystal bit her lip and hesitated, her hand stopping where she had placed it, going no further in the twisting motion. With an impatient sigh, she asked, "Oh, really? And why's that?"
"You heard your parents. They said to stop trying to put the blame on me. You wouldn't want your papa to take you back out THERE now, would you?"
Crystal sighed. Danielle was right. Sad as it was, she was right. There was no way around it.
"Fine," she grumbled, getting her plain blue cotton nightgown out of her chest of drawers. Without a second glance at her cousin, she turned around so her back was to her and slipped off her dress. Laying it out neatly to be hung up, she then bent down to grab her nightgown. Behind her she could here definite giggling. Her modesty forgotten, she whirled around and faced her cousin.
"And just WHAT do you find so funny?" she snapped.
"Oh, just how red and striped your poor behind is," Danielle grinned.
"Why I oughta…"
"Uncle James?" Danielle called out sweetly.
"Yes, Danielle?" came the reply.
"Crystal was just saying.."
Crystal frantically pantomimed, mouthing the words "I'm sorry."
"What was Crystal saying?" James asked, a little annoyed.
"Crystal was just saying how wonderful it would be if you would take us fishing tomorrow." Crystal breathed a sigh of relief; at least she had managed to save her behind again!
"I don't know; I really have a lot of work to do.." mused James.
"Well, I think it's a lovely idea," Julia interjected. "There isn't anything going on with the farm that is THAT important that you can't spend the day with our guest."
James sighed, but realized that his wife was correct, once again. "Alright, it's settled. Now, you two girls need to get to sleep, alright? No more talking!"
"Yes, Uncle James!" Danielle chirped. Crystal, having turned her back on Danielle again in order to slip on her nightgown rolled her eyes, but threw in a 'goodnight' as well.
Sorely, Crystal bent down and pulled out the small trundle bed that fit right under her own. "This is where you can sleep; that way you can have a bed all to yoursel.."
She started as she saw her cousin already snuggled in in her very own bed. "Yes, you're right, I will have a BED all to myself, and that thing most definitely is NOT a bed."
"Danielle, I have health problems! I need to sleep on a regular mattress!" Crystal argued calmly and honestly.
"I have health problems," Danielle repeated mockingly. "Yeah, well I have sensitive skin, so I do too." Crystal narrowed her eyes but just gave up the fight, no longer willing to keep it up. That whipping had drained her of energy, and she had no reason to really keep it up.
"Fine!" she spat as she got into the much smaller and less-padded trundle. "This is actually more comfortable anyway," she lied.
"Yeah right," said Danielle as she rolled over on her side and blew out the candle that illuminated the room in a soft glow. "Don't lie; I am sure your parents wouldn't like to hear about THAT, now would they?"
"GOODNIGHT, Danielle, Crystal said tersely as she lay on her stomach, fighting the tears that wanted to come so badly. Not only was she sore and hurting, but the cousin whom she had thought would be a great companion was turning out to just be a pure witch! Finally , after shifting her weight many times and trying to find ways to block out her cousin's not-so-gentle snoring, she too was able to fall into a fitful sleep.
The next morning dawned too early for Crystal. Her mother was gently shaking her shoulder with one hand, a finger to her lips with the other. With a start Crystal realized it was still pitch black outside. "If you are going to be gone all day, I thought it would be good of you to show your father that you are willing to work to deserve it. I thought you could use the extra time to get your chores done. Let's let Danielle sleep though, hmm?"
Sleepily, Crystal nodded her head. Once her mother had left the girl got into her wardrobe and picked out her other work dress. It was pale blue with a dark green print of small flowers. She slipped on her bloomers and her petticoat, wincing as the material chafed against her still slightly sore bottom. After that she stepped into her dress and pulled her navy apron over her head. After slipping her stockings and boots on the girl quietly opened the door to the downstairs.
She was greeted by the warm glow of the fire and the smell of fresh bacon and eggs frying in the skillet. "Morning doll," greeted her mother. "How you sleep?"
"Not that great, actually, ma'am," Crystal replied honestly while she began to set the table for the two of them.
"Well, it's no doubt, what with you sleeping in the trundle."
Crystal gulped. She didn't want to lie to her mother, but she didn't want to start things with Danielle again either. With a sigh she replied, "I just thought Danielle should have my bed." There. Not a lie, since by doing that she had given Danielle one less excuse to get her into trouble.
"That's very nice of you dear. Just don't let it get to your health, alright?"
"I promise, Mama." By this time both child and woman were sitting down at the table to breakfast. After saying a quick blessing they ate their food silently. Once she was finished Crystal spoke.
If you'll excuse me, Mama, I'd like to go on out to the barn now.
Julia smiled congenially. "Of course dear. It's why I got you up early in the first place, is it not? You should find your pa out there already."
"Okay. Thanks Ma!" Crystal chimed as she first went and scraped her plate then headed out the door into the chilly dawn air.
James started as he heard the barn door creak open. He had been staring at the wall where the strap was hung, hardly believing he was resorting to it. What really bothered him was that he was questioning whether he had hurt his little girl more than necessary. He well remembered the sessions with his father's own strap.. Which was where his thought were when the door began to open.
"Who is it?" he asked rather testily, not totally pleased to have been interrupted. His tone immediately set Crystal on edge and she froze in the open doorway.
"It.. It's just me, Pa. I thought I'd start early on my chores 'cuz we're goin' fishin', but if you want me to leave.."
James' demeanor instantly softened. "No, sweetie, that's all right. I'm sorry. How are you, hon?"
Crystal slid into the barn, which was illuminated in a golden glow set off by two lanterns. As she reached for her rake she sighed before answering.
"Quite honestly, still a little sore, Pa," she admitted quietly.
James crossed over to her and put his arm around her slight frame, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Aww, Crystal, I'm sorry. But you deserve it, right?" he asked, almost testing to see where he stood with his only daughter.
Crystal didn't see it quite this way, though, and figured she was just being tested, forced to admit her wrong and accept her punishment. And really, it wasn't like she was quite lying when she answered "Yes, Pa.." She knew she'd deserved to be punished. But she didn't put too much thought into her answer before she gave it. It seemed to put James slightly at ease, though. He gave her a last hug before detaching.
"That's my good girl," he smiled in the flickering light. "Now, I'm going to go and bring in your cousin's trunks. I'll see you back at the house when you are done out here. Thanks for getting up to do this, Crystal." The adolescent swelled with pride as she watched her pa leave the barn but still rolled her eyes as she got around to thinking about all the trunks and things her cousin had brought. Just how much did she think she was going to need, anyway?
About thirty minutes later Crystal had finally finished with her barn chores and after carefully blowing out both lanterns she made her way back to the house. By this time Danielle was awake as well, dressed in another lacy outfit. This time it was white with a rose pattern, but little rosettes and layers of lace cascaded down.
"Danielle? You.. Uh, are you going FISHING in that?" Crystal asked thoroughly surprised. That was nicer than her Sunday outfit, and no matter how careful you were when you went fishing, you were bound to get your clothes dirty to some extent.
Danielle wanted to snap back in a sharp retort, but because her aunt and uncle were around she changed tactics. "Well, I was PLANNING on it.."
Julia came over and put her hand on her niece's shoulder. "How about I loan you one of my large baking aprons, sweetie? That way you won't get that pretty dress dirty."
Danielle gave a large smile in return. "Oh, that's so THOUGHTFUL of you, Aunt Julia," she crowed. "Thank you very much!"
"Why sure, honey," came the response. Immediately Julia left to go find one of her extra aprons in her room. Meanwhile, Crystal fought to keep from rolling her eyes at this obvious (to her) display of sucking up.
About twenty minutes later James and the two girls were loaded up in the wagon along with the fishing supplies. Each girl sat in insufferable silence. As they went, the wagon jolting on the dirt road, Crystal couldn't help but wonder whether her cousin realized just how dirty and slimy fishing could really get. At the same time, Danielle was sitting there, trying to think of any way possible to get her cousin in trouble once again.
The night of Crystal's first whipping ever, she had slowly climbed the stairs to her bedroom, dreading having to see her cousin, Danielle. She was just SURE she had seen that brat peeping in on her, and was bound and determined to find out.
Getting the information out of her cousin wasn't nearly as difficult as she had presumed it would be. Danielle was sitting up in bed in a lacy white nightgown, brushing her long, curly, auburn hair. A smirk was plastered on her rather large face.
"What's with you?" Crystal asked grumpily.
"Heh," came Danielle's reply. "You sure squealed loud tonight for such a small whipping."
"So you were there!" Crystal yelled as loud as she dared.
"Yep. What're you gonna do 'bout it?" she sneered.
"I'm gonna tell!" Crystal said resolutely, her hand going to brass doorknob of her room.
"I wouldn't do that if I were," her cousin warned in a very bratty tone.
Crystal bit her lip and hesitated, her hand stopping where she had placed it, going no further in the twisting motion. With an impatient sigh, she asked, "Oh, really? And why's that?"
"You heard your parents. They said to stop trying to put the blame on me. You wouldn't want your papa to take you back out THERE now, would you?"
Crystal sighed. Danielle was right. Sad as it was, she was right. There was no way around it.
"Fine," she grumbled, getting her plain blue cotton nightgown out of her chest of drawers. Without a second glance at her cousin, she turned around so her back was to her and slipped off her dress. Laying it out neatly to be hung up, she then bent down to grab her nightgown. Behind her she could here definite giggling. Her modesty forgotten, she whirled around and faced her cousin.
"And just WHAT do you find so funny?" she snapped.
"Oh, just how red and striped your poor behind is," Danielle grinned.
"Why I oughta…"
"Uncle James?" Danielle called out sweetly.
"Yes, Danielle?" came the reply.
"Crystal was just saying.."
Crystal frantically pantomimed, mouthing the words "I'm sorry."
"What was Crystal saying?" James asked, a little annoyed.
"Crystal was just saying how wonderful it would be if you would take us fishing tomorrow." Crystal breathed a sigh of relief; at least she had managed to save her behind again!
"I don't know; I really have a lot of work to do.." mused James.
"Well, I think it's a lovely idea," Julia interjected. "There isn't anything going on with the farm that is THAT important that you can't spend the day with our guest."
James sighed, but realized that his wife was correct, once again. "Alright, it's settled. Now, you two girls need to get to sleep, alright? No more talking!"
"Yes, Uncle James!" Danielle chirped. Crystal, having turned her back on Danielle again in order to slip on her nightgown rolled her eyes, but threw in a 'goodnight' as well.
Sorely, Crystal bent down and pulled out the small trundle bed that fit right under her own. "This is where you can sleep; that way you can have a bed all to yoursel.."
She started as she saw her cousin already snuggled in in her very own bed. "Yes, you're right, I will have a BED all to myself, and that thing most definitely is NOT a bed."
"Danielle, I have health problems! I need to sleep on a regular mattress!" Crystal argued calmly and honestly.
"I have health problems," Danielle repeated mockingly. "Yeah, well I have sensitive skin, so I do too." Crystal narrowed her eyes but just gave up the fight, no longer willing to keep it up. That whipping had drained her of energy, and she had no reason to really keep it up.
"Fine!" she spat as she got into the much smaller and less-padded trundle. "This is actually more comfortable anyway," she lied.
"Yeah right," said Danielle as she rolled over on her side and blew out the candle that illuminated the room in a soft glow. "Don't lie; I am sure your parents wouldn't like to hear about THAT, now would they?"
"GOODNIGHT, Danielle, Crystal said tersely as she lay on her stomach, fighting the tears that wanted to come so badly. Not only was she sore and hurting, but the cousin whom she had thought would be a great companion was turning out to just be a pure witch! Finally , after shifting her weight many times and trying to find ways to block out her cousin's not-so-gentle snoring, she too was able to fall into a fitful sleep.
The next morning dawned too early for Crystal. Her mother was gently shaking her shoulder with one hand, a finger to her lips with the other. With a start Crystal realized it was still pitch black outside. "If you are going to be gone all day, I thought it would be good of you to show your father that you are willing to work to deserve it. I thought you could use the extra time to get your chores done. Let's let Danielle sleep though, hmm?"
Sleepily, Crystal nodded her head. Once her mother had left the girl got into her wardrobe and picked out her other work dress. It was pale blue with a dark green print of small flowers. She slipped on her bloomers and her petticoat, wincing as the material chafed against her still slightly sore bottom. After that she stepped into her dress and pulled her navy apron over her head. After slipping her stockings and boots on the girl quietly opened the door to the downstairs.
She was greeted by the warm glow of the fire and the smell of fresh bacon and eggs frying in the skillet. "Morning doll," greeted her mother. "How you sleep?"
"Not that great, actually, ma'am," Crystal replied honestly while she began to set the table for the two of them.
"Well, it's no doubt, what with you sleeping in the trundle."
Crystal gulped. She didn't want to lie to her mother, but she didn't want to start things with Danielle again either. With a sigh she replied, "I just thought Danielle should have my bed." There. Not a lie, since by doing that she had given Danielle one less excuse to get her into trouble.
"That's very nice of you dear. Just don't let it get to your health, alright?"
"I promise, Mama." By this time both child and woman were sitting down at the table to breakfast. After saying a quick blessing they ate their food silently. Once she was finished Crystal spoke.
If you'll excuse me, Mama, I'd like to go on out to the barn now.
Julia smiled congenially. "Of course dear. It's why I got you up early in the first place, is it not? You should find your pa out there already."
"Okay. Thanks Ma!" Crystal chimed as she first went and scraped her plate then headed out the door into the chilly dawn air.
James started as he heard the barn door creak open. He had been staring at the wall where the strap was hung, hardly believing he was resorting to it. What really bothered him was that he was questioning whether he had hurt his little girl more than necessary. He well remembered the sessions with his father's own strap.. Which was where his thought were when the door began to open.
"Who is it?" he asked rather testily, not totally pleased to have been interrupted. His tone immediately set Crystal on edge and she froze in the open doorway.
"It.. It's just me, Pa. I thought I'd start early on my chores 'cuz we're goin' fishin', but if you want me to leave.."
James' demeanor instantly softened. "No, sweetie, that's all right. I'm sorry. How are you, hon?"
Crystal slid into the barn, which was illuminated in a golden glow set off by two lanterns. As she reached for her rake she sighed before answering.
"Quite honestly, still a little sore, Pa," she admitted quietly.
James crossed over to her and put his arm around her slight frame, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Aww, Crystal, I'm sorry. But you deserve it, right?" he asked, almost testing to see where he stood with his only daughter.
Crystal didn't see it quite this way, though, and figured she was just being tested, forced to admit her wrong and accept her punishment. And really, it wasn't like she was quite lying when she answered "Yes, Pa.." She knew she'd deserved to be punished. But she didn't put too much thought into her answer before she gave it. It seemed to put James slightly at ease, though. He gave her a last hug before detaching.
"That's my good girl," he smiled in the flickering light. "Now, I'm going to go and bring in your cousin's trunks. I'll see you back at the house when you are done out here. Thanks for getting up to do this, Crystal." The adolescent swelled with pride as she watched her pa leave the barn but still rolled her eyes as she got around to thinking about all the trunks and things her cousin had brought. Just how much did she think she was going to need, anyway?
About thirty minutes later Crystal had finally finished with her barn chores and after carefully blowing out both lanterns she made her way back to the house. By this time Danielle was awake as well, dressed in another lacy outfit. This time it was white with a rose pattern, but little rosettes and layers of lace cascaded down.
"Danielle? You.. Uh, are you going FISHING in that?" Crystal asked thoroughly surprised. That was nicer than her Sunday outfit, and no matter how careful you were when you went fishing, you were bound to get your clothes dirty to some extent.
Danielle wanted to snap back in a sharp retort, but because her aunt and uncle were around she changed tactics. "Well, I was PLANNING on it.."
Julia came over and put her hand on her niece's shoulder. "How about I loan you one of my large baking aprons, sweetie? That way you won't get that pretty dress dirty."
Danielle gave a large smile in return. "Oh, that's so THOUGHTFUL of you, Aunt Julia," she crowed. "Thank you very much!"
"Why sure, honey," came the response. Immediately Julia left to go find one of her extra aprons in her room. Meanwhile, Crystal fought to keep from rolling her eyes at this obvious (to her) display of sucking up.
About twenty minutes later James and the two girls were loaded up in the wagon along with the fishing supplies. Each girl sat in insufferable silence. As they went, the wagon jolting on the dirt road, Crystal couldn't help but wonder whether her cousin realized just how dirty and slimy fishing could really get. At the same time, Danielle was sitting there, trying to think of any way possible to get her cousin in trouble once again.