A New Day by Nancy Hopper Page B

turned on her heel, and stormed out the door while Gary’s back was turned.  She went out to the road, and started walking.
         Gary wandered out to his van, and started it.  He thought maybe Tasha had stopped in the restroom, or something.  Until he saw her, stomping along the side of the road, towards home.  He shook his head wearily.  He drove out to the road, and turned onto the highway as if nothing was amiss.  He passed her without looking at her; without even slowing down.
         Tasha extended her thumb after he drove by, a lump of alarm in her throat.  She refused to look after the retreating van.  Suddenly, the edge of the highway seemed awfully dirty and forsaken.  The prospect of hitching a ride became quite unpleasant.  What if she got raped, or killed?  What if she had to walk all the way?  She was still wearing her white sandals.  Though the heels weren’t too high, they were far from being walking shoes.  And, the tender spots on her feet were definitely developing blisters.
         Afraid to the tips of her toes, she turned and uncertainly began walking.  She wasn’t even sure she could find Ruth and Nolan’s cabin if she ever got there.   And, it was downright hot outside!
         As a matter of fact, she'd never walked anywhere, before.  She'd always ridden in limos or fancy sports cars.  And now, she was out in the middle of nowhere, completely alone and defenseless.  It suddenly occurred to her that she probably couldn't even walk the twenty  or so miles back to the Walden's cabin.
         She let a tiny sob escape as she saw the van returning.  Gary pulled a U-turn, and opened the passenger door disgustedly when he reached Tasha.  “Get in.”  he ordered darkly.
         “ I wouldn’t ride with you if...”
         “ Get in!”  he snapped.
         “ Why should I?” she demanded haughtily.
         “ Because my Aunt Ruth expects me to take care of you.”
         “ Stick it up your holier than thou...”
         “ Last chance.”  he warned harshly.
         Tasha stood there, seething.  Her eyes were like brilliant daggers, and her lips were tight.  She petulantly climbed up into the van. 
         Gary drove until he saw the first pull out.  Then he got off the road, hit the power locks, and turned off the van.  He put the keys in his pocket.  Then, he grabbed Tasha’s arm, and yanked her into the back of the van.
         “ What are you doing?” she shrieked.  “Are you going to rape me?” she cried, eying the couch in the rear of the van with horror.
         The look he gave her made her feel foolish and undesirable.
         “ You’ve got to be kidding.”  he said dryly.  He gave her such a scathing look that she just stared at him, with an ashen face.  
         Disbelief immobilized Tasha as Gary slung her onto her stomach over his knee, and threw her skirts up over her hips.  He then delivered a great many stinging slaps to her tiny, round buttocks. 
          She screamed brilliantly and struggled, but she was no match for the brute.  When he finally quit, the throbbing pain went on, and on!  He pulled her skirts back down, contemptuously.  He made no comments about her white lace bikinis – or anything they contained.
         “ When you go anywhere with me,  when you are living in my house,  when you are in my church … you will do exactly as you are asked.  You will help Aunt Ruth; and you will behave like a perfect lady at all times.  The next time you behave like a spoiled, pampered brat, I’ll do this to you again, wherever we may be.” 
         “ I don’t know why you think every man you come on to will melt into putty, or be immediately overcome with desire ... but I have had enough of it!  I find your behavior degrading and disgusting.  If you want to behave like a whore, find somewhere else to do it!  And don’t let me even hear about it, if you want to stay