Summer Solace Read Online Free Page B

think anyone will be able to tell I got a spanking by tomorrow, do you?” Amber asked.
    Joanna was surprised but tried to hide it when Amber turned to look at her. She was standing totally nude and not the least bit self conscious. She grinned as she rubbed her bottom.
    “I have this really cute bikini to wear and hope there won’t be bruises. What do you think?”  The young woman turned so that her back was facing Joanna.
    Without a thought, Joanna found her eyes roving over the young girl’s backside. She was surprised to see that there was no real evidence that the girl had just gotten a hard paddling. From the sounds of the paddle slapping into her bottom, Joanna would have expected the girl’s bottom to be crimson. Instead, the color was barely pink. She felt a stirring in her stomach and refused to think about what that might mean.
    “It looks good, Gabe is pretty good about - ” Joanna stopped the instant she realized what she was saying. Amber gazed at her intently. Joanna blushed, which Amber noticed but ignored.
    “Great!  It always feels like he is stripping my skin off with that paddle, but it’s not bad and I’ll be fine tomorrow.” Amber grinned, satisfied she’d be fine by the morning.
    Joanna was grateful that her slip hadn’t been noticed. She watched the young girl grab her soap, shampoo and razor and head towards the curtained off shower stall. Amber stepped into the stall and then turned back.
    “Thanks for not making a big deal out of this, Joanna,” Amber said. “I know you probably don’t run into people getting their butts spanked on a regular basis, but well, thanks.” 
    Joanna grinned and then impulsively stepped forward and hugged the girl. “You are welcome, honey. I really enjoyed meeting you, regardless of the situation. I’ve got to run, and you,” she said as she glanced at her watch, “have got about fifteen minutes before the big mean paddler comes to get you.” 
    Amber stood for a moment and then said, “Joanna, I know it isn’t any of my business but -”
    “You’re right, it’s not,” Joanna interrupted.
    Amber felt a moment of guilt but her true nature won out. “I just wanted to say that Gabe is a really nice guy…even though he spanks.”
    Joanna turned her face away, not wanting Amber to see her confusion. “I know, Amber, but, well, it’s complicated,” she admitted.
    Amber nodded. It was easy to see that whatever had happened when she was just a young teen had affected these two deeply, and still was. Amber loved her brother and wanted him to find happiness. She also had instinctively liked Joanna.
    She smiled, and before stepping into the shower, she said softly, “Constellations are very complicated, Joanna, and yet they are truly wonderful. Before modern electricity, people had to discover if they were brave enough to step into the darkness and face their questions and fears. Not knowing what is ahead or even sometimes behind, is a scary proposition. I believe it is even scarier not to take the chance of discovery. The reward is you discover that the darkness won’t swallow you, it rewards you with beauty and the light of the stars to guide you.” 
    She gave Joanna another smile and then pulled the shower curtain closed.
    Joanna stared at the closed curtain for a long moment. After washing her hands, she took Amber’s towel from the sink and laid it on the bench outside the curtain. She had been surprised at the girl’s wisdom, her words causing Joanna to realize she had some decisions to make. It was obvious Amber truly adored her brother.
    Joanna looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes looked huge, and, she admitted, sad. She had managed not to feel so much in such a very long time. The dark had never frightened her. It was where she felt safe. Could she step out of its cover and walk into the rest of her life?  She had no idea what would happen if she began to bring all her fears, questions and even her dreams back into the light.