The Kitchen “Caitlin! Get down here!” Rob Johnson yelled up the stairs. Caitlin looked at her twin Lindsay and groaned. “What did I do this time?” she snapped. Her dad had certainly been on edge lately. Lindsay raised an eyebrow. Caitlin was certainly no stranger to being the brunt of their dad’s anger. Trouble seemed to just follow her. Unlike her warm, easygoing twin, Caitlin had a quick temper and a smart mouth. “Goddammit Caitlin!” Rob shouted again. “Get down here now!” Caitlin rolled her eyes and stomped toward the stairs. “I’m COMING!” she yelled. Her father had been short with all of them for the past few weeks. He was trying to complete some big business deal, but there seemed to be one conflict after another. He was working late every night, and when he was home his cell phone rang continuously. Rob wasn’t the most patient man to begin with, but these days he was a nightmare. Caitlin flounced down the stairs, her arms crossed and eyes narrowed. “Problem?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. Bad move. Rob’s eyes bore into her. “The kitchen,” he said coldly. Caitlin followed his gaze. She had forgotten about the kitchen. She and one of her friends had made veggie pizzas for lunch. Shredded bits of mozzarella cheese decorated the counter, mushroom stems and pieces of red and green peppers covered the floor. Sauce had hardened all over the top of the stove. Crumbs and spices were everywhere. At least four cutting knives were covered with white onion and seeds from the peppers. A baking pan with charcoaled shreds of cheese was left on the kitchen table, along with dirty dishes, a can of parmesan cheese, and a glass of water that had tipped over. The sink was piled high with dishes. It was a disaster. “Oops,” Caitlin said sheepishly. Rob glared at her. “This is the last thing I need to come home to,” he snapped. “I spend my entire Saturday at work and I come home to this. Clean up after yourself, Caitlin. What’s wrong with you?” Caitlin shrugged. It was kind of ironic to hear Rob complain about the mess in the kitchen. She had heard enough of the stories from her father’s college days. According to his best friends, the football house that Rob lived in was so dirty and filthy that it was nicknamed “The Hole.” And Rob’s roommates swore that his room was the most unkempt. “They’re not all mine,” Caitlin said defensively. “And why do you automatically assume they are mine anyway?” Well, she actually knew the answer to that. Lindsay and her older sisters Allison and Natalie were compulsively neat. Allison’s closet was color coded with all the hangers evenly spaced out. Natalie was just habitually neat. God forbid they ever left a dish in the sink. And her youngest sister Anna was 12 and pretty good about cleaning up. Caitlin was once again the delinquent in the family. “I want this kitchen clean,” Rob ordered. “Fine,” Caitlin said, turning to walk back up stairs. Rob grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Now.” Caitlin huffed loudly. “I need to make a phone call, I’ll clean up in a minute.” Rob was already shaking his head. “No. You had all day to clean this up.” He started to say something more when his cell phone went off. Rob’s attention was immediately distracted. He quickly became immersed in the phone call, his voice rising. Caitlin wandered into the kitchen to examine the extent of the damage. Her sister Anna appeared at the door. “Nice job,” she said sarcastically. “Thanks,” Caitlin snapped. “How about you help me?” “How about you drop dead?” was Anna’s snippy reply. The girl was growing into a terror. Caitlin started to comment, then turned away. It wasn’t even worth it. Anna had issues. When their mother had walked out on the family more than a decade ago, Anna had been just a baby. Rob had been struggling to piece his life back together, and it was Anna who had taken the brunt of the bitter divorce. “Have fun,” Anna sneered, then left the kitchen. Caitlin pushed a few dishes around in the sink, feeling a little bit overwhelmed about the mess. She hadn’t intentionally trashed the kitchen. And it hadn’t even crossed her mind to clean things up. Besides, she had been busy thinking about her plans for the evening with Tommy Fitzpatrick, the latest boy trying to get into her pants. Caitlin’s mind was spinning. Where was she going to go with Tommy tonight? Her sister Natalie had been in a good mood lately. Maybe she would drop them off somewhere. Caitlin ran a hand through her golden blond hair. What should she wear? Caitlin glanced over her shoulder. Rob was pacing back and forth, still deeply engaged in his phone conversation. Caitlin knew from experience that he would be a while. She dashed back upstairs and knocked on her sister Natalie’s door. “Come in!” Natalie called. Music was blaring. “Hi,” Caitlin said, glancing around her sister’s bedroom. Of course, everything was immaculate. “What’s up?” Natalie asked. “So I’m going out with Tommy tonight,” Caitlin told her. “Do you have anything I can wear?” Natalie shrugged. “You can check my closet.” Exactly the offer Caitlin had been hoping for. Her sister had quite the wardrobe. Even Allison frequented Natalie’s closet. Caitlin began searching, pulling things out left and right. A few shirts slipped off their hangers and fell on the ground. Caitlin finally pulled out a low cut blue shirt and held it up in front of the mirror, pausing thoughtfully. “Can I try this on?” she asked. Natalie looked up. “Yeah, I guess.” Caitlin whipped off her little black tank top, threw it on the floor, and pulled the blue shirt on. “It makes my eyes look so blue,” she said, pleased. “It’s too big in the shoulders,” Natalie said, shaking her head. “It doesn’t fall right.” Caitlin stared at her reflection in the mirror, then nodded. “Okay,” she agreed. She turned back to Natalie’s closet, pushing hangers out of her way. “How about this?” she asked, grabbing a black DKNY shirt. She held it out for her sister’s approval. “No way,” Natalie told her. “I just got that. I don’t want you wearing it at some party.” Caitlin pouted for a minute, then dropped the shirt on the floor. She returned to the closet, searching even more ferociously. “So what was dad yelling about?” Natalie asked. “Your mess in the kitchen?” Caitlin rolled her eyes. “Something like that. I have to clean it up. Dad’s flipping out. What is his problem lately?” Natalie stared at her. “Caitlin, that kitchen is disgusting. I went to have a bagel and I didn’t even want to toast it in there. How did you manage to get pizza sauce on the toaster? No wonder Dad’s screaming. And all those dishes? That is so nasty.” “Oh shut up, Natalie,” Caitlin said, browsing through Natalie’s collection of designer labels. “I’m going to clean it. Ooh!” she cried, lifting a little gray tank out. “When did you get this? I’ve never seen it.” Natalie shrugged. “You know, I don’t think that’s even mine. I think maybe I borrowed it from Lauren. You can try it.” Caitlin took off the blue shirt and dropped it on the floor in front of Natalie’s mirror. She slipped on the gray tank. “What do you think?” she asked. “I think that your boobs are falling out of it,” Natalie said, a half smile forming on her lips. “Dad’s not going to let you out of the house in that.” “Well, he doesn’t have to see it,” Caitlin shot back, exasperated. “But do I look good? It looks good on me, right?” She turned to the side, examining her reflection from all angles. “Yeah, you look good,” Natalie agreed, surveying Caitlin’s teeny body. Caitlin was so tiny, except for her fully developed chest. Maybe it looked so large just because Caitlin was so little and petite. Natalie was much taller, and more athletic and toned than her younger sister. “So can I wear it?” Caitlin asked. Natalie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, just be careful. And I want that shirt back, washed and ironed. Not thrown in a heap in your room.” “I’ll take good care of it,” Caitlin promised. Natalie finally noticed her floor. “Caitlin!” she exclaimed. “Don’t throw my clothes on the floor! Pick up that stuff and put it back.” “Oh,” Caitlin said, glancing at the floor. “Sorry.” She picked up the blue shirt and attempted to put it on a hanger. She got one sleeve on and pushed the hanger back in the closet. Of course, the hanger was facing the opposite direction of all the other ones. The shirt slipped off and fell on the floor. “Caitlin!” Natalie cried again. She looked at her closet in surprise. “What did you do to my closet?” At least five shirts were on the floor. Caitlin just stood there looking confused. Natalie groaned, annoyed. “Forget it. I’ll do it. I have to fix everything now.” Caitlin stared at her in disbelief. “Okay. You are just weird. You are getting as bad as Allison.” “And you are inconsiderate,” Natalie told her. “I am being nice letting you look in my closet. You can at least leave my clothes the way you found them.” Caitlin rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the shirt,” she said. She walked back to her room. “What did dad want?” Lindsay asked. Caitlin sighed. “Something about the kitchen, I don’t know,” she said distracted. “Look what Natalie is letting me wear,” she said, holding up the tank. “Where’s the rest of it?” Lindsay asked. “Ha ha, who are you, dad?” Caitlin said, looking in her own closet. “What are you doing tonight, Linds?” “Going out with Steve,” her twin told her. “You think maybe he could drop me off at Tommy’s?” Caitlin asked. She liked the fact that Lindsay’s boyfriend could drive. Lindsay nodded. “I’m sure he would.” “Perfect,” Caitlin said. She made a few phone calls, showered, and put on her outfit. Oh was she a hooch tonight, it was great. Natalie and Anna walked into the bathroom just as Caitlin was running a brush through her hair one last time. “Aren’t you a hoochie,” Natalie said proudly. “That’s what I like to see.” “You look like a slut,” Anna said. Natalie gave her a warning look. “Thank you,” Caitlin said rudely. “You’re such a sweetheart.” “Cait,” Lindsay said, sticking her head in the door. “Steve’s here. Ready to go?” “Yeah,” Caitlin said, grabbing her pocketbook. She started to follow Lindsay down the stairs, then stopped. “Oh shit,” she cried. “What?” Lindsay asked. “Dad. I didn’t clean up the kitchen or do those dishes.” “Caitlin!” Lindsay exclaimed. Caitlin paused. She could hear her father on the phone, barking commands. “Whatever,” she said, shrugging. “He’s busy. I’ll clean up when I get home tonight. Let’s go.” Caitlin had a perfect evening. Steve dropped her off at Tommy’s. It was pretty obvious that Tommy, Tommy’s older brother, and Tommy’s father couldn’t take their eyes off of her chest. Well, Tommy was happy enough to get under that tank later that evening. Caitlin had never seen a boy’s eyes light up in quite that way before. Her father would kill her if he knew just how much fun Tommy had that evening. It was after midnight when Caitlin walked in the door. She decided she was too tired to change, and settled herself into bed. Lindsay wasn’t home. She had probably decided to sleep over somewhere. At 1:30am Caitlin heard movement out in the hallway, and a soft knock in the door. “Yeah?” she called, thinking maybe it was Lindsay. Natalie peered in. “Are you up?” “Sort of,” Caitlin said. “Come in.” Natalie crawled into Lindsay’s bed. “So what did you do tonight?” she asked. “Went to a party,” Caitlin told her, then laughed wickedly. “Then back to Tommy’s.” “Oh boy,” Natalie said. “He liked the tank top,” Caitlin said, hiding a grin. Natalie laughed. “You are such a devil.” “What did you do?” Caitlin asked. It was fun to bond with Natalie about boys. Natalie taught her all kinds of techniques to try out. Allison wasn’t around much, and Lindsay never revealed anything about what she did with Steve. She was no fun. “I was out with Joe,” Natalie said. Joe was Natalie’s latest fling. But Natalie insisted that he was not her boyfriend. Just her friend, she said. “Friend with benefits,” she called him. “I gave Tommy a blow job,” Caitlin revealed. “I think it was a good one.” “That’s my girl,” Natalie said. “Did he come?” Caitlin nodded. “In my mouth. That’s okay, right? I mean, it’s safe and everything?” “I think it actually has nutrients and stuff in it,” Natalie said. “Did he ask you if he could come in your mouth? He didn’t just do it, did he?” Caitlin’s mouth dropped open. “He’s supposed to ask?? He didn’t ask, he just came. What, is that bad? It was really fast,” she added. “Well, it usually is with 16 year old boys,” Natalie said ruefully. “They just look at you and oops, there it is. He probably didn’t even realize,” she assured her sister. “But in the future, they should ask if it’s okay.” Caitlin didn’t answer, she was pondering this new information. “Am I a slut, Natalie? Do you think Lindsay does any of this?” Natalie yawned. “I bet she does,” she said. “We all think she’s a good girl, but I bet she has a wild side. I hear stuff. I mean, yeah boys sometimes make things up. They all do. But Steve talks. Your other half is apparently very skilled. Or so I hear.” She yawned again. “I gotta go to bed. Giving good blow jobs is hard work.” She laughed and got up. Caitlin was tired, too. She fell asleep quickly. Her door flung open about 8 the next morning. Caitlin sat up, completely startled. Her father was in her bedroom, his hair still wet from an early morning shower. Rob was a workout fanatic. He had been out running hours ago. Unfortunately for Caitlin, he had not been able to burn off most of his anger. “Dad?” Caitlin said questioningly. She was still a little dazed, but there was fear in her voice. “Get up,” Rob snapped, grabbing the covers and flinging them on the floor. “We have some business to discuss.” Caitlin rubbed her eyes. “What’s wrong?” Rob roughly pulled her out of bed. “You are in for it, young lady.” His eyes narrowed as he took in the outfit she had fallen asleep in. “What the hell is that?” he asked. Caitlin looked down at her clothes, having totally forgotten she had fallen asleep with Natalie’s friend’s barely there tank top on. “Oops,” she said, at a loss for any other words. Rob started at her. “Where did that....piece of cloth....come from?” he demanded, unsure what to call the teeny tank top. “Natalie,” Caitlin answered slowly. Rob swore. Rob knew his daughters were exceptionally attractive, and as a former college football star, he knew how boys were. It scared the hell out of him. He had gotten his former wife pregnant back when they were both way too young. And what a disaster that had been. “You come with me,” Rob said, remembering why he had stormed into his daughter’s room in the first place. “Where the hell is Lindsay? And who said you could go out last night?” “You were on the phone,” Caitlin said innocently. “We didn’t want to bother you.” Rob laughed in disbelief. “Nice try.” He grabbed Caitlin’s arm and dragged her out into the hallway. “I believe you were told to clean up the kitchen yesterday?” It was all starting to dawn on Caitlin. “Oh. Oops,” she said again. “I forgot. I’m sorry. I’ll do it right now.” “Oh, you’ll do it,” Rob assured her. “But I think we need to have a little talk first.” He led Caitlin into his office. “Daddy,” Caitlin pleaded. “I just forgot. I was thinking about a boy,” she explained. Rob surveyed her outfit again. “Apparently so. Don’t even get me started on how you TOOK OFF last night without telling me where you were going.” Caitlin had no desire to discuss that tiny detail. “That kitchen is disgusting,” Rob told her, anger creeping into his voice. “First of all, you should have never left a mess like that in the first place. It is disrespectful to the rest of the family who would perhaps like to make or eat a meal in a sanitary place.” Caitlin nodded, not wishing to make her father angrier. “You were told to clean it up,” Rob said. “I told you to do it right then. Not in twenty minutes. Not in an hour. Not the next morning. And you know that I would have never let you out of the house with that mess. Or in that outfit,” he added, his voice dark. “I’ll clean up the kitchen,” Caitlin said quickly, sensing his anger. “Right now,” she emphasized. Rob paused for a minute, then nodded. “I mean it, Caitlin. That kitchen better be immaculate by the time I get back.” “Where are you going?” Caitlin asked. Rob shook his head, looking agitated. “I have to stop in at the office. God forbid anyone else is actually competent.” Caitlin knew better than to ask questions. “Okay. I’ll go clean up.” She stood up to leave. “Hold up,” her father ordered. “I’m not done with you. That was a cute stunt you pulled last night, sneaking out without telling me where you were going. And in that outfit.” “Daddy, you were on the phone,” Caitlin protested. “I wasn’t sneaking out, I just didn’t want to bother you. I totally forgot about the kitchen. Okay? Really, I’m sorry. I know you’re really busy. It was inconsiderate of me. I’m going to clean right now.” Rob was actually surprised to hear the sincerity in Caitlin’s voice. “I never want to see that....‘shirt’....again. On any of you,” he added. “Now get in the kitchen. I want you on your hands and knees picking up that mess.” Rob followed Caitlin into the kitchen, checked his voice mail, uttered some profanities, and left the house. Caitlin had just figured out where the sponges were kept when Lindsay strolled in. “Hi, Cait,” she said. “Nice outfit. What’s up?” “Oh, dad was a little upset by the kitchen. He woke me up to clean. Will you help me?” Lindsay laughed. “I’m going to bed. Didn’t sleep much last night.” “Why, were you up with Steve?” Caitlin demanded. Lindsay stared at her. “Noooo. I slept over at Heather’s.” “Did Steve stay there, too?” Caitlin persisted. “Noooo. Steve stayed at Steve’s house,” Lindsay said, looking slightly annoyed by the interrogation. “Why are you harassing me?” “Because you never tell me anything!” Caitlin whined. “There’s nothing to tell,” Lindsay said. “Of course there is!” Caitlin cried. “You’ve been going out with Steve for seven months.” “What Steve and I do is none of your business, Cait,” Lindsay said. “I’m your twin!” Caitlin exclaimed. “Of course it’s my business.” The phone rang, but Caitlin was too intrigued by her twin to answer. Eventually the ringing stopped. Lindsay shook her head. “I’m going to bed. Good luck cleaning.” Caitlin put a bagel in the pizza sauce splattered toaster. She was definitely going to need the energy to clean up this mess. Anna walked into the kitchen and turned her nose up in disgust. “You still haven’t cleaned this? It is so gross in here. Dad’s really mad at you.” “Thanks,” Caitlin said sarcastically. “Are you always so chipper this early?” Anna shot her a dirty look. “Aimee’s on the phone for you.” “Why didn’t you say so?” Caitlin asked. “I’m going to take it in my room.” She wanted to talk to Aimee and she didn’t really think Anna should be overhearing the details of her night. Not for a couple years anyway. Caitlin ran up to her bedroom and picked up the phone. “Hang up,” she said into the receiver. “Aime?” There was a giggle. “Anna, hang up!” Caitlin ordered. “Slut,” came the response. Then there was a click. Caitlin immediately started filling Aimee in on the rest of her evening. Lindsay stood outside the closed bedroom door realizing that she was not going to be getting much sleep with Caitlin jabbering away. She decided to jump in the shower. Caitlin was still talking an hour later when Rob came home. He walked into the kitchen and his jaw clenched. Not only was the kitchen still in total chaos, but the air reeked of smoke and charcoaled bagels. Rob instantly figured out the source. Two smoldered pieces of bread were sticking out of the pizza sauce covered toaster. Caitlin had apparently forgotten about the bagel she was toasting. Rob’s fists tightened and he stormed up the stairs to Caitlin’s bedroom. He flung open the door to Caitlin’s bedroom and busted inside, causing his startled daughter to nearly drop the phone. Rob’s eyes clearly revealed his intentions. He grabbed the phone from Caitlin and brought it to his mouth. “Caitlin can’t talk right now,” he said, then slammed the receiver down. “Dad,” Caitlin pleaded, her voice shaking. “I’m sorry....the phone rang...I - ” “Save it,” Rob snapped. “I have completely had it with you.” He started to remove the belt from his pants. Caitlin’s heart skipped a beat. “Oh no Daddy. Really, I’m sorry....please.” Rob grabbed her wrist. “You’ll see what ‘now’ means in this house. Maybe you’ll remember next time.” “No, dad, I’m too old for this. Please don’t. I’ll be grounded instead,” Caitlin begged, beginning to feel desperate. Rob’s patience was gone. “Oh you’ll be grounded alright,” Rob said. “But don’t worry sweetheart. I don’t think you’ll be up to going out anyway.” He swung his belt against his hand. “Lean over the bed.” Caitlin’s eyes were flooded with tears. “Nooo....I’m sorry. Please. I’ll do it right now, I promise.” Rob ignored her. “I should have taken my belt off this morning.” He was so angry right now. “I cannot fucking believe you did not even START cleaning up. I should have used this on you when I first saw the mess last night.” Caitlin was shaking. “I didn’t think, please, daddy.....” Rob gestured to the bed. “Lean over.” Caitlin’s lip quivered, tears slipping down her cheeks. She didn’t move. “Don’t test my patience, young lady. You had your second chance. Let’s get this over with because I want that kitchen spotless.” Crying softly, Caitlin slowly leaned over the bed and positioned herself. “No, I want to see your bare ass,” Rob ordered. “Dad!” Caitlin cried. She didn’t think that her actions qualified for a spanking on her bare bottom. “It’s a few dishes in the sink!” Wrong thing to say. Rob brought that belt down on her bottom so hard. Caitlin screamed out in obvious pain, her hands flying to her backside. “It’s more than a few dishes, Caitlin. And it’s your blatant disregard for anything that I told you to do. Get those pants down or I am going to get you on your hands and knees right in the kitchen and do this in front of your sisters.” Caitlin knew from the expression on his face that he would not hesitate to do just that. Glowering, she pushed down her pants and the little Ralph Lauren thong. Rob did not comment, just raised that awful belt and brought it down on her bare skin. Caitlin howled. CRACK CRACK CRACK. The sounds of the spanking echoed through the house. CRACK CRACK. Caitlin reached her arms back and tried to cover her bottom. Rob grabbed her hands and pinned them behind her back. “When I tell you to do something, you do it,” he said, bringing the belt down hard across her cheeks. CRACK CRACK CRACK. The burning pain was more than Caitlin could take. “Stttoooppppp!” she begged, crying hysterically. “I’m sorrrrrry. Ahhhh, it hurts! Stopppp! I’ll clean, I’ll clean!” Rob ignored her and concentrated on Caitlin’s backside. He focused on the tops of her legs - right where she would sit down. CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK. There was no mistaking the sound of leather smacking against bare skin. Natalie winced as she listened to her sister’s screams, howls, and apologies. Rob placed the final strokes on Caitlin’s thighs. CRACK CRACK “Maybe next time you’ll CRACK remember to CRACK CRACK do what you’re told,” he snapped. CRACK CRACK CRACK. Caitlin was bawling. Rob put his belt down. “Get up,” he ordered. Caitlin did not move. Rob took his hand and brought it down hard on his daughter’s flaming red backside. SLAAPP! “I said, get your ass up.” Shaking with sobs, Caitlin picked herself off the bed. Rob pointed to the door. I want you down in that kitchen right now. If you don’t have it spotless in one hour, I am going to put you over the kitchen table, mess or not, and do this over again. Do you understand?” Her face streaked with tears, Caitlin nodded. SLAAAPPP! Rob’s hand exploded across her bottom again. “I didn’t hear you.” “Yes, I understand,” Caitlin sobbed through her tears. She pulled up her pants, her bottom stinging furiously. Rob pushed her toward the door. Caitlin scrambled down the stairs, anxious to get started and avoid any further punishment. Natalie guessed that the spanking was over and emerged from her room. Rob spun around. Natalie looked uncomfortable. “Do you want me to help her, dad?” she asked. Rob stared at her. “I think you helped her enough.” Natalie was confused. “What?!” she exclaimed. “What are you talking about?” “That’s a nice shirt your sister has on.” Caitlin had such a big fucking mouth. “It’s not even mine,” Natalie said. “She found it in my closet. It doesn’t even fit me.” “It doesn’t seem to fit Caitlin, either,” Rob commented. “I don’t give a damn whose shirt it is, I don’t want it in my house unless it’s a dust rag. And if it doesn’t get returned to its owner, that’s exactly what it will be.” “Okay,” Natalie said, meeting her father’s eye and nodding. She got the message. And Caitlin despite her flaming sore bottom managed to get the kitchen clean.