Chapter 3
Felicia began driving back toward their house but changed direction along the way heading toward downtown. They pulled into the parking lot of a mini-mall Susie had driven by countless times but never shopped at, she had always found it a little rundown.
Set independently of the storefronts was a coffeehouse. Felicia put the car in park and said, "Let's grab a latte. We need to talk."
Susie looked around as she followed her mother into a place called Coffee and Calm. Dark wood panelling gave the place a basement bar feel. At this time of the day the coffeehouse was mostly empty with just an employee behind the counter, a pale curly haired college kid playing an acoustic guitar and a woman sitting at a table who appeared to be the musician's girlfriend.
Although Susie had never been there Felicia had frequented the place usually on the way to or from work. Her main reason for liking it, it was never busy. "Go grab that table in the corner I'll get our drinks," Felicia said.
Susie did as instructed while her mother went to the cashier. Felicia looked at the woman who was behind a pastry case. The woman was in her forties, Felicia had pegged her as the owner. She wondered for a moment if this place was just a hobby for the woman or was it counted on for a livelihood.
Felicia ordered an iced latte for Susie and herself. While Felicia waited, she reached into her purse and felt for a pill bottle. She took her hand out of the purse when the barista came back with two cups.
After paying with her phone Felicia took the two cups to a counter with sweeteners and other add-ons. She placed the cups down and made a point grabbing a yellow sweetener packet and opening it. She looked at Susie, busy looking down at the table arms crossed, obviously cold. Felicia grabbed the bottle from her purse and emptied the contents into one of the cups. She placed bottle back in her purse then took the cups to the table.
Felicia walked toward her daughter, as she moved across the floor she noticed the guitar player looking at her for a split second then back at the girlfriend. She put one of the lattes in front of Susie and sat down across from her daughter. "Thank you mommy," Susie said quietly not sure how to address her mother.
Felicia smiled at her daughter, impressed with herself on how quickly she had turned her daughter's behavior around. She took a drink of her latte as she cautioned herself that she still had a lot of work to do. "I love how they make lattes here, loaded with vanilla. Usually it settles on the bottom though," Felicia said smiling.
Susie took a sip and gave a puzzled look, tasting only a hint of vanilla. Felicia caught her look and was ready, "Oh, take a bigger drink it's settling."
Susie did as she was ordered and seemed to disregard the lack of vanilla this time. Felicia had put twice as much of Randy's powder in her daughter's drink as she had in the mimosas earlier in the morning.
"I know this adjustment has been tough for you Susie," Felicia said largely trying to bide time while her daughter drank and the concoction took effect.
"So," she continued. "Since you've mostly behaved today we're going to take a little break."
Susie took a drink of her latte and wondered if her mother was trying to trick her into misbehaving. "Soooo do you have any questions about what's going on?" Felicia asked.
Susie felt herself beginning to relax finally, just a bit. The question came quickly, "How long are you going to do this to me?"
Felicia had been waiting for the question and had the answer ready, "That really depends on you. The better you behave, the sooner I'll have faith in you making the right decision."
"Days, weeks, months?" Susie asked nervously then taking another drink of her latte.
Felicia let her daughter's interruption go as she answered and noticed the laced drink was about half done, "Well I don't see it being a day where we announce it being 'done'. I think we'll just notice one day that you and I will have been on the same page and disciplining you and correction won't be an issue."
Susie tried to absorb the answer, it seemed like double-talk to her but it was fine, her mother was finally beginning to act normal for the first time since this had all begun. She took a breath then a gulp of her latte and then asked, "What about Brad?"
Brad Mitchell, the boy that Susie was with the previous day that had started her roller coaster ride. Felicia took a measured drink of her latte then answered, "Leave him alone for now, his mother threatened to have you arrested."
Susie felt a chill, they had talked about it earlier but now it felt real. "Besides," Felicia continued, "It's not like the two of you were going to go by a house in the suburbs and have three kids and a dog."
Susie laughed out loud at the comment. Her mother was right, it wasn't serious with Brad and now she wondered why she had even asked. Susie didn't wonder for long, the vision of Brad railing the previous day made had jumped into her head and her mouth went dry. She was horny and the last eighteen hours with her mother had her on the edge.
"Anything else?" Felicia asked.
"No, I guess not," Susie answered finishing her drink. She thought the latte was good, not great. Susie didn't know if it was the nice conversation with her mom, the adrenaline crash from the park restroom or the latte but she could feel herself just being happy now. So relaxed.
"So, break's over," Felicia said pleasantly enough. She reached into her purse and pulled out Susie's phone and a newer phone of the same model. "Your phone," Felicia said placing directly in front of herself out of Susie's reach without stretching.
Susie let out a shriek of glee at the site of the possession that had pretty much become a part of her body in recent years. She fought the urge to grab it and see what that the creepy military guy had done to it.
Felicia waited to get her daughter's attention again, "Your phone has been 'Twinned'."
As Felicia expected Susie gave a blank look, not knowing what the term meant. She continued, "What that means is every time you send a text, take a pic, make a call, post something to social media, or anything else on your phone it will show up here." Felicia held up the new phone.
Susie thought about the consequences of what her mother had just said and realized she was technologically lockedown. "On the bright side, you get your phone back," Felicia concluded, handing the phone to her daughter.
Susie unlocked her phone and noticed immediately that she had fifty-three texts she hadn't read. "You have a bunch of texts from your friends," Felicia said.
"Look at me," Felicia commanded. Susie being scared of her mother's tone looked up quickly. "You have two minutes to reply to everyone with the truth."
Susie froze at the thought of the 'truth.' What did 'truth' mean? 'Sorry I haven't been able to get back to you but my mother has been humiliating me and to be honest I don't know how I feel about it.'
Felicia as if sensing her daughter's dilemma said, "'Hey I got in trouble with my mother and lost my phone privileges for a while. She let me explain to everyone but that's it. I'll talk to you later.' Something like that, but dumb it down for your friends."
Susie was thankful for the help on the phrasing and began to reply. Felicia held up the twinned phone and said, "Needless to say, if you deviate I'll know."
"Yes, mommy," Susie giggled as she typed on her phone. She could really feel herself starting relax, her mom was being so nice. When she was done with the replies Susie fought the urge to get caught up on Instagram and instead placed the phone on the table and looked at her mother.
Felicia smiled at her daughter, the girl at times had great instincts. She reached into her purse and pulled out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to Susie. "Put this in your purse," she directed.
Susie was puzzled but took the bill and placed it in her purse as instructed. She smiled at her Felicia.
"Okay, so take your purse and your phone and go to the restroom," Felicia said looking at the time on her own phone. "Let me know when you're in there."
The blood drained from Susie's face. The word 'restroom' had her envisioning another spanking session.
Felicia saw the look on her daughters face and reached for Susie's hand. "No, No nothing like that," she soothed.
