The Drugstore

The Drugstore

by Tyjord

 

Part 1 – The Arrival

 

The little bell above the door jingled as they walked in. The drugstore on Main St. was a small, quaint place with a brightly lit interior, and neatly stocked shelves. The cashier, an older woman with silver hair, was tending to a customer, but managed to smile warmly at them as they walked by. A man in his late forties, wearing a white lab type coat, was at the rear of the store, behind the prescription counter. The only other individual in the store was a female employee with long red hair, in her late teens, who was stocking some eyeliner in the cosmetics aisle.

The newcomers, a short haired Hispanic woman in her late thirties, and a teenage boy, holding a shopping basket picked up by the entrance, walked around the shop. The Latina led the way, the boy behind her, with his eyes alternating from the floor to whatever his mother pointed to on the various shelves, was quickly placing each item into the basket. After several minutes of browsing, the pair approached the girl doing the stocking.

“Excuse me my dear, could you help us for a moment?” The woman said to the bent over employee.

“Of course,” she said, standing to face the pair, “I’m Amy, how can I help you?” The girl looked them over, noticing that the woman was darker skinned than the young man, who was nervously shuffling his feet, obviously wishing he were somewhere else. Amy knew just about everyone in town, and these two were definitely strangers. Just passing through perhaps, but there had been rumors about the old Stewart place on Maple St. being sold. She briefly wondered about the pair, she assumed they were mother and son, despite the different skin tones. The woman was a few inches shorter than the boy, and had a boyish look to her as well. Amy saw the resemblance as soon as the boy looked up from the floor. She thought he was extremely cute, with a bit of an exotic look to him. While the woman’s short hair was very dark, his was a very light brown, almost blonde even. It contrasted nicely with his skin, like he had a permanent tan. Most importantly, he looked to be about the same age as Amy.

“Well hello Amy, nice to meet you. I’m Maria, and this is my son Michael. Say hello to Amy, Michael.”

Michael shuffled again nervously and, trying to be discreet, shifted the basket slightly behind his back.

“Hello Amy,” he said quietly, his voice catching slightly in his throat.

“Nice to meet both of you,” the red haired girl said. “What can I help you with?”

“Would you be so kind as to direct us to your enema supplies?” Maria said with a smile on her face.

“Enema?” Amy repeated, sounding a bit confused.

“Yes dear, you do know what an enema is don’t you?” Maria cocked her head inquisitively, even as she heard the barely audible groan come from behind her.

“Oh, yes, sorry, It’s just that nobody has ever asked me for that type of stuff before,” Amy responded.

“Don’t worry about it dear, it’s not surprising. Enemas seem to have gone out of style in mainstream culture a while back. However, my wife and I are nurses, so we know how beneficial they can be.”

“Mom, please…” Michael whispered, leaning in closer to his mother.

“Your wife?” Amy asked, a bit startled.

“Why yes dear, is that a problem? She’s in the car waiting for us right now.”

“No, no problem. Not for me. And I don’t think anybody else around here would mind much. But, considering how conservative this town can be, it might be an issue with other guys if Michael was gay.”

Michael turned beet red at the girl’s comment and started backing out of the aisle.

“Stay,” his mother said calmly, and Michael stopped in his tracks.

“Well that’s unfortunate, but then luckily for him, Michael seems to be straight as an arrow. For right now, at least. Isn’t that right, Michael?”

Another groan, a bit louder, was all the response Maria received.

“Now Amy, about the enema supplies?”

“Oh, right, sorry,” the pretty young girl said, distracted by her growing fascination with the new boy in town. “If you wait here a sec, I’ll bring you what we have. We keep that kind of stuff behind the pharmacy counter since it’s not a good seller.”

“Thank you dear, we’ll wait right here.” Maria said with a smile.

Once the girl was out of sight, Maria turned to her son. “She’s very attractive, don’t you think?”

“Mom…”

“Well?”

“Yes mom, she’s very attractive.”

“I knew you’d think so,” Maria said excitedly. “And I think she likes you.”

Michael blushed again, continuing to stare at his feet.

It was only a few minutes before Amy returned, holding a few different items in her hands.

“Sorry, but this is all we have. The standard squeeze bottle filled with saline solution, a bulb syringe, and this enema/douche combo kit.”

“I see,” Maria said thoughtfully. “Is that a two quart bag in the kit?”

“I believe so,” Amy responded looking over the details on the box. “Yep, two quart capacity.”

Maria sighed slightly. “Well, Michael is used to a much larger one, but until the boxes with all our stuff arrive, including our one gallon bag, this will have to do. Don’t you think sweetheart?”

“Yes mom,” Michael said, feeling as though he were speaking from inside a deep dark tunnel.

“Oh, so this stuff is for you,” Amy asked, addressing Michael directly.

“Uh…yeah,” he stammered, wanting to run and hide.

“Hmmm… maybe we could link up two bags for you Michael. That would get you up to your usual gallon. Do you have another kit Amy? I think we could find some tube connectors at the local hardware store.”

“No, sorry, we only have this one kit. Like I said, it’s not a big seller. I guess most people around here don’t have this kind of…issue.”

“Nonsense dear, Michael doesn’t have any issues like that. As I mentioned, with my wife and I being nurses, we simply know the benefit of enemas. Michael has been getting them regularly since he was a child. That’s how he worked his way up to a full gallon. We were so proud of him.”

Michael’s heart was beating so fast he would have thought he was going to have a heart attack if he wasn’t so focused on this attractive young girl being told one of his most intimates secrets. God, he thought, this is such a small town, what if she tells everyone?

“Wow,” Amy replied, wide eyed. “That’s a lot, I’m impressed.”

“Yes, it’s quite a bit, in fact, he normally has a nice flat stomach, but when we get him all filled up, he looks almost pregnant.”  Both women chuckled. “But, you know boys and their hygiene, or should I say lack of hygiene? It’s important that they be kept clean and well maintained, outside and inside.”

Michael wished there were a large rock around so he could crawl under it and die.

“So,” Amy said, “it’s basically a therapeutic for him?”

“Mainly,” Maria replied, “but there is another reason Michael gets a good filling.”

“Oh, what’s that?” Amy asked, genuinely curious.

“Michael, why don’t you tell this lovely young lady the other reason you get your belly all filled up.”

The boy was frozen in horror, and small black spots began to appear in front of his eyes.

“Michael, don’t make me say it again.”

“P…p…punishment,” the boy said in a hushed whisper, his legs threatening to give out from under him.

“I’m sorry,” Amy said, “I could barely hear you.”

“Michael…” His mother said sternly.

“Punishment,” the boy blurted out suddenly, just loud enough for the two women to hear him clearly.

“Punishment? Punishment for what?” Amy asked Michael.

Maria did not wait for her mortified son to answer. “Oh, just about anything; not doing chores, homework, bad grades, coming home late. You know, the usual childish indiscretions boys make.”

“I see,” Amy replied, her interest growing, along with a strange sense of excitement. “It sounds like you run a very strict household, no offence.”

“None taken dear. It’s very true, I decided when Michael’s father and I broke up after he was born, that I would do whatever it took to raise Michael to be a proper man. Luckily, when I met my wife, she agreed wholeheartedly with my methods, and helps me keep Michael on the proper path.”

Michael’s hands were trembling now. He didn’t know how much more of this humiliation he could take.

“Well, it sounds like the two of you are doing a great job making sure that Michael doesn’t get out of control,” Amy said, her eyes moving from Maria to her son, “and judging by his behavior now, it definitely shows.”

“Why thank you my dear,” Maria said with a warm smile. “It’s nice to have our hard work recognized.”

“You’re welcome. I just wish other people would control their kids as well as you do. There are a lot of delinquents in this town; mostly boys, of course.”

“Well, not everyone can be as progressive as we are. Isn’t that right Michael?”

The two women waited for an answer until Amy broke the silence.

“He seems a bit distressed.”

“Oh,” Maria replied nonchalantly, “it’s just the excitement of the move. New places, new people, that kind of stuff I’m sure. Plus, he’s likely a bit clogged up from our time on the road, which is why we just had to stop in for supplies.”

“Well, that makes sense. You know, you’ve really inspired me today. Now that I know it’s possible to teach a boy how to behave properly, I’ll be changing up my dating requirements going forward.”

“Excellent,” Maria said with excitement, “a nice young lady like you should never settle. Find yourself someone you can mold into the person you want them to be, you deserve that. In fact, once we get settled in, you should stop by the house for dinner. I think seeing Michael at home, in his regular environment, would do wonders for what you believe is possible.”

Michael felt his knees buckling under him. He was going to pass out from embarrassment. The thought of this attractive young woman coming to his house and seeing what his life is actually like was just too much to bear.

“Wow, that sounds like fun,” Amy responded. “I’ll definitely take you up on that once you feel you‘re ready to have company over.”

“Mom, please…” Michael whispered hoarsely. “I don’t feel so good…”

“Oh very well,” Maria replied, her annoyance evident in her voice. “Well Amy, it was lovely meeting you, but it seems the excitement of meeting a new friend has been too much for Michael to take. We’ll just go pay for these, and then be on our way.”

“Oh,” Amy said, “don’t bother with all that. It’s not like you’re just passing through. I can set up an account for you and you can just send us payment. Or, better yet, have Michael deliver it.” She winked at the red faced young man. “Hang on a sec, I’ll get you a bag for Michael’s stuff.”

“Thank you dear. Judging by what we’ve seen so far, it looks like we’re going to very much enjoy living in this quaint little town. Isn’t that right Michael?”

“Y..y..yes mom,” Michael stammered in agreement as he watched Amy walk off.

Part 2 – The Invitation

 

The bell jingled, announcing Michael’s arrival. Taking a deep breath, he stepped in and allowed the door to close behind him.

“Hi Mike,” the older woman said from behind the register, giving the young man a friendly wave as he passed her counter.

“Hello Mrs. Stevens, nice to see you again.”

“Oh, you’re such a polite little darling. Amy’s in the back if you’re looking for her.”

“Thank you ma’am.” Michael returned her wave and headed towards the rear of the store. It had been two weeks since they had arrived in town, and his mothers had made it clear that the quaint little drugstore was going to be a frequent destination for them. Everyone on staff, all three of them, had gotten to know the newcomers fairly well, and, to Michael’s relief, had made the newcomers feel welcome. He hoped that things would go equally well once school started again the following month, but he didn’t have great expectations for his senior year of high school.

Amy was at the rear of the infant supply aisle, opening boxes. Her back was towards him as he approached. He tried to will himself to relax, focusing on getting his assigned task over with as quickly as possible.

“Hi Michael,” Amy said loudly as she suddenly turned to face him.

The young man jumped back a step, startled. “How did you know I was here?”

Amy smiled broadly and looked over her shoulder. “Silly boy, I saw you in the mirror when you walked in. The bell was a big clue too, you know.”

“Ah, yeah, I guess, now that you mention it.”

“Yeah? You better not let your moms here you talking like that, especially not Chris. I’m pretty sure they raised you better than to use that kind of grammar.”

Amy looked the young man in his eyes. Michael looked embarrassed after her comment, and perhaps just a bit fearful.

“You’re right Amy, I’m sorry. Please don’t mention that when you see them next.”

Amy looked thoughtful, put her hand wonderingly up to her chin, then smiled again and chuckled. “Don’t worry about it Michael. I wouldn’t rat you out, unless of course…” her smile disappeared, “you really deserved it.”

“I…I understand,” Michael gulped hard.

“Now, what can I do for you? Need more supplies?”

“No, thank you. Uhm, everything has arrived, so we’re…I’m all set.”

Amy held back a giggle, deciding not to point out his “uhm.”

“My moms sent me to invite you to dinner. Now that we’re all unpacked, they would like for you to come over.”

“Wow, really? That would be so cool. What about you? Would you like me to come over?”

Michael shuffled nervously and started turning red. He felt his heart start pounding in his chest.

“Yes Amy,” he said, trying not to display his anxiety, “I would like to have you come over and spend time with us.”

“That’s great! I wouldn’t want you to feel awkward about it. After all, I’m sure Maria will want to show me all your stuff…or maybe have you show me?”

To his credit, Michael did not react, even as the spreading paleness of his complexion replaced the rosy embarrassment of the past few moments.

“Sure,” he said, “whatever you want. So will this Friday work for you?

“Friday? Let’s see…”

“I mean, we could do it another time if you’re busy…like have a date… or something.”

“Friday is fine Michael, I’m not busy, and I certainly don’t have a date with any of the losers in this town.”

“Oh, great,” he said. “I’ll let my moms know. They said you should come by around 4pm.”

“That’s perfect,” she replied giddily. “I can’t wait.”

Michael smiled, a bit uncomfortably.

“The only thing is…”

“What?” Michael asked, relieved that he had accomplished the task set for him.

“Well, your mom said something about having a maid to help with the dinner, and I was kind of looking forward to that little bit of luxury. Small town girls like me don’t have maids. But, she said that you would mention it if it was going to happen, and since you didn’t, I guess the plans fell through.”

Michael turned green. His mother had talked to her about this already? He was confused and very, very nervous. He started to back away from the girl standing in front of him.

“I…uh…have to get back now. Sorry. I’ll…uh…see you Friday, okay?”

“Michael? Did I upset you or something? Well, more than normal, at least?”

“No…of course not…I’m fine. I just have to get back home. There’s some more…unpacking I need to do.”

“Well, okay, I wouldn’t want to get in the way of that. After all, I’ll want to see everything.”

“Yeah, heh, of course. See you Friday. Bye!”

Amy watched with satisfaction as Michael dashed from the store, not even bothering to say goodbye to Martha on his way out. She wondered, almost innocently, what had gotten into him.

Michael stopped and sat down on the closest park bench. He had to catch his breath and slow down his heart. This was all too much. He couldn’t believe they had told Amy.  He sat for a few minutes, allowing his body to relax before realizing he would be late returning home if he didn’t hurry. He took off at a jog, his mind racing back to the earlier conversation he had with his moms.

“Michael, if you don’t do this, and we have to invite her ourselves, you will spend that entire evening serving as our maid,” Maria had said. “We even have your outfit all ready for you; latex catsuit, corset, French maid uniform, and of course, ballet boots. Plus, some other items to keep you under control and motivated.”

“Oh yes, it’s quite the ensemble. And, if your serving and cleaning skills aren’t perfect, your punishment will be severe,” Chris had added matter-of-factly.

Michael increased his speed as he continued to run towards home, desperately hoping he had completed his task well enough to avoid repercussions.

Part 3 – The Favor

 

The bell clanged as he walked in. Michael swore it was getting bigger and louder every time he came in. God, how he hated that bell.

“She’s on her break Mike, I think she’s out back.”

“Thank you Mrs. Stevens,” Michael replied, acknowledging the friendly older woman as he moved quickly through the small store.

“Mike, my boy, how are you?” The man in the white lab coat asked as Michael passed the prescription pick-up counter.

“I’m good Mr. Randall, thank you for asking. How are you?”

“Doing well, son. In a hurry?”  The pharmacist and owner of the drugstore smiled pleasantly as he waved Michael towards the rear of the store where a door leading to the back alley was propped open.

Michael gave the friendly man a forced smile and nod as he swerved past the stacked boxes lining the narrow hallway leading to the door, then stepped through into the alley. He stopped upon seeing Amy, sitting on a folding chair, scrolling absentmindedly on her phone, earphones in her ears. He did think she was incredibly attractive.

“Oh, hey Mikey,” Amy said, a big smile forming on her face as she pulled her earphones out.  “I’m glad to see you.”

He walked closer to her as she stood up. Normally nervous and shy, he seemed a bit more anxious today, unable to stop shuffling his feet.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t come by anymore after the dinner. You seemed really stressed out about it.” She watched with interest as he kept shifting his weight back and forth from one foot to another.

“No, I’m fine. I really enjoyed having you over.”

“You sure about that?” She asked, flashing him a small mischievous grin.

“Yes,” he said.

“Good. I won’t tell anyone, you know.”

He stopped moving and stared at her. She thought he might cry.

“Thank you,” he said finally, seemingly regaining his composure. She saw him grimace slightly as his shuffling began again.

“Of course. It’s no one else’s business. I’m really happy your moms decided to share so much with me. I had a great time. It was a lot of fun and super interesting going through everything with them…and you.”

She saw him grimace again, and she didn’t think it was from embarrassment. She knew that look on him, and this wasn’t it.

“I really liked your room, especially that bed of yours. Must have been very expensive.”

“I don’t really know,” he said, sounding a bit impatient.

“What was it again, twenty points?”

“Twenty-four,” he replied, a small groan escaping with the words.

“Wow, that is a lot. It looked amazingly secure.”

“Well,” he said, starting to breathe a bit heavily, “we don’t use all of them every night.”

“But you are in some of them every night, right?”

“Yes.”

“And why is that?” She watched him closely, expecting him to blush, but only saw another grimace.

“So I don’t…you know. I’m not allowed to…”

“Okay, stop,“ she said with a giggle. “You can spare me the details for now. Mikey,” she said as she moved closer to him. “Lift your shirt for me.”

He hesitated, a look of panic and pain passing over him.

“C’mon,” she encouraged him gently, “it’s not like I don’t know things.”

He shuddered slightly as he lifted his shirt up.

Amy put her hand on his slightly distended stomach, making him groan as she pushed on it slightly.

“How much?”

“T…two quarts,” he stammered.

“Well, that’s not too bad. I thought you were up to four?”

“They thought it was more fitting, since I was coming to see you, to use the bag you picked out for me.”

“Well then, I guess it was a good thing for you that I didn’t have a larger one back then,” she said, chuckling. “Why do you seem to be having so much difficulty with such a small amount?” She gave his belly another push, slightly harder this time.

“I’m not…plugged,” he grunted, bending over slightly from the discomfort her attention was causing.

“Oh my,” she said, removing her hand and allowing him to lower his shirt. “Sorry about that. I don’t want you to have an accident before you can get home. Maybe we should get you into some adult diapers…”

“No, please, I’ll be fine. I just need to ask you for a favor and then I can go back home and let it out.”

“A favor?” She asked, curious.

“My moms have to go to a nursing convention next weekend, and, well, they are okay with leaving me alone overnight, or a day, but they don’t think three days would be safe. So they were wondering if you would…”

“Babysit you?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm,” she pondered, trying to contain her excitement. “I don’t know. Three days is a long time. I like your moms and all, but I don’t know if I could handle that kind of responsibility.”

“Please,” he begged, “they’re going to go anyway, and if you don’t agree, they said they would have to take some pretty drastic measures to make sure I stay safe and secure while they’re gone.”

“That does sound pretty ominous.”

“Please agree to do this Amy,” the young man said, now holding his stomach.

“Well, I guess I can. I don’t have any plans. But, do you really want me to do this? Are you asking me, or are they?”

“We all are Amy. I really want you to do this…and not just because I’m afraid of what they have planned.”

“What makes you think I won’t come up with something worse to keep you…entertained?”

“It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s you.”

Amy was stunned. She kind of wondered if it wasn’t his desperation from the enema he was trying to hold in doing the talking. “Do you really mean that?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then. I’ll do it. I mean, how can I resist an offer like that?”

“Thank you so much Amy. I’ll be good, I promise.”

“Oh, I know you will.”

Michael gave her a pained smile and turned back towards the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I…uhm…need to go.”

“So?”

“I’m sorry?”

“I wasn’t done with our conversation. I haven’t seen you since the dinner, and I thought you weren’t going to come see me anymore. I think we should talk a bit. After all, who else around here can you have an open and honest discussion with? And besides, I kind of like this desperate side of you.”

“Please Amy…”

“Why are you holding an enema? Are you being punished for something? Were you a bad boy?”

“No,” he responded quickly. “I was due for one today, and my moms thought it would be fun to use it as motivation for me to get here, ask the favor of you, and get back home quickly.”

“Hmm…well, it seems they were right, you certainly seem motivated to leave. Take your shirt off completely, I want to check something out.”

Michael groaned again, but did not hesitate. He pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it onto the chair Amy had been occupying.

“You know, with the exception of that extra weight you’re carrying, you have a really nice body.”

“Thank you,” he said, hoping if he indulged her for a few minutes she would take pity on him and let him leave.

“Kind of like a dancer. Must be the ballet lessons you had. How long were you taking classes?”

“five years,” he replied.

“Ten to fifteen, right? That’s a long time. You must be pretty good. Maybe I’ll have you dance for me while I’m babysitting you. After all, it would be a shame to waste all that stuff I saw in that box in your closet labeled ‘Dancewear’. Most of it should still fit, I’m guessing. It all seemed very stretchy.”

“Amy…”

“Yep, nice definition, and so smooth! I think it’s great that they keep you completely shaved except for the hair on your head and eyebrows. Which of your moms is responsible for your grooming again?”

“Chris,” Michael replied, the pressure in his bowels continuing to build.

“That’s right. What did she say during dinner, you know, about your grooming?”

Michael sighed silently. “I had a choice. I could take care of shaving myself, but would be punished immediately and severely if even one hair was missed.”

“Or?”

“Or I could have my mom take care of it for me.”

Amy looked him over closely; even his armpits were completely bare. “Did you choose the risk of punishment, or the embarrassment?”

“My mom does it for me.”

“Probably for the best, considering what I saw in your cellar. Turn around, put your hands out, and lean against the wall.”

Michael was confused by the direction, but was too well trained and knew better than to even think about disobeying. He moved closer to the wall and, putting out his hands for support, leaned over. He felt like she was going to frisk him.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to open that box labeled ‘Maid,’ I can’t help but wonder if the contents had something to do with what your mom had said about having a maid during dinner. Oh well, I guess I’ll find out eventually.”

Michael shuffled nervously, his hands pushed against the rough bricks of the building.

Amy moved in close behind him. She put her hands on his bare sides, and slowly moved them up and down. He jerked a bit in response, ticklish she guessed. She moved her hands around to his front and placed them over his distended belly.

“Amy, please don’t…I don’t know if I can…”

“Shhh,” she said calmly, pressing down on his stomach. “Don’t you lose control. That would make me very unhappy, and make your walk home very unpleasant.”

Michael gritted his teeth and focused all of his attention on holding the torturous liquid inside of him.

Amy continued to apply constant, increasing pressure to the boy’s stomach. She could feel and hear the gurgling increasing deep inside him. She watched him closely as his arms started trembling and his back became covered in sweat. She continued to push with her left hand, even as she lowered her right hand to the young man’s crotch. She could feel him through his tight jeans, and gently rubbed his rock hard penis.

“Ahhhhh, nooooo, please Amy d…don’t. I’ll be punished if I…”

“And?” Amy asked as she suddenly stopped the attentions and backed up, leaving Michael gasping for air as he fell flat onto the wall. “Looks to me like you need some punishment. And why are you not wearing your chastity cage? I thought that was pretty much permanent.”

Michael struggled to regain his breath and composure as now, in addition to his enema predicament, his groin was aching terribly.

“They take it off one day a month, but I’m still not allowed to…”

“Well,” Amy said pleasantly as she tossed him his shirt, “I hope you were able to stay in control then, or you might be looking at a very uncomfortable evening.”

She watched as he pulled his shirt on, hunched over slightly from his torments.

“Still want me to babysit you?”

Michael smiled at her sheepishly. “Yes.”

“Good, now run on home. I’ll be seeing you again soon,” she said, returning his smile and watching as he bypassed the store and ran directly out of the alley.

Amy watched him turn the corner at almost full speed, then walked over to the chair, picked up her phone, and hit “call.”

Part 4 – The Game

Michael tried opening the door slowly and carefully. No one else was near the entrance, so he took his time, pulling steadily on the door. He was almost there. Just another few inches and he would be able to slip through without the damn bell announcing his arrival.

“Mikey!” Amy yelled from behind him. Startled, Michael jumped, yanking the door all the way open and unleashing a symphony of clanging from the dreaded bell. Mrs. Stevens, ever present at the cash register, looked up and smiled.

“What are you doing?” Amy asked him, almost sternly.

“Uhm, nothing. I was just…the door was kind of…”

“Don’t lie to me Michael; you know that is neither acceptable nor tolerated.”

“I’m sorry Amy. I just really hate that bell,“ he said nervously. “It makes me feel all exposed whenever I come in, like it’s announcing all my secrets to the world.”

“You’re just being paranoid. It’s not a good look on you. Now let’s go inside, it’s almost closing time, and I volunteered to do some night stocking. You can help.”

“Okay.”

“I presume you didn’t come here just to visit? After all, you didn’t seem too thrilled with me when your moms got back from the convention.”

The young man looked down at his feet nervously. “I’m not going to lie…”

“Like you just were about to?”

Michael took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about that. I still get kind of flustered and nervous around you, even though we’ve shared so much. You’ve become a big part of my life. My moms like you, I…like you, but last weekend was…very difficult for me.”

“Oh, Mikey, I know it was a rough few days for you, but you handled everything so well, and, you know you deserved some of it. It was really stupid of you to test our boundaries like you did.”

“I know, I’m sorry Amy.”

“Did you honestly think I was going to let your disobedience and backtalk go unpunished? Especially when your moms trusted me to keep you in-line.”

“No Amy,” Michael said solemnly, “I knew you wouldn’t hesitate to punish me.”

“Well, then there’s only one reason for your bad behavior, isn’t there?”

There was no answer as Michael shuffled his feet and tried to keep his eyes focused on the ground.

“Michael?” Amy pressed him, her voice growing sterner.

“Yes Amy.”

“Tell me.”

“Please…”

“Tell me.”

“I wanted you to punish me.”

“There you go! See how easy that was Mikey? I don’t understand why you try to lie to yourself. The truth is so obvious.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Okay, I forgive you, for now. After all, you did put on an amazing performance for me, and you looked so cute in your tights.” She winked at the now embarrassed young man. “Now let’s go say goodnight to the others and you can help me stock some shelves and tell me why you’re really here.”

“A game?” Amy asked later that evening, after the stocking was done and they had the store to themselves.

“Yes, like a scavenger hunt sort of thing, you against my moms. If I collect more of their items, they win, your items, you win.”

Amy looked at him thoughtfully. “That doesn’t put you in a very good position, does it?”

“Not really. I don’t think there’s any outcome that would be good for me.”

“No, I guess not, after all, we would each expect you to try your hardest for us.”

“I guess so.”

“And what does the winner get?”

“Basically the same thing the loser gets, except the winner gets to keep picking until they get something they like. The loser has to settle for whatever they pick first.”

“Loser?”

“Sorry, or losers.”

“That’s better. I thought you had already planned on my losing.”

“I wouldn’t do that Amy.”

“I know,” she said, ruffling his hair playfully. “So, what exactly would we be picking?”

Michael reached into his pocket and took out a folded, sealed envelope. “You would be picking from these.”

Amy took the proffered envelope and tore it open. “Have you seen these?” She asked as she spilled the folded up pieces of paper onto a nearby counter.

“No.”

“Well then, let’s take a look.” Amy motioned him forward. “Go ahead, open each one, read it out loud, then fold it back up.”

Michael reached out for the first piece of paper, his hand shaking a bit. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the first one, opened it up and read it to her, followed by the rest.

                                                                                 ·            “Explore Davey Jones’ Locker.”

                                                                                 ·            “Pierce it, lock it, and seal it.”

                                                                                 ·            “Am I gay? Let’s find out.”

                                                                                 ·            “I love Egyptology.”

                                                                                 ·            “Four plus one equals five, except when it’s six.”

                                                                                 ·            “Who is really buried in Grant’s Tomb?”

                                                                                 ·            “Take a spin on the wheel of fortune.”

                                                                                 ·            “Just horsing around.”

                                                                                 ·            “How much is that doggy in the window?”

                                                                                 ·            “Maid to serve.”

                                                                                 ·            “Why call a plumber when you have me?”

                                                                                 ·            “Just hanging out around the house.”

                                                                                 ·            Save the environment, recycle!”

Michal looked more than a little bit green. He didn’t know what all of them meant, but he could definitely guess at some of them.

“Oh my,” Amy said after rifling through the papers to re-read some of them. A broad smile formed on her face, “I can’t wait to play. This should be so much fun…”