I'll Whip Him Into Shape

KAYSEN*

"Kaysen Yasmin Richardson; Where the hell have you been, we have been searching everywhere for you. Kristine and I called old friends and new, and we have even called hospitals," My mom screamed as I walked in the door, and then Kristine, Michael's mom, and my mother ran to me and hugged me.

Both Kristine and my mom's eyes were bloodshot from crying. I expected my mom to be angry, but this was over the top.

"I'm fine; I don't think either one of you wants to know where I was," I said as I went in search of Cora.

"Come here, young lady. We're not done with this conversation. Cora is fine she's watching Barney and is in her playpen. Now tell us where you were and what kept you from being home at four in the morning to cuddle your baby," my mom demanded.

"Fine, if you must know, I went home with someone mom and accidentally fell asleep," I said as I flung my hands up in the air.

"You went home with someone and fell asleep," my mom said as she glared at me.

"Yes, mom," I said as I tried to walk away again.

"With a man?" Mom questioned.

"Yes, mom, I went home with a man; I am single and twenty-one years old," I said as I gave up and sat at the table, and mom and Kristine sat to each side of me.

'Can someone shoot me now?' I thought to myself. My mom was going to sit here and drag every detail out of me.

"What has happened to my daughter? Kaysen, you never would have done anything like this before. It's that waitressing job you have at that club. You've been acting up ever since you got that job. I want you to quit right now," mom declared. Her face was beet red with a mixture of anger and humiliation.

I told her neither one wanted to know where I had been, but she insisted upon knowing where I was anyway.

"Mom, I'm not quitting my job. As I have said before, it pays good money. I made almost a thousand dollars last night in tips; let it go," I said.

"Did you at least use a condom," Kristine said.

I mentally slapped myself; I forgot to go to the pharmacy to get morning-after pills. I should be fine, I'm on birth control, but I wanted to be extra vigilant on not getting pregnant.

"I'm sorry, Kristine, but I'm not answering that; it's neither yours nor my mom's business," I said as I fidgeted and stared at my hands.

"It is our business if you were to get pregnant," mom said. She and Kristine both looked hurt by the way I was acting.

"I'm twenty-one years old. I've always done the right thing all my life, including waiting to have sex until I was married. I graduated with honors; I'm close to finishing my degree, even with a baby and a part-time job and countless other great things I've done in my life. I never went to parties; I don't drink; I've never done drugs. I haven't been with anyone since Michael. I'm lonely, so yes, I did one off-the-wall thing and went home with a man. So what; other than last night, I'm home by three o'clock every night that I work. I tuck Cora in before I leave, and I'm here when Cora wakes up in the mornings on the nights that I work," I forced out.

I'm so tired of everyone treating me like I might break and acting as if I was a teenager.

"You can't go around sleeping with men because you're lonely, Kaysen Yasmin. You need to grow up and get a more suitable job fit for a young single mother. You're not going to find a father for Cora at a strip club," my mom exclaimed.

So we're back to that, my job. It was during that time that Kristine got up and walked out of the kitchen, went and said bye to Cora, and slammed the front door as she left. Kristine happens to be okay with me staying single; she isn't keen on the idea of anyone taking her son's place.

"Mom, why did you have to say that in front of Kristine. Michael was her only child; how could you?" I screamed.

"Don't put this on me, dear child. It has been two years, Michael is gone, you both need to let him go, and yes, Cora needs a father. Let Michael go and move on with your life, but do it in a presentable manner," mom, said as she got up from the table.

"Give me one month, and Cora and I will be out of your hair, mother. I'll find another form of childcare," I said as I got up and started walking towards the living room.

"You're not taking Cora from me; you can't do that," my mom cried out.

"She's my daughter; we can't stay here forever, mom; maybe it's time for you to let go as well," I said as I left my mom crying in the kitchen.

TANNER*

I ran after Kaysen with only my black boxer briefs on, but I hadn't cared. They were the only thing I could throw on at the time since Kaysen had sprinted out the door.

I should have ran faster; I should have caught up to Kaysen and let her know I didn't want to let her go. I could have caught up with her, but I just let her go. I am such an idiot.

I don't even have her number, but I know where she works. Kaysen should be working tonight since it happens to be a Saturday. I know for a fact after seeing all of the other girls last night that Kaysen is Hector's best act, and there's no way he wouldn't have Kaysen working on the busiest night of the week.

***

I busted my ass to look as handsome as I could. I trimmed my goatee, styled my thick dark brown hair, spritzed on some cologne. I put on my nicest pair of cowboy boots, dark pleated jeans, and a nice button-down dress shirt. I looked more like I was going to church or something instead of a strip club, but I don't care.

***

I waited until after eleven to arrive at the club. I was beginning to feel a bit possessive and protective over Kaysen and didn't want to watch other men ogling what I felt should be mine. Once I arrived at the club, I wanted to tuck tail and leave. I needed to let Kaysen go, I knew it was the best thing to do, but here I was anyway.

I spotted Kaysen working her waitress magic at a table with eight men whose gazes trailed down Kaysen's figure as she laughed and flirted with them and thought to walk out again but stayed rooted in place.

Kaysen walked off and spouted the drink order to Roberta, who was operating the bar again tonight. Once Kaysen got the drinks, she placed them in front of the men. She laughed with them for a couple of minutes and then went to check up on her other tables.

After a few minutes of standing there looking like a creep, I made my way to the bar.

Kaysen*

When I arrived for work tonight, I glanced around, hoping to see Tanner. I don't know why; Hector had warned me against him. Hector had said that Tanner was a good man, but not when it came to women; that he only went on a few dates with women and then would leave them hanging.

That's why I had suggested Tanner and I hooking up only being a one-night thing, but after being with him twice last night, I wanted more. Not a relationship or anything, but sex, yes. Tanner was a beast in the bed, and I loved every minute. Especially when he came inside me, and I craved more of him.

I had scooped Cora up this morning and had taken her with me to the pharmacy and had taken the morning after pills. I should be good because I had gotten my depo shot a little over a month ago but still, there's always a chance of getting pregnant. Nothing is a hundred percent effective. Even using condoms; I should know because Michael and I had used condoms, and I had been on the pill when I had gotten pregnant with Cora.

It's now eleven o'clock, and I glanced around from time to time, hoping to see Tanner, but nothing. I guess Tanner had taken me up on the idea of having a one-night stand. Maybe we should leave it that way; at some point, feelings would get involved, and I don't want that. Especially when it comes to Tanner, I didn't want to get hurt.

I had arrived at the bar after taking drinks to a group of men that were there for a bachelor party. They had all been flirting with me for the past hour, even the groom, which is crazy, but I knew some decent tips would be coming my way, so I had gone along with it.

I was standing there sipping some water, all of my tables were caught up, so I knew I had a few minutes of chill time.

"Kaysen, can we talk for a minute?"

I knew that voice. A chill ran down my spine and straight to my core, making my thong wet.

I turned around to see Tanner. My mouth watered at the sight of him. He looked different tonight as he had worked hard to look good for me. Gone were the plain jeans and t-shirt he had on last night, and now Tanner had trimmed his goatee, styled his hair, and looked breathtaking in his cowboy get-up. The only thing he was missing was a cowboy hat, but his dark brown hair complimented his light hazel eyes perfectly, so I was glad he wasn't wearing a hat.

"Sure, let me check my tables real fast; wait here for me. I'll be back," I said as I walked off.

I glanced back to see that Tanner had his gaze fixed on my butt. That man is trouble, but I'm willing to whip him into shape.

Writer's Note

I wonder if Kaysen will be able to tame Tanner? Feel free to 👍Hugs and love Sapphire J.🥰