..”“Then you pick. You’re a weird date.” She got in the car. Inside, “Isn’t the conventional approach more of ‘promise the stars and del...ver a lightbulb’?”I told her what movie I had in mind. “And I’d rather promise mediocrity and over-deliver.”“You’re a nut,” she laughed.“Gets you smiling,” I grinned. “Sort of the point.”“Why?”“You’re smart and funny and immensely better than sitting at home binge-watching NetFlix.”“Glad you think so.”We worked our way into the theater with a small herd, it. “Oh, you’re all eager to start,” she willfully misinterpreted my pleading, “but you don’t know what’s going to happen yet. You see, I want to try to really make the message sink in. So I’m going to give you a nice caning. One stroke for each dollar I spent for the dress. Isn’t that fair?” Again I shook my head. Eight hundred strokes with the cane? She would beat me into a bloody pulp. Tears of desperation ran down my cheeks while I tugged futilely on my bonds. Her fingers touched my cheek and I. " Well, good for you. I'm most impressed." Thanks." So what have you got planned for today?" Well, if it's all right with you I'm not going to dust or vacuum. I don't think it needs doing every day." Nor do I, so?" Well, if you don't mind me saying, the cupboards in here need cleaning out and there may be some things that need chucking as well." I'll bet the cupboards need cleaning. I haven't done it for months." She smiled gratefully at him. "And as for chucking things out, I'll bet you find. "You are not yet strong enough or healed enough to be out of bed. Get thee to bed!"With that pronouncement, she ushered me back to the bed and moved aside the covers to allow me access to the satin sheets. She removed my robe and slippers and gently pushed me back on the bed. My little soldier was still at attention and if she noticed, she gave no indication.She propped the pillows up and made sure I was comfortable. She placed her hand on my forehead to feel my temperature, and gave me a smile.