“And if this was your plan all along, I guess I’m not surprised that you didn’t wait for me to graduate from the Academy.”“By that point, it...was a sure thing that I was going to end up with at least three women in my life in different capacities. I’m not sure you were ready for the circus that is my life!”“Despite your abilities in bed - and those were amazing - I don’t think I’m cut out for sharing. Playing the field? Sure. You know I’ve done that. But I think marriage should be a commitment. She cries out in pain and he grimaces as he has to lean over and haul her back onto her knees by her hair. Still gripping her hair, he hits her again. She tries to muffle her cry. Hot tears are soaking through her blindfold, darkening the soft fabric. My husband kneels and takes one her her nipples in one hand and pinches. I wince in sympathy. My finger-tips are white where they grip the arms of the chair. I'm not sure how much more of this I can stand, I ask myself if I should intervene-- what. I gave therope to the captain. He grinned and flicked the rope at Karen's back.A red mark appeared. I said, 'Again!', and he flicked the rope oncemore. I then said to Karen that the captain's friend would now have ago and asked her to agree. She said, 'Yes'. I gave him the rope andhe gave Karen three quick hits on her thighs, bottom and back. Shewriggled around now as the number of marks on her back was growing. Isaid that she had three left and that we were going to do one each andthat. I hurried to the front of my apartment and flung the door open. Mary stood in the hall. She looked flushed and her normally immaculate hair was untidy. It looked like it was pinned in a hurry and loose blonde strands hung over her ears and the back of her neck. She was wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Something was amiss and I stared at her, then I realized the sweatshirt was inside out.We stared at each other and then I said, "Do you want to come in?"Without replying, Mary walked past me.