Trammel wrote: ↑2 years ago
I got sidetracked by All In The Family.
Good thing that I am adding a new chapter here for you (and everybody else) to read...
96 - Reminders
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Karen was up early in the morning, the clock on her phone telling her it was just past 7. Sipping a cup of tea, she sat in her camping chair, listening to the birds that were chirping all around her. Still dressed in her sleeping gear, shorts sleeve oversized t-shirt and sleeping shorts, she enjoyed the fresh morning. It had not cooled down much overnight, but it always felt a little cooler in the morning. While she sipped her tea, she was thinking about the plans for the day, the canoe trip with the van der Meer’s. Karen was happy that it had clicked so well between the families, although she figured that she might have to have a chat with her kids about tying up Amber and Maaike. She wanted to make sure they would not overdo it.
“Good morning.” A voice came from behind her.
“Morning Tim.” She greeted her son. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did. I think Tamara and I were tired, we came back to the tent, cuddled a little and fell asleep.”
“What? You mean both of you slept without being tied up?” Karen grinned.
“It is me that occasionally sleeps bound and gagged, mom. Tamara is not that crazy about it. Which is fine by me.”
He poured himself a cup of tea, something he only occasionally did, and sat in his own camping chair. Just as Karen, he was still in his sleeping gear.
“I suspect at least some people are sleeping tied. Based on the sounds, the twins have tied their mother and I have a feeling Sally is tied too.”
“DW has influenced her, she is tied up more than we used to do. But who am I to complain if she likes it?” Tim added. “And the twins are maybe overdoing it a bit.”
“Maybe I should have a talk with them again.” Karen sighed, knowing that talking to a 12-year-old was not easy, particularly if their mother was not really objecting to the treatments she received.
For a while they sat in silence, the occasional sip of tea and the birds around them the only sounds.
“Are you guys coming along on the canoe trip?” Karen asked.
“Sure, I was talking to Johan, he seems a cool dude and he likes climbing. He showed me some photos on his phone. Compared to what he has climbed, today will be a stroll in the park.”
“The climbing here is not very challenging, but you can still enjoy it. I think the fact that it is not very challenging keeps people away.”
“And the fact you need a canoe to get to it.” Tim said. “We’ll see how busy it is.”
“They can pick their canoes up at 8:30, so I suspect by the time they get them to the water it will be 9, so the 10 AM Cees mentioned yesterday is probably a good time. We can bring our canoes to the water around 9 too.” Karen said.
“Good morning.” Lucas said after coming out the tent he slept in.
As always, the other half of the twin was not far behind. They really were in sync a lot of the time, knowing what the other half was doing or waking up at the same time.
“Morning boys. Where’s your mum?” Karen asked, figuring she knew the answer.
“Still sleeping. We told her we were going out of the tent, and she did not object.” Jacob stated.
Lucas said nothing, just nodded.
“You mean she is still tied up?” Tim asked.
He had a good rapport with the twins, whether that was because he had many games on the game station the boys like or not was to be seen.
“Can we have breakfast?” Jacob asked, trying to divert the conversation.
“You know we know, right?” Karen laughed.
Jacob and Lucas nodded.
“But she likes it.” Lucas said apologetic.
“I want you to consider that she is not always enjoying it and that she plays along to keep you guys happy. So, it would be in everybody’s interest if you do not overdo it.” Karen lectured them. “Do something too much and you might not enjoy it anymore. Or push it too far and you might find you end up with nothing. Just reminding the two of you.”
“We know, Karen.”
“And we always ask mom.” Lucas added to the statement from his brother.
“She might say yes because she loves you guys. It is up to you to learn restraint. Pun intended.” Karen replied.
They all grinned.
“Just remember what I said.” Karen told the twins. “Even without tying your mother every day, you will get enough chances to play. Now go and eat breakfast.”
“I feel sorry for their to be girlfriends.” Tim laughed when the twins walked over to the food tent.
At that moment DW came out of the tent he shared with Sally.
“Talking about girlfriends I feel sorry for…” Karen added.
“Morning Karen, morning Tim.” DW said.
He was dressed in flannel knee length pants and a cotton polo shirt. It was as ‘relaxed’ as they could get him to dress.
“Did you sleep well?” Tim asked.
“I did. Thank you for asking.”
“And Sally?” Karen asked.
“Oh, she is still sleeping.” DW replied.
“Bound and gagged, I assume?” Tim asked.
As DW did not really need to answer that question, Karen and Tim already figured out the answer, he ignored it. Looking at the twins at the food tent, he walked over.
“Can I get anybody anything?” He looked back and asked Karen and Tim.
“No, I am good.” Tim said.
“And I can grab myself. I’ll give you the same reminder as I gave the twins. It is up to you to learn restraint. Sally is willing to do a lot for you. Don’t push it too far.” Karen said in a serious tone.
“Yes, ma’am.” DW replied, nodding, and acknowledging the things Karen said.
Karen relaxed and sipped her tea. She would remind them again if needed and she would have a chat with Sally too. While Sally thought Karen had not seen the items they had bought, Karen had been aware of the packages arriving and she could guess what was in them as she recognized the senders. Suddenly there was a bit of a commotion. Karen put her tea down and got up, looking at the cause of the commotion.
“Karen, we have a visitor.” Jacob announced.
Karen grinned, as they indeed had a visitor coming their way. Thea was coming down the trail towards the campsite.
“Come on boys, give her a hand.” Karen told the twins.
The twins ran towards Thea and helped her towards the camp. Karen, Tim and DW waited patiently, as Thea was only able to make small jumps, bound and gagged as she was.
“Now that was unexpected.” Karen said, a smile on her face.
“Hmmmppppfffffff.”