Mary and David got together after their first marriages ended; his without children, her's with two. They moved slowly since both had rushed into first marriages, with disastrous results. Mary's was worse and actually involved physical abuse. Mary's mother had never liked her first husband, Fred, and they had had a falling out over it before it was obvious that mother had been right about him all along. Even though Mary had admitted she was wrong about Fred to her mom there were apparently other issues behind their estrangement, not the least of which was the fact that she and David were together without mom having had the chance to "weigh in" on his worthiness. For her own sake and the sake of her children, Mary wanted to reestablish a relationship with her mother, the children's grandmother. She warned David that her mother could be difficult, opinionated and very easily offended at times.
Mary was a "Change of Life" baby. Momma Ann, as she liked to be called, was in her 60's. Mary's dad had died of cancer some half dozen years before, and perhaps that also fueled the urgency of mending these family fences. In any event, the children were excited that Momma Ann would be coming to dinner, and they got out the best dishes.
Momma Ann had been a nurse. Her husband had been a cabinet maker and was quite skilled in working with wood. Momma Ann seemed pleasant enough, but there was a "gruffness" about her that went a little beyond the voice deepened by age. She was apparently used to getting her way in even the most minor of things. David thought he understood where a little of the discord had come from between Mary and her mother.
It was getting into the summer and the house seemed awful warm. David went to lower the thermostat but Mary said her mom was a little chilled and could we leave it where it was. He reluctantly agreed, because after all it was about making her mom feel welcome. But the uncomfortable heat was really getting to him, and making him perhaps a bit more irritable than he realized. When Momma Ann made a snippy remark that it was like a freezer in here and couldn't we do anything about that, he snapped back with "Are you kidding!? It's like an oven in here. Everyone is sweating!"
Let's just say it quickly went downhill from there with Momma Ann making a remark to the effect that it didn't appear David was much better than Fred and perhaps this whole idea of a rapprochement wasn't going to work. Momma Ann left without even getting to the dessert.
David knew he was wrong immediately, and apologized to Mary profusely. She didn't reject his apology, but didn't seem much consoled by it, either. All she would say is that she had warned him her mother could be "difficult", and kept repeating that she didn't know how we were going to fix it, but that we had to.
Later the next day Mary talked to her mother by phone, then told David that it looked like there was a way to get past this, but it would require something from him which she wasn't sure he would agree to. "Whatever it is, I'll do it," David said without thinking. He just wanted Mary to be happy and for the kids to have their Momma Ann back.
"You'll have to apologize directly to her," Mary said with some caution.
"No problem, I'll call her right now."
"That's not all. It will have to be in person, and you will have to perform an 'Act of Contrition', as she called it."
"What does that mean?" he asked truly puzzled.
"I don't know exactly, she wouldn't say. But I wouldn't be surprised if it included a spanking. She spanked my brother till he left home for the Army."
This brought him up short, but he thought even if it did, how hard could an old woman hit anyway. While he was still pondering these ideas Mary continued, "David, I know there isn't a reason in the world why you should do this, but I'm begging you. Please, is there is any way you would be willing to do this for me?"
David was no expert on relationships, but he knew enough not to make a woman choose between him and her family, or especially her children's family. "Yes, dear, I will."
David called, apologized and agreed to come to her place alone later that day at the time she specified. When he was ready to leave Mary held him, and looking deeply in his eyes said, "I really appreciate you doing this for me, for us. Do whatever she says no matter how strange it may seem and make this right between us. Be brave."
He stopped and picked up some flowers, and also brought some of the dessert she missed at dinner. When he rang the bell, the door opened but she didn't step to the opening, rather commanded him to enter from behind the door. He soon saw why. She was dressed in only a slip, though she still had on her heels and hose.
"I have to say that I was a little surprised to hear from you. I thought you would flat out refuse to accept my terms for an apology. This is a good mark in your favor," she said with a hint of smile.
"Thank you, Momma Ann," he said, hoping the familiarity would soften the tone.
"Let's stop right there. Today, here, for this purpose, you should address me as 'Ma'am' or 'Miss Ann'. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Good. Now let's get on with it. Say what you have to say."
"Miss Ann, I am very sorry for my remarks when you were visiting us. I was rude, and I'm very sorry to have offended you. Whenever you visit us I will be happy to make the temperature suit your comfort. I ask for your forgiveness."
"That's a good start. I suppose Mary told you that I expected an Act of Contrition."
"Yes, Ma'am, she did, but she didn't say what that was."
"Because I didn't tell her. You will have submit to a whipping. If you do, all will be forgiven."
So it was as Mary had suspected. "I will submit to your whipping."
"Good. We will go down to the basement where I have prepared what we will need."
As she stood up David could see she wasn't wearing any panties and got a very quick glimpse of her pussy before averting his eyes, for fear of giving offense.
The basement was a small room that had once been her husband's shop. In the middle of the room was a heavy looking sawhorse weighted down with bags of sand and with two bags tied across the cross bar.
"Remove all of your clothes. You may place them on this chair."
He hesitated for just a moment. "Get on with it. I'm a nurse. I assure you that you don't have anything I haven't seen before."
He hadn't thought about this part, but Mary had been very explicit when she said to do whatever her mother ordered.
When he was completely naked, trying to cover himself in front of her, she smiled. "Go over to the toilet and empty your bladder and anything else that needs emptying. Sit down, even if you only have to pee. Do it now."
A toilet and small sink were in the corner of the basement room, but there was no wall around it. Apparently one had been planned at one time since there were studs and framing, but no sheet rock in place. He would be sitting on the toilet in full view.
