Page 271 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

When not watching a film, the fellas and I prefer to gather in the common area to listen to It’s That Man Again, an extremely popular radio show. Listening to skits and hearing jokes bring our spirits up.

The reason I mention the above is that I must ask forgiveness for my lateness in thanking you for the lovely Christmas card and the box of cookies you sent several months ago. While I shared the cookies one night while the broadcast was on, I kept the card to myself. Though I knew instantly that the letter wasn’t from Jane, it wasn’t the difference in penmanship that was the final clue. It was the little heart above your closing that gave you away. The same sweet doodle from your Christmas wishes was your downfall, my dear Miss Betsy Riddle.

Oh! He’d known instantly that she wasn’t Jane, knew that she had dared to pen a letter under her best friend’s name. Betsy was positive that Jack—the major must think she was either a complete idiot or a fool. Unfortunately, she couldn’t exactly dispute either one. She certainly felt like she’d done something unethical. The only good thing was that she’d never have to actually face the man.

As for Jane, would you please convey my best wishes for her future… whatever choice she makes. I admire her ability to stand firm for what she knows her heart desires and thank her for her honesty in her letter.

As for myself, I wish to be clear from the start. I am a man who knows what he wants in a relationship and wishes only to find a woman who desires the same. While I abhor deceit, I am hoping you only felt the need for it because you were too shy to admit that you might be that woman, Miss Riddle. You asked if I was ready to step up to the plate and my answer is yes. Your concern and caring are just part of what makes me believe that you have a very big heart.

I’ll close with this. I’ve pitched the ball and admit I hope you not only catch it but feel the desire to toss it my way again. I will be looking for a pretty purple envelope and look forward to learning more about the real Betsy even knowing that I’m afraid my itchy palm will only be soothed with a swat to your naughty behind.

Sincerely,

Jack

PS: I am indeed a fan of baseball. However, young lady, unless you are playing in an official league, know that I am definitely not a fan of my girl running the bases without me at her side. I’d far rather take you to the ballpark and share a box of Cracker Jacks. I promise the games played between one man and one woman will be those of pleasure on our own, private playing field.

“That’s three,” Jane said.

“Hmm… did you say something?”

“I’m just wondering how many times you plan on reading that letter. It took me what… a minute to read?” Jane said.

“I can’t believe he actually wrote back,” Betsy said, lifting her eyes from the sheet. “I mean, wouldn’t most men be furious that someone attempted to dupe them? I thought I was being clever and yet it appears it didn’t take him but an instant to realize that I was… oh my, I was lying to him. I never even thought about him keeping a Christmas card tucked in a box of cookies. Now I feel just awful!”

Jane closed her magazine and untucked her legs from beneath her as she leaned forward. “I imagine a great deal of men might be upset, but not Jack. And as far as not falling for your ruse goes, you need to remember that the major works in intelligence, for Pete’s sake. Don’t feel awful, Bets. It’s obvious that Jack found your little game a bit amusing.” Jane paused and smiled. “Though you just best be prepared to pay the piper if you fudge the truth in the future.”

Betsy groaned, her cheeks turning bright pink when Jane slapped her hand down onto her thigh, the sound loud and its meaning quite clear. Jane laughed and then said, “Relax, I can promise that since Jack did toss the ball back, he isn’t upset in the least. He’s a good man, honey.”

“Good enough that you are reconsidering your decision to stop writing him?”

“No, like I said, he’s a good man but not the man for me,” Jane said, reaching forward to pat Betsy’s arm. “Tell me, why did you really feel compelled to write to a total stranger who you knew was writing to me?”

“You told me to!” Betsy said. “I just didn’t want him to wonder if his letter had been received or to feel…”

When Betsy paused, Jane shook her head. “Don’t give me some baloney about not wishing to hurt his feelings. He’s a grown man and I’m sure he’s not a stranger to life’s little hurts. Be honest, Betsy.”

Betsy sank against the back of the sofa and composed her thoughts. If she couldn’t be honest with Jane, who could she trust with her feelings? Sighing deeply, she shook her head. “I’m not sure I can even explain it exactly but from the moment I read his letter, something pulled at me. All of a sudden I realized that I have been writing to men who treated me like their kid sister. God, I don’t want a boy, Jane, I want a man.” Meeting Jane’s eyes, she continued. “And it might be old-fashioned, and you probably think I’m crazy, but I want a man who is willing to step up and be in control. Does that make any sense at all?”

“Yes, it does,” Jane assured her. “Honey, you have always been more interested in hearth and home than I have. You’ll make some man a wonderful wife and be a fantastic mother. Don’t be ashamed of those desires, Betsy. I’m not ashamed of the fact that I wish to travel and see the world before I ever tie myself down.” She moved to sit next to Betsy, drawing her into a hug. “Neither is a wrong choice… it is just the desire to take a different path. Though, again, I might remind you that your choices could land you over a certain major’s knees.”

Betsy felt her cheeks heat and then giggled. “Why doesn’t that have me running away?”

“Because, little minx, I think that your big heart and sense of guilt have you grateful that someone may actually hold you accountable for your bad decisions. Especially when that same man promises to teach you pleasure as well. And that my friend, is a promise that is certainly worth exploring, don’t you think?”

Betsy didn’t even bother to attempt to deny that she wholeheartedly agreed. She’d never once felt a sense of expectation from any man she’d ever dated. And though most people would not consider writing letters as “dating” per se, she had a feeling that if she and the major continued to correspond, it would be the most intimate relationship she’d been involved in. Stroking a fingertip over the letter she still held on her lap, she smiled.

“Well, I might not be very good at stealing identities, but I am a very good pen-pal. If Major Novak truly is a good man and forgives me for my stupidity, then… well, I am certainly willing to do a little exploration.”

“That’s the spirit,” Jane said, giving her another hug. “Just be yourself, Betsy, because you are wonderful just the way you are.”

Chapter Five

After church and dinner at her parents’, Betsy gathered her writing supplies and tapped the end of her pen across the lilac sheet. She knew that this would perhaps be the most important letter she’d ever written. Despite her hopes of what might be, she knew that until she came clean and made her confession, any future possibilities would be put on hold. Remembering what Jane had suggested, she pushed away all temptation to assume a persona not her own.

Dear Major Novak,

I must apologize for what was, without question, a mistake on my part. Not in writing you, but as you ascertained, I wrote you under false pretense… however, only the use of Jane’s name was the lie. The rest of the letter was from me. You addressed your letter to Little Minx, and I agree, I was a teensy bit… naughty.

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