Page 79 of In Her Own Way
“Yes,” Victoria said succinctly, but then added more details. “I told her about all those mini-epiphanies I’ve been having lately and how Dr. Sumner says I’d built some tough armor around me. So tough that I had become oblivious to the damage I was causing. I didn’t see it. But now my eyes are wide open.”
“You said all that to her? To B?”
“I did. And I told her that although I’m seeing things more clearly now and understandwhyI was so insensitive to her, this only explains my behavior, but in no way excuses it. And do you know what she said?”
“What?” Jessica said, genuinely happy that Victoria seemed to be making amends.
“She said that we both had learned some life lessons and that it was probably something we were meant to experience so we could grow.”
“Wow, that sounds very spiritual.”
“It does,” Victoria said. “She said she’s learning to speak up more and to trust her instincts more. Her Domme is also helping her work that stuff out. She was so submissive, JB. But she seems a lot more self-assured and confident now.”
“That was very generous of her.”
“Right?”
Jessica heard a voice in the background, and Victoria said, “Hold on, JB.”
“Okay.”
When Victoria got back, she said, “They’re having a quick pre-party downstairs, and my presence has been requested.” She laughed big. “So, unfortunately, I need to go now. Wish me luck seeing B and her Domme for the first time tonight.”
“Good luck, DC,” Jessica said.
Victoria chuckled and said low, “I strangely like it when you call me Daddy Cheese.”
Jessica laughed along with her. “I like that better than Daddy Vic. So, will you call me after your party?”
“Of course,” Victoria said. “And have a good time at yours. We’ll compare notes later. Good luck with that blind date.”
“Stop,” Jessica protested. “I’ve already told them I’m kind of seeing someone.”
“Good.” Victoria blew out a raspberry. “They’re calling up the stairs now. I gotta go. Have fun at your party. I’ll call you later.”
When they hung up, Jessica powered down her phone and locked it in the glove compartment. She adjusted the party mask over her eyes and nose. She buttoned her sweater tighter over the deep green wrapover dress she wore. The dress was made from stretch jersey material and fit her expertly. She never wore this one to school because it accentuated her ample bosom way too much, but for a lifestyle party like this one, it was perfect. And the little bit of cleavage showing said just enough. She was not a heels kind of gal, so her leather wedges had to do. The mid-calf length was perfect for the cold weather, too.
Once inside, she checked her bag and keys with the coat check clerk, who wore the barest nothing. Yes, this was a lifestyle party, all right. She gave her printed ticket to the ticket taker. The red, green, and gold balloon archway she walked through was artfully done and set just the right party mood. Before she could even get oriented to the space in the former firehouse, a very handsome dark-hairedlittlemade a beeline for her.
“I know it’s you, Miss Jessica,” Madison said.
“My mask didn’t fool you?”
Madison laughed and then grabbed her hand. “Nope. C’mon. Mistress said you’re sitting with us and Miss Marta and Shanice.”
“Wow,” Jessica said. “Does your Domme know that, uh, …” She didn’t know how to finish her thought without seeming ungrateful or rude.
“She knows you don’t want a blind date,” Madison said. “But I think she’s going to introduce you anyway, just in case your other beau doesn’t work out.”
“Oh, geez,” Jessica said as she let herself be led to the table.
“You’ll be okay,” Madison said. “I know who it is and she’s really nice and all, but if it’s not true love then it’s not.”
Jessica laughed and said, “Okay. That sounds reasonable.”
She took her sweater off and hung it on the back of a metal folding chair. The decorations were nice. It was a red, yellow, and green stoplight theme, a fitting lifestyle reminder. The tables were covered with red, green, or gold tablecloths. The table Madison had brought her to had a gold one, which complemented her green dress nicely. Red, green, and gold paper party streamers hung all around, and the candy party favors at each place setting was a nice touch. Madison hinted that submissives were allowed to have candy at lifestyle events as long as they didn’t get too hyper. Jessica couldn’t quite keep her grin under wraps because it sounded as if that particular message had been given explicitly to Madison from her very own Mommy Domme.
“Jessica dear,” Miss Shasti said, coming over holding a glass of white wine. “So glad you could make it.”
