Tea Bag Christmas

by Joannie Kay

“We don’t have the money to be wastin’ on such foolishness, Colleen, me girl,” Sean O’Shea said with a gentle smile to the love of his life and the mother of his twelve children.

“Aye, Sean,” Colleen nodded in acceptance. “’Tis just a fancy.”

“I would like to try the new tea bags, too, Mama,” Maeve said dreamily.

“We haven’t the money, either, Maeve,” Brian O’Flynn spoke firmly to his new bride. Maeve tended to be a bit frivolous with their money and he was going to take Sean’s advice and put his foot down, or rather, his hand. Maeve’s father had told him less than an hour before that his eldest daughter could be very reasonable, “…once you got her attention with a good, sound spanking.” Brian had given some serious thought to putting his feisty bride over his knee a time or two in the last two months, but was well aware that his redheaded Maeve thought herself too old for a chastisement that she considered suitable for children only. He’d mentioned this to Sean, and the older man had simply smiled and told him to tell her to ask her Mama if SHE were too old for husbandly correction when it was warranted. Brian immediately understood that his father-in-law was telling him that he spanked his Colleen whenever he felt it necessary, and he was positive his lovely little wife had no idea that her Da spanked her Mama. He knew she would be shocked by the revelation.

“What can the harm be in trying something new, Brian?” Maeve was unhappy he’d taken that particular tone of voice with her in front of her parents and siblings.

“The harm would be spending our money on things we canno’ afford, lass. ‘Tis a habit ye need to be breakin’.”

“Brian!” Maeve was shocked and embarrassed, and her ever quick temper came to her defense. “I’m only tryin’ to make our home nice! You should be thankin’ me, and not be so tight and pinchpenny!”

“Perhaps if ye had to work as hard as I do to earn those pennies, Maeve, ye would be a bit more frugal.” Brian gave her a warning look. This was not the time or place for her to challenge him. He didn’t want to be pushed into taking her to task in front of her family, but he wasn’t about to lose her Da’s respect, either. Sean O’Shea was well respected among the Irish community in the new country, and Brian’s own Da looked to Sean for advice at times, and considered him a good friend.

“Maeve, me darlin’, would you like some more Spiced Beef? I made it special for ye,” Colleen softly interfered, drawing her daughter’s attention. “Ye know it takes a week to spice the meat, and ‘tis your favorite!”

Maeve had a warm smile for her Mother. It was hard to believe the woman had given life to three girls and nine strapping boys, for she was slender and beautiful, and always had a sparkle in her green eyes, so much like Maeve’s. “Aye, Mama, it is my favorite, and I thank you for taking the time to make a special dinner for me. I would love another helping.” She permitted her mother to put another generous serving on her plate, and completely ignored Brian to ask her brother why he wasn’t having Sunday dinner with Bridget’s family. Danny explained that his intended was feeling ill and was home in bed for the day, then winked at his Ma and said he wasn’t about to let Maeve have all of the Spiced Beef! The conversation was warm and loving, and Maeve did her best to draw out the little ones and get them to tell her what they would like to find under the Christmas tree this year.

Brian was growing exasperated with all the talk of gifts. He’d already told Maeve that they couldn’t afford to give elaborate gifts this year, and both her parents and his had told her that, as newlyweds, no one expected gifts from them… Maeve was acting like a princess with all the money in the world.

It was expected they stay the afternoon, and even eat a light supper before going home, but it was difficult for Brian to relax and be patient when he was anxious to get his little wife home to their own apartment for a long past due reckoning. Brian managed to hold his end of conversations with her Da and brothers, but had to admit he was more than a little relieved when it was time to make their goodbyes and head for home. Maeve was in for a sharp lesson.

Maeve’s ill temper with her husband had dissipated throughout the afternoon, and she’d all but forgotten the embarrassment she felt at the dinner table when he scolded her. Her mind was racing ahead to the next day, and her plans to inquire after a job at Macy’s, ‘the World’s largest store’! Her green eyes sparkled as she thought of the extra money she could earn to buy Christmas gifts for their families. Surely Brian would be proud of her then…? And she would feel useful, too. There wasn’t enough to do in their tiny apartment to take up all her time. She did watch other women’s children occasionally, but she didn’t consider that a job worth having. She’d helped with her younger siblings for years, and it was just something she did and enjoyed. She wanted the challenge of doing something new and exciting.

Maeve grabbed Brian’s hand once they were on the sidewalk and heading toward their own apartment. “It was a nice day, wasn’t it, Bri?” she enthusiastically declared. “I love being married and having our own home, but I do miss my family, too. The little ones are growing up so quickly. It’s hard to believe that little Meggie is four. She’s so pretty, and smart, too,” Maeve chatted on and on, as was her nature. “Mama’s Spiced Beef was wonderful, too, and it was so nice of her to make a special dinner for me. Did you enjoy it, Brian?” she asked.

“Aye, your Mother is a good cook, Maeve. I was pleased that ye thanked her for her efforts. Even with five of ye married, she still has seven children at home, and she doesn’t have much time for herself.”

“I truly want to get her something special for Christmas this year... Perhaps those new tea bags she was talking about…?” Maeve mused aloud, planning how she would pay for them with her earnings, provided she was hired.

“Maeve, have ye been listening to your husband at all? I’ve told ye that we don’t have the money for extravagant gifts this year. Best you be thinkin’ about making some gifts if ye feel the need to play Saint Nicholas.”

“Brian, you have no imagination. I’m not planning to ask you for money. I’m more than capable of earning money,” Maeve was growing exasperated. “You sound like such a grouch!” she exclaimed.

“Maeve, I am not a grouch. I am your husband, and I am disappointed in the way ye are behavin’. ‘Tis time we have a reckoning,” he released her hand, and took her elbow in a firm grip.

Maeve felt the difference immediately. They were no longer a couple walking hand in hand… Now, she was an errant wife, being escorted home by a stern husband. She swallowed hard, trying to repress the temper she was known for having. She tugged on her arm, but found she was unable to get free as Brian merely tightened his grip. “Release me, Brian!” she demanded, only too aware of people passing them and smiling at the sight. One man even had the nerve to wink at Brian as it was obvious he was taking his bride home in order to take her to task! “People are beginning to think you are going to beat me!” she hissed, tugging futilely on her arm.

“They would be right,” he stated, flashing her a meaningful grin. “I am going to take ye over my knee and give ye a good and proper lesson, Maeve. ‘Tis time ye understand a few things, and since talking to ye hasno’ helped, I’ll be taking steps to get your attention so that ye do hear me out and pay heed.”

“No!” Maeve was shocked. “Brian, ye wouldno’ treat me like that!” she lapsed into her parent’s Irish brogue, as she often did when she was upset or nervous. “It’s no’ done in this day and age!” she exclaimed. “Only in the old country, and only by men who are mean!”

“I’m not mean, but I am the head of our family, and ye will learn a bit of respect for your husband, lass. Ye are frivolous with our money, and it will stop as of today.”

“I am not frivolous!” Maeve unwisely stopped walking in order to stomp her foot. “I am trying to make our home nice.”

“By buying things we do not need. Money should be saved, Maeve, not spent as soon as it is earned.” He gave a tug on her arm, and then moved along at a brisk pace, forcing her to half run in order to keep up.

“Ye are not going to spank me, Brian! I willno’ be havin’ it!” Maeve declared. “I’ll go home to me Da and Mama if ye mistreat me.” She was positive the threat would be enough to change Brian’s mind, but he didn’t even answer, and he continued to march her along the sidewalk until they came to the building housing their apartment. “Did ye not hear me, Brian? Ye are acting like a bully man!” she accused as he hauled her up the first flight of steps. Still no answer.

Brian wasn’t a bit out of breath when they reached the third floor, and he took out a key and quickly unlocked the door so that he could usher them both inside.

“I willno’ go inside with ye, Brian, until ye give me your word ye won’t strike me!” Maeve crossed her arms over her chest, her green eyes flashing fire as she glared up at him.

“I’m giving ye my word that ye willno’ find sitting pleasant for the next few days,” Brian promised, and then startled the stubborn young woman by putting his hands around her small waist and carrying her into the apartment as he would a small child. He took her small purse from her hand and tossed it on the table beside the door, and did the same with her hat, and then he pulled the shocked Maeve over to the well-worn sofa his mother gave them when they married.

“No!!” Maeve protested when Brian took a seat, and jerked her face down across his thighs. “Ye canno’ do this to me, Brian! I will hate you!”

Brian ignored her childish attempts to dissuade him, and raised his hand and brought it down smartly on the rounded part of her best dress.

“Ohhhh! I willno’ speak to ye again!” Maeve threatened her husband as she kicked her legs. She’d felt that spank through all the layers of her clothing, and was sure that her fair skin was sporting a reddened handprint.

“I do not want ye to speak, Maeve. I want ye to listen for a change.” Brian gave her a few more well-placed swats, and then decided that all the padding was protecting her bottom too much. This was meant as a lesson, not teasing… He turned up her skirt, only to learn she was wearing two petticoats beneath her skirt to fill it out. Those were also flipped up to reveal her ‘all in one’, a combination of a chemise and drawers. He knew that she was also strapped into a corset, even though she had no need to wear one since she was so slender, but she was raised to be a proper lady, and ladies wore corsets. The bottom of the ‘all in one’ was very open, and by taking the fabric in his left hand, Brian was able to pull both sides up to reveal her rounded cheeks. “This will serve much better,” he said aloud, and spanked Maeve’s bottom again and got the precise reaction he was hoping for.

“No, Brian… Ye are hurtin’ me!” Maeve cried out. Not only was the soft fabric of her ‘all in one’ drawn up tight against her private areas, his hand was stinging even more on her bared skin. She was mortified to find herself being spanked at the age of eighteen! “I am too old to be treated this way!”

“Ye are not too old, lass, and ye can count on a good spankin’ any time I feel it necessary for the good of our marriage.”

“I’ll tell me Da!”

“And he’ll be tellin’ ye that ye had it comin’, lass. He was the one who suggested a good spankin’ to get your attention. He spanks his own wife when she misbehaves…” Brian’s words shocked her, and he continued to spank her cheeks and right below for the next few minutes, in spite of her kicking and threats.

Maeve finally vowed to remain silent, and not give her brute of a husband the satisfaction of reacting, but after several minutes of sound spanking, she was growing desperate to stop the punishing blows. Against her wishes, she started to plead, “I’m sorry, Brian! I’ll listen to what ye have to say. Please stop now. I canno’ take any more!”

Brian paused. He didn’t want to overdo this first lesson in obedience. “Will ye stop spending money on things we do not need, Maeve?”

“Yes,” she meekly agreed.

“Now that’s a good lass,” he said.

Maeve tried to push herself up, only to find that he wasn’t about to release her just yet.

“We’ll have just a few more so that ye’ll remember your promise…”

“Oh, nooooo! I’ll remember, Brian. Please don’t spank me any more…!” she begged, but Brian was true to his word. He delivered another barrage of stinging spanks to the tender area just below her bottom while she cried.

“There now, lass,” Brian helped her to her feet. “Tis early, but I’m thinkin’ an early bedtime will teach ye not to behave like a wee brat in front of your family. I’ll not take kindly to it happenin’ again… and ye’ll be taken to another room and get a spankin’ right then and there. Do ye hear me?” Brian asked sternly.

Maeve nodded, but she was angry. How dare he send her to bed after spanking her! He wasn’t her Da!

“Then best ye go on, Maeve. If ye behave yourself in the future ye’ll spare yourself another lesson such as this one.” Brian had to struggle to keep a straight face as she stomped off to their bedroom. It would only be a matter of time before the spirited redhead was over his knee again…

Maeve tearfully changed into her nightgown, trying to see her bottom in the vanity mirror. It was stinging something awful, and she was very angry with Brian for treating her so shabbily. She couldn’t believe he was sending her to bed, also. She hated to go to bed early, and he knew it. She would never be able to sleep… not for hours. Instead, she planned what she would wear when she went to Macy’s the next day to apply for a job. Since it was the Christmas Season, she was fairly certain they would have positions open, and both she and her best friend, Maureen, were going to get a ride with Maureen’s brother when he went to make deliveries. He promised to pick them up later, so Maeve was assured that Brian would have naught to complain about. She would be making enough money to help them out, and buy the Christmas presents she wanted to give to their siblings and parents. Maeve wanted to get something very special for Brian, too, but she refused to think about that while her bottom was smarting so furiously. She was angry with her husband, and intended to stay angry long enough to make him very sorry for treating her in this manner. She would have his apology before she spoke nicely to him again.

Brian found the house a bit lonely without his Maeve to talk to. Her chatter was one of the things he loved best about her because she always kept things exciting and new. She could take the simplest incident, and tell it in such a way it was amusing and fascinating at the same time. Maeve loved people… loved being around them. Brian was the quiet type, and much more serious than his pretty wife. Life was dull before he started courting her, and he had no regrets about marrying the redhead. She would make a good loving wife, and a wonderful mother to the children they both hoped to have someday. Still, she needed to grow up and stop spending every dollar he earned. Life wasn’t always pleasant, and one never knew when the unthinkable would happen and they’d need savings to fall back on.

Brian took out a carving he was working on, and spent some time helping the figure take shape. By the time he was finished, the small piece of wood would be a tiny mouse suitable to give to his youngest brother for Christmas. Brian might not be able to afford gifts, but he could make them.

After he carefully cleaned up all the wood chips, and made sure the kitchen was as clean as he found it, Brian locked the door, put out the lights, and headed to bed. He started his day very early, and he needed sleep.

Maeve heard her husband come into the room, and made sure she turned her back to him. If anything, she was even angrier than before. It was so miserable to go to bed early… and her bottom was still smarting! Brian should be ashamed of himself, and she wasn’t going to be nice to him until he apologized to her!

“I thought ye would be asleep, Maeve, me darlin’,” Brian said softly. No answer. “Are ye pouting, Maeve?” he asked in a teasing voice. Still no answer. “Me Da has a cure for pouting,” he said matter-of-factly. “It’s a dose of hairbrush on a sore bottom. Seems to end a pout very quickly.” He paused dramatically. “Are ye pouting, lass?”

“I am not pouting!” Maeve flipped over so she could glare at him. “I am, however, quite furious with you Brian, O’Flynn, and I’m not going to speak to you until you apologize to me!” Close this window [X]