Page 26 of Raelynn's Little Repeat Day
It didn’t seem right for it to be here. Master Derek made sure everything used on the Ranch was in the utmost best condition. Travis came up to him and looked over the ladder as well.
“What the hell is that doing here? I threw that out two days ago. The only thing it’s good for now is repurposing.”
Les’ ire grew as he pointed to the security camera in the corner. Master Derek looked from the ladder to the camera and being the large man that he was, walked over to the camera, grabbed the corner of the paper and tore Taylor from her spot on high. He didn’t speak a word as he calmly but purposefully strode through the doorway and down the now silent corridor.
Wren wasin charge of counting the number of plays the song got before someone stopped it but that didn’t keep her from joining in as the girls danced and laughed on the top of the playground structure. They were reveling in having pulled it off. None of them had complained after the first couple of chords about how loud it was. It had definitely been louder than any of them had expected, but that just meant everyone could hear it. Taylor made everyone happy, they were sure. She certainly made the girls happy and joyful.
That was, until averydetermined-looking Master Derek practically marched onto the playground, followed close behind by the Daddies of the other three girls. They hadn’t noticed that the music had stopped playing. They’d been too caught up in singing and dancing. Now, though, everything stopped.
“Sadie Marie Hawkins,” Master Derek said as he pointed in front of him. He didn’t say anything else. He just waited.
As Sadie hung her head and moved to him, Raelynn marveled at how well he’d done that. He had that stern Daddy aura down pat. She also gave kudos to Sadie who’d not attempted to dally, choosing the quickest way down by wrapping her arms and legs around the firepole and sliding to the ground. Of course, the others weren’t anything to sneeze at either as one by one, they called their own Littles down. When it came to her turn, she hadn’t even heard his voice yet, and she was already seated on the slide, ready to make her way down to Daddy. No use in delaying.
Seeing that she was on her way to him must have kept him from speaking. She stood after going down the slide to find him standing in a corner of the playground, arms folded across his chest.
She straightened her spine and made her way over. There was no reason for him to be too upset. The prank had been harmless and fun. She could handle this.
“Raelynn,” Daddy said in a stern and disappointed voice, “what were you and your friends thinking?”
She hated the disappointment most. “We just wanted something fun and harmless for Repeat Day.”
“Was it harmless?”
Raelynn looked at him in confusion, “Of course it was harmless. Who could it possibly hurt to hear a song?”
“Who indeed.”
Daddy raised his brow like he was waiting for her to answer the question. She looked at her friends getting what looked to be an equally intense talking to. Why? This prank hadn’t possibly hurt anyone. It was just music. Everyone listened to music.
“Daddy, it really was harmless.” Placing her hands on her hips, she said something she’d known she shouldn’t, but it flew out of her mouth anyway. “As Taylor would say, ‘you need to calm down’.”
CHAPTER 22
Les
He wassure he’d heard her wrong. He had to have. Just to be sure, though, he needed clarification.
“I’m sorry, little one. What did you say?”
“I”—Rae-Rae clasped her hands behind her back and dug her tennis-shoe-covered toes into the wood chips at her feet—“I, um, it’s just...” She seemed to be awfully tongue tied for someone who was so sassy only a moment ago. “It’s a Taylor Swift song, Daddy. I didn’t um.... shoot, I kinda did but not....” She took a shaky breath and ended with, “Oh, boy.”
“‘Oh boy’ is right.” Les held out his hand, “Come with me, Rae-Rae. I want to show you a few things about this ‘harmless’ prank.”
To her credit, Rae-Rae didn’t hesitate. Even knowing she’d put her foot in it, she still trusted him enough to know he’d never hurt her. He was glad for that. Her bottom wouldn’t be so happy when this was all said and done, but he still found comfort in her trust.
Les led her into the main building and continued until they reached the cafeteria. The room was a chaotic cacophony of Littles. Some cried and were being comforted, some laughed and sang the lyrics that had been playing and still others were hiding under tables with staff or their Bigs trying to coax them out.
Rae-Rae looked around in horror and Les hurried to explain. “There is a reason music doesn’t play in common areas here.Especiallyas loudly as you and your friends played it. A lot of the Littles who visit or live here have sensory sensitivities. Loud noises, a lot of blaring lights, too many people in too small of a space, these things can cause them pain. They can cause panic and fear and confusion. When the music blared through the Ranch like it did, it wasn’t a pleasant experience for everyone.”
Just to make sure she didn’t dwell too much on the harm it had caused, he made sure to point out those who appreciated her prank too.
“They loved it as you can see. They’re dancing and singing and having a great time. I know you thought that was how it would be for everyone but that’s not always the case. No prank is completely harmless, at least, I haven’t seen one that is.”
“I didn’t...”
Les cupped Rae-Rae’s cheek. “I know, little one. It was just a fun game.”
He began leading her back down the hall, asking as he went, “Who got the ladder?”
