When Lucy arrived back at home, she did not know what to do with herself. She felt like she was high on something. The events of the past couple of hours were spinning around in her head. She sat down at her computer and sent Him an e-mail. She wanted Him to know how she felt. When she finished, it occurred to her that she was ravenous. Greatly restricting herself for the past several days had not been difficult for her but now she indulged herself with a huge sandwich and other various snacks. She turned some music up loud and she thought about all of the hedonistic pleasures she had experienced that day. Her sensations were all heightened , which was probably why she enjoyed her food so much.

Later, Lucy went and picked up her daughter and was relieved when she remembered that her son was going home with a friend for dinner. She put her daughter down for a nap and Lucy laid down too, for she was suddenly exhausted. Indulging herself again, she slept a deep and peaceful sleep. She awoke to the sound of her husband coming home. He found it unusual for Lucy to be asleep, so she feigned a headache, which luckily got her out of making dinner, and allowed her the luxury of remaining unfocused and lazy for the rest of the evening.

  *******

 Over the next few days, Lucy was able to regain her focus, but she had to struggle to do so. Every time she had a moment alone, there were thoughts of Him. At times, she felt so odd. Giddy and sarcastic at the same time. She was so very pleased when she discovered the fingertip bruises He had left on her hips.

The marks on her elbows and knees also made her smile. She took such pleasure in her secret knowledge as to the origin of her marks. She took pride in her marks. She didn’t really understand the pride, but she felt it, nonetheless. She didn’t really understand her sudden boost in confidence and strength, but she felt that too. It would be two weeks before she saw Him again. Lucy was always acutely aware of time now. At night, when she closed her eyes, she thought of Him, and every night as she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts were of serving Him again.