Admission Under Pressure

I've always thought I was too rigid for this kind of thing. But here we are. It started when we moved overseas, living on base with all these strangers who seemed to have their lives figured out. He's in his thirties now but has this quiet strength that draws people in, especially me. One night, after a long day at the PX and a short-tempered argument over something small, I found myself in the role I'd never imagined: a child again, needing guidance, needing to be reminded of the rules. He gave me a list, simple things like cleaning my room and not staying up too late, and for some reason, it felt right. The first time he swatted my behind was shocking, but it also made something inside me relax, let go of the tension that's been building since we left home. We've kept it quiet, mostly between the four walls of our quarters. I'm not sure what would happen if someone found out, I don't think I'd be ready for that kind of scrutiny, but right now, it's just us and the secret life behind closed doors.