"That was a delicious dinner," Todd said to his wife, Tabitha, as he laid down the cloth napkin on the table in front of him and scooted his chair back.

"Thank  you," she replied.

"It looks like you could use some help with the dishes," he said, nodding towards the sink, in which there was a stack of dishes.  She nodded as he rose from his chair and rinsed the dinner dishes, then loaded the dishwasher while she got the children ready for their baths.

When he finished washing the dishes, he went into the living room.  There was a pile of laundry on the sofa.  Todd picked out the towels, folded them and put them away.

"Say goodnight to Daddy, children," she directed them.  After giving each of them a kiss and a pat on the head, the three children went off to bed.  Tabitha sat down on the couch.

Before she could settle in, Todd asked her, "So, what happened today that everything is in such disarray?"

"Well," she said, "I had to go to Target and the Grocery Store, and that took forever."

"I think it's just that you're not managing your time well," said Todd.

"Well…" she stammered. "What do you think I should do differently?"

"Come on now, Tabitha.  We both know that I'm not here to micro-manage your day.  But when things slip as far behind as they appear to be now, it seems like a reminder about priorities is in order."

"But…"

Tabitha didn't finish the sentence.  The look on her husband's face said it all, and her words trailed off into silence.

"I can remember," Tabitha added hopefully.

"I'm going to help you remember, Tabitha," he said with authority. "Please prepare yourself for a spanking."

"Todd, I'll stay on top of things, I promise!" she pleaded, like a little girl.

"I'm sure you will, my love, but this spanking is going to help you do just that.  Now, PLEASE prepare yourself for a spanking."

She knew better than to continue to talk her way out of it.  Experience had shown her that those attempts were futile.  So, silently, she nodded, understanding exactly what he meant.

She closed her eyes.  Preparing was always easier somehow when her eyes were closed.  She peeled off over her head the sleeveless shirt she was wearing.  With her eyes still shut, she undid her bra and let it fall to the floor.  She hated having to do this, but understood that the humiliation was just as much part of the punishment as the spanking itself.  She forced herself to unzip her denim skirt and after taking it off as well, placed it on a chair.  Even though she didn't open her eyes, she could feel him watching her prepare.  She slipped her panties down around her waist, and now that she was naked, walked to the back of the couch and bent over.

Already, tears flowed at the relief of knowing her atonement was not far away.