Loretta Lariat: First Defeat

"That's good. That's better."

She held the pose of prayer, sniveling. "Will you let me go home now? Will you let me go free?"

"Sure, if you like. We're done with you." Angie and the rest all turned away to go into their house.

"Wait! Wait! Will you let me have my clothes back now? Please? I promise I'll never come back here and make any trouble for your family ever again. I swear to God. Please let me have my things back."

"Can't do that, silly. Remember, it was those clothes that got you in so much trouble in the first place, wasn't it?"

"Then ... then ... would you give me a dress or something? Or loan me one, I mean?"

"Don't think I have anything that would fit you, little girl."

"A towel! A sheet!"

"Nope. We've none to spare. And even if I did, I wouldn't be able to abide your filthy sweaty stinking body spoiling and ruining any of my things. Not so much as a single tattered dishrag. No, you're gonna have to stay as you are, looks like. Nothing for it. 'Til we take you back to town. We'll escort you."

"What? But ... but I ... you mean ... you're going to ... while I'm still ... Angie, please! No! Not that on top of everything else! No! Please! Everyone will ... the whole damn town! Not still naked! You'll kill me! If the whole town sees me this way ... God! And they'll see the marks on my bottom! I'll never live it down. Never! It'll kill me!"

"Nah," said Angie, "You're making too much of a thing out of it. You'll bear up just fine. I'm certain of it."

"But my ... reputation! Angie! God no! My good name! Everyone will see me and think ... God, they'll think ... I don't know what they'll think!"

Angie smirked. "Well, I do."

>> Our tale continues in Loretta Lariat: Peace Officer ...