“I…called. I called and it’s so late,” I replied.
“Ryan, what have I told you about when you wake up during the night?”
“That I can call or text you no matter what time it is,” I recalled.
“And?” he prompted.
“And that youwantme to call or text when I wake up.”
“Good boy. And why do I want you to call me when you wake up in the middle of the night?” Russell asked.
“Because you love me.”
“That’s right, Ryan. I love you, no matter what.” Russell paused and then instructed, “Say it, Ryan.”
“No matter what,” I said, feeling more settled just by the sound of his voice.
“Good boy. Now, are you still in bed?”
“Yes.”
“Is your pillow damp?”
“Mmhmm,” I mumbled and looked at it.
“Are you in a t-shirt and is that damp?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Alright, no harm. Let’s get you into something dry.”
The sound of his voice gave me the strength to get myself out of bed, change my boxers and into another t-shirt of his and climb back into bed on the dry side. The entire time I moved around my room, Russell kept talking to me. He’d ask me simple questions that I answered without issue. I laid back down and put my hand under the t-shirt against my stomach.
“Now, tell me about this dream—”
I quickly cut him off and blurted out, “Train yard.”
“Alright, Ryan. Take a few deep breaths and relax, my boy.”
“I am!” I took some deep breaths to calm down. “I’m sorry, Russell. I didn’t mean to snap.”
Russell was quiet for what seemed like forever and then he finally asked if I was back in bed.
“Yes,” I mumbled in a much calmer tone.
“Good, get comfortable. Put your phone on speaker and set it on the pillow next to you.”
I did as he asked and pulled the damp pillow closer to the one my head now occupied. I turned the volume up and set the phone down on the pillow.
“Okay,” I announced when I had finished doing as he instructed.
“Good boy. A friend of mine sent me an article today that a kink club in his area did on him. He has his own business making impact toys and the article talks about some of his specific handmade paddles and crops. I’d like to share it with you.”
Russell’s calm voice began reading the article and I followed him word for word until my eyes got heavy. I pulled the sheet up and moved closer to the damp pillow to be closer to his voice. I started dozing in and out, catching parts of sentences and random words here and there.
I had slept through the night and woke up at 6:30. I picked the phone up and wondered how long Russell had stayed on the phone before he hung up. I opened up our texts and saw that he had already sent me a few.
Russell: Goodnight, my boy. I love you.
