| Chapter Fifteen A Guardian Angel For Alexandra |
Wendy and Jessica were both happy when Saturday morning came around. No more detention and for Jessica, no more visits to Mr. Parkers office. Jessica spent the morning reading in the window and Wendy played with Sarah until lunch. Though little Sarah couldn�t tell time, she always knew when lunch came around. When the big hand on the clock hit the twelve, Sarah grabbed Wendy�s arm and pulled her toward the door. �Lets go! I�m starving.� she yelled. �Ok, ok. The food will still be there when we get there Sarah. When they reached the top of the stairs, Sarah jumped all the way down. When her feet hit the floor she took off running through the halls. She didn�t stop until she reached the entrance of the cafeteria. �Come on Wendy!� she yelled. Wendy scurried down the hall but by the time she entered, Sarah had already worked her way through the line. No body ever complained when she cut in line and Sarah knew it. She also knew to look around as she did so, because Daddy had warned her about cutting and Sarah knew that if she were to get caught, Daddy would swat her and make her wait until very last. Wendy finally reached Sarah just as she picked up a lunch tray. �What did Daddy say about cutting Sarah?� she asked as she pulled her from the line. �Hey! It�s my turn to get food!� �No it�s not. Now go to the end Sarah and wait like everyone else.� Sarah pulled her hand away, folded her arms and stomped all the way to the back of the line. Wendy followed. As they stood in the line, Wendy saw a girl sitting at the isolation table with her head down. She couldn�t help but wonder who she was. Finally the girls received their lunch and found a spot at a table with David and a few others. Wendy could see the girl as she continued to eat. No one seemed to be supervising, and there were no monitors watching the isolation table. Wendy figured she must be new. She remembered how awful it felt to be new and how welcome Jessica had made her feel. "David, will you watch Sarah for me, I have something I need to do," she asked, as she stood and walked away from the table. As she approached the isolation table, she could hear faint sobbing coming from the strange girl. Wendy then seated herself in the chair next to her. "Are you ok?" she asked as she placed her hand on the girls shoulder. The girl remained quiet. �Are you being punished? Wendy asked. "No," the girl replied in a soft faint voice. "Why are you sitting at the isolation table then? she asked. She lifted her head and looked at Wendy. Her face was all puffy and red from her tears, and her nose was running . She removed her thumb, which had been firmly planted in her mouth, and replied, "I wanted to be alone. I didn't think any one would bother me here.� "Please don't cry, It makes me sad when other people cry," Wendy stated as she handed the girl a napkin. "I haven't seen you here before, are you new?" Wendy asked. "The girl shook her head yes. "I got here really late last night. Mr. Parker took me to my room and I fell asleep right away. I was even to tired to cry, but I could cry all day today and I don't want to be here.� "I know how you feel. I didn't want to be here either when I first came, and it can be really scary when you don't know anyone. That�s why I came over. My Name is Wendy! what's yours?" "My name is Alexandra, but I like to be called Alex." "Well Alex, how old are you?" "I'm eleven," she replied, before she returned her thumb to her mouth. Wendy hadn't known any one that age who still sucked her thumb, but she could see how upset Alex was. "Hey that�s cool. We�re the same age, but this table is for children who are in trouble so we really shouldn't be sitting here. If Mr. Parker comes in and sees us sitting here, he might think we are in trouble, and considering all the trouble I've been in lately, if my dad finds me sitting here, well that wouldn't be good either. Alex had stopped crying, and found herself mesmerized by Wendy. She stood up and followed her to another table. As they seated themselves, Wendy was approached by her father. "Hi Daddy," Wendy said in a cheerful voice. "Good afternoon sweetheart, did you eat yet? he asked. "I�m just going to eat right now.� she replied I just got a phone call from a social worker. There is a little girl in the hospital that needs a home. Mr. Parker is sending me to pick her up so I will be gone foe a little while. Keep an eye on Sarah and stay out of trouble while I�m gone. David is in charge.� he said as he looked at David. When I come back, I want you to play with her for a little while.� �How old is she?� I think the social worker said something about her being three. �Sure. It sounds like fun,� Wendy replied. Mark patted Wendy on the head and smiled. � I will be back in a while.� Mark turned and left the room. "Was that your real dad?" Alex asked. "He isn't my real dad, but he is my foster dad," Wendy replied. "Who did you get for foster parent?" Alex squinted her eyes and rubbed the top of her head. "Um, His name is Mr. Callahan I think. Uh ya that�s it. Mr. Callahan." When Wendy heard that name, her eyes got as big as a silver dollar. "Oh man." "Is that a bad thing?" Alex asked. "Umm, no, it's um fine," she replied, trying to not worry Alex to much. �Wow. You better be the golden child if you got him for a foster parent,� David said. Wendy turned and gave her brother a stern look.� "No it's not fine, so tell me," Alex begged, as she returned her thumb in her mouth. "He supervises in the detention room and I�ve heard he�s pretty tough on his kids. I mean real strict. A tow the line kind of guy. Just listen carefully and do what he tells you to do, and you should be ok," Wendy replied. David smiled, then laughed. �All I can say is I do everything I can to stay very far away from Mr. Callahan. This remark had Alex worried, she liked doing her own thing, and wasn't very good at following instructions. "I'm scared Wendy, I don't like to get yelled at.� "Yelled at? Oh Alex, you got it all wrong. If all he does is yell, then you�d be very lucky. Haven't you talked to Mr. Parker yet?" "I met him, and we talked for a couple minutes. He said Mr. Callahan was in charge of me and that he would cal me again later to talk. He had a very important call come in.� "Look Alex, I like you but I don't want to scare you. My dad is pretty cool, right? Well he is, but if you get into trouble, and you like knew better and stuff, he spanks you. It really truly hurts. I heard Mr. Callahan is a real butt burner. My dad spanks with his hand, and sometimes with the belt, but Mr. Callahan always uses the belt and sometimes a paddle or a little stick like switch, but never ever with his hand. He plays the piano and I guess he don't want to hurt his hands or something." Alex listened to everything Wendy told her. She knew she was in serious trouble. The word spanking especially stuck out in her mind. Most of the children had left the cafeteria, and had moved onto other things. Alex and Wendy heard a voice calling, and as they looked up, they were being approached by Mr. Callahan himself. Alex watched the look on Wendy�s face as he approached. Alex could tell Wendy had been serious and having Mr. Callahan as a guardian, was going to be an awful experience. "Are you Alexandra?� �Alex shook her head yes.� �Come with me please!," he stated in a very stern voice. Alex remembered what Wendy had said, so she quickly stood and followed him from the room. �Oh man,� Wendy whispered. She felt really bad for Alex. Wendy decided she would follow at a distance to see what the horrid man had in mind for her new little friend. "Alexandra," he said in a gruff voice. "Did you sleep well last night?" "Yes sir" she replied as she followed Mr. Callahan to her room. When they arrived, he stopped short of the door. "Go into your room and stand facing your bed," he ordered. Alex obeyed, quickly taking a spot facing her bed. "What I see in this room is one made bed, and one un maid bed. The un maid bed belongs to you, does it not?" "Yes sir," she replied, half looking at the bed, and half at Mr. Callahan. Fear struck Alex as the words Wendy and David had spoken downstairs floated through her mind. "If I am correct, your roommate told you not to leave the room until your bed was made. Were you not told that?" "Yes sir,� She told me.� "Make your bed now, he ordered, and then return to me." Alex made her bed with diligence, and then returned to stand in front of Mr. Callahan. Mr. Callahan reached down and took hold of Alex�s chin. "All of my children obey me, or they face the consequences. The next time you leave your bed un maid, you will be whipped!� Alex Watched as Mr. Callahan turned and left the room. Alex collapsed onto her freshly made bed and began to cry. She then heard a familiar voice, comforting her. Wendy took a spot on the bed beside Alex and began patting her on the back. "Oh Wendy, he is absolutely awful, I hate him!!" she cried out as she hit her bed with her fists in frustration. " what do I do?" she asked "You never ever forget to make your bed, ok Alex." Alex stopped crying, and looked up at Wendy. She was right, he was very tough, and he meant what he said. She could never forget to make her bed if she truly wanted to avoid getting a whipping. "Come with me Alex, I want to show you where I am," she said cheerfully, trying to make Alex feel better. "Then you can come visit me when ever you like." As the girls walked down the hall together, Alex thought maybe Wendy was her guardian angel sent down from heaven tow watch over her. Either way, Alex really liked Wendy. The girls sat and talked for quite a while before they were joined by Jessica. Jessica introduced herself and when Alex told her who her guardian was, Alex again saw the same look on Jessica�s face as she had seen on Wendy�s earlier. She tried not to think of her fate as it lay in the hands of this man. She would just tow the line and avoid getting whipped. Wendy showed Alex all around the school and as they walked back toward the stairs, Alex heard Mr. Callahan�s voice again. The girls stopped just short of the first step. They turned and walked over to her guardian. "Yes sir," Alex whispered, as she squeezed Wendy's hand in fear. "It's time to go talk to Mr. Parker." Whew, what a relief. She thought she was in trouble again, but this wasn't so bad. Wendy watched Alex walk down the hall and disappear into Mr. Parkers office with Mr. Callahan. Wendy found Emily and the girls decided they would sit on the front steps of the school and wait for their dad and the new little girl to return, but as they approached, the door opened and in he came with a small bundle in his arms. Her face was buried in his chest, and she was tightly wrapped in a blanket. "Hi Daddy, Wendy said as she and Emily approached. Mark knelt and stood the little girl on the floor. �Girls, this is Nadia. She is a little scarred, but I told her all about you. "See baby, Wendy is right there, and that there is Emily" he stated to Nadia, as he wiped her tears. Wendy and Jessica sat on the floor in front of Nadia, so they would be down to her level. "Nadia never spoke. She took three small steps, turned her butt toward Wendy, and plopped herself down into her lap, snuggling and making herself comfy. "Oh Daddy, she is just precious, Wendy squealed. Mark explained the situation with Nadia. He explained she was only three, and needed to be watched all the time. She would be sleeping in the nursery, with an attendant in charge. She still had wound's that needed to heal and be attended to every day. He instructed the girls to be careful when picking her up. Just then, Sarah approached. "Why are you all sitting on the floor?" she asked as she placed herself on Marks lap. When she did, she came in eye to eye contact with little Nadia. "Who is that?" she asked in a very gruff voice, as she pointed to Nadia. They introduced her, but Sarah didn't like what she saw. That little baby was so cute, and she was sitting on her big sissy's lap. This was not good at all. Sarah couldn't help the way she felt. She didn't like her and didn't like where she was sitting. "Well she can't stay with us," Sarah scoffed. Mark gave her a little shake, and told her to hush. That was it, Sarah didn't like her and wasn't going to even look at her. "Arm hurts," Nadia said, as she pointed to it. "Ok, it's time for me to take her and put her into bed. She needs rest until she is better. She is going to take lots of care, and since there is only one week left of school, I'm depending on you girls to help me out with her. The girls agreed to help, but not Sarah. Mark left with Nadia, and the girls headed to the game room to tell everyone about little Nadia. Sarah remained silent as they told everyone. She had to think of a way to make sure, that little baby didn't stick around and ruin her life. A few days had passed. Alex and Wendy had become best friends. Wendy helped Alex remember to make her bed, and to follow the other rules set by Mr. Callahan. So far she had avoided any unpleasant meeting with him. After her chores, Alex spent as much time as she could helping out with little Nadia. It was way past ten and everyone was sleeping soundly. Alex however lay in her bed wide awake listening to the sound of her room mate sleeping. She wished that Wendy could be her room mate. She had been so nice to her and she didn't feel safe when she wasn't around. without thinking of any consequences, Alex crawled from her bed, made her way down the long hall to the floor below hers, and slowly crept in Wendy and Jessica's room. She was careful not to wake them as she made her bed on the floor and finally fell asleep. In the morning when Wendy's feet hit the floor, she tripped and fell over Alex. "What are you doing in here?" she asked her as she sat on the floor looking at Alex. I couldn't sleep, so I came down here," she replied. "Come on, we have to get you back to your room, and fast," she replied as she quickly gathered her blanket and pillow and escorted Alex back to her room. For the next week, every night after ten, Alex would take her pillow and blanket from her bed and make her way to Wendy and Jessica's room. They both remembered to rise before 6 a.m. so as to get back to her room. For the most part Alex had gotten comfortable with this little plan, and except for this, she had followed her fathers rules of strict discipline. In the past week, she had witnessed her fathers strictness and punishment. Twice during the week she had to stand outside her bedroom door and listen to her ten year old room mate get a whipping for some reason that was unknown to Alex. This renewed her faith in the fact that she had best not get caught disobeying him. School had been out for an entire week now and on Friday night the girls stayed up and talked much later than they had planned. This caused the girls to sleep in past their usual time. When Jessica woke to find Alex sleeping on the floor next to Wendy's bed, she knew this was going to be trouble for them. "You two had better get up, and I mean now!" she scolded, as she kicked the bottoms of Alex's feet. Wendy and Alex quickly jumped up. Wendy started gathering her clothes and Alex quickly ran from the room. She ran as fast as she could back to her own room. Her room mate was already gone and Alex hoped that she wouldn't wonder where she had been. It was 7:25 and she couldn't be late. On Saturday morning, Mr. Callahan required all of his children to assemble at a table inside the dining room by 7:30 for their list of chores and family discussion time. Alex threw on her uniform as quickly as she could, brushed her unwashed hair into a ponytail, and headed down stairs. She made her seat just as the clock in the hall struck 7:30. "You know, if Daddy finds out what your doing, he is going to whip us both," her room mate scolded. "What do you mean?� Alex asked. Just then, their father started his lecture of obedience, as he passed out the Saturday chore list. When the meeting was over, the children took their places in line for breakfast. Missy, Alex's roommate, stood behind her in line. "Alex, please tell me where you go every night with your pillow and blanket?" she asked. Just then, Alex gasped in horror. She had been in such a hurry that she had completely forgotten her blanket and pillow in Wendy's room. As she stood there in line, her bed upstairs lay with nothing but a crumpled sheet on it. "Oh Alex, please tell me you made your bed," Missy cried. "No, um I, I didn't. I forgot my things in Wendy's room.� Alex couldn't keep the tears back. Alex knew as they stood in line, her father did his daily room checks for perfection and obedience of all his children. She left the line, and started walking from the room when she spotted Wendy. She walked over to her and started crying even more as she lay her head on Wendy's shoulder. "Alex, what is it?" she asked. "I left my blanket and pillow in your room. My bed isn't maid," she cried. Wendy grabbed her hand and left the dining room. They ran down the hall and up the stairs. "Maybe he hasn't looked in your room yet," Wendy said, as they entered the hall that led to Wendy's room. They retrieved her blanket and pillow. They once again entered the hall and ran as fast as they could to Alex's room, but as they got just two doors away, Mr. Callahan stepped from her room. His face looked very angry. There standing before him with guilt ridden faces were Alex and Wendy. "Only a stupid child dares to disobey me,� He scolded as he approached. Alex quickly stepped behind Wendy hoping for some form of protection. Still holding Alex's pillow and blankets, Wendy did what she could to help her best friend. Wendy dropped the blanket and pillow. She quickly turned and wrapped her arms around Alex. "Alex had a nightmare, so she came to my room for the night," Wendy quickly stated, as Mr. Callahan reached around her. With one quick motion, he grabbed both of the girls by the arm�s and yanked them apart. "If you were my child, I'd whip you for lying!" and believe me, your dad will find out," he scolded as he pushed Alex into her room, and closed the door behind them. Mr. Callahan never spoke to Alex, once they entered the room. He held Alex firmly with one hand, and removed his belt with the other. Alex looked up at him with tear stained eyes and begged. "Please don't whip me, please, oh, please,� she hiccupped." Mr. Callahan stood firm as he pulled Alex across the bed, and held her firmly into place. With one motion, he lifted her dress and pulled her underwear Down. �Keep your hands away!� he scolded. Alex broke into sobs before she ever felt the first sting. Wendy stood out in the hall listening to her little helpless friend beg not to be whipped. She didn't even realize how much she really cared for her new friend, until she heard the belt make contact. It sounded just awful as each lick of the belt mixed with Alex's screams and cries filled the hall. It was the worst sound she had ever heard. She wanted to run, but she didn't want to abandon her best friend. Wendy fell to the floor, in a heap onto the blanket and cried into them. "Please stop," Alex wailed, as the belt continued to descend. Mr. Callahan was determined to teach her a lesson in what he expected from his children, so the whipping continued. Alex continued to yelp and screech as the belt did its harm. Alex wailed in between strikes and screeched with every strike. Soon Mr. Callahan stopped then placed the belt back where it belonged. He pulled Alex from the bed, and entered the hall with her in tow. She was wailing and had stuck her thumb into her mouth as they approached Wendy. "Get your bedding," Mr. Callahan ordered. Wendy scooped it up and handed it to Alex. He placed his hand on the back of her neck, and once again took her back to her room. "Make that bed now! he ordered, "and if I catch you sleeping any where other than your own room, I will whip you again." Alex's bottom stung so bad, and it hurt to move, but she made her bed like he had instructed, as the tears continued to sting her eyes, and then roll down her cheeks. When she had finished, she placed herself in front of him. "Do not leave this room today!" he ordered. He then turned and left. When he entered the hall, he clutched onto Wendy's arm, and started down the hall with her. "Let go of me!" Wendy yelled as she tried to pry his hand from around her little arm. This wasn't something he would put up with even if you weren't his child and he quickly smacked the seat of Wendy's dress. She did feel it, but she was to angry for the pain to take hold. "Let go," she again cried out. Mr. Callahan continued to hold strong, as they descended the stairs in search of her father. Alex felt angry at Mr. Callahan. So angry that she completely stripped her bed, stuffed them and herself under it, and was screaming from the pain of the thorough strapping she had received. Her bottom was definitely burned, and she felt it would never die down. As Mr. Callahan and Wendy entered the dining hall, she was still protesting her unjust treatment, and by this time she was bawling. Mr. Callahan informed him of the two girls disobedience, and told Mark that Wendy needed a good strapping for her disobedience and lack of respect. "Your child lied to me, and I would be doing her a favor by letting her feel the strap," he replied. Mark knew of his strictness, but didn't believe in the way he dealt with his children and no matter what one of his children had done, he wasn't about to let Mr. Callahan lay a hand on Wendy. "That won't be necessary, I will deal with my child myself," he replied, as he took hold of Wendy. Wailing as if she had already received a spanking, she walked with her father back to her room. instead of being placed over her fathers knee, like she had expected, he scooped her up, sat down in a chair, and cradled his crying child. When she calmed, he asked her for the truth. Wendy diligently told him everything. "Wendy, I want you to listen to me now, ok! It is very important that you not talk back to adults," he replied as he whisked her hair back and wiped the tears from her face. "You are a very lucky child indeed, that he didn't strap you too. He is also a very lucky man that he didn't." "Am I going to be spanked,?" she asked as she laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart beating. "No sweetie, you have been punished enough, but I want you to respect Mr. Callahan, do you understand?" he asked as he caressed her hair. "Yes sir," she replied. �But Daddy, I think Alex is hurt, and I'm worried.� "Listen, I know I shouldn't, but I admit, from what you described, I'm a bit worried myself. You sit tight and I will go check on her. No matter how long I'm gone, you stay in here until I return. Got it?" "Uh hu," Wendy replied, as she once again settled her head on his chest and closed her eyes. Mark, placed Wendy on her bed and left the room. He lightly knocked on Alex's door, then opened it slowly. He could hear the sounds of a sobbing child, but he didn't see her. He listened, and discovered the sound coming from under her bed. He reached down, grabbed the corner of the blanket, and pulled the sobbing child out. When she felt herself moving, she began to wail in fright. "Shhh shh shhhh child," Mark replied as he patted her on the back. He lowered himself to the ground and whispered to her. "It's ok Alex. Wendy sent me." Mark lifted her to her feet, placed the covers back onto her bed as she stood there and watched. Mark seated himself on her bed and motioned for her to come. "I know how it must hurt you right now," he said as he took her tiny hands in his, but I need to know if your hurt, and I mean besides here," he asked, as he pointed to her heart. "It stingssss sssooo soo bad," she replied. "Do you trust that I'm not here to punish you?" he asked. Alex shook her head yes. Mark turned her sideways, bent her slightly forward, and lifted her dress. She had some welts, and her bottom was a very bright crimson. He placed Alex on her tummy and excused himself. Mark return quickly with some ice. Alex realized that in just twenty minutes, the fire that once consumed her entire backside, was now subsiding. Mark could tell, by the diminished cries, that the ice was working. Mark replaced Alex's underwear, and helped her into pajamas. He then picked up the small girl and cradled her in his arms until she fell asleep. Mark laid her on her tummy, covered her and left her to rest. "Is she ok?" Wendy asked, as her father entered her room. She is going to be fine sweetie, I talked to her a while, and she is sleeping now. I want you to stay in here and rest too," he replied. "Thank you Daddy for helping me and my friend today, I love you." Wendy had never said that to him before, and it made him feel good to hear it finally come from her mouth. "I love you to sweetie. Now get some rest," he ordered as he covered her and kissed her on the forehead. As he left her room, his smile turned to anger. As Mark took the stairs two at a time, he had only one mission. To find Mr. Callahan. |
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